reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART II - Economic Development (§§ 231-241 — 695i) › Chapter 40 - Condohotels (§§ 681 — 685) › § 683 - Definition of condohotel

“Condohotel” shall be understood as a building or group of buildings constructed expressly to be administered or which shall be converted into a horizontal property regime pursuant to the provisions of §§ 1291—1293k of Title 31, which complies with the requirements of a tourist or commercial hotel, consisting of apartments or rooms whose owners have pledged to rent to a corporation or other legal entity, under those terms and conditions as they have agreed upon, to be devoted, under one single administration of the building or buildings, to the lodging of transient persons on the basis of a daily rental or rate or for a definite longer period. The building or group of buildings may have commercial and office areas and other uses consistent with the principal utilization of same as herein defined. Not less than fifty percent (50%) of the apartments or rooms thereof shall be devoted to the lodging of the above-mentioned transient persons.
The requisite of lease of the apartments or rooms by the owners to a corporation or other juridic entity to be devoted to the lodging of transient persons under a single administration on the basis of a daily rental or rate or for a definite longer period, may be obviated, in the discretion of the Tourism Company, in those cases where the operational concept assures the condition of a transitory stay of the lodged person without need of lease as above stated and without detriment to the operation as a hotel or tourist facility.
History —June 8, 1972, No. 6, p. 350, § 3; June 30, 1975, No. 89, p. 279.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART II - Economic Development (§§ 231-241 — 695i) › Chapter 40 - Condohotels (§§ 681 — 685) › § 684 - Conversion of buildings already constructed to condohotels

Any building already constructed and which is administered in accordance with the Horizontal Property Act, §§ 1291—1294d of Title 31, and initially devoted as a dwelling, must have the unanimous consent of all the co-owners who use their apartment as a home, in order to be converted into a condohotel.
History —June 8, 1972, No. 6, p. 350, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART II - Economic Development (§§ 231-241 — 695i) › Chapter 40 - Condohotels (§§ 681 — 685) › § 685 - Regulations

The Tourism Company, in accordance with §§ 671—671s of this title, is hereby authorized to prescribe rules and regulations consistent with this chapter, establishing such standards as it may deem advisable so that condohotels may comply with their function as a special hotel facility which may tend to promote tourism.
History —June 8, 1972, No. 6, p. 350, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART II - Economic Development (§§ 231-241 — 695i) › Chapter 42 - Punta Borinquen Administration and Development Authority (§§ 692-692l — 692t) › § 692m - Transfer of functions

All the functions, powers, duties, obligations and faculties, as well as all personnel, chattels and real property, records, unspent sums from appropriations, items or other Commonwealth, federal or any other kind of funds under the tenure and custody of the Punta Borinquen Administration and Development Authority, hereinafter the “Authority”, are hereby transferred to the municipality of Aguadilla. The funds needed to continue these functions shall be defrayed from the expense budget of the municipality of Aguadilla.
History —Jan. 10, 1998, No. 24, § 1, eff. 60 days after Jan. 10, 1998.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART II - Economic Development (§§ 231-241 — 695i) › Chapter 42 - Punta Borinquen Administration and Development Authority (§§ 692-692l — 692t) › § 692n - Guaranties of employees

All employees affected by the transfer provided by §§ 692m—692t of this title shall be guaranteed their vested rights under applicable personnel laws and regulations as well as the rights, obligations and conditions with respect to any retirement, pension, savings and loan fund or systems to which the employees may be affiliated or subscribed upon the approval of this act.
History —Jan. 10, 1998, No. 24, § 2, eff. 60 days after Jan. 10, 1998.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART II - Economic Development (§§ 231-241 — 695i) › Chapter 42 - Punta Borinquen Administration and Development Authority (§§ 692-692l — 692t) › § 692o - Provisions

None of the provisions of §§ 692m—692t of this title shall be understood to modify, alter or invalidate any agreement, covenant, claim or contract as of the date of approval of this act and during the transfer period. Once the transfer is complete, the mayor may renegotiate, terminate or modify the same.
History —Jan. 10, 1998, No. 24, § 3, eff. 60 days after Jan. 10, 1998.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART II - Economic Development (§§ 231-241 — 695i) › Chapter 42 - Punta Borinquen Administration and Development Authority (§§ 692-692l — 692t) › § 692p - Applicable laws, rules regulations and orders

All those laws, rules, regulations and orders that apply to the authority which are in conflict with the laws, rules, regulations and orders applicable to the municipality of Aguadilla shall continue in effect until the same are amended, repealed or substituted.
History —Jan. 10, 1998, No. 24, § 4, eff. 60 days after Jan. 10, 1998.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART II - Economic Development (§§ 231-241 — 695i) › Chapter 42 - Punta Borinquen Administration and Development Authority (§§ 692-692l — 692t) › § 692q - Mayor of Aguadilla

The mayor of the municipality of Aguadilla is hereby authorized to adopt such transitory measures and make the decisions that may be necessary, in order to carry out the transfer established by this §§ 692m—692t of this title, without interrupting the administrative processes and the operation of the Authority hereby transferred.
History —Jan. 10, 1998, No. 24, § 5, eff. 60 days after Jan. 10, 1998.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART II - Economic Development (§§ 231-241 — 695i) › Chapter 42 - Punta Borinquen Administration and Development Authority (§§ 692-692l — 692t) › § 692r - Administrative structure

Once the services, property, obligations and responsibilities of the Authority are transferred to his jurisdiction, the mayor shall establish the administrative structure that is most adequate, convenient and necessary for the continuity of the services rendered.
History —Jan. 10, 1998, No. 24, § 6, eff. 60 days after Jan. 10, 1998.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART II - Economic Development (§§ 231-241 — 695i) › Chapter 42 - Punta Borinquen Administration and Development Authority (§§ 692-692l — 692t) › § 692s - Notification and consultation

The mayor shall notify and consult with the Planning Board, the Ports Authority and any other agency, department or instrumentality of the Government of Puerto Rico with facilities located within the premises of the Punta Borinquen Complex, of any change in the land use pattern and the viable plans, prior to carrying out the same. Provided, furthermore, That authorization of the Federal Aviation Agency shall be obtained in order to alter the easement held by said agency in the aforementioned premises.
History —Jan. 10, 1998, No. 24, § 7, eff. 60 days after Jan. 10, 1998.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART II - Economic Development (§§ 231-241 — 695i) › Chapter 42 - Punta Borinquen Administration and Development Authority (§§ 692-692l — 692t) › § 692t - Public policy

It is the public policy of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to transform the Rafael Hernández Airport into a second international airport, for which the mayor and the agencies thus consulted under § 692s of this title shall see that the future uses given to the transferred properties are not incompatible and, to the extent possible, are complementary to said public policy.
History —Jan. 10, 1998, No. 24, § 8, eff. 60 days after Jan. 10, 1998.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART II - Economic Development (§§ 231-241 — 695i) › Chapter 43 - Tourist Incentives (§§ 693 — 693k) › § 693 - Short title

This chapter shall be known as the “Puerto Rico Tourist Incentives Act of 1983”.
History —June 2, 1983, No. 52, p. 94, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART II - Economic Development (§§ 231-241 — 695i) › Chapter 43 - Tourist Incentives (§§ 693 — 693k) › § 693d - Exemption period

(a) For purposes of the tax exemption granted by § 693c of this title:
(1) Every eligible business that is operating and has requested the benefits of this chapter by December 31, 1985, shall enjoy a ten (10)-year tax exemption period as of its taxable year commencing after December 31, 1984.
(2) Every eligible business that requests the benefits of this chapter on or after January 1, 1986, shall enjoy a tax exemption period of ten (10) years except in conversion cases, whose exemption period shall be effective retroactively to January 1 of the year in which the notice of conversion was filed.
(3) The period for clauses (1) and (2) of this subsection may be extended for ten (10) additional years if the Governor of Puerto Rico, with the prior recommendation of the Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company and the Secretary of the Treasury, determines that said exemption is essential for the development of the tourist industry.
(b) The exemption provided herein shall be in effect for a total of ten (10) years. The exempted business may choose the specific years of coverage by notice to the Secretary of the Treasury to such effects by filing an Income Tax return for each of the specific ten (10) years that are covered. Provided, That the exempted business shall have the option to avail itself of the provisions of this subsection instead of those in subsection (a) of this section, when it so advises it during its first taxable year and/or prior to filing the income tax return for said year, in which case, the provisions of subsection (a) of this section will not apply to it.
History —June 2, 1983, No. 52, p. 94, § 5; July 24, 1985, No. 20, p. 727, § 2; May 31, 1988, No. 35, p. 132, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART II - Economic Development (§§ 231-241 — 695i) › Chapter 43 - Tourist Incentives (§§ 693 — 693k) › § 693e - Option of conversion of benefit changes under this chapter

(a) Conversion. — Any exempted business under the Industrial Incentives Acts which would otherwise be an eligible business under subsection (a)(6) of § 693a of this title shall be deemed to be an eligible business and shall enjoy the tax incentives provided by §§ 693b, 693c and 693d of this title:
(1) If it complies with the requirements of said sections;
(2) If, after prior recommendations from the instrumentalities that submit endorsements under this chapter, the Governor determines that the conversion of such businesses to its provisions is in the best social and economic interests of Puerto Rico;
(3) If, on or before December 31, 1988, it waives its tax exemption decree issued under the Industrial Incentives Acts and obtains a certificate from the Director of the Tax Exemption Office accrediting said waiver in order to enjoy the incentives of this chapter, and
(4) if it files the certificate mentioned in clause [(3)] of this subsection along with the notice from the Secretary of the Treasury provided by subsection (c) of § 693g of this title.
(b) Distributions. — The distributions of dividends or profits (as well as distributions in liquidation) made by a corporation or partnership that has been an exempted business, and has exercised the option provided in subsection (a) shall be deemed as made (except for an express determination to the contrary in the resolution declaring the distribution) of the surplus accumulated during the period it enjoyed tax exemption under the Industrial Incentives Acts, and shall be governed by the provisions of the acts under which they have been governed. Once said surplus is exhausted, the provisions of §§ 8006 et seq. of Title 13, known as the “Income Tax Act” shall apply.
History —June 2, 1983, No. 52, p. 94, § 6; July 24, 1985, No. 20, p. 727, § 3; May 31, 1988, No. 35, p. 132, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART II - Economic Development (§§ 231-241 — 695i) › Chapter 43 - Tourist Incentives (§§ 693 — 693k) › § 693e-1 - Transfer of exempt business

The transfer of a tax exemption grant or of the stock, property or other proprietary interest in an exempted business to another natural or juridical person who, in turn, will continue to carry out the operations of the exempted business in a manner substantially similar to those carried out by the exempted business at the moment the transfer occurs, must be previously approved by the Governor. If it is carried out without previous approval, the exemption grant shall be void as of the date the transfer occurred. The preceding notwithstanding, the Governor may approve any transfer carried out without his approval retroactively when, in his judgment, the circumstances of the case merit it, taking into account the best interest of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the purposes of this chapter and the recommendations of the Director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company and the Secretary of the Treasury.
History —June 2, 1983, No. 52, p. 94, added as § 7 on May 31, 1988, No. 35, p. 132, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART II - Economic Development (§§ 231-241 — 695i) › Chapter 43 - Tourist Incentives (§§ 693 — 693k) › § 693h - Administrative decisions will be final

(a) All the decisions and determinations of the Governor of Puerto Rico, or the person designated by him, under this chapter, will be final and no judicial revision, administrative review, or other recourse against them will be in order, except where specifically provided to the contrary.
(b) Any concessionaire who is adversely affected or damaged by any action taken by the Governor, or the person designated by him, revoking and/or cancelling a concession of benefits according to § 693f(b) of this title, shall have the right to a judicial review thereof by filing an appeal for review before the Court of First Instance of Puerto Rico, San Juan Part, within thirty (30) days after the final decision or adjudication by the Governor or the person appointed by him. During the judicial review process, the Governor, or the person designated by him, is hereby authorized to postpone, when in his judgment it is justifiable, the effective date of any action taken under those conditions required and to the extent that is necessary to avert irreparable damage. When said postponement is requested and it is denied, the court before which said review is requested, including the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico, by means of a writ of certiorari, as provided subsequently, can order any appropriate and necessary proceedings to postpone the effective date of any action taken by the Governor or the person designated by him, to preserve the status or rights of the parties until the termination of the review proceedings, upon posting of a bond in behalf of the Secretary of the Treasury, subject to his approval and for the total of the outstanding taxes, plus interest and penalties computed for a period of one year at the prevailing legal rate.
Any decision or judgment of the Court of First Instance of Puerto Rico will be subject to review by the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico by means of a certiorari requested by any of the parties as provided by law.
History —June 2, 1983, No. 52, p. 94, § 9, renumbered as § 10 and amended on May 31, 1988, No. 35, p. 132, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART II - Economic Development (§§ 231-241 — 695i) › Chapter 43 - Tourist Incentives (§§ 693 — 693k) › § 693i - Eligibility of a business previously covered by this chapter

No business that is enjoying or has enjoyed the benefits of this chapter shall be eligible to avail itself of its benefits again, except when the Governor determines, upon the recommendation by the Executive Director of Tourism, the Economic Development Administrator and the Secretary of the Treasury, that the particular operation is in the best economic and social interests of Puerto Rico in view of the nature of the facilities, the number of jobs, the total payroll, the amount invested, the location of the project, or other factors that, in his judgment, warrant such determination.
The Governor will exercise his authority to determine under what conditions the benefits of this chapter shall be granted anew, and may, within its terms, limit its term and/or the percent of the exemption, and/or the taxes to be exempted, and/or the credits and/or deductions that will be applicable, and may condition its operations and the number of jobs as needed.
History —June 2, 1983, No. 52, p. 99, § 10, renumbered as § 11 on May 31, 1988, No. 35, p. 132, § 10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART II - Economic Development (§§ 231-241 — 695i) › Chapter 43 - Tourist Incentives (§§ 693 — 693k) › § 693j - Payment plan; special interest

The Governor, notwithstanding the provisions of § 330 of the Police Code of 1902 and Act No. 17 of June 30, 1981, may authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to approve a payment plan for the eligible business, as defined in section 693a(a)(6) of this title, at prospective special interest on those real and personal property taxes levied and unpaid prior to the effective date of this act in accordance with the following norms:
(a) The Executive Director of Tourism and the Economic Development Administrator will certify that the adoption of the payment plan is essential for the operation of the eligible business and that the same will be in the best economic and social interests of the People of Puerto Rico, in view of the nature of the facilities, the number of jobs, the total payroll, the amount invested, the location of the project, or such other factors that, in their judgment, justify such a determination.
(b) The special interest to be fixed prospectively will be nine percent (9%).
(c) The term granted under the payment plan will not exceed ten (10) years.
(d) The eligible business must be up-to-date in the payment of any other tax determined or fixed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, including those in which it acts as a special withholding agent.
History —June 2, 1983, No. 52, p. 94, § 11, renumbered as § 12 and amended on May 31, 1988, No. 35, p. 132, § 11.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART II - Economic Development (§§ 231-241 — 695i) › Chapter 43 - Tourist Incentives (§§ 693 — 693k) › § 693k - Tourist cruise ships

The Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, together with the Executive Director of the Ports Authority, are authorized to examine and evaluate everything related to tourist cruise ships, including docking fees, in order to stimulate the growth of the flow of passengers of this important tourist traffic, and offer the recommendations that they might consider pertinent.
History —June 2, 1983, No. 52, p. 94, § 12, renumbered as § 13 on May 31, 1988, No. 35, p. 132, § 12.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART II - Economic Development (§§ 231-241 — 695i) › Chapter 45 - Science, Technology and Research Trust (§§ 695 — 695i) › § 695g - Tax exemption

(a) It is hereby stated that the purpose for which the Trust is to be established and for which it shall exercise its powers are public purposes for the benefit of the People of Puerto Rico. The Trust shall be exempted from the payment of all taxes, license taxes, fees or excise taxes imposed by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or its municipalities.
(b) The Trust shall also be exempted from the payment of any type of internal revenue fees, stamps or vouchers, excise taxes or taxes of any nature required by law for transacting judicial procedures, issuing certificates from any office or dependency of the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and granting public documents and registering the same with any public registry of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
History —Aug. 18, 2004, No. 214, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART II - Economic Development (§§ 231-241 — 695i) › Chapter 45 - Science, Technology and Research Trust (§§ 695 — 695i) › § 695h - Annual report

Every year, within one hundred twenty (120) days after the close of the fiscal year, the Trust shall file a report with the Governor, the Office of the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives. Said report shall include the following:
(a) A financial statement audited by recognized certified public accountants and a complete report on the activities of the Trust for the preceding fiscal year.
(b) A complete itemized list of all contracts and transactions executed during the fiscal year corresponding to the report.
(c) All information concerning the status and progress of its activities as of the date of the last report.
(d) Information on new initiatives, special projects, and educational activities that promote the registration of copyrights.
(e) The work plan of the Trust for the next fiscal year.
History —Aug. 18, 2004, No. 214, § 10; Apr. 27, 2012, No. 67, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART II - Economic Development (§§ 231-241 — 695i) › Chapter 45 - Science, Technology and Research Trust (§§ 695 — 695i) › § 695i - Audits

(a) The Council of Trustees shall appoint a General Auditor who shall be the director of the General Auditing Division to be created by the Trust. The General Auditor shall directly answer to the Council of Trustees and be responsible for supervising the appropriation, use and disbursement of the funds of the Trust and for conducting quarterly audits of the same.
(b) The Executive Director shall also have the duty of periodically maintaining the Council of Trustees informed about:
(1) The disbursements and use of the moneys of the Trust;
(2) the economies and efficient use by the Trust of its resources, and
(3) the systems, procedures and practices employed by the Trust to monitor the use and disbursement of its funds.
(c) The Trust shall be subject to the duties and powers of the Office of the Comptroller of Puerto Rico.
(d) The Office of Management and Budget is likewise empowered to conduct audits and studies concerning the activities and achievements of the Trust and on its fiscal operations.
History —Aug. 18, 2004, No. 214, § 11.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 51 - Economic Stabilization Administration (§§ 701 — 708) › § 701 - Creation; Administrator and Subadministrator

(a) There is hereby created the Economic Stabilization Administration, which shall be under the direction of an Administrator, who shall be appointed by the Governor of Puerto Rico with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(b) The Administrator may appoint a Subadministrator who shall substitute for him in case of absence, sickness or resignation and shall perform such duties as are assigned to him by the Administrator.
History —June 19, 1953, No. 97, p. 350, § 1; June 14, 1965, No. 24, p. 50, eff. July 1, 1965.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 51 - Economic Stabilization Administration (§§ 701 — 708) › § 702 - Functions of former General Supplies Administration; violations of orders and regulations

There are hereby transferred to the Economic Stabilization Administration all the functions, powers and duties of the former General Supplies Administration and which were transferred to the Secretary of Agriculture and Commerce through Reorganization Plan No. 13 of 1950. The said functions, powers and duties shall be exercised by the Economic Stabilization Administrator pursuant to the provisions of §§ 731—745 of this title. Violations of the orders, rules and regulations issued by the Economic Stabilization Administrator shall be punished in the manner provided by §§ 731—745 of this title.
History —June 19, 1953, No. 97, p. 350, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 51 - Economic Stabilization Administration (§§ 701 — 708) › § 703 - Maximum prices for essential services

The Economic Stabilization Administrator is hereby empowered to establish fair and equitable maximum prices for essential services under the standards established by §§ 731—745 of this title, for the regulation of the prices of staple commodities. For the purposes of §§ 701—708 of this title, the term “essential service” shall mean nonprofessional service.
History —June 19, 1953, No. 97, p. 350, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 51 - Economic Stabilization Administration (§§ 701 — 708) › § 704 - Triple damages for overpricing

Any person who purchases an essential article or service at a price in excess of the maximum established by a regulation or order of the Administrator, may claim within one (1) year from the date of the purchase of the essential article or service from the vendor, damages for three (3) times the total amount of the overprice, plus costs and attorney fees as determined by the court. When three times the amount of the surcharge is less than one hundred dollars ($100), the buyer shall be entitled to one hundred dollars ($100) for damages in each violation, plus costs and attorney’s fees as determined by the court.
History —June 19, 1953, No. 97, p. 350, § 4; Sept. 3, 2003, No. 261, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 51 - Economic Stabilization Administration (§§ 701 — 708) › § 705 - Office of Rent Administration abolished and functions transferred

The Office of Rent Administration created by Act No. 464 of April 25, 1946 is hereby abolished, and its functions, powers and duties are hereby transferred to the Economic Stabilization Administration to be exercised by the Economic Stabilization Administrator pursuant to the provisions of Act No. 464 of April 25, 1946.
History —June 19, 1953, No. 97, p. 350, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 51 - Economic Stabilization Administration (§§ 701 — 708) › § 706 - Transfer of property, records, and funds

The property, records and outstanding balances of appropriations, items or other funds in the hands of the Secretary of Agriculture and Commerce, as provided in Reorganization Plan No. 13 of 1950, are hereby transferred to the Economic Stabilization Administration. Likewise, the property and records of the Office of Rent Administration are hereby transferred to the Economic Stabilization Administration. Outstanding balances of appropriations, items or other funds shall be covered into the “Staple Commodities Fund — Trust Fund”, established by §§ 731—745 of this title.
History —June 19, 1953, No. 97, p. 350, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 51 - Economic Stabilization Administration (§§ 701 — 708) › § 707 - Personnel

The personnel of the Economic Stabilization Administration shall be included in the Competitive Service according to the Personnel Act (Act No. 345 of May 12, 1947). Those persons who on March 30, 1953, held positions in the Federal Office of Price Stabilization and the Federal Office of Rent Stabilization and who are appointed under §§ 701—708 of this title to work in the Economic Stabilization Administration shall be regular employees classified within the Competitive Service, provided it is certified by competent authority to the Director of the Office of Personnel that the services of such persons were satisfactory; Provided, That said persons shall hold positions equal or similar to those held by them in said federal agency; Provided, further, That if within thirty (30) days after their having been appointed in the Economic Stabilization Administration, such persons are assigned to positions higher than those held by them in the Federal Office of Price Stabilization and in the Federal Office of Rent Stabilization, said persons shall be afforded a chance for promotion to such higher positions, according to the procedure established under the Personnel Act.
History —June 19, 1953, No. 97, p. 350, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 51 - Economic Stabilization Administration (§§ 701 — 708) › § 708 - Powers of Governor

The Governor is hereby authorized to take and carry out, in the manner he may determine and by such agencies as he may designate, such further measures and other directives as may be necessary to effectuate the transfers provided by §§ 701—708 of this title.
History —June 19, 1953, No. 97, p. 340, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 53 - Stabilization of Supplies (§§ 731 — 746) › § 731 - Purpose

The purposes of §§ 731—745 of this title are hereby declared to be the stabilization of prices, the prevention of speculative, unwarranted, and abnormal increases in prices; the elimination and prevention of excessive profits; hoarding, manipulation, speculation, and other disruptive practices resulting from abnormal market conditions and scarcity caused by the national emergency; the assurance that defense appropriations will not be dissipated by excessive prices; the protection and maintenance of the standard of living of persons whose incomes are limited; the prevention of such economic dislocations, as will result from abnormal increases in prices; the securing of adequate production of staple products; the prevention of a post-war collapse of values; the purchase, obtention, storing, disposal, and regulation of staple commodities for the benefit of the people; the cheapening, as far as possible, of the cost of staple commodities to the inhabitants of Puerto Rico; and the stimulation and development of new sources of labor.
History —May 12, 1942, No. 228, p. 1268, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 53 - Stabilization of Supplies (§§ 731 — 746) › § 732 - Definitions

(a) Sale. — As used in §§ 731—745 of this title, this term includes all sales, dispositions, barters, exchanges, leases and other transfers.
(b) Price. — Means the thing demanded or received in connection with the sale of a staple commodity.
(c) Person. — Includes all individuals, corporations, partnerships, associations, or any other organized group of persons, or legal successor or representative of any of the foregoing, and includes the Government of Puerto Rico, or any agency thereof, the municipal governments or any agencies thereof; Provided, That no penalty provided for by §§ 731—745 of this title shall apply to the Government of Puerto Rico, to the municipal governments or their agencies.
(d) Maximum price =roand =it Minimum price. — The term “maximum price” means the maximum lawful price; and “minimum price” means the minimum lawful price.
(e) Document. — Includes records, books, accounts, correspondence, memoranda, and other documents, and drafts and copies of any of the foregoing.
(f) Administrator. — Means the Economic Stabilization Administrator.
History —May 12, 1942, No. 228, p. 1268, § 15.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 53 - Stabilization of Supplies (§§ 731 — 746) › § 733 - Administrative provisions

(a) [Omitted.]
(b) The Administrator shall have authority to incur expenses for transportation, including the purchase of vehicles; for rent of buildings and premises; acquisition of reference law books; acquisition of periodicals and magazines, and acquisition of office furniture and supplies, and to pay for wages and services that he may deem necessary for the administration and enforcement of §§ 731—745 of this title. The provisions of Act No. 304, approved May 15, 1938, or of “An Act to regulate the purchase of supplies for the Insular Government”, approved March 13, 1907, shall not apply to these or any other purchases made by the Administrator.
(c) The Administrator may, from time to time, issue such regulations and orders as he may deem necessary to enforce the provisions of §§ 731—745 of this title.
(d) The Secretary of Justice shall render to the Economic Stabilization Administrator, upon the request of the latter, an opinion in writing on any issue of law arising in connection with the discharge of the duties of his office.
History —May 12, 1942, No. 228, p. 1268, § 2; Apr. 29, 1946, No. 493, p. 1474, § 1; Dec. 31, 1946, No. 17, p. 124, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 53 - Stabilization of Supplies (§§ 731 — 746) › § 735 - Loans

The Administrator may, whenever in his judgment such action is necessary to effectuate the purposes of §§ 731—745 of this title, grant or contract loans with the security of staple commodities and in the terms he may deem proper; and he may dispose by sale or gift, through the appropriate channels, of articles obtained through the collection of such loans, and he may pay all the expenses and losses incidental to such operations. In relation with the exercise of the powers and faculties enumerated in this section, the Administrator may sue and be sued.
History —May 12, 1942, No. 228, p. 1268, § 4; Apr. 29, 1946, No. 493, p. 1474, § 3; June 4, 1960, No. 52, p. 87.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 53 - Stabilization of Supplies (§§ 731 — 746) › § 736 - Transportation of commodities

The Administrator shall have power to provide means of transportation, to direct the transportation of staple commodities, and to transport them to Puerto Rico, whether they have been purchased by him or by private persons, and by whatever means.
History —May 12, 1942, No. 228, p. 1268, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 53 - Stabilization of Supplies (§§ 731 — 746) › § 737 - Production of food or staple products

Whenever the Administrator should deem it proper and necessary in order to effectuate the purposes of §§ 731—745 of this title, he may adopt whatever measures he may deem necessary with regard to the planting and cultivation of food or staple products to be used during the period of the present emergency and for such time thereafter as may be necessary, including the power to purchase seeds and roots; to distribute them and to have them distributed; to plant and to cultivate them on lands owned by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or by any municipalities thereof; to rent or expropriate lands belonging to private persons, and to distribute the products thereof in the manner provided for the commodities purchased by him.
History —May 12, 1942, No. 228, p. 1268, § 6; Apr. 29, 1946, No. 493, p. 1474, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 53 - Stabilization of Supplies (§§ 731 — 746) › § 738 - Cooperatives

Whenever the Administrator should deem it proper and necessary in order to effectuate the purposes of §§ 731—745 of this title, he may organize and direct cooperatives for the production of staple products, as well as consumer cooperatives to function in coordination with the production cooperatives.
History —May 12, 1942, No. 228, p. 1268, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 53 - Stabilization of Supplies (§§ 731 — 746) › § 739 - Establishments for sale of commodities

Whenever the Administrator should deem it proper and necessary in order to effectuate the purposes of §§ 731—745 of this title, he may create and administer establishments for the sale at wholesale and retail of any and all staple commodities, and employ the personnel necessary for such purpose.
History —May 12, 1942, No. 228, p. 1268, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 53 - Stabilization of Supplies (§§ 731 — 746) › § 740 - Investigations; information; records; witnesses

(a) The Administrator is authorized to make such surveys or investigations, and to obtain such information, as he may deem necessary and proper to assist him in the establishment of any regulation and order under §§ 731—745 of this title, or in the administration and enforcement hereof, and of the regulations, orders, and price schedules adopted hereunder.
(b) The Administrator is further authorized, personally or by his delegates, by regulation or order, to require any person engaged in a business involving staple commodities to furnish, under oath or otherwise, such information, and to keep and maintain such records and other documents, and to make such reports, as may be necessary to effectuate the purposes of §§ 731—745 of this title, and he may further require such person to permit the inspection and copying of his records, inventories, and other documents. The Administrator may take declarations under oath either personally or through his delegates, and he shall have power, when necessary, to issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and the presentation of books and other documents.
(c) No person shall be excused from compliance with any requirement provided for in this section on the grounds of his privilege in regard to self-incrimination.
(d) All information obtained as a result of the aforementioned investigations shall be confidential insofar as not in conflict with the purposes for which it was obtained.
History —May 1, 1942, No. 228, p. 1268, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 53 - Stabilization of Supplies (§§ 731 — 746) › § 741 - Violations

(a) The sale or delivery by any person of any staple commodity, or the purchase or receipt in the course of business of any staple commodity in violation of any regulation or order issued hereunder, or of any price schedule in effect pursuant to the provisions hereof, or of any regulation or order, requirement or measure made or established under the provisions hereof, shall be illegal, notwithstanding any contract, agreement, lease or other obligation entered into prior to or subsequent to §§ 731—745 of this title; and it shall be illegal to promise, solicit, attempt to do, agree to do, or fail to do any of the things hereinabove enjoined or directed, or in any manner to commit or omit any act in violation of any regulation or order issued under §§ 731—745 of this title.
(b) It shall be unlawful for any officer or employee of the Government, or for any adviser or consultant to the Administrator, to disclose, unless necessary in the discharge of his official duties, any information obtained under §§ 731—745 of this title, or to use such information for personal profit.
History —May 12, 1942, No. 228, p. 1268, § 10; Dec. 31, 1946, No. 17, p. 124, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 53 - Stabilization of Supplies (§§ 731 — 746) › § 742 - Applications for reconsideration of regulations, orders, and price schedules; official notice

(a) Within the ten (10) days following the promulgation of any regulation or order, or of any price schedule, any person directly subject to the provisions of such regulation or order, or of such price schedule, may, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Administrator, file an application for reconsideration setting forth his objections to any such provisions, accompanying same with affidavits or other written proof in support of such objections. Any person subject to the provisions of any regulation or order, or of any price schedule, may file such application for reconsideration at any time after the expiration of the said ten (10) days, based solely on grounds originating subsequent to the expiration of the said ten (10) days. Within a reasonable period after the filing of any application for reconsideration under this section, but in no case after thirty (30) days from the filing thereof, and forty (40) days after the promulgation of the regulation, order or price schedule, the Administrator shall decide such application for reconsideration, fix a date for the hearing thereof, or provide an opportunity to introduce additional evidence in connection therewith; Provided, That every public hearing to be held shall be duly advertised in one (or) or more newspapers of general circulation in the Commonwealth. In case the Administrator dismisses, in whole or in part, any application for reconsideration, he shall notify the petitioner of the grounds for his decision, and of the data and facts of which the Administrator has taken official notice.
(b) In the administration of §§ 731—745 of this title the Administrator may take official notice of economic data and other facts, including facts verified by him pursuant to the investigations he may have made in accordance with §§ 731—745 of this title.
(c) Proceedings under this section may be limited by the Administrator to the filing of affidavits or other proof in writing, and to the presentation of pleadings.
History —May 12, 1942, No. 228, p. 1268, § 11.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 53 - Stabilization of Supplies (§§ 731 — 746) › § 743 - Judicial review of regulations, orders, and price schedules

(a) Any person aggrieved by the dismissal of his application for reconsideration may, within the ten (10) days following notice of such dismissal, file a petition with the Court of First Instance setting forth his objections and praying that the protested regulation, resolution or order be revoked in whole or in part. A copy of such petition shall be served on the Administrator, who shall certify and file with the court a transcription of such part of the proceedings in connection with the application for reconsideration as may be relevant to the petition. Such transcription shall include a statement, insofar as possible, of the economic data and other facts of which the Administrator has taken official notice. The court shall have jurisdiction, upon the filing of such petition, to revoke such regulation, resolution or order, in whole or in part, or to dismiss the petition, or to remand the proceedings.
(b) No regulation, resolution or order shall be revoked in whole or in part unless the petitioner shows and establishes to the satisfaction of the court that the regulation, resolution or order is contrary to law, or is arbitrary or capricious. The effectiveness of a judgment of the court revoking in whole or in part any regulation, resolution or order shall be postponed until the expiration of thirty (30) days from the filing thereof, unless a petition for a writ of certiorari is filed with the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico within such thirty (30) days, in which case the effectiveness of the judgment shall be postponed until an order of the Supreme Court dismissing such petition of certiorari is entered and becomes final, or until final disposition of the case is made by the Supreme Court.
(c) The filing of an application for reconsideration or review shall not stay the effects of the regulation, resolution or order challenged.
(d) No mandate, injunction, or other restrictive measure shall be issued which will prevent the enforcement of the regulations, resolutions or orders appealed from.
(e) Within ten (10) days after entry of judgment or interlocutory or final order by the Court of First Instance, a petition for a writ of certiorari may be filed in the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico, which petition shall be conducted in the manner established by law and by the regulations on the matter.
(f) Except as provided herein, no court shall have jurisdiction or power to prevent by injunction the promulgation of any regulation, resolution or order, or to prevent the effectiveness of a price schedule or of any provision of any such regulations, resolutions or orders, or to issue a writ of injunction to restrain the effectiveness and application of any such provision.
History —May 12, 1942, No. 228, p. 1268, § 12; June 20, 1958, No. 59, p. 132, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART III - Economic Stabilization (§§ 701 — 1155) › Chapter 53 - Stabilization of Supplies (§§ 731 — 746) › § 745 - Staple commodities fund—Trust fund

A special fund is hereby created in the Treasury of Puerto Rico which shall be known as “Staple Commodities Fund — Trust Fund”, which shall be at the disposal of the Consumers Service Administrator for the purpose of carrying out §§ 731—745 of this title.
The proceeds of any sale or transaction made by the Consumers Service Administrator, of commodities acquired by him, shall hereafter be reimbursed to the “Staple Commodities Fund — Trust Fund” as created by §§ 731—745 of this title, and shall be available to the Consumers Service Administrator to be invested or expended in accordance with the provisions of these sections.
History —May 12, 1942, No. 228, p. 1268, § 17; Dec. 7, 1942, No. 31, p. 172, § 1; June 6, 1969, No. 26, p. 42; June 5, 1973, No. 85, p. 376.