CA SB615

Requires battery suppliers (vehicle manufacturers or battery importers) to ensure responsible end-of-life management of vehicle traction batteries removed from vehicles still in service or returned to them, including funding collection costs

Imposes reporting requirements on battery suppliers, secondary users, secondary handlers, auctioneers, salvage disposal auctions, and qualified battery recyclers to track vehicle traction battery sales, transfers, and dispositions with the Department of Toxic Substances Control

Establishes a "battery management hierarchy" prioritizing reuse, repair, and remanufacturing of batteries before repurposing or recycling, with the goal of preventing disposal

Creates the Vehicle Traction Battery Recovery Fund funded by battery suppliers to cover the department's regulatory costs, with regulations to take effect by July 1, 2028

Requires the department to maintain public lists of compliant battery suppliers and certified qualified battery recyclers, prohibiting sales of batteries from non-compliant suppliers, and mandates studies on orphaned batteries every five years starting January 1, 2030