Governor signs into law bills on public administration, conservation & community development

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón

By THE STAR STAFF

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón enacted a wide-ranging set of laws and joint resolutions on Sunday aimed at modernizing government property management, strengthening environmental protection, expanding accommodations for residents with sensory conditions, and supporting community and municipal development across Puerto Rico.

The most significant of the new measures is Law 158-2026, which creates the Special Law to Standardize the Titling Process for Government Real Property. Authored by Sen. Ángel Toledo López, the law establishes a streamlined procedure to identify and certify ownership of government properties when documentation is incomplete or missing. Under the law, the Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTOP) is authorized to certify that such properties belong to the Government of Puerto Rico and to represent the government before the Committee for the Evaluation and Disposition of Real Property. Officials say the measure will accelerate the disposition of unused public properties and support economic development initiatives.

González Colón also signed Law 159-2026, designating the Finca Gabia in Coamo as the Bosque Gabia. The legislation places roughly 160 acres of ecologically valuable land under the protections of Puerto Rico’s Forest Law. The area has been the site of ongoing restoration efforts, including reforestation with native species, scientific research and the recovery of local fauna, such as the endangered concho frog. The designation is expected to expand access to state, federal and private conservation funding and to promote compatible activities, such as responsible ecotourism and environmental education.

A third measure, Law 160-2026, amends Puerto Rico’s Vehicle and Transit Law to allow individuals with autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing disorder, and other conditions involving severe sensory hypersensitivity to obtain medical exemptions for one-way vision window tints. The law also eliminates periodic renewal requirements for individuals with permanent conditions, establishing a long-term accommodation to improve safety and quality of life without any fiscal impact on the government.

In addition to the new laws, the governor signed several joint resolutions:

RCC 283 (Joint Resolution [JR] 46‑2026) designates a segment of PR‑125 in Moca as Nélida Cardona Ramírez, honoring the late community leader and philanthropist. DTOP and the Highways and Transportation Authority must install signage within 90 days.

RCC 302 (JR 47‑2026) transfers, for a nominal price of $1, the land occupied by Culebra’s municipal landfill to the municipality. The transfer will allow Culebra to qualify for federal funds needed to close existing landfill cells, build a transfer station and expand its solid‑waste management system.

RCC 376 (JR 48‑2026) reallocates $2.79 million from prior‑year joint resolution balances to fund infrastructure projects across agencies and municipalities, including road improvements, upgrades to recreational and sports facilities, school repairs, community center improvements, potable water systems and renewable energy projects.

RCS 151 (JR 49‑2026) names the Educational Technology Center at the Ponce Housing residential complex after Miguel A. Rodríguez Villafañe, recognizing his decades of educational service to children, youth and adults in the community.

RCS 196 (JR 50‑2026) reallocates $1.35 million from fiscal years 2017-2020 to the Rural Infrastructure and Permanent Improvements Program of the Land Authority, earmarking funds for municipal infrastructure, capital improvements, economic development and public safety projects.

Separately, the governor confirmed that several legislative measures were pocket vetoed on Aug. 1, in accordance with constitutional procedure. The bills vetoed include Senate Bills 509, 627, 898 and 1085, as well as Senate JRs 32 and 43.