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Award Criteria

Any state or legislative document published in the last two years is eligible. Submissions are generally made through each state’s legislative librarian but can be made by other interested persons. Submissions are considered based on the criteria listed below. The document:

  • Clearly and prominently displays title, author, publisher, and date. 
  • Contains a title that reflects actual content. 
  • Appears relevant to identifiable readership. 
  • Significantly contributes to knowledge of concern to legislators. 
  • Is innovative in presentation of material. 
  • Contains strong bibliographic/footnote entries. 
  • Presents information accurately and clearly in an organized fashion. 
  • Offers graphics that are readily grasped. 
  • It was published within the last two years. 
  • Compares state activities in an area of contemporary legislative interest in a comprehensible manner. 
  • Expands understanding of government processes, functions, or relationships. 
  • Attempts to provide balance and perspective from various sides in the political spectrum. 

Using a scorecard, committee members evaluate each document on specific criteria, including relevance, organization, clarity, effective use of graphics, innovation, balance, and expansion of the base of knowledge on a particular subject.

Winners are selected from the highest rated documents. Certificates and bragging rights are awarded to authors of the winning documents during the NCSL Legislative Summit.

There is no limit to the number of documents that can be nominated. For purposes of this award, a document is defined as one produced by a federal, state, or local government or legislative agency, by a foundation, or quasi-public or private sector nonprofit organization. Formats may include print, web, CD-ROM, or periodical/serial.

For more information about the LRL Notable Documents Awards, please contact lrl-info@ncsl.org.

2023 Award Recipients

2023 Notable Document Award Recipients 

Awarded by the National Conference of State Legislatures Legislative Research Librarians Professional Staff Association. 

Children  

Education 

Elections 

Environmental Issues 

Intergovernmental Relations 

Public Health  

Social Services 

Public Safety 

Youth Policy 

Notable Document Award Judges: Elizabeth Lincoln, Minnesota, Chair; Ingrid Hernquist, New Jersey; Laura Bell, Minnesota; Jenna Steward, Louisiana; and Stephanie Heyroth Wilcox, Nevada. June 26, 2023 

Previous Award Recipients

2022

Communications

Education

Environmental Protection

Increased Public Access

Innovative Presentation

Performance Evaluation

Public Safety

Social Services

Transportation

Youth Policy

Notable Document Award Judges: Elizabeth Lincoln, Minnesota, Chair; Ingrid Hernquist, New Jersey; Laura Bell, Minnesota; Jenna Steward, Louisiana; and Stephanie Heyroth Wilcox, Nevada. June 30, 2022

2021

Communications

Corrections

Environmental Protection

Labor and Employment

Public Health

Public Safety

2021 Notable Document Award Judges: Elizabeth Lincoln, Minnesota, Chair; Ingrid Hernquist, New Jersey; Molly Riley, Minnesota; and Jenna Steward, Louisiana.

2020

Agriculture

Discrimination

  • Addressing Discrimination Against Transgender New Jerseyans – New Jersey Transgender Equality Task Force

Education

Innovative Study

Labor and Employment

Public Health

Public Records

Transportation

2020 Notable Document Award Judges: Elizabeth Lincoln, Minnesota, Chair; Ingrid Hernquist, New Jersey; Elaine Settergren, Minnesota; and Jenna Steward, Louisiana.

Agriculture

Education

  • Students in Tennessee Instructed by Consecutive Ineffective Teachers – Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury, Office of Research and Education Accountability
  • Textbooks and Instructional Materials – Kentucky Legislative Research Commission, Office of Education Accountability

Elections

Fiscal Matters

Historical and Cultural Resources

Legislator and Staff Guide

Public Health

Public Policy

Special Investigation

  • Special Report: Sex Week at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville – Tennessee Comptroller, Office of Research and Education Accountability

2019 Notable Document Award Judges: Elizabeth Lincoln, Minnesota, Chair; Eric Glover, Idaho; Ingrid Hernquist, New Jersey; Molly Riley, Minnesota; and Jenna Steward, Louisiana.

2018

Education

Intergovernmental Relations

Legislator’s Guide

Public Health

Seniors Policy

Transportation

Youth Policy

2018 Notable Document Award Judges: Elizabeth Lincoln, Minnesota, Chair; Eric Glover, Idaho; Ingrid Hernquist, New Jersey; Elaine Settergren, Minnesota; and Jenna Steward, Louisiana.

2017

Economy

Education

Intergovernmental Relations

Legislatures

Public Health

State Comparison

2017 Notable Document Award Judges: Elizabeth Lincoln, Minnesota, Chair; Sabah Eltareb, California; Ingrid Hernquist, New Jersey; Molly Riley, Minnesota; and Jenna Steward, Louisiana.

2016

Historical and Cultural Resources

History of Legislation

Legislatures

Legislatively Mandated

Legislator's Guide

Performance Evaluation

  • Risk of Bias in Administrative Hearings – Idaho Office of Performance Evaluations

Public Policy--Education

  • The Every Student Succeeds Act ("The ESSA Collection") – Tennessee Offices of Research and Education Accountability and Comptroller of the Treasury

Public Policy--Health

2016 Notable Document Awards Committee: Elizabeth Lincoln, Minnesota, Chair; Sabah Eltarab, California; Ingrid Hernquist, New Jersey; and Carol Blackburn, Minnesota.

2015

Constitution

  • Piecemeal Amendment to the Constitution of New Mexico 1911-2014 – New Mexico Legislative Council Service

History of Legislation

Innovative Presentation

Notable Online Resource

Performance Evaluation

  • The State’s Use of Legal Services – Office of Performance Evaluations, Idaho Legislature

Public Policy – Economy

  • Uber’s On-Demand Car Service – Connecticut General Assembly, Office of Legislative Research
  • Level the Playing Field: Put California’s Underground Economy Out of Business – The Little Hoover Commission, California

Public Policy – Fiscal

Public Policy – Environmental

  • Minnesota and Climate Change: Our Tomorrow Starts Today – Minnesota Environmental Quality Board
  • Plastic Microbeads in Minnesota – Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Session Summary

  • Highlights 2014 – New Mexico Legislative Council Service

2015 Notable Documents Awards Committee: Elizabeth Lincoln, Minnesota, Chair; Shelley Day, Utah; Ingrid Hernquist, New Jersey; Elisa Naquin, Louisiana; and Alyssa Novak Jones, Minnesota.

2014

Guide – Education

  • Recess Moves! A Toolkit for Quality Recess – Minnesota Department of Education

Historical and Cultural Resources

Innovative Presentation

Performance Evaluation

Public Policy – Education

  • Kentucky School District Superintendent Employment and Contracts – Kentucky Legislative Research Commission, Office of Educational Accountability

Public Policy – Health

Public Policy – Natural Resources

State Comparison

Statistical Analysis

2014 Notable Documents Awards Committee: Elizabeth Lincoln, Minnesota, Chair; Carol Blackburn, Minnesota; Shelley Day, Utah; Ingrid Hernquist, New Jersey

2013

Citizen’s Guide

Fiscal Policy

  • Budget 101: A Guide to the Budget Process in Texas – Texas Senate Research Center
  • State Employee Compensation and Turnover – Idaho Office of Performance Evaluations

Historical And Cultural Resources

Legislatively Mandated

Legislator’s Guide

Public Policy – Education

Public Policy – Public Safety

Natural Resources

Performance Evaluation

Notable Online Resource

2013 Notable Documents Awards Committee: Elizabeth Lincoln, Minnesota, Chair; Ingrid Hernquist, New Jersey; Carol Blackburn, Minnesota; Frances Thomas, Louisiana

2012 

STATE GOVERNMENT HISTORY COMPILATION

PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

PUBLIC POLICY

2012 Notable Documents Awards Committee: Kristin Ford, Idaho, Chair; Ingrid Hernquist, New Jersey; Elizabeth Lincoln, Minnesota; Frances Thomas, Louisiana

2011 Notable Documents Awards

CITIZEN’S GUIDE

  • The Legislators of California - California State Senate

HISTORY OF LEGISLATION

LEGISLATOR’S GUIDE

MODEL HISTORICAL WEBSITE

PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS

PUBLIC POLICY – ENVIRONMENTAL

PUBLIC POLICY – PUBLIC SAFETY

2011 Notable Documents Awards Committee: Sabah Eltareb, California State Library, Chair; Carol Blackburn, Minnesota; Ingrid Hernquist, New Jersey; Elizabeth Lincoln, Minnesota

2010 Notable Documents Awards

LEGISLATIVELY MANDATED

  • Increasing Efficiencies in Idaho's Parole Process - Idaho Office of Performance Evaluations
  • 2009 Full Tax Preference Performance Reviews - Washington State Joint Legislature Audit and Review Committee

CITIZEN’S GUIDE

  • AIDS and the Law: What You Should Know: Laws for Older Adults - Illinois Legislative Research Unit
  • Permitting in Montana - Montana Legislative Environmental Policy Office

LEGISLATOR’S GUIDE

PUBLIC POLICY- ENVIRONMENTAL

NOTABLE ONLINE RESOURCE

FISCAL MATTERS

INNOVATIVE ARTICLE

  • Wisconsin at the Frontiers of Astronomy: A History of Innovation and Exploration (feature article in the State of Wisconsin Blue Book 2009-2010) - Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau

2010 Notable Documents Awards Committee: Lisa Mecklenberg Jackson, Montana, Chair; Carol Blackburn, Minnesota; Sabah Eltareb, California; Kristin Ford, Idaho; Ingrid Hernquist, New Jersey; Elizabeth Lincoln, Minnesota

2009

CITIZENS' GUIDE

  • Special Education Primer for Charter Schools - Minnesota Department of Education

INNOVATIVE ADVOCACY

  • Montana Legislator READ poster series - Montana Legislative Services Division

LEGISLATIVELY MANDATED

  • Idaho Transportation Department Performance Audit - Idaho Office of Performance Evaluations

LEGISLATOR'S GUIDE

  • A Minnesota Lawmaker's Guide to the Agri-Environmental Policy Landscape - Minnesota House Research Department

POLICY GUIDE

  • Visioning Kentucky's Future: Measures and Milestones 2008 - Kentucky Long-Term Policy Research Center

PUBLIC POLICY - EDUCATION

  • Feasibility of School District Services Consolidation - Idaho Office of Performance Evaluations
  • Public Education Funding in Idaho - Idaho Office of Performance Evaluations
  • Emerging Global Workforce Raising Education Stakes: Children at the Economic Margins Key to Sustaining Progress - Kentucky Long-Term Policy Research Center

PUBLIC POLICY - ENVIRONMENTAL

  • Technical Evaluation of the Emissions and Control Costs of High Global Warming Potential Gases - Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Environmental Analysis and Outcomes Division, etc.
  • Biofuel Policies and Programs - Office of the Minnesota Legislative Auditor
  • Carbon Sequestration Study - Montana Legislative Environmental Policy Office
  • The Price of Flame - Montana Legislative Services Division

2009 Notable Documents Awards Committee: Lisa Mecklenberg Jackson, Montana, Chair; Sabah Eltareb, California; Kristin Ford, Idaho; Ingrid Hernquist, New Jersey; Elizabeth Lincoln, Minnesota

2008

CITIZEN’S GUIDE

  • North Dakota Blue Book 2007-2008 - Alvin A. Jaeger, North Dakota Secretary of State

FISCAL MATTERS

  • 2008 General Session Appropriation and Budget Highlights - Utah State Legislature – Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst

INNOVATIVE STUDY

  • Voices from the Street: A Survey of Homeless Youth by Their Peers - California Research Bureau, California State Library

LEGISLATIVELY MANDATED:

  • Criminal Records and Employment in Minnesota: Report and Recommendations of the 2007 Collateral Sanctions Committee - Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission
  • Indicators of Efficiency and Effectiveness - Kentucky Office of Education Accountability
  • Virtual School Operations - Idaho Office of Performance Evaluations

LEGISLATOR’S GUIDE

  • Quick Guide to Committee Procedures in the House of Representatives & Quick Guide to Floor Procedure - Louisiana House Legislative Services

PUBLIC POLICY

  • Compensating Victims of Bridge Collapses Outside Minnesota - Minnesota Legislature, Senate Counsel

STATE COMPARISON

  • Waste Tire Recycling and Reuse in Pennsylvania - Pennsylvania General Assembly – Joint State Government Commission

2007

CITIZEN’S GUIDE

  • Water Rights in Montana - Montana Legislative Environmental Quality Council

FISCAL SERIES

  • Profiles of Montana State Agencies - Montana Legislative Fiscal Division

LEGISLATIVELY MANDATED

  • Split Estates: The Relationship Between Surface and Minerals - Montana Legislative Environmental Quality Council
  • Use of Average Daily Attendance in Public Education Funding - Idaho Office of Performance Evaluations

LEGISLATOR’S GUIDE

  • Tax Relief & Reform: What Does It Mean to Taxpayers? - Utah Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel

PUBLIC POLICY

  • Delaying Necessities, Denying Needs - New York State Assembly Committee on Oversight, Analysis and Investigation
  • The Road to Privatization: Implications of Public-Private Partnerships for Transportation Projects - Maryland General Assembly, Department of Legislative Services, Office of Policy Analysis

STATE COMPARISONS

  • An Overview of California’s Low Emission Vehicle Program and Efforts to Implement It in Maryland and Other States - Maryland General Assembly, Department of Legislative Services, Office of Policy Analysis
  • The Road to Electric Restructuring in Maryland - Maryland General Assembly, Department of Legislative Services, Office of Policy Analysis

2007 Notable Documents Awards Committee: Lisa Mecklenberg Jackson, Montana, Chair; Carol Blackburn, Minnesota; Sabah Eltareb, California; Kristin Ford, Idaho; Ingrid Hernquist, New Jersey; Elizabeth Lincoln, Minnesota

2006

LEGISLATIVELY MANDATED

  • Idaho School for Deaf and Blind Evaluation Report - Idaho Office of Performance Evaluations
  • Report of the Advisory Committee on Geriatric and Seriously Ill Inmates - Pennsylvania General Assembly - Joint State Government Commission

CITIZEN'S GUIDE

  • Citizens Guide (series of five publications) - Kentucky Legislative Research Commission
  • Utah State Government: A Citizens Guide - Utah Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel

LEGISLATOR'S GUIDE

  • Understanding Medicaid: A Policymaker's Introduction - Utah Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel

STUDENT'S GUIDE

  • Governing Wisconsin series - Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau

PUBLIC POLICY

  • Improved Coordination and Information Could Reduce the Backlog of Unserved Warrants - Kentucky Legislative Research Commission
  • Use of Social Security Numbers for Drivers' Licenses, Permits, and Identification Cards: Federal Mandate Review - Idaho Office of Performance Evaluations

FISCAL MATTERS

  • A Fiscal Review of the 2005 Legislative Session - Minnesota Senate Counsel, Research, and Fiscal Analysis

HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES

  • High Plains of Northeastern New Mexico: A Guide to Geology and Culture - New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources

2006 Notable Documents Awards Committee: Lisa Mecklenberg Jackson, Montana, Chair; Carol Blackburn, Minnesota; Sabah Eltareb, California; Kristin Ford, Idaho; Ingrid Hernquist, New Jersey

2005

BODY OF WORK--LEGISLATIVELY MANDATED

  • Hydrogen, Wind, Biodiesel, and Ethanol: Alternative Energy Sources to Fuel Montana's Future? - Montana Legislative Environmental Quality Council
  • Montana's Water--Where is it? Who can use it? Who decides? - Montana Legislative Environmental Quality Council

CITIZEN'S GUIDE

  • Pocket Guides on Fiscal Matters (various) - Montana Legislative Fiscal Division

LEGISLATOR'S GUIDE

  • Gambling in Minnesota: A Short History - Research Department, Minnesota House of Representatives
  • Noncitizens and Minnesota Law: A Guide for Legislators - Research Department, Minnesota House of Representatives

PUBLIC POLICY

  • Medical Professional Liability Reform for the 21st Century: A Review of Policy Options - Pennsylvania General Assembly Joint State Government Commission

2005 Notable Documents Awards Committee: Lisa Mecklenberg Jackson, Montana, Chair; Elizabeth Lincoln, Minnesota; Ingrid Hernquist, New Jersey; Sabah Eltareb, California

2004

BODY OF WORK

  • Public Interest Energy Research: 2003 Annual Report - California Energy Commission
  • 2003 Integrated Energy Policy Report - California Energy Commission

BODY OF WORK--MONOGRAPHIC SERIES

  • State and Local Government in Louisiana: An Overview - Louisiana House Legislative Services
  • Orientation Guide for Louisiana House Members - Louisiana House Legislative Services

EXCEPTIONAL TECHNICAL WORK

  • New York State 2004-2005 Executive Budget: Revenue Estimating Methodology - New York State Division of the Budget:

BODY OF WORK--LEGISLATIVELY MANDATED

  • The Funding and Benefit Structure of the Pennsylvania Statewide Retirement Systems: A Report with Recommendations - Pennsylvania General Assembly Joint State Government Commission
  • Minority Representation in the Jury Selection Process in Pennsylvania - Pennsylvania General Assembly Joint State Government Commission

EXCEPTIONAL EXAMPLE OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATION

  • Mission: Protect and Restore Puget Sound, A Progress Report - Washington Puget Sound Action Team

2004 Notable Documents Awards Committee: Lisa Mecklenberg Jackson, Montana, Chair; Shirley Dallas, Washington; Penelope Dukes, Williams, Texas; Sabah Eltareb, California; Cathy Griffin, Arizona; Ingrid Hernquist, New Jersey

2003

PUBLIC POLICY

  • Planning for the Future: Findings from Research on the Commonwealth's Current and Coming Retirees - Road Ahead: Uncertainty and Opportunity in a Changed World - Kentucky Long-Term Policy Research Center
  • Nevada Natural Resources Status Report - Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

CITIZEN GUIDE

  • Electricity Law Handbook: A Montanan's Guide to Understanding Electricity - Montana Environmental Quality Council

LEGISLATORS' GUIDE

  • Understanding State Finances and the Budgeting Process: A Reference Manual for Legislators - Montana Legislative Fiscal Division
  • Legislator's Handbook - Montana Legislative Services Division

SERIAL

  • Briefing Paper Series: Future of Highway Funding; Medicaid Spending; Controlling Costs: No Simple Solutions to Complex Issues; Senate Confirmation of Judicial Appointments; Tax Primer - Utah Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel

REDISTRICTING & REAPPORTIONMENT

  • Demographic Profile of Legislative Districts - Utah Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel

2002

NOTABLE DOCUMENTS

  • Nuclear Waste Dry Cask Storage - Minnesota House of Representatives Research Dept
  • Youth and the Law: A Guide for Legislators - Minnesota House of Representatives Research Dept
  • State of Nebraska: 2001 Redistricting - Nebraska Legislative Research Division
  • Energy Policy Issues and Legislative Options - Utah Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel

HONORABLE MENTION

  • Five Shoes Waiting to Drop on Arizona's Future - Morrison Institute for Public Policy, School of Public Affairs, Arizona State University
  • Driver Distractions and Traffic Safety - Pennsylvania General Assembly Joint State Government Commission
  • Tap the Power: Constitutional Highlights - Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau

OUTSTANDING PROACTIVE E-UPDATE SERVICE

  • Studies in the News - California Research Bureau
  • OLR Updates -Connecticut Office of Legislative Research

SPECIAL CITATION FOR DEPTH OF ANALYSIS AND SPEED IN PRODUCING INFORMATION VITAL TO GOVERNMENT

  • Impact of the September 11 WTC Attack on NYC's Economy and Revenues -New York City Comptroller

CONSISTENTLY OUTSTANDING CORPUS OF WORK

  • Kentucky Legislative Research Commission:
  1. CD-Roms: Acts of the General Assembly & Journal of the General Assembly
  2. Kentucky General Assembly Membership 1900-2000
  3. V1. 1900-1949 V2. 1950-2000
  4. Executive Branch Contracting for Services: Inconsistent procedures limit accountability and efficiency
  5. Impact Plus: Design of Medicaid - Funded Program for children with severe emotional disturbance results in rapidly growing expenditures and difficult policy choices
  • Kentucky Long-Term Policy Research Center:
  1. Challenges for the New Century: Trends that will influence KY's future
  2. Foresight
  3. Education and the Common Good: Social Benefits of Higher Education in KY.
  4. Financing State and Local Government: Future challenges and opportunities
  5. Listening to Kentucky High Schools: Why some high schools Miss, Meet, and Exceed Predicted Post Secondary Outcomes
  6. Policy Notes: on issues of importance to KY's future
  7. Talking Back: Kentucky High School students and their future education plans

2001

GUIDES FOR MEMBERS

  • Orientation Guide for Louisiana House Members, 2000-2004 Term - Louisiana House of Representatives
  • Quick Guide to Floor Procedure in the Louisiana House of Representatives - Louisiana House of Representatives
  • State and Local Government in Louisiana: An Overview, 2000-2004 Term - Louisiana House of Representatives

PUBLIC POLICY

  • Eminent Domain in Montana and Improving the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) Process - Montana Legislative Environmental Policy Office
  • Shock of the New: Changes in the Generation, Transmission, and Distribution of Electricity in Montana - Montana Legislative Services Division, Lois Menzies, Executive Director
  • Too Much, Too Little, Too Late: An Assembly Investigation of CONNECTIONS -New York's Statewide Child Welfare Computer System - New York Assembly Committee on Oversight, Analysis and Investigation

CITIZEN GUIDE

  • When You Are Concerned: A Guide for Families Concerned About the Safety of an Older Driver - New York State Office for the Aging

2001 Notable Documents Awards Committee: Deb Priest, New York, chair; Robbie LaFleur, Minnesota; Sabah Eltareb, California; Cathy Griffin, Arizona

2000

Notable Documents

  • Minnesota Budget: A Fiscal Policy Analysis - Minnesota State Senate, Office of Fiscal Policy Analysis
  • Nevada State Water Plan - Nevada Division of Water Planning, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
  • Positioning Arizona to Achieve Maximum Benefit from the Information Economy - Arizona Legislature, Joint Legislative Study Committee on the Internet

Serial Award

  • Ohio LBO Policy Briefs - Ohio Legislative Budget Office
  • Session Weekly - Minnesota House of Representatives, Public Information Office

1999

Notable Documents

  • Arizona Blue Book - Arizona Secretary of State
  • Dilemma in the Millennium: Capital Needs of the World's Capital City - Comptroller of the City of New York
  • Insurance Discrimination: Against Victims of Domestic Violence - Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Women's Law Project

Serial Award

  • Perspectives - New York State Assembly Committee on Ways and Means

URL Award

  • http://www.leginfo.state.sc.us/ - South Carolina Legislative Information Systems

Special Award for Consistently Outstanding and Comprehensive Quality of Publications

  • Montana Environmental Quality Council
  • Texas Legislative Budget Board

1998

Notable Documents

  • Arizona Legislative Manual - Arizona Legislative Council
  • Clean and Green - Joint State Government Commission, Pennsylvania General Assembly
  • Minnesota Data Book for Legislators - Research Department, Minnesota House of Representatives

Notable URL Awards

  • Florida Monitor - Florida Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability
  • Feedlots and Links to the World - Minnesota Legislative Reference Library

1998 Notable Documents Awards Committee: Deb Priest, New York; Cathy Griffin, Arizona; Anne Craig, Illinois; Beth Furbush, Montana; Nancy Hays, Texas

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