SB 391 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO RECYCLING.

SB 391 establishes a working group to develop a management plan for end-of-life lithium-ion batteries (used in devices like phones and electric vehicles), directly affecting battery recyclers, manufacturers, and waste management entities. The working group will create a report for the Legislature by January 2026, outlining strategies for safe collection, recycling, and disposal of these batteries. The bill does not impose new regulations but sets up a process to address growing battery waste challenges. It is currently pending committee review and has not yet become law. The effective date (1/1/2026) applies to the report submission, not the bill's implementation.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Feb 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 14, 2025 Last action Dec 8, 2025

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What changed between versions

SB391 → SB391_SD1 · 7 edits

MODERATE

The bill was converted from a House bill (HB) to a Senate bill (SD1) and significantly rewritten to shift focus from immediate manufacturer recycling mandates to establishing a temporary working group. Instead of requiring manufacturers to recycle batteries immediately, the new version creates an 'End-of-Life Lithium-ion Battery Management Working Group' within the State Energy Office to study best practices, costs, and safety before implementing a program. The effective date for the new program is set for January 1, 2026, with the working group itself dissolving by June 30, 2026, after submitting its report to the legislature.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from directly mandating manufacturer recycling responsibilities to establishing a research and advisory body (working group) to evaluate the feasibility of future recycling programs.

REQUIREMENT

Established a new 'End-of-Life Lithium-ion Battery Management Working Group' within the Hawaii State Energy Office to study battery management strategies.

Defined the working group's specific focus areas, including best practices, cost/safety comparisons, and environmental impacts.

Specified the composition of the working group, including co-chairs from the State Energy Office and Natural Energy Institute, plus representatives from health, fire, waste management, insurance, and consumer electronics industries.

Removed the original Section 4 and 5 which mandated immediate manufacturer responsibilities for collecting, storing, transporting, and recycling covered batteries.

Replaced the original requirements for manufacturer recycling plans with a mandate for the working group to submit a report with findings and recommendations to the legislature.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date of the Act to January 1, 2026, and added a dissolution date for the working group on June 30, 2026.

DEFINITION

Removed the original detailed definitions for 'Covered battery', 'Electrochemical cell', and 'Lithium-ion battery' which were replaced by the new working group mandate.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 4, 2025

Committee

Referred to EEP, CPC, referral sheet 18

lower

Feb 28, 2025

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 40) in amended form (SD 1).

lower

Feb 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 23; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 2 (Senator(s) Fukunaga, Kidani). Transmitted to House.

upper

Feb 20, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on CPN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in CPN were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Keohokalole, Fukunaga, McKelvey, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Richards.

upper

Feb 14, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on CPN will hold a public decision making on 02-20-25 9:30AM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 14, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to CPN.

upper

Feb 14, 2025

Committee

Reported from AEN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 651) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to CPN.

upper

Feb 12, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on AEN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in AEN were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Gabbard, Richards, DeCoite, Rhoads, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on AEN has scheduled a public hearing on 02-10-25 1:01PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 21, 2025

Committee

Referred to AEN, CPN.

upper

Jan 15, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 14, 2025

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

7 primary · 3 co-sponsors