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PS 1193

Para enmendar la Sección 2 de la Ley de 12 de marzo de 1903, según enmendada, conocida como “Ley General de Expropiación Forzosa”, a los fines de aclarar la definición de fin o utilidad pública; y para otros fines relacionados.

2025-2028 Session

Narrowly defines public use for expropriation, prohibits private-for-profit transfers, requires a hearing before declarations, and strengthens supremacy of these limits.

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Bill Summary · PS 1193

Summary: Bill PS 1193 (Session 2025-2028, Puerto Rico)

Overview

  • Jurisdiction: Puerto Rico
  • Bill Number: PS 1193
  • Session: 2025-2028
  • Introduced: April 10, 2026
  • Sponsors: Sen. Santiago Negrón; Sen. González Costa
  • Committee: Ley (Law)
  • Purpose (as stated): Amend Section 2 of the March 12, 1903 law known as the General Law of Forcible Expropriation to clarify the definition of "public use" and related purposes.

Exposición de Motivos (Rationale)

  • The bill responds to concerns about displacement of communities via expropriation in Puerto Rico.
  • It argues that expropriation authorities have increasingly been used to favor private economic interests rather than the general public good.
  • Cites concerns raised by Kelo v. City of New London (U.S. Supreme Court, 2005) about using eminent domain for economic development benefiting private interests, and notes Puerto Rico’s history of displacement (e.g., San Mateo de Cangrejos) and the need to limit government power accordingly.
  • The measure aligns with a call from the Kelo dissenting opinions for tighter legislative limits on eminent domain to protect the public welfare.

Key Provisions (Artículos)

Artículo 1 – Amendments to Sección 2 (Ley General de Expropiación Forzosa)

  • Scope of Expropriated Property:
    • Private property, including patrimonial assets defined in Article 242 of the Puerto Rico Civil Code (as of 2020), and any interests held by tenants, mortgagees, usufructuaries, censualists, or other real rights.
    • Such property may be expropriated, damaged, destroyed, or burdened with a perpetual or temporary servitude under this law.
  • Public Use Definition:
    • Expropriation is permitted only when the Governor or designated official/agency declares the property to be in the “utilidad pública” (public use).
    • A transfer of title to a private individual or entity for-profit development or use is explicitly not considered a public use.
  • Procedural Safeguards:
    • Prior to declaring public use, a hearing must be held with interested parties to hear views on the advisability of the declaration and the necessity for the expropriation or servitudes.
    • The Governor or designated official must concretely specify which property will be expropriated or encumbered to achieve the public use project.

Artículo 2 – Cláusula de supremacía (Supremacy Clause)

  • The provisions of this law prevail over any other law, regulation, or norm that is not in harmony with them.

Artículo 3 – Cláusula de vigencia (Effective Date)

  • The law would take effect immediately after approval.

Affected Parties and Impacts

  • Public Authorities: Governor or designated officials/agencies responsible for declaring public use and imposing expropriation or servitudes.
  • Private Property Interests: Owners of private property and any interests therein (tenants, mortgagees, usufructuaries, censualistas, etc.) could be subject to expropriation, encumbrances, or destruction only if a valid public use declaration is made and proper procedures followed.
  • Communities: Potentially reduces risk of displacement driven by economic development by tightening what constitutes “public use.”
  • Legal Environment: Places stronger emphasis on public use as a criterion for expropriation, aligning Puerto Rico law more closely with skepticism about eminent domain used for private gain.

Procedural and Timeline Notes

  • Introduction and Schedule:
    • 2026-04-10: Filed (Radicado).
    • 2026-04-13: Referred to the Ley Committee; appeared in First Reading.
  • Immediate Effect: If enacted, the law would begin to govern expropriation procedures immediately upon approval (Art. 3).

Practical Takeaways

  • The bill aims to clarify and narrow the concept of “public use” in eminent-domain proceedings.
  • It introduces explicit protections against using expropriation to transfer property to private developers for profit.
  • It requires a formal hearing before declaring public use and designating which property will be expropriated or burdened.
  • It elevates the stated public-use standard through a supremacy clause, potentially restructuring future expropriation decisions in Puerto Rico.

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

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