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PS 1017

Para enmendar el Artículo 1.033 de la Ley 107-2020, según enmendada, conocida como “Código Municipal de Puerto Rico”, a los fines de aumentar de cinco (5) a diez (10) días la licencia especial con paga para Legisladores Municipales que sean empleados de entidades públicas, y aumentar de cinco (5) a diez (10) días la licencia especial sin paga; y para otros fines relacionados.

2025-2028 Session

Puerto Rico bill doubles special leave (5 to 10 days) with and without pay for municipal legislators employed in public sector, increasing municipal costs while benefiting dual-position holders.

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Bill Summary · PS 1017

Legislative bill overview

Bill PS 1017 amends the Puerto Rico Municipal Code to increase special leave for municipal legislators who are public employees from 5 to 10 days with pay, and from 5 to 10 days without pay. The bill expands time-off protections for municipal officials serving in legislative roles while maintaining employment in public sector positions.

Why is this important

Municipal legislators often balance legislative duties with full-time public employment, creating scheduling conflicts. This change directly affects how many days these officials can dedicate to legislative work without financial penalty, potentially improving legislative capacity and reducing conflicts of interest. However, it also increases costs to municipalities and raises questions about whether public employees should receive additional paid leave for elected positions.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal impact: Municipalities must absorb the cost of doubled paid leave for affected employees, straining already tight municipal budgets in Puerto Rico
  • Equity concerns: Creates preferential treatment for legislators employed in public sector versus private sector, potentially disadvantaging private-sector legislators
  • Purpose ambiguity: Unclear whether this incentivizes legislative participation or primarily benefits employees who already hold both roles; may enable "double-dipping" scenarios where individuals profit from multiple government positions simultaneously

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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