| Legislative Information Notification Update System (LINUS) |
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| Overview |
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 LINUS is a "real time" legislative bill tracking system that allows state agencies to track bills throughout the legislative process. It is a Web-based application that is available to employees of Oregon state agencies and their statutorily defined agents. As of the 2005 biennium, LINUS charges were incorporated into agency assessments.
Agencies not currently signed up to use LINUS may send an e-mail request to LINUS Support. (See Terms of Service under "Helpful Links.")
Current LINUS features:
- Search for and sort bills by a variety of parameters such as session, session type, priority, fiscal impact and subject.
- Access up-to-date bill information including bill text, committee referrals and action history.
- Attach-detach documents for fiscal analysis, bill analysis and testimony.
- Assign bill managers.
- Run, print and e-mail pre-defined reports.
- Receive notifications of updates to Oregon Legislative Information Systems (OLIS), scheduled hearings and Third Readings.
Training materials, LINUS documentation and more
Subscribe to the LINUS listserv for system notifications
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| Frequently Asked Questions |
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Q: I can't log in. What can I do?
A: Check the following:
- Make sure you are typing your user ID and password exactly as your Agency LINUS Administrator submitted it (both the user ID and password are case sensitive).
- Make sure your Agency LINUS Administrator adds you to a user group (i.e. Bill Manager).
- Ask your Agency LINUS Administrator to check the User Information screen to see that you are an "active" user.
Q: I entered a bill number that I know exists, however my search isn't coming back with any results. What should I do?
A: This is a common error. Try selecting the appropriate tracking option (Tracked Active, Tracked Inactive, All Tracked, Untracked). You can also select the blank option if you don't know whether your agency is tracking a bill.
Q: What is the difference between a "basic search" and an "advanced search"?
A: The basic search was designed for standard searches that all agencies would benefit from. The advanced search was designed with large agencies in mind to accommodate querying of information.
Q: How do I search for all bills that I'm not currently tracking?
A: On the Search screen, make sure you select "no" on "tracked."
Q: My search results are not bringing anything back. What should I do?
A: Try the following:
- On the Search screen click "clear" and try again with a more simplified search.
- Make sure you are selecting the appropriate "tracking" option. You can select the blank option if you don't know whether your agency is tracking a bill.
Q: How do I select a division when there isn't one available in the drop down menu?
A: Contact your Agency LINUS Administrator to request they enter this information. Don't know who to contact? Click the envelope icon located in the upper right corner of every LINUS screen to launch an e-mail to your agency's LINUS Administrator.
Q: Some people in my agency have access to LINUS; how do I obtain access?
A: Contact your agency's legislative coordinator or Agency LINUS Administrator to request an account.
Q: I have another question. Who do I contact?
A: Please refer to the LINUS User Manual or contact your Agency LINUS Administrator. If your administrator can't answer your question, they may contact the LINUS help desk. Don't know who to contact? Click the envelope icon located in the upper right corner of every LINUS screen to launch an e-mail to your agency's LINUS Administrator.
Q: Does my computer have to meet certain system requirements in order to run LINUS?
A: The only requirement is that you have Internet access.
Q: What browser versions will LINUS run on?
A: LINUS is designed to run on Internet Explorer 5.0 or above; Netscape 6.2 or above; and Macintosh using Internet Explorer 5.1 or above.
Q: Are there any settings that I need to know about in order for my browser to work with LINUS?
A: Your browser must have Java Scripting enabled. This is usually a default setting unless you disable it.
Getting Started with LINUS
Q: How does my agency obtain access to LINUS?
A: Send an e-mail to LINUS Support with your request.
Q: How do I get an Agency Administrator account?
A: Send an e-mail to LINUS Support with your request.
Q: What is a Agency LINUS Administrator?
A: This is the person at an agency who has the highest level of LINUS rights, can set up user logins, set agency-level e-mail notification rules, configure drop down lists for the agency, and is the agency's primary contact for LINUS.
Q: Can the public use LINUS to track bills?
A: Not at this time. The use of LINUS is restricted to state agency employees and their statutorily defined agents.
Q: How current is LINUS information?
A: There is an approximate 15 minute refresh rate between Oregon Legislative Information Systems (OLIS) and the LINUS application.
Q: How far back does LINUS bill tracking information go?
A: LINUS was implemented during the 2003 legislative session; tracking information began in January 2003.
Q: Will future enhancements be made to LINUS? Who will decide these enhancements?
A: A steering committee comprised of participating agency delegates meets between legislative sessions. This group is charged with prioritizing enhancement requests and changes to LINUS. Unless changes are critical to the functionality of the system, requests received during a legislative session are held until the session ends.
Q: How can I submit an enhancement?
A: Send an e-mail with your suggestion to LINUS Support. Include "Suggested Enhancement" in your subject line.
Q: Can legislative information be exported from LINUS into agency systems?
A: Yes; the Export function is located on the Search Results screen. Only information associated with the found records of a search can be exported.
Q: Is "ad hoc" reporting available?
A: Not at this time.
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| Documents and Materials |
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For General Users
Subscribe to the LINUS listserv for system notifications
2007 What's New in LINUS (doc)
LINUS User Manual (doc)
Quick Users Reference Guide to LINUS (doc)
General Information about Standard Reports produced in LINUS (doc)
General Information on Hearing, Refresh, and Agency E-mail Notifications (doc)
For Agency LINUS Administrators
Note: The LINUS User Manual (doc) contains a section with instructions specific to Agency LINUS Administrators.
Specific LINUS Authorities Organized by Screen (doc)
Planning Guide for Integrating Agency Procedures & LINUS (doc)
Agency Account Terms of Service (pdf)
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