reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 32 - Cattle Theft Prevention Act (§§ 861 — 867) › § 867 - Penalties

Any person caught rustling cattle or in illegal possession or custody of stolen cattle, pursuant to the provisions of § 864 of this title, shall commit a felony and if convicted shall be sanctioned with the penalty of imprisonment for a fixed term of five (5) years. Should extenuating circumstance exist said penalty may be reduced for up to a minimum of ten (10) years; should aggravating circumstances exist said penalty may be increased for up to a maximum of fifteen (15) years, in both cases at the discretion of the court. Neither the value of the cattle seized nor the fact that the cattle in question have been recovered shall be a requirement for configuring said offense.
For the purposes of this chapter, the following circumstances shall be aggravating:
(a) That the person has been convicted before for violating the provisions of this chapter which constitute a felony.
(b) That the value of the cattle seized exceeds the amount of ten thousand dollars ($10,000).
(c) That during the commission of the offense significant damage has been done to the cattle or the installations, facilities or infrastructure where the cattle was found and from where it was taken.
(d) That during the commission of the offense bodily harm has been caused to any person other than the violators.
(e) That the cattle have been taken from their owner or from the person under its custody through violence or intimidation.
(f) That at the time of intervening with the violators any agent or inspector has been injured.
The court may also, at its discretion, impose the penalty of restitution for damages caused to the cattle as well as for the material losses and/or damages of any kind suffered by the injured parties when these have been the product of the criminal acts committed by the violators; the court may also impose the penalty of a fine of not less than five hundred dollars ($500) nor of more of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) besides the penalty of imprisonment already established. The application of this special act against its violators shall not hinder criminal prosecution for other offenses when in the commission of the acts in question other conducts typified as such in the Puerto Rico Penal Code and not contemplated or set forth in this legislation are subsumed.
History —Sept. 29, 2004, No. 517, § 8, eff. 120 days after Sept. 29, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 33 - Cooperatives (§§ 881 — 926) › § 910 - Auditing and investigation of cooperatives

The term “cooperatives” as used in §§ 910—914 of this title, shall include every association or group heretofore or hereafter organized under the provisions of former §§ 881—909 of this title and Act No. 10, approved July 1, 1947, or any other act heretofore or hereafter enacted to regulate the organization of cooperatives.
History —May 13, 1949, No. 312, p. 944, § 1; Apr. 19, 1950, No. 62, p. 154, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 33 - Cooperatives (§§ 881 — 926) › § 911 - Auditing and investigation of cooperatives—Auditing and investigation; personnel; expenses; remedial steps

The Inspector of Cooperatives is hereby authorized to audit and investigate the accounts, books, resolutions, transactions, properties, contracts, funds, investments and any other matters and activities connected with the financial situation and the operation of cooperatives. In order to carry out said measures, the Inspector of Cooperatives is hereby authorized to contract, with the approval of the Office of Management and the Budget, such professional and advisory services that are necessary, and to recruit the proper and necessary personnel, pursuant to Act No. 5 of October 14, 1975.
The Inspector of Cooperatives is also authorized, with the prior approval of the Office of Management and the Budget, to incur any expense needed to comply with the purposes of §§ 910—914 of this title, such as equipment, supplies and the space needed for the personnel contracted for or appointed, among others. Provided, That the Inspector of Cooperatives shall take all the necessary measures authorized by the existing legislation to correct any deficiencies found in the cooperatives as a result of the investigations.
History —May 13, 1949, No. 312, p. 944, § 2; Apr. 19, 1950, No. 62, p. 154, § 1; Nov. 29, 1990, No. 16, p. 1467.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 33 - Cooperatives (§§ 881 — 926) › § 912 - Auditing and investigation of cooperatives—Collection of costs

The Inspector of Cooperatives is hereby empowered to collect from every cooperative whose volume of business exceeds one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) a year, the total cost he may have incurred in connection with the audits or examinations he may perform regarding said cooperatives, and to cover the sums so collected into the Cooperatives Auditing Fund, the creation of which is authorized by §§ 910—914 of this title.
The Inspector of Cooperatives is hereby empowered to prepare the payment plans which in no case shall exceed the twelve months following the date of commencement of said plan, and to totally or partially condone the debt for the cost of the audits to those cooperatives whose financial situation is marginal or are operating at a loss, and thus justify it.
History —May 13, 1949, No. 312, p. 944, § 3; Apr. 19, 1950, No. 62, p. 154, § 1; May 20, 1979, No. 50, p. 109.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 33 - Cooperatives (§§ 881 — 926) › § 913 - Auditing and investigation of cooperatives—Appropriation

The sum of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) is hereby appropriated, from any available funds in the Commonwealth Treasury not otherwise appropriated, which sum shall be covered into the revolving fund created by § 914 of this title.
History —May 13, 1949, No. 312, p. 944, § 4, eff. July 1, 1949.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 33 - Cooperatives (§§ 881 — 926) › § 914 - Auditing and investigation of cooperatives—Cooperatives’ Auditing Fund

There is hereby created a revolving fund which shall be known as the “Cooperative Auditing Fund”, which shall be nourished from the appropriation provided in § 913 of this title, from the sums collected from cooperatives for services rendered in accordance with the provisions hereof, and from those monies whose source is authorized by any other legislation.
The Inspector of Cooperatives is hereby authorized, subject to the approval of the Management and Budget Office, to dispose of one hundred percent (100%) of the income of the Fund, for personnel, rental, equipment, transportation and supplies that, on his judgment are necessary to comply with the purposes and functions of the Office.
The Inspector of Cooperatives shall see that as of June 30 of each year, liquid resources equivalent to at least ten percent (10%) of the total budgeted expenses to be charged against said Fund.
History —May 13, 1949, No. 312, p. 944, § 5; Nov. 29, 1990, No. 16, p. 1467, § 2; June 15, 2003, No. 138, §§ 1, 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 33 - Cooperatives (§§ 881 — 926) › § 915 - Puerto Rico Production Credit Cooperative Association—Income tax exemption

To authorize and direct the Secretary of the Treasury, as he is hereby authorized and directed, to exempt from the payment of income taxes, retroactively to August 1, 1951, date on which the said Production Credit Cooperative Association, known as Puerto Rico Production Credit Association, ceased to enjoy the above mentioned tax exemptions by virtue of the said federal legislation of the Congress of the United States of America, all Production Credit Cooperative Associations created and organized pursuant to the Farm Credit Act of 1933, as amended, approved by the Congress of the United States of America in the year 1933, heretofore or hereafter established in this Commonwealth; Provided, That such exemption from the payment of such income taxes shall have retroactive effect to August 1, 1951.
History —May 12, 1952, No. 402, p. 806, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 33 - Cooperatives (§§ 881 — 926) › § 916 - Puerto Rico Production Credit Cooperative Association—Property tax exemption

The Secretary of the Treasury is likewise authorized and directed to exempt, retroactively to August 1, 1951, from payment of all taxes, imposts, or property tax the property belonging to the Production Credit Cooperative Associations heretofore or hereafter established in this Commonwealth pursuant to the Farm Credit Act of 1933, as amended, approved by the Congress of the United States of America in the year 1933; Provided, That the property whose exemption is hereby authorized shall be all articles and office furniture and motor vehicles belonging to and for the official use of said cooperative associations, as well as lands which, taken together, do not exceed five (5) cuerdas in area, and the buildings constructed on said lands and used exclusively for installing offices and machinery belonging to the said Production Credit Cooperative Associations, provided the value of said buildings and of the machinery installed therein does not exceed fifty thousand dollars ($50,000); Provided, likewise, That in the case of Production Credit Cooperative Associations whose lands exceed five (5) cuerdas and/or the value of the buildings and machinery exceeds fifty thousand dollars ($50,000), such Production Credit Cooperative Associations shall be bound to pay tax on the excess; Provided, likewise, That the tax exemption hereby authorized shall also include shares of stock issued by said Production Credit Cooperative Associations within the powers and faculties granted to them by the Farm Credit Act of 1933, as subsequently amended, and the regulations thereunder.
History —May 12, 1952, No. 402, p. 806, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 33 - Cooperatives (§§ 881 — 926) › § 917 - Puerto Rico Production Credit Cooperative Association—Treatment as cooperative associations

The Secretary of the Treasury is hereby authorized and directed to consider, for all tax purposes, the Puerto Rico Production Credit Association, or any other production credit cooperative association hereafter established in this Commonwealth pursuant to the Farm Credit Act of 1933, as amended, approved by the Congress of the United States in the year 1933, as if they were cooperative associations organized under the General Cooperative Associations Act of Puerto Rico, §§ 881—909 of this title.
History —May 12, 1952, No. 402, p. 806, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 33 - Cooperatives (§§ 881 — 926) › § 917a - Puerto Rico Production Credit Cooperative Association—Baltimore Bank for Cooperatives

The Baltimore Bank for Cooperatives, organized under the provisions of an act of the Congress of the United States of America entitled Farm Credit Act of 1933, is an institution of the United States which operates in a cooperative manner, and said bank, its properties, its franchise, capital, reserves, surplus and other funds, and its income, shall be exempt from the payment of taxes, imposts, and property taxes heretofore or hereafter levied by the laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The exemption herein granted shall have retroactive effect to January 1, 1969; Provided, That the exemption herein granted shall not apply to tangible real and personal property pertaining to said bank and subject to tax in the same manner as any other similar property subject to the payment of taxes under the law of the Commonwealth.
History —May 12, 1952, No. 402, p. 806, § 4; June 28, 1969, No. 123, p. 365.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 33 - Cooperatives (§§ 881 — 926) › § 918 - Consumer cooperatives exempt from municipal license taxes—Business done with members

The consumer cooperative associations duly organized pursuant to the provision of former §§ 881—909 of this title, known as the General Cooperative Associations Act of Puerto Rico, as subsequently amended, shall be exempt from payment of municipal license taxes authorized under the provisions of Act No. 26, approved March 28, 1914, known as the Municipal License Tax Act, as amended, with regard to the volume of business done by the said cooperative associations with their members.
History —June 20, 1955, No. 81, p. 300, § 2, eff. July 1, 1955.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 33 - Cooperatives (§§ 881 — 926) › § 919 - Consumer cooperatives exempt from municipal license taxes—Business done with other people

The municipalities, including the Municipality of San Juan, shall levy and collect municipal license taxes against consumer cooperatives on the volume of business they do with other people.
History —June 20, 1955, No. 81, p. 300, § 3, eff. July 1, 1955.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 33 - Cooperatives (§§ 881 — 926) › § 925 - Sale, lease, exchange of public land to cooperatives without call for bids

(a) The Commonwealth Government, the municipal governments and the Municipality of San Juan are hereby authorized to sell, lease and/or exchange their real property to and with cooperative associations incorporated pursuant to the laws of Puerto Rico without the prerequisite of a call for bids where required by law.
(b) The officials of the Commonwealth Government, the municipal governments and the Municipality of San Juan entrusted by law to execute such transactions shall carry out same at a reasonable price, provided said transactions are approved by the Governor of Puerto Rico as to their convenience for the public interests and the better development of the cooperative movement, and provided the Secretary of Justice renders a favorable report as to the legal aspects of such transactions.
(c) The alienations authorized by this section shall be carried out under the essential condition, which shall be a part of the sale contract, that the cooperative associations acquiring such real property shall be under obligation, in case of sale of said property, to resell same to the government entity from which they acquired it, if said entity is interested in reacquiring such real property and so informs the cooperative association not later than thirty (30) days after the latter has given notice of its purpose to sell it.
History —June 24, 1960, No. 97, p. 268, §§ 1-3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 33 - Cooperatives (§§ 881 — 926) › § 926 - Revolving Fund for Farm Machinery Cooperatives

(a) A revolving fund is hereby created in the Cooperative Development Administration to promote the organization of cooperatives to provide farm-machinery services to small and medium farmers of Puerto Rico.
(b) The Administrator of the Cooperative Development Administration is hereby empowered to use said revolving fund for the payment of incentives and the granting of loans to cooperatives duly organized for the purposes provided in this section; Provided, That the sum to be used as incentives shall not exceed one-third of the total of the fund.
(c) The Administrator of the Cooperative Development Administration shall establish by regulations for the purpose the norms for the granting of incentives and loans to the cooperatives thus organized; Provided, That the Administrator shall have discretion to determine the conditions of the loans.
(d) The amount loaned shall be repaid without interest within a period not exceeding 20 years.
(e) The government agencies having in their possession equipment and/or farm machinery facilities are hereby authorized to transfer them, free of charge, to the Cooperative Development Administration, so that the latter may, in its discretion, sell, lease or cede them gratuitously to the farm-machinery service cooperatives heretofore or hereafter organized in Puerto Rico.
History —June 5, 1963, No. 44, p. 63, §§ 1—5, eff. July 1, 1963.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 35 - Farm Membership Organizations (§§ 941 — 962) › § 941 - Farm Bureaus—Organization authorized

The Secretary of Agriculture, hereinafter referred to as the Secretary, is hereby authorized to organize farm bureaus in those districts, municipalities or barrios where the spirit of cooperation and education of the farmers may warrant their unselfish association for the purpose of promoting, in close cooperation with the Department of Agriculture, the improvement of agricultural conditions and the welfare of the laborers; Provided, That whenever a group of natural persons of any district, municipality or barrio, whose incomes derive principally from agricultural activities, may ask of the Secretary to call a meeting for the purpose of organizing a farm bureau, he shall proceed to organize the same in accordance with the provisions of §§ 941–952 of this title.
History —Apr. 30, 1951, No. 167, p. 400, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 35 - Farm Membership Organizations (§§ 941 — 962) › § 942 - Farm Bureaus—Purpose

The main purpose of the farm bureaus shall be to organize the small landholders and peasants; to provide for them contact services with the programs of other agricultural agencies, federal or Commonwealth, operating in the Commonwealth; to help them in obtaining the best varieties of plants and fruits, supplies and farm equipment, and to orient them within the powers and objectives of the Department of Agriculture, in the scientific use of the production and marketing facilities of farm products, and of any other service of general usefulness to the farmers as may further the promotion and welfare of agriculture and of those who depend on agriculture for their support. Farm bureaus shall have no speculative purposes whatsoever, and shall be organized in accordance with the provisions of Act No. 22 of the Legislature of Puerto Rico entitled “An Act to incorporate associations not for pecuniary profit”, approved March 9, 1911, and they are hereby authorized to solicit the purchase and supply of farm products.
History —Apr. 30, 1951, No. 167, p. 400, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 35 - Farm Membership Organizations (§§ 941 — 962) › § 943 - Farm Bureaus—Organization procedure

Whenever a group of not less than fifteen natural persons, whose incomes derive principally from agricultural activities, may wish to organize a farm bureau pursuant to §§ 941-952 of this title, it shall so notify the Secretary, who shall proceed to call them to a general meeting on the date designated by him so as to organize the farm bureau. In said general meeting and once the farm bureau has been organized, a board of directors shall be appointed from among its members, to be composed of a chairman, a vice-chairman, a secretary, a treasurer and one or three directors, as may be agreed. The farm bureau so organized may accept new members, when it may deem it advisable, without other requirement than to be natural individuals whose incomes derive principally from agricultural activities and who are willing to pay the annual assessment fixed by § 945 of this title.
History —Apr. 30, 1951, No. 167, p. 400, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 35 - Farm Membership Organizations (§§ 941 — 962) › § 944 - Farm Bureaus—Articles of incorporation and bylaws

Every farm bureau organized pursuant to § 943 of this title shall submit to the approval of the Secretary its articles of incorporation and its bylaws, without which prerequisite it may not avail itself of the benefits of §§ 941-952 of this title.
History —Apr. 30, 1951, No. 167, p. 400, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 35 - Farm Membership Organizations (§§ 941 — 962) › § 945 - Farm Bureaus—Assessments; governmental contribution

The annual membership assessment shall be not less than one dollar ($1) for each fiscal year; Provided, That the Commonwealth Government shall contribute a sum double the total amount collected as assessments, and said receipts shall be covered into the fund of the bureau.
History —Apr. 30, 1951, No. 167, p. 400, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 35 - Farm Membership Organizations (§§ 941 — 962) › § 946 - Farm Bureaus—Additional revenue

In addition to the receipts derived from assessments, the farm bureaus may receive the total sums resulting from their operation as such associations, as well as the receipts derived from the operation of the Agricultural Service Centers, coexistent therewith.
History —Apr. 30, 1951, No. 167, p. 400, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 35 - Farm Membership Organizations (§§ 941 — 962) › § 947 - Farm Bureaus—Annual convention; plan; budget

Every farm bureau shall hold a regular annual convention on the date fixed in its bylaws. At said convention there shall be discussed and approved, in the presence of the Secretary or his representative, the general plan of projects and works to be followed, with such periodic revisions as circumstances may determine to be most advisable, and the execution of which plan shall be entrusted to the representative of the Department of Agriculture in said district or municipality; Provided, That the administrative phase of said plan shall always be in [the] charge of the board of directors of the farm bureau; and Provided, further, That the budget of receipts and expenditures, prepared by the board of directors with the approval of the Secretary, shall be covered from the fund of the said farm bureau.
History —Apr. 30, 1951, No. 167, p. 400, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 35 - Farm Membership Organizations (§§ 941 — 962) › § 948 - Farm Bureaus—Use of funds

Upon authorization of the Secretary, the funds of the farm bureaus may be used for the acquisition of machinery and equipment for the industrialization of agricultural products, for the purchase of farm implements and/or machinery, and of agricultural supplies such as seeds, fertilizers, insecticides, fungicides, veterinary products, etc., as well as to make loans to other farm bureaus when their financial condition may so permit; Provided, That the articles and goods acquired by virtue of this section may, once they are acquired by the farm bureau, be sold to its associates at cost price; and Provided, further, That said purchases may be made directly by the Secretary or by the representative designated by him, without the intervention of the Service Office of the Department of the Treasury.
History —Apr. 30, 1951, No. 167, p. 400, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 35 - Farm Membership Organizations (§§ 941 — 962) › § 949 - Farm Bureaus—Loans

Such farm bureaus as are on a sound financial condition are hereby authorized to make short-term loans to other bureaus in need of such loans, provided said loans are secured in some way and are to be used for the ends and purposes for which the farm bureaus have been created.
Said loans shall be transacted through the board of directors of the farm bureaus, subject to the approval of the Secretary.
History —Apr. 30, 1951, No. 167, p. 400, § 10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 35 - Farm Membership Organizations (§§ 941 — 962) › § 950 - Farm Bureaus—Reimbursement to fund; inspection and audit

The Secretary of the Treasury shall, upon request of the Secretary of Agriculture, assign and set aside from the fund of the corresponding bureau, the sums provided by the preceding sections, and said official shall make provision for the reimbursement thereof to the said fund in the proper cases; Provided, That the funds of the farm bureaus shall at all times be subject to the inspection and audit of the Comptroller; and Provided, further, That in the case of losses due to decomposition of agricultural products acquired chargeable to the funds of the bureaus, once said losses are accredited upon presentation of a certificate of seizure issued by a sanitation officer of the Department of Health, the farm bureau shall be released from the reimbursement to the fund of the amount of said losses.
History —Apr. 30, 1951, No. 167, p. 400, § 11.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 35 - Farm Membership Organizations (§§ 941 — 962) › § 951 - Farm Bureaus—Dissolution to organize or join cooperative

The farm bureaus organized under §§ 941—952 of this title are hereby authorized, when they so deem it advisable and upon the approval of the Secretary, to dissolve for the purpose of organizing into cooperatives or to join cooperatives already existing; Provided, That whenever any farm bureau may so resolve by the vote of not less than three-fourths of its total active members, the Secretary shall notify such resolution to the Secretary of the Treasury, who shall transfer any funds and personal or real property on hand of the said farm bureau to the cooperative which its members may organize, or to the one they may join; and Provided, further, That upon making said transfer, there shall be assigned to each member the share pertaining to him of such funds and property, in accordance with the procedure of the General Cooperatives Act to this respect.
History —Apr. 30, 1951, No. 167, p. 400, § 12.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 35 - Farm Membership Organizations (§§ 941 — 962) › § 952 - Farm Bureaus—Disposition of funds upon dissolution without becoming cooperative

The funds available in the Commonwealth treasury, belonging to those farm bureaus created under Act No. 31 of April 25, 1930, as amended, and which were dissolved without constituting themselves into cooperatives, or to those farm bureaus that may hereafter dissolve without constituting themselves into cooperatives, shall be covered into the general funds of the Treasury of Puerto Rico.
History —Apr. 30, 1951, No. 167, p. 400, § 14.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 35 - Farm Membership Organizations (§§ 941 — 962) › § 953 - 4-H Clubs—Formation

The formation and establishment of 4-H Clubs shall form part of the program of activities of the Agricultural Extension Service of the College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts of the University of Puerto Rico, in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture of the United States of America. These 4-H Clubs shall be composed exclusively of young persons of both sexes between the ages of ten (10) and twenty (20) years, residents of the rural districts of Puerto Rico; and said 4-H Clubs shall give its members an objective education for rural families, by practical demonstrations of agricultural and domestic matters.
History —May 11, 1937, No. 90, p. 225, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 35 - Farm Membership Organizations (§§ 941 — 962) › § 954 - 4-H Clubs—Fund for Promotion

The sum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) is appropriated out of any funds in the Treasury of Puerto Rico not otherwise appropriated, which sum shall be covered into a fund to be known as Fund for the Promotion of 4-H Clubs in Puerto Rico; Provided, That the term 4-H Clubs in Puerto Rico shall include those clubs formed by and under the direction of the Agricultural Extension Service of the College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts of the University of Puerto Rico.
History —May 11, 1937, No. 90, p. 225, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 35 - Farm Membership Organizations (§§ 941 — 962) › § 955 - 4-H Clubs—Commission for Promotion

The Fund for the Promotion of 4-H Clubs in Puerto Rico shall be under the control and administration of the Commission for the Promotion of 4-H Clubs in Puerto Rico, which shall consist of the Secretary of Agriculture of Puerto Rico, who shall be its chairman, the Director of the Agricultural Extension Service, and a bona fide farmer appointed by the Governor of Puerto Rico with the consent of the Senate of Puerto Rico.
History —May 11, 1937, No. 90, p. 225, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 35 - Farm Membership Organizations (§§ 941 — 962) › § 956 - 4-H Clubs—Powers of Commission

The Commission for the Promotion of 4-H Clubs created by §§ 953—957 of this title shall have power:
(a) To administer the Fund for the Promotion of 4-H Clubs in Puerto Rico hereby created.
(b) To cooperate with the members of 4-H Clubs duly constituted under the direction of the Agricultural Extension Service of the College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts of the University of Puerto Rico, in the promotion and development of said 4-H Clubs. It shall be the duty of said Commission to offer the 4-H Clubs duly organized by the said Agricultural Extension Service, all the aid necessary so that they may function properly.
History —May 11, 1937, No. 90, p. 225, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 35 - Farm Membership Organizations (§§ 941 — 962) › § 957 - 4-H Clubs—Regulations; loans to members

After the Commission for the Promotion of 4-H Clubs in Puerto Rico is constituted, it may prescribe such rules and regulations as may be necessary for the application of §§ 953—957 of this title, including loans to the members of the said 4-H Clubs in such form and under such conditions as said Commission may deem advisable, in order to attain the purposes of §§ 953—957 of this title, and said rules and regulations shall have the force of law.
History —May 11, 1937, No. 90, p. 225, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 35 - Farm Membership Organizations (§§ 941 — 962) › § 958 - Future Farmers of America—Loan and Award Fund

A “Loan and Award Fund for the Future Farmers of America Association, Puerto Rico Chapter”, attached to the Department of Education, is hereby created, which shall be nourished from forty percent (40%) of the proceeds of the sale of agricultural products and animals of the Second Rural Units, high schools where courses in vocational agriculture are taught and of other similar schools heretofore or hereafter established, as well as any other receipts and donations from other sources as these are collected by the Receiving Officer of these schools. Furthermore, the Secretary of the Treasury is hereby directed to credit to said Fund the proceeds of the sale or lease by the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works of such lands and accessions acquired for said schools as, according to resolution approved by the Commonwealth Board of Vocational Education, are no longer necessary or useful for the Agricultural Education Program.
History —Apr. 17, 1946, No. 341, p. 924, § 1; May 14, 1947, No. 445, p. 940, § 1; June 26, 1961, No. 119, p. 259, § 1; June 22, 1971, No. 57, p. 185; Nov. 30, 2006, No. 257, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 35 - Farm Membership Organizations (§§ 941 — 962) › § 959 - Future Farmers of America—Receipts deposited in bank

Such receipts shall be deposited in a bank by the Receiving Officer of such schools in accordance with the regulations established by the Department of Education in coordination with the Department of the Treasury of Puerto Rico.
History —Apr. 17, 1946, No. 341, p. 924, § 2; June 22, 1971, No. 57, p. 185; Nov. 30, 2006, No. 257, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 35 - Farm Membership Organizations (§§ 941 — 962) › § 960 - Future Farmers of America—Loan and Award Administrative Board

This Fund shall be allocated annually to a board which shall be known as the “Loan and Award Administrative Board of the Future Farmers of America, Puerto Rico Chapter”, which shall be composed of the Assistant Secretary of Vocational and Technical Education of the Department of Education, the Director of the Agricultural Education Program of said Department, who in turn shall be the Commonwealth Advisor of the Future Farmers of America Association, and by the President, the Executive Secretary and the Commonwealth Treasurer of this Association. These five (5) members shall elect four (4) additional members who shall be a regional supervisor of vocational agriculture, a director of a high school where courses of vocational agriculture are taught, and two (2) teachers of vocational agriculture holding office at the time of their election. The names of these four (4) members shall be submitted by the Director of the Agricultural Education Program and confirmed by said Board.
History —Apr. 17, 1946, No. 341, p. 924, § 3; June 21, 1971, No. 57, p. 185; Nov. 30, 2006, No. 257, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 35 - Farm Membership Organizations (§§ 941 — 962) › § 961 - Future Farmers of America—Administration of funds

This Board shall administer the funds collected from the sale of agricultural products and animals of the Second Rural Units, high schools where courses in vocational agriculture are taught and other similar schools heretofore or hereafter established in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and any other receipts or donations received; shall determine the manner in which the loans and awards shall be granted to the members of the Future Farmers of America Association, Puerto Rico Chapter, and to other students enrolled in the Vocational Agriculture Program; Provided, That if in the judgment of the Board it should be convenient, the same may enter into contracts with banking or financial institutions for the granting of loans to said students secured by the Loan and Award Fund, for which the Board shall determine the amount of the reserve which shall serve as security to these loans; shall establish the terms as to time and solvency for the loans granted by it; shall appoint, chargeable to these Funds, the administrative personnel necessary to carry out its functions, which shall be included in the Exempt Service; shall propose to the Secretary of Education of Puerto Rico the name of the person who shall act as disbursing officer, which person shall meet the qualifications and give the securities demanded by the regulations promulgated by said Secretary; Provided, That up to thirty percent (30%) of the balance available as of June 30 of each fiscal year not expended for the purposes hereinbefore stated, shall be used thereafter for the purchase of fertilizers, seeds, animals, agricultural equipment, for expenses incurred in the Conventions of the Future Farmers of America, for traveling expenses of the employees and members of the Board in official functions, and may further be used to pay the expenses incurred in the school farms and high schools where courses in vocational agriculture are taught and in other similar schools heretofore or hereafter established in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, in the manner also prescribed by regulations of the Department of Education of Puerto Rico, in coordination with the Department of the Treasury.
History —Apr. 17, 1946, No. 341, p. 924, § 4; May 5, 1949, No. 185, p. 584, § 1; June 22, 1971, No. 57, p. 185; Nov. 30, 2006, No. 257, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 35 - Farm Membership Organizations (§§ 941 — 962) › § 962 - Future Farmers of America—Regulations

The Loan and Award Administrative Board of the Future Farmers of America, Puerto Rico Chapter, shall prepare a regulation in which shall be determined the manner said Board shall be organized as regards the appointment of its directors and terms of office; shall establish all the conditions and requirements necessary for the granting of loans and awards. Executive and subordinate personnel positions shall be created for the administration of the Fund, and their salaries and qualifications shall be fixed. The regulations shall be written and approved within a maximum term of one hundred and twenty (120) days pursuant to the provisions of §§ 2101 et seq. of Title 3, known as the “Uniform Administrative Procedure Act”.
History —Apr. 17, 1946, No. 341, p. 924, § 5; June 22, 1971, No. 57, p. 185; Nov. 30, 2006, No. 257, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 36 - Cooperative Development Company (§§ 981 — 981y) › § 981a - Definitions

The following terms, wherever used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings, except where the context clearly indicates otherwise:
(a) Company. — Means the Puerto Rico Cooperative Development Company created by this chapter.
(b) Bonds. — Means bonds, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness or obligations.
(c) Subsidiary. — Means any enterprise owned, controlled, or managed by the Company.
(d) Administrator. — Means the Cooperative Development Administrator.
(e) Administration. — Means the Cooperative Development Administration.
Words importing the singular number shall include the plural and vice versa, and words importing persons shall include firms, partnerships and corporations.
History —June 21, 1966, No. 90, p. 288, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 36 - Cooperative Development Company (§§ 981 — 981y) › § 981b - Legislative intent

It is the intent of this Legislative Assembly that the Company develop activities and facilities that will further the swiftest expansion of the Puerto Rican cooperative movement.
History —June 21, 1966, No. 90, p. 288, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 36 - Cooperative Development Company (§§ 981 — 981y) › § 981c - Tax exemptions

The Corporation, as well as its associated companies or subsidiary corporations fully controlled by the Corporation shall be exempt from the payment of all kinds of commonwealth or municipal fees, taxes, imposts, or tariffs heretofore or hereafter required. This exemption covers payment of charges for licenses, patents, permits, and registrations, as well as payment of fees for the execution of all kinds of documents; the prosecution of proceedings of whatever nature; any registration or operation in the Property Registry or any other office of the Commonwealth; and the issuance of certifications by the Property Registry or any other office.
History —June 21, 1966, No. 90, p. 288, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 36 - Cooperative Development Company (§§ 981 — 981y) › § 981d - Creation; personality

(a) There is hereby created a public corporation and instrumentality of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico under the name of “Puerto Rico Cooperative Development Company”.
(b) The Company shall be attached to the Cooperative Development Administration of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
(c) The Company’s power shall be vested in and exercised by the Administrator, who shall preside over the Company.
(d) The Company shall have juridical personality independently of any officer thereof, the Commonwealth Government, and the other public corporations. Its activities shall not pledge the credit of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or its political subdivisions.
(e) [Repealed by Act Aug. 9, 1995, No. 135, § 1.]
History —June 21, 1966, No. 90, p. 288, § 5; Aug. 9, 1995, No. 135, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 36 - Cooperative Development Company (§§ 981 — 981y) › § 981e - Activities

(a) The Company shall foster, by such means as it may deem most desirable, the development and expansion of cooperative enterprises by helping them promote, initiate, and maintain in operation all kinds of economic activities.
(b) It may participate in activities tending to the development of cooperative enterprises, either solely on its account or through adequate participation with private or governmental entities, or through investments by third parties in undertakings of the Company.
(c) It shall direct its work program toward achieving that the cooperative development of Puerto Rico be attained in as much an integrated manner as possible with the growth of the Puerto Rican community.
History —June 21, 1966, No. 90, p. 288, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 36 - Cooperative Development Company (§§ 981 — 981y) › § 981g - Loans

(a) The Company may grant loans to any cooperative society for the establishment, maintenance, operation, reconstruction, and improvement of cooperative facilities necessary for its operation.
(b) In the granting of loans the Company shall abide by the provisions of § 981b of this title.
(c) The Company shall fix the rate of interest, the due date, and all other conditions of the loans granted by it. It shall also determine the kind and value of the security required for granting such loans.
(d) In granting loans, the Company shall ascertain that the financing sought cannot be obtained under reasonable terms from other credit sources, and that the borrower can honor his debt.
History —June 21, 1966, No. 90, p. 288, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 36 - Cooperative Development Company (§§ 981 — 981y) › § 981i - Acceptance of funds

The Company may receive funds through gifts, subsidies, appropriations, advances, loans, and other like payments from federal, commonwealth, and municipal government entities, and from private persons and entities, for the carrying out of its purposes. It may covenant with such government entities or private persons and entities for the use of such funds.
History —June 21, 1966, No. 90, p. 288, § 10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 36 - Cooperative Development Company (§§ 981 — 981y) › § 981j - Executive Director

(a) The Executive Director of the Company shall be appointed by the Administrator, subject to approval by the Governor. He shall hold office at the pleasure of the Administrator. His compensation shall be such as the latter may determine.
(b) The Executive Director shall direct and supervise all the activities of the Company, according to the rules set in this chapter and in the Company’s bylaws.
(c) All other officers of the Company shall be appointed by the Executive Director of the Company with the approval of the Administrator, their powers and duties to be determined in accordance with the Company’s bylaws.
History —June 21, 1966, No. 90, p. 288, § 11.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 36 - Cooperative Development Company (§§ 981 — 981y) › § 981k - Personnel

(a) The employees of the Company shall be included within the Exempt Service under Act No. 345 of May 12, 1947, as amended, known as the Personnel Act.
(b) Any commonwealth officers or employees that shall have been appointed to a position in the Company who, prior to said appointment, were beneficiaries of any existing pension, retirement or savings and loan fund system or systems, shall have the rights, privileges, obligations, and status with respect to such system or systems that are now prescribed by law for officers and employees holding similar positions in the Commonwealth Government.
(c) All employees so appointed to positions in the Company who, at the time of their appointment, held or shall have held positions in the Commonwealth Government or had any rights or status under the rules and classifications in force pursuant to the Puerto Rico personnel laws, shall have the same status with respect to employment or refund in the service of the Commonwealth Government as they had at the time they entered the service of the Company, or such better or higher right or status as the Puerto Rico Personnel Office shall consider to be consistent with advancement attained in the Company.
(d) All officers and employees of the Company who, at the time of their appointment, had or shall later acquire, some right or status under the rules and classifications of the Puerto Rico Personnel Office for appointment to any similar position in the Commonwealth Government shall have, upon request, the same rights, privileges, obligations, and status, with respect to becoming beneficiaries of any existing pension, retirement or savings and loan fund system or systems, as if they had been appointed to similar positions in the Commonwealth Government. The Company shall be subject to the provisions of the Minimum Wage Act.
(e) No person shall hold any office or employment in the Company who has a substantial direct or indirect financial interest in any private enterprise operated with capital provided by the Company or whose business is in competition with any of the businesses engaged in by the Company. This restriction does not apply to the holding of shares in cooperative associations, nor shall limit the rights of said person to share in such associations by virtue of their holding such shares.
History —June 21, 1966, No. 90, p. 288, § 12.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 36 - Cooperative Development Company (§§ 981 — 981y) › § 981l - Bylaws

The Company’s bylaws shall provide for the government of its own internal affairs. The bylaws shall be approved, amended, or repealed, by the Administrator. The bylaws or amendments thereto, or their partial or total repeal, shall be effective when duly entered in the official minute book of the Company, after approved in writing by the said Administrator.
History —June 21, 1966, No. 90, p. 288, § 13.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 36 - Cooperative Development Company (§§ 981 — 981y) › § 981m - Deposits; accounting system; audit of accounts

(a) All moneys of the Company shall be deposited in qualified depositories for funds of the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The accounts shall be in the name of the Company. Disbursements shall be made by it pursuant to the applicable regulations and the budgets approved by the Administrator.
(b) The Company shall, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, establish the accounting system required for the proper statistical control and record of all expenses and income belonging to or managed by the Company. The Company’s accounts shall be kept in such manner as appropriately to segregate same in respect of the different classes of activities of the Company.
(c) The Comptroller of the Commonwealth shall audit all accounts and books of the Company and shall render a report on his auditing to the Legislative Assembly, the Governor and the Administrator.
History —June 21, 1966, No. 90, p. 288, § 14.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 36 - Cooperative Development Company (§§ 981 — 981y) › § 981o - Bonds or obligations—Responsibility

The bonds and other obligations issued by the Company shall not be a debt of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or any of its municipalities or other political subdivisions. Neither the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico nor any such municipalities or other political subdivisions shall be liable thereon, nor shall such bonds or other obligations be payable out of any funds other than those of the Company.
History —June 21, 1966, No. 90, p. 288, § 16.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 36 - Cooperative Development Company (§§ 981 — 981y) › § 981p - Bonds or obligations—Acceptance by fiduciary

The bonds and obligations of the Company shall be lawful investment, and may be accepted as security for all fiduciary, trust and public funds, the investment or deposit of which shall be under the authority or control of the Government of Puerto Rico or any officer or officers thereof.
History —June 21, 1966, No. 90, p. 288, § 17.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 36 - Cooperative Development Company (§§ 981 — 981y) › § 981q - Bonds or obligations—Tax exemptions

The bonds and obligations issued by the Company, as well as the interest or income deriving therefrom, shall be and remain at all times exempt from taxes or imposts of the Commonwealth Government of Puerto Rico and any political subdivision thereof.
History —June 21, 1966, No. 90, p. 288, § 18.