Quorum now features semantic search — a significant leap from traditional keyword-based (Boolean) search. This update makes it faster and easier to find legislation that actually matters to your organization. Instead of scanning hundreds of results that contain the right words but miss the point, semantic search helps you zero in on content based on meaning, context, and relevance.
For government affairs professionals, this means better precision, less time spent reviewing irrelevant bills, and more confidence that nothing important slips through the cracks.
From Keywords to Context: Why Boolean Search Falls Short
Boolean search requires users to guess the exact keywords that will appear in a bill or document, an approach that can be limiting in the policy world, where the same concept might be expressed in dozens of different ways across jurisdictions.
For example, a user looking for bills on “carbon pricing” might use the keywords: (“carbon tax” OR “emissions trading” OR “cap and trade”).
But what about language like:
- “market-based mechanism to reduce greenhouse gas emissions”
- “polluter-pays pricing framework”
- “GHG reduction credit marketplace”
All of those are relevant, but may be missed if the exact phrasing isn’t included in the search string. With Boolean, it’s easy to either over-filter (missing important results) or under-filter (surfacing too much noise).
How Semantic Search Changes the Game
Semantic search flips this process on its head. Instead of matching only the words, it matches meaning, interpreting the intent behind your search.
Let’s say you type:
“Show me bills that create a state-level child tax credit.”
With semantic search, Copilot understands the policy concept behind “state-level child tax credit.” It can surface relevant legislation that uses alternative language like:
- “family benefit expansion”
- “household dependent allowance”
- “income-adjusted per-child rebate”
Because it evaluates meaning rather than exact phrasing, semantic search also adjusts to nuance. It understands the difference between bills that create a credit and those that repeal or amend one—and ranks them accordingly.
What This Means for You
Public affairs professionals often need to track dozens of policy areas across all 50 states or multiple federal agencies. The result is a firehose of information, and traditional search methods don’t scale. Semantic search, which is part of AI bill tracking, offers three major benefits:
- Precision Without Complexity: You don’t need to build complex Boolean logic to filter your results. Just write what you’re looking for, and Copilot interprets your intent.
- Faster Triage: With AI-powered semantic ranking, irrelevant bills are pushed down or excluded entirely. This reduces the time spent sorting through noise and allows you to focus on strategy.
- Confidence You Aren’t Missing Anything: Quorum’s AI scans all 50 state legislatures and Congress, surfacing bills that match your priorities, not just your keywords. That’s a huge improvement for teams managing multiple geographies and issues simultaneously.
Real Examples in Action
Here’s how semantic search in Quorum is already helping users:
Identifying Model Legislation
A user researching background check laws can now ask Copilot:
“Which bills use the same language as SB 200 about background checks?”
Copilot uses semantic matching to surface bills using similar legal language—even if the bill titles or summaries are totally different.
Comparing State Trends
A state-level advocate might ask:
“What other states have introduced bills following this model legislation?”
This allows them to uncover trends, anticipate copycat bills, and act before something gains momentum.
Surfacing Related Bills Automatically
Quorum now shows a “More Like This” tab for semantically similar bills—so if you’re reviewing one piece of legislation, you can easily explore others with the same policy themes.
Why It Matters for the Future of Public Affairs
Quorum’s shift to semantic search isn’t just a technical upgrade, it’s a foundational shift in how public affairs professionals interact with legislative data.
It means your team no longer needs to rely on human analysts to flag important developments. It means you can expand your issue monitoring without adding headcount. And it means your policy strategy can finally keep pace with the speed of government.
Semantic search is just one of many AI-powered tools being rolled into Quorum’s legislative tracking experience — including personalized bill summaries and relevance scoring. Together, these updates transform legislative tracking from a reactive, manual process into a proactive, intelligence-driven workflow.
FAQs
Can I still use Boolean if I want to?
Yes. You can still layer in keywords and filters. But you’ll find semantic search does most of the heavy lifting—especially when you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for.
Is this just for state bills?
No. Semantic search works across Quorum’s legislative data — including Congress and all 50 states. It’s especially powerful for multi-state users.
What’s the learning curve?
It’s low. You can type natural-language queries like “find bills that ban PFAS in food packaging,” and Copilot will do the rest.
What if I’m already using Quorum tracking boards?
Even better. You can instantly convert your existing boards into semantic-powered boards, no re-tagging or reconfiguring needed.
Do I have to pay extra for semantic search?
No, semantic search, which works with Copilot and AI Bill Tracking, is included with your Quorum subscription.