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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 27, 2013 | DE | HB 88 | Prohibits Certain Individuals with Mental Health Issues from Possessing Firearms | Bill Failed - Senate (6 - 13) |
| June 27, 2013 | OR | HB 3194 | Amends Sentencing Regulations in the Prison System | Bill Passed - House (40 - 18) |
| June 24, 2013 | NJ | S 2842 | Authorizes Medical Marijuana for Minors | Bill Passed - House (55 - 13) |
| June 20, 2013 | NJ | S 2842 | Authorizes Medical Marijuana for Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| June 20, 2013 | National | HR 1947 | Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 | Bill Failed - House (195 - 234) |
| June 13, 2013 | MI | HB 4714 | Expands Medicaid Eligibility | Bill Passed - House (76 - 31) |
| June 13, 2013 | MI | HB 4714 | Expands Medicaid Eligibility | Bill Passed - House (76 - 31) |
| June 13, 2013 | WI | AB 216 | Prohibits State Health Insurance Plan from Covering Abortions | Bill Passed - House (58 - 39) |
| June 13, 2013 | WI | AB 216 | Prohibits State Health Insurance Plan from Covering Abortions | Bill Passed - House (58 - 39) |
| June 12, 2013 | ME | LD 1066 | Expands Medicaid Coverage | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (97 - 51) |
| June 10, 2013 | National | S 954 | Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2013 | Bill Passed - Senate (66 - 27) |
| June 2, 2013 | LA | SB 162 | Authorizes Surrogacy Contracts | Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 12) |
| May 30, 2013 | KS | SB 84 | Reduces State Income Tax Rates | Conference Report Rejected - House (18 - 94) |
| May 30, 2013 | LA | SB 162 | Authorizes Surrogacy Contracts | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 3) |
| May 28, 2013 | ME | LD 468 | Prohibits Smoking on College Campuses | Veto Override Failed - House (85 - 54) |
| May 27, 2013 | IL | SB 26 | Expands Medicaid Eligibility | Bill Passed - House (63 - 55) |
| May 24, 2013 | CA | SB 648 | Prohibits the Use of Electronic Cigarettes in Certain Public Areas | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10) |
| May 23, 2013 | IA | SF 446 | 2013-2014 Health and Human Services Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 17) |
| May 23, 2013 | IL | HB 3227 | Amends State Health Benefits Exchange | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 19) |
| May 23, 2013 | ME | LD 1546 | Expands Medicaid and Authorizes Liquor Operation Bonds | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| May 23, 2013 | ME | LD 1546 | Expands Medicaid and Authorizes Liquor Operation Bonds | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| May 22, 2013 | IA | SF 446 | 2013-2014 Health and Human Services Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 24) |
| May 22, 2013 | TX | SB 21 | Requires Drug Testing for Unemployment Benefits | Bill Passed - House (104 - 42) |
| May 22, 2013 | IL | HB 2675 | Expands Sex Education Curriculum | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 21) |
| May 22, 2013 | ME | LD 1546 | Expands Medicaid and Authorizes Liquor Operation Bonds | Bill Passed - House (87 - 56) |
| May 22, 2013 | ME | LD 1546 | Expands Medicaid and Authorizes Liquor Operation Bonds | Bill Passed - House (87 - 56) |
| May 20, 2013 | MN | HF 677 | Amends State Taxes | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 30) |
| May 19, 2013 | MN | HF 677 | Amends State Taxes | Conference Report Adopted - House (69 - 65) |
| May 18, 2013 | MN | HF 1233 | 2013-2015 Biennium Health and Human Services Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 28) |
| May 17, 2013 | MN | HF 1233 | 2013-2015 Biennium Health and Human Services Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (73 - 61) |
| May 17, 2013 | IL | HB 1 | Authorizes the Use of Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 21) |
| May 16, 2013 | AZ | HB 2045 | Requires Hospitals to Release Procedure Pricing Information | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 5) |
| May 16, 2013 | NC | HB 730 | Amends Abortion Laws | Bill Passed - House (73 - 39) |
| May 16, 2013 | NC | HB 730 | Amends Abortion Laws | Bill Passed - House (73 - 39) |
| May 16, 2013 | AZ | SB 1492 | Expands Medicaid Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11) |
| May 16, 2013 | National | HR 45 | Repeals the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and Health Care-Related Provisions in the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 | Bill Passed - House (229 - 195) |
| May 16, 2013 | National | HR 45 | Repeals the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and Health Care-Related Provisions in the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 | Bill Passed - House (229 - 195) |
| May 15, 2013 | AZ | HB 2045 | Requires Hospitals to Release Procedure Pricing Information | Conference Report Adopted - House (31 - 25) |
| May 13, 2013 | VT | S 77 | Prohibits Liability for Self-Administered Lethal Dosages | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 65) |
| May 13, 2013 | OR | SB 602 | Prohibits Motorized Boats and Seaplanes on Waldo Lake | Bill Passed - House (37 - 20) |
| May 13, 2013 | NC | HB 628 | Requires Promotion of State Lumber in Building Projects | Bill Passed - House (70 - 43) |
| May 10, 2013 | TX | HB 1340 | Authorizes Certain Children to Consent to Immunizations | Bill Passed - House (71 - 61) |
| May 9, 2013 | OR | HB 2896 | Prohibits The Use Of Tanning Facilities By Minors | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 13) |
| May 9, 2013 | TX | SB 376 | Establishes a Free Breakfast Program for Students | Bill Passed - House (73 - 58) |
| May 8, 2013 | VT | S 77 | Prohibits Liability for Self-Administered Lethal Dosages | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 13) |
| May 8, 2013 | MO | SB 114 | Amends Homebrewed Beer and Liquor Distributor Regulations | Bill Passed - House (110 - 48) |
| May 8, 2013 | MO | SB 265 | Prohibits Compliance with United Nations Agenda 21 | Bill Passed - House (118 - 37) |
| May 7, 2013 | AL | HB 9 | Authorizes Home Brewing | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7) |
| May 7, 2013 | NC | HB 610 | Expands the Sale of Alcohol in Seating Areas of Certain Stadiums and Ballparks | Bill Passed - House (73 - 45) |
| May 3, 2013 | CO | HB 1154 | Establishes Penalties for Violent Offenses Against Pregnant Women | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| May 2, 2013 | NC | SB 612 | Amends Environmental Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11) |
| May 2, 2013 | CA | SB 649 | Classifies Certain Drug Infractions as Misdemeanors | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| May 2, 2013 | TX | HB 772 | Requires Individuals to Opt-Out of Immunization Registry | Bill Passed - House (99 - 47) |
| May 1, 2013 | IA | SF 446 | 2013-2014 Health and Human Services Budget | Bill Passed - House (52 - 46) |
| May 1, 2013 | VT | S 77 | Prohibits Liability for Self-Administered Lethal Dosages | Bill Passed - House (81 - 64) |
| May 1, 2013 | FL | SB 1792 | Amends Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Requirements | Bill Passed - House (77 - 38) |
| May 1, 2013 | TX | HB 489 | Expands Access to Service Dogs for Veterans with PTSD | Bill Passed - House (120 - 21) |
| May 1, 2013 | MI | HB 4118 | Requires Drug Testing For Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (77 - 33) |
| April 30, 2013 | MI | SB 197 | Requires the State Prison Food Service To Seek Competitive Bids From Private Entities | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
| April 25, 2013 | MN | HF 1233 | 2013-2015 Biennium Health and Human Services Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 28) |
| April 25, 2013 | IL | SB 2187 | Authorizes Psychologists to Prescribe Drugs | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 10) |
| April 25, 2013 | AL | SB 340 | Amends the Medicaid Program | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3) |
| April 24, 2013 | AL | SB 191 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10) |
| April 23, 2013 | PA | HB 818 | Prohibits Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance Exchanges | Bill Passed - House (144 - 53) |
| April 23, 2013 | NV | AB 230 | Amends State Sex Education Curriculum | Bill Passed - House (26 - 15) |
| April 22, 2013 | MN | HF 1233 | 2013-2015 Biennium Health and Human Services Budget | Bill Passed - House (70 - 64) |
| April 18, 2013 | AR | SB 1020 | Authorizes Private Purchase of Health Insurance with Federal Funds | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 5) |
| April 18, 2013 | MT | HB 623 | Expands Medicaid Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22) |
| April 18, 2013 | NV | AB 126 | Requires Restaurant Chains to Disclose Calorie Counts | Bill Passed - House (25 - 14) |
| April 18, 2013 | TX | SB 303 | Amends the End-of-Life Care Procedures | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6) |
| April 17, 2013 | AR | SB 1020 | Authorizes Private Purchase of Health Insurance with Federal Funds | Bill Passed - House (70 - 23) |
| April 17, 2013 | AR | HB 1219 | Appropriates Funds for Private Health Insurance Purchases | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7) |
| April 17, 2013 | IL | HB 1 | Authorizes the Use of Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (61 - 57) |
| April 17, 2013 | IL | HB 2675 | Expands Sex Education Curriculum | Bill Passed - House (66 - 52) |
| April 16, 2013 | OK | HB 2015 | Expands Information Collected from Abortion Patients | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 7) |
| April 16, 2013 | AR | HB 1219 | Appropriates Funds for Private Health Insurance Purchases | Bill Passed - House (77 - 23) |
| April 16, 2013 | IA | SF 440 | Appropriates Funds for Mental Health Services | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17) |
| April 16, 2013 | WI | AB 82 | Prohibits the Unauthorized Transfer of Food Stamps | Bill Passed - House (73 - 24) |
| April 12, 2013 | WA | HB 1001 | Establishes a Liquor License for Small Theaters | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21) |
| April 11, 2013 | IN | SB 371 | Requires an Ultrasound Prior to the Prescription of an Abortion-Inducing Drug | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 14) |
| April 11, 2013 | FL | SB 1792 | Amends Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12) |
| April 10, 2013 | IN | HB 1483 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 12) |
| April 10, 2013 | AR | HB 1536 | Authorizes Sale of Unpasteurized Whole Milk | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11) |
| April 9, 2013 | AK | SB 49 | Prohibits the Use of Medicaid Funds for Abortions | Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6) |
| April 8, 2013 | AR | SB 38 | Requires Drug Testing for Unemployment Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5) |
| April 6, 2013 | AR | HB 1536 | Authorizes Sale of Unpasteurized Whole Milk | Bill Passed - House (60 - 19) |
| April 5, 2013 | KS | SB 199 | Establishes the Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 8) |
| April 5, 2013 | KS | SB 199 | Establishes the Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center | Conference Report Adopted - House (90 - 30) |
| April 5, 2013 | KS | HB 2253 | Amends Abortion Clinic Tax Credits and Procedure Requirements | Conference Report Adopted - House (90 - 30) |
| April 5, 2013 | KS | HB 2253 | Amends Abortion Clinic Tax Credits and Procedure Requirements | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 10) |
| April 4, 2013 | OR | HB 2870 | Authorizes Counties to Tax Cigarette Sales | Bill Passed - House (31 - 29) |
| April 4, 2013 | MO | SB 265 | Prohibits Compliance with United Nations Agenda 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
| April 4, 2013 | MO | SB 126 | Prohibits Pharmacies from Being Required to Carry Specific Drugs | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
| April 4, 2013 | MO | SB 126 | Prohibits Pharmacies from Being Required to Carry Specific Drugs | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
| April 3, 2013 | CT | SB 1160 | Establishes Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement | Bill Passed - House (105 - 44) |
| April 3, 2013 | ME | LD 272 | Prohibits the Use of Tanning Facilities by Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| April 3, 2013 | CT | SB 1160 | Establishes Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10) |
| April 3, 2013 | NH | HB 2 | 2013-2015 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - House (193 - 166) |
| April 2, 2013 | AL | HB 57 | Establishes Requirements for Medical Care at Abortion Clinics | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 21) |
| April 2, 2013 | IN | SB 371 | Requires an Ultrasound Prior to the Prescription of an Abortion-Inducing Drug | Bill Passed - House (70 - 26) |