Chapter 8

Question 1

Legislative Process

Answer 1

1. Proposed in House (Assembly) or Senate.
   a. Committee hearings, reports, debates, investigations
   b. Committee approves of bill
2. Vote in House (Assembly) or Senate.
   a. Committee hearings, reports, debates, investigations
   b. Committee approves of bill
3. Vote in House (Assembly) or Senate.
4. If different versions of bill, establish conference committee with member of House (Assembly) and Senate. Once worked out, each house must re-vote on bill.
   President signs or vetoes (2/3 override).

Question 2

Why know the legislative history?

Answer 2

1. Monitor status of bills int he federal and state legislature
2. Investigate the histories of passed legislation to determine the policy or intended effect

Question 3

Pending legislation - Congressional Index

Answer 3

Monitors the status of every bill in the house and Senate. Updated weekly when Congress is in session. 2 volumes- one for House and one for Senate.

Question 4

Public Laws

Answer 4

Federally enacted laws. Can be obtained from the bill’s sponsor or the GPO.

Question 5

USCCAN - United States Code Congressional and Administrative news

Answer 5

Organized by congressional session and the history of each public law is arranged by the public law number

Question 6

Congressional Information Service - CIS

Answer 6

Complies legislative histories. Is an exhaustive in coverage for legislative history, so most researchers review the abstracts first to determine if delving into the legislative history is necessary.

Question 7

Congressional Record

Answer 7

Text of all proceedings from the floor of Congress.

Question 8

Pending Legislation - Congressional Quarterly Weekly Report

Answer 8

Tracks pending legislation as well as policy information and voting records.