Montana Legislature
LAWS Instructional Video Library - Basics

LAWS Basics

The BASICS group includes these instructional videos:

  • Accessing LAWS (01:20)
  • Changing Sessions (1:15)
  • Understanding the Bill Information Screen (5:11)
  • Accessing House and Senate Journals (2:03)
  • Accessing the Session Home Page (3:26)
  • Legislator Information (1:45)
  • Legislative Reports (2:04)

    The instructional videos contained in the BASICS group are meant for those not familiar with, or those that might need a refresher course in, the Legislative Automated Workflow System (LAWS). The group includes videos showing how to navigate LAWS and where to find common information.

    • Search Options

    The SEARCH OPTIONS group includes these instructional videos:

  • Look Up Bills by Number (2:32)
  • Bill Search by Legislator (3:28)
  • Bill Search by Subject (2:54)
  • Bill Search by Sponsor (3:07)
  • List All Bills and Drafts (3:27)
  • Keyword Searches (3:11)
  • Directory Lists of Bills and Drafts (2:08)
  • Hearing Information for Committees (3:57)

    The instructional videos contained in the SEARCH OPTIONS group demonstrates the various ways bills can be found using the Legislative Automated Workflow System (LAWS). This group includes videos showing how to find bills of interest to you, with or without knowing the bill number, and find out what a committee is discussing.

    • Preference Account and Preference List Basics

    The PREFERENCE ACCOUNT AND PREFERENCE LIST BASICS group includes these instructional videos:

  • Creating a Preference Account (4:31)
  • Logon to an Existing Preference Account (3:47)
  • Adding a Preference List to Your Preference Account (5:04)
  • Allow Others to See a List From Your Account (6:10)
  • Maintain the Email Address on Your Preference Account (1:47)
  • Maintain the Email Addresses on Your Preference List (1:59)

    The instructional videos contained in the PREFERENCE ACCOUNT AND LIST BASICS group demonstrates the basics about Preference Accounts and their associated Preference Lists. This group includes videos showing how to create, navigate and maintain a preference account and how to create, navigate and maintain the preference lists on that account.

    • Preference List Basic Maintenance

    The PREFERENCE LIST BASIC MAINTENANCE group includes these instructional videos:

  • Adding Bills and Drafts to You Preference List (4:41)
  • Deleting Bills and Drafts From Your Preference List (2:12)
  • Deleting a Preference List From Your Preference Account  2:06)
  • Using the Notify of Hearing Option (3:11)
  • Changing the Notify of Hearing Option Default (3:26)
  • Using Notes on Your Preference List Bills and Drafts (3:22)
  • Utilizing the Display Status Screen (4:28)

    The instructional videos contained in the PREFERENCE LIST BASIC MAINTENANCE group demonstrates the basics about Preference Lists. This group includes videos showing how to create, navigate, use and maintain preference lists on your preference account, using the basic maintenance functions.

    • Preference List Advanced Maintenance

    The PREFERENCE LIST ADVANCED MAINTENANCE group includes these instructional videos:

  • Accessing and Understanding Advanced Preference List Maintenance (2:54)
  • Navigating Between Lists (2:38)
  • Adjusting Page Frames (1:26)
  • Adding Bills and Drafts to Your Preference List (6:37)
  • Deleting Bills and Drafts From Your Preference List (3:15)
  • Using the Notify of Hearing Option (3:51)
  • Change the Notify of Hearing Default (3:51)
  • Using Notes on Your Preference List Bills and Drafts (3:59)
  • Utilizing the Display Status Screen (3:06)

    The instructional videos contained in the PREFERENCE LIST ADVANCEC MAINTENANCE group demonstrates more advanced ways to maintain your Preference Lists. This group includes videos showing how to create, navigate, use and maintain preference lists on your preference account, using more advanced functions.