PA Legislative History Research

A legislative history is the chronology of legislative action. To trace this legislative action, a researcher must uncover the sources of legislative

information that lead to a bill's passage.

Legislative Intent - Ambiguities in statutory language are often resolved in courts. Legislative intent can be used to persuade a judge to interpret a disputed meaning of a statute in a favorable way for clients.

Guide for Drafting Related Laws - Lawyers are often involved in the research and drafting of new bills in the interest of clients. Research into state law is helpful when drafting similar state laws and vice versa.

History must be compiled for the entire act.

Determine if a legislative history has already been compiled.

Summary of Steps in Compiling a PA

Legislative History

1) Identify the Act

OR Identify the Bill No. & Year

2) Locate the Bill History

3) Locate Remarks in the

Legislative Journals

2012, Feb. 14, P.L. 87, No. 13 §1, effective in 60 days [April 16, 2012]

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D

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Enacted Legislation (1975 forward)

House Journals (1961 forward)

Senate Journals (1993 forward)

If you are researching laws enacted prior to 1975, or looking for

any remarks in the House or Senate Journals prior to the dates

referenced above, you will have to refer to print resources.

https://www.jenkinslaw.org/research/resour

ce-guides/pennsylvania-legislative-history-

how-guide