reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART VIII - Public Planning II (§§ 9011 — 9047) › Chapter 230 - Puerto Rico Permit Process Reform Act (§§ 9011 — 9028i) › Subchapter XVIII - General and Temporary Provisions (§§ 9028 — 9028i) › § 9028i - Provisions relative to municipalities

In harmony with the autonomic authorities granted to the autonomous municipalities by §§ 4001 et seq. of Title 21, known as the “Autonomous Municipalities Act of Puerto Rico”, such autonomous municipalities that, by virtue of the provisions in Subchapters XIII and XIV of the said statute have acquired or are in the process of acquiring the required competencies for permit granting or denial from the Permits and Regulations Administration, the succeeding agency and/or the Planning Board, shall be subject only to such sections of this chapter where it is specifically so provided. Such municipalities shall continue to issue their decisions following the procedures instituted for such purposes by the mayors and the Municipal Legislatures through the Permit Office or the administrative units created at a municipal level to address this endeavor, all of which is subject to the Autonomous Municipalities Act and the Competency Delegation Agreement. In the case of municipalities in the process of acquiring the competency or of designing their ordination plans, or in such cases in which they have the design plans and the future implementation, the exception shall be equally applicable, except that the transfer of competencies shall be governed by the agreements entered into by each municipality and the Management Office and the Planning Board following the provisions of §§ 4001 et seq. of Title 21. Although the authorities of the municipalities above described are acknowledged, the municipal governments shall examine their regulations and procedures so as to adopt the provisions of this chapter aimed at modernizing, automating, and expediting the granting and denial of permits.
History —Dec. 1, 2009, No. 161, § 18.10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART VIII - Public Planning II (§§ 9011 — 9047) › Chapter 231 - Puerto Rico Smart Infrastructure Development Act (§§ 9041 — 9047) › § 9041 - Definitions

For purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have the meaning stated below:
(a) Infrastructure Agency.— Means the Planning Board, the Permit Management Office, the Department of Transportation and Public Works, the Department of Housing, the Public Buildings Authority, the Electric Power Authority, and the Aqueduct and Sewer Authority, as well as any entity or government body attached thereto, and any other agency with interest in infrastructure development in Puerto Rico.
(b) Smart growth.— Means the concept that gathers in specific strategies, the best planning and urban development practices under the following principles: mix land uses; take advantage of compact building design; create a range of housing opportunities and choices; create walkable neighborhoods; foster distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place; preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty, and critical environmental areas; strengthen and direct land development towards existing communities; provide a variety of transportation choices; make land development decisions predictable, fair, and cost effective; and encourage community and stakeholder collaboration in land development decisions.
History —Sept. 28, 2012, No. 276, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART VIII - Public Planning II (§§ 9011 — 9047) › Chapter 231 - Puerto Rico Smart Infrastructure Development Act (§§ 9041 — 9047) › § 9042 - Public policy

It shall be the public policy of the Government of Puerto Rico to promote the smart growth of the Island by reducing unnecessary costs, urban sprawl, and the loss of open spaces. To achieve this, social, financial, and environmental benefits in infrastructure shall be maximized and the financing and development of new and existing transportation services, education, housing, and other public services that are compatible with smart growth shall be facilitated. Furthermore, efforts shall be geared toward the redevelopment of industrial buildings and land that have been abandoned or not used in or near urban areas.
History —Sept. 28, 2012, No. 276, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART VIII - Public Planning II (§§ 9011 — 9047) › Chapter 231 - Puerto Rico Smart Infrastructure Development Act (§§ 9041 — 9047) › § 9043 - Criteria

All infrastructure agencies of the Government of Puerto Rico or the municipalities thereof shall prioritize projects that: 1) foster the use and maintenance of existing infrastructure; and 2) are located in zones designated for development in the Land Use Plans and that are in accordance with the provisions of the Comprehensive Sustainable Strategic Development Plan (PIDES-PR, Spanish acronym). It shall also approve, build, improve, or finance infrastructure projects that meet the following criteria:
(a) The project protects, preserves, and improves Government resources, including farm land, forests, underground water, air quality, recreation and open spaces, scenic, historic, and architectural areas.
(b) Foster mixed land use.
(c) Foster compact building, being it understood as optimum land use, using smaller building footprints.
(d) Beautify public spaces.
(e) Emphasize the development of compact and mixed-use housing integrated into existing commercial zones, urban centers, and in proximity of collective transportation facilities.
(f) Promote social integration of all age groups and economic status.
(g) Reduce reliance on automobiles and foster public transportation.
(h) Foster inter-sector collaboration to make it transparent, fair, and cost-effective, so that it benefits all interested sectors.
(i) Foster the use of renewable energy.
History —Sept. 28, 2012, No. 276, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART VIII - Public Planning II (§§ 9011 — 9047) › Chapter 231 - Puerto Rico Smart Infrastructure Development Act (§§ 9041 — 9047) › § 9044 - Prohibition

No infrastructure agency shall approve or finance new or existing infrastructure projects unless the same are consistent with at least three (3) of the criteria established in § 9043 of this title. The Secretary, Head, or Executive Director of the state or municipal infrastructure agency shall be responsible for ascertaining that the project is, to the extent possible, feasible and compatible with the criteria.
History —Sept. 28, 2012, No. 276, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART VIII - Public Planning II (§§ 9011 — 9047) › Chapter 231 - Puerto Rico Smart Infrastructure Development Act (§§ 9041 — 9047) › § 9045 - Exemption

Notwithstanding the provisions in § 9044 of this title, if the infrastructure project does not meet all the criteria because it is considered, upon analysis to such effects, impossible or incompatible, a justification statement with supporting evidence shall be included.
History —Sept. 28, 2012, No. 276, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART VIII - Public Planning II (§§ 9011 — 9047) › Chapter 231 - Puerto Rico Smart Infrastructure Development Act (§§ 9041 — 9047) › § 9046 - Oversight

The Puerto Rico Planning Board shall be the agency in charge of overseeing the endeavors and development of the Multi-sector Coalition, the result of the Comprehensive Sustainable Strategic Development Plan (PIDES-PR, Spanish acronym) and shall prepare an annual report including, but not limited to, the following:
(1) Infrastructure agency strategies and work plans;
(2) Goals attained and/or difficulties encountered; and
(3) Recommendations that result in the benefit of the public policy of this chapter.
History —Sept. 28, 2012, No. 276, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART VIII - Public Planning II (§§ 9011 — 9047) › Chapter 231 - Puerto Rico Smart Infrastructure Development Act (§§ 9041 — 9047) › § 9047 - Rulemaking authority

The Puerto Rico Planning Board shall draft the general and basic guidelines that shall become the framework for the implementation of the smart growth concept within infrastructure agencies and the Multi-sector Coalition. In addition, it shall approve rules and regulations as are convenient and necessary to achieve the purposes of this chapter.
History —Sept. 28, 2012, No. 276, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART IX - Economic Development II (§§ 11001 — 11273) › Chapter 251 - Puerto Rico Film Industry Economic Incentives Act (§§ 11001 — 11008c) › Subchapter I - Preliminary Provisions (§§ 11001 — 11001a) › § 11001 - Rules of interpretation

The provisions of this chapter shall be liberally construed for the purpose of promoting the public policy set forth in the Statement of Motives and for all other purposes provided herein, including the establishment of film development zones through Puerto Rico to promote free competition of the industry. This chapter shall apply to all actions by a grantee that meets the requirements thereof. Nothing provided herein shall impair the development of film projects or infrastructure projects that do not meet the requirements of this chapter, but rather, the project and the persons owning, investing, or promoting such project shall not be entitled to enjoy the benefits granted by the chapter.
History —Mar. 4, 2011, No. 27, § 2.1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART IX - Economic Development II (§§ 11001 — 11273) › Chapter 251 - Puerto Rico Film Industry Economic Incentives Act (§§ 11001 — 11008c) › Subchapter II - Administration (§§ 11002 — 11002d) › § 11002a - Evaluation criteria

(a) The Secretary of Development shall establish through regulations or circular letter the documents, information, and guarantees to be provided or met by a person to avail itself of the provisions of this chapter.
(b) The Secretary of Development and the Secretary of the Treasury shall consider the following criteria to evaluate an application for a grant:
(1) The possibility that, in the absence of the incentives granted by this chapter, the film project, infrastructure project or the business of the studio operator or large-scale studio operator would be undertaken in a location other than Puerto Rico.
(2) The viability of the film project, infrastructure project or the business of the studio operator or large-scale studio operator to have the effect of promoting Puerto Rico as a tourist destination or filming destination.
(3) The viability of the film project, infrastructure project or the business of the studio operator or large-scale studio operator to have the effect of promoting economic development or job creation in Puerto Rico.
(4) The viability of the tax incentives granted under this chapter to attract private investment for film projects, infrastructure projects in Puerto Rico or the business of the studio operator or large-scale studio operator.
(5) The track record of the person applying for a grant in meeting commitments to engage in films projects, infrastructure projects, or operating a studio or a large-scale studio.
(6) Any other factor to be established by the Secretary of Development through regulations or circular letter consistent with promoting the best interests of Puerto Rico and/or the purposes of this chapter.
(c) The Secretary of Development may only deny an application for a grant for failure to meet one or more of the criteria set forth in subsection (b) of this section or because of the unavailability of tax credits according to the limitations set forth in § 11006b of this title. The Secretary of Development shall state in writing to the applicant of a grant the reasons for denying the application therefor.
History —Mar. 4, 2011, No. 27, § 3.2; July 13, 2012, No. 140, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART IX - Economic Development II (§§ 11001 — 11273) › Chapter 251 - Puerto Rico Film Industry Economic Incentives Act (§§ 11001 — 11008c) › Subchapter II - Administration (§§ 11002 — 11002d) › § 11002c - Inspections and reports

(a) The Secretary of Development shall carry out from time to time such investigations as he/she deems necessary with respect to the operations of a film project, infrastructure project or the studio operator or large-scale studio operator. Each grantee shall file any and all reports and submit such other information regarding the subject of the grant as shall be required by the Secretary of Development from time to time.
(b) The grantee shall contract an auditor approved by the Secretary of Development to determine and render to the Secretary of Development a report certifying the amount in cash that has been paid to defray Puerto Rico production expenditures and to compute the appropriate tax credit. Said auditor shall meet all the requirements established by the Secretary of Development through regulations or circular letter. Once the grantee furnishes the auditor with the necessary information for the latter to comply with the preparation of the certification required under § 11006b of this title, the auditor shall have a term of thirty (30) days to complete the certification applicable under § 11006b of this title.
(c) The grantee shall notify the Secretary of Development the name and address of the administrator or representative who shall be responsible for rendering all the reports and causing the grantee to meet the requirements established in this chapter.
(d) The Secretary of Development shall draft a report to be submitted to the Governor and the Office of the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives of the Government of Puerto Rico evaluating the effectiveness of the tax credits granted under this chapter in stimulating growth in the film industry not later than June 30, 2018.
History —Mar. 4, 2011, No. 27, § 3.4; July 13, 2012, No. 140, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART IX - Economic Development II (§§ 11001 — 11273) › Chapter 251 - Puerto Rico Film Industry Economic Incentives Act (§§ 11001 — 11008c) › Subchapter III - Film Projects (§§ 11003 — 11003a) › § 11003a - Nature, means of production and dissemination

A film project may:
(a) Use as sources real images as well as animation or electronically generated images;
(b) use for its production any means currently available or that could be developed in the future, among them, without it being limited to: celluloid, tape, disc or paper. The medium may be magnetic, optic, ink or any other that is developed in the future. The form of recording and reproducing images and sound may be analog, digital or any other developed in the future, or
(c) be disseminated in any media, including electronic information transmission mediums.
History —Mar. 4, 2011, No. 27, § 4.2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART IX - Economic Development II (§§ 11001 — 11273) › Chapter 251 - Puerto Rico Film Industry Economic Incentives Act (§§ 11001 — 11008c) › Subchapter IV - Infrastructure Projects (§ 11004) › § 11004 - Eligible infrastructure projects

(a) A person may obtain a grant in connection with the development of an infrastructure project.
(b) The acquisition of machinery or equipment to be used or installed in an infrastructure project may be considered as part of the Puerto Rico production expenditures. Said machinery and equipment shall remain in Puerto Rico during its useful life or not less than five (5) years, whichever is less, starting from the date of acquisition. Said assets shall only be removed from Puerto Rico in a temporary manner incidental to a film project. The Secretary of the Treasury or the Secretary of Development shall require a bond from the grantee that acquires the machinery and equipment in order to secure the total of the tax credits that have been generated by the purchase thereof. The bond shall name the Secretary of the Treasury as the beneficiary and shall be reduced annually in a proportional manner. For purposes of this subsection, any machinery or equipment located in Puerto Rico that is not physically located in the infrastructure project, but that shall serve solely such project, and which meets all other requirements as established by the Secretary of Development through regulation or circular letter may be treated as Puerto Rico production expenditures.
(c) In order for a substantial expansion to qualify as an infrastructure project, the grantee must carry out an expansion of the existing studios, studio, or large-scale studios, laboratories or facilities whose investment is equal to at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the fair market value of the existing physical plant prior to said substantial expansion. The cost of the land shall not be part of the value considered for purposes of the twenty-five percent (25%).
History —Mar. 4, 2011, No. 27, § 5.1; July 13, 2012, No. 140, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART IX - Economic Development II (§§ 11001 — 11273) › Chapter 251 - Puerto Rico Film Industry Economic Incentives Act (§§ 11001 — 11008c) › Subchapter VI - Nature of the Grants (§§ 11006 — 11006b) › § 11006 - Nature of the grants

(a) Grants issued under this chapter shall be considered a contract between the grantee, its stockholders, members, investors, partners and/or owners, and the Government of Puerto Rico, and such contract shall be considered the law between the parties. Said contract shall be interpreted liberally, in accordance with the purpose of this chapter to promote the public policy set forth herein. No such contract may be amended or terminated without the mutual consent of the parties thereto, except in cases of non-compliance with its established terms and conditions. The Secretary of Development shall have discretion to include in each grant, such terms and conditions as are consistent with the purposes of this chapter, taking into consideration the nature of the petition or action requested, as well as the applicable facts and circumstances.
(b) Every grantee under this chapter shall conduct its operations substantially as stated in the application for the grant, except as these have been amended through amendments authorized by the Secretary of Development upon request of the grantee prior to the event for which the amendment was requested.
History —Mar. 4, 2011, No. 27, § 7.1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART IX - Economic Development II (§§ 11001 — 11273) › Chapter 251 - Puerto Rico Film Industry Economic Incentives Act (§§ 11001 — 11008c) › Subchapter VI - Nature of the Grants (§§ 11006 — 11006b) › § 11006a - Studio operators and large-scale studio operator

(a) Any studio operator and/or large-scale studio operator shall be eligible to obtain a grant under this chapter to avail themselves of all the tax incentives available under this chapter.
(b) A large-scale studio operator shall have, directly, or through endorsed grantees, as such term is defined herein, the responsibility of ensuring the proper operation of the large-scale studio and the required amenities and components thereto, and the provision of such services required to support the commercial needs of film projects.
(c) Any bona fide office, business or establishment along with its equipment and machinery, with the capability and skills necessary to render a service on a commercial scale to a large-scale studio operator, shall be considered a strategic supplier, provided that such services:
(1) Directly relate to the business of development, preproduction, production, postproduction, and distribution of a film project;
(2) are indispensable for the large-scale studio operator to comply with its obligations pursuant to subsection (b), and
(3) are rendered to the large-scale studio in a regular and exclusive form; provided that a person whom sporadically renders services to a large-scale operator shall not be considered a strategic supplier.
(d) Once the large-scale studio operator has identified a strategic supplier, it shall obtain an endorsement from the Secretary of Development, and such supplier, once endorsed by the Secretary of Development, shall become an endorsed concessionary entitled to enjoy the same benefits available to the large-scale studio operator under its grant as a grantee undertaking such activity directly.
History —Mar. 4, 2011, No. 27, § 7.2; July 13, 2012, No. 140, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART IX - Economic Development II (§§ 11001 — 11273) › Chapter 251 - Puerto Rico Film Industry Economic Incentives Act (§§ 11001 — 11008c) › Subchapter VII - Tax Treatment (§§ 11007 — 11007c) › § 11007a - Tax base

The tax base of an investment made in a grantee shall be determined pursuant to the provisions of the Code, except that said base shall be reduced dollar for dollar, but never below zero, by the amount of the tax credits that the grantee is empowered to use or transfer, regardless of the time when it is claimed or whether the tax credit is transferred to a third party.
History —Mar. 4, 2011, No. 27, § 8.2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART IX - Economic Development II (§§ 11001 — 11273) › Chapter 251 - Puerto Rico Film Industry Economic Incentives Act (§§ 11001 — 11008c) › Subchapter VII - Tax Treatment (§§ 11007 — 11007c) › § 11007c - Other tax benefits

Any deeds, petitions or documents, judicial, public or private related to the registration, annotation, cancellation, release, restriction, constitution, modification, extension, rectification, limitation, creation or renewal of any real property or contractual right that has access to the Property Registry of Puerto Rico executed in connection with parcels of land located within the film development zones shall be fully exempt from the payment of internal revenue, legal aid and notarial assistance stamps and Property Registry of Puerto Rico presentation and recordation vouchers including, but not limited to, internal revenue, legal assistance or any other stamps taxes required by law or regulation for the execution, issuance of any partial or complete certified copy, presentation, recordation or any other operation in the Property Registry of Puerto Rico. The aforementioned exemption shall be subject to the prior approval in each instance of the Secretary of Development. The approval of the Secretary of Development shall be evidenced by a certification issued by the Secretary of Development to that effect, copy of which (i) must be delivered to the notary, Property Registrar of Puerto Rico, court of law or any other governmental entity before which the exemptions provided herein are being claimed, and (ii) shall accompany any deed or document filed in the Property Registry of Puerto Rico. The persons and entities described above are hereby authorized to rely on the certification issued by the Secretary of Development, which shall be presumed final and binding for all legal purposes.
The term “real property or contractual right that has access to the Property Registry of Puerto Rico” used in the foregoing paragraph, includes all real property rights or personal rights which currently have or may in the future have access to the Property Registry of Puerto Rico including, without limitation:
(a) Easements, whether legal, real or personal or equitable easements;
(b) constitution of horizontal property, timeshare, vacation club, or condo-hotel property regimes;
(c) surface or construction rights, and any other acknowledgement of construction or certification of completion of construction or improvement, the registration of which is requested in the Puerto Rico Registry of Property;
(d) leases;
(e) mortgages;
(f) purchases and sales;
(g) exchanges;
(h) donations;
(i) rights of first offer, refusal and repurchase and annuities (known in Spanish as “censos”);
(j) private water rights;
(k) administrative concessions;
(l) options to purchase, and
(m) covenants and use restrictions.
History —Mar. 4, 2011, No. 27, § 8.4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART IX - Economic Development II (§§ 11001 — 11273) › Chapter 251 - Puerto Rico Film Industry Economic Incentives Act (§§ 11001 — 11008c) › Subchapter VIII - Miscellaneous Provisions (§§ 11008 — 11008c) › § 11008 - Denial, revocation and limitation of benefits

(a) A person who applies for a grant and receives a written notice from the Secretary of Development with respect to the award or denial of the application for a grant may request reconsideration by written notice within the term of fifteen (15) days as of the date of the notice of award or denial of the grant.
(b) Upon a finding by the Secretary of Development, after consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, that:
(1) The grantee has failed to comply with:
(A) Its obligations under Puerto Rico tax laws, the terms of the grant or this chapter, or
(B) the regulations promulgated thereunder and hereunder; or
(2) the benefits of this chapter and/or the grant have been obtained through misrepresentation, malfeasance or fraud, the Secretary of Development may impose fines against a grantee and/or modify or revoke the grant in question. The sums to be paid in the cases in which a fine is imposed in lieu of the revocation or modification of the benefits granted shall be determined by the Secretary of Development through regulations. If a grant is revoked pursuant to this section, the amount of the tax credits granted therein may be subject to the recapture provisions of subsection (d) of § 11006b of this title. Any grantee or applicant for a grant, adversely affected or injured by any action of the Secretary of Development imposing a fine, shall be entitled to request review of the action of the Secretary of Development within fifteen (15) days as of the date of notice of the imposition of the fine.
(c) The existence or mere appearance of a conflict of interest shall be notified immediately by the person who becomes aware thereof to the Secretary of Development. If the situation is not resolved or clarified within thirty (30) days, the persons involved in said conflict of interest may not benefit from the provisions of this chapter.
History —Mar. 4, 2011, No. 27, § 9.1; May 19, 2015, No. 69, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART IX - Economic Development II (§§ 11001 — 11273) › Chapter 251 - Puerto Rico Film Industry Economic Incentives Act (§§ 11001 — 11008c) › Subchapter VIII - Miscellaneous Provisions (§§ 11008 — 11008c) › § 11008a - Administrative decisions; finality

(a) Any grantee or applicant for a grant or person attempting to transfer a grant or person to whom the grant is to be transferred, adversely affected or injured by any action of the Secretary of Development imposing a fine, awarding or denying an application for a grant, awarding or denying a request for reconsideration pursuant to § 11008(a) of this title hereof, revoking or modifying a grant, or denying a transfer of a grant, shall be entitled to request review of the action of the Secretary of Development before the Court of Appeals within thirty (30) days as of the date of notice of the determination of the Secretary of Development.
History —Mar. 4, 2011, No. 27, § 9.2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART IX - Economic Development II (§§ 11001 — 11273) › Chapter 251 - Puerto Rico Film Industry Economic Incentives Act (§§ 11001 — 11008c) › Subchapter VIII - Miscellaneous Provisions (§§ 11008 — 11008c) › § 11008b - Relation to other acts

(a) In case of a discrepancy between any terms or provisions of this chapter and any other statute, law, rule, regulation, ruling, circular letter, administrative determination or the like, the terms and provisions of this chapter shall prevail.
(b) A film project or infrastructure project may be covered under the tax benefits provided under this chapter, regardless of whether tax credits have been granted or not.
(c) A grantee may combine exemptions, incentives, benefits and the provisions of this chapter with those of any other statute, law, rule, regulation or program including, but not limited to, the benefits provided by Subchapter K of the Code or other laws, statutes, rules, regulations or programs passed, enacted, created or promulgated after the approval of this act. Nevertheless, if grantee chooses to avail itself of the provisions of this chapter with respect to the issuance of tax credits, it shall only obtain the tax credits granted in this chapter.
(d) A grantee engaged in a film project shall be entitled to apply for the appropriate permits before the Permit Management Office created under §§ 9011 et seq. of this title, known as the “Puerto Rico Permit Process Reform Act”. In the case of a ministerial determination, as defined in the Puerto Rico Permit Process Reform Act, the Permit Management Office shall act in connection with such application within a term not to exceed five (5) days. In the case of a discretionary determination, as defined in the Puerto Rico Permit Process Reform Act, the Permit Management Office shall act in connection with said application within a term not to exceed twenty (20) days, except in those cases in which a Environmental Impact Statement is required the Permit Management Office shall act in connection thereto within a term not to exceed thirty (30) days following the date of notice of the application of the environmental document submitted. The Planning Board and/or the Permit Management Office is hereby authorized to issue any administrative order or resolution to provide for any additional administrative issue related or applicable to the cases presented by said grantee.
History —Mar. 4, 2011, No. 27, § 9.4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART IX - Economic Development II (§§ 11001 — 11273) › Chapter 251 - Puerto Rico Film Industry Economic Incentives Act (§§ 11001 — 11008c) › Subchapter VIII - Miscellaneous Provisions (§§ 11008 — 11008c) › § 11008c - Regulations and circular letters under this chapter

(a) The Secretary of Development shall establish, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, through regulations or circular letter, the guidelines for the interpretation and implementation of this chapter. Said regulations shall be subject to the provisions of §§ 2101 et seq. of Title 3, known as the “Uniform Administrative Procedures Act of Puerto Rico”. Until the regulations authorized by this chapter have been issued, the provisions of this chapter shall be self-executing and shall not depend on the approval of the regulations. The provisions of § 11008 of this title with respect to grant noncompliance, revocation, and modification fines shall not be self-executing until such regulations have been approved.
(b) The circular letters issued in accordance with the provisions of this chapter shall bear the signature of the Secretary of Development, the date of approval, and the legal basis, and shall be published on the Webpage of the Motion Picture Corporation.
History —Mar. 4, 2011, No. 27, § 9.5; July 13, 2012, No. 140, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART IX - Economic Development II (§§ 11001 — 11273) › Chapter 252 - Jobs Now Act (§§ 11021 — 11025) › Subchapter II - Alternate Permit Evaluation and Granting Process (§§ 11022 — 11022l) › § 11022 - Introduction

The purpose of this subchapter is to facilitate and incentivize the process to establish new businesses and extend existing ones by rendering our Permit System swifter, more efficient, and reliable. This shall allow both the private sector and the Government to attain their job-creation goals, without overlooking the constitutional duty to oversee the protection of our valuable natural resources. Likewise, the provisions of this subchapter ensure the protection of the public interest by promoting the construction of structures that meet the strictest, most rigorous, and innovative design and construction standards.
History —Jan. 10, 2013, No. 1, § 2.1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART IX - Economic Development II (§§ 11001 — 11273) › Chapter 252 - Jobs Now Act (§§ 11021 — 11025) › Subchapter II - Alternate Permit Evaluation and Granting Process (§§ 11022 — 11022l) › § 11022a - Requirements of the alternate permit granting method

The new permit process provided in this subchapter shall apply to every eligible business that meets the following conditions with regards to their location:
(a) The proposed use is consistent with the qualified area and does not require a site consultation.
(b) The water, electric power, and access roads infrastructure existing in the area has the capacity to satisfy all the needs of the proposed use.
(c) The proposed use shall not be located in a flood zone (except for uses in existing structures that do not require any construction) coastal zone or areas adjacent thereto, or zones that are prone to landslides or heavy seas.
(d) The proposed use shall not be located or impact ecologically sensitive or protected zones, areas that constitute mineral deposits, archeological sites, or areas of cultural value.
(e) The total cost of the work does not exceed fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000).
Furthermore, in order for an eligible business to apply for the alternate permit granting method, it must submit a certification issued by the Trade and Export Company, which certifies it as such. This shall not impair the applicant from applying and obtaining a permit under the regular process established in §§ 9011 et seq. of this title.
History —Jan. 10, 2013, No. 1, § 2.2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART IX - Economic Development II (§§ 11001 — 11273) › Chapter 252 - Jobs Now Act (§§ 11021 — 11025) › Subchapter II - Alternate Permit Evaluation and Granting Process (§§ 11022 — 11022l) › § 11022c - Applicability of the general permit

As provided in § 11022a of this title, one of the conditions for the applicability of this new general permit process is whether the premises where the eligible business is to be located meets the location-related conditions. Such general permits shall be available whenever a determination of the Permit Management is ministerial and does not entail any discretionary determination. The existing permit process for this kind of permits is ministerial in nature according to §§ 9011 et seq. of this title; thus, the discretion of the Permit Management Office is not needed to evaluate a permit.
History —Jan. 10, 2013, No. 1, § 2.4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART IX - Economic Development II (§§ 11001 — 11273) › Chapter 252 - Jobs Now Act (§§ 11021 — 11025) › Subchapter II - Alternate Permit Evaluation and Granting Process (§§ 11022 — 11022l) › § 11022d - New permit

Every eligible business may opt to benefit from the new general permit process established herein by applying for the corresponding permit as listed below:
(a) General Construction Permit,
(b) General Use Permit.
These permits shall be granted within one (1) business day.
History —Jan. 10, 2013, No. 1, § 2.5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART IX - Economic Development II (§§ 11001 — 11273) › Chapter 252 - Jobs Now Act (§§ 11021 — 11025) › Subchapter II - Alternate Permit Evaluation and Granting Process (§§ 11022 — 11022l) › § 11022e - General Construction Permit

The General Construction Permit shall be the authorization required for the construction of works or structures in compliance with the applicable building codes as provided by the Joint Permit for Construction and Land Use Regulations (hereinafter the Joint Permit Regulations) adopted pursuant to §§ 9011 et seq. of this title, or the Land Ordinance Plan of the Autonomous Municipality in question. The General Construction Permit shall include, in its determination, the following individual permits recognized under the Joint Permit Regulations adopted pursuant to §§ 9011 et seq. of this title when the construction of the works or structures does not require any variation or exception whatsoever from the applicable requirements of the Joint Permit Regulations for each individual permit:
(1) Construction Permit.
(2) Consolidated Construction Permit.
(3) Authorization for Cutting, Trimming, Transplanting, and Planting Trees.
(4) Permit for Activities Incidental to Works and Simple Permits for Moving Earth Crust.
Autonomous municipalities opting out of the streamlined process provided under this subchapter shall only be empowered to grant the Construction Permit under this General Permit process, since it is the only individual permit mentioned herein whose granting has been delegated thereto in accordance with §§ 4001 et seq. of Title 21, known as the “Autonomous Municipalities Act.” All other individual permits shall be presented before the Permit Management Office through the General Permit process as soon as the General Construction Permit has been obtained from the autonomous municipality.
History —Jan. 10, 2013, No. 1, § 2.6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART IX - Economic Development II (§§ 11001 — 11273) › Chapter 252 - Jobs Now Act (§§ 11021 — 11025) › Subchapter II - Alternate Permit Evaluation and Granting Process (§§ 11022 — 11022l) › § 11022f - General Use Permit

The General Use Permit shall be the authorization required to enable the use of lands, buildings, and structures for specific purposes as provided in the Joint Permit Regulations adopted pursuant to §§ 9011 et seq. of this title. The General Use Permit shall include, in its determination, the following individual permits recognized under the Joint Permit Regulations adopted pursuant to §§ 9011 et seq. of this title:
(1) Use Permit.
(2) Fire Prevention Certification.
(3) Environmental Health Certificates, when applicable.
Autonomous municipalities opting out of the streamlined process provided under this subchapter shall only be empowered to grant the Use Permit under this General Permit process, since it is the only individual permit mentioned herein whose granting has been delegated thereto in accordance with §§ 4001 et seq. of Title 21. All other individual permits or certifications shall be presented before the Permit Management Office through the General Permit process as soon as the General Use Permit of the autonomous municipality has been obtained.
The applicable sanitary licenses provided in the General Environmental Health Regulations, Regulations No. 7655 of December 29, 2009, as amended, shall be required only to eligible businesses engaged in providing services such as food, public health, drinking water and ice, public pools, spas or hot tubs, funeral home, embalming, cremation, and cemetery, animal control facilities, pesticides and commercial poisons, among others, directly related to public health. Sanitary license applications shall be evaluated and issued within fifteen (15) days as of the filing thereof.
History —Jan. 10, 2013, No. 1, § 2.7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART IX - Economic Development II (§§ 11001 — 11273) › Chapter 252 - Jobs Now Act (§§ 11021 — 11025) › Subchapter II - Alternate Permit Evaluation and Granting Process (§§ 11022 — 11022l) › § 11022g - Environmental compliance

Environmental compliance in accordance with subsection (b)(3) of § 8001a of Title 12, known as the “Environmental Public Policy Act,” is an informal environmental planning process carried out before the execution of the proposed action; therefore, it must be carried out prior to filing the General Construction Permit. The Permit Management Office shall act as the proponent agency with regard to the environmental planning process in cases where a General Permit is sought, ensuring the evaluation of the proposed use and the applicability of the process. The provisions applicable to the environmental planning process are those established by §§ 9011 et seq. of this title, specifically in § 9018d of this title.
The recommendations and comments of agencies such as the Electric Power Authority, the Aqueduct and Sewers Authority, the Highways and Transportation Authority, the Telecommunications Regulatory Board, and the Firefighters Corps, among others, with regard to the proposed use and the eligible business, which are necessary as part of the environmental planning process, shall be obtained through the Permit Management Office. Such recommendations and comments shall be filed along with the General Construction Permit application. These agencies and any other, if applicable or required, shall issue their comments within ten (10) days as of the filing of the environmental document.
History —Jan. 10, 2013, No. 1, § 2.8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART IX - Economic Development II (§§ 11001 — 11273) › Chapter 252 - Jobs Now Act (§§ 11021 — 11025) › Subchapter II - Alternate Permit Evaluation and Granting Process (§§ 11022 — 11022l) › § 11022h - Permit filing

The General Construction Permit must be obtained before starting construction and the General Use Permit must be obtained before starting the eligible business operations. Starting construction and operations without the corresponding permit is hereby prohibited.
A General Permit application shall not be accepted unless the applicant files it duly filled out and certified; furnishes all the required information and documents; and pays in full any and all fixed charges and fees as appropriate.
History —Jan. 10, 2013, No. 1, § 2.9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART IX - Economic Development II (§§ 11001 — 11273) › Chapter 252 - Jobs Now Act (§§ 11021 — 11025) › Subchapter II - Alternate Permit Evaluation and Granting Process (§§ 11022 — 11022l) › § 11022j - Compliance requirements

The owner, proponent, operator, its agents, or authorized representatives who submit a duly completed application form and such application is approved, shall thereafter be subject to the terms and conditions of the General Permit and any other substantive requirement as prescribed in the applicable regulations.
The authorization of a General Permit shall not exempt any person from his/her continuous responsibility to comply with the provisions of the permit, the regulations, and any other applicable rules.
History —Jan. 10, 2013, No. 1, § 2.11.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART IX - Economic Development II (§§ 11001 — 11273) › Chapter 252 - Jobs Now Act (§§ 11021 — 11025) › Subchapter II - Alternate Permit Evaluation and Granting Process (§§ 11022 — 11022l) › § 11022k - Contradictory or compatible provisions

Nothing provided in this chapter, or the administrative determinations issued thereunder, shall:
(1) Relieve the owner, proponent, operator, or its authorized representative from the obligation to obtain other permits as required by other state or federal agencies, instrumentalities, or public bodies, including, but not limited to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the United States Army Corps of Engineers, or any municipality of Puerto Rico, or from meeting other requirements applicable to their activities.
(2) Limit the rights of any person that may be affected by the activities developed by the owner or operator to bring administrative and judicial actions and obtain the appropriate legal remedies.
(3) Be deemed to authorize or legalize the creation or maintenance of a public nuisance, as defined in the Code of Civil Procedure of Puerto Rico.
(4) Be deemed to limit or repeal other prohibitions established in the applicable laws and regulations.
(5) Repeal or amend the substantive requirements established by the Joint Permit Regulations and other applicable laws, codes, and regulations.
History —Jan. 10, 2013, No. 1, § 2.12.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART IX - Economic Development II (§§ 11001 — 11273) › Chapter 252 - Jobs Now Act (§§ 11021 — 11025) › Subchapter II - Alternate Permit Evaluation and Granting Process (§§ 11022 — 11022l) › § 11022l - Exaction impact or infrastructure connection fee

Agencies that charge exaction impact fees and service fees for connecting to public infrastructure, such as the aqueduct and sanitary sewage systems, electric power systems, and highways, among others, shall establish a mechanism to postpone the payment of such fees without penalties until the eligible business begins operations. Any eligible business required to pay exaction impact or infrastructure connection fees shall be allowed to pay such fees in full or through an installment plan plus the applicable interests within ninety (90) days after having obtained the General Use Permit or in any subsequent date fixed by mutual agreement.
History —Jan. 10, 2013, No. 1, § 2.13.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART IX - Economic Development II (§§ 11001 — 11273) › Chapter 252 - Jobs Now Act (§§ 11021 — 11025) › Subchapter IV - Job Creation Incentives (§§ 11024 — 11024l) › § 11024 - Authorization to enter into special job creation agreements

The Executive Director shall sign special job creation agreements, in representation of the Government, with eligible businesses that meet the criteria and comply with the procedures established in this chapter. In the evaluation, analysis, consideration, award, renegotiation, and revision of any incentive or benefit granted under this chapter, the Puerto Rico Trade and Export Company and the Executive Director thereof shall be required to oversee and ensure compliance with all the provisions of this chapter. The Executive Director shall be the official responsible for verifying and ensuring that eligible business meet the requirements of this subchapter.
The Executive Director shall be required and responsible for preparing a Certificate of Compliance of Special Job Creation Agreements every two years once eligible businesses validate, in the judgment of said official, that they have met the requirements set forth in this subchapter and this chapter. Every two years, the Executive Director shall verify the information submitted by eligible businesses so that the Certificate of Compliance may be issued not later than on the fifteenth (15 th) day of the second (2 nd) month after the close of the taxable year of the applicant.
History —Jan. 10, 2013, No. 1, § 4.1; Nov. 17, 2015, No. 187, § 110; Dec. 28, 2016, No. 208, § 34.