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.


results per page:
Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
Sept. 6, 2011 CA AB 1236 Prohibits Requirement of Electronic Employment Verification Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
Sept. 6, 2011 CA AB 376 Prohibiting the Sale of Shark Fins Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
Sept. 2, 2011 CA AB 353 DUI Inspection Checkpoints and Unlicensed Drivers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 12)
Sept. 2, 2011 CA SB 746 Prohibits the Use of Tanning Beds by Minors Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
Sept. 2, 2011 CA AB 6 Repeals Fingerprinting Requirement for CalFresh Benefits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 26)
Sept. 2, 2011 CA AB 887 Prohibits Discrimination Against Transgendered Individuals Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 25)
Sept. 1, 2011 CA SB 185 Considering Race, Ethnicity and Gender in College Admissions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Sept. 1, 2011 CA AB 165 Prohibits Public Schools from Charging Fees for Educational Activities Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Sept. 1, 2011 CA SB 746 Prohibits the Use of Tanning Beds by Minors Bill Passed - House (49 - 27)
Sept. 1, 2011 CA SB 469 Requirements for Expansion by Large Retailers Bill Passed - House (46 - 28)
Aug. 31, 2011 CA AB 6 Repeals Fingerprinting Requirement for CalFresh Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
Aug. 31, 2011 CA AB 499 Authorizes Minors to Seek Medical Care for STDs Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
Aug. 30, 2011 CA AB 353 DUI Inspection Checkpoints and Unlicensed Drivers Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
Aug. 30, 2011 CA SB 161 Administration of Epilepsy Medication in Schools Bill Passed - House (46 - 21)
Aug. 30, 2011 CA AB 1319 Prohibiting the Use of BPA in Baby Products Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Aug. 30, 2011 CA AB 887 Prohibits Discrimination Against Transgendered Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
Aug. 29, 2011 CA SB 185 Considering Race, Ethnicity and Gender in College Admissions Bill Passed - House (49 - 28)
Aug. 29, 2011 CA AB 46 Small City Disincorporation Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 17)
Aug. 22, 2011 CA AB 433 Birth Certificates for Transgendered Individuals Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 26)
July 14, 2011 CA AB 459 National Popular Vote Interstate Compact Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 15)
July 14, 2011 CA SB 39 Bans Caffeinated Alcohol Drinks Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
July 14, 2011 CA AB 459 National Popular Vote Interstate Compact Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
July 14, 2011 CA SB 249 Prohibits Firearms with Detachable Magazines Bill Passed - House (48 - 21)
July 14, 2011 CA AB 433 Birth Certificates for Transgendered Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
July 14, 2011 CA AB 130 Authorizes Student Financial Aid for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
July 14, 2011 CA SB 168 Prohibits Paid Signature-Gatherers Bill Passed - House (48 - 28)
July 11, 2011 CA SB 39 Bans Caffeinated Alcohol Drinks Bill Passed - House (49 - 26)
July 5, 2011 CA SB 48 Requires Teaching Gay History Bill Passed - House (50 - 26)
June 2, 2011 CA AB 889 Establishes Work Condition Requirements for Domestic Work Employees Bill Passed - House (49 - 28)
June 2, 2011 CA SB 242 Privacy Control Requirements for Social Networks Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 17)
June 2, 2011 CA AB 52 Regulating Health Care Coverage Bill Passed - House (45 - 28)
June 2, 2011 CA SB 568 Recycling Polystyrene Food Containers Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
June 1, 2011 CA SB 914 Requires a Warrant to Search Cell Phones Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
June 1, 2011 CA AB 131 In-State College Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (50 - 27)
May 31, 2011 CA AB 155 Online Sale Taxes Bill Passed - House (52 - 20)
May 31, 2011 CA SB 469 Requirements for Expansion by Large Retailers Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
May 23, 2011 CA AB 1319 Prohibiting the Use of BPA in Baby Products Bill Passed - House (42 - 29)
May 19, 2011 CA AB 1236 Prohibits Requirement of Electronic Employment Verification Bill Passed - House (55 - 22)
May 16, 2011 CA AB 144 Concealed Weapons Bill Bill Passed - House (46 - 29)
May 16, 2011 CA SB 104 Labor Representatives Bill Passed - House (51 - 26)
May 12, 2011 CA AB 499 Authorizes Minors to Seek Medical Care for STDs Bill Passed - House (50 - 25)
May 9, 2011 CA SB 168 Prohibits Paid Signature-Gatherers Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
May 5, 2011 CA AB 130 Authorizes Student Financial Aid for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (51 - 22)
April 25, 2011 CA SB 28 Penalties for Using Mobile Device When Driving Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
April 14, 2011 CA SB 48 Requires Teaching Gay History Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
March 31, 2011 CA SB 104 Labor Representatives Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
March 17, 2011 CA AB 109 Criminal Justice Realignment Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 27)
March 17, 2011 CA SB 70 Education Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (53 - 25)
March 17, 2011 CA SB 70 Education Budget Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
March 17, 2011 CA AB 109 Criminal Justice Realignment Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
Feb. 24, 2011 CA SB 2 Increasing Renewable Energy Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
Feb. 15, 2011 CA AB 110 Wrongful Death Claim of Josefa Godinez Merida Resolution Passed - House (7 - 1)
Oct. 8, 2010 CA SB 870 2010-2011 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
Oct. 7, 2010 CA SB 870 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - House (57 - 13)
Aug. 31, 2010 CA AB 2479 Penalties for Violations Committed with the Intent to Capture Images or Recordings of a Person Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 21)
Aug. 31, 2010 CA AB 482 Prohibiting Use of Credit Reports for Employment Purposes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 30)
Aug. 31, 2010 CA AB 2470 Individual Health Plan Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 18)
Aug. 31, 2010 CA SB 1391 Business Tax Incentive Amendments Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (20 - 17)
Aug. 31, 2010 CA SB 1381 Increasing Age Requirements for Kindergarten and First Grade Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
Aug. 31, 2010 CA SB 1399 Expanding Medical Parole Eligibility Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
Aug. 31, 2010 CA SB 1317 Parental Crime for Chronic Truancy Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
Aug. 31, 2010 CA AB 1998 Ban of Single-Use Carryout Bags in Certain Stores Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 21)
Aug. 31, 2010 CA SB 1381 Increasing Age Requirements for Kindergarten and First Grade Bill Passed - House (51 - 18)
Aug. 30, 2010 CA AB 234 Marine Oil Shipping Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 28)
Aug. 30, 2010 CA SB 1317 Parental Crime for Chronic Truancy Bill Passed - House (58 - 17)
Aug. 30, 2010 CA AB 2470 Individual Health Plan Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
Aug. 30, 2010 CA SB 1399 Expanding Medical Parole Eligibility Bill Passed - House (44 - 32)
Aug. 27, 2010 CA SB 1413 Requiring Free Drinking Water in Public School Cafeterias Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
Aug. 27, 2010 CA AB 2479 Penalties for Violations Committed with the Intent to Capture Images or Recordings of a Person Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
Aug. 26, 2010 CA SB 145 Prohibiting Denial of Workers' Compensation if the Injury or Death was Related to Certain Personal Characteristics Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
Aug. 26, 2010 CA AB 1600 Requiring Insurers to Cover Mental Health Services Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 28)
Aug. 26, 2010 CA AB 1825 Requiring Inclusion of Maternity Services in Health Coverage Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 22)
Aug. 26, 2010 CA SB 1413 Requiring Free Drinking Water in Public School Cafeterias Bill Passed - House (52 - 22)
Aug. 26, 2010 CA AB 482 Prohibiting Use of Credit Reports for Employment Purposes Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
Aug. 25, 2010 CA SB 1272 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
Date No. Title Outcome
9/06 AB 1236 Prohibits Requirement of Electronic Employment Verification Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
9/06 AB 376 Prohibiting the Sale of Shark Fins Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
9/02 AB 353 DUI Inspection Checkpoints and Unlicensed Drivers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 12)
9/02 SB 746 Prohibits the Use of Tanning Beds by Minors Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
9/02 AB 6 Repeals Fingerprinting Requirement for CalFresh Benefits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 26)
9/02 AB 887 Prohibits Discrimination Against Transgendered Individuals Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 25)
9/01 SB 185 Considering Race, Ethnicity and Gender in College Admissions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
9/01 AB 165 Prohibits Public Schools from Charging Fees for Educational Activities Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
9/01 SB 746 Prohibits the Use of Tanning Beds by Minors Bill Passed - House (49 - 27)
9/01 SB 469 Requirements for Expansion by Large Retailers Bill Passed - House (46 - 28)
8/31 AB 6 Repeals Fingerprinting Requirement for CalFresh Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
8/31 AB 499 Authorizes Minors to Seek Medical Care for STDs Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
8/30 AB 353 DUI Inspection Checkpoints and Unlicensed Drivers Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
8/30 SB 161 Administration of Epilepsy Medication in Schools Bill Passed - House (46 - 21)
8/30 AB 1319 Prohibiting the Use of BPA in Baby Products Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
8/30 AB 887 Prohibits Discrimination Against Transgendered Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
8/29 SB 185 Considering Race, Ethnicity and Gender in College Admissions Bill Passed - House (49 - 28)
8/29 AB 46 Small City Disincorporation Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 17)
8/22 AB 433 Birth Certificates for Transgendered Individuals Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 26)
7/14 AB 459 National Popular Vote Interstate Compact Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 15)
7/14 SB 39 Bans Caffeinated Alcohol Drinks Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
7/14 AB 459 National Popular Vote Interstate Compact Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
7/14 SB 249 Prohibits Firearms with Detachable Magazines Bill Passed - House (48 - 21)
7/14 AB 433 Birth Certificates for Transgendered Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
7/14 AB 130 Authorizes Student Financial Aid for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
7/14 SB 168 Prohibits Paid Signature-Gatherers Bill Passed - House (48 - 28)
7/11 SB 39 Bans Caffeinated Alcohol Drinks Bill Passed - House (49 - 26)
7/05 SB 48 Requires Teaching Gay History Bill Passed - House (50 - 26)
6/02 AB 889 Establishes Work Condition Requirements for Domestic Work Employees Bill Passed - House (49 - 28)
6/02 SB 242 Privacy Control Requirements for Social Networks Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 17)
6/02 AB 52 Regulating Health Care Coverage Bill Passed - House (45 - 28)
6/02 SB 568 Recycling Polystyrene Food Containers Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
6/01 SB 914 Requires a Warrant to Search Cell Phones Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
6/01 AB 131 In-State College Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (50 - 27)
5/31 AB 155 Online Sale Taxes Bill Passed - House (52 - 20)
5/31 SB 469 Requirements for Expansion by Large Retailers Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
5/23 AB 1319 Prohibiting the Use of BPA in Baby Products Bill Passed - House (42 - 29)
5/19 AB 1236 Prohibits Requirement of Electronic Employment Verification Bill Passed - House (55 - 22)
5/16 AB 144 Concealed Weapons Bill Bill Passed - House (46 - 29)
5/16 SB 104 Labor Representatives Bill Passed - House (51 - 26)
5/12 AB 499 Authorizes Minors to Seek Medical Care for STDs Bill Passed - House (50 - 25)
5/09 SB 168 Prohibits Paid Signature-Gatherers Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
5/05 AB 130 Authorizes Student Financial Aid for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (51 - 22)
4/25 SB 28 Penalties for Using Mobile Device When Driving Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
4/14 SB 48 Requires Teaching Gay History Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
3/31 SB 104 Labor Representatives Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
3/17 AB 109 Criminal Justice Realignment Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 27)
3/17 SB 70 Education Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (53 - 25)
3/17 SB 70 Education Budget Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
3/17 AB 109 Criminal Justice Realignment Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
2/24 SB 2 Increasing Renewable Energy Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
2/15 AB 110 Wrongful Death Claim of Josefa Godinez Merida Resolution Passed - House (7 - 1)
10/08 SB 870 2010-2011 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
10/07 SB 870 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - House (57 - 13)
8/31 AB 2479 Penalties for Violations Committed with the Intent to Capture Images or Recordings of a Person Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 21)
8/31 AB 482 Prohibiting Use of Credit Reports for Employment Purposes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 30)
8/31 AB 2470 Individual Health Plan Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 18)
8/31 SB 1391 Business Tax Incentive Amendments Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (20 - 17)
8/31 SB 1381 Increasing Age Requirements for Kindergarten and First Grade Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
8/31 SB 1399 Expanding Medical Parole Eligibility Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
8/31 SB 1317 Parental Crime for Chronic Truancy Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
8/31 AB 1998 Ban of Single-Use Carryout Bags in Certain Stores Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 21)
8/31 SB 1381 Increasing Age Requirements for Kindergarten and First Grade Bill Passed - House (51 - 18)
8/30 AB 234 Marine Oil Shipping Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 28)
8/30 SB 1317 Parental Crime for Chronic Truancy Bill Passed - House (58 - 17)
8/30 AB 2470 Individual Health Plan Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
8/30 SB 1399 Expanding Medical Parole Eligibility Bill Passed - House (44 - 32)
8/27 SB 1413 Requiring Free Drinking Water in Public School Cafeterias Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
8/27 AB 2479 Penalties for Violations Committed with the Intent to Capture Images or Recordings of a Person Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
8/26 SB 145 Prohibiting Denial of Workers' Compensation if the Injury or Death was Related to Certain Personal Characteristics Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
8/26 AB 1600 Requiring Insurers to Cover Mental Health Services Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 28)
8/26 AB 1825 Requiring Inclusion of Maternity Services in Health Coverage Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 22)
8/26 SB 1413 Requiring Free Drinking Water in Public School Cafeterias Bill Passed - House (52 - 22)
8/26 AB 482 Prohibiting Use of Credit Reports for Employment Purposes Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
8/25 SB 1272 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 12)

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