Esta ley enmienda la Ley Núm. 35 de 19 de enero de 2000, que creó la "Unidad Interagencial Especializada". La enmienda sustituye a la "Defensa Civil Estatal" por la "Agencia Estatal para el Manejo de Emergencias y Administración de Desastres" y a la "Compañía de Aguas" por la "Autoridad de Acueductos y Alcantarillados", incluyendo un representante de la empresa privada que gestione sus operaciones, si aplica. El propósito de la Unidad es coordinar esfuerzos para prevenir y combatir los efectos de emanaciones de gases y olores objetables, garantizando la protección de estudiantes, empleados escolares y visitantes.
(Approved March 10, 2003)
To amend Section 2 of Act No. 35 of January 19, 2000, as amended, which creates an organism known as the "Specialized Interagency Unit," in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, to add to the members of the Unit the Commonwealth Emergency Management and Disaster Administration Agency in substitution of the "State Civil Defense," and the "Water Company" for the Aqueducts and Sewers Authority, as well as a representative of the private company that manages the operations of same, if applicable.
Act No. 35 of January 19, 2000, as amended, created the "Specialized Interagency Unit," whose main duty is to coordinate the necessary efforts to prevent emanations of objectionable gases and odors, and to fight against their effects when they occur, with the participating government agencies and municipalities in which the events occur, to guarantee adequate protection to the students, school employees, and visitors.
Said Act requires the development of an action plan to prevent, respond, and assist in the emergency caused by an emanation of gas or objectionable odors, including first aid assistance for possible victims. To achieve this goal, the efforts of state government agencies and municipal entities must be coordinated. Therefore, the participation of a series of government entities that are not included
in the current text of Act No. 35, supra, is imperative for the services and emergency plan to be more complete and effective. For such purposes, the specific advice and experience that may be offered by the Commonwealth Emergency Management and Disaster Administration Agency.
The Commonwealth Emergency Management and Disaster Administration Agency was created with the approval of Act No. 211 of August 2, 1999, and Act No. 22 of June 23, 1976, as amended, known as the "Puerto Rico Civil Defense Act" was revoked. Therefore, the Commonwealth Emergency Management and Disaster Administration Agency assumed the responsibilities that up to that moment belonged to the Civil Defense, thus, the corresponding correction in Section 2 of Act No. 35, supra, warrants the elimination from the text of the "State Civil Defense", and the inclusion of Commonwealth Emergency Management and Disaster Administration Agency.
Regarding the substitution of the Water Company in the Specialized Interagency Unit, it is due to the recent change in the administration of the facilities and operation of the Aqueducts and Sewers Authority. The new administration contract, which began July 1, 2002, is held by Ondeo Company.
In view of the fact that the Aqueducts and Sewers Authority maintains its relationship and authority over the services rendered by same, and only the administration of the facilities and operations themselves have been transferred, it is essential that the Authority participate in this Unit, as well as a representative of the private company that manages its operations, if applicable. In this manner, by not specifying the name of the company, the representation would be held by a certain private company, if same holds an administration contract avoiding future
amendments to this Act merely because the administration company changed or the Government opted for holding on to the administration of the Authority.
Section 1.- Section 2 of Act No. 35 of January 19, 2000, as amended, is hereby amended to read as follows: "Section 2.- Organization The Specialized Interagency Unit shall consist of one member of each of the following agencies: Environmental Quality Board (EQB), Department of Education (DE), Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER), Regulations and Permits Administration (R.P.A.), Public Service Commission (P.S.C.), Solid Waste Authority (S.W.A.), Fire Department, Medical Emergencies Corps, Department of Health, Public Buildings Authority, Puerto Rico Police, Planning Board, Commonwealth Emergency Management and Disaster Administration Agency, and the Aqueducts and Sewers Authority, as well as a representative of the private company that manages the operations of same, if applicable.
The Specialized Interagency Unit shall be directed by the Secretary of Education or the person designated by him/her. The directors of each of the participating agencies shall appoint an official who shall be a member the Unit, and a substitute.
In the case of municipalities in which one of their schools is affected by emanation of gases, the mayor shall designate an official who shall represent him in the Unit."
Section 2.- This Act shall take effect immediately after its approval.
I hereby certify to the Secretary of State that the following Act No. 82 (S.B. 1675) of the $5^{ ext {th }}$ Session of the $14^{ ext {th }}$ Legislature of Puerto Rico:
AN ACT to amend Section 2 of Act No. 35 of January 19, 2000, as amended, which creates an organism known as the "Specialized Interagency Unit," in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, to add to the members of the Unit the Commonwealth Emergency Management and Disaster Administration Agency in substitution of the "State Civil Defense," and the "Water Company" for the Aqueducts and Sewers Authority, as well as a representative of the private company that manages the operations of same, if applicable, has been translated from Spanish to English and that the English version is correct.
In San Juan, Puerto Rico, today $18^{ ext {st }}$ of February of 2004.
Elba Rosa Rodríguez-Fuentes Director