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.govhttp://thomas.loc.gov –FedSys -- http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/ –Microfiche (pre- 95 th 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/ 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.govhttp://thomas.loc.gov –FedSys -- http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/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.govhttp://thomas.loc.gov –FedSys -- http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/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