SF 1690 Minnesota Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Stewardship program establishment for circuit boards, batteries, and electrical products

Minnesota Senate File 1690 establishes a stewardship program requiring manufacturers of covered circuit boards, batteries, and electrical products to fund collection, recycling, and disposal of these items. It directly affects electronics manufacturers and brands, who must pay into a new reimbursement system managed by a Covered Products Reimbursement Board (Section 3.17). Key provisions include prohibiting mercury in batteries (Section 3.4) and defining "covered products" to exclude medical devices and motor vehicles (Section 3.12). The bill amends multiple statutes to implement this system, effective January 1, 2027.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Feb 20, 2025 Last action Apr 7, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

1st Engrossment → 2nd Engrossment · 5 edits · Apr 7, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was revised from the 1st to the 2nd engrossment, shifting its primary focus from a general stewardship program for circuit boards and batteries to a specific program for covered batteries. The most significant change is the addition of new definitions for battery sizes (small, medium, large) and a new exemption for batteries removed by licensed electricians from stationary energy storage systems. The effective date for the new battery provisions was set to July 1, 2026, while the original text included a broader scope of covered products.

Scope change

The bill's scope narrowed from covering circuit boards, batteries, and electrical products to focusing specifically on batteries. It introduced new categories for battery sizes and added an exemption for batteries removed by licensed electricians from permanent energy storage systems.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'covered small', 'covered medium', and 'covered large' batteries based on weight and energy capacity to clarify which batteries are subject to the program.

Updated the definition of 'covered battery' to exclude batteries designed solely for motor vehicles and those removed by licensed electricians.

ELIGIBILITY

Added an exemption for batteries removed from permanent, stationary energy storage systems (like home batteries) by a licensed electrician, removing them from the program's scope.

TIMELINE

Set the effective date for the new battery-specific provisions to July 1, 2026.

SCOPE

Removed the original text that established a stewardship program for circuit boards and other electrical products, narrowing the bill's focus to batteries only.

Introduction → 1st Engrossment · 8 edits · Mar 10, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was updated from its introduction to its first engrossment version, reflecting significant amendments to the environmental stewardship program for circuit boards and batteries. Key changes include shifting the effective date from 2027 to 2028, expanding the definition of covered batteries to include industrial tools, and redefining collection site requirements to ensure statewide accessibility. These updates aim to modernize the program's scope and timeline to better align with current environmental goals and operational needs.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include industrial tools and appliances in the definition of covered batteries, and the program's start date was delayed to January 1, 2028, allowing more time for preparation and implementation.

TIMELINE

The effective date of the section was changed from January 1, 2027, to January 1, 2028, delaying the program's start by one year.

The deadline for the board to submit reimbursement rate recommendations was moved from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2027, aligning with the new effective date.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'Battery' was simplified to focus on galvanic cells and removed specific references to voltaic cells.

The definition of 'Covered battery' was updated to explicitly exclude batteries from appliances or tools designed solely for industrial or commercial use, clarifying the scope of the program.

The definition of 'Covered circuit board' was revised to exclude circuit boards from major appliances and tools powered by 240 volts or more of alternating current, ensuring clarity on what products are subject to the program.

New definitions were added for 'Full collection site' and 'Partial collection site' to clarify the specific requirements for different types of collection locations.

REQUIREMENT

The requirement for reimbursement rates to collectors was updated to mandate differentiation based on factors like local property costs and wages to ensure convenient collection statewide.

The requirement for initial appointments to the board was adjusted to represent potential collectors instead of just collectors, and the transition to representing collectors was delayed to January 1, 2028.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 7, 2026

Upper · Passed

Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to Environment, Climate, and Legacy

upper

Mar 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

Comm report: To pass and re-referred to Commerce and Consumer Protection

upper

Mar 13, 2025

Upper · Passed

Comm report: To pass and re-referred to Judiciary and Public Safety

upper

Mar 10, 2025

Upper · Passed

Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to State and Local Government

upper

Feb 20, 2025

Committee

Referred to Environment, Climate, and Legacy

upper

Feb 20, 2025

Introduced

Introduction and first reading

upper

1 primary · 4 co-sponsors