[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3026 Introduced in House (IH)]
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118th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3026
To provide for the adoption of the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin
Islands as the constitution of the United States Virgin Islands.
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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 28, 2023
Ms. Plaskett introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Natural Resources
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A BILL
To provide for the adoption of the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin
Islands as the constitution of the United States Virgin Islands.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. ADOPTION OF CONSTITUTION FOR THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN
ISLANDS.
(a) In General.--The Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands (48
U.S.C. 1541 et seq.) (as amended through January 1, 2023)--
(1) is deemed to satisfy the requirements of Public Law 94-
584 (90 Stat. 2899) with respect to a constitution for the
local self-government of the people of the United States Virgin
Islands; and
(2) as of the date of the enactment of this Act, is adopted
as the constitution of the United States Virgin Islands.
(b) Amendments to the Constitution.--
(1) Proposed amendments.--
(A) In general.--The Legislature of the Virgin
Islands (referred to in this subsection as the
``Legislature'') may propose amendments to the
constitution of the United States Virgin Islands
(referred to in this subsection as the
``constitution'') by a resolution approved by not less
than two-thirds of all of the members of the
Legislature.
(B) Presentation to voters.--All proposed
amendments approved by the Legislature under
subparagraph (A)--
(i) shall be submitted to the qualified
voters of the United States Virgin Islands
(referred to in this subsection as ``qualified
voters'') in a referendum; and
(ii) published at least 3 months before the
date of such referendum.
(C) Referendum concurrent with general election.--
If the resolution is approved by not less than three-
fourths of all of the members of the Legislature, the
Legislature may provide that the referendum be held at
the same time as the next general election.
(D) Amendment requirements.--Each proposed
amendment approved by the Legislature under
subparagraph (A) shall--
(i) be voted on separately;
(ii) specify the terms under which it shall
take effect; and
(iii) become a part of the constitution if
it is ratified by a majority of the qualified
voters voting thereon.
(E) Maximum number.--Not more than 3 proposed
constitutional amendments may be submitted at the same
referendum.
(2) Constitutional convention; revisions.--
(A) Question to voters.--The Legislature, by a
resolution approved by two-thirds of all of the members
of the Legislature, may submit to the qualified voters
at a referendum, held at the same time as a general
election, the question of whether a constitutional
convention shall be called to revise the constitution.
(B) Effect of vote in favor of revision.--If a
majority of the qualified voters voting on this
question vote in favor of the revision, it shall be
made by a constitutional convention elected in the
manner provided by law.
(C) Special referendum on revisions.--Each revision
of the constitution shall be submitted to the qualified
voters at a special referendum for ratification or
rejection by a majority of the votes cast at the
referendum.
(3) Limitations.--No amendment to the constitution shall--
(A) alter the republican form of government
established by it; or
(B) abolish any right in the bill of rights.
(c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this Act shall be construed
to create a cause of action under Federal law with respect to any claim
that the Legislature of the Virgin Islands is in violation of the
Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands (48 U.S.C. 1541 et seq.).
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