Bill
S 556
Massachusetts bill creates a producer-funded Lithium-Ion Battery Stewardship Program to collect and recycle batteries, with DEP-approved plans and a collection-rate metric.
Note on conflicting metadata
- The file provided contains mixed metadata: an initial title and some legislative-action lines mention a bill about Medicaid/smoking‑cessation coverage, and a long list of U.S. Senate cosponsors. However, the full bill text attached is a Massachusetts state bill (Senate No. 556 / Senate Docket No. 1326) that would add Chapter 21P to the Massachusetts General Laws to establish a lithium‑ion battery stewardship program. This summary covers the text of that Massachusetts bill (battery stewardship), which appears to be the substantive content provided. If you intended a different bill (e.g., federal S.556 on smoking‑cessation coverage), please confirm.
Purpose and intent
- Establish a producer‑responsibility (stewardship) program to manage end‑of‑life collection and proper disposition of covered portable and medium‑format lithium‑ion and other batteries sold or distributed in Massachusetts. The aim is to increase safe collection, recycling, and proper handling of batteries to reduce environmental harm and safety risks (e.g., fires, toxic releases).
Key provisions (based on provided text)
- New statutory chapter: Inserts Chapter 21P, “Lithium‑Ion Battery Stewardship Program,” into Massachusetts law (placed after Chapter 21O).
- Definitions: Detailed definitions for terms used in the statute, including:
- Covered battery: portable or medium‑format batteries (new, used, damaged, or defective). Explicit exclusions: batteries in certain medical devices, batteries with free liquid electrolytes, lead‑acid batteries >11 lbs, batteries not designed to be easily removable, motor‑vehicle batteries or components, recalled batteries for safety reasons, and large‑format batteries.
- Size classes: portable, medium‑format, and large‑format batteries (large defined as >2,000 Wh and >25 lbs; medium and portable thresholds defined by weight and watt‑hours).
- “Easily removable” means user‑removable with no more than commonly used household tools.
- Producer responsibilities and definitions:
- “Producer” is defined broadly and by hierarchy: battery manufacturer (if sold under manufacturer brand), brand owner (if sold under another brand), licensee of a brand, U.S. importer of record, or first seller/distributor in the Commonwealth if no other applies.
- Special rule: a person who only sells a battery‑containing product is not a producer if the batteries supplied are already covered by a producer who has joined a registered battery stewardship organization.
- Battery stewardship organization and plan:
- Producers may designate a nonprofit battery stewardship organization to implement a battery stewardship plan that must be approved by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
- The bill sets up the concept of a statewide “Battery Stewardship Program” implemented via approved plans.
- Collection rate metric:
- The bill defines “collection rate” as: (weight of primary + rechargeable batteries collected in the prior calendar year) divided by (average annual weight of such batteries estimated sold in MA over the prior 3 calendar years by participating producers). This metric will be used to track program performance.
Who would be affected
- Producers: manufacturers, brand owners, importers, and first sellers/distributors of covered batteries and battery‑containing products sold into Massachusetts—these entities will have registration and program/financial obligations.
- Battery stewardship organizations: nonprofits designated to run collection, processing, and other program operations.
- Retailers and consumers: collection and drop‑off options would likely be established under stewardship plans (not detailed in the excerpt).
- Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection: authority to approve stewardship plans and oversee program compliance.
- Recycling/processing infrastructure and municipalities: may participate as collection sites or contractors.
Procedural / timeline notes (from provided metadata)
- Senate Docket No. 1326 filed 1/16/2025; presented by Sen. Cynthia Stone Creem (with petitioners Michael D. Brady and Dylan A. Fernandes).
- Referred to the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources (per text). A hearing was scheduled for 05/06/2025 (A‑1).
- The bill text indicates it is a 2025–2026 General Court measure. Further drafts and companion filings are referenced (e.g., accompanying new draft S2569 noted 2025‑08‑11).
Potential impacts (expected)
- Environmental and safety benefits: improve safe collection and recycling of lithium‑ion batteries, reduce improper disposal and fire risks, and recover valuable materials.
- Costs and compliance: producers will incur costs for program fees, collection logistics, and reporting; these costs may be passed through to consumers or retailers.
- Market effects: could incentivize product designs for easier battery removal and improve statewide recycling infrastructure.
- Scope limits: large‑format batteries (e.g., EV battery packs), most lead‑acid automotive batteries, and certain medical device batteries are excluded from coverage under the definitions provided.
If you want
- A deep dive on anticipated producer obligations beyond definitions (registration, fees, plan elements, performance targets, reporting, enforcement) I can summarize typical/likely provisions or analyze subsequent sections if you provide the remainder of the bill text.
- Clarification or a separate summary for the smoking‑cessation/Medicaid bill (if that was the intended document).
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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