NY S04939

Establishes a product stewardship program requiring primary battery producers to submit approved stewardship plans to the Department of Environmental Conservation by April 1, 2024, with implementation beginning January 1, 2025.

Requires producers to fund free battery collection programs with minimum collection facilities based on county population (two per county under 50,000 people; three for counties with 50,000-100,000 people; one per town/city over 50,000 in larger counties).

Prohibits retailers from selling primary batteries starting January 1, 2025 unless the producer has an approved and implemented stewardship plan listed on the department website.

Establishes annual administrative fees of $7,500 for individual producers and $15,000 for cooperative producer groups, with collected fees deposited into the hazardous waste remedial fund.

Sets civil penalties of up to $1,000 per day for producer violations and requires independent third-party audits of stewardship plans every five years to assess program effectiveness and cost.