BILL NUMBER: SB 1741	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Bowen

                        FEBRUARY 23, 2000

   An act to add Section 7943 to the Public Utilities Code, relating
to telecommunications.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 1741, as introduced, Bowen.    Telecommunications:  technology
specific area codes.
   Under federal law, the Federal Communications Commission has
delegated authority to the Public Utilities Commission to regulate
area codes within the state subject to specific guidelines.  One of
those guidelines is that the state cannot approve an area code based
on specific technology.
   This bill would require the Public Utilities Commission to request
authority from the Federal Communications Commission to require
telephone corporations to establish technology specific area codes
based on wireless and data communications.  This bill would also
prohibit the Public Utilities Commission from approving new area code
splits or overlays unless a technology specific area code had been
established in the affected area and further area code relief is
warranted.
   Vote:  majority.  Appropriation:  no.  Fiscal committee:  yes.
State-mandated local program:  no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  Section 7943 is added to the Public Utilities Code, to
read:
   7943.  (a) On or before March 31, 2001, the commission shall
request that the Federal Communications Commission grant authority
for the commission to order telephone corporations to assign
telephone numbers dedicated to wireless and data usage to a separate
area code.
   (b) If the commission receives the grant of authority set forth in
subdivision (a), the commission may not approve an area code split
or an area code overlay unless both of the following occur:
   (1) The commission has previously ordered that telephone numbers
dedicated to wireless and data usage in the proposed area code split
or overlay be assigned to a separate area code.
   (2) Further area code relief is warranted.