Assembly Bill 713 establishes requirements for battery stewardship organizations in Wisconsin to manage the collection and recycling of covered batteries. The bill defines a battery stewardship organization as an entity designated by battery manufacturers to implement a stewardship plan approved by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Covered batteries include portable and medium format batteries, with specific weight and capacity criteria, while excluding certain types such as lead acid and alkaline batteries. Starting January 1, 2027, producers are prohibited from selling covered batteries unless they are part of an approved stewardship plan, which includes annual reporting, consumer education, and proper identification of the producer and battery chemistry.

The bill also outlines penalties for non-compliance, including civil forfeitures for intentional violations, and mandates that beginning January 1, 2028, covered batteries must not be disposed of in landfills or incinerated. The DNR is tasked with maintaining a public website detailing approved stewardship plans and producers, and the bill requires battery stewardship organizations to provide free collection services and educational outreach. Additionally, the bill emphasizes the importance of collaboration among organizations to enhance efficiency and reduce duplication of efforts in battery recycling initiatives.