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 12, 2007 | TX | F 2 | Marriage License Fee | Bill Not Tabled - House (61 - 76) |
April 12, 2007 | TX | F 2 | Marriage License Fee | Bill Not Tabled - House (61 - 76) |
May 31, 2009 | TX | HB 537 | Increase Required Age for Seatbelts | Conference Report Adopted - House (105 - 34) |
May 26, 2007 | TX | CSHB 3678 | Religious Expression at Schools | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (107 - 28) |
May 26, 2007 | TX | CSHB 3678 | Religious Expression at Schools | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (107 - 28) |
May 23, 2007 | TX | CSHB 3678 | Religious Expression at Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3) |
May 11, 2009 | TX | HB 1736 | Increasing Wrongful Conviction Compensation | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4) |
May 11, 2009 | TX | HB 1736 | Increasing Wrongful Conviction Compensation | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4) |
May 23, 2007 | TX | CSHB 3678 | Religious Expression at Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3) |
April 17, 2007 | TX | CSSB 1909 | Treatment for Drug Possession Offenders | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
May 15, 2009 | TX | HB 2962 | Childrens' Health Care | Bill Passed - House (87 - 55) |
March 11, 2009 | TX | SB 362 | Requiring Proof of Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12) |
March 19, 2009 | TX | SB 188 | Authorizes Needle Exchange Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6) |
March 6, 2007 | TX | HB 8 | Punishment of Sex Offenders | Bill Passed - House (119 - 25) |
March 6, 2007 | TX | HB 8 | Punishment of Sex Offenders | Bill Passed - House (119 - 25) |
April 24, 2007 | TX | HB 218 | Voter Identification Requirement | Bill Passed - House (76 - 69) |
May 1, 2007 | TX | CSHB 3678 | Religious Expression at Schools | Bill Passed - House (121 - 10) |
May 1, 2007 | TX | CSHB 3678 | Religious Expression at Schools | Bill Passed - House (121 - 10) |
April 27, 2007 | TX | CSSB 308 | Syringe Exchange Program | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8) |
May 2, 2006 | TX | HB 3 | Business Tax Revisions | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14) |
April 24, 2006 | TX | HB 3 | Business Tax Revisions | Bill Passed - House (80 - 68) |
May 1, 2007 | TX | CSSB 966 | Journalist Confidentiality Protection | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4) |
May 4, 2007 | TX | CSHB 10 | Tribal Casino Gaming | Bill Failed - House (66 - 66) |
April 17, 2007 | TX | CSSB 1909 | Treatment for Drug Possession Offenders | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
April 24, 2007 | TX | HB 218 | Voter Identification Requirement | Bill Passed - House (76 - 69) |
March 20, 2007 | TX | CSSB 378 | Deadly Force in Self-Defense | Bill Passed - House (133 - 13) |
March 20, 2007 | TX | CSSB 378 | Deadly Force in Self-Defense | Bill Passed - House (133 - 13) |
April 4, 2007 | TX | HB 109 | Child Health Care Expansion | Bill Passed - House (128 - 17) |
March 31, 2009 | TX | SB 298 | Authorizing Sobriety Checkpoints | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11) |
March 31, 2009 | TX | SB 298 | Authorizing Sobriety Checkpoints | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11) |
April 12, 2007 | TX | CSHB 855 | Identification Upon Police Detainment | Bill Failed - House (23 - 116) |
April 12, 2007 | TX | CSHB 855 | Identification Upon Police Detainment | Bill Failed - House (23 - 116) |
March 14, 2007 | TX | CSHB 1098 | Ban on HPV Vaccine Requirement | Bill Passed - House (118 - 23) |
April 15, 2009 | TX | SB 1049 | Increasing Age Restriction on Tobacco Purchases | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5) |
April 15, 2009 | TX | SB 1049 | Increasing Age Restriction on Tobacco Purchases | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5) |
May 26, 2019 | TX | HB 3557 | Increases Penalties for Pipeline Protesting | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 12) |
May 24, 2021 | TX | HB 1927 | Authorizes Permitless Handgun Carry to Adults 21 and Older | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 13) |
May 26, 2013 | TX | HB 912 | Limits the Private Use of Unmanned Aircrafts | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 5) |
May 16, 2011 | TX | SB 14 | Voter Identification Requirements | Conference Report Adopted - House (98 - 46) |
May 9, 2011 | TX | SB 14 | Voter Identification Requirements | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 12) |
May 23, 2021 | TX | HB 1927 | Authorizes Permitless Handgun Carry to Adults 21 and Older | Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 62) |
May 26, 2019 | TX | HB 3557 | Increases Penalties for Pipeline Protesting | Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 49) |
May 24, 2019 | TX | HB 3285 | Establishes Services for Substance Use Disorders | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (124 - 18) |
May 22, 2019 | TX | HB 1528 | Requires Family Violence Convictions be Reported to the Department of Public Safety | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (102 - 39) |
May 28, 2021 | TX | SB 19 | Prohibits Contracts with Companies That Discriminate Against Gun Industry | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 12) |
May 22, 2019 | TX | HB 1528 | Requires Family Violence Convictions be Reported to the Department of Public Safety | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (102 - 39) |
May 23, 2019 | TX | HB 888 | Increases Penalties for Misrepresenting a Child's Identify at a Port of Entry | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (100 - 43) |
May 23, 2019 | TX | HB 888 | Increases Penalties for Misrepresenting a Child's Identify at a Port of Entry | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (100 - 43) |
May 28, 2021 | TX | HB 547 | Authorizes Homeschooled Students to Participate in University Interscholastic League Activities | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (80 - 63) |
May 18, 2021 | TX | HB 574 | Establishes 2 New Classes of Election Fraud Offenses | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (94 - 48) |
May 23, 2019 | TX | HB 16 | Establishes Requirements for Abortions Resulting in Premature Birth | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 57) |
Aug. 31, 2021 | TX | SB 6 | Amends Cash Bail Laws For Individuals Accused of Violent Crimes | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 5) |
Aug. 11, 2021 | TX | SB 2 | Prohibits Transgender Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do Not Match their Birth Gender | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10) |
May 25, 2011 | TX | HB 359 | Corporal Punishment in Public Schools | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (80 - 64) |
May 21, 2019 | TX | SB 1978 | Prohibits Government Action Against Businesses that Donate to Religious Organizations | Bill Passed - House (79 - 64) |
May 24, 2021 | TX | HB 1900 | Establishes Penalties for Municipalities that Reduce Police Funding | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 3) |
May 21, 2021 | TX | HB 1239 | Prohibits Elected Officials from Closing Places of Worship | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3) |
May 24, 2021 | TX | SB 20 | Requires Hotels to Permit Guests to Carry Firearms to Private Rooms | Bill Passed - House (81 - 62) |
May 22, 2013 | TX | SB 21 | Requires Drug Testing for Unemployment Benefits | Bill Passed - House (104 - 42) |
April 27, 2017 | TX | SB 4 | Prohibits Sanctuary Cities | Bill Passed - House (94 - 53) |
May 13, 2021 | TX | SB 19 | Prohibits Contracts with Companies That Discriminate Against Gun Industry | Bill Passed - House (86 - 60) |
May 22, 2021 | TX | HB 547 | Authorizes Homeschooled Students to Participate in University Interscholastic League Activities | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14) |
May 12, 2021 | TX | HB 574 | Establishes 2 New Classes of Election Fraud Offenses | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
May 20, 2019 | TX | HB 2911 | Amends Election Law to Determine Voter Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12) |
May 26, 2021 | TX | HB 2497 | Requires Patriotic Texas History Materials be Distributed through the DMV | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9) |
Aug. 30, 2021 | TX | SB 6 | Amends Cash Bail Laws For Individuals Accused of Violent Crimes | Bill Passed - House (85 - 40) |
May 27, 2015 | TX | SB 11 | Authorizes Concealed Carry of Firearms on College Campuses | Bill Passed - House (102 - 44) |
May 22, 2015 | TX | HB 910 | Authorizes Open Carry of Handguns | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12) |
May 22, 2019 | TX | HB 2536 | Establishes Drug-Pricing Transparency Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4) |
May 6, 2013 | TX | SB 864 | Reduces Required Hours for Concealed Handgun License Training | Bill Passed - House (116 - 30) |
Nov. 14, 2023 | TX | SB 4 | Amends State Criminal Code to Establish Illegal Entry Across the Border as a Class B Misdemeanor | Bill Passed - House (83 - 61) |
May 22, 2013 | TX | HB 1009 | Establishes "School Marshal" as a New Category of Law Enforcement for Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4) |
May 21, 2019 | TX | HB 1143 | Authorizes Storage and Transportation of Firearms in School Parking Areas | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6) |
May 21, 2019 | TX | SB 535 | Authorizes Handguns on the Premises of Places of Worship | Bill Passed - House (86 - 53) |
April 27, 2017 | TX | HB 89 | Prohibits Contracts with Companies Boycotting Israel | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5) |
May 22, 2021 | TX | HB 9 | Increases the Criminal Penalty for Knowingly Blocking an Emergency Vehicle or Hospital | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6) |
May 24, 2023 | TX | HB 7 | Authorizes the Creation of State Border Police | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11) |
May 22, 2021 | TX | HB 3979 | Prohibits the Teaching of "Critical Race Theory" in Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13) |
May 24, 2021 | TX | HB 2622 | Prohibits the Enforcement of New Federal Gun Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13) |
May 30, 2021 | TX | HB 2593 | Reduces Criminal Penalty for Certain Cannabis Products | Bill Passed - House |
May 30, 2021 | TX | HB 2593 | Reduces Criminal Penalty for Certain Cannabis Products | Bill Passed - House |
May 17, 2023 | TX | SB 728 | Amends State Law to Close Previous Loophole in Reporting Juvenile Mental Health Hospitalizations | Bill Passed - House (116 - 28) |
Oct. 26, 2023 | TX | SB 4 | Increases Criminal Penalties for Immigrant Smuggling or Operating a Stash House | Bill Passed - House (92 - 54) |
Oct. 26, 2023 | TX | SB 4 | Increases Criminal Penalties for Immigrant Smuggling or Operating a Stash House | Bill Passed - House (92 - 54) |
Nov. 14, 2023 | TX | SB 4 | Amends State Criminal Code to Establish Illegal Entry Across the Border as a Class B Misdemeanor | Bill Passed - House (83 - 61) |
May 13, 2021 | TX | HB 1838 | Increases Oversight of Law Enforcement Intelligence Activities | (121 - 22) |
April 1, 2011 | TX | Amdt 143 | Requiring Public Colleges and Universities to Fund Student Centers for Family and Traditional Values | Amendment Adopted - House (110 - 24) |
April 1, 2011 | TX | Amdt 143 | Requiring Public Colleges and Universities to Fund Student Centers for Family and Traditional Values | Amendment Adopted - House (110 - 24) |
May 18, 2021 | TX | SB 1311 | Prohibits Certain Treatments for Transgender Children | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13) |
May 23, 2011 | TX | HB 359 | Corporal Punishment in Public Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 2) |
March 24, 2011 | TX | SB 14 | Voter Identification Requirements | Bill Passed - House (101 - 48) |
April 3, 2019 | TX | SB 17 | Authorizes Protections for Lawyers that Deny Clients Based on Religious Exemptions | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12) |
April 3, 2019 | TX | SB 17 | Authorizes Protections for Lawyers that Deny Clients Based on Religious Exemptions | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12) |
April 9, 2015 | TX | SB 10 | Transfers Public Integrity Unit to Texas Rangers | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11) |
March 19, 2015 | TX | SB 11 | Authorizes Concealed Carry of Firearms on College Campuses | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11) |
May 8, 2019 | TX | HB 1387 | Authorizes Law Enforcement Officers to Carry on School Property | Bill Passed - House (97 - 46) |
May 16, 2019 | TX | SB 1978 | Prohibits Government Action Against Businesses that Donate to Religious Organizations | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12) |
March 17, 2015 | TX | SB 17 | Authorizes Open Carry of Handguns | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
May 10, 2019 | TX | HB 1143 | Authorizes Storage and Transportation of Firearms in School Parking Areas | (97 - 37) |
May 1, 2019 | TX | SB 535 | Authorizes Handguns on the Premises of Places of Worship | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6) |