There is no limit to the number of documents that can be nominated. Certificates and bragging rights are awarded to authors of the winning documents during the NCSL Legislative Summit. Winners are selected from the highest rated documents. 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. Attempts to provide balance and perspective from various sides in the political spectrum.Expands understanding of government processes, functions, or relationships.Compares state activities in an area of contemporary legislative interest in a comprehensible manner.It was published within the last two years.Offers graphics that are readily grasped.Presents information accurately and clearly in an organized fashion.Contains strong bibliographic/footnote entries.

Is innovative in presentation of material.Significantly contributes to knowledge of concern to legislators.Appears relevant to identifiable readership.Contains a title that reflects actual content.Clearly and prominently displays title, author, publisher, and date.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. Any state or legislative document published in the last two years is eligible.

Notability update 2019