Newsom signs ‘Jay Leno’s Law’ and lowrider plate bill at Jay Leno’s Garage

Verified: On Sep 16, 2026 Governor Gavin Newsom signed three bills at Jay Leno’s Garage; the Office of the Governor issued the announcement.

Observed fact: SB 1392, described in the release as “Jay Leno’s Law,” phases in a smog-check exemption for qualifying collector cars built between 1976 and 1985; eligibility is limited to vehicles insured as collector cars or driven less than 1,000 miles per year. The Office of the Governor provided that description.

Observed fact: AB 2541 establishes a Lowrider specialized license plate; the governor’s release says the plate is intended to honor lowrider cultural traditions and help support youth engagement and arts programs. The release also notes the governor signed SB 1069 to expedite review of aftermarket parts manufacturers seeking state approval.

Source claims and attribution: The Office of the Governor characterizes SB 1392 as narrowly tailored and limited to a very small share of the fleet that contributes minimally to statewide emissions. The release also cites milestones for electric vehicles and charging infrastructure in California as context for the state’s continued clean-vehicle push.

Evidence: The release includes direct statements from Jay Leno, Senator Dave Cortese and Assemblymember Mark González praising the bills; those quotes appear in the governor’s statement and are cited here as source material.

Practical consequence: SB 1392 will reduce smog-check obligations for a narrowly defined set of older collector vehicles; the immediate practical effect is administrative relief for owners who meet the collector-insurance or low-mileage criteria. AB 2541 creates a visible state-recognized symbol for lowrider culture; the release says it will support related arts and youth programs, but it does not specify funding mechanisms.

What the governor’s office does not provide: The press release does not specify how many vehicles will qualify for the exemption, the exact phase-in schedule, or independent estimates of resulting emissions changes. It does not detail how revenue from the specialty plate, if any, will be allocated to programs.

Analysis and inference: The administration frames the bills as balancing cultural preservation with clean-air goals; that balance depends on the narrowness of eligibility and on implementation details that the release omits. Independent air-quality analysis and DMV rulemaking will be the next points to watch for measurable outcomes and emissions estimates.

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