EPA must make rules for recycling lithium-ion cells in 18 months.

What it does

The bill tells the EPA to write new federal rules for recycling lithium-ion cells within 18 months. Until those rules are done, storage places must follow rules already in place. The bill also updates an old cell law from 1995 to match current EPA rules.

Who it affects

Recycling companies and storage places must follow the new rules. People gain safer cell handling and minerals needed to make new cells in the United States.

One thing to notice

The bill says the EPA should think about adding extra rules. It does not require the EPA to add them.

From the analysis of the bill text, linked under Primary records below.

Where it stands

3 cosponsors: 2 Democrats, 1 Republicans.

• Jul 9, 2026 — Introduced · Congress.gov: “Introduced in House”
• Jul 9, 2026 — Referred to House Committee on Energy and Commerce and Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works · Congress.gov: “Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce”
• Jul 14, 2026 — Markup held in committee · Congress.gov: “Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held”
• Sep 14, 2026 — Reported out of committee · Congress.gov: “Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 717”
• Sep 15, 2026 — Passed the House · Congress.gov: “On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote”
• Sep 15, 2026 — Floor vote scheduled · Congress.gov: “Mr. Guthrie moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended”

Dates and quoted wording are Congress.gov's action record; the timeline shows status changes, not every procedural step.

Money around this bill

1 groups reported lobbying about this bill. They filed 1 reports from Jun 2026 to Jun 2026.

Those reports show $660,000 in lobbying spending. Each report lists about 66 bills. So that money was not all for this bill.

More groups named this bill than 0% of bills with any report.

Mariannette Miller-Meeks, who sponsored the bill, received $2,471,202 from PACs for the 2026 election.

• Americans for Prosperity — $660,000 in 1 report

Lobbying is legal. These reports show who lobbied about this bill, not what changed.

Words to know

• lithium-ion cells — Rechargeable cells used in phones, cars, and other devices.
• recycling — Taking apart old cells to get materials that can be used again.
• minerals — Rare materials inside cells needed to make new cells and electronics.
• lobbying — Trying to influence lawmakers about a bill. Companies and groups pay people to do this.
• PACs — Groups that collect money and give it to candidates for office.
• sponsored — To sponsor a bill is to introduce it in Congress and put your name on it.