Battery Collection and Recovery

Added 'off-highway vehicles' to the list of excluded battery types and created a new exemption for lead-acid batteries weighing 11 pounds or more.

Added a new exemption for batteries or materials imported into the state after collection for the purpose of end-of-life management.

Restructured the definition of 'Producer' to explicitly distinguish between producers of batteries and producers of battery-containing products.

Changed the labeling requirement from a 'clear mark' to specific text indicating the battery cannot be disposed of as household waste and is not eligible for curbside recycling.

Added an exemption for small batteries that fit entirely into the standard small parts cylinder, requiring the mark to be on the packaging instead.

Added a requirement for independent collectors to document shipment manifests and receive approvals from receiving and transporting parties when mixing batteries with other waste streams.

Updated the plan renewal requirement to mandate submission one year before expiration rather than every 4 years.

Clarified that retailers are not required to make their locations available as collection sites for the stewardship program.

Changed the audit requirement from a one-time audit after 4 years to a one-time audit after 4 years of implementation, with specific wording adjustments regarding the audit scope.

Added a threshold requiring local government reimbursement only for facilities that individually collect more than 200 pounds of batteries annually.