SF4679 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Batteries stewardship program establishment, mercury prohibition in batteries provision, lead acid batteries and rechargeable consumer products provisions modifications, and appropriation
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
The bill aims to protect the environment by creating a state stewardship program for batteries, which would manage batteries through their life cycle (including disposal). It would prohibit the use of mercury in batteries, update or modify rules for lead-acid batteries and rechargeable consumer products, give the state rulemaking authority, and provide funding to support the program. It also codifies certain battery-related requirements into Minnesota law and changes or repeals several existing statutes related to batteries.
Main Provisions
- Establishment of a battery stewardship program to manage end-of-life batteries and reduce pollution.
- Prohibition on mercury in batteries.
- Changes to provisions governing lead-acid batteries and rechargeable consumer products.
- Authorization for state agencies to adopt rules (rulemaking) and to use state funds to support the program (appropriating money).
- Codification in Minnesota Statutes:
- Adds or amends sections in Chapter 115A (e.g., 115.071, 115A.03, 115A.554, 115A.9157, 116.92) and adds new subdivisions (e.g., 115A.554, 115A.9157, 116.92 subdivisions) to implement the program.
- Adds new or revised provisions in chapters 325E (e.g., 325E.1151 subdivisions, 325E.12, 325E.125, 325E.1251).
- Repeals and replaces certain existing battery-related laws (e.g., repealing 115A.9155, 115A.961 subdivisions 1-3, 325E.115, 325E.1151 subdivision 4, 325E.125 subdivisions 1, 2, 2a, 4, and 325E.1251 subdivision 1.1.12). This indicates a shift to a new framework for battery stewardship.
- Section on enforcement and remedies:
- The bill aligns remedies for pollution control with existing environmental laws and allows enforcement by criminal prosecution, civil penalties, injunctions, or other appropriate actions (e.g., enforcement of rules, standards, permits).
Changes to Existing Law
- Replaces or consolidates older battery-related provisions with a new stewardship framework in Chapter 115A and related sections.
- Expands or clarifies enforcement tools (criminal penalties, civil penalties, injunctions, etc.) for battery-related pollution control.
- Repeals some prior battery statutes and subdivisions, moving toward a unified program for battery stewardship and regulation.
Enforcement and Remedies
- The bill preserves and clarifies a set of enforcement remedies for pollution prevention and control, including:
- Criminal prosecution
- Civil penalties
- Injunctions or other court actions to compel compliance
- Provisions for permits, schedules of compliance, and related orders or stipulations issued by the agency
Implementation and Funding
- The bill grants rulemaking authority to address the new battery stewardship program.
- It provides for appropriation of funds to support the program, indicating a commitment to implement and sustain the program through state resources.
Potential Impacts
- Battery manufacturers, retailers, and distributors: new rules and reporting requirements; costs associated with compliance and product stewardship.
- Municipalities and local governments: changes in waste management and recycling obligations.
- General public and environmental groups: potential improvements in battery recycling, reduced mercury use, and reduced pollution.
Relevant Terms battery stewardship program; mercury in batteries; lead-acid batteries; rechargeable consumer products; rulemaking; appropriation; Minnesota Statutes; Chapter 115A; Chapter 325E; remedies available; criminal prosecution; civil penalties; injunction; permits; schedules of compliance; pollution prevention; environmental regulation; enforcement.
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 23, 2026 | Senate | Action | Introduction and first reading | ||
| March 23, 2026 | Senate | Action | Referred to | Environment, Climate, and Legacy |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"New or revised remedies language may be added to this subdivision."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 115.071, subdivision 1 to address remedies available for pollution prevention, control, or abatement.",
"modified": [
"Amendments to remedies enforcement including criminal prosecution, civil penalties, injunctive relief, and related mechanisms."
]
},
"citation": "115.071",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Adds subdivisions to 115A.03."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The bill proposes adding subdivisions to Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 115A.03.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "115A.03",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Adds a new subdivision to 116.92 (subdivision to be added)."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "References to 116.92 subdivision 6 being amended by adding a subdivision; existing statute 116.92 is involved.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "116.92",
"subdivision": "subdivision 6"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cross references Minnesota Statutes chapter 325E sections 10 through 1251; establishes interrelational framework for the bill's provisions.",
"modified": [
"Cites and potentially modifies enforcement and rulemaking related to battery stewardship under Chapter 325E."
]
},
"citation": "325E.10 to 325E.1251",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "References to Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 325E.12; no specific subdivision indicated in the text.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "325E.12",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Possible addition or modification to these subdivisions."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The bill references subdivisions 3 and 5 of 325E.125 as part of the amendments to the chapter on batteries.",
"modified": [
"Subdivisions 3 and 5 are implicated in the act."
]
},
"citation": "325E.125",
"subdivision": "subdivision 3, subdivision 5"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The bill references subdivision 2 of 325E.1251.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "325E.1251",
"subdivision": "subdivision 2"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [
"Replaced/removed: 115A.9155"
],
"summary": "The bill repeals Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 115A.9155.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "115A.9155",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [
"115A.961 subdivisions 1-3 repealed"
],
"summary": "The bill repeals subdivisions 1, 2, and 3 of Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 115A.961.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "115A.961",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1 2 3"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [
"325E.115 repealed"
],
"summary": "The bill repeals Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 325E.115.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "325E.115",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [
"325E.1151 subdivision 4 repealed"
],
"summary": "The bill repeals Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 325E.1151, subdivision 4.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "325E.1151",
"subdivision": "subdivision 4"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [
"325E.125 subdivisions 1, 2, 2a, 4 repealed"
],
"summary": "The bill repeals Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 325E.125, subdivisions 1, 2, 2a, and 4.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "325E.125",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1, subdivision 2, subdivision 2a, subdivision 4"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [
"325E.1251 subdivision 1.1.12 repealed"
],
"summary": "The bill repeals Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 325E.1251, subdivision 1.1.12.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "325E.1251",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1.1.12"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The bill references enforcement provisions in Minnesota Statutes 2024 sections 103F.701 to 103F.755, relating to environmental enforcement.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "103F.701 to 103F.755",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The bill references Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 325E.32.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "325E.32",
"subdivision": ""
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee