[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 9615 Reported in House (RH)]
<DOC>
Union Calendar No. 717
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 9615
[Report No. 119-818]
To support the recycling and recovery of lithium-ion batteries.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 9, 2026
Mrs. Miller-Meeks introduced the following bill; which was referred to
the Committee on Energy and Commerce
September 14, 2026
Additional sponsors: Mr. Ruiz, Mr. Menendez, and Mrs. Harshbarger
September 14, 2026
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole
House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed
in italic]
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on July 9,
2026]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To support the recycling and recovery of lithium-ion batteries.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Battery Recycling for America's
Competitive Economy Act'' or the ``BRACE Act''.
SEC. 2. END OF LIFE LITHIUM-ION BATTERY MANAGEMENT.
(a) Definitions.--In this Act:
(1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
(2) Battery.--The term ``battery'' has the meaning given
such term in section 273.9 of title 40, Code of Federal
Regulations (or any successor regulations).
(3) Destination facility.--The term ``destination
facility'' has the meaning given such term in section 273.9 of
title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor
regulations).
(4) Large quantity handler of universal waste.--The term
``large quantity handler of universal waste'' has the meaning
given such term in section 273.9 of title 40, Code of Federal
Regulations (or any successor regulations).
(5) Lithium-ion battery.--The term ``lithium-ion battery''
means a battery that uses the movement of lithium ions between
two electrodes to store and release energy.
(b) Interim Requirements for Lithium-ion Batteries.--Until the date
on which the Administrator issues the rule pursuant to subsection (c),
in lieu of the requirements described in section 273.60(a) of title 40,
Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulations), a
destination facility that stores lithium-ion batteries prior to
recycling such lithium-ion batteries shall comply with--
(1) the requirements described in sections 273.33(a)(1),
273.35, 273.36, and 273.37 of title 40, Code of Federal
Regulations (or any successor regulations), which shall apply
as if the destination facility were a large quantity handler of
universal waste; and
(2) the requirements described in section 273.60(b) of
title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor
regulations), which shall apply as if the destination facility
did not store the lithium-ion batteries prior to recycling such
lithium-ion batteries.
(c) Universal Waste Rulemaking for Lithium-ion Batteries.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 18 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall issue a rule
regarding the management of lithium-ion batteries as universal
waste.
(2) Contents.--In issuing the rule pursuant to paragraph
(1), the Administrator shall consider including in such rule,
in addition to any other issue that arises as part of the
notice and comment period for such rule, the following:
(A) Universal waste requirements specially tailored
for lithium-ion batteries.
(B) Elements of the interim requirements for
lithium-ion batteries specified in subsection (b), as
appropriate.
(C) Any additional regulatory changes to support
the recycling of lithium-ion batteries and recovery of
critical minerals, while maintaining protections for
health and the environment.
(D) Additional safety requirements needed to
address gaps in existing protections.
(3) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection shall
be construed to limit any future rulemaking of the
Environmental Protection Agency regarding lithium-ion
batteries.
SEC. 3. TECHNICAL UPDATES TO THE MERCURY-CONTAINING AND RECHARGEABLE
BATTERY MANAGEMENT ACT.
Section 104(a) of the Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery
Management Act (42 U.S.C. 14323(a)) is amended by striking ``the
regulations promulgated by the Environmental Protection Agency at 60
Fed. Reg. 25492 (May 11, 1995), as effective on May 11, 1995'' and
inserting ``part 273 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (or any
successor regulations)''.
Union Calendar No. 717
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 9615
[Report No. 119-818]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To support the recycling and recovery of lithium-ion batteries.
_______________________________________________________________________
September 14, 2026
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole
House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed