Why This Matters
To write a compelling advocacy letter, you’ll need to reference real-world legislation or public policies. Whether it's state laws affecting reproductive rights or federal bills on gender equity, understanding how to find and interpret legislation is key.
Federal Legislation
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Congress.gov
Official site for U.S. federal legislative information. Search bills by keyword, policy area, or bill number; view summaries, full text, sponsors, status updates, and committee actions.
Tips for Searching Congress.Gov:
State Legislation (Kentucky)
Tips for Searching Kentucky General Assembly Website:
- Use the Legislative Research Commission (LRC) to access the legislative record and track bills introduced during currently active sessions.
- The LRC search tool allows you to search via bill number (e.g., “HB 100”), by text, by session, or across all sessions since 1986
- View House bills and Senate bills with titles and introductions for the current regular session
- Historic legislative activity, including votes and bill status updates, is available in the Legislative Record for the current session
Local Legislation (City & County)
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USA.gov’s Local Government Directory
Find official websites for city and county governments across the United States. Look up local offices, explore municipal codes, or connect with local officials in your community.
Finding Your Elected Representative
State
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Who's Your Legislator?
Enter your home address to identify your State Representative and Senator. It provides names, districts, and contact information so you can easily reach out to your elected officials.
Local & Federal
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USA.gov
Enter your address to identify local, state, and federal officials and get contact details including phone, email, office location, and social media.
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Congress.gov
Look up your U.S. Representative and Senators using the “Members” section
