Senate files substitute bill to reform Puerto Rico permitting system
Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz announced a substitute measure that would replace the Permiso Único with a Registro de Uso and introduce other changes, but debate was postponed until next Tuesday amid criticism over lack of additional public hearings.
The short version
- El Vocero reported that on Thursday Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz announced filing of a substitute to Senate bills 1173 and 1183 that would replace the Permiso Único with a Registro de Uso
- El Nuevo Día reported the Senate deferred discussion of the over-800-page substitute until next Tuesday after senators including independent Eliezer Molina requested more time to review it
- Primera Hora reported the measure proposes a new Código de Planificación y Permisos consolidating provisions from over 50 laws and 46 instruments and would create a consolidated construction permit and digital file
- NotiCel reported environmental and community groups criticized the lack of additional public hearings on the substitute and objected to creation of a central permitting office
Substitute bill filed
On Thursday, Oct. 8, Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz announced the filing of a substitute bill that would establish a new Código de Planificación y Permisos for Puerto Rico, El Vocero reported. The measure replaces Senate bills 1173 and 1183 originally filed in April. According to the reports the substitute would replace the Permiso Único with a Registro de Uso allowing certain activities to begin via declaration subject to later oversight, create a Permiso de Construcción Consolidado, establish a single digital project file and set deadlines for government responses.
The proposal also includes exemptions from permits for specific low- or moderate-risk remodeling and reconstruction of existing homes when safety conditions and professional certification are met. It incorporates self-certification, audits, inspections and penalties for noncompliance by authorized professionals. According to Rivera Schatz, the bill consolidates provisions now scattered across more than 50 laws and 46 legal and administrative instruments while preserving municipal autonomy and including environmental protection and territorial planning rules, Primera Hora reported.
What the sources posted
Posts and statements below are the sources' own words, quoted as published. They are not independently verified.
No se trata de cambiar una ley por otra, sino de transformar un sistema que durante años ha estado marcado por la burocracia, la incertidumbre y los atrasos
Our translation: It is not about changing one law for another, but transforming a system that for years has been marked by bureaucracy, uncertainty and delays
The source's own statement, as quoted by El Vocero. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
Debate postponed
El Nuevo Día reported the Senate moved the discussion of the substitute, which exceeds 800 pages, to next Tuesday after it was brought up by discharge on Thursday. Senator Eliezer Molina and PIP delegation members questioned the creation of a central permitting office and raised concerns about loss of powers from agencies such as the Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña and Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales. El Nuevo Día reported.
Rivera Schatz stated there is no rush and noted the original bills were filed in April with five public hearings held between April and May 2026. He said senators had months to review the material. The positive committee report was filed on Wednesday, according to the legislative record cited by the newspaper.
Criticism from groups
NotiCel reported that more than 60 organizations, planners and citizens had requested the substitute draft be made public and new hearings held, arguing that only selected private groups had early access. Organizations including Sierra Club Puerto Rico and the Colegio de Arquitectos y Arquitectos Paisajistas called for broader participation before any vote. NotiCel reported.
Metro Puerto Rico reported Rivera Schatz said the substitute resulted from consultations with groups such as the Asociación de Constructores de Puerto Rico, Colegio de Ingenieros y Agrimensores, Cámara de Comercio and others. He stated the goal is to simplify procedures, reduce bureaucracy and apply uniform rules. Metro Puerto Rico reported.
Where the sources differ
All sources agree that Thomas Rivera Schatz announced and filed a substitute to Senate bills 1173 and 1183 on Thursday that proposes replacing the Permiso Único with a Registro de Uso, creating a consolidated construction permit, a digital file, exemptions for certain home remodels, self-certification mechanisms, and consolidating rules from over 50 laws. They agree the original bills were filed in April with five public hearings held from April to May 2026. El Nuevo Día and NotiCel report the Senate deferred full debate until Tuesday after objections from senators and groups about lack of new hearings on the substitute and the proposed central permitting office; El Vocero, Primera Hora and Metro focus on the announcement and positive aspects without mentioning the deferral or criticism.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not state when or whether the substitute will receive a final vote, whether it has the support of the governor or House, the exact number of pages in the full text, or what changes if any were made from the versions reviewed in the earlier hearings. They also do not specify which exact remodeling projects would qualify for exemptions or the proposed budget or staffing for any new central office.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Official ¿Adiós al Permiso Único? Thomas Rivera Schatz anuncia sustitutivo para reformar el sistema de permisos
- Reporting ¿Adiós al Permiso Único? Thomas Rivera Schatz anuncia sustitutivo para reformar el sistema de permisos
- Reporting Senado deja para el martes la discusión del proyecto de permisos
- Reporting Presentan en el Senado nuevo proyecto de reforma de permisos
- Reporting A discusión en el Senado y sin vistas públicas adicionales nueva versión del proyecto de permisos
- Reporting Rivera Schatz radica proyecto sustitutivo para la reforma de permisos
How we checked this
El Vocero, El Nuevo Día, Primera Hora, NotiCel and Metro Puerto Rico all reported on the filing and content of the substitute bill based on the Senate announcement and session. Details on the deferral, senatorial criticism and calls for more hearings rest primarily on El Nuevo Día and NotiCel.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.