The bill establishes a comprehensive battery stewardship program in Washington State, mandating that starting January 1, 2027, all producers of covered batteries or battery-containing products must participate in an approved stewardship plan through a designated organization. Retailers are prohibited from selling these products unless the producers are certified participants in an approved program. The legislation emphasizes the importance of proper disposal and recycling to mitigate environmental harm, requiring stewardship organizations to submit detailed management plans that include performance goals, educational strategies, and safety protocols. The bill also sets specific recycling efficiency rates—60% for rechargeable batteries and 70% for primary batteries—while promoting public awareness, particularly in vulnerable communities.

Additionally, the bill outlines new regulations for the disposal and management of batteries, effective July 1, 2027, for portable batteries and July 1, 2029, for medium format batteries. It prohibits the disposal of covered batteries in waste containers for incineration or landfills and mandates their management according to standards set by stewardship organizations. The bill introduces provisions for educational outreach, comprehensive reporting requirements for stewardship organizations, and penalties for non-compliance. It also grants antitrust immunity to producers and stewardship organizations involved in the program's implementation and amends existing laws to incorporate these new regulations, aiming to enhance public health, safety, and environmental benefits through improved battery management practices.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 43.21B.110, 43.21B.300
Substitute Bill: 81.77.020, 43.21B.300
Second Substitute: 81.77.020, 43.21B.300
Engrossed Second Substitute: 81.77.020, 43.21B.300
Bill as Passed Legislature: 81.77.020, 43.21B.300
Session Law: 81.77.020, 43.21B.300