The legislature began keeping journals with the creation of the territory in 1851. By 1882 the journals were kept separately, although the 1892 edition was bound jointly with the separate journal of the House. Each day's entry covers a standard order of business. While the activities are noted, details are not. Many of the volumes have the appropriate sections of the constitution and the senate rules recorded toward the beginning which specify the order of business and clarify procedures.
Legislative business is only slightly more detailed.
Petitions, if any, are the first order of new business. These are requests from citizens for various actions and are most frequently referred to the appropriate committee. Other communications, from agencies, groups, or individuals, might also be read into the record at this time. Committee reports are the next order of daily business. The reports recommend the passage or rejection of particular legislation.