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HB 1602 · 2026 · House · Environment and Agriculture Committee

Battery recycling stewardship program

AI-generated

creating a safe battery recycling stewardship program.

Establishes a statewide battery stewardship program requiring safe collection, recycling, and management of covered batteries and battery-containing products through producer participation and oversight by the department of environmental services.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the Senate — Inexpedient to Legislate · April 23, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✕Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill establishes a statewide battery stewardship program that requires safe collection, recycling, and management of covered batteries and battery-containing products, administered through producer participation and oversight by the department of environmental services.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill As Amended by the House (2nd committee). Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“"Battery-containing product" means a product that contains or is packaged with a rechargeable or primary battery that qualifies as a covered battery.”
RSA 149-M:65
“Beginning July 1, 2028, a retailer shall not sell, offer for sale, or distribute a covered battery or battery-containing product unless the producer of the covered battery or battery-containing product has certified participation in a battery stewardship organization operating under a plan approved by the department.”
RSA 149-M:66
“Each battery stewardship organization shall submit a stewardship plan to the department for approval by January 1, 2028, for covered batteries.”
RSA 149-M:67
“Each battery stewardship plan shall include annual performance goals to measure the effectiveness of the program, including:”
RSA 149-M:68

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Karen EbelDPrimeRanking Member· Finance Division 1
  • Rep. Anita BurroughsDRanking Member· Commerce and Consumer Affairs
  • Rep. Carry SpierDDeputy Ranking Member· Commerce and Consumer Affairs
  • Rep. Judy AronRChair· Environment and Agriculture
  • Rep. Liz BarbourRVice Chair· Environment and Agriculture
  • Rep. Peter BixbyDRanking Member· Environment and Agriculture
  • Rep. James CreightonRChair· Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services
  • Rep. Jim MaggioreDDeputy Ranking Member· Municipal and County Government
  • Sen. Cindy RosenwaldDDeputy Democratic Leader
  • Sen. Denise RicciardiRDeputy Majority Leader
  • Sen. Howard PearlRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Sen. Kevin AvardRDeputy Majority Whip

Also: Rep. Dick ThackstonR, Sen. David WattersD

Public testimony

109 signed in online · 27 wrote testimony

94% support3% oppose3% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I wholeheartedly support this bill as a way to add clarity and resources for battery disposal and recycling in our communities. I have an area of my town where I collect all manner of trash thrown by the roadside. I cringe when I come upon batteries on the roadside.…”
— Deborah Hoover, New Londonsupports
“Proper handling and recycling of batteries supports the goals of our state Solid Waste Management Plan.”
— Deborah Steadman, Franklinsupports
“This is like similar “Extended Producer Responsibility” bills this season which I agree with wholeheartedly, This bill would transfer costs of disposal from the municipalities and taxpayers to the producers. Expected to save municipalities at least $150,000 annually.…”
— Sharon Racusin, Hanoversupports

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Feb 3, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0405h14–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Feb 19, 2026HouseRoll callLay HB1602 on Table (Rep. McFarlane)Failed84–254How they voted
    Overall
    25% yea
    Republicans
    84–9846% yea
    Democrats
    0–1560% yea
  • Feb 19, 2026HouseVoice voteAmendment 2026-0405hadopted
  • Feb 19, 2026HouseRoll callOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0405hAdopted264–72How they voted
    Overall
    79% yea
    Republicans
    109–7260% yea
    Democrats
    155–0100% yea
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • Mar 17, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Refer for Interim Study13–11
    Overall
    54% yea
  • Mar 26, 2026HouseRoll callRefer for Interim StudyFailed128–226How they voted
    Overall
    36% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    127–6666% yea
    Democrats
    1–1601% yea
  • Mar 26, 2026HouseVoice voteFloor amendment 2026-1278h (Rep. Ebel)adopted
  • Mar 26, 2026HouseRoll callOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1278hAdopted244–112How they voted
    Overall
    69% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    81–11242% yea
    Democrats
    163–0100% yea
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • Apr 23, 2026SenateCommittee report: Inexpedient to Legislate3–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Apr 23, 2026SenateVoice voteInexpedient to Legislatefailed
  • Apr 23, 2026SenateVoice voteSen. Rosenwald Move to Refer to Interim Studyadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 20, 2026Public hearingHouse Environment and Agriculture4:01:06–4:04:573m 51slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Jan 27, 2026Public hearingHouse Environment and AgricultureWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamFull Committee Work Session
  • Feb 3, 2026Public hearingHouse Environment and AgricultureWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0405h; Full Committee Work Session; Executive Session
  • Feb 19, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0405h — adopted, roll call 264-72; Amendment # 2026-0405h — adopted, voice vote; Lay HB1602 on Table (Rep. McFarlane) — failed, roll call 84-254
  • Mar 13, 2026Public hearingHouse Finance - Division IWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamDivision I Work Session
  • Mar 17, 2026Public hearingHouse FinanceWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamMajority Committee Report: Refer for Interim Study — roll call; Executive Session
  • Mar 26, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamRefer for Interim Study — failed, roll call 128-226; Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-1278h — adopted, roll call 244-112; FLAM # 2026-1278h (Rep. Ebel) — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 15, 2026Public hearingSenate Ways and Means1:46:38–1:58:0511m 27slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Apr 23, 2026Floor debateSenate floor1:25:48–1:28:182m 30slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Inexpedient to Legislate — failed, voice vote; Sen. Rosenwald Move to Refer to Interim Study — adopted, voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Environment and Agriculture HJ 1 P. 27
  2. Jan 20, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/20/2026 01:00 pm GP 153
  3. Jan 27, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 01/27/2026 10:00 am GP 153
  4. Feb 3, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 02/03/2026 09:15 am GP 153
  5. Feb 3, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/03/2026 09:15 am GP 153
  6. Feb 3, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0405h 02/03/2026 (Vote 14-0; CC) HC 7 P. 11
  7. Feb 16, 2026HouseRemoved from Consent (Reps. McFarlane, Granger, Tim Mannion, DeRoy, Drew, Mehegan, C. McGuire, Farrington, Noble, Walker) 02/16/2026 HJ 5 P. 3
  8. Feb 19, 2026HouseLay HB1602 on Table (Rep. McFarlane): MF RC 84-254 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 116
  9. Feb 19, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0405h: AA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 114
  10. Feb 19, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0405h: MA RC 264-72 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 118
  11. Feb 19, 2026HouseReferred to Finance 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 120
  12. Mar 13, 2026HouseDivision I Work Session: 03/13/2026 10:00 am GP 230
  13. Mar 17, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/17/2026 10:00 am GP 230
  14. Mar 17, 2026HouseMajority Committee Report: Refer for Interim Study 03/17/2026 (Vote 13-11; RC)
  15. Mar 19, 2026HouseMinority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1166h
  16. Mar 26, 2026HouseRefer for Interim Study: MF RC 128-226 03/26/2026 HJ 9 P. 24
  17. Mar 26, 2026HouseFLAM # 2026-1278h (Rep. Ebel): AA VV 03/26/2026 HJ 9 P. 27
  18. Mar 26, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1278h: MA RC 244-112 03/26/2026 HJ 9 P. 32
  19. Mar 26, 2026SenIntroduced 03/26/2026 and Referred to Ways and Means; SJ 7
  20. Apr 15, 2026SenHearing: 04/15/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 10:00 am; SC 13
  21. Apr 23, 2026Sen: Inexpedient to Legislate, 04/23/2026, Vote 3-0; SC 15
  22. Apr 23, 2026SenInexpedient to Legislate, MF, VV; 04/23/2026; SJ 10
  23. Apr 23, 2026SenSen. Rosenwald Move to Refer to Interim Study, MA, VV; 04/23/2026; SJ 10

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Background reading

Evergreen reading on the policy area — spanning perspectives — not coverage of this specific bill.

  • PaintCareProgram operator

    PaintCare — The industry-run program that would have administered a New Hampshire paint plan, with per-container fees by state.AI-generated

  • Sustainable materials managementFederal

    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — The federal framing of producer responsibility and waste diversion.AI-generated

  • Product Stewardship InstituteAdvocacy

    Product Stewardship Institute — The organization behind most state EPR laws, with a state-by-state view of paint programs.AI-generated

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.