cars news 10: California Bill to Move Smog Exception From 1975 to 1980 Progresses

A new bill proposed by California Senator Ted Gaines (R-El Dorado) that would change the California smog exemption year cutoff from 1975 to 1980 passed through the Senate Committee on Transportation and Housing earlier this week. The next step for SB 1239 is to be approved by the Senate Committee on Appropriations.

The bill passed the first committee in a bipartisan vote of six votes for and five against.

If passed, the bill would exempt cars prior to the 1981 model year from California’s biennial smog-check inspections and would open the door for non-CARB (California Air Research Board) drivetrain modifications.

“Collector cars and trucks are a unique and important part of California history and need to be preserved,” said Senator Gaines, in a statement. “Extending the exemption to 1981 is a common-sense way to encourage that these vehicles remain on display for all to see, drive and enjoy.”

The Senator said the modification – err, amendment – to Section 44011 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to vehicular air pollution, would exempt late 1970s vehicles that are already owned and operated as classic and collector vehicles. While Senator Gaines cited the obvious Corvettes, Mustangs, and Mopars, SB 1239 would also include early GM G-Body cars and Fox-platform Fords, as well as nostalgic Japanese cars such as the Toyota Celica and Datsun Z models. Many classic European cars from Porsche and BMW would also be exempted.

As with the current bill, the amendment would require exempt vehicles to be covered by collector car insurance that places annual mileage restrictions on the vehicle, which is usually around 5,000 miles per year.

Only around 162,000 of the approximately 27 million cars on California roads are exempt under the current law, according to the Association of California Car Clubs. The change is said to only affect half a percent of vehicles. The bill still has a long way to go before becoming law, but this news – just in time for Earth Day – should give classic car enthusiasts a glimmer of hope.

Source: California Legislature, Senator Ted Gaines Homepage