By: Birdwell  S.B. No. 2050
         (In the Senate - Filed March 7, 2025; March 17, 2025, read
  first time and referred to Committee on Natural Resources;
  April 14, 2025, reported adversely, with favorable Committee
  Substitute by the following vote:  Yeas 9, Nays 0; April 14, 2025,
  sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
 
  COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 2050 By:  Birdwell
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to the recycling and disposal of consumer energy storage
  modules.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 361, Health and Safety Code, is amended
  by adding Subchapter P to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER P.  CONSUMER ENERGY STORAGE MODULES
         Sec. 361.471.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
               (1)  "Consumer energy storage module" means a battery
  or other electrochemical device that stores chemical energy and
  transforms it into electrical energy to power a consumer product or
  electronic device.
               (2)  "Steward organization" means a group consisting of
  consumer energy storage module manufacturers, product
  manufacturers, or other members organized to promote the recycling
  of consumer energy storage modules.
         Sec. 361.472.  APPLICABILITY. This subchapter does not
  apply to a lead-acid battery governed by Subchapter O.
         Sec. 361.473.  PLACEMENT IN CERTAIN SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL OR
  RECYCLING STREAMS PROHIBITED.  (a)  Except as provided by
  Subsection (b), a person may not place a consumer energy storage
  module in:
               (1)  a mixed municipal solid waste facility or curbside
  collection receptacle;
               (2)  a mixed metal recycling collection facility or
  curbside collection receptacle; or
               (3)  a municipal mixed recyclable material collection
  facility or curbside collection receptacle.
         (b)  This section does not apply to the placement of a
  consumer energy storage module in a facility or receptacle
  described by Subsection (a) in accordance with a local program that
  provides for the collection for recycling of a consumer energy
  storage module at a facility or by curbside collection.
         Sec. 361.474.  LIMITED LIABILITY FOR CERTAIN VIOLATIONS.
  Notwithstanding any other law, an individual consumer is not
  subject to civil, administrative, or criminal liability under
  Chapter 7, Water Code, for a violation of Section 361.473 that is
  inadvertent or incidental to noncommercial household use of a
  consumer energy storage module.
         Sec. 361.475.  NO DUTY OF CERTAIN FACILITY OPERATORS.
  Notwithstanding any other law, the owner or operator of a solid
  waste disposal facility, mixed metal recycling collection
  facility, or municipal mixed recyclable material collection
  facility:
               (1)  is not subject to civil, administrative, or
  criminal liability under Chapter 7, Water Code, if:
                     (A)  a person places a consumer energy storage
  module in the owner's or operator's facility; or 
                     (B)  a consumer energy storage module otherwise
  arrives at the owner's or operator's facility through the
  collection of solid waste or recyclable material for disposal or
  recycling at the facility; and
               (2)  has no duty to locate or remove a consumer energy
  storage module placed in or otherwise collected by the owner's or
  operator's facility.
         Sec. 361.476.  CONSUMER ENERGY STORAGE MODULE COLLECTION FOR
  RECYCLING OR DISPOSAL. The commission by rule shall identify
  businesses or facilities in this state where an individual
  consumer, steward organization, or other person may place or
  deliver a consumer energy storage module for recycling or disposal.
         SECTION 2.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
  of this Act, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality shall
  adopt rules necessary to implement the changes in law made by this
  Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
 
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