H.B. 788 Summary

• Establishes an electric vehicle battery recycling and reuse working group within the Hawaii State Energy Office to develop best management practices and policy recommendations.

• Working group to be co-chaired by the chief energy officer and director of health, with membership including representatives from EV manufacturing, automotive repair, energy storage, electronic waste recycling, utilities, environmental organizations, and other relevant industries.

• Requires working group to analyze opportunities and barriers for battery reuse as first option, energy storage as second option, and recycling as third option, including costs of out-of-state transportation.

• Mandates report submission to legislature no later than 20 days before the 2026 regular session with findings on best practices, in-state versus out-of-state recycling costs and impacts, program feasibility, and environmental effects.

• Working group shall be dissolved on June 30, 2026; act takes effect upon approval.