California's Senate has voted multiple times on emissions waivers, but none have created a blanket exemption from testing

California's state Senate has considered several bills that would modify or waive emissions testing requirements, but as of now, no vote has resulted in a statewide exemption from the smog check program. The most discussed proposals have aimed to delay testing for certain vehicle types, extend testing intervals, or create temporary relief during specific conditions — but each has faced opposition from environmental committees or failed to pass both chambers.

The confusion often stems from local news coverage of individual bills or proposed amendments. A bill may pass the Senate and still die in the Assembly, or pass one chamber and be vetoed by the Governor. Understanding which votes actually changed the law — and which did not — matters because your vehicle's testing requirements depend on what the law currently says, not what was proposed.

Key Takeaways

  • No recent Senate vote has eliminated California's emissions testing requirement for most vehicles; proposals to waive or delay testing have not become law.
  • Bills that pass the Senate still must pass the Assembly and be signed by the Governor to take effect, and many emissions-related proposals have stalled at one of these steps.
  • Your vehicle's testing schedule is set by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) based on vehicle age, type, and model year, not by individual Senate votes.
  • Checking the California Department of Motor Vehicles website or your registration renewal notice is the only reliable way to know whether your specific vehicle must be tested this year.

How Senate votes on emissions waivers actually work

A Senate vote is one step in a multi-step process. For a bill to change California law, it must pass the Senate, then pass the Assembly (the lower chamber), then be signed by the Governor. If any of these steps fails, the bill does not become law — even if the Senate voted yes.

Emissions-related bills often face scrutiny from the Assembly's Environmental Quality Committee and from the Governor's office, because California's air quality standards are tied to federal Clean Air Act compliance. A bill that the Senate passes may be rejected by the Assembly if it is seen as weakening air quality protections, or vetoed by the Governor for the same reason.

When you see a headline about a "Senate vote on emissions waivers," check whether the article also mentions Assembly passage and the Governor's signature. If it does not, the bill has not yet become law.

What bills have actually been proposed and where they stand

Several bills have proposed changes to California's smog check program in recent years. Some have sought to exempt newer vehicles from testing, others to extend the interval between tests, and still others to create temporary waivers during supply chain disruptions or economic hardship.

The status of these bills changes year to year. A bill that fails in one legislative session may be reintroduced in the next. The most reliable source for current bill status is the California Legislative Information website (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov), where you can search by bill number and see whether it passed, failed, or is still pending.

Rather than tracking individual bills, most vehicle owners should focus on their own registration renewal notice, which tells them whether their vehicle must be tested that year. The rules are set by the California Air Resources Board and the Department of Motor Vehicles, not by individual Senate votes.

Who decides whether your vehicle needs testing

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) set the testing requirements for each vehicle based on its model year, vehicle type, and fuel type. A 2015 sedan may need testing, while a 2024 sedan may not, depending on CARB's current rules.

These rules do not change because of a single Senate vote. They change only when a bill passes both chambers, is signed by the Governor, and CARB updates its testing schedule accordingly. Even then, the change usually takes effect on a specific date announced in advance, not when ready.

Your registration renewal notice will tell you whether your vehicle must be tested. If you are unsure, you can check the DMV website or call your local smog check station — they have access to the current testing requirements and can tell you in minutes whether your vehicle is due.

Why emissions testing requirements are hard to change

California's smog check program is tied to the state's obligation under the federal Clean Air Act to maintain air quality standards. Any bill that weakens testing requirements faces legal and political scrutiny because it could jeopardize California's air quality certification or trigger federal intervention.

This is why bills that propose broad waivers or exemptions often stall in committee or are vetoed. The Assembly's Environmental Quality Committee and the Governor's office review proposed changes to may support they do not undermine air quality goals. A Senate vote in favor does not override this review process.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, California did grant temporary testing waivers for certain vehicles, but these were executive actions by the Governor in response to smog check station closures — not the result of a Senate vote. Once stations reopened, the waivers ended.

How to find out what the current testing rules actually are

The most direct way is to check your vehicle registration renewal notice. It will state clearly whether your vehicle must pass a smog check before renewal. If you have lost the notice, you can log into your DMV account online, call the DMV, or visit a local DMV office.

You can also visit the California Air Resources Board website (arb.ca.gov) and search for the current smog check requirements by vehicle model year. The DMV website (dmv.ca.gov) also has a section on smog check requirements that is updated whenever the rules change.

If a bill does pass both chambers and is signed into law, the DMV and CARB will announce the change and update their websites. You will not have to search for news articles or track Senate votes — the official sources will tell you when your testing requirements have changed.

What happens if you skip testing when it is required

If your vehicle is required to pass a smog check and you do not, the DMV will not renew your registration. You will receive a notice stating that your vehicle failed to meet smog check requirements, and you will have a window of time to complete testing and submit the results to the DMV.

If you do not complete testing within that window, your registration will expire and you cannot legally drive the vehicle. Driving with an expired registration can result in a citation and fines. The only way to restore your registration is to pass the smog check and provide proof to the DMV.

This is why it matters to know the actual current rules, not to rely on rumors about Senate votes. A bill that has not passed both chambers and been signed into law does not change your legal obligation to test.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did the California Senate vote to eliminate smog checks?

No. The Senate has voted on several bills that would modify or delay testing requirements, but none have passed both the Senate and Assembly and been signed by the Governor. Proposals to eliminate testing have not become law.

How do I know if my vehicle actually needs to be tested this year?

Check your vehicle registration renewal notice — it will state whether a smog check is required. You can also log into your DMV account online, call the DMV, or visit dmv.ca.gov and search by vehicle model year. This is the only reliable way to know your actual requirement.

What if a Senate bill passes but the Assembly does not vote on it?

The bill does not become law. A Senate vote is only one step. The bill must also pass the Assembly and be signed by the Governor to change California law. Many bills pass one chamber and stall in the other.

Can the Governor waive emissions testing without a Senate vote?

The Governor can issue temporary waivers during emergencies, as happened during COVID-19 when smog check stations closed. These waivers are temporary and end when the emergency ends. They do not change the underlying law and do not require a Senate vote.

Where can I track the status of emissions-related bills?

Visit the California Legislative Information website at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov and search by bill number. You can see whether a bill passed the Senate, where it stands in the Assembly, and whether it has been signed by the Governor. This is the official source for bill status.