BILL NUMBER: SB 1741	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE   MAY 31, 2000
	AMENDED IN SENATE   APRIL 25, 2000
	AMENDED IN SENATE   MARCH 30, 2000

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Bowen
   (Coauthor:  Senator O'Connell)

                        FEBRUARY 23, 2000

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


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 1741, as amended, 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.  The
guidelines prohibit an area code based on specific technology and
require 10 digit dialing for all telephone calls within and between
all area codes covered by an area code overlay.
   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 and to permit 7 digit
dialing within the affected area codes.   This  
The bill would require the Public Utilities Commission to use any
authority so granted unless it makes a specified finding.  The 
bill would also prohibit the Public Utilities Commission from
approving new area code splits or overlays unless a telephone
utilization study has been performed and all reasonable telephone
number conservation has been implemented, a technology specific area
code had been established in the affected area, if authorized, and
further area code relief is warranted.  The bill would also prohibit
the commission from implementing any authority granted by the Federal
Communications Commission in a manner that impairs number
portability.
   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)  It is the intent of the Legislature that when the
commission has no reasonable alternative other than to create a new
area code, that the commission do so in a way that creates the least
inconvenience for customers.
   (b)  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 and to permit seven digit dialing within the affected area
codes.  
   (b)  
   (c)  Before approving any new area code, the commission shall
first perform a telephone utilization study and implement all
reasonable telephone number conservation measures.  
   (c) 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 it has complied with subdivision (b)
and both of the following occur:
   (1) The commission has utilized the authority granted by the
Federal Communications Commission pursuant to subdivision (a).
   (2) Further area code relief is warranted.  
   (d) If the commission receives the grant of authority set forth in
subdivision (a) and determines that further area code relief is
needed, the commission shall exercise the authority granted to it in
subdivision (a) unless it finds at least one of the following:
   (1) Exercising the authority granted by subdivision (a) would be
more disruptive to the customers where area code relief has been
determined to be necessary.
   (2) Exercising the authority granted by subdivision (a) will not
adequately extend the life of the area code where relief has been
determined to be necessary. 
   (d) The commission may not implement any authority granted by the
Federal Communications Commission pursuant to subdivision (a), in a
manner that impairs the ability of a customer to have number
portability.