Bill > SB103

This bill establishes a two-year Electric Vehicle Battery Recycling and Reuse Working Group within the Hawaii State Energy Office to address the growing challenge of electric vehicle (EV) battery disposal and recycling. The working group will be composed of diverse stakeholders, including government officials from the energy office and health department, representatives from the EV manufacturing, automotive repair, energy storage, electronic waste recycling, utility, and automotive recycling industries, as well as environmental and extended producer responsibility experts. The group's primary objectives are to develop best management practices for EV battery recycling and reuse, coordinate with relevant organizations, and create policy recommendations for the state legislature. By December 2026, the working group must submit a comprehensive report analyzing opportunities and barriers to EV battery reuse and recycling, including considerations of cost, safety, environmental impacts, and the feasibility of in-state and out-of-state recycling options. The context for this bill is Hawaii's significant growth in EV adoption, with a 30% increase in registration resulting in over 34,000 registered vehicles, which necessitates proactive planning for responsible battery management to prevent environmental harm. The working group will be dissolved on June 30, 2027, after completing its mandated tasks.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=103&year=2026