BRACE Act

Bill Number

H.R. 9615

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-07-09: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Last Updated

2026-07-10T10:23:22Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The legislation supports the recycling and recovery of lithium-ion batteries by updating federal waste management rules to facilitate safer and more efficient handling at recycling facilities.

Key Provisions

• Defines "lithium-ion battery" as a battery using lithium ion movement between electrodes for energy storage, along with terms for facilities and handlers under existing waste rules.
• Requires destination facilities (recycling sites) that store lithium-ion batteries before processing to follow specific storage, labeling, and training requirements similar to those for large-quantity handlers of universal waste.
• Updates the Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act by replacing an outdated 1995 regulatory reference with current rules under 40 CFR Part 273.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Adjusts the application of universal waste regulations (40 CFR sections 273.33, 273.35, 273.36, 273.37, and 273.60) for lithium-ion battery destination facilities, allowing them to comply with handler standards even when storing batteries prior to recycling.
• Modernizes cross-references in prior battery management law to align with updated Environmental Protection Agency standards.

Potential Impacts

• On government agencies: Directs the Environmental Protection Agency to apply revised compliance standards for battery recycling operations.
• On citizens: May expand access to recycling programs for devices like electric vehicle batteries and consumer electronics, potentially reducing landfill waste.
• On international relations: Aims to strengthen domestic supply chains for critical materials, supporting U.S. economic positioning in battery production and recovery.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Battery recycling and recovery facilities
• Manufacturers and users of lithium-ion batteries (such as in electric vehicles and electronics)
• The Environmental Protection Agency
• State and local waste management programs
• Consumers and businesses generating end-of-life batteries

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Represents a targeted update to hazardous waste regulations under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act framework, without altering core statutory authorities.
• Focuses on technical regulatory alignment rather than new mandates, with no apparent constitutional concerns regarding federal authority over interstate commerce or environmental protection.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1]

Recent Actions

• 2026-07-09: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2026-07-09: Introduced in House
• 2026-07-09: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Battery Recycling for America’s Competitive Economy Act — issued 2026-07-09 — PDF (3 pages)