CALIFORNIA LEGISLATIVE HISTORY INFORMATION
California legislative histories are almost never available compiled and ready for the researcher. While much information is available on the internet, there are many additional places to search. As a first stop, the LA Law Library has many resources to help a researcher.
 Basic California Legislative History Checklist |
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Legislative History Steps
Search both Deering’s and West’s Annotated California Codes
- Located in Reference area
- In print volumes, review both hardbound volume and pocket part
- Determine year of enactment and chapter number in Statutory History
- Examine and pursue any relevant annotations
Search chaptered law in the Statutes and Amendments of the Codes
- Examine chaptered law as signed by the Governor. Some chaptered law contain part unknown to you and may be helpful in your research
Determine bill number and author
- “Table of Law Enacted” is generally found in the pages just prior to the actual text
- “Summary digest” if found at the end of the last volume and provides a brief legislative history
Check Shepard’s California Citations
- May list additional resources such as California Attorney General Opinions or additional law review articles
Search the legislative index or Table of Sections Affected
- Statutes can be derived from a number of bills, not merely the final bill
- Check for similar bills in prior sessions
- Index available from 1993 – present
Review the Assembly or Senate Final History
- Recent years located in Alcove 8, for other years, ask at the Reference desk
- Determine the progress of the bill from introduction to signature
- Identify committees that examined the bill
Review the Journal of the Assembly or the Journal of the Senate
- Examine the daily entries to see which legislators either supported or opposed the bill
Examine all versions of the bill as introduced and subsequently amended.
- Ask at Reference Desk if not available online or in Alcove 8
Consult the annual review of selected California legislation.
- May include additional law reviews, analysis or a note of similar legislation in other states.
Search any reports, hearing, and debates.
- Ask at the Reference Desk for indices
- Hearings are held only for selective bills and are for investigative purposes
- No regular distribution of hearings, so copies may be sporadic
- Transcripts of hearings after 1945 have been collected, by various libraries, with greater reliability
Review other sources as necessary.
- Consult the California Law Revision Commission Reports (KA 226.2 .A1 C21 Calif)
- Consult Judicial Council Annual Reports (Reference Desk)
Additional Sources
State Archives:
1020 O Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
916-653-7715
Contract with a commercial Legislative Service: For a fee, legislative histories may be compiled.
Search the California State Library Catalog. Additional hearings and reports may be found
Internet Resources
California Legislative Information Page
LINKS TO OTHER PATHFINDERS
In addition, you may find links to additional pathfinders here.