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California Legislative History

This guide provides an overview of California legislative history materials available at Rains Library, as well as a how-to guide to perform your own legislative history.

Ballot Measures

Statutes may also be passed by California voters directly through ballot measures (measures on California election ballots.) Initiatives are measures proposing a new law; once on the ballot they are often called propositions. Referendums are measures to reject an existing law.

Many ballot measures are available for free online through the Secretary of State's office and the efforts of UC Hastings Law School. Other law schools and nonprofits provide additional text and commentary.