Para añadir un Artículo 17 al Código Político de 1902, según enmendado; añadir un nuevo Artículo 1.033 y renumerar los subsiguientes de la Ley 107-2020, conocida como Código Municipal de Puerto Rico; con el fin de otorgar legitimación activa a los oficiales electos de la Asamblea Legislativa de Puerto Rico y de las Legislaturas Municipales para presentar, intervenir, solicitar reconsideración, recurrir o apelar en su capacidad individual como legislador, legislador municipal o como delegación reconocida por los respectivos Cuerpos Legislativos o Legislatura Municipal en determinadas causas de acción; y para otros fines relacionados.

2025-2028 Session

Bill grants Puerto Rico legislators individual legal standing to sue on behalf of themselves or their bodies without full legislative approval, expanding lawsuit authority.

Comisión no recomienda aprobación de la medida

Legislative bill overview

Bill PS 309 seeks to amend Puerto Rico's Political Code (1902) and Municipal Code (2020) to grant individual state legislators and municipal legislators legal standing to file, intervene in, or appeal lawsuits on behalf of themselves, their legislative bodies, or officially recognized legislative delegations in certain types of cases. The bill aims to expand the procedural rights of elected officials to challenge government actions through the courts.

Why is this important

This legislation directly affects the separation of powers and the legislative branch's ability to enforce its constitutional authority independently. It addresses a practical legal barrier: whether individual legislators can initiate litigation without requiring full legislative body approval, potentially affecting how quickly legislative challenges to executive or judicial decisions can be pursued. The expansion of standing could either strengthen legislative oversight of other branches or potentially enable individual legislators to bring frivolous suits at public expense.

Potential points of contention

Separation of powers concerns: Critics may argue that granting individual legislators unilateral litigation authority blurs institutional boundaries and allows one branch to unilaterally challenge another without internal democratic consensus

Fiscal impact and frivolous litigation: Opponents worry the bill could result in numerous lawsuits funded by public resources, increasing litigation costs without meaningful benefit

Scope ambiguity: The phrase "determinadas causas de acción" (certain causes of action) is vague—the bill doesn't clearly define which specific lawsuits are included, potentially leading to disputes over legislative standing