Guide to New Jersey Legislative History
Starting with an NJSA citation
When you know the chapter number
When you know the bill number
For the period between 1905 to 1960
Further research possibilities
Location of materials in the Rutgers Law Library
Online Materials
Starting with an NJSA citation:
Use the citations and historical notes at the end of the section in the NJSA to determine the year and chapter number of the law which added the specific language in which you are interested.
When you know the chapter number:
- For the years 1978 to date, use the Legislative History Checklist to find the bill number and references to statements and public hearings.
- For the years 1948 to date, look at the beginning of the law in the NJ Session Law Service to get the bill number, and look at the end of the law in the same service to check for an introductory statement or a committee statement.
- For the years 1938 to 1969, check the appendix in the Revised Statutes Cumulative Supplement for an introductory statement.
- For the years 1880 to 1947, use the red volume, NJ Session Laws -- Conversion Tables, to find the bill number.
- For the years 1857-1880, try using the indexes and tables in the Assembly Minutes, or Senate Journal to find the bill number.
When you know the bill number:
- For the years 1948 to date, use the Legislative Indexof NJ to get dates of action on the bill.
- For the years 1863 to 1947, use the bill number tables in the Assembly Minutes and Senate Journal to get page references, and check those pages for dates of action, and for veto messages.
- For the years 1947-1977, check the bill number tables in the compilations of Governor's Veto Messages to find veto messages.
- Check the card file labeled, "Public Hearings, by Bill Number," to see if we have a public hearing. This file presently goes through 1984/85. For later bills, check the Legislative Index of NJ.
- Check the bill file for statements, fiscal notes, and Governor's messages.
For the period between 1905 to 1960:
- Check for relevant hearings and reports in Lucas, Bibliography of Official NJ Reports, 1905-1945, and its Supplement, 1945-1960.
Further research possibilities include:
- Checking topical indexes of Legislative Index of New Jersey (for year of passage and prior years) for related bills, and following step #3 for each item.
- Checking Governor's annual messages and budget messages for recommendations regarding legislation.
- Checking annual reports of relevant government departments or agencies for remarks or recommendations.
- Checking newspapers published on or directly after the dates of legislative action, for accounts of debate. (Inquire at the Newark Public Library for newspapers.)
- Checking periodicals published by relevant organizations for commentary and recommendations.
Location of materials in the Rutgers Law Library:
Government Documents - 2nd Floor
DOCNJ - Compact Shelving on the 2nd floor, west side of the library, Rows 2/43-63
DOCREF - Near main staircase outside of Government Documents Office
The following components of a New Jersey Legislative History may be found in the Rutgers Law Library - Newark:
| Assembly Minutes | DOCNJ: Row 2/50 |
| Governor's Veto Messages | DOCNJ: Row 2/46 |
| Legislative History Checklist | DOCREF: Row2/137 |
| Legislative Index of NJ | DOCREF: Row 2/136 |
| NJ Assembly Bills | DOCREF: microfilm cabinet 6 |
| NJ Senate Bills | DOCREF: microfilm cabinet 6 |
| NJ Session Law Service | DOCREF: Row 2/137 |
| NJ Session Laws -- Conversion Tables | Government Documents Office Rm.269 |
| Revised Statutes Cumulative Supplement | DOCREF: Row 2/137 |
| Senate Journal | DOCNJ: Row 2/51 |
If you have questions, please stop by the Government Documents Offices in Rooms 265-269.
Online Materials:
The New Jersey State Library maintains a webpage where you can access legislative histories over the Internet, beginning with 1998. Go to: http://www.njstatelib.org/NJLH/. For very recent legislation, go to the home page of the New Jersey State Legislature. Legislative documents are linked to the bills.