House commission ends session without final votes; three bills deferred to referendum

The Commission on Economic Development, Planning, Telecommunications, Public-Private Partnerships and Energy of the House of Representatives opened a public consideration session on May 21, 2024, to take final action on three chamber projects, but did not hold final votes because the commission lacked a quorum.

The commission president read the titles of Proyecto de la Cámara 151, Proyecto de la Cámara 361 and Proyecto de la Cámara 1263 and outlined their purposes. Proyecto 151 proposes to add a new subsection R to Article 8 of Law 188 (May 11, 1942), known as the industrial development company law of Puerto Rico, to provide spaces with a rent reduction of not less than 50% for the University of Puerto Rico’s patents, research and development projects. Proyecto 361 would amend subsection H of Article 4.1 of Law 57 (2014), the Puerto Rico Energy Transformation and Relief Act, directing executive agencies, public corporations and instrumentalities in collaboration with the Office of Innovation and Technology Services (PRIT) to publish monthly billing and energy consumption updates and to post annual energy reduction plans along with the Department of Economic Development and Commerce’s evaluation. Proyecto 1263 would amend Articles 2.3 and 2.14 of Law 82 (2010) — the policy on energy diversification through renewable and alternate sustainable energy — by changing required years and percentages in the renewable portfolio and increasing fines that the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau may impose on retail suppliers for noncompliance.

Bridal Figueroa, advisor to the commission, said the three amended project texts had been circulated electronically to commission members on May 17, 2024 and that “no se recibieron enmiendas adicionales” (no additional amendments were received). The president then sought certification of the quorum required for a final vote; Bridal Figueroa reported that the commission did not have the necessary quorum.

Citing the House rules, the president explained the committee had convened the public consideration session under Section 12.21, which requires such a hearing before recommending a measure for approval, and noted that Section 12.16 permits the president to submit matters to members by referendum if quorum is not present. Given the lack of quorum, the president declared the public consideration session concluded and stated that the final vote on the circulated texts will be conducted by referendum at a later time. The president closed the session at 11:29 a.m.

No final votes or recorded tallies were taken during the session. The commission’s statements on circulation, the absence of additional amendments and the quorum shortfall are documented in the public record of the session.