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House repeals 2004 law creating urban rehabilitation corporation after floor debate
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Summary
Law 209‑2004, which created a corporation for urban center rehabilitation, was repealed after debate and a failed motion to return the bill to committee; the repeal passed 32‑15‑1 in a recorded roll call.
The House voted March 20 to repeal Law 209‑2004, which had established a corporation to design and implement capital plans for urban centers and special urban development areas. House Bill 156, as amended and after floor debate, passed by recorded vote 32 in favor, 15 opposed and one abstention.
Representative Torres Cruz requested the bill be returned to committee so the House could hear from municipal mayoral associations (the Association and the Federation of Mayors) about the repeal’s potential effects on municipalities. He argued the repeal could have implications for municipal roles and requested they be invited to provide input. The House rejected that motion to return the bill to committee; the motion was defeated on a voice call, and the repeal proceeded to final vote.
After the defeat of the motion to refer back and subsequent procedural steps, the House approved the repeal as amended. The amendments included changes to the bill’s text and title—floor edits were read and adopted before the final vote.
The measure’s supporters argued the repeal streamlines or updates statutory approaches to revitalization; opponents expressed concern that municipalities and mayoral associations had not been consulted and sought a pause for further input. The recorded tally shows a substantial minority opposed the repeal and one representative abstained.
