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RCC 316

Para ordenar al Departamento de Hacienda a suspender temporalmente a toda persona correspondiente, durante el período de noventa (90) días a partir de la aprobación de esta Resolución Conjunta, el arbitrio sobre uso en Puerto Rico de petróleo crudo, productos parcialmente elaborados y productos terminados derivados del petróleo, establecido mediante las Secciones 3020.07 y 3020.07A de la Ley Núm. 1-2011, según enmendada, conocida como “Código de Rentas Internas de Puerto Rico de 2011”, como medida de alivio económico para la ciudadanía ante el aumento extraordinario en el precio del petróleo provocado por conflictos internacionales; reducir el costo de la gasolina, el diésel y el transporte en Puerto Rico; y para otros fines relacionados.

2025-2028 Session

Suspends the petroleum excise tax for 90 days to lower gasoline, diesel, and transport costs in Puerto Rico amid rising global oil prices.

Referido a Comisión(es)
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · RCC 316

Comprehensive Summary of RCC 316 (Session 2025-2028, Puerto Rico)

I. Purpose and Intent

  • The bill seeks to order the Department of Treasury (Departamento de Hacienda) to temporarily suspend, for a period of ninety (90) days from the date of approval of this Joint Resolution, the excise tax or levy on the use in Puerto Rico of crude oil, partially refined petroleum products, and finished petroleum products (as established by Sections 3020.07 and 3020.07A of Law No. 1-2011, as amended, known as the Internal Revenue Code of Puerto Rico of 2011).
  • Rationale stated in the bill: provide economic relief to citizens in response to a sharp rise in petroleum prices caused by international conflicts.
  • Additional aims: reduce the cost of gasoline, diesel, and transportation in Puerto Rico, and address related objectives.

II. Key Provisions and Changes Proposed

  • Temporary Suspension: The core measure is a 90-day suspension of the petroleum excise tax/levy described above.
    • Tax basis affected: The excise on use of crude oil, partially refined products, and finished petroleum products.
    • Scope: Applies to petroleum products used within Puerto Rico.
  • Timeframe: The suspension is explicitly limited to a 90-day period following the bill’s approval.
  • Implementing Authority: The responsibility to implement and oversee the suspension lies with the Department of Treasury (Departamento de Hacienda).
  • Policy objective tied to relief: The suspension is framed as a targeted emergency measure to alleviate immediate cost pressures on energy and transportation.

III. Affected Parties and Impacts

  • Primary Affected Entity: The Department of Treasury (Hacienda) would administer the suspension.
  • Economic Impact:
    • Short-term reduction in the retail price of gasoline, diesel, and potentially other transportation-related petroleum products.
    • Potential downstream effects on transportation costs, consumer prices, and short-term consumer purchasing power.
  • Population impacted: Puerto Rico residents and entities dependent on petroleum-derived fuels for transportation and logistics.
  • Fiscal Impact: The text does not specify exact revenue loss; the suspension would temporarily reduce tax revenue collected from petroleum use for the 90-day period. States or municipalities that rely on related revenue streams may be affected indirectly.

IV. Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • Legislative Status:
    • First Reading: Appeared in la Cámara (Chamber of Representatives) on 2026-03-19.
    • Referral: Referred to one or more committees on 2026-03-19.
    • Filed/Radicado: Filed/entered into the record on 2026-03-18.
  • Effective Period: 90 days from the date of approval (no explicit retroactivity or retroactive effect stated beyond that window).
  • Sunset/Review: The bill text provided does not specify renewal, extension, or sunset beyond the 90-day suspension; it appears to be a one-time temporary measure tied to the stated period.

V. Considerations for Stakeholders

  • Businesses: Transportation and logistics sectors may benefit from lower fuel costs during the 90-day window.
  • Consumers: Potential relief on gasoline and diesel prices during the suspension period.
  • Government Revenue: Short-term decrease in tax intake from petroleum use; considerations needed for budgetary planning during the suspension and any post-suspension impacts.
  • Legal/Administrative: Requires administrative actions by Hacienda to suspend the specified excise during the 90 days.

VI. Observations

  • The bill is narrowly targeted to a temporary relief mechanism rather than broad tax reform.
  • It explicitly ties the measure to external shocks (international conflicts causing price spikes) and domestic relief goals (lower fuel and transportation costs).
  • No detailed fiscal impact analysis or transition provisions are included in the provided text; proponents or analysts may seek estimates of revenue impact and enforcement logistics.

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

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