House approves bill limiting state‑paid security escorts for former officials after extended debate

The House of Representatives approved Senate Bill 752 on Nov. 3, 2025, in its second report after extensive floor debate. The bill limits state‑paid security escorts for certain former officials, establishes a process for temporary exceptions, and identifies categories of public figures who may be excluded or subject to supervisory review.

Sponsors and committee leaders described the measure as a step to end discretionary and unequal use of police resources and to return officer time and vehicles to general public safety duties. Representative Pacheco Burgos, chairing the Security and Public Safety commission, described multiple committee hearings and three committee votes; he said the bill clarifies that the police superintendent will implement verification procedures and promulgate regulations to govern exceptions.

Debate included frequent references to the federal guilty plea by former Governor Wanda Vázquez Garced and the question of whether public funds should pay for escorts for a person with a federal conviction. Several representatives said that keeping permanent escorts imposed an unnecessary fiscal burden on the police and local businesses, while others emphasized procedural safeguards and the need for specific regulatory criteria.

The chamber adopted an amendment removing a 30‑day transition and making the change effective immediately. The roll call announced after final voting showed 49 yeas and 0 nays on the bill’s second report.