Para enmendar los articulos 2,3, 4,5, 6,7 y 8 de la Ley 129-2005, segln enmendada, conocida como la "Ley de Reservas en las Compras del Gobierno de Puerto Rico", a los fines de disponer que las agencias gubernamentales destinen como minimo, un cinco por ciento (5%) a veteranos empresarios propietarios de microempresas, pequeñas o medianas empresas, y que, se les aplique un por ciento (1%) adicional si el porciento de reserva aumenta, según lo contemplado en esta Ley; y para otros fines relacionados.

2025-2028 Session

Requires minimum 5% of Puerto Rico government contracting opportunities to be reserved for veteran-owned MSMEs, with an additional 1% when overall reservation percentages increase.

Referido a Comisión(es)

Summary — PS 201

Title (Spanish): Para enmendar los artículos 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 y 8 de la Ley 129‑2005, según enmendada, conocida como la “Ley de Reservas en las Compras del Gobierno de Puerto Rico”...
Introduced: 08 January 2025
Status: Remitido a la Comisión de Reglas y Calendario del Senado (most recent committee report 13 Nov 2025)

Main purpose

The bill would amend Articles 2–8 of Puerto Rico’s Law 129‑2005 (the government procurement set‑aside law) to require that government agencies reserve, at minimum, five percent (5%) of applicable procurement opportunities for veteran‑owned businesses that are micro, small, or medium enterprises. It also provides that these veteran‑owned enterprises would receive an additional one percent (1%) allocation when the general reservation percentage increases under the law.

Key provisions and changes

Establishes a mandatory minimum reservation of 5% of government contracting opportunities specifically for veteran‑owned micro, small, or medium businesses.

Adds a provision that veteran‑owned businesses obtain an extra 1% reservation share whenever the overall reservation percentage (for other reserve categories) is increased pursuant to this law.

Amends Articles 2–8 of Law 129‑2005 — which cover definitions, applicability, reservation mechanics, certification and compliance procedures, and administration — to incorporate the new veteran‑set‑aside requirements.

Implicitly requires agencies to track, report and apply the new reservation percentages in procurement planning and contract awards (the text as filed does not include detailed implementation language in this summary).

Who would be affected

Veteran‑owned micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Puerto Rico — they would gain prioritized access to at least 5% of reserved public procurement.

Government procurement entities and contracting officers — they would need to apply and administer the new reservation percentages and potentially modify procurement plans.

Non‑veteran suppliers and the broader vendor community — set‑aside allocations would shift some award opportunities toward certified veteran‑owned MSMEs.

Oversight and certification bodies — may need to adapt veteran‑ownership certification, monitoring and reporting processes.

Procedural history / timeline

Filed: 08‑Jan‑2025

First appearance in Senate: 16‑Jan‑2025; referred to committee(s)

1st Joint Committee Report (with amendments): 24‑Jun‑2025; subsequently withdrawn 18‑Aug‑2025 and returned to committee

2nd Joint Committee Report (with amendments): 13‑Nov‑2025; remitted to the Senate Committee on Rules & Calendar on 13‑Nov‑2025

Potential impacts and considerations

Expected to increase contracting opportunities for veteran‑owned MSMEs and may require agencies to reallocate reserved procurement budgets.

Fiscal impact is not specified in the bill text provided; implementation could affect the distribution of contract awards but is unlikely to change total procurement spending.

Practical implementation will depend on existing certification standards for veteran ownership, agency compliance capacity, and specific regulatory/administrative guidance to operationalize the additional 1% rule.

This summary focuses on the bill’s substantive changes to Law 129‑2005 and the likely administrative and market consequences; readers should consult the bill text and committee reports for exact amendment language and fiscal analyses.