E2SSB 5144 — Providing for responsible environmental management of batteries.

What this bill does

Requires producers of certain batteries to participate in a stewardship organization that plans and provides for battery collection and end-of-life management, beginning January 1, 2027, for portable batteries and January 1, 2029, for medium sized batteries. Directs the Department of Ecology (Ecology) to assess the opportunities and challenges of managing batteries other that covered portable and medium-sized batteries, and authorizes Ecology to adopt rules taking effect no earlier than 2031 to establish product stewardship program participation responsibilities applicable to producers of batteries and those battery containing products. Directs Ecology to report policy recommendations to the Legislature related to the collection and management of electric vehicle batteries by April 2024. Prohibits retailers from selling covered batteries whose producers do not participate in an approved stewardship plan. Requires battery stewardship organizations implementing a stewardship plan to establish performance goals, follow program funding criteria, meet collection and management standards, conduct public education and outreach, and report on program operations to Ecology. Requires battery disposal to occur via collection locations provided by a battery stewardship organization or other responsible battery management arrangements. Establishes labeling requirements for batteries sold in Washington.

From the Washington State Legislature's nonpartisan staff bill analysis. Read the full analysis ↗

Floor votes

• House — Final Passage as Amended by the House · April 6, 2023
  57 yea · 40 nay · 1 not voting
• Senate — Final Passage as Amended by the House · April 14, 2023
  40 yea · 6 nay · 3 not voting
• Senate — 3rd Reading & Final Passage · March 7, 2023
  42 yea · 6 nay · 1 not voting

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