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For information on compiling Pennsylvania legislative histories, check out the guide below.
A legislative history is a compilation of documents created during a law's journey through the legislative process. A legislative history may include documents such as committee reports, floor debates, memoranda, etc.
Why is Legislative History Important?
Researchers may assemble legislative histories for laws in order to determine if these documents reveal any legislative intent in passing the law. Researchers can use expressions of legislative intent to help determine or argue the purpose of a law. Legislative intent is especially useful if there are no case decisions that interpret the law.
Guide originally created by: Stephanie Huffnagle
This guide provides a basic overview of compiling a legislative history in the following states: Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey & New York.
For a general guide to compiling a legislative history in other states, see:
