SB 289 Summary

• Establishes the Battery and Battery-Embedded Product Recycling and Fire Risk Reduction Act of 2021, requiring producers to develop and finance stewardship programs for collecting and recycling batteries and battery-embedded products.

• Requires producers to submit stewardship plans by June 30, 2025, and fully implement programs by June 30, 2026, including minimum collection site distribution of at least five sites per county and one site per 10,000 population.

• Makes the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Act of 2006 and Cell Phone Recycling Act of 2004 inoperative as of June 30, 2025, and repeals them as of January 1, 2026.

• Authorizes the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery to post annual compliance lists of producers and brands, prohibiting retailers and distributors from selling non-compliant products, with penalties up to $10,000 per day for violations (up to $50,000 per day for intentional violations).

• Requires producers to reimburse the state quarterly for regulatory costs and establishes the Battery and Battery-Embedded Product Recycling Fund to support program administration and enforcement.