Researching U.S. Public Policy: Tracing a Legislative and Regulatory History

[Overview of Steps] [Tracing Legislation Step-by-Step]

Introduction

One strategy for analyzing government public policy is to trace the legislative history of a public law or program. Reading the primary documents created during the legislative process will help you determine the problem or issue Congress was addressing and the intent of Congress when it passed the bill or created the program. The process of studying legislative materials is sometimes referred to as tracing or compiling a legislative history. This guide provides a step-by-step procedure for finding primary legislative documents. It takes the legislative history one step further and includes information on finding regulations and secondary source material.

For more information about the legislative process, see The United States/Federal Law Making Process. For quick links to specific public policy materials, see A Brief Guide to Researching U.S. Public Policy.

Overview of Steps for Tracing Legislation

Note: Students in Nursing, Public Health and Social Work classes doing a policy paper can limit their research to the steps with a red check check mark. Students in Public Administration 605 should follow all the steps listed.

	Step 1:Choose a topic.
	Step 2: Obtain a copy of the bill history.
	Step 3: Obtain a copy of the Public Law.
	Step 4: Obtain a copy of the bill.
	Step 5: Obtain copies of committee hearings and reports.
	Step 6: Obtain copies of Congressional Research Service publications related to your topic.
	Step 7: Obtain copies of Congressional debate on the bill.
	Step 8: Obtain a copy of the president's statement (if any) upon signing the bill as a Public Law.
	Step 9: Obtain copies of regulations resulting from the Public Law or relating to your topic.
	Step 10: Complete the legislative history by looking for additional publications related to your topic.

Beginning of Document

Tracing Legislation Step-by-Step

Step 1: Choose a topic.

If you don't have a topic, here are three strategies to help you choose one. You can (A) identify a law or (B) a program that addresses an issue you are interested in. Or, you may want to (C) browse articles in Congressional Quarterly publications and public policy web sites to help you pick an issue.

A. Identify a law that addresses an issue you are interested in.

bullet For laws approved from 1984 to the present use:

Lexis/Nexis Congressional. (SDSU affiliated users only): Provides the full text of more than 25 years of comprehensive information from and about the United States Congress, including Congressional publications and legislative histories; bills, laws, and regulations; member biographical and committee assignment information; and insider's perspectives on legislative activities through the National Journal.
Begin by selecting CIS Index, then search by Legislative History.
CIS Annual: Legislative Histories. 1984-ongoing.
Location: KF 49 .C62 Reference: Indexes significant enactments (public laws). Histories identify all relevant documents. Use the subject index in the back of each volume.

bullet For laws approved between 1970-1983 use:

CIS Annual: Index. 1970-ongoing.
Location: KF 49 .C62 Reference: Comprehensive index to Congressional publications: hearings, reports, prints. Use the separate index volumes. The "PL" entries will provide a legislative history.

bullet For laws approved 1995-present use:

Thomas: Use the "Major Legislation - Enacted into law" files for the recent Congress(es). Read the summaries to choose a law.

B. Identify a program that addresses an issue you are interested in.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance. Current only.
Location: PrEx 2.20:year Ref/US: Describes federal programs, projects, services and activities which provide assistance or benefits to the public. Read the program description for Public Law information. Then use Lexis/Nexis Congressional (1984-present), CIS Annual: Legislative Histories (1984-present) or CIS Annual: Index (1970-1983) to locate a legislative history.

C. Use the CQ Library Web site, Congressional Quarterly publications, and public policy web sites to find an interesting topic.

CQ Researcher . (SDSU affiliated users only)
Location: H 62 .E352 Reference: Provides in-depth reports on current and controversial issues with complete summaries, pro and con discussions of all sides of the issues, bibliographies and more. Full text is available from 1996 to the present and abstracts for print reports from 1991 to present.
CQ Weekly Report. 1983-present. (SDSU affiliated users only)
Congressional Quarterly Weekly Report. 1955-present.
Location: JK 1.C15 Reference: Weekly overview of activities in Congress.
Congressional Quarterly Almanac. 1945-present.
Location: JK 1.C66 Reference: Annual summary of major legislative activities in Congress.
Congressional Quarterly Congress and the Nation. 1945-present.
Location: JK 1021.C6 Reference
Public Policy Web Sites: Selective list of major policy oriented web sites.

[Overview of Steps] [Beginning of Document]

Step 2: Obtain a copy of the bill history.

The bill history is a chronological listing of all legislative activity for the bill (when and who introduced it, if hearings were held, if it was amended, approved, etc.) Lexis/Nexis Congressional or a CIS legislative history will identify all the primary source documents related to the law.

bullet For laws approved from 1984 to the present use:

Lexis/Nexis Congressional. (SDSU affiliated users only): Provides the full text of more than 25 years of comprehensive information from and about the United States Congress, including Congressional publications and legislative histories; bills, laws, and regulations; member biographical and committee assignment information; and insider's perspectives on legislative activities through the National Journal.
Begin by selecting CIS Index, then search by Legislative History.
CIS Annual: Legislative Histories. 1984-ongoing.
Location: KF 49 .C62 Reference: Indexes significant enactments (public laws). Histories identify all relevant documents. Use the subject index in the back of each volume.

bullet For laws approved between 1970-1983 use:

CIS Annual: Index. 1970-ongoing.
Location: KF 49 .C62 Reference: Comprehensive index to Congressional publications: hearings, reports, prints. Use the separate index volumes.

bullet For laws approved 1995-present use:

Thomas: Use the "Major Legislation - Enacted into law" files for the recent Congress(es). Read the summaries to choose a law. Then check CIS: Legislative Histories.

If you are researching a bill that did not become a public law, try the following.

Lexis/Nexis Congressional. (SDSU affiliated users only): Provides the full text of more than 25 years of comprehensive information from and about the United States Congress, including Congressional publications and legislative histories; bills, laws, and regulations; member biographical and committee assignment information; and insider's perspectives on legislative activities through the National Journal.
Begin by selecting Bills.
Congressional Index. 1957/58-1997/98.
Location: J 69 .C6 4th floor books: Use the "Status of House Bills" or "Status of Senate Bills" section.
History of Bills Online via GPO Access. 1983-ongoing (98th Congress-ongoing).: Provides a list of actions taken on all bills and resolutions with date and page numbers for the Congressional Record.
Thomas. 1973-ongoing (93rd Congress-ongoing).: Use the "Bill Summary & Status" files to locate detailed listing of dates and actions taken.

[Overview of Steps] [Beginning of Document]

Step 3: Obtain a copy of the Public Law.

United States Statutes at Large. 1789-ongoing.
Location: AE 2.111: Ref/US: Full text of public laws.

Current laws are also online at several Web sites.

Lexis/Nexis Congressional. (SDSU affiliated users only): Provides the full text of more than 25 years of comprehensive information from and about the United States Congress, including Congressional publications and legislative histories; bills, laws, and regulations; member biographical and committee assignment information; and insider's perspectives on legislative activities through the National Journal.
Begin by selecting CIS Index, then search by Legislative History.
Public Laws via GPO Access. 1995-present (104th Congress-present).: This is the official electronic version of public laws.
Thomas. 1995-present (104th Congress-present).: Full text of public laws begins with 104th Congress. Full text of bills begins with 103rd Congress.
United States Code. Current edition.
Location: Table 2 Ref for current edition; Compact Shelving for older editions; and Internet.: Contains the general and permanent laws arranged by subject.

[Overview of Steps] [Beginning of Document]

Step 4: Obtain a copy of the bill.

Refer to the copy of the Public Law to identify the original bill number.

Lexis/Nexis Congressional. (SDSU affiliated users only): Provides the full text of more than 25 years of comprehensive information from and about the United States Congress, including Congressional publications and legislative histories; bills, laws, and regulations; member biographical and committee assignment information; and insider's perspectives on legislative activities through the National Journal.
Begin by selecting CIS Index, then search by Legislative History OR Legislative Histories by [enacted bill] number.
Congressional Bills via GPO Access. 1993-present (103rd Congress-present).: The official version.
Thomas. 1993-present (103rd Congress-present).: Search the "Bill Text" files.
Microfiche User's Guide to the Congressional House and Senate Bills. 1983-ongoing.
Location: Ref: Use the bill number and this guide to identify the call number for a microfiche copy of the bill.
Congressional Record. 1873-ongoing.
Location: X:vol.# U.S. stacks: Early years of the Congressional Records include a copy of the bill. Try this for bills prior to 1983.

[Overview of Steps] [Beginning of Document]

Step 5: Obtain copies of the committee hearings and reports.

If you have a Lexis/Nexis Congressional or CIS legislative history from Step 2, read the abstracts and retrieve the hearings and reports listed.

If you are researching a bill, a very new public law or legislation prior to 1970, try one or more of the following.

Lexis/Nexis Congressional. (SDSU affiliated users only): Provides the full text of more than 25 years of comprehensive information from and about the United States Congress, including Congressional publications and legislative histories; bills, laws, and regulations; member biographical and committee assignment information; and insider's perspectives on legislative activities through the National Journal.
Senate, House and Executive Reports via GPO Access. 1995-present (104th Congress-present).: Provides the full-text of selected reports as a single, usually large, file. Files available as ASCII or the "official" .PDF version.
Committee Reports via Thomas. 1995-present (104th Congress-present).: Provides full-text of selected reports as a single large file. Includes a link to the "official" GPO .PDF version.
CIS Annual: Index. 1970-ongoing.
Location: KF 49 .C62 Reference: Comprehensive index to Congressional publications: hearings, reports, prints. Use the separate index volumes.
CIS US Congressional Committee Hearings Index. [early 1880s-1969.]
Location: Z 1223.A2 C2 Reference: Index to early committee hearings.

The home pages for House of Representatives and Senate committees may provide additional information.

[Overview of Steps] [Beginning of Document]

Step 6: Obtain copies of Congressional Research Service publications related to your topic.

Major Studies and Issue Briefs of the Congressional Research Service. 1916-ongoing.
Location: LC 14.2:St 9 Ref/US: An index to the "in-depth policy analyses and research on every subject of interest to Congress, including background analyses; pro and con arguments; scientific, economic and legal analyses; legal research; and legislative histories." The reports are available on microfilm through 1989 and on microfiche from 1991.

[Overview of Steps] [Beginning of Document]

Step 7: Obtain copies of Congressional debate and vote on the bill.

Congressional Record. 1873-ongoing.
Location: X Gov Pubs/US: A substantially verbatim transcript of what is said in Congress. Also includes the text of comments submitted in writing rather spoken. Submitted text is marked by a black bullet.

Congressional Record Index. 1983-present.: Lists individuals, organizations, and topics mentioned in the Congressional Record.

The Congressional Record is available online at several Web sites.

Lexis/Nexis Congressional. (SDSU affiliated users only): Provides the full text of more than 25 years of comprehensive information from and about the United States Congress, including Congressional publications and legislative histories; bills, laws, and regulations; member biographical and committee assignment information; and insider's perspectives on legislative activities through the National Journal.
Begin by selecting CIS Index, then search by Legislative History.

Congressional Record Online via GPO Access. 1994-present.: This is the "official" electronic version.

Thomas. 1993-present (103 Congress-present).: Use the Congressional Record Index files or the Congressional Record Text files

[Overview of Steps] [Beginning of Document]

Step 8: Obtain a copy of the president's statement (if any) upon signing the bill as a Public Law.

Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents. 1993-ongoing.
AND
Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents. 1965-ongoing.
Location: AE 2.109: Gov Pubs/US: Provides the full text of speeches, press conferences, etc. Compiled and re-issued as the Public Papers of the Presidents (AE 2.114: Gov Pubs/US).

The White House Web site may also provide information.

[Overview of Steps] [Beginning of Document]

Step 9: Obtain copies of regulations resulting from the Public Law or relating to your topic.

bullet Regulations for existing government programs:

Code of Federal Regulations. Current.
AND
Code of Federal Regulations.
Location: AE 2.106/3: Ref/US for current year; U.S. microfiche for older years.: Annual compilation of existing agency regulations.
CIS Index to the Code of Federal Regulations. 1996-1997.
Location: KF 70 .A34 I46 Ref/US; shelved after AE 2.106/3: Ref/US.: Detailed index for the Code of Federal Regulations.

bullet Regulations for new programs OR programs which have ceased:

Federal Register. 1994-ongoing.
AND
Federal Register. 1936-ongoing.
Location: AE 2.106: Ref/US for current year; U.S. microfiche for older years.: Daily announcement of proposed and new regulations.
CIS Federal Register Index. 1984-1998.
Location: KF 70 .A2 Index Ref: Detailed index for the Federal Register.

[Overview of Steps] [Beginning of Document]

Step 10: Complete the legislative history by looking for additional publications related to your topic.

[Agency Publications] [Program Information] [CQ Articles] [Policy Studies]
[Books & Newspaper Articles] [Statistics] [Organizations]

A. Agency Publications

Monthly Catalog of U.S. Government Publications. 1976-present. (SDSU affiliated users only)
OR
Monthly Catalog of U.S. Government Publications. 1895-ongoing.
Location: GP 3.8: Ref/US: A a comprehensive index to federal publications. Most of the publications will be located in Government Publications & Maps.
Links to Agency Web Sites

B. Program Information

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance. Current.
Location: PrEx 2.20: Ref/US: Describes federal programs, projects, services and activities which provide assistance or benefits to the public.
Overview of Entitlement Programs: (year) Green Book. 1996-ongoing.
AND
Overview of Entitlement Programs: (year) Green Book. 1982-ongoing.
Location: Y 4.W 36: Ref/US for current year; U.S. stacks from 1988; Y 4.WMCP: U.S. stacks for 1982-1987.: Includes background material and statistical data on major entitlement programs.

C. Congressional Quarterly Articles

CQ Researcher . (SDSU affiliated users only)
Location: H 62 .E352 Reference: Provides in-depth reports on current and controversial issues with complete summaries, pro and con discussions of all sides of the issues, bibliographies and more. Full text is available from 1996 to the present and abstracts for print reports from 1991 to present.
CQ Weekly.1983-present. (SDSU affiliated users only)
Congressional Quarterly Weekly Report. 1955-ongoing.
Location: JK 1.C15 Reference: Weekly overview of activities in Congress.
Congressional Quarterly Almanac. 1945-ongoing.
Location: JK 1.C66 Reference: Annual summary of major legislative activities in Congress.
Congressional Quarterly Congress and the Nation. 1945-ongoing.
Location: JK 1021.C6 Reference

D. Public Policy Web Sites

Public Policy Web Sites: Selective list of major policy oriented Web sites.

E. Books and Periodical Articles

the PAC: The SDSU online catalog.

The following resource is a good source for locating articles about public policy and government activities. To identify periodical indexes and databases use Article Databases and Electronic Resources.

U.S. Government Periodicals Index. 1994-ongoing.
Location: Z 1223.Z7 U82 Reference: Provides access to articles in over 180 periodicals issued by the federal government.

F. Statistics

Statistical Abstract of the United States. Current.
AND
Statistical Abstract of the United States. 1878-ongoing.
Location: C 3.134: Ref Desk & Ref/Table 3; U.S. stacks for older years.: A compendium of social, economic and political statistics about the U.S.
Historical Statistics of the United States, Colonial Times to 1970. 1975.
Location: C 3.134/2:H 62/975 Ref/US: Includes a variety of social, economic and political statistics.
American Statistics Index (ASI). 1974-ongoing.
Location: Z 7554.U5 A46 Reference: Indexes and abstracts statistical publications issued by the federal government.

For additional guidance in locating statistics, consult Government Statistics.

G. Organization Directory

Associations Unlimited. Current. (SDSU affiliated users only)
AND
Encyclopedia of Associations. Current.
Location: HS 17 G32 Ref Desk: Comprehensive source of information for over 22,000 nonprofit American membership organizations. The paper and online versions have different titles.

Overview of Steps