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PC 1222

Para establecer, con carácter transitorio y por un término improrrogable de cinco (5) años, un procedimiento especial de segregación de terrenos a favor de aquellos titulares que acrediten poseer evidencia fehaciente de titularidad con fecha anterior al 21 de agosto de 1999, respecto de fincas ubicadas total o parcialmente dentro de la delimitación de la zona cársica establecida al amparo de la Ley Núm. 292 de 21 de agosto de 1999, según enmendada, conocida como "Ley para la Protección y Conservación de la Fisiografía Cársica de Puerto Rico"; fijar los requisitos probatorios, el procedimiento administrativo conjunto ante el Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales, la Junta de Planificación y la Oficina de Gerencia de Permisos; ordenar la constitución de servidumbres de conservación obligatorias; disponer sobre la inscripción registral conforme a la Ley Núm. 210-2015; fijar prohibiciones absolutas, penalidades y salvaguardas constitucionales; y para otros fines relacionados.

2025-2028 Session

The bill creates a five-year, transitional process to segregate and recognize pre-1999 ownership of parcels within the karst zone, with mandatory conservation easements and coordin

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Bill Summary · PC 1222

Summary of Bill PC 1222 (Session 2025-2028, Puerto Rico)

Note: The bill text appears in a non-standard file format in the prompt, but the bill title and scope are clear from the provided description.

1) Main Purpose and Intent

  • Establishes, on a transitional basis and for a non-extendable term of five (5) years, a special procedure to segregate lands in favor of landowners who can prove they hold unequivocal evidence of ownership dated before August 21, 1999.
  • The lands covered are those located wholly or partly within the boundary of the karst physiography zone established under Puerto Rico Law No. 292 of August 21, 1999, as amended (commonly known as the Law for the Protection and Conservation of Puerto Rico’s Karst Physiography).
  • The bill aims to secure recognition of historic title and provide a mechanism to segregate and protect such parcels, including related protective servitudes and registrational provisions.

2) Key Provisions and Changes

  • Proof of Ownership: Sets the evidentiary requirements to establish ownership dating prior to August 21, 1999.
  • Administrative Procedure: Creates a joint administrative process involving:
    • Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales, DRNA)
    • Junta de Planificación
    • Oficina de Gerencia de Permisos
  • Land Segregation Procedure: Establishes a special administrative workflow to segregate qualifying parcels within the karst zone.
  • Conservation Easements: Requires the establishment of mandatory conservation easements for the affected lands.
  • Registral Inscription: Addresses inscription/registration of the segregated parcels in accordance with Puerto Rico Law No. 210-2015 (which governs parcel subdivision and registration practices in certain contexts).
  • Prohibitions, Penalties, and Constitutional Safeguards:
    • The bill prescribes absolute prohibitions related to the segregated parcels (details not provided in the prompt but intended to protect karst resources and ownership integrity).
    • Establishes penalties for noncompliance or misuse.
    • Includes constitutional safeguards to protect rights and due process.
  • Other Related Provisions: Authorizes or prescribes other measures related to the implementation, oversight, and enforcement of the segregation procedure and related conservation aims.

3) Who or What Would Be Affected

  • Affected Landowners: Those who hold documented evidence of ownership dated before August 21, 1999 for parcels located within the karst zone.
  • Lands Within Karst Zone: Parcels located wholly or partly inside the karst physiography boundary as defined by Law No. 292-1999 (as amended).
  • Administrative Agencies:
    • DRNA (Department of Natural and Environmental Resources)
    • Junta de Planificación (Planning Board)
    • Oficina de Gerencia de Permisos (Permits Management Office)
  • Property Registry: The bill affects how properties within the karst zone are inscribed and registered under Law No. 210-2015.
  • Environmental/Conservation Stakeholders: Entities and individuals interested in karst protection, habitat preservation, and resource management.

4) Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Transitional Window: The procedure is temporary, applicable for a five-year term from the effective date of the bill (no retroactive extension; “término improrrogable de cinco (5) años”).
  • Administrative Process: A joint administrative procedure will be conducted by DRNA, Junta de Planificación, and the Office of Permits Management.
  • Registration Timeline: Requires compliance with Law No. 210-2015 for the inscription of segregated parcels.
  • Enforcement: The bill sets out prohibitions, penalties, and safeguards to address noncompliance and protect environmental and property rights.

5) Practical Implications and Considerations

  • It creates a pathway to recognize long-standing ownership within a sensitive karst area while simultaneously imposing stricter conservation requirements.
  • The five-year limit means owners must act within the window to obtain favorable segregation and associated conservation protections.
  • Potential impacts on land use planning, environmental conservation efforts, and real estate transactions in the karst zone.
  • The integration of multiple agencies aims to synchronize land title, planning, and permit processes for these parcels.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to a specific audience (general public, legal professionals, policymakers) or expand any of the sections with hypothetical examples for clarity.

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

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