Michigan Documents

Definition: A 'Journal' is a constitutionally-mandated record of certain actions of the House and the Senate.

Journals of the Michigan House of Representatives and Senate contain the following types of information: 

• Citations to Documents
• References to Committee Reports
• Committee Member Lists
• Roll Call Votes
• Explanations for "No Vote" 
• Bill Sponsors' Names
• Date of Action on a Bill
• Defeated Bill Amendments
• Other Miscellaneous Information 

Definitions: 

Congressional Record: Daily records of Congressional proceedings, published as full transcripts

Journal: Records of certain actions taken by the House and the Senate during regular and extra sessions
 

What's the Difference? 

While a Congressional Record is a complete transcript of everything said during Congressional Sessions, a Journal includes citations to documents, references to committee reports, committee member reports, explanations for "No Votes", bill sponsors' names, and other miscellaneous information. 

House and Senate Journals are used mainly as reference materials.

This could include references and citations in case law, reports by Congress or Congressional Committees, reports to Congress or Congressional Committees, or even reports on the effects of actions referenced in journals, etc.