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