Senate adopts Battery Stewardship Act to require manufacturer-led EV battery recycling

The Senate adopted Senate Bill 3 on May 1, establishing a statewide battery stewardship program to govern the end-of-life management of electric vehicle batteries.

Sponsor Senator Wallace described the bill as the product of months of stakeholder negotiation among environmental advocates, vehicle manufacturers, recyclers and fire-safety stakeholders. "By deploying a first-in-the-nation policy framework that requires vehicle manufacturers to collect unwanted batteries, we will support manufacturers, local vehicle dismantlers, and the state," Wallace said on the floor, emphasizing circular-economy goals and critical-mineral recovery targets.

Senator Cutter, co-prime sponsor, said the law prevents hazardous batteries from accumulating in scrapyards and landfills and highlighted expected safety and economic benefits. The bill includes initial statutorily set fees to cover administration for the program's first three years and directs rulemaking to establish proportional fees by manufacturer market share thereafter.

The appropriation and fee reductions proposed in committee were explained and adopted as a strike-below amendment in Appropriations; the Senate adopted the amended bill.

Supporters portrayed SB3 as a timely step to manage the growing volume of EV batteries and recover critical minerals; floor debate emphasized safety, recycling infrastructure and stakeholder cost-sharing. The bill passed the Senate and will proceed for enrollment and final enactment steps.