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. 5, 2018 | VA | SB 168 | Reduces Penalties for Minors Charged with Sexting Offenses | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 5) |
| Feb. 1, 2018 | MD | SB 120 | Authorizes Mutual-Consent Divorce for Parents without Year Separation | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
| Jan. 26, 2018 | UT | SB 65 | Amends Definition of Child Neglect | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 0) |
| Nov. 7, 2017 | WI | AB 455 | Authorizes Children of Any Age to Hunt with Adult Supervision | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
| Sept. 5, 2017 | CA | AB 841 | Restricts Marketing of Unhealthy Foods in Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13) |
| July 3, 2017 | OR | SB 558 | Expands Health Care Coverage for Children | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
| May 30, 2017 | CA | SB 328 | Amends School Start Time | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
| April 26, 2017 | LA | SB 16 | Provides Parole Eligibility to Juveniles Sentenced to Life in Prison | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13) |
| April 11, 2017 | TX | SB 75 | Requires Parental Consent for Minors to Join Labor Unions | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11) |
| April 8, 2017 | WV | HB 2002 | Amends Notification Requirements for Abortions Performed on Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6) |
| March 13, 2017 | NJ | A 3091 | Prohibits Marriage for Individuals Under 18 | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5) |
| March 9, 2017 | NM | SB 374 | Prohibits Public Shaming of Students Who Can't Pay for Lunch | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7) |
| Feb. 22, 2017 | SD | SB 149 | Authorizes Child-Placement Agencies to Deny Services Based on Religion | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12) |
| Jan. 19, 2017 | MT | SB 26 | Reduces Penalty for Non-Violent Sexual Assault | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 12) |
| Jan. 19, 2017 | MT | SB 22 | Authorizes Termination of Parental Rights in Cases of Sexual Assault | Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0) |
| May 4, 2016 | LA | SB 127 | Authorizes Parole Hearings for Juveniles Serving Life Terms | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8) |
| March 14, 2016 | GA | HB 555 | Establishes Regulations Regarding Records of Juvenile Petitions for Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17) |
| March 8, 2016 | HI | SB 2615 | Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 2) |
| Feb. 17, 2016 | NM | HB 138 | Authorizes Certain Minors to Vote | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
| July 1, 2015 | OR | SB 478 | Requires Manufacturers to Disclose Certain Chemicals Used in Children's Products | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
| June 29, 2015 | CA | SB 277 | Amends School Immunization Requirements | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| June 10, 2015 | MI | HB 4188 | Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Deny Services for Religious Reasons | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
| June 2, 2015 | CT | HB 6949 | Expands Requirements for Vaccine Exemptions | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15) |
| June 2, 2015 | CA | SB 124 | Limits the Use of Solitary Confinement for Juveniles | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
| May 29, 2015 | IL | HB 217 | Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 19) |
| May 26, 2015 | TX | HB 3994 | Amends Requirements for Minors Seeking Abortions | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10) |
| May 14, 2015 | CA | SB 277 | Amends School Immunization Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| May 7, 2015 | OR | HB 2307 | Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
| April 16, 2015 | ND | SB 2151 | Appropriates Funds for Early Childhood Education Grants | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 14) |
| April 7, 2015 | IN | HB 1432 | Establishes E-Liquid Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 15) |
| March 24, 2015 | IA | SF 232 | Prohibits Minors from Using Tanning Beds | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23) |
| March 17, 2015 | IA | SF 334 | Prohibits Sexual-Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24) |
| Feb. 25, 2015 | ND | SB 2254 | Amends School District Funding Calculations to Include Early Childhood Education Programs | Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 31) |
| Feb. 25, 2015 | ND | SB 2151 | Appropriates Funds for Early Childhood Education Grants | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
| Feb. 12, 2015 | CO | SB 77 | Extends Parental Rights in Education and Health Care | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16) |
| Sept. 15, 2014 | NH | SB 391 | Increases Oversight of Juvenile Justice Programs | Veto Override Failed - Senate (12 - 9) |
| Sept. 10, 2014 | MO | SB 841 | Establishes Regulations for Alternative Nicotine and Vapor Products | Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 6) |
| Aug. 26, 2014 | CA | SB 1174 | Repeals Prohibition on Bilingual Education | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
| Aug. 19, 2014 | CA | AB 420 | Prohibits Student Suspensions for Certain Actions and Misconduct | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8) |
| July 16, 2014 | MA | H 4184 | Requires Parole Eligibility for Certain Juveniles Sentenced to Life Imprisonment | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 4) |
| May 29, 2014 | CA | SB 837 | Establishes the California Prekindergarten Program | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10) |
| May 27, 2014 | CA | SB 1174 | Repeals Prohibition on Bilingual Education | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
| May 5, 2014 | CA | SB 1038 | Amends Juvenile Court Records Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13) |
| May 2, 2014 | MN | SF 2047 | Authorizes State to Store Infant Blood Samples | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 20) |
| April 23, 2014 | MN | SF 2047 | Authorizes State to Store Infant Blood Samples | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 22) |
| April 17, 2014 | MO | SB 841 | Establishes Regulations for Alternative Nicotine and Vapor Products | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4) |
| March 24, 2014 | CO | SB 18 | Expands List of Tobacco Products Prohibited to Minors | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| March 13, 2014 | IN | HB 1036 | Expands Voucher Eligibility Requirements for Child Care Providers | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 6) |
| March 12, 2014 | UT | HB 96 | Establishes a School Readiness Board | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 10) |
| March 5, 2014 | OK | SB 1219 | Prohibits Minors from Purchasing Certain Emergency Contraceptives | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11) |
| March 4, 2014 | IN | HB 1036 | Expands Voucher Eligibility Requirements for Child Care Providers | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 12) |
| Feb. 12, 2014 | MI | SB 319 | Amends the Sentencing Procedure for Certain Juvenile Offenders | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
| Jan. 31, 2014 | WA | SB 6523 | Authorizes In-State Tuition for Non-Citizen Individuals | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 10) |
| July 25, 2013 | NC | HB 589 | Amends Voter Registration Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
| July 3, 2013 | PA | HB 1075 | Amends Public Welfare Code | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 22) |
| June 27, 2013 | NJ | A 3371 | Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9) |
| June 20, 2013 | NJ | S 2842 | Authorizes Medical Marijuana for Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| May 15, 2013 | IL | HB 226 | Authorizes 17 Year Olds to Vote in Primary Elections | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 9) |
| May 9, 2013 | OR | HB 2896 | Prohibits The Use Of Tanning Facilities By Minors | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 13) |
| April 24, 2013 | IL | SB 923 | Authorizes the Use of Traffic Cameras on School Buses | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 12) |
| 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) |
| 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 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 1, 2013 | UT | HB 13 | Prohibits Smoking in a Vehicle with Minors Present | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13) |
| 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) |
| 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. 22, 2012 | CA | AB 1640 | Expands Cash Assistance Programs for Pregnant Teenagers | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
| Aug. 20, 2012 | CA | SB 9 | Sentence Reconsideration for Juvenile Offenders | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
| May 30, 2012 | CA | SB 1172 | Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13) |
| April 26, 2012 | TN | HB 2566 | Increases Kindergarten Age Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10) |
| 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 5, 2012 | CO | HB 1271 | Repeals Direct Filing of Juveniles by Prosecutors | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13) |
| April 3, 2012 | AZ | HB 2348 | Prohibits Cell Phone Use by Teens While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
| March 15, 2012 | MI | SB 756 | Prohibits Teens from Using Cell Phones While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
| March 14, 2012 | MD | SB 559 | Prohibits Smoking in a Vehicle with Children | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19) |
| March 13, 2012 | RI | S 2322 | Prohibits The Use Of Tanning Facilities By Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
| Feb. 22, 2012 | UT | SB 41 | Authorizes Regulations of Tanning Facilities | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 9) |
| Sept. 2, 2011 | CA | SB 746 | Prohibits the Use of Tanning Beds by Minors | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 12) |
| Aug. 31, 2011 | CA | AB 499 | Authorizes Minors to Seek Medical Care for STDs | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17) |
| Aug. 30, 2011 | CA | AB 1319 | Prohibiting the Use of BPA in Baby Products | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
| April 26, 2011 | MT | HB 627 | Requiring Parental Notification for Abortions | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22) |
| April 7, 2011 | OR | SB 695 | Standards for Infant Formula Containers | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9) |
| March 23, 2011 | KS | HB 2035 | Amending Statutes Regulating Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15) |
| Feb. 10, 2011 | UT | SB 124 | Leaving a Child Unattended in a Motor Vehicle | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10) |
| Aug. 31, 2010 | CA | SB 1317 | Parental Crime for Chronic Truancy | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 13) |
| June 2, 2010 | CA | SB 1088 | Young Adults Health insurance Coverage | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| June 1, 2010 | CA | SB 880 | Requiring Snow Sport Helmets for Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| March 22, 2010 | AZ | SB 1309 | Expanding Parental Consent Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13) |
| March 22, 2010 | NJ | S 799 | Adopted Individuals' Access to Birth Certificates | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10) |
| Jan. 12, 2010 | CA | SB 880 | Requiring Snow Sport Helmets for Minors | |
| March 26, 2009 | National | HR 1388 | National Volunteer Program Expansion | Bill Passed - Senate (79 - 19) |