Wisconsin Legislative Council
AMENDMENT MEMO
One Ea st Ma in Stre e t, Suite 401 • Ma dison, W I 53703 • (608) 266-1304 • le g.council@le gis.wisconsin.gov • http://www.le gis.wisconsin.gov/lc
Memo published: February 15, 2024 Contact: Audrey Kratz, Legal Intern, and Benjamin Kranner, Staff Analyst
2023 Senate Bill 906 Senate Amendment 1
2023 SENATE BILL 906
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 Senate Bill 906 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.
SENATE AMENDMENT 1
Senate 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
Senate Amendment 1 was introduced on January 29, 2024, by Senator Tomczyk. On February 8, 2024,
the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy voted to recommend adoption of the
amendment by a vote of Ayes, 5; Noes, 0; and passage of the bill, as amended, by a vote of Ayes, 5;
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.