Batteries stewardship program establishment, mercury prohibition in batteries provision, lead acid batteries and rechargeable consumer products provisions modifications, and appropriation

This bill establishes a new stewardship program for batteries in Minnesota and prohibits mercury in batteries, affecting manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of battery products. The legislation creates specific definitions for terms like "covered battery," "brand," and "distribute" to clarify which products fall under the program and how sales are handled. It also modifies existing rules for lead acid batteries and rechargeable consumer products while authorizing the state agency to create implementing rules and appropriating funds for the program. The bill includes an effective date of January 1, 2030, for enforcement provisions and July 1, 2026, for certain definition changes, with some existing battery-related statutes being repealed or amended.