HB 1386-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2024 SESSION
24-2494
12/08
HOUSE BILL 1386-FN
SPONSORS: Rep. Ebel, Merr. 7; Rep. Simpson, Rock. 33; Rep. M. Murray, Hills. 37; Rep. Leishman, Hills. 33; Rep. Rochefort, Graf. 1; Rep. Wolf, Merr. 7; Rep. Rung, Hills. 12; Rep. Germana, Ches. 1; Rep. Aron, Sull. 4; Rep. Grote, Rock. 24; Sen. Pearl, Dist 17; Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Prentiss, Dist 5; Sen. Ricciardi, Dist 9; Sen. Avard, Dist 12
COMMITTEE: Environment and Agriculture
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ANALYSIS
This bill prohibits the disposal of lithium-ion batteries.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
24-2494
12/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Four
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Refuse Reduction. Amend RSA 149-M:27, II to read as follows:
II. No wet-cell or lithium-ion batteries shall be disposed of in a solid waste landfill facility or composting facility or incinerator, whether in a waste-to-energy facility or otherwise.
2 Disposal Prohibited; Electronic Devices. Amend RSA 149-M:27, IV to read as follows:
IV.(a) No person shall dispose of any electronic device [video display device, central processing unit of a computer, or non-mobile video display media recorder/player] in any solid waste landfill or incinerator in New Hampshire [after July 1, 2007].
(b) Owners or operators of such facilities shall not be found to have knowingly disposed of[ a video display device, central processing unit of a computer, or non-mobile video display media recorder/player] electronic devices if the facility has implemented mechanisms to avoid such disposal which shall include, at a minimum, posting of signs at the facility or providing written notification to, or agreements with, the facility's customers concerning the disposal prohibition.
3 Electronic Device; Definition. RSA 149-M:4, VIII-a is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:
VIII-a.(a) "Electronic device" means computer, computer monitor, computer peripheral, printer, device containing a cathode ray tube, television, wireless telephones, copiers, fax machines, and video display device or any other electronic device specified by rule promulgated by the department.
(b) “Electronic device” does not include the following, unless removed from larger piece of equipment or appliance of which it is a part for recycling:
(1) Any motor vehicle or any component part of a motor vehicle, including replacement parts thereof.
(2) A device, including a touch screen display, that is functionally or physically part of a larger piece of equipment designed and intended for use in:
(A) industrial, governmental, commercial or research and development settings;
(B) security, sensing, border control or counterterrorism equipment;
(C) monitoring, diagnostic or control equipment; or
(D) commercial medical equipment that contains a video display device that is not separate from the larger piece of equipment.
(3) A device that is contained within a:
(A) clothes washer or dryer;
(B) refrigerator, freezer or refrigerator and freezer;
(C) microwave over or conventional oven or range;
(D) dishwasher;
(E) room air conditioner, dehumidifier, or air purifier; or
(F) exercise equipment.
4 Responsibilities and Authority of the Department. Amend RSA 149-M:6, VII-a to read as follows:
VII-a. Collect and prepare information regarding opportunities for citizens and businesses to recycle materials, including electronic devices [waste], and develop an outreach campaign to disseminate that information including, as appropriate, information on the department's website, brochures, posters, mailings and e-mailings, press releases, and other appropriate means of communication.
5 Definitions; Computer. RSA 149-M:4, IV-b is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:
IV-b. “Computer“ means a laptop computer, desktop computer, tablet computer, or central processing unit of a computer that conveys electronic, magnetic, optical, electrochemical, or other high-speed data processing device performing logical, arithmetic, storage functions. “Computer” does not include an automated typewriter, typesetter or other similar device.
6 New Paragraphs; Computers; Definitions. Amend RSA 149-M:4 by inserting after paragraph IV-b the following new paragraphs:
IV-c. “Computer monitor” means a display device without a tuner that can display pictures and sound and is used as a computer.
IV-d. “Computer peripheral” means a keyboard, mouse or any other device sold exclusively for external use with a computer that produces input or output into or from a computer.
7 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2025.
24-2494
Revised 1/4/24
HB 1386-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
FISCAL IMPACT: [ X ] State [ X ] County [ X ] Local [ ] None
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Estimated State Impact - Increase / (Decrease) | ||||||
| FY 2024 | FY 2025 | FY 2026 | FY 2027 | ||
Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Revenue Fund(s) | None
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Expenditures | $0 | $0 | Indeterminable Increase | Indeterminable Increase | ||
Funding Source(s) | General Fund Various Government Funds | |||||
Appropriations | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Funding Source(s) | None
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• Does this bill provide sufficient funding to cover estimated expenditures? [X] No • Does this bill authorize new positions to implement this bill? [X] No | ||||||
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Estimated Political Subdivision Impact - Increase / (Decrease) | ||||||
| FY 2024 | FY 2025 | FY 2026 | FY 2027 | ||
County Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
County Expenditures | $0 | $0 | Indeterminable Increase | Indeterminable Increase | ||
Local Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Local Expenditures | $0 | $0 | Indeterminable | Indeterminable | ||
METHODOLOGY:
The Department of Environmental Services indicates this bill would expand the scope of existing statutory bans on the disposal of certain batteries and electronic items. Under current law, RSA 149-M:27, II prohibits the disposal of wet-cell batteries such as automotive batteries. The bill would add a prohibition on disposal of lithium-ion batteries, commonly found in laptops, phones, and power tools. RSA 149-M:27, IV currently prohibits the disposal of three specific types of electronic devices: video display devices, central processing units of computers, and video display media recorders/players. The bill would expand upon this by prohibiting the disposal of ‘electronic devices,’ a defined term that includes the items currently prohibited from disposal, and adds wireless telephones, printers, copiers, fax machines, and computer peripherals which would include a variety of input/output devices like keyboards, mice, external disk drives, external hard drives, memory storage devices, scanners, modems, video cameras and speakers.
The Department offers the following information and assumptions concerning the fiscal impact of this bill:
- The bill would not generate additional revenues for State, county or local governments.
- Since the bill would prohibit disposal of certain items in landfills or incinerators, compliance would require management of these items through recycling.
- There are existing options available for recycling of electronic devices, typically provided by private firms. The Department is aware that municipalities and state agencies currently contract for electronic recycling services, and procuring these services typically represents a cost for the local or state entity.
Because the bill adds new items to the list of electronic devices banned from disposal, the Department expects the bill would increase State, county and local expenditures by an indeterminate amount to the extent they provide waste management and recycling services. The Department cannot precisely estimate the impact as it is not aware of the specific costs associated with recycling electronic waste. In addition, the Department is not able to predict the overall quantity of “new” electronic waste that would be recycled.
The New Hampshire Municipal Association indicates, given the unpredictability of where lithium-ion batteries may be added into the solid waste stream, it is not possible to predict when and with what frequency fires may occur as a consequence of being processed in that waste stream. However, the Association notes that good evidence exists that the majority of solid waste facility fires are started by lithium-ion batteries. Costs associated with those fires include damage to waste disposal equipment, harm to persons and property, and wear and destruction of municipal property. Additionally, fire departments incur costs responding to fires including wear on turnout gear and equipment and additional costs associated with overtime and other pay. Incidents of fire which cause exposure to toxic chemicals, can require that turnout gear be replaced more frequently, and result in additional costs for medical treatment of firemen. This bill would likely reduce such expenditures if the ban on disposal of lithium-ion batteries is effective. It could reduce overall expenditures, despite any additional costs associated with signage, education of the public, and enforcement. The Association does not expect additional local revenue as a consequence of this legislation.
The Department of Information Technology assumes the bill could result in additional expenditures for program outreach, but it is unclear which entity would be responsible for the outreach. Regarding required updates to websites, the Department indicates such updates are business as usual and should not result in significant additional costs .
The Department of Administrative Services states that it has no operations or experience in the regulatory area governed by the bill and is not able to provide information on the potential fiscal impact.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Departments of Environmental Services, Administrative Services, Information Technology, and New Hampshire Municipal Association