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
Feb. 20, 2014 CA AB 800 Authorizes the Fair Political Practices Commission to Conduct Audits and Investigations Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
Jan. 30, 2014 CA SB 383 Authorizes Businesses to Collect Certain Cardholder Information in Online Transactions Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
Sept. 12, 2013 CA SB 359 Appropriates Funds for Hybrid and Zero Emission Vehicle Use Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
Sept. 12, 2013 CA SB 755 Expands List of Crimes that Disqualify an Individual from Firearm Ownership Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
Sept. 12, 2013 CA SB 374 Prohibits Semiautomatic Rifles with Detachable Magazines Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
Sept. 12, 2013 CA AB 60 Authorizes Driver's License for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
Sept. 12, 2013 CA AB 10 Increases the Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
Sept. 12, 2013 CA AB 375 Amends Teacher Dismissal Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
Sept. 11, 2013 CA SB 4 Amends Hydraulic Fracturing Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
Sept. 11, 2013 CA AB 241 Expands Labor Laws for Domestic Workers Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Sept. 10, 2013 CA SB 649 Classifies Certain Drug Infractions as Misdemeanors Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
Sept. 10, 2013 CA AB 484 Amends State School Testing Programs Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
Sept. 10, 2013 CA AB 48 Prohibits Large-Capacity Magazines and Large-Capacity Conversion Kits Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
Sept. 9, 2013 CA AB 711 Prohibits Lead Ammunition for Hunting Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Sept. 9, 2013 CA AB 4 Prohibits Law Enforcement from Detaining Individuals Solely Based on Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
Aug. 26, 2013 CA AB 721 Amends Transportation of Controlled Substances Laws Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
Aug. 26, 2013 CA AB 154 Authorizes Certain Individuals to Perform Aspiration Abortion Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
July 8, 2013 CA AB 817 Amends Poll Worker Eligibility Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
July 3, 2013 CA AB 1266 Amends Sex-Segregated School Programs and Activities Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
June 27, 2013 CA AB 277 Authorizes Gaming on Traditional Tribal Territory Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
June 14, 2013 CA AB 76 Specifies that Compliance with the California Public Records Act is Optional Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
May 29, 2013 CA SB 53 Requires Ammunition Purchasers to Undergo a Background Check Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
May 29, 2013 CA SB 323 Prohibits Tax-Exempt Status for Organizations that Discriminate Based on Sexual Orientation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
May 29, 2013 CA SB 391 Establishes Real Estate Transaction Fees Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
May 24, 2013 CA SB 648 Prohibits the Use of Electronic Cigarettes in Certain Public Areas Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
May 20, 2013 CA SB 439 Exempts Certain Medical Marijuana Collectives and Cooperatives from Prosecution Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
May 16, 2013 CA SB 552 Authorizes a Violence Awareness Component of School Curriculum Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
May 2, 2013 CA SB 649 Classifies Certain Drug Infractions as Misdemeanors Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
May 2, 2013 CA SB 501 Requires Social Networking Sites to Remove Personal Identifying Information Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
March 7, 2013 CA SB 1-1 Expands Eligibility for Medi-Cal Program Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
Aug. 31, 2012 CA SB 1234 Establishes Retirement Program for Private Sector Employees Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
Aug. 30, 2012 CA SB 1172 Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
Aug. 30, 2012 CA AB 1478 Appropriates Funds for State Parks for 2 Years Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
Aug. 30, 2012 CA ACR 161 Establishes September as "Food Literacy Awareness Month" Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
Aug. 29, 2012 CA SB 1476 Authorizes Courts to Designate More than 2 Individuals as Parents of a Child Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
Aug. 29, 2012 CA AB 889 Establishes Work Condition Requirements for Domestic Work Employees Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
Aug. 29, 2012 CA AB 2189 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Certain Individuals Ineligible for a Social Security Number Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
Aug. 28, 2012 CA AB 2132 Encourages State Universities to Include Public Service in Tenure Policy Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
Aug. 27, 2012 CA SB 1221 Prohibits the Use of Dogs to Hunt Bears or Bobcats Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
Aug. 27, 2012 CA AB 2346 Authorizes Farm Workers to Sue Employers for Health or Safety Violations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Aug. 23, 2012 CA AB 1436 Authorizes Same-Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
Aug. 22, 2012 CA AB 2327 Increases Penalties for the Misuse of Funds by Charitable Organizations Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Aug. 22, 2012 CA AB 472 Authorizes Immunity for Reporting Drug Overdoses Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
Aug. 22, 2012 CA AB 1640 Expands Cash Assistance Programs for Pregnant Teenagers Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
Aug. 22, 2012 CA AB 2109 Requires Parents to Obtain a Waiver for Unvaccinated Children Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
Aug. 22, 2012 CA AB 2348 Authorizes Registered Nurses to Dispense Contraceptives Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Aug. 21, 2012 CA HB 2676 Increases Penalties For Agriculture Health And Safety Violations Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
Aug. 20, 2012 CA SB 9 Sentence Reconsideration for Juvenile Offenders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
Aug. 20, 2012 CA AB 1313 Requires Overtime Wages for Agricultural Workers Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
July 6, 2012 CA SB 1029 Authorizes the Sale of State Bonds for a High-Speed Rail Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
July 5, 2012 CA AB 1081 Prohibits Excessive Detention of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
July 2, 2012 CA SB 900 Establishes Regulations for Home Loans Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 13)
July 2, 2012 CA AB 278 Establishes Regulations for Foreclosure Procedures on Home Loans Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 13)
June 27, 2012 CA AB 1499 Ballot Order for Statewide Measures Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
June 15, 2012 CA AB 1464 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
June 14, 2012 CA AB 2127 Authorizes Work Release for Certain Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
May 31, 2012 CA SB 956 Regulates Buy-Here-Pay-Here Car Loans and Lenders Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
May 31, 2012 CA SB 1140 Exempts Religious Institutions from Performing Same-Sex Marriages Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
May 31, 2012 CA SB 1506 Reduces Charges for Possession of Controlled Substances Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 24)
May 31, 2012 CA SB 1525 Establishes a Student Athlete Bill of Rights Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
May 30, 2012 CA SB 1234 Establishes Retirement Program for Private Sector Employees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
May 30, 2012 CA SB 1476 Authorizes Courts to Designate More than 2 Individuals as Parents of a Child Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
May 30, 2012 CA SB 1054 Requires Notifying Property Owners Prior to Hydraulic Fracturing Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 18)
May 30, 2012 CA SB 1172 Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
May 21, 2012 CA SB 1221 Prohibits the Use of Dogs to Hunt Bears or Bobcats Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
Feb. 2, 2012 CA SB 95 Increase State's Ability to Borrow Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
Feb. 2, 2012 CA SB 81 Funding For School Transportation Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
Jan. 26, 2012 CA SB 810 Establishes a Single-Payer Health Care System Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 15)
Sept. 10, 2011 CA SB 202 Limiting Ballot Initiatives to the General Election Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Sept. 9, 2011 CA SB 51 Compliance with Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 16)
Sept. 9, 2011 CA SB 292 Authorizes Governor to Expedite Environmental Review Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
Sept. 9, 2011 CA SB 922 Project Labor Agreements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
Sept. 9, 2011 CA SB 931 Payroll Debit Cards Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
Sept. 8, 2011 CA SB 222 Relating to Individual Health Care Coverage for Maternity Services Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
Sept. 8, 2011 CA SB 299 Pregnancy or Childbirth Leave for Employees Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/20 AB 800 Authorizes the Fair Political Practices Commission to Conduct Audits and Investigations Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
1/30 SB 383 Authorizes Businesses to Collect Certain Cardholder Information in Online Transactions Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
9/12 SB 359 Appropriates Funds for Hybrid and Zero Emission Vehicle Use Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
9/12 SB 755 Expands List of Crimes that Disqualify an Individual from Firearm Ownership Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
9/12 SB 374 Prohibits Semiautomatic Rifles with Detachable Magazines Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
9/12 AB 60 Authorizes Driver's License for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
9/12 AB 10 Increases the Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
9/12 AB 375 Amends Teacher Dismissal Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
9/11 SB 4 Amends Hydraulic Fracturing Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
9/11 AB 241 Expands Labor Laws for Domestic Workers Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
9/10 SB 649 Classifies Certain Drug Infractions as Misdemeanors Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
9/10 AB 484 Amends State School Testing Programs Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
9/10 AB 48 Prohibits Large-Capacity Magazines and Large-Capacity Conversion Kits Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
9/09 AB 711 Prohibits Lead Ammunition for Hunting Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
9/09 AB 4 Prohibits Law Enforcement from Detaining Individuals Solely Based on Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
8/26 AB 721 Amends Transportation of Controlled Substances Laws Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
8/26 AB 154 Authorizes Certain Individuals to Perform Aspiration Abortion Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
7/08 AB 817 Amends Poll Worker Eligibility Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
7/03 AB 1266 Amends Sex-Segregated School Programs and Activities Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
6/27 AB 277 Authorizes Gaming on Traditional Tribal Territory Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
6/14 AB 76 Specifies that Compliance with the California Public Records Act is Optional Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
5/29 SB 53 Requires Ammunition Purchasers to Undergo a Background Check Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
5/29 SB 323 Prohibits Tax-Exempt Status for Organizations that Discriminate Based on Sexual Orientation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
5/29 SB 391 Establishes Real Estate Transaction Fees Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
5/24 SB 648 Prohibits the Use of Electronic Cigarettes in Certain Public Areas Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
5/20 SB 439 Exempts Certain Medical Marijuana Collectives and Cooperatives from Prosecution Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
5/16 SB 552 Authorizes a Violence Awareness Component of School Curriculum Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
5/02 SB 649 Classifies Certain Drug Infractions as Misdemeanors Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
5/02 SB 501 Requires Social Networking Sites to Remove Personal Identifying Information Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
3/07 SB 1-1 Expands Eligibility for Medi-Cal Program Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
8/31 SB 1234 Establishes Retirement Program for Private Sector Employees Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
8/30 SB 1172 Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
8/30 AB 1478 Appropriates Funds for State Parks for 2 Years Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
8/30 ACR 161 Establishes September as "Food Literacy Awareness Month" Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
8/29 SB 1476 Authorizes Courts to Designate More than 2 Individuals as Parents of a Child Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
8/29 AB 889 Establishes Work Condition Requirements for Domestic Work Employees Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
8/29 AB 2189 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Certain Individuals Ineligible for a Social Security Number Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
8/28 AB 2132 Encourages State Universities to Include Public Service in Tenure Policy Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
8/27 SB 1221 Prohibits the Use of Dogs to Hunt Bears or Bobcats Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
8/27 AB 2346 Authorizes Farm Workers to Sue Employers for Health or Safety Violations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
8/23 AB 1436 Authorizes Same-Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
8/22 AB 2327 Increases Penalties for the Misuse of Funds by Charitable Organizations Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
8/22 AB 472 Authorizes Immunity for Reporting Drug Overdoses Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
8/22 AB 1640 Expands Cash Assistance Programs for Pregnant Teenagers Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
8/22 AB 2109 Requires Parents to Obtain a Waiver for Unvaccinated Children Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
8/22 AB 2348 Authorizes Registered Nurses to Dispense Contraceptives Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
8/21 HB 2676 Increases Penalties For Agriculture Health And Safety Violations Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
8/20 SB 9 Sentence Reconsideration for Juvenile Offenders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
8/20 AB 1313 Requires Overtime Wages for Agricultural Workers Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
7/06 SB 1029 Authorizes the Sale of State Bonds for a High-Speed Rail Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
7/05 AB 1081 Prohibits Excessive Detention of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
7/02 SB 900 Establishes Regulations for Home Loans Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 13)
7/02 AB 278 Establishes Regulations for Foreclosure Procedures on Home Loans Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 13)
6/27 AB 1499 Ballot Order for Statewide Measures Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
6/15 AB 1464 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
6/14 AB 2127 Authorizes Work Release for Certain Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
5/31 SB 956 Regulates Buy-Here-Pay-Here Car Loans and Lenders Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
5/31 SB 1140 Exempts Religious Institutions from Performing Same-Sex Marriages Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
5/31 SB 1506 Reduces Charges for Possession of Controlled Substances Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 24)
5/31 SB 1525 Establishes a Student Athlete Bill of Rights Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
5/30 SB 1234 Establishes Retirement Program for Private Sector Employees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
5/30 SB 1476 Authorizes Courts to Designate More than 2 Individuals as Parents of a Child Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
5/30 SB 1054 Requires Notifying Property Owners Prior to Hydraulic Fracturing Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 18)
5/30 SB 1172 Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
5/21 SB 1221 Prohibits the Use of Dogs to Hunt Bears or Bobcats Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
2/02 SB 95 Increase State's Ability to Borrow Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
2/02 SB 81 Funding For School Transportation Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
1/26 SB 810 Establishes a Single-Payer Health Care System Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 15)
9/10 SB 202 Limiting Ballot Initiatives to the General Election Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
9/09 SB 51 Compliance with Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 16)
9/09 SB 292 Authorizes Governor to Expedite Environmental Review Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
9/09 SB 922 Project Labor Agreements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
9/09 SB 931 Payroll Debit Cards Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
9/08 SB 222 Relating to Individual Health Care Coverage for Maternity Services Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
9/08 SB 299 Pregnancy or Childbirth Leave for Employees Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 9)

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