Tutorial Start               History FAQs

What else might I need to know, or where else might I look?

Bulletins.  Another place to look for information is the series of Legislative Counsel Bureau Bulletins.  These reports summarize Interim Studies conducted by the Legislature, often including suggested legislation to be introduced in the following session.  (Keep in mind that these studies are done during the Interim.  For example, if you are looking for information concerning a 1957 bill, check the list of Bulletins for both 1957 and 1956.)  If you find a Bulletin that may be useful, contact our Publications office for a copy:

Minutes from interim study committee meetings and final reports of the study are available at the Research Library and, to some extent, online.  The online minutes go back to the 1997-98 Interim.  (See “Interim Info” on the legislative home page.)  The online reports go back to 1947.

Audio.  The activities on the Senate and Assembly floor are recorded.  Copies are kept by the Legislative Counsel Bureau for two sessions, then sent to the State Archives for permanent storage.  Legislative audio was recorded in the following formats:

• 1961-1969       Dictabelt
• 1971-1977       Reel-to-reel
• 1977-1999       Cassette tape
• 2001-current    CD

Committee meetings are also recorded, but are not permanently retained.  Committee recordings are kept by the Legislative Counsel Bureau for a two-session period.

Reports/Studies Done By Outside Agencies.  Occasionally a state agency or outside consultant will conduct a study that results in legislation being introduced.  In these instances, the committee discussion of the bill may mention the agency, organization or the study itself.  The Research Library or the State Library may have more information about the studies. 

From 1849 to 1977 reports to the Legislature and other state documents were bound together in volumes entitled Appendix to Journals of Senate and Assembly.  These reports cover a wide range of subjects, and may be a useful source of information.

Newspaper or Magazine Articles.  For recent legislation, you may be able to find articles online.  Check with your local library or the State Library for older items.  The State Library also has a list of the newspapers that have some indexing and where to call for more information.

Other Things to Keep in Mind:

• No minutes or written reports are prepared for conference committee meetings.  Conference committees generally include 3 senators and 3 assemblymen who meet to reconcile differences in a bill as passed by the Senate and the Assembly.
• When amendments are added late in a bill history, the language may be derived from another bill that stalled earlier in the session.  Check the bill index and research similar bills.
• A bill passed one session may have been extensively debated, but not passed, in the previous session.  Check the bill index for the previous session to identify and research for background information.
• Early discussions on a bill may not reference the bill number.  Preliminary discussions may be by subject or by the unique BDR (Bill Draft Request) number.
• In major revisions of NRS chapters, language that appears to be newly introduced in the bill may actually have existed in older compilations of NRS.  Check similar subject chapters in older editions or previous codifications.

What are some Legislative Counsel Bureau Publications that might be of help?