Recycling: precious metals and critical minerals: report.

Senator McNerney's recycling initiative directs California's Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery to examine the state's capacity for recycling precious metals and critical minerals from electronic waste. The department must submit a comprehensive report by January 1, 2028, analyzing current collection methods, recycling capabilities, and opportunities for developing in-state processing of these materials.

The report will evaluate existing extraction techniques, assess California's recycling infrastructure, and identify barriers to establishing domestic processing capabilities. The department must gather input from researchers, manufacturers, environmental organizations, and other stakeholders to inform its analysis. The assessment will cover materials defined in the U.S. Geological Survey's 2022 critical minerals list, along with other valuable materials identified by the department.

The legislation authorizes the department to propose recommendations for promoting circular economy practices, including product design standards that facilitate end-of-life recycling of critical materials. The report will examine potential state revenue from stockpiling recycled materials for domestic green technology manufacturing. These provisions remain in effect until January 1, 2032, at which point they will be automatically repealed unless extended by subsequent legislation.