Smog exemption would keep collector vehicles moving
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This Wednesday morning‚ I joined Sen. Shannon Grove and Sen. Dave Cortese as they hosted Classic Cars at the Capitol. As a proud co‑author of Senate Bill 1392‚ often referred to as Leno’s Law‚ it was my pleasure to enjoy the scenery of pristine vehicles and participate in a press conference raising attention to the bill.
SB 1392 would ease smog check requirements for vehicles that are 35 model years old and that do not serve as a primary mode of transportation‚ but are primarily collector vehicles.
It was a fun morning as the collectors shared their classic cars with us in Sacramento – and it worked! SB 1392‚ which has already passed the Senate‚ passed out of the Assembly Appropriations Committee on Thursday and is now up for a vote on the Assembly Floor in the next two weeks. I hope this bill gets to the governor’s desk and is signed so these classic vehicles can continue to bring smiles.
Measure Streamlines Testing of Low‑Use Vehicles
Also headed to the Assembly Floor: My bill to streamline the testing for low‑use diesel vehicles‚ which under current Air Resources Board regulations could face testing as often as four times a year‚ despite being driven less than a thousand miles a year.
Senate Bill 1064 is my measure to get some relief for the owners of these vehicles – mostly specialty equipment used in agriculture or logging. Otherwise‚ many would literally put on more miles going back and forth to testing centers than in their normal use.
Californians take air quality very seriously‚ and this bill does not change emission standards but only reduces redundant tests. I appreciate the open minds of my colleagues as they considered it.
Bill Allows Grace for Paperwork Errors
I am also proud to say I have a bill that has passed both houses of the Legislature and is headed to the governor’s desk.
Developed with the Fair Political Practices Commission and the support of the good‑government group Common Cause‚ Senate Bill 1389 grants more authority to FPPC investigators to waive penalties for inadvertent paperwork errors.
Volunteers serving on the boards of their local schools or fire districts can be subject to complex filing requirements under the Political Reform Act to report both assets and sources of income‚ as well as campaign contributions. These disclosures are aimed at preventing conflicts of interest and they are very important to honest government‚ but honest mistakes should be allowed some grace so good people don’t face daily fines for inadvertent late filing.
I appreciate the opportunity to work with the FPPC to ensure its enforcement tools are used to punish real wrongdoing.
Legislature Honors LaMalfa Memory
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Also this week‚ the Senate passed Assembly Concurrent Resolution 162‚ dedicating a section of Highway 99 in Butte County as the Congressman Doug LaMalfa Memorial Highway.
LaMalfa‚ who died after a sudden illness in January‚ had served in the Assembly‚ the Senate and in Congress going back to 2002. He was a proud champion for rural interests and a friend to thousands — not just in the districts he represented in the Legislature and the U.S. House‚ but around California and the West.
Thank you to my colleagues for this tribute to his work and his memory.
211 Service Expands to Colusa
This week Colusa County‚ in partnership with Help Central Inc.‚ announced that the full 211 system is live and available to county residents.
211 is a free‚ confidential service that connects people to local health and human services through a simple phone call‚ text message‚ or online search. Residents can now:
Dial 2‑1‑1 to speak with a local Community Resource Specialist (M‑F 7am‑6pm; Sat 9am‑5:30pm).
Text their ZIP code to 898‑211 for live assistance (M‑F 7am‑6pm; Sat 9am‑5:30pm).
Search online at 211Colusa.info for local programs and services.
Whether seeking help with housing‚ food‚ healthcare‚ utility assistance‚ mental health services‚ employment‚ transportation‚ childcare‚ or other community needs‚ 211 provides a single access point for support.
211 services have been rolling out in different North State counties for some time and are now available in most of the 1st Senate District. More information including links to each local system’s website is available here.
(PS: Some telephone carriers serving Colusa County are still enabling 211 dialing for their customers. If dialing 211 does not connect‚ residents can call (833) 222‑7026. Colusa County and Help Central Inc. are working with carriers to ensure reliable access.)