HB 1231 Indiana House · 2026 Regular Session

Battery recycling.

Summary
Provides that a retailer may not sell, offer for sale, or distribute for sale a covered battery or battery containing product unless: (1) the producer joins a battery stewardship organization; and (2) the battery is approved under a battery stewardship plan. Provides that a battery stewardship organization shall submit a battery stewardship plan (plan) to the Indiana department of environmental management (department) for approval. Sets out certain requirements with respect to a plan. Establishes the battery stewardship fund to cover the department's expenses in administering this act. Requires the department to publish certain information regarding battery recycling on the department's website. Provides that a battery stewardship organization may recover, under certain circumstances, all costs associated with collecting a covered battery from the producer. Allows fee based and nonfee based collection and recycling programs to operate under certain conditions. Prohibits a person from improperly recycling a covered battery. Defines certain terms. Provides that a producer and battery stewardship organization are exempt from state antitrust law with respect to planning, reporting, or operating a battery stewardship program.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 5, 2026 Last action Jan 22, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced House Bill (H) House Bill (H) · 5 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to expand its scope by including 'battery containing products' alongside covered batteries, allowing both fee-based and non-fee-based recycling programs to operate, and adding an antitrust exemption for producers and stewardship organizations. These changes aim to broaden the recycling framework and reduce legal barriers for industry cooperation.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to include products containing batteries (excluding specific electronics like computers and TVs) and to authorize both fee-based and non-fee-based collection programs.
SCOPE

Added 'battery containing product' to the list of items retailers cannot sell without a stewardship plan, ensuring broader coverage of battery-related items.

ELIGIBILITY

Explicitly allowed both fee-based and non-fee-based collection and recycling programs to operate under certain conditions.

REQUIREMENT

Added a provision exempting producers and battery stewardship organizations from state antitrust laws regarding planning and operating battery stewardship programs.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'battery containing product' and excluded specific electronics such as computers, monitors, and game consoles from this definition.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill digest and section numbering to reflect the amended version (HB 1231.1) and revised the affected code citations.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
5
Key actions
1
Committee
2
Jan 22, 2026
Committee
Recommitted to Committee on Ways and Means pursuant to House Rule 126.3
lower
Jan 22, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee report: amend do pass, adopted
lower
1 primary · 3 co-sponsors

Sponsors