The House evaluates House Bill 1279 to open inspection equipment to competition

On August 20, 2026, Walo Radio reports that the House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Commission is evaluating a measure to open motor-vehicle inspection to free competition, including the sale or lease of equipment at Official Inspection Stations. House Bill 1279, by Representative José Hernández Concepción, proposes amending the Vehicles and Traffic Act so that, when the Department of Transportation and Public Works contracts with private entities, it promote more participation by certified vendors and avoid monopolistic control. It would also set controls on the imposition and modification of fines and administrative sanctions.

At a public hearing, DTOP associate secretary Marco García favored the purpose and said the agency is already working on transparency and regulation changes. He reported that DTOP has a complete draft of a request for qualifications that could be published once legislative requirements and recommendations from EOI owners are incorporated. José Hernández Concepción asked that the draft be delivered to the Commission within five business days, together with information on meetings DTOP says it has held with the sector, after the Centro Unido de Detallistas questioned whether those meetings took place. Walo does not resolve whether the meetings occurred. It leaves the request and the challenge.

The Alliance of Inspection Centers for Puerto Rico and the Association of United Official Inspection Stations of Puerto Rico backed fostering competition. Pablo Rodríguez, ACIPR board president, said the legislation is needed to keep a future award from limiting the number of vendors, and proposed banning exclusivity agreements so that any manufacturer or supplier that meets DTOP standards can be certified. During the discussion the process with Worldwide Environmental Products as a potential exclusive vendor through equipment leasing was recalled, an agreement signed in February 2025 and canceled in May of that year. CUD representatives suggested that new equipment record the entire inspection on video so DTOP can supervise remotely.

On August 24, El Nuevo Día covers other House bills, on tickets and LUMA Energy complaints. On the 19th, Metro covers Super Aqueduct House Bill 1372. Three measures, three commissions. This is vehicle inspection and House Bill 1279. There is no vote here and no awarded vendor. There is a hearing, a draft RFQ, and a WEP contract Walo dates as canceled in May 2025.

Anyone looking for the 1279 text or the RFQ has to go to the Commission and to Walo's piece. What remain are the five days, the names of José Hernández Concepción and Marco García, and the WEP cancellation. This is not original reporting.

Source: Walo Radio. https://waloradio.com/2026/08/20/camara-evalua-abrir-a-la-libre-competencia-el-mercado-de-equipos-para-inspeccion-de-vehiculos/