AN ACT ESTABLISHING AN EXTENDED PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY PROGRAM FOR SOLAR PANELS.

HB 5136 establishes a program requiring solar panel manufacturers to cover the cost and manage the safe disposal of panels when they reach the end of their useful life. This directly affects solar panel producers, shifting the responsibility for disposal from taxpayers or local governments to the manufacturers. The key mechanism is a mandatory extended producer responsibility (EPR) program that would require manufacturers to set up or fund collection and recycling systems. The bill aims to ensure solar panels are disposed of responsibly as solar adoption grows, preventing improper waste handling.