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Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

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HB1231 • 2026

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning environmental law.

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning environmental law.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Representative Doug Miller
Last action
2026-01-22
Official status
House Bill (H)
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and text do not provide specific details on the consequences of non-compliance or the exact amount of funding needed.

Battery Recycling Law

This bill requires producers of batteries to join recycling programs before selling covered batteries in Indiana and establishes a fund for the state's expenses related to managing this law.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires producers to join a battery stewardship organization before selling covered batteries or products with batteries in Indiana.
  • Battery stewardship organizations must submit plans for approval by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM).
  • Establishes a fund to cover IDEM's expenses related to administering this act.
  • The IDEM will publish information about battery recycling on its website.
  • Allows battery stewardship organizations to recover costs from producers under certain conditions.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Battery manufacturers and retailers in Indiana
  • Indiana Department of Environmental Management

Terms To Know

Covered Battery
A battery that falls under the new recycling requirements set by this law.
Battery Stewardship Organization
An organization responsible for creating and managing a plan to recycle covered batteries.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify what happens if producers do not comply with the new requirements.
  • It is unclear how much funding will be needed or available in the battery stewardship fund.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

HB1231.01.INTR.AMH01

Committee Introduced House Bill (H) • Representative Doug Miller

Filed

Plain English: This amendment adds new rules about battery recycling in Indiana.

  • Adds requirements for the collection and recycling of batteries to help protect the environment.
  • The exact details on how battery recycling will be enforced are not provided in this amendment text.

Bill History

  1. 2026-01-22 House

    Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

  2. 2026-01-22 House

    Recommitted to Committee on Ways and Means pursuant to House Rule 126.3

  3. 2026-01-05 House

    Authored by Representative Miller D

  4. 2026-01-05 House

    Coauthored by Representatives Baird, Errington, Hamilton

  5. 2026-01-05 House

    First reading: referred to Committee on Environmental Affairs

Official Summary Text

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning environmental law.
Battery recycling.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning environmental law.

Battery recycling.

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.