One things some judges and justices look to - though some discount it - is legislative history. This helps judges understand what legislators were trying to accomplish when they passed a law they might be reviewing.
The blog of Nicholas J. Wagoner - which appears to be dormant - runs through the top 21 places judges may look to seek out legislative history.
- Click here for a description.
In order of importance they are:
- Conference Committee Reports
- Committee Debates and Bill Mark-ups
- Committee Reports
- The Status of the Person Speaking—Sponsor, Committee Chairman, Floor Leader, Etc.
- Accepted and Rejected Amendments
- Floor Debates
- Planned Colloquy
- Transcripts of Discussions at Committee Hearings
- Prepared Statements on Submission of a Bill, in Committee Hearings, and at the Time of Floor Debates
- Revised and Amended Statements
- Actions on and Discussions About Separate Bills on the Same Topic
- Prior Relevant Administrative Action or Judicial Decisions, with or without Congressional Acknowledgement
- Executive Branch Messages and Proposals Whether from the President, Cabinet Secretaries, or from Independent Agencies
- Analysis of Bills by Legislative Counsel
- Analysis of Bills by Relevant Executive Departments
- Related Statutes, Provisions, and Terms (click here)
- Dictionaries (click here)
- Statements by Executive Branch Administrators (click here)
- Statements and Submissions by Lobbyists (click here)
- Subsequent or Prior Unrelated, but Conflicting Legislation (click here)
- Recorded Votes
