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First local gov’t efficiency report shows 90% of active regulations have not been updated in years

  • Writer: The San Juan Daily Star
    The San Juan Daily Star
  • Jul 1
  • 2 min read
Government Efficiency Coordinator Veronica Ferraiuoli Hornedo
Government Efficiency Coordinator Veronica Ferraiuoli Hornedo

By THE STAR STAFF


A recent report from the Deregulation and Administrative Efficiency Initiative has brought to light an eye-opening statistic: over 90% of the active regulations registered with the Puerto Rico Department of State have not seen updates in the past five years.


The initiative, regarded on the island as a local version of President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, whose staff was led until recently by multibillionaire businessman Elon Musk, highlights a critical examination of regulations, many of which have roots in now-defunct agencies or stem from laws that have subsequently been repealed.


Veronica Ferraiuoli Hornedo, the government efficiency coordinator, presented the findings of the comprehensive report to Gov. Jenniffer González Colón on Monday. The report is underpinned by Executive Orders OE-2025-009 and OE-2025-023, which aim to enhance governmental effectiveness and responsiveness.


“This report reflects this administration’s commitment to creating a more efficient, agile, and transparent government,” Ferraiuoli Hornedo emphasized in a written statement. “The IDEA initiative has enabled us to identify regulatory barriers that hinder public sector productivity and negatively impact citizens’ experiences. We are committed to transforming how government operates, with an unwavering focus on results and service delivery.”


Ferraiuoli Hornedo disclosed that more than 4,000 regulations were meticulously reviewed as part of the initiative. Despite the Uniform Administrative Procedure Act’s requirement that agencies routinely evaluate their regulations every five years, the data indicates that a substantial majority have fallen short of meeting that essential compliance standard.


In response, Administrative Order IDEA-2025-002 mandated that all agencies conduct thorough reviews, classify their regulations, and report on their current status. The move has initiated a structured process aimed at regulatory refinement. Remarkably, 83 agencies have already completed their regulatory self-assessments, resulting in the establishment of a consolidated database encompassing more than 4,000 regulations. Moreover, there are active initiatives currently in progress targeting the repeal, consolidation, or formulation of new regulations across several government agencies. To enhance transparency and citizen engagement, a digital compliance dashboard is also in development, which will allow the public to track the refinement efforts in real time.


Looking ahead, the second phase of the initiative will introduce the Regulatory Efficiency Certification as a mandatory criterion for all newly formulated regulations. The administration plans to broaden the scope of digital signatures across various administrative processes, streamlining operations significantly. Furthermore, the IDEAL system will see expansions through inter-agency integrations, with the aim of fostering greater collaboration and efficiency. A centralized citizen services platform will be introduced as well, which will feature an intelligent virtual assistant designed to enhance user interactions and provide immediate assistance.


Furthermore, planned reforms are set to include significant updates to the tax system and the permit application process, as well as the development of performance metrics, accomplished in collaboration with key bodies such as the Puerto Rico Planning Board, the Office of Management and Budget, and the Department of Economic Development and Commerce. An innovative energy efficiency plan targeting public buildings will also be designed, aiming to optimize operational costs and promote sustainability within government infrastructure.


Officials said the multifaceted approach reflects a strong commitment to improving government functionality and enhancing the overall citizen experience.

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