New Mexico State University Library Congressional Laws Handout

Public Laws provide the law text as passed by the United States Congress. The U.S. Code is the official compilation of current (active) laws. Public Laws are cited according to the bound Statutes at Large volume and page number. An example is Homeland Security Act of 2002, 116 Stat. 2135, where 116 is the volume and 2135 is the page number. Laws are also referred to by their Public Law Number. An example is No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, P.L. 107-110, where the 107 is the Congress number and 110 is the consecutive law number for the 107th Congress. The U.S. Code is cited according to the printed Code title and section. An example is 43 USC 2 (2000), where 43 is the Title and 2 is the Section in the 2000 edition. TYPE OF LAW WHEN AVAILABLE AVAILABLE VERSIONS Slip Law A law is first issued individually as a slip law. Official electronic version: GPO Access 104th Congress (1995/96) to present Official print version: Public Law (DOC AE 2.110:) Kept till appears in bound version. Unofficial versions: Library of Congress Thomas 101st Congress (1989/90) to present Congressional Universe [Library subscription] 100th Congress (1988) to present Bound Version The final version of all laws Official electronic version: GPO Access 104th Congress (1995/96) to present Official print version: United States Statutes at Large Volumes 1-49 [1st Congress (1789) – 74th (1935/36)] (BRANSON Microform KF 50.U54) Volumes 47 to present [47th Congress (1931/32) to present] (DOC REF KF 50.U54) Unofficial versions: Library of Congress Thomas 101st Congress (1989/90) to present Congressional Universe [Library subscription] 100th Congress (1988) to present] Coded Law Each public law is placed in the U.S. Code and codified with other laws on the subject. Official electronic version: GPO Access Official print version: United States Code 2000 edition (DOC REF KF 62 2000 .A2) Unofficial versions: Congressional Universe [Library subscription]

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