|
 |
|
Search Text Only Contact Us Site Map |
         |
2007 Session Information HelpThis HELP Page is intended to assist users in better navigating the LAWS website. By understanding the information that is available and where the information is located, it will be easier to find the bills and related data that are of interest to you. This is not meant to be a "how-to" page, but rather a "what and where" page. If you are familiar with the Internet, you should be able to use LAWS effectively. Most users should be able to use the service without much trouble by simply trying the features available. The "Contents" section below includes links to explanations of each of the links on the 2007 Session Information Page. Contents
Additional LinksAdditional LAWS HelpReturn to LAWS Session Information Page Public Events CalendarThe Public Events Calendar link takes you to the State eCalendar for the current month. During session, the Legislature uses the eCalendar to announce public events that are not specific to a current bill but that are session-related. For example, in 2003 the Legislature announced several public meetings to discuss redistricting, but the discussion was not related to a specific bill being considered during the 2003 session. Other examples of events announced using the eCalendar would be the State of the State address, the State of the Judiciary address, and various informational meetings held by standing committees. NOTE: The LAWS system is designed based on scheduled and real-time "actions" being applied to a bill or bill draft as it moves through the legislative process. Therefore events, such as meetings, cannot be scheduled within LAWS unless the event can be tied to a specific bill. The State eCalendar is used to schedule events that are not bill-specific such as those mentioned above. It is recommended the eCalendar be checked periodically during session for these public events that are not specifically related to bills. Link to State eCalendar Committee and Hearing InformationThe Committee and Hearing Information Page provides information about specific committees or a list of all scheduled hearings within a date range. By selecting a specific committee from the top portion of the page and clicking the find button, the Detailed Committee Information Page will display information on when the committee normally meets, bill hearings that are scheduled in the committee, and a membership list. The lower section of the Committee and Hearing Information Page lets you find all bill hearing information within a specificed date range, regardless of committee. Link to Committee and Hearing Information Page Look Up Bill InformationThe Look Up Bill Information Page is the "heart" of the LAWS system, providing multiple ways to find the bills and related information that are of interest to you. The Look Up Bill Information Page contains processes or links to:
Return to LAWS Session Information Page Back to Top House Agenda(s)The House Agenda(s) link will display a listing of the Floor Agenda(s) for the Montana House of Representatives. During session, this page is usually updated each evening prior to the next day's floor session. Using the House Agenda(s) link will display links to the next day's agenda(s) (when available), the current day's agenda(s) (when available), and seven day's of previous agendas (when applicable). Link to House Agenda(s) House JournalsThe House Journals link will display the directory listing of all House Journals currently available. House Journals are maintained in .pdf format. The naming convention of House Journals represents the legislative day and the calendar date. For example, HJ080115.pdf would be the House Journal (HJ) for Legislative Day 8 (08), for which the calendar date was January 15th (0115). NOTE: The Journals go through a proofing and approval process prior to being displayed in this directory. This can significantly delay the time between the actual legislative day and when the Journal appears, depending on the length and complexity of the floor session for that day. Link to House Journals Daily House Floor ActionsThe Daily House Floor Actions link will display the directory listing of all House Floor Action reports available at that time. The reports are in .txt format. The naming convention of the Daily House Floor Action reports represents the calendar date of the floor session. For example, 0215hd.txt would be the House Daily Floor Action (hd) report for February 15th (0215). The Daily House Floor Action reports are summaries of all the floor actions input into the LAWS status system for a given legislative day, arranged by "order of business". Link to House Floor Actions Senate Agenda(s)The Senate Agenda(s) link will display a listing of the Floor Agenda(s) for the Montana Senate. During session, this page is usually updated each evening prior to the next day's floor session. Using the Senate Agenda(s) link will display links to the next day's agenda(s) (when available), the current day's agenda(s) (when available), and seven day's of previous agendas (when applicable). Link to Senate Agenda(s) Senate JournalsThe Senate Journals link will display the directory listing of all Senate Journals currently available. Senate Journals are maintained in .pdf format. The naming convention of Senate Journals represents the legislative day and the calendar date. For example, SJ080115.pdf would be the Senate Journal (SJ) for Legislative Day 8 (08), for which the calendar date was January 15th (0115). NOTE: The Journals go through a proofing and approval process prior to being displayed in this directory. This can significantly delay the time between the actual legislative day and when the Journal appears, depending on the length and complexity of the floor session for that day. Link to Senate Journals Daily Senate Floor ActionsThe Daily Senate Floor Actions link will display the directory listing of all Senate Floor Action reports available at that time. The reports are in .txt format. The naming convention of the Daily Senate Floor Action reports represents the calendar date of the floor session. For example, 0215sd.txt would be the Senate Daily Floor Action (sd) report for February 15th (0215). The Daily Senate Floor Action reports are summaries of all the floor actions input into the LAWS status system for a given legislative day, arranged by "order of business". Link to Senate Floor Actions 2007 Session Home PageIn general, the Session Home Page contains information and links that are specific to the current session but not to any particular bill and that are static in nature. NOTE: It is suggested that this page be checked periodically throughout the session since information and links are added as they become relevant and removed as they become irrelevant to the session. Knowing this, the Session Home Page may include information and links for such things as:
Return to LAWS Session Information Page Back to Top Session & Website InformationThe Session & Website Information Page contains information that is specific to the current session but not to any particular bill and that is more transient in nature. For example, if a web server maintenance outage is scheduled, it would be posted here. It is recommended this page be checked daily during session. Link to Session Announcements Page Fiscal Information & Budget ReportsFiscal Information & Budget Reports page contains fiscal information for current and previous sessions. Items included are links to budget analysis, fiscal reports, general fund status, appropriation subcommittee schedules, fiscal pocket guides and other reports and information provided by the Legislative Fiscal Division. Link to Fiscal Information & Budget Reports Page Legislator InformationThe Legislator Information Page contains links that help you:
NOTE: During session, users should contact Legislators using the “Contact your Legislator” link found on the 2007 Session Information Page. See above. Link to Legislator Information Page ReportsThe Reports Page contains links to commonly used reports from the LAWS status system. From just prior to session (approximately mid-December of even-numbered years) through just past the end of session (approximately mid-May of odd-numbered years), these reports are updated daily -- usually each evening (except Sunday). Otherwise, these reports are updated on an as-needed basis (when new information is available). Reports are added to this list as they become relevant and are removed as they become irrelevant to the session. For example, the 2-week Hearing Calendar is not relevant until hearings are scheduled (usually within a day of the start of session), so it will not appear on this list until that time. Once session has ended, the 2-week Hearing Calendar is removed since hearings are no longer being scheduled. Link to Reports Directory Page |
 |
|
| Back to Top | |
| Last Modified:4/10/2008 11:21:18 AM |
|