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 26, 2006 | LA | Amdt 1923 | Exceptions to Abortion Ban in Cases of Rape or Incest Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 20) |
June 17, 2008 | LA | HB 852 | Banning Cell Phones While Driving | Bill Failed - Senate (6 - 27) |
May 23, 2006 | LA | SB 347 | Sexual Orientation Discrimination in State Government | Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 24) |
May 28, 2009 | LA | SB 186 | Indoor Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10) |
May 28, 2008 | LA | SB 718 | State Board Member and Commissioner Financial Disclosures | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9) |
May 29, 2008 | LA | S Amdt 3870 | Legislator Financial Disclosures | Amendment Rejected - Senate (5 - 29) |
May 21, 2008 | LA | SB 51 | Guns in Parked Locked Cars | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 4) |
May 6, 2008 | LA | SB 137 | Young Drivers Using Cell Phones While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
April 15, 2008 | LA | SB 144 | Castration of Sex Offenders | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3) |
June 20, 2007 | LA | HB 320 | Extension of Satellite Voting Provisions | Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 21) |
May 23, 2006 | LA | SB 652 | Cockfighting Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4) |
April 26, 2006 | LA | SB 33 | Prohibits Abortion Except When Necessary to Save the Life of the Woman | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7) |
June 3, 2010 | LA | SB 593 | Governor's Office Records | Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 24) |
July 20, 2021 | LA | SB 118 | Amends Laws Related to Concealed Carrying of Firearms | Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
June 1, 2020 | LA | HB 826 | Establishes Legal Immunity for COVID-19 Claims to Businesses and Government Agencies | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 0) |
June 8, 2023 | LA | HB 160 | Authorizes Victims and Family in Juvenile Court Proceedings to Openly Share Information | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 1) |
May 30, 2013 | LA | SB 162 | Authorizes Surrogacy Contracts | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 3) |
June 8, 2023 | LA | HB 90 | Increases Penalties for Drug Distribution Resulting in Death to Life in Prison | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 5) |
June 8, 2023 | LA | HB 160 | Authorizes Victims and Family in Juvenile Court Proceedings to Openly Share Information | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 1) |
June 8, 2023 | LA | HB 90 | Increases Penalties for Drug Distribution Resulting in Death to Life in Prison | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 5) |
June 5, 2019 | LA | HB 518 | Exempts Certain Non-Violent Crimes From Habitual Offender Law | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 6) |
June 8, 2023 | LA | SB 159 | Amends Previous Law to Automatically Classify 17-Year-Old Defendants as Adults | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 11) |
June 8, 2023 | LA | SB 159 | Amends Previous Law to Automatically Classify 17-Year-Old Defendants as Adults | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 11) |
May 14, 2018 | LA | SB 236 | Amends Laws Concerning Sexual Abuse of Animals | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 1) |
May 30, 2014 | LA | SB 469 | Prohibits Government Entities from Pursuing Cause of Action under the Coastal Management Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
June 6, 2017 | LA | SB 139 | Establishes New Parole Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 13) |
June 6, 2017 | LA | SB 139 | Establishes New Parole Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 13) |
May 15, 2018 | LA | SB 243 | Establishes Constitutional Amendment for Unanimous Consent on Juries | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 7) |
May 31, 2020 | LA | SB 508 | Limits Liability of Restaurants During the COVID-19 Epidemic | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 0) |
June 4, 2023 | LA | SB 196 | Increases Financial Transparency Requirements in Litigation | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 8) |
Feb. 29, 2024 | LA | SB 4 | Increases Penalties and Amends Sentencing Guidelines for Certain Juveniles | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 10) |
Feb. 29, 2024 | LA | SB 2 | Authorizes Immunity for Conceal Carry Permit Holders | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
Feb. 29, 2024 | LA | SB 2 | Authorizes Immunity for Conceal Carry Permit Holders | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
May 29, 2012 | LA | SB 303 | Limits Gun Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 4) |
June 6, 2023 | LA | SB 56 | Extends and Reinstates the Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 3) |
June 20, 2010 | LA | SB 381 | Establishing "Crime Against Nature by Solicitation" | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 5) |
May 29, 2012 | LA | SB 303 | Limits Gun Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 4) |
June 3, 2022 | LA | HB 729 | Limits the Release and Dissemination of Booking Photos of Arrested Persons | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5) |
May 16, 2018 | LA | HB 88 | Establishes Crime of Government Benefits Fraud | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11) |
May 29, 2020 | LA | HB 846 | Establishes Tax Rebates for COVID-19 Impacted Businesses | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 6) |
May 29, 2020 | LA | HB 140 | Prohibits Localities from Establishing Restrictions to Prohibit Firearm Possession | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3) |
Oct. 20, 2020 | LA | HB 4 | Authorizes Legislative Oversight on Governor Disaster Emergency Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13) |
Feb. 28, 2024 | LA | HB 2 | Authorizes Immunity for Law Enforcement Under Most Circumstances | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
Oct. 22, 2020 | LA | HB 43 | Establishes Guidelines for Nursing Homes During COVID-19 Pandemic | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0) |
June 2, 2022 | LA | HB 1059 | Amends Bail Hearing Requirements for Certain Individuals | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
June 3, 2022 | LA | HB 729 | Limits the Release and Dissemination of Booking Photos of Arrested Persons | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5) |
May 27, 2021 | LA | HB 430 | Amends the Police Officer's Bill of Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7) |
Feb. 28, 2024 | LA | HB 2 | Authorizes Immunity for Law Enforcement Under Most Circumstances | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
June 5, 2023 | LA | HB 182 | Prohibits Public and Private Schools from Requiring the COVID-19 Vaccine | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
June 5, 2023 | LA | HB 659 | Establishes a Registry for Certain Offenders Convicted of Crimes Against Children | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6) |
June 5, 2023 | LA | HB 91 | Authorizes Restitution to Victims of Vehicular Homicide | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8) |
June 5, 2023 | LA | HB 91 | Authorizes Restitution to Victims of Vehicular Homicide | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8) |
June 5, 2023 | LA | HB 188 | Prohibits Parole for "Dangerous Offenders" | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8) |
Feb. 28, 2024 | LA | HB 1 | Requires Publication of Minute Entries in Juvenile Justice Records | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9) |
June 3, 2015 | LA | HB 149 | Amends Penalties for Marijuana Possesion | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13) |
May 30, 2017 | LA | HB 27 | Extends Domestic Abuse Laws to Dating Partners | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
May 21, 2020 | LA | HB 420 | Establishes Minimum Training Requirements for Peace Officers | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0) |
June 5, 2023 | LA | HB 464 | Prohibits Possession of Firearms by Convicted Felons | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
June 5, 2023 | LA | HB 464 | Prohibits Possession of Firearms by Convicted Felons | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
June 1, 2022 | LA | HB 745 | Increases Police Whistleblower Protections | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0) |
June 2, 2022 | LA | HB 629 | Prohibits Use of Marijuana Odor to Justify Warrantless Searches | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10) |
June 5, 2023 | LA | HB 85 | Requires Onlookers Remain 25 Feet Away from Police in Action | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10) |
May 27, 2021 | LA | HB 168 | Authorizes a District Attorney to Decide Which Evidence Can be Presented for Objections to a Candidacy for Elective Office | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 4) |
June 4, 2023 | LA | HB 247 | Establishes a $500 Tax Credit for Individuals to Purchase Firearm Safety Devices | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0) |
May 30, 2017 | LA | HB 27 | Extends Domestic Abuse Laws to Dating Partners | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
May 29, 2020 | LA | HB 241 | Amends Certain Requirements of the Records Expungement Process | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3) |
June 15, 2010 | LA | HB 1272 | Authorizing Handguns in of Places of Worship | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9) |
April 22, 2024 | LA | SB 430 | Repeals the Use of Nitrogen Gas as a Method of Execution | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16) |
April 8, 2024 | LA | SB 388 | Establishes Illegal Immigration as a State Crime | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11) |
Feb. 22, 2024 | LA | SB 9 | Authorizes Prosecutors to Bring Rape Charges at Any Time | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0) |
June 21, 2011 | LA | HB 7 | Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 12) |
April 17, 2013 | LA | SB 147 | Prohibits the Use of Social Media While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9) |
May 22, 2012 | LA | HB 543 | Parole Eligibility for Nonviolent Offenders | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
April 25, 2023 | LA | SB 49 | Establishes New Penalties for the Operation of a Fentanyl Producing Laboratory | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 2) |
April 25, 2023 | LA | SB 49 | Establishes New Penalties for the Operation of a Fentanyl Producing Laboratory | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 2) |