(a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:

(1) “Automobile dismantler” has the same definition as in Section 220 of the Vehicle Code.

(2) “Motor vehicle” has the same definition as in Section 415 of the Vehicle Code.

(3) “Vehicle manufacturer” has the same definition as in Section 672 of the Vehicle Code.

(b) On or before April 1, 2019, the Secretary for Environmental Protection shall convene the Lithium-Ion Car Battery Recycling Advisory Group to review, and advise the Legislature on, policies pertaining to the recovery and recycling of lithium-ion vehicle batteries sold with motor vehicles in the state. Until April 1, 2022, the advisory group shall meet at least quarterly. The advisory group shall consult with universities and research institutions that have conducted research in the area of battery recycling, with manufacturers of electric and hybrid vehicles, and with the recycling industry. The Secretary for Environmental Protection shall appoint at least one member to the advisory group from each of the following:

(1) The Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery.

(2) The Department of Toxic Substances Control.

(3) A vehicle manufacturer.

(4) An organization that represents one or more vehicle manufacturers.

(5) An electronic waste recycler or an organization that represents one or more electronic waste recyclers.

(6) An automotive repair dealer or an organization that represents one or more automotive repair dealers.

(7) An automobile dismantler or an organization that represents one or more automobile dismantlers.

(8) An environmental organization that specializes in waste reduction and recycling.

(9) A representative of the energy storage industry.

(10) A lithium-ion vehicle battery manufacturer.

(11) A standards-developing organization that has a focus on automotive engineering.

(c) On or before April 1, 2022, the Lithium-Ion Car Battery Recycling Advisory Group shall submit policy recommendations to the Legislature, in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code, aimed at ensuring that as close to 100 percent as possible of lithium-ion vehicle batteries in the state are reused or recycled at end-of-life in a safe and cost-effective manner. The policy recommendations shall reflect entire life-cycle considerations for lithium-ion vehicle batteries, including, but not limited to, opportunities for and barriers to the reuse of those batteries as energy storage systems after they are removed from the vehicle, best management considerations for those batteries at end-of-life, and the overall effect of different management practices on the environment. In developing the policy recommendations, the advisory group shall consider both in-state and out-of-state options for the recycling of lithium-ion vehicle batteries.

(d)  This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2027, and as of that date is repealed.

(Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 497, Sec. 235. (AB 991) Effective January 1, 2020. Repealed as of January 1, 2027, by its own provisions.)