Jay Leno, Sen. Shannon Grove cruise CA Capitol for classic car smog exemption

Comedian and car aficionado Jay Leno drove state Sen. Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield, in a 1976 Pontiac Trans-Am past the state Capitol on Tuesday, rallying support for legislation that would ease restrictions on classic cars.

Grove’s proposal, Senate Bill 712 — dubbed Leno’s Law — would exempt vehicles 35 years or older from California’s smog check program. The bill has attracted bipartisan support, including from Senate Transportation Committee Chair Sen. Dave Cortese, D-San Jose, who co-authored the measure.

Grove and Leno were joined by dozens of classic car enthusiasts, who displayed their vehicles along 10th Street, to highlight the proposed exemption ahead of the bill’s hearing.

“I try to be the typical California enthusiast during the week,” Leno said during a news conference on the Capitol steps. “We try to do things the right way, but it’s just hard when you have a vehicle that’s not modified in any way. I hope you get behind us on this bill and at least make us equal to our neighboring states.”