WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATIVE HISTORY

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WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATIVE HISTORY

• Professor Penny A. Hazelton
• Bridge the Legal Research Gap
• June 23, 2004

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Legislative History Defined

• Drafting and Introduction of a Bill, its
  Sequential History Towards Enactment
  
• Extrinsic Aid to Determine Legislative Intent

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Legislative History Can Be Cited in Washington

• Howlett v. Cheetham (1897)(bill drafts)
• Scouten v. Whatcom (1903)(explicit approval)
• Statute Must Be Ambiguous
• See Wang article, 7 UPS Law Review 571 (1984)

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How a Bill Becomes Law

• Introduced First Reading
• Referred to Committee
• Committee Holds Hearings
• Committee Recommends Action
• Referred to Rules Committee
• Second Reading Debate on Merits
• Third Reading Roll Call Vote on Final Passage
• Sent to Second House
• To Governor

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Elements of Legislative History

• Language of Session Law
• Committee Reports
• Debate on House and Senate Floor
• Sequential Versions of the Bill
• Hearings

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Legal Research Guide

• Gallagher Law Library
• http//lib.law.washington.edu/ref/washleghis.html
  
• Regularly Revised by Experts
• Checked for Link Rot

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Problem

• A new law in Washington provides penalties for
  harassment of a guide dog. It is called Laylas
  law. Find this law. Why was it enacted? Why is
  it called Laylas law? Why did the National
  Federation of the Blind oppose this legislation?

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Compile From Internet Sources

• Find This Law
• Start with RCW section
• http//search.leg.wa.gov/basic/textsearch/default
  .asp
  
• Bill information for 2001
• http//www.leg.wa.gov/wsladm/billinfo01_02/bills.c
  fm
  
• Read session law (ch. 112)
• Note bill number (ESSB 5942)
• Locate Complete History of ESSB 5942
• Choose Bill Information link

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Compile from Internet (cont.)

• Read Committee Reports
• House and Senate Journals (floor action)
• Not online in print
• Call Olympia see Gallagher Guide
• Who was Layla? How can we find out?
• http//seattletimes.nwsource.com

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Problem

• We need to understand the underlying language of
  the original enactment of Megans Law in
  Washington. This is the law that requires sexual
  offenders to register.

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Compile From Print Sources

• Search RCW http//search.leg.wa.gov/basic/textsear
  ch/default.asp
  
• RCW Sec. 9A.44.130
• Note the Session Law (1990 ch. 3 402)
• Laws of Washington
• Note the bill number (SSSB 6259)
• Final Legislative Report
• Legislative Digest and History of Bills
• Journal of House and Journal of Senate

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Wash. Rev. Code Ann.
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Laws of Washington, 1990
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Laws of Washington, 1990
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Laws of Washington, 1990
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Final Legislative Report, 1990
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Final Legislative Report, 1990
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Final Legislative Report, 1990
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Legislative Digest, 1990 Regular
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Washington Senate Journal, 1990
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Washington Senate Journal, 1990
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Legislative History Research -Tips

• Find an Article, Book Chapter, Court Opinion,
  Brief That Refers to the Legislative History
  Materials
  
• Plan Ahead Print or Electronic?
• Determine Time to Spend on Project
• Weigh the Likelihood of Success
• Check the Gallagher Research Guide for Material
  in Olympia