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Bill

SB 235

Recycling: precious metals and critical minerals: report.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jerry McNerney

California directives state agencies to study precious metals and critical minerals recovery from electronic waste and recommend policies to increase domestic recycling rates.

Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
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Bill Summary · SB 235

Legislative bill overview

SB 235 requires California to study and report on the recovery and recycling of precious metals and critical minerals from electronic waste and other sources. The bill directs relevant state agencies to assess current recycling capacity, identify barriers to recovery, and recommend policy improvements to increase material reclamation rates.

Why is this important

Critical minerals and precious metals are essential for batteries, semiconductors, and renewable energy infrastructure, yet the U.S. currently relies heavily on foreign supply chains. Improved domestic recycling could reduce supply chain vulnerabilities, create economic value from waste streams, and decrease environmental impacts from virgin mining operations.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost allocation: Determining who bears the expense of establishing or expanding recycling infrastructure (manufacturers, consumers, or state agencies) remains unclear
  • Feasibility timeline: The technical and economic challenges of recovering certain critical minerals at scale may be underestimated in the reporting requirements
  • Regulatory burden: Additional requirements on manufacturers or waste management facilities could increase operational costs without guaranteed market demand for recovered materials

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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