Wisconsin Legislative Council
AMENDMENT MEMO
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Memo published: February 19, 2024 Contact: Rachel E. Letzing, Deputy Director
2023 Assembly Bill 987 Assembly Amendment 1
2023 ASSEMBLY BILL 987
Under current law, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is directed to carry out various
efforts relating to solid waste management. These efforts include a statewide education program to
provide information and training relating to solid waste management, as well as certain grant programs
to support recycling activities.
2023 Assembly Bill 987 directs DNR to create and administer two grant programs relating to
rechargeable battery recycling. One grant program must provide funding to expand rechargeable
battery recycling and recovery programs, while the other must provide funding to solid waste facilities
and materials recovery facilities for the purpose of installing, upgrading, or expanding fire detection
and suppression systems.
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In addition to the above, the bill expands DNR’s duties relating to solid waste education, directing the
department to inform the public about the dangers of rechargeable batteries in the waste and recycling
stream, and about existing options for proper recycling of such batteries. The bill also expands the
scope of an existing appropriation relating to recycling administration, allowing this appropriation to be
used for DNR’s statewide education program.
ASSEMBLY AMENDMENT 1
Assembly Amendment 1 clarifies and expands the definition for “rechargeable battery” for the
purposes of the bill’s grant programs. Under the amendment, “rechargeable battery” is defined to
include batteries designed for single use, such as a lithium-primary battery. Under the bill, as
introduced, the definition only included batteries that were designed to be recharged, including lithium-
ion batteries.
BILL HISTORY
Representative Kitchens offered Assembly Amendment 1 on January 29, 2024. On February 8, 2024,
the Assembly Committee on Environment recommended adoption of the amendment and passage of
the bill, as amended, on votes of Ayes, 9; Noes, 0.
For a full history of the bill, visit the Legislature’s bill history page.
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1 The bill does not appropriate funds for the purposes of the grant programs. However, the bill directs DNR to submit a
request to the Joint Committee on Finance to provide supplemental funding from the environmental fund for the
purposes of providing grants under the bill. The bill also requires the department to submit a similar request for
sufficient funds to support the department’s new educational duties relating to rechargeable batteries.