Skip to main content
H.R. 316 102nd Congress House

Puerto Rico Self-Determination Act

Official title: To enable the people of Puerto Rico to exercise self-determination.

Introduced: January 3, 1991 See on congress.gov
Government Operations and Politics Absentee votingAuthorizationCongressional committeesLegislation
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Puerto RicoReferendumStatehood (American politics)Territories (U.S.)Voter registration
This bill died when the 102nd Congress ended
It never became law before the 102nd Congress (1991–1992) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 5 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 1, 1991
Referred to the Subcommittee on Rules of the House.
Feb 4, 1991
Referred to the Subcommittee On Insular and International Affairs.
Jan 3, 1991
Referred jointly to the House Committee on Rules.
Jan 3, 1991
Referred jointly to the House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs.
Jan 3, 1991
Introduced in House
 Ask about this bill AI · grounded in the bill text

Have a question about what this bill does? Ask in plain English; the answer is drawn from the bill's actual text and official record, and it'll tell you when something isn't in the text rather than guess.

AI answers can be imperfect; always confirm against the full bill text.

 Latest action March 1, 1991

Referred to the Subcommittee on Rules of the House.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Puerto Rico Self-Determination Act - Authorizes appropriations for grants to the State Election Commission of Puerto Rico to hold a referendum on September 16, 1991, or on a later date in 1991 agreed upon by the Dialogue Committee on the Status of Puerto Rico (Dialogue Committee), on the following political status options: (1) independence; (2) statehood; (3) a new commonwealth relationship; or (4) none of the above.

Earmarks specified funds for conducting the referendum and for disbursement to the Dialogue Committee to inform the people of Puerto Rico regarding the three status options.

Sets forth certain eligibility requirements a recipient must meet to receive payments under this Act.

Authorizes the Government of Puerto Rico, subject to the plan provided by this Act, to enable nonresident Puerto Ricans (including those born in Puerto Rico or those who have at least one parent who was born in Puerto Rico) to register and vote in the referendum without being present in Puerto Rico.

Requires the Dialogue Committee to submit to the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico for its ratification a plan to permit nonresident Puerto Ricans to vote in the referendum. Declares that if such plan is ratified it shall have the force of law.

States that it is the intent of the Congress that the remaining provisions of this Act shall continue in full force and effect if: (1) any provision of this Act is held invalid; (2) the Dialogue Committee does not submit a plan; or (3) the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico fails to ratify such plan within 120 days before the referendum.

Requires specified congressional committees to draft legislation implementing the selected status and addressing specified aspects of it. Authorizes appropriations.

Sets forth procedures for consideration of legislation implementing Puerto Rico's new status. Requires the enacted legislation to be submitted to the Puerto Rican people for ratification within 60 days after enactment. Provides that the legislation, if approved, shall take effect in accordance with its terms.

Requires the same committees to make appropriate recommendations to facilitate the exercise of self-determination by the people of Puerto Rico if: (1) the referendum provided by this Act does not result in a majority for one of the three status options; or (2) the legislation drafted does not come into effect.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 316: Puerto Rico Self-Determination Act. 102nd Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/102-HR-316/
MLA
"H.R. 316: Puerto Rico Self-Determination Act." 102nd Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/102-HR-316/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 316, 102nd Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/102-HR-316/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 316: Puerto Rico Self-Determination Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/102-HR-316/)
Report a problem