Para enmendar el Artículo 8.4A y añadir, inmediatamente después del mismo, los nuevos Artículos 8.4A-1, 8.4A-2, 8.4A-3 y 8.4A-4 a la Ley 161-2009, según enmendada, conocida como la “Ley para la Reforma del Proceso de Permisos de Puerto Rico”, a los fines de optimizar el Permiso Único Incidental Operacional como un trámite accesorio verdaderamente expedito; establecer su naturaleza accesoria y limitada respecto al permiso o autorización matriz; disponer listas taxativas o delimitadas de supuestos elegibles; prohibir la reapertura o reexamen de asuntos ya adjudicados o satisfechos mediante el permiso principal, salvo circunstancias excepcionales; autorizar, como regla general, su evaluación y expedición por Profesionales Autorizados en los casos que cumplan con los criterios establecidos por ley y reglamento; disponer para términos abreviados, documentación estandarizada e integración obligatoria al Sistema Unificado de Información o Single Business Portal; permitir que la Autorización para Corte, Poda o Trasplante de Árboles pueda solicitarse junto al permiso de construcción cuando proceda; establecer mecanismos de cierre formal simplificado; y para otros fines relacionados.

2025-2028 Session

Puerto Rico streamlines incidental permit issuance by authorizing private professionals to evaluate routine cases, establishing expedited timelines, and integrating into unified business portal system.

Referido a Comisión(es)

Legislative bill overview

Bill PS 1156 amends Puerto Rico's 2009 Permit Reform Law to streamline the "Incidental Operational Single Permit" (Permiso Único Incidental Operacional) by establishing it as a truly expedited ancillary procedure. The bill creates clear eligibility lists, prevents reopening of matters already decided, authorizes private licensed professionals to evaluate and issue permits in eligible cases, and integrates the process into the unified business portal system.

Why is this important

This bill aims to reduce bureaucratic delays in Puerto Rico's notoriously complex permitting process, which has long been cited as a barrier to business development and investment. By allowing private professionals to handle routine permit evaluations and establishing standardized timelines and documentation, the legislation could accelerate project approvals while maintaining regulatory oversight through the main permit framework.

Potential points of contention

Private sector authority scope: Concerns about whether licensed professionals should have discretion to issue permits without government agency review, particularly for environmental or safety-sensitive matters

Regulatory oversight gaps: Questions about whether delegating permits to private professionals adequately protects the public interest and maintains government accountability

Definition of "ancillary" and "exceptional circumstances": Ambiguity about which situations qualify for permit reopening or exemption could create litigation and inconsistent application

Unified portal integration feasibility: Implementation costs and technical challenges in connecting the new process to the Single Business Portal system