{"data":{"id":"us-dc/d.c.-code-8-771.07","jurisdiction":"us-dc","citation":"D.C. Code § 8-771.07","heading":"Cause of action.","body":"(a)\nA battery stewardship organization implementing an approved battery stewardship plan in compliance with the requirements of this chapter may bring a civil action against a producer for damages when:\n(1)\nThe plaintiff incurs more than $1,000 in actual costs collecting, handling, recycling, and properly disposing of the defendant producer's batteries sold or offered for sale in the District; and\n(2)\nThe defendant producer is not in compliance with the requirements of § 8-771.02(a).\n\n(b)\nDOEE shall not be a necessary party to or be required to provide assistance or otherwise participate in a civil action authorized under this section solely due to its regulatory requirements under this chapter, unless subject to subpoena before a court of jurisdiction.\n\n(c)\nA battery stewardship organization may file a civil action under this section regardless of whether it has petitioned DOEE under § 8-771.06(b).\n\n(d)\nFor the purposes of this section, the term \"damages\" means:\n(1)\nThe actual costs a plaintiff battery stewardship organization incurs in collecting, handling, recycling, or properly disposing of batteries reasonably identified as having originated from another battery producer or battery stewardship organization, and\n(2)\nThe attorneys' fees and costs associated with bringing the civil action.","path":["Title 8. Environmental and Animal Control and Protection.","Chapter 7E. Battery Producer Responsibility."],"source_url":"https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/8-771.07","current_through":"2026-08-20 (D.C. Law 26-175)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-29T05:44:07Z","sha256":"422249070579617afdab4a9133265770b954ae0c3564dce033f5de15c44ef1bf","source_id":"us-dc","stale":false,"prev":"us-dc/d.c.-code-8-771.06","next":"us-dc/d.c.-code-8-771.08"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}