Legislative history vs. legislative intent

Before you begin > Legislative history vs. legislative intent > Typical materials > Starting with what you know > Other helpful resources

Legislative history relates to how a bill becomes law, and includes the documents and steps involved in passage. Legislative intent relates to why a bill becomes law, and who proposes ideas or reforms. The primary documents of legislative history can often illustrate legislative intent.

Legislative history	Legislative intent
Primary documents Bill file Committee reports Bill analyses Bill history Fiscal notes Committee hearings and audio tapes Journals Interim committee reports	Who bill author, sponsor in the legislature (a legislator's own words would carry the most weight as to intent) supporters, opposition, witnesses individuals, committees, or organizations that proposed ideas or reforms Why - events, federal involvement News articles, testimony, bill analyses

Next: Typical materials