An Act to Establish a Stewardship Program for Primary and Rechargeable Batteries
Sponsored By: Denise Tepler (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
9 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 5 mixed.
Producers must join program and label batteries
Starting 180 days after the first plan approval, producers may not sell covered batteries here unless they participate in an approved stewardship program. Two years after that first approval, many covered batteries must be marked with the producer name, battery chemistry, and a “do not trash” notice. Embedded portable and medium batteries are not covered until January 1, 2030, when they become part of the program.
Free, safer battery drop-off statewide
You can drop off covered batteries for free. Programs must give at least one permanent site within 15 miles for 95% of residents, one site in every county, and more sites in cities within a year of starting. Sites can only take medium-format or damaged batteries where trained staff and state safety rules are met. Programs do not have to take batteries that are not covered, including large-format and embedded batteries before January 1, 2030.
Support and rules for drop-off sites
Program operators must give approved sites the right containers, signs, and staff training, and reimburse reasonable costs. If your store, town, or facility meets plan rules, the operator must approve you within 90 days. The operator can warn, suspend, or remove a site that breaks plan rules or creates an immediate safety risk after consulting the department.
Legal protections and waivers for producers
Program organizers get limited antitrust protection for actions needed to run the program. Information marked proprietary stays confidential. A producer can get a waiver from this law if it maintains a compliant system under section 2165; full compliance here exempts the producer from section 2165 for that battery.
Annual reporting, audits, and oversight
Starting the year after a program launches, the operator must file a public report by May 1 each year and keep records for at least five years. From 2027 through 2030, reports must list products with embedded batteries; that list rule ends April 1, 2030. Producers in a program must give the operator embedded‑battery info each year from March 1, 2027 until January 1, 2030. The department runs and enforces this law and reports to lawmakers every year starting February 15, 2027.
Getting a stewardship plan approved
Producers or a stewardship group must file a plan within six months after the department’s rules take effect. Plans last up to five years and must list participants, the collection network, goals, financing, and staffing. The department reviews plans in 120 days, with a 60‑day window for fixes and a 90‑day re‑review. Plans and major changes get at least 30 days of public comment and must be updated at least every five years.
$10 deposit on new lead-acid batteries
If you buy a new lead-acid battery and do not trade in a used one, the store charges a $10 deposit per battery. You get the $10 back if you return a used battery within 30 days. Stores must hold deposits in trust; unclaimed deposits from the prior year go to the retailer each July 1. If the battery is managed under an approved stewardship program and the seller is a participating collection site, the usual retailer deposit and take-back rules do not apply.
Stronger safe-disposal rules for batteries
Manufacturers of dry‑cell mercuric oxide or rechargeable batteries must run and fund proper collection, transport, and processing and inform buyers about disposal rules. People working for government, industrial, communications, or medical facilities may not throw these batteries away outside an approved system, including systems under this law.
Program fund, fees, and investments
The operator must keep producer payments in a separate stewardship fund and use it only for program admin and audits, department fees, reimbursements to sites, and approved education or infrastructure. Before spending on education or infrastructure, the operator submits a proposal; the department decides in 90 days and follows rules that favor recycling access, education, and fair support for towns. The operator pays a plan‑review fee when filing and a documented annual oversight fee.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Denise Tepler
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
Joseph Martin
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 608
4/3/2026PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.
3/30/2026SenatePASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
3/26/2026HouseCONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYUnder suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-565).In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
3/25/2026HouseReport READ and ACCEPTED.Bill READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (S-565) READ and ADOPTED.Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (S-565).Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence.
3/24/2026SenateCARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 800.
6/25/2025SenateCARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.
3/21/2025SenateReceived by the Secretary of the Senate on February 5, 2025 and REFERRED to the Committee on ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2
2/5/2025Senate
Bill Text
Amendment C-A (S-565), adopted by House & Senate
Enacted
Introduced
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