Para enmendar la Ley 218-2008, según enmendada, conocida como “Ley para el Control y la Prevención de la Contaminación Lumínica” a los fines de añadirle dos nuevos artículos 12 y 12(A); enmendar el Artículo 5 de la Ley 110-2020, según enmendada, conocida como “Ley del Cuerpo de Vigilantes de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales del Gobierno de Puerto Rico”; enmendar el subinciso (k) del inciso (10) del Artículo 7 de la Ley 430-2000, según enmendada, conocida como “Ley de Navegación y Seguridad Acuática de Puerto Rico; a los fines de brindarle mayores facultades a las agencias concernientes para la protección de las tortugas marinas, la vida silvestre y el medio ambiente, y para otros fines relacionados.

2025-2028 Session

Puerto Rico expands environmental agency powers to protect sea turtles and marine life by amending light pollution, wildlife surveillance, and aquatic safety laws with enhanced enforcement authorities.

Comisión no recomienda aprobación de la medida

Legislative bill overview

Bill PC 291 amends three environmental laws in Puerto Rico to strengthen protections for sea turtles, wildlife, and marine environments. It adds two new articles to the Light Pollution Control Law (218-2008), modifies the Natural Resources and Environmental Surveillance Corps authority (110-2020), and expands enforcement powers under the Navigation and Aquatic Safety Law (430-2000).

Why is this important

Sea turtles and marine ecosystems in Puerto Rico face threats from light pollution, habitat degradation, and inadequate enforcement mechanisms. By expanding agency authority and regulatory tools, the bill aims to address enforcement gaps that have limited environmental protection efforts in coastal and marine zones.

Potential points of contention

Undefined enforcement scope: The bill references "mayores facultades" (expanded powers) but the specific new Articles 12 and 12(A) are not detailed in available documentation, making it unclear what additional enforcement mechanisms will actually be implemented

Agency coordination complexity: Amendments span three separate laws and multiple agencies (environmental, surveillance, maritime), raising questions about jurisdictional clarity and potential overlapping authority

Economic impacts on maritime activities: Expanded enforcement authority under aquatic safety provisions could affect fishing, tourism, and shipping industries, though stakeholder input on compliance costs is not yet evident