BRACE Act
Sponsored By: Representative Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1]
Passed House
Summary
A federal framework to manage lithium‑ion battery recycling. The bill would direct EPA to impose short-term handling rules and to issue a tailored universal-waste rule within 18 months.
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- Destination facilities and recyclers would have to follow interim universal-waste storage and handling rules based on current large-quantity handler standards. This sets common expectations for how batteries are stored before recycling and adds safety steps.
- EPA would have 18 months to write a final universal-waste rule for lithium‑ion batteries. That rule must include tailored waste requirements, any interim elements that make sense, extra safety measures, and changes to support recycling and recovery of critical minerals.
- The bill updates a cross-reference in the Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act so battery rules align with today’s universal-waste framework. That modernizes regulatory language and aims to keep health and environmental protections while boosting recycling.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Clearer battery waste rules for businesses
This bill would set clear terms for battery waste rules. It would define the EPA Administrator and define a lithium‑ion battery by how it moves lithium ions. It would tie the meanings of “battery,” “destination facility,” and “large quantity handler of universal waste” to 40 C.F.R. 273.9 (or any successor rules). It would also update an old cross‑reference in federal battery law to point to 40 C.F.R. part 273 (or successor). These changes would reduce confusion for manufacturers, distributors, recyclers, and handlers.
New rules for lithium battery recyclers
If enacted, the EPA would have 18 months after enactment to issue a universal‑waste rule for lithium‑ion batteries. Until that rule is issued, any destination facility that stores lithium‑ion batteries before recycling would have to follow specific large‑quantity universal‑waste handler rules in 40 C.F.R. part 273 (sections 273.33(a)(1), 273.35, 273.36, 273.37) and the standard in 273.60(b). The new rule would consider tailored requirements that support recycling and recovery of critical minerals while protecting health and the environment, and additional safety requirements. Nothing in the bill would limit future EPA rulemaking on lithium‑ion batteries.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1]
IA • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-25]
CA • D
Sponsored 7/16/2026
Rep. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ-8]
NJ • D
Sponsored 9/1/2026
Rep. Harshbarger, Diana [R-TN-1]
TN • R
Sponsored 9/2/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov