SB 235: Recycling: precious metals and critical minerals: report.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law establishes in the California Environmental Protection Agency the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, which administers various solid waste management and recycling programs.

This bill would require the department to draft and submit a report to the Legislature, on or before January 1, 2028, relating to the in-state collection, recycling, reuse, and stockpiling for domestic consumption of precious metals, critical minerals, as defined, and other similar valuable materials as reasonably decided by the department, contained within products in the state, as specified. The bill would require the department to provide opportunities for public input and to perform outreach to potentially interested parties, as specified. The bill also would authorize the department to make recommendations to promote a circular economy for precious metals, critical minerals, and other similar valuable materials within products, including, but not limited to, best practices for product design to optimize the ability to recycle precious metals, critical minerals, and other similar valuable materials at the product’s end of life.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. February 2, 2026Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
2. May 23, 2025May 23 hearing: Held in committee and under submission.
3. May 16, 2025Set for hearing May 23.
4. April 7, 2025April 7 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.
5. March 28, 2025Set for hearing April 7.
6. March 20, 2025Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
7. March 19, 2025From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 8. Noes 0. Page 421.) (March 19).
8. March 7, 2025Set for hearing March 19.
9. March 4, 2025From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on E.Q.
10. February 5, 2025Referred to Com. on E.Q.
11. January 30, 2025From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 1.
12. January 29, 2025Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.