# 119-hr-9246: Puerto Rico Democratic Self Determination Act

119-hr-9246, Puerto Rico Democratic Self Determination Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Rescom. Hernández, Pablo Jose [D-PR-At Large] (D-PR); status introduced; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-07-02).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-9246
- As of: 2026-07-02
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-hr-9246
- Congress: 119
- Title: Puerto Rico Democratic Self Determination Act
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2026-06-10
- Sponsor: Rescom. Hernández, Pablo Jose [D-PR-At Large] (D-PR)
- Cosponsors: 9
- Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
- Touches household money: yes
- Last recorded action: 2026-07-02

## Summary

**This bill would create a federally sanctioned plebiscite for Puerto Rico to choose between Independence, Commonwealth, Statehood, or Sovereignty in Free Association.** It pairs that vote with detailed, statutory transition rules that spell out how each outcome would reshape citizenship, courts, federal programs, and property rights.

## Cosponsors (9)

- Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1] (D-MO), 2026-06-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Hoyle, Val T. [D-OR-4] (D-OR), 2026-06-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Tran, Derek [D-CA-45] (D-CA), 2026-06-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Larson, John B. [D-CT-1] (D-CT), 2026-06-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2] (D-NC), 2026-06-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32] (D-TX), 2026-06-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2] (D-MS), 2026-06-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32] (D-CA), 2026-06-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Mejia, Analilia [D-NJ-11] (D-NJ), 2026-06-15T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- Plebiscite ballots and voter education: benefit, low. If enacted, Puerto Rico would hold a federally authorized plebiscite on March 14, 2027. A runoff would occur on May 16, 2027 if no option gets more than 50% of valid votes. The Elections Commission would run a nonpartisan, bilingual voter education campaign and put materials at every voting locatio…
- Protect federal benefits and block grants: mixed, high. If international sovereignty or independence is proclaimed, vested federal benefits would continue and not be interrupted. The bill would require service delivery by Puerto Rico under agreements with the United States. Once Puerto Rico establishes its own social security system, payroll contributio…
- Independence and free-association process: mixed, medium. If voters choose independence, Puerto Rico would hold a Constitutional Convention and elect delegates within months. If voters choose free association, a Bilateral Negotiating Commission would negotiate Articles of Free Association to cover taxes, immigration, security, and other matters. Any Artic…
- End PROMESA oversight and transfer: mixed, medium. If enacted, PROMESA would end when Puerto Rico becomes a State, when the government of the nation of Puerto Rico initially takes office, or two years after a certified Commonwealth vote. The Financial Oversight and Management Board would be terminated and its funds, property, and assets would trans…
- Commonwealth commission to propose reforms: mixed, low. If the Commonwealth option wins, the bill would create a United States–Puerto Rico Commonwealth Development Commission. The Commission must be appointed within 180 days, meet within 90 days, and propose reforms within two years. Any proposed reform would go to a ratification vote within 180 days an…
- Statehood review and tax effects: mixed, low. If enacted and a pro-statehood vote is certified, the President would start a review of federal law within 30 days. The President would send recommendations to Congress within one year on taxes, health care, housing, education, and entitlements. The Statehood ballot would tell voters U.S. laws and…

## Related bills

- 119-hr-9877: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026
- 119-hr-7853: PrEP Access and Coverage Act of 2026
- 119-hr-51: Washington, D.C. Admission Act
- 119-hr-7973: Momnibus Act
- 119-hr-5390: FAMILY Act
- 119-hr-15: Equality Act

## Sources
- [119-hr-9246 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/9246)

## Related
- [119-hr-9877: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-9877)
- [119-hr-7853: PrEP Access and Coverage Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7853)
- [119-hr-51: Washington, D.C. Admission Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-51)
- [119-hr-7973: Momnibus Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7973)
- [119-hr-5390: FAMILY Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-5390)
- [119-hr-15: Equality Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-15)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-9246 (as of 2026-07-02).