Legal Research: Federal: Laws (Statutes)

Help with common legal research questions.

Web Sites

GPO: U.S. Code
Search or browse, versions from 1993-present.
LII: U.S. Code
Browse the current version of the U.S. Code (federal statutes). Arranged by title number.
Congress.gov
Includes the Public Laws (bills passed) from 93rd Congress/1973-74 to the present, and text of all bills (proposed and passed).

Regulations vs. Laws

Many aspects of public life are controlled by regulations rather than by laws.

Regulations are made by government agencies, rather than legislative bodies. The government may give agencies or departments the authority to make regulations in order to carry out the intent of a particular law.

Code of Federal Regulations
Annual compilation of the rules published in the Federal Register by departments and agencies of the Federal Government. 1996-present.
Federal Register
Official daily publication for Rules, Proposed Rules, and Notices of Federal agencies and organizations, as well as Executive Orders and other Presidential Documents. 1994 to the present.

Find a Law (Statute or Code Section): LexisNexis Academic

Federal Statutes via WestlawNext This link opens in a new window
Search all United States federal laws (code sections), plus the Constitution and various court rules.

By subject: Do a keyword search in the box at the top of the page, using words describing your subject.

If you know the code citation: Type the citation into the search box at the top of the screen. For example:

15 USCS sec 1271

15 USCA 1271

Westlaw is forgiving about the form of the citation; anything relatively close will usually produce the desired result.

If you know the popular name: Do a keyword search for the popular name of the law or act. Alternatively, use the LII Popular Name Index or Google the popular name, in hopes of finding a source that will give the code, PL, or Stat. citation.

If you know only the Public Laws (PL) citation:

Move into the Legislative History section of WestlawNext, and choose U.S. Public Laws - Historical.
Type the PL number, for example: P.L. 102-166 (Note: first number must be 93 or higher)
The Public Law text will state which code sections it amends.

Federal Legislative History via WestlawNext This link opens in a new window

Find a Law (Statute or Code Section): In Print

We no longer keep print copies of the United States Code Annotated (USCA). The San Bernardino County Law Library in downtown San Bernardino may still have hard copies.