(a) The duties of the Secretary shall include, without limitation, the following:
(1) To counsel the Governor, the Legislature and municipal governments in the formulation of a public policy to be followed concerning recreation and sports, in agreement with the rules established in this chapter;
(2) to provide the necessary facilities and resources for the Council to Link Sports, Recreation and Physical Education, the Commissions for Safety and for Professional Sports and the Puerto Rican Institute for Sports and Recreation Development of Athletes created by this chapter may carry out the functions assigned to them, and
(3) to present a report to the Governor and to the Legislature on the work performed, at the end of each fiscal year.
(b) The Secretary shall have, without limitation, the following faculties and powers:
(1) To establish the necessary administrative and operational structures to implement this chapter and to address the needs of the Department, including, among others, administration, programming, planning, infrastructure, technical training, auditing and legal affairs. The functions and procedures established in this section shall be determined through regulations.
(2) To appoint a Deputy Secretary to assist in the discharge of his/her functions and to substitute for him/her in all duties and faculties in cases of prolonged absence or trips abroad.
(3) To appoint the officers and employees necessary for compliance with the purposes of this chapter, which shall be subject to the provisions of Act No. 5 of October 14, 1975, known as the “Puerto Rico Public Service Personnel Act”.
(4) To approve, amend or repeal regulations.
(5) To prepare and manage the Department’s expense budget.
(6) To delegate to subordinates the functions that this chapter entrusts him/her, except those regarding appointing personnel, approving, amending or repealing regulations, signing deeds and approving the expense budget.
(7) To subscribe contracts for the professional and technical services necessary to comply with the purposes of this chapter without being subject to the provisions of § 551 of this title.
(8) To enter into bargaining agreements, agreements or contracts with agencies, municipalities and private institutions or individuals.
(9) To issue administrative orders.
(10) To appear before federal, state and international forums to enforce compliance with the purposes of this chapter, as well as its regulations, orders and resolutions, and also in any procedure or matter that affects or that may affect the purposes of this chapter, the regulations that the Department issues pursuant thereto, or the interests of the population regarding sports and recreation without prejudice to the representative capacity of the Olympic Committee and of its federations.
(11) To acquire, manage and dispose of real or personal property.
(12) To order the construction of recreational and sports installations.
(13) To receive, grant, regulate and oversee scholarships or other donations or benefits.
(14) To negotiate commercial sponsorships and to participate in marketing agreements for the endorsement of services or products related to recreation and sports.
(15) To grant the manufacturing and distribution of articles or documents related to the functions of the Department.
(16) To appear in and to sign deeds.
(17) To conduct public hearings, inspections, investigations and audits to comply with the purposes of this chapter.
(18) To issue resolutions, licenses, certifications, authorizations, endorsements and permits.
(19) To charge for access or use of resources or installations, programs, services, information or assessment, the granting of licenses, certifications, authorizations, permits and the entrance to the Department’s events or activities.
(20) To impose fines, sanctions and orders on any natural or juridical person for violations to the provisions of this and other acts administered by the Department, its regulations and orders issued by it.
(21) To hear any case brought through a complaint, request or petition falling within the Department’s purview.
(22) To establish a drug testing program for every sports commission and federation.
(23) To carry out other necessary acts to insure compliance with this chapter and with the regulations issued pursuant thereto.
History —Jan. 8, 2004, No. 8, § 6; June 9, 2011, No. 90, § 2.