BILL NUMBER: SB 1741	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   JULY 3, 2000
	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   that
technology-specific area code and the underlying preexisting area
code or codes  .  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   that technology-specific area code and the
underlying preexisting area code or codes  .
   (c) Before approving any new area code, the commission shall first
perform a telephone utilization study and implement all reasonable
telephone number conservation measures.
   (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)  
   (e)  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.