Para crear la “Ley de Legitimación Activa Ambiental”, a los fines de otorgar legitimación activa estatutaria plena a cualquier persona en Puerto Rico que, motivada por el propósito de hacer valer la política pública ambiental, interese presentar, intervenir, solicitar reconsideración, recurrir o apelar como parte en cualquier acción o causa civil o administrativa bajo cualquier ley, reglamento u otra fuente jurídica que verse sobre asuntos ambientales, ecológicos o relacionadas a la protección, conservación o desarrollo de los recursos naturales o que tengan un impacto directo o indirecto en cuanto a estos asuntos; enmendar las Secciones 3.5, 3.15, 4.2 y 4.7 de la Ley 38-2017, según enmendada, conocida como “Ley de Procedimiento Administrativo Uniforme del Gobierno de Puerto Rico”; enmendar los Artículos 9.8, 13.1, 14.1 y 14.6 de la Ley 161-2009, según enmendada, conocida como “Ley para la Reforma del Proceso de Permisos de Puerto Rico”; enmendar los Artículos 12 y 19 de la Ley 416-2004, según enmendada, conocida como “Ley Sobre Política Pública Ambiental”; y para decretar otras disposiciones complementarias.

2025-2028 Session

Bill grants any Puerto Rico citizen statutory right to sue in environmental cases, expanding legal standing to enforce environmental policy regardless of direct personal impact.

Comisión no recomienda aprobación de la medida

Legislative bill overview

Bill PS 284 creates the "Environmental Active Legitimation Law" to grant any Puerto Rican citizen the statutory right to participate in environmental legal proceedings—including presenting cases, intervening, appealing, or requesting reconsideration—in civil or administrative actions related to environmental protection, conservation, or natural resource development. The bill amends three existing environmental and administrative procedure laws to implement this expanded standing provision.

Why is this important

This legislation fundamentally expands who can legally challenge environmental decisions in Puerto Rico by removing restrictions on who has "standing" (legal right to sue). Currently, only directly affected parties can participate in many environmental proceedings; this bill would allow any citizen motivated by environmental protection to intervene. This could dramatically increase litigation around development projects, permits, and environmental enforcement.

Potential points of contention

Litigation burden: Opponents argue unlimited standing could overwhelm courts and permitting agencies with frivolous lawsuits, delaying legitimate economic development and infrastructure projects

Business climate impact: Industries and developers worry about increased legal challenges and costs during permitting processes, potentially deterring investment in Puerto Rico

Implementation clarity: The bill doesn't clearly define procedural limits, timelines, or standards for determining which environmental claims qualify, creating uncertainty for both litigants and agencies