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PC 278

Para enmendar los Artículos 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 y 8; insertar nuevos Artículos 7 y 8; reenumerar los Artículos 6, 7, 8, 9 y 10 como los Artículos 9, 6, 10, 11 y 12 de la Ley 240-2011, según enmendada, conocida como la “Ley de la Autoridad del Puerto de Ponce”, a los fines de transferir a dicha Autoridad las funciones, objetivos, deberes, facultades, derechos y prerrogativas de la Autoridad de los Puertos de Puerto Rico en torno al Aeropuerto Internacional Mercedita; crear comités asesores permanentes en la Autoridad del Puerto de Ponce; y para otros fines relacionados.

2025-2028 Session

Transfers Mercedita Airport from the Puerto Rico Ports Authority to the Port Authority of Ponce, creating permanent advisory committees to guide its governance.

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Bill Summary · PC 278

Summary of Bill PC 278

Overview

PC 278 proposes a structural change in how Mercedita International Airport is governed and managed. The bill would transfer the functions, objectives, duties, powers, rights, and prerogatives related to Mercedita Airport from the Puerto Rico Ports Authority to the Autoridad del Puerto de Ponce. It also calls for the creation of permanent advisory committees within the Autoridad del Puerto de Ponce to support governance and oversight.

  • Bill Number: PC 278
  • Title (key elements): Amends Articles 1–8, inserts new Articles 7 and 8, and re-numbers Articles 6–10 of Ley 240-2011 (as amended), known as the “Ley de la Autoridad del Puerto de Ponce,” to transfer Mercedita Airport functions to the Port Authority of Ponce; creates permanent advisory committees; and for related purposes.
  • Status: Reunión Ejecutiva (Office of the Commission)
  • Introduced: January 28, 2025
  • Legislative Actions:
    • 2025-01-28: Filed (Radicado)
    • 2025-02-03: First Reading in the House; referred to Committees
    • 2025-09-18: Executive Meeting (Office of the Commission)

What the bill would do

  • Transfer of Airport Functions

    • Move the functions, objectives, duties, authorities, rights, and prerogatives of the Puerto Rico Ports Authority (Autoridad de los Puertos de Puerto Rico) regarding Mercedita International Airport to the Autoridad del Puerto de Ponce.
    • This shift effectively relocates oversight and operational control of Mercedita Airport from the Puerto Rico Ports Authority to the Port Authority of Ponce.

  • Structural and Enabling Revisions

    • Amend and renumber provisions within Ley 240-2011 (as amended) to reflect the transfer and the new governance structure.
    • Insert new Articles 7 and 8 and re-number Articles 6–10 to align with the updated framework, maintaining compatibility with the existing law as amended.

  • Creation of Advisory Committees

    • Establish permanent advisory committees within the Autoridad del Puerto de Ponce to provide ongoing guidance on airport operations, governance, planning, and related responsibilities.

Who would be affected

  • Mercedita International Airport
    • Operational control, governance, and strategic direction would shift from the Puerto Rico Ports Authority to the Port Authority of Ponce.
  • Autoridad de los Puertos de Puerto Rico
    • Would transfer its responsibilities related to Mercedita Airport to the Port Authority of Ponce.
  • Autoridad del Puerto de Ponce
    • Gains authority over Mercedita Airport and would host permanent advisory committees to assist in governance and decision-making.
  • Employees and contractors
    • Potential implications for employment terms, contracts, and administrative processes, depending on how transfer logistics are implemented (not detailed in available text).

Procedural and timeline considerations

  • Current status indicates an Executive Meeting of the Office of the Commission, suggesting review or decision-making by a committee.
  • Original introduction and first readings occurred in early 2025, with formal referrals to committees, indicating ongoing legislative scrutiny.
  • Specific transfer timelines, implementation milestones, funding arrangements, and transition plans are not provided in the available summary.

Potential implications and questions (for readers)

  • Governance and oversight: Which entity would set policy for Mercedita Airport post-transfer, and how would regulatory compliance be ensured?
  • Funding and liabilities: How would asset transfer, debt, and ongoing operating costs be allocated between authorities?
  • Labor impacts: What happens to personnel currently employed under the Puerto Rico Ports Authority at Mercedita?
  • Compatibility with Ley 240-2011: How will the re-numbering and amendments align with existing law and other port-related provisions?

This summary captures the bill’s core purpose, proposed changes, and potential impacts based on the provided text and actions.

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

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