CaliforniaCollector vehicles would gain phased smog-check exemptions
Beginning in 2028, qualifying older collector vehicles would gradually stop needing smog certificates for registration, renewals, and ownership transfers.
What it does
Vehicles at least 35 model years old could qualify as collector motor vehicles if owners prove collector insurance or limited annual driving, while meeting use restrictions.
Qualifying collector vehicles would gradually stop needing smog certificates for registration, renewal, and ownership transfers, beginning with vehicles made before 1981 in 2028 and reaching pre-1986 vehicles in 2033.
Argument forOwners of eligible collector vehicles could avoid repeated smog certificates and related registration steps as each model-year cutoff takes effect.
Argument againstOwners may face new paperwork and administrative fees because eligibility depends on bureau rules, proof of insurance, or proof of limited driving.
More detail
The bill expands which vehicles qualify as collector motor vehicles. The expanded category covers vehicles at least 35 model years old that either have collector insurance with proof submitted to the Bureau of Automotive Repair or are shown through a bureau process to be driven fewer than 1,000 miles per calendar year. The vehicle must mainly be used for shows, parades, charitable events, historical exhibitions, display, maintenance, or preservation. The vehicle cannot be used mainly as the owner's regular transportation.
Certain collector motor vehicles would not need smog certificates for initial registration, renewal, or ownership transfers. The exemption covers qualifying collector vehicles made before the 1981 model year beginning in 2028, with the cutoff moving forward one model year each year until vehicles made before the 1986 model year qualify beginning in 2033. The Bureau of Automotive Repair must adopt regulations, forms, procedures, and other requirements to implement the exemption. Starting in 2028, the vehicle must meet the collector-use rules and have collector insurance with proof submitted to the bureau. Starting in 2030, vehicles qualifying through the under-1,000-miles-per-year standard may qualify only under the model-year cutoffs beginning with vehicles made before the 1983 model year. The bureau may charge administrative fees, capped at twice the annual smog abatement fee. The phased exemption begins January 1, 2028, and reaches vehicles made before the 1986 model year on and after January 1, 2033.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed Assembly
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Sep 16Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 245, Statutes of 2026.Latest
- Sep 16Approved by the Governor Gavin Newsom.Became Law
- Sep 9Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 2 p.m.To Governor
- Aug 31Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 30. Noes 4.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.Major
- Vote recorded SB 1392 Cortese Senate Third Reading By Ramos. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Unfinished Business SB1392 Cortese et al. Concurrence. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 31In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
- Aug 31Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 55. Noes 4. Page 6990.) Ordered to the Senate.Major
- Aug 19Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Aug 19Read third time and amended.Major
- Aug 13Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Aug 13From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (August 13).Minor
- Aug 13Assembly Rule 63 suspended.
- Aug 5August 5 set for first hearing. Placed on suspense file.
- Jun 30From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (June 29). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Jun 29
- Vote recorded Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Lower
- Jun 24From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on TRANS.Major
- May 26Referred to Com. on TRANS.Minor
- May 20In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.Minor
- May 19Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 29. Noes 5. Page 4366.) Ordered to the Assembly.Passed Assembly
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading SB1392 Cortese et al. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading SB1392 Cortese et al. Reconsider. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading SB1392 Cortese et al. Result: pass.Upper
- May 19Reconsideration granted. (Ayes 39. Noes 0. Page 4366.)
- May 19Motion to reconsider made by Senator Cortese.
- May 19Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 30. Noes 6. Page 4360.) Ordered to the Assembly.Passed Senate
- May 18Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- May 14Read second time and amended. Ordered to second reading.Major
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended. Result: pass.Upper
- May 14From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 6. Noes 0. Page 4275.) (May 14).Major
- May 8Set for hearing May 14.
- May 4May 4 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.
- Vote recorded Placed on suspense file. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 24Set for hearing May 4.
- Apr 22From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 10. Noes 2. Page 3985.) (April 21). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Apr 21
- Vote recorded Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 15From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on TRANS.Major
- Apr 10Set for hearing April 21.
- Apr 9April 14 set for first hearing canceled at the request of author.
- Mar 26Set for hearing April 14.
- Mar 4Referred to Com. on TRANS.Minor
- Feb 23Read first time.Minor
- Feb 23From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 23.
- Feb 20Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.Introduced
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