summary
Introduced
01/06/2026
01/06/2026
In Committee
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to battery collection and disposal; providing a short title; repealing s. 403.7192, F.S., relating to battery requirements for consumers, manufacturers, and sellers; creating s. 403.71911, F.S.; providing definitions; prohibiting, beginning on a specified date, producers or retailers from selling, offering for sale, or distributing for sale any battery or battery containing product unless certain conditions are met; providing applicability; requiring battery stewardship organizations to submit specified battery stewardship plans to the Department of Environmental Protection by a specified date; requiring that proposed amendments to approved plans be submitted to the department; requiring battery stewardship organizations with approved plans to submit new plans to the department for approval within a specified timeframe; requiring such plans to include certain audits and corrective measures; requiring the department to approve, conditionally approve, or deny such plans or amendments within a specified timeframe; providing requirements for the approval or denial of such plans and amendments; providing requirements for the implementation of approved battery stewardship plans; authorizing battery stewardship organizations to issue warnings to, suspend, or terminate collection sites or services under specified conditions; requiring battery stewardship organizations to provide certain notice to the department; providing conditions under which battery stewardship organizations are not required to provide for the collection of certain batteries; providing requirements for the promotion of approved battery stewardship plans; requiring battery stewardship organizations to submit annual reports to the department beginning on a specified date; prohibiting producers, retailers, or battery stewardship organizations from charging consumers certain point-of-sale fees; requiring the department to post certain information on its website; providing an exemption from certain liability for producers, retailers, and battery stewardship organizations; providing for household and mail-back collection services for covered batteries; providing requirements for the collection, disposal, and processing of batteries beginning on a specified date; providing an exemption from certain liability for solid waste facilities and collectors; prohibiting battery stewardship organizations from refusing to accept covered batteries under certain conditions; providing penalties; requiring the proceeds from such penalties be deposited in the Legal Affairs Revolving Trust Fund of the Department of Legal Affairs and used for specified enforcement; providing for civil actions; providing an effective date.
AI Summary
This bill, titled the "Safe Battery Collection and Recovery Act," establishes a comprehensive framework for the collection and disposal of covered batteries, which include portable and medium-format batteries but exclude certain types like those in motor vehicles or medical devices. Beginning January 1, 2028, producers and retailers will be prohibited from selling or distributing covered batteries or products containing them unless the producer is part of a "battery stewardship organization" (a group that manages battery recycling plans) with an approved plan from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). These organizations must submit detailed stewardship plans, including strategies for collection, recycling efficiency rates (at least 60% for rechargeable and 70% for non-rechargeable batteries), consumer education, and safe handling of damaged batteries. The DEP will have 120 days to approve, conditionally approve, or deny these plans, with organizations needing to resubmit new plans every five years and undergo audits. The bill also prohibits point-of-sale fees for consumers, requires producers and retailers to mark batteries with producer identification and recycling information, and provides exemptions from certain liabilities for those complying with approved plans. Furthermore, it outlines requirements for household and mail-back collection services, sets penalties for violations, and allows for civil actions to enforce the provisions, with penalties deposited into a specific state fund for enforcement purposes.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
1st Reading (Original Filed Version) (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/1067 |
| BillText | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/1067/BillText/Filed/PDF |
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