New Auto Bills in California

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This month has had a few different auto bills come to light in California. Largely, one major bill passed its first committee last week, and another is set to begin discussions soon. The bill that is moving forward after last week’s committee vote affects how children would be allowed to ride in a vehicle. The one that is set for discussions soon will affect classic cars and their smog check requirements.

Assemblymember Lori Wilson sponsored the car seat bill.

The bill, Assembly Bill No. 435, would alter the requirements for children riding in the car. It establishes harsher requirements with stricter height restrictions than before. The bill explicitly lays out that all children younger than 10 years old would be required to have a booster seat. Additionally, it details that children up to the age of 13 could be required to sit in a booster seat as well if they are under a certain height.

In addition, teenagers would be affected by the bill as well.

Often, teen years are when parents start to let their children ride in the passenger seat. However, the bill would establish more restrictions on when teenagers could do this. Height requirements would be put in place that could ban teens up to the age of 16 from riding in the passenger seat if they do not meet them.

Previously, boosters were required only for kids up to 8 years old.

Assemblymember Wilson and her supporters argue that this restriction is just not safe for children. They worked alongside car seat company owners Benjamin Arias and his wife to find the right solution to children’s seats. After countless testing, they found that car seats should not be based on age, but rather seat belt fit, which has to do with height. It is important that seat belts rest in the proper spots on the body in order for them to be effective in case of an accident.

The bill starting its discussion in state legislature is Senate Bill 712.

This bill is being referred to as “Leno’s Law” as it is a bill massively supported by comedian Jay Leno. Leno is known for his expansive collection of classic cars. He and other supporters of Leno’s Law support changes being made to vehicle smog testing requirements. Essentially, the law would give car collections exemptions from smog testing for vehicles that are a model aged 35 or older. Currently, the bill also provides this exemption if the ownership changes for the vehicle.

Leno and other supporters argue that these vehicles are rarely driven and therefore should not be held to the same standard as daily driven cars. Instead, they say the vehicles are owned due to their historical significance and value in a collection. Leno is currently in the state Capitol to be present during the bill’s discussion.