The powers, faculties and duties of the Public Broadcasting Corporation for Puerto Rico shall be exercised and its operating and administrative policy shall be determined by a Board of Directors.
The Board shall be composed of the Secretary of Education, the President of the University of Puerto Rico, the Executive Director of the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture and eight (8) citizens from the private sector representing the public interest, who shall be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate, and of whom at least three (3) shall be persons [with] known interest, knowledge and experience in education, culture, arts, sciences or radio and television communications. The President of the new corporation shall be a member of the Board of Directors; however, he/she shall not be entitled to vote nor shall hold any position as an officer on said Board. The appointments of the members of the Board shall be for the following terms: two (2) members for six (6) years; two (2) members for five (5) years; two (2) members for four (4) years and two (2) members for three (3) years, and until their successors are appointed and take office. Once each term concludes, the same shall be fixed at six (6) years. In order to expedite and make the transition process of the new law viable, it is hereby provided that the individual term of each current member of the Board of Directors shall [take effect upon approval of said member. Any vacancy shall] be filled for the unexpired term of the person who caused it, by an appointment which shall be made within a term not greater than sixty (60) days from the date in which the vacancy occurs. Provided, That persons with direct and substantial economic interests in the commercial radio and television industry shall not be members of the Board of Directors of the Public Broadcasting Corporation for Puerto Rico. It is also Provided, That six (6) members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the management of the affairs of the Corporation and all decision shall adopted by a majority. The functions of the members of the Board of Directors, as well as their attendance to the meetings cannot be delegated.
The Board of Directors shall meet, organize and elect from among its members, a President, a Vicepresident, who shall substitute for the President in his/her absence, and a Secretary. The Board shall also appoint a President of the Public Broadcasting Corporation for Puerto Rico. Said official shall hold office at the will of the Board, which shall determine his/her functions, responsibilities and duties; and shall fix his/her remuneration and other benefits.
The members of the Board shall not receive any remuneration for the performance of their functions as such, however, those who are not public officials or employees shall be entitled to per diems of fifty dollars ($50) for each meeting they attend.
The Board of Directors of the new Public Broadcasting Corporation for Puerto Rico shall be empowered to approve, amend, and repeal whichever regulations it deems are necessary and convenient to carry out its ends, purposes and activities. The Board of Directors shall determine the distribution and use of its capital improvements and operating budget in harmony with its plans and needs and may delegate on the President or any of its officials, employees or agents, those powers and duties he/she deems pertinent, with the exception of the power to approve, amend and repeal regulations.
The President shall be in charge of the general administration of the Public Broadcasting Corporation for Puerto Rico, and shall answer to the Board of Directors for the execution of the policy established by the latter and of the general supervision of all the officials, employees and agents thereof. He/she may also delegate any function on the personnel or official of the Corporation that he/she may determine.
The members of the Board of Directors that are not ex-officio members shall only be removed for just cause.
History —Sept. 12, 1996, No. 216, § 3.