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Bill

S 1288

Requires certain disclosures regarding lithium ion powered electric vehicles.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jim Beach and 1 co-sponsor

Requires dealers of lithium-ion EVs to provide a state-prepared disclosure on lithium extraction and the battery's lithium source; buyers sign acknowledgment; penalties apply.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Commerce Committee
#consumeraff #motorvehicl
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Bill Summary · S 1288

Summary — S 1288: Disclosures for lithium‑ion powered electric vehicles

At a glance

  • Title: Requires certain disclosures regarding lithium ion powered electric vehicles (S 1288)
  • Main purpose: Require sellers of electric vehicles (EVs) with lithium‑ion batteries to provide purchasers a state‑prepared disclosure about lithium extraction and to identify the source of the lithium in the vehicle’s battery.
  • Primary requirements: State-prepared disclosure, purchaser acknowledgement/signature, civil penalties for violations.
  • Penalties: $150 for a first violation; $300 for subsequent violations.
  • Effective date: First day of the thirteenth month after enactment (with authority for the responsible director to act earlier for implementation).
  • Status (from provided record): Introduced (April 3, 2025); referred to committee(s); hearing scheduled 10/28/2025. (See Procedural status below.)

Purpose / intent

The bill aims to inform consumers purchasing EVs powered by lithium‑ion batteries about environmental and supply concerns associated with lithium mining/extraction and to disclose the geographic/source origin of the lithium used in the specific vehicle battery being sold. The intent is consumer transparency regarding resource impacts and supply scarcity.

Key provisions

  • Division of Consumer Affairs duty: The Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs must develop a standardized disclosure statement for prospective purchasers of lithium‑ion battery EVs.
  • Required content of disclosure: At minimum, the statement must:
    • State that lithium extraction can have substantial impacts on ecosystems;
    • Note that known lithium reserves are increasingly scarce;
    • Identify the source (origin) of the lithium in the vehicle’s battery being sold.
  • Seller obligations:
    • Every business in the state that sells a lithium‑ion powered vehicle must provide the disclosure to each purchaser.
    • Each purchaser must sign an affirmation acknowledging receipt of the disclosure.
  • Enforcement & penalties:
    • Civil penalties of $150 for a first violation and $300 for subsequent violations.
    • Penalties are collectible by summary civil action pursuant to the state's Penalty Enforcement Law (as referenced in the bill).

Who is affected

  • Retailers and dealers who sell lithium‑ion battery electric vehicles in the state (required to present the disclosure and obtain signatures).
  • Prospective and actual vehicle purchasers (receive the disclosure and sign acknowledgment).
  • The Division of Consumer Affairs (responsible for creating and distributing the disclosure).
  • Vehicle manufacturers or battery suppliers may be indirectly affected if sellers rely on them to identify lithium source origins.

Procedural status & timeline (from provided record)

  • Introduced: April 3, 2025 (read twice and referred to Committee on Energy and Natural Resources per record).
  • Hearing scheduled: October 28, 2025, 10:00 AM–2:00 PM (location A‑1).
  • Effective date: First day of the thirteenth month after enactment (with a provision allowing the Division director to take anticipatory steps prior to that date).

Additional notes / caveats

  • The materials provided include multiple text fragments and filings from different jurisdictions/sessions (including unrelated language about prevailing wage and references to New Jersey statutory formatting). This summary focuses on the "Introduced Version" text concerning disclosures for lithium‑ion battery EVs (the consumer‑disclosure provisions).
  • Related/companion measures listed in the record include HR 2697, A 6319, A 1527 and prior-session items; confirm jurisdictional alignment and companion bill numbers in official legislative databases for tracking.

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

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