Journal Subcite Tips: Legislation

Statutes and Codes

United States Code (U.S.C.)

NB. The most recent edition of the U.S.C. in print is 2018. As of February 18, 2025 there are six Supplement volumes available, with the most recent being 2023; laws passed after 2023 must be cited to using an unofficial code version (see R. 12.3). The entire 2023 U.S. Code, Titles 1 through 54, is current in PDF online via GovInfo.

• U.S.C. is available in print in the Law Library's first floor Reading Room.
• U.S.C. online at GovInfo.gov. 
• U.S.C. online in HeinOnline.
• Note that the U.S.C. in print must often be updated through the Supplement (and relevant Code section).
• United States Constitution is found in the advance pages of Title 1 of the U.S.C.

State Codes

• Selected state codes are available in print on the 2nd floor of the library in alphabetical order.
• Update state code sections with pocket parts to ensure currency.
• Historical state statutes are selectively available via HeinOnline.
• Historical state statutes are also available in the Law Library's microform collection.    

Public Laws

• Cite to U.S. Statues at Large (available from HeinOnline), if therein.
• Recent federal public laws may be found in Congress.gov.
• Many state Session Laws are available in HeinOnline and on the state's legislative web site.
• The Law Library maintains a thorough collection of historical state Session Laws in our microforn collection.

Legislative Histories (Includes Bills, Hearings, and Committee Reports)

• See this Legislative History Research Guide for guidance about Congressional documents.
• Proquest Congressional - This subscription database contains a wealth of legislative documents.
• Congressional Reports are selectively available via FDsys.

Remember that you must cite to the U.S.C., if therein. If not, you may use either the U.S.C.A. or the U.S.C.S.