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 12, 2008 | CA | SB 1301 | Extending Student Financial Aid Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13) |
| May 12, 2008 | CA | SB 1313 | Perfluorochemical (PFC) Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
| April 28, 2008 | CA | SB 1137 | Residential Property Foreclosures | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
| Feb. 19, 2008 | CA | GN Borucki | Confirmation of Joan Borucki as State Lottery Director | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (32 - 3) |
| Jan. 30, 2008 | CA | SB 908 | Global Warming Education in Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
| Jan. 30, 2008 | CA | SB 926 | Mortgage Lender Requirements | Bill Failed - Senate (26 - 14) |
| Sept. 5, 2007 | CA | AB 1155 | Penalties for Healthcare Service Plan Underpayments or Failures to Pay Service Providers | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| Aug. 30, 2007 | CA | SB 33 | Underage Driver Cellphone Ban | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| Aug. 30, 2007 | CA | SB 924 | Iraq Withdrawal Ballot Question | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| Aug. 21, 2007 | CA | SB 77 | 2007-2008 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 12) |
| June 28, 2007 | CA | AB 1738 | California Gaming Code Additions | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6) |
| June 7, 2007 | CA | SB 32 | Children's Health Care Expansion | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
| June 7, 2007 | CA | SB 7 | Marco Firebaugh Memorial Childrens Health and Safety Act of 2007 | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18) |
| June 7, 2007 | CA | SB 456 | Diacetyl Toxic Substance Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18) |
| June 7, 2007 | CA | SB 48 | Health Care Coverage and Cost Control Act | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16) |
| June 7, 2007 | CA | SB 606 | 'No Child Left Behind' Implementation | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15) |
| June 6, 2007 | CA | SB 974 | Shipping Fee | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12) |
| June 6, 2007 | CA | SB 840 | California Universal Healthcare Agency | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| June 4, 2007 | CA | SB 60 | Expanding Driver's License Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15) |
| June 4, 2007 | CA | SB 1019 | Access to Police Misconduct Investigations | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11) |
| May 31, 2007 | CA | SB 120 | Nutritional Information Posting | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17) |
| May 21, 2007 | CA | SB 180 | Collective Bargaining Representation for Agricultural Workers | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15) |
| Feb. 13, 2007 | CA | SB 113 | Presidential Primaries | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5) |
| Aug. 31, 2006 | CA | SB 1379 | Biomonitoring Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| Aug. 31, 2006 | CA | SB 1578 | Dog Restraint Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 16) |
| Aug. 31, 2006 | CA | SB 1613 | Prohibition on Wireless Phone Use While Driving | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 16) |
| Aug. 31, 2006 | CA | SB 1414 | Health Care Requirements for Large Companies | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 17) |
| Aug. 30, 2006 | CA | AB 32 | Greenhouse Gases Emission Limits | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| Aug. 30, 2006 | CA | AB 2076 | Needle Exchange Program | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| Aug. 29, 2006 | CA | AB 1953 | Amount of Lead in Plumbing Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18) |
| Aug. 29, 2006 | CA | AB 2496 | Water Conservation: Low-Flush Water Closet | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| Aug. 28, 2006 | CA | AB 3029 | CalWorks and Food Stamp Program | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13) |
| Aug. 24, 2006 | CA | AB 352 | Microstamping of Bullets Fired from Semi-Automatic Guns | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18) |
| Aug. 24, 2006 | CA | AB 2205 | Food Stamp Eligibility for Medi-Cal Recipients | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15) |
| Aug. 23, 2006 | CA | AB 2536 | Overtime Pay for Personal Attendants | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| Aug. 22, 2006 | CA | SB 1248 | Long-Term Health Care Facilities | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| Aug. 22, 2006 | CA | AB 2108 | Child Booster and Seat Belt Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| Aug. 17, 2006 | CA | AB 2555 | Wage Discrimination Penalties | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| Aug. 16, 2006 | CA | AB 1873 | Safe Child Surrender Time Limit Expansion | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9) |
| Aug. 16, 2006 | CA | SCA 3 | Redistricting Commission | Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
| June 27, 2006 | CA | AB 1801 | 2006-2007 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 10) |
| June 27, 2006 | CA | SB 1137 | Sentences for Non-Violent Drug Offenders | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 2) |
| June 1, 2006 | CA | SB 1675 | Renewable Diesel Fuel Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16) |
| June 1, 2006 | CA | SB 1160 | Drivers Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| June 1, 2006 | CA | SB 1162 | Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14) |
| May 30, 2006 | CA | SB 1576 | Transitional Housing Services for Foster Youth | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
| May 30, 2006 | CA | SB 1796 | Overhaul Flood and Levee Board | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| May 30, 2006 | CA | SB 1383 | Cal Grant Eligibility Without Passing High School Exit Exam | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| May 11, 2006 | CA | AB 813 | Medi-Cal: Emergency Drug Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7) |
| May 11, 2006 | CA | SB 1437 | Sexual Diversity Content in Public School Curriculums | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
| May 4, 2006 | CA | SB 1266 | Highway Safety, Traffic Reduction, Air Quality, and Port Security Bond Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 1) |
| May 4, 2006 | CA | AB 127 | Kindergarten-University Public Education Bond Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8) |
| May 4, 2006 | CA | SB 1689 | Housing and Emergency Shelter Trust Fund Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
| May 4, 2006 | CA | AB 140 | Disaster Preparedness and Flood Prevention Bond Act | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1) |
| April 27, 2006 | CA | SCR 113 | The Great American Boycott 2006 | Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 13) |
| March 11, 2006 | CA | AB 134 | Public Infrastructure Bond | Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 12) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/12 | SB 1301 | Extending Student Financial Aid Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13) |
| 5/12 | SB 1313 | Perfluorochemical (PFC) Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
| 4/28 | SB 1137 | Residential Property Foreclosures | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
| 2/19 | GN Borucki | Confirmation of Joan Borucki as State Lottery Director | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (32 - 3) |
| 1/30 | SB 908 | Global Warming Education in Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
| 1/30 | SB 926 | Mortgage Lender Requirements | Bill Failed - Senate (26 - 14) |
| 9/05 | AB 1155 | Penalties for Healthcare Service Plan Underpayments or Failures to Pay Service Providers | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| 8/30 | SB 33 | Underage Driver Cellphone Ban | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| 8/30 | SB 924 | Iraq Withdrawal Ballot Question | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| 8/21 | SB 77 | 2007-2008 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 12) |
| 6/28 | AB 1738 | California Gaming Code Additions | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6) |
| 6/07 | SB 32 | Children's Health Care Expansion | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
| 6/07 | SB 7 | Marco Firebaugh Memorial Childrens Health and Safety Act of 2007 | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18) |
| 6/07 | SB 456 | Diacetyl Toxic Substance Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18) |
| 6/07 | SB 48 | Health Care Coverage and Cost Control Act | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16) |
| 6/07 | SB 606 | 'No Child Left Behind' Implementation | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15) |
| 6/06 | SB 974 | Shipping Fee | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12) |
| 6/06 | SB 840 | California Universal Healthcare Agency | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| 6/04 | SB 60 | Expanding Driver's License Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15) |
| 6/04 | SB 1019 | Access to Police Misconduct Investigations | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11) |
| 5/31 | SB 120 | Nutritional Information Posting | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17) |
| 5/21 | SB 180 | Collective Bargaining Representation for Agricultural Workers | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15) |
| 2/13 | SB 113 | Presidential Primaries | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5) |
| 8/31 | SB 1379 | Biomonitoring Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| 8/31 | SB 1578 | Dog Restraint Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 16) |
| 8/31 | SB 1613 | Prohibition on Wireless Phone Use While Driving | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 16) |
| 8/31 | SB 1414 | Health Care Requirements for Large Companies | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 17) |
| 8/30 | AB 32 | Greenhouse Gases Emission Limits | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| 8/30 | AB 2076 | Needle Exchange Program | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| 8/29 | AB 1953 | Amount of Lead in Plumbing Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18) |
| 8/29 | AB 2496 | Water Conservation: Low-Flush Water Closet | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| 8/28 | AB 3029 | CalWorks and Food Stamp Program | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13) |
| 8/24 | AB 352 | Microstamping of Bullets Fired from Semi-Automatic Guns | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18) |
| 8/24 | AB 2205 | Food Stamp Eligibility for Medi-Cal Recipients | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15) |
| 8/23 | AB 2536 | Overtime Pay for Personal Attendants | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| 8/22 | SB 1248 | Long-Term Health Care Facilities | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| 8/22 | AB 2108 | Child Booster and Seat Belt Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| 8/17 | AB 2555 | Wage Discrimination Penalties | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| 8/16 | AB 1873 | Safe Child Surrender Time Limit Expansion | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9) |
| 8/16 | SCA 3 | Redistricting Commission | Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
| 6/27 | AB 1801 | 2006-2007 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 10) |
| 6/27 | SB 1137 | Sentences for Non-Violent Drug Offenders | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 2) |
| 6/01 | SB 1675 | Renewable Diesel Fuel Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16) |
| 6/01 | SB 1160 | Drivers Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| 6/01 | SB 1162 | Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14) |
| 5/30 | SB 1576 | Transitional Housing Services for Foster Youth | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
| 5/30 | SB 1796 | Overhaul Flood and Levee Board | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| 5/30 | SB 1383 | Cal Grant Eligibility Without Passing High School Exit Exam | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| 5/11 | AB 813 | Medi-Cal: Emergency Drug Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7) |
| 5/11 | SB 1437 | Sexual Diversity Content in Public School Curriculums | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
| 5/04 | SB 1266 | Highway Safety, Traffic Reduction, Air Quality, and Port Security Bond Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 1) |
| 5/04 | AB 127 | Kindergarten-University Public Education Bond Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8) |
| 5/04 | SB 1689 | Housing and Emergency Shelter Trust Fund Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
| 5/04 | AB 140 | Disaster Preparedness and Flood Prevention Bond Act | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1) |
| 4/27 | SCR 113 | The Great American Boycott 2006 | Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 13) |
| 3/11 | AB 134 | Public Infrastructure Bond | Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 12) |