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 18, 2013 | NJ | A 3614 | Requires Legislative Approval for State Lottery Changes | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16) |
Jan. 28, 2013 | NJ | A 3614 | Requires Legislative Approval for State Lottery Changes | Bill Passed - House (45 - 29) |
March 7, 2013 | CA | AB 1-1 | Expands Eligibility for Medi-Cal Program | Bill Passed - House (54 - 22) |
April 4, 2013 | CA | AB 131 | Amends Voter Registration Requirements | Bill Passed - House (47 - 23) |
April 25, 2013 | CA | AB 1401 | Authorizes Non-United States Citizens to Serve on Juries | Bill Passed - House (45 - 26) |
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) |
April 23, 2013 | NV | AB 230 | Amends State Sex Education Curriculum | Bill Passed - House (26 - 15) |
May 23, 2013 | NV | AB 440 | Extends Voter Registration Period | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10) |
May 23, 2013 | NV | AB 441 | Authorizes Voting Centers for All Eligible Voters in a City or County | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10) |
April 23, 2013 | NV | AB 441 | Authorizes Voting Centers for All Eligible Voters in a City or County | Bill Passed - House (26 - 15) |
Sept. 11, 2013 | CA | AB 484 | Amends State School Testing Programs | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 22) |
Sept. 10, 2013 | CA | AB 484 | Amends State School Testing Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
June 14, 2013 | CA | AB 76 | Specifies that Compliance with the California Public Records Act is Optional | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 25) |
June 14, 2013 | CA | AB 76 | Specifies that Compliance with the California Public Records Act is Optional | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
Aug. 8, 2013 | CA | AB 817 | Amends Poll Worker Eligibility Requirements | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 25) |
July 8, 2013 | CA | AB 817 | Amends Poll Worker Eligibility Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10) |
May 23, 2013 | CA | AB 817 | Amends Poll Worker Eligibility Requirements | Bill Passed - House (49 - 23) |
May 14, 2013 | WI | AB 85 | Amends Milwaukee County Board Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14) |
May 14, 2013 | WI | AB 85 | Amends Milwaukee County Board Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14) |
May 8, 2013 | WI | AB 85 | Amends Milwaukee County Board Regulations | Bill Passed - House (60 - 38) |
May 8, 2013 | WI | AB 85 | Amends Milwaukee County Board Regulations | Bill Passed - House (60 - 38) |
Feb. 14, 2013 | NJ | AR 91 | Extends the Term of a Special Committee Investigating the Finances of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey | Resolution Passed - House (46 - 29) |
Feb. 6, 2013 | NH | CACR1 | Requires Three-Fifths Majority for Tax Increases | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (206 - 149) |
Feb. 6, 2013 | NH | CACR1 | Requires Three-Fifths Majority for Tax Increases | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (206 - 149) |
Feb. 6, 2013 | NH | CACR1 | Requires Three-Fifths Majority for Tax Increases | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (206 - 149) |
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) |
Feb. 20, 2013 | VT | H 265 | Amends Education Property Tax Rates for Fiscal Year 2014 | Bill Passed - House (96 - 45) |
June 6, 2013 | National | H Amdt 136 | Prohibits the Enforcement of the Immigration Executive Order | Amendment Adopted - House (224 - 201) |
Feb. 28, 2013 | National | H Amdt 23 | Reauthorizes the Violence Against Women Act | Amendment Rejected - House (166 - 257) |
June 20, 2013 | National | H Amdt 231 | Authorizes States to Require Federal Welfare Work Requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program | Amendment Adopted - House (227 - 198) |
Aug. 2, 2013 | National | H Amdt 448 | Requires Congressional Approval Prior to Establishing a Tax on Carbon Emissions | Amendment Adopted - House (237 - 176) |
Aug. 2, 2013 | National | H Amdt 448 | Requires Congressional Approval Prior to Establishing a Tax on Carbon Emissions | Amendment Adopted - House (237 - 176) |
Aug. 2, 2013 | National | H Amdt 450 | Requires Congressional Approval for Any Rules Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act | Amendment Adopted - House (227 - 185) |
Aug. 2, 2013 | National | H Amdt 450 | Requires Congressional Approval for Any Rules Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act | Amendment Adopted - House (227 - 185) |
Sept. 18, 2013 | National | H Amdt 463 | Amends the Definition of "Strategic and Critical Minerals" | Amendment Rejected - House (187 - 241) |
Sept. 18, 2013 | National | H Amdt 466 | Requires Mine Operators to Include the Cost of Cleanup in Financial Insurance | Amendment Rejected - House (191 - 235) |
Nov. 20, 2013 | National | H Amdt 498 | Specifies That Certain Fees Do Not Limit the Right to Petition | Amendment Rejected - House (199 - 222) |
Nov. 20, 2013 | National | H Amdt 498 | Specifies That Certain Fees Do Not Limit the Right to Petition | Amendment Rejected - House (199 - 222) |
Nov. 20, 2013 | National | H Amdt 503 | Requires a Report on the Effect of Flooding on Oil and Gas Facilities | Amendment Rejected - House (202 - 221) |
Nov. 20, 2013 | National | H Amdt 507 | Specifies the Authority of the Secretary of Interior on the Regulation of Methane Emissions | Amendment Rejected - House (190 - 230) |
Nov. 21, 2013 | National | H Amdt 512 | Requires Natural Gas Pipeline Applications to Include Certain Information | Amendment Rejected - House (183 - 233) |
Nov. 21, 2013 | National | H Amdt 513 | Removes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Permit Issuance Requirement | Amendment Rejected - House (184 - 233) |
Nov. 21, 2013 | National | H Amdt 515 | Prohibits the Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act from Taking Effect During the Sequester | Amendment Rejected - House (175 - 243) |
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 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) |
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 67 | Requires a Finding be Added Concerning Oil Sand Crudes | Amendment Rejected - House (146 - 269) |
Feb. 19, 2013 | WY | HB 1 | 2013-2014 Supplemental Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (50 - 6) |
Aug. 23, 2013 | KY | HB 1 | State Legislative Redistricting | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 18) |
Aug. 23, 2013 | KY | HB 1 | State Legislative Redistricting | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 18) |
Aug. 23, 2013 | KY | HB 1 | State Legislative Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2) |
Aug. 23, 2013 | KY | HB 1 | State Legislative Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2) |
March 15, 2013 | MD | HB 100 | 2013-2014 Budget | Bill Passed - House (101 - 36) |
April 2, 2013 | MS | HB 1009 | Authorizes Department of Human Services to Hire Private Contractors | Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 56) |
April 2, 2013 | MS | HB 1009 | Authorizes Department of Human Services to Hire Private Contractors | Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 56) |
Feb. 25, 2013 | IN | HB 1011 | Authorizes a Metropolitan Transit District | Bill Passed - House (56 - 39) |
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. 1, 2013 | WY | HB 103 | Requires State Approval of Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - House (53 - 6) |
Feb. 1, 2013 | WY | HB 104 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - House (46 - 13) |
March 5, 2013 | AR | HB 1041 | Establishes a Spending Cap on the State Budget | Bill Failed - House (49 - 47) |
May 6, 2013 | TX | HB 1076 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - House (100 - 47) |
Feb. 4, 2013 | AR | HB 1100 | Prohibits Abortion Coverage on the State Health Insurance Exchange | Bill Passed - House (77 - 15) |
April 6, 2013 | MD | HB 1107 | Amends Prince George's County School System Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 47) |
Jan. 28, 2013 | SD | HB 1108 | Exempts Certain Advisory Bodies From Providing Telephone or Internet Access | Bill Passed - House (63 - 5) |
Jan. 30, 2013 | SD | HB 1113 | Requires Certain State Electronic Exchanges to Be Made Public | Bill Failed - House (34 - 35) |
Jan. 30, 2013 | SD | HB 1113 | Requires Certain State Electronic Exchanges to Be Made Public | Bill Failed - House (34 - 35) |
March 21, 2013 | IL | HB 1165 | Establishes Cost of Living Adjustments in Pensions | Bill Passed - House (66 - 50) |
Dec. 17, 2013 | PA | HB 1234 | Reduces Size of General Assembly | Joint Resolution Passed - House (148 - 50) |
Dec. 17, 2013 | PA | HB 1234 | Reduces Size of General Assembly | Joint Resolution Passed - House (148 - 50) |
March 4, 2013 | GA | HB 125 | Amends State Immigration Policy | Bill Passed - House (116 - 49) |
April 20, 2013 | MT | HB 13 | Appropriates Funds for State Employee Pay Raises | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 33) |
April 16, 2013 | MT | HB 13 | Appropriates Funds for State Employee Pay Raises | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13) |
May 3, 2013 | CO | HB 1303 | Authorizes Same-Day Voter Registration | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 28) |
May 2, 2013 | CO | HB 1303 | Authorizes Same-Day Voter Registration | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
March 8, 2013 | AR | HB 1329 | Reduces Concealed Carry License Application Fee | Bill Failed - House (31 - 52) |
March 12, 2013 | AR | HB 1357 | Requires Special Elections to Be Held On Certain Days | Bill Passed - House (68 - 22) |
Feb. 27, 2013 | ND | HB 1362 | Expands Medicaid Eligibility | Bill Passed - House (57 - 36) |
Feb. 27, 2013 | ND | HB 1362 | Expands Medicaid Eligibility | Bill Passed - House (57 - 36) |
March 13, 2013 | OK | HB 1412 | Prohibits Compliance with United Nations Agenda 21/Sustainable Development | Bill Passed - House (67 - 17) |
April 26, 2013 | TX | HB 148 | Prohibits Multiple Ballots from Being Turned in by 1 Individual | Bill Passed - House (93 - 48) |
April 30, 2013 | AL | HB 162 | Amends the Voter Registration Deadline | Bill Passed - House (67 - 34) |
Feb. 28, 2013 | NM | HB 168 | Establishes Health Insurance Exchange | Bill Failed - House (30 - 39) |
March 19, 2013 | AR | HB 1819 | Prohibits Governor from Regulating Firearms in an Emergency | Bill Passed - House (78 - 9) |
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) |
May 1, 2013 | OK | HB 1910 | Amends State Property Sale Procedures | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 23) |
March 6, 2013 | KY | HB 2 | State House Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (53 - 46) |
March 6, 2013 | KY | HB 2 | State House Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (53 - 46) |
March 13, 2013 | KS | HB 2019 | Authorizes Governor to Appoint Judges to Kansas Court of Appeals | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12) |
March 13, 2013 | KS | HB 2019 | Authorizes Governor to Appoint Judges to Kansas Court of Appeals | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12) |
March 13, 2013 | KS | HB 2019 | Authorizes Governor to Appoint Judges to Kansas Court of Appeals | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12) |
March 1, 2013 | KS | HB 2019 | Authorizes Governor to Appoint Judges to Kansas Court of Appeals | Bill Passed - House (73 - 50) |