WA SB5045

Expands Washington's existing battery stewardship program to include electric vehicle (EV) batteries as "covered batteries" beginning January 1, 2029, requiring EV battery producers to participate in approved stewardship plans and fund collection/recycling programs

Explicitly excludes EV batteries from the existing lead-acid vehicle battery disposal rules (which require retailers to accept trade-ins and charge $5+ core fees), creating separate management requirements for EV batteries

Requires battery stewardship organizations to establish statewide EV battery collection opportunities through designated locations, authorized recyclers with mandatory safety training, or authorized transporters

Mandates that anyone who remanufactures or repurposes an EV battery must relabel it according to department standards before selling in Washington, effective January 1, 2029

Prohibits retailers from selling EV batteries or products containing them after July 1, 2029 unless the producer participates in an approved stewardship organization, with no point-of-sale fees allowed to cover program costs