4. a. No later than six months after the effective date of this act, the department shall commence a needs assessment to determine the availability of authorized propulsion battery recyclers and related infrastructure, both public and private, needed to implement the provisions of this act, in addition to any other necessary information, as identified by the department.

b. The department may use a qualified third-party organization to perform the needs assessment required by this section.

c. The needs assessment shall be completed no later than 18 months after the effective date of this act.

d. The department shall transmit a report of the completed needs assessment to the Governor and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C. 52:14-19.1), to the Legislature no later than two months after the needs assessment is completed.

e. The department shall publish the completed needs assessment on its Internet website.

f. The department shall use the results of the needs assessment to assist in the implementation of this act.

L.2023, c.222, s.4.