reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-ONE - Municipalities (§§ 1-4 — 6756) › Subtitle 7 - Municipal Property Tax (§§ 5001 — 6756) › PART III (§§ 5901 — 6756) › Chapter 265 - Municipal Finance Corporation Act (§§ 6751 — 6756) › § 6755 - Scope

(a) None of the provisions of this chapter shall be construed or applied so as to impair the power of the Legislative Assembly to impose and collect taxes in accordance with Section 2 of Article VI of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or the power of the municipalities to impose and collect taxes as allowed by law.
(b) None of the provisions of this chapter shall be construed or applied so as to impair the rights of holders of any bonds or notes that constitute general obligations of Commonwealth municipalities.
History —Jan. 24, 2014, No. 19, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 1 - Public Works Projects; Acquisition of Property (§§ 1 — 32) › § 1 - Projects for public works

No public work shall be undertaken until the necessary project thereof has been made in the manner herein specified, and said project has been approved by the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 409.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 1 - Public Works Projects; Acquisition of Property (§§ 1 — 32) › § 2 - Form

All projects for public works shall be made, as far as practicable, in accordance with the following schedule:
(1) Explanatory memorial, wherein the necessity for the proposed work shall be briefly explained and the method of carrying it on, properly demonstrated.
(2) Plans showing the proposed work with all necessary details to give an accurate idea of what is intended.
(3) Specifications, which shall include all requirements of a technical nature necessary for the good execution of the work.
(4) Estimate, which shall be a calculation, as approximately correct as possible, of the probable cost of the work; and the prices assigned to the various classes of work shall be clearly explained therein.
(5) The Secretary of Transportation and Public Works shall prescribe the necessary rules and regulations in accordance with the foregoing provisions to insure uniformity in the making of projects.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 410.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 1 - Public Works Projects; Acquisition of Property (§§ 1 — 32) › § 3 - Project open to public inspection; part of contract

When proposals for doing any work are advertised for, the project shall be open to the inspection of the public, and the same shall, with the exception of the explanatory memorial, be a part of the contract that may be entered into for doing the proposed work.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 417.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 1 - Public Works Projects; Acquisition of Property (§§ 1 — 32) › § 4 - Declaration of public utility

All the Commonwealth public works, which are the subject of §§ 412, 413, 417—423 of Title 3 and §§ 1—5 and 41—46 of this title, are hereby declared to be of public utility.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 418.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 1 - Public Works Projects; Acquisition of Property (§§ 1 — 32) › § 5 - Declaration of public utility—Object of declaration

The foregoing declaration of public utility shall carry with it:
(1) The benefit of neighborhood for the builders and their employees, which consists in the use of the objects enjoyed in common by the citizens of the municipality in which the works are situated.
(2) The application of the Law of Eminent Domain (Ley de Expropriación Forzosa) to private property, in accordance with the provisions of such law and of the rules and regulations for the execution of it.
(3) The exemption from payment of any and all fees charged by Registrars of Property, which may take place in consequence of the application of the said Law of Eminent Domain (Ley de Expropriación Forzosa).
History —Political Code, 1902, § 419.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 1 - Public Works Projects; Acquisition of Property (§§ 1 — 32) › § 6 - General powers—Expropriation or purchase of property

It is hereby declared that when, by virtue of any law, the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works has heretofore been or may hereafter be authorized to carry out any public works, or construct improvements or extensions thereto, the latter is hereby empowered to acquire by purchase or condemnation, in the name and on behalf of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, any property or rights therein, which in his judgment may be useful, advisable or necessary to carry out the works.
History —May 14, 1950, No. 422, p. 1020, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 1 - Public Works Projects; Acquisition of Property (§§ 1 — 32) › § 6a - General powers—Gifts of real property; acceptance

The Secretary of Transportation and Public Works is hereby authorized to accept in the name of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico all gifts of real property and rights therein as in his judgment are necessary or convenient for the development of works of public utility to the people of Puerto Rico.
History —May 26, 1966, No. 20, p. 141.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 1 - Public Works Projects; Acquisition of Property (§§ 1 — 32) › § 6b - General powers—Gifts in money; acceptance

The Secretary of Transportation and Public Works is hereby authorized to accept in the name of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, without being subject to the provisions of §§ 1101—1108 of Title 3, all such gifts in money that in the judgment of the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works may be necessary or convenient for the development of works of public utility to the people of Puerto Rico. Once these gifts in money are received they shall be devoted exclusively for the work for which donated. The money donated shall be subject to the same fiscal control as all public funds.
History —May 24, 1967, No. 64, p. 257.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 1 - Public Works Projects; Acquisition of Property (§§ 1 — 32) › § 7 - General powers—Declaration of public utility

When, by virtue of any law, the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works of Puerto Rico has heretofore been or may hereafter be authorized to carry out any public works, or construct improvements or extensions thereto, all the property or rights therein which in his judgment may be useful, advisable or necessary to carry out the public works authorized, or construct the improvements or extensions thereto, are hereby declared of public utility.
History —May 14, 1950, No. 422, p. 1020, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 1 - Public Works Projects; Acquisition of Property (§§ 1 — 32) › § 8 - General powers—Acquisition of whole or part of property or rights therein

In all cases where, for the construction of any public works authorized by law, or for the construction of improvements or extensions thereto, the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works has already been granted authorization prior to or after the effectiveness of this act, it may be necessary, advisable or useful to acquire part of any property or rights therein by purchase or condemnation, the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works is hereby empowered to acquire the whole of said property or rights therein, if in his judgment, it is financially more advantageous to the interests of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to do so.
History —May 14, 1950, No. 422, p. 1020, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 1 - Public Works Projects; Acquisition of Property (§§ 1 — 32) › § 9 - General powers—Definition of “construction”; roads

In all cases where by virtue of laws enacted by the Legislature of Puerto Rico either prior to or after the effectiveness of this act, the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works of Puerto Rico has been authorized to carry out the construction of any public works, the term “construction” shall include not only the construction but also the reconstruction, enlargement, repair, maintenance and improvement thereof and everything accessory thereto; Provided, further, That the use of the term “construction” in any laws enacted by the Legislature of Puerto Rico either prior to or after the effectiveness of this act, and authorizing and directing, and empowering, the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works to construct Commonwealth roads or other public highways, shall include such junctions, bypasses, detours and short cuts as a sound technique may demand for the construction thereof or for the improvement of the existing ones; and said term shall further include the power to construct and maintain small parks, parking places, recreation places and other subsidiary works directly related thereto, in the environs and neighborhood of Commonwealth roads and public highways.
History —May 14, 1950, No. 422, p. 1020, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 1 - Public Works Projects; Acquisition of Property (§§ 1 — 32) › § 10 - General powers—Condemnation

When, by virtue of any laws enacted by the Legislature of Puerto Rico either prior to or after the effectiveness of this act, the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works is empowered to acquire or purchase property or lands, or any rights therein for the purposes of constructing any public works, or of improvements or extensions thereto, it shall be understood that the word “acquire” as well as the word “purchase” shall both also mean to acquire through condemnation.
History —May 14, 1950, No. 422, p. 1020, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 1 - Public Works Projects; Acquisition of Property (§§ 1 — 32) › § 10a - Moving expenses; compensation

(a) The Secretary of Transportation and Public Works and the Highway Authority of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico are hereby authorized to compensate, from the funds devoted to the public works or traffic facilities programs, as the case may be, for the expenses incurred in moving the personal property of those persons compelled to move from properties, said properties being acquired for the construction of public works or traffic facilities.
These payments shall be subject to the rules prescribed by the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works and the Highway Authority and shall not exceed the sum of one thousand dollars ($1,000) in the case of a person or family and six thousand dollars ($6,000) in the case of businesses and nonprofit organizations.
(b) The Secretary of Transportation and Public Works and the Highway Authority are respectively authorized to compensate, for damages uncompensated by the payment of the market value of the property, up to the sum of two thousand dollars ($2,000) in addition to the purchase value, to those homeowners who live in their homes, when the purchase value does not exceed twenty thousand dollars ($20,000). This compensation shall be determined by the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works or the Highway Authority, as the case may be, in accordance with such rules as they may make to that effect, for the purpose of helping such persons to get relocated, and shall be given in addition to the moving expenses fixed in subsection (a) of this section.
(c) The compensations established in subsections (a) and (b) of this section shall be adjusted every two (2) years in agreement with the indices of increase in cost of living as established by the Planning Board of Puerto Rico.
History —June 21, 1966, No. 94, p. 309, §§ 1, 2; May 7, 2003, No. 120, §§ 1—3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 1 - Public Works Projects; Acquisition of Property (§§ 1 — 32) › § 10b - Relocation—Funds

In cases of exceptional merit, concerning meager-income families whose homes or small businesses are located on easement land of a public highway to be constructed, and who show obvious incapacity for procuring for themselves lands or structures to remove to, the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works or the Highway Authority may use the funds appropriated to public highways programs in order to aid said families in speeding up their relocation.
To said effects, the Highway Authority or the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works may transfer to the Urban Renewal and Housing Corporation or to the Rural Housing Administration of the Land Authority, or to any other corporation, agency, or public instrumentality engaged in housing development, as the case may be, the necessary sums for acquiring lands for, and providing shelter or temporary or permanent lodgings to, meager-income families and small businesses which are to be displaced for the construction of public roads.
History —June 21, 1966, No. 95, p. 310, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 1 - Public Works Projects; Acquisition of Property (§§ 1 — 32) › § 10c - Relocation—Low-income families

[Low]-income families shall be those eligible for the housing programs of social interest developed by the Urban Renewal and Housing Corporation, or for the rural communities program under the Rural Housing Administration of the Land Authority, and for which there are no available houses or lands within the regular programming of such agencies.
History —June 21, 1966, No. 95, p. 310, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 1 - Public Works Projects; Acquisition of Property (§§ 1 — 32) › § 10d - Relocation—Small businesses

Small businesses shall be those whose value on acquisition is not above five thousand dollars ($5,000), and which are operated by their owners.
History —June 21, 1966, No. 95, p. 310, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 1 - Public Works Projects; Acquisition of Property (§§ 1 — 32) › § 10e - Relocation—Agreements

The Secretary of Transportation and Public Works and the Highway Authority may enter into agreements with the Urban Renewal and Housing Corporation and the Rural Housing Administration of the Land Authority, or with any other corporation, agency, or public instrumentality engaged in housing development, for the transfer of the funds indicated in § 10b of this title so that the works authorized by said section may be carried out, and for the administration of the lands, houses, or premises for the businesses to be set up. The said agencies shall carry out the works in accordance with the needs of the Department of Transportation and Public Works and the Highway Authority.
History —June 21, 1966, No. 95, p. 310, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 1 - Public Works Projects; Acquisition of Property (§§ 1 — 32) › § 10f - Relocation—Applicable laws

The Urban Renewal and Housing Corporation, the Rural Housing Administration of the Land Authority, or the corporation, agency or public instrumentality acquiring the lands, and developing the houses and premises herein provided, shall administer same pursuant to its own respective organic laws, and may dispose of the acquired property according to its respective powers.
History —June 21, 1966, No. 95, p. 310, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 1 - Public Works Projects; Acquisition of Property (§§ 1 — 32) › § 10g - Relocation—Powers of Secretary

Were it not feasible for the Urban Renewal and Housing Corporation, the Rural Housing Administration of the Land Authority, or any other corporation, agency, or public instrumentality engaged in housing development, to carry out the development provided in §§ 10b—10g of this title, the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works may do so in conformity with the city-planning and housing policies of the Commonwealth. The Secretary of Transportation and Public Works is hereby empowered to administer the said developments and dispose of same as befits the public interest.
History —June 21, 1966, No. 95, p. 310, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 1 - Public Works Projects; Acquisition of Property (§§ 1 — 32) › § 10h - Federal funds—Powers and compensation standards

In the cases of persons displaced from the real estate property in which they have their dwelling, business or agricultural operation or nonprofit organization, due to the acquisition, rehabilitation, demolishing or any other activity that requires displacement from said real estate property by an agency, municipality or any other private person to carry out any public or private project that involves, in whole or in part, financing with federal funds, the agency, municipality or person concerned shall compensate the displaced persons with the benefits provided in Public Law 91-646, known as the “Uniform Relocation Assistance and Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970”, as amended.
History —May 30, 1970, No. 80, p. 197, § 1; May 31, 1972, No. 81, p. 184, § 2; Mar. 31, 1989, No. 2, p. 5, eff. Apr. 2, 1989.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 1 - Public Works Projects; Acquisition of Property (§§ 1 — 32) › § 10i - Federal funds—Relodging services program

The agencies and municipalities of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico are hereby authorized to prepare and develop an orientation and assistance program for persons displaced on account of the works to which § 10h of this title refers. Said program shall include the measures, facilities and services as may be necessary and advisable to:
(1) Determine the needs of assistance for relodging, if any, of displaced families, individuals, businesses and displaced agricultural operations.
(2) Assure to the extent that may reasonably be obtained, the availability of dwellings during a reasonable time prior to the displacement, in areas which in general are not less desirable with respect to services and commercial and public facilities and with rentals and prices within the economic means of displaced families or individuals. Said dwellings shall meet the requirements approved by the Secretary of Transportation of the United States of America for safe, decent and sanitary lodging, equal to the number of displaced individuals or families and reasonably accessible to their sites of employment.
(3) Assist displaced owners of businesses and of agricultural operations to find and establish themselves in adequate sites or premises.
(4) Furnish information with respect to the Federal Housing Administration and its program for acquisition of homes under § 221(d)2 of the National Housing Act, the loan program for disaster cases of small businesses under § 7(b)(3) of the Small Business Act and other federal and Commonwealth programs which offer assistance to displaced persons.
History —May 30, 1970, No. 80, p. 197, § 2; May 31, 1972, No. 81, p. 184, § 3, eff. July 1, 1972.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 1 - Public Works Projects; Acquisition of Property (§§ 1 — 32) › § 10j - Federal funds—Agreements with other agencies

The agencies and municipalities of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico are hereby empowered to make payments, provide assistance or carry out any of the other functions established hereunder, including the transfer of funds through any other agency or municipality of Puerto Rico.
History —May 30, 1970, No. 80, p. 197, § 3; May 31, 1972, No. 81, p. 184, § 4, eff. July 1, 1972.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 1 - Public Works Projects; Acquisition of Property (§§ 1 — 32) › § 10j-1 - Federal funds—Measures and regulations

The Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico shall adopt the measures and regulations as may be necessary to enforce the requirements, for the acquisition of real property, required by Public Law No. 91-646 “Real Property Acquisition Law” and to make sure that the payments and assistance authorized by §§ 10h-10k of this title be administered in a fair and reasonable manner by seeing that the proceedings be carried out rapidly and in a manner as to adequately guarantee the rights of the owner of the property.
History —May 30, 1970, No. 80, p. 197, added as § 3A on May 31, 1972, No. 81, p. 184, § 5, eff. July 1, 1972.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 1 - Public Works Projects; Acquisition of Property (§§ 1 — 32) › § 10k - Federal funds—Definitions

For the purposes of §§ 10h-10k of this title:
(1) Person. —
(a) Means any individual, partnership, corporation or association, owner of a business; or
(b) any owner, co-owner, tenant, sharecropper, who operates a farm; or
(c) any individual who is not a memeber of the family, or
(d) any individual who is the head of a family.
(2) Family. — Means two or more individuals residing together in the same residence and who are related by consanguinity, marriage, adoption or tutorship.
(3) Displaced person. — Means any person who must move as a result of the acquisition or reasonable anticipation of acquisition of the personal property subsequently acquired in whole or in part for a federal aid highway project or who must move as a result of the acquisition for a federal aid highway from another personal property in which said person has established a business or carries out agricultural operations.
(4) Business. — Means any legal activity whose principal purpose is:
(a) The purchase and sale, manufacture, elaboration or marketing of products, merchandise or other personal property; or
(b) the sale of services to the public, or
(c) for a nonprofit organization.
(5) Agricultural operation. — Means any activity carried out solely or principally for the production of one or more agricultural products or merchandise for sale and consumption and whose production is normally of such amounts as to contribute materially to the support of the operator.
(6) Agency. — Means any department, agency, corporation, public instrumentality and subsidiary thereof and any other administrative subdivision of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
History —May 30, 1970, No. 80, p. 197, § 4; May 31, 1972, No. 81, p. 184, § 6, eff. July 1, 1972.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 1 - Public Works Projects; Acquisition of Property (§§ 1 — 32) › § 13 - Depot of mechanized equipment—Creation

The Secretary of Transportation and Public Works is hereby authorized to create a Depot of Mechanized Equipment and Materials suitable to be used in the construction and maintenance of public works in general.
History —Apr. 24, 1950, No. 96, p. 224, § 1; June 22, 1975, No. 73, p. 178, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 1 - Public Works Projects; Acquisition of Property (§§ 1 — 32) › § 14 - Depot of mechanized equipment—Depot revolving fund

In order to cover the necessary operation expenses of the depot created by § 13 of this title, the Depot Revolving Fund is hereby created; and the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works is hereby authorized to transfer, to be covered into said Revolving Fund, the balance existing in said fund, as the same was created by Act No. 365 of May 15, 1948. The Secretary of Transportation and Public Works is further authorized to borrow money for the purchase of equipment and building material for the Depot of Mechanized Equipment and Materials, guaranteeing payment of obligations incurred from the Fund, or imposing liens on any of its properties, revenues or incomes for such payment.
History —Apr. 24, 1950, No. 96, p. 224, § 2; June 22, 1975, No. 73, p. 178, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 1 - Public Works Projects; Acquisition of Property (§§ 1 — 32) › § 15 - Depot of mechanized equipment—Use of equipment and material

(a) All equipment and construction materials acquired by the various divisions of the Department of Transportation and Public Works shall be transferred under inventory to the depot created by § 14 of this title, as directed by the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works, and the value of said equipment shall be credited to the depot.
(b) All equipment and material transferred under inventory to the Depot of Mechanized Equipment and Materials pursuant to §§ 13—18 of this title shall be used mainly by the several divisions and dependencies of the Department of Transportation and Public Works, which divisions and dependencies shall pay for the services or materials furnished them, as the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works may, in each case, determine; it being understood that such materials and equipment as are acquired with funds allocated to a specific project shall be furnished to such project cost free.
History —Apr. 24, 1950, No. 96, p. 224, § 3; June 22, 1975, No. 73, p. 178, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 1 - Public Works Projects; Acquisition of Property (§§ 1 — 32) › § 17 - Depot of mechanized equipment—Construction of building for depot

The Secretary of Transportation and Public Works is hereby authorized to construct a building for warehouses, shops and offices, for the purposes of the depot.
History —Apr. 24, 1950, No. 96, p. 224, § 5; June 22, 1975, No. 73, p. 178, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 1 - Public Works Projects; Acquisition of Property (§§ 1 — 32) › § 18 - Depot of mechanized equipment—Regulations

The Secretary of Transportation and Public Works may, when he deems it opportune, prescribe regulations for the enforcement of §§ 13—18 of this title, which regulations shall have force of law. Said regulations shall take effect once promulgated pursuant to §§ 2101 et seq. of Title 3.
History —Apr. 24, 1950, No. 96, p. 224, § 6; June 22, 1975, No. 73, p. 178, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 1 - Public Works Projects; Acquisition of Property (§§ 1 — 32) › § 19 - Depot of mechanized equipment—Advance of funds from Treasury

The Secretary of the Treasury of Puerto Rico is hereby authorized and directed to advance and place at the disposal of the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works of Puerto Rico, as may be requested by him, from any available funds in the Commonwealth Treasury, the necessary sums for the purchase of building materials for resale, and of equipment to be leased according to the provisions of § 16 of this title.
History —May 12, 1952, No. 395, p. 786, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 1 - Public Works Projects; Acquisition of Property (§§ 1 — 32) › § 20 - Depot of mechanized equipment—Limitation of advances

The total amount of the advances made pursuant to the provisions of § 19 of this title shall not exceed the sum total of the encumbrances contracted in behalf of the Depot Revolving Fund for the purchase of materials and the lease of equipment by Commonwealth Government departments and agencies whose funds are under the custody of the Secretary of the Treasury of Puerto Rico.
History —May 12, 1952, No. 395, p. 786, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 1 - Public Works Projects; Acquisition of Property (§§ 1 — 32) › § 21 - Depot of mechanized equipment—Reimbursement of advances

The advances made pursuant to §§ 19—21 of this title shall be reimbursed to the General Fund of the Commonwealth Treasury when each encumbrance accounted for on the books of the Secretary of the Treasury of Puerto Rico in behalf of the depot revolving fund shall have been liquidated in full, or in the manner determined by the Secretary of the Treasury of Puerto Rico.
History —May 12, 1952, No. 395, p. 786, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 1 - Public Works Projects; Acquisition of Property (§§ 1 — 32) › § 31 - Luis Muñoz Marín Scenic Route—Establishment

There is hereby established a route to be known as the Luis Muñoz Marín Scenic Route; which, starting at the city of Mayagez and running west to east as near as possible to the peak of the Cordillera Central, the Sierra de Cayey and the Cuchilla de Panduras, using at some places the existing roads and at others constructing the necessary stretches of road to complete said route, for a total length of approximately 222 kilometers, ends at Juan Martin Road of Yabucoa.
History —June 23, 1965, No. 71, p. 148, §§ 1—6; Sept. 29, 2004, No. 496, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 1 - Public Works Projects; Acquisition of Property (§§ 1 — 32) › § 31b - Luis Muñoz Marín Scenic Route—Scenic zones

The Puerto Rico Planning Board is hereby authorized to declare as scenic zones the sides of the section of the Luis Muñoz Marín Scenic Route to be built on the lands acquired as provided in § 31 of this title, as well as the sides of the uninhabited sections of road of said route already built; provided, that such scenic zones shall be considered to be scenic route areas or SR Districts for the purposes of §§ 62 et seq. of Title 23, known as the “Puerto Rico Planning Board Organic Act”.
History —June 23, 1965, No. 71, p. 148, § 3; Sept. 29, 2004, No. 496, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 1 - Public Works Projects; Acquisition of Property (§§ 1 — 32) › § 31c - Luis Muñoz Marín Scenic Route—Regulations

The Puerto Rico Planning Board shall adopt regulations, following the procedure established in article 16 of Act No. 213, May 12, 1942, as amended, providing for the construction of buildings, including height, extension and use of same, as well for the posting of posters and signs and the development of lands within the boundaries of the scenic zones.
History —June 23, 1965, No. 71, p. 148, § 4, eff. July 1, 1965.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 1 - Public Works Projects; Acquisition of Property (§§ 1 — 32) › § 31d - Luis Muñoz Marín Scenic Route—Maps

The Planning Board of Puerto Rico, following the procedure established in §§ 62 et seq. of Title 23, known as the “Puerto Rico Planning Board Organic Act”, shall adopt maps indicating the areas declared as scenic zones.
History —June 23, 1965, No. 71, p. 148, § 5; Sept. 29, 2004, No. 496, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 1 - Public Works Projects; Acquisition of Property (§§ 1 — 32) › § 31e - Luis Muñoz Marín Scenic Route—Revision

Both the regulations and the maps adopted under §§ 31—31g of this title may be revised whenever the Puerto Rico Planning Board shall deem it convenient, following the procedure used for the adoption thereof.
History —June 23, 1965, No. 71, § 6, eff. July 1, 1965.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 1 - Public Works Projects; Acquisition of Property (§§ 1 — 32) › § 31g - Luis Muñoz Marín Scenic—Road Keeper Corps; funds

The funds necessary to defray the operating expenses of the Road Keeper Corps shall be consigned in the Annual Resolution of the General Expense Budget of the Government of Puerto Rico, under the item corresponding to the Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority. The funds necessary to defray the operating expenses of the Council shall be consigned in the Annual Resolution of the General Expense Budget of the Government of Puerto Rico, under the item corresponding to the Department of Transportation and Public Works.
History —Sept. 29, 2004, No. 496, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 1 - Public Works Projects; Acquisition of Property (§§ 1 — 32) › § 32 - Puerto Rico Artisan Trail

(1) Definitions.— For purposes of this section, the following terms and phrases shall have the meaning stated hereinbelow:
(a) Puerto Rico Artisan Trail.— Shall mean the group of places devoted to the sale of Puerto Rican handcrafts strategically and systematically linked by a common route that passes through participating municipalities.
(b) Handcrafts.— Shall mean art manufactured or produced in Puerto Rico by a natural person who resides in the Island, through artistic, rustic, and manual means, whose themes are inspired in the different aspects of culture, such as our society’s history, fauna, flora, symbols, traditions, and customs.
(2) The Puerto Rico Tourism Company is hereby directed and empowered to identify and establish a tourist trail that includes, as a main attraction, Puerto Rican handcraft shops or stores and, as an alternative for tourists from abroad, a transportation system featuring tour guides.
(3) It shall be the public policy of the Government of Puerto Rico, through the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, in coordination with other pertinent government agencies, to promote and foster the “Puerto Rico Artisan Trail” as an option, not only for tourists, but also for locals.
(4) The Puerto Rico Tourism Company is hereby directed and empowered to identify spaces to promote and foster the creation of the necessary infrastructure to allow artisans to establish themselves along the trail set up for such purposes.
(5) The Puerto Rico Tourism Company is hereby directed and empowered to identify the municipalities to be included in the “Puerto Rico Artisan Trail”.
(6) The Puerto Rico Tourism Company is hereby directed and empowered, together with the Department of Transportation and Public Works and the Highway Authority, to prepare a plan to post signs and distribute maps to identify the roads and places of interest included in the “Puerto Rico Artisan Trail”.
(7) The Department of Transportation and Public Works shall establish the necessary regulations for posting signs that advertise and point the way to the “Puerto Rico Artisan Trail”.
(8) The Director of the Tourism Company is hereby directed to create a website including information regarding the places to visit along the “Puerto Rico Artisan Trail” along with the Mesones Gastronmicos found along the trail and an interactive map of the area.
(9) The Director of the Tourism Company shall ensure coordination and collaboration with the different government agencies or with any other that is necessary to comply with the purposes of this section.
History —Dec. 29, 2009, No. 203, §§ 1—9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 3 - Public Works Contracts (§§ 41 — 64) › § 41 - Works done by contract

The Commonwealth public works and joined services connected therewith, such as the buying of materials and so forth, which are the subject of §§ 412, 413, 417—423 of Title 3 and §§ 1—5 and 41—46 of this title shall be done by contract awarded after public bidding in accordance with the provisions hereof.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 420.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 3 - Public Works Contracts (§§ 41 — 64) › § 42 - Works done by administration

The Commonwealth public works shall be carried on by the system of administration only in the case of works which, on account of their peculiar conditions, cannot well be made the object of a contract, or whenever the estimate cannot be made with the necessary accuracy or whenever the element of chance shall predominate in the execution of the said works, or whenever there may exist any other good and proper reason therefor. In all such cases the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works shall decide how the proposed work shall be done.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 421.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 3 - Public Works Contracts (§§ 41 — 64) › § 43 - Private contracts

The works, or parts of works, which shall be built, and the goods to be acquired in the United States, or in a foreign country for transportation to Puerto Rico, and all others hereinafter specified, are hereby exempted from contracting through public bidding and may be made the object of private contract; Provided, That the said private contracts shall be approved by the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 422.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 3 - Public Works Contracts (§§ 41 — 64) › § 44 - Works that may be done by force account or by private contract

The following works and services may be carried out by force account or private contract, without having to try to contract them through public bidding:
(1) Works whose cost does not exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) and services whose cost does not exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000).
(2) Works which, although in excess of the aforesaid amounts, cannot be contracted for after having attempted to do so through public bidding, if the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works or the General Services Administrator considers it more convenient to have the works done by force account or by private contract than to increase the prices or change the specifications in order to ask for new bids. In this case, a new attempt shall be made to contract them through public bidding, or, in default thereof, by private contract, before ordering their execution by force account.
(3) Works which, whatever their cost, are declared essential and urgent by any of the officials named in subsection (2) of this section.
(4) Works which require special care in execution from a technical standpoint, provided that any of the officials named in subsection (2) of this section do so determine it by means of a resolution.
(5) Works carried out in buildings that, because of the use they are destined for, demand extreme security and protection measures for the building as such, or their occupants, provided the Governor of Puerto Rico declares it so through an Executive Order.
The Secretary of Transportation and Public Works and the General Services Administrator are hereby empowered to establish standards and procedures through which the provisions of this section shall be implemented, except for what is covered by the General Contracting Conditions for Public Works for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 423; May 10, 1950, No. 273, p. 708, § 1; July 13, 1978, No. 45, p. 511.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 3 - Public Works Contracts (§§ 41 — 64) › § 45 - Board of Awards

There shall be a Board of Awards to be composed of three (3) members who shall be appointed by the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works from among the officials and employees of his department. It shall be the duty of this board to pass upon all bids made for the construction of any and all public works, and to award the contract, subject to the approval of the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works. In all cases where the members of the board shall not be of the same opinion, the question shall be decided by a majority vote; and, Provided, further, That minutes of the transactions of the board of award shall be kept in writing and duly signed.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 424; May 10, 1950, No. 273, p. 708, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 3 - Public Works Contracts (§§ 41 — 64) › § 46 - Regulations; award of contract; bond

The Secretary of Transportation and Public Works shall provide all needful rules and regulations, including forms of advertisements and proposals, to which the board of award shall conform in awarding contracts; Provided, however, That proposals shall be made, as far as practicable, for the total cost of the work, and contracts shall be let to the lowest responsible bidder, but the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works shall reserve the right to reject any and all bids; and, Provided, further, That all contractors shall be required to give sufficient bond, with penalty, conditioned on the faithful performance of the works in a proper manner and within the time named in the contracts.
History —Political Code, 1902, § 425.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 3 - Public Works Contracts (§§ 41 — 64) › § 47 - Bonds—Obligations

Every contractor who is awarded a contract for the construction, reconstruction, enlargement, alteration, or preparation of any public work, shall post a payment bond in behalf of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, which shall be obligatory and effective on and after the date on which the contract is executed.
History —May 9, 1951, No. 388, p. 948, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 3 - Public Works Contracts (§§ 41 — 64) › § 48 - Bonds—Form and terms

The above-mentioned bond shall be posted by the contractor in cash, by certified check, or through the surety of a bonding company authorized to do business in Puerto Rico, and said payment bond shall secure jointly and severally with the contractor, to the extent of liability covered by the bond, (1) the payment, to the workers and employees of the contractor, of the salaries and wages earned by them in their work; and (2) the payment, to the persons selling, supplying, or delivering equipment, tools, and materials for the work, of the price or value of the materials, equipment, and tools supplied, sold, or delivered. The amount of this payment bond shall be not less than one-half of the total value of the contract, plus any amplification, enlargement, or addition thereto.
History —May 9, 1951, No. 388, p. 948, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 3 - Public Works Contracts (§§ 41 — 64) › § 49 - Bonds—Contractor’s obligation as to wages and material

The contractor shall be under obligation to pay the salaries and wages of the employees and workers on the work for periods not longer than one week; and to pay punctually, as they fall due, the bills and invoices presented to him by any natural or artificial persons who have supplied, sold, or delivered materials, equipment, and tools for the work.
History —May 9, 1951, No. 388, p. 948, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 3 - Public Works Contracts (§§ 41 — 64) › § 50 - Bonds—Investigation of failure to pay wages; payroll; preference

It shall be the duty of the inspector of the work to make sure that the contractor is, in the abovesaid manner, paying the wages and salaries earned by the workers and employees on the work. In any case in which the payment of the wages and salaries of the employees and workers on the work is not being made in the manner provided under § 49 of this title, the inspector shall notify the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works and the latter, the Secretary of Labor and Human Resources. The inspector, together with an officer or official appointed by the Secretary of Labor and Human Resources, shall make the proper investigation. In case it is ascertained through such investigation that there has not been strict compliance with the payment of the salaries and wages of the workers and employees on the work as required by §§ 47—58 of this title, there shall be prepared by the said investigators, on the proper forms, a payroll covering the wages owed, and this payroll shall be sent to the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works for his final approval and payment. After the payroll has been approved by the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works, it shall be paid from the fund appropriated for the work. The Secretary of transportation and Public Works is hereby authorized to deduct the sum total of these payrolls from the amount of the voucher issued monthly to the order of the contractor for the work done, or from the ten percent (10%) withheld by the Department of Transportation and Public Works. With the exception of any taxes which the contractor may owe to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the salaries and wages earned by the workers and employees on the work shall have absolute preference with regard to payment over the rest of the debts of the contractor.
History —May 9, 1951, No. 388, p. 948, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 3 - Public Works Contracts (§§ 41 — 64) › § 51 - Bonds—Action against contractor, bond, or bondsmen; rights of employees of subcontractor

Every person, natural or artificial, who has worked as a worker or employee on, or who has supplied, sold, or delivered materials, equipment, and tools for, the work referred to under § 47 of this title, with regard to which work the bond required by §§ 47—58 of this title has been posted, and who has not been paid, in whole or in part, as required by §§ 47—58 of this title, his salaries or wages, or the price of the materials, equipment, and tools sold, delivered, or supplied for the work, shall have the right to file suit, without necessity for previous notice, against the contractor, against the bond of the contractor, against the bondsmen of the contractor, or against any of said bondsmen, for recovery of any amount which may for such reason be owing him. Any person or persons who have a direct contractual relationship with a subcontractor on the work and who have or do not have an expressed or implied contractual relationship with the contractor on the work, who has posted the bond, may institute action against the contractor, the bond of the contractor, the bondsmen of the contractor, or against any of the said bondsmen, for the recovery of all or any part of: (1) any amount which may be owed them by the subcontractor for salaries or wages they have earned as employees or workers of the subcontractor on the work; and (2) any amount which may be owed them by reason of their having supplied, sold, or delivered materials, equipment, and tools for the subcontractor on the works. Suppliers or sellers of materials, equipment and tools to the subcontractor shall be obligated, before instituting action against the contractor, his bond, or his bondsmen, to notify the contractor, by registered mail, of their claim. At the expiration of thirty days from the mailing of the said notice they may institute the action herein authorized. Workers and employees of the subcontractor may institute action at any time without previous notice to the contractor of their claim. In all other respects they shall abide by the rights and remedies granted by §§ 47—58 of this title to the workers and employees and the suppliers of materials, equipment, and tools, of the contractor and the liabilities imposed by § 47—58 of this title shall apply to the contractor, his bond and his bondsmen.
History —May 9, 1951, No. 388, p. 948, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 3 - Public Works Contracts (§§ 41 — 64) › § 52 - Bonds—Judicial procedure

Every judicial action instituted under this chapter may be prosecuted pursuant to the provisions of Act No. 10, approved November 14, 1917, as amended, and with regard to the same work, all claims for salaries and wages may be joined in one single complaint, and all claims for materials, equipment, and tools supplied, sold, or delivered may be joined in another single complaint.
History —May 9, 1951, No. 388, p. 948, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 3 - Public Works Contracts (§§ 41 — 64) › § 53 - Bonds—Technical defects

No technical defect with regard to the bond, including, but without limitation, the bond’s not having been attached to the contract, shall have the effect of altering the liability established by §§ 47—58 of this title.
History —May 9, 1951, No. 388, p. 948, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 3 - Public Works Contracts (§§ 41 — 64) › § 54 - Bonds—Pleading of contract or subcontract

It shall not be necessary in any judicial action instituted under §§ 47—58 of this title to attach to the complaint a copy of the contract or subcontract with regard to the work, and to make a reference to the contract or subcontract in the complaint, sufficient for identifying same, shall suffice.
History —May 9, 1951, No. 388, p. 948, § 8.