HB 25-1135
Fiscal Note
Legislative Council Staff
Nonpartisan Services for Colorado’s Legislature
HB 25-1135: COMMUNICATION DEVICES IN SCHOOLS
Prime Sponsors:
Rep. Lukens; Bradfield
Sen. Marchman
Published for: House Education
Drafting number: LLS 25-0491
Fiscal Analyst:
Josh Abram, 303-866-3561
josh.abram@coleg.gov
Version: Initial Fiscal Note
Date: February 3, 2025
Fiscal note status: The fiscal note reflects the introduced bill.
Summary Information
Overview. The bill requires that public school districts and the Charter School Institute adopt a policy
concerning student use of cell phones during school days.
Types of impacts. The bill is projected to affect the following areas on an ongoing basis:
State Expenditure School Districts
Appropriations. No appropriation is required.
Table 1
State Fiscal Impacts
Type of Impact
Budget Year
FY 2025-26
Out Year
FY 2026-27
State Revenue $0 $0
State Expenditures $0 $0
Transferred Funds $0 $0
Change in TABOR Refunds $0 $0
Change in State FTE 0.0 FTE 0.0 FTE
Page 2
February 3, 2025 HB 25-1135
Summary of Legislation
No later than July 1, 2026, the bill requires that school districts and the Charter School Institute
(CSI) adopt and implement a policy concerning cell phone use and possession during the school
day. Policies must not prohibit students from possessing or using a cell phone if it is necessary
for compliance with disability standards, special education programs, or to monitor a medical
condition. These adopted policies must be posted on the website of the local education
provider or charter school.
State Expenditure
The Charter School Institute is an independent agency in the Colorado Department of Education
that authorizes and oversees some charter schools. The bill increases workload for the CSI to
conduct public outreach and adopt and implement a cell phone policy across the charter
schools under its supervision. This additional workload does not require new appropriations.
School District
The bill increases workload for school districts to conduct public outreach, provide an
opportunity for public input, and to craft and implement a cell phone policy for students. The
bill increases workload for any public school district that has not adopted a cell phone policy.
Effective Date
The bill takes effect 90 days following adjournment of the General Assembly sine die, assuming
no referendum petition is filed.
State and Local Government Contacts
Education School District
The revenue and expenditure impacts in this fiscal note represent changes from current law under the bill for each
fiscal year. For additional information about fiscal notes, please visit the General Assembly website.