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.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
April 23, 2013 MT HB 297 Prohibits the Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 21)
April 23, 2013 OR SB 833 Authorizes Drivers Licenses for Individuals Without Legal Proof of US Residence Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
April 22, 2013 IN SB 207 Authorizes Certain Undocumented Students to Receive In-State Tuition Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
April 22, 2013 IN SB 207 Authorizes Certain Undocumented Students to Receive In-State Tuition Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
April 18, 2013 TX SB 303 Amends the End-of-Life Care Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
April 17, 2013 LA SB 147 Prohibits the Use of Social Media While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
April 16, 2013 OK HB 2015 Expands Information Collected from Abortion Patients Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 7)
April 16, 2013 TN SB 1248 Requires Disclosure of Photographic Evidence of Animal Abuse Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
April 16, 2013 IA SF 440 Appropriates Funds for Mental Health Services Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
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 9, 2013 IN HB 1001 2013-2015 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 12)
April 9, 2013 AK SB 49 Prohibits the Use of Medicaid Funds for Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
April 5, 2013 KS HB 2253 Amends Abortion Clinic Tax Credits and Procedure Requirements Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 10)
April 5, 2013 AR SB 1093 Requires Racial Impact Statement For Crime Bills Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 10)
April 4, 2013 MD SB 281 Amends Firearms Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 19)
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 MD SB 422 Requires Public School Teachers to Pay Labor Union Fees Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
April 3, 2013 ME LD 272 Prohibits the Use of Tanning Facilities by Minors Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
April 3, 2013 KS SB 181 Reduces Property Taxes for Motor Vehicles Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
April 3, 2013 CT SB 1160 Establishes Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
April 3, 2013 CT SB 1160 Establishes Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
April 3, 2013 CT SB 1160 Establishes Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
April 3, 2013 NC SB 306 Repeals the Racial Justice Act Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
April 2, 2013 AL HB 57 Establishes Requirements for Medical Care at Abortion Clinics Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
April 2, 2013 KS HB 2055 Reduces Casino Building Fee Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 24)
April 1, 2013 NV SJR 15 Removes the Separate Tax Rate on Mining Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 4)
March 26, 2013 KS SB 72 Exempts Health Clubs From Property Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
March 25, 2013 MD SB 339 Classifies Using a Cell Phone While Driving As a Primary Offense Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
March 25, 2013 MD SB 715 Amends Driver's License Requirements for Undocumented Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
March 23, 2013 National S Amdt 139 Prohibits the United States From Entering into the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty Amendment Adopted - Senate (53 - 46)
March 21, 2013 OR HB 2787 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
March 20, 2013 OH SB 47 Prohibits Collection of Petition Signatures after Filing Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
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 14, 2013 National S Amdt 66 Temporarily Prohibits the Hiring of Nonessential Federal Employees Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 54)
March 14, 2013 National S Amdt 66 Temporarily Prohibits the Hiring of Nonessential Federal Employees Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 54)
March 14, 2013 IL SB 9 Increases Utility Rates Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 9)
March 13, 2013 OH HB 51 Establishes Transportation Appropriations and Highway Speed Limit Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
March 13, 2013 OR SB 444 Prohibits Smoking in a Car with Minors Present Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
March 8, 2013 WA SB 5187 Authorizes Livestock Owners to Dispatch Gray Wolves Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 23)
March 7, 2013 CA SB 1-1 Expands Eligibility for Medi-Cal Program Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
March 6, 2013 MD SB 276 Repeals the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
March 6, 2013 OK SB 802 Prohibits the Sale of Electric Cigarettes to Minors Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 15)
March 5, 2013 AR SB 134 Prohibits Abortion if Fetal Heartbeat Detected Veto Override Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
March 1, 2013 UT HB 13 Prohibits Smoking in a Vehicle with Minors Present Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
Feb. 28, 2013 AR HB 1037 Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks Veto Override Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
Feb. 28, 2013 AR SB 134 Prohibits an Abortion if a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
Feb. 28, 2013 MD SB 281 Amends Firearms Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19)
Feb. 27, 2013 OK SB 1062 Amends State Worker's Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 12)
Feb. 27, 2013 WI SB 1 Amends Wisconsin's Iron-Ore Mining Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
Feb. 26, 2013 NC SB 4 Prohibits Medicaid Expansion Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 16)
Feb. 26, 2013 IN SB 207 Authorizes Certain Undocumented Students to Receive In-State Tuition Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
Feb. 26, 2013 UT SB 109 Authorizes the State Engineer to Manage Water Usage Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
Feb. 26, 2013 IN SB 213 Prohibits Localities From Requiring Certain Employment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 12)
Feb. 26, 2013 IN SB 371 Requires an Ultrasound Prior to the Prescription of an Abortion-Inducing Drug Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
Feb. 26, 2013 IN SB 207 Authorizes Certain Undocumented Students to Receive In-State Tuition Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
Feb. 25, 2013 CO SB 33 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Feb. 23, 2013 MT SB 175 Increases Public Education Funding Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
Feb. 22, 2013 KY SB 40 Requires Health Care Exchanges to Be Approved by The Legislature Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
Feb. 22, 2013 KY SB 39 Requires Medicaid Expansion to be Approved by the Legislature Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
Feb. 20, 2013 KS SCR 1608 Authorizes the Legislature To Have Sole Authority on School Funding Amendment Adopted - Senate (27 - 13)
Feb. 20, 2013 UT SB 60 Requires the State Department of Health to Prepare Annual Report on Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
Feb. 20, 2013 MT SB 107 Amends Sexual Conduct Laws Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
Feb. 18, 2013 AR HB 1037 Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
Feb. 18, 2013 ND SB 2303 Defines a "Human Being" Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 23)
Feb. 14, 2013 MN HF 9 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 22)
Feb. 14, 2013 VT S 77 Prohibits Liability for Self-Administered Lethal Dosages Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
Feb. 14, 2013 IA SF 162 Establishes the School Budget Growth for Fiscal Year 2014-2015 Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
Feb. 14, 2013 IL SB 622 Increases Physician License Fees Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 19)
Feb. 14, 2013 VT S 77 Prohibits Liability for Self-Administered Lethal Dosages Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
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 VT Galbraith and Hartwell Amdt Establishes Immunity for Doctors Prescribing or People Present to Lethal Dosage Amendment Adopted - Senate (16 - 15)
Feb. 13, 2013 KY SB 9 Establishes Review Panels to Assess Nursing Home Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Feb. 12, 2013 National S 47 Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 Bill Passed - Senate (78 - 22)
Feb. 8, 2013 KY SB 5 Requires an Ultrasound Prior to an Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
Jan. 31, 2013 VA SB 975 Prohibits Smoking in a Vehicle with Minors Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
Jan. 31, 2013 AR SB 134 Prohibits an Abortion if a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
Jan. 30, 2013 IA SF 52 Establishes the School Budget Growth for Fiscal Year 2013-2014 Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
Jan. 28, 2013 National HR 152 Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2013 Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 36)
Jan. 25, 2013 WY SF 104 Establishes the Director Position in the Department of Education Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/23 HB 297 Prohibits the Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 21)
4/23 SB 833 Authorizes Drivers Licenses for Individuals Without Legal Proof of US Residence Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
4/22 SB 207 Authorizes Certain Undocumented Students to Receive In-State Tuition Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
4/22 SB 207 Authorizes Certain Undocumented Students to Receive In-State Tuition Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
4/18 SB 303 Amends the End-of-Life Care Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
4/17 SB 147 Prohibits the Use of Social Media While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
4/16 HB 2015 Expands Information Collected from Abortion Patients Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 7)
4/16 SB 1248 Requires Disclosure of Photographic Evidence of Animal Abuse Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
4/16 SF 440 Appropriates Funds for Mental Health Services Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
4/11 SB 371 Requires an Ultrasound Prior to the Prescription of an Abortion-Inducing Drug Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
4/11 SB 1792 Amends Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
4/09 HB 1001 2013-2015 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 12)
4/09 SB 49 Prohibits the Use of Medicaid Funds for Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
4/05 HB 2253 Amends Abortion Clinic Tax Credits and Procedure Requirements Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 10)
4/05 SB 1093 Requires Racial Impact Statement For Crime Bills Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 10)
4/04 SB 281 Amends Firearms Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 19)
4/04 SB 265 Prohibits Compliance with United Nations Agenda 21 Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
4/04 SB 126 Prohibits Pharmacies from Being Required to Carry Specific Drugs Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
4/04 SB 422 Requires Public School Teachers to Pay Labor Union Fees Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
4/03 LD 272 Prohibits the Use of Tanning Facilities by Minors Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
4/03 SB 181 Reduces Property Taxes for Motor Vehicles Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
4/03 SB 1160 Establishes Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
4/03 SB 1160 Establishes Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
4/03 SB 1160 Establishes Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
4/03 SB 306 Repeals the Racial Justice Act Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
4/02 HB 57 Establishes Requirements for Medical Care at Abortion Clinics Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
4/02 HB 2055 Reduces Casino Building Fee Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 24)
4/01 SJR 15 Removes the Separate Tax Rate on Mining Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 4)
3/26 SB 72 Exempts Health Clubs From Property Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
3/25 SB 339 Classifies Using a Cell Phone While Driving As a Primary Offense Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
3/25 SB 715 Amends Driver's License Requirements for Undocumented Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
3/23 S Amdt 139 Prohibits the United States From Entering into the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty Amendment Adopted - Senate (53 - 46)
3/21 HB 2787 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
3/20 SB 47 Prohibits Collection of Petition Signatures after Filing Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
3/20 SB 30 Prohibits Smoking in Vehicles Containing Children Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
3/18 SB 464 Prohibits The Use Of Tanning Facilities By Minors Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
3/14 S Amdt 66 Temporarily Prohibits the Hiring of Nonessential Federal Employees Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 54)
3/14 S Amdt 66 Temporarily Prohibits the Hiring of Nonessential Federal Employees Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 54)
3/14 SB 9 Increases Utility Rates Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 9)
3/13 HB 51 Establishes Transportation Appropriations and Highway Speed Limit Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
3/13 SB 444 Prohibits Smoking in a Car with Minors Present Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
3/08 SB 5187 Authorizes Livestock Owners to Dispatch Gray Wolves Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 23)
3/07 SB 1-1 Expands Eligibility for Medi-Cal Program Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
3/06 SB 276 Repeals the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
3/06 SB 802 Prohibits the Sale of Electric Cigarettes to Minors Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 15)
3/05 SB 134 Prohibits Abortion if Fetal Heartbeat Detected Veto Override Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
3/01 HB 13 Prohibits Smoking in a Vehicle with Minors Present Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
2/28 HB 1037 Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks Veto Override Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
2/28 SB 134 Prohibits an Abortion if a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
2/28 SB 281 Amends Firearms Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19)
2/27 SB 1062 Amends State Worker's Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 12)
2/27 SB 1 Amends Wisconsin's Iron-Ore Mining Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
2/26 SB 4 Prohibits Medicaid Expansion Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 16)
2/26 SB 207 Authorizes Certain Undocumented Students to Receive In-State Tuition Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
2/26 SB 109 Authorizes the State Engineer to Manage Water Usage Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
2/26 SB 213 Prohibits Localities From Requiring Certain Employment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 12)
2/26 SB 371 Requires an Ultrasound Prior to the Prescription of an Abortion-Inducing Drug Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
2/26 SB 207 Authorizes Certain Undocumented Students to Receive In-State Tuition Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
2/25 SB 33 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
2/23 SB 175 Increases Public Education Funding Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
2/22 SB 40 Requires Health Care Exchanges to Be Approved by The Legislature Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
2/22 SB 39 Requires Medicaid Expansion to be Approved by the Legislature Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
2/20 SCR 1608 Authorizes the Legislature To Have Sole Authority on School Funding Amendment Adopted - Senate (27 - 13)
2/20 SB 60 Requires the State Department of Health to Prepare Annual Report on Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
2/20 SB 107 Amends Sexual Conduct Laws Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
2/18 HB 1037 Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
2/18 SB 2303 Defines a "Human Being" Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 23)
2/14 HF 9 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 22)
2/14 S 77 Prohibits Liability for Self-Administered Lethal Dosages Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
2/14 SF 162 Establishes the School Budget Growth for Fiscal Year 2014-2015 Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
2/14 SB 622 Increases Physician License Fees Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 19)
2/14 S 77 Prohibits Liability for Self-Administered Lethal Dosages Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
2/13 Galbraith and Hartwell Amdt Establishes Immunity for Doctors Prescribing or People Present to Lethal Dosage Amendment Adopted - Senate (16 - 15)
2/13 Galbraith and Hartwell Amdt Establishes Immunity for Doctors Prescribing or People Present to Lethal Dosage Amendment Adopted - Senate (16 - 15)
2/13 SB 9 Establishes Review Panels to Assess Nursing Home Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
2/12 S 47 Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 Bill Passed - Senate (78 - 22)
2/08 SB 5 Requires an Ultrasound Prior to an Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
1/31 SB 975 Prohibits Smoking in a Vehicle with Minors Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
1/31 SB 134 Prohibits an Abortion if a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
1/30 SF 52 Establishes the School Budget Growth for Fiscal Year 2013-2014 Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
1/28 HR 152 Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2013 Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 36)
1/25 SF 104 Establishes the Director Position in the Department of Education Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 9)

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