January 26, 2026 — La Fortaleza, San Juan, Puerto Rico — With the goal of eliminating red tape and advancing toward a smarter, more modern government, Governor Jenniffer González-Colón submitted a bill to the Puerto Rico Legislative Assembly aimed at streamlining the state government’s rulemaking process. The proposed legislation seeks to strengthen public transparency, promote citizen participation in regulatory decision-making, and foster a culture of administrative efficiency that enhances Puerto Rico’s economic competitiveness.

Administration Bill No. 107 proposes amendments to Act No. 38–2017, as amended, known as the Uniform Administrative Procedure Act of the Government of Puerto Rico (UAPA), which governs the regulatory procedures applicable to all agencies.

The Governor’s proposal constitutes a comprehensive reform and modernization of Puerto Rico’s regulatory framework to improve efficiency, accountability, and clarity. The legislation is informed by best practices adopted by several U.S. states and draws upon the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices report entitled “Learning from State Regulatory Streamlining Efforts.” The 2022 report examined regulatory reforms implemented in Colorado, Idaho, Kentucky, Rhode Island, Arizona, Missouri, New Jersey, and Ohio. Additionally, the regulatory processes of the State of Florida and the federal government were reviewed as comparative models.

In alignment with ongoing regulatory review initiatives and government efficiency measures established under Executive Order OE-2025-009, the legislation incorporates recommendations and lessons learned during recent administrative evaluations. The bill also advances the commitments set forth in the Government Program under the Modernization of Government Services section (page 91), which calls for transforming governmental structures and processes through administrative reengineering, reducing regulatory burdens, and increasing operational efficiency.

The principal amendments proposed by the legislation include:

Establishment of the Puerto Rico Regulatory Bulletin and the Puerto Rico Code of Regulations: The Regulatory Bulletin will serve as the official digital platform for the publication of notices of regulatory actions undertaken by the Government of Puerto Rico. The Code of Regulations will consolidate all regulations currently in force into a single, authoritative digital compendium. This centralized system aligns Puerto Rico’s regulatory publication framework with the federal model, namely the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations. The transition to digital publication will reduce administrative costs for agencies, particularly those that have been unable to repeal obsolete regulations due to existing newspaper publication requirements.

Statement of Estimated Regulatory Costs (SERC): The bill requires the preparation of a preliminary economic impact assessment when a proposed regulation materially affects Puerto Rico’s competitiveness relative to other jurisdictions, results in a substantial fiscal impact, or imposes significant costs on the private sector. In such instances, the regulation must be developed through the negotiated rulemaking process described below. This provision is modeled after Florida’s Statement of Expected Regulatory Costs and the cost-benefit analysis requirements adopted by the State of Rhode Island.

Negotiated Rulemaking: The legislation introduces the negotiated rulemaking process, as utilized in certain circumstances by the federal government and various states. This mechanism establishes a structured, collaborative dialogue between regulatory agencies and affected stakeholders to promote consensus and reduce conflict prior to the formal promulgation of a regulation.

Periodic Review and Accountability Measures: Although Section 2.19 of the UAPA currently mandates that agencies conduct a review of their regulations every five (5) years, it lacks enforceable metrics and accountability mechanisms. Drawing upon Arizona’s Five-Year Review Report model, the bill requires agencies to submit a formal report documenting and justifying their regulatory analysis and determinations.

Incorporation by Reference of Federal Standards: The legislation would authorize agencies to adopt regulations by reference to existing federal standards and regulations, consistent with the Adoption of Federal Standards provisions of Florida’s Administrative Procedure Act.

Expedited Repeal of Regulations: An expedited process is established for the repeal of regulations. Under current law, the procedures for adopting, amending, and repealing regulations are identical, often requiring agencies to promulgate a repeal regulation. Under the proposed framework, agencies may repeal regulations through formal notice to the Puerto Rico Department of State.

Public Participation in the Rulemaking Process: Members of the public may request public hearings on proposed regulations and will be afforded up to thirty (30) days to submit written comments. The determination to hold a public hearing shall remain within the discretion of the issuing agency.

Plain Language Requirements: All regulations shall be drafted using clear and simple language, minimizing unnecessary technical terminology, and ensuring comprehensibility for the public.

Limitations on Regulatory Authority: Agencies may promulgate regulations solely within the scope of authority expressly delegated by their enabling statutes, thereby ensuring that all regulatory actions are strictly aligned with legislative intent.

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