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California Legislative History

A guide to researching legislative history in California

Step 3: Read the law as it was enacted (session law)

Chapter or session law

After a bill has been passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor, the Secretary of State assigns the bill a "Chapter Number" such as "Chapter 123, Statutes of 1992," which is subsequently used to refer to the measure rather than the bill number. This copy is the official record and law of the State.

Codes

Chaptered bills (also referred to as Statutes of the year they were enacted) become part of the California Codes. The California Codes are a comprehensive collection of laws grouped by subject matter.

Where to find

  1. Statutes and Amendments to the Codes
  2. Chaptered Bills