This guide exists to aid users who are performing research into Arizona legislative history.
What is legislative history?
Legislative history is the collection of documents and materials that is generated during the legislative process. These materials include voting records, debates, committee reports, revisions and amendments to bills, and more.
Why is legislative history important?
Legislative history can help you interpret unclear statutory language by determining the intent of the legislature. The history may also clarify a reason behind the original legislation or later revision.
The strategy for conducting legislative history research is to begin with the current statute or law and work backwards to its origin. By tracing its progression through both houses of the state legislature, you will be able to gain a sense of why the initial bill was introduced, and how it was changed during the legislative process.