Puerto Rico Democratic Self Determination Act

Democratic Choice: The bill enables eligible voters to express their preference for Puerto Rico's political status through a plebiscite (Section 4).

Voter Education: It mandates a nonpartisan voter education campaign to ensure voters are informed about international representation, citizenship, immigration, and federal program access (Section 5).

Language Accessibility: All ballots and educational materials must be available in both English and Spanish (Section 8).

Protection of Benefits: For those choosing independence or free association, vested rights and benefits for veterans, retired government employees, and Social Security beneficiaries will not be interrupted (Section 111(a) and Section 413(a)).

Removal of Oversight: The Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act and its associated board will be terminated upon admission as a state, the start of a new nation, or two years after a commonwealth vote (Section 9).

Equal Status: If statehood is chosen, Puerto Rico will be admitted into the Union on an equal footing with all other states (Section 301).

Loss of US Citizenship at Birth: Under independence or sovereignty in free association, birth in Puerto Rico will no longer be a basis for US nationality or citizenship (Section 4(b)(2)(C), Section 4(b)(5)(D), Section 110(a)(1), and Section 408(a)(1)).

Tax Burdens: If statehood is chosen, individuals and businesses will become subject to US Federal tax laws (Section 4(b)(4)(D)).

Reduced Federal Funding: Under independence or free association, federal transfer payments will eventually decrease by 10 percent each year starting in the eleventh fiscal year (Section 111(c)(3) and Section 413(c)(2)).

Immigration Restrictions: Citizens of a sovereign Puerto Rico seeking to enter the US would become subject to US immigration laws, although some nonimmigrant residence and work authorizations are provided for a limited time (Section 110(a)(2) and Section 408(a)(2)).