The proposed bill establishes a comprehensive battery stewardship framework in Iowa, requiring producers and retailers to comply with specific regulations regarding the sale and disposal of covered batteries and battery-containing products. Producers must submit a battery stewardship plan to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) by January 1, 2027, detailing collection and recycling goals, consumer education strategies, and safety protocols for collection sites. The bill prohibits the sale of covered batteries unless they are part of an approved stewardship plan and properly marked for recycling, with penalties for non-compliance. It also introduces new definitions related to battery stewardship, including "battery stewardship organization," "collection site," and "covered battery," while mandating that producers fund the implementation of their plans.

Additionally, the bill requires organizations to provide permanent collection sites for portable and medium format batteries by December 1, 2028, ensuring accessibility for residents. It mandates that at least one collection site be available within a 15-mile radius for 95% of residents for portable batteries and a minimum of 10 dispersed sites statewide for medium format batteries. The legislation includes strict disposal regulations, prohibiting the mixing of covered batteries with recyclable materials or municipal waste, and mandates that from January 1, 2028, covered batteries can only be disposed of at approved collection sites. Violations can result in fines up to $10,000, and the bill establishes a battery stewardship account to fund DNR's responsibilities, requiring ongoing evaluation of additional products for future inclusion under the bill's provisions.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 22.7, 455D.10A, 455F.1, 455.10A