The numbering of hearings is standard within the Senate, but the House does not have a standardized numbering system. Beginning in the 98th Congress, Senate hearings were numbered sequentially within each Congress. 101-1, S. Hrg. 101-2, S. Hrg. Individual committees can opt for the assignment of committee serial numbers, but the majority do not.
Public laws are laws which pertain to the general public or classes of citizens.
Private laws, though, affect only specific individuals or organizations and do not impact the public at large. Examples of public laws include laws dealing with appropriations, child abuse, and education. Private laws include those dealing with immigration and naturalization cases, monetary claims against the government, and land titles. The majority of reports issued by committees deal with proposed legislation and include recommendations to the Senate or House as a whole regarding the findings of the hearings and deliberations undertaken by the committee in considering the pending legislation. Reports may be either very brief if the bill is non-controversial or contain lengthy and detailed commentary on the legislation which carefully explains the committee's reasoning on every major point.