SB 5045
In CommitteeSenate
Battery stewardship/EVs
Expanding the state battery stewardship program to include electric vehicle batteries.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill expands Washington’s battery stewardship program to include electric vehicle, medium, and large format batteries, requiring producers to fund and manage a statewide system for free collection, recycling, and safe disposal. It establishes new rules for handling electric vehicle batteries, sets collection site standards, and bans disposal in trash or mixed recycling.
- Expands Washington’s existing battery stewardship program to include electric vehicle batteries, medium format batteries, and large format batteries beginning January 1, 2029.
- Requires battery producers to join an approved stewardship organization and fund the program through eco-modulated fees (fees adjusted based on battery design, chemistry, or recyclability).
- Mandates free, convenient, statewide collection of all covered batteries—including portable, medium, and large format—at permanent sites and events, with special provisions for damaged/defective batteries and electric vehicle batteries.
- Prohibits consumers and businesses from placing covered batteries in trash, mixed recycling, or incinerators; requires disposal through approved stewardship collection points.
- Adds new requirements for electric vehicle battery collection, including designated recyclers and transporters, mandatory safety training, and collection opportunities statewide—even if the battery remains in the vehicle (though collection of in-vehicle batteries is not required).
- Requires labeling of batteries (starting 2028) and remanufactured/repurposed electric vehicle batteries (starting 2029) to identify producer and chemistry, and prohibit disposal in household waste.
Who is affected
- Battery producers — Producers (manufacturers or brand owners) of covered batteries and battery-containing products must join an approved stewardship organization, fund the program, and ensure their batteries meet labeling and design requirements.
- Retailers — Retailers must sell only batteries from producers participating in an approved stewardship plan, provide collection information to customers, and may serve as collection sites if they choose.
- Local governments — Local governments may operate their own battery collection sites (outside the stewardship program) and may receive reimbursement from stewardship organizations for costs incurred.
- Consumers — Consumers gain free, convenient access to battery recycling through designated collection sites and events, and are prohibited from disposing of batteries in trash or mixed recycling.
- Electric vehicle owners and dealers — Electric vehicle owners and dealers must return end-of-life electric vehicle batteries to designated collection points (e.g., recyclers or transporters) rather than discarding them in regular waste.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (5)
Mandates free, statewide collection of all battery types—including hazardous EV and medium-format batteries—reducing toxic leaching into soil/water and preventing fires at waste facilities.
EnvironmentPeopleRef: Sec. 13; RCW 70A.555.070(1)-(3)Requires staffed, trained collection sites for damaged/defective batteries and mandates annual county-level collection events, significantly reducing risk of battery fires in homes, trucks, and landfills.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 13; RCW 70A.555.070(2)(b); RCW 70A.555.070(3)(c)Requires collection site accessibility in overburdened communities, helping reduce environmental injustice by ensuring equitable access to safe disposal and preventing disproportionate exposure to hazardous waste in marginalized areas.
EnvironmentPeopleRef: Sec. 13; RCW 70A.555.070(3)(b)Mandates safety training for EV battery recyclers and transporters, reducing risk of fires, explosions, and chemical exposure during handling—protecting workers and first responders.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 13; RCW 70A.555.070(3)(c)(i)Requires annual collection events in every county, ensuring rural and remote residents have access to safe battery disposal—preventing illegal dumping and protecting ecosystems in less-populated areas.
EnvironmentPeopleRef: Sec. 13; RCW 70A.555.070(3)(c)(ii)
Potential Concerns (5)
Prohibits collection of electric vehicle batteries while still installed in vehicles, potentially increasing risk of improper disposal or unsafe handling during removal by untrained individuals.
Public SafetyRef: Sec. 13(2); RCW 70A.555.070(5)(b)Excludes in-vehicle EV battery collection, meaning EV owners must remove batteries themselves or rely on third parties (dealers, recyclers), creating logistical burden and safety risks for consumers without proper tools or training.
TransportationRef: Sec. 13(2); RCW 70A.555.070(5)(b)Requires EV owners to remove large, heavy batteries (often >100 lbs) from vehicles without program support, potentially damaging vehicles or causing injury — especially burdensome for elderly, disabled, or low-income residents without garage access or tools.
HousingRef: Sec. 13(2); RCW 70A.555.070(5)(b)Shifts burden of EV battery removal and transport to consumers, dealers, and small recyclers, increasing operational complexity and liability risk for small businesses without economies of scale to manage hazardous material safely.
Business & EmploymentRef: Sec. 13(2); RCW 70A.555.070(5)(b)Lack of standardized in-vehicle collection may lead to DIY battery removal attempts by untrained individuals, increasing fire, chemical exposure, and injury risks — especially concerning given lithium-ion battery instability when damaged.
Public SafetyRef: Sec. 13(2); RCW 70A.555.070(5)(b)
Who Is Most Affected
Producers (e.g., EV battery manufacturers, brand owners) will bear direct costs of funding and operating the stewardship program, including fees, logistics, and compliance. While this increases operational costs, it also creates new market incentives for designing recyclable batteries and may align with ESG goals for large firms.
Retailers face new obligations to verify producer participation and may serve as collection sites at no charge, increasing operational complexity and liability exposure. However, they avoid point-of-sale fees and may benefit from customer goodwill through sustainability branding.
Local governments gain reimbursement authority for collection site costs and may operate independent programs, but must absorb initial setup and staffing costs unless reimbursed. This creates fiscal uncertainty and administrative burden, especially for small counties without waste infrastructure.
EV owners gain free disposal access but must remove heavy, hazardous batteries themselves—a task that disproportionately burdens elderly, disabled, or low-income residents without garage access, tools, or technical knowledge.
Recyclers and transporters gain new business opportunities under state authorization, but must invest in safety training, hazmat compliance, and liability coverage—favoring larger, well-capitalized firms over small operators.