Lead-Acid Battery Recycling Act of 2016: dealer notice: California battery fee.

The Lead-Acid Battery Recycling Act of 2016, as part of the hazardous waste control laws, prohibits a person from disposing, or attempting to dispose, of a lead-acid battery at a solid waste facility or on or in any land, surface waters, watercourses, or marine waters, but authorizes a person to dispose of a lead-acid battery at certain locations. The act imposes a California battery fee on a person for specified types of replacement lead-acid batteries purchased from a dealer in the amount of $1 until March 31, 2022, and in the amount of $2 commencing April 1, 2022. The act requires a dealer to post a written notice or include on the purchaser's receipt for one of these lead-acid batteries specified language, including language stating that the dealer is required by law to charge a nonrefundable $1 California battery fee. A violation of the hazardous waste control laws is a crime. This bill would revise the language required to be included in that notice or on the purchaser's receipt by increasing the stated amount of the California battery fee from $1 to $2. Because the failure of a dealer to include this revised language would be a crime under the hazardous waste control laws, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.