The Internet is the best resource for tracking the status of proposed and signed legislation. The best online resource for searching federal legislation is Thomas. In addition, many state governments have web sites where legislation can be researched.
Thomas
Thomas is maintained by the Library of Congress and offers legislative information at the federal level. The site can be searched in a variety of ways. Users can search by: specific bill number, word or phrase, dates, sponsors and co-sponsors, committee and stage in the legislative process. The site is categorized into three sections: legislation, congressional record and committee information.
Within the legislation category, users can search the bill status and summary dating from the 93rd session of congress to the 107th. Only bill text is available between the 101st and 107th sessions of congress. Public laws by law number are available from the 93rd to the 107th session of congress.
The Congressional Record is the official record of debates in the US Congress. This section includes an index from the 104th to the 107th session of congress and users can lookup roll call votes in both the House and the Senate.
The committee information section offers committee reports from the 104th to the 107th session of Congress. In addition, the home pages, schedules and hearings are available for both chambers of Congress.
Thomas also offers online directories to access contact information of specific Representatives and Senators.
Searching interface in THOMAS
http://thomas.loc.gov/bss/d107query.html
House Bill Number 428
Can check Bill summary and status
Next month: PA electronic bill room
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