P.R. Laws tit. 3, § 1931
For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms and phrases shall have the meaning set forth below:
(a) Emergency. — Is any serious abnormality such as a hurricane, tidal wave, earthquake, volcanic eruption, drought, fire, explosion, or any other kind of catastrophe, or any serious disruption of the public law and order, or an attack by enemy forces through sabotage or through the use of bombs, artillery or explosives of any nature, or by atomic, radiological, chemical, or bacteriological means, or by any other means that the enemy may use in any part of the territory of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, that merits the mobilization and extraordinary use of human and economic resources to remedy, avoid, prevent or diminish the severity or magnitude of the damages caused or that could be caused. Likewise, the term “emergency” covers any event or grave problems of deterioration in the physical infrastructure for the rendering of essential services to the people, or that endangers the life, public health, or safety of the population or of a sensitive ecosystem.
(b) Agency. — Is any board, body, board of examiners, public corporation, commission, independent office, division, administration, bureau, department, authority, official, person, entity, municipality, or any instrumentality of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or an administrative body authorized by law to perform duties of regulating, investigating, or that may issue a decision, or with the power to issue licenses, certificates, permits, concessions, accreditations, privileges, franchises, accuse or award, except the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Legislature and the Judicial Branch.
History —May 5, 2000, No. 76, § 1.