Vote Smart provides easy access to congressional and state voting records and maintains a collection of key votes grouped by issue. Vote Smart uses the following criteria to select key votes:
Vote Smart provides a summary of the version of the bill text associated with each selected key vote. Our summaries are written by Vote Smart's staff and interns, who adhere to our strict policies and procedures in order to guarantee absolute impartiality and accuracy. They do not necessarily reflect the content of the final version of the bill, but rather the version voted on in that stage. While many procedural votes take place before a full chamber vote, our voting stages reflect the final reading of each chamber vote. Each key vote selection is reviewed by the project's community of advisors, who are political scientists and journalists from all fifty states.
For more information about the legislative process, see here.
Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|---|
Feb. 1, 2006 | AK | HB 149 | Controlled Substance Law Amendments | Concurrence Vote Failed - House (15 - 23) |
May 10, 2022 | AK | SB 174 | Prohibits Hair Discrimination in Public Schools | Bill Passed - House (34 - 5) |
April 23, 2009 | AL | HB 533 | Hate Crime Law Expansion | Bill Passed - House (46 - 41) |
Feb. 22, 2022 | AL | HB 2 | Expands Penalties for Rioting, Certain Public Demonstrations | Bill Passed - House (75 - 27) |
March 22, 2011 | AL | HB 19 | Requires Photo Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - House (64 - 31) |
April 1, 2013 | AR | SB 2 | Requires Photo Identification to Vote | Veto Override Passed - House (52 - 45) |
Feb. 21, 2013 | AR | SB 134 | Prohibits an Abortion if a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected | Bill Passed - House (68 - 20) |
March 15, 2021 | AR | SB 289 | Authorizes Denial of Healthcare on the Basis of Religious Principles | Bill Passed - House (72 - 20) |
March 13, 2013 | AR | SB 2 | Requires Photo Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - House (51 - 44) |
Feb. 13, 2015 | AR | SB 202 | Prohibits New Classes of Protected Individuals | Bill Passed - House (58 - 21) |
April 26, 2021 | AR | SB 615 | Prohibits Governmental Entities from Mandating Vaccine Passports | Bill Passed - House (76 - 12) |
April 21, 2021 | AR | HB 1761 | Prohibits the Teaching of CRT in Schools | Bill Passed - House (63 - 13) |
Feb. 15, 2011 | AR | SB 154 | Cell Phones in School Zones | Bill Passed - House (52 - 41) |
Feb. 25, 2009 | AR | SB 78 | Seat Belt Violation as Primary Offense | Bill Passed - House (60 - 31) |
Jan. 18, 2023 | AR | HB 1018 | Authorizes Bomb Squads to Carry Weapons and Make Arrests | Bill Passed - House (71 - 9) |
Jan. 27, 2009 | AR | HB 1050 | Freedom of Information Act Exemption Specifications | Bill Passed - House (57 - 31) |
March 21, 2011 | AR | HB 1797 | Requires Proof of Identity to Vote | Bill Passed - House (53 - 36) |
Jan. 29, 2009 | AR | HB 1013 | Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving | Bill Passed - House (78 - 12) |
Jan. 28, 2009 | AR | HB 1119 | Prohibiting Cell Phone Use While Driving for Specific Age Groups | Bill Passed - House (62 - 27) |
June 18, 2009 | AZ | HCR 2019 | Ends Affirmative Action | Amendment Adopted - House (32 - 18) |
March 9, 2006 | AZ | HB 2696 | Adoption Preference for Married Couples | Bill Passed - House (32 - 25) |
March 19, 2008 | AZ | HB 2677 | Real ID | Bill Passed - House (51 - 8) |
March 24, 2008 | AZ | HB 2713 | Student's Religious Liberties Act | Bill Passed - House (36 - 23) |
May 12, 2008 | AZ | SCR 1042 | Parameters of Marriage | Resolution Passed - House (33 - 25) |
April 20, 2011 | AZ | HB 2230 | Relating to the 9/11 Memorial | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (39 - 20) |
May 8, 2017 | AZ | SB 1384 | Prohibits Censorship of Student Media | Bill Passed - House (41 - 19) |
Feb. 20, 2014 | AZ | SB 1062 | Authorizes Individuals to use Potential Infringements of Religious Freedom as a Claim or Defense | Bill Passed - House (33 - 27) |
April 18, 2022 | AZ | SB 1163 | Expands Healthcare Options for Individuals with Terminal Illness/Disease | Bill Passed - House (39 - 18) |
Feb. 24, 2022 | AZ | HB 2707 | Establishes New Requirements for Flags, Moments of Silence, and Other Displays in Public Schools | Bill Passed - House (47 - 12) |
April 19, 2012 | AZ | SB 1182 | Prohibits Enforcement of Certain Provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act | Bill Passed - House (34 - 22) |
Feb. 23, 2021 | AZ | HB 2152 | Amends Arizona Revised Statues in Regards to Disclosure of Law Enforcement Body Camera Footage | Bill Passed - House (31 - 29) |
June 25, 2021 | AZ | HB 2906 | Prohibits the Teaching of Critical Race Theory | Bill Passed - House (31 - 25) |
Feb. 24, 2021 | AZ | HB 2551 | Authorizes Individuals with Concealed Carry Permits to Enter Most Buildings with Firearms | Bill Passed - House (31 - 29) |
Feb. 21, 2023 | AZ | HB 2523 | Requires Students 17 and Younger to Recite the Pledge of Allegiance in School | Bill Passed - House (31 - 29) |
Aug. 13, 2008 | CA | SB 28 | Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving | Bill Passed - House (52 - 24) |
Aug. 27, 2007 | CA | SB 33 | Underage Driver Cellphone Ban | Bill Passed - House (67 - 7) |
June 3, 2010 | CA | AB 2479 | Penalties for Violations Committed with the Intent to Capture Images or Recordings of a Person | Bill Passed - House (56 - 16) |
May 28, 2008 | CA | AB 2747 | Disclosing End-of-Life Care Options | Bill Passed - House (42 - 34) |
May 27, 2008 | CA | AB 2654 | Expanding Anti-Discrimination Laws | Bill Passed - House (48 - 30) |
May 5, 2008 | CA | AB 2233 | Ban on Holding Pets While Driving | Bill Passed - House (44 - 20) |
June 5, 2007 | CA | AB 43 | Same Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - House (42 - 34) |
May 7, 2007 | CA | AB 102 | Name Equality Act of 2007 | Bill Passed - House (46 - 26) |
Aug. 31, 2020 | CA | AB 2542 | Prohibits Racial Discrimination in Criminal Courts | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 16) |
Sept. 7, 2023 | CA | AB 1078 | Prohibits School Book Bans | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 17) |
Sept. 9, 2021 | CA | AB 105 | Requires State Boards and Committees to be More Diverse | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (58 - 12) |
Sept. 14, 2023 | CA | AB 352 | Requires Information on Fertility and Menstrual Tracking Apps Be Subject to Medical Privacy Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 14) |
Sept. 12, 2019 | CA | AB 1215 | Prohibits Facial Recognition in Police Body-Cams | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 21) |
Aug. 25, 2022 | CA | AB 2658 | Prohibits Excessive Electronic Monitoring of Minors in Home Detention | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 12) |
Aug. 31, 2020 | CA | AB 331 | Establishes One Credit of Ethnic and Racial Studies as a High School Graduation Requirement | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 12) |
Aug. 30, 2020 | CA | AB 979 | Requires Corporations to Have Directors From Under-Represented Groups | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 8) |
Sept. 13, 2019 | CA | AB 681 | Requires Voter Party Affiliation Notification Prior To Primary Elections | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 13) |
Aug. 31, 2010 | CA | AB 2479 | Penalties for Violations Committed with the Intent to Capture Images or Recordings of a Person | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 21) |
Aug. 27, 2012 | CA | AB 1436 | Authorizes Same-Day Voter Registration | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 29) |
Sept. 10, 2009 | CA | AB 524 | Privacy Law Expansion | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 20) |
Sept. 9, 2019 | CA | SB 310 | Authorizes Felons to Serve on Juries | Bill Passed - House (47 - 26) |
Aug. 30, 2020 | CA | SB 629 | Establishes Legal Protection for Journalists Attending Protest Demonstrations | Bill Passed - House (49 - 7) |
March 22, 2010 | CA | SB 4 | Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches | Bill Passed - House (42 - 27) |
Sept. 10, 2021 | CA | SB 98 | Establishes Journalists Can Cover Events in Areas that Have Been Closed by Law Enforcement | Bill Passed - House (50 - 18) |
Sept. 10, 2019 | CA | SB 329 | Prohibits Discrimination Against Section 8 Housing Renters | Bill Passed - House (46 - 21) |
Aug. 23, 2018 | CA | SB 820 | Prohibits Non-Disclosure Agreements in Sexual Assault, Harassment, or Discrimination Cases | Bill Passed - House (56 - 19) |
Aug. 30, 2020 | CA | SB 1102 | Requires Employers to Provide H-2A Employees with a Written Notice of their Rights | Bill Passed - House (52 - 18) |
Sept. 8, 2021 | CA | SB 742 | Prohibits Interfering with People in Connection with Any Vaccination Services | Bill Passed - House (59 - 6) |
Sept. 3, 2009 | CA | SB 54 | Recognizing Out-of-State Same-Sex Marriages | Bill Passed - House (47 - 29) |
Sept. 3, 2009 | CA | SB 572 | Harvey Milk Day | Bill Passed - House (46 - 28) |
April 29, 2019 | CA | AB 467 | Requires Competitions Held on Public Lands to Offer Equal Prize Compensation Regardless of Gender | Bill Passed - House (74 - 0) |
April 19, 2018 | CA | AB 2943 | Prohibits Advertising Conversion Therapy | Bill Passed - House (50 - 18) |
Jan. 18, 2018 | CA | AB 282 | Amends the End of Life Option Act | Bill Passed - House (45 - 17) |
May 31, 2023 | CA | AB 280 | Limits the Use of Solitary Confinement in California State Prisons | Bill Passed - House (56 - 16) |
June 10, 2020 | CA | ACA 5 | Establishes Constitutional Amendment Repealing Prohibition on Affirmative Action Policies | Amendment Adopted - House (60 - 14) |
June 11, 2020 | CA | AB 3121 | Establishes a Task Force for Reparations to African Americans | Bill Passed - House (61 - 12) |
May 29, 2019 | CA | AB 1550 | Establishes the "Caution Against Racially Exploitative Non-Emergencies (CAREN) Act" | Bill Passed - House (78 - 0) |
Jan. 27, 2020 | CA | AB 979 | Requires Corporations to Have Directors From Under-Represented Groups | Bill Passed - House (73 - 0) |
May 28, 2019 | CA | AB 767 | Establishes Restitution for Victims of Police Violence | Bill Passed - House (59 - 10) |
May 13, 2021 | CA | AB 1184 | Establishes Privacy Rights for Gender-Affirming Care | Bill Passed - House (59 - 13) |
May 31, 2012 | CA | AB 1436 | Authorizes Same-Day Voter Registration | Bill Passed - House (47 - 26) |
March 17, 2006 | CO | HB 1175 | Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act | Conference Report Adopted - House (38 - 24) |
March 5, 2008 | CO | HB 1130 | Removing Wiretap Restrictions | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 9) |
May 5, 2008 | CO | SB 226 | Zebra Mussels Ban | Bill Passed - House (54 - 11) |
May 1, 2007 | CO | SB 25 | Sexual Orientation Workplace Discrimination | Bill Passed - House (44 - 18) |
March 14, 2007 | CO | HB 1330 | Second Parent Adoption | Bill Passed - House (39 - 25) |
April 13, 2006 | CO | HB 1314 | Prohibiting Forced Exposure to Employers Religious or Political Speech | Bill Passed - House (33 - 32) |
May 4, 2006 | CO | SB 81 | Employment Nondiscrimination Expansion Bill | Bill Passed - House (39 - 26) |
Jan. 26, 2009 | CO | HB 1042 | Amending Minimum Traffic Speed Regulations | Bill Passed - House (37 - 27) |
March 7, 2008 | CO | HJR 1009 | Ratification of the UN Convention Against the Discrimination of Women | Joint Resolution Passed - House (43 - 21) |
Feb. 15, 2006 | CO | HB 1125 | Seat Belt Enforcement Bill | Bill Passed - House (33 - 32) |
May 3, 2006 | CO | HB 1125 | Seat Belt Enforcement Bill | Bill Failed - House (32 - 32) |
Feb. 6, 2008 | CO | HB 1130 | Removing Wiretap Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (43 - 20) |
Feb. 13, 2006 | CO | HB 1175 | Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act | Bill Passed - House (41 - 24) |
March 27, 2006 | CO | HB 1344 | Same-Sex Partnership Benefits Act | Bill Passed - House (38 - 27) |
Feb. 27, 2008 | CO | HB 1297 | Supplemental Department of Public Safety Funding | Bill Passed - House (45 - 20) |
Feb. 28, 2007 | CO | HB 1269 | Casino Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - House (36 - 29) |
April 11, 2023 | CO | HB 23-1011 | Authorizes Individuals Right to Repair Agriculture Equipment | Conference Report Adopted - House (44 - 16) |
May 6, 2009 | CO | SB 241 | DNA Sampling Upon Felony Arrest | Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 12) |
May 3, 2019 | CO | HB 19-1289 | Increases State Consumer Protection Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 22) |
April 1, 2010 | CO | HB 1201 | Requiring Police to Inform Citizens of Right to Refuse Searches | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 22) |
May 5, 2021 | CO | SB 21-188 | Authorizes a Voter with a Disability to Print the Ballot or Return the Ballot by Electronic Transmission | Bill Passed - House (41 - 22) |
April 27, 2019 | CO | SB 19-085 | Establishes the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act | Bill Passed - House (40 - 21) |
June 7, 2021 | CO | SB 21-190 | Establishes Personal Privacy Protections for Data | Bill Passed - House (57 - 7) |
June 12, 2020 | CO | SB 20-217 | Amends Various Police Accountability and Reform Laws | Bill Passed - House (52 - 13) |
March 5, 2020 | CO | SB 20-83 | Prohibits Civil Arrests on Courthouse Grounds | Bill Passed - House (40 - 24) |