H.R.9246

H. R. 9246

June 10, 2026

Mr. Hernández (for himself, Mr. Bell, Ms. Hoyle of Oregon, Mr. Tran, Mr. Larson of Connecticut, and Ms. Ross) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

A BILL

To enable the people of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to determine the political status of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and for other purposes.

1. Short title; table of contents; 2. Findings; 3. Definitions; 4. Plebiscite; 5. Nonpartisan voter education campaign; 6. Oversight; 7. Funds for voter education; plebiscites; 8. Bilingual voter educational materials and ballots; 9. Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act; 10. Severability; TITLE I—TRANSITION AND IMPLEMENTATION—INDEPENDENCE; 101. Constitutional convention; 102. Character of the constitution; 103. Submission; Ratification; 104. Election of officers; 105. Conforming amendments to existing law; 106. Joint transition commission; 107. Proclamations by President of the United States; Head of State Of Puerto Rico; 108. Legal and constitutional provisions; 109. Judicial pronouncements; 110. Citizenship and immigration laws after Puerto Rican independence; 111. Individual rights to economic benefits and grants; TITLE II—TRANSITION AND IMPLEMENTATION—COMMONWEALTH (ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO); 201. United States-Puerto Rico Commonwealth Development Commission; 202. Approval; effective date; TITLE III—TRANSITION AND IMPLEMENTATION—STATEHOOD; 301. Presidential proclamation; admission into the union; 302. Conforming amendments to existing law; 303. Territory and boundaries; 304. Constitution; 305. Elections of senators and representatives, certification, and legal disputes; 306. State title to land and property; 307. Continuity of laws, government, and obligations; 308. Judicial pronouncements; TITLE IV—TRANSITION AND IMPLEMENTATION—SOVEREIGNTY IN FREE ASSOCIATION WITH THE UNITED STATES; 401. Constitutional convention; 402. Character of the constitution; 403. Submission; ratification; 404. Election of officers; 405. Proclamations by President of the United States; Head of State of Puerto Rico; 406. Legal and constitutional provisions; 407. Judicial pronouncements; 408. Citizenship and immigration laws after sovereignty through free association; 409. Conforming amendments to existing law; 410. Bilateral Negotiating Commission; 411. Articles of Free Association approval and effective date; 412. Termination; 413. Individual rights to economic benefits and grants