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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
March 4, 2013 | GA | HB 125 | Amends State Immigration Policy | Bill Passed - House (116 - 49) |
March 5, 2013 | WA | HB 1404 | Authorizes Immunity From Prosecution for Minors Who Report Underage Intoxication | Bill Passed - House (72 - 24) |
March 7, 2013 | AZ | HB 2455 | Requires the Sale of Certain Firearms Acquired by Public Agencies | Bill Passed - House (36 - 23) |
March 7, 2013 | GA | HB 512 | Amends Provisions Relating to Concealed Weapons Permits | Bill Passed - House (117 - 56) |
March 7, 2013 | AZ | HB 2326 | Prohibits Identifying Information of Firearm Owners from Being Maintained | Bill Passed - House (46 - 13) |
March 10, 2013 | NM | HCR 1 | Limits the Disclosure of Legislative Information | Bill Passed - House (48 - 16) |
March 11, 2013 | TN | HB 9 | Prohibits Disclosure of Handgun Permits | Bill Passed - House (84 - 10) |
March 11, 2013 | ID | H 219 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - House (55 - 13) |
March 12, 2013 | OK | HB 1588 | Requires Parental Approval Before an Abortion is Performed on a Minor | Bill Passed - House (80 - 12) |
March 12, 2013 | OK | HB 1062 | Authorizes School Employees to Carry Handguns on School Property | Bill Passed - House (68 - 23) |
March 12, 2013 | OK | HB 2021 | Exempts Certain Firearms from Federal Regulation | Bill Passed - House (79 - 12) |
March 13, 2013 | OH | HB 7 | Limits Prize Payouts in Sweepstakes | Bill Passed - House (66 - 29) |
March 13, 2013 | National | HR 890 | Preserving Work Requirements for Welfare Programs Act of 2013 | Bill Passed - House (246 - 181) |
March 13, 2013 | WA | HB 1817 | Authorizes Undocumented Students to Apply for State Financial Aid | Bill Passed - House (77 - 20) |
March 14, 2013 | KS | HB 2055 | Authorizes Concealed Handguns Inside State Capitol and School Buildings | Bill Passed - House (84 - 38) |
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 | OK | HB 1940 | Authorizes Students to Express Religious Viewpoints in Schools | Bill Passed - House (79 - 13) |
March 16, 2013 | NM | HB 641 | Reduces Corporate Income Tax Rates | Bill Passed - House (35 - 28) |
March 18, 2013 | CO | HB 1154 | Establishes Penalties for Violent Offenses Against Pregnant Women | Bill Passed - House (50 - 14) |
March 18, 2013 | CO | HB 1154 | Establishes Penalties for Violent Offenses Against Pregnant Women | Bill Passed - House (50 - 14) |
March 18, 2013 | TN | HB 534 | Authorizes University Student Organizations to Limit Membership Based on Religion | Bill Passed - House (75 - 21) |
March 19, 2013 | AR | HB 1819 | Prohibits Governor from Regulating Firearms in an Emergency | Bill Passed - House (78 - 9) |
March 21, 2013 | NH | HB 443 | Prohibits Contracts with Private Entities for Inmate Custody | Bill Passed - House (197 - 136) |
March 21, 2013 | MD | HB 753 | Classifies Cell Phone Use While Driving as a Primary Offense | Bill Passed - House (106 - 29) |
March 25, 2013 | IA | HF 527 | Requires DNA Samples from Individuals Convicted Of Aggravated Misdemeanors | Bill Passed - House (79 - 18) |
March 25, 2013 | IA | HF 527 | Requires DNA Samples from Individuals Convicted Of Aggravated Misdemeanors | Bill Passed - House (79 - 18) |
March 26, 2013 | NC | HB 17 | Prohibits Disclosure of Concealed Firearm Permit Information | Bill Passed - House (97 - 20) |
March 27, 2013 | NH | HB 135 | Repeals "Use of Deadly Force" Provision in Self-Defense Law | Bill Passed - House (189 - 184) |
March 28, 2013 | DE | HB 35 | Requires Background Checks Prior to the Purchase of Firearms | Bill Passed - House (24 - 17) |
April 4, 2013 | FL | HB 867 | Authorizes Parent Involvement in School Turnaround Decisions | Bill Passed - House (68 - 51) |
April 4, 2013 | MO | HB 46 | Prohibits the Use of Unmanned Aircrafts | Bill Passed - House (87 - 66) |
April 4, 2013 | MO | HB 46 | Prohibits the Use of Unmanned Aircrafts | Bill Passed - House (87 - 66) |
April 11, 2013 | MO | HB 533 | Authorizes State Employees to Keep Firearms in Vehicles | Bill Passed - House (126 - 25) |
April 16, 2013 | WI | AB 82 | Prohibits the Unauthorized Transfer of Food Stamps | Bill Passed - House (73 - 24) |
April 16, 2013 | IL | HB 2404 | Amends Definition of Delinquent Minor | Bill Passed - House (89 - 26) |
April 16, 2013 | VT | H 200 | Reduces Penalties for Small Amounts of Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (92 - 49) |
April 16, 2013 | NV | AB 60 | Requires Certain Information From Donation-Seeking Charities | Bill Passed - House (25 - 15) |
April 17, 2013 | IL | HB 2675 | Expands Sex Education Curriculum | Bill Passed - House (66 - 52) |
April 18, 2013 | MO | HB 436 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - House (115 - 41) |
April 18, 2013 | MO | HB 436 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - House (115 - 41) |
April 18, 2013 | TX | HB 63 | Prohibits Texting While Driving | Bill Passed - House (97 - 45) |
April 23, 2013 | NV | AB 230 | Amends State Sex Education Curriculum | Bill Passed - House (26 - 15) |
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 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 23, 2013 | OR | HB 2624 | Exempts Counties from Hunting Dog Prohibitions if Approved by County Voters | Bill Passed - House (40 - 19) |
April 23, 2013 | LA | HB 8 | Prohibits Disclosure of Concealed Firearm Permit Information | Bill Passed - House (76 - 18) |
April 23, 2013 | CO | HB 1251 | Requires DNA Samples for Misdemeanors | Bill Passed - House (43 - 21) |
April 23, 2013 | DE | HB 75 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - House (23 - 18) |
April 24, 2013 | LA | HB 265 | Establishes Lifetime Concealed Handgun Permits | Bill Passed - House (65 - 19) |
April 25, 2013 | CA | AB 1401 | Authorizes Non-United States Citizens to Serve on Juries | Bill Passed - House (45 - 26) |
April 26, 2013 | TX | HB 148 | Prohibits Multiple Ballots from Being Turned in by 1 Individual | Bill Passed - House (93 - 48) |
April 29, 2013 | OR | HB 2613 | Authorizes Electronic Gambling Machines for Horse Races | Bill Passed - House (39 - 16) |
April 30, 2013 | AL | HB 8 | Requires Courts to Apply "Strict Scrutiny" to Certain Firearm Regulation Laws | Bill Passed - House (76 - 22) |
May 1, 2013 | TX | HB 489 | Expands Access to Service Dogs for Veterans with PTSD | Bill Passed - House (120 - 21) |
May 1, 2013 | TX | HB 489 | Expands Access to Service Dogs for Veterans with PTSD | Bill Passed - House (120 - 21) |
May 1, 2013 | MI | HB 4388 | Establishes School Attendence Requirements for Family Independence Assistance | Bill Passed - House (78 - 32) |
May 1, 2013 | MI | HB 4118 | Requires Drug Testing For Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (77 - 33) |
May 1, 2013 | MI | HB 4118 | Requires Drug Testing For Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (77 - 33) |
May 4, 2013 | TX | HB 852 | Prohibits the Sale of Shark Fins | Bill Passed - House (87 - 42) |
Oct. 10, 2013 | National | H J Res 79 | Border Security and Enforcement Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 | Joint Resolution Passed - House (249 - 175) |
Dec. 11, 2013 | National | HR 2019 | Kids First Research Act of 2013 | Bill Passed - House (295 - 103) |
Sept. 11, 2013 | CA | SB 396 | Limits Firearm Magazine Capacity | Bill Failed - House (35 - 34) |
April 17, 2013 | MT | SB 143 | Amends Bison Management Laws | Bill Failed - House (50 - 50) |
April 17, 2013 | MT | SB 143 | Amends Bison Management Laws | Bill Failed - House (50 - 50) |
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) |
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) |
Feb. 28, 2013 | National | H Amdt 23 | Reauthorizes the Violence Against Women Act | Amendment Rejected - House (166 - 257) |
June 14, 2013 | National | HR 1960 | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 | Motion Rejected - House (194 - 225) |
Feb. 26, 2013 | NM | HB 316 | Prohibits Animal Killing Contests | Bill Failed - House (30 - 38) |
Feb. 26, 2013 | NM | HB 316 | Prohibits Animal Killing Contests | Bill Failed - House (30 - 38) |
Feb. 22, 2013 | ND | HB 1385 | Requires Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients | Bill Failed - House (19 - 72) |
Oct. 1, 2013 | National | H J Res 70 | National Park Service Operations, Smithsonian Institution, National Gallery of Art, and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 | Joint Resolution Failed - House (252 - 176) |
Jan. 30, 2013 | WY | HB 168 | Authorizes Same-Sex Civil Unions | Bill Failed - House (25 - 34) |