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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
April 16, 2013 | IL | HB 2404 | Amends Definition of Delinquent Minor | Bill Passed - House (89 - 26) |
June 5, 2013 | NC | SB 306 | Repeals the Racial Justice Act | Bill Passed - House (77 - 39) |
June 5, 2013 | NC | SB 306 | Repeals the Racial Justice Act | Bill Passed - House (77 - 39) |
April 3, 2013 | NC | SB 306 | Repeals the Racial Justice Act | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
April 3, 2013 | NC | SB 306 | Repeals the Racial Justice Act | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
April 18, 2013 | CA | SB 140 | Appropriates Funds to the Armed Prohibited Persons System | Bill Passed - House (65 - 10) |
April 24, 2013 | IL | SB 923 | Authorizes the Use of Traffic Cameras on School Buses | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 12) |
April 23, 2013 | MT | HB 297 | Prohibits the Employment of Undocumented Immigrants | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 21) |
April 20, 2013 | MT | HB 297 | Prohibits the Employment of Undocumented Immigrants | Conference Report Adopted - House (63 - 37) |
May 22, 2013 | National | H Amdt 72 | Increases Time to File a Claim Under the Northern Route Approval Act from 60 Days to 1 Year | Amendment Rejected - House (182 - 234) |
May 22, 2013 | National | H Amdt 69 | Requires Threat Assessment of Pipeline Vulnerabilities to a Terrorist Attack | Amendment Rejected - House (176 - 239) |
Sept. 12, 2013 | CA | AB 375 | Amends Teacher Dismissal Requirements | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 22) |
Sept. 12, 2013 | CA | AB 375 | Amends Teacher Dismissal Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
May 29, 2013 | CA | AB 375 | Amends Teacher Dismissal Requirements | Bill Passed - House (64 - 11) |
April 30, 2013 | AL | SB 93 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6) |
April 30, 2013 | AL | SB 93 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6) |
May 16, 2013 | CA | AB 4 | Prohibits Law Enforcement From Detaining Individuals Based Solely on Immigration Status | Bill Passed - House (44 - 22) |
May 20, 2013 | CA | SB 439 | Exempts Certain Medical Marijuana Collectives and Cooperatives from Prosecution | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12) |
May 2, 2013 | CA | SB 501 | Requires Social Networking Sites to Remove Personal Identifying Information | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
Feb. 21, 2013 | NJ | A 3748 | Requires Background Checks Prior to the Purchase of Firearms | Bill Passed - House (45 - 29) |
April 30, 2013 | TX | SB 1907 | Authorizes Firearms in Vehicles on College Campuses | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4) |
April 15, 2013 | IN | SB 373 | Prohibits Unauthorized Entry On Industrial Or Agricultural Property | Bill Passed - House (65 - 25) |
March 6, 2013 | OK | SB 802 | Prohibits the Sale of Electric Cigarettes to Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 15) |
June 3, 2013 | NV | SB 221 | Requires Background Checks Prior to the Purchase of Firearms | Bill Passed - House (23 - 19) |
May 22, 2013 | NV | SB 221 | Requires Background Checks Prior to the Purchase of Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10) |
May 1, 2013 | FL | SB 1792 | Amends Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Requirements | Bill Passed - House (77 - 38) |
April 11, 2013 | FL | SB 1792 | Amends Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12) |
April 23, 2013 | LA | HB 8 | Prohibits Disclosure of Concealed Firearm Permit Information | Bill Passed - House (76 - 18) |
Sept. 12, 2013 | CA | SB 374 | Prohibits Semiautomatic Rifles with Detachable Magazines | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 15) |
Sept. 10, 2013 | CA | SB 374 | Prohibits Semiautomatic Rifles with Detachable Magazines | Bill Passed - House (44 - 31) |
May 14, 2013 | NV | SB 139 | Classifies Crimes Based on Gender Identity or Expression as Felonies | Bill Passed - House (30 - 11) |
May 14, 2013 | NV | SB 139 | Classifies Crimes Based on Gender Identity or Expression as Felonies | Bill Passed - House (30 - 11) |
May 22, 2013 | TX | SB 21 | Requires Drug Testing for Unemployment Benefits | Bill Passed - House (104 - 42) |
April 26, 2013 | TX | HB 148 | Prohibits Multiple Ballots from Being Turned in by 1 Individual | Bill Passed - House (93 - 48) |
April 16, 2013 | NV | AB 60 | Requires Certain Information From Donation-Seeking Charities | Bill Passed - House (25 - 15) |
May 29, 2013 | CA | SB 53 | Requires Ammunition Purchasers to Undergo a Background Check | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
April 30, 2013 | HI | HB 622 | Limits Media 'Shield Law' Provisions | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 9) |
May 2, 2013 | CA | SB 649 | Classifies Certain Drug Infractions as Misdemeanors | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
May 2, 2013 | CA | SB 649 | Classifies Certain Drug Infractions as Misdemeanors | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
April 23, 2013 | CO | HB 1251 | Requires DNA Samples for Misdemeanors | Bill Passed - House (43 - 21) |
April 23, 2013 | CO | HB 1251 | Requires DNA Samples for Misdemeanors | Bill Passed - House (43 - 21) |
June 6, 2013 | National | HR 2217 | Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2014 | Bill Passed - House (245 - 182) |
Feb. 21, 2013 | NJ | A 1329 | Reduces Firearm Magazine Capacity | Bill Passed - House (45 - 30) |
March 11, 2013 | ID | H 219 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - House (55 - 13) |
May 20, 2013 | NJ | A 3797 | Requires Certain Firearm Information to be Collected and Reported | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 27) |
May 20, 2013 | NJ | A 3797 | Requires Certain Firearm Information to be Collected and Reported | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 27) |
May 13, 2013 | NJ | A 3797 | Requires Certain Firearm Information to be Collected and Reported | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
May 13, 2013 | NJ | A 3797 | Requires Certain Firearm Information to be Collected and Reported | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
April 25, 2013 | NC | SB 201 | Authorizes the Use of Silencers While Hunting | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 16) |
May 28, 2013 | OR | SB 154 | Requires Signature Gathering Firms to Meet Certain Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14) |
May 29, 2013 | CA | AB 48 | Prohibits Large Capacity Magazines | Bill Passed - House (46 - 26) |
May 29, 2013 | CA | AB 48 | Prohibits Large Capacity Magazines | Bill Passed - House (46 - 26) |
May 26, 2013 | TX | HB 912 | Limits the Private Use of Unmanned Aircrafts | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 5) |
May 26, 2013 | TX | HB 912 | Limits the Private Use of Unmanned Aircrafts | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 5) |
April 25, 2013 | MI | SJR S | Establishes a Constitutional Authorization for Individuals to Hunt and Fish | Amendment Adopted - Senate (25 - 11) |
June 4, 2013 | National | H Amdt 84 | Authorizes Funds for the Construction of United States Prison for Prisoners from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba | Amendment Rejected - House (170 - 254) |
May 2, 2013 | AL | SB 286 | Amends Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - House (74 - 27) |
May 2, 2013 | DE | SB 16 | Requires Gun Owners to Report Missing Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10) |
May 2, 2013 | DE | SB 16 | Requires Gun Owners to Report Missing Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10) |
March 5, 2013 | WA | HB 1404 | Authorizes Immunity From Prosecution for Minors Who Report Underage Intoxication | Bill Passed - House (72 - 24) |
May 1, 2013 | MI | HB 4118 | Requires Drug Testing For Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (77 - 33) |
May 6, 2013 | TX | HB 972 | Authorizes Concealed Handguns on Higher Education Campuses | Bill Passed - House (102 - 41) |
May 22, 2013 | AZ | SB 1178 | Authorizes Individuals to use Potential Infringements of Religious Freedom as a Claim or Defense | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 12) |
May 15, 2013 | AZ | SB 1178 | Authorizes Individuals to use Potential Infringements of Religious Freedom as a Claim or Defense | Bill Passed - House (32 - 24) |
April 29, 2013 | FL | HB 7083 | Limits Post-Conviction Death Penalty Appeals | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
April 29, 2013 | FL | HB 7083 | Limits Post-Conviction Death Penalty Appeals | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
April 25, 2013 | FL | HB 7083 | Limits Post-Conviction Death Penalty Appeals | Bill Passed - House (84 - 34) |
April 25, 2013 | FL | HB 7083 | Limits Post-Conviction Death Penalty Appeals | Bill Passed - House (84 - 34) |
May 6, 2013 | TX | SB 864 | Reduces Required Hours for Concealed Handgun License Training | Bill Passed - House (116 - 30) |
May 22, 2013 | TX | HB 1009 | Establishes "School Marshal" as a New Category of Law Enforcement for Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4) |
May 6, 2013 | TX | HB 1009 | Establishes "School Marshal" as a New Category of Law Enforcement for Schools | Bill Passed - House (123 - 22) |
March 11, 2013 | TN | HB 9 | Prohibits Disclosure of Handgun Permits | Bill Passed - House (84 - 10) |
May 8, 2013 | MO | SB 267 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Foreign Laws | Bill Passed - House (109 - 41) |
April 11, 2013 | MO | SB 267 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Foreign Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
May 6, 2013 | TX | HB 1076 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - House (100 - 47) |
May 6, 2013 | TX | HB 1076 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - House (100 - 47) |
May 1, 2013 | TX | HB 489 | Expands Access to Service Dogs for Veterans with PTSD | Bill Passed - House (120 - 21) |
May 7, 2013 | TX | HB 928 | Prohibits State Funds from Being Used for the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - House (101 - 31) |
April 24, 2013 | LA | HB 265 | Establishes Lifetime Concealed Handgun Permits | Bill Passed - House (65 - 19) |
April 16, 2013 | AZ | HB 2455 | Requires the Sale of Certain Firearms Acquired by Public Agencies | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12) |
March 7, 2013 | AZ | HB 2455 | Requires the Sale of Certain Firearms Acquired by Public Agencies | Bill Passed - House (36 - 23) |
April 30, 2013 | AL | HB 8 | Requires Courts to Apply "Strict Scrutiny" to Certain Firearm Regulation Laws | Bill Passed - House (76 - 22) |
May 24, 2013 | TX | HB 950 | Requires Equal Pay for Women | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (78 - 61) |
May 22, 2013 | TX | HB 950 | Requires Equal Pay for Women | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13) |
June 2, 2013 | LA | SB 162 | Authorizes Surrogacy Contracts | Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 12) |
May 30, 2013 | LA | SB 162 | Authorizes Surrogacy Contracts | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 3) |
April 17, 2013 | LA | SB 147 | Prohibits the Use of Social Media While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9) |
May 2, 2013 | NH | HB 443 | Prohibits Contracts with Private Entities for Inmate Custody | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (13 - 11) |
March 21, 2013 | NH | HB 443 | Prohibits Contracts with Private Entities for Inmate Custody | Bill Passed - House (197 - 136) |
May 21, 2013 | KS | HB 2162 | Prohibits State Funds from Being Used to Lobby for Firearm Regulations | Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 28) |
April 26, 2013 | IN | HB 1006 | Amends the Criminal Code | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 15) |
May 30, 2013 | NJ | A 3659 | Amends the Definition of Destructive Devices | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16) |
Feb. 21, 2013 | NJ | A 3659 | Amends the Definition of Destructive Devices | Bill Passed - House (46 - 29) |
April 23, 2013 | LA | HB 5 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - House (67 - 25) |
April 23, 2013 | LA | HB 5 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - House (67 - 25) |
April 30, 2013 | MI | SB 197 | Requires the State Prison Food Service To Seek Competitive Bids From Private Entities | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
May 7, 2013 | NC | HB 937 | Amends Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - House (78 - 42) |
May 6, 2013 | LA | HB 45 | Establishes Licenses for the In-State Sale and Manufacture of Firearms | Bill Passed - House (77 - 20) |
May 15, 2013 | MO | HB 650 | Limits Punitive Awards for Lead Exposure from Certain Mines | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (94 - 63) |
April 5, 2013 | AR | SB 1093 | Requires Racial Impact Statement For Crime Bills | Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 10) |