§ 7590. Reimbursement process

(a) Reimbursement request.

(1) A battery producer or battery stewardship organization that incurs reimbursable costs under section 7589 of this title shall submit a request to the producer of the collected battery or the battery stewardship organization in which the producer is participating for the collected covered battery.

(2) A producer or battery stewardship organization that receives a request for reimbursement may, prior to payment and within 30 days following receipt of the request for reimbursement, request an independent audit of submitted reimbursement costs.

(3) The independent auditor shall be responsible for verifying the reasonableness of the reimbursement request, including the costs sought for reimbursement, the amount of reimbursement, and the reimbursable costs assessed by each of the two programs.

(4) If the independent audit confirms the reasonableness of the reimbursement request, the producer or battery stewardship organization, requesting the audit shall pay the cost of the audit and the amount of the reimbursement calculated by the independent auditor. If the independent audit indicates the reimbursement request was not reasonable, the producer or battery stewardship organization that initiated the reimbursement request shall pay the cost of the audit and the amount of the reimbursement calculated by the independent auditor.

(b) Role of Agency. The Agency shall not be required to provide assistance or otherwise participate in a reimbursement request, audit, or other action under this section, unless subject to subpoena before a court of jurisdiction