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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2, 2013 | CA | SB 501 | Requires Social Networking Sites to Remove Personal Identifying Information | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| May 2, 2013 | TX | HB 772 | Requires Individuals to Opt-Out of Immunization Registry | Bill Passed - House (99 - 47) |
| 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) |
| April 30, 2013 | FL | HB 867 | Authorizes Parent Involvement in School Turnaround Decisions | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 20) |
| April 24, 2013 | RI | H 5015 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
| April 24, 2013 | IL | SB 923 | Authorizes the Use of Traffic Cameras on School Buses | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 12) |
| April 23, 2013 | DE | HB 75 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - House (23 - 18) |
| April 22, 2013 | NV | SJR 13 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (12 - 9) |
| April 18, 2013 | FL | SB 718 | Amends Alimony Provisions | Bill Passed - House (85 - 31) |
| April 18, 2013 | FL | SB 718 | Amends Alimony Provisions | Bill Passed - House (85 - 31) |
| April 17, 2013 | IL | HB 226 | Authorizes 17 Year Olds to Vote in Primary Elections | Bill Passed - House (95 - 22) |
| April 16, 2013 | IL | HB 2404 | Amends Definition of Delinquent Minor | Bill Passed - House (89 - 26) |
| April 4, 2013 | FL | HB 867 | Authorizes Parent Involvement in School Turnaround Decisions | Bill Passed - House (68 - 51) |
| April 4, 2013 | FL | SB 718 | Amends Alimony Provisions | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11) |
| April 4, 2013 | FL | SB 718 | Amends Alimony Provisions | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11) |
| April 3, 2013 | ME | LD 272 | Prohibits the Use of Tanning Facilities by Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| April 2, 2013 | ME | LD 272 | Prohibits the Use of Tanning Facilities by Minors | Bill Passed - House (91 - 56) |
| March 27, 2013 | CO | HB 1215 | Prohibits The Use Of Tanning Facilities By Minors | Bill Passed - House (39 - 23) |
| March 26, 2013 | OR | HB 2988 | Reduces Minimum Voter Registration Age to 16 | Bill Passed - House (35 - 25) |
| March 20, 2013 | MD | SB 30 | Prohibits Smoking in Vehicles Containing Children | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20) |
| March 18, 2013 | WV | SB 464 | Prohibits The Use Of Tanning Facilities By Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
| March 13, 2013 | UT | HB 103 | Prohibits Minors From Using Cell Phones While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
| March 13, 2013 | CO | HB 1166 | Repeals Classification of Adultery as a Criminal Offense | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| March 13, 2013 | National | HR 890 | Preserving Work Requirements for Welfare Programs Act of 2013 | Bill Passed - House (246 - 181) |
| March 13, 2013 | OR | SB 444 | Prohibits Smoking in a Car with Minors Present | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10) |
| March 12, 2013 | CO | SB 11 | Authorizes Civil Unions | Bill Passed - House (39 - 26) |
| 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 1361 | Requires Parental Consent Prior to an Abortion for a Minor | Bill Passed - House (81 - 13) |
| March 8, 2013 | WA | HB 1283 | Amends School Age Requirements | Bill Passed - House (74 - 23) |
| March 7, 2013 | OR | HB 2896 | Prohibits The Use Of Tanning Facilities By Minors | Bill Passed - House (38 - 18) |
| March 6, 2013 | SD | SB 106 | Prohibits Minors from Using a Cell Phone While Driving | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| March 6, 2013 | OK | SB 802 | Prohibits the Sale of Electric Cigarettes to Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 15) |
| March 6, 2013 | OK | HB 1908 | Establishes a Marriage Promotion Campaign | Bill Passed - House (71 - 27) |
| March 5, 2013 | WA | HB 1404 | Authorizes Immunity From Prosecution for Minors Who Report Underage Intoxication | Bill Passed - House (72 - 24) |
| March 4, 2013 | SD | SB 106 | Prohibits Minors from Using a Cell Phone While Driving | Bill Passed - House (43 - 23) |
| March 1, 2013 | UT | HB 13 | Prohibits Smoking in a Vehicle with Minors Present | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13) |
| Feb. 28, 2013 | KS | SB 142 | Prohibits Civil Action Lawsuits Concerning Abortion Consultation | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 5) |
| Feb. 27, 2013 | MT | HB 391 | Requires Parental Consent Prior to an Abortion for a Minor | Bill Passed - House (57 - 41) |
| Feb. 25, 2013 | UT | HB 103 | Prohibits Minors From Using Cell Phones While Driving | Bill Passed - House (48 - 22) |
| Feb. 22, 2013 | SD | HB 1214 | Authorizes Prenatal Care for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (39 - 28) |
| Feb. 22, 2013 | NM | HB 300 | Authorizes Extended School Absences for Pregnant Teens | Bill Passed - House (56 - 12) |
| Feb. 22, 2013 | SD | HB 1214 | Authorizes Prenatal Care for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (39 - 28) |
| Feb. 21, 2013 | CO | HB 1081 | Expands Sexual Education Curriculum | Bill Passed - House (37 - 28) |
| Feb. 15, 2013 | UT | HB 50 | Expands Protective Orders to Dating Relationships | Bill Passed - House (61 - 11) |
| Feb. 14, 2013 | IL | SB 10 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 21) |
| Feb. 11, 2013 | UT | HB 13 | Prohibits Smoking in a Vehicle with Minors Present | Bill Passed - House (41 - 30) |
| Feb. 11, 2013 | CO | SB 11 | Authorizes Civil Unions | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| Feb. 7, 2013 | MT | HB 239 | Requires Parental Consent for Sex Education | Bill Passed - House (56 - 41) |
| Feb. 7, 2013 | MT | HB 239 | Requires Parental Consent for Sex Education | Bill Passed - House (56 - 41) |
| Feb. 6, 2013 | SD | SB 107 | Limits Drivers With Restricted Permits To 1 Passenger | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| Feb. 6, 2013 | SD | SB 106 | Prohibits Minors from Using a Cell Phone While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
| Feb. 6, 2013 | SD | SB 107 | Limits Drivers With Restricted Permits To 1 Passenger | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| Jan. 31, 2013 | VA | SB 975 | Prohibits Smoking in a Vehicle with Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10) |
| Jan. 30, 2013 | WY | HB 168 | Authorizes Same-Sex Civil Unions | Bill Failed - House (25 - 34) |
| Jan. 24, 2013 | RI | H 5015 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - House (51 - 19) |
| Jan. 16, 2013 | WY | HB 23 | Requires Juvenile Offenders to Be Eligible for Parole While Serving a Life Sentence | Bill Passed - House (42 - 17) |
| Dec. 14, 2012 | MI | SB 756 | Prohibits Teens from Using Cell Phones While Driving | Bill Passed - House (74 - 33) |
| Oct. 18, 2012 | NJ | A 1711 | Increases Penalties for Failing to Secure a Child in a Car Seat | Bill Passed - House (63 - 16) |
| Oct. 17, 2012 | PA | SB 850 | Repeals Mandatory Life Sentences for Certain Juvenile Offenders | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 12) |
| Oct. 17, 2012 | PA | HB 815 | Reduces the Offense of "Sexting" for Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12) |
| Aug. 30, 2012 | CA | SB 1172 | Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 13) |
| 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. 28, 2012 | CA | SB 1172 | Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy | Bill Passed - House (52 - 22) |
| Aug. 27, 2012 | CA | AB 1640 | Expands Cash Assistance Programs for Pregnant Teenagers | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 26) |
| Aug. 27, 2012 | CA | AB 2109 | Requires Parents to Obtain a Waiver for Unvaccinated Children | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 29) |
| 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. 22, 2012 | CA | AB 1640 | Expands Cash Assistance Programs for Pregnant Teenagers | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
| Aug. 22, 2012 | CA | AB 2109 | Requires Parents to Obtain a Waiver for Unvaccinated Children | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14) |
| Aug. 20, 2012 | CA | SB 9 | Sentence Reconsideration for Juvenile Offenders | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
| Aug. 16, 2012 | CA | SB 9 | Sentence Reconsideration for Juvenile Offenders | Bill Passed - House (41 - 34) |
| July 19, 2012 | National | H Amdt 1416 | Prohibits Use of Funds in Contravention of the Defense of Marriage Act | Amendment Adopted - House (247 - 166) |
| June 21, 2012 | NJ | S 1599 | Amends Surrogacy Laws | Bill Passed - House (41 - 33) |
| June 21, 2012 | NJ | A 1571 | Increases Requirements for Learner's Permits | Bill Passed - House (50 - 27) |
| May 31, 2012 | NJ | S 1599 | Amends Surrogacy Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11) |
| May 31, 2012 | MI | HB 4513 | Increases Minimum Age for Beginning Kindergarten | Bill Passed - House (64 - 45) |
| May 31, 2012 | CA | SB 1140 | Exempts Religious Institutions from Performing Same-Sex Marriages | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
| May 30, 2012 | MA | H 3986 | Authorizes Child Care Workers to Form Labor Organizations | Bill Passed - House (117 - 32) |
| May 30, 2012 | MA | H 3986 | Authorizes Child Care Workers to Form Labor Organizations | Bill Passed - House (117 - 32) |
| May 30, 2012 | CA | SB 1172 | Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13) |
| May 30, 2012 | CA | SB 1476 | Authorizes Courts to Designate More than 2 Individuals as Parents of a Child | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13) |
| May 24, 2012 | IL | SB 2840 | Limits Medicaid Funding | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (44 - 13) |
| May 24, 2012 | IL | SB 2840 | Limits Medicaid Funding | Bill Passed - House (94 - 22) |
| May 16, 2012 | MD | SB 1302 | Increases Tax Rates for Certain Individuals | Bill Passed - House (77 - 60) |
| May 15, 2012 | LA | HB 380 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (65 - 26) |
| May 15, 2012 | MD | SB 1302 | Increases Tax Rates for Certain Individuals | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19) |
| May 9, 2012 | National | H Amdt 1096 | Prohibits Use of Funds in Contravention with the Defense of Marriage Act | Amendment Adopted - House (245 - 171) |
| May 3, 2012 | CT | HB 5312 | Authorizes Day Care and Personal Care Workers to Join Unions | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14) |
| April 27, 2012 | TN | SB 3310 | Requires Abstinence-Centered Sex Education in Schools | Bill Passed - House (68 - 23) |
| April 26, 2012 | TN | HB 2566 | Increases Kindergarten Age Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10) |
| April 26, 2012 | CO | SB 2 | Authorizes Civil Unions | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| April 25, 2012 | TN | HB 2566 | Increases Kindergarten Age Requirements | Bill Passed - House (68 - 30) |
| April 20, 2012 | CT | HB 5312 | Authorizes Day Care and Personal Care Workers to Join Unions | Bill Passed - House (84 - 57) |
| April 18, 2012 | AZ | HB 2154 | Requires Car Seats for Certain Children | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10) |
| April 11, 2012 | NE | LB 599 | Prenatal Care for Children of Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15) |
| April 11, 2012 | NE | LB 599 | Prenatal Care for Children of Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15) |
| April 10, 2012 | MS | SB 2771 | Expands Penalties for Child Homicide | Bill Passed - House (83 - 34) |
| April 5, 2012 | CO | HB 1271 | Repeals Direct Filing of Juveniles by Prosecutors | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13) |
| April 5, 2012 | MD | HB 373 | Raises the Dropout Age for Public School Students | Bill Passed - House (88 - 49) |
| April 3, 2012 | AZ | HB 2348 | Prohibits Cell Phone Use by Teens While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |