Clients have asked us how to use our legislative history materials in cases where an earlier bill enacts a particular word or phrase but then a subsequent bill makes changes to the statute omitting the earlier phrase. In other words, what did the Legislature intend when it omitted the earlier enacted language? Short of finding specific discussion in the legislative history research material as to why the language was left out, case law can be useful in understanding legislative intent. While Legislative Intent Service, Inc. provides an objective service summarizing the historical material provided, an added help to clients can be ... Read More >
Jan 10
How Do California’s Statutes Differ From Other States?
Every state has its own set of laws, regulations, and statutes. A statute refers to an arrangement of laws that is subject-based and permanent. The jurisdiction's legislature has passed it. According to USC Gould, as of right now, California has 29 different statutory codes. California is known to be the most heavily regulated state, but it is also known to have some of the most unique statutes and legislatures. California laws stand out against laws passed in other states for various reasons. The most prominent is that the citizens of California follow a separate constitution from the federal constitution. The California Constitution was ... Read More >
Dec 30
Happy New Year!
LEGISLATIVE INTENT SERVICE, INC. Your partner in legislative history research (530) 666‑1917 • www.legintent.com Happy New Year! We hope this finds you happy, healthy and ready to ring in 2023. While our operations have adapted (if you leave a voicemail, a team member working remotely will call you back), we remain committed to meeting your legislative intent needs. Our 2022 gratitude list includes: 1) “New” technologies that allow us to work remotely and scan legislative documents more efficiently; 2) Our partners in offices, libraries and archives; and 3) YOU! ~ Check out our 2022 Holiday Card HERE ... Read More >
Dec 13
The History of the Legislative Branch
According to the United States Senate, the legislative branch of the American government was established in 1787 during the construction of Article 1 of the US Constitution. The legislative history of the United States Congress is an interesting tale as it's one of three co-equal parts of the United States government. In the US, the legislative branch consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate, which together comprise the nation's Congress. If you are interested in learning more about legislative history in the US, keep reading! Powers Bestowed on the Legislative Branch by the US Constitution Congress holds a reasonable amount ... Read More >
Nov 21
5 Qualities to Look for in Legal Research Tools
The Constitution was created over 200 years ago, and U.S. laws constantly change. With new technologies and legal research tools, keeping up with the latest information requires time and patience. Many legal research tools are available today, and it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. Here are some qualities to look for in legal research tools. 1. Comprehensive When conducting legal research, you want to be sure that you're using a comprehensive tool. The tool should include a range of resources, from law journals to legal news sources. It should also be updated regularly so you can be confident you're getting the most accurate ... Read More >
Oct 17
What Is Legislative Intent and How Do You Find It?
Legislative intent is the underlying purpose behind a particular law. When you read a piece of legislation, you must ask yourself, "Why was this law passed? What was the purpose behind it?" If you don't know the answers to these questions, you'll struggle to understand the original intent of the law. In order to find legislative intent, you'll need to consider the bill's context and surrounding debate. You'll also need to look into the bill's history and what lawmakers said during the debate. To help you better understand how legislative intent works, here's a detailed background of what you need to know. Why Is Legislative Intent ... Read More >