Kentucky 2026 Regular Session Status: Enacted 3 R cosponsors

SB 49 — AN ACT relating to battery stewardship.

Last action — signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 87)

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed House
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 07, 2026. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Andy Beshear (Democratic) on April 10, 2026.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 76% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How often bills like it became law.

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 3 sponsors

    3 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (3 R).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 3 recorded votes so far.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Summary

Create new sections of Subchapter 50 of KRS Chapter 224 to define terms; prohibit the disposal of covered batteries in solid waste disposal or recycling containers; require the Energy and Environment Cabinet to establish the Covered Battery Stewardship Program; provide for the purposes of the program, including fostering the creation of voluntary battery stewardship organizations; provide for the collaboration with stakeholders in establishing the Covered Battery Stewardship Program; require the cabinet to maintain on its website a list of covered battery collection sites and contact information for transporters of covered batteries; establish the registration process and requirements for voluntary battery stewardship organizations; establish minimum requirements for voluntary battery stewardship plans to be submitted to the cabinet for approval; require each voluntary battery stewardship organization to submit an annual report to the cabinet detailing its covered battery collection, recovery, and educational outreach efforts beginning June 30, 2027.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

125 added · 168 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendments to Bill SB 49 clarify the definitions of "battery-containing products" and "covered batteries." The changes specifically exclude certain electronic devices—like computers and video game consoles—from being classified under this bill, which means they won't be subject to the new stewardship requirements for battery recycling and disposal. This matters because it aims to balance the need for responsible battery management with the practicalities of handling more commonly used technology, ultimately affecting manufacturers and consumers alike.

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Latest
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 49/EN AN ACT relating to battery stewardship.
CHAPTER 87 1 CHAPTER 87 ( SB 49 ) AN ACT relating to battery stewardship.
In a product that is not intended or designed to be easily Page 1 of 6 SB004920.100 - 1426 - XXXX 3/31/2026 2:42 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 49/EN removable from the product;
In a product that is not intended or designed to be easily removable from the product;
For rechargeable batteries, a battery that weighs more than eleven (11) pounds or has a rating of more than three hundred (300) watt- hours, or both, but that does not weigh more than twenty-five (25) pounds or have a rating of more than two thousand (2,000) watt- hours;
For rechargeable batteries, a battery that weighs more than eleven (11) pounds or has a rating of more than three hundred (300) watt-hours, or both, but that does not weigh more than twenty-five (25) pounds or have a rating of more than two thousand (2,000) watt-hours;
(f) "Recovery" means the collection, accumulation, and transportation of covered batteries or battery-containing products for the purpose of introducing them into a recycling process;
(f) "Recovery" means the collection, accumulation, and transportation of covered batteries or battery- containing products for the purpose of introducing them into a recycling process;
and Page 2 of 6 SB004920.100 - 1426 - XXXX 3/31/2026 2:42 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 49/EN (g) "Voluntary battery stewardship organization" means a voluntary organization designated by the cabinet to directly implement a covered battery stewardship plan approved by the cabinet.
and Legislative Research Commission PDF Version ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY (g) "Voluntary battery stewardship organization" means a voluntary organization designated by the cabinet to directly implement a covered battery stewardship plan approved by the cabinet.
(a) Manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers of covered batteries and covered battery-containing products;
(a) Manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers of covered batteries and covered battery- containing products;
Page 3 of 6 SB004920.100 - 1426 - XXXX 3/31/2026 2:42 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 49/EN (c) Solid waste collectors and solid waste disposal facilities;
(c) Solid waste collectors and solid waste disposal facilities;
and, (g) Waste management districts established under KRS Chapter 109.
and (g) Waste management districts established under KRS Chapter 109.
Page 4 of 6 SB004920.100 - 1426 - XXXX 3/31/2026 2:42 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 49/EN (a) Requirements for participating retailers of covered batteries or battery- containing products to conspicuously display on their products notice of the:
(a) Requirements for participating retailers of covered batteries or battery-containing products to conspicuously display on their products notice of the:
1.
CHAPTER 87 3 1.
and, (f) A method for fully funding the voluntary battery stewardship organization's plan in a manner that equitably distributes the plan's costs among the members of the battery stewardship organization, without adding a point-of- sale cost or fee to the consumer.
and (f) A method for fully funding the voluntary battery stewardship organization's plan in a manner that equitably distributes the plan's costs among the members of the battery stewardship organization, without adding a point-of-sale cost or fee to the consumer.
(6) Each voluntary battery stewardship organization shall submit to the cabinet on or Page 5 of 6 SB004920.100 - 1426 - XXXX 3/31/2026 2:42 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 49/EN before June 30, 2027, and each June 30 thereafter, a report that includes:
(6) Each voluntary battery stewardship organization shall submit to the cabinet on or before June 30, 2027, and each June 30 thereafter, a report that includes:
Page 6 of 6 SB004920.100 - 1426 - XXXX 3/31/2026 2:42 PM Engrossed
Signed by Governor April 10, 2026.
Legislative Research Commission PDF Version
⬇ Download PDF
View plain text versions (3)

Action History

  1. signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 87)

  2. delivered to Governor

  3. enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House

  4. enrolled, signed by President of the Senate

  5. passed 38-0

  6. Senate concurred in Committee Amendment (1)

  7. passed over and retained for concurrence in House Committee Amendment (1)

  8. posted for passage for concurrence in House Committee Amendment (1)

  9. taken from Rules

  10. to Rules (S)

  11. received in Senate

  12. 3rd reading, passed 86-0 with Committee Amendment (1)

  13. posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Tuesday, March 24 2026

  14. 2nd reading, to Rules

  15. reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Amendment (1)

  16. to Natural Resources & Energy (H)

  17. to Committee on Committees (H)

  18. received in House

  19. 3rd reading, passed 37-0

  20. passed over and retained in the Orders of the Day

  21. posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Tuesday, January 20, 2026

  22. 2nd reading, to Rules

  23. reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar

  24. to Natural Resources & Energy (S)

  25. to Committee on Committees (S)

  26. introduced in Senate

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

3 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 135 not signed on

Sponsors (3)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (135)

135 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 135 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

FINAL PASSAGE OF SB 49 w/ HCA 1

Passed 38 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 5000
Republican 33000
Total 38000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (38)
Member Party Vote
Cassie Chambers Armstrong Democrat Yea
Gary Clemons Democrat Yea
Gerald A. Neal Democrat Yea
Karen Berg Democrat Yea
Keturah J. Herron Democrat Yea
Aaron Reed Republican Yea
Amanda Mays Bledsoe Republican Yea
Brandon J. Storm Republican Yea
Christian McDaniel Republican Yea
Craig Richardson Republican Yea
Danny Carroll Republican Yea
David P. Givens Republican Yea
Donald Douglas Republican Yea
Gary Boswell Republican Yea
Greg Elkins Republican Yea
Jared Carpenter Republican Yea
Jason Howell Republican Yea
Jason Nemes Republican Yea
Jimmy Higdon Republican Yea
Julie Raque Adams Republican Yea
Lindsey Tichenor Republican Yea
Matt Nunn Republican Yea
Matthew Deneen Republican Yea
Max Wise Republican Yea
Michael Meredith Republican Yea
Nick Wilson Republican Yea
Phillip Wheeler Republican Yea
Rick Girdler Republican Yea
Robby Mills Republican Yea
Robert Stivers Republican Yea
Robin L. Webb Republican Yea
Scott Madon Republican Yea
Shelley Funke Frommeyer Republican Yea
Stephen West Republican Yea
Steve Rawlings Republican Yea
Tom Smith Republican Yea
Wade Williams Republican Yea
Walker Thomas Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Pass

Passed 86 Yea · 0 Nay · 14 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 19001
Republican 660013
Unaffiliated 1001
Total 860015
% of votes cast 85%0%0%15%
How each member voted (101)
Member Party Vote
Lewis C — Yea
COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY SENATE — Not Voting
Adam Moore Democrat Yea
Adrielle Camuel Democrat Yea
Al Gentry Democrat Yea
Anne Gay Donworth Democrat Yea
Ashley Tackett Laferty Democrat Yea
Beverly Chester-Burton Democrat Yea
Chad Aull Democrat Yea
Daniel Grossberg Democrat Yea
Erika Hancock Democrat Yea
George Brown Jr. Democrat Yea
Joshua Watkins Democrat Yea
Lindsey Burke Democrat Yea
Lisa Willner Democrat Yea
Mary Lou Marzian Democrat Yea
Matthew Lehman Democrat Yea
Nima Kulkarni Democrat Yea
Pamela Stevenson Democrat Yea
Rachel Roarx Democrat Yea
Sarah Stalker Democrat Yea
Tina Bojanowski Democrat Not Voting
Aaron Thompson Republican Yea
Adam Bowling Republican Yea
Amy Neighbors Republican Yea
Bill Wesley Republican Not Voting
Bobby McCool Republican Yea
Candy Massaroni Republican Not Voting
Chris Freeland Republican Yea
Chris Fugate Republican Yea
DJ Johnson Republican Yea
Daniel Elliott Republican Yea
Daniel Fister Republican Yea
David Hale Republican Yea
David Meade Republican Yea
David W. Osborne Republican Yea
Deanna Gordon Republican Yea
Derek Lewis Republican Yea
Emily Callaway Republican Yea
Felicia Rabourn Republican Not Voting
J.T. Payne Republican Yea
James Tipton Republican Yea
Jared Bauman Republican Yea
Jason Nemes Republican Yea
Jason Petrie Republican Yea
Jennifer Decker Republican Yea
Jim Gooch Jr. Republican Yea
John Blanton Republican Yea
John Hodgson Republican Yea
Josh Branscum Republican Yea
Josh Bray Republican Yea
Josh Calloway Republican Not Voting
Ken Fleming Republican Yea
Ken Upchurch Republican Yea
Kevin Jackson Republican Yea
Kim Banta Republican Yea
Kim Holloway Republican Not Voting
Kim King Republican Yea
Kimberly Poore Moser Republican Yea
Marianne Proctor Republican Not Voting
Mark Hart Republican Not Voting
Mary Beth Imes Republican Yea
Matt Lockett Republican Yea
Matthew Koch Republican Yea
Michael Meredith Republican Yea
Michael Sarge Pollock Republican Yea
Mike Clines Republican Yea
Mitch Whitaker Republican Yea
Myron Dossett Republican Yea
Nancy Tate Republican Yea
Nick Wilson Republican Yea
Patrick Flannery Republican Yea
Peyton Griffee Republican Not Voting
Randy Bridges Republican Yea
Rebecca Raymer Republican Yea
Richard White Republican Yea
Robert Duvall Republican Yea
Ryan Bivens Republican Yea
Ryan Dotson Republican Yea
Samara Heavrin Republican Yea
Savannah Maddox Republican Not Voting
Scott Lewis Republican Yea
Scott Sharp Republican Yea
Shane Baker Republican Yea
Shawn McPherson Republican Yea
Stephanie Dietz Republican Yea
Steve Bratcher Republican Yea
Steve Riley Republican Yea
Steven Doan Republican Not Voting
Steven Rudy Republican Not Voting
Susan Witten Republican Yea
Suzanne Miles Republican Yea
T.J. Roberts Republican Not Voting
Thomas Huff Republican Yea
Timmy Truett Republican Yea
Tom Smith Republican Yea
Tony Hampton Republican Yea
Vanessa Grossl Republican Yea
Wade Williams Republican Yea
Walker Thomas Republican Yea
William Lawrence Republican Not Voting

Official roll call →

PASS SB 49

Passed 37 Yea · 0 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 5000
Republican 32001
Total 37001
% of votes cast 97%0%0%3%
How each member voted (38)
Member Party Vote
Cassie Chambers Armstrong Democrat Yea
Gary Clemons Democrat Yea
Gerald A. Neal Democrat Yea
Karen Berg Democrat Yea
Keturah J. Herron Democrat Yea
Aaron Reed Republican Yea
Amanda Mays Bledsoe Republican Yea
Brandon J. Storm Republican Yea
Christian McDaniel Republican Yea
Craig Richardson Republican Yea
Danny Carroll Republican Yea
David P. Givens Republican Yea
Donald Douglas Republican Yea
Gary Boswell Republican Yea
Greg Elkins Republican Yea
Jared Carpenter Republican Yea
Jason Howell Republican Yea
Jason Nemes Republican Yea
Jimmy Higdon Republican Yea
Julie Raque Adams Republican Yea
Lindsey Tichenor Republican Yea
Matt Nunn Republican Yea
Matthew Deneen Republican Yea
Max Wise Republican Yea
Michael Meredith Republican Yea
Nick Wilson Republican Yea
Phillip Wheeler Republican Yea
Rick Girdler Republican Yea
Robby Mills Republican Yea
Robert Stivers Republican Not Voting
Robin L. Webb Republican Yea
Scott Madon Republican Yea
Shelley Funke Frommeyer Republican Yea
Stephen West Republican Yea
Steve Rawlings Republican Yea
Tom Smith Republican Yea
Wade Williams Republican Yea
Walker Thomas Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

environment
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does SB 49 do?
Create new sections of Subchapter 50 of KRS Chapter 224 to define terms; prohibit the disposal of covered batteries in solid waste disposal or recycling containers; require the Energy and Environment Cabinet to establish the Covered Battery Stewardship Program; provide for the purposes of the program, including fostering the creation of voluntary battery stewardship organizations; provide for the collaboration with stakeholders in establishing the Covered Battery Stewardship Program; require the cabinet to maintain on its website a list of covered battery collection sites and contact information for transporters of covered batteries; establish the registration process and requirements for voluntary battery stewardship organizations; establish minimum requirements for voluntary battery stewardship plans to be submitted to the cabinet for approval; require each voluntary battery stewardship organization to submit an annual report to the cabinet detailing its covered battery collection, recovery, and educational outreach efforts beginning June 30, 2027.
Who sponsors SB 49?
SB 49 is sponsored by Steve Rawlings (Republican), Rick Girdler (Republican), and Greg Elkins (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 49?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 07, 2026. Enacted.
Where can I track SB 49?
Track SB 49 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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