(S. B. 2387) (No. 223) (Approved August 29, 2000) AN ACT To create the Drama Series, Miniseries and Made-for-TV Movie Production Program in the Puerto Rico Public Broadcasting Corporation; establish a special recurring appropriation of one million (1,000,000) dollars a year from unencumbered funds in the Commonwealth Treasury, to be appropriated to the Puerto Rico Public Broadcasting Corporation, in order to defray the expenses related to the production and programming of drama series or miniseries for television with a Puerto Rican theme; provide the obligations of said Corporation for the continuity and permanence of the program; require annual reports on the work performed; and authorize the matching of the appropriated funds. STATEMENT OF MOTIVES The Puerto Rico Public Broadcasting Corporation was created by Act No. 216 of September 12, 1996. This entity prepares and broadcasts the most varied radio and television programming of an artistic, educational, sports, or cultural nature, as an alternative to and a counterbalance for the programming broadcast by private commercial stations, which many times sacrifice the educational, artistic and cultural quality of their programming in seeking to meet other goals which are purely commercial. During the past three years, the Legislature of Puerto Rico has approved joint resolutions appropriating funds to this public corporation for the promotion and the making of programs to be produced in Puerto Rico with themes relative to our society. We are certain that it is our duty to
2 continue contributing with the financial resources needed for Puerto Rican artists to continue in their endeavor as ambassadors of our values, culture and history. It is imperative to contribute so that the Puerto Rico Public Broadcasting Corporation may maintain in a continuous and permanent manner a workshop for the local talent and so that it may complete productions of a great artistic and technical quality that are profitable in the international markets. In view of these considerations, the Legislature deems it convenient and necessary to create the Drama Series, Miniseries and Made-for-TV Movie Production Program in the Puerto Rico Public Broadcasting Corporation and establish a special appropriation of funds for the amount of one million (1,000,000) dollars, to be appropriated annually, in order for these funds to be destined to the development and production of drama series or miniseries for television whose contents are addressed to extol the values, culture and history of our people. Likewise, conferring permanence to a program of this nature contributes significantly in maintaining a source of employment for our artists and to the improvement of the quality of life in Puerto Rico. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF PUERTO RICO: Section 1. The Drama Series, Miniseries and Made-for-TV Movie Production Program is hereby created in the Puerto Rico Public Broadcasting Corporation, with the sole and exclusive purpose of promoting, planning and coordinating the production of programs, drama series, miniseries, or made-for-tv movies with the participation of local artists. Section 2. A special recurring appropriation of one million (1,000,000) a year is hereby established, from unencumbered funds in the
3 Commonwealth Treasury, to be appropriated to the Puerto Rico Public Broadcasting Corporation, with the purpose of defraying the expenses of the production and programming of drama series, miniseries or made-for-tv movies with Puerto Rican themes. Section 3. The funds authorized by this Act shall be appropriated, distributed and used by the Puerto Rico Public Broadcasting Corporation to defray the expenses of producing and programming drama series or miniseries for television and to guarantee the yearly continuity of programs of this nature. Section 4. This recurring appropriation shall be of a special character and shall be appropriated each year to the Puerto Rico Public Broadcasting Corporation, for the purposes stated above, without being charged to or considering any other appropriation of funds, including the funds appropriated in the General Expenses Budget of the Government of Puerto Rico. Section 5. It shall be the obligation of the Puerto Rico Public Broadcasting Corporation to ascertain that the funds thus appropriated annually are being used exclusively for the purposes set forth in this Act. The Corporation shall also render an annual report to the Legislature on the work performed in compliance with the ends and purposes consigned in this Act. Section 6. The Puerto Rico Public Broadcasting Corporation shall promulgate the norms, regulations and procedures for the implementation of the provisions contained in this Act. Section 7. The funds appropriated in this Act may be matched with contributions from the private sector or with any other funds of the
4 Commonwealth or Municipal Governments, or the Government of the United States of America. Section 8. This Act shall take effect immediately after its approval.
5 CERTIFICATION I hereby certify to the Secretary of State that the following Act No. 223 (S.B. 2387) of the 7 th Session of the 13 th Legislature of Puerto Rico: AN ACT to create the Drama Series, Miniseries and Made-for-TV Movie Production Program in the Puerto Rico Public Broadcasting Corporation; establish a special recurring appropriation of one million (1,000,000) dollars a year from unencumbered funds in the Commonwealth Treasury, to be appropriated to the Puerto Rico Public Broadcasting Corporation, in order to defray the expenses related to the production and programming of drama series or miniseries for television with a Puerto Rican theme; etc., has been translated from Spanish to English and that the English version is correct. In San Juan, Puerto Rico, today 4 th of March of 2004. Elba Rosa Rodríguez-Fuentes Director