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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec. 12, 2013 | MI | SB 660 | Authorizes the Growth and Sale of Pharmaceutical-Grade Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (87 - 22) |
| Dec. 11, 2013 | MI | Initiation of Legislation | Requires Abortion Coverage To Be Optional In Health Care Plans | Bill Passed - House (62 - 47) |
| Dec. 5, 2013 | National | H Amdt 524 | Limits Covered Customers to Businesses With Less Than $25 Million in Revenue | Amendment Rejected - House (144 - 266) |
| Dec. 5, 2013 | National | H Amdt 521 | Authorizes Judicial Discretion in Awarding Legal Fees in Patent Lawsuits | Amendment Rejected - House (199 - 213) |
| Dec. 5, 2013 | National | HR 3309 | Innovation Act | Bill Passed - House (325 - 91) |
| Dec. 4, 2013 | National | HR 1105 | Small Business Capital Access and Job Preservation Act | Bill Passed - House (254 - 159) |
| Oct. 30, 2013 | National | HR 992 | Swaps Regulatory Improvement Act | Bill Passed - House (292 - 122) |
| Oct. 29, 2013 | National | HR 2374 | Retail Investor Protection Act | Bill Passed - House (254 - 166) |
| Sept. 12, 2013 | CA | AB 241 | Expands Labor Laws for Domestic Workers | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 25) |
| Sept. 12, 2013 | CA | AB 375 | Amends Teacher Dismissal Requirements | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 22) |
| Sept. 12, 2013 | CA | AB 10 | Increases the Minimum Wage | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 25) |
| Sept. 11, 2013 | MO | HB 253 | Authorizes Income Tax Cuts | Veto Override Failed - House (94 - 67) |
| Aug. 1, 2013 | National | HR 2879 | Stop Government Abuse Act | Bill Passed - House (239 - 176) |
| July 25, 2013 | National | HR 2218 | Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act of 2013 | Bill Passed - House (265 - 155) |
| July 23, 2013 | NC | HB 937 | Amends Firearm Laws | Conference Report Adopted - House (73 - 41) |
| July 23, 2013 | NC | SB 337 | Establishes the North Carolina Charter School Advisory Board | Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 22) |
| July 16, 2013 | NC | SB 81 | Establishes the Charlotte International Airport Authority | Bill Passed - House (75 - 39) |
| June 24, 2013 | NJ | S 2723 | Amends Firearm Identification Card Requirements | Bill Passed - House (43 - 34) |
| June 24, 2013 | NJ | ACR 199 | Specifies that the Proposed Job Banding Rule is Not Consistent with Legislative Intent | Joint Resolution Passed - House (46 - 32) |
| June 18, 2013 | OR | HB 3162 | Requires Manufacturers to Remove Certain Chemicals from Children's Products | Bill Passed - House (39 - 21) |
| June 3, 2013 | LA | SB 153 | Requires Equal Pay for State Employees | Bill Passed - House (86 - 12) |
| May 30, 2013 | OR | SB 692 | Requires Certain Electronics to Meet Energy Efficiency Standards | Bill Passed - House (40 - 19) |
| May 30, 2013 | CA | AB 10 | Increases the Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (45 - 27) |
| May 30, 2013 | CA | AB 1217 | Establishes Certain Regulations for Home Care Aides | Bill Passed - House (52 - 26) |
| May 30, 2013 | CA | AB 10 | Increases the Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (45 - 27) |
| May 29, 2013 | CT | SB 387 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (89 - 53) |
| May 29, 2013 | CT | SB 387 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (89 - 53) |
| May 29, 2013 | CA | AB 375 | Amends Teacher Dismissal Requirements | Bill Passed - House (64 - 11) |
| May 27, 2013 | IL | SB 1639 | Requires Reimbursement for the Sale of Unhealthy Pets | Bill Passed - House (67 - 49) |
| May 27, 2013 | IL | SB 26 | Expands Medicaid Eligibility | Bill Passed - House (63 - 55) |
| May 24, 2013 | TX | HB 950 | Requires Equal Pay for Women | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (78 - 61) |
| May 22, 2013 | National | H Amdt 67 | Requires a Finding be Added Concerning Oil Sand Crudes | Amendment Rejected - House (146 - 269) |
| May 22, 2013 | National | H Amdt 71 | Repeals Requirement that Secretary of the Army Approve All Keystone XL Pipeline Permit Applications | Amendment Rejected - House (182 - 234) |
| May 21, 2013 | OK | SB 550 | Repeals the Retail Sales Price Requirement | Conference Report Adopted - House (65 - 15) |
| May 20, 2013 | MN | SF 778 | Authorizes the Unionization of Family Child Care Providers | Bill Passed - House (68 - 66) |
| May 20, 2013 | MN | SF 778 | Authorizes the Unionization of Family Child Care Providers | Bill Passed - House (68 - 66) |
| May 15, 2013 | MO | HB 650 | Limits Punitive Awards for Lead Exposure from Certain Mines | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (94 - 63) |
| May 13, 2013 | NY | A 1792 | Extends Worker's Benefits to Farm Laborers | Bill Passed - House (83 - 53) |
| May 9, 2013 | MO | HB 253 | Authorizes Income Tax Cuts | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 51) |
| May 8, 2013 | CO | HB 1317 | Establishes Regulations for the Retail Marijuana Industry | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 28) |
| May 8, 2013 | CO | HB 1318 | Establishes Sales Taxes for Retail Marijuana | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 28) |
| May 8, 2013 | MO | SB 114 | Amends Homebrewed Beer and Liquor Distributor Regulations | Bill Passed - House (110 - 48) |
| May 8, 2013 | National | HR 1406 | Working Families Flexibility Act of 2013 | Bill Passed - House (223 - 204) |
| May 8, 2013 | TX | HB 500 | Expands Franchise Tax Exemption for Certain Businesses | Bill Passed - House (117 - 24) |
| May 8, 2013 | National | HR 1406 | Working Families Flexibility Act of 2013 | Bill Passed - House (223 - 204) |
| May 7, 2013 | OK | HB 2077 | Establishes an Optional Defined Contribution Plan for New State Employees | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (72 - 20) |
| May 7, 2013 | OR | HB 2672 | Establishes Labor Laws for Domestic Workers | Bill Passed - House (32 - 28) |
| May 7, 2013 | CT | HB 5277 | Authorizes Mixed Martial Arts Events | Bill Passed - House (117 - 26) |
| May 7, 2013 | NC | HB 937 | Amends Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - House (78 - 42) |
| May 6, 2013 | PA | HB 440 | Amends Tax Code | Bill Passed - House (129 - 65) |
| May 6, 2013 | LA | HB 45 | Establishes Licenses for the In-State Sale and Manufacture of Firearms | Bill Passed - House (77 - 20) |
| May 4, 2013 | TX | HB 852 | Prohibits the Sale of Shark Fins | Bill Passed - House (87 - 42) |
| May 3, 2013 | TX | HB 318 | Prohibits Employers from Asking for Private Passwords | Bill Passed - House (79 - 64) |
| May 3, 2013 | MN | HF 92 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (68 - 62) |
| May 3, 2013 | MN | HF 92 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (68 - 62) |
| May 2, 2013 | FL | HB 7009 | Amends Teacher Evaluations and Charter School Provisions | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (76 - 42) |
| May 1, 2013 | FL | HB 7007 | Exempts Manufacturing Equipment from Sales Tax | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 48) |
| April 24, 2013 | OK | SB 1062 | Amends State Worker's Compensation | Bill Passed - House (74 - 24) |
| April 20, 2013 | MT | HB 297 | Prohibits the Employment of Undocumented Immigrants | Conference Report Adopted - House (63 - 37) |
| April 20, 2013 | MT | HB 297 | Prohibits the Employment of Undocumented Immigrants | Conference Report Adopted - House (63 - 37) |
| April 18, 2013 | NV | AB 126 | Requires Restaurant Chains to Disclose Calorie Counts | Bill Passed - House (25 - 14) |
| April 17, 2013 | AR | SB 1020 | Authorizes Private Purchase of Health Insurance with Federal Funds | Bill Passed - House (70 - 23) |
| April 17, 2013 | TN | SB 1248 | Requires Disclosure of Photographic Evidence of Animal Abuse | Bill Passed - House (50 - 43) |
| April 17, 2013 | IL | HB 1 | Authorizes the Use of Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (61 - 57) |
| April 15, 2013 | IN | SB 373 | Prohibits Unauthorized Entry On Industrial Or Agricultural Property | Bill Passed - House (65 - 25) |
| April 13, 2013 | AK | SB 21 | Amends the Oil Industry Tax Rate Structure | Bill Passed - House (27 - 12) |
| April 13, 2013 | AK | SB 21 | Amends the Oil Industry Tax Rate Structure | Bill Passed - House (24 - 15) |
| April 9, 2013 | CO | HB 1269 | Amends Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission Procedures | Bill Passed - House (34 - 29) |
| April 8, 2013 | AZ | SB 1439 | Authorizes the Use of Gold and Silver as Legal Tender | Bill Passed - House (36 - 22) |
| April 8, 2013 | AR | HB 1870 | Appropriates Funds for Certain Steel Mills | Bill Passed - House (78 - 17) |
| April 6, 2013 | AR | HB 1536 | Authorizes Sale of Unpasteurized Whole Milk | Bill Passed - House (60 - 19) |
| April 5, 2013 | KS | HB 2069 | Prohibits Local Governments from Enforcing a Union Wage | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 32) |
| April 3, 2013 | CT | SB 1160 | Establishes Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement | Bill Passed - House (105 - 44) |
| April 2, 2013 | MD | SB 183 | Authorizes Tax Credits for Certain Film Production Activities | Bill Passed - House (108 - 31) |
| March 27, 2013 | ME | LD 611 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (86 - 58) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12/12 | SB 660 | Authorizes the Growth and Sale of Pharmaceutical-Grade Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (87 - 22) |
| 12/11 | Initiation of Legislation | Requires Abortion Coverage To Be Optional In Health Care Plans | Bill Passed - House (62 - 47) |
| 12/05 | H Amdt 524 | Limits Covered Customers to Businesses With Less Than $25 Million in Revenue | Amendment Rejected - House (144 - 266) |
| 12/05 | H Amdt 521 | Authorizes Judicial Discretion in Awarding Legal Fees in Patent Lawsuits | Amendment Rejected - House (199 - 213) |
| 12/05 | HR 3309 | Innovation Act | Bill Passed - House (325 - 91) |
| 12/04 | HR 1105 | Small Business Capital Access and Job Preservation Act | Bill Passed - House (254 - 159) |
| 10/30 | HR 992 | Swaps Regulatory Improvement Act | Bill Passed - House (292 - 122) |
| 10/29 | HR 2374 | Retail Investor Protection Act | Bill Passed - House (254 - 166) |
| 9/12 | AB 241 | Expands Labor Laws for Domestic Workers | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 25) |
| 9/12 | AB 375 | Amends Teacher Dismissal Requirements | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 22) |
| 9/12 | AB 10 | Increases the Minimum Wage | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 25) |
| 9/11 | HB 253 | Authorizes Income Tax Cuts | Veto Override Failed - House (94 - 67) |
| 8/01 | HR 2879 | Stop Government Abuse Act | Bill Passed - House (239 - 176) |
| 7/25 | HR 2218 | Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act of 2013 | Bill Passed - House (265 - 155) |
| 7/23 | HB 937 | Amends Firearm Laws | Conference Report Adopted - House (73 - 41) |
| 7/23 | SB 337 | Establishes the North Carolina Charter School Advisory Board | Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 22) |
| 7/16 | SB 81 | Establishes the Charlotte International Airport Authority | Bill Passed - House (75 - 39) |
| 6/24 | S 2723 | Amends Firearm Identification Card Requirements | Bill Passed - House (43 - 34) |
| 6/24 | ACR 199 | Specifies that the Proposed Job Banding Rule is Not Consistent with Legislative Intent | Joint Resolution Passed - House (46 - 32) |
| 6/18 | HB 3162 | Requires Manufacturers to Remove Certain Chemicals from Children's Products | Bill Passed - House (39 - 21) |
| 6/03 | SB 153 | Requires Equal Pay for State Employees | Bill Passed - House (86 - 12) |
| 5/30 | SB 692 | Requires Certain Electronics to Meet Energy Efficiency Standards | Bill Passed - House (40 - 19) |
| 5/30 | AB 10 | Increases the Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (45 - 27) |
| 5/30 | AB 1217 | Establishes Certain Regulations for Home Care Aides | Bill Passed - House (52 - 26) |
| 5/30 | AB 10 | Increases the Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (45 - 27) |
| 5/29 | SB 387 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (89 - 53) |
| 5/29 | SB 387 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (89 - 53) |
| 5/29 | AB 375 | Amends Teacher Dismissal Requirements | Bill Passed - House (64 - 11) |
| 5/27 | SB 1639 | Requires Reimbursement for the Sale of Unhealthy Pets | Bill Passed - House (67 - 49) |
| 5/27 | SB 26 | Expands Medicaid Eligibility | Bill Passed - House (63 - 55) |
| 5/24 | HB 950 | Requires Equal Pay for Women | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (78 - 61) |
| 5/22 | H Amdt 67 | Requires a Finding be Added Concerning Oil Sand Crudes | Amendment Rejected - House (146 - 269) |
| 5/22 | H Amdt 71 | Repeals Requirement that Secretary of the Army Approve All Keystone XL Pipeline Permit Applications | Amendment Rejected - House (182 - 234) |
| 5/21 | SB 550 | Repeals the Retail Sales Price Requirement | Conference Report Adopted - House (65 - 15) |
| 5/20 | SF 778 | Authorizes the Unionization of Family Child Care Providers | Bill Passed - House (68 - 66) |
| 5/20 | SF 778 | Authorizes the Unionization of Family Child Care Providers | Bill Passed - House (68 - 66) |
| 5/15 | HB 650 | Limits Punitive Awards for Lead Exposure from Certain Mines | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (94 - 63) |
| 5/13 | A 1792 | Extends Worker's Benefits to Farm Laborers | Bill Passed - House (83 - 53) |
| 5/09 | HB 253 | Authorizes Income Tax Cuts | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 51) |
| 5/08 | HB 1317 | Establishes Regulations for the Retail Marijuana Industry | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 28) |
| 5/08 | HB 1318 | Establishes Sales Taxes for Retail Marijuana | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 28) |
| 5/08 | SB 114 | Amends Homebrewed Beer and Liquor Distributor Regulations | Bill Passed - House (110 - 48) |
| 5/08 | HR 1406 | Working Families Flexibility Act of 2013 | Bill Passed - House (223 - 204) |
| 5/08 | HB 500 | Expands Franchise Tax Exemption for Certain Businesses | Bill Passed - House (117 - 24) |
| 5/08 | HR 1406 | Working Families Flexibility Act of 2013 | Bill Passed - House (223 - 204) |
| 5/07 | HB 2077 | Establishes an Optional Defined Contribution Plan for New State Employees | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (72 - 20) |
| 5/07 | HB 2672 | Establishes Labor Laws for Domestic Workers | Bill Passed - House (32 - 28) |
| 5/07 | HB 5277 | Authorizes Mixed Martial Arts Events | Bill Passed - House (117 - 26) |
| 5/07 | HB 937 | Amends Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - House (78 - 42) |
| 5/06 | HB 440 | Amends Tax Code | Bill Passed - House (129 - 65) |
| 5/06 | HB 45 | Establishes Licenses for the In-State Sale and Manufacture of Firearms | Bill Passed - House (77 - 20) |
| 5/04 | HB 852 | Prohibits the Sale of Shark Fins | Bill Passed - House (87 - 42) |
| 5/03 | HB 318 | Prohibits Employers from Asking for Private Passwords | Bill Passed - House (79 - 64) |
| 5/03 | HF 92 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (68 - 62) |
| 5/03 | HF 92 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (68 - 62) |
| 5/02 | HB 7009 | Amends Teacher Evaluations and Charter School Provisions | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (76 - 42) |
| 5/01 | HB 7007 | Exempts Manufacturing Equipment from Sales Tax | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 48) |
| 4/24 | SB 1062 | Amends State Worker's Compensation | Bill Passed - House (74 - 24) |
| 4/20 | HB 297 | Prohibits the Employment of Undocumented Immigrants | Conference Report Adopted - House (63 - 37) |
| 4/20 | HB 297 | Prohibits the Employment of Undocumented Immigrants | Conference Report Adopted - House (63 - 37) |
| 4/18 | AB 126 | Requires Restaurant Chains to Disclose Calorie Counts | Bill Passed - House (25 - 14) |
| 4/17 | SB 1020 | Authorizes Private Purchase of Health Insurance with Federal Funds | Bill Passed - House (70 - 23) |
| 4/17 | SB 1248 | Requires Disclosure of Photographic Evidence of Animal Abuse | Bill Passed - House (50 - 43) |
| 4/17 | HB 1 | Authorizes the Use of Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (61 - 57) |
| 4/15 | SB 373 | Prohibits Unauthorized Entry On Industrial Or Agricultural Property | Bill Passed - House (65 - 25) |
| 4/13 | SB 21 | Amends the Oil Industry Tax Rate Structure | Bill Passed - House (27 - 12) |
| 4/13 | SB 21 | Amends the Oil Industry Tax Rate Structure | Bill Passed - House (24 - 15) |
| 4/09 | HB 1269 | Amends Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission Procedures | Bill Passed - House (34 - 29) |
| 4/08 | SB 1439 | Authorizes the Use of Gold and Silver as Legal Tender | Bill Passed - House (36 - 22) |
| 4/08 | HB 1870 | Appropriates Funds for Certain Steel Mills | Bill Passed - House (78 - 17) |
| 4/06 | HB 1536 | Authorizes Sale of Unpasteurized Whole Milk | Bill Passed - House (60 - 19) |
| 4/05 | HB 2069 | Prohibits Local Governments from Enforcing a Union Wage | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 32) |
| 4/03 | SB 1160 | Establishes Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement | Bill Passed - House (105 - 44) |
| 4/02 | SB 183 | Authorizes Tax Credits for Certain Film Production Activities | Bill Passed - House (108 - 31) |
| 3/27 | LD 611 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (86 - 58) |