Anaya Nolan
Local government codes and state codes are the best tools to use to find current laws on a particular topic. The day-to-day laws enacted by local governments are referred to as ordinances, which are published in subject compilations called codes. At the city level, these are municipal codes. These codes are typically available in print and electronic versions. Some counties have also started using codification software to allow residents to access the code of ordinances online. For example, Santa Rosa County uses CivicPlus to empower residents to access its code of ordinances online.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Legal document that sets forth the framework for a local government | Charter |
| Day-to-day laws enacted by local governments | Ordinances |
| Published, comprehensive set of laws that are formally codified by a governing body | Municipal code library |
| Annual volumes of public laws published at the end of each session of Congress | United States Statutes at Large |
| Timely resource for finding the text of laws as originally passed by Congress | U.S. Code Congressional and Administrative News (U.S.C.C.A.N.) |
| Online platform to access a county's code of ordinances | CivicPlus |
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What You'll Learn
Local government laws and charters
The legal document that outlines the organisation and structure of a local government is called a charter. Charters are similar to federal or state constitutions, as they define the powers, duties, and responsibilities of the various branches and departments within a particular municipality or county. They act as the legal foundation for the local system of government, outlining the functions of elected officials and the procedures they must follow. For instance, the City of Los Angeles operates under a Mayor-Council-Commission form of government, as established in its City Charter.
Local governments also enact day-to-day laws known as ordinances. These ordinances carry binding authority within their local jurisdiction, similar to statutes and regulations at the state level. Ordinances are published in subject compilations called codes, which can be further divided into titles, chapters, or articles. For example, the Los Angeles Municipal Code (L.A.M.C.) is a set of ordinances specific to the city of Los Angeles.
To find information about local government laws and charters, individuals can refer to both print and electronic sources. Many local governing units in the United States provide access to their charter and codes online. Additionally, public laws are published annually in volumes called the "United States Statutes at Large" by the Government Publishing Office. These publications may also be available in large public or academic libraries, especially those participating in the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP).
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Municipal codes and ordinances
Municipal codes refer to the collection of laws passed by a local governing body, such as a county, city, or town. These laws are called ordinances and are published in subject compilations called codes. At the city level, these are known as municipal codes, while at the state level, they are referred to as statutes and regulations. Like state laws, ordinances are binding on all individuals and entities within the local jurisdiction in which they are enacted. They are also sometimes referred to as bylaws or measures.
To find your county's laws, you can refer to local government codes, which are typically the best tools to use to find current laws on a particular topic. Most major local governing units in the United States have both print and electronic versions of the charter and codes. The charter is a legal document that sets forth the organisation and framework for a local government, outlining the powers, duties, and responsibilities of the various governmental branches and departments.
Codes are divided into major divisions and subdivisions, sometimes called titles, chapters, or articles, which are further broken down into numbered sections. When citing a code section, you generally include the abbreviation for the code and the section number. For example, "L.A.M.C. § 48.02" refers to section 48.02 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code. At the end of each code section, there is typically a note indicating the citation to each ordinance that created or amended that section.
To find municipal codes, you can refer to resources such as the Library of Congress's research guide on municipal codes or the American Legal Publishing website, where you can select a state and municipality to view their respective codes. Additionally, public laws are published annually in volumes called the "United States Statutes at Large" by the Government Publishing Office, and they may be available at large public libraries or federal depository libraries.
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Federal laws and the lawmaking process
Federal laws in the United States are made by Congress, which is the lawmaking branch of the federal government. The process of lawmaking differs between the House of Representatives and the Senate, the two bodies that make up Congress.
A bill, which is a proposal for a new law or a change to an existing one, can be introduced by a sitting member of the Senate or House of Representatives, or be proposed during an election campaign. Bills can also be petitioned by individuals or citizen groups, who recommend a new or amended law to a member of Congress. Once a bill is introduced, it is assigned to a committee, whose members will research, discuss, and make changes to the bill. The bill is then put before that chamber to be voted on. If the bill passes one body of Congress, it goes to the other body to go through a similar process of research, discussion, changes, and voting. Once both bodies vote to accept a bill, they must reconcile any differences between the two versions. If the president chooses to veto the bill, Congress can usually vote to override this veto, and the bill becomes a law. However, if the president does not sign off on a bill, and it remains unsigned when Congress is no longer in session, the bill will be vetoed by default, in what is called a 'pocket veto'. This action cannot be overridden by Congress.
Public laws are published annually in volumes called the United States Statutes at Large, which are published by the Government Publishing Office. They can also be found in U.S. Code Congressional and Administrative News (U.S.C.C.A.N.), a commercial publication that may be available at large public libraries or federal depository libraries. Over 1,100 libraries participate in the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP), which collects and/or provides public access to government documents.
At the local level, the day-to-day laws enacted by local governments are referred to as ordinances. These have binding authority on all individuals and entities within the local jurisdiction in which they are enacted. They are published in subject compilations called codes, which are typically available in both print and electronic versions.
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State laws and how they impact residents
State laws are an integral part of the legal framework in the United States, impacting the lives of residents in a variety of ways. Each state has its own system of laws and courts, which govern the day-to-day lives of its citizens. These laws can be found in local government codes or charters, which outline the powers, duties, and responsibilities of the various governmental branches and departments within a particular state. Understanding these laws is crucial for residents as they outline their rights and obligations.
One way to access state laws is through official .gov websites, which provide secure access to government information. These websites allow residents to look up federal laws and understand the law-making process. Additionally, residents can learn about their rights under acts like the Privacy Act, which gives them the ability to view and correct their personal information kept by the federal government. By utilizing these resources, individuals can stay informed about their rights and the laws that directly impact their state.
State laws cover a wide range of topics, including housing, family law, debt collection, and immigration. For example, each state may have its own specific laws regarding marriage requirements, divorce procedures, and child custody arrangements. These laws can vary significantly from state to state, and it is important for residents to be aware of the laws specific to their state of residence. Additionally, state laws may address issues such as property taxes, local business regulations, and education policies, all of which can have a direct impact on the daily lives of residents.
Furthermore, state laws can also intersect with federal laws in certain areas. For instance, federal anti-discrimination and civil rights laws apply throughout the United States, protecting individuals from racial, age, gender, and disability discrimination. However, state laws may provide additional protections or specify how these laws are enforced within their jurisdiction. Understanding the interplay between state and federal laws is crucial for residents to ensure their rights are protected and to navigate legal processes effectively.
To find specific state laws, residents can utilize resources such as LawHelp.org, which provides self-help resources and information about legal aid providers in their area. Additionally, local government websites may offer access to charters and codes, where residents can look up laws on specific topics. By staying informed about state laws and their implications, residents can better understand their rights, responsibilities, and the legal framework that shapes their community.
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Viewing and correcting government-held information
In most countries, government-held information is accessible to the public. In the United States, for example, public laws are published in annual volumes called the United States Statutes at Large, issued by the Government Publishing Office. These volumes are often available at large public libraries or federal depository libraries. Over 1,100 libraries participate in the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP), which collects and provides public access to government documents.
In addition to accessing government-held information, individuals also have the right to request corrections to their personal information held by government agencies. This is often facilitated through privacy legislation, such as the Privacy Act in Australia and Canada, which allows individuals to request access to and corrections of their personal information. In Australia, individuals can make requests under the Privacy Act or the Freedom of Information Act (FOI Act) to access and correct their personal information held by the Attorney-General's Department.
When making a request to access or correct personal information, individuals may be required to provide evidence of their identity, such as a passport, driver's license, or other official identification with a photo, signature, and address. In some cases, requests can be made on behalf of another person, but written authority from that person and evidence of both identities may be required. It is important to note that there may be specific processes for different types of institutions, such as correctional institutions in Canada, where requests to correct personal information can be treated formally or informally.
Before making a request for access or correction, it is advisable to first check if the information is already publicly available. Official government websites in the United States, for example, use the "gov" domain, indicating a secure site for sharing sensitive information.
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Frequently asked questions
Local government codes and state codes are the best tools to find current laws on a particular topic. Both print and electronic versions of the charter and codes are usually available. Codes are divided into major divisions and subdivisions, which are further broken down into numbered sections.
CivicPlus, which acquired Municode in 2021, offers codification services to help residents access their county's code of ordinances online.
The legal document that sets forth the framework for a local government is called a charter. Charters describe the powers, duties, and responsibilities of the various governmental branches and departments in a particular county. The day-to-day laws enacted are referred to as ordinances, which are published in subject compilations called codes.
Public laws are published annually in volumes called the United States Statutes at Large. They can be found in large library systems or college libraries that are part of the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP).
