Other Uses of Legislative History

Abstract

Too often, people discussing legislative materials talk only about their use in statutory construction. This essay explores other uses, such as informing advocacy, keeping current with new legislation, finding facts, and fueling critique and analysis.

By the way, much of the controversy about using legislative history in statutory construction is at the federal level, but many states have statutes directing their courts to consider it. An appendix provides citations.

Keywords: legislative history, legislative materials, legislatures, Congress, legal research, legal writing, statutes