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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb. 18, 2013 | CO | HB 1226 | Prohibits the Possession of Concealed Handguns on College Campuses | Bill Passed - House (34 - 31) |
| Feb. 18, 2013 | CO | HB 1229 | Requires Background Checks For Private Gun Sales and Transfers | Bill Passed - House (36 - 29) |
| Feb. 18, 2013 | CO | HB 1229 | Requires Background Checks For Private Gun Sales and Transfers | Bill Passed - House (36 - 29) |
| Feb. 15, 2013 | AR | HB 1243 | Authorizes University Staff to Carry a Concealed Handgun | Bill Passed - House (70 - 11) |
| Feb. 15, 2013 | UT | HB 50 | Expands Protective Orders to Dating Relationships | Bill Passed - House (61 - 11) |
| Feb. 14, 2013 | VA | SB 1335 | Prohibits Disclosure of Concealed Firearm Permit Information | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 9) |
| Feb. 14, 2013 | VT | S 77 | Prohibits Liability for Self-Administered Lethal Dosages | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8) |
| Feb. 14, 2013 | VT | S 77 | Prohibits Liability for Self-Administered Lethal Dosages | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8) |
| Feb. 14, 2013 | MO | HB 48 | Requires Photo Identification for Voting | Bill Passed - House (105 - 48) |
| Feb. 14, 2013 | KY | SB 50 | Authorizes Industrial Hemp Farming | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6) |
| Feb. 13, 2013 | WY | SF 132 | Authorizes the Use of Silencers While Hunting | Bill Passed - House (44 - 14) |
| Feb. 13, 2013 | VT | Galbraith and Hartwell Amdt | Establishes Immunity for Doctors Prescribing or People Present to Lethal Dosage | Amendment Adopted - Senate (16 - 15) |
| Feb. 13, 2013 | NM | HB 77 | Requires Background Checks for Firearms Sold at Gun Shows | Bill Passed - House (43 - 26) |
| Feb. 12, 2013 | VA | SB 1335 | Prohibits Disclosure of Concealed Firearm Permit Information | Bill Passed - House (76 - 23) |
| Feb. 12, 2013 | National | S 47 | Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 | Bill Passed - Senate (78 - 22) |
| Feb. 11, 2013 | TN | SB 142 | Authorizes Handguns in Parking Areas | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5) |
| Feb. 8, 2013 | MD | SB 74 | Prohibits Operating a Vessel Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 8) |
| Feb. 7, 2013 | ND | SCR 4009 | Expands "Right to Life" to Human Beings at Any Stage of Development | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (26 - 21) |
| Feb. 6, 2013 | MT | HB 27 | Authorizes the Use of Silencers While Hunting | Bill Passed - House (63 - 33) |
| Feb. 6, 2013 | AR | SB 131 | Prohibits Disclosure of Concealed Firearm Permit Information | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
| Feb. 5, 2013 | VA | SB 1256 | Requires Photo Identification for Voting | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20) |
| Feb. 5, 2013 | VA | SB 719 | Amends Voting Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20) |
| Feb. 4, 2013 | VA | SB 721 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 20) |
| Feb. 4, 2013 | AR | HB 1037 | Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks | Bill Passed - House (75 - 20) |
| Feb. 1, 2013 | WY | HB 103 | Requires State Approval of Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - House (53 - 6) |
| Feb. 1, 2013 | WY | HB 105 | Authorizes the Carrying of Firearms on School Property | Bill Passed - House (46 - 13) |
| Feb. 1, 2013 | WY | HB 104 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - House (46 - 13) |
| Feb. 1, 2013 | MT | HB 30 | Prohibits Same-Day Voter Registration | Bill Passed - House (60 - 38) |
| Jan. 31, 2013 | SD | SB 70 | Establishes Alternative Court Programs for Nonviolent Offenders | Bill Passed - House (63 - 7) |
| Jan. 31, 2013 | SD | SB 70 | Establishes Alternative Court Programs for Nonviolent Offenders | Bill Passed - House (63 - 7) |
| Jan. 31, 2013 | AR | SB 134 | Prohibits an Abortion if a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
| Jan. 29, 2013 | SD | HB 1087 | Authorizes School Sentinel Programs | Bill Passed - House (42 - 27) |
| Jan. 28, 2013 | AR | SB 71 | Authorizes Handguns on Religious Institutions' Properties | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 4) |
| Jan. 28, 2013 | WY | SF 132 | Authorizes the Use of Silencers While Hunting | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7) |
| Jan. 16, 2013 | WY | HB 23 | Requires Juvenile Offenders to Be Eligible for Parole While Serving a Life Sentence | Bill Passed - House (42 - 17) |
| Jan. 15, 2013 | NY | S 2230 | Establishes Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement | Bill Passed - House (104 - 43) |
| Jan. 14, 2013 | NY | S 2230 | Establishes Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 18) |
| Dec. 28, 2012 | National | HR 5949 | FISA Amendments Act Reauthorization Act of 2012 | Bill Passed - Senate (73 - 23) |
| Dec. 28, 2012 | National | HR 5949 | FISA Amendments Act Reauthorization Act of 2012 | Bill Passed - Senate (73 - 23) |
| Dec. 21, 2012 | National | HR 4310 | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (81 - 14) |
| Dec. 20, 2012 | National | HR 4310 | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 | Conference Report Adopted - House (315 - 107) |
| Dec. 13, 2012 | OH | HB 495 | Amends Definition of Loaded Gun | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 23) |
| Dec. 13, 2012 | MI | SB 59 | Expands Areas Where Concealed Weapons are Authorized | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
| Dec. 13, 2012 | MI | SB 59 | Expands Areas Where Concealed Weapons are Authorized | Bill Passed - House (68 - 41) |
| Dec. 13, 2012 | OH | HB 495 | Amends Definition of Loaded Gun | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
| Dec. 4, 2012 | IL | SB 681 | Authorizes State Residents To Purchase Ammunition From In-State Companies | Veto Override Passed - House (78 - 28) |
| Dec. 4, 2012 | National | Treaty Doc. 112-7 | The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities | Treaty Ratification Failed - Senate (61 - 38) |
| Nov. 29, 2012 | National | S Amdt 3018 | Prohibits the Indefinite Detention of Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents | Amendment Adopted - Senate (67 - 29) |
| Nov. 29, 2012 | National | S Amdt 3245 | Prohibits the Use of Funds for the Transfer or Release of Individuals Detained at Guantanamo Bay | Amendment Adopted - Senate (54 - 41) |
| Nov. 29, 2012 | National | S Amdt 3245 | Prohibits the Use of Funds for the Transfer or Release of Individuals Detained at Guantanamo Bay | Amendment Adopted - Senate (54 - 41) |
| Nov. 29, 2012 | National | S Amdt 3018 | Prohibits the Indefinite Detention of Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents | Amendment Adopted - Senate (67 - 29) |
| Nov. 28, 2012 | National | S Amdt 2955 | Expands the Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program | Amendment Adopted - Senate (85 - 11) |
| Nov. 14, 2012 | National | S 3414 | Cybersecurity Act of 2012 | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 47) |
| Oct. 25, 2012 | NJ | S 1816 | Authorizes Delaware Port Authority to Inspect Hazardous Materials | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 10) |
| Oct. 25, 2012 | NJ | S 1650 | Increases Requirements for Emergency Medical Service Workers | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16) |
| Oct. 18, 2012 | NJ | S 1816 | Authorizes Delaware Port Authority to Inspect Hazardous Materials | Bill Passed - House (53 - 23) |
| Oct. 17, 2012 | PA | SB 850 | Repeals Mandatory Life Sentences for Certain Juvenile Offenders | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 12) |
| Oct. 17, 2012 | PA | SB 941 | Increases Penalties for Public Intoxication | Bill Passed - House (104 - 87) |
| Sept. 12, 2012 | National | HR 5949 | FISA Amendments Act Reauthorization Act of 2012 | Bill Passed - House (301 - 118) |
| Sept. 12, 2012 | National | HR 5949 | FISA Amendments Act Reauthorization Act of 2012 | Bill Passed - House (301 - 118) |
| Aug. 29, 2012 | CA | SB 1476 | Authorizes Courts to Designate More than 2 Individuals as Parents of a Child | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| Aug. 29, 2012 | CA | AB 2346 | Authorizes Farm Workers to Sue Employers for Health or Safety Violations | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 33) |
| Aug. 27, 2012 | CA | AB 472 | Authorizes Immunity for Reporting Drug Overdoses | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 24) |
| Aug. 27, 2012 | CA | AB 1436 | Authorizes Same-Day Voter Registration | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 29) |
| Aug. 27, 2012 | CA | AB 1436 | Authorizes Same-Day Voter Registration | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 29) |
| Aug. 27, 2012 | CA | AB 2327 | Increases Penalties for the Misuse of Funds by Charitable Organizations | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 18) |
| Aug. 27, 2012 | CA | AB 472 | Authorizes Immunity for Reporting Drug Overdoses | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 24) |
| Aug. 27, 2012 | CA | AB 2346 | Authorizes Farm Workers to Sue Employers for Health or Safety Violations | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
| Aug. 27, 2012 | CA | SB 1476 | Authorizes Courts to Designate More than 2 Individuals as Parents of a Child | Bill Passed - House (52 - 27) |
| Aug. 24, 2012 | CA | AB 1081 | Prohibits Excessive Detention of Undocumented Immigrants | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 26) |
| Aug. 23, 2012 | CA | AB 1436 | Authorizes Same-Day Voter Registration | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13) |
| Aug. 23, 2012 | CA | AB 1436 | Authorizes Same-Day Voter Registration | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13) |
| Aug. 22, 2012 | CA | AB 472 | Authorizes Immunity for Reporting Drug Overdoses | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16) |
| Aug. 22, 2012 | CA | AB 472 | Authorizes Immunity for Reporting Drug Overdoses | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16) |
| Aug. 22, 2012 | CA | AB 2327 | Increases Penalties for the Misuse of Funds by Charitable Organizations | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| Aug. 21, 2012 | CA | HB 2676 | Increases Penalties For Agriculture Health And Safety Violations | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12) |
| Aug. 20, 2012 | CA | SB 9 | Sentence Reconsideration for Juvenile Offenders | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
| Aug. 20, 2012 | NJ | A 578 | Authorizes Temporary Immunity for Witnesses and Victims of a Drug Overdose | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10) |
| Aug. 20, 2012 | NJ | A 578 | Authorizes Temporary Immunity for Witnesses and Victims of a Drug Overdose | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10) |
| Aug. 16, 2012 | CA | SB 9 | Sentence Reconsideration for Juvenile Offenders | Bill Passed - House (41 - 34) |
| Aug. 2, 2012 | National | S 3414 | Cybersecurity Act of 2012 | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 46) |
| July 31, 2012 | MA | S 2400 | Establishes Accountable Care Organizations | Conference Report Adopted - House (133 - 20) |
| July 19, 2012 | MA | H 3818 | Requires Habitual Violent Offenders to Serve Their Full Sentence | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 7) |
| July 18, 2012 | MA | H 3818 | Requires Habitual Violent Offenders to Serve Their Full Sentence | Conference Report Adopted - House (139 - 14) |
| July 5, 2012 | CA | AB 1081 | Prohibits Excessive Detention of Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| July 2, 2012 | NC | SB 416 | Death Penalty Discrimination | Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 48) |
| July 2, 2012 | NC | SB 416 | Death Penalty Discrimination | Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 11) |
| June 27, 2012 | NH | SB 406 | Authorizes Early Offer Alternative to Medical Injury Claims | Veto Override Passed - House (247 - 111) |
| June 27, 2012 | NH | SB 318 | Requires In-State Residency to Vote | Veto Override Passed - House (232 - 110) |
| June 27, 2012 | NH | SB 289 | Requires Photo Identification to Vote | Veto Override Passed - House (231 - 112) |
| June 27, 2012 | NH | SB 289 | Requires Photo Identification to Vote | Veto Override Passed - Senate (18 - 5) |
| June 27, 2012 | NH | SB 318 | Requires In-State Residency to Vote | Veto Override Passed - Senate (18 - 5) |
| June 21, 2012 | NJ | S 1599 | Amends Surrogacy Laws | Bill Passed - House (41 - 33) |
| June 21, 2012 | NJ | S 2001 | Expands Syringe Exchange Program | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
| June 20, 2012 | NC | SB 416 | Death Penalty Discrimination | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 18) |
| June 19, 2012 | NY | A 1157B | Requires Firearms to Have Microstamping Technology | Bill Passed - House (85 - 60) |
| June 19, 2012 | National | HR 2578 | Conservation and Economic Growth Act | Bill Passed - House (232 - 188) |
| June 14, 2012 | CA | AB 2127 | Authorizes Work Release for Certain Offenders | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| June 13, 2012 | MI | SB 754 | Requires Photo Identification for Voter Registration | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
| June 13, 2012 | MI | SB 803 | Requires Proof of Citizenship to Vote | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |