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

Gives active standing to elected Puerto Rico legislators and delegations to file, intervene, seek reconsideration, or appeal in certain lawsuits, widening oversight-based litigation.

Comisión no recomienda aprobación de la medida

Summary of Bill PC 290

What the bill aims to do

Bill PC 290 proposes targeted amendments to Puerto Rico’s political and municipal codes. Its core objective is to grant active standing (legitimación activa) to elected officials—both members of the Puerto Rico Legislature (Asamblea Legislativa) and municipalities’ legislatures—and to a delegation recognized by the respective legislative bodies. This standing would allow these officials to participate in, initiate, or challenge legal proceedings in their individual capacity as legislators or as recognized delegations in certain causes of action. The bill also contemplates related procedural actions (present, intervene, seek reconsideration, appeal) within those actions.

Key provisions (highlights)

Add Article 17 to the Political Code of 1902 (as amended).

Create a new Article 1.033 and renumber the subsequent provisions of Law 107-2020, known as the Puerto Rico Municipal Code.

Establish active standing for:

Elected members of the Puerto Rico Senate and House of Representatives.
Elected officials in Municipal Legislatures.
Delegations recognized by the respective Legislative Bodies or Municipal Legislatures.

Allow these officials, in their individual capacity or as recognized delegations, to:

Present (file/bring actions),
Intervene in actions,
Request reconsideration,
Recurrir (seek reconsideration) or apelar (appeal) in certain causes of action.

The specific causes of action covered are described as “determined” or “certain” actions, with other related purposes included.

Who is affected

Elected officials at both the territorial (municipal) and commonwealth (legislative) levels.

The Legislative Bodies and Municipal Legislatures that recognize delegations.

The court system and procedural rules that govern standing and filings in the specified actions.

Procedural and timeline details

Introduced: January 31, 2025.

Legislative actions:

January 31, 2025: Filed.
February 3, 2025: Appears in First Reading in the Chamber.
February 3, 2025: Referred to one or more committees.

Status: Referred to Committee(s). The bill is in the early-stage committee consideration phase, with no final floor action yet.

Potential impact and considerations

Expands legal standing for elected officials, potentially affecting litigation strategy, oversight, and accountability mechanisms.

Requires renumbering and alignment of provisions within the Puerto Rico Municipal Code (Law 107-2020), which may affect cross-references and implementation timelines.

Open questions include the exact list of action types and causes of action covered, any limitations or prerequisites for standing, and the practical implications for judicial review and separation of powers. Further committee deliberations will clarify these details.