The Puerto Rico Senate approved a substitute bill to streamline business and construction permit processes, with 17 votes in favor and 8 against. The 868-page measure, which replaces Senate Projects 1183 and 1173, was presented by Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz and Governor Jenniffer González Colón. The bill received dozens of amendments from the New Progressive Party (PNP) delegation and independent Senator Eliezer Molina, which were approved.
Molina’s amendments included requiring licensed professionals, such as engineers and architects, and ensuring access to public domain properties like the maritime-terrestrial zone (ZMT). Senator Joanne Rodríguez Veve of Proyecto Dignidad celebrated that the bill maintains the beach as public domain and excludes ecologically sensitive areas from automatic permit processes. However, she denounced that the amendments increased the required bond from 1% to 10% for projects valued at $500,000 or more, which could limit access to the courts for some.
The bill now moves to the House of Representatives, where public hearings will be held.