Bill > HB332

This bill establishes a lithium-ion battery recycling working group within Hawaii's Department of Health to comprehensively examine the challenges and potential solutions for recycling small and medium-sized lithium-ion batteries. The working group will be chaired by the director of health and include the chief energy officer, with additional invited members from battery manufacturing, recycling industries, waste shipping, fire departments, and extended producer responsibility organizations. Their key tasks include assessing the sources and quantity of lithium-ion batteries in the state, evaluating the environmental and safety risks of improper battery disposal, and investigating effective recycling methods. The bill is motivated by concerns about safety hazards, such as fires in waste facilities and landfills, and aims to develop strategies to keep lithium-ion batteries out of the waste stream. The working group is required to submit a report with findings and recommendations to the legislature before the next regular legislative session and will be dissolved after completing its work. While the bill's effective date is technically listed as July 1, 3000 (which appears to be a placeholder), the intent is to establish this working group to address an urgent environmental and safety issue related to battery disposal.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Business and Industry

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=332&year=2026