- The best source for recent history and intent research
- Has full-text of bills and statutes, bill analyses, votes, and histories from 1999 – current day
- Archived site has this information back to the 1993–1994 session.
- Full-text of statutes and Assembly Journals back to 1849–1850 session
- Assembly and Senate Histories back to 1881
- Additional indices and tables varying by year
- Full-text of Assembly Bills (1911–1988)
- Full-text of Senate Bills (1903–1987)
- Journals of the Assembly and Senate (c. 1949–2009)
- Historic California Constitutions, Legislative Indices, Histories, Statutes, and more
Managing Expectations
While there is a wealth of information available online, the further back in California’s history you research, the less useful and less plentiful the information. This is because legislative documentation has become more plentiful and better preserved as times have progressed and because some older documentation is rarer and yet to be digitized. If at any time you have questions or cannot find information you need, please feel free to contact the Witkin State Law Library at csllaw@library.ca.gov and we will happily assist you.
Legislative History vs. Intent
Legislative history involves tracing the path of a bill from its inception to when it was chaptered or other final action. Legislative intent involves finding analyses, commentary, and other materials that would help a researcher determine why a bill was authored or what it was attempting to accomplish. While there is some information regarding intent online, it can only be found for the last few decades. Conversely, at least some information regarding legislative history goes back to the 19th century.
What can I expect to find regarding history and intent?
Legislative history can be traced far into California’s past.
- A “Table of Laws Enacted” can be found with the statutes dating back to 1917. Other various charts can be found identifying statutes even further back with some browsing.
- Text of bill versions can be found back to the 1993–1994 session and with less inclusiveness back to 1903.
Legislative intent cannot be readily traced back as far.
- Bill Analyses — one of the most sought after resources regarding intent — can be found back to the 1993–1994 session online through LegInfo.
Performing Basic Legislative History Research Online
Resources Consulted
This guide is meant to assist you with performing basic California legislative history research online, using only these freely available resources.
- California Legislative Information
- California Legislative Information Archived site
- Chief Clerk of the Assembly Archives
- California Legislative Publications 1850–2009
With them, you should be able to conduct some research to find the full-text of California Legislative Bills back to 1993, and many more back to 1903. If you cannot find what you are looking for, the information is not contained within theses resources, or you have any questions:
Contact Us
Our librarians are always willing to assist with your research questions regarding California legislation. For assistance, please use the contact information listed on the law library homepage.
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