LibGuides: Legislative History Research: Overview

Overview

Legislative history research can be complicated, but researchers who follow a step-by-step process can find the materials available on any given bill or statute.

These basic steps are:

Identify the bill(s) that interest you by year and House or Senate file number.
Use the House and Senate Journals to determine the action taken and which committees heard the bill.
Locate and read the applicable committee minutes.
Find the audio taped discussions of the bill (1991 and later).
Research a companion bill from the opposite legislative body.
Identify other potential sources of information.

Note: Original materials from 1998 and earlier are available at the Minnesota Historical Society Library, while those from after 1998 are held by the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Many older materials are only available in their original paper formats.

Helpful Legislative History Research Links

Minnesota Legislative Research Library's Guide to Legislative Research
Another step-by-step guide for MN Legislative research.
Office of the Revisor of Statutes
Among the roles of this legislative office is compiling, editing, and printing Laws of Minnesota, Minnesota Statutes, and Minnesota Rules.

Research Options

Visit the MNHS Library-Legislative Research
Original legislative materials from 1998 and earlier are at MHS.
Legislative Reference Library
Original legislative materials after 1998 and links to online resources.
Legislative History Research Service
If you want us to do the research for you, check out this fee-based research service.

Related Research Guides & Webpages

Governors of Minnesota
A brief biography of each governor, including dates of term(s) in office.
Government, Politics, & Public Affairs Collection
MNHS collections including information on politicians, organizations, political images and artifacts, and state archives.
Governors' Records
A guide to researching in the official and personal papers of MN governors.