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New YorkS 732025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

Relates to rechargeable battery recycling

Sponsored By: Brian Kavanagh (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATIONCODESWAYS AND MEANS

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.

Battery makers pay for recycling

Battery manufacturers must run or join state-approved plans and pay for collecting, transporting, and recycling returned batteries. Manufacturers cannot sell, offer, or distribute covered batteries in New York without following an approved plan. Retailers also cannot sell or offer batteries unless the manufacturer follows an approved plan. Paid transfers of ownership or the right to use a battery count as sales, including store, catalog, mail, phone, and online transactions. Samples, donations, and reuse do not count as sales. Plans must explain safe collection, transport, and recycling, and give retailers safe-handling and storage guidance. They must also cover safe, prompt collection and disposal of scooter and electric-assist-bike batteries collected by retailers and government agencies. Plans are due within 90 days after the battery recycling title’s effective date; newly covered scooter and bike battery plans are due within 180 days after the 2025 amendment’s effective date. The state must approve plans and publish an online list of approved manufacturers and covered brands. Manufacturers must report annually on batteries received and recycled by number or weight, program costs, and other required information. They must separately report scooter and bike battery weights received statewide and in cities with at least 1 million people.

More battery returns, stricter disposal rules

The law takes effect immediately and adds batteries that mainly power electric scooters and electric-assist bikes to New York’s recycling system. Other rechargeable dry-cell batteries and packs now qualify below 50 pounds, up from below 25 pounds. Covered types include nickel-cadmium, sealed lead, lithium-ion, and nickel metal hydride batteries. Vehicle-power batteries, bulk solar or wind storage batteries, and built-in memory-backup batteries remain excluded. Covered batteries cannot go in the regular trash. Retailers with a New York location must accept batteries similar in shape, size, and function to those they sell. They must accept up to 10 per person daily during normal business hours, without a purchase, and at least as many as you buy. Entrance signs must explain the trash ban, identify the store as a collection site, and state that batteries are returned to manufacturers. The general retailer deadline is 180 days after the battery recycling title’s effective date. For scooter and electric-assist-bike batteries, the deadline is the later of one year after the 2025 amendment’s effective date or state approval of a compliant new or updated plan.

Large cities can enforce battery rules

In New York cities with at least 1 million people, mayors can designate agencies to enforce battery disposal and retailer rules alongside the state. Violation notices can go to the city’s environmental control board, which can impose the law’s civil penalties. Money collected by the board goes to the city’s general fund. State law otherwise controls rechargeable-battery recycling and overrides local recycling laws and rules once the preemption section takes effect. Localities can still coordinate recycling or reuse with state programs, and qualifying cities retain their shared enforcement power.

Stores face battery fire safety rules

New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation must set battery storage and handling rules to reduce fire risks. The rules must require retailers to arrange regular battery removal with manufacturers or manufacturer groups. Retailers must train responsible employees on safe handling, fire hazards, and emergency steps suited to the batteries they handle. The department must consult the state Office of Fire Prevention and Control and the New York City Fire Department. Rules are due within 180 days after the 2025 amendment’s effective date.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Brian Kavanagh

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Anthony H. Palumbo

    Republican • Senate

  • Brad Hoylman-Sigal

    Democratic • Senate

  • Jack M. Martins

    Republican • Senate

  • James Tedisco

    Republican • Senate

  • Joseph P. Addabbo Jr.

    Democratic • Senate

  • Julia Salazar

    Democratic • Senate

  • Kevin S. Parker

    Democratic • Senate

  • Lea Webb

    Democratic • Senate

  • Liz Krueger

    Democratic • Senate

  • Monica Martinez

    Democratic • Senate

  • Pamela Helming

    Republican • Senate

  • Patricia Fahy

    Democratic • Senate

  • Pete Harckham

    Democratic • Senate

  • Robert Jackson

    Democratic • Senate

  • Robert Rolison

    Republican • Senate

  • Steve Rhoads

    Republican • Senate

  • William Weber

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 220 • No: 52

House vote • 6/17/2025

Assembly floor vote

Yes: 91 • No: 50

Senate vote • 6/12/2025

FLOOR Vote

Yes: 57 • No: 2

Senate vote • 3/5/2025

FLOOR Vote

Yes: 61 • No: 0

committee vote • 2/25/2025

Environmental Conservation Committee Vote

Yes: 11 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. APPROVAL MEMO.87

    12/19/2025Senate

  2. SIGNED CHAP.712

    12/19/2025Senate

  3. DELIVERED TO GOVERNOR

    12/8/2025Senate

  4. RETURNED TO SENATE

    6/17/2025House

  5. PASSED ASSEMBLY

    6/17/2025House

  6. ORDERED TO THIRD READING RULES CAL.715

    6/13/2025House

  7. SUBSTITUTED FOR A4641A

    6/13/2025House

  8. REFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS

    6/12/2025House

  9. RETURNED TO ASSEMBLY

    6/12/2025Senate

  10. REPASSED SENATE

    6/12/2025Senate

  11. AMENDED ON THIRD READING 73A

    6/9/2025Senate

  12. VOTE RECONSIDERED - RESTORED TO THIRD READING

    6/9/2025Senate

  13. RETURNED TO SENATE

    6/9/2025House

  14. RECALLED FROM ASSEMBLY

    6/9/2025Senate

  15. REFERRED TO CODES

    3/5/2025House

  16. DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY

    3/5/2025Senate

  17. PASSED SENATE

    3/5/2025Senate

  18. ADVANCED TO THIRD READING

    3/3/2025Senate

  19. 2ND REPORT CAL.

    2/26/2025Senate

  20. 1ST REPORT CAL.392

    2/25/2025Senate

  21. REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION

    1/8/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Amendment A

    6/9/2025

    PDF

  • Original

    12/18/2024

    PDF

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