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Joint Budget Committee backs drafting legislation to fund Digital Trunked Radio System
Summary
The Joint Budget Committee authorized staff to draft legislation to implement a $15 million Digital Trunked Radio System operating request and recommended possible use of the 9-1-1 Services Enterprise as a TABOR‑exempt funding source; the motion to proceed passed unanimously with one member mildly excused.
Alfredo Kim, Joint Budget Committee staff, told the committee he recommends state funding for a $15 million request for the Digital Trunked Radio System (DTRS), including a $12 million vendor contract and $3 million for program hardware and equipment.
Kim said the committee should consider paying the $12 million vendor contract out of the 9-1-1 Services Enterprise created by Senate Bill 204139 so the revenue would be TABOR‑exempt, and proposed budget‑line adjustments to place equipment and vendor contract dollars in separate line items for oversight.
Why it matters: the DTRS is the state’s backbone for interoperable public‑safety radio; the committee’s choice of funding source affects TABOR treatment and whether annual legislative review is required. Kim also recommended removing continuous spending authority from the Public Safety Communications Revolving Fund so the committee reviews operating appropriations annually.
Committee members asked for clarifications about the two existing cash funds—the Public Safety Communications Trust Fund (for equipment and vendor costs) and the Public Safety Communications Revolving Fund (for administrative operating costs). Senator Kirkmeyer and others discussed the prior decision to use the Energy and Mineral Impact Fund for towers and whether the 9‑1‑1 enterprise or severance tax could be used for recurring user‑fee costs.
The chair said staff should draft implementing legislation that keeps funding‑source options on the table, and Senator Kirkmeyer and others asked staff to preserve the option to use Energy and Mineral Impact Fund dollars if necessary. Representative Taggart and others sought additional detail about how the revolving fund has been used and whether it has any loan function; Kim clarified the revolving fund is an operating account rather than a loan program.
Action: Committee member identified as "Madam vice chair" moved the staff recommendation to approve the DTRS ongoing operating request and give staff authority to work with the Office of Legislative Legal Services (OLLS) to draft implementing legislation. The motion passed five‑zero with one member mildly excused.
The committee directed staff to prepare draft bill language reflecting the options discussed and to return with further detail about line‑item placement, continuous spending authority, and potential common‑policy implications.
Ending note: staff will draft legislation and provide additional line‑item and common‑policy detail for the committee before final funding decisions are made.
