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SB 501CALIFORNIASession 20252026State Billfiled

High Impact

California SB 501 expands battery recycling requirements and oversight for producers

Original title: Responsible Battery Recycling Act of 2022: covered batteries.

Record date · August 30, 2026

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Would Do

This bill expands the definition of 'covered batteries' subject to state recycling programs, mandates new collection site requirements for different battery sizes, and increases the record-retention period for producers and recyclers from three to five years. It also grants the Department of Toxic Substances Control broader authority to inspect facilities and requires annual audits to follow specific financial accounting standards.

Why it matters

The bill increases the regulatory and financial compliance obligations for battery producers and recyclers while expanding the types of batteries that must be collected and managed under the state's .

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Battery producers

They must comply with expanded definitions, new collection site requirements, and stricter record-keeping and audit standards.

Directly affected

Stewardship organizations

They are required to update stewardship plans to include new consultation and coordination requirements and demonstrate financial controls.

Directly affected

California Native American Tribes

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this bill change how I recycle my household batteries?

The bill primarily changes the requirements for battery producers and recycling program operators, such as how they categorize batteries and where they must provide collection sites.

What happens if a battery has a security lock on it?

The bill clarifies that a battery is still considered 'easily removed' even if it has a security lock, provided the lock is only for anti-theft purposes and does not prevent the consumer from removing or recycling the battery.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

Coverage by outlet perspective1 article

Center 1

Blind spot - only covered by center outlets

Lithium-ion battery fires a growing problem for Bay Area recycling centers

NBC Bay Area — Local NewsAug 12, 2026

Bias ratings based on AllSides / Media Bias/Fact Check

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Where This Stands

Currently filed. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Committee.

Version history & redline

6 versions on file

Official version history is partial: 6 linked texts are unavailable or incomplete. Source links remain available below.

Comparing 01/05/26 - Amended Senate → 01/14/26 - Amended Senate

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The text diff for this stage has not been computed yet.

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Redline computed from the official version text (record lane).View this version →

Lobbying Activity

No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.

Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

Related Legislation

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