reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 1A - Advisory Committee for Restoration, Preservation and Improvement of La Fortaleza (§§ 18 — 18g) › § 18b - Policy of restoration, preservation and improvement

The Committee created by this chapter shall be responsible for drawing up and keeping up-to-date a document wherein the Restoration, Preservation and Improvement Policy of La Fortaleza is stated, with specific measures for its implementation, with the counsel of the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture. These specific areas of exceptional historical value shall be highlighted and designated as part of the historical patrimony of the People of Puerto Rico. In regard to structural and architectural changes, the document must be in harmony with the Integral Development Plan of the Planning Board and the provisions of §§ 62—63j of Title 23.
As part of the process of drafting said public policy, the Committee shall be open to suggestions and recommendations from all those cultural and historical institutions of the Island that wish to do so for the final composition of the proposed document. For such purposes, copies thereof shall be printed and made available to the interested institutions for their revision and study.
The document shall be submitted for the Governor’s consideration not later than twelve (12) months from the effective date of this act. The Governor may approve and put it into effect, through an Executive Order issued accordingly, within thirty (30) days after it has been submitted to him, or return it to the Committee with his objections. Once the Governor approves the document and issues the Executive Order to enforce the same, it shall be mandatory and enforceable in any government program of the Executive Branch and the Government instrumentalities. This shall not imply impairment of the functions established in reference to historical conservation which shall concern the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture, the Planning Board, the Regulations and Permits Administration or any other government agency with similar functions. The coordination and supervision for the implementation of the public policy thus established shall be the responsibility of the Executive Assistant in charge of property at La Fortaleza.
The document thus adopted shall be updated at least once every four (4) years, after its effective date.
History —July 23, 1979, No. 182, p. 498, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 1A - Advisory Committee for Restoration, Preservation and Improvement of La Fortaleza (§§ 18 — 18g) › § 18c - Duties and responsibilities

The Committee shall be entrusted with implementing the public policy established herein. The personnel required for this purpose shall be made available to the Committee. The funds needed for the additional duties assigned to the Committee shall be set aside in the Budget of Expenditures of La Fortaleza.
In implementing this chapter, the Committee shall give special attention to the restoration, preservation and maintenance of the buildings, structures, land and furniture under its responsibility, pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
The Assistant shall keep a perpetual inventory of all public property under his custody in the proper books for said purposes. Every year, in the month of June, the Assistant shall take a complete inventory of said properties under the direction of the Committee, which shall include the cost and date of acquisition and their appraised value, if donated; a description of their condition and photographs thereof, and in the case of furniture, the place where they are located.
The annual inventory shall be submitted for the Governor’s approval and filed in the Offices of the Executive Assistant and the Committee for future reference.
The Assistant shall issue certificates regarding the value of the real or personal property acquired or accepted as donations to the interested parties, with the Committee’s authorization, according to the appraisals and procedures established by the Department of the Treasury of Puerto Rico.
The Committee shall adopt standards and bylaws for its internal functioning.
History —July 23, 1979, No. 182, p. 498, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 1A - Advisory Committee for Restoration, Preservation and Improvement of La Fortaleza (§§ 18 — 18g) › § 18d - Creation, composition and objectives

(a) Creation and constitution.— The Governor’s Advisory Committee for the Restoration, Preservation and Improvement of La Fortaleza is hereby created. It shall be composed of nine members: the First Lady, the Executive Director of the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture, the Assistant, the Director of the Executive Mansion Affairs Office and five (5) qualified citizens appointed by the Governor.
Of the appointed members, two (2) shall be for a term of six (6) years, two (2) for a term of four (4) years and one (1) for a term of two (2) years.
The decisions of the Committee shall be taken by a majority of the members present. The members of the Committee shall not be entitled to per diems. The Assistant, as representative of the Governor, may appoint without remuneration or legally contract those experts, advisors or personnel needed to carry out the functions described herein, according to the regulations and laws regarding government contracting. At least two (2) members of the Committee must remain as advisors and honorary members upon prescription of their term of office.
(b) Objectives.— The main objectives of the Committee, in addition to those stated in § 18b of this title, shall be the following:
(1) When this act becomes effective, and based on the inventory of the existing properties provided by the Assistant, the Committee shall study said properties and shall establish a catalogue thereof. Said catalogue shall include a classification of the real and personal property on the basis of their history, origin and artistic or human value.
(2) The Committee shall subsequently be in charge of advising the Governor with regard to any new acquisition, whether it be donated or not, for the purpose of maintaining the style and historical value of the structures, buildings, extensions, gardens and furniture under the custody of the Assistant.
(3) The Committee shall have full power to select and evaluate the donated properties and shall advise the Department of the Treasury regarding the financial appraisal thereof, if said appraisal is required. The Assistant shall receive the donated property recommended by the Committee and finally accepted by the Governor.
(4) The Committee shall cooperate with any entity existing at present or to be created in the future, which has among its purposes the collection of funds and/or promotion of donations in benefit of the ends and purposes of this chapter.
History —July 23, 1979, No. 182, p. 498, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 1A - Advisory Committee for Restoration, Preservation and Improvement of La Fortaleza (§§ 18 — 18g) › § 18e - Furniture

The furniture presently located in La Fortaleza and any future acquisition that is declared of historical or artistic value shall be considered as part of the public properties and shall be inalienable.
Those halls or rooms which the Committee declares as historical, or of historical patrimony, and which have been classified as such in the Executive Order issued by the Governor proclaiming the public policy document of the restoration, preservation and improvement of La Fortaleza, cannot be altered significantly to diminish or vary their historical value.
History —July 23, 1979, No. 182, p. 498, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 1A - Advisory Committee for Restoration, Preservation and Improvement of La Fortaleza (§§ 18 — 18g) › § 18f - Conflicting provisions

No part of this chapter shall be interpreted or implemented in such a way that it could conflict with the use and administration of the executive offices of the Governor, the use and occupation of buildings and lands designated as the residence of the Governor, or with the use of the physical facilities for official purposes.
History —July 23, 1979, No. 182, p. 498, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 1A - Advisory Committee for Restoration, Preservation and Improvement of La Fortaleza (§§ 18 — 18g) › § 18g - Appropriations

The sum of seventy five thousand dollars ($75,000) is hereby appropriated, from unencumbered funds in the Commonwealth Treasury, to the Office of the Governor for the 1979-80 fiscal year. In subsequent years, the sums needed shall be set aside annually in the General Budget of Expenditures of La Fortaleza.
History —July 23, 1979, No. 182, p. 498, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 2 - Retirement of Former Governors (§§ 21 — 24) › § 21 - Annuity, manner of compensation and incompatibility

Every former Governor elected as Chief Executive before November 3 of 1992, shall be entitled to a life annuity of twenty five thousand dollars ($25,000). Said annuity shall be paid by the Secretary of the Treasury in monthly installments, and the payment of any other emolument chargeable to the Treasury for any reason, and the receipt of any benefit under a pension system established by law of the Commonwealth shall be incompatible with the payment of said annuity.
History —Mar. 26, 1965, No. 2, p. 3, § 1; Feb. 27, 1993, No. 2, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 2 - Retirement of Former Governors (§§ 21 — 24) › § 21a - Annuity, manner of compensation and incompatibility—Exception

However, it is expressly provided that every former Governor who, upon approval of this act is entitled to receive the annuity referred to in § 21 of this title shall continue to enjoy said benefit for life, unless he/she voluntarily waives it.
History —Mar. 26, 1965, No. 2, p. 3, added as § 2 on Feb. 27, 1993, No. 2, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 2 - Retirement of Former Governors (§§ 21 — 24) › § 21b - Annuity, manner of compensation and incompatibility—Other rights

Sections 21 et seq. of this title shall not affect other vested rights, benefits or emoluments enjoyed by every former Governor by virtue of other provisions of said sections.
History —Mar. 26, 1965, No. 2, p. 3, added as § 3 on Feb. 27, 1993, No. 2, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 2 - Retirement of Former Governors (§§ 21 — 24) › § 22 - Former Governor’s Service Office

(a) There is hereby created in the Bureau of the Budget the Former Governor’s Service Office, which shall have the responsibility of providing to each former Governor the following facilities and services:
(1) An office, duly equipped at the place within Puerto Rico which the former Governor may select.
(2) Such technical and office personnel as the Governor may require. Said personnel shall be included within the Exempt Service and the former Governor shall be the appointing authority of said personnel. The former Governor shall determine the number, categories and, subject to the provisions hereinafter contained, the salaries, of such employees, who shall be responsible solely to him for the performance of their duties and functions. The compensation payable to each such employee shall not exceed the maximum compensation payable to other employees holding equivalent positions in the Government of Puerto Rico.
(3) The purchase of equipment and fixtures, and other general operating expenses. The purchase or obtainment of these facilities and services shall in all cases be governed by the laws and regulations of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
(b) The facilities and services mentioned in clauses (1), (2) and (3) of subsection (a) shall be provided chargeable to a self-renewing annual appropriation that shall provide each Governor with funds in the amount of forty thousand dollars ($40,000) which is hereby appropriated to the Bureau of the Budget.
(c) Any unencumbered surplus remaining at the close of each fiscal year in the appropriation made by this section shall be covered into the general funds of the Commonwealth Treasury.
(d) The Bureau of the Budget shall also provide to each Former Governor an automobile for personal use, and the services of a driver, maintenance and operation. Provided, That the Secretary of the Treasury shall appropriate annually the amounts the Bureau of the Budget determines necessary to comply with these provisions; Provided, further, That such amounts shall be in addition to the appropriation of subsection (b) of this section, and shall be also under the administration of the Bureau of the Budget.
(e) If a former Governor were to hold the office of Governor again, he/she shall not receive the annuity nor the appropriations, facilities and services provided by §§ 21 et seq. of this title, during his/her term as Governor.
History —Mar. 26, 1965, No. 2, p. 3, § 2; May 1, 1973, No. 10, p. 45, § 1; renumbered as § 4 and amended on Feb. 27, 1993, No. 2, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 2 - Retirement of Former Governors (§§ 21 — 24) › § 23 - Widows of former Governors

The widow of every former Governor shall be entitled to a life annuity of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) payable in monthly instalments, while she remains a widow. Said annuity shall be paid by the Secretary of the Treasury in monthly instalments, and the receipt of any benefit under a pension system established by law of the Commonwealth shall be incompatible with said annuity. These provisions shall not bar payment of emoluments for services rendered to the Commonwealth or its instrumentalities, but the amount of such payment shall be deducted from the annuity granted by §§ 21—24 of this title.
History —Mar. 26, 1965, No. 2, p. 3, § 3, renumbered as § 5 on Feb. 27, 1993, No. 2, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 2 - Retirement of Former Governors (§§ 21 — 24) › § 24 - Definition

The term “former Governor”, as used in §§ 21—24 of this title, means any person who has held the office of Governor under the provisions of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, by popular election, has not been removed from office, and has held said office for a term of at least 4 years, or has ceased therein by reason of mental or physical disability before expiration of said term.
History —Mar. 26, 1965, No. 2, p. 3, § 4, renumbered as § 6 on Feb. 27, 1993, No. 2, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 3 - Council of Secretaries (§§ 31 — 34) › § 31a - Powers of Council of Secretaries; transfer

The Council of Secretaries of Puerto Rico shall have, insofar as not in conflict with the Constitution of Puerto Rico, the same powers, functions and duties which by laws of the Legislature of Puerto Rico the former Executive Council of Puerto Rico had when the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico took effect, with the exception of such as may have been transferred by law to some official or body within the period comprised between the effective date of the Constitution and of this act.
History —May 19, 1954, No. 35, p. 198, § 1, retroactive to July 25, 1952.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 3 - Council of Secretaries (§§ 31 — 34) › § 32 - Powers and duties of executive departments continued

Upon the taking effect of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Departments of State, Justice, Treasury, Education, Labor, Public Works, Health, and Agriculture and Commerce shall, insofar as is not incompatible with, and in addition to those assigned to them by the Constitution, have the same powers, functions and duties at present had by the Office of the Executive Secretary and the Departments of Justice, Treasury, Education, Labor, Interior, Health, and Agriculture and Commerce, respectively.
History —July 24, 1952, No. 6, p. 10, § 1, eff. July 25, 1952.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 3 - Council of Secretaries (§§ 31 — 34) › § 33 - Powers and duties of commissioners, etc., transferred to secretaries; other duties of Secretary of State

Upon the taking effect of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the functions, powers and duties of the Executive Secretary, the Attorney General, the Treasurer and the Commissioners of Education, Labor, Interior, Health, and Agriculture and Commerce are hereby transferred to and shall be performed for the same salary by the Secretaries of State, Justice, Treasury, Education, Labor, Public Works, Health, and Agriculture and Commerce, respectively. The Secretary of State shall, in addition, fulfill any other duties that may be assigned to him by the Governor.
History —July 24, 1952, No. 6, p. 10, § 2, eff. July 25, 1952.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 3 - Council of Secretaries (§§ 31 — 34) › § 34 - Compensation of Secretaries

The annual salary of the Secretary of State shall be $90,000 starting June 1, 1998.
The annual salary of the other Government Secretaries shall be $80,000, starting June 1, 1998. Provided, That the powers of the Governor to honor the original salary of those public officials who, due to the needs of public service, have been required to assume the direction of a government organism or entity that entails a reduction in the salary they earned in their former public service position.
The Governor shall hereby be empowered to assign such Secretaries a differential of up to one-third (1 / 3) of their salary.
For purposes of this section, the term “Secretaries” shall include the following:
The Secretaries of State, Justice, the Treasury, Health and the Family, Education, Recreation and Sports, Housing, Consumer Affairs, Corrections and Rehabilitation, Natural and Environmental Resources, Agriculture, Economic Development and Commerce, Labor and Human Resources, Transportation and Public Works, and any other Secretary that, by means of the creation of a department, may be established by the Legislature.
History —June 24, 1989, No. 13, § 2; Oct. 14, 1995, No. 213, § 1; June 10, 1998, No. 79, § 2; Aug. 21, 2003, No. 199, § 1, eff. retroactive to July 1, 2003.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 5 - Department of State (§§ 51 — 66k) › § 51 - Secretary of State to promulgate orders and laws

The Secretary of State shall promulgate all proclamations and orders of the Governor and all laws enacted by the Legislative Assembly.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 55.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 5 - Department of State (§§ 51 — 66k) › § 52 - Duty to preserve records

The Secretary shall record and preserve:
(a) Minutes of the proceedings of the Council of Secretaries.
(b) The acts and resolutions passed by the Legislative Assembly.
(c) All acts and proceedings of the Governor.
(d) All books, records, deeds, parchments, maps and papers kept on deposit in his office pursuant to law.
(e) The great seal of Puerto Rico.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 56.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 5 - Department of State (§§ 51 — 66k) › § 53 - Duties of the Secretary of State generally

In addition to the duties prescribed in the foregoing, it is the duty of the Secretary:
(1) To receive bills and resolutions of the Legislative Assembly and preserve the same and to perform such other duties as may be devolved upon him by resolution of the two Houses, or either of them.
(2) To affix the great seal, with his attestation, to commissions and pardons and other public instruments, to which the official signature of the Governor is required.
(3) To record in proper books all conveyances made to the people of Puerto Rico and all articles of incorporation filed in his office.
(4) To record in proper books all changes of names.
(5) To take and file in his office receipts for all books distributed by him.
(6) To furnish, on demand, to any person paying the fees therefor, a certified copy of all or any part of any law, public record or instrument filed, deposited or recorded in his office, provided the issuing of such copy shall not be prejudicial to public interests.
(7) To cause to be printed, at the earliest date practicable after the final adjournment of each session of the Legislative Assembly, all laws and resolutions passed or adopted at such session, and to distribute the same in accordance with the provisions of § 190 of Title 2.
(8) To file in his office descriptions of seals in use by the different officers of the Commonwealth and municipalities and furnish such officers, except municipal officers with new seals whenever required at the actual cost therefor.
(9) He shall annually, and at such other times as may be required, make official report of the transactions of his office to the Governor of Puerto Rico.
(10) To record in a proper book a register of all associations.
(11) To keep a register of all duly accredited consuls and other official representatives from foreign nations to Puerto Rico, with the date of their official recognition as such by the President of the United States.
(12) Whenever used in this section, the terms “Secretary” and “Secretary of State” shall be understood to mean the Secretary of State or his representative or employee authorized by the Secretary of State to act for him, unless otherwise clearly specified in the context hereof.
(13) Providing and maintaining offices for the use of the Resident Commissioner in his/her various functions in the service of the People of Puerto Rico, should he/she so request.
(14) To acquire the nonprofessional materials, supplies, equipment, goods and services necessary for the proper functioning of the Department of State, subject to the provisions of §§ 931 et seq. of this title. In addition, the Secretary may acquire the professional, technical, and advisory services necessary for the complete discharge of the functions of the Department of State.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 58; July 28, 1923, No. 66, p. 414, § 18; Apr. 26, 1949, No. 107, p. 260, § 1; July 25, 1998, No. 178, § 1; July 12, 2002, No. 101, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 5 - Department of State (§§ 51 — 66k) › § 54 - Schedule of fees, generally

The Secretary, for services performed in his/her Department, shall charge and collect the following fees which, in all cases, shall be paid in internal revenue stamps to be affixed to the documents and cancelled, except as provided below:
(1) For a copy of any act, resolution or other document filed in his department, one dollar ($1) for each page or fraction thereof.
(2) For affixing certificate and seal of the Commonwealth, three dollars ($3).
(3) For each document signed by the Governor, countersigned by the Secretary (with the exception of pardons), military or civil credentials and extradition documents, one dollar ($1).
(4) For each deed granted by the Governor for land use of sixty (60) hectares or less, one dollar ($1), and for each additional sixty (60) hectares or fraction thereof, one dollar ($1).
(5) For looking up records, searching the Commonwealth files in his office, fair compensation for the time really invested thereon.
(6) For recording clauses of associations (except religious, fraternal or charitable associations), three dollars ($3).
(7) For each passport application, an Internal Revenue voucher for the amount of thirteen dollars ($13), of which three [dollars] ($3) shall be transferred to the General Fund and ten dollars ($10) to the special account created for this purpose in the Department of the Treasury.
For any other service not provided for above, the Secretary shall charge the fees provided for through regulations, but never at a price higher than one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the actual reasonable cost.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 59; Feb. 23, 1905, p. 103; Mar. 14, 1907, p. 187; Mar. 7, 1912, No. 25, p. 58; July 28, 1923, No. 66, p. 414, § 18; July 8, 1974, No. 112, Part 1, p. 370, §§ 1, 2; June 15, 1979, No. 74, p. 155, § 1; Aug. 29, 2000, No. 225, § 1; Dec. 13, 2007, No. 196, § 24.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 5 - Department of State (§§ 51 — 66k) › § 55 - Schedules of fees generally—Persons exempt

No member of the Legislative Assembly or Commonwealth officer shall be charged for any search relative to matters pertaining to the duties of their offices; nor in such case shall they be charged any fee for a certified copy of any law or resolution passed by the Legislative Assembly.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 60.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 5 - Department of State (§§ 51 — 66k) › § 56 - Certify oaths, affirmations, etc.; fees

The Secretary of State and Assistant Secretary of State are hereby authorized and empowered to receive and certify to all oaths, affirmations or acknowledgments necessary, or convenient, or required by law. Said officers shall charge a fee of twenty-five cents for each oath, affirmation or acknowledgment which they receive and certify. Such fee shall be payable by the affixture to the document, instrument, affidavit, etc., of an internal revenue stamp of the proper denomination, same to be canceled in the manner provided by § 31 of the Internal Revenue law. When it shall be necessary or convenient to annex to such oath, affirmation or affidavit, a certificate under the seal of Puerto Rico showing the power of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary to administer or receive the same, an additional fee of one dollar ($1) shall be paid in the same manner for affixing such seal.
History —Feb. 1, 1906, p. 152, § 1; Feb. 19, 1913, No. 3, p. 42, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 5 - Department of State (§§ 51 — 66k) › § 57 - Fees for passport applications to general funds

The Secretary of State is hereby empowered, authorized and directed to deposit and cover into the general funds of the Commonwealth Treasury of Puerto Rico any sums of money which for administering oath on applications for passports and for the filing of said applications, said official is under obligation to collect and does collect in accordance with the provisions of the Act of the Congress of the United States, approved June 4, 1920, as said Act appears in 22 U.S.C., § 214.
History —May 5, 1948, No. 95, p. 216, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 5 - Department of State (§§ 51 — 66k) › § 58 - Annual report to Governor

The Secretary of State shall present to the Governor on or before the first day of October of each year a full report of all expenditures of his office, together with such statements, explanations and facts concerning the condition of his department as he may deem appropriate.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 61.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 5 - Department of State (§§ 51 — 66k) › § 59a - Under Secretary of State; duties

The office of Under Secretary of State, who shall be appointed by the Secretary of State, is hereby created. The office of Under Secretary of State shall be comprised in the Exempt Service. The Under Secretary of State shall fulfill the duties and functions that the Secretary of State may impose or delegate to him.
In the event of absence or temporal disability of the Secretary of State, the Under Secretary shall substitute for him and shall fulfill all duties and functions of the Secretary as acting Secretary of State during said absence or disability. In case of death, resignation or removal from office of the Secretary of State, the Under Secretary of State shall exercise during the vacancy all the duties and functions of the latter as acting Secretary of State.
History —May 31, 1973, No. 77, p. 341, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 5 - Department of State (§§ 51 — 66k) › § 60 - Employment of deputies and assistants

The Secretary shall have power to employ all necessary deputies and assistants for the proper discharge of his duties as Secretary.
History —Jan. 19, 1901, p. 3, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 5 - Department of State (§§ 51 — 66k) › § 61 - Programs to promote relations with other countries

The Department of State of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is hereby empowered to carry out programs for the promotion of closer relations between Puerto Rico and other countries, relations based on a true understanding of the actual facts regarding our politics, economics, society, and culture, or any other facts useful to the purpose of §§ 61—64 of this title.
History —July 1, 1953, No. 119, p. 466, § 2, eff. 90 days after July 1, 1953.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 5 - Department of State (§§ 51 — 66k) › § 62 - Programs to promote relations with other countries—Visits between Puerto Rico and other countries

It shall be the duty of the Department of State to carry out a program for visits to Puerto Rico on the part of personages from foreign countries who can come and observe Puerto Rican life and who, after getting acquainted and familiarizing themselves with our form of government and the general development of the Island, can in some way make known outside of Puerto Rico the facts concerning us.
The Department of State may also include in its program the exchange of visits with countries which reciprocate in kind to this initiative of good will.
History —July 1, 1953, No. 119, p. 466, § 3, eff. 90 days after July 1, 1953.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 5 - Department of State (§§ 51 — 66k) › § 63 - Programs to promote relations with other countries—Expenses of visits

The Department of State is hereby empowered to pay, through the lawful procedure and pursuant to regulations established by the said Department, all the travel and stay expenses of the persons making these visits as well as of those going from Puerto Rico to other countries on missions for the Department of State or to take part in events aiding in the carrying out of the purposes of §§ 61—64 of this title.
History —July 1, 1953, No. 119, p. 466, § 4, eff. 90 days after July 1, 1953.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 5 - Department of State (§§ 51 — 66k) › § 64 - Programs to promote relations with other countries—Reports to Legislature

It shall be the duty of the Secretary of State to send to the Legislature, when it convenes in session each year, a report on the programs carried out and developed chargeable to these funds.
History —July 1, 1953, No. 119, p. 466, § 6, eff. 90 days after July 1, 1953.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 5 - Department of State (§§ 51 — 66k) › § 65 - Technical Cooperation Program—Functions transferred

All the functions now performed by the Planning Board with regard to the Program of Technical Aid to Economically Under-developed Areas (Point IV), pursuant to Act No. 378 of May 8, 1951, are hereby transferred to the Department of State. Said program shall henceforth be known as Technical Cooperation Program.
History —May 27, 1954, No. 39, p. 212, § 1, eff. July 1, 1954.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 5 - Department of State (§§ 51 — 66k) › § 65a - Technical Cooperation Program—Personnel

The Secretary of State may contract for and appoint the necessary personnel to carry out the functions transferred by §§ 65—65f of this title, without subjection to the Personnel Act, Act No. 345, May 12, 1947.
History —May 27, 1954, No. 39, p. 212, § 2, eff. July 1, 1954.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 5 - Department of State (§§ 51 — 66k) › § 65b - Technical Cooperation Program—Applications for scholarships, funds, personnel, and projects

It is ordained by §§ 65—65f of this title that all applications and arrangements with reference to future training of scholarship grantees in Puerto Rico shall be processed through the Technical Cooperation Office. Likewise, all applications for federal or international funds, or for personnel to carry out the purposes of the Technical Cooperation Program, as well as all international technical cooperation projects that may be worked out or suggested, must be approved by the Secretary of State or his official representative and submitted by his office to the pertinent federal or international agency through the usual channels.
History —May 27, 1954, No. 39, p. 212, § 3, eff. July 1, 1954.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 5 - Department of State (§§ 51 — 66k) › § 65c - Technical Cooperation Program—Approval of contracts; supervision and coordination of programs

It shall be the responsibility of the Secretary of State or his official representative to approve all technical-aid contracts and to supervise and coordinate all programs in operation. Such responsibility embraces all bilateral and multi-lateral programs of the Foreign Operations Administration (FOA), of the United Nations and its specialized agencies, of the American States Organization, of the Caribbean Commission, and of any other new agency or agencies that may be hereafter created to take care of this activity, as well as any agreement with a foreign government or institution.
History —May 27, 1954, No. 39, p. 212, § 4, eff. July 1, 1954.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 5 - Department of State (§§ 51 — 66k) › § 65d - Technical Cooperation Program—Use of funds

The Secretary of State is hereby authorized to use the funds available for the Technical Cooperation Program in the operating budget of his department for defraying the expenses of representation and public relations incurred in the performance of the function entrusted to him by §§ 65—65f of this title, for the granting of scholarship and aid of foreign students, and for other expenses incurred in the exchanging of technicians and officers.
History —May 27, 1954, No. 39, p. 212, § 5, eff. July 1, 1954.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 5 - Department of State (§§ 51 — 66k) › § 65e - Technical Cooperation Program—Advisory committee

The Secretary of State is hereby authorized to create an advisory committee for counseling on the executing of the program and for performing such other functions as may be entrusted to it by the Secretary.
History —May 27, 1954, No. 39, p. 212, § 6, eff. July 1, 1954.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 5 - Department of State (§§ 51 — 66k) › § 65f - Technical Cooperation Program—Transfer of records, property, personnel, and funds

There are hereby transferred to the Department of State, to be used, employed or expended in connection with the functions transferred by the provisions of §§ 65—65f of this title, the records and property now being used in connection with such functions, the personnel now employed in connection with such functions, and items of appropriation or other funds (available or to be available) for use in connection with such functions.
History —May 27, 1954, No. 39, p. 212, § 7, eff. July 1, 1954.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 5 - Department of State (§§ 51 — 66k) › § 66 - Technical assistance program—Agreement with United States to supply services

The Governor of Puerto Rico, or the officer whom he may delegate, is hereby authorized, in behalf of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, to enter into agreements with the Government of the United States of North America, or with any political subdivision, agency, or instrumentality of said government, for the purpose of providing services in connection with any technical aid program sponsored by the Government of the United States for the benefit of foreign countries.
History —June 20, 1962, No. 63, p. 134, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 5 - Department of State (§§ 51 — 66k) › § 66a - Technical assistance program—Personnel unit

There is hereby established in the Department of State of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico a personnel unit to which shall be attached the officers and employees of the departments, agencies, instrumentalities and public corporations of the Commonwealth who pass to render services under the provisions of §§ 66—66j of this title.
History —June 20, 1962, No. 63, p. 134, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 5 - Department of State (§§ 51 — 66k) › § 66b - Technical assistance program—Status of employees

The officers and employees referred to in § 66a of this title, even though they may be rendering services outside the territorial limits of the Commonwealth, shall be officers and employees of the Department of State of Puerto Rico, comprised within the Exempt Service, and shall enjoy all the rights and benefits deriving from such status under the laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
History —June 20, 1962, No. 63, p. 134, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 5 - Department of State (§§ 51 — 66k) › § 66c - Technical assistance program—Vacation leave

The vacation leave accruable by the officers and employees while rendering the services referred to in §§ 66—66j of this title shall be computed and governed by the federal laws and regulations applicable to the federal officers and employees of the agency or of the program for which the service is rendered.
History —June 20, 1962, No. 63, p. 134, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 5 - Department of State (§§ 51 — 66k) › § 66d - Technical assistance program—Payment for accumulated vacations

The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is hereby authorized to pay the amount of the accumulated vacations at the termination of the services of each officer or employee, in accordance with the terms of the applicable federal laws and regulations, as provided in § 66c of this title. This payment shall be considered as part of the corresponding compensation for prior services and shall not preclude the employment or reinstatement of the officer or employee upon ceasing in his functions.
History —June 20, 1962, No. 63, p. 134, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 5 - Department of State (§§ 51 — 66k) › § 66e - Technical assistance program—Eligibility for other employment

The appointments or transfers of the personnel arising under the provisions of §§ 66—66j of this title shall be made without subjection to the provisions of Act No. 9, March 7, 1951, as amended.
History —June 20, 1962, No. 63, p. 134, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 5 - Department of State (§§ 51 — 66k) › § 66f - Technical assistance program—Reinstatement

The regular officers and employees within the competitive service who pass to render services in accordance with the provisions of §§ 66—66j of this title shall be entitled, upon termination of their services, to be reinstated to the office they held on the date they passed to render said service, or to a position of like category. For the purpose of determining what shall constitute “a position of like category”, the following factors shall be considered: the hierarchy, the salary, the nature of the functions, and the general conditions of the work. The reinstatement shall be requested not later than within the sixty (60) days following the date in which the interested person ceases in the discharge of his functions under the provisions of §§ 66—66j of this title.
History —June 20, 1962, No. 63, p. 134, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 5 - Department of State (§§ 51 — 66k) › § 66g - Technical assistance program—Additional pay from United States

The officers and employees who pass to render services under §§ 66—66j of this title are hereby authorized to receive any additional pay from the Government of the United States of North America, or from any of its political subdivisions, agencies, or instrumentalities, without in any wise affecting the payment to which they are entitled as officers and employees of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
History —June 20, 1962, No. 63, p. 134, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 5 - Department of State (§§ 51 — 66k) › § 66h - Technical assistance program—Advance or reimbursement

Any advance of funds received from the Government of the United States of North America, or from any of its political subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities, for the payment of services referred to in §§ 66—66j of this title, shall be covered into a trust fund hereby created in the Commonwealth treasury. The Secretary of the Treasury is hereby authorized to make, chargeable to said fund, those disbursements that may be necessary for the payment of such services.
The Secretary of the Treasury is hereby further authorized to advance to the trust fund, from any available funds in the Commonwealth treasury, such sums as may be necessary for the fulfilment of provisions of §§ 66—66j of this title. Any reimbursement of funds received from the Government of the United States of North America, or from any of its political subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities by reason of the services referred to in §§ 66—66j of this title, shall be covered into the General Fund of the Commonwealth treasury.
History —June 20, 1962, No. 63, p. 134, § 9; May 15, 1963, No. 20, p. 28.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 5 - Department of State (§§ 51 — 66k) › § 66i - Technical assistance program—Administrative measures

The Secretary of State of Puerto Rico shall adopt the administrative measures necessary to make possible the rendering of the services contemplated by §§ 66—66j of this title.
History —June 20, 1962, No. 63, p. 134, § 10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 5 - Department of State (§§ 51 — 66k) › § 66j - Technical assistance program—Construction with other laws

The provisions of §§ 66—66j of this title shall not apply to services rendered or that may be rendered under the provisions of any other act of the Legislature, nor shall they affect or impair any power granted by any other acts to any of the departments, agencies, instrumentalities or public corporations of the Commonwealth to render services in connection with any federal program, or to enter into agreements with political subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities of other governments.
History —June 20, 1962, No. 63, p. 134, § 11.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 5 - Department of State (§§ 51 — 66k) › § 66k - Office of Orientation and Services for Foreign Citizens—Creation

(a) The Foreign Citizens Orientation and Services Office in Puerto Rico, hereinafter “the Office”, under the Department of State, is hereby created with the purpose of helping and orientating foreign persons in Puerto Rico so that, through their own efforts, they may develop alternatives to solve their specific problems and needs thus promoting the strengthening of their relations with the community.
(b) The Office shall organize and offer orientation to foreign persons living in Puerto Rico in matters related to social services, health and education or instruction, for same to establish themselves with self-sufficiency to achieve their necessary adaptation in the community. The Office shall offer orientation services on locating family members in other jurisdictions, educational courses to become American citizens, on the rights and duties of said foreigners as residents of Puerto Rico, and on any matters the Office deems convenient.
(c) The Department of State is hereby ordered to establish collaborative liaisons and agreements with corresponding state and federal agencies, as well as the municipalities, to carry out the purposes of this section.
(d) The resources needed to operate the Foreign Citizens Orientation and Services Office in Puerto Rico shall be included as part of the operating expenses of the Department of State.
History —Oct 28, 2002, No. 254, §§ 1—4, eff. July 1, 2003.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 7 - Department of Justice (§§ 71 — 139-139f) › Subchapter I - Secretary of Justice (§§ 71 — 84) › § 71 - Written opinions

The Secretary of Justice shall give his/her opinion, in writing, to the Legislature, or any of its Bodies, as well as to the Governor or the Secretary of State, to the Controller, and to the Secretaries of Education, the Treasury, Transportation and Public Works, whenever it is requested on any issue of law regarding their respective positions.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 63; July 19, 1998, No. 149, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 7 - Department of Justice (§§ 71 — 139-139f) › Subchapter IV - Special Independent Prosecutor (§§ 99h — 99aa) › § 99h - Statement of Public Policy and the Creation of the Office of the Special Independent Prosecutor’s Panel

It is the public policy of the Government of Puerto Rico to encourage the dedication of its public servants and employees to public service with honesty, professional and personal excellence, as well as absolute dedication to the well-being and integral development of our People. To achieve these objectives, it is essential to strengthen the institution of a neutral and independent forum to promptly clarify any conduct attributable to government officials, and to ensure that the investigations are objective, impartial, independent, and of excellence.
To achieve the abovementioned objectives, the Office of the Special Independent Prosecutor’s Panel is created as an entity of the Executive Branch with administrative, operational, and fiscal autonomy. This Office shall be composed of one (1) Panel with three (3) official members and two (2) alternate members, who shall be selected from among former court judges or justices according to the procedure provided below, and the personnel designated by the former to carry out the tasks expressly delegated under this Act.
The Office shall have juridical personality and legal standing to sue and be sued. Furthermore, the Office shall be empowered to adopt, promulgate, amend, and repeal rules, orders, and regulations that shall govern the procedures related to the management, contracting, or hiring of the human resources thereof, as well as those related to property, technology infrastructure, budget administration, among others as are necessary and appropriate to exercise its powers and discharge its duties. This power includes the authority to devise and implement strategic plans that allow for the development of swift administrative methods or processes, as well as an adequate infrastructure with the latest and most efficient technology.
In exercising said powers, the Office may incorporate cutting-edge administrative principles that guarantee the contracting, selection, and hiring of persons who satisfy the criteria pertaining to confidentiality, personal and professional integrity, excellence, competence, and objectivity; that promote professional development; optimize resources; and guarantee the sound and prudent use of public property and funds.
History —Feb. 23, 1988, No. 2, p. 4, § 1, eff. 30 days after Feb. 23, 1988; Jan. 3, 2012, No. 4, § 1.