[Prodev] Researching other states legislative history

[Hilary Frye]

I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of times I've been asked =
for legislative histories from other states.  Now, especially if it's for =
an agency, I first go to the other state's web site to see if anything is =
available electronically.  Then I call our counterpart (if I can figure =
that out) to see how they may be able to help us.

It's intriguing to imagine a world where state legislative history is as =
accessible as federal legislative history.  Perhaps it could be accomplishe=
d without too much standardization.  I rather like the fact that New York =
has "Bill Jackets" for legislative history and that Connecticut refers to =
the House and Senate debates as Proceedings ...

It would be interesting to see a chart of the 50 states with dates of =
coverage for legislative history.  Our debate only dates back to 1945 (and =
is not really complete until 1953)=20

No one has mentioned Mary Fishers Guide to State Legislative and Administra=
tive Materials. ? We have the 4th ed. from 1988.  I relied on this heavily =
during the 80's (perhaps there were more requests than I remember!)  And =
will still look at it for an overview sometimes, but it is sadly out of =
date.  This guide was a AALL publication. I see that there is a 2000 rev. =
4th ed. available, but we did not acquire it.  I assume it has URL's and =
web info?  Does anyone have this publication?  Still in the AALL publicatio=
n series, no. 61.

Just read your responses-those of you who have Manz--does it have URLs =
etc.