[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6462635,"mediaKeyId","5798663-4ac37844f5b929de7bf8a328f4562e07","parentId",5798663,"title","House Agriculture Committee backs S.206 education push for home, school and community gardens; agency urges coordination and funding clarity","audioSeconds",936,"startMs",7263000,"endMs",8199000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5798663-4ac37844f5b929de7bf8a328f4562e07&start=7263&end=8199","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5798663-4ac37844f5b929de7bf8a328f4562e07/thumbnail_7263000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6462635/House-Agriculture-Committee-backs-S206-education-push-for-home-school-and-community-gardens-agency-urges-coordination-and-funding-clarity","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462635-842a3a8d919d99582b29d2c0f820c240/orig.mp4?Expires=1770495544&Signature=VcrUWH8OGbKOgXRb52la0nR1Qi0F1XQJtqMsarsSyCUD23hip3FZnWnOB2dCuVBEBVzJ9B3yS32nPGwJq3fAoHq~M6eEd-mll-gi2DgrcKfmvWQR5VsEIhfs5ttm0xMIyDYzTTuz3P9m1QffJfgoYP7p9K80-P95YWcsJPqZLbDYikK3pLfPoZyY455jSeF6ZT72J0Uyvdq7pdrZzpCPVOUNIlghfjq648aaMFyaZ5bAc7~UWXGB-Yw0eWMhw8yJjXw9Q7FSKoKP7aCoYNi95~bnKmN-TwbT9DjVgV~SUKjcXIiEmXdeX63HyDwlloenq-7i7Mo2UD~X~rbumI0lLg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Camara de Representantes PR","date","2025-09-20T04:10:11Z","article","During the Sept. 19 session of the House Agriculture Committee, officials from the Department of Agriculture reviewed Senate Project S.206, which aims to promote dissemination of information about urban, family, community and school gardens.

Irvin Rodríguez Torres and other agency witnesses told the committee they support the bill's educational goals but said the measure should explicitly coordinate with existing actors to avoid duplication and to secure sustainable funding. The testimony noted existing programs and institutions that already carry out gardening education, including the Cooperative Extension at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayag\u0000fcez, municipal extension efforts and FIDA (Fondo de Innovaci\u0000f3n para el Desarrollo Agr\u0000edcola).

Agency officials said many public‑school agriculture programs and school gardens lack basic inputs such as seeds and ongoing support. The department recommended the bill include mechanisms for continuity (maintenance, teacher support, seed and tool provision) rather than one‑off promotional campaigns. Officials suggested partnerships with the Department of Education, universities, FIDA and community groups, and recommended using existing funds from FIDA for education and capacity building when possible.

The committee discussed whether broadcast outreach (television) or direct investment in school infrastructure and teacher support would be more effective. Committee members and agency witnesses emphasized follow‑up and continuity: several participants said projects lose value when initial installation is not followed by maintenance and training.

Representative (presiding) closed the hearing segment on S.206 and thanked agency witnesses. The committee indicated support in principle for S.206, subject to clarifying funding sources and formalizing partnerships with extension services and education authorities.

Ending: The committee ended its agenda after S.206, asking the Department of Agriculture to work with education and university partners to refine program design and funding options for the proposed gardening information initiative.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Audiencia 1","oneSentenceSummary","The Department of Agriculture told the House Agriculture Committee on Sept. 19 it supports Senate Project S.206 to promote information on home, community and school gardens but urged clearer coordination and funding to ensure continuity and impact.","taxTitle","House of Representatives, House, Committees, Legislative, Puerto Rico","taxId",77854,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6462640,"Committee signals support for S.190 to expand —Manos para el Campo' program; department urges clarifications and operational recommendations",2046,4343000,6389000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5798663-4ac37844f5b929de7bf8a328f4562e07&start=4343&end=6389","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5798663-4ac37844f5b929de7bf8a328f4562e07/thumbnail_4343000.jpg","/articles/6462640/Committee-signals-support-for-S190-to-expand-Manos-para-el-Campo-program-department-urges-clarifications-and-operational-recommendations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462640-60108e5ea53183286fb70c5fba27c87d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770495544&Signature=avDd84Z6ka3u1x3E5TKeAfR8ED-1U27lNA1BYOWGzZ-hrP375qkKKxqGSMTHAeqCs06GhVECQYWksBxoy7I9dtKSgzRyvvw0gwbWmazPv-eRBQPBog8YGpbqrWMeH1pbf77~vR2b4TdskFQisW37zTEN8~bfwdjNfJXe0SqfCdmH9IwTMNIzdTjzM3UuPg6WzFLwvSaFJoXHUgCnUWAhz1GiyRD~d9muKLlMjyQ0~t8aBEq6IJmBO6mYmVcTuzto8WbzafvDc-BacvWSp7352apOYkQtS-kELu84ezosstaxIB-vajTqE3Punc8fal3D5L0O7wgZPVOmSGsFd8eQxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a Sept. 19 House Agriculture Committee hearing, agency officials reviewed Senate Project S.190, which would amend Law 38 of 2011 (the \u001cManos para el Campo' statute) to expand the law's application beyond coffee harvests to other agricultural tasks and activities across Puerto Rico.

Irvin Rodríguez Torres, subsecretary of agriculture, and Sheila Báez Carri\u0000f3n, legal advisor, presented the Department of Agriculture's written position and explained operational issues the agency recommends the commission address. The testimony supported the policy goal of expanding labor options for agriculture while urging changes to prevent unintended interference with existing incentive programs and to ensure administrative capacity.

The department highlighted three labor sources discussed in the hearing: (1) local workers; (2) confined individuals supplied by the Department of Correction and Rehabilitation (DCR); and (3) temporary foreign workers under H-2 visas. Officials noted that the program of H-2 workers (referred to in testimony as the H-2 or \u001ch-segundo' modality) has increased in recent years, with the transcript listing annual entry numbers (20 in 2020; 83 in 2021; 284 in 2022; 438 in 2023; and 561 in 2024).

The department recommended the bill be revised to:

- Coordinate with the Department of Correction and Rehabilitation (DCR) before obligating DCR resources; ensure DCR can meet training, transport and security requirements for confined workers and that contracts are voluntary for employers.

- Clarify the interaction between the bill's requirements and the existing salary‑subsidy incentives administered under Law 60 (the incentives code), to avoid unintentionally redirecting funds intended for correctional clientela or other programs.

- Provide procedures and evidence requirements for employers seeking H-2 visas, including documentation that the employer attempted to recruit locally (posting ads, contacting the Department of Labor) and the recordkeeping that accompanies visa requests. The department told the committee it can provide the recruitment and contact records used in visa applications and agreed to deliver that documentation within five days.

Sheila Báez said the department is preparing educational outreach materials (online and in workshops) to help farmers understand visa procedures, requirements, and costs. She noted the H-2 visas are seasonal by design and typically cover harvest periods; the agency explained that processing and re‑application takes time (testimony stated an average processing interval of about 75 days from application to approval), which complicates repeated short harvest windows.

The committee discussed costs to employers, differences in suitability between confined workers and H-2 visa workers, and the need to preserve employer choice. Representatives said both approaches can be complementary: confined labor can be less costly but requires DCR operational capacity; H-2 workers are more expensive but appropriate for larger commercial operators.

Representative (presiding) said the committee would give a positive report on S.190 with recommendations; the record shows the committee asked the Department of Agriculture to provide follow-up materials and to summon DCR officials to resolve outstanding operational questions.

Ending: Committee indicated support in principle for expanding labor options under S.190 but directed coordination with DCR and additional documentation from the Department of Agriculture before final committee action.","The House Agriculture Committee heard Sept. 19 from Department of Agriculture officials on Senate Project S.190 to expand the \u001cManos para el Campo' program beyond coffee harvests, and signaled a favorable committee report subject to clarifications and operational assurances.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6462642,"Puerto Rico Agriculture Department opposes C-686, warns law risks reinsurance loss and state fiscal exposure",1202,2846000,4048000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5798663-4ac37844f5b929de7bf8a328f4562e07&start=2846&end=4048","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5798663-4ac37844f5b929de7bf8a328f4562e07/thumbnail_2846000.jpg","/articles/6462642/Puerto-Rico-Agriculture-Department-opposes-C-686-warns-law-risks-reinsurance-loss-and-state-fiscal-exposure","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462642-129c5b6b0c26f00f3f2227e0f4367b77/orig.mp4?Expires=1770495544&Signature=X91pESOSvJxve8wk06GVR~~H7nWDqjA1238Vl41rmX08SSz7QSO~xtvNLnw1W26sxAuZEoH1te2B8U1zCRw7CQ8xxWqGoQ9~751CWO5Vhyz763BGpToDReLBls1v-Hyi9sFa8tcSeXJ6L6hRD1U1ds~O9UNQbsJb7i0mlUw-jvzXt~AGyyCuQUbxCeP6Ox5a4pyjvN8YhFR8xUarlbcwaDd2rSkS8t1A4M5tu1nrf-qqMVgKDrSuCtfRqCGf7UfskUqK~WhawldqpQoeoi6-pXO685mYVqdNeuwdr4SXT0r9PAOezL-FU8lQZZ9fhoWhx55U7L-Jfy7bXzGPVvTa4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative (presiding) opened a Sept. 19 public hearing of the House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture and introduced House Project C-686, which seeks to amend Puerto Rico's Agricultural Insurance Law to authorize the Corporación de Seguros Agrícolas to establish an extraordinary compensation mechanism for farmers with significant losses not covered by existing policies.

The Department of Agriculture and officials from the Corporación de Seguros Agrícolas presented a written position and testimony opposing the bill in its current form. Irvin Rodríguez Torres, subsecretary of agriculture, read the agency's memorial explaining technical and legal concerns and recommending against the measure as drafted.

The department's written and oral testimony argued the bill duplicates existing federal safety-net programs and lacks a clear funding source. The presentation noted that the Corporación de Seguros Agrícolas operates on premium income, does not receive recurring general‑fund appropriations, and participates in federal reinsurance through the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) under a Standard Reinsurance Agreement (SRA). As the testimony put it, the FCIC \u001cconditions participation on the insurer's solvency and the maintenance of separate reserves.

Irvin Rodríguez Torres said the federal structure provides alternative compensation for risks not covered by the island's policies, citing the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) and other USDA mechanisms used after major disasters. Department testimony referenced post‑2017 federal programs that provided hundreds of millions in relief and said similar interagency frameworks have covered many uninsured losses.

Agency witnesses warned that an extraordinary compensation mandate without explicit funding could force the Corporación to draw on reserves or state resources, jeopardizing reinsurance. The department cited Article 10 of the Agricultural Insurance Law (as described in the testimony) to note that, if claims exceed the corporation's funds, the Secretary of Finance could be required to provide necessary money from uncommitted Treasury funds. The memorandum estimated a potential state exposure of about $84,000,000 if federal reinsurance were lost.

The department also cited historical episodes in which parallel, ad hoc state compensation created operational and fiscal problems: testimony referenced a roughly $6,000,000 debt the insurer carried after a 2004 response and a roughly $15,000,000 state emergency fund used in 2024. Witnesses said those past efforts illustrated risks of double payments, institutional confusion, and threats to the insurer's technical reserves.

As alternatives, the department recommended strengthening interagency coordination, simplifying claims procedures, improving communication protocols between agencies, expanding farmer education about existing federal and local programs, and targeted legislative support for those improvements rather than creating a new, open‑ended compensation mechanism.

Representative (presiding) acknowledged the department's position and said the committee will summon Secretary Josu\u0000e9 Rivera and Lic. Ruy\u0000e1n (director of the Corporaci\u0000f3n de Seguros Agr\u0000edcolas), who had been listed as proponents of the bill, to appear in a future public hearing. No formal committee vote on C-686 occurred at the hearing.

Ending: The committee left C-686 under consideration and instructed staff to schedule attendance by the named officials at a later session; the Department of Agriculture requested legislative changes to reinforce existing interagency processes rather than authorizing an unsourced extraordinary compensation fund.

","At a Sept. 19 House Agriculture Committee hearing, Department of Agriculture officials opposed House Bill C-686 — which would create a local extraordinary compensation mechanism for uninsured farm losses — saying it duplicates federal programs and could endanger the island's federal reinsurance relationship and public finances.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

House Agriculture Committee backs S.206 education push for home, school and community gardens; agency urges coordination and funding clarity

Committee signals support for S.190 to expand —Manos para el Campo' program; department urges clarifications and operational recommendations

Puerto Rico Agriculture Department opposes C-686, warns law risks reinsurance loss and state fiscal exposure