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RS 446

Para ordenar a la Comisión de Turismo, Recursos Naturales y Ambientales del Senado de Puerto Rico, a realizar una investigación sobre los problemas de recursos naturales que aquejan a las comunidades en los ocho distritos senatoriales como la erosión costera, la preservación y la utilización de terrenos, el control de inundaciones, la preservación y uso de las reservas de agua, mangle, bosques, pesca, vida silvestre, yacimientos mineros y la conservación de las especies animales y vegetales de valor alimenticio o ecológico, así como la contaminación y la salud ambiental, la disposición de desperdicios sólidos y vertederos, entre otros; y para otros fines relacionados.

2025-2028 Session

The bill authorizes a Senate-led, district-wide investigation into environmental challenges, with periodic and final reports and policy recommendations to protect ecosystems, healt

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Bill Summary · RS 446

Summary of Bill RS 446 (Puerto Rico, 2025-2028)

Purpose and Intent

  • The bill authorizes the Senate Committee on Tourism, Natural Resources, and Environmental Affairs of Puerto Rico to conduct a comprehensive investigation into natural resource problems affecting communities across the eight senatorial districts.
  • The focus is to identify environmental challenges and inform public policy to protect ecosystems, public health, and quality of life, considering issues such as climate change, urban growth, erosion, and resource management.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Section 1: Mandates a broad, detailed investigation by the Senate Committee on Tourism, Natural Resources, and Environmental Affairs.

    • Topics to be examined include:
    • Coastal erosion
    • Preservation, planning, and use of land
    • Flood control and mitigation
    • Protection and sustainable use of water reserves
    • Mangroves and forest ecosystems
    • Fishing and wildlife conservation
    • Mining deposits and resource extraction
    • Conservation of animal and plant species of dietary or ecological value
    • Pollution and environmental health
    • Solid waste management and landfills
    • Other related environmental and resource concerns impacting communities

  • Section 2: The Committee must issue periodic (partial) and final reports detailing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.

    • Reports should include suggested legislative and administrative actions to address identified issues.
    • Reports are to be provided on or before the last day of each ordinary session during the 20th Legislative Assembly (Vigésima Asamblea Legislativa).

  • Section 3: Effective date — the resolution takes effect immediately upon approval.

Who/What Is Affected

  • Geographic scope: Communities located within the eight senatorial districts of Puerto Rico.
  • Sectors impacted: Environmental protection and management sectors, local communities affected by erosion, water resources, land use, wildlife, fisheries, mining, waste management, and public health.
  • Legislative and administrative processes: The Senate committee’s investigative oversight will influence future environmental policymaking and potential corrective or proactive legislation.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Initiation: The resolution directs the designated Senate committee to begin an in-depth investigation.
  • Reporting: The committee is required to render partial reports during the 20th Assembly as each ordinary session progresses, culminating in final findings and recommendations by the end of each session cycle.
  • Status: The bill has been introduced and referred to the Senate committees; it progressed through the first reading and committee consideration, with reporting updates indicating amendments have been incorporated into an electronic version.
  • Activation: The measure becomes law immediately upon approval.

Context and Rationale (Exposición de Motivos)

  • The sponsors emphasize the need for a broad, integrated view of environmental challenges to manage resources, infrastructure, and public health effectively.
  • The resolution aligns with prior Senate directives (e.g., Senate Resolution 15 of January 15, 2025) to empower the committee to study and recommend public policy related to environmental protection, water resources, waste management, soil and air quality, emissions, and related topics.
  • The bill recognizes that environmental issues are complex and region-specific, necessitating data collection, analysis, and informed decision-making across sectors and districts.

This summary captures the bill’s aim to empower a dedicated Senate investigation into Puerto Rico’s natural resources and environmental health, with structured reporting and actionable recommendations to inform future policy.

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

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