Committee backs DE1 narrowing of statewide battery stewardship bill after broad stakeholder support
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Summary
Rep. Hollins’s HF 14 26, narrowed by DE1 to focus on loose batteries, drew testimony from recyclers, county officials, industry and faith groups about thermal events and costs; the amendment passed and the committee laid the bill over for additional negotiations.
Rep. Hollins told the committee HF 14 26 (as amended) would establish a statewide battery stewardship organization to fund and manage free collection of loose batteries, reduce thermal events at recycling facilities and relieve counties of increasing disposal costs.
Lucy Mullaney of Eureka Recycling said their facilities experience roughly "about 20 fires a year" in recent periods and urged action to protect workers, infrastructure and neighborhoods. "The batteries placed in the recycling cart are threatening our operations, our team members, and our communities," she said, and described rising insurance and equipment costs.
Kirk Koudelka of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency said the bill’s recommendations reflected a recent Critical Materials Recovery Advisory Task Force report and would improve uniformity of consumer access to drop‑off options. County and solid‑waste officials described multiple serious thermal events and said the current patchwork of collection sites is insufficient.
Industry witnesses including the Rechargeable Battery Association and private recyclers expressed conditional support but asked for narrower focus on small and medium‑format portable batteries and clearer language on reimbursement and large‑format batteries. Maria Jensen (Clean Water Action/RECA) explained how a product responsibility organization (PRO) can use the value recovered from batteries to subsidize collection and reduce public costs. Several members urged a fiscal note and cautioned about scaling and county roles.
The DE1 amendment, which narrowed scope to loose batteries and clarified program details, was adopted by voice vote and HF 14 26 was laid over. Committee members said stakeholders should continue negotiations to refine large‑format battery treatment, consumer convenience and protections for recycling workers.