Governor insists on license plates, registration stickers for ATVs after Senate’s negative report.

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón (Facebook via Jenniffer González Colón)

By THE STAR STAFF

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón reiterated on Monday that ATVs must have license plates, registration stickers and mandatory insurance, after the Senate issued a negative report on Senate Bill 916, which proposed a digital registration and authorization system for such vehicles.

“Now, I do believe that these vehicles need license plates and registration stickers, so they are covered by insurance, even if they are on private property,” González Colón told reporters. “Having a license plate doesn’t necessarily mean a vehicle can travel on a highway or road, but they are authorized, they can’t flee, we prevent accidents, and there is control and registration of these vehicles.”

The governor stated that the committee she created to address the issue held dozens of meetings with the police, agencies, and the private sector, and that their recommendations were included in the bill. She indicated that it was up to the Legislature to amend or eliminate provisions if it deemed it necessary.

“We have one to address; right now, the situation regarding motorcycles and ATVs in Puerto Rico is completely unregulated, and this bill sought to establish some boundaries,” González Colón said. “It is open to specific recommendations regarding schedules, terms, traffic, and locations.”

The Senate, through its Committee on Transportation, Telecommunications, Public Services, and Consumer Affairs, did not recommend the bill’s approval. The negative report, dated Feb. 16 and signed by Sen. Héctor Joaquín Sánchez Álvarez, pointed out inconsistencies between the wording of the bill and the recommendations of the task force created by executive order, as well as concerns about the authorization of transit on public roads and the scope of permitted routes.

According to the legislative report, the committee held public hearings on Jan. 27 and Feb. 10, with the participation of government agencies, organizations, and entities related to transportation and insurance.

The governor argued that the bill stipulated that vehicles could not travel through areas not authorized by the manufacturer and maintained that the intention was to establish control and registration in what she described as a situation currently lacking effective regulation.