Telecommunications Security
The bill requires telecommunications providers that operate in Colorado to remove, discontinue, or replace all critical telecommunications infrastructure that utilizes equipment from a federally banned entity. or foreign adversary.
The bill requires telecommunications providers to register with the public utilities commission (commission) division of homeland security and emergency management (division) within the department of public safety and certify that the telecommunications provider is:
- Not operating critical telecommunications infrastructure that utilizes equipment from a federally banned entity;
or foreign adversary;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 bill grants the commission authority to enforce the requirements established by the bill by administering fines against telecommunications providers for noncompliance. The bill 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 bill creates the secure telecommunications cash fund for the collection of registration fees that will be used to implement the program. The bill also grants the commission division rule-making authority to implement the requirements of the bill .
(Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.)
(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)