Introduction

The purpose of this guide is to help Boyd Law students locate federal and Nevada legislative history materials. The topics covered include:

  • Types of federal legislative documents
  • Locating federal legislative history documents
  • Types of Nevada legislative documents
  • Locating Nevada legislative history documents

Notes

  • What is Legislative History? 

    • ​Black's Law Dictionary defines it as the proceedings leading to the enactment of a statute, including hearings, committee reports, and floor debates.

  • When to Use Legislative History?

    • To find the intent of the legislature in order to interpret ambiguous language in a statute

  • NOT MANDATORY AUTHORITY

    • Legislative history is never a binding/mandatory authority. Instead, you may use it as a persuasive authority.
    • Some judges do not accept legislative history arguments so know your audience!!