 |
|
|
Briefly stated, the objective is to summarize what the proposal is, and who are its proponents and opponents.
-
Get a copy of the bill from the Legislative Document Division located on the fourth floor, Room 428, or off the General Court's* web site. If you do not know the bill number, you must look it up in either the Committee Bulletin or the Subject Index, both of which are found in the Clerk's office and/or the State Library, or using the search engine at the General Court's web site.
-
See which chapter and/or section of the General Laws is being amended. The General Laws are collected separately in privately published volumes available in the library and in the leadership offices. These volumes are updated yearly by a pocket supplement in the back of each volume. Check the pocket supplement first for the most recent version of the law. If it does not appear in the supplement, then refer to the main volume.
Recently enacted laws are available from the State House Bookstore. They are also collected in a separate set of pamphlets entitled the Massachusetts Legislative Service and the Advanced Legislative Service. Special Acts are not codified. If a Special Act has been amended since it was first enacted, it will appear in Shepard's Massachusetts Citation to Cases and Statutes. This resource is available in the State Library.
*Note: The General Court's web site is a valuable tool in researching legislation. The Massachusetts General Laws (MGLs), session laws, House and Senate Journals/Calendars, committee reports and bill histories are a few of the resources available at this web site.
-
Make a copy of the present statute and section(s) being addressed by the proposed legislation.
-
Summarize how the proposed law will change the present statute.
-
If there is any money involved in the implementation of the proposed law, describe how it is to be funded.
-
Include in your report, the history of the bill such as whether the bill has been proposed in previous year; what report was by the committee; how far it went in the legislative process; and the details of any relevant roll call votes. If so, was it given a favorable or adverse report.
The State Library has up to the most recent Bulletin of Committee Work and other legislative documents to trace the most recent bills. The bulletin will include what action has been taken on all matters brought before the committee. The bill, if it was proposed last year, will most probably not have the same number, so you will have to find it by title, not number. If it was brought to a vote on the floor, it will list on what date that action occurred. Then refer to the Journal for that date; it will list the votes.
-
List proponents and opponents of the bill. Include not only legislators, but lobbyists, interest groups, local groups, constituents, etc. The committee staff should have a list of those concerned with the bill. They should also have testimony and fact sheets produced by those individuals and groups. If not, call or write them for information and don't overlook distribution of same to the sponsor and his/her staff.
If the bill has not yet had its hearing and executive session, try to attend when it is scheduled to be heard. Note the proponents and the opponents. Summarize their arguments, and get copies of their testimony if possible. Data on the status of every piece of legislation is available on the computer and in the weekly printouts located in the Senate Clerk's office. You must, however, know the bill number to access the information.
-
Keep up on the media coverage of the particular legislation. Clip articles from newspapers and periodicals; and label them with the date and source. Summarize the content of the coverage and note the amount of attention the issue has received.
-
Briefly summarize in one page or less the pros and cons of the bill, based on your research, making sure to include the risks associated with the proposal. BE OBJECTIVE.
-
Put together your summary, along with a copy of the bill, a copy of the General Laws, fact sheets, testimony, and clippings, and report to your Legislator or supervisor.
** Miscellaneous Information:
- Keep your supervisor in touch with the progress of your research. Often she/he will know background information on the subject matter which could assist you and make your work more productive.
- Take detailed notes on your conversations with all your contacts.
- Remember to give a simple "thank you". People will be far more willing to help you if they know you are appreciative.
|
| |
Source:
Legislative Intern Handbook. Boston, Mass. : Senate Legislative Education Office, 2003. |
| |
|
|
|
