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PS 1302

Para enmendar los artículos 2, 4, 5, 16 y 17, suprimir el Artículo 23, y reenumerar el actual Artículo 24, como Artículo 23, y a su vez enmendarlo, en la Ley 123-2014, según enmendada, conocida como “Ley de la Autoridad de Transporte Integrado de Puerto Rico”, con el propósito de dejar sin efecto la fusión de la Autoridad Metropolitana de Autobuses en la Autoridad de Transporte Integrado; revertir a la Autoridad Metropolitana de Autobuses, todos aquellos poderes, facultades, obligaciones, funciones, derechos, franquicias, contratos, acuerdos, programas, propiedades, cuentas, expedientes, asignaciones, partidas, fondos, y demás activos, entre otros recursos, exenciones y privilegios que, en su momento, le fueran transferidos a la Autoridad de Transporte Integrado en virtud de la Ley 123-2014, según enmendada; hacer enmiendas técnicas en la Ley; y para otros fines relacionados.

2025-2028 Session

Restores AMA as a separate public corporation by reversing ATI fusion and reclaiming all assets, powers, and contracts for AMA control.

Referido a Comisión(es)
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Bill Summary · PS 1302

Overview

  • Bill: PS 1302
  • Session: 2025-2028
  • Jurisdiction: Puerto Rico
  • Proponent: Sen. Sánchez Álvarez
  • Purpose: Amend multiple provisions of Law 123-2014 (as amended), known as the Integrated Transportation Authority Law, to reverse the merger of the Metropolitan Bus Authority (AMA) into the Integrated Transportation Authority (ATI). Revert all powers and assets transferred to ATI back to AMA, make technical amendments, and address related matters.

Main purpose and intent

  • Revert the attempted fusion process that merged the AMA into the ATI, effectively restoring AMA as a separate public corporation with its own personality jurídica.
  • Restore all powers, authorities, obligations, rights, contracts, programs, properties, funds, and other assets that were transferred to ATI in connection with Law 123-2014.
  • Make technical edits to the law to reflect this reversal and to address related administrative and governance issues.

Key provisions and changes

  • Section 1: Redefines and clarifies definitions (Article 2) within Law 123-2014 to accommodate the reversal and to adjust how terms such as “Plan de Transportación Colectiva” are understood under the restructured framework.
  • Section 2: Amends Article 4 (Ejercicio de los deberes, poderes y facultades de la Autoridad; Junta de Directores) to specify the governance structure, including composition and appointment of nine board members (two independent transportation professionals, two MPO-representatives elected by the MPO board, and five ex-officio members from key agencies). This section sets the framework for the reconstituted AMA governance.
  • Section 3: Amends Article 5 (Poderes de la Autoridad) to detail authorized powers, including financial oversight, development of special Development Districts near intermodal facilities, and explicit recognition of powers comparable to those previously held by AMA, ATI, and the Puerto Rico Infrastructure-related authorities.
    • Adds provisions for Special Development Districts around transit stations and intermodal facilities.
    • Grants the new/returned Authority (AMA) parallel authority to other transportation-related authorities.
  • Section 4: Amends Article 16 (Informes) to require annual and quarterly reporting on performance and fleet status to the Legislative Assembly and agency secretaries, including metrics such as fleet out-of-service rates.
  • Section 5: Amends Article 17 (Transferencias y medidas transitorias) to:
    • Provide for the fusion of ATI with maritime transportation, but in this bill the text contemplates reversing fusion to AMA for the bus side, while maintaining some integrated transport framework.
    • Establish transitional provisions for transfers of assets and liabilities back to AMA, and outline procedures for third-party consents, designations, and approvals.
    • Create comprehensive transfer mechanics: upon completion, all rights, funds, properties, debts, and obligations of ATI or AMA will become the property and obligations of the reconstituted AMA.
    • Authorize inter-agency agreements for shared services without creating employment relationships between agencies and their employees.
  • Section 6: Repeals Article 23 of Law 123-2014 (the section related to the fusion framework).
  • Section 7: Re-designates the current Article 24 as Article 23 and amends it (vigencia) to reflect the new effective date and related transitional provisions.
  • Section 8: Clarifies that all powers, authorities, and assets previously transferred to ATI, including those from AMA, should be returned to AMA; the Puerto Rico Fiscal Agency and Financial Advisory Authority (AAFAF) will assist in the restructuring, renegotiation, or adjustment of obligations under ATI.
  • Section 9: Immediate effective date upon approval.

Who would be affected

  • Primary: Autoridad Metropolitana de Autobuses (AMA) would regain its separate legal status and full authority over its transport facilities and programs.
  • Secondary: Autoridad de Transporte Integrado (ATI), and potentially related agencies (Department of Transport and Public Works, Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority, Metropolitan Planning Organization, Office of Management and Budget, and the GDB) due to transitional arrangements, reporting requirements, and inter-agency agreements.
  • Transit operations in the San Juan metropolitan area and surrounding municipalities currently served by AMA (Bayamón, Carolina, Cataño, Guaynabo, Levittown-Toa Baja, Loíza, San Juan, Trujillo Alto, etc.) could revert to AMA control for services and fleets.
  • Land development around transit stations may be organized through Special Development Districts under AMA’s purview.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill outlines transitional steps to reverse the 2014 fusion, including asset/liability transfers, consent and regulatory approvals, and a set of governance reforms.
  • Some provisions contemplate a staged process with detailed reporting throughout the year (annual and quarterly) for monitoring performance.
  • The text specifies retroactive-like adjustments to the legal framework, with immediate effective dates upon approval for several sections.

Potential implications

  • Short-term: Administrative reorganization and potential restructuring costs as AMA regains control over assets and personnel decisions; need to align contracts, debt, and obligations under AMA’s jurisdiction.
  • Medium-term: Clarified governance and accountability for transit services; potential changes in funding and budget oversight consistent with AMA’s governance.
  • Long-term: A more autonomous bus authority could affect intermodal coordination, project planning around stations, and development districts aligned with AMA’s strategic goals.

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

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