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Committee exempts medical devices and certain batteries from e‑waste program
Summary
The committee adopted an amendment (A17) to exclude medical devices and batteries that are part of FDA‑regulated medical products from the e‑waste collection and recycling system created in prior legislation, after MPCA and counsel clarified the scope of the exemption.
The Environment Committee on April 10 voted to adopt A17, an amendment to the omnibus bill that exempts batteries and medical products regulated by the Food and Drug Administration from the state e‑waste collection and recycling system established in earlier legislation (referenced in testimony as Senate File 1690).
Senator Hoffman introduced the amendment and Committee staff and MPCA staff described the change as removing covered medical devices and devices that contain batteries from the e‑waste program. MPCA Commissioner Kirk Koudelka confirmed that the amendment ‘‘removes an existing exemption for certain types of medical devices, and includes a wider one for all FDA products that have a battery component to it,” meaning those products and batteries would not be collected under the statewide e‑waste system.
Questions at the hearing focused on whether the exemption affects taxation or other rules. Counsel and MPCA clarified that A17 is targeted to the e‑waste recycling system and does not, in their view, change tax treatment. Committee members asked for further technical review; MPCA indicated willingness to keep working with the committee on language.
Why it matters: The exemption responds to concerns from medical‑device users, clinicians and stakeholders that certain devices and batteries (such as portable CPAP batteries, TENS units and other medically necessary battery‑powered devices) are needed for patient care and present handling considerations distinct from consumer electronics waste. Removing them from the e‑waste program prevents routine recycling requirements from interfering with medical device maintenance and patient access.
What’s next: A17 is incorporated into SF2077 as adopted by the committee. MPCA staff said they would continue to work with the sponsor and stakeholders to refine drafting and ensure clarity about which products are excluded and how the system will treat covered devices at collection points.
