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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
May 28, 2014 | CA | SB 1010 | Amends Penalties for Cocaine Possession | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
May 24, 2023 | CA | SB 58 | Amends Laws and Statutes Concerning the Decriminalization of Certain Hallucinogens | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16) |
May 28, 2014 | CA | SB 968 | Requires Public Access Route to Martin's Beach | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11) |
May 25, 2023 | CA | SB 14 | Defines Child Trafficking as a Serious Felony | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0) |
June 2, 2010 | CA | SB 399 | Authorizing Youth Offenders to Appeal Life Without Parole Sentences | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
June 1, 2021 | CA | SB 519 | Authorizes the Decriminalization of Psychedelic Drugs for Veterans Suffering from PTSD | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16) |
June 2, 2010 | CA | SB 399 | Authorizing Youth Offenders to Appeal Life Without Parole Sentences | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
June 26, 2020 | CA | SB 1175 | Prohibits Importation and Possession of Wild Animals | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8) |
May 7, 2015 | CA | SB 227 | Prohibits Grand Juries from Investigating Certain Cases | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
May 22, 2019 | CA | SB 61 | Prohibits Purchasing More than One Gun per Month | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10) |
May 7, 2015 | CA | SB 227 | Prohibits Grand Juries from Investigating Certain Cases | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
Jan. 28, 2021 | CA | SB 29 | Authorizes the Continuation of Mail-In Ballots | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7) |
Sept. 4, 2009 | CA | AB 793 | Clarifying Statute of Limitations for Wage Discrimination Lawsuits | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
Jan. 21, 2021 | CA | SB 87 | Expands COVID-19 Small Business Assistance | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 2) |
June 1, 2015 | CA | SB 707 | Prohibits Concealed Firearms on School Grounds | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
April 28, 2022 | CA | SB 960 | Repeals Citizenship and Permanent Resident Requirements for State Police | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8) |
June 2, 2015 | CA | SB 124 | Limits the Use of Solitary Confinement for Juveniles | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
May 23, 2019 | CA | SB 132 | Authorizes Inmate Housing According to Gender Identity | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8) |
May 2, 2016 | CA | SB 1129 | Repeals Minimum Sentences for Repeat Prostitution Offenses | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
May 29, 2019 | CA | SB 144 | Repeals Various Administrative Fees Within the Criminal Justice System | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
April 25, 2016 | CA | SB 966 | Prohibits Extending Sentences for Repeat Drug Offenders | Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 16) |
April 18, 2022 | CA | SB 1106 | Prohibits Unpaid Restitution from Blocking an Individual from Clearing Their Record | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
April 25, 2016 | CA | SB 966 | Prohibits Extending Sentences for Repeat Drug Offenders | Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 16) |
May 11, 2023 | CA | SB 403 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Ancestry | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 1) |
May 19, 2016 | CA | SB 1446 | Prohibits the Possession of High-Capacity Gun Magazines | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
June 1, 2021 | CA | SB 519 | Authorizes the Decriminalization of Psychedelic Drugs for Veterans Suffering from PTSD | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16) |
May 19, 2016 | CA | SB 1235 | Requires Background Checks to Buy Ammunition | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15) |
May 30, 2023 | CA | SB 74 | Prohibits the Use of Tik-Tok on Government-Issued Devices | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0) |
June 1, 2010 | CA | SB 1168 | Grand Juries for Misdemeanors in the County of Los Angeles | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
April 22, 2021 | CA | SB 57 | Establishes Safe Injection Sites | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11) |
June 1, 2010 | CA | SB 1168 | Grand Juries for Misdemeanors in the County of Los Angeles | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
May 26, 2021 | CA | SB 2 | Prohibits the Transfer of Police Officers to Other Departments Following Misconduct Convictions | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
May 31, 2017 | CA | SB 394 | Authorizes Parole for Juvenile Offenders with Life Sentences | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12) |
Jan. 21, 2021 | CA | SB 86 | Appropriates $6.5 Billion for In Person Learning | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 1) |
May 31, 2017 | CA | SB 10 | Establishes New Provisions for the Criminal Justice System | (25 - 11) |
May 25, 2023 | CA | SB 399 | Prohibits an Employer from Requiring an Employee to Come to Certain Political Meetings or Religious Outings | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
May 25, 2023 | CA | SB 2 | Amends Penal Code Related to Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9) |
May 24, 2023 | CA | SB 58 | Amends Laws and Statutes Concerning the Decriminalization of Certain Hallucinogens | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16) |
May 24, 2022 | CA | SB 1327 | Authorizes Individuals to Sue Firearm Manufacturers | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10) |
May 23, 2019 | CA | SB 329 | Prohibits Discrimination Against Section 8 Housing Renters | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
May 23, 2019 | CA | SB 55 | Expands List of Persons Prohibited from Owning Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10) |
April 16, 2009 | CA | SB 242 | Prohibiting Language Discrimination | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15) |
May 14, 2009 | CA | SB 4 | Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
June 2, 2009 | CA | SB 484 | Ephedrine and Pseudoephedrine Prescription Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10) |
May 14, 2009 | CA | SB 572 | Harvey Milk Day | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
June 2, 2010 | CA | SB 1399 | Expanding Medical Parole Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
June 3, 2010 | CA | SB 1113 | Income Tax Appeal Modifications | Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 20) |
May 31, 2012 | CA | SB 1506 | Reduces Charges for Possession of Controlled Substances | Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 24) |
May 31, 2012 | CA | SB 1506 | Reduces Charges for Possession of Controlled Substances | Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 24) |
May 30, 2012 | CA | SB 1476 | Authorizes Courts to Designate More than 2 Individuals as Parents of a Child | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13) |
March 10, 2006 | CO | Amendment L.004 | Balanced Teaching Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 20) |
May 6, 2009 | CO | HB 1274 | Repeals Death Penalty | Conference Report Rejected - Senate (17 - 18) |
March 16, 2006 | CO | HB 1175 | Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 15) |
May 3, 2006 | CO | HB 1090 | Sexual Abuse Prosecution Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 17) |
May 8, 2006 | CO | HB 1314 | Prohibiting Forced Exposure to Employers Religious or Political Speech | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 16) |
May 2, 2008 | CO | HB 1208 | Limitations on Direct File Juvenile Cases | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16) |
May 2, 2008 | CO | HB 1082 | Sealing Criminal Records | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
May 2, 2008 | CO | HB 1082 | Sealing Criminal Records | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
May 3, 2006 | CO | HB 1315 | Juvenile Criminal Parole Act | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
May 4, 2006 | CO | HB 1344 | Same-Sex Partnership Benefits Act | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
April 12, 2007 | CO | HB 1330 | Second Parent Adoption | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
April 17, 2007 | CO | SB 25 | Sexual Orientation Workplace Discrimination | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
April 30, 2009 | CO | SB 296 | Seat Belt Violation as Primary Offense | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
April 20, 2006 | CO | SB 81 | Employment Nondiscrimination Expansion Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14) |
Feb. 28, 2006 | CO | HB 1175 | Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
March 10, 2006 | CO | HB 1125 | Seat Belt Enforcement Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14) |
Feb. 23, 2007 | CO | SB 34 | Concealed Weapons Permits | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
March 10, 2008 | CO | HJR 1009 | Ratification of the UN Convention Against the Discrimination of Women | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (19 - 14) |
March 18, 2008 | CO | HB 1297 | Supplemental Department of Public Safety Funding | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9) |
March 26, 2007 | CO | HB 1269 | Casino Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16) |
March 15, 2013 | CO | HB 1229 | Requires Background Checks for Private Gun Sales and Transfers | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 14) |
May 10, 2017 | CO | HB 1329 | Establishes Requirements for Youth Corrections Centers | (21 - 14) |
May 11, 2022 | CO | HB 22-1326 | Increases Penalties for Distribution and Manufacturing of Fentanyl | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 8) |
May 11, 2022 | CO | HB 22-1326 | Increases Penalties for Distribution and Manufacturing of Fentanyl | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 8) |
March 30, 2023 | CO | HB 23-1011 | Authorizes Individuals Right to Repair Agriculture Equipment | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 10) |
June 13, 2020 | CO | SB 20-007 | Requires Insurance Carriers Provide Coverage for Treatment of Substance Use Disorders | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
May 6, 2024 | CO | SB 24-053 | Establishes an Independent Study on an Evaluation of Racial Equity for Black Coloradans | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 12) |
Dec. 2, 2020 | CO | SB 20B-001 | Appropriates $57 Million in Direct Aid, Grants, and Annual Fee Waivers to Small Businesses | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 8) |
April 30, 2019 | CO | SB 19-085 | Establishes the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
May 10, 2022 | CO | SB 22-150 | Expands Response to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
March 28, 2019 | CO | HB 19-1177 | Establishes Extreme Risk Protection Orders | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
April 22, 2024 | CO | HB 24-1348 | Requires Firearms be Kept in Lock Boxes when in Vehicles | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
March 11, 2013 | CO | HB 1224 | Limits Firearm Magazine Capacity | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
May 6, 2022 | CO | HB 22-1077 | Increases Security at Places of Worship | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7) |
May 3, 2019 | CO | HB 19-1263 | Amends Criminal Classification of Certain Drug Possessions | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
May 2, 2019 | CO | HB 19-1289 | Increases State Consumer Protection Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
May 3, 2019 | CO | HB 19-1263 | Amends Criminal Classification of Certain Drug Possessions | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
Feb. 24, 2020 | CO | HB 20-1019 | Amends the State Department of Corrections Private Prison Populations | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10) |
April 12, 2019 | CO | SB 19-1025 | Prohibits Employers from Asking About Employee Criminal History | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12) |
April 20, 2023 | CO | HB 23-1100 | Prohibits Government Participation in Civil Immigration Detention | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13) |
March 27, 2019 | CO | HB 19-1119 | Requires Law Enforcement Internal Investigations to Become Public | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
June 10, 2020 | CO | HB 20-1143 | Increases Maximum Fines for Air and Water Quality Violations | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14) |
May 3, 2013 | CO | HB 1154 | Establishes Penalties for Violent Offenses Against Pregnant Women | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
June 11, 2020 | CO | HB 20-1017 | Expands Substance Use Disorder Treatment in the Criminal Justice System | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
March 13, 2013 | CO | HB 1166 | Repeals Classification of Adultery as a Criminal Offense | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
April 22, 2024 | CO | HB 24-1174 | Increases Requirements for Individuals Seeking to Obtain a Concealed-Carry Permit | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14) |
March 11, 2013 | CO | HB 1228 | Establishes a Background Check Fee | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
April 19, 2023 | CO | HB 23-1186 | Authorizes Remote Participation in County Court Residential Eviction Filings | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
Feb. 28, 2020 | CO | HB 20-1048 | Establishes the CROWN Act | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
April 17, 2023 | CO | SB 23-254 | Amends Statutes Regarding Search Warrants by Police | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7) |