HB 1602-FN (2026): creating a safe battery recycling stewardship program.

HB 1602-FN (2026)

creating a safe battery recycling stewardship program.

• Status: Referred for interim study
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Environment and Agriculture
• Senate committee: Ways and Means
• Subject: Environment - Conservation

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the House Environment and Agriculture committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 20, 2026, with 109 people signed in online: 103 in support, 3 in opposition and 3 as neutral. The committee held work sessions on January 27, 2026 and February 3, 2026. The committee met in executive session on February 3, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 14–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0405h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On February 19, 2026 the House failed “Lay HB1602 on Table” on a roll call 84–254, on a motion by Rep. Donald McFarlane. The committee's amendment (2026-0405h) was adopted on a voice vote on February 19, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On February 19, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a roll call 264–72. On February 19, 2026 the bill was referred to the Finance committee. The committee held a work session on March 13, 2026. The committee met in executive session on March 17, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House study it after the session ends, and the minority recommended that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1166h), by a vote of 13–11. The report was placed on the regular calendar. On March 26, 2026 the House rejected a motion to study it after the session ends on a roll call 128–226. A floor amendment (2026-1278h), offered by Rep. Karen Ebel, was adopted on a voice vote on March 26, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On March 26, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a roll call 244–112. It crossed to the Senate on March 26, 2026 and was referred to the Senate Ways and Means committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 15, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 3–0, to recommend that the Senate kill it. On April 23, 2026 the Senate rejected a motion to kill it on a voice vote. On April 23, 2026 the Senate adopted “Refer to Interim Study” on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. Cindy Rosenwald.

Sponsors

• Rep. Karen Ebel (D - Merr 7) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Judy Aron (R - Sull 4)
• Sen. Kevin Avard (R - SD12)
• Rep. Liz Barbour (R - Hills 35)
• Rep. Peter Bixby (D - Straf 13)
• Rep. Anita Burroughs (D - Carr 2)
• Rep. James Creighton (R - Hills 30)
• Rep. Jim Maggiore (D - Rock 23)
• Sen. Howard Pearl (R - SD17)
• Sen. Denise Ricciardi (R - SD9)
• Sen. Cindy Rosenwald (D - SD13)
• Rep. Carry Spier (D - Hills 6)
• Rep. Dick Thackston (R - Ches 12)
• Sen. David Watters (D - SD4)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 20, 2026, 1:00 PM: public hearing, House Environment and Agriculture, GP 153
• January 27, 2026, 10:00 AM: full committee work session, House Environment and Agriculture, GP 153
• February 3, 2026, 9:15 AM: full committee work session, House Environment and Agriculture, GP 153
• February 3, 2026, 9:15 AM: executive session, House Environment and Agriculture, GP 153
• February 19, 2026: floor debate, House
• March 13, 2026, 10:00 AM: work session, House Finance, GP 230
• March 17, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Finance, GP 230
• March 26, 2026: floor debate, House
• April 15, 2026, 10:00 AM: hearing, Senate Ways and Means, SH 122-123
• April 23, 2026: floor debate, Senate

Votes

• February 19, 2026, House: Lay on Table — yeas 84, nays 254, failed
• February 19, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment — yeas 264, nays 72, passed
• March 26, 2026, House: Interim Study — yeas 128, nays 226, failed
• March 26, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment — yeas 244, nays 112, passed
• April 23, 2026, Senate: Inexpedient to Legislate — voice vote, failed
• April 23, 2026, Senate: Refer to Interim Study — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 149-M

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 27
• HC 7, page 11
• HJ 5, pages 3, 114, 116, 118 and 120
• HJ 9, pages 24, 27 and 32
• SJ 7
• SC 13
• SC 15
• SJ 10
• House Calendar 12, 2026, committee report
• This page’s data as JSON