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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 18, 2013 | MO | HB 436 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - House (115 - 41) |
| April 18, 2013 | MO | HB 436 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - House (115 - 41) |
| April 18, 2013 | National | HR 624 | Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act | Bill Passed - House (288 - 127) |
| April 18, 2013 | TX | HB 63 | Prohibits Texting While Driving | Bill Passed - House (97 - 45) |
| April 17, 2013 | TN | SB 1248 | Requires Disclosure of Photographic Evidence of Animal Abuse | Bill Passed - House (50 - 43) |
| April 16, 2013 | WI | AB 82 | Prohibits the Unauthorized Transfer of Food Stamps | Bill Passed - House (73 - 24) |
| April 16, 2013 | IL | HB 2404 | Amends Definition of Delinquent Minor | Bill Passed - House (89 - 26) |
| April 16, 2013 | IL | HB 2404 | Amends Definition of Delinquent Minor | Bill Passed - House (89 - 26) |
| April 16, 2013 | VT | H 200 | Reduces Penalties for Small Amounts of Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (92 - 49) |
| April 16, 2013 | NV | AB 60 | Requires Certain Information From Donation-Seeking Charities | Bill Passed - House (25 - 15) |
| April 15, 2013 | IN | SB 487 | Establishes Regulations for Hunting Preserves | Bill Passed - House (52 - 39) |
| April 15, 2013 | IN | SB 373 | Prohibits Unauthorized Entry On Industrial Or Agricultural Property | Bill Passed - House (65 - 25) |
| April 11, 2013 | MO | HB 533 | Authorizes State Employees to Keep Firearms in Vehicles | Bill Passed - House (126 - 25) |
| April 10, 2013 | IA | SF 384 | Prohibits the Removal of an Officer's Communication Device | Bill Passed - House (77 - 17) |
| April 10, 2013 | MT | SB 107 | Amends Sexual Conduct Laws | Bill Passed - House (64 - 35) |
| April 5, 2013 | KS | SB 102 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Conference Report Adopted - House (96 - 24) |
| April 4, 2013 | KS | HB 2033 | Repeals Prohibition on the Possession of Switchblade and Stiletto Knives | Conference Report Adopted - House (95 - 26) |
| April 4, 2013 | MO | HB 46 | Prohibits the Use of Unmanned Aircrafts | Bill Passed - House (87 - 66) |
| April 4, 2013 | MO | HB 46 | Prohibits the Use of Unmanned Aircrafts | Bill Passed - House (87 - 66) |
| April 3, 2013 | MS | SB 2659 | Establishes a Grant for School Resource Officers in Schools | Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 36) |
| April 3, 2013 | MD | SB 281 | Amends Firearms Regulations | Bill Passed - House (78 - 61) |
| April 3, 2013 | MD | SB 281 | Amends Firearms Regulations | Bill Passed - House (78 - 61) |
| April 3, 2013 | MD | SB 281 | Amends Firearms Regulations | Bill Passed - House (78 - 61) |
| April 3, 2013 | CT | SB 1160 | Establishes Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement | Bill Passed - House (105 - 44) |
| April 3, 2013 | CT | SB 1160 | Establishes Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement | Bill Passed - House (105 - 44) |
| April 3, 2013 | CT | SB 1160 | Establishes Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement | Bill Passed - House (105 - 44) |
| April 1, 2013 | AR | SB 2 | Requires Photo Identification to Vote | Veto Override Passed - House (52 - 45) |
| March 28, 2013 | DE | HB 35 | Requires Background Checks Prior to the Purchase of Firearms | Bill Passed - House (24 - 17) |
| March 27, 2013 | NH | HB 451 | Repeals License Requirement to Carry a Firearm | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (226 - 144) |
| March 27, 2013 | NH | HB 135 | Repeals "Use of Deadly Force" Provision in Self-Defense Law | Bill Passed - House (189 - 184) |
| March 26, 2013 | KY | HB 279 | Prohibits the Government from Impeding Religious Activities | Veto Override Passed - House (79 - 15) |
| March 26, 2013 | NC | HB 17 | Prohibits Disclosure of Concealed Firearm Permit Information | Bill Passed - House (97 - 20) |
| March 25, 2013 | IA | HF 527 | Requires DNA Samples from Individuals Convicted Of Aggravated Misdemeanors | Bill Passed - House (79 - 18) |
| March 25, 2013 | IA | HF 527 | Requires DNA Samples from Individuals Convicted Of Aggravated Misdemeanors | Bill Passed - House (79 - 18) |
| March 22, 2013 | AK | HB 24 | Expands the Use of Deadly Force in Self-Defense | Bill Passed - House (29 - 4) |
| March 21, 2013 | NH | HB 443 | Prohibits Contracts with Private Entities for Inmate Custody | Bill Passed - House (197 - 136) |
| March 21, 2013 | MD | HB 753 | Classifies Cell Phone Use While Driving as a Primary Offense | Bill Passed - House (106 - 29) |
| March 20, 2013 | OH | SB 47 | Prohibits Collection of Petition Signatures after Filing | Bill Passed - House (57 - 38) |
| March 19, 2013 | AR | SB 417 | Classifies the Death of a Fetus as a Felony in Certain Cases | Bill Passed - House (76 - 10) |
| March 19, 2013 | AR | HB 1819 | Prohibits Governor from Regulating Firearms in an Emergency | Bill Passed - House (78 - 9) |
| March 18, 2013 | CO | HB 1154 | Establishes Penalties for Violent Offenses Against Pregnant Women | Bill Passed - House (50 - 14) |
| March 15, 2013 | CO | HB 1229 | Requires Background Checks for Private Gun Sales and Transfers | Conference Report Adopted - House (36 - 27) |
| March 15, 2013 | MD | SB 276 | Repeals the Death Penalty | Bill Passed - House (82 - 56) |
| March 15, 2013 | MD | SB 276 | Repeals the Death Penalty | Bill Passed - House (82 - 56) |
| March 14, 2013 | KS | HB 2055 | Authorizes Concealed Handguns Inside State Capitol and School Buildings | Bill Passed - House (84 - 38) |
| March 14, 2013 | KS | HB 2199 | Prohibits Enforcement of Federal Firearms Laws Within the State of Kansas | Bill Passed - House (94 - 29) |
| March 13, 2013 | CO | HB 1224 | Limits Firearm Magazine Capacity | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (34 - 30) |
| March 13, 2013 | AR | SB 2 | Requires Photo Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - House (51 - 44) |
| March 12, 2013 | OK | HB 2021 | Exempts Certain Firearms from Federal Regulation | Bill Passed - House (79 - 12) |
| March 12, 2013 | OK | HB 1062 | Authorizes School Employees to Carry Handguns on School Property | Bill Passed - House (68 - 23) |
| March 11, 2013 | KY | SB 1 | Establishes an Electronic Ballot Transmission System for Military and Overseas Voters | Bill Passed - House (57 - 42) |
| March 11, 2013 | WA | HB 1000 | Authorizes Immunity to Health Care Providers Following End-Of-Life Directives | Bill Passed - House (59 - 36) |
| March 11, 2013 | TN | HB 9 | Prohibits Disclosure of Handgun Permits | Bill Passed - House (84 - 10) |
| March 11, 2013 | ID | H 219 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - House (55 - 13) |
| March 10, 2013 | NM | HCR 1 | Limits the Disclosure of Legislative Information | Bill Passed - House (48 - 16) |
| March 8, 2013 | AR | HB 1329 | Reduces Concealed Carry License Application Fee | Bill Failed - House (31 - 52) |
| March 7, 2013 | AZ | HB 2455 | Requires the Sale of Certain Firearms Acquired by Public Agencies | Bill Passed - House (36 - 23) |
| March 7, 2013 | GA | HB 512 | Amends Provisions Relating to Concealed Weapons Permits | Bill Passed - House (117 - 56) |
| March 7, 2013 | AZ | HB 2326 | Prohibits Identifying Information of Firearm Owners from Being Maintained | Bill Passed - House (46 - 13) |
| March 5, 2013 | WA | HB 1404 | Authorizes Immunity From Prosecution for Minors Who Report Underage Intoxication | Bill Passed - House (72 - 24) |
| March 4, 2013 | SD | HB 1087 | Authorizes School Sentinel Programs | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (40 - 19) |
| March 1, 2013 | IL | HB 1247 | Prohibits Using a Hand-Held Cell Phone While Driving | Bill Passed - House (64 - 46) |
| March 1, 2013 | UT | HB 76 | Authorizes Concealed Carry of a Firearm Without a Permit | Bill Passed - House (51 - 18) |
| Feb. 28, 2013 | National | S 47 | Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 | Bill Passed - House (286 - 138) |
| Feb. 28, 2013 | TN | SB 142 | Authorizes Handguns in Parking Areas | Bill Passed - House (72 - 22) |
| Feb. 28, 2013 | National | H Amdt 23 | Reauthorizes the Violence Against Women Act | Amendment Rejected - House (166 - 257) |
| Feb. 28, 2013 | UT | HB 268 | Redefines Disorderly Conduct Regarding Firearms | Bill Passed - House (54 - 12) |
| Feb. 27, 2013 | AR | HB 1037 | Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks | Veto Override Passed - House (53 - 28) |
| Feb. 27, 2013 | WY | HB 41 | Reduces Limitations on Hunting Bison | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 11) |
| Feb. 27, 2013 | MT | HB 384 | Authorizes Students to Bring Firearms to School | Bill Failed - House (45 - 53) |
| Feb. 26, 2013 | UT | HB 121 | Authorizes Individuals to Voluntarily Commit Guns to Law Enforcement Agencies | Bill Passed - House (44 - 28) |
| Feb. 26, 2013 | NM | HB 316 | Prohibits Animal Killing Contests | Bill Failed - House (30 - 38) |
| Feb. 25, 2013 | AK | HB 69 | Exempts Firearms from Federal Regulation | Bill Passed - House (31 - 5) |
| Feb. 25, 2013 | AK | HB 69 | Exempts Firearms from Federal Regulation | Bill Passed - House (31 - 5) |
| Feb. 25, 2013 | ND | HB 1215 | Authorizes Concealed Weapons in Schools | Bill Passed - House (60 - 33) |
| Feb. 25, 2013 | IN | HB 1483 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (78 - 17) |
| Feb. 25, 2013 | IN | HB 1483 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (78 - 17) |
| Feb. 25, 2013 | IN | HB 1006 | Amends the Criminal Code | Bill Passed - House (80 - 13) |
| Feb. 23, 2013 | MT | HB 240 | Authorizes Firearms on College Campuses | Bill Passed - House (58 - 41) |
| Feb. 22, 2013 | MT | HB 205 | Authorizes Use of Suppressors for Hunting | Bill Passed - House (61 - 37) |
| Feb. 22, 2013 | ND | HB 1385 | Requires Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients | Bill Failed - House (19 - 72) |
| Feb. 22, 2013 | ND | HB 1385 | Requires Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients | Bill Failed - House (19 - 72) |
| Feb. 22, 2013 | ND | HB 1373 | Limits the Use of Unmanned Aircrafts | Bill Passed - House (60 - 31) |
| Feb. 22, 2013 | MT | HB 304 | Authorizes Concealed Carry of Firearms Without a Concealed-Carry Permit | Bill Passed - House (58 - 41) |
| Feb. 22, 2013 | MT | HB 304 | Authorizes Concealed Carry of Firearms Without a Concealed-Carry Permit | Bill Passed - House (58 - 41) |
| Feb. 21, 2013 | AR | HB 1037 | Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (80 - 10) |
| Feb. 21, 2013 | AR | SB 134 | Prohibits an Abortion if a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected | Bill Passed - House (68 - 20) |
| 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 3659 | Amends the Definition of Destructive Devices | Bill Passed - House (46 - 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 | NJ | A 3748 | Requires Background Checks Prior to the Purchase of Firearms | Bill Passed - House (45 - 29) |
| Feb. 21, 2013 | NJ | A 1329 | Reduces Firearm Magazine Capacity | Bill Passed - House (45 - 30) |
| 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. 20, 2013 | VA | SB 1256 | Requires Photo Identification for Voting | Bill Passed - House (65 - 34) |
| Feb. 20, 2013 | GA | HB 178 | Requires Pain Management Clinics to be Licensed | Bill Passed - House (150 - 15) |
| Feb. 19, 2013 | ME | LD 576 | Prohibits the Public Access of Concealed Handgun Permit Information | Bill Passed - House (129 - 11) |
| 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 1224 | Limits Firearm Magazine Capacity | 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) |