Lawmakers hear agency support and warnings as Puerto Rico panel reviews Project 1213 to centralize permits

SAN JUAN — The House special commission on Tuesday heard presentations from the Department of Health and the Department of Agriculture backing Project 1213, a proposed Code of Planning and Permits that would centralize permit issuance in an Office of Permits under the Department of Development and Economic Commerce (DIDEC). Lawmakers pressed both agencies for written clarifications on which licenses and functions would stay with specialized agencies, how agricultural reserves would be protected, and the staffing and budget implications of the proposed reform.

Víctor Ramos Otero, Secretary of Health, told the commission that the department supports the project’s aim to replace a fragmented permitting system with a unified legal and administrative framework but emphasized that “la fiscalización sí va a seguir siendo de salud” (fiscalization/enforcement will remain with Health). Ramos described safeguards the department expects: certified professionals and licensed inspectors contributing to technical evaluations, a sanitary grading program for food establishments that is informational rather than adjudicative, post‑permit audits and corrective plans, and immediate closure authority in clear public‑health emergencies. He also cited a 90‑day transition window for delegated federal programs and said federal authorization would be required before any program delegation proceeds.

The department did not have exact staffing and budget figures at the hearing but committed to provide the commission with the number of inspectors and the fiscal figures within five days.

The Agriculture presenter (identified in the record as licenciado Dón Negro en Ocasio) told lawmakers the department supports Project 1213’s objective of streamlining permits while protecting agricultural use. The presentation said the code would define “reserva agrícola” with objective technical criteria and require technical studies by the Planning Board and Agriculture before changing reserve boundaries. Agriculture said licensed agronomists would perform technical evaluations and that the code contemplates a process to review whether the long‑standing 600,000‑cuerdas agricultural target is still viable given current productivity, water availability and other factors.

Lawmakers pressed specific concerns. Several legislators sought clarity about Article 13, which authorizes administrative transition discussions between DIDEC and the affected agencies. Representative Denis Márquez Lebrón and others warned that leaving decisions to an administrative transition could become a de facto “blank check.” Chair Carlos Johnny Méndez said he prefers enumerating in the bill which delegations will be reserved to agencies such as Health and Agriculture rather than leaving those choices to later regulation.

Members also questioned how the code treats the “profesional autorizado” (private, authorized professionals who can certify compliance) and how the system will prevent conflicts of interest if the same developer hires the certifying professional. Agriculture said existing referral and licensing mechanisms—disciplinary review by professional boards and revocation of licenses—would apply; Health said it could close establishments that pose immediate risk even if a single unified permit had been issued.

On agriculture, lawmakers focused on articles that permit clustered development (article 7.32) that allows developers to conserve 75% of a finca and develop 25%. Representatives asked whether the department’s technical recommendation on such proposals would be binding; Agriculture said it would provide evaluations and recommendations but that the final administrative decision would fall to the new permitting agency unless the law is amended to give Agriculture a binding veto.

A technical question about a proposed five‑meter river buffer prompted a brief recorded reply from agronomist Óscar Orengo, who said for the record he believes the space is sufficient.

No votes were taken. Departments agreed to provide written follow‑up within five days on requested data (inspector counts, budget figures, and more precise positions on which permits the agencies would reserve). The commission adjourned at 12:06 p.m. and will consider the written materials as it continues review of Project 1213.