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. 21, 2013 | KY | HB 89 | Requires Police to Collect DNA From Individuals Arrested on Felony Charges | Bill Passed - House (68 - 27) |
| Feb. 21, 2013 | KY | HB 89 | Requires Police to Collect DNA From Individuals Arrested on Felony Charges | Bill Passed - House (68 - 27) |
| Feb. 21, 2013 | NJ | A 1329 | Reduces Firearm Magazine Capacity | Bill Passed - House (45 - 30) |
| Feb. 21, 2013 | NJ | A 3748 | Requires Background Checks Prior to the Purchase of Firearms | Bill Passed - House (45 - 29) |
| Feb. 21, 2013 | NJ | A 3796 | Requires an Individual to Dispose of Unauthorized Firearms Within a Certain Time Period | Bill Passed - House (50 - 22) |
| Feb. 21, 2013 | CO | HB 1081 | Expands Sexual Education Curriculum | Bill Passed - House (37 - 28) |
| Feb. 21, 2013 | CO | HB 1081 | Expands Sexual Education Curriculum | Bill Passed - House (37 - 28) |
| Feb. 21, 2013 | NJ | A 3659 | Amends the Definition of Destructive Devices | Bill Passed - House (46 - 29) |
| Feb. 20, 2013 | VA | SB 1256 | Requires Photo Identification for Voting | Bill Passed - House (65 - 34) |
| Feb. 20, 2013 | MT | SB 107 | Amends Sexual Conduct Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11) |
| Feb. 20, 2013 | MT | SB 107 | Amends Sexual Conduct Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11) |
| Feb. 20, 2013 | AR | SB 2 | Requires Photo Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| Feb. 20, 2013 | OK | HB 1999 | Authorizes the Slaughter of Horses | Bill Passed - House (82 - 14) |
| Feb. 20, 2013 | GA | HB 178 | Requires Pain Management Clinics to be Licensed | Bill Passed - House (150 - 15) |
| Feb. 19, 2013 | IN | SB 91 | Establishes Motorsports Investment District | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12) |
| Feb. 19, 2013 | ME | LD 576 | Prohibits the Public Access of Concealed Handgun Permit Information | Bill Passed - House (129 - 11) |
| Feb. 18, 2013 | AR | HB 1037 | Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7) |
| Feb. 18, 2013 | CO | HB 1228 | Establishes a Background Check Fee | Bill Passed - House (33 - 32) |
| 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. 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 | NM | SB 73 | Amends Game and Fish License Suspension Periods | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
| Feb. 18, 2013 | NM | HB 63 | Prohibits Breed-Specific Dog Regulations | Bill Passed - House (48 - 14) |
| Feb. 18, 2013 | AR | HB 1295 | Establishes Tiered System for Lottery Scholarships | Bill Passed - House (69 - 21) |
| Feb. 18, 2013 | CO | HB 1224 | Limits Firearm Magazine Capacity | Bill Passed - House (34 - 31) |
| 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. 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 | MI | SB 48 | Authorizes Businesses to Allow Contact Between Customers and Small Bears | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
| Feb. 14, 2013 | IL | SB 10 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 21) |
| Feb. 14, 2013 | MO | HB 48 | Requires Photo Identification for Voting | Bill Passed - House (105 - 48) |
| Feb. 14, 2013 | VT | S 77 | Prohibits Liability for Self-Administered Lethal Dosages | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8) |
| Feb. 14, 2013 | KY | SB 50 | Authorizes Industrial Hemp Farming | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6) |
| Feb. 14, 2013 | ND | SB 2252 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation | Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 26) |
| Feb. 14, 2013 | KY | HB 131 | Authorizes Immigrants to Remain Enrolled in High School up to Age 23 | Bill Passed - House (71 - 26) |
| Feb. 13, 2013 | WY | SF 132 | Authorizes the Use of Silencers While Hunting | Bill Passed - House (44 - 14) |
| 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. 13, 2013 | NC | HB 66 | Authorizes the Use and Display of Wild Animals in Cultural Activities | Bill Passed - House (98 - 20) |
| Feb. 13, 2013 | NC | HB 66 | Authorizes the Use and Display of Wild Animals in Cultural Activities | Bill Passed - House (98 - 20) |
| 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. 12, 2013 | National | S 47 | Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 | Bill Passed - Senate (78 - 22) |
| Feb. 12, 2013 | ID | H 62 | Expands Sales Tax Exemptions For Health-Related Entities | Bill Passed - House (58 - 12) |
| Feb. 11, 2013 | VA | HB 1617 | Authorizes Student Organizations to Limit Membership | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18) |
| Feb. 11, 2013 | IN | SJR 7 | Guarantees Right to Hunt and Fish | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (38 - 10) |
| Feb. 11, 2013 | TN | SB 142 | Authorizes Handguns in Parking Areas | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5) |
| Feb. 11, 2013 | CO | SB 11 | Authorizes Civil Unions | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| 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 | MT | HB 239 | Requires Parental Consent for Sex Education | Bill Passed - House (56 - 41) |
| 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. 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 | MT | HB 27 | Authorizes the Use of Silencers While Hunting | Bill Passed - House (63 - 33) |
| 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. 4, 2013 | WY | HB 77 | Establishes Wyoming Lottery Corporation | Bill Passed - House (31 - 28) |
| 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 | WY | HB 130 | Authorizes Public Schools to Offer Elective Bible Study Classes | Bill Passed - House (44 - 15) |
| Jan. 31, 2013 | AR | SB 134 | Prohibits an Abortion if a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
| Jan. 31, 2013 | VA | HB 1442 | Authorizes Home-Schooled Students To Participate In Interscholastic Programs | Bill Passed - House (56 - 43) |
| Jan. 31, 2013 | WY | SF 131 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity | Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 17) |
| Jan. 31, 2013 | VA | HB 1617 | Authorizes Student Organizations to Limit Membership | Bill Passed - House (80 - 19) |
| Jan. 30, 2013 | WY | HB 168 | Authorizes Same-Sex Civil Unions | Bill Failed - House (25 - 34) |
| Jan. 29, 2013 | SD | HB 1087 | Authorizes School Sentinel Programs | Bill Passed - House (42 - 27) |
| Jan. 28, 2013 | WY | SF 132 | Authorizes the Use of Silencers While Hunting | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7) |
| Jan. 28, 2013 | NJ | A 3614 | Requires Legislative Approval for State Lottery Changes | Bill Passed - House (45 - 29) |
| Jan. 28, 2013 | AR | SB 71 | Authorizes Handguns on Religious Institutions' Properties | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 4) |
| 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. 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) |
| 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) |
| Jan. 8, 2013 | IL | SB 957 | Authorizes Temporary Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (65 - 46) |
| Dec. 28, 2012 | National | HR 5949 | FISA Amendments Act Reauthorization Act of 2012 | Bill Passed - Senate (73 - 23) |
| Dec. 17, 2012 | NJ | A 2578 | Authorizes Internet Gaming at Atlantic City Casinos | Bill Passed - House (48 - 25) |
| Dec. 13, 2012 | MI | SB 59 | Expands Areas Where Concealed Weapons are Authorized | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
| Dec. 13, 2012 | OH | HB 495 | Amends Definition of Loaded Gun | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 23) |
| Dec. 13, 2012 | OH | HB 495 | Amends Definition of Loaded Gun | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
| Dec. 13, 2012 | MI | SB 59 | Expands Areas Where Concealed Weapons are Authorized | Bill Passed - House (68 - 41) |
| Dec. 5, 2012 | OH | HB 605 | Prohibits Gambling In Internet Cafes | Bill Passed - House (63 - 30) |
| 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 | IL | SB 957 | Authorizes Temporary Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 14) |
| Dec. 4, 2012 | National | Treaty Doc. 112-7 | The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities | Treaty Ratification Failed - Senate (61 - 38) |
| Nov. 30, 2012 | National | HR 6429 | STEM Jobs Act of 2012 | Bill Passed - House (245 - 139) |
| 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) |