A bill proposed by the Municipality of San Juan, Senate Project 1491, presented by Senator Thomas Rivera Schatz, aims to facilitate the removal of illegally parked vehicles and their sale at public auction. The bill amends the Traffic Law, increasing the base cost to recover a confiscated vehicle from $110 to $135, with an additional $25 per day of delay up to a maximum of $500.
The measure also authorizes the Municipal Police to notify the vehicle's owner within 24 hours of removal, a task currently only performed by the Puerto Rico Police. The bill reduces the maximum term for the owner to claim the vehicle from 60 days to 30 days before it is sold at auction, and shortens the notice period for the auction from 60 days to 15 days.
According to the bill's statement of motives, the prolonged presence of confiscated vehicles in deposits limits available space, extends custody obligations, and increases associated expenses. The Municipality of San Juan, led by Mayor Miguel Romero Lugo, requested this bill.