SB 24-151

Senate Bill 24-151, also known as the Telecommunications Security Act, requires Colorado-based telecommunications companies to remove or replace any equipment from entities banned by the federal government. These companies must register with the state’s homeland security division and certify annually that they are not using banned equipment or participating in a federal reimbursement program to replace it. The bill took effect on June 7, 2024, after being signed into law by the governor. This means telecommunications providers now have specific deadlines to comply with these requirements starting January 15, 2025.

Official Summary

The act requires telecommunications providers that operate in Colorado to remove, discontinue, or replace all critical telecommunications infrastructure that utilizes equipment from a federally banned entity. The act requires telecommunications providers to register with the division of homeland security and emergency management (division) within the department of public safety on or before January 15, 2025, and annually certify thereafter that the telecommunications provider is: Not operating critical telecommunications infrastructure that utilizes equipment from a federally banned entity; or Participating in the federal reimbursement program established by the federal "Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019" and is in compliance with the reimbursement program. The act requires a telecommunications provider that operates critical telecommunications infrastructure that utilizes federally banned equipment to register with the division each year until all of the federally banned equipment has been removed or replaced. The act creates the secure telecommunications cash fund for the collection of registration fees that will be used to implement the program. The act also grants the director of the division rule-making authority to implement the requirements of the act. APPROVED by Governor June 7, 2024 EFFECTIVE June 7, 2024(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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