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.