OR HB4144

Producers of batteries or battery-containing products must join a battery producer responsibility organization (minimum 5 producers) and implement a statewide collection and recycling program for portable batteries (≤11 lbs/300 watt-hours) and medium format batteries (11-25 lbs/300-2,000 watt-hours)

Collection network must ensure 95% of Oregon residents are within 15 miles of a collection site, with at least one site per county and scaled requirements for cities based on population (e.g., cities over 200,000 need 10+ sites)

Department of Environmental Quality will administer the program, approve 3-year plans by September 1, 2028, with programs operational by July 1, 2029, and may impose civil penalties up to $1,000/day for violations ($10,000/day for producers failing to join an organization)

Producers fund the program through membership fees with no charges to consumers at point of sale or to covered entities for collection services; fee structures may incentivize environmentally beneficial battery designs

Knowingly disposing of covered batteries in mixed municipal solid waste is prohibited, with civil penalties up to $500 per improperly disposed battery