Para establecer la Política Pública de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación del Gobierno de Puerto Rico, definir los mecanismos de implementación, medición y evaluación de la política pública; garantizar su ejecución efectiva y su revisión continua; establecer métricas claras y promover la colaboración multisectorial para robustecer el ecosistema de innovación, fortaleciendo el rol del Fideicomiso para Ciencia, Tecnología e Investigación de Puerto Rico, del Departamento de Desarrollo Económico y Comercio, de las universidades y del sector privado; y para otros fines relacionados.

2025-2028 Session

Puerto Rico establishes a science and innovation policy framework with defined metrics and multi-sector collaboration to strengthen its technology ecosystem and economic competitiveness.

Referido a Comisión(es)

Legislative bill overview

Bill PS 982 establishes a comprehensive public policy framework for science, technology, and innovation (STI) in Puerto Rico's government. It defines implementation mechanisms, measurement metrics, and evaluation procedures while designating roles for the Science, Technology and Research Trust, the Department of Economic Development and Commerce, universities, and the private sector to strengthen the innovation ecosystem.

Why is this important

Puerto Rico's economic development heavily depends on diversifying beyond traditional sectors, and a coordinated STI policy can attract investment, create high-skill jobs, and retain talented professionals who might otherwise leave the island. Clear metrics and multi-sector collaboration are essential for measuring whether public resources devoted to innovation actually generate economic and social returns.

Potential points of contention

Institutional coordination challenges: Defining clear authority and accountability among multiple entities (trust, government agencies, universities, private sector) could create bureaucratic friction or overlapping responsibilities

Funding and resource allocation: The bill doesn't specify budget levels or allocation mechanisms, raising questions about whether implementation will be adequately resourced versus remaining aspirational

Performance metrics definition: Determining which STI outcomes matter most (patents, startups, job creation, brain drain reduction) involves value judgments that different stakeholders may dispute

Private sector participation incentives: Unclear whether voluntary collaboration is sufficient or if tax incentives, regulatory benefits, or other mechanisms will be needed to ensure meaningful private investment