GAMISGUTIERGUTIER_07 XML sae’ HR. Goo ‘To recone Preto Rico's sowie natonboot ander ether idepautence ‘or fae asweiation and to provide for w tration process, aid for other purposrs IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. Gen intent the fling bl ‘whieh wos refered to he A BILL ‘To reengnize Puerto Rico's sovereign nationhood under either independence or free association and to provide for a transition process, and for oth purposes, Be it enucted. by the Senate und House of Representa- tives of the United States of America tn Congress assembled, SECTION 1, FINDINGS. Congress finds the followings (1) In order to ensure the legitimate interests of Puerto Rieo and the United States, Congress wauneun should recognize Puerto Rivo as a sovereign nation, Gswmcoaon raze eax (68876519 Feousey6 217 625m)(GAMNS\GUTTERIGUTTER_002.XML 4 5 6 7 8 9 (2) Consistent with article TV, section 8 of the Constitution, only Congress has the power to dispose of and make all needful rules and regulations re speeting Puerto Rico. (3) Puerto Rico's territorial condition con stitutes an unsustainable status of political subordi- nation. (4) Annexation of Puerto Rico as a State of the Union would be detrimental to both Puerto Rigo and the United States. A majority of the voters rejected the con- ferendum on tinwation of territorial status in the the political status of Puerto Rieo held in Puerto Rico on November 6, 2012. (6) The people of Puerto Rico should, through participation in a referendum vote on the future sta tus of Puerto Rico, choose between independence or free association. (1) Congress should dispose of the territory of Puerto Rico, recognize its sovereign nationhood, and provide for an appropriate transition process to take place under independence or under a compact of free association with the United States, in harmony with the results of the vote expressed by the People of Puerto Rico in the referendum. savnucizesirazesiT stam (eH) Feary 6 217 825 9m),GAM\ISGUTIERIGUTIER_002 XML. 26 GexeraL—The Legislative Assembly of Puerte Rico ll provide for a referendum to take place in Puerto Rico, in whieh eligible voters shall express their preference betwen the uon-terstorial options of either independenee or free association, as herein provided, (b) ELiante Vor! '8.—An individual shall be eligi- bie to vote in the referendum held under this Act if that individual— (1) was born in Puerto Rico; or (2) has a parent who was born in Puerto Rico (o) INDEPENDEN! (1) Avrnonizvriox To NEGOTIATE TREATY. — ‘The President shall negotiate a Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation and other bilateral agreements with the government of an independent Puerto Rico that ‘will provide for equitable economic rulations between both nations, (2) TREATY OF FRIENDSIIP AND COOPERA- TON —The Treaty of Friendship and Cooperetion shall establish the details of the bilateral relations of Paerto Rico and the United States under the guide- lines set forth below: (A) Crrmexsiy—Prerto Ricans shall be- come citizens of the Republie of Puerto Rico United States cit nship shall be guaranteed to ‘cavmucozosrnnzesi onset (s4ee781) Feouan 6 207 25pm)GAMAISAGUTIERIGUTIER_002.XML. ee wan een 10 12 13 4 Is 16 7 18, 19 20 au 2 23 24 25 Fanon 62017 25m, 4 all Puerto Riean citizens who choose to retain thei United States citizenship after the pro mation of Puerto Rico's independence. Those born thereafter may aequive non-immigrant sta- ths, dual or reciprocal United States citizenship as provided by law, or as otherwise agreed by: treaty, so that their freedom to travel to and from the United States and to live and work ‘there shall not be impaired. (B) Vesrep wenrs—Veterans benefits, Federal pensions, and full Social Security: rights, as well ay any other vested rights and benefits under the laws of the United States are hereby guaranteed to citizens of Puerto Rico until the normal expiration ef such Lenetits; provided that all necessary agreements to pro~ tect the rights of workers whe acquire perma- nently insured status: diving 6 9 following the proclamation of Puerto Rigo’s independ- ence, but are not yet beneficiaries under the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disubility Insurance Benefits program under title TI of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C, 401 et seg.), shall be established; further provided that all contribu: tions made by those who have not yet achieved (ecorotn(GAMMSIGUTIERIGUTIER O02 XML aunun Feary 62017 82590) permanently insured status at the time of Puer to Rico's independence shall then be trans- ferred, with interest, to the government. of Puerto Rico, in order to assist in the establish- ment of « separate ayatem of ancial insurance, (C) Trape—The United States shall climinate trade barriers with Puerto Rico, pro- vided that limitations on imports or exports agreed upon by both nations shall ensure mu- tual benefits and assist each nation in meeting its trade and economic development objectives. (D) Pubic DEBT AND ECONOMIC TRANS! ‘TION.—As partial indemnity for more than 118 years of political and eeonomie: subordination, during which the total payment of interest earnings and dividends from Puerto Rico to United States corporations have far exceeded net transfers of Federal assistance to both the government and the residents of Puerto Rico, the United States shall enter into negotiations with Puerto Rico to restructure the outstanding debts and obligations of the government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and its instra- mentalities. Moreover, during a transition pe- riod, an independent: Puerto Rico shall receive (essere,GAMMSGUTIERIGUTIER_002.XML ean een 6 annual transfer block grants equal to the total amount of grants, programs, and serviees em rently provided by the Federal government in Puerto Rico, adjusted for inflation, for period to be negotiated to take pliee immediately fol- lowing the joint proclamation of Puerto Rico's independence. (B) Cunresey.—If so requested by Puer- to Rico, both nations shall make the necessary arrangements with respect to the use of United States currency by the Republie of Puerto Rico (F) Derexse—The United States and the Republic of Puerto Rieo shall enter into agreements le ding to the complete dem ization of the Republic of Puerto Rivo, and the devolution and decontamination of any real estate previously held by any branch of the Armed Forees, (d) Free Association. — (1) AvrnoRmaTION TO YEGOTIATE com pacr—To provide a process consonant with the ited States and in accord laws and policies of the U nee with principles of international law, the Presi- dent shall negotiate the terms for « Compact of Free Association with the government af Puerto Rico eavinonecesracsr seam (ate) Fen 2017 25m)(GAMMISGUTIERIGUTIER_102.XML. Cm raueun 10 2 B 14 15 16 0 18 19 20 ai 22 23 24 7 which, prior to the territory's recognition and prvela- nation of sovereignty, shall establish the terms of the association. (2) Compact oF FREE AssoCLVTION—The Compact of Free Association between the United States and Puerto Rico shall be submitted to Con- gress and the People of Puerto Rico for ratification under the agreed guidelines set forth below (A) PUERTO RICO AS SOVEREIGN Ste — Internation I legal personality of Puerto Rico as a sovervign state. (B) Seur-coveRsMent—Pull self-govern- ‘ment not stihjeet to the Constitution or laws of the United States, exeept for those specifie pow cers delegated to the United States and whieh are subject to revocation by Puerto Rico. (©) Teraxanion oF REE AsscCIA- ‘TION—The right of Puerto Rieo and of the United States to unilaterally put an end to the relationship of five association and Puerto Rieo becoming fully independent, (D) Unrrep snares crrizexsinr—The continuation of United States citizenship for the citizens of Puerto Rico. AVAL CaNAT ORT Sele Frboay®. 2017 825 9m)GAMMS\GUTIERIGUTER_002.XML. bk ww Fenny 2017 25pm), 8 () ‘TRADE RELATIONS —The continuation. of existing trade relations with the United ‘States and an agreed upon level of participation by residents of Puerto Rico in Federal economic and social assistance pr (easr0y