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U.S. Legal Research Guide:
Legislation, Laws, Regulations & Case Law

Following are sources, both print and online, for tracking federal legislative and legal information. For specific instructions on searching CODES, CASE LAW and REGULATIONS on Lexis-Nexis, see the online help within that database.

For remote access to library databases see:
Off-Campus Access to Library Resources
For California legislative and legal information see the California Legal Research Guide.

Legislation & Legislative History

Federal bills, Congressional Record and committee hearings and reports:

  • Thomas, full text of legislation from 1989 (101st congress) and summaries of legislation from 1975 (94th Congress)
     Provides current and retrospective documents, including the Congressional Record. For a quick search of the current session type in your query as a Word/Phrase or enter a Bill Number. Other options include the ability to search “Multiple Previous Congresses” or “Public Laws.”
  • CIS (Congressional Information Service), 1970-current. Index and full text documents on microfiche in Microforms Dept.,2nd floor. Index provides abstract of publications of more than 300 House, Senate and Joint committees and subcommittees; an index to laws; reports; Congressional reports and documents; hearings; legislative histories.
  • Congressional Index,1985/86-2007. Located in Reference Dept., 2nd floor at Ref KF49.C6.
    Semi-weekly updated index to bills; status of legislation; history of legislation.
  • U.S. Congressional Serials Set, 1789-1969. A collection of historical Congressional documents. Print and microfiche version also available in the Microforms Dept., 2nd floor.
  • American State Papers, 1789-1838. Legislative and executive documents, many originating from the important period between 1789 and the beginning of the U.S. Congressional Serial Set in 1817.

Background Information

  • Congressional Quarterly Almanac, 1948-2000. Provides an overview of the year in Congress including analyses and chronology of major legislation; also provides voting records.
  • CQ Researcher, 1991-current. Provides in-depth analyses of current issues.
  • CQ Weekly, 1998-current. Weekly news & analysis of Congressional activity & legislation. Includes special reports; recap of major legislation, includingstatus and coverage of floor and committee activity; election data & votes; analyses of major political issues.
  • Earlier title is:
    Congressional Quarterly Weekly Report, 1962-1998.
  • National Journal, 1969-current.Weekly magazine focusing on events on Capitol Hill with emphasis on regulatory agencies, foreign trade and legislative strategy.

The following general periodical and newspaper indexes can also be accessed through the Legal Resources database list. From the Library’s home page, select “Articles & More” then Legal Resources. Most articles are full-text online.

Current:

Historical:

Statutes & Public Laws (Text of laws as enacted)

  • Thomas, full text of legislation from 1989 (101st congress) and summaries of legislation from 1975 (94th Congress). Public laws by law number or search by word/phrase.
  • U.S. Statutes at Large, 1789-1963. Microfiche located in Microforms, 2nd floor; 1969-current in the Reference Department (Ref. KF50 .U5). Contains public laws in chronological order.
  • U.S. Congressional Code & Administrative News, 1964-current. Located in Reference Department (Ref. KF48 .U5). This set is particularly useful for providing annotations, i.e., notes regarding the specific sections of Code affected by the law, legislative history.

Codes (Current law)

Regulations

  • GPO Access Executive Resources
    Contains the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), which covers
    Agency and department regulations currently in effect, within two weeks (approx.) of approval. Arranged by broad areas (titles) which can be browsed, or search by keyword or the citation of a specific regulation. For pending regulations consult the Federal Register also on this site.
  • Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), current.
    Print version of the CFR. Ask at the Reference Desk for location.
  • Index to the Code of Federal Regulations, 1994-2001. [Ref] KF70.A34 I46.
    Current volume contains indexing of current regulations by subject.

Court Cases

  • Lexis/Nexis Legal
    Includes Supreme Court cases, Appellate Court cases, District Court cases and others. Select Federal & State Cases, then use the pull-down menu next to “Select Sources” to select a court.
  • Shepard's® for U.S. Supreme Court cases in Lexis/Nexis Legal provides the capability to:
    • Validate, or cite-check, your case to determine whether it is still good law, e.g., whether its value as precedent has been affected by a later court decision or legislative action; and
    • Locate a comprehensive listing of additional cases and other authorities that have cited your case, including annotations and law-review articles.
  • Supreme Court Reporter, 1883-1988 and West's Supreme Court reporter, 1989-2002. (Ref KF101.U5).
    Decisions of the Supreme Court in chronological order, published by West.
  • United States Supreme Court Digest, (Ref KF101.1.U5).
    Indexed by point of law, this provides a topical approach to Supreme Court cases. Kept up to date by pocket supplements.

Secondary Sources

Law reviews provide scholarly in-depth analyses and evaluations of legal issues and usually include many footnotes that cite primary sources. Access is through:
Lexis/Nexis Legal/Law reviews
Full text of 100+ major law review sources, primarily from 1992-, with a few as early as 1976.