Para crear el “Banco de Desarrollo Empresarial” (en adelante, el “Banco”) como una corporación e instrumentalidad del Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico y sucesora en interés del Banco de Desarrollo Económico para Puerto Rico (en adelante, el “BDEPR”); para expandir sus propósitos, manteniendo atención principal hacia las “Pequeñas y Medianas Empresas” (PYMES); ampliar sus facultades y crear mecanismos para sustentarse, allegarse fondos y fortalecer sus finanzas; ofrecer financiamiento, inversiones, garantías, asesoramiento y seguros; organizar la ley orgánica del Banco conforme a dichos objetivos y facilitar su comprensión; vincular la gestión del Banco al Departamento de Desarrollo Económico y Comercio (en adelante, el “DDEC”), manteniendo la independencia financiera y administrativa del Banco; uniformar los medios para conceder financiamientos, garantías e inversión de capital de riesgo de las agencias e instrumentalidades públicas y facultar al Banco a establecer acuerdos colaborativos para dichos propósitos; ordenar a las entidades gubernamentales expedidoras de permisos, licencias y certificaciones de cumplimiento (good standing), la implantación de procesos que prioricen las peticiones del Banco; crear la “Certificación de Cumplimiento con el Banco de Desarrollo Empresarial” y ordenar a las entidades gubernamentales obtener dicha certificación como requisito o condición a la otorgación de créditos, incentivos, exenciones, donaciones, auspicios y cualquier clase de beneficio gubernamental; derogar la Ley Núm. 22 del 24 de julio de 1985, según enmendada, conocida como “Ley del Banco de Desarrollo Económico para Puerto”, así como toda ley o parte de ella inconsistente con lo dispuesto en esta Ley; y para otros fines relacionados.

2025-2028 Session

Creates the Banco de Desarrollo Empresarial to provide financing, guarantees, investments, advisory services and insurance for SMEs, with a compliance certification gate for govern

Comisión no recomienda aprobación de la medida

Summary of Bill PC 82 — Banco de Desarrollo Empresarial

Purpose and scope
- PC 82 proposes creating the Banco de Desarrollo Empresarial (the “Bank”) as a corporation and instrumentality of Puerto Rico, as the successor in interest to the existing Banco de Desarrollo Económico para Puerto Rico (BDEPR).
- The Bank would expand its mission with a principal focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), broadening its functions to include financing, investments, guarantees, advisory services, and insurance.
- The legislation would organize the Bank’s organic law around these objectives and align its management with the Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC) while preserving the Bank’s financial and administrative independence.

Key provisions
- Establishment and successor status: Create the Bank as a new corporate instrumentality, succeeding the BDEPR, and delineate its expanded purposes.
- Expanded powers: Enable financing, investments, guarantees, venture capital investments, advisory services, and insurance for SMEs and related activities.
- Governance and collaboration: Link management to the DDEC but maintain organizational and financial autonomy; authorize the Bank to establish collaborative agreements with other public agencies.
- Streamlined funding processes: Standardize means by which public agencies grant financing, guarantees, and investments, and integrate them with the Bank’s operations.
- Compliance certification requirement: Create a “Certificación de Cumplimiento con el Banco de Desarrollo Empresarial,” requiring compliance certification from government entities as a condition for receiving credits, incentives, exemptions, donations, sponsorships, or any government benefit.
- Repeals: repeal Law No. 22 of July 24, 1985 (the “Law of the Banco de Desarrollo Económico para Puerto”), along with any provisions of other laws inconsistent with PC 82.

Who is affected
- The Bank itself (as the new, expanded entity) and SMEs that would seek financing or related services.
- Puerto Rico government agencies that issue licenses, permits, or other good-standing certifications, and that administer credits or incentives.
- Public instrumentalities and the broader ecosystem involved in economic development and venture capital activities.

Procedural and timeline details
- Introduced: January 2, 2025.
- First Reading: January 16, 2025.
- Referral: January 16, 2025.
- Legislative action: April 30, 2025 — the committee did not recommend approval of the measure.
- Current status: Commission did not recommend approval; bill action stalled at the committee level as of the latest update.

Potential impact and considerations
- The bill envisions a more centralized, SME-focused development finance framework with a formal certification gate for government benefits.
- Potential benefits include enhanced SME access to financing and standardized coordination with public agencies; potential risks involve increased regulatory complexity for agencies, implementation timelines, and the need for clear governance safeguards to maintain true financial and administrative independence.
- Next steps would depend on legislative reevaluation, potential amendments, and cross-chamber support.