reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-SEVEN - Public Service (§§ 1 — 2641) › PART II - Communications (§§ 265 — 539) › Chapter 25 - Telephone Authority (§§ 401 — 425) › § 404 - Creation; Governing Board

A body corporate and politic is hereby created which shall constitute a public corporation and government instrumentality of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, which shall be known as the Puerto Rico Telephone Authority.
The Authority shall be attached to the Bank, but shall have a juridical existence and personality separate and independent from that of the Bank and of any official of the Bank.
The Board of Directors shall consist of five (5) members. The President of the Bank shall be the President of the Board of Directors and the Executive Director of the Authority. The remaining four (4) members of the Board shall be appointed by the Bank’s Board of Directors from among its members. The Board of Directors shall appoint a Vice President from among its members. The Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Bank shall be, at the same time, Secretary of the Board of Directors. The President of the Bank shall not receive any remuneration as President of the Board of Directors nor as Executive Director of the Authority.
The Executive Director shall be in charge of the general administration of the Authority and shall supervise all the officials, employees and agents thereof [and] he/she shall also exercise all those other powers and duties that the Board of Directors assigns to him/her.
History —May 6, 1974, No. 25, Part 1, p. 136, § 4; Sept. 12, 1996, No. 215, § 3; renumbered as § 3 and amended on June 24, 1998, No. 94, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-SEVEN - Public Service (§§ 1 — 2641) › PART II - Communications (§§ 265 — 539) › Chapter 25 - Telephone Authority (§§ 401 — 425) › § 404a - Officials and employees

Appointments, removals, promotions, transfers, resignation, reinstatements, suspensions, leaves and steps, compensations or titles of the officials and employees and/or any other transaction of the Authority shall be carried out and permitted, as provided in the rules and regulations to be established by the Board of Directors and in compliance with the general plan in effect for the employees of the Government of Puerto Rico, pursuant to §§ 274 et seq. of Title 18, to the extent that the Executive Director deems that this plan is consistent with the best interests of the Authority and its employees. The officials and employees of the Authority shall be entitled to reimbursement, or in lieu thereof, to the payment of per diems, for those necessary travel expenses as authorized or approved in compliance with the rules and regulations established by the Board of Directors.
History —May 6, 1974, No. 25, Part 1, p. 136, added as § 4 on June 24, 1998, No. 94, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-SEVEN - Public Service (§§ 1 — 2641) › PART II - Communications (§§ 265 — 539) › Chapter 25 - Telephone Authority (§§ 401 — 425) › § 409a - Subsidiary corporations—Power to issue corporate capital stock

(a) The Board of Directors shall provide, through a resolution to such effects, that its existing subsidiary corporations or those to be created, shall have the nature of private corporations for profit, which may also issue one or more classes of corporate capital stock. Said resolutions shall meet the applicable requirements of the Puerto Rico General Corporations Act of 1995 (“Corporations Act”), and shall have the effect of a certificate of incorporation under said sections.
The Secretary of State is hereby empowered to register said resolutions in the Department of State of Puerto Rico.
(b) The board of directors of any of the subsidiary corporations of the Authority may authorize the creation, or the acquisition of the capital stock of those subsidiary corporations it deems convenient, to carry out the purposes of this chapter and to loan, donate or otherwise transfer any of its properties to said subsidiary corporations.
History —May 6, 1974, No. 25, Part 1, p. 136, added as § 9A on Nov. 27, 1990, No. 8, p. 1448; Sept. 12, 1996, No. 215, § 10; renumbered as § 8 and amended on June 24, 1998, No. 94, § 10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-SEVEN - Public Service (§§ 1 — 2641) › PART II - Communications (§§ 265 — 539) › Chapter 25 - Telephone Authority (§§ 401 — 425) › § 409b - Assets and liabilities

The accounts, funds and properties of the Authority, as well as the debts, obligations, contracts, receipts and expenses thereof, shall be deemed as assets and liabilities of said public corporation exclusively, and not of the Bank nor of the Government of Puerto Rico or any office, bureau, department, commission, dependency, municipality, branch, agent, official or employee thereof.
All the money of the Authority shall be deposited in financial institutions qualified to receive funds of the Government of Puerto Rico. They shall maintain one or several separate accounts in the name of the Authority. The disbursements shall be made in compliance with the regulations and budgets approved by the Board of Directors.
History —May 6, 1974, No. 25, Part 1, p. 136, added as § 9 on June 24, 1998, No. 94, § 11.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-SEVEN - Public Service (§§ 1 — 2641) › PART II - Communications (§§ 265 — 539) › Chapter 25 - Telephone Authority (§§ 401 — 425) › § 412 - Purchase contracts

The Authority is empowered to sign any type of purchase contract and supplies and services contracts without resorting to a competitive bidding process.
The Board of Directors of the Authority shall establish the procedures and practices that shall regulate the administrative phase for the acquisition of goods and services, in order to guarantee the best interests of the Authority and sound public administration.
History —May 6, 1974, No. 25, Part 1, p. 136, § 12; Jan. 21, 1987, No. 7, § 5; May 19, 1989, No. 9, p. 41, § 1; Sept. 12, 1996, No. 215, § 13; renumbered as § 11 and amended on June 24, 1998, No. 94, § 13.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-SEVEN - Public Service (§§ 1 — 2641) › PART II - Communications (§§ 265 — 539) › Chapter 25 - Telephone Authority (§§ 401 — 425) › § 418 - Remedies of bondholders

(a) Subject to any contractual limitations binding upon the holders of any issue of bonds, or trustees thereof, including but not limited to the restrictions of the exercise of any remedy to a specified proportion or percentage of such holders, any bondholder, or trustee thereof, shall have the right and power, for the equal benefit and protection of all bondholders similarly situated:
(1) By mandamus or other suit, action, or proceeding at law or in equity to enforce his rights against the Authority and its Governing Board, officers, agents, and employees to perform and carry out its and their duties and obligations under this chapter, and its and their covenants and agreements with bondholders;
(2) by action or suit in equity to require the Authority and the Governing Board thereof to account as if they were the trustee of an express trust;
(3) by action or suit in equity to enjoin any acts or things which may be unlawful or in violation of the rights of the bondholders, and
(4) to bring suit upon the bonds.
(b) No remedy conferred by this chapter upon any bondholder, or any trustee thereof, is intended to be exclusive of any other remedy, but each such remedy is cumulative and in addition to every other remedy, and may be exercised without exhausting and without regard to any other remedy conferred by this chapter or by any other law. No waiver of any default or breach of duty or contract, whether by any bondholder, or any trustee thereof, shall extend to or shall affect any subsequent default or breach of duty or contract or shall impair any rights or remedies thereon. No delay or omission of any bondholder or any trustee thereof to exercise any right or power accruing upon default shall impair any such right or power or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such default or acquiescence therein. Every substantive right and every remedy, conferred upon the bondholders may be enforced or exercised from time to time and as often as may be deemed expedient. In case any suit, action, or proceeding to enforce any right or exercise any remedy shall be brought or filed and then discontinued or abandoned, or shall be determined adversely to the bondholders, or any trustee thereof, then and in every such case the Authority and such holder, or such trustee, shall be restored to their former positions and rights and remedies as if no such suit, action, or proceeding had been brought or taken.
History —May 6, 1974, No. 25, Part 1, p. 136, § 18, renumbered as § 14 on June 24, 1998, No. 94, § 17.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-SEVEN - Public Service (§§ 1 — 2641) › PART II - Communications (§§ 265 — 539) › Chapter 25 - Telephone Authority (§§ 401 — 425) › § 419 - Repeal of Act May 12, 1942, No. 212, as amended

Act No. 212 of May 12, 1942, as amended, is hereby repealed.
Any real property and rights subject to registration that as of the date of effectiveness of this act are recorded at the Property Registry under the ownership of the Puerto Rico Communications Authority or the Puerto Rico Communications Corporation shall be transferred in said Registry to the ownership of the P.R.T.C., the successor in interest thereof. The transfer shall be effected by filing a certification with the Property Registry. Said certification shall contain the description of the real property as appears in [the] Registry, the record reference number, a statement from the current real property title holder, an application for transfer of the real property to the ownership of the P.R.T.C., and processing costs of the transaction. The certification shall be signed and sworn to by the Chairperson or any of the Vicechairpersons of the P.R.T.C. authorized to issue such certification. This transfer shall be exempted from the payment of any and all fees scheduled for the recording of documents and all other transactions in the Property Registry.
History —May 6, 1974, No. 25, Part 1, § 19; June 8, 1978, No. 3, § 1; May 27, 1980, No. 68, § 1; Sept. 12, 1996, No. 215, § 18; renumbered as § 15 and amended on June 24, 1998, No. 94, § 17; Dec. 30, 1998, No. 337, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-SEVEN - Public Service (§§ 1 — 2641) › PART II - Communications (§§ 265 — 539) › Chapter 25 - Telephone Authority (§§ 401 — 425) › § 420 - Fiscal Agency Act

The Authority shall be subject to the provisions of §§ 581—595 of Title 7, known as the “Fiscal Agency Act”, under which all of its financing shall be made through and with the approval of the Government Development Bank for Puerto Rico.
History —May 6, 1974, No. 25, Part 1, p. 136, § 20, renumbered as § 16 on June 24, 1998, No. 94, § 17.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-SEVEN - Public Service (§§ 1 — 2641) › PART II - Communications (§§ 265 — 539) › Chapter 25 - Telephone Authority (§§ 401 — 425) › § 421 - Legal investments

The bonds of the Authority shall be lawful investments, and may be accepted as security, for any fiduciary, trust and public funds, whose investment or deposit shall be under the Authority or control of the Commonwealth or any officer or officers thereof.
History —May 6, 1974, No. 25, Part 1, p. 136, § 21, renumbered as § 17 on June 24, 1998, No. 94, § 17.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-SEVEN - Public Service (§§ 1 — 2641) › PART II - Communications (§§ 265 — 539) › Chapter 25 - Telephone Authority (§§ 401 — 425) › § 423 - Covenant of Commonwealth with bondholders

The Commonwealth does hereby pledge to and agree with the holders of any bonds issued under this chapter, and with those parties who may enter into contracts with the Authority pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, that the Commonwealth shall not limit or alter the rights hereby vested in the Authority until such bonds, together with the interest thereon, are fully met and redeemed and such contracts are fully performed on the part of the Authority.
History —May 6, 1974, No. 25, Part 1, p. 136, § 23, renumbered as § 18 on June 24, 1998, No. 94, § 17.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-SEVEN - Public Service (§§ 1 — 2641) › PART II - Communications (§§ 265 — 539) › Chapter 25 - Telephone Authority (§§ 401 — 425) › § 424 - Annual reports

The Authority shall submit to the Legislature and to the Governor of Puerto Rico, as soon as possible after the close of each fiscal year of the Commonwealth, but prior to the close of the calendar year, a financial statement and a complete report of the business of the Authority during the preceding fiscal year; Provided, That in the report corresponding to the fiscal year during which the Authority has used or transferred the stock of all its subsidiaries and all its other assets and has paid all its debts and obligations, this fact shall be certified, in evidence of the termination of the corporate existence of the Authority, as provided in § 407 of this title.
History —May 6, 1974, No. 25, Part 1, p. 136, § 24, renumbered as § 19 and amended on June 24, 1998, No. 94, § 18.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-SEVEN - Public Service (§§ 1 — 2641) › PART II - Communications (§§ 265 — 539) › Chapter 25 - Telephone Authority (§§ 401 — 425) › § 425 - Repealing clause

Once the Authority has sold or transferred the stock of all its subsidiaries and all its other assets, and has paid all its debts and obligations and this fact has been certified in the corresponding annual report, this chapter shall be automatically repealed.
History —May 6, 1974, No. 25, Part 1, p. 136, added as § 20 on June 24, 1998, No. 94, § 19.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-SEVEN - Public Service (§§ 1 — 2641) › PART II - Communications (§§ 265 — 539) › Chapter 25A - Negotiation Process for the Sale of Assets (§§ 431 — 437) › § 432 - Authorization

The negotiation process for the sale of the assets of the Authority is hereby authorized, subject to the conditions and procedures established in this chapter. This authorization empowers the sale of some or all the assets of the Authority and of any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries, to one or several buyers, including the public or private sale of all or some of the shares of the P.R.T.C., of any other direct or indirect subsidiary of the Authority, and of any other corporation created pursuant to § 437(a) of this title. The Negotiating Committee is hereby authorized to conduct the process of sale authorized herein. The Negotiating Committee may authorize the President of the Bank to contract whatever experts and advisors are needed, negotiate the terms and conditions of said sale, including the agreements with the buyers that are needed to protect the interests of the Authority, and take whatever steps are necessary and convenient before any Commonwealth, federal or foreign country forum or agency, leading to promote said sale. The sale shall be subject to the conditions imposed by this chapter.
History —Aug. 4, 1997, No. 54, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-SEVEN - Public Service (§§ 1 — 2641) › PART II - Communications (§§ 265 — 539) › Chapter 25A - Negotiation Process for the Sale of Assets (§§ 431 — 437) › § 434 - Use of net proceeds

The net proceeds of the sale shall be used in the amounts established by the Legislature through a Joint Resolution to defray the costs corresponding to the Authority, from the benefits provided in § 435 of this title, and to make contributions to the Retirement System and to the Infrastructure Development Fund. The net proceeds of the sale that are to be assigned to the Infrastructure Development Fund shall remain deposited in said Fund. The revenues generated by the investment of these resources shall be used for infrastructure development projects whose construction contracts have not been adjudicated at the time of approval of this act.
History —Aug. 4, 1997, No. 54, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-SEVEN - Public Service (§§ 1 — 2641) › PART II - Communications (§§ 265 — 539) › Chapter 25A - Negotiation Process for the Sale of Assets (§§ 431 — 437) › § 435 - Protection and benefits for employees

(a) Protection for employees.— The sale contract shall include those terms and conditions that are needed to comply with the following:
(1) Accrued retirement benefits.— No employee or former employee who is a participant of the Retirement System or his/her beneficiaries, shall lose the retirement benefits accrued as of the date of the sale. The buyer shall not have to make contributions to the Retirement System for the employees or former employees who participate in the same and shall not be liable for the obligations the Retirement System has with said persons. The buyer shall not reduce the accrued retirement benefits over which the employees have accrued vested benefits as of the date of the sale, and shall not reduce the pensions granted as of the date of the sale, under the P.R.T.C. retirement programs. The Authority and the buyer shall decide on a plan for compliance with this provision.
(2) Collective bargaining agreements.— The buyer shall agree to recognize the unions that, on the date of the sale, represent the union employees, and shall assume the collective bargaining agreements in effect on that date.
(b) Employee benefits.— As part of the sale, the Authority or the buyer shall establish a benefit plan for employees, which may include an early retirement plan, a special bonus plan, or a transfer of shares plan.
(c) Management employees.— In case a regular management employee does not choose to join the early retirement plan which may be implemented as provided by this chapter, he/she shall be guaranteed at least a year of employment with the salary and fringe benefits enjoyed by the employee, as of the date on which the Federal Communications Commission authorizes the sale of the assets of the Authority, in addition to the benefits established in subsection (b) of this section.
History —Aug. 4, 1997, No. 54, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-SEVEN - Public Service (§§ 1 — 2641) › PART II - Communications (§§ 265 — 539) › Chapter 25A - Negotiation Process for the Sale of Assets (§§ 431 — 437) › § 436 - Indemnification of Board Members and Executive Director

The members of the Board and the Executive Director shall not be liable for any monetary claim, whether of civil or administrative nature, which is filed after the approval of this act, which arises from any act or omission on their part regarding the sale transaction authorized by this chapter, provided said actions or omissions have occurred in good faith and there is no conduct which constitutes an offense, gross negligence or is contrary to law.
In the event a civil or administrative cause of action is filed against any of the members of the Board or the Executive Director which arises from any act or omission by them related to the sale transaction authorized by this chapter, the members of the Board and the Executive Director may request to be represented and compensated by the Authority for all defense expenses and any payment that is imposed through judgment, and should the latter lack the funds, by the Commonwealth pursuant to the provisions of this section.
The members of the Board and the Executive Director may choose to be represented by counsel in private practice recommended by them, after being authorized by the Secretary of Justice, or directly by the Department of Justice. If they are represented by counsel in private practice, the Authority or the Commonwealth, should the former lack the funds, shall defray all reasonable costs of said legal representation. The Authority or the Commonwealth, as the case may be, shall recover the expenses, costs and attorney fees, and the amounts thus recovered shall be covered into the funds of the Authority, or if the expenses were defrayed by the Commonwealth, into the General Fund of the Commonwealth.
When two (2) or more members of the Board or the Executive Director are sued or are subject to a monetary claim through an administrative procedure in the same case, and they have conflicting interests, the Secretary of Justice may authorize that each one of them be represented by different counsel in private practice, which shall be defrayed by the Authority, or should it lack funds therefor, by the Commonwealth pursuant to the provisions of this section.
The Commonwealth guarantees the payment of all compensation to be granted under this section. If at any time, the revenues, income or any other available funds of the Authority were not sufficient to pay said compensation or if these funds are nonexistent due to the sale of the assets of the Authority, the Secretary of the Treasury shall withdraw from any available funds in the Commonwealth Treasury those sums needed to cover the deficiencies in the amount required to pay said compensation, and shall direct that the sums thus withdrawn be used for such purposes.
This section shall continue in effect after the sale of the assets of the Authority.
History —Aug. 4, 1997, No. 54, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-SEVEN - Public Service (§§ 1 — 2641) › PART II - Communications (§§ 265 — 539) › Chapter 29 - Public Broadcasting Corporation (§§ 501 — 513) › § 501 - Creation

A public corporation is hereby created as an instrumentality of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, under the name of Public Broadcasting Corporation for Puerto Rico. The Corporation shall exist in perpetuity with a juridical personality that is independent and separate from any other entity, agency, department or instrumentality of the Government of Puerto Rico and shall be governed by a Board of Directors. June 30, 1996, is established as the date on which the Public Broadcasting Corporation for Puerto Rico shall cease to be a subsidiary of the Telephone Authority. Subsequently, the closing date for each fiscal year shall be June 30 of each year.
History —Sept. 12, 1996, No. 216, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-SEVEN - Public Service (§§ 1 — 2641) › PART II - Communications (§§ 265 — 539) › Chapter 29 - Public Broadcasting Corporation (§§ 501 — 513) › § 502 - Legislative purpose

The Legislature of Puerto Rico, through the approval of this act, shall make the Public Broadcasting Corporation for Puerto Rico independent from the Puerto Rico Telephone Company to continue offering the services of excellence that have characterized it, in a more efficient and adequate manner. It shall have true operational and functional autonomy, which is a necessary element to develop its facilities and provide broadcasting pursuant to the established legal provisions and limitations, and thus render an optimum public service. Said facilities shall be used for educational and cultural purposes and to provide services to the people in general and not for particular purposes, nor for political-partisan or sectarian propaganda, with the exception of the provisions of § 3110 of Title 16, part of the Electoral Law of Puerto Rico. The programs broadcast by the Public Broadcasting Corporation for Puerto Rico shall be governed by a policy of excellence, objectivity and balance in all that could be controversial in nature.
The programming shall reflect harmony between the teaching of knowledge and practical information. It shall also emphasize the broadest vision of knowledge, resting on the philosophy and perception of our social, economic and cultural reality as something bound to history, while being committed to a better future. The programming of the station shall contribute to the development of a critical awareness and shall exemplify respect to human dignity and values in the broadcasts.
Without impairment to the stated in the preceding provisions, it shall also be understood that the Corporation shall adopt those measures needed for it to become a production company for the local television industry, provided it does not undermine the educational function and the public mission it is called upon to perform.
Along this [line] of reasoning, it shall be the administrative policy of the Corporation to use its facilities, resources, and the personnel in the manner most efficient and harmonious with the goal of providing sources of employment to the artistic class and to the professionals of the audiovisual industry.
History —Sept. 12, 1996, No. 216, § 2; Feb. 14, 2008, No. 5, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-SEVEN - Public Service (§§ 1 — 2641) › PART II - Communications (§§ 265 — 539) › Chapter 29 - Public Broadcasting Corporation (§§ 501 — 513) › § 505 - Annual reports

Reports.— Within one hundred and twenty (120) days after the close of each fiscal year, the Public Broadcasting Corporation for Puerto Rico shall render reports on its activities to the Legislature and the Governor, including the following:
(1) A summary of the work carried out during the fiscal year in compliance with the purposes set forth in this chapter, and a workplan, including specific projects and activities for the following year.
(2) Audited financial statements prepared in accordance with generally-accepted accounting principles for government bodies.
(3) Statistical tables which adequately reflect the operational phases of the Corporation in a comparative and reliable manner.
(4) A list of capital investments.
History —Sept. 12, 1996, No. 216, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-SEVEN - Public Service (§§ 1 — 2641) › PART II - Communications (§§ 265 — 539) › Chapter 29 - Public Broadcasting Corporation (§§ 501 — 513) › § 506 - Prohibition to operate by private company

The Public Broadcasting Corporation for Puerto Rico shall not sell, transfer, rent, encumber, alienate or conduct any other transaction that has as its purpose that said Corporation and the services operated by it, be administered or operated by a private company, even with the prior authorization of the Federal Communications Commission.
The radio and television stations operated through the new Public Broadcasting Corporation for Puerto Rico, are of an educational and cultural nature, and the patrimony of the people of Puerto Rico, and they shall be kept as a public forum for freedom of expression.
History —Sept. 12, 1996, No. 216, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-SEVEN - Public Service (§§ 1 — 2641) › PART II - Communications (§§ 265 — 539) › Chapter 29 - Public Broadcasting Corporation (§§ 501 — 513) › § 507 - Autonomy

It is prohibited for any person to exercise pressure or undue influence on the representatives of said corporate entity. It is provided that the Board of Directors shall protect the credibility of the Public Broadcasting Corporation for Puerto Rico and shall prevent inappropriate interventions in order to preserve the complete responsibility for the autonomy of the functions of the institution.
In order to preserve the programmatic autonomy of the Public Broadcasting Corporation for Puerto Rico, it shall submit to the Governor each year a list of the total disbursements to be made for its activities and operations. It shall also indicate the capital improvements plan and the acquisition of assets such as properties which are necessary to comply with the purposes of this chapter.
History —Sept. 12, 1996, No. 216, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-SEVEN - Public Service (§§ 1 — 2641) › PART II - Communications (§§ 265 — 539) › Chapter 29 - Public Broadcasting Corporation (§§ 501 — 513) › § 508 - Construction and purchase contract

All purchases and contracts for supplies or services, with the exception of personal services, executed by the Corporation, including contracts for the construction of works, shall be made through a notice of bids, made with sufficient time prior to the opening of the sealed bidding of proposals so that the Corporation may guarantee an adequate knowledge and opportunity to appear; Provided, That when the estimated sum for the acquisition or work does not exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000), the same may be conducted without a notice for bids. Likewise, notice for bids shall not be necessary when:
(1) Due to an emergency the immediate delivery of materials, supplies and equipment, or the performance of services is required;
(2) replacement parts, accessories, equipment or supplementary or compatible services are needed for supplies or services previously furnished or contracted;
(3) professional or expert services or work are required and the Corporation deems that for a sound administration, said services or work should be contracted without said notices, or
(4) prices are not subject to competition, because there is only one source of supply, or because they are regulated by law.
Provided, That in such cases, the purchase of materials, supplies and equipment, or the obtaining of said services shall be done in the open market as usually practiced in business.
When comparing proposals and making adjudications, in addition to considering if the bidder has met the specifications, due consideration shall be given to factors such as the capacity of the bidder to carry out construction works of the nature involved in the contract under consideration, the quality and relative adaptability of the materials, supplies or services, the financial accountability of the bidder and his/her expertise, experience, reputation of business integrity an ability to provide repair and conservation services; time of delivery, or performance offered, and if the place where the materials, supplies and equipment are manufactured is located in Puerto Rico.
History —Sept. 12, 1996, No. 216, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-SEVEN - Public Service (§§ 1 — 2641) › PART II - Communications (§§ 265 — 539) › Chapter 29 - Public Broadcasting Corporation (§§ 501 — 513) › § 509 - Transfers

Once the necessary approvals and authorizations are obtained, including the approval of the Federal Communications Commission, the Puerto Rico Telephone Authority shall transfer to the Public Broadcasting Corporation for Puerto Rico all the licenses to operate the radio and television services of the People of Puerto Rico, as well as all the installations, properties, funds of any nature, records and equipment that are being used or that have been assigned to be used by it or by any other government entity with regard to the operation of public broadcasting facilities.
History —Sept. 12, 1996, No. 216, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-SEVEN - Public Service (§§ 1 — 2641) › PART II - Communications (§§ 265 — 539) › Chapter 29 - Public Broadcasting Corporation (§§ 501 — 513) › § 510 - Personnel

Upon the effectiveness of this act, all the employees of the Public Broadcasting Corporation for Puerto Rico, attached to the Puerto Rico Telephone Authority, shall retain all the duties and vested under the rights and laws and regulations in effect; Provided, That they shall be covered by §§ 61 et seq. of Title 29, known as the “Labor Relations Law of Puerto Rico”. The President of the Corporation shall establish the positions to be created in the new Corporation, the qualifications and requirements to hold the same, as well as the criteria to evaluate and select personnel.
History —Sept. 12, 1996, No. 216, § 10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-SEVEN - Public Service (§§ 1 — 2641) › PART II - Communications (§§ 265 — 539) › Chapter 29 - Public Broadcasting Corporation (§§ 501 — 513) › § 511 - Transition Committee

The Governor of Puerto Rico is hereby authorized to appoint a Transition Committee to adopt those transitory measures and make those decisions deemed necessary so that the transfers directed by this chapter take place without interrupting the administrative processes, rendering of services, and the operation of the services transferred. This Committee shall carry out its duties taking into account the provisions of this chapter and all the regulations of the Federal Communications Commission applicable in this case.
This Committee shall cease its functions when the Board of Directors of the Public Broadcasting Corporation for Puerto Rico thus determines.
History —Sept. 12, 1996, No. 216, § 11.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-SEVEN - Public Service (§§ 1 — 2641) › PART II - Communications (§§ 265 — 539) › Chapter 29 - Public Broadcasting Corporation (§§ 501 — 513) › § 512 - Pending procedures

Any complaint or procedure pending before the Public Broadcasting Corporation for Puerto Rico, attached to the Puerto Rico Telephone Authority, or before any agency or court of law, on the date of approval of this act, and that has been filed pursuant to the provisions of the laws that govern the services transferred through this chapter, shall continue to be carried out by said Corporation until a final determination is made pursuant to the laws and regulations in effect on the date that said complaints or procedures have been submitted or filed. After a firm and final determination has been made regarding the same, the Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Telephone Authority shall transfer all the files, documents and records related to said complaints and procedures to the new Public Broadcasting Corporation for Puerto Rico.
History —Sept. 12, 1996, No. 216, § 12.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-SEVEN - Public Service (§§ 1 — 2641) › PART II - Communications (§§ 265 — 539) › Chapter 29 - Public Broadcasting Corporation (§§ 501 — 513) › § 513 - Prohibition of free services

No person or entity shall use the Corporation’s facilities free of charge.
At the same time, the Board of Directors of the Public Broadcasting Corporation for Puerto Rico and its President are hereby directed and authorized to grant preferred and special treatment to the needs and requirements of the Department of Education, the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture and the University of Puerto Rico with regard to time, hours and price, among others, in harmony with a sound programming policy, when establishing the plans for the programming and use of the broadcasting facilities.
History —Sept. 12, 1996, No. 216, § 13.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-SEVEN - Public Service (§§ 1 — 2641) › PART II - Communications (§§ 265 — 539) › Chapter 29A - Drama Series, Miniseries and Made-for-TV Movie Production Program (§§ 521 — 527) › § 521 - Creation

The “Lucy Boscana Soap Operas, Miniseries and Specials Fund” in the Puerto Rico Public Broadcasting Corporation is hereby created, for the sole and exclusive purpose of promoting, planning and coordinating the production of television programs, soap operas, miniseries, or specials with the participation of local actors.
History —Aug. 29, 2000, No. 223, § 1, renumbered as § 2 and amended on Aug. 8, 2002, No. 122, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-SEVEN - Public Service (§§ 1 — 2641) › PART II - Communications (§§ 265 — 539) › Chapter 29A - Drama Series, Miniseries and Made-for-TV Movie Production Program (§§ 521 — 527) › § 522 - Appropriation

A special recurring appropriation of one million [dollars] ($1,000,000) a year is hereby established, from unencumbered funds in the Commonwealth Treasury, to be appropriated to the Puerto Rico Public Broadcasting Corporation, with the purpose of defraying the expenses of the production and programming of drama series, miniseries or made-for-TV movies with Puerto Rican themes.
History —Aug. 29, 2000, No. 223, § 2, renumbered as § 3 on Aug. 8, 2002, No. 122, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-SEVEN - Public Service (§§ 1 — 2641) › PART II - Communications (§§ 265 — 539) › Chapter 29A - Drama Series, Miniseries and Made-for-TV Movie Production Program (§§ 521 — 527) › § 523 - Appropriation—Use

The funds authorized by this chapter shall be appropriated, distributed and used by the Puerto Rico Public Broadcasting Corporation to defray the expenses of producing and programming drama series or miniseries for television and to guarantee the yearly continuity of programs of this nature.
History —Aug. 29, 2000, No. 223, § 3, renumbered as § 4 on Aug. 8, 2002, No. 122, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-SEVEN - Public Service (§§ 1 — 2641) › PART II - Communications (§§ 265 — 539) › Chapter 29A - Drama Series, Miniseries and Made-for-TV Movie Production Program (§§ 521 — 527) › § 524 - Appropriation—Special character

This recurring appropriation shall be of a special character and shall be appropriated each year to the Puerto Rico Public Broadcasting Corporation, for the purposes stated above, without being charged to or considering any other appropriation of funds, including the funds appropriated in the General Expenses Budget of the Government of Puerto Rico.
History —Aug. 29, 2000, No. 223, § 4, renumbered as § 5 on Aug. 8, 2002, No. 122, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-SEVEN - Public Service (§§ 1 — 2641) › PART II - Communications (§§ 265 — 539) › Chapter 29A - Drama Series, Miniseries and Made-for-TV Movie Production Program (§§ 521 — 527) › § 525 - Annual report

It shall be the obligation of the Puerto Rico Public Broadcasting Corporation to ascertain that the funds thus appropriated annually are being used exclusively for the purposes set forth in this chapter. The Corporation shall also render an annual report to the Legislature on the work performed in compliance with the ends and purposes consigned in this chapter.
History —Aug. 29, 2000, No. 223, § 5, renumbered as § 6 on Aug. 8, 2002, No. 122, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-SEVEN - Public Service (§§ 1 — 2641) › PART II - Communications (§§ 265 — 539) › Chapter 29A - Drama Series, Miniseries and Made-for-TV Movie Production Program (§§ 521 — 527) › § 526 - Regulations

The Puerto Rico Public Broadcasting Corporation shall promulgate the norms, regulations and procedures for the implementation of the provisions contained in this chapter.
History —Aug. 29, 2000, No. 223, § 6, renumbered as § 7 on Aug. 8, 2002, No. 122, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-SEVEN - Public Service (§§ 1 — 2641) › PART II - Communications (§§ 265 — 539) › Chapter 29A - Drama Series, Miniseries and Made-for-TV Movie Production Program (§§ 521 — 527) › § 527 - Funds

The funds appropriated in this chapter may be matched with contributions from the private sector or with any other funds of the Commonwealth or Municipal Governments, or the Government of the United States of America.
History —Aug. 29, 2000, No. 223, § 7, renumbered as § 8 on Aug. 8, 2002, No. 122, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-SEVEN - Public Service (§§ 1 — 2641) › PART II - Communications (§§ 265 — 539) › Chapter 30 - Prepaid Cellphone Registry (§§ 531 — 539) › § 531 - Creation

A prepaid cellphone registry is hereby created attached to the Telecommunications Regulatory Board.
History —Dec. 27, 2011, No. 280, § 1, eff. 90 days after Dec. 27, 2011.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-SEVEN - Public Service (§§ 1 — 2641) › PART II - Communications (§§ 265 — 539) › Chapter 30 - Prepaid Cellphone Registry (§§ 531 — 539) › § 532 - Definitions

For purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have the meaning stated below:
(a) Board.— The Telecommunications Regulatory Board of Puerto Rico, which is the agency responsible for regulating telecommunications services in Puerto Rico, as is established in §§ 265 et seq. of this title, known as the “Puerto Rico Telecommunications Act of 1996”.
(b) Telephone company.— Any natural or juridical person that, whether partially or totally, directly or indirectly, possesses, controls, administers, operates, manages, supplies, or resells any telecommunications service in Puerto Rico.
(c) Commercial entity.— Any natural or juridical person, or business establishment such as a pharmacy, gas station, department store, supermarket, etc., that sells prepaid cellphones.
(d) Owner.— Any natural or juridical person that owns or controls a prepaid mobile telephone device.
(e) Prepaid mobile telephone device.— Any telephone or other device used for telephone communication or to share information through a cellular network to which a telephone number is assigned and is activated through a telephone service provider; it includes interchangeable Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs) that serve to activate and connect the device to a network, when a telephone number is assigned thereto, whether they are purchased together with the device or separately.
History —Dec. 27, 2011, No. 280, § 2, eff. 90 days after Dec. 27, 2011.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-SEVEN - Public Service (§§ 1 — 2641) › PART II - Communications (§§ 265 — 539) › Chapter 30 - Prepaid Cellphone Registry (§§ 531 — 539) › § 533 - Powers and authorities of the Board

For purposes of the prepaid cellphone registry to be created, and pursuant to §267c of this title, the Board shall have primary jurisdiction over any telecommunications service, every person rendering these services in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and every person with a direct or indirect interest in said services or companies. This shall include any commercial entity that sells prepaid cellphones.
The Board is hereby authorized and empowered to implement this chapter and to oversee faithful and full compliance therewith.
The information contained in the registry shall only be available to law enforcement agencies upon request while conducting a criminal investigation. The Board shall furnish the information free of charge and upon the filing of a complaint with the police, or the issue of an order by a court with jurisdiction in Puerto Rico.
History —Dec. 27, 2011, No. 280, § 3, eff. 90 days after Dec. 27, 2011.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-SEVEN - Public Service (§§ 1 — 2641) › PART II - Communications (§§ 265 — 539) › Chapter 30 - Prepaid Cellphone Registry (§§ 531 — 539) › § 534 - Rulemaking authority

The members of the Board shall adopt regulations as are necessary to establish, among other things, all the rules and standards needed to achieve the purposes of this chapter. These regulations shall be adopted pursuant to §§ 2101 et seq. of Title 3, known as the “Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Uniform Administrative Procedures Act”.
History —Dec. 27, 2011, No. 280, § 4, eff. 90 days after Dec. 27, 2011; June 1, 2012, No. 102, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-SEVEN - Public Service (§§ 1 — 2641) › PART II - Communications (§§ 265 — 539) › Chapter 30 - Prepaid Cellphone Registry (§§ 531 — 539) › § 535 - Prepaid cellphone registry; requirement to register phone numbers with the Board

The Board shall be responsible for keeping and maintaining a registry of the telephone numbers of all prepaid mobile devices that are sold in Puerto Rico as established in this chapter. The registry to be maintained in this agency shall include the name, and street and mailing address of the owner of the device, as well as an alternative telephone number, the device’s telephone number, and the make, model, and serial number thereof.
Any telephone company, natural or juridical person, or commercial entity that sells a prepaid mobile telephone device shall require a photo identification at the time of purchase, and register, with the Board, the name, and street and mailing addresses of the owner of the device, as well as an alternative telephone number, the device’s telephone number, and the make, model, and serial number thereof.
Such registration shall be carried out within thirty (30) days after purchasing the device. The Board shall establish the procedures and forms necessary to fulfill this obligation. Said procedures and forms shall be included in the regulations adopted by the Board in accordance with this chapter.
Any telephone company that has sold prepaid cellphones before the effective date of this act is hereby required to submit to the Board a list of all the telephone numbers of those units and any other information it has, or may have acquired in the ordinary course of business, as required for purposes of the registry created herein, within thirty (30) days as of the effectiveness of this act.
Persons who own prepaid mobile devices as of the approval of this act shall have a term that shall not exceed sixty (60) days to register said devices with the Board. The Board is hereby empowered to extend said term up to sixty (60) additional days if it deems it necessary.
History —Dec. 27, 2011, No. 280, § 5, eff. 90 days after Dec. 27, 2011.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-SEVEN - Public Service (§§ 1 — 2641) › PART II - Communications (§§ 265 — 539) › Chapter 30 - Prepaid Cellphone Registry (§§ 531 — 539) › § 536 - Notice of change of address

Owners of prepaid mobile telephone devices shall be required to notify the Board of any change of address within thirty (30) days after the change.
History —Dec. 27, 2011, No. 280, § 6, eff. 90 days after Dec. 27, 2011.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-SEVEN - Public Service (§§ 1 — 2641) › PART II - Communications (§§ 265 — 539) › Chapter 30 - Prepaid Cellphone Registry (§§ 531 — 539) › § 537 - Notice of new owner

Any natural or juridical person that purchases or receives, as a gift, a prepaid mobile telephone device that was previously registered with the Board by a former owner shall be required to notify the Board within thirty (30) days after acquiring said device.
History —Dec. 27, 2011, No. 280, § 7, eff. 90 days after Dec. 27, 2011.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-SEVEN - Public Service (§§ 1 — 2641) › PART II - Communications (§§ 265 — 539) › Chapter 30 - Prepaid Cellphone Registry (§§ 531 — 539) › § 538 - Penalties

Any telephone company, natural or juridical person, or commercial entity that violates the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of an administrative offense and shall be punished by a fine of up to twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) per each violation.
History —Dec. 27, 2011, No. 280, § 8, eff. 90 days after Dec. 27, 2011.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-SEVEN - Public Service (§§ 1 — 2641) › PART II - Communications (§§ 265 — 539) › Chapter 30 - Prepaid Cellphone Registry (§§ 531 — 539) › § 539 - Special Fund

The moneys collected on account of the administrative fines imposed in accordance with this chapter, or the regulations adopted thereunder, shall be deposited in a Special Telecommunications Regulatory Board Fund, without it being subject to the public policy established in §§ 283—283p of Title 3, known as the “Puerto Rico Government Accounting Act”.
The money deposited in the Fund shall be transferred to the Board to be used to defray a portion of the operating, fiscal, and administrative expenses incurred in connection with the implementation of this chapter.
History —Dec. 27, 2011, No. 280, § 9, eff. 90 days after Dec. 27, 2011.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-SEVEN - Public Service (§§ 1 — 2641) › PART III - Puerto Rico Public Service Act (§§ 1001 — 1282) › Chapter 51 - Terminology and General Provisions (§§ 1001 — 1003) › § 1001 - Short title

The short title of this part shall be the “Puerto Rico Public Service Act”.
History —June 28, 1962, No. 109, p. 288, § 1, eff. 90 days after June 28, 1962.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-SEVEN - Public Service (§§ 1 — 2641) › PART III - Puerto Rico Public Service Act (§§ 1001 — 1282) › Chapter 51 - Terminology and General Provisions (§§ 1001 — 1003) › § 1003 - Exemption from regulations by Commission

The public corporations and government instrumentalities which render services regulated by this part shall or shall not remain subject to the provisions herein, as provided in the statute creating each one of them, except as provided in this part in relation with municipal properties.
History —June 28, 1962, No. 109, p. 288, § 3, eff. 90 days after June 28, 1962.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-SEVEN - Public Service (§§ 1 — 2641) › PART III - Puerto Rico Public Service Act (§§ 1001 — 1282) › Chapter 52 - Organization of the Commission (§§ 1051 — 1060) › § 1051 - Name and seal

The agency in charge of enforcing this part shall be known as the Public Service Commission of Puerto Rico. All orders and authorizations shall be issued in the name of the Public Service Commission of Puerto Rico, and all proceedings instituted by the Commission shall be in the name of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. It shall have an official seal with the words “Public Service Commission of Puerto Rico” and of such design as the Commission may prescribe. With it the Commission shall authenticate its proceedings, and the courts shall take official notice thereof.
History —June 28, 1962, No. 109, p. 288, § 4, eff. 90 days after June 28, 1962.