Fire officials urge caution on bill to allow annual special‑event permits for certified farmers at family markets

The House Agriculture Committee on March 18 took testimony on PC 235, which would amend Article 4 of Law 63‑2015 (as amended) to permit the Puerto Rico Fire Department (Negociado del Cuerpo de Bomberos) to issue an annual special‑event permit for certified farmers participating in family agricultural markets and set a maximum fee for that annual permit.

Representatives of the Negociado del Cuerpo de Bomberos attended and recommended changes rather than endorsing the bill as written. Luis Cordero Rivera, lead attorney for the Fire Department, summarized the agency’s position and wrote in his submitted analysis that the department "no puede favorecer en esta ocasión el P de la C dos treinta y cinco, según redactado" because an annual permit could prevent event‑specific inspection and planning for evacuation, crowd control and emergency vehicle access.

Brenda Rodríguez, an inspector with approximately 17 years at the Fire Department, described on‑site operational inspections and the code standards the department uses (International Fire Code, 2018 edition and the joint construction regulations). She explained that inspections evaluate carpa (tent) anchoring, membrane certification, layout croquis and technical data sheets; when events change configuration between dates, each event may present new hazards. She told the committee that the department seeks administrative flexibility for vendors but cannot waive site‑specific safety analysis.

Committee members framed the bill’s intent as easing burdens on small farmers who must now obtain multiple permits per year. Testimony clarified that current Fire Department fees are modest: about $20 per tent (covers up to two days); $50 for events of three to 10 days; and an additional $10 per day beyond that. The committee and witnesses agreed the primary legislative concern is administrative burden on farmers, not fee revenue. The Fire Department noted that fee receipts are used to cover inspection operational costs.

Outcome and next steps: The committee directed staff to request detailed data. The Fire Department agreed to provide segmented revenue figures for "eventos especiales" (ten days to gather and compile across districts). The committee also requested that the Department of Agriculture (AdeA) provide its calendar or inventory of family agricultural markets so Fire Department inspectors can coordinate visits; representatives asked AdeA to deliver that information to the committee within 10 days. No vote or amendment was taken during the hearing.

Ending: Committee members said they will consider technical amendments to preserve event‑level safety reviews while reducing repeated administrative burdens on certified farmers.