LibGuides: Employment and Labor Law Research: Legislative History

Federal Legislative History

Here are some useful places to start. For more information, see the Zief Library Federal Legislative History research guide. You can also ask a Zief Librarian for advice specific to your topic.

Legislative Insight - ProQuest This link opens in a new window
Legislative Insight's sophisticated search of compiled federal legislative history documents quickly retrieves the most relevant documents. Includes access to: Public Law text; all versions of enacted & related bills; Congressional Record excerpts; committee hearings; and committee reports. Also includes Congressional Research Service (CRS) reports, committee prints, and Presidential signing statements. See the Quick Start Guide for more. Coverage begins with 1789
Sources of Compiled Legislative History - HeinOnline This link opens in a new window
References (with links, where available) to articles and other sources that compile legislative history documents and citations. Part of HeinOnline's "U.S. Federal Legislative History Library." [For current USF faculty, students, and staff.] Also available in print in the Zief Library at KF 42.12 1979 Law Reference.
ProQuest Congressional This link opens in a new window
To find documents related to enacted legislation (e.g., Public Law 107-296): (1) Select "Search by Number"; (2) Select "Legislative Citations; (4) Select "Public Law Number" ; (5) Select the Congress, e.g., 107, from the pull-down menu; (6) enter the Public Law number, e.g., 296 in the adjacent text box. After your search runs, select "Legislative History" from the "Document Type" filter on the left. (If you have the U.S. Code citation, you can readily find the Public Law number.)

California Legislative History

Finding California Legislative History
A Zief Library research guide detailing the arduous process of California legislative history research.

California legislative history is much, much more difficult and time consuming than federal legislative history. For an idea of what is involved, take a look this Zief Library research guide on finding California legislative history. If you still want to proceed, we recommend that you schedule a consultation with a Zief research librarian.