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Below are several resources for identifying a bill and its effect. The best research
approach depends on what information is being sought and how much is already known
about the bill. Bills that became law are easier to locate than those that were
unsuccessful.
Depending on where a bill is in the process, it may have several versions. For example,
the first available draft is called the "introduced" version. Successful
bills have a final version called the "enrolled" version. Anything other
than the enrolled version can be considered a working draft or proposed amendment.
Many of the tools below allow searches by topic and by specific bill number. If
the research is related to a broad subject like "health care" the topical
searches will provide lists of bills affecting the issue. If the research is related
to a specific bill, but the bill number is unknown, the topical searches will help
identify the bill. Once a bill number is identified the more specific searches will
produce multiple related documents.
All of the websites mentioned can be accessed through
www.okhouse.gov. Use the left navigation bar and the fly out menus to find
the links.
Successful Bills from Prior Years
Session in Review (formerly known as Session Highlights)
This book is produced by the House Research Staff and contains a brief explanation
of all major legislation completed during a session. Some discussion of why the
bill was passed is included. It is divided into subject areas and has useful indexes.
The book is available at
http://www.okhouse.gov/Publications/LegislativePublications.aspx.
Legislative Appropriations
This book is produced by the House Fiscal Staff and contains a brief explanation
of every successful bill that affects the state budget. It is divided into subject
areas and has useful indexes. The book is available at
http://www.okhouse.gov/Fiscal/Index.aspx. Earlier versions are available
at
http://www.okhouse.gov/Publications/LegislativePublications.aspx.
Session Overview
This pamphlet is produced by the House Research Staff at the close of the legislative
session. It provides a quick explanation of the most important bills which completed
the legislative process. It is divided into subject areas. These pages are available
at
http://www.okhouse.gov/Publications/LegislativePublications.aspx.
Appropriations Process
This booklet contains an explanation of how the budget process works and briefly
describes the amount of money appropriated to state agencies. It can be found at
http://www.okhouse.gov/Publications/LegislativePublications.aspx
under the 2008 tab.
All Bills - Successful and Unsuccessful, Current Year and Prior Years
Subject Search
The Oklahoma Legislative Service Bureau maintains a bill tracking database known
at BTOnline. This database is accessible to the public at
http://www.oklegislature.gov/AdvancedSearchForm.aspx. A variety of searches
are available including: subject, committee, author, bill number, and many others.
The search results provide the status of the bill, versions of the bill, bill summaries
and more.
Text of Measures
A key word search is available for identifying bills on a specific topic. This search
is available at
http://www.oklegislature.gov/AdvancedSearchForm.aspx.
Bill Summary
Once a specific bill number has been identified the bill summary may be the best
place to start to understand what the bill does. The bill summary contains a brief
description of the bill's provisions. If the bill is lengthy and complex the
summary may discuss each section of the bill in turn and may be several pages long.
More typically, the summary provides a few sentences of explanation. This document
is evolving. In 2009 it included the fiscal statement, explaining any costs to the
state budget, combined with a summary. In previous years the fiscal statement was
a separate document. This summary can be found by going to the committee calendar
at
http://okhouse.gov/CommitteeCalendar/Default.aspx,
selecting the proper session and searching for the bill number. Click on the bill
and the bill summaries appear in the supporting documents box. They can also be
found by going to http://www.oklegislature.gov/AdvancedSearchForm.aspx
and using the basic search for a bill number.
Bill Language
Another method for finding the specific provisions of a bill is to read the latest
version of the bill. This can be found at
http://www.oklegislature.gov/tomshell.aspx or using the searches mentioned
above.
Status of Measures
Knowing where a bill is in the legislative process is important to understanding
how likely it is to become law. The status of a bill is available at
http://www.oklegislature.gov/AdvancedSearchForm.aspx.
Comparing the current
status to the legislative deadlines may produce critical information. Legislative
deadlines for the House can be found at
http://www.okhouse.gov/Legislation/LegislativeDeadlines.aspx.
Taskforce Report
When the Legislature wants an extensive research effort focused on a specific issue
it creates a legislative taskforce. A taskforce may be required to issue a written
report. If a taskforce report is available on a specific topic it can be acquired
by contacting the House Research Staff at 405.557.7490. It may also be posted at
http://www.okhouse.gov/Publications/LegislativePublications.aspx.
Interim Study Report
Another approach to legislative research is an interim study. The Speaker of the
House approves 50 to 75 interim studies each year. These studies are conducted by
the standing committees of the House. Beginning in 2008 a written report was produced
for each of these studies. The amount of detail in the report varies widely depending
upon the type of presentations that were made at the meeting. A complete list of
interim studies can be found at
http://www.okhouse.gov/Committees/ShowInterimStudies.aspx.
Interim study
reports can be obtained by contacting the House Research Staff at 405.557.7490.
Bill's Author
The author of a bill may have collected research on the topic. The author's
legislative assistant can be reach at 405.521.2711.
Interested Groups
Often interest groups have the greatest amount of information on a specific topic.
They exist to collect and disseminate information. Several groups may have an interest
in and information on a specific bill.
Senate
The Oklahoma Senate's website, www.oksenate.gov,
contains a variety of documents which may be helpful. The publications tab provides
links to summaries, brief, studies and more.
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