FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 16, 2026
Contact: Michael Blenner, michael.blenner@sierraclub.org
Sierra Club California Statement on Newsom’s Signing of Leno’s Law
Today, Governor Newsom signed SB 1392 (Cortese), also known as “Leno’s Law” into law. This bill will undermine California’s Smog Check by exempting collector cars from the program, exposing Californian communities to increased levels of toxic air pollution.
Statement from Jakob Evans, Sierra Club California Senior Policy Strategist:
“Leno’s Law gives a handout to the ultra wealthy at the expense of California’s air protections. Signing this bill prioritizes the interests of multi-millionaire car collectors over the health of everyday Californians. Leno’s Law harms the health of Californians through the inevitable increase in air pollution that we will see across the state, leading to increased rates of cancer and lung and heart disease.
At a time when the federal government is dismantling California’s ability to implement clean air programs, Governor Newsom missed a crucial opportunity to protect our state’s air quality and fight back against the Trump administration’s attacks on our regulatory autonomy.”
###
Sierra Club California is the legislative and regulatory arm of Sierra Club’s 13 local chapters in California, representing half a million members and supporters, with a mission to practice and promote the responsible use of the earth’s ecosystems and resources; to educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment; and to use all lawful means to carry out these objectives. Among Sierra Club’s highest priorities is advocating for federal regulatory policies that address the impacts of climate change, including impacts to the financial system. Sierra Club also has an investment portfolio of approximately $62 million and represents millions of members and supporters, many of whom have significant investments of their own. The Sierra Club and its members seek more reliable and comparable climate-related disclosures.