Para ordenar a la Comisión de Turismo, Recursos Naturales y Ambientales que lleve a cabo una investigación sobre el estado e implementación por parte del Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales de los programas de arrecifes artificiales viabilizados a través de la la Ley 122-2020, la cual enmendó la Ley 147-1999, mejor conocida como la “Ley para la Protección, Conservación y Manejo de los Arrecifes de Coral en Puerto Rico”. Estas enmiendas se aprobaron con el propósito de viabilizar el uso de los arrecifes de coral artificiales, como alternativa para mitigar los efectos del aumento del nivel del mar en nuestra zona marino-costera y maximizar la utilización de fondos asignados por el gobierno federal para estos asuntos. Ante la situación crítica que siguen experimentando nuestras costas, se hace imperativo evaluar la efectividad de estos proyectos de arrecifes artificiales, la disponibilidad de fondos federales para los mismos y la posibilidad de fomentar su implementación a mayor escala.

2025-2028 Session

Directs a Senate inquiry into Puerto Rico’s artificial reef program (Law 122-2020) to assess effectiveness against sea-level rise, use of federal funds, and potential expansion.

Comisión no recomienda aprobación de la medida

Quick overview

Bill type: Resolution (non-binding)

Title/purpose in plain terms: Directs the Senate’s Commission of Tourism, Natural Resources and Environment to conduct an investigation into the status and implementation of artificial reef programs authorized by Law 122-2020 (which amended Law 147-1999, the Coral Reefs Protection Law). The aim is to assess how these artificial reef projects are being deployed, their effectiveness as a climate adaptation measure to rising sea levels, and the extent to which federal funds are being utilized for these efforts, with the goal of expanding their use if warranted.

Key purpose and intent

To evaluate the current state of artificial reef programs enabled by the 2020 amendments to the coral reefs law.

To assess whether these programs are effectively mitigating coastal impacts from sea level rise.

To examine the availability and use of federal funds for artificial reef projects.

To consider the potential for expanding artificial reef implementation in Puerto Rico.

Main provisions and requirements (as a directing resolution)

Directs the Senate Commission of Tourism, Natural Resources and Environment to:

Investigate the status of artificial reef projects under Law 122-2020 and the amendments to Law 147-1999.
Review how the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DRNE) has implemented these programs.
Assess the effectiveness of artificial reefs as a coastal/marine management strategy.
Evaluate the availability and use of federal funds for artificial reef initiatives.
Consider opportunities to scale up implementation based on findings.

Expectation that the Commission will produce findings that inform policy decisions and identify potential actions or recommendations (specific reporting deadline or format is not provided in the summary).

Who and what would be affected

State actors: Senate Commission on Tourism, Natural Resources and Environment; Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DRNE).

Public and stakeholders: Coastal communities, tourism sector, environmental and fisheries groups, researchers, and anyone interested in coastal resilience and reef management.

Funding landscape: Federal funding programs relevant to coastal restoration and artificial reefs; potential implications for future funding requests or allocations.

Procedural and timeline context

Introduced: February 3, 2025.

Status: Referred to Commission(s).

Legislative actions thus far:

February 3, 2025 — Filed.
February 6, 2025 — Appeared in First Reading in the Senate and referred to commissions.

As a resolution, its effect is advisory; it does not, by itself, authorize new spending or create binding duties, but it can influence policy discussions and future legislation.

Plain-language takeaway

RS 33 asks the Senate to formally study how Puerto Rico’s artificial reef program—enabled by 2020 amendments—has been implemented, how effective it has been, and how federal funding is being used, with an eye toward increasing scale if practical and beneficial. The bill is currently in its early legislative stage, with referral to committees for consideration.

Bill

RS 33 — Summary