(S. B. 1993) To (No. 146-2011) (Approved July 26, 2011) AN ACT create the Special Fund for the Radio Drama Workshop of AM Radio Stations of the Puerto Rico Public Broadcasting Corporation Act, in order to defray expenses related to producing cultural programs of historic content, soap operas, musicals, comedies, miniseries, and series with local actors and centered on Puerto Rican themes; and for other related purposes. STATEMENT OF MOTIVES Artistic expression is the portrayal of intellectual ideas and sensations to others through an artistic discipline. Such discipline offers human beings the knowledge needed to analyze, interpret, and value works of art through the language of forms and visual thought. In our current society, traditional arts have been enriched by the contribution of other manifestations arising from the visual communications media, so that the universe of images has become part of our everyday life. Artists provide wholesome entertainment and joy to society. For such reason, they have always received great love and admiration from the People, who follow their careers, success, joys, and even their personal lives. No one can perform the dedicated work of local artists better than them. Our Island s artists showcase their talent and bring joy to their audience live. Words of praise and support through phone calls to the radio or television station are the most frequent reward for an artist. This shows that the public identifies with artists who work locally, either through radio or television waves or the stage. For such reason, it is essential to provide work opportunities for these actors and actresses who represent Puerto Rican culture so that they may continue to bring joy to our people on stage.
Unfortunately, our Puerto Rican actors have suffered the effects of the financial crisis and the massive closing of job markets. In recent years, the lack of work that may allow them to perform has become cause for concern. The closing of local workshops and its substitution for previously recorded programs from abroad is evident and well-known by all. This measure proposes the creation of the Special Fund for the Radio Drama Workshop of AM Radio Stations of the Puerto Rico Public Broadcasting Corporation, which involves assistance for Puerto Rican actors, who have so greatly contributed to the development of our society. Its purpose is to provide funds so that our actors may continue to offer the best of their talent in the radio through cultural programs of historic content, soap operas, musicals, comedies, miniseries, and series with Puerto Rican themes. This Workshop shall not only keep our culture alive, but also promote the exchange of ideas and training between young actors at the beginning of their careers and those that have acquired experience throughout the years. The Puerto Rico Public Broadcasting Corporation currently has one medium wave radio station (AM frequency), which offers work to approximately forty talented actors through varied programming. It essentially produces programs similar to those proposed by the present measure through this Special Fund. The intent is to guarantee the continuity of this artistic and cultural workshop for the benefit of both our actors and our People. This Legislative Assembly deems it convenient and necessary to create the Special Fund for Drama Workshops in AM Radio Stations, in order to contribute to the development and promotion of our culture, while providing a much needed source of employment for our actors and actresses.
The historical collective memory and the culture of a People are kept alive through performances. For this reason, the creation of the Special Fund herein proposed is essential to provide wholesome entertainment and cultural, historic, and artistic values, while doing justice to such an important guild for the People. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF PUERTO RICO: Section 1.- This Act shall be known as the Special Fund for the Radio Drama Workshop of AM Radio Stations of the Puerto Rico Public Broadcasting Corporation Act. Section 2.- A Special Fund is herein created in the Puerto Rico Public Broadcasting Corporation, which shall not be subject to the public policy contained in Act No. 230 of July 23, 1974, as amended, known as the Puerto Rico Government Accounting Act, for the sole purpose of promoting, planning, and coordinating the production of cultural programs of historic content, soap operas, musicals, comedies, miniseries and series in the radio with the participation of local actors. Section 3.- In order to comply with the purposes set forth in Section 2 of this Act, a Special Fund is hereby created in the books of the Department of the Treasury in the amount of eight hundred thousand dollars ($800,000) a year to be drawn from the revenues of the cigarette tax established in Section 3020.05 of Act No. 1 of January 31, 2011, known as the Internal Revenue Code for a New Puerto Rico, which revenues correspond to the General Fund. Said Special Fund shall be administered by the Puerto Rico Public Broadcasting Corporation. Thus, the President of the Corporation is hereby empowered to solicit, accept, receive, match, and administer Federal, Commonwealth, municipal, and private funds to be deposited therein and, at the same time, used for the purposes of this Act.
Section 4.- The funds authorized by this Act shall be appropriated, distributed, and used by the Puerto Rico Public Broadcasting Corporation to defray the payment of the actors and actresses, wages and production expenses for each year, as well as to ensure the continuity of the following types of radio programs: cultural programs, spots with historical content, soap operas, musicals, comedies, miniseries, and series, all involving Puerto Rican themes. It is hereby established that the Corporation shall not use more than ten percent (10%) of the Special Fund for administrative and production expenses. Section 5.- This Special Fund is created for purposes stated herein, notwithstanding any charge or consideration to any other fund appropriation, including funds appropriated in the General Expense Budget of the Government of Puerto Rico. Section 6.- The President of the Puerto Rico Public Broadcasting Corporation shall oversee faithful compliance with the scope of this Act, and ensure that the Special Fund is used exclusively for the purposes set forth herein. Section 7.- The President of the Puerto Rico Public Broadcasting Corporation shall submit an annual report to the Legislative Assembly on the work performed to achieve the ends and purposes set forth in this Act. Said report shall be submitted no later than August 30 th of each year. Section 8.- The President of the Puerto Rico Public Broadcasting Corporation shall promulgate regulations for the implementation of the provisions of this Act. Section 9.- This Act shall take effect immediately after its approval.
CERTIFICATION I hereby certify to the Secretary of State that the following Act No. 146-2011 (S. B. 1993) of the 5 th Session of the 16 th Legislature of Puerto Rico: AN ACT to create the Special Fund for the Radio Drama Workshop of AM Radio Stations of the Puerto Rico Public Broadcasting Corporation Act, in order to defray expenses related to producing cultural programs of historic content, soap operas, musicals, comedies, miniseries, and series with local actors and centered on Puerto Rican themes; and for other related purposes. has been translated from Spanish to English and that the English version is correct. In San Juan, Puerto Rico, on this 27 th day of June, 2014. Juan Luis Martínez Martínez Acting Director