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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Jan. 29, 2013 | WI | SB 2 | Limits the Secretary of State's Role in Legislation | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 14) |
March 14, 2013 | KS | HB 2199 | Prohibits Enforcement of Federal Firearms Laws Within the State of Kansas | Bill Passed - House (94 - 29) |
March 14, 2013 | KS | HB 2059 | Reduces Income Tax Rates | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14) |
March 13, 2013 | OK | HB 1021 | Prohibits the Enforcement of the Affordable Care Act | Bill Passed - House (72 - 20) |
March 13, 2013 | OK | HB 1021 | Prohibits the Enforcement of the Affordable Care Act | Bill Passed - House (72 - 20) |
Feb. 27, 2013 | WY | HB 41 | Reduces Limitations on Hunting Bison | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 11) |
Feb. 26, 2013 | WY | HB 41 | Reduces Limitations on Hunting Bison | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14) |
March 12, 2013 | OK | HB 2021 | Exempts Certain Firearms from Federal Regulation | Bill Passed - House (79 - 12) |
March 15, 2013 | MD | HB 100 | 2013-2014 Budget | Bill Passed - House (101 - 36) |
Jan. 25, 2013 | WY | SF 104 | Establishes the Director Position in the Department of Education | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
Jan. 25, 2013 | WY | SF 104 | Establishes the Director Position in the Department of Education | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
Jan. 25, 2013 | WY | SF 104 | Establishes the Director Position in the Department of Education | Bill Passed - House (39 - 20) |
Jan. 25, 2013 | WY | SF 104 | Establishes the Director Position in the Department of Education | Bill Passed - House (39 - 20) |
Feb. 19, 2013 | WY | HB 1 | 2013-2014 Supplemental Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (50 - 6) |
May 15, 2013 | TX | SJR 13 | Establishes Term Limits For Certain Elected Officials | Joint Resolution Failed - House (61 - 80) |
May 15, 2013 | TX | SJR 13 | Establishes Term Limits For Certain Elected Officials | Joint Resolution Failed - House (61 - 80) |
May 15, 2013 | TX | SJR 13 | Establishes Term Limits For Certain Elected Officials | Joint Resolution Failed - House (61 - 80) |
May 15, 2013 | TX | SJR 13 | Establishes Term Limits For Certain Elected Officials | Joint Resolution Failed - House (61 - 80) |
March 19, 2013 | TX | SJR 13 | Establishes Term Limits For Certain Elected Officials | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 4) |
March 19, 2013 | TX | SJR 13 | Establishes Term Limits For Certain Elected Officials | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 4) |
March 19, 2013 | TX | SJR 13 | Establishes Term Limits For Certain Elected Officials | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 4) |
March 19, 2013 | TX | SJR 13 | Establishes Term Limits For Certain Elected Officials | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 4) |
March 7, 2013 | AL | SB 41 | Amends Employment Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10) |
March 13, 2013 | National | HR 890 | Preserving Work Requirements for Welfare Programs Act of 2013 | Bill Passed - House (246 - 181) |
March 14, 2013 | National | S Amdt 66 | Temporarily Prohibits the Hiring of Nonessential Federal Employees | Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 54) |
March 4, 2013 | NC | SB 10 | Authorizes the Reorganization of State Boards and Commissions | Bill Passed - House (71 - 43) |
March 18, 2013 | MN | HF 5 | Establishes the Minnesota Health Insurance Exchange | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 28) |
March 14, 2013 | MN | HF 5 | Establishes the Minnesota Health Insurance Exchange | Conference Report Adopted - House (72 - 61) |
April 9, 2013 | AR | HB 1855 | Classifies the Office of Prosecuting Attorney as Nonpartisan | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13) |
April 9, 2013 | AR | HB 1855 | Classifies the Office of Prosecuting Attorney as Nonpartisan | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13) |
March 20, 2013 | AR | HB 1855 | Classifies the Office of Prosecuting Attorney as Nonpartisan | Bill Passed - House (63 - 24) |
March 20, 2013 | AR | HB 1855 | Classifies the Office of Prosecuting Attorney as Nonpartisan | Bill Passed - House (63 - 24) |
March 19, 2013 | AR | HB 1819 | Prohibits Governor from Regulating Firearms in an Emergency | Bill Passed - House (78 - 9) |
March 13, 2013 | NC | SB 81 | Establishes the Charlotte Regional Airport Authority | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18) |
March 13, 2013 | MT | HB 302 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearms Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21) |
March 7, 2013 | CA | SB 1-1 | Expands Eligibility for Medi-Cal Program | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7) |
March 7, 2013 | CA | AB 1-1 | Expands Eligibility for Medi-Cal Program | Bill Passed - House (54 - 22) |
Dec. 3, 2013 | IL | SB 1 | Amends State Employee Pension Plans | Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 53) |
Dec. 3, 2013 | IL | SB 1 | Amends State Employee Pension Plans | Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 53) |
Dec. 3, 2013 | IL | SB 1 | Amends State Employee Pension Plans | Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 53) |
Dec. 3, 2013 | IL | SB 1 | Amends State Employee Pension Plans | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 24) |
Dec. 3, 2013 | IL | SB 1 | Amends State Employee Pension Plans | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 24) |
Dec. 3, 2013 | IL | SB 1 | Amends State Employee Pension Plans | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 24) |
March 4, 2013 | NM | SB 416 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 17) |
March 7, 2013 | NM | SB 276 | Authorizes Straight-Party Voting as a Ballot Option | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 17) |
March 11, 2013 | KY | SB 1 | Establishes an Electronic Ballot Transmission System for Military and Overseas Voters | Bill Passed - House (57 - 42) |
March 21, 2013 | IL | HB 1165 | Establishes Cost of Living Adjustments in Pensions | Bill Passed - House (66 - 50) |
March 21, 2013 | National | H Con Res 25 | Establishing the Budget for the United States Government for Fiscal Year 2014 and Setting Forth Appropriate Budgetary Levels for Fiscal Years 2015 Through 2023 | Joint Resolution Passed - House (221 - 207) |
March 6, 2013 | MS | SB 2687 | Prohibits Local Government Management of Nutrition Labeling | Bill Passed - House (92 - 26) |
March 22, 2013 | ID | S 1108 | Increases Petition Signature Requirements | Bill Passed - House (45 - 21) |
March 22, 2013 | ID | S 1108 | Increases Petition Signature Requirements | Bill Passed - House (45 - 21) |
March 11, 2013 | ID | S 1108 | Increases Petition Signature Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
March 11, 2013 | ID | S 1108 | Increases Petition Signature Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
March 21, 2013 | ID | H 248 | Establishes Health Insurance Exchange | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
March 13, 2013 | ID | H 248 | Establishes Health Insurance Exchange | Bill Passed - House (41 - 29) |
March 25, 2013 | IN | SB 213 | Prohibits Localities From Requiring Certain Employment Benefits | Bill Passed - House (55 - 39) |
Feb. 26, 2013 | IN | SB 213 | Prohibits Localities From Requiring Certain Employment Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 12) |
March 13, 2013 | OK | HB 2201 | Requires Private Ownership of the State Workers' Compensation Insurer | Bill Passed - House (68 - 27) |
March 25, 2013 | MD | HB 228 | Amends the State Health Benefits Exchange and Medicaid Program | Bill Passed - House (93 - 43) |
March 4, 2013 | GA | HB 125 | Amends State Immigration Policy | Bill Passed - House (116 - 49) |
April 5, 2013 | KS | HB 2234 | Requires the Secretary of Transportation to Direct the Kansas Turnpike Authority | Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 44) |
April 5, 2013 | KS | HB 2234 | Requires the Secretary of Transportation to Direct the Kansas Turnpike Authority | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 13) |
March 27, 2013 | KS | HB 2234 | Requires the Secretary of Transportation to Direct the Kansas Turnpike Authority | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14) |
March 13, 2013 | OK | HB 1412 | Prohibits Compliance with United Nations Agenda 21/Sustainable Development | Bill Passed - House (67 - 17) |
March 26, 2013 | OR | HB 2988 | Reduces Minimum Voter Registration Age to 16 | Bill Passed - House (35 - 25) |
April 4, 2013 | OR | HB 2870 | Authorizes Counties to Tax Cigarette Sales | Bill Passed - House (31 - 29) |
April 5, 2013 | KS | HB 2069 | Prohibits Local Governments from Enforcing a Union Wage | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 32) |
April 2, 2013 | KS | HB 2069 | Prohibits Local Governments from Enforcing a Union Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9) |
April 18, 2013 | AZ | HB 2280 | Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Employee Pay Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11) |
March 4, 2013 | AZ | HB 2280 | Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Employee Pay Requirements | Bill Passed - House (32 - 27) |
April 9, 2013 | WI | AB 15 | Authorizes Work-Share Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15) |
April 9, 2013 | WI | AB 15 | Authorizes Work-Share Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15) |
March 6, 2013 | WI | AB 15 | Authorizes Work-Share Programs | Bill Passed - House (74 - 22) |
March 6, 2013 | WI | AB 15 | Authorizes Work-Share Programs | Bill Passed - House (74 - 22) |
March 7, 2013 | MO | HJR 4 | Increases Representative Term Limits | Joint Resolution Passed - House (121 - 31) |
March 7, 2013 | MO | HJR 4 | Increases Representative Term Limits | Joint Resolution Passed - House (121 - 31) |
March 7, 2013 | MO | HJR 4 | Increases Representative Term Limits | Joint Resolution Passed - House (121 - 31) |
April 1, 2013 | NV | SJR 15 | Removes the Separate Tax Rate on Mining | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 4) |
April 9, 2013 | AR | HJR 1009 | Amends Campaign Contribution Laws | Joint Resolution Passed - House (71 - 12) |
April 9, 2013 | AR | HJR 1009 | Amends Campaign Contribution Laws | Joint Resolution Passed - House (71 - 12) |
March 26, 2013 | KY | SB 13 | Authorizes the Sale of Alcohol on Election Days | Bill Passed - House (50 - 46) |
March 26, 2013 | KY | SB 13 | Authorizes the Sale of Alcohol on Election Days | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
Feb. 28, 2013 | MO | HJR 11 | Establishes the Constitutional Right to Farm | Joint Resolution Passed - House (110 - 41) |
April 8, 2013 | MT | HB 30 | Prohibits Same-Day Voter Registration | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21) |
April 18, 2013 | AR | SB 1020 | Authorizes Private Purchase of Health Insurance with Federal Funds | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 5) |
April 17, 2013 | AR | SB 1020 | Authorizes Private Purchase of Health Insurance with Federal Funds | Bill Passed - House (70 - 23) |
April 22, 2013 | IN | SB 224 | Establishes the Duties of Constitutional Convention Delegates | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 11) |
April 15, 2013 | IN | SB 224 | Establishes the Duties of Constitutional Convention Delegates | Bill Passed - House (64 - 28) |
April 11, 2013 | IL | HJRCA 18 | Repeals the Position of Lieutenant Governor | Joint Resolution Passed - House (83 - 28) |
April 11, 2013 | IL | HJRCA 18 | Repeals the Position of Lieutenant Governor | Joint Resolution Passed - House (83 - 28) |
April 22, 2013 | IN | SB 225 | Establishes Procedures to Appoint Constitutional Convention Delegates | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 11) |
April 15, 2013 | IN | SB 225 | Establishes Procedures to Appoint Constitutional Convention Delegates | Bill Passed - House (64 - 29) |
April 12, 2013 | WV | SB 371 | Amends the State Prison System | Bill Passed - House (81 - 17) |
April 23, 2013 | IA | SF 447 | 2013-2014 Justice Department Budget | Bill Passed - House (51 - 46) |
April 17, 2013 | IA | SF 447 | 2013-2014 Justice Department Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23) |
April 6, 2013 | MD | HB 1107 | Amends Prince George's County School System Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 47) |
April 16, 2013 | OR | SB 835 | Prohibits Horse Tripping in Rodeos | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6) |
April 16, 2013 | IA | SF 440 | Appropriates Funds for Mental Health Services | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17) |
April 16, 2013 | MN | SF 1589 | Increases Legislator Salaries | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 32) |
April 16, 2013 | MN | SF 1589 | Increases Legislator Salaries | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 32) |