By Madden H.B. No. 3518 Line and page numbers may not match official copy. Bill not drafted by TLC or Senate E&E. A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to prohibiting the use of an overlay in the implementation 1-3 of a new area code. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 55, Utilities Code, is 1-6 amended by adding Section 55.012 to read as follows: 1-7 Sec. 55.012. OVERLAYS PROHIBITED. (a) In this section, 1-8 "overlay" means a system in which a new area code serves the same 1-9 geographic area as an existing area code. 1-10 (b) The commission may not authorize or require the use of 1-11 an overlay or local 10 digit dialing when implementing a new area 1-12 code with the exception of lines used for facsimile, data or 1-13 cellular telephones. 1-14 SECTION 2. (a) This Act takes effect on the first date on 1-15 which it may take effect under Section 39, Article III, Texas 1-16 Constitution. 1-17 (b) The change in law made by this Act does not affect an 1-18 area code using an overlay that has taken effect before the 1-19 effective date of this Act. An area code using an overlay that has 1-20 taken effect before the effective date of this Act is governed by 1-21 the law in effect on the date the area code took effect, and that 2-1 law is continued in effect for that purpose. 2-2 (c) The Public Utility Commission of Texas shall postpone 2-3 the effective date of a new area code using an overlay that was 2-4 approved by the commission before the effective date of this Act 2-5 but will not take effect until after the effective date of this 2-6 Act. As soon as possible after the effective date of this Act, the 2-7 commission shall reopen proceedings relating to the new area code 2-8 and change the implementation of the area code so that it does not 2-9 use an overlay. 2-10 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the 2-11 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-12 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-13 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-14 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended, 2-15 and that this Act take effect and be in force according to its 2-16 terms, and it is so enacted.