Research Guides

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.

pdf 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.