Para añadir un nuevo Artículo 20-B a la Ley Núm. 8 de 8 de enero de 2004, según enmendada, conocida como “Ley Orgánica del Departamento de Recreación y Deportes”, a los fines de establecer un mecanismo estatal para identificar, documentar y procesar reclamos tardíos o alternativos ante la Agencia Federal para el Manejo de Emergencias (FEMA) por daños causados por el Huracán María y otros desastres declarados en instalaciones recreativas y deportivas; crear un fondo puente estatal para reparaciones urgentes en propiedades no cubiertas por fondos federales; requerir coordinación interagencial y informes periódicos; y para otros fines relacionados. E

2025-2028 Session

Puerto Rico creates state mechanism and bridge fund to process late Hurricane María damage claims for sports facilities and coordinate FEMA reimbursements with inter-agency oversight and periodic reporting requirements.

Comisión no recomienda aprobación de la medida

Legislative bill overview

Bill PS 892 amends Puerto Rico's Recreation and Sports Department law to create a state mechanism for identifying, documenting, and processing late or alternative claims with FEMA for damages to recreational and sports facilities from Hurricane María and other declared disasters. It establishes a state bridge fund for urgent repairs to properties not covered by federal funds and requires inter-agency coordination and periodic reporting.

Why is this important

Nearly a decade after Hurricane María, many public sports and recreational facilities remain damaged or inadequately repaired due to federal funding gaps, FEMA claim denials, or procedural delays. This bill attempts to address unresolved infrastructure damage affecting community access to sports and recreation while creating an alternative funding mechanism when federal assistance proves insufficient or unavailable.

Potential points of contention

Fiscal burden: Creating a state bridge fund requires significant government resources during a period of fiscal constraints; unclear where funding originates and potential opportunity costs

FEMA relationship: Retroactive or "alternative" claims processing may face federal pushback; unclear if FEMA recognizes the state's alternative claims mechanism or if it duplicates existing federal processes

Scope limitations: Focuses only on recreation/sports facilities while other critical infrastructure (schools, hospitals, housing) remain similarly damaged; may appear to prioritize one sector over others

Implementation capacity: Requires inter-agency coordination which has historically faced delays in Puerto Rico; unclear enforcement mechanisms if agencies don't comply with reporting requirements