II 110th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1936 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES August 2, 2007 Mr. Salazar (for himself, Mr. Martinez, Mr. Akaka, Mr. Bayh, Mr. Carper, Mr. Craig, Mr. Inouye, Mr. Kerry, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. McCain, Mr. Nelson of Nebraska, Mr. Nelson of Florida, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Hagel, and Mr. Brownback) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources A BILL To provide for a plebiscite on the future status of Puerto Rico.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2007.

2.

Definitions

In this Act: (1)

Commission

The term Commission means the Puerto Rico State Elections Commission. (2)

Commonwealth

The term Commonwealth means the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

3.

Plebiscite

(a)

In general

Not later than September 30, 2009, the Commission shall conduct a plebiscite in the Commonwealth, the ballot of which shall provide for voters to choose 1 of the following options only: (1)The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico should continue to have its present status and relationship with the United States. If you agree, mark here _______.. (2)The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico should seek independence from the United States. If you agree, mark here _______.. (3)The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico should seek nationhood in free association with the United States. If you agree, mark here ______. . (4)The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico should seek admission as a State of the United States. If you agree, mark here ______.. (b)

Rules and regulations

The Commission shall issue any rules and regulations necessary to conduct the plebiscite under subsection (a). (c)

Certification of results

The Commission shall certify the results of the plebiscite conducted under subsection (a) to the President and each member of Congress. (d)

Federal court jurisdiction

The Federal courts of the United States shall have jurisdiction over any legal claim or controversy arising from the implementation of this Act.

4.

Availability of funds for the plebiscite

(a)

Availability of amounts derived from tax on foreign rum

During the period beginning on October 1, 2007, and ending on the date on which the results of the plebiscite have been certified under section 3(c), the Secretary of the Treasury shall allocate to the Commission, from amounts that would otherwise be covered into the treasury of the Commonwealth under section 7652(e)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, not more than $5,000,000 to pay the costs incurred by the Commission in conducting the plebiscite, as determined by the President, in consultation with the Commission. (b)

Use of funds for educational and other materials

In allocating amounts to the Commission under subsection (a), the Secretary shall ensure that the content of any Commission voter education materials to be prepared by the Commisison using those amounts are not incompatible with the Constitution and the laws and policies of the United States.