H.R. 9615 · Passed House · Environmental Protection

BRACE Act

Sponsor: Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA)

What it does

• Reclassifies lithium-ion batteries as universal waste rather than hazardous waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, reducing permitting requirements for storage facilities.
• Allows battery storage facilities to comply with large quantity handler regulations instead of stringent hazardous waste rules, eliminating the need for special permits.
• Facilitates recovery and recycling of critical minerals from lithium-ion batteries by lowering regulatory barriers to collection and storage infrastructure.

Official summary

Battery Recycling for America’s Competitive Economy Act or the BRACE Act This bill modifies the regulation of lithium-ion batteries under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act in order to facilitate the recycling of lithium-ion batteries and the recovery of critical minerals. Specifically, the bill directs certain facilities that store lithium-ion batteries prior to recycling them to follow regulations for large quantity handlers of universal waste instead of following the more stringent hazardous waste regulations that currently apply, thereby allowing these facilities to store lithium-ion batteries without needing a special permit.

Latest action

Sep 16, 2026: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Committee: Senate Environment and Public Works