[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6632412,"mediaKeyId","2673271-b0e1de30bc64c09029c69d5d8eebc380","parentId",2673271,"title","Committee hears split views on bill to let UPR‑Utuado graduates seek agronomist licensure with added science credits","audioSeconds",4712,"startMs",2262000,"endMs",6974000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2673271-b0e1de30bc64c09029c69d5d8eebc380&start=2262&end=6974","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2673271-b0e1de30bc64c09029c69d5d8eebc380/thumbnail_2262000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6632412/Committee-hears-split-views-on-bill-to-let-UPRUtuado-graduates-seek-agronomist-licensure-with-added-science-credits","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632412-08bb3eb045b3cb6eb31e5ae41346982b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770864022&Signature=XCKUUC4CnPIGZez0Dr6CyZDTPEHLNNzN6twAMQVma2TkwDW5R-wyA25ClD93TvOd0V6pLNzKdlLbSY~iDtRy2NY25gUMZSC8uK79lcJ3VGJG7O1F2Or1Y~YPPAgX-~NWOWGtd7VB8cyM4IVsvXLeJVpIqQNQbnVL2tDciC5pm1UW2T8W1Vp1GUCVbsLKs3phnmoVymt5COdRaxjH7OzIb9C6CIs5IDGV6vk9mHlRswnoR6RjKxjCfudJ8YRqVCiGv1kewLXgh9fe~ArA7b-xgbL0ajUoIcBqDo7GC8G9Mw5lyN27DxrkPGerjswDKL9yxj~Wf0li6pnwR8gpzbX9Og__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Camara de Representantes PR","date","2025-03-18T16:55:19.743Z","article","The House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture on March 18 heard competing views on PC 361, a measure that would amend Article 5 of Law 20 (April 9, 1941, as amended) to add a path to agronomist licensure for graduates with a Bachelor of Arts in Sustainable Agriculture who also complete eight credits in biology and eight credits in chemistry.

Supporters said the change would expand access to professional pathways and help rebuild enrollment at the University of Puerto Rico at Utuado. Luis A. Tapia Maldonado, rector of the University of Puerto Rico at Utuado, told the committee that UPR‑Utuado \"apoya firmemente el PE de la C tres sesenta y uno\" and described the campus’ interdisciplinary bachelor’s program in sustainable agriculture and its existing academic offerings.

The Colegio de Agrónomos and the professional licensing board raised objections centered on scientific depth and standards. José Ruiz Hernández, president of the Colegio de Agrónomos de Puerto Rico, said the profession requires a “profundidad científica” that current bachelor of arts curricula may not provide and stated, \"nos vemos en la obligación de no poder avalar el proyecto de la cámara tres sesenta y uno ante nuestra consideración.\" Jorge González Ortiz, a senior agronomist and former extension specialist, reiterated that agronomy licensure has historically required curricula with more advanced science coursework aligned to agricultural sciences.

Student testimony and committee discussion highlighted compromises reached within the UPR system. Student Sebastián Zegarra Maldonado said many undergraduates already are taking additional science courses; he told the panel the program enrolls about \"aproximadamente cincuenta y cinco estudiantes\" (the exact figure was not specified in the hearing). Rector Tapia noted the UPR Board (Junta Universitaria) had approved adding the sixteen credits and tasked the institution to submit the curriculum to the Junta de Instituciones Postsecundarias for evaluation.

Committee members pressed for technical detail. Representatives and agronomy leaders agreed that whether the proposed pathway meets licensing standards depends on the science courses’ content and level, not simply the credit count. José Ruiz and other agronomists urged the committee and UPR to specify which biology and chemistry courses would be required and at what academic level.

Outcome and next steps: The committee did not vote on PC 361. Members directed staff to summon additional parties for follow up, including representatives of the UPR Mayagüez campus, the Junta de Instituciones Postsecundarias, and the Junta Examinadora (licensing board), and to request curricular documentation. Representative José Colón Rodríguez (chair) said the committee will continue the review and “citaremos” those entities for further technical testimony. No formal action or amendment was taken during the hearing.

Ending: The panel closed testimony on PC 361 after extended questioning and agreed to reconvene the discussion when requested documentation and additional stakeholders are available.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Audiencia 2","oneSentenceSummary","The House Agriculture Committee on March 18 considered PC 361, which would allow graduates holding a Bachelor of Arts in Sustainable Agriculture to pursue agronomist licensure if they add eight credits in biology and eight in chemistry.","taxTitle","House of Representatives, House, Committees, Legislative, Puerto Rico","taxId",77854,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6632406,"Fire officials urge caution on bill to allow annual special‑event permits for certified farmers at family markets",2829,9066000,11895000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2673271-b0e1de30bc64c09029c69d5d8eebc380&start=9066&end=11895","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2673271-b0e1de30bc64c09029c69d5d8eebc380/thumbnail_9066000.jpg","/articles/6632406/Fire-officials-urge-caution-on-bill-to-allow-annual-specialevent-permits-for-certified-farmers-at-family-markets","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632406-ee02a0096db42c5f21fe1ccee1698be8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770864022&Signature=UfRsdzLmjgU~QjuxAVQewWKndOgqtY10Ll89192LEnjzwGBC~O8WZZBZu6WsUcmZMpbiIxKFYLPzDYpJbtFl-XhhY6Ttu6-DwXtP9FnFXFwYBCufSAGeSbrP~tQr-AFHVD9FCbD98BuiIRN9icumnvATfmNUnBl~y-KovCD40NbVW~-Ra2a4~UEFFcSRCHhwnTeUgPLw~mxNh~qZrNq6zeJ2b2w2IFFU9-FAXauFsQwo3ufyaN3DljfBdcMG00gmR2hr1TVzzzFS06Rr-zSKdYcKhlALHYWWu1rIQ3Eq26nanPMjEVrrA3szvwaJ3up-J4ChehKLUVm9HnP0Ue0JBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","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.","The House Agriculture Committee heard March 18 from the Puerto Rico Fire Department about PC 235, a bill that would authorize the department to issue an annual special‑event permit for certified farmers to participate in family agricultural markets.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee hears split views on bill to let UPR‑Utuado graduates seek agronomist licensure with added science credits

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