Subject Guide for Finding California Legislative Documents
Use this guide if you need to locate specific California legislative documents. There are related guides if you are researching public policy or need other other legal materials.
How to Find
Sources Cited
Find a Bill Number by Author/Sponsor
Use the year, or approximate year, of the bill to decide which source to use.
~Legislation~. 1993-current session.
Use "Keyword(s)" to search by name.
Bill Information. 1993-current session.
Use "Author(s) and/or Keyword(s)" able for current session.
Senate - use the "SENATE MESURES LISTED BY AUTHORS" section in the Weekly or Semi-Final History.
Final History. 1973-previous session.
Location: L500 A1 H5 CA stacks
Look up your author in the "...MEASURES LISTED BY AUTHORS" section.
Final Calendar of Legislative Business. 1925-1972.
Location: L500 F5 CA stacks
Use the "...MEASURES LISTED BY AUTHORS" section.
Find a Bill Number by Subject
Use the year, or approximate year, of the bill to decide which source to use.
~Legislation~. 1993-current session.
Use "Keyword(s)" and search by name.
Bill Information. 1993-current session.
Use "Author(s) and/or Keyword(s)."
Legislative Index: Subject. Current session.
AND
Legislative Index: Subject. 1973-ongoing.
Location: L450 L4i Ref/CA for current session; CA stacks for previous sessions.
A subject index to bills introduced in the Assembly and Senate. Bills that have become law are referred to as either a chapter or statute. The Library has 1973/74; 1977-current session.
Final Calendar of Legislative Business. 1925-1972.
Location: L500 F5 CA stacks
Use the "SUBJECT MATTER INDEX."
Find a Bill Number by Chapter Number
Use the year, or approximate year, of the chapter number to decide which source to use.
Statutes. 1993-current session.
Search by chapter number and year.
Statutes and Amendments to the Code. 1849-ongoing.
Location: L325 Ref/CA
Use the "TABLE OF LAWS ENACTED" section.
Summary Digest. 1938-ongoing.
Location: L500 S85 CA stacks
Use the "STATUTE DIGESTS" section. Since 1967 the Summary Digest is also included as part of the Statutes and Amendments to the Code (L325 Ref/CA).
Find a Copy of a Bill by Bill Number
To locate a paper copy of a recent bill, or a bill prior to 1993, you will need the bill number. If you do not have the bill number, use the find a bill number section first.
Assembly Bills. Senate Bills. Current session.
Location: L500 A1 B5 Ref/CA
The Library keeps current session in paper. Bills are arranged by session (year) and bill number. Older bills (1867-1994) are available at the San Diego County Law Library. From 1993 to the present bills are available online. See the two web sites below.
~Legislation~. 1993-current session.
Use "Bill Number" and search by session and bill number.
Bill Information. 1993-current session.
Search by session and bill number.
Find All Bills by One Author
Daily, Weekly, or Semi-Final History. Current session.
Location: H500 Ref/CA
Assembly - An index by author is not available for current session.
Senate - Use the "...MEASURES LISTED BY AUTHORS" section.
Senator Information - by Senator Name. Current session.
Each Senator's home page has a "Legislation" link which will list bills sponsored.
Assembly Member Directory. Current session.
Each Assembly member's home page has a "Legislative Information" section. Choose the Assembly member and review the home page for the link to legislative information. It will be different for each person.
~Legislation~. 1993-current session.
Search by author's name in "Keyword(s)" and session.
Bill Information. 1993-current session.
Search by session and "Author(s) and/or Keyword(s)."
Final History. 1973-previous session.
Location: L500 A1 H5 CA stacks
Use the "...MEASURES LISTED BY AUTHORS" section.
Find Propositions by Ballot Number
If you do not know the year, or approximate year, of the proposition use California Ballot Propositions to determine the election month and year. If you do not know the proposition number, use the proposition/ballot number by title section.
California Ballot Pamphlet. 1979-ongoing.
Location: C875 Ref/CA
Arranged by ballot number and includes an analysis.Recent ballots are available online.
1998 California General Election Voter Information Guide/Ballot Pamphlet (November 1998)
Elections - links to the June 1998, November 1996, November 1996, and November 1994 pamphlets
Statutes and Amendments to Codes 1849-ongoing.
Location: L325 Ref/CA
Use the "MEASURES SUBMITTED TO VOTES OF ELECTORS" section.
Find Proposition/Ballot Number by Title
California Ballot Propositions. Los Angeles County Law Library.
Scan the list for title.
Statutes and Amendments to the Codes. 1849-ongoing.
Location: L325 Ref/CA
Use the "MEASURES SUBMITTED TO VOTES OF ELECTORS" section and scan for your title.
Resolutions and Constitutional Amendments
Follow the same procedures listed for finding bills.
Find Hearings by Subject
Most committee hearings and reports are never published.
Senate Publications by Subject. 1995-ongoing.
Publications can be viewed by subject or in chronological order. Check the PAC to see if the SDSU Library has a copy.
Assembly Publications Catalog. 1992-ongoing.
Location: L535 C3 CA stacks
Lists Assembly publications. Check the PAC to see if the SDSU Library has a copy.
Joint Publications Catalog. 1984-1989.
Location: L535 C3 CA stacks
Arranged by committee. Check the California card catalog to see if the SDSU Library has a copy.
the PAC
The online catalog for SDSU includes California publications received from 1992 to the present. Search by subject and LIMIT to located in Government Publications. Hearings begin with the call number L500.
California Card. For publications published through 1992.
Location: Gov Pub Ref
Look for your subject. Hearings begin with the call number L500.
California State Publications. 1945-ongoing.
Location: Z 1223.5 .C2 C4 Ref
Use the index at the end of each monthly issue. Hearings begin with the call number L500. Cumulative fiche indexes are available for 1982-1995.
Find Hearings by Committee Name
Senate Committees. Current session.
Check each committee for publications available on the Internet.
Assembly Committees. Current session.
Check each committee for publications available on the Internet. This site uses frames.
Assembly Publications Catalog. 1992-ongoing.
Location: L535 C3 CA stacks
Lists Assembly publications. Check the PAC to see if the SDSU Library has a copy.
Joint Publications Catalog. 1984-1989.
Location: L535 C3 CA stacks
Use the "TABLE OF CONTENTS" to locate the section with your committee. Check the California Card Catalog to see if the Library has a copy.
Hearings and Reports of Committeess of the California Legislature During (year) Session: A Listing. 1970-1984.
Location: L532 H4 CA stacks
Use the "TABLE OF CONTENTS" to locate the section with your committee. If "available" is indicated for the hearing, use the California Card Catalog or the PAC to see if the Library has a copy.
the PAC
The online catalog for SDSU includes California publications received from 1992 to the present. Search by subject and LIMIT to located in Government Publications. Hearings begin with the call number L500.
California Card Catalog. For publications published through 1992.
Location: Ref (near the Reference Desk)
Look for your subject. Hearings begin with the call number L500.
California State Publications. 1945-ongoing.
Location: Z 1223.5 .C2 C4 Ref
Use the index at the end of each monthly issue. Hearings begin with the call number L500. Cumulative fiche indexes are available for 1982-1995.
Find Hearings by Title
the PAC
The online catalog for the SDSU Library.
California Card Catalog. For publications received through 1991.
Location: Ref
Look up the title.
California State Publications. 1945-ongoing.
Location: Z 1223.5 .C2 C4 Ref
Same as for locating by subject.
Find Debates on the Floor of the Assembly or Senate
NOTE: The State does not publish verbatim or summary transcripts of debates on the floor of the Assembly and Senate.
Find Roll Call & Voice Votes by Bill Number
~Legislation~. 1993-current session.
Voice votes will be indicated in the bill "History." To determine how an individual legislator voted during a roll call vote, search by author's name in "Keyword(s)." To find a listing of all legislator's roll call votes, use the Assembly Journal or the Senate Journal.
Bill Information. 1993-current session.
Voice votes will be indicated in the bill "History." To determine how an individual legislator voted during a roll call vote, search by "Author(s) and/or Keyword(s)." To find a listing of all legislator's roll call votes, use the Assembly Journal or the Senate Journal.
Assembly Journal. Senate Journal. 1851-ongoing.
Location: L500 J7 Ref/CA for current session; CA stacks for 1851-1912, 1993-95; CA microfiche for 1913-1994
Use the "BILL ACTION INDEX" to locate the page of the Journal that records the roll call vote.
Daily, Weekly, Semi-Final, or Final History. 1973-current session.
Location: L500 Ref/CA for current session; L500 A1 H5 CA stacks for Final History
Look up your bill number and the vote will be included in the history.
Find Vetoes (Governor) by Bill Number
~Legislation~. 1993-current session.
A link to the text of veto message will be included in the bill "History."
Bill Information. 1993/94-current session.
A link to the text of veto message will be included in the bill "History."
Daily, Weekly, Semi-Final, or Final History
Location: L500 Ref/CA for current session; L500 A1 H5 CA stacks for Final History
For a complete listing of all vetoed bills during a session, use the "...BILLS VETOED BY GOVERNOR" section.
Statutes and Amendments to the Code. 1849-onging.
Location: L325 Ref/CA
Beginning in 1965, a complete listing of all vetoed bills during a session is included in the "CROSS REFERENCE TABLE: BILLS VETOED BY GOVERNOR" section.
Final Calendar of Business. 1925-1972.
Location: L500 F5 CA stacks
Use the "VETOED MEASURES" section.
Find Chapter Number by Subject
~Legislation~. 1993-current session.
Search by session and use "Keyword(s)."
Bill Information. 1993-current session.
Search by session and keyword.
Summary Digest. 1938-ongoing.
Location: L500 S85 CA stacks
Use the "INDEX TO STATUTES ENACTED" section.
Digest of Significant Legislation. 1995-current session.
AND
Digest of Significant Legislation. 1987-ongoing.
Location: L551 S53 CA stacks
Use the "TABLE OF CONTENTS" to identify sections covering your subject.
Legislative Summary of Significant Measures. 1972-1984.
Location: L550 C35d L4 CA stacks
Use the "TABLE OF CONTENTS" to identify sections covering your subject.
Find Chapter Number by Bill Number
~Legislation~. 1993-current session.
Search by session and "Bill Number" or "Keyword(s)."
Bill Information. 1993-current session.
Search by session and bill number or keyword.
Summary Digest. 1938-ongoing.
Location: L500 S85 CA stacks
Use the "CROSS REFERENCE TABLE: BILL NUMBER TO CHAPTER NUMBER" section.
Daily, Weekly, or Semi-Final History. Current session.
Location: H500 Ref/CA
Look up the bill number and the history will provide chapter number.
Final History. 1973-previous session.
Location: L500 A1 H5 CA stacks
Use the "...BILLS APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR" section.
Final Calendar of Legislative Business. 1925-1972.
Location: L500 F5 CA stacks
Look up the bill number and the history will provide the chapter number.
Find Chapter Number by Title
West's Annotated California Code. Current edition.
Location: KFC 30 .W4 Reference
Use the "Popular Names" table in the index. Locate the section you are referred to. The chapter number will be listed.
Sources Cited: Call Numbers and Library Holdings for Sources Cited
Assembly Bills
AB # Ref/CA
The Library keeps the original and all amended versions of bills for current session only. Oler bills (1867-1992) are available at the San Diego County law Library. From 1993 to the present bills are available online.
Assembly Journal
See the entry for Journal of the Assembly.
Bill Information. 1993-current session.
This site includes the full text of bills, resolutions, and constitutional amendments, and their status, history, votes, analyses, and veto messages.
California Ballot Pamphlet. 1974-ongoing.
C875 Ref/CA
The ballot pamphlet contains the text of the propositions, bond issues and initiatives arranged in ballot number order. An analysis written by the Legislative Analyst is included, as well as arguments for and against written by special interest groups. Recent ballots are also available online.
California Ballot Propositions. Los Angeles County Law Library.
Includes a description of the proposition, title of the ballot measure and any additional popular or alternative names, statute and bill number, summary, and an indication of whether or not it was approved.
California State Publications. 1948-ongoing.
Z 1223.5 .C2 C4 Gov Pub Ref
A listing of official state publications issued by executive agencies, the Legislature and the judiciary. It is published monthly and is cumulated annually. There is a title and subject index. Annual cumulations are available for the year 1945-1981. A microfiche cumulation is issued each year which covers 1982 to the previous year.
Daily History
See the entry for Weekly History.
Digest of Significant Legislation. 1995-current session.
AND
Digest of Significant Legislation. 1985-ongoing.
L551 S53 CA stacks
Major Assembly and Senate bills are arranged by broad subject categories (e.g., Health, Education, Senior Citizens). Each entry provides the name of the author, a brief summary, and the disposition of the bill at the end of the session (e.g., died in committee, vetoed by governor, passed and chapter number). An index by bill number is included. The Library has 1987 to the present.
Final Calendar of Legislative Business. 1925-1972.
L500 F5 CA stacks
The Final Calendar is arranged by Senate and Assembly bills and lists all the actions taken on bills, constitutional amendments, concurrent, resolutions, joint and concurrent resolutions. The "Legislative Index" in the back provides subject access to bills. The Final Calendar split into three separate publications in 1973: Senate Final History, Assembly Final History,
Legislative Index.
Final History. 1973-previous session.
L500 A1 H5 CA stacks
There are separate final histories for the Assembly and Senate. The Final History is arranged by bill number and lists all the actions taken on bills, constitutional amendments, concurrent, joint and resolutions introduced during the regular and extraordinary sessions. The Library has Assembly Final History from 1975 to the present and Senate Final History from 1973 to the present.
Hearings and Reports of Committees of the California Legislature During (year) Session: A Listing. 1970-1984.
L532 H4 CA stacks
Arranged by Assembly and Senate Committee, there are separate listing for hearings and reports. Entries for hearings indicate if a transcript is available. The Library has 1970-1976; 1979-1984.
Joint Publications Catalog. 1984-1989.
L535 C3 CA stacks
This catalog lists the reports and hearing transcripts of the Assembly, Senate, and Joint
Committees that are for sale. It is arranged by committee name.
Journal of the Assembly. Journal of the Senate. 1851-ongoing.
L500 J7 Ref/CA for current session; CA stacks for 1851-1212, 1993-95; CA microfiche for 1913-1994.
The Journals provide a daily record of actions taken on the floor of the Assembly and Senate. They do not contain verbatim or summary transcripts of debates, but do record voice and roll call votes. There is an "Alphabetical Index" which provides access by subject and Legislative member name. A "Bill Action Index" provides access by bill number. The Journal of the Assembly has an additional volume which lists roll call votes occurring within committees. The Library has 1851; 1854 to the present for the Assembly and the Senate.
~Legislation~. 1993-current session.
This site includes the full text of bills, resolutions, and constitutional amendments, and their status, history, votes, analyses, and veto messages.
Legislative Index: Subject. Current session.
AND
Legislative Index. 1973-current session.
L500 L4i Ref/CA for current session; Ca stacks for previous sessions.
Part 1 is a subject index for bills introduced in the Assembly and Senate. Part 2 includes a list of California Code sections affected. The Library has 1973-1974; 1977 to the present. There is no subject access for all bills introduced during the years 1975-1976. Use the Summary Digest for subject access to bills passed during this time period. An online version is available for the current session only.
Legislative Summary of Significant Measures. 1972-1984.
L550 C35d L4 CA stacks
Bills are listed by policy committee. Entries include summaries for bills that failed or were vetoed by the Governor, as well as those that were signed into law. There is an index of bills, in numerical order, listing policy committee and subject matter. The Library has 1972-1974; 1979-1984.
Semi-Final History. Current session.
L500 A1 H5 Ref/CA
See the entry for Weekly History.
Senate Bills. Current session plus previous two sessions.
SB # Ref/CA
The Library keeps the original and all amended versions of bills for current session only. Oler bills (1867-1992) are available at the San Diego County law Library. From 1993 to the present bills are available online.
Senate Journal
See the entry for Journal of the Senate.
Statutes. 1993-current session.
California statutes are the chaptered Bills. A bill is "chaptered" by the Secretary of State after it has passed through both houses of the Legislature and has been signed by the Governor or becomes law without the Governor's signature. Statutes are available starting from 1993.
Statutes and Amendments to the Code. 1849-ongoing.
L325 Ref/CA
This set includes the full text of statutes and resolutions arranged by chapter number. It also includes the text of proposed constitutional amendments and propositions, cross reference tables by bill number, lists of new general laws, a subject index and, since 1967, the Summary Digest. The Library has 1850; 1854 to the present.
Summary Digest. 1938-ongoing.
L500 S85 CA stacks
The Summary Digest consists of a short summary of each law enacted, and of each concurrent or joint resolution adopted by the Legislature. It is arranged by chapter number and includes cross reference tables by bill number and a subject index. This is published both as a separate issue and, since 1967, as part of the Statutes and Amendments to the Code.
Weekly History. Current session.
H500 Ref/CA
The Weekly History provides a summary of actions taken on bills introduced during the current session. The Daily History supplements the Weekly by providing a update for bills being considered on that day. The Semi-Final History is a mid-session cumulation of the Weekly History. The Final History is the last cumulation for the 2 year session. There are separate histories for the Assembly and Senate. Regular and extraordinary sessions have a separate Daily and Weekly and are combined in the Semi-Final and Final History.
West's California Annotated Codes.
KFC 30 .W4 Reference
This is a commercial publication of the Codes of California (subject codification of current laws). The index to this set provides subject access to current California laws. The "Popular Names" table will help you find laws by title. NOTE: This set is located in General Reference on the 1st floor.
