Local Government Law Links
Many laws regulate or have an impact on local government, and these laws are constantly changing and being applied and further interpreted by the courts. The sources of law and other online legal resources collected here are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice.
Federal resources
Includes information on sources of federal law, the U.S. Department of Education, and U.S. courts.
U.S. Constitution
Cornell University Law School’s Legal Information Institute provides online access to the U.S. Constitution, annotated by section and amendment.
U.S. Code
The U.S. Government Printing Office provides access to the U.S. Code, the compilation of general and permanent federal laws. The Code can be searched or can be browsed by Title.
THOMAS
Pending federal legislation can be accessed and tracked on the THOMAS website of the U.S. Library of Congress.
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
The U.S. Government Printing Office provides access to the U.S. Code, the compilation of administrative regulations adopted by federal agencies to implement and enforce federal statutes.
Federal Register
The Federal Register is where federal agencies publish required public notice of their administrative actions, such as noticed relating to the promulgation of new regulations. The U.S. Government Printing Office provides online access to each day’s notices, which are organized by agency.
Federal court locater
This feature on the website of the federal judiciary system provides a map of federal court system, including the U.S. circuit courts of appeals and district courts and enables the user to find the federal court(s) with jurisdiction in a particular locale.
U.S. Supreme Court
Opinions are available from the menu on the left-hand side of the U.S. Supreme Court’s website.
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
The Ninth Circuit hears appeals of decisions from the U.S. district courts in Washington, Oregon, and other Northwest states. Opinions from this court are available from the button in the upper, right-hand corner.
Washington resources
Includes access to information on sources of Washington State Law, state education agencies, and state courts.
Washington State Constitution
The Washington State Legislature’s website includes the text of the state Constitution, with annotations indicating past provisions and amendments.
Revised Code of Washington (RCW)
The Washington State Legislature’s website includes a searchable compilation of all the state’s permanent laws. Many of these laws apply to various local government entities, but some Titles of the RCW address these local entities specifically, including Title 35 for Cities and Towns, Title 35A (the “optional municipal code”) for Washington municipalities that choose to maximize their local control under state law, Title 36 for Counties, Title 52 for Fire protection districts, Title 53 for Port districts, Title 54 for Public utility districts, Title 55 Sanitary districts, and Title 57 for Water-sewer districts.
Washington State Legislature Bill Information
Pending state legislation can be accessed and tracked on the Legislature’s website.
Washington Administrative Code (WAC)
The Washington State Legislature’s website includes a searchable compilation of all the administrative regulations that state agencies adopt to implement and enforce state statutes.
Washington State Register (WSR)
The WSR is a biweekly publication where state agencies publish required public notice of their administrative actions, such as noticed relating to the promulgation of new regulations. The state Office of the Code Reviser publishes the WSR on the Washington State Legislature’s website. Notices in the WSR are organized by agency.
Washington Attorney General opinions
These opinions requested by state officials and county prosecuting attorneys and are searchable here and also indexed by topic. They are not legally binding but indicate the state’s legal position on the question and generally are given careful consideration by the courts.
Codes of Washington local governments
The Municipal Research and Services Center of Washington (MRSC) provides links to the municipal codes of Washington cities, the county codes of Washington counties, and select codes for other Washington local government entities. These codes also can be searched simultaneously.
Washington State Courts
Recent slip opinions from the Washington Supreme Court and the Washington Court of Appeals are available from the link to Court Opinions in the menu on the left-hand side of this website. These and earlier opinions also are available here from the Municipal Research and Services Center of Washington (MRSC).
Washington State Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC)
PERC is responsible for processing representation and unit clarification cases and adjudicating unfair labor practice cases involving public employees in Washington who have collectvie bargaining rights. PERC's website includes links to relevant statutes and regulations and a searchable database of all of its published decisions.
Oregon resources
Includes access to information on sources of Oregon state law, state education agencies, and state courts, as well as legal resources available from other Oregon organizations.
Oregon State Constitution
The Oregon State Legislature’s website includes the text of the state Constitution.
Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS)
The Oregon State Legislature’s website includes a searchable compilation of all the state’s permanent laws. Many of these laws apply to school districts, but specific statutes related to education are under Chapters 326-365.
Oregon State Legislature Bill Information
Pending state legislation can be accessed and tracked here on the Legislature’s website.
Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR)
The website of the Oregon State Archives includes a searchable compilation of all the administrative regulations that state agencies adopt to implement and enforce state statutes. The OARs also can be accessed by agency name or by chapter number.
Oregon Bulletin
The website of the Oregon State Archives features the current and past issues of this monthly publication of all administrative rulemaking actions by state agencies.
Oregon Attorney General opinions
The Oregon Department of Justice website includes a searchable database of formal and informal legal opinions signed by the state Attorney General. Formal opinions are issued on matters of statewide concern, while informal opinions address questions less likely to affect those other than the person requesting the opinion.
Oregon State Courts
Recent opinions from the Oregon Supreme Court and the Oregon Court of Appeals are available from the menu on the left-hand side of this website.
Oregon State Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH)
The OAH website includes a searchable database, also sorted by state agency like the Department of Education, of rulings by OAH administrative law judges.
Oregon Employment Relations Board (ERB)
The ERB administers the collective bargaining law that covers public employees of the State of Oregon and its cities, counties, school districts, and other local governments and resolves related labor relations disputes. Its website includes orders it has issued from January 2004 through the present, as well as a listing of its orders that currently are being appealed in court.
Other resources
Includes legal resources on education from other organizations.
Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC) of Washington
MRSC provides online overviews and related resources on a range of legal topics relevant to Washington cities and counties.
Association of Washington Cities (AWC) Library
AWC’s website includes fact sheets and other information related to legal needs of cities, including some legal resources for mayors and councilmembers.