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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 31, 2016 | CA | SB 1333 | Prohibits Smoking on State Beaches and Parks | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11) |
| May 26, 2016 | CA | SB 1146 | Amends Religious Exemption Requirements for Universities | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
| May 23, 2016 | CA | SB 1190 | Prohibits Coastal Commission from Engaging in Ex Parte Communications | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| May 19, 2016 | CA | AB 1135 | Prohibits Firearms with Bullet Button | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| May 19, 2016 | CA | SB 1235 | Requires Background Checks to Buy Ammunition | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15) |
| May 19, 2016 | CA | SB 1446 | Prohibits the Possession of High-Capacity Gun Magazines | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
| May 9, 2016 | CA | AB 1732 | Requires Single User Restrooms to be Gender Neutral | Bill Passed - House (55 - 19) |
| May 2, 2016 | CA | SB 1129 | Repeals Minimum Sentences for Repeat Prostitution Offenses | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| April 28, 2016 | CA | ACR 137 | Establishes May 26th as John Wayne Day | Resolution Failed - House (36 - 19) |
| April 25, 2016 | CA | SB 966 | Prohibits Extending Sentences for Repeat Drug Offenders | Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 16) |
| March 31, 2016 | CA | SB 3 | Increases Minimum Wage | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
| March 31, 2016 | CA | SB 3 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (48 - 26) |
| March 10, 2016 | CA | SB 7 | Increases Smoking Age to 21 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 10) |
| March 10, 2016 | CA | SB 5 | Amends Regulations for E-Cigarettes | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
| March 3, 2016 | CA | SB 5 | Amends Regulations for E-Cigarettes | Bill Passed - House (52 - 21) |
| March 3, 2016 | CA | SB 7 | Increases Smoking Age to 21 | Bill Passed - House (49 - 25) |
| Sept. 11, 2015 | CA | SB 350 | Establishes Renewable Energy Production Targets | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 14) |
| Sept. 11, 2015 | CA | SB 350 | Establishes Renewable Energy Production Targets | Bill Passed - House (52 - 27) |
| Sept. 11, 2015 | CA | AB 329 | Requires Age Appropriate Comprehensive Sex Education | Bill Passed - House (51 - 26) |
| Sept. 11, 2015 | CA | AB 15 | Authorizes A Physician to Prescribe Aid-in-Dying Drugs | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| Sept. 10, 2015 | CA | AB 953 | Amends "Profiling" Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (43 - 30) |
| Sept. 10, 2015 | CA | AB 329 | Requires Age Appropriate Comprehensive Sex Education | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14) |
| Sept. 9, 2015 | CA | AB 953 | Amends "Profiling" Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
| Sept. 9, 2015 | CA | AB 15 | Authorizes A Physician to Prescribe Aid-in-Dying Drugs | Bill Passed - House (44 - 35) |
| Sept. 4, 2015 | CA | AB 96 | Prohibits Sale of Ivory and Rhino Horn | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 21) |
| Sept. 4, 2015 | CA | AB 888 | Prohibits the Sale of Products Containing Plastic Microbeads | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| Sept. 2, 2015 | CA | AB 96 | Prohibits Sale of Ivory and Rhino Horn | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
| Sept. 1, 2015 | CA | SB 707 | Prohibits Concealed Firearms on School Grounds | Bill Passed - House (54 - 24) |
| Aug. 27, 2015 | CA | SB 7 | Increases Smoking Age to 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| Aug. 27, 2015 | CA | SB 5 | Amends Regulations for E-Cigarettes | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
| Aug. 20, 2015 | CA | AB 1100 | Increases Ballot Initiative Fee | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 31) |
| Aug. 17, 2015 | CA | AB 1100 | Increases Ballot Initiative Fee | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| July 16, 2015 | CA | SB 227 | Prohibits Grand Juries from Investigating Certain Cases | Bill Passed - House (41 - 33) |
| June 29, 2015 | CA | SB 277 | Amends School Immunization Requirements | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| June 25, 2015 | CA | SB 277 | Amends School Immunization Requirements | Bill Passed - House (46 - 31) |
| June 19, 2015 | CA | SB 88 | Amends Water Use Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| June 19, 2015 | CA | SB 88 | Amends Water Use Regulations | Bill Passed - House (52 - 28) |
| June 4, 2015 | CA | SB 128 | Authorizes Prescription of "Aid-in-Dying Drugs" | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| June 3, 2015 | CA | SB 548 | Authorizes Child Care Workers to Form Unions | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
| June 3, 2015 | CA | SB 788 | Repeals Offshore Oil and Gas Leases | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| June 3, 2015 | CA | SB 350 | Establishes Renewable Energy Production Targets | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| June 3, 2015 | CA | SB 185 | Requires Public Retirement Systems to Divest from Coal Companies | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| June 3, 2015 | CA | SB 32 | Establishes Certain Greenhouse Gas Emission Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15) |
| June 2, 2015 | CA | AB 1461 | Establishes the California New Motor Voter Program | Bill Passed - House (52 - 26) |
| June 2, 2015 | CA | SB 124 | Limits the Use of Solitary Confinement for Juveniles | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
| June 2, 2015 | CA | SB 151 | Increases Smoking Age | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9) |
| June 2, 2015 | CA | SB 140 | Prohibits Smoking Electronic Cigarettes in Certain Indoor Areas | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
| June 2, 2015 | CA | SB 4 | Expands Health Care Coverage to Certain Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11) |
| June 1, 2015 | CA | AB 718 | Authorizes Sleeping in Vehicles | Bill Passed - House (56 - 15) |
| June 1, 2015 | CA | SB 3 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/31 | SB 1333 | Prohibits Smoking on State Beaches and Parks | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11) |
| 5/26 | SB 1146 | Amends Religious Exemption Requirements for Universities | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
| 5/23 | SB 1190 | Prohibits Coastal Commission from Engaging in Ex Parte Communications | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| 5/19 | AB 1135 | Prohibits Firearms with Bullet Button | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| 5/19 | SB 1235 | Requires Background Checks to Buy Ammunition | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15) |
| 5/19 | SB 1446 | Prohibits the Possession of High-Capacity Gun Magazines | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
| 5/09 | AB 1732 | Requires Single User Restrooms to be Gender Neutral | Bill Passed - House (55 - 19) |
| 5/02 | SB 1129 | Repeals Minimum Sentences for Repeat Prostitution Offenses | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| 4/28 | ACR 137 | Establishes May 26th as John Wayne Day | Resolution Failed - House (36 - 19) |
| 4/25 | SB 966 | Prohibits Extending Sentences for Repeat Drug Offenders | Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 16) |
| 3/31 | SB 3 | Increases Minimum Wage | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
| 3/31 | SB 3 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (48 - 26) |
| 3/10 | SB 7 | Increases Smoking Age to 21 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 10) |
| 3/10 | SB 5 | Amends Regulations for E-Cigarettes | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
| 3/03 | SB 5 | Amends Regulations for E-Cigarettes | Bill Passed - House (52 - 21) |
| 3/03 | SB 7 | Increases Smoking Age to 21 | Bill Passed - House (49 - 25) |
| 9/11 | SB 350 | Establishes Renewable Energy Production Targets | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 14) |
| 9/11 | SB 350 | Establishes Renewable Energy Production Targets | Bill Passed - House (52 - 27) |
| 9/11 | AB 329 | Requires Age Appropriate Comprehensive Sex Education | Bill Passed - House (51 - 26) |
| 9/11 | AB 15 | Authorizes A Physician to Prescribe Aid-in-Dying Drugs | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| 9/10 | AB 953 | Amends "Profiling" Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (43 - 30) |
| 9/10 | AB 329 | Requires Age Appropriate Comprehensive Sex Education | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14) |
| 9/09 | AB 953 | Amends "Profiling" Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
| 9/09 | AB 15 | Authorizes A Physician to Prescribe Aid-in-Dying Drugs | Bill Passed - House (44 - 35) |
| 9/04 | AB 96 | Prohibits Sale of Ivory and Rhino Horn | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 21) |
| 9/04 | AB 888 | Prohibits the Sale of Products Containing Plastic Microbeads | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| 9/02 | AB 96 | Prohibits Sale of Ivory and Rhino Horn | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
| 9/01 | SB 707 | Prohibits Concealed Firearms on School Grounds | Bill Passed - House (54 - 24) |
| 8/27 | SB 7 | Increases Smoking Age to 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| 8/27 | SB 5 | Amends Regulations for E-Cigarettes | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
| 8/20 | AB 1100 | Increases Ballot Initiative Fee | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 31) |
| 8/17 | AB 1100 | Increases Ballot Initiative Fee | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| 7/16 | SB 227 | Prohibits Grand Juries from Investigating Certain Cases | Bill Passed - House (41 - 33) |
| 6/29 | SB 277 | Amends School Immunization Requirements | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| 6/25 | SB 277 | Amends School Immunization Requirements | Bill Passed - House (46 - 31) |
| 6/19 | SB 88 | Amends Water Use Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| 6/19 | SB 88 | Amends Water Use Regulations | Bill Passed - House (52 - 28) |
| 6/04 | SB 128 | Authorizes Prescription of "Aid-in-Dying Drugs" | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| 6/03 | SB 548 | Authorizes Child Care Workers to Form Unions | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
| 6/03 | SB 788 | Repeals Offshore Oil and Gas Leases | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| 6/03 | SB 350 | Establishes Renewable Energy Production Targets | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| 6/03 | SB 185 | Requires Public Retirement Systems to Divest from Coal Companies | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| 6/03 | SB 32 | Establishes Certain Greenhouse Gas Emission Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15) |
| 6/02 | AB 1461 | Establishes the California New Motor Voter Program | Bill Passed - House (52 - 26) |
| 6/02 | SB 124 | Limits the Use of Solitary Confinement for Juveniles | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
| 6/02 | SB 151 | Increases Smoking Age | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9) |
| 6/02 | SB 140 | Prohibits Smoking Electronic Cigarettes in Certain Indoor Areas | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
| 6/02 | SB 4 | Expands Health Care Coverage to Certain Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11) |
| 6/01 | AB 718 | Authorizes Sleeping in Vehicles | Bill Passed - House (56 - 15) |
| 6/01 | SB 3 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |