Puerto Rico Federal Relations Act of 1950

by 81st United States Congress

AN ACT

To provide for the organization of a constitutional government by the people of Puerto Rico.

Preamble

Whereas the Congress of the United States by a series of enactments has progressively recognized the right of self-government of the people of Puerto Rico; and

Whereas under the terms of these congressional enactments an increasingly large measure of self-government has been achieved: Therefore

Section 1

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That, fully recognizing the principle of government by consent, this Act is now adopted in the nature of a compact so that the people of Puerto Rico may organize a government pursuant to a constitution of their own adoption.

Section 2

This Act shall be submitted 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 this Act, by a majority of the voters participating in such referendum, the Legislature of Puerto Rico is authorIzed to call a constitutional 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.

Section 3

Upon adoption of the constitution by the people of Puerto Rico, the President of the United States is authorized to transmit such constitution to the Congress of the United States if he finds that such constitution conforms with the applicable provisions of this Act and of the Constitution of the United States.

Upon approval by the Congress the constitution shall become effective in accordance with its terms.

Section 4

Except as provided in section 5 of this Act, the Act entitled "An Act to provide a civil government for Porto Rico, and for other purposes", approved March 2, 1917, as amended, is hereby continued in force and effect and may hereafter be cited as the "Puerto Rican Federal Relations Act".

Section 5

At such time as the constitution of Puerto Rico becomes etrective, the following provisions of such Act of March 2, 1917, as amended, shall be deemed repealed:

1. Section 2, except the parngraph added thereto by Public Law 362, Eightieth Congress, first session, approved August 5, 1947.
2. Sections 4, 12, 12a, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 18a, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 39, 40, 49, 49b, 50, 51, 52, 53, 56, and 57.
3. The last paragraph in section 37.
4. Section 38, except the second parngraph thereof which begins wi~t the words "The' Interstate Commerce Act" and ends with the words "shall not apply in Puerto Rico".

Section 6

All laws or parts of laws inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed.

Approved July 3, 1950.