reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 75 - Cattle Industry (§§ 3001 — 3012) › § 3012 - Penalties

Any person who violates or refuses to comply with the provisions of §§ 3001—3012 of this title, or of any regulation, order or resolution of the Administrator issued thereby, shall incur a misdemeanor and upon conviction, shall be punished with a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100), nor more than two hundred dollars ($200) for the first conviction; and for each subsequent violation, shall be punished with a fine of not less than two hundred dollars ($200) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500).
The slaughterhouse owner or administrator who does not collect and/or pay the fees in the manner provided in §§ 3001—3012 of this title or in the regulations approved by virtue thereof, shall incur a misdemeanor which shall entail the imposition of a fine of five hundred dollars ($500) for each violation.
An unextendable term of thirty (30) days shall be granted to any person convicted of violating the collection obligations imposed by § 3007 of this title, to pay the sums he/she has not reimbursed to the Department of the Treasury, or in default thereof, the court shall order his/her imprisonment until such an obligation has been fulfilled.
The Secretary of Agriculture is hereby empowered to impose administrative fines up to an amount of five hundred dollars ($500) for the first time, and of up to one thousand dollars ($1,000) for any subsequent violation, when it is found that the provisions of §§ 3001—3012 of this title or the regulations promulgated hereunder have not been complied with.
History —Nov. 29, 1992, No. 95, § 13, eff. 60 days after Nov. 29, 1992.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 77 - Agriculture and Livestock Industries Organization (§§ 3051 — 3061) › § 3051 - Definitions

The following terms shall have the meaning stated below:
(a) Manufacturer. — Means the person who owns, manages, or is in charge of an establishment engaged in the production of agricultural and livestock animal products and byproducts.
(b) Industry. — Means each of the specific agricultural and livestock activities.
(c) Surplus. — Means production in excess of the agricultural and livestock market needs which can be used to manufacture byproducts among other uses.
(d) Agriculture and livestock industries. — Means all the agriculture and livestock industries currently in production in Puerto Rico, as well as any other that emerges in the future.
(e) Intermediary. — Means the person who owns, manages, or is in charge of marketing agriculture and livestock industry produce in one or several phases of the marketing process.
(f) Office. — Means the Puerto Rico Agriculture and Livestock Industry Regulating Office.
(g) Regulating officer. — Means the official designated by the Secretary of Agriculture to develop the regulation of the agriculture and livestock industries.
(h) Person. — Means any individual, corporation, association, cooperative, partnership, or any other type of organization permitted by law.
(i) Producer. — Means a person who owns, manages, leases, or is in charge of a farm devoted to agriculture and livestock production for commercial purposes.
(j) Secretary. — Means the Secretary of Agriculture of Puerto Rico.
(k) Sector. — Means the group of persons engaged in a similar activity within an agriculture and livestock industry, such as coffee growers, processors and exploiters.
History —Sept. 18, 1996, No. 238, § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 1997.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 77 - Agriculture and Livestock Industries Organization (§§ 3051 — 3061) › § 3052 - Creation

The Puerto Rico Agriculture and Livestock Industry Regulating Office is hereby created, and attached to the Department of Agriculture. Its operations shall be funded from the resources provided in the consolidated budget of the Department of Agriculture.
The Secretary is hereby empowered to restructure said Department to provide the resources needed for the operation of this Office.
The Secretary shall appoint a Regulating Officer in the Department, who will direct the Office. Said Regulating Officer shall perform his/her functions at the volition of the Secretary. The Officer shall be an agronomist of acknowledged competence and moral probity, and who is qualified as a director of agricultural programs.
History —Sept. 18, 1996, No. 238, § 3, eff. Jan. 1, 1997.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 77 - Agriculture and Livestock Industries Organization (§§ 3051 — 3061) › § 3054 - Government cooperation

All departments, agencies, corporations, authorities, offices and political subdivisions of the Government of Puerto Rico shall cooperate with the Regulating Officer and furnish, free of any charge, expense or fee, all official information, copies of books, brochures, publications or issues, certified copies of documents, statistics, and compilation of data, and any additional information requested for official use of the Office.
History —Sept. 18, 1996, No. 238, § 5, eff. Jan. 1, 1997.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 77 - Agriculture and Livestock Industries Organization (§§ 3051 — 3061) › § 3055 - Administrative boards

(a) The administrative boards shall be constituted in equal parts for each sector, with a minimum of one (1) representative for each of the sectors composing the same.
Representatives of the producers shall be elected when the Secretary decrees the initiation of the regulating process of an industry, in an assembly convened by the Regulating Officer through the various recognized entities, groups and organizations with an interest in the production sector of said industry; Provided, That three (3) candidates shall be submitted for each position.
Said members shall be bona fide farmers and have not less than three (3) years of experience in the sector for which they shall be elected.
Representatives of all other sectors shall be appointed by selection in an assembly called by the Regulating Officer.
(b) The appointment of the members of the administrative boards shall be made within thirty (30) days following the date the official decree to commence the regulation of each agriculture and livestock industry, was issued. Their appointments shall be made in staggered terms, for a maximum period of two (2) years.
(c) The Board, in coordination with the Regulating Officer, shall consult the regulatory process to be instituted, with the components of each industry.
(d) Each administrative board, pursuant to the public policy of the government, shall have the power to regulate and arrange all phases of each agriculture livestock industry of Puerto Rico in matters of production, manufacture, processing, storage, purchasing and selling, marketing, transportation, and distribution.
History —Sept. 18, 1996, No. 238, § 6, eff. Jan. 1, 1997.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 77 - Agriculture and Livestock Industries Organization (§§ 3051 — 3061) › § 3056 - Development funds

(a) Each sector or group of sectors shall create a fund to promote the development of the production and marketing of its products. This fund shall be used to foster the development of the industry, by promoting the production, sale, marketing, manufacture and consumption of the products related to said enterprise, as well as any other efforts needed for its development.
(b) Said funds shall be nourished with the contributions of components of the sector or groups of sectors. The amount of the contributions shall be determined by the Administrative Board, after consulting said components. It shall also be nourished by any other financial source made available to each fund by its components.
(c) The Administrative Board of each regulated industry shall act as the Administrative Board of the fund created for said industry.
(d) When the situation of the sector or groups of sectors and the financial condition of the fund so warrant, the Board shall request the Regulating Officer to adjust the amount of the contribution for each sector. Should the Regulating Officer deem that it is necessary to adjust the contribution, he/she shall hold public hearings for such purposes and announce in a newspaper of general circulation, the date on which these shall be held not less than ten (10) days prior to the date chosen, pursuant to the procedure established by this chapter, and he/she must have the authorization of the Development Fund Administrative Board for such action.
(e) All moneys of the fund shall be deposited in those banking institutions determined by the Board, but recognized as depositaries for the funds of the Government of Puerto Rico, which shall be kept in an account or accounts registered to the name of the fund. Collections and disbursements shall be made pursuant to the regulations adopted by the Administrative Board. Disbursements shall not be pre-audited by the Secretary of the Treasury.
In administering the development fund of each organized sector, the administrative board or board of directors thereof may exercise all the powers conferred by law to private corporations, as any natural or juridical person. The Board may appoint and hire the personnel needed to meet the purposes of this chapter without being subject to any personnel and human resources laws that apply to the public sector, and may procure goods and services without being subject to the laws that apply to said transactions in the government sector, but in carrying out such duties, it shall abide by the standard business practices of the private sector.
History —Sept. 18, 1996, No. 238, § 7; Aug. 5, 2011, No. 169, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 77 - Agriculture and Livestock Industries Organization (§§ 3051 — 3061) › § 3057 - Procedures

(a) The Administrative Boards shall have the power to approve their own bylaws and establish the internal procedures needed for their proper functioning.
History —Sept. 18, 1996, No. 238, § 8, eff. Jan. 1, 1997.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 77 - Agriculture and Livestock Industries Organization (§§ 3051 — 3061) › § 3058 - Violations and penalties

(a) The administrative boards may impose a fine of not less than two hundred dollars ($200) and not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) in each case, on any person who violates the provisions of this chapter or the regulations promulgated hereunder.
(b) In the event that a person fails to comply with any order or resolution issued by the administrative boards, a fine may be imposed that shall not exceed five hundred dollars ($500) for each case.
(c) Any person who violates the provisions of this chapter may be prevented from participating in the incentive and subsidy programs for the sector or groups of sectors group pursuant to the regulations established for such purposes, and of §§ 10401 et seq. of Title 13, known as the “Agricultural Incentives Tax Act of Puerto Rico”.
History —Sept. 18, 1996, No. 238, § 9, eff. Jan. 1, 1997.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 77 - Agriculture and Livestock Industries Organization (§§ 3051 — 3061) › § 3059 - Report

The boards shall submit a report to the Secretary on their activities during the preceding fiscal year, including information, data and recommendations related to matters addressed under this chapter.
History —Sept. 18, 1996, No. 238, § 10, eff. Jan. 1, 1997.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 77 - Agriculture and Livestock Industries Organization (§§ 3051 — 3061) › § 3060 - Sanitation laws

None of the provisions of this chapter or the regulations approved hereunder shall have the effect of repealing or amending any sanitation laws that regulate the agriculture and livestock industries of Puerto Rico.
History —Sept. 18, 1996, No. 238, § 11, eff. Jan. 1, 1997.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 77 - Agriculture and Livestock Industries Organization (§§ 3051 — 3061) › § 3061 - Reassignment of related programs

The Dairy Industry Regulating Office, the Puerto Rican Thoroughbred Paso Fino Horse Industry Development and Regulation Office, the Office for the Regulation and Promotion of the Beef Industry, and the Fishing and Aquaculture Industry Council shall be attached to the Puerto Rico Agriculture and Livestock Industry Regulating Office.
All programs related to the agriculture and livestock industry of Puerto Rico and their corresponding budget appropriations shall be transferred by the Secretary to the fund for the development of each regulated agriculture and livestock industry, to the extent that said entity progresses in its development and has, in the judgment of the Secretary, the capacity to administer the same, through an agreement between the parties.
This transfer, together with the process to commence the agriculture and livestock industry regulation, shall begin with the industry determined by the Secretary, at his discretion.
The board of said industry shall submit a report to the Secretary, within the term of one year following the constitution of the board, on the result of its regulating process, and based thereon, shall determine how the implementation of the following agriculture and livestock sectors shall proceed.
History —Sept. 18, 1996, No. 238, § 12, eff. Jan. 1, 1997.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 78 - Agricultural Economic Corridor of the Central Region of Puerto Rico Act (§§ 3071 — 3076) › § 3071 - Definition of the region

The region shall comprise the following municipalities: Adjuntas, Aguas Buenas, Aibonito, Barranquitas, Cayey, Ciales, Cidra, Comerío, Corozal, Florida, Jayuya, Lares, Las Marías, Maricao, Morovis, Naranjito, Orocovis, Utuado, and Villalba.
History —Mar. 23, 2010, No. 32, § 2, eff. July 1, 2010.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 78 - Agricultural Economic Corridor of the Central Region of Puerto Rico Act (§§ 3071 — 3076) › § 3072 - Statement of public policy

The public policy of the Government of Puerto Rico shall be to promote the development of agricultural economy development, support municipal governments in matters concerning the mountain region, and provide the necessary resources to make sustainable economic growth viable and consistent with the capabilities of this region.
History —Mar. 23, 2010, No. 32, § 3, eff. July 1, 2010.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 78 - Agricultural Economic Corridor of the Central Region of Puerto Rico Act (§§ 3071 — 3076) › § 3073 - Strategic plan

It is hereby provided that the Department of Agriculture shall draft, not later than March 1, 2013, a Strategic Plan for the promotion of an agricultural economy within the central region, in order to define the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges of the municipalities of the region. Such Plan shall be submitted to the Governor of Puerto Rico; the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico, through the Office of the Secretary and the Office of the Clerk; and the mayors of the municipalities on which the provisions of this chapter shall have an effect, so that they may be able to state any comments, suggestions, and recommendations. Once the Plan has been submitted to the aforementioned entities, these shall have a term not to exceed sixty (60) days to return their comments, suggestions, and recommendations. If said term elapses and the Department of Agriculture does not receive the aforementioned statements, the Plan shall be deemed to be accepted and the drafting process shall be deemed to be completed. If any comments, suggestions, and recommendations should arise as part of this process, the Department of Agriculture shall ponder the same and assess their validity and need for inclusion, if deemed appropriate.
Provided, That the aforementioned Strategic Plan to be designed shall factor in the land use plans of the municipalities.
History —Mar. 23, 2010, No. 32, § 4, eff. July 1, 2010; Aug. 16, 2012, No. 177, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 78 - Agricultural Economic Corridor of the Central Region of Puerto Rico Act (§§ 3071 — 3076) › § 3075 - Incentives program

Municipal governments are hereby authorized to work in conjunction with one another for the development of municipal incentives program to attract new agricultural investments. This incentives program may be administered by the Administration, as well as the incentives provided by the Government of Puerto Rico through its various instrumentalities, such as:
(1) The Puerto Rican Economic Stimulus Plan, as established in §§ 142 et seq. of Title 13;
(2) the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009;
(3) the Economic Development Fund created under §§ 10641 et seq. of Title 13, better known as the “Economic Incentives Act for the Development of Puerto Rico”;
(4) the Investment and Cooperative Development Fund created under §§ 481 et seq. of Title 23, known as the “Investment and Cooperative Development Fund of Puerto Rico Enabling Act”; and
(5) sections 611 et seq. of Title 7, known as the “Economic Development Bank of Puerto Rico Act”, among others.
History —Mar. 23, 2010, No. 32, § 6, eff. July 1, 2010; Aug. 16, 2012, No. 177, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 78 - Agricultural Economic Corridor of the Central Region of Puerto Rico Act (§§ 3071 — 3076) › § 3076 - This chapter prevails

The provisions of this chapter shall prevail over any provision made in general or special laws or regulations not consistent with the same.
History —Mar. 23, 2010, No. 32, § 7, eff. July 1, 2010.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 102 - General Cooperative Associations Act (2004) › Subchapter I - Public Policy (§§ 4382 — 4386) › § 4382 - Autonomy

The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico guarantees the free development and autonomy of all cooperatives and shall harmoniously seek the form and manner to assist, stimulate, develop, promote and support the cooperative movement.
History —Sept. 1, 2004, No. 239, § 2.0.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 102 - General Cooperative Associations Act (2004) › Subchapter I - Public Policy (§§ 4382 — 4386) › § 4383 - Equality of rights

The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico guarantees that all cooperatives shall enjoy all the powers and prerogatives granted by law to other juridical persons, and that no discriminatory restrictions or additional requirements shall be established for them.
History —Sept. 1, 2004, No. 239, § 2.1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 102 - General Cooperative Associations Act (2004) › Subchapter I - Public Policy (§§ 4382 — 4386) › § 4384 - Applicable law

Cooperatives organized pursuant to this chapter shall be governed by its provisions and by cooperative law in general. Otherwise, they shall be governed by applicable laws inasmuch as they are compatible with their nature.
History —Sept. 1, 2004, No. 239, § 2.2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 102 - General Cooperative Associations Act (2004) › Subchapter I - Public Policy (§§ 4382 — 4386) › § 4385 - Cooperative acts

Cooperative acts shall be those carried out between the cooperatives and their members, or between the cooperatives themselves and with the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in order to comply with their corporate purposes, and they shall be subject to cooperative law.
History —Sept. 1, 2004, No. 239, § 2.3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 102 - General Cooperative Associations Act (2004) › Subchapter I - Public Policy (§§ 4382 — 4386) › § 4386 - Time without charge for meetings

Every government instrumentality, including the departments, agencies, and public corporations of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and its municipalities shall authorize time off without charge against any leave to the members of the directing bodies of the cooperatives organized in said instrumentalities in order to render critical services to their employees, thus fulfilling their duties. The Secretary of the Board of Directors of the respective cooperative shall certify to the government instrumentality concerned which employees are members of the directing body, the meeting days, and attendance thereto. The time authorized by said instrumentalities to employees who are directing members of the cooperatives to hold their meetings shall not exceed three (3) hours per month for the members of the Board of Directors, the supervision committee, and the education committee. Government instrumentalities shall also authorize employees who are members of the cooperatives organized in any government instrumentality a maximum of three (3) hours per year to attend the General and Special Assemblies for the members of said cooperatives without charge against any leave. The cooperatives shall send a copy of the call for meeting and of the list of members who work in the government instrumentality. Cooperatives composed of public employees from different government instrumentalities shall submit a separate list of members for each of the instrumentalities. Said call for meeting and list of members shall be delivered to the government instrumentality at least ten (10) days prior to the holding of the assembly. The Secretary of the Board of Directors of the cooperative shall certify the members” attendance to government instrumentalities through a certificate of attendance on or before ten (10) business days after the holding of the Assembly. Every employee shall be required to submit the certificate of attendance.
History —Sept. 1, 2004, No. 239, § 2.4; July 23, 2014, No. 101, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 102 - General Cooperative Associations Act (2004) › Subchapter II - Legal Capacity (§§ 4387 — 4396) › § 4387 - Concept

Cooperatives are private juridical persons of social interest founded upon their solidarity and self-efforts to carry out socioeconomic activities in order to fulfill individual and collective needs without seeking profit.
History —Sept. 1, 2004, No. 239, § 3.0.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 102 - General Cooperative Associations Act (2004) › Subchapter II - Legal Capacity (§§ 4387 — 4396) › § 4388 - Principles

Cooperatives shall observe the following principles:
(a) Open and voluntary membership. — Cooperatives are voluntary organizations for all those persons willing to use their services and to accept the responsibilities entailed by membership without discrimination by reason of gender, race, social class, political affiliation or religion.
(b) Democratic control by the members. — Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in the definition of policies and decision-making. The persons elected to represent their cooperative report to the members. The decisions are made in assemblies in which each member is entitled to one (1) vote, regardless of their contribution.
(c) Economic participation of the members. — The members contribute equally and control the capital of the cooperative democratically. At least one part of said capital is common property of the cooperative. Generally, they receive a limited compensation, if any, on the capital subscribed as a condition for membership. The members appropriate any surplus for any of the following purposes: the development of the cooperative through the possible creation of reserves from which at least one part shall be indivisible; member benefits that are in proportion with their transactions with the cooperative; and support for other activities as approved by the membership.
(d) Autonomy and independence. — Cooperatives are autonomous mutual assistance entities controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or have capital from outside sources, they use it in terms that ensure democratic control by its members and maintain the autonomy of the cooperative.
(e) Education, training and information. — Cooperatives offer education and training to their members, elected officers, managers and employees in order for them to contribute efficiently to the development of their cooperatives. Cooperatives give information to the general public, particularly youths and creators of public opinion regarding the nature and benefits of cooperative movement.
(f) Cooperation between cooperatives. — Cooperatives serve their members more efficiently and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, regional, national and international structures.
(g) Social responsibility. — Cooperatives work towards the sustainable development of their communities through the policies approved by their members.
History —Sept. 1, 2004, No. 239, § 3.1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 102 - General Cooperative Associations Act (2004) › Subchapter II - Legal Capacity (§§ 4387 — 4396) › § 4389 - Characteristics

Cooperatives must be consistent regarding the following characteristics:
(a) Indefinite term of duration;
(b) variability and non-restriction of capital;
(c) independence from partisan politics;
(d) equality in the rights and obligations of the members;
(e) recognition of one (1) single vote to each member of first grade cooperatives;
(f) corporate reserves shall not be distributed;
(g) admission as a member shall not be denied to any person by reason of race, gender, color, social position, religious belief, citizenship or political affiliation;
(h) non-profit purposes, and
(i) to promote socioeconomic development through common efforts.
History —Sept. 1, 2004, No. 239, § 3.2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 102 - General Cooperative Associations Act (2004) › Subchapter II - Legal Capacity (§§ 4387 — 4396) › § 4390 - Nature

According to their nature, cooperatives may be comprised by workers, consumers, housing, and users and mixed groups, and may devote themselves to provide services or to production, or to both activities.
History —Sept. 1, 2004, No. 239, § 3.3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 102 - General Cooperative Associations Act (2004) › Subchapter II - Legal Capacity (§§ 4387 — 4396) › § 4391 - Powers

Every cooperative organized under the provisions of this chapter is a juridical person. It may perform any kind of lawful activity that is proper or incidental to the achievement of its ends and purposes on equal footing with others subject to private law.
History —Sept. 1, 2004, No. 239, § 3.4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 102 - General Cooperative Associations Act (2004) › Subchapter II - Legal Capacity (§§ 4387 — 4396) › § 4392 - Specific powers

Without it being construed as a limitation, every cooperative may:
(a) Carry out its activities in or outside of Puerto Rico, as the laws may permit;
(b) possess its own seal and alter it with the agreement of the Board;
(c) sue and be sued;
(d) execute all types of legal contracts;
(e) accept gifts, provided they do not contain conditions that limit its power to act;
(f) acquire, possess, sell, dispose of, exchange, mortgage, acquire or convey in lease, and otherwise operate with real property and chattels in any way;
(g) acquire, issue, endorse, discount, sell or otherwise operate with bills of sale, bonds, obligations and securities, and otherwise operate with real property and chattels in any other way;
(h) establish and accrue capital reserves and surplus, and invest said reserves and surplus in other properties and securities;
(i) borrow money without limit to the amount;
(j) act as agent, representative or proxy of any member;
(k) grant advances to its members and to members of another cooperative which is, in turn, a partner or a subsidiary of the grantor, on merchandise delivered or services rendered. This power does not apply to housing cooperatives;
(l) limit its operations, activities and services exclusively to its members, or extend them to non-members;
(m) serve as sponsor to other cooperatives;
(n) engage in more than one activity;
(o) broaden its activities through the creation of departments as defined in its articles of incorporation;
(p) establish and accrue corporate reserves for the benefit of its members or the community, for emergencies or natural disasters, pursuant to the criteria established in the bylaws of the cooperative, and
(q) dissolve, liquidate, merge or consolidate within the framework of this chapter.
History —Sept. 1, 2004, No. 239, § 3.5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 102 - General Cooperative Associations Act (2004) › Subchapter II - Legal Capacity (§§ 4387 — 4396) › § 4393 - Denomination

The name of every cooperative must include the word “cooperative” or “coop” and the word or abbreviation that identifies its main activity. The use of the word “cooperative” or of a word or symbol that could give the impression that it is a cooperative, by any person or entity which is not organized pursuant to the provisions of this chapter is hereby prohibited. This prohibition does not apply to savings and credit unions organized under §§ 1361—1371b of Title 7, known as the “Cooperative Savings and Credit Unions Act”.
History —Sept. 1, 2004, No. 239, § 3.6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 102 - General Cooperative Associations Act (2004) › Subchapter II - Legal Capacity (§§ 4387 — 4396) › § 4394 - Cooperatives in formation

Cooperatives in formation shall be those which, having initiated the procedure with the presentation of the incorporation papers, are not yet registered at the Department of State.
The period of formation shall not be more than one (1) year from the date of filing the articles of incorporation and the bylaws before the Cooperative Development Administration. During that period, which may be extended for just cause, the previously mentioned shall be empowered to execute acts before third parties. The incorporators shall be personally and solidarily liable for said acts before third parties.
History —Sept. 1, 2004, No. 239, § 3.7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 102 - General Cooperative Associations Act (2004) › Subchapter II - Legal Capacity (§§ 4387 — 4396) › § 4395 - Entities becoming cooperatives

Partnerships and corporations in the process of becoming cooperatives through the initiative of their workers or users shall have the same rights and obligations as cooperatives in formation.
History —Sept. 1, 2004, No. 239, § 3.8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 102 - General Cooperative Associations Act (2004) › Subchapter II - Legal Capacity (§§ 4387 — 4396) › § 4396 - Relationships with other entities

A cooperative may own stock in other cooperatives, corporations or entities pursuant to § 4510 of this title.
History —Sept. 1, 2004, No. 239, § 3.9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 102 - General Cooperative Associations Act (2004) › Subchapter III - Formation of the Cooperative (§§ 4400 — 4404) › § 4400 - Number of persons required

Eight (8) or more persons domiciled in Puerto Rico may incorporate [as] a cooperative provided they comply with the provisions of this chapter, with the exception of worker cooperatives, which may be formed by five (5) persons.
History —Sept. 1, 2004, No. 239, § 4.0.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 102 - General Cooperative Associations Act (2004) › Subchapter III - Formation of the Cooperative (§§ 4400 — 4404) › § 4401 - Constituting assembly

Interested parties shall hold an assembly to consider and approve the articles of incorporation and the bylaws of the cooperative, and to elect the Board of Directors and a supervision committee.
History —Sept. 1, 2004, No. 239, § 4.1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 102 - General Cooperative Associations Act (2004) › Subchapter III - Formation of the Cooperative (§§ 4400 — 4404) › § 4402 - Constituting requirements

Any group that intends to organize as a cooperative shall file the necessary documents for its incorporation at the Cooperative Development Administration. Said documents are the articles of incorporation and the bylaws.
History —Sept. 1, 2004, No. 239, § 4.2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 102 - General Cooperative Associations Act (2004) › Subchapter III - Formation of the Cooperative (§§ 4400 — 4404) › § 4403 - Content of the articles

The articles of incorporation of every cooperative shall include the following information:
(a) The name, which must accompany the word “cooperative” or an abbreviation thereof; it shall be such as not to be confused with that of any other cooperative, federation, league, association or corporation organized or doing business in Puerto Rico;
(b) the objectives, ends or purposes for its organization;
(c) the exact address where the main office of the cooperative is to be located;
(d) the name, address and personal characteristics of the incorporators, as well as the number of shares subscribed by each of them;
(e) the total amount of capital with which the cooperative shall begin operations, should it decide to have it;
(f) the value and the rights pertaining to the contributions or shares, whether common or preferred;
(g) the number of members with which the cooperative shall begin operations;
(h) norms regarding amendments to the articles, and
(i) any other provision which regulates the administration of the affairs, businesses, activities or services of the cooperative, provided they are consistent with this chapter.
History —Sept. 1, 2004, No. 239, § 4.3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 102 - General Cooperative Associations Act (2004) › Subchapter III - Formation of the Cooperative (§§ 4400 — 4404) › § 4404 - Content of the bylaws

At the time the constituting assembly is held, the incorporators or members of the cooperative shall approve the bylaws of the cooperative which shall specify the provisions contained in the articles of incorporation. It shall also include such other provisions that the members deem convenient for the best operation of the cooperative, provided they do not contradict the provisions of the articles of incorporation and this chapter.
Without it being construed as a limitation, the general bylaws of every cooperative shall provide, pursuant to cooperativist principles and characteristics, the following:
(a) The date, place and means to convoke and hold regular and special assemblies of the members and the requirements to enable them to include matters in the agenda of the assembly;
(b) how to vote and the conditions under which the members may cast their vote at the regular, special, general or district assemblies, in agreement with the cooperativist principle of “one person, one vote”;
(c) the organization of the cooperative by districts and the qualifications, obligations and terms of office of the delegates elected by the districts;
(d) the number, qualifications, powers, obligations and terms of office of the directors and officers;
(e) the organization and duties of the assembly, the Board of Directors, the education committee and the supervision committee;
(f) the date, place and manner for the constitution of a Board and for convoking and holding meetings of the directors and, should there be one, of the executive committee;
(g) the dismissal, resignation or substitution of a director or officer;
(h) conditions for membership, requirements prior to becoming a member; the way to determine and pay the members their interest in the cooperative upon their death, retirement, removal or any other circumstance for which they cease to be members; the conditions under which and the date that a member ceases as such; the manner and effect of the suspension and expulsion of a member;
(i) the conditions or terms for making withdrawals and transfers of contributions or stock; regarding housing cooperatives, the provisions in §§ 4580—4640 of this title shall apply;
(j) the duties and responsibilities which may be delegated to the chief executive of the cooperative;
(k) the staggered election of the members of the directing bodies providing so that the terms of election do not expire on the same year;
(l) how the net savings of the cooperative shall be distributed among the members and the establishment of the reserves. The manner in which the cooperative shall relate to non-members;
(m) penalties for violations to the bylaws and the procedure to file complaints, and
(n) norms of social coexistence on cooperative integration.
History —Sept. 1, 2004, No. 239, § 4.4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 102 - General Cooperative Associations Act (2004) › Subchapter IV - Official Recognition (§§ 4410 — 4416) › § 4410 - Constituting documents—Presentation

Upon initiating the steps for incorporation before the Cooperative Development Administration, it shall be presented with the original and two (2) copies of the articles of incorporation and the bylaws for the amount provided in this chapter for registration in the Department of State.
History —Sept. 1, 2004, No. 239, § 5.0.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 102 - General Cooperative Associations Act (2004) › Subchapter IV - Official Recognition (§§ 4410 — 4416) › § 4411 - Constituting documents—Examination

The Cooperative Development Administration shall examine the constituting documents for compliance with all the requirements in this chapter, and to determine if any of the provisions contravene the laws of Puerto Rico. The Cooperative Development Administration shall submit the articles of incorporation to the Secretary of State within the prescriptive term of forty-five (45) working days from the date said documents are filed.
History —Sept. 1, 2004, No. 239, § 5.1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 102 - General Cooperative Associations Act (2004) › Subchapter IV - Official Recognition (§§ 4410 — 4416) › § 4412 - Legal objections

The Cooperative Development Administration may refuse to submit the articles of incorporation for their registration when the group interested in organizing the cooperative fails to comply with the requirements established by law, provided that, it notifies the interested parties of the deficiencies found and explains the reasons for its refusal within the established term.
History —Sept. 1, 2004, No. 239, § 5.2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 102 - General Cooperative Associations Act (2004) › Subchapter IV - Official Recognition (§§ 4410 — 4416) › § 4413 - No response

In case the Cooperative Development Administration has not discharged its duties within the specified term, the incorporators may submit the articles of incorporation directly to the Department of State, which, after verifying due compliance with the law, shall file said articles of incorporation and issue the corresponding certificate of incorporation.
History —Sept. 1, 2004, No. 239, § 5.3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 102 - General Cooperative Associations Act (2004) › Subchapter IV - Official Recognition (§§ 4410 — 4416) › § 4414 - Registration

The cooperative shall be duly constituted when the Department of State registers its articles of incorporation and issues the corresponding certificate of registration.
History —Sept. 1, 2004, No. 239, § 5.4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 102 - General Cooperative Associations Act (2004) › Subchapter IV - Official Recognition (§§ 4410 — 4416) › § 4415 - Initiation of activities

The cooperative may begin its operations officially when the Department of State has registered its articles of incorporation. The Cooperative Development Administration shall forward the certificate of registration and two (2) copies of the articles of incorporation and the bylaws to every duly constituted cooperative and to the Inspector of Cooperatives.
History —Sept. 1, 2004, No. 239, § 5.5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 102 - General Cooperative Associations Act (2004) › Subchapter IV - Official Recognition (§§ 4410 — 4416) › § 4416 - Confirmation of acts

The acts held and the documents signed on behalf of the cooperative before it has been legally constituted may be confirmed if ratified by the first subsequently held general assembly of members.
History —Sept. 1, 2004, No. 239, § 5.6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 102 - General Cooperative Associations Act (2004) › Subchapter V - Amendments to the Articles and the Bylaws (§§ 4420 — 4423) › § 4420 - Amendments to the articles and the bylaws

The articles of incorporation and the bylaws of the cooperative may be amended at any regular general assembly or at any special general assembly held for such a purpose. Amendments must be approved by the vote of two-thirds (⅔) of the members present, or by two-thirds (⅔) of the delegates present in cooperatives organized by district.
History —Sept. 1, 2004, No. 239, § 6.0.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 102 - General Cooperative Associations Act (2004) › Subchapter V - Amendments to the Articles and the Bylaws (§§ 4420 — 4423) › § 4421 - Notice to the members

The Board of Directors shall notify the members or delegates, as the case may be, of the proposed amendments no later than ten (10) days before the assembly. For cooperatives organized by district, the Board of Directors shall notify all the members of the amendments proposed and grant them the opportunity to discuss them in district assemblies.
History —Sept. 1, 2004, No. 239, § 6.1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 102 - General Cooperative Associations Act (2004) › Subchapter V - Amendments to the Articles and the Bylaws (§§ 4420 — 4423) › § 4422 - Approval by the Inspector

The original and two (2) copies of the amendments to the articles of incorporation or to the bylaws, certified by the Secretary of the cooperative, shall be sent to the Inspector of Cooperatives. Said amendments shall take effect once they are approved by the Inspector of Cooperatives, who shall have a prescriptive term of forty-five (45) days from the date the documents are filed at his/her Office to notify the cooperative concerned their approval or denial, pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. In the case of a denial, the reasons for said denial shall be stated. A copy of the approved amendments and of the decision made by the Inspector of Cooperatives shall be sent to the Cooperative Development Administration. Amendments to the articles of incorporation shall be filed before the Department of State to be duly registered.
History —Sept. 1, 2004, No. 239, § 6.2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 102 - General Cooperative Associations Act (2004) › Subchapter V - Amendments to the Articles and the Bylaws (§§ 4420 — 4423) › § 4423 - No response

In case the Office of the Inspector of Cooperatives has not performed his duty within the specified term, the interested parties may submit the amendments to the articles of incorporation directly to the Department of State for the Secretary to acknowledge that the documents comply with the legal requirements and therefore issue the corresponding certificate.
History —Sept. 1, 2004, No. 239, § 6.3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 102 - General Cooperative Associations Act (2004) › Subchapter VI - Members (§§ 4430 — 4448) › § 4430 - Membership in a cooperative

A person becomes a member of a cooperative by participating in the act of incorporation or through a resolution of the Board accepting his/her admission at the request of the interested party.
History —Sept. 1, 2004, No. 239, § 7.0.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 102 - General Cooperative Associations Act (2004) › Subchapter VI - Members (§§ 4430 — 4448) › § 4431 - Requirements

In order to become a member of a cooperative the following requirements must be met:
(a) To have legal capacity, and
(b) to meet the requirements of this chapter and of the articles and bylaws of the cooperative, and not to be a for profit juridical person.
History —Sept. 1, 2004, No. 239, § 7.1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 102 - General Cooperative Associations Act (2004) › Subchapter VI - Members (§§ 4430 — 4448) › § 4432 - Conditions for membership

Admission as a member of a cooperative shall not be denied to any person by reason of race, gender, citizenship, religious or political beliefs, or social or economic position. Eligibility of members may be defined as groups of similar members exercising their constitutional right to free association. The Board may deny admission to any person as a member of the cooperative when there are grounds to believe that such a person may impair or obstruct the pursuit of goals and purposes of the cooperative, has been expelled from membership, dismissed from any office in the directing bodies of any other cooperative entity, or fails to comply with the requirements for admission set forth in the bylaws of the cooperative.
History —Sept. 1, 2004, No. 239, § 7.2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 102 - General Cooperative Associations Act (2004) › Subchapter VI - Members (§§ 4430 — 4448) › § 4433 - Rejection of application; review

Should the Board of Directors reject an application for admission and the applicant deems that the decision is contrary to the law and the articles of incorporation of the cooperative, he/she may request a reconsideration of the decision before the supervision committee. The supervision committee shall prepare and submit a report with its recommendations to the Board of Directors for the same to make the decision, which shall be final and binding.
History —Sept. 1, 2004, No. 239, § 7.3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 102 - General Cooperative Associations Act (2004) › Subchapter VI - Members (§§ 4430 — 4448) › § 4434 - Register of members and others

Cooperatives shall prepare and keep an updated register of members, which shall include the following information:
(a) Name, address and occupation of each of the members, after duly verifying the credentials and identity of said members;
(b) the number of shares owned by each member, with the corresponding series, should they be numbered, and the amount paid for such shares;
(c) the exact date of admission of the member to the cooperative, and
(d) the date that the member ceases to belong to the cooperative and the reason therefore.
Cooperatives shall also prepare and keep a register of the persons or entities that receive the services of the cooperative.
History —Sept. 1, 2004, No. 239, § 7.4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 102 - General Cooperative Associations Act (2004) › Subchapter VI - Members (§§ 4430 — 4448) › § 4435 - Acceptance of preceding conditions

All members shall accept the obligations incurred by the cooperative prior to their admission thereto.
History —Sept. 1, 2004, No. 239, § 8.0.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 102 - General Cooperative Associations Act (2004) › Subchapter VI - Members (§§ 4430 — 4448) › § 4436 - Voting

Every member shall be entitled to cast one (1) vote, regardless of his/her interest, number of shares or contributions to the cooperative. Voting by proxy is prohibited, except to determine quorum when a second regular general assembly is convened.
History —Sept. 1, 2004, No. 239, § 8.1.