Territorial Law
Territorial law includes the legal rules that govern U.S. territories, including local laws adopted by territorial institutions and federal laws enacted by Congress. The legal status and powers of a territory differ from those of a state, and Congress has constitutional authority over U.S. territories.
Territorial law includes the legal rules that govern U.S. territories, including local laws adopted by territorial institutions and federal laws enacted by Congress. The legal status and powers of a territory differ from those of a state, and Congress has constitutional authority over U.S. territories.
Example: In 2016, Congress enacted the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA), establishing a financial oversight framework for Puerto Rico.
Common misconception: U.S. territories have exactly the same constitutional and political status as states. Territories have local governments and residents, but their relationship with Congress and federal representation differs from statehood.
Sources: https://www.congress.gov/114/plaws/publ187/PLAW-114publ187.pdf; https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artI-S8-C1-3-1/ALDE_00001076/