Rican electoral law. It would also require the Puerto Rico State Elections Commission to inform voters in all authorized plebiscites that if Puerto Rico retains its current status or is admitted as a State: (1) any official language requirements of the Federal Government shall apply to Puerto Rico to the same extent as throughout the United States (regardless of the fact that English is already an official language in Puerto Rico); and (2) it is the Sense of Congress that the teaching of English be promoted in Puerto Rico in order for English-language proficiency to be achieved"; regardless of the fact that English is already taught in all grades from primary school, middle school, and high school, as well as in higher education. Senate hearing Immediately following House passage, H.R. 2499 was sent to the U.S. Senate, where it was given two formal readings and referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. A hearing was scheduled on May 19, 2010 for the purpose of gathering testimony on the bill. Among those scheduled to offer testimony are Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico Pedro Pierluisi; Governor of Puerto Rico Luis Fortuño; President of the Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico Héctor Ferrer; and President of the Puerto Rican Independence Party Rubén Berríos. H.R. 2499 officially died with the sine die adjournment of the 111th Congress. See also Puerto Rico Self-Determination Act Bills in U.S. Congress regarding the political status of Puerto Rico References External links H.R. 2499: Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2010 on Govtrack.us a civic project to track Congress WashingtonWatch.com HR 2499 Status on THOMAS Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2009 'United States Plus One – The Prospect of Puerto Rico as the 51st State' – Audio Documentary on HR.2499 2007 in Puerto Rico 2009 in Puerto Rico Puerto Rican law Proposed legislation of the 110th United States Congress Proposed legislation of the 111th United States Congress