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. 21, 2013 | NJ | A 1329 | Reduces Firearm Magazine Capacity | Bill Passed - House (45 - 30) |
Feb. 21, 2013 | NJ | A 3659 | Amends the Definition of Destructive Devices | Bill Passed - House (46 - 29) |
Feb. 21, 2013 | NJ | A 3748 | Requires Background Checks Prior to the Purchase of Firearms | Bill Passed - House (45 - 29) |
May 20, 2013 | NJ | A 3796 | Requires an Individual to Dispose of Unauthorized Firearms Within a Certain Time Period | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 24) |
Feb. 21, 2013 | NJ | A 3796 | Requires an Individual to Dispose of Unauthorized Firearms Within a Certain Time Period | Bill Passed - House (50 - 22) |
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) |
Sept. 12, 2013 | CA | AB 375 | Amends Teacher Dismissal Requirements | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 22) |
May 29, 2013 | CA | AB 375 | Amends Teacher Dismissal Requirements | Bill Passed - House (64 - 11) |
Sept. 10, 2013 | CA | AB 4 | Prohibits Law Enforcement from Detaining Individuals Solely Based on Immigration Status | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 25) |
May 16, 2013 | CA | AB 4 | Prohibits Law Enforcement From Detaining Individuals Based Solely on Immigration Status | Bill Passed - House (44 - 22) |
Sept. 11, 2013 | CA | AB 48 | Prohibits Large-Capacity Magazines and Large-Capacity Conversion Kits | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 30) |
Sept. 11, 2013 | CA | AB 48 | Prohibits Large-Capacity Magazines and Large-Capacity Conversion Kits | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 30) |
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) |
April 16, 2013 | NV | AB 60 | Requires Certain Information From Donation-Seeking Charities | Bill Passed - House (25 - 15) |
Sept. 10, 2013 | CA | AB 711 | Prohibits Lead Ammunition for Hunting | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 29) |
April 16, 2013 | WI | AB 82 | Prohibits the Unauthorized Transfer of Food Stamps | Bill Passed - House (73 - 24) |
April 16, 2013 | VT | H 200 | Reduces Penalties for Small Amounts of Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (92 - 49) |
March 11, 2013 | ID | H 219 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - House (55 - 13) |
June 14, 2013 | National | H Amdt 168 | Establishes Framework for the Closing of the Detention Facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, by December 1, 2014 | Amendment Rejected - House (174 - 249) |
Feb. 28, 2013 | National | H Amdt 23 | Reauthorizes the Violence Against Women Act | Amendment Rejected - House (166 - 257) |
Sept. 18, 2013 | National | H Amdt 463 | Amends the Definition of "Strategic and Critical Minerals" | Amendment Rejected - House (187 - 241) |
Dec. 5, 2013 | National | H Amdt 521 | Authorizes Judicial Discretion in Awarding Legal Fees in Patent Lawsuits | Amendment Rejected - House (199 - 213) |
Dec. 5, 2013 | National | H Amdt 524 | Limits Covered Customers to Businesses With Less Than $25 Million in Revenue | Amendment Rejected - House (144 - 266) |
May 22, 2013 | National | H Amdt 69 | Requires Threat Assessment of Pipeline Vulnerabilities to a Terrorist Attack | Amendment Rejected - House (176 - 239) |
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) |
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) |
March 11, 2013 | WA | HB 1000 | Authorizes Immunity to Health Care Providers Following End-Of-Life Directives | Bill Passed - House (59 - 36) |
Feb. 25, 2013 | IN | HB 1006 | Amends the Criminal Code | Bill Passed - House (80 - 13) |
May 6, 2013 | TX | HB 1009 | Establishes "School Marshal" as a New Category of Law Enforcement for Schools | Bill Passed - House (123 - 22) |
Feb. 1, 2013 | WY | HB 103 | Requires State Approval of Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - House (53 - 6) |
Feb. 27, 2013 | AR | HB 1037 | Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks | Veto Override Passed - House (53 - 28) |
Feb. 21, 2013 | AR | HB 1037 | Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (80 - 10) |
Feb. 4, 2013 | AR | HB 1037 | Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks | Bill Passed - House (75 - 20) |
Feb. 1, 2013 | WY | HB 104 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - House (46 - 13) |
Feb. 1, 2013 | WY | HB 105 | Authorizes the Carrying of Firearms on School Property | Bill Passed - House (46 - 13) |
March 12, 2013 | OK | HB 1062 | Authorizes School Employees to Carry Handguns on School Property | Bill Passed - House (68 - 23) |
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) |
March 4, 2013 | SD | HB 1087 | Authorizes School Sentinel Programs | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (40 - 19) |
Jan. 29, 2013 | SD | HB 1087 | Authorizes School Sentinel Programs | Bill Passed - House (42 - 27) |
March 18, 2013 | CO | HB 1154 | Establishes Penalties for Violent Offenses Against Pregnant Women | Bill Passed - House (50 - 14) |
Feb. 26, 2013 | UT | HB 121 | Authorizes Individuals to Voluntarily Commit Guns to Law Enforcement Agencies | Bill Passed - House (44 - 28) |
Feb. 25, 2013 | ND | HB 1215 | Authorizes Concealed Weapons in Schools | Bill Passed - House (60 - 33) |
March 13, 2013 | CO | HB 1224 | Limits Firearm Magazine Capacity | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (34 - 30) |
Feb. 18, 2013 | CO | HB 1224 | Limits Firearm Magazine Capacity | Bill Passed - House (34 - 31) |
Feb. 18, 2013 | CO | HB 1226 | Prohibits the Possession of Concealed Handguns on College Campuses | Bill Passed - House (34 - 31) |
Feb. 18, 2013 | CO | HB 1228 | Establishes a Background Check Fee | Bill Passed - House (33 - 32) |
March 15, 2013 | CO | HB 1229 | Requires Background Checks for Private Gun Sales and Transfers | Conference Report Adopted - House (36 - 27) |
Feb. 18, 2013 | CO | HB 1229 | Requires Background Checks For Private Gun Sales and Transfers | Bill Passed - House (36 - 29) |
Feb. 18, 2013 | CO | HB 1229 | Requires Background Checks For Private Gun Sales and Transfers | Bill Passed - House (36 - 29) |
Feb. 18, 2013 | CO | HB 1229 | Requires Background Checks For Private Gun Sales and Transfers | Bill Passed - House (36 - 29) |
Feb. 15, 2013 | AR | HB 1243 | Authorizes University Staff to Carry a Concealed Handgun | Bill Passed - House (70 - 11) |
May 28, 2013 | IL | HB 1247 | Prohibits Using a Hand-Held Cell Phone While Driving | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 48) |
March 1, 2013 | IL | HB 1247 | Prohibits Using a Hand-Held Cell Phone While Driving | Bill Passed - House (64 - 46) |
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) |
March 8, 2013 | AR | HB 1329 | Reduces Concealed Carry License Application Fee | Bill Failed - House (31 - 52) |
March 27, 2013 | NH | HB 135 | Repeals "Use of Deadly Force" Provision in Self-Defense Law | Bill Passed - House (189 - 184) |
Feb. 22, 2013 | ND | HB 1373 | Limits the Use of Unmanned Aircrafts | Bill Passed - House (60 - 31) |
Feb. 22, 2013 | ND | HB 1385 | Requires Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients | Bill Failed - House (19 - 72) |
Feb. 22, 2013 | ND | HB 1385 | Requires Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients | Bill Failed - House (19 - 72) |
March 5, 2013 | WA | HB 1404 | Authorizes Immunity From Prosecution for Minors Who Report Underage Intoxication | Bill Passed - House (72 - 24) |
April 26, 2013 | TX | HB 148 | Prohibits Multiple Ballots from Being Turned in by 1 Individual | Bill Passed - House (93 - 48) |
Feb. 25, 2013 | IN | HB 1483 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (78 - 17) |
Feb. 25, 2013 | IN | HB 1483 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (78 - 17) |
March 26, 2013 | NC | HB 17 | Prohibits Disclosure of Concealed Firearm Permit Information | Bill Passed - House (97 - 20) |
Feb. 20, 2013 | GA | HB 178 | Requires Pain Management Clinics to be Licensed | Bill Passed - House (150 - 15) |
March 19, 2013 | AR | HB 1819 | Prohibits Governor from Regulating Firearms in an Emergency | Bill Passed - House (78 - 9) |
July 9, 2013 | IL | HB 183 | Authorizes the Concealed Carry of Firearms | Veto Override Passed - House (77 - 31) |
March 12, 2013 | OK | HB 2021 | Exempts Certain Firearms from Federal Regulation | Bill Passed - House (79 - 12) |
April 4, 2013 | KS | HB 2033 | Repeals Prohibition on the Possession of Switchblade and Stiletto Knives | Conference Report Adopted - House (95 - 26) |
Feb. 22, 2013 | MT | HB 205 | Authorizes Use of Suppressors for Hunting | Bill Passed - House (61 - 37) |
March 14, 2013 | KS | HB 2055 | Authorizes Concealed Handguns Inside State Capitol and School Buildings | Bill Passed - House (84 - 38) |
May 21, 2013 | KS | HB 2162 | Prohibits State Funds from Being Used to Lobby for Firearm Regulations | Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 28) |
March 14, 2013 | KS | HB 2199 | Prohibits Enforcement of Federal Firearms Laws Within the State of Kansas | Bill Passed - House (94 - 29) |
Jan. 16, 2013 | WY | HB 23 | Requires Juvenile Offenders to Be Eligible for Parole While Serving a Life Sentence | Bill Passed - House (42 - 17) |
March 7, 2013 | AZ | HB 2326 | Prohibits Identifying Information of Firearm Owners from Being Maintained | Bill Passed - House (46 - 13) |
March 22, 2013 | AK | HB 24 | Expands the Use of Deadly Force in Self-Defense | Bill Passed - House (29 - 4) |
Feb. 23, 2013 | MT | HB 240 | Authorizes Firearms on College Campuses | Bill Passed - House (58 - 41) |
April 16, 2013 | IL | HB 2404 | Amends Definition of Delinquent Minor | Bill Passed - House (89 - 26) |
April 16, 2013 | IL | HB 2404 | Amends Definition of Delinquent Minor | Bill Passed - House (89 - 26) |
March 7, 2013 | AZ | HB 2455 | Requires the Sale of Certain Firearms Acquired by Public Agencies | Bill Passed - House (36 - 23) |
April 23, 2013 | OR | HB 2624 | Exempts Counties from Hunting Dog Prohibitions if Approved by County Voters | Bill Passed - House (40 - 19) |
April 23, 2013 | OR | HB 2624 | Exempts Counties from Hunting Dog Prohibitions if Approved by County Voters | Bill Passed - House (40 - 19) |
April 24, 2013 | LA | HB 265 | Establishes Lifetime Concealed Handgun Permits | Bill Passed - House (65 - 19) |
Feb. 28, 2013 | UT | HB 268 | Redefines Disorderly Conduct Regarding Firearms | Bill Passed - House (54 - 12) |
Feb. 6, 2013 | MT | HB 27 | Authorizes the Use of Silencers While Hunting | Bill Passed - House (63 - 33) |
March 26, 2013 | KY | HB 279 | Prohibits the Government from Impeding Religious Activities | Veto Override Passed - House (79 - 15) |
April 20, 2013 | MT | HB 297 | Prohibits the Employment of Undocumented Immigrants | Conference Report Adopted - House (63 - 37) |
Feb. 1, 2013 | MT | HB 30 | Prohibits Same-Day Voter Registration | Bill Passed - House (60 - 38) |
Feb. 22, 2013 | MT | HB 304 | Authorizes Concealed Carry of Firearms Without a Concealed-Carry Permit | Bill Passed - House (58 - 41) |
Feb. 22, 2013 | MT | HB 304 | Authorizes Concealed Carry of Firearms Without a Concealed-Carry Permit | Bill Passed - House (58 - 41) |
Feb. 26, 2013 | NM | HB 316 | Prohibits Animal Killing Contests | Bill Failed - House (30 - 38) |
June 27, 2013 | OR | HB 3194 | Amends Sentencing Regulations in the Prison System | Bill Passed - House (40 - 18) |
June 27, 2013 | OR | HB 3194 | Amends Sentencing Regulations in the Prison System | Bill Passed - House (40 - 18) |
March 28, 2013 | DE | HB 35 | Requires Background Checks Prior to the Purchase of Firearms | Bill Passed - House (24 - 17) |
Feb. 27, 2013 | MT | HB 384 | Authorizes Students to Bring Firearms to School | Bill Failed - House (45 - 53) |
July 24, 2013 | NC | HB 392 | Authorizes Drug Testing for Work First Program Applicants | Conference Report Adopted - House (92 - 21) |