sight Board pursuant to paragraph (2) should be de-
signed to make the government contracting process 
more effective, to increase the public’s faith in this 
process, to make appropriate use of the Oversight 
Board’s time and resources, and to avoid creating 
any additional bureaucratic obstacles to efficient 
contracting. 
(4) AUTHORITY
TO
REVIEW
CERTAIN
RULES 
AND REGULATIONS.—The provisions of this para-
graph shall apply with respect to a rule or regulation 
proposed to be issued by the Governor (or the head 
of any department or agency of the territorial gov-
ernment) in the same manner as such provisions 
apply to a contract. 
(5) FAILURE TO COMPLY.—If a contract, rule, 
or regulation fails to comply with policies established 
by the Oversight Board under this subsection, the 
Oversight Board may take such actions as it con-
siders necessary to ensure that such contract, rule, 
or regulation will not adversely affect the territorial 
government’s compliance with the Fiscal Plan, in-
cluding by preventing the execution or enforcement 
of the contract, rule, or regulation. 
(c) 
RESTRICTIONS
ON
REPROGRAMMING
OF 
AMOUNTS IN BUDGET.— 
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(1) SUBMISSIONS OF REQUESTS TO OVERSIGHT 
BOARD.—If the Governor submits a request to the 
Legislature for the reprogramming of any amounts 
provided in an approved Budget, the Governor shall 
submit such request to the Oversight Board, which 
shall analyze whether the proposed reprogramming 
is significantly inconsistent with the Budget, and 
submit its analysis to the Legislature as soon as 
practicable after receiving the request. 
(2) NO
ACTION
PERMITTED
UNTIL
ANALYSIS 
RECEIVED.—The Legislature may not adopt a re-
programming, and no officer or employee of the ter-
ritorial government may carry out any reprogram-
ming, until the Oversight Board has provided the 
Legislature with an analysis that certifies such re-
programming will not be significantly inconsistent 
with the Fiscal Plan and Budget. 
(d) IMPLEMENTATION OF FEDERAL PROGRAMS.—In 
taking actions under this Act, the Oversight Board shall 
not exercise applicable authorities to impede territorial ac-
tions taken to— 
(1) comply with a court-issued consent decree 
with respect to Federal programs; 
(2) implement a federally authorized or feder-
ally delegated program; or 
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(3) implement territorial laws, which are con-
sistent with a certified fiscal plan, that execute Fed-
eral requirements and standards. 
SEC. 205. RECOMMENDATIONS ON FINANCIAL STABILITY 
AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Oversight Board may at any 
time submit recommendations to the Governor and the 
Legislature on actions the territorial government may take 
to ensure compliance with the Fiscal Plan, or to otherwise 
promote the financial stability, economic growth, manage-
ment responsibility, and service delivery efficiency of the 
territorial government, including recommendations relat-
ing to— 
(1) the management of the territorial govern-
ment’s financial affairs, including economic fore-
casting and multiyear fiscal forecasting capabilities, 
information technology, placing controls on expendi-
tures for personnel, reducing benefit costs, reforming 
procurement practices, and placing other controls on 
expenditures; 
(2) the structural relationship of departments, 
agencies, and independent agencies within the terri-
torial government; 
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(3) the modification of existing revenue struc-
tures, or the establishment of additional revenue 
structures; 
(4) the establishment of alternatives for meet-
ing obligations to pay for the pensions of former ter-
ritorial government employees; 
(5) modifications or transfers of the types of 
services that are the responsibility of, and are deliv-
ered, by the territorial government; 
(6) modifications of the types of services that 
are delivered by entities other than the territorial 
government under alternative service delivery mecha-
nisms (including privatization and commercializa-
tion); 
(7) the effects of the territory’s laws and court 
orders on the operations of the territorial govern-
ment; 
(8) the establishment of a personnel system for 
employees of the territorial government that is based 
upon employee performance standards; and 
(9) the improvement of personnel training and 
proficiency, the adjustment of staffing levels, and 
the improvement of training and performance of 
management and supervisory personnel. 
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(b) RESPONSE TO RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE TER-
RITORIAL GOVERNMENT.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—In the case of any rec-
ommendations submitted under subsection (a) that 
are within the authority of the territorial govern-
ment to adopt, not later than 90 days after receiving 
the recommendations, the Governor or the Legisla-
ture (whichever has the authority to adopt the rec-
ommendation) shall submit a statement to the Over-
sight Board that provides notice as to whether the 
territorial government will adopt the recommenda-
tions. 
(2) IMPLEMENTATION
PLAN
REQUIRED
FOR 
ADOPTED RECOMMENDATIONS.—If the Governor or 
the Legislature (whichever is applicable) notifies the 
Oversight Board under paragraph (1) that the terri-
torial government will adopt any of the recommenda-
tions submitted under subsection (a), the Governor 
or the Legislature (whichever is applicable) shall in-
clude in the statement a written plan to implement 
the recommendation that includes— 
(A) specific performance measures to de-
termine the extent to which the territorial gov-
ernment has adopted the recommendation; and 
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(B) a clear and specific timetable pursuant 
to which the territorial government will imple-
ment the recommendation. 
(3) 
EXPLANATIONS
REQUIRED
FOR
REC-
OMMENDATIONS NOT ADOPTED.—If the Governor or 
the Legislature (whichever is applicable) notifies the 
Oversight Board under paragraph (1) that the terri-
torial government will not adopt any recommenda-
tion submitted under subsection (a) that the terri-
torial government has authority to adopt, the Gov-
ernor or the Legislature shall include in the state-
ment explanations for the rejection of the rec-
ommendations, and the Governor or the Legislature 
shall submit such statement of explanations to the 
President and Congress. 
SEC. 206. OVERSIGHT BOARD DUTIES RELATED TO RE-
STRUCTURING. 
(a) REQUIREMENTS FOR RESTRUCTURING CERTIFI-
CATION.—The Oversight Board, prior to issuing a restruc-
turing certification regarding an entity, shall determine, 
in its sole discretion, that— 
(1) the territorial government completed the 
process set forth in title VI; 
(2) the entity has adopted procedures necessary 
to deliver timely audited financial statements and 
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draft financial statements and other information suf-
ficient for any interested person to perform due dili-
gence on the entity’s financial condition, which shall 
exist in the public domain; 
(3) the entity is either a covered territory that 
has adopted a fiscal plan certified by the Oversight 
Board, a covered territorial instrumentality that is 
subject to a territory Fiscal Plan certified by the 
Oversight Board, or a covered territorial instrumen-
tality that has adopted an instrumentality Fiscal 
Plan certified by the Oversight Board; 
(4) only if the entity does not receive, as deter-
mined in the Oversight Board’s sole discretion, 10 
percent or more of its revenues from the taxing 
power of the government of the covered territory, the 
entity is insolvent; and 
(5) such appropriate consideration is given to 
relative priority of claims as established by law so 
that no one group or class of creditors gains an ad-
vantage over any other class in which such advan-
tage did not exist prior to the Oversight Board’s de-
termination. 
(b) 
ISSUANCE
OF
RESTRUCTURING
CERTIFI-
CATION.—The issuance of a restructuring certification 
under this section, which shall require no less than a vote 
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of 5 members of the Oversight Board in the affirmative, 
shall satisfy the requirement set forth in section 302(2) 
of this Act. 
SEC. 207. OVERSIGHT BOARD AUTHORITY RELATED TO 
DEBT ISSUANCE. 
For so long as the Oversight Board remains in oper-
ation, no territorial government may, without the prior ap-
proval of the Oversight Board, issue debt or guarantee, 
exchange, modify, repurchase, redeem, or enter into simi-
lar transactions with respect to its debt. 
SEC. 208. REQUIRED REPORTS. 
(a) ANNUAL REPORT.—Not later than 30 days after 
the last day of each fiscal year, the Oversight Board shall 
submit a report to the President, Congress, the Governor 
and the Legislature, describing— 
(1) the progress made by the territorial govern-
ment in meeting the objectives of this Act during the 
fiscal year; 
(2) the assistance provided by the Oversight 
Board to the territorial government in meeting the 
purposes of this Act during the fiscal year; 
(3) recommendations to the President and Con-
gress on changes to this Act or other Federal laws, 
or other actions of the Federal Government, that 
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would assist the territorial government in complying 
with the certified Fiscal Plan; 
(4) the precise manner in which funds allocated 
to the Oversight Board under section 107 and, as 
applicable, section 104(d) have been spent by the 
Oversight Board during the fiscal year; and 
(5) any other activities of the Oversight Board 
during the fiscal year. 
(b) REPORT ON DISCRETIONARY TAX ABATEMENT 
AGREEMENTS.—Within six months of the establishment 
of the Oversight Board, the Governor shall submit a report 
to the Oversight Board documenting all existing discre-
tionary tax abatement or similar tax relief agreements to 
which the territorial government, or any territorial instru-
mentality, is a party, provided that— 
(1) nothing in this Act shall be interpreted to 
limit the power of the territorial government or any 
territorial instrumentality to execute or modify dis-
cretionary tax abatement or similar tax relief agree-
ments, or to enforce compliance with the terms and 
conditions of any discretionary tax abatement or 
similar tax relief agreement, to which the territorial 
government or any territorial instrumentality is a 
party; and 
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(2) the Members and Staff of the Oversight 
Board shall not disclose the contents of the report 
described in this subsection, and shall otherwise 
comply with all applicable territorial and Federal 
laws and regulations regarding the handling of con-
fidential taxpayer information. 
SEC. 209. TERMINATION OF OVERSIGHT BOARD. 
An Oversight Board shall terminate upon certifi-
cation by the Oversight Board that— 
(1) the applicable territorial government has 
adequate access to short-term and long-term credit 
markets at reasonable interest rates to meet the bor-
rowing needs of the territorial government; and 
(2) for at least 4 consecutive fiscal years— 
(A) the territorial government has devel-
oped its Budgets in accordance with modified 
accrual accounting standards; and 
(B) the expenditures made by the terri-
torial government during each fiscal year did 
not exceed the revenues of the territorial gov-
ernment during that year, as determined in ac-
cordance with modified accrual accounting 
standards. 
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SEC. 210. NO FULL FAITH AND CREDIT OF THE UNITED 
STATES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The full faith and credit of the 
United States is not pledged for the payment of any prin-
cipal of or interest on any bond, note, or other obligation 
issued by the Oversight Board. The United States is not 
responsible or liable for the payment of any principal of 
or interest on any bond, note, or other obligation issued 
by the Oversight Board. 
(b) SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATIONS.—Any claim to 
which the United States is determined to be liable shall 
be subject to appropriations. 
SEC. 211. ANALYSIS OF PENSIONS. 
(a) DETERMINATION.—If the Oversight Board deter-
mines, in its sole discretion, that a pension system of the 
territorial government is materially underfunded, the 
Oversight Board shall conduct an analysis prepared by an 
independent actuary of such pension system to assist the 
Oversight Board in evaluating the fiscal and economic im-
pact of the pension cash flows. 
(b) PROVISIONS
OF ANALYSIS.—An analysis con-
ducted under subsection (a) shall include— 
(1) an actuarial study of the pension liabilities 
and funding strategy that includes a forward looking 
projection of payments of at least 30 years of benefit 
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payments and funding strategy to cover such pay-
ments; 
(2) sources of funding to cover such payments; 
(3) a review of the existing benefits and their 
sustainability; and 
(4) a review of the system’s legal structure and 
operational arrangements, and any other studies of 
the pension system the Oversight Board shall deem 
necessary. 
(c) SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.—In any case, 
the analysis conducted under subsection (a) shall include 
information regarding the fair market value and liabilities 
using an appropriate discount rate as determined by the 
Oversight Board. 
TITLE III—ADJUSTMENTS OF 
DEBTS 
SEC. 301. APPLICABILITY OF OTHER LAWS; DEFINITIONS. 
(a) SECTIONS APPLICABLE TO CASES UNDER THIS 
TITLE.—Sections 101 (except as otherwise provided in 
this section), 102, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 112, 333, 
344, 347(b), 349, 350(b), 351, 361, 362, 364(c), 364(d), 
364(e), 364(f), 365, 366, 501, 502, 503, 504, 506, 
507(a)(2), 509, 510, 524(a)(1), 524(a)(2), 544, 545, 546, 
547, 548, 549(a), 549(c), 549(d), 550, 551, 552, 553, 
555, 556, 557, 559, 560, 561, 562, 902 (except as other-
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wise provided in this section), 922, 923, 924, 925, 926, 
927, 928, 942, 944, 945, 946, 1102, 1103, 1109, 1111(b), 
1122, 1123(a)(1), 1123(a)(2), 1123(a)(3), 1123(a)(4), 
1123(a)(5), 1123(b), 1123(d), 1124, 1125, 1126(a), 
1126(b), 1126(c), 1126(e), 1126(f), 1126(g), 1127(d), 
1128, 1129(a)(2), 1129(a)(3), 1129(a)(6), 1129(a)(8), 
1129(a)(10), 1129(b)(1), 1129(b)(2)(A), 1129(b)(2)(B), 
1142(b), 1143, 1144, 1145, and 1146(a) of title 11, 
United States Code, apply in a case under this title and 
section 930 of title 11, United States Code, applies in a 
case under this title; however, section 930 shall not apply 
in any case during the first 120 days after the date on 
which such case is commenced under this title. 
(b) MEANINGS OF TERMS.—A term used in a section 
of title 11, United States Code, made applicable in a case 
under this title by subsection (a), has the meaning given 
to the term for the purpose of the applicable section, un-
less the term is otherwise defined in this title. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this title— 
(1) AFFILIATE.—The term ‘‘affiliate’’ means, in 
addition to the definition made applicable in a case 
under this title by subsection (a)— 
(A) for a territory, any territorial instru-
mentality; and 
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(B) for a territorial instrumentality, the 
governing territory and any of the other terri-
torial instrumentalities of the territory. 
(2) DEBTOR.—The term ‘‘debtor’’ means the 
territory or covered territorial instrumentality con-
cerning which a case under this title has been com-
menced. 
(3) PROPERTY
OF
THE
ESTATE.—The term 
‘‘property of the estate’’, when used in a section of 
title 11 or 28, United States Code, made applicable 
in a case under this title by subsection (a), means 
property of the debtor. 
(4) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ when used in a 
section of title 11, United States Code, made appli-
cable in a case under this title by section 301(a) 
means State or territory when used in reference to 
the relationship of a State to the municipality of the 
State or the territorial instrumentality of a territory, 
as applicable. 
(5) TRUSTEE.—The term ‘‘trustee’’, when used 
in a section of title 11, United States Code, made 
applicable in a case under this title by subsection 
(a), means the Oversight Board. 
(d) REFERENCE TO TITLE.—Solely for purposes of 
this title, a reference to ‘‘this title’’, ‘‘this chapter’’, or 
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words of similar import in a section of title 11, United 
States Code, made applicable in a case under this title 
by subsection (a) or to ‘‘this title’’, ‘‘title 11’’, ‘‘the Code’’, 
or words of similar import in a section of title 28, United 
States Code, made applicable in a case under this chapter 
by sections 306 or 309 or in the Federal Rules of Bank-
ruptcy Procedure made applicable in a case under this title 
by section 310 shall be deemed to be a reference to this 
title. 
(e) 
SUBSTANTIALLY
SIMILAR.—In 
determining 
whether claims are ‘‘substantially similar’’ for the purpose 
of section 1122 of title 11, United States Code, made ap-
plicable in a case under this title by subsection (a), the 
Board shall consider whether such claims are secured and 
whether such claims have priority over other claims. 
(f) OPERATIVE CLAUSES.—A section made applicable 
in a case under this title by subsection (a) that is operative 
if the business of the debtor is authorized to be operated 
is operative in a case under this title. 
SEC. 302. WHO MAY BE A DEBTOR. 
An entity may be a debtor under this title if— 
(1) the entity is— 
(A) a territory that has requested the es-
tablishment of an Oversight Board or has had 
an Oversight Board established for it by the 
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United States Congress in accordance with sec-
tion 101 of this Act; or 
(B) a covered territorial instrumentality of 
a territory described in paragraph (1)(A); 
(2) the Oversight Board has issued a certifi-
cation under section 206(b) for such entity; and 
(3) the entity desires to effect a plan to adjust 
its debts. 
SEC. 303. RESERVATION OF TERRITORIAL POWER TO CON-
TROL TERRITORY AND TERRITORIAL INSTRU-
MENTALITIES. 
Subject to the limitations set forth in titles I and II 
of this Act, this title does not limit or impair the power 
of a territory to control, by legislation or otherwise, the 
territory or any territorial instrumentality thereof in the 
exercise of the political or governmental powers of the ter-
ritory or territorial instrumentality, including expendi-
tures for such exercise, but— 
(1) a territory law prescribing a method of com-
position or moratorium of indebtedness of the terri-
tory or any territorial instrumentality thereof may 
not bind any creditor that does not consent to the 
composition or moratorium; and 
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(2) a judgment entered under a law described 
in paragraph (1) may not bind a creditor that does 
not consent to the composition. 
SEC. 304. PETITION AND PROCEEDINGS RELATING TO PETI-
TION. 
(a) COMMENCEMENT OF CASE.—A voluntary case 
under this title is commenced by the filing with the district 
court of a petition by the Oversight Board pursuant to 
the determination under section 302, provided that an oth-
erwise eligible entity may not commence a case under this 
chapter after the Oversight Board applicable to such eligi-
ble entity has been terminated in accordance with section 
209. 
(b) OBJECTION TO PETITION.—After any objection 
to the petition, the court, after notice and a hearing, may 
dismiss the petition if the petition does not meet the re-
quirements of this title; however, this subsection shall not 
apply in any case during the first 120 days after the date 
on which such case is commenced under this title. 
(c) ORDER FOR RELIEF.—The commencement of a 
case under this title constitutes an order for relief. 
(d) APPEAL.—The court may not, on account of an 
appeal from an order for relief, delay any proceeding 
under this title in the case in which the appeal is being 
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taken, or order a stay of such proceeding pending such 
appeal. 
(e) VALIDITY OF DEBT.—The reversal on appeal of 
a finding of jurisdiction shall not affect the validity of any 
debt incurred that is authorized by the court under section 
364(c) or 364(d) of title 11, United States Code. 
SEC. 305. LIMITATION ON JURISDICTION AND POWERS OF 
COURT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to the limitations set 
forth in titles I and II of this Act, notwithstanding any 
power of the court, unless the debtor consents or the plan 
so provides, the court may not, by any stay, order, or de-
cree, in the case or otherwise, interfere with— 
(1) any of the political or governmental powers 
of the debtor; 
(2) any of the property or revenues of the debt-
or; or 
(3) the use or enjoyment by the debtor of any 
income-producing property. 
SEC. 306. JURISDICTION. 
(a) The district courts shall have original and exclu-
sive jurisdiction of a case under this title. 
(b) Section 157 of title 28, United States Code, shall 
apply to a case under this title. 
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SEC. 307. VENUE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Venue shall be proper in— 
(1) with respect to a territory, the district court 
for the territory or, for any territory that does not 
have a district court, the United States District 
Court for the District of Hawaii; and 
(2) with respect to a covered territorial instru-
mentality, the district court for the territory in 
which the covered territorial instrumentality is lo-
cated or, for any territory that does not have a dis-
trict court, the United States District Court for the 
District of Hawaii. 
(b) ALTERNATIVE VENUE.—If the oversight Board 
determines that the venue under paragraph (a) will not 
adequately provide for proper case management, then 
venue shall be proper in the district court for the jurisdic-
tion in which the Oversight Board maintains an office that 
is located outside the territory. 
SEC. 308. JURISDICTION; REMOVAL; APPEALS. 
(a) FEDERAL SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION.— 
Except as provided in section 306 the district courts shall 
have— 
(1) except as provided in paragraph (2), the 
district court shall have original and exclusive juris-
diction of all cases under this title; 
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(2) except as provided in paragraph (3), and 
notwithstanding any Act of Congress that confers 
exclusive jurisdiction on a court or courts other than 
the district courts, the district courts shall have 
original but not exclusive jurisdiction of all civil pro-
ceedings arising under this title, or arising in or re-
lated to cases under this title; and 
(3) the district court in which a case under this 
title is commenced or is pending shall have exclusive 
jurisdiction of all property, wherever located, of the 
debtor as of the commencement of such case. 
(b) PERSONAL JURISDICTION.—The district court in 
which a case under this title is pending shall have personal 
jurisdiction over any person or entity to the fullest extent 
permitted under the Constitution of the United States. 
SEC. 309. APPELLATE REVIEW. 
Sections 158(a) and (d) of title 28, United States 
Code, shall apply to a case under this title. 
SEC. 310. APPLICABLE RULES OF PROCEDURE. 
The Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure shall 
apply to a case under this title and to all civil proceedings 
arising in or related to cases under this title. 
SEC. 311. LEASES. 
A lease to a territory or territorial instrumentality 
shall not be treated as an executory contract or unexpired 
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lease for the purposes of section 365 or 502(b)(6) of title 
11, United States Code, solely by reason of the lease being 
subject to termination in the event the debtor fails to ap-
propriate rent. 
SEC. 312. FILING OF PLAN OF ADJUSTMENT. 
(a) EXCLUSIVITY.—Only the debtor, upon the 
issuance of a certification by the Oversight Board pursu-
ant to section 104(j), may file a plan of adjustment of 
the debts of the debtor. 
(b) DEADLINE FOR FILING PLAN.—If the debtor 
does not file a plan of adjustment with the petition, the 
debtor shall file a plan of adjustment at the time set by 
the court. 
SEC. 313. MODIFICATION OF PLAN. 
The debtor, upon the issuance of a certification by 
the Oversight Board pursuant to section 104(j), may mod-
ify the plan at any time before confirmation, but may not 
modify the plan so that the plan as modified fails to meet 
the requirements of this title. After the debtor files a 
modification, the plan as modified becomes the plan. 
SEC. 314. CONFIRMATION. 
(a) OBJECTION.—A special tax payer may object to 
confirmation of a plan. 
(b) CONFIRMATION.—The court shall confirm the 
plan if— 
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(1) the plan complies with the provisions of title 
11 of the United States Code, made applicable to a 
case under this title by section 301; 
(2) the plan complies with the provisions of this 
title; 
(3) the debtor is not prohibited by law from 
taking any action necessary to carry out the plan; 
(4) except to the extent that the holder of a 
particular claim has agreed to a different treatment 
of such claim, the plan provides that on the effective 
date of the plan each holder of a claim of a kind 
specified in 507(a)(2) of title 11, United States 
Code, will receive on account of such claim cash 
equal to the allowed amount of such claim; 
(5) any legislative, regulatory, or electoral ap-
proval necessary under applicable law in order to 
carry out any provision of the plan has been ob-
tained, or such provision is expressly conditioned on 
such approval; 
(6) the plan is in the best interests of creditors 
and is feasible; 
(7) the plan is consistent with the applicable 
Fiscal Plan certified by the Oversight Board under 
title II; and 
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(8) all amounts to be paid by the debtor or any 
person for services or expenses in the case or inci-
dent to the plan have been fully disclosed and are 
reasonable. 
SEC. 315. ROLE AND CAPACITY OF OVERSIGHT BOARD. 
(a) ACTIONS OF OVERSIGHT BOARD.—Subject to sec-
tions 303 and 307, for the purposes of this title, the Over-
sight Board may take any action necessary on behalf of 
the debtor to prosecute the case of the debtor, including— 
(1) filing a petition under section 304; 
(2) submitting or modifying a plan of adjust-
ment under sections 312 and 313; or 
(3) otherwise generally submitting filings in re-
lation to the case with the court. 
(b) REPRESENTATIVE OF DEBTOR.—The Oversight 
Board in a case under this title is the representative of 
the debtor. 
TITLE IV—MISCELLANEOUS 
PROVISIONS 
SEC. 401. RULES OF CONSTRUCTION. 
Nothing in this Act is intended, or may be con-
strued— 
(1) to limit the authority of Congress to exer-
cise ultimate legislative authority over the territories; 
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(2) to authorize the application of section 
103(e) of this Act (relating to issuance of sub-
poenas) to judicial officers or employees of territory 
courts; 
(3) to alter, amend, or abrogate any provision 
of the Covenant To Establish a Commonwealth of 
the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union 
With the United States of America (48 U.S.C. 1801 
et seq.); or 
(4) to alter, amend, or abrogate the treaties of 
cession regarding certain islands of American Samoa 
(48 U.S.C. 1661). 
SEC. 402. RIGHT OF PUERTO RICO TO DETERMINE ITS FU-
TURE POLITICAL STATUS. 
Nothing in this Act shall be interpreted to restrict 
Puerto Rico’s right to determine its future political status, 
including by conducting the plebiscite as authorized by 
Public Law 113–76. 
SEC. 403. FIRST MINIMUM WAGE IN PUERTO RICO. 
Section 6(g) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 
1938 (29 U.S.C. 206(g)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘subsection (a)(1), any em-
ployer’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection (a)(1)— 
‘‘(A) any employer’’; 
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(B) by striking the period at the end and 
inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(B) the Governor of Puerto Rico, subject 
to the approval of the Financial Oversight and 
Management Board established pursuant to sec-
tion 101 of the Puerto Rico Oversight, Manage-
ment, and Economic Stability Act, may des-
ignate a time period not to exceed five years 
during which employers in Puerto Rico may pay 
employees who are initially employed after the 
date of enactment of such Act a wage which is 
not less than $4.25 an hour.’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘‘years’’ and 
inserting ‘‘years, except in the case of the wage ap-
plicable in Puerto Rico, 25 years’’. 
SEC. 404. APPLICATION OF REGULATION TO PUERTO RICO. 
The regulations issued by the Secretary of Labor re-
lating to exemptions regarding the rates of pay for execu-
tive, administrative, professional, outside sales, and com-
puter employees, and published in the Federal Register 
on July 6, 2015, shall have no force or effect in the Com-
monwealth of Puerto Rico. 
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SEC. 405. LAND CONVEYANCE AUTHORITY, VIEQUES NA-
TIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, VIEQUES ISLAND. 
Section 1508(c) of the Floyd D. Spence National De-
fense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001 (as enacted 
into law by Public Law 106–398; 114 Stat. 1654A–356) 
is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘The Secretary’’ and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para-
graph (2), the Secretary’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph: 
‘‘(2) CONVEYANCE AUTHORITY.— 
‘‘(A) CONVEYANCE AUTHORIZED.—Except 
as provided in subparagraph (B), the Secretary 
of the Interior is authorized to convey, without 
consideration, all or any portion of the Con-
servation Zones transferred to the Secretary 
under subsection (a) to the Commonwealth of 
Puerto Rico for the purpose specified in sub-
paragraph (B). The conveyance shall be subject 
to interests retained pursuant to section 1506 
of this Act. 
‘‘(B) CERTAIN
LANDS
EXCLUDED.—The 
conveyance authority provided by this para-
graph does not include the land encompassing 
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Solid Waste Management Unit 4, as depicted 
on the map of former Naval Ammunition Sup-
port Detachment, Vieques, maintained by the 
Naval Facilities Engineering Command. 
‘‘(C) 
INDEMNIFICATION.—The 
indem-
nification requirements and conditions specified 
in section 1502(e) of this Act shall apply with 
respect to the release or threatened release 
(after the conveyance is made under this para-
graph) of any hazardous substance or pollutant 
or contaminant as a result of Department of 
Defense activities on the conveyed property. 
‘‘(D) RELATION TO COOPERATIVE AGREE-
MENT.—The cooperative agreement entered into 
under subsection (d)(1) shall no longer apply to 
any portion of the Conservation Zones conveyed 
by the Secretary of the Interior under this 
paragraph. 
‘‘(E) RELATION TO OTHER LAWS.—Noth-
ing in this paragraph shall be construed to af-
fect the continued applicability of section 
120(h) of the Comprehensive Environmental 
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 
1980 (42 U.S.C. 9620(h)) and the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) 
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to any portion of the Conservation Zones con-
veyed by the Secretary of the Interior under 
this paragraph.’’. 
SEC. 406. AUTOMATIC STAY UPON ENACTMENT. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) LIABILITY.—The term ‘‘Liability’’ means a 
bond, loan, letter of credit, other borrowing title, ob-
ligation of insurance, or other indebtedness, includ-
ing rights, entitlements, or obligations whether such 
rights, entitlements, or obligations arise from con-
tract, statute, or any other source of law, in any 
case, related to such a bond, loan, letter of credit, 
other borrowing title, obligation of insurance, or 
other indebtedness in physical or dematerialized 
form, of which— 
(A) the issuer, obligor, or guarantor is the 
Government of Puerto Rico; and 
(B) the date of issuance or incurrence pre-
cedes the date of enactment of this Act. 
(2) LIABILITY
CLAIM.—The term ‘‘Liability 
Claim’’ means, as it relates to a Liability— 
(A) right to payment, whether or not such 
right is reduced to judgment, liquidated, unliq-
uidated, fixed, contingent, matured, unmatured, 
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disputed, undisputed, legal, equitable, secured, 
or unsecured; or 
(B) right to an equitable remedy for 
breach of performance if such breach gives rise 
to a right to payment, whether or not such 
right to an equitable remedy is reduced to judg-
ment, fixed, contingent, matured, unmatured, 
disputed, undisputed, secured, or unsecured. 
(b) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subsection 
(c) of this section, the establishment of an Oversight 
Board for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (i.e., the en-
actment of this Act) in accordance with section 101 oper-
ates with respect to a Liability as a stay, applicable to 
all entities (as such term is defined in section 101 of title 
11, United States Code), of— 
(1) the commencement or continuation, includ-
ing the issuance or employment of process, of a judi-
cial, administrative, or other action or proceeding 
against the Government of Puerto Rico that was or 
could have been commenced before the enactment of 
this Act, or to recover a Liability Claim against the 
Government of Puerto Rico that arose before the en-
actment of this Act; 
(2) the enforcement, against the Government of 
Puerto Rico or against property of the Government 
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of Puerto Rico, of a judgment obtained before the 
enactment of this Act; 
(3) any act to obtain possession of property of 
the Government of Puerto Rico or of property from 
the Government of Puerto Rico or to exercise control 
over property of the Government of Puerto Rico; 
(4) any act to create, perfect, or enforce any 
lien against property of the Government of Puerto 
Rico; 
(5) any act to create, perfect, or enforce against 
property of the Government of Puerto Rico any lien 
to the extent that such lien secures a Liability Claim 
that arose before the enactment of this Act; 
(6) any act to collect, assess, or recover a Li-
ability Claim against the Government of Puerto Rico 
that arose before the enactment of this Act; and 
(7) the setoff of any debt owing to the Govern-
ment of Puerto Rico that arose before the enactment 
of this Act against any Liability Claim against the 
Government of Puerto Rico. 
(c) STAY NOT OPERABLE.—The establishment of an 
Oversight Board for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico 
in accordance with section 101 does not operate as a stay 
solely under subsection (b)(1) of this section, of the con-
tinuation of, including the issuance or employment of 
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process, of a judicial, administrative, or other action or 
proceeding against the Government of Puerto Rico that 
was commenced on or before December 18, 2015. 
(d) CONTINUATION OF STAY.—Except as provided in 
subsections (e), (f), and (g) the stay under subsection (b) 
continues until the earlier of— 
(1) February 15, 2017; or 
(2) with respect to the government of the Com-
monwealth of Puerto Rico or any of its territorial in-
strumentalities, the date on which a case is filed by 
or on behalf of the government of the Common-
wealth of Puerto Rico or any of its territorial instru-
mentalities, as applicable, under title III. 
(e) JURISDICTION.— 
(1) The United States District Court for the 
District of Puerto Rico shall have original and exclu-
sive jurisdiction of any civil actions arising under 
this section. 
(2) On motion of a party in interest and after 
notice and a hearing, the United States District 
Court for the District of Puerto Rico, for cause 
shown, shall grant relief from the stay provided 
under subsection (b) of this section. 
(f) TERMINATION OF STAY; HEARING.—Thirty days 
after a request under subsection (e) for relief from the 
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stay of any act against property of the Government of 
Puerto Rico under subsection (b), such stay is terminated 
with respect to the party in interest making such request, 
unless the court, after notice and a hearing, orders such 
stay continued in effect pending the conclusion of, or as 
a result of, a final hearing and determination under sub-
section (e). A hearing under this subsection may be a pre-
liminary hearing, or may be consolidated with the final 
hearing under subsection (e). The court shall order such 
stay continued in effect pending the conclusion of the final 
hearing under subsection (e) if there is a reasonable likeli-
hood that the party opposing relief from such stay will 
prevail at the conclusion of such final hearing. If the hear-
ing under this subsection is a preliminary hearing, then 
such final hearing shall be concluded not later than thirty 
days after the conclusion of such preliminary hearing, un-
less the 30-day period is extended with the consent of the 
parties in interest or for a specific time which the court 
finds is required by compelling circumstances. 
(g) RELIEF TO PREVENT IRREPARABLE DAMAGE.— 
Upon request of a party in interest, the court, with or 
without a hearing, shall grant such relief from the stay 
provided under subsection (b) as is necessary to prevent 
irreparable damage to the interest of an entity in property, 
if such interest will suffer such damage before there is 
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an opportunity for notice and a hearing under subsection 
(e) or (f). 
(h) NO FORCE
OR EFFECT
OF STAY
IN VIOLA-
TION.—No order, judgment, or decree entered in violation 
of this section shall have any force or effect. 
(i) GOVERNMENT OF PUERTO RICO.—For purposes 
of this section, the term ‘‘Government of Puerto Rico’’, 
in addition to the definition set forth in section 5(11) of 
this Act, shall include— 
(1) the directors and officers of and employees 
acting in their official capacity on behalf of the Gov-
ernment of Puerto Rico; and 
(2) the Oversight Board, including the directors 
and officers of and employees acting in their official 
capacity on behalf of the Oversight Board. 
(j) NO DEFAULT UNDER EXISTING CONTRACTS.— 
(1) Notwithstanding any contractual provision 
or applicable law to the contrary and so long as a 
stay under this section is in effect, the holder of a 
Liability Claim or any other claim (as such term is 
defined in section 101 of title 11, United States 
Code) may not exercise or continue to exercise any 
remedy under a contract or applicable law— 
(A) that is conditioned upon the financial 
condition of, or the commencement of a restruc-
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turing, insolvency, bankruptcy, or other pro-
ceeding (or a similar or analogous process) by, 
the Government of Puerto Rico, including a de-
fault or an event of default thereunder; or 
(B) with respect to Liability Claims— 
(i) for the non-payment of principal or 
interest; or 
(ii) for the breach of any condition or 
covenant. 
(2) The term ‘‘remedy’’ as used in paragraph 
(1) shall be interpreted broadly, and shall include 
any right existing in law or contract, and any right 
to— 
(A) setoff; 
(B) apply or appropriate funds; 
(C) seek the appointment of a custodian; 
(D) seek to raise rates; or 
(E) exercise control over property of the 
Government of Puerto Rico. 
(3) Notwithstanding any contractual provision 
or applicable law to the contrary and so long as a 
stay under this section is in effect, a contract to 
which the Government of Puerto Rico is a party may 
not be terminated or modified, and any right or obli-
gation under such contract may not be terminated 
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or modified, solely because of a provision in such 
contract is conditioned on— 
(A) the insolvency or financial condition of 
the Government of Puerto Rico at any time 
prior to the effectiveness of the stay under this 
section; 
(B) the adoption of a resolution or estab-
lishment of an Oversight Board pursuant to 
section 101 of this Act; or 
(C) a default under a separate contract 
that is due to, triggered by, or a result of the 
occurrence of the events or matters in sub-
section (i)(1)(B). 
(4) Notwithstanding any contractual provision 
to the contrary and so long as a stay under this sec-
tion is in effect, a counterparty to a contract with 
the Government of Puerto Rico for the provision of 
goods and services shall, unless the Government of 
Puerto Rico advises to the contrary in writing, con-
tinue to perform all obligations under, and comply 
with the terms of, such contract so long as a stay 
under this section is in effect, provided that the Gov-
ernment of Puerto Rico is not in default under such 
contract other than as a result of a condition speci-
fied in paragraph (3). 
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(k) EFFECT.—This section does not discharge an ob-
ligation of the Government of Puerto Rico or release, in-
validate, or impair any security interest or lien securing 
such obligation. This section does not impair or affect the 
implementation of any restructuring support agreement 
executed by the Government of Puerto Rico to be imple-
mented pursuant to Puerto Rico law specifically enacted 
for that purpose prior to the enactment of this Act or the 
obligation of the Government of Puerto Rico to proceed 
in good faith as set forth in any such agreement. 
(l) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
(1) A combination of severe economic decline, 
accumulated operating deficits, lack of financial 
transparency, management inefficiencies, and exces-
sive borrowing has created a fiscal emergency in 
Puerto Rico. 
(2) As a result of its fiscal emergency, the Gov-
ernment of Puerto Rico has been unable to provide 
its citizens with effective services. 
(3) The current fiscal emergency has also af-
fected the long-term economic stability of Puerto 
Rico by contributing to the accelerated outmigration 
of residents and businesses. 
(4) A comprehensive approach to fiscal, man-
agement, and structural problems and adjustments 
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that exempts no part of the Government of Puerto 
Rico is necessary, involving independent oversight 
and a Federal statutory authority for the Govern-
ment of Puerto Rico to restructure debts in a fair 
and orderly process. 
(5) Additionally, an immediate—but tem-
porary—stay on litigation is essential to stabilize the 
region for the purposes of resolving this territorial 
crisis. 
(A) The stay advances the best interests 
common to all stakeholders, including but not 
limited to a functioning independent Oversight 
Board created pursuant to this Act to deter-
mine whether to appear or intervene on behalf 
of the Government of Puerto Rico in any litiga-
tion that may have been commenced prior to 
the effectiveness or upon expiration of the stay. 
(B) The stay is limited in nature and nar-
rowly tailored to achieve the purposes of this 
Act, including to ensure all creditors have a fair 
opportunity to consensually renegotiate terms of 
repayment based on accurate financial informa-
tion that is reviewed by an independent author-
ity or, at a minimum, receive a recovery from 
the Government of Puerto Rico equal to their 
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best possible outcome absent the provisions of 
this Act. 
(6) Finally, the ability of the Government of 
Puerto Rico to obtain funds from capital markets in 
the future will be severely diminished without con-
gressional action to restore its financial account-
ability and stability. 
(m) PURPOSES.—The purposes of this Act are to— 
(1) provide the Government of Puerto Rico with 
the resources and the tools it needs to address an 
immediate existing and imminent crisis; 
(2) allow the Government of Puerto Rico a lim-
ited period of time during which it can focus its re-
sources on negotiating a voluntary resolution with 
its creditors instead of defending numerous, costly 
creditor lawsuits; 
(3) provide an oversight mechanism to assist 
the Government of Puerto Rico in reforming its fis-
cal governance and support the implementation of 
potential debt restructuring; 
(4) make available a Federal restructuring au-
thority, if necessary, to allow for an orderly adjust-
ment of all of the Government of Puerto Rico’s li-
abilities; and 
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(5) benefit the lives of 3.5 million American 
citizens living in Puerto Rico by encouraging the 
Government of Puerto Rico to resolve its long-
standing fiscal governance issues and return to eco-
nomic growth. 
SEC. 407. PURCHASES BY TERRITORY GOVERNMENTS. 
The text of section 1469e of title 48, United States 
Code, is deleted in its entirety and replaced with ‘‘The 
Governments of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the 
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the 
United States Virgin Islands are authorized to make pur-
chases through the General Services Administration.’’. 
SEC. 408. INTERVENTION IN LITIGATION. 
(a) INTERVENTION.—The Oversight Board may in-
tervene in any litigation filed against the territorial gov-
ernment. 
(b) INJUNCTIVE RELIEF.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—If the Oversight Board in-
tervenes in a litigation under subsection (a), the 
Oversight Board may seek injunctive relief, including 
a stay of litigation. 
(2) NO
INDEPENDENT
BASIS
FOR
RELIEF.— 
This section does not create an independent basis on 
which injunctive relief, including a stay of litigation, 
may be granted. 
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TITLE V—PUERTO RICO INFRA-
STRUCTURE REVITALIZATION 
SEC. 501. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title: 
(1) ACT 76.—The term ‘‘Act 76’’ means Puerto 
Rico Act 76–2000 (3 L.P.R.A. 1931 et seq.), ap-
proved on May 5, 2000, as amended. 
(2) CRITICAL
PROJECT.—The term ‘‘Critical 
Project’’ means a project identified under the provi-
sions of this title and intimately related to address-
ing an emergency whose approval, consideration, 
permitting, and implementation shall be expedited 
and streamlined according to the statutory process 
provided by Act 76, or otherwise adopted pursuant 
to this title. 
(3) ENERGY COMMISSION OF PUERTO RICO.— 
The term ‘‘Energy Commission of Puerto Rico’’ 
means the Puerto Rico Energy Commission as es-
tablished by Subtitle B of Puerto Rico Act 57–2014. 
(4) ENERGY
PROJECTS.—The term ‘‘Energy 
Projects’’ means those projects addressing the gen-
eration, distribution, or transmission of energy. 
(5) 
EMERGENCY.—The 
term 
‘‘emergency’’ 
means any event or grave problem of deterioration 
in the physical infrastructure for the rendering of 
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essential services to the people, or that endangers 
the life, public health, or safety of the population or 
of a sensitive ecosystem, or as otherwise defined by 
section 1 of Act 76 (3 L.P.R.A. 1931). This shall in-
clude problems in the physical infrastructure for en-
ergy, water, sewer, solid waste, highways or roads, 
ports, telecommunications, and other similar infra-
structure. 
(6) ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY
BOARD.—The 
term ‘‘Environmental Quality Board’’ means the 
Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board, a board 
within the executive branch of the Government of 
Puerto Rico as established by section 7 of the Puer-
to Rico Act 416–2004 (12 L.P.R.A. 8002a). 
(7) EXPEDITED
PERMITTING
PROCESS.—The 
term ‘‘Expedited Permitting Process’’ means a Puer-
to Rico Agency’s alternate procedures, conditions, 
and terms mirroring those established under Act 76 
(3 L.P.R.A. 1932) and pursuant to this title and 
shall not apply to any Federal law, statute, or re-
quirement. 
(8) GOVERNOR.—The term ‘‘Governor’’ means 
the Governor of Puerto Rico. 
(9) 
INTERAGENCY
ENVIRONMENTAL
SUB-
COMMITTEE.—The 
term 
‘‘Interagency 
Environ-
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mental Subcommittee’’ means the Interagency Sub-
committee on Expedited Environmental Regulations 
as further described by section 504, and adopted 
pursuant to this title. 
(10) LEGISLATURE.—The term ‘‘Legislature’’ 
means the Legislature of Puerto Rico. 
(11) PLANNING BOARD.—The term ‘‘Planning 
Board’’ means the Puerto Rico Planning Board, a 
board within the executive branch of the Govern-
ment of Puerto Rico established by Act 75–1975 (23 
L.P.R.A. 62 et seq.). 
(12) PUERTO
RICO
AGENCY
OR
AGENCIES.— 
The terms ‘‘Puerto Rico Agency’’ or ‘‘Puerto Rico 
Agencies’’ means any board, body, Board of exam-
iners, public corporation, commission, independent 
office, division, administration, bureau, department, 
authority, official, person, entity, municipality, or 
any instrumentality of the Commonwealth of Puerto 
Rico, or an administrative body authorized by law to 
perform duties of regulating, investigating, or that 
may issue a decision, or with the power to issue li-
censes, certificates, permits, concessions, accredita-
tions, privileges, franchises, except the Senate and 
the House of Representatives of the Legislature and 
the judicial branch. 
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(13) PUERTO RICO ELECTRIC POWER AUTHOR-
ITY.—The term ‘‘Puerto Rico Electric Power Au-
thority’’ means the Puerto Rico Electric Power Au-
thority established by Puerto Rico Act 83–1941. 
SEC. 502. POSITION OF REVITALIZATION COORDINATOR. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established, under 
the Oversight Board, the position of the Revitalization Co-
ordinator. 
(b) APPOINTMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Revitalization Coordi-
nator shall be appointed by the Governor as follows: 
(A) Prior to the appointment of the Revi-
talization Coordinator, the Oversight Board 
shall submit to the Governor no less than three 
nominees for appointment within 60 days of the 
appointment of at least 4 members to the Over-
sight Board. 
(B) In consultation with the Oversight 
Board, not later than 10 days after receiving 
the nominations under subparagraph (A), the 
Governor shall select one of the nominees as the 
Revitalization Coordinator. Such nomination 
shall be effective immediately. 
(C) If the Governor fails to select a Revi-
talization Coordinator, the Oversight Board 
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shall, by majority vote, select a Revitalization 
Coordinator from the list of nominees provided 
under paragraph (A). 
(2) QUALIFICATIONS.—In selecting nominees 
under paragraph (1)(A), the Oversight Board shall 
only nominate persons who— 
(A) have substantial knowledge and exper-
tise in the planning, predevelopment, financing 
and development of infrastructure projects, pro-
vided that stronger consideration shall be given 
to candidates who have experience with Energy 
Projects; 
(B) does not currently provide, or in the 
preceding 3 calendar years provided, goods or 
services to the government of Puerto Rico (and, 
as applicable, is not the spouse, parent, child, 
or sibling of an individual who provides or has 
provided goods and services to the government 
of Puerto Rico in the preceding 3 calendar 
years); and 
(C) shall not be an officer, employee of, or 
former officer or employee of the government of 
Puerto Rico in the preceding 3 calendar years. 
(3) COMPENSATION.—The Revitalization Coor-
dinator shall be compensated at an annual rate de-
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termined by the Oversight Board sufficient in the 
judgment of the Oversight Board to obtain the serv-
ices of an individual with the skills and experience 
required to discharge the duties of the position, but 
such compensation shall not exceed the annual sal-
ary of the Executive Director’s. 
(c) ASSIGNMENT
OF PERSONNEL.—The Executive 
Director of the Oversight Board may assign Oversight 
Board personnel to assist the Revitalization Coordinator. 
(d) REMOVAL.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Revitalization Coordi-
nator may be removed for any reason, in the Over-
sight Board’s discretion. 
(2) TERMINATION OF POSITION.—Upon the ter-
mination of the Oversight Board, the position of the 
Revitalization Coordinator shall be terminated once 
all approved Critical Projects have been completed. 
SEC. 503. CRITICAL PROJECTS. 
(a) IDENTIFICATION OF PROJECTS.— 
(1) PROJECT SUBMISSION.—Any project spon-
sor may submit, so long as the Oversight Board is 
in operation, any existing, ongoing, or proposed 
project to the Revitalization Coordinator. The Revi-
talization Coordinator shall require such submission 
to include— 
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(A) the impact the project will have on an 
emergency; 
(B) the availability of immediate private 
capital or other funds, including, loan guaran-
tees, loans, or grants, to implement, operate, or 
maintain the project; 
(C) environmental and economic benefits 
provided by the project, including the number 
of jobs to be created; 
(D) the status of the project if it is exist-
ing or ongoing; and 
(E) in addition to the requirements found 
in subparagraphs (A) through (D), the Revital-
ization Coordinator may request an Energy 
Project proponent to address how the project 
will— 
(i) reduce reliance on oil for electric 
generation in Puerto Rico; 
(ii) improve performance of energy in-
frastructure and overall energy efficiency; 
(iii) expedite the diversification and 
conversion of fuel sources for electric gen-
eration from oil to natural gas, and renew-
ables in Puerto Rico; 
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(iv) promote the development and uti-
lization of energy sources found on Puerto 
Rico; 
(v) contribute to transitioning to 
privatized generation capacities in Puerto 
Rico; 
(vi) lower energy costs for rate payers 
and increase the availability of affordable 
energy; and 
(vii) achieve in whole or in part the 
recommendations of the study in section 
505(d) of this title. 
(2) IDENTIFICATION
OF
RELEVANT
PUERTO 
RICO
AGENCIES.—Within 20 days of receiving a 
project submission under paragraph (1), the Revital-
ization Coordinator shall, in consultation with the 
Governor, identify all Puerto Rico Agencies that will 
have a role in the permitting, approval, authorizing, 
or other activity related to the development of such 
project submission. 
(3) CERTIFICATION
OF
EXPEDITED
PERMIT-
TING PROCESS.— 
(A) Not later than 20 days after receiving 
a project submission, each Puerto Rico Agency 
identified in paragraph (1) shall submit to the 
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Revitalization Coordinator the Agency’s Expe-
dited Permitting Process. 
(B) FAILURE
TO
PROVIDE
EXPEDITED 
PERMITTING PROCESS.—If a Puerto Rico Agen-
cy fails to provide an Expedited Permitting 
Process within 20 days of receiving a project 
submission, 
the 
Revitalization 
Coordinator 
shall— 
(i) consult with the Governor to de-
velop within 20 days an Expedited Permit-
ting Process for the Agency; and 
(ii) require such Puerto Rico Agency 
to implement the Expedited Permitting 
Process developed under clause (i) for Crit-
ical Projects. 
(b) CRITICAL PROJECT REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—For each submitted project, 
the Revitalization Coordinator in consultation with 
the Governor and relevant Puerto Rico Agencies 
identified in subsection (a)(2) shall develop a Crit-
ical Project Report within 60 days of the identifica-
tion of relevant Puerto Rico Agencies under sub-
section (a)(2), which shall include: 
(A) An assessment of how well the project 
meets the criteria in subsection (a)(1). 
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100 
(B) A recommendation by the Governor on 
whether the project should be considered a Crit-
ical Project. If the Governor fails to provide a 
recommendation, the failure shall constitute a 
concurrence with the Revitalization Coordina-
tor’s recommendation in subparagraph (D). 
(C) In the case of an Energy Project that 
will connect with the Puerto Rico Electric 
Power Authority’s transmission or distribution 
facilities, a recommendation by the Energy 
Commission of Puerto Rico. If no such rec-
ommendation is provided, such failure shall con-
stitute a concurrence with the Revitalization 
Coordinator’s recommendation in subparagraph 
(D). 
(D) A recommendation by the Revitaliza-
tion Coordinator on whether the project should 
be considered a Critical Project. 
(2) SUBMISSION TO OVERSIGHT BOARD.—Not 
later than 5 days after finalizing a Critical Project 
Report, the Revitalization Coordinator shall submit 
it to the Oversight Board. 
(c) ACTION BY THE OVERSIGHT BOARD.—Not later 
than 30 days after receiving the Critical Project Report, 
the Oversight Board, by majority vote, shall approve or 
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101 
disapprove the project as a Critical Project, if the Over-
sight Board— 
(1) approves the project, the project shall be 
deemed a Critical Project; 
(2) disapproves the project, the Oversight 
Board shall submit to the Revitalization Coordinator 
in writing the reasons for disapproval; and 
(3) fails to act and the Revitalization Coordi-
nator had recommended the project be deemed a 
Critical Project, then the project shall be deemed a 
Critical Project. 
SEC. 504. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS. 
(a) CREATION OF INTERAGENCY ENVIRONMENTAL 
SUBCOMMITTEE.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 60 days 
after the date on which the Revitalization Coordi-
nator is appointed, the Interagency Environmental 
Subcommittee shall be established and shall evaluate 
environmental documents required under Puerto 
Rico law for any Critical Project within the Expe-
dited Permitting Process established by the Revital-
ization Coordinator under section 503(a)(2). 
(2) COMPOSITION.—The Interagency Environ-
mental Subcommittee shall consist of the Revitaliza-
tion Coordinator, and a representative selected by 
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102 
the Governor in consultation with the Revitalization 
Coordinator representing each of the following agen-
cies: The Environmental Quality Board, the Plan-
ning Board, the Puerto Rico Department of Natural 
and Environmental Resources, and any other Puerto 
Rico Agency determined to be relevant by the Revi-
talization Coordinator. 
(b) REGULATIONS, ORDERS, AND CONTRACTS.—The 
Oversight Board shall approve or disapprove of any action 
taken by the Governor pursuant to or mirroring section 
11 of Act 76 (3 L.P.R.A. 1941) pursuant to section 
204(b). 
(c) LENGTH
OF EXPEDITED PERMITTING PROC-
ESS.—With respect to a Puerto Rico Agency’s activities 
related to only a Critical Project, such Puerto Rico Agency 
shall operate as if the Governor has declared an emergency 
pursuant to section 2 of Act 76 (3 L.P.R.A. 1932). Sec-
tion 12 of Act 76 (3 L.P.R.A. 1942) shall not be applica-
ble to Critical Projects. Critical Projects shall be 
prioritized to the maximum extent possible in each Puerto 
Rico Agency. 
(d) EXPEDITED
PERMITTING
PROCESS
COMPLI-
ANCE.— 
(1) WRITTEN
NOTICE.—A Critical Project 
sponsor may in writing notify the Oversight Board 
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103 
of a Puerto Rico Agency’s, or the Revitalization Co-
ordinator’s failure to adhere to the Expedited Per-
mitting Process. 
(2) FINDING
OF
FAILURE.—If the Oversight 
Board finds either the Puerto Rico Agency or Revi-
talization Coordinator has failed to adhere to the 
Expedited Permitting Process, the Oversight Board 
shall direct the offending party to comply with the 
Expedited Permitting Process. The Oversight Board 
may take such enforcement action as necessary as 
provided by section 104(k). 
(e) REVIEW OF LEGISLATURE ACTS.— 
(1) SUBMISSION
OF
ACTS
TO
OVERSIGHT 
BOARD.—The Legislature shall notify and submit to 
the Revitalization Coordinator and Oversight Board 
any Act of the Legislature that may affect the Expe-
dited Permitting Process pursuant to section 204(a). 
(2) FINDING OF OVERSIGHT BOARD.—Upon re-
ceipt of an act from the Legislature under para-
graph (1), the Oversight Board shall promptly re-
view whether the proposed act would significantly 
impact the Expedited Permitting Process, and upon 
such a finding, the act shall be deemed to be signifi-
cantly inconsistent with the Fiscal Plan and Budget 
as identified by section 204(a). 
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104 
(f) ESTABLISHMENT OF CERTAIN TERMS AND CON-
DITIONS.—No Puerto Rico Agency may include in any cer-
tificate, right-of-way, permit, lease, or other authorization 
issued for a Critical Project any term or condition that 
may be permitted, but is not required, by any applicable 
Puerto Rico law, if the Revitalization Coordinator deter-
mines the term or condition would prevent or impair the 
expeditious construction, operation, or expansion of the 
Critical Project. The Revitalization Coordinator may re-
quest a Puerto Rico Agency to include any certificate, 
right-of-way, permit, lease, or other authorization, term 
or condition, that may be permitted in accordance with 
applicable laws if the Revitalization Coordinator deter-
mines such inclusion would support the expeditious con-
struction, operation, or expansion of any Critical Project. 
(g) DISCLOSURE.—All Critical Project reports, and 
justifications for approval or rejection of Critical Project 
status shall be made publicly available online within 5 days 
of receipt or completion. 
SEC. 505. FEDERAL AGENCY REQUIREMENTS. 
(a) FEDERAL POINTS OF CONTACT.—At the request 
of the Revitalization Coordinator and within 30 days of 
receiving such a request, each Federal agency with juris-
diction over the permitting, or administrative or environ-
mental review of private or public projects on Puerto Rico, 
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