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of Puerto Ricoof Puerto Rico
Francisco J. Domenech, Esq. Francisco J. Domenech, Esq. DirectorDirectorhttp://www.oslpr.org
Who we are Who we are and how we best serve you!and how we best serve you!
Welcome
Capitol District
Former Building ofSchool of Tropical Medicine
Former Building ofSchool of Tropical Medicine
Originally, the Office of Legislative Counsel was created on March 12, 1947.
The Office of Legislative Services of the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico was constituted on January 27, 1954.
Due to the valuable contributions of this Office to the legislative endeavor in the Island, the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico finally established the OLS on April 3, 1997, through a Concurrent Resolution in order to strengthen the works of this legislative bastion.
MissionTo serve all the members of the
Legislature through research and legislative analysis.
To provide the people with all the necessary information pertinent to the legislative work.
We support the research needs of the legislative branch with information in a quick, effective, and updated fashion.
Vision
It shall be the primary source of information for the Legislature and the people on legislative research and analysis of public policy issues.
Structural Organization
FBI Archives
Executive
Assistants
The library is on the North side of the University of Puerto Rico’s former School of Tropical Medicine, known today as the Antonio R. Barceló building, which is only steps away from the Capitol.
Legislative LibraryOur priority is to provide information services
and support for the legislative and staff. We also support the information needs of the government agencies and municipalities of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and provide many of the same services to the general public.
We answer reference and research questions by e-mail, by instant messenger, by fax, by telephone, by letter, or in person.
Hours of service
A minimum 63 hours weekly:
Mon.–Thu. 7:30 A. M. to 8:30 P. M.Friday 7:30 A. M. to 6:00 P. M.Also opens while House or Senate are in session.
Library Staff
Library Collection
• Puerto Rico’s statutes and case law including legislative measures, the minutes of the House and Senate meetings since 1900, floor transcripts of legislative sessions and public hearings since 1946.
• Federal law and case law• Law journals and reviews• Puerto Rican collection• General reference collection• Congressional Record in microfilm.• Puerto Rican newspapers in microfilm• Regulations of Puerto Rican government agencies• Newspaper clippings • Senate public hearings 1985-1991• House public hearings 1995-1998
By the numbers• 40,000 titles (150,000 volumes) • 250 active serial titles• 20,000 government documents
Going Paperless…
Printed E-mailed• January 2006 44% 21% • August 2007 18% 58%
Servicio Electrónicode Referencia Virtual Instantánea (SERVI)
The first library in Puerto Rico to offer instant messaging reference service.
Seamless transfer of information
Toshiba e-studioSaves to portable memory ornetwork, scans, fax, and E-mail
CATPIWe recognize the right of all people to fair and equal
access to information. For this reason we have created the Center of Assistive Technology for People with Disabilities (Centro de Asistencia Tecnológica paraPersonas con Impedimentos (CATPI)).
The center has been equipped with computer hardware, software, and furniture that make our center much easier to use for library visitors with visual, hearing, or motor disabilities. Also, two of our librarians and two of our support staff are taking courses to become sign language interpreters.
CATPI• We support Act 238 of 2004, the Bill of
Rights of People with Disabilities. • Most legislation enacted in Puerto Rico
to benefit persons with disabilities is based on the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Center for Assistive Technologyfor People with Disabilities (CATPI)
I -2 -Eye
CATPI
Library VaultA safe place online tostore requesteddocuments for patrons toretrieve them 24/7 without the assistance ofa librarian.
It is very useful to accessdocuments whenpatron’s E-mailbox is notaccessible or does notexist at the time of therequest.
Legislative Research Program
Our version ofNCSL’s
America’sLegislators Back
to SchoolProgram
Legislative Research ProgramFrancisca Dávila Semprit H. S.
Toa Baja, P. R.
A mock legislative sessionwith students acting as legislators,
following parliamentary rules and proceedings.
Legislative Research ProgramPedro Albizu Campos H. S.
Levittown, P. R.
Legislative Research ProgramFrancisca Dávila Semprit H. S.
Toa Baja, P. R.
The Federal records or dossier is a set of documents, files or any other method created by virtue of the information obtained from informers, officers or officials of the Government of the United States, whether by itself or by exchange with the Government of Puerto Rico, concerning the activities of individuals or organizations on the grounds oftheir political ideology, whether presumed or identified. In therecords, you will be able to find declassified information in reference to: commemorative activities, newspaper articles, letters, photographs of events, photographs of individuals, fliers, publications, lists of attendees to meetings or activities, demonstrations and strikes, as well as detailed information compiled on individuals.
FBI Folders Reference Room
FBI Folders Reference Room
The Reference Room is a unique documentary repository in Puerto Rico, which makes it a valuable source to gain further knowledge on the matter of 20th century Puerto Rican political history. Its main purpose is the classification, arrangement, description and conservation of FBI records, in order to provide the general citizenry with free access to the documents.
Information Systems CenterThe Information Systems Center is responsible formanaging the Legislature’s network; maintaining thesecurity and integrity of information systems; developingnew applications and maintaining existing applications; managing the e-mail system; coordinating the works ofexternal consultants on information systems; maintainingthe connection for the communication of the networks ofthe Office of Legislative Services, the UPRnet, theSenate of Puerto Rico, the House of Representatives, theOffice of the Superintendent of the Capitol, the Office ofthe Historian of Puerto Rico, and the CommitteeLegislative Document Archives, in order to allow for theexchange of vital information for the members of theLegislature within the legislative process.
Services We Offer:INTERNET — The most extensive research resource; it allows us to access international, library and research center databases. We communicate through the network of the University of Puerto Rico and the Office of Budget and Management. The ISC also manages this website and its electronic services.
MICROJURIS & LEXISNEXIS — Through a contract, we offer legislators access to this online system which allows users to conduct research on laws, Supreme Court rulings, regulations and juridical reviews. In addition, this means offers an additional e-mail account to legislators.
E-MAIL — Through the e-mail system, we are able to send and receive any kind of document efficiently and swiftly both internally and externally. Through this system, the Office provides better services to the Legislature by performing the works assigned and delivering them through e-mail, thus eliminating excessive paperwork.
PRIFAS — This is the General Accounting System of the Department of the Treasury, through which we are able to keep the accounting of all kinds of transactions.
RHUM — This is the system for payroll preparation.
…Information Systems Center
Contact Information:Mr. Andrés Colón Pérez
DirectorInformation Systems CenterOffice of Legislative Services
San Juan, Puerto Rico(787) 721-1554
Information Systems Center
Syllabus
Legislative Research Unit• Analyzing and resolving legal questions
submitted by legislators; • Drafting bills of law and resolutions, as well as
reviewing those already drafted; • preparing reports for committees; • Issuing opinions of a legal and constitutional
nature; • Conducting studies and preparing reports
regarding legislation and other legislative issues.
Legislative Research Unit
Period Bills andresolutions
Legal opinions[2]
Other[3] Total
Jul. 2005 to Dec. 2005
43 103 23 169
Jan. 2006 to Dec. 2006
81 115 33 229
Jan. 2007 toJun. 2007
29 81 17 127
TOTAL 153 299 73 525
Legislative Research UnitContact Information:
Maritza Torres-Rivera, Esq.Director
Legislative Research UnitOffice of Legislative Services
San Juan, Puerto Rico(787) 721-5200 X-271
Translations UnitThe Translations Unit is the sole entity
empowered by law to render the official translation of all laws, resolutions, etc. approved by the Legislature and signed by the Governor of Puerto Rico.
Translations Unit• Laws are received directly from the Department
of State; these are filed by year and translated in chronological order. After translated and proofread, the laws are then submitted to the Director of the Office of Legislative Services, who certifies the translation of the laws to the Secretary of State.
• In addition to laws, the Translations Unit translates other documents by request of legislators and other Government agencies and dependencies. This unit renders interpreting services for the Legislature.
Translations Unit
Year Approved Translated Productivity
2005 170 170 100%2006 308 281 91%2007 56* 47 84%
* As of August 2007
Senate and House Committees’ Archive
Holds the documents from House and Senate committees from 1985 to present. At the end of the 4-year legislative term in Puerto Rico, every committee sends its documents to the archive, a vital resource to research legislative histories.
The archive also holds the minutes of the House and Senate meetings since 1989, and the official floor transcripts of the legislative sessions since 1985.
Children’s Book
Children’s BookSince January 2007, the Legislature will be
giving out the booklet entitled NuestroCapitolio, which narrates the history of the Capitol Building to the children who tour the House of Laws. These tours can be coordinated with the Tourism Office. The booklet will also be distributed to all municipal and public school libraries of the island. This book is the resulting work of the Office of Legislative Services.
• The NUESTRO CAPITOLIO booklet includes information about the Capitol and a blank page in which children may take notes or draw. This book is a product of the work of various puertoricans. The text of Nuestro Capitolio is a poem written by Georgina Lázaro-León, consisting of forty color pages with illustrations by Wally Rodríguez and edited by Neeltje Van Marissing.
Puerto Rico State Government
Judicial BranchLegislative Branch
Executive Branch
Puerto Rican Legislature* Bicameral* 4-year terms* Two ordinary sessions per year: Jan.-Jun,
and Aug.-Nov.). There is no secondsession during election years.
* The Governor can call for extra sessions, which can not last more then 20 calendar days and its agenda must be specific.
By the numbers…• Population of 3.5 million• 78 towns (municipalities)• 111 x 39 miles of land (3,500 square miles• Two senators for each of 8 districts, and
11 at-large, plus 1 representative for eachof the 40 districts, and 11 at large, equals78 legislators. That is one per every45,000 citizens.
Approved Laws• 2001 192• 2002 313• 2003 334• 2004 553• 2005 170• 2006 308
Total 1870 = 311 per year
2007 56
House of Representatives
http://www.camaraderepresentantes.org
Senate
http://www.senadopr.us
