Key Votes

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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:

  1. The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member stands on a particular issue
  2. The vote should be clear for any person to understand
  3. The vote has received media attention
  4. The vote was passed or defeated by a very close margin
  5. Occasionally, if a specific bill is consistently inquired about on the Voter's Research Hotline, the vote will be added

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.


results per page:
Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
May 1, 2013 MN SF 723 Authorizes In-State Tuition and Financial Aid for Undocumented College Students Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 23)
May 1, 2013 MI HB 4118 Requires Drug Testing For Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (77 - 33)
May 1, 2013 TX HB 489 Expands Access to Service Dogs for Veterans with PTSD Bill Passed - House (120 - 21)
May 1, 2013 TX HB 489 Expands Access to Service Dogs for Veterans with PTSD Bill Passed - House (120 - 21)
May 1, 2013 IL SB 1739 Expands State Casino Development Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 20)
May 1, 2013 IL SB 1639 Requires Reimbursement for the Sale of Unhealthy Pets Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
May 1, 2013 MI HB 4118 Requires Drug Testing For Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (77 - 33)
April 30, 2013 IA HF 638 Appropriates Funds for Infrastructure Projects Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
April 30, 2013 ME SP 550 Alleges Support For Comprehensive Immigration Reform Joint Resolution Passed - House (88 - 55)
April 30, 2013 FL HB 867 Authorizes Parent Involvement in School Turnaround Decisions Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 20)
April 30, 2013 OR SB 833 Authorizes Drivers Licenses for Individuals Without Legal Proof of US Residence Bill Passed - House (38 - 20)
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 30, 2013 AL SB 93 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
April 30, 2013 AL SB 93 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
April 30, 2013 TX SB 1907 Authorizes Firearms in Vehicles on College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
April 30, 2013 ME SP 550 Alleges Support For Comprehensive Immigration Reform Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
April 30, 2013 AL HB 8 Requires Courts to Apply "Strict Scrutiny" to Certain Firearm Regulation Laws Bill Passed - House (76 - 22)
April 29, 2013 OR HB 2613 Authorizes Electronic Gambling Machines for Horse Races Bill Passed - House (39 - 16)
April 29, 2013 FL SB 306 Authorizes Professional Sports Teams to Bid for State Funds Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 4)
April 26, 2013 IN SB 373 Prohibits Unauthorized Entry on Industrial or Agricultural Property Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 21)
April 26, 2013 IN HB 1006 Amends the Criminal Code Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 15)
April 26, 2013 TX HB 148 Prohibits Multiple Ballots from Being Turned in by 1 Individual Bill Passed - House (93 - 48)
April 25, 2013 NC SB 201 Authorizes the Use of Silencers While Hunting Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 16)
April 25, 2013 MI SJR S Establishes a Constitutional Authorization for Individuals to Hunt and Fish Amendment Adopted - Senate (25 - 11)
April 25, 2013 MI SJR S Establishes a Constitutional Authorization for Individuals to Hunt and Fish Amendment Adopted - Senate (25 - 11)
April 25, 2013 MI SJR S Establishes a Constitutional Authorization for Individuals to Hunt and Fish Amendment Adopted - Senate (25 - 11)
April 25, 2013 NC SB 201 Authorizes the Use of Silencers While Hunting Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 16)
April 25, 2013 NC SB 201 Authorizes the Use of Silencers While Hunting Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 16)
April 25, 2013 MI SB 288 Authorizes the Natural Resources Commission to Designate Huntable Game Species Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
April 25, 2013 CA AB 1401 Authorizes Non-United States Citizens to Serve on Juries Bill Passed - House (45 - 26)
April 24, 2013 RI H 5015 Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
April 24, 2013 LA HB 265 Establishes Lifetime Concealed Handgun Permits Bill Passed - House (65 - 19)
April 24, 2013 IL SB 923 Authorizes the Use of Traffic Cameras on School Buses Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 12)
April 24, 2013 AL SB 191 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
April 23, 2013 MT SB 256 Requires the Fish, Wildlife and Parks Organization to be Liable for Damage Caused by Wild Buffalo Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 20)
April 23, 2013 MT HB 297 Prohibits the Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 21)
April 23, 2013 MT HB 297 Prohibits the Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 21)
April 23, 2013 OR HB 2624 Exempts Counties from Hunting Dog Prohibitions if Approved by County Voters Bill Passed - House (40 - 19)
April 23, 2013 LA HB 5 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Bill Passed - House (67 - 25)
April 23, 2013 LA HB 5 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Bill Passed - House (67 - 25)
April 23, 2013 OR SB 833 Authorizes Drivers Licenses for Individuals Without Legal Proof of US Residence Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
April 23, 2013 OR HB 2624 Exempts Counties from Hunting Dog Prohibitions if Approved by County Voters Bill Passed - House (40 - 19)
April 23, 2013 OR HB 2624 Exempts Counties from Hunting Dog Prohibitions if Approved by County Voters Bill Passed - House (40 - 19)
April 23, 2013 DE HB 75 Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (23 - 18)
April 23, 2013 NV AB 230 Amends State Sex Education Curriculum Bill Passed - House (26 - 15)
April 23, 2013 CO HB 1251 Requires DNA Samples for Misdemeanors Bill Passed - House (43 - 21)
April 23, 2013 CO HB 1251 Requires DNA Samples for Misdemeanors Bill Passed - House (43 - 21)
April 23, 2013 LA HB 8 Prohibits Disclosure of Concealed Firearm Permit Information Bill Passed - House (76 - 18)
April 22, 2013 MT SB 256 Requires the Fish, Wildlife and Parks Organization to be Liable for Damage Caused by Wild Buffalo Conference Report Adopted - House (61 - 39)
April 22, 2013 IN SB 207 Authorizes Certain Undocumented Students to Receive In-State Tuition Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/01 SF 723 Authorizes In-State Tuition and Financial Aid for Undocumented College Students Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 23)
5/01 HB 4118 Requires Drug Testing For Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (77 - 33)
5/01 HB 489 Expands Access to Service Dogs for Veterans with PTSD Bill Passed - House (120 - 21)
5/01 HB 489 Expands Access to Service Dogs for Veterans with PTSD Bill Passed - House (120 - 21)
5/01 SB 1739 Expands State Casino Development Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 20)
5/01 SB 1639 Requires Reimbursement for the Sale of Unhealthy Pets Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
5/01 HB 4118 Requires Drug Testing For Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (77 - 33)
4/30 HF 638 Appropriates Funds for Infrastructure Projects Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
4/30 SP 550 Alleges Support For Comprehensive Immigration Reform Joint Resolution Passed - House (88 - 55)
4/30 HB 867 Authorizes Parent Involvement in School Turnaround Decisions Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 20)
4/30 SB 833 Authorizes Drivers Licenses for Individuals Without Legal Proof of US Residence Bill Passed - House (38 - 20)
4/30 SB 197 Requires the State Prison Food Service To Seek Competitive Bids From Private Entities Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
4/30 SB 93 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
4/30 SB 93 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
4/30 SB 1907 Authorizes Firearms in Vehicles on College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
4/30 SP 550 Alleges Support For Comprehensive Immigration Reform Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
4/30 HB 8 Requires Courts to Apply "Strict Scrutiny" to Certain Firearm Regulation Laws Bill Passed - House (76 - 22)
4/29 HB 2613 Authorizes Electronic Gambling Machines for Horse Races Bill Passed - House (39 - 16)
4/29 SB 306 Authorizes Professional Sports Teams to Bid for State Funds Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 4)
4/26 SB 373 Prohibits Unauthorized Entry on Industrial or Agricultural Property Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 21)
4/26 HB 1006 Amends the Criminal Code Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 15)
4/26 HB 148 Prohibits Multiple Ballots from Being Turned in by 1 Individual Bill Passed - House (93 - 48)
4/25 SB 201 Authorizes the Use of Silencers While Hunting Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 16)
4/25 SJR S Establishes a Constitutional Authorization for Individuals to Hunt and Fish Amendment Adopted - Senate (25 - 11)
4/25 SJR S Establishes a Constitutional Authorization for Individuals to Hunt and Fish Amendment Adopted - Senate (25 - 11)
4/25 SJR S Establishes a Constitutional Authorization for Individuals to Hunt and Fish Amendment Adopted - Senate (25 - 11)
4/25 SB 201 Authorizes the Use of Silencers While Hunting Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 16)
4/25 SB 201 Authorizes the Use of Silencers While Hunting Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 16)
4/25 SB 288 Authorizes the Natural Resources Commission to Designate Huntable Game Species Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
4/25 AB 1401 Authorizes Non-United States Citizens to Serve on Juries Bill Passed - House (45 - 26)
4/24 H 5015 Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
4/24 HB 265 Establishes Lifetime Concealed Handgun Permits Bill Passed - House (65 - 19)
4/24 SB 923 Authorizes the Use of Traffic Cameras on School Buses Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 12)
4/24 SB 191 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
4/23 SB 256 Requires the Fish, Wildlife and Parks Organization to be Liable for Damage Caused by Wild Buffalo Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 20)
4/23 HB 297 Prohibits the Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 21)
4/23 HB 297 Prohibits the Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 21)
4/23 HB 2624 Exempts Counties from Hunting Dog Prohibitions if Approved by County Voters Bill Passed - House (40 - 19)
4/23 HB 5 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Bill Passed - House (67 - 25)
4/23 HB 5 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Bill Passed - House (67 - 25)
4/23 SB 833 Authorizes Drivers Licenses for Individuals Without Legal Proof of US Residence Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
4/23 HB 2624 Exempts Counties from Hunting Dog Prohibitions if Approved by County Voters Bill Passed - House (40 - 19)
4/23 HB 2624 Exempts Counties from Hunting Dog Prohibitions if Approved by County Voters Bill Passed - House (40 - 19)
4/23 HB 75 Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (23 - 18)
4/23 AB 230 Amends State Sex Education Curriculum Bill Passed - House (26 - 15)
4/23 HB 1251 Requires DNA Samples for Misdemeanors Bill Passed - House (43 - 21)
4/23 HB 1251 Requires DNA Samples for Misdemeanors Bill Passed - House (43 - 21)
4/23 HB 8 Prohibits Disclosure of Concealed Firearm Permit Information Bill Passed - House (76 - 18)
4/22 SB 256 Requires the Fish, Wildlife and Parks Organization to be Liable for Damage Caused by Wild Buffalo Conference Report Adopted - House (61 - 39)
4/22 SB 207 Authorizes Certain Undocumented Students to Receive In-State Tuition Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 15)

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