Bill > SB615

This bill establishes a comprehensive framework for managing the end-of-life of vehicle traction batteries in California, with a primary focus on promoting reuse, repair, repurposing, and recycling. The legislation requires battery suppliers to take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of vehicle traction batteries, starting from their initial sale through to their final disposition. Specifically, battery suppliers must ensure responsible end-of-life management when batteries are removed from vehicles under warranty or returned to them, adhering to a hierarchical approach that prioritizes reuse and repair before recycling. The bill introduces detailed reporting requirements for battery suppliers, secondary users, secondary handlers, auctioneers, and qualified battery recyclers, mandating annual reporting of battery sales, transfers, and destinations to the Department of Toxic Substances Control. The legislation also establishes the Vehicle Traction Battery Recovery Fund to support regulatory implementation, requires the department to conduct periodic studies on battery abandonment, and creates a compliance system where retailers can only sell batteries from suppliers listed as compliant. Notably, the bill exempts violations from criminal penalties but allows for civil and administrative penalties, and includes provisions to protect potentially sensitive competitive information while promoting transparency in the emerging electric vehicle battery ecosystem.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB615