A typical path that legislation might follow includes these steps:

• A bill is introduced in the House or Senate.
• The bill is assigned to one or more committees for evaluation.
• The committee holds hearings on the bill and issues a report suggesting the bill be passed.
• The full House or Senate debates, amends, and votes on the proposed legislation.
• If the legislation is approved, it is sent to the other chamber where the whole process is repeated.
• A conference is held to reconcile any differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill.
• A vote is held in both chambers on the compromise bill, and if it is approved the legislation is sent to the president for his signature.

At each step, documents are created which taken together comprise the legislative history of a law.