Hearings are not strong evidence of legislative intent because they represent the opportunity taken by interested parties to express their views and suggest changes to proposed legislation. But because hearings occur early in the legislative process, they can be useful in helping determine the general purpose of the bill. Hearings may be held for purposes other than to consider pending legislation. For example, hearings may be held to explore specific topics, investigate the need for legislation, or evaluate the efficiency of government operations. The law library has all published hearings since 1925.
Most hearings are on microfiche.
At present, the library routinely collects only hearings from the House and Senate Judiciary Committees and a half dozen other committees in paper format. From 1980 to date the hearings may be found in either the Superintendent of Documents stacks or in microfiche. Some selected hearings, regardless of publication date, have been cataloged and shelved in the library's general collections. To find hearings, first search the law library's online catalog. Most hearings will not be listed by title in the online catalog.