reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 1 - Protection of Game and Fish (§§ 1-16 — 107u) › Chapter 4 - Falconry Law (§§ 72a — 72q) › § 72h - Repealed. Act May 17, 2012, No. 89, § 20, effective May 17, 2012

History —July 25, 2000, No. 137, § 10; Repealed. Act.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 1 - Protection of Game and Fish (§§ 1-16 — 107u) › Chapter 4 - Falconry Law (§§ 72a — 72q) › § 72i - Repealed. Act May 17, 2012, No. 89, § 20, effective May 17, 2012

History —July 25, 2000, No. 137, § 11; Repealed. Act.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 1 - Protection of Game and Fish (§§ 1-16 — 107u) › Chapter 4 - Falconry Law (§§ 72a — 72q) › § 72j - Repealed. Act May 17, 2012, No. 89, § 20, effective May 17, 2012

History —July 25, 2000, No. 137, § 12; Repealed. Act.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 1 - Protection of Game and Fish (§§ 1-16 — 107u) › Chapter 4 - Falconry Law (§§ 72a — 72q) › § 72k - Repealed. Act May 17, 2012, No. 89, § 20, effective May 17, 2012

History —July 25, 2000, No. 137, § 13; Repealed. Act.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 1 - Protection of Game and Fish (§§ 1-16 — 107u) › Chapter 4 - Falconry Law (§§ 72a — 72q) › § 72l - Repealed. Act May 17, 2012, No. 89, § 20, effective May 17, 2012

History —July 25, 2000, No. 137, § 14; Repealed. Act.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 1 - Protection of Game and Fish (§§ 1-16 — 107u) › Chapter 4 - Falconry Law (§§ 72a — 72q) › § 72m - Repealed. Act May 17, 2012, No. 89, § 20, effective May 17, 2012

History —July 25, 2000, No. 137, § 15.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 1 - Protection of Game and Fish (§§ 1-16 — 107u) › Chapter 4 - Falconry Law (§§ 72a — 72q) › § 72n - Repealed. Act May 17, 2012, No. 89, § 20, effective May 17, 2012

History —July 25, 2000, No. 137, § 16; Repealed. Act.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 1 - Protection of Game and Fish (§§ 1-16 — 107u) › Chapter 4 - Falconry Law (§§ 72a — 72q) › § 72o - Repealed. Act May 17, 2012, No. 89, § 20, effective May 17, 2012

History —July 25, 2000, No. 137, § 17; Repealed. Act.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 1 - Protection of Game and Fish (§§ 1-16 — 107u) › Chapter 4 - Falconry Law (§§ 72a — 72q) › § 72p - Repealed. Act May 17, 2012, No. 89, § 20, effective May 17, 2012

History —July 25, 2000, No. 137, § 18; Repealed. Act.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 1 - Protection of Game and Fish (§§ 1-16 — 107u) › Chapter 4 - Falconry Law (§§ 72a — 72q) › § 72q - Repealed. Act May 17, 2012, No. 89, § 20, effective May 17, 2012

History —July 25, 2000, No. 137, § 19; Repealed. Act.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 1 - Protection of Game and Fish (§§ 1-16 — 107u) › Chapter 4A - New Puerto Rico Falconry Act (§§ 73 — 73p) › § 73a - Falconry license

The practice of Falconry in Puerto Rico is legal and valid, and any person may practice the same, subject to the following:
(a) No person may practice falconry or own a bird of prey for such purposes without a license approved by the Secretary.
(b) Falconry licenses shall not be issued to any person under 14 years of age.
(c) The Secretary shall establish, through regulations, the requirements to obtain falconry licenses pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
History —May 17, 2012, No. 89, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 1 - Protection of Game and Fish (§§ 1-16 — 107u) › Chapter 4A - New Puerto Rico Falconry Act (§§ 73 — 73p) › § 73b - Falconry license—Procedures for obtaining

To obtain a falconry license, the following procedures shall be completed:
(a) A person who wishes to practice falconry and does not have a valid falconry license must submit a written application to the Secretary.
(b) Applicants who are 18 years of age or older shall enclose with the application a negative criminal record certificate issued by the Puerto Rico Police not more than thirty (30) days before the date on which the application is filed.
(c) Children under the age of 18 must obtain a written consent from their parents or legal guardian pursuant to the requirements established by the Secretary through regulations.
(d) The Secretary shall establish through regulations any additional requirement for children under 18 years of age to obtain a falconry license.
(e) The fees to be paid shall be established by the Secretary through regulations.
(f) Letters of recommendation from falconers of a higher category with a valid falconry license are required. The Secretary shall establish through regulations the requirements and conditions for the different falconer categories.
(g) Approve the Hunter’s Education Course of the Department.
(h) Approve the falconry examination administered by the Department.
History —May 17, 2012, No. 89, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 1 - Protection of Game and Fish (§§ 1-16 — 107u) › Chapter 4A - New Puerto Rico Falconry Act (§§ 73 — 73p) › § 73d - Falconry examination

The Department shall provide an examination for all who wish to obtain a falconry license. Said examination shall be approved with a minimum score of eighty percent (80%). The approval of the examination, together with the other requirements set forth by the Secretary through regulations, shall allow the person to become a Falconry Apprentice as established in this chapter. The examination shall include basic aspects of falconry as a sport, as well as wildlife biology with an emphasis in the biology and identification of birds of prey and hunting birds in Puerto Rico, and state (Puerto Rico) and Federal (United States of America) legislation on falconry. The dates and places for the examination shall be established each year by the Secretary and be notified to applicants not less than thirty (30) days in advance.
History —May 17, 2012, No. 89, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 1 - Protection of Game and Fish (§§ 1-16 — 107u) › Chapter 4A - New Puerto Rico Falconry Act (§§ 73 — 73p) › § 73e - License per falconer category

The Secretary shall draft and determine the criteria, requirements, conditions, and limitations to obtain and maintain the license at each falconer category through regulations. Licenses per level are established as follows:
(a) Apprentice Falconer.
(b) General Falconer.
(c) Master Falconer.
The Secretary shall establish through regulations the transitory provisions applicable to the first years of said practice so that the transition between falconer levels can occur in a responsible manner.
History —May 17, 2012, No. 89, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 1 - Protection of Game and Fish (§§ 1-16 — 107u) › Chapter 4A - New Puerto Rico Falconry Act (§§ 73 — 73p) › § 73f - Inspections

Personnel authorized by the Department shall conduct inspections of facilities and equipment to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal statutes.
History —May 17, 2012, No. 89, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 1 - Protection of Game and Fish (§§ 1-16 — 107u) › Chapter 4A - New Puerto Rico Falconry Act (§§ 73 — 73p) › § 73g - Facilities and equipment

(a) Before authorizing the possession of birds of prey for falconry purposes, falconry facilities and equipment shall be inspected and certified.
(b) Birds of prey for which a possession permit has been granted shall be kept in hygienic and healthy conditions. The facilities shall protect the birds of prey from inclement weather, predators, and domestic animals. The Secretary shall establish the requirements and conditions of the facilities, as well as the maintenance of the birds of prey and the falconry equipment through regulations, and pursuant to applicable state and federal statutes.
History —May 17, 2012, No. 89, § 10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 1 - Protection of Game and Fish (§§ 1-16 — 107u) › Chapter 4A - New Puerto Rico Falconry Act (§§ 73 — 73p) › § 73h - Inspections

Personnel authorized by the Department shall conduct inspections of facilities and equipment to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal statutes.
History —May 17, 2012, No. 89, § 11.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 1 - Protection of Game and Fish (§§ 1-16 — 107u) › Chapter 4A - New Puerto Rico Falconry Act (§§ 73 — 73p) › § 73i - Banding of birds of prey

(a) No birds of prey may be captured for falconry purposes, unless the person capturing it receives a numbered, single-use band from the Department and attaches it to the bird immediately after capturing it. In accordance with federal regulations, an electronic tag may also be used. The Secretary shall establish through regulations the specific conditions for said banding or tagging, as well as the additional requirements and conditions related to it.
(b) Altering, modifying, or breaking the band or tag is prohibited.
History —May 17, 2012, No. 89, § 12.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 1 - Protection of Game and Fish (§§ 1-16 — 107u) › Chapter 4A - New Puerto Rico Falconry Act (§§ 73 — 73p) › § 73j - Capture of birds of prey

(a) It shall be an indispensable requirement, before initiating any procedure to capture a bird of prey, to have a proper authorization by the Secretary in which, among other things, the period authorized for the bird’s capture shall be indicated.
(b) The capture of birds of prey in the territory of Puerto Rico by holders of falconry licenses from other states of the United States of America shall require the prior authorization of the Secretary.
(c) A bird of prey banded or tagged for falconry purposes may be recaptured by its holder at any time.
(d) The measures for capture shall be those authorized by the Secretary through regulations. They shall be those appropriate for the species to be captured and shall not pose risks to the physical integrity of the bird.
(e) The use of traps or means of capture that do not require supervision at all times by the authorized person shall not be allowed.
(f) The capture of a bird of prey shall be notified to the Department along with the identification band number or authorized tag, in a term not to exceed five (5) working days from the time of its capture.
(g) The Secretary shall establish, through regulations, any other additional requirements and conditions for the capture of birds of prey for falconry, pursuant to the requirements and conditions in effect under federal legislation and regulation to such effect.
History —May 17, 2012, No. 89, § 13.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 1 - Protection of Game and Fish (§§ 1-16 — 107u) › Chapter 4A - New Puerto Rico Falconry Act (§§ 73 — 73p) › § 73k - Importing birds of prey

(a) Importing birds of prey for falconry shall be allowed upon authorization by the Secretary as established in the New Wildlife Act of Puerto Rico with regards to importing wildlife specimens. The Secretary shall establish, through regulations, any other condition or requirement for importing birds of prey.
(b) If importing from outside of the territory of the United States of America, all applicable national and international laws shall be complied with, including the International Convention on Trading Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
History —May 17, 2012, No. 89, § 14.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 1 - Protection of Game and Fish (§§ 1-16 — 107u) › Chapter 4A - New Puerto Rico Falconry Act (§§ 73 — 73p) › § 73l - Falconry license conditions

(a) Falconry licenses shall be effective for five (5) years as of the issue thereof, and shall be renewed on the birthdate of the applicant.
(b) The holder of a falconry license may transfer or exchange wild birds with another permit holder provided that the Secretary has been notified and has authorized said transaction, and that no money or other considerations are involved, except those strictly related to the art of falconry.
(c) The falconer shall submit an annual report of the birds of prey in his possession as established by regulations and in compliance with federal and state statutes.
(d) Holders of falconry licenses issued in other states of the United States of America shall obtain a written notice from the Secretary authorizing them to carry out activities related to their license in the territory of Puerto Rico.
(e) Persons from other countries interested in falconry hunting activities in Puerto Rico shall comply with the applicable federal and state regulations.
History —May 17, 2012, No. 89, § 15.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 1 - Protection of Game and Fish (§§ 1-16 — 107u) › Chapter 4A - New Puerto Rico Falconry Act (§§ 73 — 73p) › § 73m - Renewal of falconry licenses

The procedure for renewing falconry licenses shall be the following:
(a) The Secretary shall renew falconry licenses upon the filing with the Department of the form provided for such purpose by the applicant. The application shall include a sworn statement indicating that the conditions existing at the time of issue of the original license remain unaltered. The falconry license renewal application shall be filed with the Department not less than thirty (30) business days prior to the expiration date of the license. The Secretary shall establish the procedures for late renewals through regulations.
(b) When filing the application, evidence that the corresponding reports have been submitted must be enclosed.
(c) The filing fees shall be established by the Secretary in the corresponding regulations.
History —May 17, 2012, No. 89, § 16.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 1 - Protection of Game and Fish (§§ 1-16 — 107u) › Chapter 4A - New Puerto Rico Falconry Act (§§ 73 — 73p) › § 73n - Falconry hunting areas and seasons

(a) All falconry hunting activity shall take place in the seasons and areas specified by the Secretary through regulations.
(b) The practice of falconry is hereby authorized in private areas upon verifiable authorization of the owner or his authorized representative.
(c) Falconry shall be allowed in those game reserves duly authorized by the Secretary.
(d) The activities of training birds of prey for falconry with species allowed by regulations may be carried out at any time of year by falconers with a falconry license in effect.
History —May 17, 2012, No. 89, § 17.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 1 - Protection of Game and Fish (§§ 1-16 — 107u) › Chapter 4A - New Puerto Rico Falconry Act (§§ 73 — 73p) › § 73o - Hunting species

(a) Hunting is allowed for the species authorized in Wildlife Regulations.
(b) The use of domestic species as live game is allowed during training of birds of prey, provided that this training phase does not occur in an area where there is a large gathering of people, and that it is not part of a show.
History —May 17, 2012, No. 89, § 18.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 1 - Protection of Game and Fish (§§ 1-16 — 107u) › Chapter 4A - New Puerto Rico Falconry Act (§§ 73 — 73p) › § 73p - Powers conferred

(a) The Secretary may delegate any of the powers conferred thereto by this Act, except that of approving, amending, and repealing regulations to carry out the purposes of this chapter, pursuant to §§ 2101 et seq. of Title 3, better known as the “Uniform Administrative Procedures Act”.
(b) The Secretary may approve and promulgate regulations with provisions that are as strict or stricter than those established by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the United States of America or by this chapter.
History —May 17, 2012, No. 89, § 19.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 1 - Protection of Game and Fish (§§ 1-16 — 107u) › Chapter 5A - Wildlife Act of 1999 (§§ 107 — 107u) › § 107a - Public policy

The protection of all wildlife and in particular the natural habitat of said species is hereby declared to be the public policy of the Government of Puerto Rico. All public agencies and instrumentalities shall consult the Department on any matter, permit or franchise that may have a predictable significant impact on wildlife. The Department may seek the advice and take into consideration recommendations from agencies such as the Federal Forestry Service, the Planning Board and duly credited Natural Science Departments of academic institutions, concerning any proposal that may affect the critical natural habitat essential to rare or endangered species. Any public organization or entity that fosters the conservation of wildlife may request that a particular species or its critical natural habitat be designated as rare or endangered, provided it presents scientific information to that end. The Department shall handle such a request pursuant to the provisions of §§ 2101 of Title 3, better known as the “Uniform Administrative Procedures Act”.
This chapter establishes a prohibition against modifying those critical natural habitats essential to rare or endangered species. In the case of critical natural habitats that are non-essential to rare or endangered species, modifications may be permitted solely if the proposal is of vital public interest and if there is no other alternative. In making a determination as to whether alternatives do or do not exist, the cost of these may not be taken into consideration as an element for analysis. Should a critical natural habitat be finally modified, a similar ecologically valuable habitat at least three times larger that the area to be modified must be acquired to be transferred to the Department.
When modifying a natural habitat, the Department shall be required to employ a mitigation mechanism for the acquisition of tracts of land of equal or greater ecological value that shall be ceded, establishing as a priority the acquisition of land to extend the existing Commonwealth forests and biological corridors and to create new Commonwealth forests, natural reserves and riparian areas.
The fragmentation of forested areas shall be avoided and the mitigation of wetlands shall be achieved in coordination of the Corps of Engineers.
History —Aug. 15, 1999, No. 241, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 1 - Protection of Game and Fish (§§ 1-16 — 107u) › Chapter 5A - Wildlife Act of 1999 (§§ 107 — 107u) › § 107b - Advisory Board and Technical Committee

A board is hereby created to advise the Secretary in the formulation of the public policy concerning the regulation of hunting as a sport, the designation of critical habitats and the acquisition of land for wildlife reserves and for the establishment of biological stations and shelters. This board shall be composed of a representative of an organization that supports hunting as a sport, a representative of an organization that promotes the conservation of wildlife, a biologist specialized in wildlife from the U.S. Fishing and Wildlife Service, a biologist specialized in wildlife who represents an academic entity and a biologist specialized in wildlife designated by the Secretary pursuant to the recommendations of each and every one of the entities constituting this board. The Department shall approve bylaws for the operations of this Advisory Board and the Technical Committee that is created below.
In addition, a Technical Committee is hereby created to advise and recommend to the Department on the importation and ownership of exotic species, the members of which shall be designated pursuant to the bylaws adopted under this section. The Committee shall be composed of a biologist specialized in wildlife designated by the U.S. Fishing and Wildlife Service, a biologist specialized in wildlife from a duly accredited academic institution, a biologist specialized in wildlife from the Department, a representative from an organization that promotes bird-watching, a representative from an organization that supports hunting as a sport, and a representative of the importers of exotic species.
The Committee shall assist the biologists of the Department specializing in wildlife in the creation of a list of exotic species that may only be imported and owned as pets. The importation and possession of those species not included in said list shall be prohibited. The Secretary shall have discretion to exempt from these provisions those specific cases that exhibit exceptional reasons whereby human health, whether physical or mental, is affected. Such reasons shall be well founded and this exemption shall only be made for individual specimens of a species, and never in cases that imply the sale or breeding of prohibited species.
The Secretary may only approve a permit of short duration for the import and exhibit of animals in a circus or carnival, provided it is determined that the animals to be exhibited shall be managed by a professional trainer. Furthermore, he/she may approve permits for the import of exotic species for scientific purposes, duly accredited academic entities, or accredited zoological gardens.
History —Aug. 15, 1999, No. 241, § 4; Aug. 1, 2004, No. 176, § 1; Sept. 15, 2004, No. 295, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 1 - Protection of Game and Fish (§§ 1-16 — 107u) › Chapter 5A - Wildlife Act of 1999 (§§ 107 — 107u) › § 107c - Hunting and collecting permits

No person shall hunt or collect wildlife species found in Puerto Rico without a license or permit issued for such a purpose by the Secretary.
History —Aug. 15, 1999, No. 241, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 1 - Protection of Game and Fish (§§ 1-16 — 107u) › Chapter 5A - Wildlife Act of 1999 (§§ 107 — 107u) › § 107e - Game preserves

(a) The Secretary shall establish through regulations the relevant and necessary requirements for granting the permit to operate a game reserve so as to ensure compliance with all the provisions of this chapter.
(b) The owner, manager or caretaker of a game reserve shall register the hunting weapons to be used by game preserve clients in his/her name. Provided, That the owner, administrator or caretaker of the game preserve shall request the Secretary to register said weapons following the procedure established for said purpose. Provided, That when registering the weapons to be used in a game preserve, the Secretary shall establish the number of hunting weapons that can be registered for each game preserve. The clients of a game preserve shall not use, bear or transport said hunting weapons outside of the limits of said game preserve whether on their person or in a motor vehicle.
(c) The Secretary shall establish by regulations which game animals may be used in the game preserves, and shall exclude those species that may be harmful. The game animals used in game preserves may be hunted throughout the year, except for those animals covered by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, for which the Secretary shall establish the seasons.
(d) The Secretary shall suspend or revoke the authorization to operate any game reserve when in his/her judgment the provisions of said authorization, or of this chapter or the regulations promulgated pursuant thereto have been violated; Provided, That the suspension of said authorization shall extend for the term established by the Secretary through regulations.
(e) The Secretary shall give notice in writing about the suspension or revocation of the authorization to operate any game reserve, stating the reasons therefore. The person affected by said determination shall return the permit to the Secretary by mail or in person within five (5) days after having been notified of the decision of the Secretary and shall immediately surrender the registered weapons to the Ranger Corps of the Department or to the nearest police station. Said person may also request an administrative hearing according to the procedure to be established below in this chapter, so as to protest the action of the Secretary.
(f) The owner, administrator or person in charge of a game preserve shall render monthly reports to the Department regarding the hunting activity and the statistics on the use of wildlife resources or any other authorized species authorized in the permit.
(g) The Secretary may grant animal breeding permits to populate the game reserves. The fees to be charged for said permit shall be covered into the Fund created by this chapter.
History —Aug. 15, 1999, No. 241, § 7; Jan. 8, 2004, No. 34, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 1 - Protection of Game and Fish (§§ 1-16 — 107u) › Chapter 5A - Wildlife Act of 1999 (§§ 107 — 107u) › § 107f - Delegation of functions

The Secretary may delegate any of the functions conferred in this chapter, except that of approving, amending and repealing regulations to fulfill the purposes of this chapter pursuant to the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, §§ 2101 et seq. of Title 3, which after being promulgated shall carry the force of law.
History —Aug. 15, 1999, No. 241, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 1 - Protection of Game and Fish (§§ 1-16 — 107u) › Chapter 5A - Wildlife Act of 1999 (§§ 107 — 107u) › § 107g - Powers of Secretary

The Secretary is hereby empowered to promulgate regulations related to the following matters, among others:
(a) Those areas where it shall be permitted to hunt in Puerto Rico.
(b) The establishment and administration of areas that foster the propagation, conservation, protection and management of wildlife.
(c) The introduction, possession, purchase and sale by any natural or juridical person in Puerto Rico of exotic species of wildlife in general.
(d) To establish the procedures and the steps to be taken by those persons interested in obtaining the licenses or permits authorized in this chapter, as well as their fees. The revenues collected from these activities shall be covered into the Special Fund for Wildlife Management.
(e) To determine the exotic species and any other species that may be harmful and provide for the eradication of those species that have established themselves in Puerto Rico, were it necessary to do so.
(f) To determine the wildlife fauna that may be hunted in Puerto Rico and its hunting season, pursuant to the available information.
(g) To fix the number of game animals of each species that may be hunted by a sport’s hunter each day and establish the maximum number of animals that a hunter may hunt per hunting day in relation to the total sum of animals hunted without ever exceeding the individual limit authorized by the Secretary for each species.
(h) To designate the wildlife species that may be hunted or collected.
(i) To designate the wildlife species deemed to be rare or endangered and take the necessary measures to ensure their perpetuation at the time and in the space where they exist.
History —Aug. 15, 1999, No. 241, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 1 - Protection of Game and Fish (§§ 1-16 — 107u) › Chapter 5A - Wildlife Act of 1999 (§§ 107 — 107u) › § 107h - Additional powers of Secretary

The Secretary shall have the following faculties, powers and duties besides those already provided in this chapter:
(a) Acquire, through purchase or by any other lawful means, lease or in any other way possess or dispose of any property, land or lakes deemed necessary and suitable for establishing biological stations, sanctuaries and wildlife reserves to study and promote the acclimatization and propagation of wildlife species, whether native, migratory or capable of being introduced into Puerto Rico for their propagation. Provided, That the land, lakes and lagoons which the Secretary may acquire or possess for the purposes provided in this subsection are hereby declared to be of public utility and shall be used in a manner compatible with the scientific management, protection, recreational use and conservation of wildlife.
(b) Accept and receive donations from private persons or entities, as well as any other type of aid proceeding from agencies and instrumentalities of the Government and the municipalities of Puerto Rico, from the government of the United States of America and from the state governments, in order to achieve the purposes of this chapter, for which end the Secretary is authorized to execute the necessary public utility agreements.
(c) Execute all necessary legal instruments in the exercise of his/her powers.
(d) Take any other convenient and necessary actions so as to most effectively achieve the purposes of this chapter.
(e) Take all pertinent measures to restore the natural habitat that has been affected and demand that those who have caused the unauthorized modifications restore the system.
History —Aug. 15, 1999, No. 241, § 10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 1 - Protection of Game and Fish (§§ 1-16 — 107u) › Chapter 5A - Wildlife Act of 1999 (§§ 107 — 107u) › § 107i - Registration of hunting weapons

(a) The Secretary shall organize and keep a register of the hunting weapons registered in Puerto Rico, pursuant to the provisions of §§ 455–460j of Title 25, known as the “Puerto Rico Weapons Act” and the Secretary shall periodically notify the Superintendent of Police of the hunting weapons thus registered.
(b) Every application to register hunting weapons must be presented at the Department. The Secretary shall evaluate the application to register a hunting weapon and if he/she deems pertinent, shall proceed with the registration, according to the procedures, as applicable, established in §§ 455–460j of Title 25, known as the “Puerto Rico Weapons Act”, supra.
(c) The Secretary shall not proceed with the registration of a hunting weapon if the person who applies for said registration has not previously obtained the corresponding hunting license or the permit to operate a game preserve, as the case may be.
(d) No dealer in hunting weapons shall deliver a hunting weapon to a purchaser until the latter has shown that he/she possess a hunting license or a permit to operate a game reserve issued by the Secretary and that he/she has obtained the corresponding written authorization from the Secretary to purchase said hunting weapon.
(e) In those cases whereby the Secretary issues special hunting permits for scientific purposes or temporary licenses to non-residents, as provided below, he/she may grant those who possess such temporary licenses a special permit to use the hunting weapon of a resident hunter who expressly authorizes the non-resident in writing, to use such a weapon, provided said hunting weapon is duly registered and its owner holds a current hunting license issued to him/her and accompanies the holder of the temporary license and the special permit.
(f) In those cases whereby a bow and arrow are to be used as hunting weapon, the hunter shall register said bow with the Department. The Secretary shall issue a registration document indicating the model and serial number of said bow.
History —Aug. 15, 1999, No. 241, § 11; Sept. 2, 2000, No. 368, § 3; Jan. 8, 2004, No. 34, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 1 - Protection of Game and Fish (§§ 1-16 — 107u) › Chapter 5A - Wildlife Act of 1999 (§§ 107 — 107u) › § 107j - Obtaining of license

No person may engage in hunting as a sport in Puerto Rico without first applying for and obtaining a license for such purpose from the Secretary. The licenses shall have an effectiveness of five (5) years from the date of issue, and shall be renewed on the birth date of the applicant.
History —Aug. 15, 1999, No. 241, § 12; Jan. 8, 2004, No. 34, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 1 - Protection of Game and Fish (§§ 1-16 — 107u) › Chapter 5A - Wildlife Act of 1999 (§§ 107 — 107u) › § 107l - Hunting licenses

The Secretary shall inform the Puerto Rico Police Superintendent in writing, a list of the hunting licenses and any other type of license authorized as provided in this chapter that have expired, or whose renewal has not been sought after the term granted herein has expired, or those licenses whose issue or renewal was denied or revoked.
(a) Any person who on the effective date of this act has a registered hunting weapon and to whom the Secretary has revoked a hunting license of any other kind, or whose license has expired according to § 107j of this title, or whose renewal has not been sought on time, must deliver said weapon to the General Police Headquarters or to the local Police Station according to the procedure established in the Puerto Rico Weapons Law, §§ 455–460j of Title 25, as amended, and give notice thereof to the Department.
(b) The person thus affected by the determination of the Secretary, may request an administrative hearing, according to the procedure provided by the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, or §§ 2101 et seq. of Title 3; Provided, That filing said petition for an administrative hearing shall neither interrupt nor affect the compliance of the provisions of subsection (a) of this section. The filing of a motion for review shall not exempt the person thus affected from the provisions of subsection (a) of this section.
(c) Upon the death of a person who posses a hunting license or any of the licenses or permits referred to in this chapter, the heir, administrator, executor, or person legally authorized to manage his/her estate, shall surrender said weapon within ten (10) days of the date of death, as provided in subsection (a) of this section. The provisions established in [Sections 29(j) and 30 of Act No. 17 of January 19, 1951] of the Puerto Rico Weapons Act as amended, regarding the provisions concerning hunting weapons, shall apply in this sense.
History —Aug. 15, 1999, No. 241, § 14; Jan. 8, 2004, No. 34, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 1 - Protection of Game and Fish (§§ 1-16 — 107u) › Chapter 5A - Wildlife Act of 1999 (§§ 107 — 107u) › § 107m - Issuance and renewal permits

The Secretary may issue and renew permits for operating game reserves. Said permits shall expire on June 30 of their second year of effectiveness and their issue or renewal, as the case may be, may be sought by complying with the requirements established in this chapter.
(a) The person authorized by the Secretary to operate a game reserve shall pay to the Government of Puerto Rico the annual fees established through regulations, which shall be covered into the Special Fund for Wildlife Management.
(b) The Department shall renew permits provided the applicant or petitioner has not violated any of the conditions of the permit or any of the provisions of the wildlife laws or regulations and provided the conditions governing the original permit have remained unaltered.
History —Aug. 15, 1999, No. 241, § 15.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 1 - Protection of Game and Fish (§§ 1-16 — 107u) › Chapter 5A - Wildlife Act of 1999 (§§ 107 — 107u) › § 107o - Granting of license or permit

It shall not be an impediment for granting an applicant convicted of aggravated assault and battery a hunting license or a permit for operating a game reserve after ten (10) years have elapsed from the date the last sentence was served or after fifteen (15) years in the case of a felony. Neither shall it be an impediment for granting said licenses or permits if one year has elapsed from the date the last sentence was served for the offenses of assault and battery or breach of the peace or if over one year has elapsed since the date the applicant served his/her sentence for violations of this chapter or the regulations promulgated by virtue thereof or complied with the resolution or fine imposed by the Department or by the federal government for violations of any provision of the wildli1fe laws and regulations. However, any person who within a term of ten (10) years has violated any provision or regulation of the Wildlife Act, the Department, or the Federal Fishing and Wildlife Service more than once, may be denied the possibility of applying for a license or permit for a term of up to ten (10) years. Should a person violate any wildlife law or regulation for a second time, he/she may be permanently denied a hunting license.
History —Aug. 15, 1999, No. 241, § 17.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 1 - Protection of Game and Fish (§§ 1-16 — 107u) › Chapter 5A - Wildlife Act of 1999 (§§ 107 — 107u) › § 107p - Authorized hunters

Any duly authorized hunter shall have the following rights:
(a) To hunt during the open season as designated by the Secretary.
(b) To hunt in those areas authorized and designated by the Secretary.
(c) To transport hunting weapons in the manner and according to the limitations established in this chapter and the Puerto Rico Weapons Law.
(d) Any other rights the Secretary may establish.
History —Aug. 15, 1999, No. 241, § 18.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 1 - Protection of Game and Fish (§§ 1-16 — 107u) › Chapter 5A - Wildlife Act of 1999 (§§ 107 — 107u) › § 107q - Duties

All duly authorized hunters shall have the following duties:
(a) To know and comply with this chapter and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
(b) To hold and carry with them whenever transporting hunting weapons or hunting, their hunting license or any authorized licenses or permits, as well as the registration certificate of any hunting weapon, and to show these, [if] so required, to another hunter, or to a duly identified law enforcement officer or official of the Department of the Natural and Environmental Resources.
(c) To never transfer or lend their sport’s hunting license to another person.
(d) To never lend their hunting weapons, except that in the game reserves they may use the hunting weapon provided by the owner, administrator or caretaker thereof, and in the case of other sport’s hunters with active licenses, they must accompany said hunters whenever they carry or transport said weapon or are engaged in hunting.
(e) To abstain from hunting during the closed seasons, except in the game reserves.
(f) To see to the enforcement of this chapter and its regulations.
(g) To fulfill any other obligations established by the Secretary.
(h) To furnish the information required by the Department in order to monitor all sport’s hunting activities.
(i) No hunter may kill or wound any game animal without making reasonable efforts to recover and take possession of said animal for its consumption and for taxidermy for educational and exhibition purposes in the case of those animals that may be deemed to be trophies.
History —Aug. 15, 1999, No. 241, § 19.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 1 - Protection of Game and Fish (§§ 1-16 — 107u) › Chapter 5A - Wildlife Act of 1999 (§§ 107 — 107u) › § 107r - Administrative hearings

(a) Any person directly and adversely affected by acts, orders or resolutions issued by the Secretary in relation to the issue, renewal or revocation of licenses or permits authorized by this chapter may petition for an administrative hearing pursuant to the provisions of §§ 2101 et seq. of Title 3, known as the “Uniform Administrative Procedures Act”.
History —Aug. 15, 1999, No. 241, § 20.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 1 - Protection of Game and Fish (§§ 1-16 — 107u) › Chapter 5A - Wildlife Act of 1999 (§§ 107 — 107u) › § 107s - Surveillance

(a) The surveillance needed to enforce compliance with this chapter and the regulations promulgated thereunder, shall be in charge of law enforcement officers.
History —Aug. 15, 1999, No. 241, § 21.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 1 - Protection of Game and Fish (§§ 1-16 — 107u) › Chapter 5A - Wildlife Act of 1999 (§§ 107 — 107u) › § 107u - Special Fund for Wildlife Management

A special fund to be known as the Special Fund for Wildlife Management, is hereby created to be administered by the Department in benefit of all wildlife resources. The amounts collected on account of the license and permit fees and the stamps established in this chapter, as well as those collected on account of the fines, donations and interest, shall be covered into the Fund and be mainly used to operate the licensing, permit, hunter education and surveillance programs as well as the program for the administration of hunting activities and for providing information regarding this chapter and its regulations as well as research programs for the protection and management of wildlife resources pursuant to the Fishing and Wildlife Resources Management Plan of the Fishing and Wildlife Bureau and the federal act known as the “Wildlife Restoration Act”. The Secretary shall be appointed as wildlife trustee and custodian and as such may initiate civil actions to claim compensation for damages.
History —Aug. 15, 1999, No. 241, § 23.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 2 - Forests (§§ 121-128 — 217b) › Chapter 12 - Law of Urban Forests (§§ 131 — 134) › § 131 - Definitions

The following terms shall have the meaning stated hereinbelow:
(a) Arboriculture.— Discipline devoted to the study, care and management of trees, shrubs and plants.
(b) Municipal planting professional.— Professional certified for each municipality to practice arboriculture as defined in this chapter and in the Puerto Rico Planting, Cutting and Foresting Regulations, known as “Planning Regulation No. 25”, approved Mar. 16, 1996, as amended.
(c) Urban forest.— Biological community dominated by trees, including the related fauna that is found within the urban zone of a city or town, including urban-rural transition zones. Urban forests are of different scales and sizes such as, but without being limited to, linear, peripheral and patches. The ownership of the lands that compose urban forests, do not, mainly, have to be the property of the Commonwealth for forestry use as established in §§ 191 et seq. of this title, better known as the “Puerto Rico Forests Act”, but can also be private or municipal property.
(d) Department.— The Department of Natural and Environmental Resources.
(e) Linear.— Trees planted along a line of not less than seven hundred (700) meters.
(f) Patch.— Trees planted in a continuous manner in an area of not less than five hundred (500) square meters.
(g) Peripheral.— Trees planted along a periphery of not less than one thousand (1,000) meters.
History —Aug. 5, 1999, No. 213, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 2 - Forests (§§ 121-128 — 217b) › Chapter 12 - Law of Urban Forests (§§ 131 — 134) › § 132 - Municipal planting professional; functions and duties

The municipal planting professional shall be a person with knowledge and academic training in the management of forest systems, planting, and conservation of trees, who shall also be certified by the Department, pursuant to the provisions of the Puerto Rico Planting, Cutting and Foresting Regulations. Each municipality shall appoint a municipal planting professional no later than July 1, 2000. If there are resources available and within that same period, an Office of the municipal planting professional shall be created. If the municipality does not have the resources, it shall attach the municipal planting professional to the Conservation and Ornate Department or Division or to any department or division that has analogous functions.
The functions and duties of the municipal planting professional shall be the following:
(a) To make an inventory of the public and private lands suitable for the creation, establishment, management, restoration and conservation of urban forests.
(b) Prepare and keep an inventory of the trees existing in said lands.
(c) Develop an Urban Forests Plan for the creation and management of these lands in harmony with the Territorial Regulating Plans of each municipality, in cases where applicable. The municipality shall develop said plan in a term of not more than eighteen (18) months from the effective date of this act. The plan shall include the proposed uses for said land such as: conservation, education, tourism or passive recreation. This plan shall be updated every two (2) years and endorsed by the Department before it becomes effective. As part of the plan, the necessary provisions for the urban forests to maintain their integrity during the effectiveness of the plan shall be included, among others; Provided, however, That each tree that is affected by natural or anthropogenic causes shall be evaluated and treated or replaced, as the case may be. The Department shall provide the technical assistance required by the planting professional and the municipalities free of charge. The Department shall also endorse any amendment made to this plan. The Urban Forests Plan shall be available to the general public upon payment of the corresponding fees.
(d) Administer the Urban Forests Plan for his/her municipality.
(e) Contract, enter into agreements, co-management or administration agreements of the Urban Forests Plan pursuant to the contracting norms established for the municipalities of Puerto Rico.
(f) Inspect and verify compliance with the agreements and comanagement agreements under the Urban Forests Plan.
(g) See to the faithful compliance of the laws and regulations related to urban forests.
History —Aug. 5, 1999, No. 213, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 2 - Forests (§§ 121-128 — 217b) › Chapter 12 - Law of Urban Forests (§§ 131 — 134) › § 133 - Creation

The Department shall certify the lands recommended by the Municipal Planting Professional in the Urban Forests Plan of every municipality as urban forests, provided there is compliance with the planting specifications set forth in the Puerto Rico Planting, Cutting and Foresting Regulations, known as “Planning Regulation No. 25”, approved Mar. 16, 1996, as amended and is recommended for said designation by the National Forest Service.
The certified urban forests located in municipal lands may request funds from the Department through the urban reforesting programs administered by it.
Whenever feasible, all land that is the property of a municipality, that is certified as an urban forest, shall be classified as “especially protected rustic soil” in the Territorial Ordinance Plan, whenever it is possible.
History —Aug. 5, 1999, No. 213, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 2 - Forests (§§ 121-128 — 217b) › Chapter 12 - Law of Urban Forests (§§ 131 — 134) › § 134 - Municipal [Reforesting] Fund—Creation, purpose and donations

The Municipal Reforesting Fund is created by this chapter. In each municipality that has the available resources, this special account shall be established to manage all that pertains to municipal reforesting and to the creation and maintenance of urban forests. The municipality may receive or request donations for the Fund from persons, private, local, national and international entities, industries, commerce, foundations, nonprofit entities, as well as from agencies or dependencies of the Commonwealth and federal governments, to be used as provided in this chapter.
History —Aug. 5, 1999, No. 213, § 6.