48 U.S.C. § 731 — Territory included under name Puerto

Page 55 TITLE 48—TERRITORIES AND INSULAR POSSESSIONS § 731 Sec. 912. Authority to appoint commissioners; powers of authorities. 913. Authorization of loans, conveyances, etc., by municipalities. 914. Issuance of bonds and obligations. 915. Bonds as public debt. 916. Ratification of previous legislation. SUBCHAPTER I—GENERAL PROVISIONS § 731. Territory included under name Puerto Rico The provisions of this chapter shall apply to the island of Puerto Rico and to the adjacent is- lands belonging to the United States and waters of those islands; and the name Puerto Rico, as used in this chapter, shall be held to include not only the island of that name, but all the adja- cent islands as aforesaid. (Mar. 2, 1917, ch. 145, § 1, 39 Stat. 951; May 17, 1932, ch. 190, 47 Stat. 158.) Editorial Notes REFERENCES IN TEXT This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original ‘‘this Act’’, meaning act Mar. 2, 1917, ch. 145, 39 Stat. 951, known as the Puerto Rican Federal Relations Act and also popularly known as the Jones Act, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out below and Tables. PRIOR PROVISIONS Provisions similar to those in this section were con- tained in act Apr. 12, 1900, ch. 191, 31 Stat. 77, which is popularly known as the ‘‘Foraker Act’’ and also as the ‘‘Puerto Rico Civil Code’’. Section 1 of act Apr. 12, 1900, was similar to this sec- tion, except that it described the adjacent islands and waters of those islands as those lying east of the sev- enty-fourth meridian of longitude west of Greenwich, which were ceded to the United States by the Govern- ment of Spain by the treaty of Dec. 10, 1898, 30 Stat. 1754. Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries CHANGE OF NAME ‘‘Puerto Rico’’ substituted in text for ‘‘Porto Rico’’ pursuant to act May 17, 1932, which is classified to sec- tion 731a of this title. SHORT TITLE Act July 3, 1950, ch. 446, § 4, 64 Stat. 319, provided, in part, that the act of Mar. 2, 1917, ch. 145, 39 Stat. 951 [enacting this chapter, section 1019 of this title, section 46 of Title 2, The Congress, and section 358 of Title 8, Aliens and Nationality, and amending sections 325, 327, and 328 of former Title 39, Postal Service], may be cited as the ‘‘Puerto Rican Federal Relations Act’’. The act of Mar. 2, 1917, is also popularly known as the ‘‘Jones Act’’. UNITED STATES-PUERTO RICO COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF PUERTO RICO Pub. L. 88–271, Feb. 20, 1964, 78 Stat. 17, as amended by Pub. L. 89–84, July 24, 1965, 79 Stat. 261, established a United States-Puerto Rico Commission on the Status of Puerto Rico to study all factors, including but not limited to applicable laws, treaties, constitutions, and agreements having a bearing on the relationship be- tween the United States and Puerto Rico. The Commis- sion was required to render its report to the President of the United States, the Congress of the United States, the Governor of Puerto Rico, and the Legislative As- sembly of Puerto Rico not later than Sept. 30, 1966. Executive Documents ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT The administration of the Government of Puerto Rico was transferred from the Bureau of Insular Affairs to the Office of Territories (formerly the Division of Territories and Island Possessions and now the Office of Territorial Affairs), in the Department of the Interior by Executive Order No. 6726, eff. May 29, 1934, eff. Mar. 2, 1935. For present government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, see section 731d of this title. EX. ORD. NO. 13183. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PRESIDENT’S TASK FORCE ON PUERTO RICO’S STATUS Ex. Ord. No. 13183, Dec. 23, 2000, 65 F.R. 82889, as amended by Ex. Ord. No. 13209, Apr. 30, 2001, 66 F.R. 22105; Ex. Ord. No. 13319, Dec. 3, 2003, 68 F.R. 68233; Ex. Ord. No. 13517, § 1, Oct. 30, 2009, 74 F.R. 57239, provided: By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows: SECTION 1. Policy. It is the policy of the executive branch of the Government of the United States of America to help answer the questions that the people of Puerto Rico have asked for years regarding the op- tions for the islands’ future status and the process for realizing an option. Further, it is our policy to consider and develop positions on proposals, without preference among the options, for the Commonwealth’s future sta- tus; to discuss such proposals with representatives of the people of Puerto Rico and the Congress; to work with leaders of the Commonwealth and the Congress to clarify the options to enable Puerto Ricans to deter- mine their preference among options for the islands’ fu- ture status that are not incompatible with the Con- stitution and basic laws and policies of the United States; and to implement such an option if chosen by a majority, including helping Puerto Ricans obtain a governing arrangement under which they would vote for national government officials, if they choose such a status. It is also the policy of the executive branch to improve the treatment of Puerto Rico in Federal pro- grams and to promote job creation, education, health care, clean energy, and economic development on the islands. SEC. 2. The President’s Task Force on Puerto Rico’s Sta- tus. There is established a task force to be known as ‘‘The President’s Task Force on Puerto Rico’s Status’’ (Task Force). It shall be composed of designees of each member of the President’s Cabinet and the Deputy As- sistant to the President and Director for Intergovern- mental Affairs. The Task Force shall be co-chaired by the Attorney General’s designee and the Deputy Assist- ant to the President and Director for Intergovern- mental Affairs. SEC. 3. Functions. The Task Force shall seek to imple- ment the policy set forth in section 1 of this order. The Task Force shall ensure official attention to and facili- tate action on matters related to proposals for Puerto Rico’s status and provide advice and recommendations on such matters to the President and the Congress. The Task Force shall also identify and promote existing Federal initiatives that benefit Puerto Rico; provide advice and recommendations to the President and the Congress on the treatment of Puerto Rico in Federal programs; and provide advice and recommendations to the President and the Congress on policies and initia- tives that promote job creation, education, health care, clean energy, and economic development on the is- lands. SEC. 4. Report. The Task Force shall submit to the President a report on the actions it has taken to per- form the functions set forth in section 3 no later than 1 year from the date of this order. The Task Force shall also report to the President, as appropriate, on other matters relating to the Task Force’s responsibilities under this order. Page 56 TITLE 48—TERRITORIES AND INSULAR POSSESSIONS § 731a § 731a. Change of name; Puerto Rico From and after May 17, 1932, the island des- ignated ‘‘Porto Rico’’ in the Act entitled ‘‘An Act to provide a civil government for Porto Rico, and for other purposes,’’ approved March 2, 1917, as amended, shall be known and designated as ‘‘Puerto Rico.’’ All laws, regulations, and public documents and records of the United States in which such island is designated or re- ferred to under the name of ‘‘Porto Rico’’ shall be held to refer to such island under and by the name of ‘‘Puerto Rico.’’ (May 17, 1932, ch. 190, 47 Stat. 158.) Editorial Notes REFERENCES IN TEXT Act approved March 2, 1917, as amended, referred to in text, is act Mar. 2, 1917, ch. 145, 39 Stat. 951, known as the Puerto Rican Federal Relations Act and also popularly known as the Jones Act, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 731 of this title and Tables. CODIFICATION Section was not enacted as part of the Puerto Rican Federal Relations Act which comprises this chapter. § 731b. Organization of a government pursuant to a constitution Fully recognizing the principle of government by consent, sections 731b to 731e of this title are now adopted in the nature of a compact so that the people of Puerto Rico may organize a gov- ernment pursuant to a constitution of their own adoption. (July 3, 1950, ch. 446, § 1, 64 Stat. 319.) Editorial Notes CODIFICATION Section was not enacted as part of the Puerto Rican Federal Relations Act which comprises this chapter. Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries REPEALS Act July 3, 1950, ch. 446, § 6, 64 Stat. 320, provided that: ‘‘All laws or parts of laws inconsistent with this Act [enacting sections 731b to 731e of this title] are hereby repealed.’’ § 731c. Submission of sections 731b to 731e of this title to people of Puerto Rico for referendum; convening of constitutional convention; req- uisites of constitution Sections 731b to 731e of this title shall be sub- mitted to the qualified voters of Puerto Rico for acceptance or rejection through an island-wide referendum to be held in accordance with the laws of Puerto Rico. Upon the approval of said sections, by a majority of the voters partici- pating in such referendum, the Legislature of Puerto Rico is authorized to call a constitu- tional convention to draft a constitution for the said island of Puerto Rico. The said constitution shall provide a republican form of government and shall include a bill of rights. (July 3, 1950, ch. 446, § 2, 64 Stat. 319.) Editorial Notes CODIFICATION Section was not enacted as part of the Puerto Rican Federal Relations Act which comprises this chapter. Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION A constitutional convention to draft a constitution for the island of Puerto Rico convened in San Juan on Sept. 17, 1951, and concluded its deliberations on Feb. 6, 1952. REFERENDUM Act July 3, 1950, which enacted sections 731b to 731e of this title, was submitted to the qualified voters of Puerto Rico through an island-wide referendum held on June 4, 1951, and approved. § 731d. Ratification of constitution by Congress Upon adoption of the constitution by the peo- ple of Puerto Rico, the President of the United States is authorized to transmit such constitu- tion to the Congress of the United States if he finds that such constitution conforms with the applicable provisions of sections 731b to 731e of this title and of the Constitution of the United States. Upon approval by the Congress the constitu- tion shall become effective in accordance with its terms. (July 3, 1950, ch. 446, § 3, 64 Stat. 319.) Editorial Notes CODIFICATION Section was not enacted as part of the Puerto Rican Federal Relations Act which comprises this chapter. Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries CONSTITUTION OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PUERTO RICO Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico was approved by the Constitutional Convention of Puerto Rico on Feb. 6, 1952; ratified by the people of Puerto Rico on Mar. 3, 1952; amended and approved by Congress by Joint Res. July 3, 1952, ch. 567, 66 Stat. 327; proclaimed by the Governor of Puerto Rico to be in force and effect on July 25, 1952. § 731e. Chapter continued in force and effect This chapter is continued in force and effect. (July 3, 1950, ch. 446, § 4, 64 Stat. 319.) Editorial Notes REFERENCES IN TEXT This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original ‘‘the Act entitled ‘An Act to provide a civil government for Porto Rico, and for other purposes,’ approved March 2, 1917, as amended’’, meaning act Mar. 2, 1917, ch. 145, 39 Stat. 951, as amended, known as the Puerto Rican Federal Relations Act and also popularly known as the Jones Act, which is classified principally to this chap- ter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 731 of this title and Tables. CODIFICATION Section was not enacted as part of the Puerto Rican Federal Relations Act which comprises this chapter.