Bill tracking with RSS feeds

About RSS feeds

RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication. It's an XML-based format used to share website content that can be read using software called RSS readers or aggregators. An RSS "feed" is an XML (XML is a programming markup language that your computer browser reads) document that includes specific content. RSS readers check the content in a feed at selected time intervals and display any new content in the reader. Some readers will notify you when an update is available and others require you to check the reader to see the updates.

A benefit to using an RSS reader is that you can receive updates from websites without having to visit each site. In the case of the Legislature's website, you can receive updates on a number of bills without having to visit the page for each bill separately.

Many RSS readers are available, some of which are free. There are both web-based readers that allow you to view feeds online and those that are desktop software that you download and install on your computer. Many newer browsers are also RSS-capable and they will display the feed content directly in the browser.

Using RSS feeds to track bills

Our website currently provides RSS feeds for every bill introduced to the Legislature. Feeds are available for individual bills or you may subscribe to a bill topic feed that has updates for every bill in a certain topic.

Individual bill feeds

Each feed lists the latest actions and the brief description for the bill. Each action in the feed is listed along with a corresponding number representing the sequential order of the actions. For instance, an action starting with "01" means that was the first action for that bill. In addition, links to the appropriate bill summary pages are provided in each feed.

Bill feeds will also list when an amendment has been proposed for a bill and processed by Legislative staff.  Once that happens, the content of the feed will list the name of the amendment and a link to the document.  Amendment updates are not included in the numbering mentioned above.

Bill topic feeds

As part of the bill process, each bill is assigned to a topic area by those who draft the bills. Each topic feed provides updates whenever a bill is added to that topic area.

The feeds are provided free of charge and you may subscribe to any number of feeds to track the bills that interest you. However, it might be necessary for us to place some limits on feeds if the volume and frequency of feed updates becomes too high. 

To subscribe to the feed for an individual bill:

1. Search for a bill on the bills page or in detailed legislative reports.
2. Click the orange RSS icon next to the bill number to which you wish to subscribe.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen to subscribe to the feed using your RSS reader.

To subscribe to the feed for a topic area:

1. Go to the bills by topic page.
2. Click the “By Subject” radio button and you can either choose from the list or select a letter to see all of the topics beginning with that letter.
3. Click the orange RSS icon next to the topic to which you wish to subscribe.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen to subscribe to the feed using your RSS reader.