Law librarians and library staff are available to help you find your way around the library and its legal materials, provide research support, and assist you in locating materials that are not in our library. You can find the latest information about our hours and services on the library homepage. There are several ways to contact us:
Email us
In Person: The Borrowing Services Desk and Reference Office are on the main floor of the law library. Online and in-person appointments with the reference staff can be made from the library homepage.
Call us:
Borrowing Services Desk: (650) 723-2477
Reference Desk: (650) 725-0800
Researching legislative history in New York involves original research of documentary records in various forms, such as a sponsor's memo, the Governor's approval message, memoranda from State agencies and legislators, and comments or reports from legislative committees, commissions, bar associations, and lobbying groups. New York's Legislature is composed of the New York State Assembly and the New York State Senate, each having its own archive of material.
Step 1: Find the law's citation
Step 2: Locate a bill and introducer's memoranda
Step 3: Review transcripts of debates and hearings
Step 4: Review the bill jacket
Several libraries have put together excellent, detailed guides on New York's legislative history. We encourage you to review the following libraries' guides and resources:
©Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305.