STRATEGIC INFORMATION SEARCH IN STATE LEGISLATIVE DECISION-MAKING

This study explores the influences on legislators' choices about when to search intensively for information on a bill. An informal rational actor model is developed based on the marginal benefit and cost of information search. Using data on state legislator's information searches in three U.S. states, legislators are found to exert information search effort where it will do them the most good. This has generally favorable implications for policy learning in the state legislative process.