reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 60A - Agricultural Development of Guanajibo Valley (§§ 1751 — 1760) › § 1760 - Quarterly reports

The Secretary of Agriculture shall render periodic reports every three (3) months to the Legislature regarding the progress in promulgating and adopting the special zoning resolution to be established in the Valley of Guanajibo.
Said periodic reports shall also include information as to measures and actions that have been taken, as well as the plans that have been drawn to achieve the design and implementation of the agricultural development plan for said Valley.
History —Aug. 17, 2002, No. 184, § 10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 60B - Agricultural Development of Vega Baja (§§ 1765 — 1769) › § 1765 - Declaration of public policy

It is hereby declared as the public policy of the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, in its commitment [to] the Vega Baja Agricultural Reserve, to develop, preserve and protect said lands, which are located in the Municipality of Vega Baja, given their high agricultural value. It shall be the duty of the Government to prevent the use of said lands for any other purposes.
History —Sept. 22, 2004, No. 398, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 60B - Agricultural Development of Vega Baja (§§ 1765 — 1769) › § 1766 - Special zoning—Resolution order

The Planning Board, together with the Municipality of Vega Baja, the Department of Agriculture and the Land Authority of Puerto Rico, shall conduct any necessary studies of the farms within the Vega Baja Agricultural Reserve for the ordinance of said lands through the promulgation and adoption of a special zoning resolution for the purposes of preserving and utilizing the referred to Agricultural Reserve lands for agricultural development and production, according to the special zoning regulation for the agricultural reserves of Puerto Rico. A soil district classification of DA (Developed Areas) shall be given to the lots that include the industrial operations of Essan Precast and Native Stone, which are located within the Agricultural Reserve, at both sides of P.R. Road 688.
History —Sept. 22, 2004, No. 398, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 60B - Agricultural Development of Vega Baja (§§ 1765 — 1769) › § 1767 - Identification of the ownership of the lands

The ownership of all public and private lands and the delimitations of the farms belonging to government agencies and public corporations shall be identified. This information shall be submitted to the Planning Board.
History —Sept. 22, 2004, No. 398, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 60B - Agricultural Development of Vega Baja (§§ 1765 — 1769) › § 1768 - Land management agreement

The Secretary of Agriculture is hereby authorized to establish agreements with the Land Authority of Puerto Rico, and with other government, state and federal entities, as well as with nongovernmental organizations, for the development of studies and a plan for the administration and management of the Vega Baja Agricultural Reserve. Furthermore, the Secretary of Agriculture is hereby authorized to establish the necessary regulations to discharge the duties and functions imposed by this chapter. Said regulations shall comply with the provisions of §§ 2101 et seq. of Title 3, known as the “Uniform Administrative Procedures Act”. The twenty-two (22) cuerdas lot within the premises of this Agricultural Reserve in which the batey of the old San Vicente Sugar Mill is located shall be ceded free of cost to the Municipality of Vega Baja, for the establishment of the Vega Baja Agricultural Museum, as provided in the act signed by the Hon. Governor Sila María Calderón for such purpose.
History —Sept. 22, 2004, No. 398, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 60C - Agricultural Development of La Carolina and Calimano Farms (§§ 1771 — 1778) › § 1771 - Statement of public policy

La Carolina and Calimano farms of the Municipality of Maunabo are hereby declared [as] agricultural reserves, and it is hereby recognized that these farm lands are at present very valuable for agricultural use due to their location, topography, physical characteristics, and soil fertility.
History —Jan. 23, 2006, No. 18, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 60C - Agricultural Development of La Carolina and Calimano Farms (§§ 1771 — 1778) › § 1772 - Special zoning resolution order

The Planning Board, in coordination with the Department of Agriculture, shall establish the agricultural reserve through geographical boundaries and the corresponding zoning shall be adopted in accordance with the zoning districts contemplated in the Puerto Rico Agricultural Reserves Special Regulations (Planning Regulations No. 28.) The lands comprised within the La Carolina and Calimano farms as well as their boundaries, which serve as a buffer zone, shall be included in the reserve. Said demarcation and special zoning shall be promulgated not later than one (1) year after the approval of this act.
History —Jan. 23, 2006, No. 18, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 60C - Agricultural Development of La Carolina and Calimano Farms (§§ 1771 — 1778) › § 1773 - Prohibitions

The approval of site selection consultations is hereby prohibited to the Planning Board and to the Municipal Government of Maunabo. The Regulations and Permits Administration and the Municipality of Maunabo may not grant any permits for construction or use in contravention [of] the public policy stated in § 1771 of this title. In addition, said government agencies and entities may not authorize the segregation of properties in plots of less than fifty (50) cuerdas in the areas designated in the Special Zoning Resolution mentioned in § 1772 of this title.
History —Jan. 23, 2006, No. 18, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 60C - Agricultural Development of La Carolina and Calimano Farms (§§ 1771 — 1778) › § 1774 - Title ownership; identification

The Planning Board, in coordination with the Department of Agriculture and the Land Administration, shall identify the title ownership of the lands comprising the La Carolina and Calimano farms in order to expedite the territorial ordinance and the adoption of special zoning.
The Land Administration and the Land Authority shall enter into negotiations to provide and agree upon the terms for the preservation of these lands in the agricultural reserve and determine who shall be the titleholder or titleholders of the lands after the implementation of this chapter.
History —Jan. 23, 2006, No. 18, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 60C - Agricultural Development of La Carolina and Calimano Farms (§§ 1771 — 1778) › § 1775 - Plan for comprehensive development

Through a process of comprehensive planning, the Planning Board and the Department of Agriculture, in coordination and collaboration with the Asociación de Agricultores de Maunabo and the Agricultural Sciences College of the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus, shall prepare and implement a plan for the agricultural development of the reserve.
This comprehensive development plan shall adopt the following criteria:
(1) Establish the specific survey of boundaries of the geographic area that shall be designated for agricultural use.
(2) Establish the directive and programmatic norms needed to achieve the development of the reserve in accordance with the purposes consigned in this chapter.
(3) Develop initiatives, subsidies and any type of aid available to the Department of Agriculture which could be used for the agricultural development of this reserve.
(4) Provide incentives, subsidies and any type of aid available to the Department of Agriculture which could be used for the agricultural development of this reserve.
(5) Integrate the organizations of the private sector that gather the various marketing channels, such as supermarkets, food distributors, and others, with the purpose of creating guarantees for marketing agricultural products.
(6) Stimulate the reserve and area farmers so they may foster and participate in the ordinance of the agricultural sectors or enterprises in accordance with the provisions of §§ 3051—3061 of this title.
(7) Integrate organizations of farmers and private citizens who have a special interest in the agricultural preservation of the reserve in the process of designing the agricultural development plan, as well as to consult the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the United States Department of Agriculture about the technical aspects thereof.
(8) Coordinate with the Department of the Treasury the granting of tax benefits to the agricultural projects that are to be developed in the agricultural reserve area, pursuant to the provisions of §§ 10401 et seq. of Title 13, known as the “Puerto Rico Agricultural Tax Incentives Act”.
(9) Address and give priority approval to the applications for the development of agricultural irrigation and drainage infrastructure, pursuant to the criteria established in the Agricultural Infrastructure Development Program, created by Joint Resolution No. 597 of December 1, 1995, and whose purpose is to carry out improvements and extensions to the infrastructure of the existing irrigation system.
(10) Integrate the Agricultural Sciences College of the University of Puerto Rico in the development and use of advanced technology, which may serve as a model for other zones of the Island.
History —Jan. 23, 2006, No. 18, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 60C - Agricultural Development of La Carolina and Calimano Farms (§§ 1771 — 1778) › § 1776 - Suspension of any non-agricultural activities

Any existing non-agricultural activities within the lands for agricultural use or those that adversely affect the agricultural activity within the reserve shall be suspended not later than one (1) year after the approval of the Special Zoning Resolution.
History —Jan. 23, 2006, No. 18, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 60C - Agricultural Development of La Carolina and Calimano Farms (§§ 1771 — 1778) › § 1777 - Powers of the Secretary

The Secretary of the Department of Agriculture is hereby empowered to establish the necessary regulations for the development and implementation of mechanisms which promote the agro-industrial activity imposed by this chapter. Said regulations shall comply with the provisions of §§ 2101 et seq. of Title 3, known as the “Uniform Administrative Procedures Act”.
History —Jan. 23, 2006, No. 18, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 60C - Agricultural Development of La Carolina and Calimano Farms (§§ 1771 — 1778) › § 1778 - Quarterly reports

The Secretary of Agriculture shall submit a quarterly report to the Legislature regarding the process for promulgating and adopting the special zoning to be established in the La Carolina and Calimano Farms and their bordering lands. Said report shall include, among other things, information on the measures and actions taken as well as on the plans outlined to achieve the design and implementation of the Plan for the Comprehensive Development of the Agricultural Reserve.
History —Jan. 23, 2006, No. 18, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 60D - Agricultural Development of South Coast Agricultural Corridor (§§ 1781 — 1795) › § 1781 - Definitions

For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings stated below:
(1) Authority. — Means the Land Authority of Puerto Rico.
(2) Corridor. — Means the zone delimited as the Puerto Rico South Coast Agricultural Corridor, as provided in this chapter.
(3) Department. — Means the Department of Agriculture of Puerto Rico.
(4) Board. — Means the Puerto Rico Planning Board.
(5) Secretary. — Means the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture of Puerto Rico.
(6) Resolution. — Means the special zoning document issued by the Planning Board with the corresponding delimitations and zonings of the parcels which shall comprise the Agricultural Reserves to be included in the Corridor, as provided in this chapter.
(7) Buffer zones. — A stretch of land located within the Agricultural Reserve delimitation to protect the agricultural use of the lands, as well as the resources within the Reserve that require protection or to protect the non-agricultural use already established.
(8) The words used in the singular number shall include the plural number, and vice versa.
History —Aug. 9, 2008, No. 242, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 60D - Agricultural Development of South Coast Agricultural Corridor (§§ 1781 — 1795) › § 1782 - Special zoning resolution order

The Board, in coordination with the Department, shall conduct any necessary studies to delimit, classify and qualify the lands in each municipality to be included in the Special Corridor Zoning to delimit, classify and qualify as special zoning the agricultural reserves in each municipality, in order to reserve and destine them for agricultural, agricultural and livestock, or agro-industrial production. The resolution shall include not less than sixty-five thousand (65,000) cuerdas that already have been identified as high agricultural productivity and potential in the studies of the Department of Agriculture, including lands that currently have access to irrigation, as well as those that may have such access in the future and that are identified with agricultural productivity or potential. Likewise, such lands adjoining those identified shall serve as buffer zones, which shall not be accounted for as agricultural-use lands, although they shall be incorporated in the Special Zoning. The Board shall fulfill this function regardless of the work conducted by the Land-Use Plan Office, established pursuant to the provisions of §§ 227 et seq. of Title 23, although it may share information, in a collaborative manner, aimed at meeting the objectives set forth for the creation of the Corridor. Such resolution must be promulgated not later than one (1) year after the approval of this act.
History —Aug. 9, 2008, No. 242, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 60D - Agricultural Development of South Coast Agricultural Corridor (§§ 1781 — 1795) › § 1783 - Prohibitions

The approval or endorsement by any government body with legal authority to approve and endorse land divisions, projects requiring land divisions for the creation of parcels smaller than the current capacity at the time of the approval of this act, in the area designated in the resolution, as stated in § 1782 of this title, is hereby prohibited. The foregoing is aimed at maintaining land units of enough capacity that are necessary for feasible agricultural operations.
History —Aug. 9, 2008, No. 242, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 60D - Agricultural Development of South Coast Agricultural Corridor (§§ 1781 — 1795) › § 1784 - Identification and delimitation of parcels

The Board, together with the Department, shall identify the parcels with public and private land limits which shall constitute the Corridor in order to expedite the territorial ordination and the adoption of the resolution as set forth in § 1782 of this title. Upon the adoption of the resolution, the Department shall make an inventory of the parcels with the corresponding owner, capacity, and such other necessary information as determined by the Secretary, in a term of not more than one (1) year as of the approval of this act.
History —Aug. 9, 2008, No. 242, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 60D - Agricultural Development of South Coast Agricultural Corridor (§§ 1781 — 1795) › § 1785 - Provisions on parcels property of government agencies or public corporations

The government agencies owning parcels of high agricultural productivity and potential located within the geographical limits of the Corridor, except for the School of Agricultural Sciences of the University of Puerto Rico, shall transfer the ownership of such lands to the Land Authority free of charge.
In the case of public corporations that, likewise, own parcels of land with agricultural potential within the lands of the Corridor, these shall enter into negotiations with the Executive Director of the Authority and the Secretary to agree on the reasonable terms for land acquisition, use or exchange without prejudice to the finances and commitments of said public corporations. If necessary, funds shall be appropriated to carry out such agreements, and the same shall be consigned in the annual regular expense budget of the Department, for the fiscal year following the date in which such agreements are executed.
History —Aug. 9, 2008, No. 242, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 60D - Agricultural Development of South Coast Agricultural Corridor (§§ 1781 — 1795) › § 1786 - Provisions on parcels owned by private persons

Upon the delimitation of the parcels of land within the Corridor, the Secretary shall identify the parcels or lands owned by private persons that are not intended for agricultural production, in order to coordinate with the owners thereof the development of agricultural plans for the development of specific agricultural and livestock projects for such parcels, by using subsidies and incentives available in the Department for such purposes and ends.
History —Aug. 9, 2008, No. 242, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 60D - Agricultural Development of South Coast Agricultural Corridor (§§ 1781 — 1795) › § 1787 - Registration of ownership

Once the resolution is adopted, the Department shall prepare a Registry of the Owners of all identified parcels. The data of the owner of the parcels contained in the resolution shall be included in the registry at the time of its drafting. This Registry must be drafted within one (1) year as of the date in which the resolution is adopted. The Secretary shall delegate to the administrators, designated in § 1788(3)(e) of this title, the collection of the data for the drafting and periodical updating of the Registry.
History —Aug. 9, 2008, No. 242, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 60D - Agricultural Development of South Coast Agricultural Corridor (§§ 1781 — 1795) › § 1789 - Transfer of development and conservations easement rights

The promotion of the use of tools to make the protection and conservation of the lands with high agricultural value viable as established in the laws in effect in Puerto Rico, is hereby established as public policy.
History —Aug. 9, 2008, No. 242, § 10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 60D - Agricultural Development of South Coast Agricultural Corridor (§§ 1781 — 1795) › § 1790 - Transfer of development rights

Any land included in the resolution is hereby declared to be a zone that warrants development rights. To comply with the purposes of this chapter, the municipalities whose territorial delimitation are located within the lands identified in the resolution as agricultural reserves, may adopt ordinances to establish programs for the transfer of development rights, pursuant to the provisions of Section 13.02 of Act No. 81 of August 30, 1991, as amended [sic], entitled “Autonomous Municipalities Act of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico”, on the new competencies to make urban development viable; and Regulation No. 21 of the Board, to be employed within the territorial limits or the [inter]-municipal agreements.
History —Aug. 9, 2008, No. 242, § 11.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 60D - Agricultural Development of South Coast Agricultural Corridor (§§ 1781 — 1795) › § 1791 - Conservation easement

The power to establish conservation easements is hereby declared so as to protect and preserve areas of natural, cultural or agricultural value as established in §§ 785 et seq. of Title 12, entitled “Puerto Rico Conservation Easement Act”.
History —Aug. 9, 2008, No. 242, § 12.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 60D - Agricultural Development of South Coast Agricultural Corridor (§§ 1781 — 1795) › § 1792 - Provisions on property tax exemptions

For the purposes of this chapter, those lands whose owners or lessees have a Bona Fide Farmers Certificate in effect and those lands that are being used or devoted to an agricultural activity, as provided in §§ 10401 et seq. of Title 13, entitled “Agricultural Tax Incentives Act of Puerto Rico”, shall only receive the property tax exemption provided by the Municipal Revenue Collection Center (CRIM, Spanish acronym). Those lands within the Corridor that are not devoted to agricultural activities shall not qualify for the exemptions promulgated under this chapter, and shall be subject to taxation as any other non-agricultural lands, according to the Commonwealth laws in effect.
History —Aug. 9, 2008, No. 242, § 13.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 60D - Agricultural Development of South Coast Agricultural Corridor (§§ 1781 — 1795) › § 1793 - Powers of the Secretary

The Secretary is hereby empowered to enter into agreements with other government, Commonwealth and federal entities, as well as with non-governmental organizations to study, administer, and manage the Corridor.
Likewise, the Secretary is hereby empowered to establish the necessary regulations to discharge the duties and functions imposed unto him/her by this chapter. Such regulations must comply with the provisions of §§ 2101 et seq. of Title 3, entitled “Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Uniform Administrative Procedures Act”.
The Secretary shall give highest priority and preference to the allocation of financial resources and technical assistance for the established projects and those to be developed in the future in the lands comprising the Corridor.
History —Aug. 9, 2008, No. 242, § 14.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 60D - Agricultural Development of South Coast Agricultural Corridor (§§ 1781 — 1795) › § 1794 - Designation of the Corridor Administrator

The Secretary shall designate an agronomist, from among the agronomists assigned to any of the Agricultural Regions comprised within the Corridor, who shall act as the Corridor Administrator.
The Administrator shall have the following duties and powers:
(a) Act as liaison between all the areas comprising the Corridor in the different municipalities.
(b) Act as interagency coordinator for the full development of these lands.
(c) Act as the integrated development promoter and oversee the execution of the agricultural development plan.
(d) Maintain and update the inventory of agricultural lands with their territorial limits, identify the owners of and the uses given to these lands.
History —Aug. 9, 2008, No. 242, § 15.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 60D - Agricultural Development of South Coast Agricultural Corridor (§§ 1781 — 1795) › § 1795 - Annual report

The Secretary shall submit [an] annual report to the Legislature regarding the process for the promulgation and adoption of the Resolution to be established for the Corridor. Such report shall also contain information on the measures and actions taken, as well as the traced plans to achieve the drafting and implementation of the Corridor Integrated Development Plan.
History —Aug. 9, 2008, No. 242, § 16.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 62 - Agricultural Development Administration (§§ 1831 — 1840) › § 1832 - Definitions

For the purposes of this chapter the following terms shall have the definitions expressed hereinbelow:
(a) Administration. — Shall mean the government instrumentality created by this chapter known as the Agricultural Development Administration.
(b) Director. — Shall mean the chief executive of the Agricultural Development Administration, duly appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture pursuant to this chapter.
(c) Secretary. — Shall mean the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
History —June 5, 1985, No. 28, p. 93, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 62 - Agricultural Development Administration (§§ 1831 — 1840) › § 1833 - Creation of the Administration

A public agency or government instrumentality of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, which shall be denominated as the “Agricultural Development Administration”, to be attached to the Department of Agriculture of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, is hereby created by virtue of this chapter.
The powers of the Administration shall be exercised by the Secretary.
The Secretary shall adopt the rules, regulations and procedures he might deem necessary or convenient, to conduct the business and exercise the powers of the Administration.
The Administration shall have existence, and legal personality, separate and apart from the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The Administration’s activities shall not burden the credit of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or its political subdivisions.
The Executive Director shall be the chief executive officer of the Administration; shall represent the Administration himself or through his duly authorized representative in all the acts and contracts which it is necessary to award in the course of its functions; shall carry out the duties and shall have the responsibilities, powers and authority that might be prescribed by the Secretary of Agriculture of Puerto Rico. The salary of the Executive Director shall be fixed by the Secretary with the consent of the Governor of Puerto Rico.
The Secretary may delegate to the Executive Director, or to other officers or employees [sic], except those powers of the Administration he deems proper to delegate. Provided, That with respect to the adoption of regulations that are not for its internal operations, the Secretary of Agriculture may delegate their drafting and adoption to the Executive Director, but such regulations shall not be effective until they are duly approved by the Secretary.
History —June 5, 1985, No. 28, p. 93, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 62 - Agricultural Development Administration (§§ 1831 — 1840) › § 1834 - Public policy

The Administration shall have as its purpose to encourage the stability and permanence of the farmer in the exploitation of his farm through subsidies, incentives, and the reimbursement of supplementary wage payments, to carry out practices leading to a greater and better agricultural production. It shall also have the responsibility of administering the appropriations of government funds for the payment of incentives, subsidies and reimbursement of supplementary wage payments to farmers, and carry out any other similar or related activities and actions, that tend to encourage agricultural development.
History —June 5, 1985, No. 28, p. 93, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 62 - Agricultural Development Administration (§§ 1831 — 1840) › § 1836 - Exemptions

The Administration shall be exempt from the payment of taxes on the acquisition of personal property to be used in carrying out its purposes, as well as on the payment of the income and property taxes and license fees, including those for motor vehicles, patents, rights, permits, and registrations required or provided by whatever laws are applicable.
Any contract or document executed by the Administration before a notary public shall be exempt from payment of the fees prescribed by any law that provides for the collection of fees on documents executed before a notary public in Puerto Rico. Said documents or contracts shall be registered free of charge in the various sections of the Property Registry of Puerto Rico, and in any other office of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or its political subdivisions, in which the inscription, registration or presentation of said documents or contracts should be necessary. The property registrars and persons in charge of other government offices shall issue any certificate requested by the Administration related to the purposes of this chapter free of charge.
History —June 5, 1985, No. 28, p. 93, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 62 - Agricultural Development Administration (§§ 1831 — 1840) › § 1837 - Personnel

With regard to personnel attached to the different programs transferred by this chapter, or who are subsequently transferred to the Administration, they shall retain the same status they had, as long as they hold the same position they did at the moment of the transfer pursuant to sections 1301—1431 of Title 3 and regulations approved by virtue thereof. They shall also retain all rights, privileges, obligations and status with respect to any existing pension, retirement, or savings and loans fund system or systems to which they were affiliated upon the approval of this act.
History —June 5, 1985, No. 28, p. 93, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 62 - Agricultural Development Administration (§§ 1831 — 1840) › § 1838 - Transfer of programs

The following programs are hereby transferred to the Administration:
(1) The Guaranteed Income Program created by virtue of §§ 2001—2009b and 2021—2030 of this title, as well any other act approved by virtue of this Program [sic].
(2) The Subsidies and Incentives Programs created by virtue of §§ 1851—1868 of this title.
With regard to the Programs transferred to the Administration, all the properties, assets, equipment, funds, rights and privileges of any kind shall be passed over to it, as well as all necessary personnel determined by the Secretary after carrying out the corresponding study.
None of the provisions of this chapter shall be construed as to revoke, modify, alter, ratify or invalidate any of the agreements, covenants, claims or contracts awarded by officials responsible for the programs, activities and functions transferred by this act which are in effect when it becomes effective.
History —June 5, 1985, No. 28, p. 93, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 62 - Agricultural Development Administration (§§ 1831 — 1840) › § 1839 - Impediment to hold an executive position

No person who has a substantial economic interest, directly or indirectly, in any private enterprise for which the Administration has furnished capital or with which it has been or is commercially related, shall hold an executive position in the Administration.
History —June 5, 1985, No. 28, p. 93, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 62 - Agricultural Development Administration (§§ 1831 — 1840) › § 1840 - Injunction

No injunction whatsoever shall be issued to impede the application of this chapter or any part thereof.
History —June 5, 1985, No. 28, p. 93, § 10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 63 - Agricultural Services Administration (§§ 1851 — 1868) › § 1851 - Title

This chapter shall be known as the “Puerto Rico Agricultural Services Administration Act”.
History —June 7, 1977, No. 33, p. 62, § 1; June 5, 1985, No. 29, p. 99, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 63 - Agricultural Services Administration (§§ 1851 — 1868) › § 1852 - Definitions

The following terms shall have the meaning stated below, unless otherwise provided by law:
(a) Administration. — The Puerto Rico Agricultural Services Administration, created hereby.
(b) Secretary. — The Secretary of Agriculture of Puerto Rico.
(c) Person. — Any natural, juridical, public, or private person, or any group of such persons.
(d) Farm product. — Any product obtained through agricultural practices and animal husbandry in all its branches, including, but without being limited to, apiculture and aviculture, and all fresh, processed or preserved products, derived from any of said activities. This term shall also include fresh or sea water products.
(e) Farmer. — Any person who produces or processes farm products in any form, individually, or through the work of others.
(f) Agribusiness. — Any agricultural activity performed by the farmer to produce and to market farm products efficiently, economically, and in sufficient quantities to yield reasonable benefits. This term shall also include any useful or necessary activity to facilitate the production or marketing of farm products.
(g) Family agriculture. — Any agricultural activity in which the owner and his family provide most or all of the labor.
(h) Rural zone or Rurality. — Areas outside the urban zone, which include small towns, especially those in hilly regions.
(i) Agriculture. — Any commercial or family-type agricultural or animal husbandry activity.
History —June 7, 1977, No. 33, p. 62, § 2; June 5, 1985, No. 29, p. 99, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 63 - Agricultural Services Administration (§§ 1851 — 1868) › § 1853 - Creation

The Puerto Rico Agricultural Services Administration, attached to the Department of Agriculture, is hereby created. This Administration shall operate as a legal entity, separate from the officials or employees and the agencies, instrumentalities, public corporations and political subdivisions of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
The Secretary shall have all the powers and shall determine the Administration’s public policy. Provided, further, That he shall adopt the standards, rules and regulations needed to exercise such powers and to comply with the purposes of this chapter.
The Secretary shall appoint an Administrator with the Governor’s consent. He shall fulfill his duties at the Secretary’s will and shall represent the Administration in all its acts or contracts, in person or through an authorized representative.
The Secretary may delegate such power and duties he may deem necessary, except police power, on the Administrator who may, in turn, delegate on his authorized representative.
History —June 7, 1977, No. 33, p. 62, § 3; June 5, 1985, No. 29, p. 99, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 63 - Agricultural Services Administration (§§ 1851 — 1868) › § 1854 - Public policy

The purpose of this chapter is to provide all types of agricultural services, with or without economic subsidies, to promote the development of farming and animal husbandry enterprises, and of agriculture in general. It further seeks to achieve the stability and permanence of the farmers in the cultivation of their land through the following means:
(a) Agricultural management, planning and counseling.
(b) Providing adequate credit to the farmer.
(c) Guaranteeing security in business transactions and reasonable prices for farm produce to said farmer.
(d) Offering the farmer technical advice and other services related to farming and animal husbandry activities which are compatible with the conservation of the environment and the use of sound soil, aquifer, subterranean river and surface water conservation practices.
(e) Promoting the organization of agro-industrial projects.
(f) Making agricultural services as accessible to the farmer as possible and integrating the direct rendering of all the agricultural services offered by the Administration at the regional office level.
Farmers shall be encouraged to participate in the industrialization and marketing of farm and animal husbandry products so that they may profit from said activities, in addition to the product of their farming activities.
Farmers shall be encouraged to use the best practices available for environmental, soil, aquifer, subterranean river and surface water conservation when all the services inherent to the public policy set forth in this section are rendered.
The financial resources presently appropriated to agriculture, as well as all available federal and private means, shall be used effectively to achieve the development of modern and efficient farming activities with specific agricultural production goals.
History —June 7, 1977, No. 33, p. 62, § 4; June 5, 1985, No. 29, p. 99, § 5; Sept. 19, 1997, No. 122, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 63 - Agricultural Services Administration (§§ 1851 — 1868) › § 1856 - Exemptions

The Administration and all its operations, personal or real property, its capital, income and surpluses, shall be exempt from the payment of all kinds of taxes, fees, duties, excises or charges, including licensing fees levied, or that may be levied by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or any political subdivision thereof.
The Administration shall also be exempted from the payment of all kinds of fees or duties required by law for the enforcement of judicial proceedings, the issuance of certificates in the offices and instrumentalities of the Commonwealth Government and its political subdivisions, and the granting and recording of public instruments, in any public registry in Puerto Rico.
History —June 7, 1977, No. 33, p. 62, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 63 - Agricultural Services Administration (§§ 1851 — 1868) › § 1857 - Special provisions

All moneys of the Administration shall be entrusted to recognized depositaries of the funds of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The accounts shall be kept in the Administration’s name. Disbursements shall be made according to the rules and regulations of the Administration.
History —June 7, 1977, No. 33, p. 62, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 63 - Agricultural Services Administration (§§ 1851 — 1868) › § 1858 - Accounting system

The Administration shall establish the accounting system required for the proper control and registry of all its operations. The Administration’s accounts shall be kept in such a way that they can be separated by activities.
History —June 7, 1977, No. 33, p. 62, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 63 - Agricultural Services Administration (§§ 1851 — 1868) › § 1859 - Debts; obligations

The Administration’s debts and obligations shall not be considered as debts or obligations of the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or of its agencies, instrumentalities, public corporations and its political subdivisions, and shall not bind the funds of the Commonwealth Treasury.
History —June 7, 1977, No. 33, p. 62, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 63 - Agricultural Services Administration (§§ 1851 — 1868) › § 1860 - Conflict of interest; penalties

No person having a direct or indirect financial interest in any private enterprise for which the Administration has furnished capital, or which is in competition with any of the businesses the Administration is engaged in or for which it has furnished capital, may hold any executive office in the Administration.
Violation of the provisions of this section shall constitute a misdemeanor, punishable by fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500), or by imprisonment in jail for a term of not more than six (6) months, or by both penalties, in the discretion of the court. Such violation shall also be cause for dismissal of the transgressor.
History —June 7, 1977, No. 33, p. 62, § 10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 63 - Agricultural Services Administration (§§ 1851 — 1868) › § 1862 - Transfer of personnel, property and funds

Regarding agencies that are eliminated and programs that by means of this chapter are transferred, or may be transferred in the future to the Administration or to any other government agency for the aims and purposes of this chapter, the following standards and conditions shall govern:
All property or any interest herein; records, files and documents, obligations and contracts of any kind; rights and privileges of any nature, licenses, permits and other authorizations, and the personnel who, on the date the transfer takes effect are rendering services in the office, activity or program which is transferred or eliminated, as well as the funds already appropriated, or to be appropriated to those agencies and programs transferred to this Administration, shall be conveyed to the Administration or to any other government agency for the 1977-78 fiscal year, and shall be used for the ends and purposes of this chapter.
History —June 7, 1977, No. 33, p. 62, § 12; May 15, 1978, No. 16, p. 41, § 1; renumbered as § 11 on Aug. 11, 1988, No. 166, p. 718, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 63 - Agricultural Services Administration (§§ 1851 — 1868) › § 1863 - Personnel

Regarding all that is related to the personnel attached to the various bodies transferred hereunder, or transferred hereafter to the Administration, or those transferred to the Department of Agriculture, they shall retain the same status, while they hold the same office they held at the time of the transfer, according to §§ 1301—1431 of Title 3 and regulations approved by virtue thereof. They shall also retain all the rights, privileges, obligations and status regarding any existing pension, retirement or savings and loan funds system or systems to which they were affiliated at the time this act was approved.
History —June 7, 1977, No. 33, p. 62, § 13; May 15, 1978, No. 16, p. 41, § 2; June 5, 1985, No. 29, p. 99, § 8; renumbered as § 12 on Aug. 11, 1988, No. 166, p. 718, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 63 - Agricultural Services Administration (§§ 1851 — 1868) › § 1864 - Appropriation of funds

The Secretary is hereby authorized to use, with the approval of the Governor, or of the officer whom he delegates, any of the funds that have been, or that may be provided for the Department of Agriculture in the General Budget of Funds for Fiscal Year 1977-78, for the execution of this chapter, either through transfer of funds from the different programs which are attached or eliminated hereunder, or through appropriations, for any of the purposes authorized hereby. For succeeding fiscal years, the funds needed to carry out the purposes of this chapter shall be appropriated in the Government’s General Expense Budget under the Department of Agriculture.
History —June 7, 1977, No. 33, p. 62, § 14, renumbered as § 13 on Aug. 11, 1988, No. 166, p. 718, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 63 - Agricultural Services Administration (§§ 1851 — 1868) › § 1865 - Applicability of other laws

The provisions of this chapter shall prevail over the provisions of any other act of the Legislature of Puerto Rico on this same matter.
History —June 7, 1977, No. 33, p. 62, § 15, renumbered as § 14 on Aug. 11, 1988, No. 166, p. 718, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 63 - Agricultural Services Administration (§§ 1851 — 1868) › § 1866 - Injunction

No injunction shall be issued to prevent the application of this chapter, or of any part hereof.
History —June 7, 1977, No. 33, p. 62, § 17, renumbered as § 16 on Aug. 11, 1988, No. 166, p. 718, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 63 - Agricultural Services Administration (§§ 1851 — 1868) › § 1867 - Transfer of powers

The transfer of powers to the Administration from the Puerto Rico Agricultural Services Development Corporation and the Agricultural Services Administration, as well as the Guaranteed Income Program and the Farm Insurance Program, shall be carried out pursuant to the provisions of §§ 1861 and 1862 of this title.
Prior to the transfer of powers and programs, the Secretary shall make a detailed analysis thereof, to integrate and consolidate similar functions and/or activities, and eliminate those that would duplicate efforts.
The Secretary, after consulting the Governor, may relocate or transfer the functions, programs and activities to the Administration and the public corporations attached thereto, to said corporations, and the Administration and other government agencies of the Executive Branch within the agricultural sector of the Department of Agriculture.
History —June 7, 1977, No. 33, p. 62, § 18; May 15, 1978, No. 16, p. 41, § 3; renumbered as § 17 on Aug. 11, 1988, No. 166, p. 718, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 63 - Agricultural Services Administration (§§ 1851 — 1868) › § 1868 - Transfer of powers—Timetable

The Agricultural Development Corporation and the Agricultural Services Administration, as well as the Guaranteed Income and Farm Insurance Programs, shall transfer all their powers and duties, within the term of six (6) months from the effective date of this act, providing, that every two (2) months the Secretary shall render a report to the Governor and to the Legislature on the progress of said transfers, and at the end of the six (6) month period, shall submit a final report to the effect that such transfers have been completed. Any amendment, revision, modification or revocation of the transfers authorized herein shall be effected by executive order, subject to the recommendation of the Administration.
History —June 7, 1977, No. 33, p. 62, § 19, renumbered as § 18 on Aug. 11, 1988, No. 166, p. 718, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 65 - Sharecroppers (§§ 1901 — 1905) › § 1901 - Right to agricultural benefits

The sharecropper who works an agricultural farm is granted the right, under the conditions provided hereunder, to participate and receive the benefit of the applicable agricultural programs now in effect.
History —May 26, 1978, No. 24, p. 52, § 1, eff. 90 days after May 26, 1978.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 65 - Sharecroppers (§§ 1901 — 1905) › § 1902 - Definitions

To the effects of this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings expressed herein:
(a) Sharecropper. — Shall mean and include a natural person who cultivates an agricultural farm that is not his property under a written contract with the owner of the land which stipulates a share in the benefits, produce or profits thereof.
(b) Agricultural farm. — Shall mean and include the land devoted mainly to the plowing, cultivation and harvesting of any vegetable product, or to the cattle industry in all its aspects, including apiculture and aviculture as well as freshwater and deep-sea fishing and aquaculture.
(c) Applicable agricultural programs in effect. — Shall mean and include all agricultural programs in effect in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico that stimulate and promote the development and intensification of agriculture in all its phases, and to establish and concede rights and benefits to those who qualify to such purposes.
History —May 26, 1978, No. 24, p. 52, § 2, eff. 90 days after May 26, 1978.