Para asignar la cantidad de ciento cincuenta millones (150,000,000) de dólares, con cargo aI Fondo General del Tesoro Estatal, para cubrir las necesidades de servicios esenciales de los gobiernos municipales para que puedan ser utilizados por los municipios de Puerto Rico de acuerdo con sus necesidades económicas y tomando en consideración las necesidades de cada municipio; disponer sobre la distribución de los fondos; y para otros fines.

2025-2028 Session

Summary of RCS 219: Appropriation of $150 Million for Municipal Needs OverviewBill Number: RCS 219 Title: To appropriate the amount of one hundred and fifty million ($150,000,000)

Radicado

Overview

Bill Number: RCS 219
Title: To appropriate the amount of one hundred and fifty million ($150,000,000) dollars from the General Fund of the State Treasury to cover the essential service needs of municipal governments so that they can be used by the municipalities of Puerto Rico in accordance with their economic needs and taking into account the needs of each municipality; to provide for the distribution of the funds; and for other purposes.
Status: Introduced
Introduced: January 16, 2025

Purpose and Intent

The primary purpose of this resolution is to allocate $150 million from the Puerto Rico General Fund to address the essential service needs of the island's municipal governments. The intent is to provide financial support to municipalities based on their individual economic circumstances and specific requirements, ensuring they can adequately fund critical public services for their constituents.

Key Provisions

Appropriates $150 million from the Puerto Rico General Fund to be distributed to municipal governments

Requires the distribution of funds to be based on the economic needs and specific requirements of each municipality

Grants municipalities discretion in how the funds can be used to cover essential services and meet local needs

Affected Parties and Impacts

The 78 municipalities of Puerto Rico will be the direct beneficiaries of the $150 million appropriation

The funding is intended to help municipal governments maintain and improve the delivery of essential public services to their residents, such as public safety, infrastructure, education, and social programs

By addressing the financial needs of municipalities, the resolution aims to enhance the overall quality of life and access to critical services for Puerto Rico's local communities

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

This resolution has been introduced and is currently in the legislative process

Next steps include committee review, potential amendments, and votes in both the Puerto Rico House and Senate before it can be signed into law by the Governor

If enacted, the $150 million appropriation would be made available to municipalities as soon as the necessary distribution mechanisms and guidelines are established by the relevant government agencies