CA SB501

Expands California's Responsible Battery Recycling Act of 2022 by removing weight exclusions for covered batteries and creating two new categories: small format batteries (rechargeable up to 11 lbs/300 watthours, nonrechargeable up to 4.4 lbs) and medium format batteries (rechargeable 11-25 lbs or 300-2,000 watthours, nonrechargeable 4.4-25 lbs)

Requires stewardship plans to establish minimum collection sites for small format batteries at 10 sites per county or one per 15,000 people, and for medium format batteries at 5 sites per county or one per 30,000 people

Clarifies that anti-theft locking devices provided by producers that only prevent theft or tampering, not consumer battery removal, do not exempt batteries from being classified as easily removable covered batteries

Mandates retailers with five or more California locations to serve as permanent collection sites for small format batteries

Maintains existing recycling efficiency requirements of 60% for rechargeable batteries and 70% for primary batteries beginning January 1, 2027