Skip to Main Content

Government Publications: California

Guide to California State government publications.

Three strategies for choosing a topic.

If you don't have a topic, here are three strategies to help you choose one. You can (1) identify a law addressing an issue you are interested in, (2) browse issue briefs prepared by the Senate Office of Research or (3) browse articles in Studies in the News to find an topic you are interested in.

Strategy 1: Identify a law that addresses an issue you are interested in.

Search by keyword. Finding a bill that has been "chaptered" will make it easier to do your policy paper. When a bill becomes law it is referred to as either a chapter or statute. Note: If you find a bill, use this site to obtain a copy of the bill history, chapter/statute, bill and bill analysis (Steps 2, 3, 4 and 5). 

For previous sessions use:

Summary Digest of Statutes Enacted and Resolutions. 1854-ongoing.
Location: L450 S93 California Documents Collection.
Provides a short summary of each law enacted. Published both as a separate issue and, since 1967, as part of the Statutes and Amendments to the Codes (L325 California Documents Collection).

Strategy 2: Browse California Research Bureau publications.

California Research Bureau- The Bureau regularly publishes an electronic notification service of new studies and reports about matters of current legislative or administration interest. This is an excellent way for policy professionals to stay up-to-date about research in their fields. from the Web page   

Strategy 3: Read through "Studies in the News" to find a discussion about an issue.

Studies in the News (SITN) is a current compilation of policy-related items significant to the Legislature and Governor's Office. It is created weekly by the State Library's Research Bureau and Information Resources and Government Publications to supplement the public policy debate in California's Capitol.