BILL NUMBER: S8832
SPONSOR: KAVANAGH
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to
rechargeable battery recycling
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This is a chapter amendment to refine battery safety measures, further
define the parameters of e-bike and e-scooter retailer participation in
the program, augment manufacturer requirements, require a study of
e-bike and e-scooter battery collection performance, and other related
and technical modifications.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 modifies certain definitions refine manufacturer responsibil-
ities and adjust the types of covered batteries.
Section 2 makes retailer acceptance of batteries voluntary and adds
protective provisions for retailers collection activity.
Section 3 enumerates the types of collection sites contemplated,
enhances the requirements for manufacturers to establish collection
sites, further develops the safety parameters for battery collection and
recycling activities, provides for explicit reimbursement of local
governments for collection efforts, adds additional education campaign
requirements, and requires the Department of Environmental Conservation
(DEC) to conduct a study on collection program efficacy.
Section 4 clarifies the effective date for e-bike and e-scooter manufac-
turer compliance and requires DEC to consult with fire safety profes-
sionals on manufacturers' compliance plans.
Section 5 requires that New York City share enforcement data with DEC.
Section 6 sets the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
This legislation contains negotiated revisions to the underlying chap-
ter, which added e-bike and e-scooter batteries to the rechargeable
battery recycling law, which is an existing extended producer responsi-
bility program for rechargeable batteries managed by DEC.
In particular, the bill makes retailer acceptance of e-bike and e-scoot-
er batteries voluntary and refines other fire safety provisions, such as
by limiting the types of batteries that are acceptable for collection,
expanding upon requirements on manufacturers, and adding more detail on
collection site parameters. The bill also refines the types of
batteries that may be collected and makes the required manufacturer
public education efforts more explicit.
The bill requires DEC to complete a study to evaluate the effectiveness
of the expanded program as of January 1, 2031.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
This is a chapter amendment to Chapter 712 of the Laws of 2025.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Impacts are expected to be minimal.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
On the same date and in the same manner as the underlying chapter.