Federal Law Resources in the State Library

Federal law resources, including statutes, administrative law, and case law

Overview of the Collections

The bulk of the State Library’s collection of federal law resources is legislative and administrative law materials received through the Federal Depository Library Program. This program, established by the U.S. Congress and administered through the Government Printing Office, provides the public with free access to government publications.

U.S. Code

 The United States Code is the codification by subject matter of the general and permanent laws of the United States.

• Available online from 1994 to date

Statutes at Large

Also known as session laws, the Statutes at Large are the permanent collection of laws and resolutions enacted during each session of the Congress of the United States.

• State Library print holdings: 1789 to date
• Available online in two collections (1789 to 1875) and (1951 to *2017)

Congressional Record

Official record of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress.

• Library print holdings: 1873-74 (43rd Congress) to 1993.
• Available online from 1994 to date

United States Congressional Serial Set

Comprises the numbered House and Senate Documents and the House and Senate Reports which are bound by session of Congress.

It began publication with the 15th Congress, 1st Session (1817). Documents before 1817 may be found in the American State Papers. In general, it includes: committee reports related to bills and other matters, presidential communications to Congress, treaty materials, certain executive department publications, and certain non-governmental publications.

The House and Senate Documents and the House and Senate Reports are available online from the 104th Congress to present.

• Library print holdings: 1817 to current published volume

Code of Federal Regulations

The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is the codification of the general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by the executive departments and agencies of the federal government.          

• Available online from 1996 to date

Federal Register 

Published by the Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), the Federal Register is the official daily publication for rules, proposed rules, and notices of federal agencies and organizations, as well as executive orders and other presidential documents.

• Available online from 1936 to present

United States Reports

The official edition of the decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States

• State Library print holdings: Volume 1 to date
• Available online

 

Additional Resources

govinfo--free U.S. Government information for all

USA.gov--Official web portal of the U.S. government