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Full Text of this Amendment
SA 588. Mr. MARTINEZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 160, to provide the District of Columbia a voting seat and the State of Utah an additional seat in the House of Representatives; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
On page 28, after line 18, add the following:
TITLE __--PUERTO RICO
SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2009''.
SEC. 202. DEFINITIONS.
In this title:
(1) COMMISSION.--The term ``Commission'' means the Puerto Rico State Elections Commission.
(2) COMMONWEALTH.--The term ``Commonwealth'' means the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
SEC. 203. PLEBISCITE.
(a) In General.--During the 111th Congress, but not later than December 31, 2010, the Commission shall conduct a plebiscite in the Commonwealth, the ballot of which shall provide for voters to choose only 1 of the following options:
(1) ``The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico should continue to have its present status and relationship with the United States. If you agree, mark here__XX.''.
(2) ``The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico should seek independence from the United States. If you agree, mark here __XXXX.''.
(3) ``The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico should seek nationhood in free association with the United States. If you agree, mark here __XXXXXXX.''
(4) ``The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico should seek admission as a State of the United States. If you agree, mark here __XXXXXXX.''
(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 title.
SEC. 204. AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS FOR THE SELF-DETERMINATION PROCESS.
(a) Availability of Amounts Derived From Tax on Foreign Rum.--During the period beginning on October 1, 2008, and ending on the date on which the results of the plebiscite have been certified under section 203(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 Commission using those amounts are not incompatible with the Constitution and the laws and policies of the United States.
(As printed in the Congressional Record for the Senate on Feb 25, 2009.)
On page 28, after line 18, add the following:
TITLE __--PUERTO RICO
SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2009''.
SEC. 202. DEFINITIONS.
In this title:
(1) COMMISSION.--The term ``Commission'' means the Puerto Rico State Elections Commission.
(2) COMMONWEALTH.--The term ``Commonwealth'' means the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
SEC. 203. PLEBISCITE.
(a) In General.--During the 111th Congress, but not later than December 31, 2010, the Commission shall conduct a plebiscite in the Commonwealth, the ballot of which shall provide for voters to choose only 1 of the following options:
(1) ``The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico should continue to have its present status and relationship with the United States. If you agree, mark here__XX.''.
(2) ``The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico should seek independence from the United States. If you agree, mark here __XXXX.''.
(3) ``The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico should seek nationhood in free association with the United States. If you agree, mark here __XXXXXXX.''
(4) ``The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico should seek admission as a State of the United States. If you agree, mark here __XXXXXXX.''
(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 title.
SEC. 204. AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS FOR THE SELF-DETERMINATION PROCESS.
(a) Availability of Amounts Derived From Tax on Foreign Rum.--During the period beginning on October 1, 2008, and ending on the date on which the results of the plebiscite have been certified under section 203(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 Commission using those amounts are not incompatible with the Constitution and the laws and policies of the United States.
(As printed in the Congressional Record for the Senate on Feb 25, 2009.)
