The "Promoting Responsible End-of-Life Management of Electric Vehicle Batteries Act" establishes a framework for managing electric vehicle batteries at the end of their life cycle in New Mexico. It introduces new definitions such as "battery provider," "secondary handler," and "specialized battery recycler," and prohibits the disposal of propulsion batteries in landfills. The bill mandates that batteries be managed through a hierarchy prioritizing reuse, repair, and remanufacturing before recycling. It outlines the responsibilities of stakeholders involved in battery management and includes reporting requirements to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.

Additionally, the bill amends the Hazardous Waste Act to enhance the treatment and management of spent batteries, establishing penalties for violations and requiring annual reporting from battery providers and recyclers. It redefines "generator" to include entities that remove propulsion batteries from vehicles and removes a previous restriction on the board's ability to identify hazardous waste, allowing for more flexible state management practices. The bill also empowers the board to adopt rules for hazardous substance incidents and storage tanks, ensuring alignment with federal standards, and mandates the management of used oil in accordance with federal regulations. The provisions of this act are set to take effect on January 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
TP substitute: 74-4-3, 74-4-4