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Assembly committee advances bill to expand battery recycling to medium-format batteries
Summary
The Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee advanced SB 501, which would expand California's extended producer responsibility program to include medium-format batteries found in e-bikes, lawn equipment and portable power systems. Supporters said the change would reduce fire risks and shift disposal costs from local governments to producers.
Sen. Allen introduced SB 501 to expand California's extended producer responsibility (EPR) law for loose batteries to include medium-format batteries — those up to 25 pounds commonly used in e-bikes, electric lawn equipment and portable power systems. Allen said medium-format batteries are increasing in the waste stream and pose fire and safety risks when improperly discarded.
"Batteries are a significant source of household hazardous waste," Sen. Allen said, noting small batteries have caused trash fires and that the new category would close a gap between the existing loose-battery EPR and producer fees applied to embedded batteries. He described producers' choice to comply individually or through stewardship organizations and said the bill clarifies that keyed anti-theft devices will not disqualify otherwise removable batteries.
Heidi Sanborn of the National Stewardship Action Council, a bill cosponsor, told the committee that recycling and sorting facilities already handle medium-format batteries and that the items regularly create fire risks for workers and for processing equipment. "Our trucks are burning," Sanborn said, and she urged the committee to add the batteries to the current program before a separate rulemaking would be required.
John Kennedy, representing the Rural County Representatives of California, said local governments operate hundreds of household hazardous waste collection sites and are absorbing rising costs tied to increased battery volumes from e-bikes and other products. Kennedy and other local-government witnesses said a statewide, durable approach would make collection and recycling simpler and more predictable.
Stakeholders from recycling organizations, county supervisors and city associations registered broad support; the Rechargeable Battery Association (PRBA) said it has a supportive-amend position and is working with the author on guardrails for mixing small and medium-format programs. The Motorcycle Industry Council raised concerns about potential inclusion of off-highway vehicles and asked for clarifying language; the California Retailers Association said it is now neutral after discussions with the author's office.
Chair Connolly recommended an "I" vote and the committee deferred taking a final roll call on SB 501 until a quorum was established. The committee later moved the bill forward to the Assembly Natural Resources Committee and left the vote open to allow absent members to record their positions.
The bill's next procedural step is consideration in the Assembly Natural Resources Committee; the committee kept the vote open for absent members.
