creating a safe battery recycling stewardship program.
Summary
HB 1602 creates a statewide battery recycling stewardship program in New Hampshire for covered portable and medium-format batteries, along with certain battery-containing products. Beginning July 1, 2028, producers that sell or distribute covered batteries or battery-containing products in the state must participate in an approved stewardship organization and fund an approved stewardship plan. Retailers may not sell covered products from nonparticipating producers, although they are not required to serve as collection sites unless they choose to do so.
The bill sets out a detailed regulatory framework for how the program would operate. Stewardship organizations must submit plans to the Department of Environmental Services, provide free and convenient collection opportunities, fund collection and recycling, reimburse eligible local costs, report annually, and meet performance goals for collection and recycling efficiency. The department would review and approve plans, maintain a public list of participating producers and brands, and recover its administrative costs from the stewardship organizations. The bill also includes provisions addressing liability, confidentiality, independent collection programs, and rulemaking authority.
Impact
The bill would add a new subdivision to RSA 149-M establishing producer responsibility requirements for battery collection and recycling. It would shift the cost and operational responsibility for managing covered batteries from municipalities and the state to producers through battery stewardship organizations, while also creating new compliance obligations for retailers and producers. The Department of Environmental Services would gain new oversight, reporting, and enforcement responsibilities, funded by reimbursement from the stewardship organizations rather than general appropriations.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have mixed but substantial support for its environmental and waste-management goals, as reflected by multiple OTPA votes in the House. At the same time, the votes on table and interim study indicate that some members were hesitant about moving the bill forward without further consideration. Overall, the discussion history suggests broad interest in the concept of battery stewardship, but not unanimous agreement on timing, implementation, or policy details.
Contention
Likely points of contention include the producer-funded model, retailer compliance obligations, and the scope of batteries and products covered. The bill requires producers to join and finance approved stewardship plans, which may raise concerns from manufacturers and distributors about cost and administrative burden. Retailers may also be concerned about verification duties and sales restrictions. On the other hand, municipalities and environmental advocates are likely to support the bill because it shifts collection and disposal costs away from local governments and toward producers, while improving battery recycling and reducing fire and disposal risks.
Establishing a recruitment incentive program within the community college system for public safety communicators and dispatchers and making an appropriation therefor.