reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART VI - Tourism (§§ 6001 — 6982i) › Chapter 152 - Puerto Rico Convention Center District Act (§§ 6401 — 6475) › Subchapter VI - Miscellaneous Acts (§§ 6461 — 6475) › § 6473 - Penalties

Any violation to the provisions contained in the rules, regulations or administrative determinations promulgated by the Authority under this chapter that is related to the safety of the District or the Center shall constitute a misdemeanor punishable with a fine not greater than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or the penalty of imprisonment for a term not greater than six (6) months, or both penalties at the discretion of the court.
Any violation to the provisions contained in the rules, regulations or administrative determinations promulgated by the Authority under this chapter that is not related to the safety of the District or the Center shall be sanctioned with an administrative fine of up to ten thousand dollars ($10,000), pursuant to the procedure established for these cases through the regulations adopted by the Authority.
History —Sept. 2, 2000, No. 351, § 6.13, renumbered as § 6.12 and amended on Oct. 4, 2001, No. 142, § 40.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART VI - Tourism (§§ 6001 — 6982i) › Chapter 154 - Puerto Rico Tourist Ground Transportation (§§ 6754 — 6847) › Subchapter I - Title, Scope and Terminology (§§ 6754 — 6755) › § 6755 - Scope

This chapter shall govern tourist ground transportation services in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico provided by tourist taxicabs, tours, charter buses, limousines, transfer vehicles and any other kind of motor vehicle enterprises that offers said service, enterprises engaged in selling and servicing taximeters, as well as the requirements for granting franchises, authorizations, permits and licenses for the rendering of tourist ground transportation services or the sale of taximeters, all under the responsibility of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company.
History —Dec. 19, 2002, No. 282, § 3, eff. 180 days after Dec. 19, 2002.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART VI - Tourism (§§ 6001 — 6982i) › Chapter 154 - Puerto Rico Tourist Ground Transportation (§§ 6754 — 6847) › Subchapter II - Organization of the Company (§§ 6761 — 6762) › § 6761 - Name and seal

The Tourism Company shall be the entity in charge of enforcing the provisions of this chapter, as well as the regulations approved pursuant to it, without it being understood as a limitation, it may raise funds, oversee, hold adjudicative hearings, manage, regulate, investigate, and impose penalties and sanctions. All orders and authorizations shall be issued under the name of the Tourism Company and shall bear its official seal. The Tourism Company shall have an official seal with the words Puerto Rico Tourist Ground Transportation and the design it approves. With it, the Tourism Company shall authenticate its proceedings and the courts shall take judicial knowledge of the same.
History —Dec. 19, 2002, No. 282, § 4, eff. 180 days after Dec. 19, 2002.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART VI - Tourism (§§ 6001 — 6982i) › Chapter 154 - Puerto Rico Tourist Ground Transportation (§§ 6754 — 6847) › Subchapter II - Organization of the Company (§§ 6761 — 6762) › § 6762 - Organizational structure

(a) The Tourism Company shall establish, through written regulations, the internal organizational structure related to tourist ground transportation, as it deems necessary; and it shall have discretion to assign the different working areas of the operational phase, as well as of the quasi-legislative and adjudicative phase.
(b) The Tourism Company shall appoint all officers and employees it deems necessary to fully comply with the provisions of this chapter.
(c) In order to achieve the purposes of this chapter, the Tourism Company may subcontract all persons and services it deems necessary.
History —Dec. 19, 2002, No. 282, § 5, eff. 180 days after Dec. 19, 2002.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART VI - Tourism (§§ 6001 — 6982i) › Chapter 154 - Puerto Rico Tourist Ground Transportation (§§ 6754 — 6847) › Subchapter III - Powers and Duties of the Company (§§ 6771 — 6805) › § 6771 - General powers

(a) The Tourism Company shall be empowered to grant franchises, authorizations, licenses, permits and certificates of inspection in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
(b) The Tourism Company shall be empowered to oversee, regulate, investigate, intervene and impose sanctions upon those persons or enterprises engaged in providing tourist ground transportation services, or selling or servicing taximeters or that are subject to the provisions of this chapter.
(c) The Tourism Company shall also be empowered to impose administrative fines and other sanctions pursuant to this chapter.
(d) The Tourism Company shall be empowered to conduct investigations and interventions; to demand any type of information needed to fully comply with its faculties; to order and/or issue orders to cease and desist, or request the court to order the cease of activities or acts that attempt against the purposes stated herein; to impose and order the fair and reasonable payment of costs and expenses; as well as the payment of expenses regarding other professional and consulting services incurred during the investigations, hearings and proceedings conducted by the Company; and to order that any other act be carried out in compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
(e) The powers and faculties provided in this section shall be executed not only in relation to the persons or enterprises offering or intending to offer tourist ground transportation services, or selling or servicing taximeters as defined in this chapter, but also with respect to the following:
(1) Any person who does not comply with the provisions of this chapter and/or the regulations enacted by virtue thereof.
(2) Any person whose acts affect or may affect tourist ground transportation services.
(3) Any person whose acts or omissions may hinder the activities, resources or interests related to tourist ground transportation and upon which the Tourism Company has the power to regulate, supervise or protect.
History —Dec. 19, 2002, No. 282, § 6, eff. 180 days after Dec. 19, 2002.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART VI - Tourism (§§ 6001 — 6982i) › Chapter 154 - Puerto Rico Tourist Ground Transportation (§§ 6754 — 6847) › Subchapter III - Powers and Duties of the Company (§§ 6771 — 6805) › § 6772 - Authority to establish tourist transportation areas

(a) With the purpose of implementing this chapter, the Tourism Company shall be empowered to establish tourist transportation areas other than the tourist zones so established by the Puerto Rico Planning Board.
(b) The Tourism Company shall establish tourist transportation areas through regulations approved to that effect.
(c) For the purposes of this chapter, the Tourism Company shall establish through regulations the criteria that shall be used to designate, expand, modify or eliminate tourist transportation areas. Said criteria may include, without limitation, taking into consideration the density or the importance of the tourist zone, as well as having a clear definition of the distances and radius from the tourist zones in the area.
History —Dec. 19, 2002, No. 282, § 7, eff. 180 days after Dec. 19, 2002.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART VI - Tourism (§§ 6001 — 6982i) › Chapter 154 - Puerto Rico Tourist Ground Transportation (§§ 6754 — 6847) › Subchapter III - Powers and Duties of the Company (§§ 6771 — 6805) › § 6773 - Authority and jurisdiction on airport and seaport terminals under the Ports Authority

The Tourism Company shall hereby be empowered to supervise full compliance with this chapter and the regulations approved pursuant to it, at airport and seaport terminals under the jurisdiction of the Puerto Rico Ports Authority designated as pick-up, dispatch or waiting area for passengers within the tourist transportation area.
History —Dec. 19, 2002, No. 282, § 8, eff. 180 days after Dec. 19, 2002.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART VI - Tourism (§§ 6001 — 6982i) › Chapter 154 - Puerto Rico Tourist Ground Transportation (§§ 6754 — 6847) › Subchapter III - Powers and Duties of the Company (§§ 6771 — 6805) › § 6774 - Tourist ground transportation terminals

In coordination with the municipalities of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and/or other legal entities, the Tourism Company shall hereby be empowered to designate and/or relocate tourist ground transportation terminals as pick-up, dispatch or waiting areas for passengers within tourist ground transportation areas.
History —Dec. 19, 2002, No. 282, § 9, eff. 180 days after Dec. 19, 2002.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART VI - Tourism (§§ 6001 — 6982i) › Chapter 154 - Puerto Rico Tourist Ground Transportation (§§ 6754 — 6847) › Subchapter III - Powers and Duties of the Company (§§ 6771 — 6805) › § 6775 - Power to oversee

Officers and employees authorized by the Tourism Company, as well as members of the Puerto Rico Police, are hereby empowered to intervene with, remove and/or subpoena to appear before the Tourism Company any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter or the regulations approved pursuant to it.
History —Dec. 19, 2002, No. 282, § 10, eff. 180 days after Dec. 19, 2002.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART VI - Tourism (§§ 6001 — 6982i) › Chapter 154 - Puerto Rico Tourist Ground Transportation (§§ 6754 — 6847) › Subchapter III - Powers and Duties of the Company (§§ 6771 — 6805) › § 6776 - Regulations

The Tourism Company shall hereby be empowered to adopt the regulations it deems necessary in order to implement this chapter, and they shall have the force of law. Said regulations shall enter into effect after having complied with the applicable provisions of §§ 2101 et seq. of Title 3, known as the “Uniform Administrative Procedures Act”.
History —Dec. 19, 2002, No. 282, § 11, eff. 180 days after Dec. 19, 2002.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART VI - Tourism (§§ 6001 — 6982i) › Chapter 154 - Puerto Rico Tourist Ground Transportation (§§ 6754 — 6847) › Subchapter III - Powers and Duties of the Company (§§ 6771 — 6805) › § 6777 - Impose and collect fees

The Tourism Company shall be empowered to impose and collect fees or fair and reasonable charges for applications filed, services rendered and measures taken in order to achieve the purposes of this chapter.
Any person who requests any type of service, measure or proceeding before the Tourism Company shall pay the fee so approved by the Company in accordance with the regulation approved to that effect.
Through regulations approved to that effect, the Tourism Company shall fix the duties that shall be collected, without being understood as a limitation, regarding the inspection of motor vehicles, filing of franchise applications, authorizations, permits or licenses, as well as the proceeding to renew them. All collections made by the Tourism Company pursuant to this chapter or to the regulations approved pursuant to it shall pertain to the Tourism Company.
History —Dec. 19, 2002, No. 282, § 12, eff. 180 days after Dec. 19, 2002.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART VI - Tourism (§§ 6001 — 6982i) › Chapter 154 - Puerto Rico Tourist Ground Transportation (§§ 6754 — 6847) › Subchapter III - Powers and Duties of the Company (§§ 6771 — 6805) › § 6778 - Franchises, authorizations, permits and licenses

(a) No person may engage in providing tourist ground transportation service, or selling or servicing taximeters, without having previously requested and obtained the corresponding franchise, authorization, permit and/or license from the Tourism Company.
(b) The Tourism Company shall be empowered to grant the necessary franchises, authorizations, permits and/or licenses to authorize the rendering of tourist ground transportation services, and the sale and servicing of taximeters. The franchises, authorizations, permits and licenses shall be granted by the Tourism Company taking into consideration necessity and convenience, the petitioner’s suitability and his/her strict compliance with all the provisions of this chapter and the applicable regulations.
(c) The procedures to be followed for the issuance of franchises, authorizations, permits and/or licenses, as well as the requirements that applicants must meet, shall be governed by the norms that shall establish the Tourism Company through regulation.
(d) The Tourism Company shall regulate the specific places in which the franchises, authorizations, permits and/or licenses shall be made visible to any person that uses or intends to use tourist ground transportation services.
(e) Any enterprise that offers or intends to offer tourist ground transportation services within tourist transportation areas so designated by the Tourism Company shall obtain a franchise issued by the Tourism Company, and shall use in said areas only those authorized motor vehicles driven by operators holding duly issued licenses.
(f) If the Tourism Company creates new tourist ground transportation areas or classifications, this information shall be published by the Tourism Company. The Tourism Company shall give first option to offer said services to those concessionaries engaged in offering tourist ground transportation services, provided they comply with the requirements drawn up for said service.
History —Dec. 19, 2002, No. 282, § 13, eff. 180 days after Dec. 19, 2002.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART VI - Tourism (§§ 6001 — 6982i) › Chapter 154 - Puerto Rico Tourist Ground Transportation (§§ 6754 — 6847) › Subchapter III - Powers and Duties of the Company (§§ 6771 — 6805) › § 6779 - Franchises, authorizations, permits and licenses—Applications

Every application for a franchise, authorization, permit and/or license filed before this act takes effect shall be handled pursuant to the provisions of §§ 1001 et seq. of Title 27, known as the “Puerto Rico Public Service Act” and its applicable regulations in effect. Said persons or enterprises shall request conversion into this act within ninety (90) days after its approval.
Once the application is filed within the term established hereinabove, the Tourism Company shall issue a franchise, authorization, license or permit to any natural or juridical person who is duly certified by the Public Service Commission as a person or entity engaged in the activity regulated prior to the date this act takes effect, and complies with the legal requirements and regulations of the Public Service Commission for providing tourist ground transportation services. The Tourism Company shall grant a reasonable term to allow any natural or juridical person to comply with the new requirements, if any, so ordered by this chapter.
History —Dec. 19, 2002, No. 282, § 14, eff. 180 days after Dec. 19, 2002.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART VI - Tourism (§§ 6001 — 6982i) › Chapter 154 - Puerto Rico Tourist Ground Transportation (§§ 6754 — 6847) › Subchapter III - Powers and Duties of the Company (§§ 6771 — 6805) › § 6780 - Franchises, authorizations, permits and licenses—Existing

(a) Holders of franchises, authorizations, permits or licenses to render ground transportation services or to sell and service taximeters already in existence at the time of approval of this act, and who wish to provide tourist ground transportation services within tourist transportation areas shall file an application before the Tourism Company for due authorization to render said services, and shall comply with the requirements imposed or to be imposed by the Tourism Company for the issuance of franchises, authorizations, permits and licenses pursuant to this chapter. The procedure to file said application shall be established by the Company through regulations approved to that effect.
(b) Holders of franchises, authorizations, permits or licenses or to sell and service taximeters already in existence at the time of approval of this act, may continue their operations, provided they file an application for franchise, authorization, permit or license before the Tourism Company within ninety (90) days after this act takes effect.
(c) Once the application is filed within the term established hereinabove, the Tourism Company shall issue a franchise, authorization, license or permit to any natural or juridical person who was duly certified by the Public Service Commission as a person or entity engaged in the regulated activity prior to the effective date of this act, and who complies with the legal requirements and regulations of the Public Service Commission for providing tourist ground transportation services.
(d) The Tourism Company may suspend, amend or revoke franchises, authorizations, licenses or permits already in existence granted by the Public Service Commission, as well as those granted by the Company after the effective date of this act, based on the legal requirements and regulations established to that effect by the Tourism Company.
History —Dec. 19, 2002, No. 282, § 15, eff. 180 days after Dec. 19, 2002.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART VI - Tourism (§§ 6001 — 6982i) › Chapter 154 - Puerto Rico Tourist Ground Transportation (§§ 6754 — 6847) › Subchapter III - Powers and Duties of the Company (§§ 6771 — 6805) › § 6781 - Franchises, authorizations, permits and licenses—Renewal

(a) The procedure to be followed when applying for the renewal of a franchise, authorization, permit or license shall be governed by the provisions established by the Tourism Company through regulations.
(b) The Tourism Company shall require for the renewal of the franchise, authorization, permit or license, the same requirements provided to obtain an original of same, including, without limitation, the inspection of the motor vehicle.
(c) The Tourism Company may deny a request for the renewal of a franchise, authorization, permit or license, pursuant to the adjudicative procedure established by the Tourism Company through regulations for cases of suspension, amendment or revocation of franchises, authorizations, permits or licenses.
History —Dec. 19, 2002, No. 282, § 16, eff. 180 days after Dec. 19, 2002.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART VI - Tourism (§§ 6001 — 6982i) › Chapter 154 - Puerto Rico Tourist Ground Transportation (§§ 6754 — 6847) › Subchapter III - Powers and Duties of the Company (§§ 6771 — 6805) › § 6782 - Franchises, authorizations, permits and licenses—Issuance control

The Tourism Company shall have the power and discretion to decree a general halt in the issuance of new franchises, authorizations, permits and licenses, but it may only do so when there exists concrete and credible evidence that the tourist ground transportation market is saturated, or when extraordinary circumstances exist within the tourist industry in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. “Extraordinary circumstances” means, for the purposes of this section, those most likely to happen or of significant magnitude that affect the tourist industry in general. The halt in the issuance of new franchises, authorizations, permits and licenses shall be for the shortest term and as strictly necessary to address the extraordinary circumstances that affect the industry.
History —Dec. 19, 2002, No. 282, § 17, eff. 180 days after Dec. 19, 2002.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART VI - Tourism (§§ 6001 — 6982i) › Chapter 154 - Puerto Rico Tourist Ground Transportation (§§ 6754 — 6847) › Subchapter III - Powers and Duties of the Company (§§ 6771 — 6805) › § 6783 - Sale, conveyance, cession, donation, substitution, exchange or lease

(a) No enterprise, concessionaire or operator shall sell, cede, donate, alienate, encumber, convey, substitute, exchange nor lease the franchise, authorization, permit or license, or otherwise modify the terms under which they were granted, without prior authorization from the Tourism Company. In the event of death [or] permanent disability of the person who owns, controls, operates or manages the motor vehicle considered to be the working instrument for its owner, as defined in former § 309 of Title 9, the franchise that for that effect was granted shall pass to his/her spouse, if any, or surviving heirs or dependants, as the case may be; provided, at the Tourism Company’s discretion, that if they are capable, willing and able to fully comply with the applicable provisions of law, and with the requirements and regulations approved by the Company, they may operate said vehicles under the franchise previously granted.
(b) The Tourism Company shall establish, through regulations approved to that effect, the procedure and requirements to be fulfilled by enterprises, concessionaries, or operators when applying for the transfer, sale, donation, exchange, modification or substitution of franchises, authorizations, permits or licenses, and the complementary documents required for the application to be duly evaluated.
History —Dec. 19, 2002, No. 282, § 18, eff. 180 days after Dec. 19, 2002.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART VI - Tourism (§§ 6001 — 6982i) › Chapter 154 - Puerto Rico Tourist Ground Transportation (§§ 6754 — 6847) › Subchapter III - Powers and Duties of the Company (§§ 6771 — 6805) › § 6784 - Power to require an insurance policy or a surety bond

The Tourism Company may require the enterprises, concessionaires, or operators to file evidence attesting that they have insurance policies or surety bonds. The coverage may be required for the limits the Tourism Company deems reasonably necessary to guarantee the payment for any damage caused to any person or property as a result of negligent or culpable acts or omissions by the enterprise, concessionaire or operator. Said policy or bond shall contain a liability waiver in behalf of the Tourism Company.
History —Dec. 19, 2002, No. 282, § 19, eff. 180 days after Dec. 19, 2002.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART VI - Tourism (§§ 6001 — 6982i) › Chapter 154 - Puerto Rico Tourist Ground Transportation (§§ 6754 — 6847) › Subchapter III - Powers and Duties of the Company (§§ 6771 — 6805) › § 6785 - Authorization to regulate service suspension

The Tourism Company shall be empowered to provide that no enterprises, concessionaires, or operators to whom this chapter refers may discontinue, suspend or reduce tourist ground transportation services for a term of more than twenty (20) calendar days without previously obtaining the approval of the Tourism Company.
Enterprises, concessionaires, or operators who voluntarily wish to discontinue operations shall notify it [sic] to the Tourism Company within a term of twenty (20) calendar days before discontinuing or suspending the service.
In unforeseen cases of interruption, suspension or reduction of the service, the enterprise, concessionaire, or operator shall notify the Tourism Company through any suitable means within twenty-four (24) hours after the occurrence, indicating the causes and probable duration. Upon resumption of the service, the enterprise, concessionaire, or operator shall notify the Tourism Company in writing, stating the date and time of said resumption.
The Tourism Company may impose sanctions for any non-authorized cessation of service, as provided in this chapter and the regulations adopted pursuant to it. Discontinuance, suspension or reduction of the service contrary to the provisions of this chapter shall be just cause to have the franchise, authorization, permit or license revoked.
No provision in this section has the purpose of infringing the constitutional rights acknowledged by the Constitutions of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and of the United States of America.
History —Dec. 19, 2002, No. 282, § 20, eff. 180 days after Dec. 19, 2002.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART VI - Tourism (§§ 6001 — 6982i) › Chapter 154 - Puerto Rico Tourist Ground Transportation (§§ 6754 — 6847) › Subchapter III - Powers and Duties of the Company (§§ 6771 — 6805) › § 6786 - Fair and reasonable rates

The Tourism Company shall be empowered to set the fair and reasonable rates that enterprises, concessionaires and operators herein regulated may charge. Likewise, the Tourism Company shall be empowered to:
(a) Set the fixed rates that tourist taxicab enterprises may charge for providing tourist ground transportation services from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport or from airport and seaport terminals under the jurisdiction of the Ports Authority located within tourist transportation areas.
(b) Set metered rates that tourist taxicab enterprises may charge subject to the provisions of this chapter.
(c) Determine and set the fair and reasonable rates that enterprises, concessionaires and operators herein regulated may charge when the Tourist Company deems that a rate for providing tourist ground transportation services or selling and servicing taximeters is unreasonable or does not comply with any of the provisions of this chapter, or the regulations approved pursuant to it.
(d) Conduct research to:
(1) Set new rates for taxicab services.
When determining or setting fair and reasonable rates, the Tourism Company may take into consideration the needs of the tourist market, as well as those of the enterprises, the concessionaires and the operators.
Through regulations approved pursuant to this chapter, the Tourism Company shall determine the specific physical location inside the authorized vehicles where the rates authorized by the Tourism Company shall be posted, as well as the size, content and type of lettering.
History —Dec. 19, 2002, No. 282, § 21, eff. 180 days after Dec. 19, 2002.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART VI - Tourism (§§ 6001 — 6982i) › Chapter 154 - Puerto Rico Tourist Ground Transportation (§§ 6754 — 6847) › Subchapter III - Powers and Duties of the Company (§§ 6771 — 6805) › § 6787 - New rates or charges

Every enterprise, concessionaire and operator that wishes to modify an existing rate shall submit a request to the Tourism Company thirty (30) days in advance. Enterprises, concessionaires and operators may also request the Tourism Company to modify the fixed or metered rates it has set.
The Tourism Company shall establish though regulations the procedure that enterprises, concessionaires and operators shall follow to request a revision of the rates and establish the criteria that the Tourism Company will use, at its discretion, to evaluate the request.
The requested rate shall apply after being authorized by the Tourism Company.
History —Dec. 19, 2002, No. 282, § 22, eff. 180 days after Dec. 19, 2002.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART VI - Tourism (§§ 6001 — 6982i) › Chapter 154 - Puerto Rico Tourist Ground Transportation (§§ 6754 — 6847) › Subchapter III - Powers and Duties of the Company (§§ 6771 — 6805) › § 6788 - Accounting system

The Tourism Company may determine the accounting system that shall be used by the enterprises, concessionaires or operators that render tourist ground transportation services, or to sell or service taximeters.
History —Dec. 19, 2002, No. 282, § 23, eff. 180 days after Dec. 19, 2002.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART VI - Tourism (§§ 6001 — 6982i) › Chapter 154 - Puerto Rico Tourist Ground Transportation (§§ 6754 — 6847) › Subchapter III - Powers and Duties of the Company (§§ 6771 — 6805) › § 6789 - Detailed and permanent inventory

The Tourism Company may require any enterprise, concessionaires or operators to continuously keep and maintain a detailed, permanent and accurate inventory of all the property used to render tourist ground transportation services, or to sell or service taximeters. It may also require that said enterprise or concessionaire keep books, accounts and records that show at all times the original cost of the property, as well as the capital accumulated to procure that same be retired or replaced. The Tourism Company may demand audited financial statements from any enterprise or concessionaire.
History —Dec. 19, 2002, No. 282, § 24, eff. 180 days after Dec. 19, 2002.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART VI - Tourism (§§ 6001 — 6982i) › Chapter 154 - Puerto Rico Tourist Ground Transportation (§§ 6754 — 6847) › Subchapter III - Powers and Duties of the Company (§§ 6771 — 6805) › § 6790 - Examination of accounts, registries, books and premises

The Tourism Company, through its officers or employees, shall have the right to examine all the accounts, registries and annotations made by enterprises and concessionaires, and it may appoint any of its officers or employees to conduct said investigation. The Tourism Company may enter and examine the premises, motor vehicles, equipment and documents of any enterprise, concessionaire, and operator and of any other person subject to its jurisdiction. The Tourism Company shall also have access to and use any information or document held by any instrumentality or political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
History —Dec. 19, 2002, No. 282, § 25, eff. 180 days after Dec. 19, 2002.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART VI - Tourism (§§ 6001 — 6982i) › Chapter 154 - Puerto Rico Tourist Ground Transportation (§§ 6754 — 6847) › Subchapter III - Powers and Duties of the Company (§§ 6771 — 6805) › § 6791 - Reports

The Tourism Company may require every enterprise, concessionaire, operator or any other person subject to its jurisdiction to file before it the reports and financial statements it deems necessary in order to achieve the purposes of this chapter. Moreover, any person who possesses or owns majority interest in any enterprise that renders tourist ground transportations services, or sells or services taximeters, or that has contracts with any enterprise, concessionaire, operator or any other person subject to the jurisdiction of the Tourism Company shall be subject to its jurisdiction with respect to its relationship with said enterprise.
History —Dec. 19, 2002, No. 282, § 26, eff. 180 days after Dec. 19, 2002.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART VI - Tourism (§§ 6001 — 6982i) › Chapter 154 - Puerto Rico Tourist Ground Transportation (§§ 6754 — 6847) › Subchapter III - Powers and Duties of the Company (§§ 6771 — 6805) › § 6792 - General investigative powers

(a) If a complainant is not in Puerto Rico, the Tourism Company shall be empowered to represent him/her through duly authorized officers or employees pursuant to the powers established in Section 7 of this act, including the subpoena of witnesses under admonition of contempt, the taking of oaths, the interview of witnesses, the taking of sworn statements and the compelling to show books, papers and documents deemed necessary and pertinent in any procedure held and to carry out all necessary actions to exercise their duties and powers.
(b) The Tourism Company may order any enterprise, concessionaire or operator concerned to pay fair and reasonable expenses for professional and consulting services incurred during the investigations, studies, hearings or any other procedures conducted by the Tourism Company regarding the application to render and/or provide tourist ground transportation services, or the sale or servicing of taximeters.
(c) The Tourism Company, may order any enterprise, concessionaire or operator engaged in providing tourist ground transportation services to pay any other expense the Tourist Company incurs due to non-compliance or violation of the provisions of this chapter.
History —Dec. 19, 2002, No. 282, § 27, eff. 180 days after Dec. 19, 2002.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART VI - Tourism (§§ 6001 — 6982i) › Chapter 154 - Puerto Rico Tourist Ground Transportation (§§ 6754 — 6847) › Subchapter III - Powers and Duties of the Company (§§ 6771 — 6805) › § 6793 - Complaints filed before the Tourism Company

The Tourism Company, motu proprio, or any person, government instrumentality, agency, business or private company that complains of any act or omission committed by or intended to be committed by any enterprise, concessionaire or operator in violation of any provision of this chapter, regulation or order of the Tourism Company, may resort to the Company through a written application. The Company shall establish the procedures to file complaints through regulations approved to that effect.
History —Dec. 19, 2002, No. 282, § 28, eff. 180 days after Dec. 19, 2002.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART VI - Tourism (§§ 6001 — 6982i) › Chapter 154 - Puerto Rico Tourist Ground Transportation (§§ 6754 — 6847) › Subchapter III - Powers and Duties of the Company (§§ 6771 — 6805) › § 6794 - Adjudicative proceedings

In the exercise of the duties and faculties imposed upon and conferred to the Tourism Company pursuant to this chapter, the Company may hold public hearings, subpoena witnesses, issue orders, resolutions and decisions, and conduct any other quasi-judicial duty deemed necessary to implement the provisions of this chapter.
The Company shall be empowered to hold adjudicative hearings to discuss complaints against any enterprise, concessionaire or operator providing tourist ground transportation services, or selling or repairing taximeters, or against any person subject to its jurisdiction, motu proprio or upon the request of the interested party, as provided in this chapter, and may impose sanctions and/or penalties deemed appropriate in accordance with the regulations promulgated to that effect.
Motu proprio or on behalf of the person who initiated the complaint, the Tourism Company shall be empowered to investigate, issue subpoenas, require documents deemed necessary and reject evidence when any enterprise, concessionaire, operator or person subject to these regulations, has:
(1) Failed to carry out any action required by any of the provisions of this chapter or of the regulations approved pursuant to it.
(2) Committed an action against any of the provisions contained in this chapter or of the regulations approved pursuant to it.
The Tourism Company shall establish through regulations [a] procedure to be followed in every adjudicative proceeding and shall guarantee the defendant due process of law.
The adjudicative power conferred to the Tourism Company shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of §§ 2101 et seq. of Title 3, known as the “Uniform Administrative Procedures Act”. The Tourism Company shall safeguard the right to reconsider and to judicial review contained in said Act.
History —Dec. 19, 2002, No. 282, § 29, eff. 180 days after Dec. 19, 2002.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART VI - Tourism (§§ 6001 — 6982i) › Chapter 154 - Puerto Rico Tourist Ground Transportation (§§ 6754 — 6847) › Subchapter III - Powers and Duties of the Company (§§ 6771 — 6805) › § 6795 - Refusal to act

The Tourism Company may suspend or revoke a franchise to any person subpoenaed to appear before the Tourism Company who fails to appear, or if appearing, refuses to be sworn in, to provide information, to testify or answer any pertinent question, or to present any pertinent document when so ordered by the Tourism Company. The Company shall also be empowered to invoke the aid of the Court of First Instance to force the appearance, statement and presentation of documents.
The Tourism Company may impose fines or sanctions upon any person who fails to appear or refuses to testify, disregards any legal request or refuses to present books, papers or documents, if capable to do so, in compliance with a valid subpoena to submit same issued by the Company, or upon any person who acts in a disorderly or disrespectful manner before the Tourism Company, or any of its officers or employees presiding [over] a hearing or investigation. Said conduct may constitute a misdemeanor punishable with a fine not greater than five hundred dollars ($500), at the discretion of the trial court.
History —Dec. 19, 2002, No. 282, § 30, eff. 180 days after Dec. 19, 2002.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART VI - Tourism (§§ 6001 — 6982i) › Chapter 154 - Puerto Rico Tourist Ground Transportation (§§ 6754 — 6847) › Subchapter III - Powers and Duties of the Company (§§ 6771 — 6805) › § 6796 - Burden of proof

When a hearing is held for a violation of any provisions of this chapter or any regulation or order of the Tourism Company, the burden of proof shall fall upon the enterprise, concessionaire, operator, person concerned or defendant.
History —Dec. 19, 2002, No. 282, § 31, eff. 180 days after Dec. 19, 2002.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART VI - Tourism (§§ 6001 — 6982i) › Chapter 154 - Puerto Rico Tourist Ground Transportation (§§ 6754 — 6847) › Subchapter III - Powers and Duties of the Company (§§ 6771 — 6805) › § 6797 - Authority to sanction and to impose and collect fines

The Tourism Company shall be empowered to impose administrative sanctions and fines for any violation against the provisions of this chapter or the regulations approved pursuant to it, committed by any enterprise, concessionaire, or operator engaged in providing tourist ground transportation services or in selling and servicing taximeters, or by any person subject to its provisions. The Tourism Company shall establish the sanctions through regulations, in proportion to the violation.
The Tourism Company may, upon a violation against the provisions of this chapter and to the regulations approved pursuant to it or to any order issued in accordance with it, impose administrative fines or sanctions that correspond pursuant to this chapter or regulations, or suspend or revoke the franchise, authorization, permit or license.
Recidivism in violations against any provision of this chapter or the regulations approved pursuant to it may entail the revocation of the franchise, authorization, permit or license, as the case may be, as well as the subsequent ineligibility of the recidivist to render tourist ground transportation services or sell or service taximeters.
The administrative fines shall not exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per violation. It shall be understood that each day the violation continues shall be considered as a separate violation up to a maximum of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($250,000).
If an enterprise, concessionaire, operator or any person who is subject to the provisions of this chapter shows contempt by committing or continuing actions for which an administrative fine has been imposed, or contempt by violating any order or resolution issued by the Tourism Company, the latter, at its discretion, may impose administrative fines up to a maximum of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) per day. It shall be understood that each day the violation continues shall be considered as a separate violation up to a maximum fine of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000).
History —Dec. 19, 2002, No. 282, § 32, eff. 180 days after Dec. 19, 2002.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART VI - Tourism (§§ 6001 — 6982i) › Chapter 154 - Puerto Rico Tourist Ground Transportation (§§ 6754 — 6847) › Subchapter III - Powers and Duties of the Company (§§ 6771 — 6805) › § 6798 - Determination of damages

(a) Whenever the Tourism Company, after having held a hearing, determines that any charged rate, committed or omitted action, or practice put in effect has violated any order, was unfair or unreasonable, established unjustified or illegal differences or preferences, or if the charged rate exceeds the rate filed, published and in effect at the time that the service was rendered, it may order the tourist ground transportation company to pay to the injured party, within a reasonable specified term, the amount of the damages suffered as a result of the rate, action, omission, or unfair, unreasonable or illegal practice. The order issued to that effect shall contain findings of fact and the amount to be paid.
(b) If the tourist ground transportation company does not comply with the aforementioned order to pay the amount of money within the specified term, the person to whom the payment is ordered may file legal action to claim the amount. Said action shall be processed, regardless of the amount, in accordance with Rule 60 of the Rules of Civil Procedure in effect. The order issued by the Tourism Company shall constitute prima facie evidence of the facts therein, and that the amount adjudicated is owed to the plaintiff in said legal action. The defendant tourist ground transportation company may not raise the defense that the service, as an issue of fact, was rendered to the plaintiff for the price contained in the rate in effect at the time in which the payment was made and received.
(c) No indemnity shall be granted by the Tourism Company, unless the complaint or petition has been filed before it within two (2) years, calculated from the date when the cause of action occurred. The suit to enforce compliance with the order to pay the amount shall be filed within one (1) year from the date the order was issued.
(d) No action shall be instituted for the damages referred to in this section, until the Tourism Company determines that the rate, action or omission in question was unfair, unreasonable, or established unfair differences or illegal or unreasonable preferences, or in excess of the prices contained in said rates, and said action shall be limited to a claim for the damages that the Tourism Company would have adjudicated and ordered.
(e) As part of the proceedings, the Tourism Company may order the defendant to refrain from continuing to charge the rate or from carrying out or omitting the action or the practice object of the complaint and, to that effect, it may demand that the complainant must make a reasonable deposit appropriate to the amount that justifies the terms of the complaint subject to a determination to be made by the Tourism Company at a later date on the case.
History —Dec. 19, 2002, No. 282, § 32a, eff. 180 days after Dec. 19, 2002.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART VI - Tourism (§§ 6001 — 6982i) › Chapter 154 - Puerto Rico Tourist Ground Transportation (§§ 6754 — 6847) › Subchapter III - Powers and Duties of the Company (§§ 6771 — 6805) › § 6801 - Criminal penalties due to infringements

(a) Ninety (90) days after the effective date of this act, any enterprise, concessionaire, operator or person that voluntarily violates any of the provisions of this chapter, omits, neglects or refuses to obey, observe or comply with any of the rules or decision made by the Tourism Company, fails to comply with a judgment [from] any court, incites, helps violate, omits, neglects or fails or refuses to comply with the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor publishable with a maximum fine of five thousand dollars ($5,000), at the discretion of the trial court.
(b) Ninety (90) days after the effective date of this act, any enterprise, concessionaire, operator that travels within a tourist transportation area or picks up passengers within said tourist transportation area to offer tourist ground transportation services, as defined in this chapter, without the franchise, authorization or license duly issued by the Tourism Company, except when entering said tourist transportation area to drop off passengers it had picked up out of the tourist transportation areas shall incur in a misdemeanor punishable with a maximum fine of five hundred dollars ($500), at the discretion of the trial court.
(c) Ninety (90) days after the effective date of this act, any operator who operates his authorized vehicle with an altered meter, shall incur a misdemeanor punishable with a maximum fine of five hundred dollars ($500), at the discretion of the trial court.
(d) Ninety (90) days after the effective date of this act, any person who sells, installs, repairs or adjusts a taximeter without being duly authorized by the Tourism Company shall incur in a misdemeanor punishable with a maximum fine of five hundred dollars ($500), at the discretion of the trial court.
(e) Ninety (90) days after the effective date of this act, any enterprise that alters a taximeter so that it shows an amount different from the one according to the traveled mileage, to be paid by the user, pursuant to the regulations approved by the Tourism Company shall incur in a misdemeanor punishable with a maximum fine of five hundred dollars ($500), at the discretion of the trial court.
Any action against an enterprise, concessionaire, operator or person under the provisions of this chapter does not hinder the Tourism Company from taking any other additional action authorized by it.
History —Dec. 19, 2002, No. 282, § 33, eff. 180 days after Dec. 19, 2002.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART VI - Tourism (§§ 6001 — 6982i) › Chapter 154 - Puerto Rico Tourist Ground Transportation (§§ 6754 — 6847) › Subchapter III - Powers and Duties of the Company (§§ 6771 — 6805) › § 6802 - Additional penalty for violating orders

Each day in violation against any provision of this chapter, rule or order issued, or decision made by the Tourism Company, or any judgment issued by a court, shall constitute a separate and different crime.
History —Dec. 19, 2002, No. 282, § 34, eff. 180 days after Dec. 19, 2002.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART VI - Tourism (§§ 6001 — 6982i) › Chapter 154 - Puerto Rico Tourist Ground Transportation (§§ 6754 — 6847) › Subchapter III - Powers and Duties of the Company (§§ 6771 — 6805) › § 6803 - Power to order a summary suspension

The right of an enterprise, concessionaire/franchises or operator to render tourist ground transportation services, or to sell or service taximeters, may be suspended by the Tourism Company through notification to that effect for a temporary period that shall not exceed sixty (60) days, in cases of imminent [danger] that constitute a threat to the environment, health or public safety. After having issued the order or resolution in accordance with this section, the Tourism Company shall promptly complete any procedure that would have been required if there weren’t an imminent danger, pursuant to §§ 2101 et seq. of Title 3, known as the “Uniform Administrative Procedures Act”.
History —Dec. 19, 2002, No. 282, § 35, eff. 180 days after Dec. 19, 2002.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-THREE - Public Planning and Development (§§ 1 — 11273) › PART VI - Tourism (§§ 6001 — 6982i) › Chapter 154 - Puerto Rico Tourist Ground Transportation (§§ 6754 — 6847) › Subchapter III - Powers and Duties of the Company (§§ 6771 — 6805) › § 6804 - Judicial actions

The Tourism Company may refer to the Secretary of the Department of Justice those cases in which it is understood that violations of law have been committed, so that he may begin the corresponding penal action.
History —Dec. 19, 2002, No. 282, § 36, eff. 180 days after Dec. 19, 2002.