Puerto RicoPS 007920th Legislative Assembly (2025-2028)Senate

Para enmendar los Artículos 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 y 20 de la Ley Núm. 132 de 25 de junio de 1968, según enmendada, conocida corno "Ley para Reglamentar la Extracción de Arena, Grava y Piedra", a los fines de cumplir con la política pública de centralizar los procesos de permisos en la Oficina de Gerencia de Permisos o la dependencia gubernamental que le sustituya; y para otros fines para relacionados.

Sponsored By: Thomas Rivera Schatz (PNP)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 4 mixed.

Earth-material operators must provide restoration bonds

Every permit requires a bond payable to the Office of Permits Management. Its amount must account for the activity's actual cost and the full cost of restoring the permitted area, adjusted for inflation. The bond stays in effect until one year after the permit expires. The Office may extend that period for just cause. The law sets no fixed bond amount.

Extraction applicants face limits and nonprofit priority

The Office cannot issue export permits for materials from public or government-owned land. Private-land exports require a finding that the public interest is not harmed. Permits are restricted where extraction threatens fishing, recreation, beaches, reefs, reserves, wildlife areas, dunes, or the maritime-terrestrial coastal zone. Restrictions also cover threatened agricultural farms and areas downstream of dammed rivers. An environmental impact statement must show no significant harm and that environmental quality is preserved or improved. Applicants must provide precise site boundaries and, when needed, studies of effects on the site and nearby areas. Applicants or controlling persons owing money to the Office or Treasury cannot receive permits. Until the Office sets a new rule, each person or business may hold no more than four permits, fully or partly. Renewals of permits active when the law was approved are exempt from that cap. The Office considers past violations and gives nonprofits priority on public or government-owned land, except for renewals.

Local permit hearings can cost applicants

Before issuing a new permit, the Office must notify the public and the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources. Comments, disputes, or objections trigger a public hearing in the municipality where the activity is planned. The Office must grant or deny the permit in writing within 30 days after the hearing. Applicants may have to pay hearing expenses or arrange hearing services themselves. Fees can be waived for people who show they cannot afford them.

Centralized permits for earth-material operators

Puerto Rico's Office of Permits Management issues permits for extracting, digging, removing, or dredging covered earth materials. These include sand, gravel, stone, soil, silica, calcite, clay, and similar materials not regulated as economic minerals. The Department of Natural and Environmental Resources oversees permit compliance. The Office sets export, operating, and hauling rules and may exempt insignificant quantities from permits and related payments. Permits must meet environmental law; coastal areas and river watersheds used for water intakes require an environmental impact statement. For new applications, the Office checks completeness within 30 days and grants or denies permits within 90 days after certification.

Permit holders face changes and renewal rules

Permits last no more than five years, and transfers or assignments require Office approval. The Office sets effective dates and may shorten or extend them for just cause, including restoring time lost beyond holders' control. The Office may change permit conditions and require holders to pay for studies, evaluations, or improvements protecting the public interest. After a hearing, it may revoke permits for violations, major geological or environmental changes, or health, safety, or public-interest reasons. Changes to information in a published notice require new public notice and at least 10 days for comments. Previously unreviewed environmental impacts require environmental review. A request for a three-year term extension must follow the renewal process.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Thomas Rivera Schatz

    PNP • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Héctor Gabriel González López

    PNP • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 57 • No: 21

House vote • 1/29/2026

Aprobado por Cámara en Votación Final

Yes: 36 • No: 14

Senate vote • 4/7/2025

Aprobado por el Senado en Votación Final

Yes: 21 • No: 7

Actions Timeline

  1. Ley Núm. 19 — Firmada por la Gobernadora

    2/12/2026Senate
  2. Firmado por el Presidente de la Cámara

    2/9/2026House
  3. Firmado por el Presidente del Senado

    2/9/2026Senate
  4. Enviado a la Gobernadora

    2/6/2026House
  5. Se dispone que sea enrolado

    2/3/2026House
  6. Cuerpo de Origen concurre con enmiendas

    2/2/2026Senate
  7. Aprobado por Cámara en Votación Final

    1/29/2026House
  8. Aprobado con enmiendas en sala

    1/29/2026House
  9. En el Calendario de Ordenes Especiales de la Cámara

    1/29/2026House
  10. Remitido a Comisión de Calendarios de la Cámara

    11/13/2025House
  11. 1er Informe Comisión rendido sin enmiendas

    11/13/2025House
  12. Referido a Comisión(es)

    4/10/2025House
  13. Aparece en Primera Lectura de la Cámara

    4/10/2025House
  14. Texto de Aprobación Final enviado a la Cámara

    4/7/2025Senate
  15. Aprobado por el Senado en Votación Final

    4/7/2025Senate
  16. Aprobado con enmiendas del informe

    4/7/2025Senate
  17. En el Calendario de Ordenes Especiales del Senado

    4/7/2025Senate
  18. Remitido a la Comisión de Reglas y Calendario del Senado

    4/4/2025Senate
  19. Entirillado del Informe

    4/4/2025Senate
  20. 1er Informe Comisión rendido con enmiendas

    4/4/2025Senate
  21. Referido a Comisión(es)

    1/16/2025Senate
  22. Aparece en Primera Lectura del Senado

    1/16/2025Senate
  23. Radicado

    1/2/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Se dispone que sea enrolado

    2/3/2026

  • Texto de Aprobación Final enviado a la Cámara

    4/7/2025

  • Radicado

    1/2/2025

  • Radicado (Senado mirror)

    1/2/2025

Related Bills

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