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PS 957

Para enmendar el Artículo 4.005 de la Ley Núm. 107-2020, según enmendada, conocida como el “Código Municipal de Puerto Rico”, a los fines de establecer como mandatorio para todos los municipios la creación de un Banco de Tierra Comunitario (Community Land Bank) mediante ordenanza municipal, con el propósito de atender de manera uniforme y proactiva el problema de estorbos públicos derivados de propiedades abandonadas, vacantes o en ruinas; disponer un plazo razonable para su implementación; y para otros fines relacionados.

2025-2028 Session

Mandates all Puerto Rico municipalities create Community Land Banks via ordinance to acquire and remediate abandoned properties, addressing blight without specifying funding or acquisition procedures.

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Bill Summary · PS 957

Legislative bill overview

Bill PS 957 amends Puerto Rico's Municipal Code to mandate that all municipalities establish a Community Land Bank through municipal ordinance. The Community Land Bank would be tasked with systematically addressing public nuisances caused by abandoned, vacant, or deteriorated properties across Puerto Rico's municipalities.

Why is this important

Abandoned and blighted properties are a widespread problem in Puerto Rico that undermines neighborhood safety, property values, and municipal tax bases. A coordinated, mandatory approach through Community Land Banks could provide a uniform legal mechanism for municipalities to acquire, remediate, and productively reuse these properties—though implementation success depends heavily on municipal funding and political will.

Potential points of contention

  • Municipal autonomy vs. mandates: Requiring all municipalities to establish Community Land Banks removes local discretion; smaller municipalities may lack resources, capacity, or need for such programs
  • Funding and implementation costs: The bill does not specify funding sources; municipalities may face unfunded mandate concerns for staff, acquisition budgets, and administrative operations
  • Property rights and acquisition mechanisms: Community Land Banks typically involve government acquisition of private property; the bill's details on compensation, timeline, and legal procedures for property takeover are unclear from the summary

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

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