Bill > HB4144

This bill establishes a battery producer responsibility program in Oregon, requiring manufacturers and sellers of batteries and products containing batteries (referred to as "covered producers" and "covered products") to manage the end-of-life of these items. Covered producers must join a "battery producer responsibility organization" (a non-profit group acting on behalf of producers) which will then develop and implement a statewide program for the responsible management of "covered batteries" (portable and medium-sized batteries, with some exceptions like those in medical devices or vehicles). These organizations must submit detailed plans to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for approval, outlining how they will ensure convenient collection sites across the state, educate the public about battery recycling, manage collected batteries responsibly, and report annually on their activities. The bill also sets penalties for violations, including significant fines for producers who fail to join a program, and creates a dedicated "Battery Producer Responsibility Fund" to support the DEQ's administration and enforcement of these new regulations.