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Finding Legislative History

Finding Legislative History. Steve Donweber Spring 2011. The Legislative Process. How a bill becomes law. Documents are produced at every stage of the process. Very important to know which documents are produced at which stages. How a Bill Becomes Law (1).

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Finding Legislative History

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  1. Finding Legislative History Steve Donweber Spring 2011

  2. The Legislative Process • How a bill becomes law. • Documents are produced at every stage of the process. • Very important to know which documents are produced at which stages.

  3. How a Bill Becomes Law (1) • A bill is introduced in the House or the Senate. • The bill is referred to a committee and a subcommittee. • The committee and/or the subcommittee hold hearings on the bill. • The committee prepares a committee report and reports the bill to the full House or the Senate. • The bill is debated on the floor of the House or the Senate.

  4. How a Bill Becomes Law (2) • A vote is taken and the bill is passed or defeated. • The same procedure is carried out in the other house. • When both houses have passed related bills, the bills are referred to a conference committee where members agree to a compromised version. The compromise bill is sent to each house with a conference committee report. A vote is taken and the bill is passed or defeated. • If the bill passes both houses, it is sent to the President.

  5. How a Bill Becomes Law (3) • The bill becomes law if: • President signs the bill; or • President takes no action within ten days; or • President vetoes the bill but is overridden by two-thirds vote of each house of Congress. • If the President does not act and Congress adjourns before ten days pass, then the bill dies (pocket veto).

  6. The Bill • Bills have multiple versions. • Normally, when a bill is introduced, it is read into the record and then immediately referred to the appropriate committee. • There may be an introductory statement by the sponsor. • Where to find? • Congressional Record • LexisNexis Congressional • Thomas -- http://thomas.loc.gov • FedSys -- http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/ • Microfiche (pre- 95th Congress)

  7. Stuck in Committee • The most important stuff in the evolution of a bill happens in committee • Hearings • Committee Reports • “Death” in Committee

  8. Hearings • Annoying to watch, important to read. • How to find hearing transcripts? • Hearing # • Name of legislation • Name of committee • Name of witness • Other citation information

  9. Hearings • Where to find hearing transcripts? • FedSys -- http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/ • LexisNexis Congressional • Westlaw • LexisNexis • Committee websites

  10. Committee Reports • The most important aspect of legislative history • How to find? • Report # • Name of legislation • Name of committee • Other citation information

  11. Committee Reports • Where to find? • Thomas -- http://thomas.loc.gov • FedSys -- http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/ • LexisNexis Congressional • U.S.C.C.A.N. (1948-present) • LexisNexis • Westlaw • CIS Indexes

  12. Floor Action • Debates • Vote • Where to find? • Congressional Record • Thomas -- http://thomas.loc.gov • FedSys -- http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/ • LexisNexis Congressional • Westlaw • Print • Library of Congress • Find by legislation, sponsor, speaker, or date

  13. Head to the other Chamber • Debate and Vote • Possible conference report • Very important • Find the way you find regular committee reports

  14. President • Veto or Sign • Signing Statement • Where to find information? • Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents (GPO Access) • U.S.C.C.A.N.

  15. Public Law • Where to find? • Statutes at Large • Thomas • GPO Access

  16. Finding Compiled Legislative Histories • Hein Online • LexisNexis • U.S.C.C.A.N. • Thomas - Bill Summary & Status

  17. Legislative History for Free • Thomas • GPO Access

  18. We’re All Just Bills I’m Just a Bill

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