reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWO - Legislature (§§ 1 — 1015) › Chapter 38 - Legislative Internship Program of the Legislature (§§ 821 — 829) › § 825 - Selection, regulation

The Joint Committee shall select as many interns per semester as allowed by the appropriated budget, and without affecting the implementation of the program in subsequent years to be placed in various offices of each body. The Joint Committee shall establish, through regulations, a method for selection among the students nominated by members of the Legislature, which shall include selection criteria such as the applicant’s educational background, grades, experience, and outstanding services to the community, among other factors.
History —Sept. 3, 1996, No. 184, § 5; Sept. 13, 2006, No. 199, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWO - Legislature (§§ 1 — 1015) › Chapter 38 - Legislative Internship Program of the Legislature (§§ 821 — 829) › § 826 - Minimum qualifications

The participants in the Legislative Internship Program shall be students at the undergraduate level who have completed half or more of the requirements needed to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree, or who are, attending a postgraduate course of studies and are enrolled in post-secondary educational institutions located in Puerto Rico.
History —Sept. 3, 1996, No. 184, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWO - Legislature (§§ 1 — 1015) › Chapter 38 - Legislative Internship Program of the Legislature (§§ 821 — 829) › § 827 - Method of operation

The Joint Committee shall provide for the Legislative Internship Program to operate according to the academic calendar during every school semester, and if possible, during a summer session, and to offer a combined curriculum of theoretical and practical experience.
History —Sept. 3, 1996, No. 184, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWO - Legislature (§§ 1 — 1015) › Chapter 38 - Legislative Internship Program of the Legislature (§§ 821 — 829) › § 828 - Internal operations, regulations

The Joint Committee shall approve regulations to govern its internal operations, providing all the standards and procedures needed for the operation of the Program, including the payment of stipends and the pertinent steps for validating participation in the Program as university credits.
History —Sept. 3, 1996, No. 184, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWO - Legislature (§§ 1 — 1015) › Chapter 38 - Legislative Internship Program of the Legislature (§§ 821 — 829) › § 829 - Funds

The funds needed to implement the provisions of this chapter and to enforce the same in subsequent years shall be consigned in the Joint Resolution of the General Expenses Budget of the Government of Puerto Rico, as a separate item under the entry for Joint Activities of the Legislature of Puerto Rico. Said sum shall be appropriated and revised each year according to the needs of the Legislative Internship Program of the Legislature of Puerto Rico, in the event said needs should be greater.
History —Sept. 3, 1996, No. 184, § 9; June 13, 2001, No. 43, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWO - Legislature (§§ 1 — 1015) › Chapter 38A - Pilar Barbosa Educational Interships Program (§§ 831 — 836) › § 831 - Creation and purpose

The “Pilar Barbosa Educational Internships Program” is hereby created by the Legislature of Puerto Rico, attached to the Office of Legislative Services, which shall be administered and implemented by a Joint Committee, as provided in § 833 of this title.
The purpose of the Program shall be to allow Puerto Rican teachers and professors to become better acquainted with the operations of the federal Congress and Government and coordinate the performance of the interns in federal agencies, as well as in the Congress of the United States, while occupying positions whose functions are related to the field of education, although not circumscribed to the formal task of teaching in the classroom. These functions may be in the areas of administration and supervision, among others.
It is expected that the involvement of professionals from the various educational levels and from dissimilar backgrounds shall lead to the sharing of knowledge, interests, projects and experiences which they may later be able to extrapolate to their professional lives.
History —July 27, 1997, No. 53 § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWO - Legislature (§§ 1 — 1015) › Chapter 38A - Pilar Barbosa Educational Interships Program (§§ 831 — 836) › § 832 - Definitions

The following terms shall have, for the purposes of this chapter, the meaning stated below:
(a) Agency.— Shall mean any federal agency participating in the “Pilar Barbosa Educational Internships Program”, created by this chapter.
(b) Joint Committee.— Shall mean the Joint Committee of the “Pilar Barbosa Educational Internships Program”, created by this chapter.
(c) Federal dependency.— Shall mean any office of the Congress of the United States and other Federal offices or dependencies participating in the “Pilar Barbosa Educational Internships Program”, created by this chapter.
(d) Intern.— Shall mean high school teachers and university professors teaching courses leading to a bachelor’s degree who are selected to participate in the “Pilar Barbosa Educational Internships Program”, created by this chapter.
History —July 27, 1997, No. 53, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWO - Legislature (§§ 1 — 1015) › Chapter 38A - Pilar Barbosa Educational Interships Program (§§ 831 — 836) › § 833 - Joint Committee—Creation

The Joint Committee of the Pilar Barbosa Educational Internships Program is hereby created to be in charge of the implementation and administration of the Program created by this chapter. The Committee shall be constituted by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Floor Leaders of the political parties of both Bodies and the Chairpersons of the Education and Culture Committees of both Bodies. The members of the Joint Committee may appoint another member of the Legislature to substitute them in their endeavor, for all legal purposes, in case of absence. The members shall receive the per diems provided by law for attending legislative sessions and Committee meetings for their participation in the meetings of the Joint Committee. Provided, furthermore, That the decisions of the Joint Committee shall be reached by simple majority.
History —July 27, 1997, No. 53, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWO - Legislature (§§ 1 — 1015) › Chapter 38A - Pilar Barbosa Educational Interships Program (§§ 831 — 836) › § 834 - Nominations

The members of the Joint Committee shall procure candidates for the Program from the various universities and public and private high schools in Puerto Rico. The nominations shall be submitted as provided by Regulations. The selection shall be based on criteria such as education, professional experience and outstanding achievements in benefit of the educational institutions and the educational system in general.
History —July 27, 1997, No. 53, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWO - Legislature (§§ 1 — 1015) › Chapter 38A - Pilar Barbosa Educational Interships Program (§§ 831 — 836) › § 835 - Interns

The interns shall be high school teachers and university professors teaching courses leading to a bachelor’s degree. The candidates selected shall receive enrollment fees for the Program, room and board and transportation expenses and a stipend for personal expenses. During the Internship, interns shall work full time in the federal dependency designated by the Joint Committee. The period of Internship may vary for each intern depending upon the needs of the participating agency or congressional office; the functions of the position held by the intern; and the availability of the resources to implement the Program. Provided, That the Program shall be conducted during the months of June, July and August of each year.
History —July 27, 1997, No. 53, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWO - Legislature (§§ 1 — 1015) › Chapter 38A - Pilar Barbosa Educational Interships Program (§§ 831 — 836) › § 836 - Bylaws

The Joint Committee shall approve a set of bylaws not later than sixty (60) days after the approval of this act. Provided, That said bylaws shall provide every rule, procedure and consideration needed for the implementation of the Program, including, but not limited to: the requirements of the nominees, the criteria and process for selecting the interns, the criteria and process for selecting the federal dependencies, the payment of stipends, as well as any other matter which the Joint Committee may deem convenient.
History —July 27, 1997, No. 53, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWO - Legislature (§§ 1 — 1015) › Chapter 38B - Dr. Jaime Benítez Legislative Internship Program (§§ 841 — 845) › § 841 - Purpose and creation

(a) To establish in the Legislature of Puerto Rico, the Dr. Jaime Benítez Legislative Internships Program, which shall be directed and administered by the Joint Committee of the Legislature created in subsection (b) of this section.
(b) The Joint Committee of the Dr. Jaime Benítez Legislative Internships Program is hereby created to be in charge of all matters pertaining to the implementation and operation of the Program established by this chapter. The Joint Committee shall be composed of the President of the Puerto Rico Senate and the Speaker of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives, the floor leaders of the different political parties in both legislative bodies and the chairpersons of the Legislative Committees of each Body with jurisdiction over federal matters, education and youth affairs. The Committee shall elect a Chairperson by a majority of the vote of its members. The Committee members may designate any other member of the legislative body to which they belong as a substitute whenever necessary for all purposes concerning the work of the Committee.
History —Aug. 5, 2004, No. 195, §§ 1, 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWO - Legislature (§§ 1 — 1015) › Chapter 38B - Dr. Jaime Benítez Legislative Internship Program (§§ 841 — 845) › § 842 - Nominations

Every member of the Legislature shall be entitled to nominate one (1) candidate per semester for the Dr. Jaime Benítez Legislative Internships Program. The Joint Committee shall select the interns and ensure that there is representation of the nominees of legislators from all the political parties with representatives in the Legislature among the candidates selected. Ten (10) to fifteen (15) interns shall be selected per semester.
History —Aug. 5, 2004, No. 195, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWO - Legislature (§§ 1 — 1015) › Chapter 38B - Dr. Jaime Benítez Legislative Internship Program (§§ 841 — 845) › § 843 - Requirements

In addition to the minimum requirements established in § 844 of this title, candidates shall be selected based upon academic studies, grades, experience and outstanding social services criteria according to the method of selection to be established by regulation approved by the Joint Committee. The Committee shall place the interns in different offices of the legislators of each legislative body.
History —Aug. 5, 2004, No. 195, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWO - Legislature (§§ 1 — 1015) › Chapter 38B - Dr. Jaime Benítez Legislative Internship Program (§§ 841 — 845) › § 844 - Interns

The interns shall be undergraduate students enrolled in universities in the United States of America who have approved not less than half of the requirements necessary to obtain a bachelor’s degree. Moreover, the interns shall be of Puerto Rican descent, reside in the United States, demonstrate they have basic knowledge of Puerto Rico, and be able to speak read and write Spanish fluently. The interns thus selected shall receive compensation and stipends for lodging and transportation during their full-time work stay in the office of the member of the legislative body to which they are assigned.
History —Aug. 5, 2004, No. 195, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWO - Legislature (§§ 1 — 1015) › Chapter 38B - Dr. Jaime Benítez Legislative Internship Program (§§ 841 — 845) › § 845 - Regulations

The Joint Committee shall approve regulations to govern its internal operations which shall establish the rules and procedures needed for the operation of the Program, including the payment of stipends. Provided, That the University of Puerto Rico shall collaborate with the procedures pertaining to the educational matters of the Program, including the development of courses to be taken by the interns, the search for lodging installations for the interns and the pending processes to validate their participation in the Program as university credits.
History —Aug. 5, 2004, No. 195, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWO - Legislature (§§ 1 — 1015) › Chapter 38C - Training School Program for Non-Profit Organizations (§§ 851-855 — 855) › §§ 851—855 - Repealed. Act Jan. 18, 2012, No. 24, § 1, eff. Jan. 18, 2012

History —Sept. 23, 2004, No. 462, § 1; Repealed. Act.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWO - Legislature (§§ 1 — 1015) › Chapter 39 - Legislative Donations (§§ 901 — 920) › § 901 - Definitions

For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms and phrases shall have the meaning stated hereinbelow:
(a) Public function or activity.— Means any service, assistance, program, plan, system, project, activity, study, research, method, enterprise, operation, work, function, workshop or any other than has a nexus or clear and evident connection with the duly-promulgated and effective governmental public policy.
(b) Agency.— Means any department, program, bureau, office, board, committee, company, administration, authority, institute, body, service, dependency, entity, public corporation and subsidiary thereof and instrumentality of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, including the Judiciary Branch.
(c) Designated agency.— Means any agency that executes, implements or which is directly related to the public policy of the public function or activity carried out by the entity that receives the legislative donation and under whose administrative responsibility the same is appropriated.
(d) Legislative donation.— Means all granting of public funds, subject to the availability of resources in the Commonwealth Treasury, clearly determined and authorized by the Legislature of Puerto Rico to contribute or subvention part of the necessary expenses an entity incurs to carry out a public function or activity.
(e) Semipublic and private entity.— Means a partnership, association, organization, corporation, foundation, institution, company, enterprise or group of people, constituted and organized, under the laws of Puerto Rico, which operates and functions as a nonprofit venture and which is dedicated totally or substantially to carry out a public function or activity from the perspectives as a private entity.
(f) Recipient entity.— Means all entities to which a donation is granted, even though it is rejected or not used in whole or in part, at any time after the effectiveness or availability thereof.
(g) Head of an agency.— Means the secretary, official, director, administrator or highest rank officer or at the highest level in an agency.
(h) Proposal.— Means the document describing the objectives, purpose, plan of activities, justification and intention of the use that shall be given to the legislative donation requested.
(i) Administrative expenses.— For the purposes of this chapter, means the management expenses such as personnel, rent, water service, electric service, telephone, mortgage payments and any other expense that is not directly related to the rendering of services to the clients.
History —Dec. 29, 1995, No. 258, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWO - Legislature (§§ 1 — 1015) › Chapter 39 - Legislative Donations (§§ 901 — 920) › § 902 - Purposes

This chapter establishes the requirements, norms and procedures for the filing, processing and consideration of applications for legislative donations, including the guidelines and instructions for an effective control thereof. Among other things, this chapter proposes to:
(a) Give an equal treatment to all requests for legislative donations, through the application of uniform norms and procedures for the filing, handling and evaluation of proposals and requests therefor.
(b) Ensure that legislative donations shall be granted solely to those active entities that carry out a recognized public function or activity and which are organized and operate pursuant to the laws of Puerto Rico.
(c) Establish specific norms for the use and control of legislative donations so that they are administered pursuant to the laws and regulations that govern the use of public funds and used solely for the public function or activity for which they are appropriated.
(d) Promote positive and coordinated collaboration among the entities that carry out a recognized public function or activity and the designated agencies.
(e) Make the designated agencies collaborate and execute an effective system for the control and supervision of the legislative donations under their managerial responsibility.
History —Dec. 29, 1995, No. 258, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWO - Legislature (§§ 1 — 1015) › Chapter 39 - Legislative Donations (§§ 901 — 920) › § 904 - Effectiveness and source of donations

Legislative donations shall be granted to the entities chosen from among those that qualify on a fiscal year basis, and shall not be recurrent. Every recipient entity interested in receiving a legislative donation shall submit a new application each fiscal year, and shall be subject to the entire evaluation and consideration process including the visit of officials from the designated agency and from the Special Joint Committee on Legislative Donations, as if it was the first time they filed such application.
Notwithstanding what is provided above, legislative donations may be granted without being subject to a specific fiscal year when the public function or activity for which the donation was granted will be carried out in stages or on a specific date, however, it shall be subject to an express indication on the term of effectiveness of said donation.
Legislative donations shall be appropriated chargeable to the resources available in the General Fund of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico for such purposes, or chargeable to unencumbered moneys from any other sources to deal with other public obligations.
History —Dec. 29, 1995, No. 258, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWO - Legislature (§§ 1 — 1015) › Chapter 39 - Legislative Donations (§§ 901 — 920) › § 905 - Entities requirements

Every entity interested in applying for a legislative donation shall meet the following requirements:
(a) It shall be organized and constituted pursuant to the Laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and recorded and registered in the State Department as a nonprofit corporation, and has submitted the annual financial statements and reports to the Department of State and the Department of the Treasury, required by law from nonprofit corporations.
(b) It shall perform the public function or activity for which it requests the legislative donation free of charge, except when it is necessary to impose and charge a fee or price to cover all or part of the real cost of such activity or public function.
(c) It shall comply with the laws and regulations of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico that require use permits, security measures, access to services or other conditions and dimensions or measures for the structures, buildings, facilities and sites of land used or dedicated to its functions and activities; have its licenses, permits, authorizations or any other requirement by law or regulation, in effect, for the activities or functions it carries our and comply with all other laws and regulations that require the adoption of certain norms or regulations, and the application or execution of specific measures.
(d) It shall keep a current State Insurance Fund Administration insurance policy for the protection of its employees in case of injury, illness or death due to work accidents, as well as any other policies or insurance required by law.
(e) It shall observe, with respect to its employees, the faithful compliance of all laws and regulations regarding working schedules and salaries, vacations, benefits, security and health at work, and of the provisions of the Income Tax Act concerning withholding of its employees taxes and their remittance.
(f) It shall establish before the Secretary of the Treasury its right to enjoy tax exemptions in those areas covered by the various fiscal laws that are applicable.
(g) The entities which receive donations shall only use fifty percent (50%) of said donation for administrative expenses, excluding those entities that requested a dispensation with its justification to use a greater amount and were authorized to do so by the designated agency, except in those cases in which the entity uses such donation for the matching of federal funds.
(h) Only the public entities which, as of the date of approval of this act, are receiving a legislative donation, may enjoy the same provided they comply with all the requirements of this chapter. These can be considered to receive legislative donations for a maximum of five (5) additional years. After five (5) years from the approval of this act, no public entity shall enjoy the granting of a legislative donation.
History —Dec. 29, 1995, No. 258, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWO - Legislature (§§ 1 — 1015) › Chapter 39 - Legislative Donations (§§ 901 — 920) › § 906 - System for the matching of donations

Every entity interested in being granted a legislative donation shall have sufficient funds for the matching thereof for a minimum amount equal to twenty-five percent (25%) of the total cost of the public function or activity for which the donation was requested, except in those cases in which the Special Joint Committee on Legislative Donations, with the prior request and justification of the entity, exempts the entity from such requirement when granting the donation. These funds for the matching of the legislative donation shall be secured by saving accounts, deposit certificates, managers checks, money orders or any other account or financial instrument endorsed in favor of the entity and from which its source can be determined, besides the amount.
The minimum matching required can also be granted in kind, provided such contribution is duly evidenced, establishing the cost of the property, equipment, personnel or any other property or resource the entity uses for the rendering of services.
When the funds for the matching come from other subvention, donation, subsidy or assistance program of the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any of its municipalities, or of the Government of the United States, the entity shall submit a letter of commitment or appropriation signed by the chief of the state or federal agency or by the mayor of the municipality that administers the program under which the help or assistance is granted. This commitment letter shall be presented together with the application for the donation and shall state the true amount to be provided by the corresponding agency or municipality, the effective date of the contribution or assistance and the program or source of the funds.
History —Dec. 29, 1995, No. 258, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWO - Legislature (§§ 1 — 1015) › Chapter 39 - Legislative Donations (§§ 901 — 920) › § 907 - Application of the donation

All applications for donations shall be filed in original and one (1) copy in the Office of the Special Joint Committee on Legislative Donations not later than April 15, 1996; for subsequent years, the Co-Chairpersons thereof shall fix the deadline to file the application by agreement. Said application shall be filed in the original; the copy shall be stamped as proof of the filing thereof. The application (original and copy) shall include the following information and documents:
(a) Official name as it appears registered in the State Department, physical address of the domicile, headquarters or main office, telephone number and mailing address of the requesting entity.
(b) Name, address and position of each member of the board of directors, officials, council members, trustees and any others who are part of the directing body of the institution. Every vacancy that occurs among such officials or directors shall be notified to the Legislature along with the next quarterly expense report that must be submitted, indicating the name, address and position of the person who caused the vacancy, and of his/her replacement.
(c) Copy of the certificate of incorporation and registration of the State Department.
(d) Documents certifying that the applicant entity meets the requirements established in § 905 of this title.
(e) Documents certifying the availability of the funds for the matching of the donation and the proposal on the intention and use of the legislative donation, as required in this chapter.
(f) A certification of the agency that implements or executes the public policy to which the entity’s activity or public function is attached, describing how it is helping or contributing to the execution of such public policy.
(g) A certification attesting that it does not have any indebtness with the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or its agencies or, should there be any, a certification attesting that the entity is up-to-date in the payment of the installments that were granted for its payment.
The Secretary of the Treasury may deduct from the donation appropriated to the receiving entity that amount of money needed to pay any debt contracted by said entity with the government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
(h) Endorsements by at least three natural persons or civic entities of the community that are not recipients or direct beneficiaries of the applicant entity’s functions or activities, nor are a part of the entity’s personnel or administrative body.
(i) Any other information or document that the Special Joint Committee on Legislative Donations deems adequate and necessary for the evaluation of the application for the legislative donation.
History —Dec. 29, 1995, No. 258, § 8; May 20, 1996, No. 42, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWO - Legislature (§§ 1 — 1015) › Chapter 39 - Legislative Donations (§§ 901 — 920) › § 908 - Proposals

Any application for a legislative donation shall be accompanied by a proposal for the intended use of the legislative donation, which clearly describes the regular functions or activities of the entity and its form, means, systems and methods of operation.
It shall also clearly describe:
(a) The public policy to which the functions and activities for which the legislative donation was requested is attached.
(b) The objectives of these functions and activities and their public benefits or utility.
(c) The demographic nucleus that will benefit directly from or shall take advantage of the entity’s public functions or activities.
(d) In those cases where it is possible, the participation the community will have in the development to the public activities or functions for which the legislative donation is requested, according to the nature of such functions or activities.
(e) The dates or stages that the public functions or activities will be carried out.
(f) A detailed report on the expenses of the intended use of the legislative donation.
(g) The donations, subventions, contributions or help in cash, gods or services or of any other nature that it receives from other agencies or municipalities and the proposed use of such resources.
(h) Additional financial resources, excluding the matching funds required in this chapter, which will be contributed by the entity from its own funds to complete the cost of the activity or function for which the legislative donation is requested.
(i) The amounts the entity has from its own funds, work, or operations to defray the needs and expenses of its other activities and functions, if any, during the fiscal year for which the donation is requested.
(j) A listing by position, employment or function of the technical, auxiliary or professional personnel or any other human resource, as well as the goods, equipment, material, structures and facilities the entity has and will use for the public functions and activities to be developed with the legislative donation.
(k) The name and residential and mailing address of the person who is responsible for the administering the accounts of the applicant entity.
History —Dec. 29, 1995, No. 258, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWO - Legislature (§§ 1 — 1015) › Chapter 39 - Legislative Donations (§§ 901 — 920) › § 909 - Registry of donation applications

The Office of the Special Joint Committee on Legislative Donations shall keep a record book of all the applications for a donation that are filed. The name of the entity that files the application shall be registered in strict order of presentation, the date and hour of filing, and the name, address, position or office and signature of the person who files the application.
History —Dec. 29, 1995, No. 258, § 10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWO - Legislature (§§ 1 — 1015) › Chapter 39 - Legislative Donations (§§ 901 — 920) › § 910 - Evaluation of applications

The Special Joint Committee on Legislative Donations shall examine each application for a donation in order to verify that it has been filed within the term and with all the information, documentation and details required in this chapter.
History —Dec. 29, 1995, No. 258, § 11.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWO - Legislature (§§ 1 — 1015) › Chapter 39 - Legislative Donations (§§ 901 — 920) › § 912 - Legislative donations regulations

Each designated agency shall adopt legislative donations regulations which shall establish, among other things, all the norms and regulations for the granting, use and supervision of said donations. These regulations shall be adopted pursuant to the provisions of §§ 2101 et seq. of Title 3, known as the “Uniform Administrative Procedure Act of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico”, and shall be filed immediately after their approval, as well as any other subsequent amendment, in the Secretariat of each Legislative House.
History —Dec. 29, 1995, No. 258, § 13.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWO - Legislature (§§ 1 — 1015) › Chapter 39 - Legislative Donations (§§ 901 — 920) › § 916 - Performance

The Legislature reserves its right to require or impose on the recipient entities the condition that they render or perform any service, facility, equipment or activity compatible with the purposes of the entity to the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Every rendering shall have a recognized public purpose or use and shall not be required for the direct or indirect benefit of a natural or juridical person who does not qualify for the activities or public functions carried out by the entity, or to benefit a political party or a candidate to an elective office, or to benefit a sector of the community while depriving another one.
History —Dec. 29, 1995, No. 258, § 17.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWO - Legislature (§§ 1 — 1015) › Chapter 39 - Legislative Donations (§§ 901 — 920) › § 917 - Change of purpose or dissolving of entities

Every entity receiving a legislative donation that for any reason or condition dissolves or becomes inactive or changes its nonprofit purposes for profitable ones, shall:
(a) Immediately hand over any remainder of the legislative donation or any part thereof that was not used, by means of a certified check to the order of the Secretary of the Treasury, as well as all the bills, documents and reports related thereto.
(b) Deliver to the designated agency, all the equipment and materials acquired to be charged to the legislative donation, as well as all the bills, documents, inventories and reports related to the same.
(c) Submit a final fiscal report on the use and disposition of the legislative donation to the Special Joint Committee on Legislative Donations.
(d) Grant to the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico the first option to acquire any lot, building, structure or real property of its property whose acquisition price or permanent improvements were completely paid or in part with the legislative donations. In such cases, the selling price for the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico shall be the acquisition cost of the land lot and of the structures, buildings or improvements made therein, minus their normal depreciation, after any legislative donation funds used or invested in the real property have been deducted.
History —Dec. 29, 1995, No. 258, § 18.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWO - Legislature (§§ 1 — 1015) › Chapter 39 - Legislative Donations (§§ 901 — 920) › § 918 - Misdemeanors

Any person shall incur a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be sanctioned with a fine of no less than five hundred dollars ($500), in the event he/she:
(a) Fails to comply with the obligation of submitting the reports required by this chapter.
(b) Refuses, without a justifiable cause, to submit or deliver any record or document related to a legislative donation requested by any official or employee of a designated agency authorized to examine and audit the books, accounts and documents that justify the use of the donation.
(c) Incurs violations to the regulations adopted for the implementation of this chapter.
History —Dec. 29, 1995, No. 258, § 19.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWO - Legislature (§§ 1 — 1015) › Chapter 39 - Legislative Donations (§§ 901 — 920) › § 919 - Felonies

Every person shall incur in a felony and upon conviction shall be imprisoned for a fixed term of three (3) years, in the event he/she:
(a) Gives false information in any proposal, application or document related or concerning a legislative donation.
(b) Illegally appropriates him/herself of any amount of money coming from a legislative donation or of any other abject, instrument, equipment or goods whose acquisition price has been paid totally or partially with the funds of the legislative donation.
(c) Certifies, signs, emits, allows or authorizes any payment or reimbursement chargeable to the funds of a legislative donation, without having been duly authorized to do so.
(d) Authorizes the use of any amount coming from a legislative donation for any concept, end, activity, purchase, item or use other than the one for which it was appropriated by the Legislature.
(e) Regarding a legislative donation, makes any seat, notation or false account in any book, report, audit or in any other document to mislead the designated agency in charge of supervising the use given to the legislative donation or who provides false information to the Legislature.
(f) In the event the entity receiving the legislative donation dissolves, become inactive, or changes its purposes from a nonprofit purpose to a profitable one, failing to comply with the provisions of § 917 of this title.
If aggravating circumstances mediate, the fixed penalty established shall be increased to a maximum of five (5) years, and in the event attenuating circumstances mediate, it shall be reduced to a minimum of two (2) years.
History —Dec. 29, 1995, No. 258, § 20.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWO - Legislature (§§ 1 — 1015) › Chapter 39 - Legislative Donations (§§ 901 — 920) › § 920 - Responsibilities for violations of the law

It shall be understood that any violation to the provisions of this chapter and its regulations incurred by an entity, it is also committed by its executives or employee who is responsible for the act of omission that constitutes such violation in the defect thereof, the entity’s executive or employee in charge of executing the entity’s institutional policy or of conducting the administrative affairs thereof, shall be responsible. In the event such employees or executives do not exist, the members of the Board of Directors, Trusteeship, Advisors, Directing Committee or Executive or other, despite how they are designated. Nevertheless, who have the responsibility of designing and delegate instructions, orders or give directions of institutional policy, shall be responsible unless such members prove that they did not have any knowledge or did not carry out the negotiations or attempt to prevent the commission of the violation of the law or regulations in question.
History —Dec. 29, 1995, No. 258, § 21.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWO - Legislature (§§ 1 — 1015) › Chapter 41 - Special Joint Committee on Legislative Donations Act (§§ 931 — 937) › § 931 - Definitions

The following terms and phrases, wherever they may appear in this chapter, shall have the meaning stated below:
(a) Committee.— Means the “Special Joint Committee on Legislative Donations” created in § 932 of this title.
(b) Public agency.— Shall mean any department, board, committee, commission, office, division, bureau, corporation, or subsidiary thereof, or instrumentality of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and shall be known as the “Custodial Department”.
History —Aug. 11, 1996, No. 113, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWO - Legislature (§§ 1 — 1015) › Chapter 41 - Special Joint Committee on Legislative Donations Act (§§ 931 — 937) › § 932 - Creation

The Special Joint Committee on Legislative Donations is hereby created to be constituted by five (5) Senators appointed by the President of the Senate and five (5) Representatives. Of these: two (2) Senators and two (2) Representatives shall be members of the corresponding Legislative Body’s Parliamentary Minority.
The Committee shall be co-chaired by the Chairpersons of the Committee on Budget and Appropriations of the House of Representatives and of the Ways and Means Committee of the Senate of Puerto Rico.
History —Aug. 11, 1996, No. 113, § 3; Feb. 11, 2005, No. 2, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWO - Legislature (§§ 1 — 1015) › Chapter 41 - Special Joint Committee on Legislative Donations Act (§§ 931 — 937) › § 933 - Assigned to and coordinate with other agencies

The Special Joint Committee on Legislative Donations shall be attached to the Legislature of Puerto Rico and shall have, among other functions provided in this chapter, the responsibility to consider, evaluate, analyze, visit, inspect, supervise facilities, financial statements, perform audits and other matters related to the process of granting legislative donations. Likewise, the Committee shall have the responsibility of establishing and conducting orientation and advisory programs for those semipublic and private entities that present proposals to solicit legislative funds from the Committee in coordination with the custodial departments or agencies. At the same time, it shall provide orientation and technical support to non-government[al] entities and faith-based groups in the preparation of proposals to solicit federal funds to develop social and community programs.
History —Aug. 11, 1996, No. 113, § 4; Aug. 20, 2005, No. 58, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWO - Legislature (§§ 1 — 1015) › Chapter 41 - Special Joint Committee on Legislative Donations Act (§§ 931 — 937) › § 934 - Director

The Committee shall be directed by an Executive Director appointed every four (4) years by the Chairperson of the Ways and Means Committee of the Senate and the Chairperson of the Committee on Budget and Appropriations of the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico. The salary or compensation of the Director shall be fixed according to the norms to be established with the advice and consent of the Co-chairpersons of the Committees created by this chapter.
The Executive Director of the Committee shall exercise the administrative functions of the office under the supervision and direction of the Co-chairpersons thereof and may receive administrative support services from the latter, from the Committee members, the public agencies and the selfsame non-profit semipublic and private entities.
Likewise, the co-chairpersons of the Committee shall appoint the corresponding personnel which shall be under the direction of the Executive Director and upon whom the latter may delegate the functions provided in this chapter. When the Executive Director is appointed by the Chairperson of the Ways and Means Committee of the Senate, he/she shall also appoint the Director of Human Resources and Administration, the buyer, the payer, the administrative personnel and half of the accounting analysts. The Deputy Director, part of the administrative personnel and the other half of the analysts shall be appointed by the Chairperson of the Committee on Budget and Appropriations. When the appointment of the Executive Director of the Committee corresponds to the Chairperson of the Committee on Budget and Appropriations, the same procedure shall be followed.
The Executive Director shall determine the internal workings of the Committee and establish the mechanisms needed to achieve its proper functioning and operation as well as how to handle the administrative and managerial functions needed to implement this chapter, and any other local laws, and the regulations adopted by virtue of the same, and other norms delegated by the Co-chairpersons and by the Committee.
History —Aug. 11, 1996, No. 113, § 5; Dec. 14, 2005, No. 154, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWO - Legislature (§§ 1 — 1015) › Chapter 41 - Special Joint Committee on Legislative Donations Act (§§ 931 — 937) › § 935 - Duties and responsibilities

The Committee, in addition to any other provisions in this chapter, other laws, programs or assignments, whose administration and implementation are delegated thereto, shall have the following functions:
(a) To perform all the necessary and pertinent steps leading to the best, most effective, fair and efficient application of the provisions of §§ 901 et seq. of this title, which establishes, among others, the requirements, norms and procedures for granting legislative donations to non-profit semipublic and private entities.
(b) To put into effect and see to it that the provisions of §§ 901 et seq. of this title are complied with.
(c) Promulgate regulations for the internal operations of the Committee; and others for complying with and granting legislative donations.
(d) To take whatever measures are deemed necessary, including legal aid, to handle all types of negotiations, petitions, investigations and recommendations involving any institution or entity that receives legislative donations in order to ensure compliance of the law.
(e) Conduct, on its own or in coordination with public agencies, the studies, evaluations and others needed to grant legislative donations.
(f) Establish and enforce in coordination with the public agency, a rigorous orientation and guidance program on all matters pertaining to [the award] of legislative donations.
(g) Establish an advisory and technical support group in charge of assisting non-governmental entities and faith-based organizations in the drafting of proposals to request federal funding for the development of social and community programs.
(h) The Committee shall render an annual report of all its activities, including administrative ones, to the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico.
(i) Create a Community Service Organizations Database. The database shall contain the name, address, date of founding of the organization, telephone number, and a brief description of all entities interested in recruiting volunteers to further the social goals thereof. The Committee shall not include in the Database the address and phone number of those organizations that, due to the nature of their services, require keeping this information confidential. Once prepared, a copy of said Database shall be submitted to all members of the Joint Committee on Legislative Donations, the Office of the Comptroller of Puerto Rico, and the Courts Administration. Likewise, a copy of said Database shall be kept in the Tomás Rivera Bonilla Legislative Library for use by the general public.
History —Aug. 11, 1996, No. 113, § 6; Aug. 20, 2005, No. 58, § 2; Aug. 4, 2012, No. 149, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWO - Legislature (§§ 1 — 1015) › Chapter 41 - Special Joint Committee on Legislative Donations Act (§§ 931 — 937) › § 936 - Power to conduct investigations

The Committee may exercise all the powers and prerogatives granted to it by the laws and regulations of the Legislature of Puerto Rico, in order to ensure due compliance of the laws and regulations approved for the granting of legislative donations. Likewise, it may consider, investigate, process and adjucate complaints and may direct compliance with the applicable laws in those cases in which any natural or juridical person, or any semipublic or private entity denies, hinders or otherwise impairs an investigation or audit or other related matters of the Committee to ensure compliance with the purposes of the legislation approved for these cases.
History —Aug. 11, 1996, No. 113, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWO - Legislature (§§ 1 — 1015) › Chapter 41 - Special Joint Committee on Legislative Donations Act (§§ 931 — 937) › § 937 - Procedures

In the exercise of the powers and prerogatives granted by this chapter, the Committee shall:
(a) Conduct those inquiries and obtain information it may deem pertinent regarding legislative donations granted and to be granted.
(b) Hold administrative hearings and conduct visual inspections. The hearings shall be public but they may be private when justified in the public interest.
(c) Take oaths and statements on its own or through its authorized representatives in all cases related to the purposes of this chapter and the activities of the Committee.
(d) Inspect the records, inventories, documents and physical facilities of the non-profit semipublic and private entities subject to the provisions of this chapter and any other laws under its administration and jurisdiction that are pertinent to an investigation under its consideration.
(e) Direct the appearance and statements of persons, require the presentation or reproduction of any papers, books, documents and other pertinent evidence related to an investigation under its consideration.
History —Aug. 11, 1996, No. 113, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWO - Legislature (§§ 1 — 1015) › Chapter 42 - Regulation on Appropriation of Public Funds (§§ 941 — 951a) › § 941 - Definitions

For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms and phrases shall have the meanings stated hereinbelow:
(a) Entities.— Means any natural person or public, semipublic, or private institution having no pecuniary interest.
(b) Permanent work.— Means any type of construction, reconstruction, alteration, extensions or improvements which remain in place after the execution of the said works.
(c) Agency.— Means any department, program, bureau, office, board, commission, company, public corporation and subsidiary thereof, and instrumentality of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, including its Judiciary Branch and its municipalities.
(d) Designated agency.— Means any agency which executes, implements, or is directly related to the public policy related to the activity or public function which is carried out by the entity receiving a legislative donation, and under whose administrative responsibility the legislative donation is appropriated.
(e) Beneficiary.— Means any natural or juridical person who receives legislative donations from the funds known as pork barrel and small pork barrel.
History —Aug. 16, 2002, No. 179, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWO - Legislature (§§ 1 — 1015) › Chapter 42 - Regulation on Appropriation of Public Funds (§§ 941 — 951a) › § 942 - Resolutions—Contents; generally

Every joint resolution which appropriates public funds for the construction of permanent works, the acquisition of equipment, the purchase of materials and other activities of social interest shall contain specific and detailed information which allows the evaluation, supervision and follow-up of the disbursements authorized, thus assuring compliance with the legislative intent.
History —Aug. 16, 2002, No. 179, § 3.