reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 3 - Public Works Contracts (§§ 41 — 64) › § 55 - Bonds—Limitation of actions; cancellation of bond

The cause for action authorized under §§ 47—58 of this title against the bond and the bondsmen of the contractor shall be understood to have prescribed six months after final acceptance of the work by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. After such period has elapsed, the bond may be cancelled, unless some judicial claim under §§ 47—58 of this title is found pending. In such case, the bond shall not be cancelled until final judgment has been entered with respect to the pending claim or claims and same have been satisfied to the limit of the liability of the bond and the bondsmen.
History —May 9, 1961, No. 388, p. 948, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 3 - Public Works Contracts (§§ 41 — 64) › § 56 - Bonds—Venue of action

Every action under §§ 47—58 of this title shall be instituted in the name of the interested party or parties in the part of the Court of First Instance within which the work is located or in which the complainant, or, if more than one, any of them, resides.
History —May 9, 1951, No. 388, p. 948, § 10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 3 - Public Works Contracts (§§ 41 — 64) › § 57 - Bonds—Notice of acceptance of bond not required

The employees, workers, and suppliers of materials, equipment, and tools, in favor of whom the payment bond operates, are hereby excused from giving notice of its acceptance.
History —May 9, 1951, No. 388, p. 948, § 11.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 3 - Public Works Contracts (§§ 41 — 64) › § 58 - Bonds—Definitions

The following words and phrases shall in §§ 47—58 of this title have the meaning herebelow set forth:
Contractor. — Shall include any person or persons to whom is awarded a contract for the construction, reconstruction, alteration, enlargement, repair or improvement of a public work, and who has posted the bond required by §§ 47—58 of this title.
Subcontractor. — Includes any person or persons who, as independent contractors, do any part of the work awarded to the contractor.
Work and Public work. — Any construction, reconstruction, alteration, extensions, or improvements, made under a contract awarded to a contractor by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. — Shall comprise the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the departments, agencies, and instrumentalities thereof, the municipal governments, and the Government of the Capital.
Secretary of Transportation and Public Works. — Shall comprise the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works of Puerto Rico, but it shall be understood that the obligations imposed upon him by §§ 47—58 of this title shall be equally applicable to the mayors, the municipal directors of public works, and the chiefs of departments, divisions, agencies, or instrumentalities of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, under whose direction or supervision, or under contract with whom, a public work is executed.
Inspector. — Shall comprise the person or persons responsible for the supervision or inspection of the work in representation of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
—May 9, 1951, No. 388, p. 948, § 12.
History
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 3 - Public Works Contracts (§§ 41 — 64) › § 61 - Definitions

For purposes of this chapter, the following terms and phrases shall have the meaning stated below:
(1) Agency.— Means any board, body, examining board, public corporation, commission, independent office, division, administration, bureau, advocate’s office, department, authority, officer, person, entity, or any other instrumentality of the Executive Branch of the Government of Puerto Rico. This definition also includes public utility authorities, the Electric Power Authority, and the Aqueduct and Sewer Authority.
(2) Committee.— Means the Advisory Committee for the Development of the Puerto Rico Standard Contracting Act.
(3) Members.— Means the members of the Advisory Committee for the Development of the Puerto Rico Standard Contracting Act created herein.
(4) Standard general conditions.— Means the currently adopted General Specifications for the Contracting of Public Works, in accordance to Act No. 198 of May 15, 1943, as amended.
History —Dec. 28, 2010, No. 218, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 3 - Public Works Contracts (§§ 41 — 64) › § 63 - Resources

The Committee shall operate with resources appropriated thereto by the Office of the Governor or by the agencies that, as provided in this chapter, are required to provide assistance and support to the Committee so that it may carry out its purposes. In addition to the Department of Transportation and Public Works, public corporations whose appointed officials are members of the Committee may contribute funds to defray the Committee’s expenses. The funding for its operation during Fiscal Year 2010-2011 shall arise from the contributions of the public corporations. The monies thus collected shall be covered into a special fund under the custody of the Department of Transportation and Public Works. The monies covered into such fund may be used for the implementation of this chapter.
If necessary, additional funds for the implementation of this chapter shall be included in the budget request of the Office of the Governor beginning in Fiscal Year 2011-2012.
History —Dec. 28, 2010, No. 218, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 3 - Public Works Contracts (§§ 41 — 64) › § 64 - Reports

In addition to the functions and duties entrusted to the Committee under this chapter, it shall also assess the implementation of the documents drafted as provided herein and recommend changes to the public policy so as to ensure the success of the Standard Contracting Act.
Likewise, it shall file an annual report with the Governor and the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico in both the Office of the Secretary of the Senate and the Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives. These reports shall include a breakdown of the works carried out and, if necessary, a comprehensive description of the work plans for the following fiscal year.
The first report must be submitted within six (6) months after the date on which the Committee was constituted for the first time.
History —Dec. 28, 2010, No. 218, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 5 - Design of Public Works (§§ 81 — 85) › § 81 - Office

The Secretary of Transportation and Public Works may organize in his Department an office to carry out the work of design previously performed by the office of the Committee on Design of Public Works. The Secretary of Transportation and Public Works is hereby authorized to transfer to the aforesaid office the personnel he may deem necessary, now engaged in the design of public buildings, from the Division of Public Buildings and Municipal Works of the Department of Transportation and Public Works.
History —May 15, 1948, No. 217, p. 654, § 2; Apr. 25, 1950, No. 114, p. 292, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 5 - Design of Public Works (§§ 81 — 85) › § 82 - Fund

There is hereby created in the books of the Secretary of the Treasury of Puerto Rico, a fund to be known as “Fund for the Survey and Preparation of Plans and Specifications of Public Works”, which fund shall be placed at the disposal of the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works and from which shall be paid all compensation for personnel and all general expenses of the Committee on Design of Public Works, disbursements under contracts negotiated by the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works under §§ 84 and 81nt of this title.
History —May 15, 1948, No. 217, p. 654, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 5 - Design of Public Works (§§ 81 — 85) › § 83 - Public works for which surveys and plans authorized

The survey of and preparation of plans and specifications for the following public works is hereby authorized: rural and urban schools; school lunchrooms; vocational schools; libraries; University of Puerto Rico school for nurses; rural medical centers; municipal hospitals and medical centers; district hospitals; a medical center and school of medicine; tuberculosis hospitals; psychiatry hospitals; a central laboratory; specialized hospitals or parts thereof for leprosy, cancer, industrial medicine, legal medicine, and central blood bank; charity institutions for boys and girls; the aged, and the blind; agricultural experiment stations, substations and farms for seed production; buildings for the Agricultural Extension Service; buildings for the Tobacco Institute; mailing centers; penitentiaries; district jails; municipal jails and other penal establishments; central laundries for the government, and buildings for prison industries; police headquarters; police academy; fire stations; armories; municipal government centers; parks and playgrounds; public squares; community centers; cemeteries; fences; slaughterhouses; market places; warehouses; irrigation systems, breakwaters; retaining walls; docks; and such other public works as the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works may from time to time determine.
History —May 15, 1948, No. 217, p. 654, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 5 - Design of Public Works (§§ 81 — 85) › § 84 - Contracts for professional or technical personnel

The Secretary of Transportation and Public Works is hereby authorized to contract, without competitive bidding, for the service of professional or technical personnel or any other services necessary to carry out the ends and purposes of this act.
History —May 15, 1948, No. 217, p. 654, § 16.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 5 - Design of Public Works (§§ 81 — 85) › § 85 - Plans and specifications for government agencies; transfer of funds

The Secretary of Transportation and Public Works is hereby authorized to prepare plans and specifications for public works and improvements required by any agency or political subdivision of the Government of Puerto Rico and any agency of the federal government; and for such purpose the transfer of funds of such agencies or political subdivisions to the “Fund for the Survey and Preparation of Plans and Specifications of Public Works” hereby created, is hereby authorized.
History —May 15, 1948, No. 217, p. 654, § 17.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 7 - Rural Improvements (§§ 111 — 121) › § 111 - Rural Improvement Commission—Created

A commission to be known as the “Rural Improvement Commission” is hereby created, to consist of the Governor of Puerto Rico, who shall be ex-officio president thereof, the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works, the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Education, and three persons versed in school and agricultural matters, who shall be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate.
History —Sept. 21, 1923, No. 21, p. 150, § 1, eff. 90 days after Sept. 21, 1923.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 7 - Rural Improvements (§§ 111 — 121) › § 112 - Plan for rural roads; sites for consolidated rural schools and farms

The said Commission is hereby authorized and directed to proceed:
(a) To form a plan of rural roads, macadamized, interconnecting the cities and towns of Puerto Rico, the rural wards, and the Commonwealth roads.
(b) To select adequate places for the construction of consolidated rural schools and agricultural farms, taking into account the necessities of the rural school population, the facility of communication and the possibility of obtaining lands for the school and appurtenances thereof.
History —Sept. 21, 1923, No. 21, p. 150, § 2, eff. 90 days after Sept. 21, 1923.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 7 - Rural Improvements (§§ 111 — 121) › § 113 - Plan for rural roads; sites for consolidated rural schools and farms—Submission of plan

The Secretary of Transportation and Public Works, through the personnel of his department, and using the services of such additional employees as the commission may determine, shall proceed to make the said plan of rural roads, hearing the Councils of Administration of the interested municipalities, and shall submit the said plan to the commission for its approval. The Secretary of Transportation and Public Works shall include in said plan, as far as possible, vicinal roads the construction of which shall have been authorized by the municipalities out of regular funds or out of loan funds.
History —Sept. 21, 1923, No. 21, p. 150, § 3, eff. 90 days after Sept. 21, 1923.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 7 - Rural Improvements (§§ 111 — 121) › § 114 - Plan for rural roads; sites for consolidated rural schools and farms—Execution of plan

Upon the approval by the Commission of the plan of rural roads and of consolidated rural schools, the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works shall proceed to execute the said plan pursuant to §§ 111—121 of this title, under the supervision of the commission, chargeable to the “Rural Improvement Fund” hereinafter established.
History —Sept. 21, 1923, No. 21, p. 150, § 4, eff. 90 days after Sept. 21, 1923.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 7 - Rural Improvements (§§ 111 — 121) › § 115 - Consolidated rural schools—Size; appurtenances

The consolidated rural schools shall be graded schools and shall consist of at least eight rooms. Each consolidated rural school shall have as annexes or appurtenances thereof:
(a) A dwelling house for teachers.
(b) A parcel of land for the theoretical and practical agricultural education of the pupils. Such parcel shall consist of approximately fifty (50) arable cuerdas of land and shall be divided into parcels devoted to the cultivation of tropical, industrial and alimentary plants.
(c) Shops, utensils and machinery for the practical teaching of the following arts and trades: typography, typewriting, tailoring, shoemaking, saddlery, carpentry and cabinet making, plumbing, making palm hats, tapestry, domestic science and especially lingerie sewing, drawn work, embroidery and needle work, and such others as the commission may determine.
(d) One school dining room.
History —Sept. 21, 1923, No. 21, p. 150, § 5, eff. 90 days after Sept. 21, 1923.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 7 - Rural Improvements (§§ 111 — 121) › § 116 - Consolidated rural schools—Agricultural supplies

Every consolidated rural school shall be provided with domestic animals, seeds, agricultural implements, fertilizers, and such other things as may be necessary for the establishment and maintenance of an agricultural farm, as well as of the buildings and indispensable appurtenances for the agricultural exploitation made in the school and especially stable, hennery, silo, dungyard, nurseries (almacigos) and depots for preparing for market and preserving agricultural products.
History —Sept. 21, 1923, No. 21, p. 150, § 6, eff. 90 days after Sept. 21, 1923.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 7 - Rural Improvements (§§ 111 — 121) › § 117 - Consolidated rural schools—Courses of instruction

It shall be obligatory in rural schools for the male children from the age of twelve years, to receive theoretical and practical instruction in agriculture or in a trade or art of those which are taught in the said school. Exception is made in the case of physical disability duly established through a medical certificate to the supervisor of the school. It shall be obligatory for the female pupils, subject to the same exception hereinabove established, to study domestic science.
History —Sept. 21, 1923, No. 21, p. 150, § 7, eff. 90 days after Sept. 21, 1923.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 7 - Rural Improvements (§§ 111 — 121) › § 118 - Rural improvement fund

A special fund is hereby created in the Office of the Secretary of the Treasury of Puerto Rico which shall be known as the “Rural Improvement Fund”, which shall be under the exclusive control and administration of the “Rural Improvement Commission”, and of which funds no disposition shall be made except by the commission and for complying with the purposes of §§ 111—121 of this title, including the payment of salaries of teachers and personnel of the consolidated schools, annexes and dependencies thereof and for the maintenance of rural roads. The said fund shall be formed with the following income:
(a) The amount of any issue of bonds devoted to a compliance with the purposes of §§ 111—121 of this title.
(b) Any unexpended funds appropriated by municipalities out of general funds or from loans for the construction of rural schools and vicinal or municipal roads; provided that the commission shall resolve upon the construction of equivalent works, which substantially, in the judgment of the said commission, shall cover the purposes intended by the municipal works approved.
(c) All income from sales, leases, usufructs or rentals of lands reclaimed from the sea belonging to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, not appropriated for other purposes, or which may remain after fulfilling the purposes for which they were appropriated; Provided, That the said lands shall not be alienated, rented or given in usufruct or lease, except in accordance with such rules as the Rural Improvement Commission shall approve.
History —Sept. 21, 1923, No. 21, p. 150, § 8, eff. 90 days after Sept. 21, 1923.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 7 - Rural Improvements (§§ 111 — 121) › § 119 - First-aid room and dispensary

It shall be the obligation of the municipality in whose jurisdiction a consolidated school is situated, to provide an emergency room for first aid to the injured and a dispensary for the administration of first and most urgent relief to the sick. The said emergency room and dispensary shall be managed in the manner that the Rural Improvement Commission shall determine. The installation and the maintenance thereof shall be in charge of the municipalities whose jurisdiction, in whole or in part, shall be comprised within the jurisdiction of the consolidated rural school in such proportion as may be determined in equity by the Rural Improvement Commission. The Commission may advance the funds necessary for the erection and maintenance of the dispensaries and emergency rooms, and such advances shall be reimbursed to the commission by the Secretary of the Treasury of Puerto Rico out of any regular funds in his possession belonging to the interested municipality or municipalities.
History —Sept. 21, 1923, No. 21, p. 150, § 10, eff. 90 days after Sept. 21, 1923.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 7 - Rural Improvements (§§ 111 — 121) › § 120 - Municipal appropriations

The municipalities shall appropriate in their regular budgets such amounts as may be necessary to meet the obligations provided by §§ 111—121 of this title.
History —Sept. 21, 1923, No. 21, p. 150, § 11, eff. 90 days after Sept. 21, 1923.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 7 - Rural Improvements (§§ 111 — 121) › § 121 - Night schools for adults; agricultural conferences, fairs, and markets

The Rural Improvement Commission is hereby authorized to provide for the maintenance of night schools for adults in any of the consolidated rural schools. The commission may likewise provide for the holding of agricultural conferences, for the exhibition of agricultural products and cattle, fairs and markets, all under the direction of the Secretary of Agriculture.
History —Sept. 21, 1923, No. 21, p. 150, § 12, eff. 90 days after Sept. 21, 1923.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 8 - Taxation of Churches and Social Welfare Organizations (§§ 131 — 135) › § 131 - Purpose

Public instrumentalities that provide water, sewer, and electric power services shall apply to, and collect from churches and social welfare organizations a rate analogous to the residential rate for the service consumption at the place of worship and at the structure where the church or social welfare organization renders free services to the community.
Said analogous rate shall not apply to water, sewer, and/or electric power consumption in commercial areas, shops, schools, nursing homes, bookstores, print shops, television stations, radio stations, antenna towers, or any facility that charges or requires any kind of contribution in exchange for the services rendered.
History —Sept. 2, 1992, No. 61, § 1; Aug. 17, 2002, No. 182, § 1; Apr. 7, 2016, No. 22, § 3.5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 8 - Taxation of Churches and Social Welfare Organizations (§§ 131 — 135) › § 132 - Definitions

For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have the meaning set forth hereinbelow:
(a) Social welfare organization. — Means an entity duly registered in the Department of State as a non-profit corporation, whether religious or secular, whose purpose is to carry out charitable and beneficent projects and is exclusively engage[d] in offering free services to the community.
(b) Structure. — Includes every building, area or space where a temple is located or where social services are rendered, as well as those which are primarily used by a social welfare organization to carry out their activities or to render community services. For the purposes of this chapter, religious schools, television stations and radio stations are excluded from the term structure.
History —Sept. 2, 1992, No. 61, § 2; Aug. 17, 2002, No. 182, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 8 - Taxation of Churches and Social Welfare Organizations (§§ 131 — 135) › § 133 - Requirements

The rate provided in this chapter shall be granted to churches and social welfare organizations that comply with the following rules and submit the following documents to the Electric Power Authority or the Aqueducts and Sewers Authority, as the case may be:
(a) Those churches that request the rate for the structure where the temple is located shall present a sworn statement to establish their status as a church, as well as the personal circumstances and the position held by the applicant, as evidence of his/her authority to apply for the benefits established in this chapter. Public welfare organizations shall present a certification from the Department of State as evidence that they constitute a social welfare organization, as defined in this chapter.
(b) Be current in the payment of their obligations for the consumption of aqueduct and electric power services, or having agreed to a payment plan and be current in its compliance.
(c) The churches and welfare organizations requesting the benefits of this chapter shall provide satisfactory proof to the Electric Power Authority or the Aqueducts and Sewers Authority, as the case may be, that the structure for which the above stated rate is requested, meets the definition of “structure” established in this chapter.
(d) That the building, area, or space shall have a separate water and electric power consumption meter for the exclusive use thereof and which shall not be shared with any other structure in order to be eligible for the application of the analogous rate pertaining to the consumption of the area where social action activities are held.
(e) Churches and social welfare organizations shall file annually with PREPA a copy of a valid certificate of good standing issued by the Department of State of Puerto Rico;
(f) Churches and social welfare organizations shall file with PREPA a copy of a decree in effect issued by the Department of the Treasury in accordance with § 30471 of Title 13, certifying such entity as nonprofit; and
(g) Churches and social welfare organizations shall file annually with PREPA a certification issued by the Department of the Treasury regarding the filing of the income tax exempt-business information return.
History —Sept. 2, 1992, No. 61, § 3; Feb. 15, 2014, No. 28, § 1; Apr. 7, 2016, No. 22, § 3.6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 8 - Taxation of Churches and Social Welfare Organizations (§§ 131 — 135) › § 134 - Suspension of tax rate

The rate provided for in this chapter shall be suspended if the church or the social welfare organization did not meet or fails to meet the conditions established herein.
In the event that a church or social welfare organization unlawfully uses water or electric power services, whether by having an altered or modified metering equipment to prevent the actual consumption of water and electricity from being measured, such church or welfare organization shall cease to be entitled to the application of the appropriate analogous rate as provided in this chapter.
History —Sept. 2, 1992, No. 61, § 4; Feb. 15, 2014, No. 28, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 8 - Taxation of Churches and Social Welfare Organizations (§§ 131 — 135) › § 135 - Certification

The Secretary of State is hereby empowered to issue a certificate to the effects of attesting that the entity registered in the Department of State which is requesting the benefits established in this chapter, is a social welfare organization, as defined in § 132 of this title.
History —Sept. 2, 1992, No. 61, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 9 - Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (§§ 141 — 169) › § 142 - Creation and composition

There is hereby created a public corporation and an autonomous government instrumentality of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico by the name of “Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority”, said corporation being referred to herein as the “Authority”.
The exercise by the Authority of the powers conferred by §§ 141—161 of this title shall be deemed and held to be an essential government function.
History —May 1, 1945, No. 40, p. 138, § 2; May 3, 1949, No. 163, p. 430, § 1; June 24, 1965, No. 76, p. 178, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 9 - Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (§§ 141 — 169) › § 143a-1 - Authorization of the Governor and of the Legislature

If upon expiration or cancellation of the current contract, the Board decides to once again contract the administration and the operation of all or part of the Commonwealth Aqueducts System, the Commonwealth Sewers System or any other property of the Authority, the validity of said contract shall be subject to the approval of the Governor and the Legislature. If the Governor of Puerto Rico approves the negotiation under the same terms and conditions that were approved by the Board, and incorporated to the documents of the contract signed by the parties, the Governor shall remit a report, to the Legislature, together with an analysis of the objective criteria used by the Board to evaluate the contracting offers, for its approval. The Legislature shall have access to all documents and information considered by the Board in the selection process of the proposal under the same terms and conditions enjoyed by the Board. The granting of the contract shall be deemed authorized if the Legislature, through a joint resolution, approves the contracting with the same terms and condition that were approved by the Board and the Governor. The Legislature shall approve the joint resolution in a term of not more than sixty (60) days. If no action is taken within said term, the transaction shall be deemed as approved. Any modification that does not constitute a renewal of any administration contract must be notified to the Legislature not less than five (5) days before it takes effect.
History —May 1, 1945, No. 40, p. 138, added as § 3A on June 30, 2002, No. 95, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 9 - Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (§§ 141 — 169) › § 146 - Appropriations transferred

All appropriations made by the Legislature of Puerto Rico for any of the purposes set forth in §§ 141—161 of this title are hereby approved, ratified and confirmed and all sums so appropriated and all sums set aside or required to be set aside for said purposes by any law of Puerto Rico are hereby transferred to the Authority.
This section refers particularly, but without limitation, to any sum set aside by order of the Public Service Commission of Puerto Rico for maintenance and operation of waterworks systems; to any sum remaining in the appropriation to the Commissioner of Health of Puerto Rico, the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority and the Governor of Puerto Rico under Act No. 29 of April 13, 1942, and to any other appropriation heretofore made to the Insular Sewerage Service or to the Department of the Interior of Puerto Rico for construction of sewers or waterworks systems.
History —May 1, 1945, No. 40, p. 138, § 7, renumbered as § 6 and amended on May 3, 1949, No. 163, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 9 - Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (§§ 141 — 169) › § 147 - Moneys

All moneys of the Authority shall be deposited in qualified depositaries for funds of the Commonwealth Government, or the instrumentalities thereof, but they shall be kept in a separate account or accounts in the name of the Authority. Disbursements shall be made by it pursuant to regulations and budgets approved by the Board.
History —May 1, 1945, No. 40, p. 138, § 8, renumbered as § 7 and amended on May 3, 1949, No. 163, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 9 - Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (§§ 141 — 169) › § 148 - Audit

The accounts of the Authority shall be kept in such manner as appropriately to segregate, insofar as advisable, the accounts in respect of the different classes of operations, projects, undertakings and activities of the Authority, and shall include complete accounts of the costs of production and distribution of water and of the sewer service and of the total costs of water and sewerage works constructed or otherwise acquired by the Authority and a description of the major components of said costs, together with records of such other physical data and operating statistics as may be helpful in determining the actual cost and value of the services.
History —May 1, 1945, No. 40, p. 138, § 9, renumbered as § 8 and amended on May 3, 1949, No. 163, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 9 - Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (§§ 141 — 169) › § 149 - Acquisition of property; declaration of public utility

When the Board deems it convenient, the Authority shall exercise the power of eminent domain by initiating the procedure directly and on its own behalf, or by its request, pursuant to the procedure described in subsection (b) of this section, when deemed convenient by the Board. Any action of eminent domain initiated by the Authority shall be processed in the manner provided in §§ 141—161 of this title, and pursuant to the procedures provided by the laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico on eminent domain.
Upon application of the Authority, the Governor of Puerto Rico or the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works shall be empowered to acquire by agreement or eminent domain or by any other lawful means, in the name and on behalf of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, title to any property or interest thereon, which the Board shall deem necessary or convenient for its own purposes. The Authority may make available to those funds, in advance, to said officers that may be needed for the payment of said property, and upon acquisition thereof, may reimburse the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico for any amount paid that had not been previously advanced. Upon such reimbursement to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (or, if the total cost or price has been advanced by the Authority within a reasonable period to be determined by the Governor) the title to the property so acquired shall pass to the Authority. The Secretary of Transportation and Public Works of Puerto Rico shall make the arrangements for the operation and control of said property by the Authority on behalf of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico during the period intervening before said title has passed to the Authority. The power conferred hereby shall not limit or restrict in any manner or to any extent the inherent power of the Authority to acquire properties through eminent domain initiated by the Authority directly and on its behalf, under the power conferred by §§ 141—161 of this title. All properties, whether real or personal and rights or interests thereon, that the Authority deems necessary for its corporate purposes, which may be condemned or used by the same are hereby declared of public utility, without the prior declaration of public utility provided in §§ 2901—2913 of Title 32.
History —May 1, 1945, No. 40, p. 138, § 10, renumbered as § 9 and amended on May 3, 1949, No. 163, § 1; June 30, 2002, No. 95, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 9 - Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (§§ 141 — 169) › § 154 - Remedies of bondholders

(a) As used in §§ 141—161 of this title, the term “holder of bonds” or “bondholders” or any similar term shall mean any person who shall be the bearer of any outstanding bond or bonds registered to bearer or not registered or the registered owner of any outstanding bond or bonds which at that time shall be registered otherwise than to bearer. Subject to any contractual limitations binding upon the holders of any issue of bonds, or trustees therefor, including, but not limited to the restriction of the exercise of any remedy to a specified proportion or percentage of such holders, any holder of bonds, or trustee herefor, shall have the right and power, for the equal benefit and protection of all holders of bonds similarly situated:
(1) By mandamus or other suit, action, or proceeding to enforce his rights against the Authority and its Board, officers, agents and employees to perform and carry out its and their duties and obligations under §§ 141—161 of this title and its and their covenants and agreements with bondholders;
(2) by civil action to require the Authority and the Board thereof to account as if they were the trustee of an express trust;
(3) by civil action to enjoin any act or things which may be unlawful or in violation of the rights of the bondholders, and
(4) to bring suit upon the bonds.
(b) No remedy conferred by §§ 141—161 of this title upon any holder of the bonds, or any trustee therefor, is intended to be exclusive of any other remedy, but each such remedy is cumulative and in addition to every other remedy, and may be exercised without exhausting, and without regard to, any other remedy conferred by §§ 141—161 of this title or by any other law.
History —May 1, 1945, No. 40, p. 138, § 15, renumbered as § 14 and amended on May 3, 1949, No. 163, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 9 - Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (§§ 141 — 169) › § 155 - Tax exemptions

(a) It is hereby found and declared that the purposes for which the Authority is created and shall exercise its powers are the preservation of public health, the promotion of the general welfare, and the increase of commerce and prosperity, that the same are public purposes in all respects for the benefit of the people of Puerto Rico, and that therefor the Authority shall not be required to pay any Commonwealth or municipal taxes or assessments on any of the property acquired by it or under its jurisdiction, control, possession, or supervision, or on its activities in the operation and maintenance of any property, or on the income derived from any of its properties and activities. Persons who enter into contracts with the Authority shall not be subject to the government contract tax imposed by § 16 of Act No. 85, approved August 20, 1925, as heretofore or hereafter amended. The Authority shall be exempt from the payment of all kinds of fees prescribed by laws in force for the execution of public documents and the registration thereof in any property registry of Puerto Rico.
(b) In order to facilitate the procurement of funds by the Authority to enable it to carry out its corporate purposes, the bonds and other obligations issued by the Authority and the income therefrom shall be and remain at all times exempt from taxation.
History —May 1, 1945, No. 40, p. 138, § 16, renumbered as § 15 and amended on May 3, 1949, No. 163, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 9 - Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (§§ 141 — 169) › § 156 - Water supply to governmental organizations and payments to municipalities

The Authority shall not be required to make any payment to municipalities in lieu of taxes but the same shall continue to be governed by § 162 of this title. Act No. 353, approved April 17, 1946, is hereby expressly repealed effective May 15, 1947.
History —May 1, 1945, No. 40, p. 138, § 17, renumbered as § 16 and amended on May 3, 1949, No. 163, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 9 - Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (§§ 141 — 169) › § 157 - Agreement of Commonwealth Government

The Commonwealth Government does hereby pledge to, and agree with, any person or persons subscribing to or acquiring bonds of the Authority that it will not limit or alter the rights or powers hereby vested in the Authority so as to impair the rights of the bondholders until all such bonds at any time issued, together with the interest thereon, are fully met and discharged.
History —May 1, 1945, No. 40, p. 138, § 18, renumbered as § 17 and amended on May 3, 1949, No. 163, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 9 - Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (§§ 141 — 169) › § 158 - Rates and charges

The Board shall fix and from time to time shall revise the rates and charges to be collected for the commodities, services and facilities furnished by the Authority. Said rates and charges shall be just and reasonable. Said rates and charges shall be fixed and revised so as to provide funds at all times sufficient:
(a) To pay the cost of maintaining, repairing and operating the Commonwealth Water System and the Commonwealth Sewer System, including reserves for such purposes, and for replacement and depreciation;
(b) to pay the principal of and the interest on revenue bonds issued under the provisions of §§ 141—161 of this title as the same shall become due, and reserves therefor, and
(c) to provide a margin of safety for making such payments.
The rates for water and sewerage service respectively shall be sufficient to cover the expenses necessary or properly attributable to the furnishing of the class of services for which said charges are made; Provided, however, That the Board may fix rates and charges for the services and facilities of the Commonwealth Water System sufficient to pay all or any of the cost of operating and maintaining the Commonwealth Sewer System and all or any of the principal of and the interest upon revenue bonds issued on account of such system, and to pledge for such purposes any surplus revenues of the Commonwealth Water System, subject to prior pledges thereof.
No change shall be made in said rates and charges, except for a temporary period or in cases of emergency, unless upon public hearing after publication of reasonable advanced notice of the time and place of said public hearing and of the charges and rates or changes in rates which will be considered for adoption.
The Authority shall render no free services. The charges for services rendered to the Government of Puerto Rico and to its municipalities (including the Government of the Capital) shall be deemed to be ordinary expenses of the Government of Puerto Rico and shall be paid from appropriations which shall be made for such purposes. In the event that no appropriation shall have been made in any fiscal year, then the funds to pay the cost of the services rendered shall be in the nature of a continuous appropriation. Such payments shall be made in accordance with the statutory provisions regulating the disbursement of public funds. As a safeguard for the holders of the bonds of the Authority, the good faith of the Government of Puerto Rico is hereby irrevocably pledged for the payment to the Authority of any obligation incurred or assumed by the Government of Puerto Rico for services rendered by the said Authority.
History —May 1, 1945, No. 40, p. 138, § 19, renumbered as § 18 and amended on May 3, 1949, No. 163, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 9 - Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (§§ 141 — 169) › § 159 - Rules and regulations; penalties

The Authority is hereby directed to make, amend and rescind, as it may deem necessary, rules and regulations concerning the use and conservation of water, disposal of sewage, the care and maintenance and protection of the facilities that are used or usable in the supply, distribution, consumption or use of water and disposal of sewage to the end that the purpose for which the Authority is created be attained, that the health of the inhabitants of the Island of Puerto Rico shall be protected, that the water available shall be utilized in the fullest measure possible and that it shall be made available to consumers with the greatest possible regularity and continuity. Such rules and regulations shall have the force of law and violation thereof shall be deemed to be a violation of §§ 141—161 of this title.
The Executive Director or his duly authorized representatives shall have access, when the circumstances require it, to any building or place, and the right to inspect the same to investigate whether or not violations of said rules and regulations are being or have been committed thereon, or for the purpose of correcting any deficiency which affects the service.
Any equipment, property, apparatus or thing which exists or is maintained in violation of the rules and regulations duly promulgated shall be deemed a public nuisance. In the event of the refusal of the owner, agent or tenant of any property where such a nuisance exists to remove or abate the same within a reasonable time after proper notification, the Authority is hereby authorized and empowered to remove or abate the nuisance at the expense of said owner, agent or tenant.
The owner, tenant or occupant of each lot or parcel of land which abuts upon a street or other public way containing a sanitary sewer or which may be served by any sewage disposal system of the Authority and upon which lot or parcel a building for residential, commercial or industrial use shall exist, if so required by the rules and regulations of the Authority or by resolution, shall connect such building to such sanitary sewer, and shall cease to use any other method for the disposal of sewage, sewage waste, or other polluting matter; Provided, however, That the owner, tenant or occupant of any such lot or parcel having a method for the disposal of sewage, sewage waste and other polluting matter constructed and operated in accordance with standards prescribed or approved by the Secretary of Health as not detrimental to the public health shall not be required to make such connection. All such connections shall be made in accordance with such rules and regulations as may be adopted from time to time by the Authority.
Any person who violates or procures the violation of any of the provisions of §§ 141—161 of this title or of the rules or regulations issued hereunder shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
History —May 1, 1945, No. 40, p. 138, § 20, renumbered as § 19 and amended on May 3, 1949, No. 163, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 9 - Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (§§ 141 — 169) › § 160 - Reports

The Authority shall submit to the Legislature and to the Governor, not later than six months after the close of the fiscal year, a financial statement of accounts and a complete report of the business and operations of the Authority during the fiscal year. The term herein provided shall not apply to the reports required by § 151 of this title.
History —May 1, 1945, No. 40, p. 138, § 21, renumbered as § 20 and amended on May 3, 1949, No. 163, § 1; Dec. 28, 1998, No. 328, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 9 - Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (§§ 141 — 169) › § 161 - Previous legislation repealed; inconsistent provisions of other acts superseded

The following acts and resolutions are hereby repealed: Joint Resolution No. 28, approved April 25, 1929; Act No. 51, approved May 1, 1936; Act No. 256, approved May 15, 1938; Act No. 16, approved November 21, 1941; Act No. 39, approved November 21, 1941; and Act No. 29, approved April 13, 1942. In cases where the provisions of §§ 141—161 of this title are inconsistent with the provisions of any other act of the Legislature of Puerto Rico, the provisions of §§ 141—161 of this title shall be controlling and no law enacted governing the Administration of the Commonwealth Government or any parts, offices, bureaus, departments, commissions, dependencies, municipalities, branches, agents, officers or employees thereof shall be construed to apply to the Authority unless so specifically provided, but the affairs and business of the Authority shall be administered as provided herein; Provided, That notwithstanding the foregoing provision, the provisions of Act No. 213, approved May 12, 1942, as amended, §§ 581—595 of Title 7, and Act No. 345 of May 12, 1947, as amended (except as the Board shall from time to time determine otherwise) shall be applicable to the Authority.
History —May 1, 1945, No. 40, p. 138, § 22, renumbered as § 21 and amended on May 3, 1949, No. 163, § 1.