Puerto Rico Democratic Self Determination Act
Sponsored By: Representative Rescom. Hernández, Pablo Jose [D-PR-At Large]
Introduced
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.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 5 mixed.
Protect federal benefits and block grants
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 contributions for residents not yet eligible would transfer to Puerto Rico and U.S. Social Security obligations to those residents would end. For federal transfer payments, the bill would convert them into annual block grants equal to current or prior-year aggregate funding for the first 10 fiscal years, and starting in year 11 the grants would decline by 10% each year on a straight-line basis unless changed by agreement.
Independence and free-association process
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 Articles would need Puerto Rican voter ratification in a special election and approval by the U.S. Government before taking effect, and either party could terminate the Articles at will. The bill would change Immigration and Nationality Act definitions after independence or free association and would limit automatic birthright U.S. citizenship for many births after independence, while creating limited nonimmigrant travel and work rights for certain Puerto Rican citizens under specific conditions.
End PROMESA oversight and transfer
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 transfer to Puerto Rico. This would move fiscal control from the Board back to Puerto Rico authorities upon those triggers.
Plebiscite ballots and voter education
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 location. The Elections Commission must send ballots and materials to the Attorney General and the Attorney General has 45 days to review them; funding is "such sums as are necessary" and is subject to appropriation.
Commonwealth commission to propose reforms
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 and would take effect only after Federal approval under U.S. law.
Statehood review and tax effects
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 the Constitution would fully apply and that federal tax rules would apply to Puerto Rico residents and businesses like other States.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Rescom. Hernández, Pablo Jose [D-PR-At Large]
PR • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1]
MO • D
Sponsored 6/10/2026
Rep. Hoyle, Val T. [D-OR-4]
OR • D
Sponsored 6/10/2026
Rep. Tran, Derek [D-CA-45]
CA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2026
Rep. Larson, John B. [D-CT-1]
CT • D
Sponsored 6/10/2026
Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2]
NC • D
Sponsored 6/10/2026
Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32]
TX • D
Sponsored 6/11/2026
Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2]
MS • D
Sponsored 6/11/2026
Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32]
CA • D
Sponsored 6/15/2026
Rep. Mejia, Analilia [D-NJ-11]
NJ • D
Sponsored 6/15/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov