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Committee adopts technical fix to restore prepaid wireless contributions for 911/988 funding in HB 11‑115
Summary
After testimony from local 911 directors and the Behavioral Health Administration, the committee adopted an amendment to remove a lifeline exemption and moved HB 11‑115 (a definitional fix to include modern unlimited prepaid plans in 911/988 surcharges) to the Committee of the Whole on the consent calendar to protect emergency‑services funding.
House Bill 11‑115 was presented as a technical, definitional bill to ensure modern unlimited prepaid wireless plans remain subject to the monthly prepaid surcharges that fund 911 and 988 services. Sponsors characterized the change as a statutory clean‑up prompted by a 2025 Department of Revenue ruling that created a gap in the definition of 'prepaid wireless telecommunication service.'
Michael Berry (Summit County 911 director) and others explained that mountain and tourism counties rely heavily on prepaid devices; Berry said modern usage patterns (seasonal workers and visitors) make the surcharge critical to maintaining equipment and staffing. Gordon Coombs (BHA) explained that 988 relies on a per‑line surcharge for staffing and technology and estimated an annual shortfall (about $4 million) if unlimited prepaid plans are not counted. The Colorado Municipal League supported the bill as a consistency and fairness measure.
Committee members adopted an amendment (L002) to remove an unrelated lifeline exemption that would have triggered a fiscal impact, and the bill was moved to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation and placed on the consent calendar.
What’s next: HB 11‑115 will be considered by the Committee of the Whole; the amendment adopted in committee removed a potential fiscal exposure and the sponsors indicated the change removes the fiscal note.
