By The Star Staff
The House of Representatives did not concur earlier this week with the Senate bill approving a salary increase for judges, sending the bill to conference committee.
Senate Bill 1400 will go to a conference committee after it is approved by the House and, through a floor amendment, some of the content will be removed.
“Being consistent with our proposals, we are in the best position to evaluate this measure and seek common ground regarding its approval,” House Speaker Rafael “Tatito” Hernández Montañez said Tuesday in a written statement.
Hernández Montañez has insisted on taking up the measure after the June primaries.
Meanwhile, several measures were approved in the lower chamber’s first session after a recess declared in February.
Among the measures approved was House Bill 1957, to create the “Natalia Nicole Ayala Rivera Law,” which received 44 votes in favor and three against during the final vote. The bill reviews the classification and conditions related to the vehicular crime of hit and run after an accident that causes serious bodily harm or death to a person.
The measure also establishes as mandatory the imposition of electronic supervision, eliminates deferred bail, excludes from any conviction for such an offense the possibility of obtaining a suspended sentence or probation, and provides for the consecutive execution of the sentence.
“The intention of this legislation is that cases like those of young Natalia Nicole Ayala Rivera are not repeated,” Hernández Montañez said. “Let it be a deterrent. Let people know that if they commit an act like this and leave [the scene], there’s going to be a penalty.”
The House also approved a 2002 bill to establish as a budget base the allocation of $500 million for the University of Puerto Rico and that the funds are to be used without restriction for the daily operation of the institution.
It also concurred with Senate amendments to House Joint Resolution 606, for the payment of the refundable incentive.
The lower chamber adjourned until next Tuesday at 1 p.m.