H.B. 555                                                   VETOES

provide certain information for public display in certain areas for certain purposes;
requiring certain marketers to develop a certain generic notice placard; prohibiting
disposal of certain units except under certain programs or as otherwise permitted by
the Department of the Environment; requiring certain unit management programs
to cover certain units and certain rechargeable batteries after a certain date;
establishing the required contents of certain unit management programs; requiring
certain marketers to provide a certain mechanism for recycling or disposal of certain
units; requiring certain cell manufacturers to accept certain cells and rechargeable
batteries for recycling or disposal, with an exception; requiring certain institutional
users of certain units and products to dispose of them in certain manners; allowing
persons bearing responsibilities under this Act to contract, appoint agents, and form
associations for performance under this Act; providing that persons cooperating in
a unit management program under this Act are immune from certain liability for
antitrust or restraint of trade under certain circumstances; providing for the
enforcement of this Act. including criminal fines; requiring the Department of the
Environment to adopt certain regulations; providing for the application of this Act;
and generally relating to rechargeable batteries and recycling.

BY adding to

Article - Environment

Section 6-1001 through 6-1014, inclusive, to be under the new subtitle "Subtitle
10. Rechargeable Batteries'''

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1987 Replacement Volume and 1992 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Environment

SUBTITLE 10. RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES
6-1001.

(A)     IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS
INDICATED.

(B)     "CELL" MEANS A GALVANIC OR VOLTAIC DEVICE WEIGHING 25 POUNDS
OR LESS CONSISTING OF AN ENCLOSED OR SEALED CONTAINER WHICH CONTAINS A
POSITIVE AND A NEGATIVE ELECTRODE CONSISTING PRIMARILY OF CADMIUM OR
LEAD, AND WHICH CONTAINS A GEL OR LIQUID STARVED ELECTROLYTE.

(C)     "CELL MANUFACTURER" MEANS A PERSON WHO:

(1)      MANUFACTURES CELLS IN THE UNITED STATES; OR

(2)   . IMPORTS INTO THE UNITED STATES CELLS OR UNITS FOR WHICH NO
UNIT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM HAS BEEN PUT INTO EFFECT BY THE ACTUAL
MANUFACTURER OF THE CELL OR UNIT.

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