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OregonHB 41442026 Regular SessionHouse

Relating to batteries.

Sponsored By: Courtney Neron Misslin (Democratic), Emerson Levy (Democratic), Hai Pham (Democratic), Janeen Sollman (Democratic), Sue Rieke Smith (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.

Free battery collection across Oregon

The law requires free collection of covered portable batteries of every brand. At least 95% of Oregon residents must be within 15 miles of a portable-battery collection site. Population-based city and county minimums also apply, unless the state approves an alternative with substantially equal convenience. Every county must also have free collection of covered medium-format and damaged or defective batteries through hazardous-waste sites or yearly events. Sites must use program containers, train workers, share safety information, and have enough staff and public hours to meet local needs.

Battery producers face sales rules and fines

Covered producers cannot sell, offer, or distribute covered batteries or battery-containing products in Oregon without joining an approved, operating battery program. Producers remain responsible even when they delegate program work. Portable batteries include rechargeable batteries up to 11 pounds and 300 watt-hours, and single-use batteries up to 4.4 pounds. Specified medium-format batteries extend coverage up to 25 pounds and, for rechargeable batteries, 2,000 watt-hours. Exclusions cover medical-device batteries, free-liquid batteries, lead-acid batteries over 11 pounds, nonremovable batteries, vehicle batteries, energy-storage systems, and recalled batteries. Product makers avoid separate producer duties when easily removable batteries come from a participating battery producer acting on their behalf. Both parties must sign a statement to the state identifying their roles and providing notice when that participation ends. Producers and program organizations face fines up to $1,000 per day for program violations. Producers selling covered products without joining face up to $10,000 for each day those products are sold in Oregon.

Producers fund battery collection and education

Battery program plans must cover safe management, fair statewide access, public education, and budgets funded by producer membership fees. Producers cannot charge consumers a separate fee at checkout to cover program costs. Program organizations and their service providers also cannot charge covered entities for required services. Programs must start within 90 days after state approval and coordinate with other program organizations when required. Starting in program year four, plans must set yearly collection, recycling-efficiency, and public-awareness targets, including awareness in low-income, rural, and historically underserved communities.

Safer handling for collected batteries

Battery program organizations must ensure collection sites and processors safely manage covered batteries and materials collected through their programs. Required practices include keeping records, tracking where batteries go, and conducting audits and inspections. Operators must follow worker-safety rules and send materials to responsible end markets. Liability insurance or other financial backing is also required.

Battery collection partners get cost support

Battery program organizations must fairly pay eligible sites for collecting, storing, managing, and transporting covered batteries. Required payments exclude retail-run sites and collection through third-party subscription services. Organizations must make agreements with all willing, state-permitted transfer stations, landfills, hazardous-waste facilities, and material recovery facilities. These partners must follow the approved plan, applicable laws, and worker training. Organizations must also accept batteries from local-government collection routes and arrange further processing and management without charging those collection providers.

Fines for batteries thrown in trash

You cannot knowingly put a covered battery in mixed household trash. Violations carry civil fines of up to $500 each. Every improperly discarded removable lithium-ion battery counts as a separate violation. A disposal-site owner or operator is not in violation when the site clearly posts directions to a battery responsibility program.

Oregon sets battery launch and oversight rules

Battery program organizations must submit their first plans by September 1, 2028, and have them operating by July 1, 2029. Approved plans last three program years. Major plan changes need state approval, normally requested at least 60 days beforehand. With good cause for shorter notice, organizations must give as much notice as practical; the state can grant temporary approval after consultation. Contact and participating-producer changes must be reported within 90 days, and the state can require changes when goals are missed. Oregon's environmental agency also receives $142,317 in added spending authority for the two-year budget period ending June 30, 2027.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Courtney Neron Misslin

    Democratic • Senate

  • Emerson Levy

    Democratic • House

  • Hai Pham

    Democratic • House

  • Janeen Sollman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Sue Rieke Smith

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Anthony Broadman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Bobby Levy

    Republican • House

  • David Gomberg

    Democratic • House

  • Deb Patterson

    Democratic • Senate

  • Floyd Prozanski

    Democratic • Senate

  • John Lively

    Democratic • House

  • Jules Walters

    Democratic • House

  • Ken Helm

    Democratic • House

  • Khanh Pham

    Democratic • Senate

  • Lew Frederick

    Democratic • Senate

  • Lisa Fragala

    Democratic • House

  • Lisa Reynolds

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mark Gamba

    Democratic • House

  • Nancy Nathanson

    Democratic • House

  • Pam Marsh

    Democratic • House

  • Sarah McDonald

    Democratic • House

  • Shannon Isadore

    Democratic • House

  • Tom Andersen

    Democratic • House

  • Travis Nelson

    Democratic • House

  • Willy Chotzen

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 95 • No: 10

Senate vote • 3/5/2026

Third reading. Carried by Neron Misslin. Passed.

Yes: 20 • No: 8

House vote • 2/27/2026

Third reading. Carried by Levy E. Passed.

Yes: 42 • No: 0

legislature vote • 2/25/2026

Ways and Means: Heard and Reported Out with Amendments

Yes: 21 • No: 2

House vote • 2/12/2026

Climate, Energy, and Environment: Heard and Reported Out

Yes: 12 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter 119, (2026 Laws): Effective date January 1, 2027.

    4/13/2026House

  2. Governor signed.

    4/7/2026House

  3. President signed.

    3/10/2026Senate

  4. Speaker signed.

    3/10/2026House

  5. Third reading. Carried by Neron Misslin. Passed.

    3/5/2026Senate

  6. Carried over to 03-05 by unanimous consent.

    3/4/2026Senate

  7. Second reading.

    3/3/2026Senate

  8. Recommendation: Do pass the A-Eng. bill.

    3/3/2026Senate

  9. Referred to Ways and Means.

    3/2/2026Senate

  10. First reading. Referred to President's desk.

    3/2/2026Senate

  11. Third reading. Carried by Levy E. Passed.

    2/27/2026House

  12. Second reading.

    2/26/2026House

  13. Recommendation: Do pass with amendments and be printed A-Engrossed.

    2/25/2026House

  14. Work Session held.

    2/25/2026House

  15. Returned to Full Committee.

    2/23/2026House

  16. Work Session held.

    2/23/2026House

  17. Assigned to Subcommittee On Natural Resources.

    2/18/2026House

  18. Referred to Ways and Means by prior reference.

    2/13/2026House

  19. Recommendation: Do pass and be referred to Ways and Means by prior reference.

    2/13/2026House

  20. Work Session held.

    2/12/2026House

  21. Public Hearing held.

    2/5/2026House

  22. Referred to Climate, Energy, and Environment with subsequent referral to Ways and Means.

    2/2/2026House

  23. First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.

    2/2/2026House

Bill Text

  • JWM Amendment -1 (Adopted)

    2/25/2026

    PDF

  • JWMNR Amendment -1 (Proposed)

    2/23/2026

    PDF

  • A-Engrossed

    PDF

  • Enrolled

    PDF

  • House Amendments to Introduced

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

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