Real estate groups split over House Bill 1331 — a NAPREC perspective
House Bill 1331 would repeal Act 10-1994 and set a new legal framework for Puerto Rico’s real estate industry. Trade groups endorsed it at a House hearing, while the regulatory board for brokers and salespeople opposed it. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Puerto Rico has nearly 2.65 million registered vehicles — a NAPREC perspective
Puerto Rico had 2,649,792 vehicles with active registration tags as of June 30, according to Department of Transportation and Public Works data published by the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics. Automobiles made up about 79.5%. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
50 companies account for 20% of retail sales — a NAPREC perspective
A University of Puerto Rico Center for Development Studies analysis found that retail became somewhat more concentrated between 2017 and 2022, with the 50 largest of 10,004 retailers accounting for 20% of sales, though the sector remained competitive. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
House water bill includes 11 Puerto Rico measures — a NAPREC perspective
The House approved the Water Resources Development Act of 2026, H.R. 9497, with 11 measures sought by Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández, including raising the federal authorization for Puerto Rico drinking water and sewer projects from $35 million to $75 million. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Chapter 7 bankruptcy filings up 77% since 2023 — a NAPREC perspective
A Boletín de Puerto Rico study found that Chapter 7 bankruptcy filings rose 77%, from 869 to 1,538, between the first eight months of 2023 and the same period of 2026, while total filings rose 49.7%. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Medicaid fix for Puerto Rico still not found — a NAPREC perspective
House Energy and Commerce Chairman Brett Guthrie said Republicans have not yet found a way to reauthorize Puerto Rico’s Medicaid funding. Without action, annual federal funding would fall from about $4.2 billion to about $500 million on October 1, 2027. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Roosevelt Roads clears site for a marine business center — a NAPREC perspective
Demolition began at the former Coast Guard pier at Roosevelt Roads in Ceiba to make way for the Marine Business, Research & Innovation Center, with the Department of Economic Development and Commerce investing more than $100,000 in the work. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Tariffs add an estimated $337 million to pharmaceutical sector costs — a NAPREC perspective
A Planning Board analysis estimated that higher tariffs added $190.5 million in direct costs to Puerto Rico’s pharmaceutical manufacturing, with the total impact reaching $337.3 million as the costs moved through supply chains. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Employers expect steady hiring in the fourth quarter — a NAPREC perspective
Puerto Rico employers posted a seasonally adjusted net employment outlook of 34% for October through December, above the global average of 29% but down from the previous quarter, according to ManpowerGroup Puerto Rico. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
DDEC invests $7.4 million in the Guaynabo logistics complex — a NAPREC perspective
The Department of Economic Development and Commerce is investing about $7.4 million in 14 capital improvement projects at the Centro Mercantil Internacional in Guaynabo, a government-owned logistics complex dating to the 1970s. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
General Fund revenue reaches $13.9 billion in fiscal 2026 — a NAPREC perspective
Puerto Rico’s Treasury Department reported General Fund net revenue of $13.9 billion for fiscal year 2026, up $279.1 million, or 2 percent, from fiscal 2025 and $182.9 million above the Oversight Board’s revised projection. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Water utility awards a $129 million meter contract amid drought — a NAPREC perspective
The Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority awarded Envocore LLC a five-year, $129 million contract to replace about 1.5 million water meters with ultrasonic units and install advanced metering in all 78 municipalities. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Institute of Statistics flags 47 public entities for noncompliance — a NAPREC perspective
The Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics reported that, as of August 31, 16 executive branch entities and 31 municipalities had not appointed representatives to the Statistics Coordination Committee required under Act 209-2003. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Bill would protect patients who depend on electricity — a NAPREC perspective
Senator Roxanna Soto Aguilú filed Senate Bill 1432 to create a free, voluntary registry of “medically protected accounts” for customers who rely on ventilators, oxygen concentrators, home dialysis or other life-sustaining equipment. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Bill would require ID for every alcohol sale — a NAPREC perspective
Senate Bill 1398 would require alcohol sellers to check photo identification for every customer, regardless of apparent age, and would let the Treasury Department suspend the licenses of businesses that repeatedly sell to minors. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Stopgap funding keeps Puerto Rico programs running — a NAPREC perspective
Congress approved H.R. 6500, a continuing resolution funding the federal government through December 11, 2026. The Resident Commissioner said it keeps PAN, WIC, Head Start, housing and disaster funds running for Puerto Rico. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Logistics grid lists 247 facilities as demand for space grows — a NAPREC perspective
The Department of Economic Development and Commerce’s Puerto Rico Logistics Grid now lists 247 facilities, up from about 110 when it launched on March 17, with 12.4 million square feet of warehouse space and 74 activated foreign-trade zone facilities. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
House resolution seeks a study of illegal property occupations — a NAPREC perspective
House Resolution 772 would direct the House Housing and Urban Development Committee to study unauthorized occupations of homes and land, including whether to create a registry of people convicted of related crimes. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Treasury logs 65,891 sales tax filings in the unified system — a NAPREC perspective
Puerto Rico’s Treasury Department said 65,891 businesses filed their July sales and use tax returns through SURI by the August 20 deadline, the first cycle since 73 municipalities joined the consolidated platform under Act 72-2025. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Puerto Rico secures $124.7 million in settlement with Meta — a NAPREC perspective
Puerto Rico’s Justice Department announced a settlement of at least $124.7 million with Meta, paid in 10 installments, over claims that Instagram features encouraged excessive use by minors without adequate disclosure of mental health risks. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.