Thanks to all who answered my question about the nuts & bolts of
legislatures. While the material about the house of representatives was
useful, some people were kind enough to forward suggestions about their
states. They include Mary Whisner, Tina Dumas, Bob Grundy, Ali Smeck,
Kay Collins, Genie Tyburski, and Judith Popik.
If anyone has references to states other than Washington, I will gladly
add to the summary and re-post. Here's a summary as some requested:
Federal -- Manion, Meringolo & Oaks, "A research Guide to Congress: How
to Make Congress Work for You (2d ed. 1991), published by Legis-Late,
Inc. Chapter 10, All About Bills, contains information about
engrossed/enrolled
-- Seeberger, "Sine Die: A Guide to the Washington State Legislative Process" (1997 ed., University of Washington Press)"Inside the Legislative Process: A Comprehensive Survey by the American Society of Legislative Clerks and Secretaries in Cooperation with the National Conference of State Legislatures," NCLS, 1560 Broadway, Suite 700, Denver, CO 80202; 444 North Capitol Ave., NW, Suite 515, Washington DC 20001. The current edition is dated 2/98 but the publication is a work in process at this point. It covers Legislative organization, bills & bill procedures, committee procedures, floor action. To come are: Legislative Documents, Public Information and Office of the Chief Clerk or Secretary. Downloadable at: http://www.thomas.loc.gov/home/lawsmade.toc.html Concise version: www.house.gov/Tying it all.html
Library of congress has a page with two links: http://lcweb.loc.gov/global/legislative/legproc.html#glossary that leads to a glossary of senate terms and a C-Span searchable Congressional Glossary
The Legislative counsel of California has a document, "A Guide for Accessing California Legislative Information on the Internet" at http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/guide.html. Appendix B contains a glossary of legislative terms.
The classic explanations are at http://thomas.loc.gov and include Enactment of a Law by Robert B. Dove, Senate Parliamentarian, and How Our Laws Are Made, by Charles W. Johnson, House Parliamentarian
http://www.virtualchase.com/govdoc/Process.htm
There is a GPO Pamphlet, "How a Bill Becomes a Law," that reprints "How Our Laws Are Made," and "Enactment of a Law"
Again, my thanks.
Ellen ============================================================ Ellen M. Poler epoler@interaccess.com McBreen, McBreen & Kopko 312-332-6405 X 240 20 North Wacker Drive FAX: 312-332-2657 Chicago IL 60606 ============================================================
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