CO HB1154

Creates the Communication Services for People with Disabilities Enterprise effective June 30, 2025, within the Department of Human Services to coordinate communication services for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, or speech-disabled.

Transfers telecommunications relay services functions from the Public Utilities Commission to the new Division for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deafblind within the enterprise.

Authorizes a telephone disability access surcharge of up to 15 cents per month per telephone access line and, beginning January 1, 2026, a prepaid telephone disability access charge of up to 15 cents per retail transaction for prepaid wireless services.

Establishes a governor-appointed board of directors (up to 7 members serving 3-year terms) to govern the enterprise, which is exempt from TABOR as a state enterprise authorized to issue revenue bonds.

Appropriates $4,958,625 from the Colorado Division for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deafblind Cash Fund to the Department of Human Services for FY 2025-26, including funding for 3.0 new FTE positions.