WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

PS 699

Para enmendar el Artículo 31 de la Ley 272-2003, según enmendada, conocida como “Ley del Impuesto sobre el Canon por Ocupación de Habitación del Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico”, a los fines de disponer que el uso de los ingresos adicionales generados por concepto del impuesto sobre el canon por ocupación de habitación será utilizado para establecer un fondo de emergencia que será utilizado para asistir a los municipios donde ubican zonas turísticas que son afectadas por alguna emergencia; para establecer el “Fondo de Emergencias en Zonas Turísticas” y disponer los propósitos para el cual será utilizado; y para otros fines relacionados.

2025-2028 Session

Puerto Rico bill creates dedicated emergency fund from hotel occupancy taxes to assist tourist-zone municipalities affected by disasters or emergencies.

Referido a Comisión(es)
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · PS 699

Legislative bill overview

Bill PS 699 amends Puerto Rico's hotel occupancy tax law to create a dedicated "Emergency Fund for Tourist Zones" (Fondo de Emergencias en Zonas Turísticas). Additional revenue generated from the occupancy tax will be allocated to this fund to assist municipalities with tourist zones that experience emergencies or disasters.

Why is this important

Puerto Rico's tourism-dependent municipalities are vulnerable to hurricanes, earthquakes, and other emergencies that can devastate both infrastructure and the local economy. This bill creates a financial mechanism to provide rapid assistance to these communities during crises, potentially improving resilience and recovery speed in areas critical to the island's economic health.

Potential points of contention

  • Revenue allocation concerns: Redirecting occupancy tax revenue to an emergency fund may reduce general government revenue or other designated programs that depend on this tax
  • Geographic equity questions: The bill specifically targets municipalities with tourist zones, potentially leaving non-tourist municipalities without similar emergency assistance mechanisms
  • Fund management and oversight: Details about fund governance, disbursement criteria, and accountability mechanisms for how emergency funds are allocated and used are not clearly specified in the bill summary

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.