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. 8, 2021 CA AB 1346 Prohibits Exhaust, Emissions From Certain Vehicles Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
Sept. 7, 2021 CA AB 7 Requires Protective Body Gear and Training for Private Ambulance Employees Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
Sept. 3, 2021 CA SB 594 Amends Redistricting Regulations for Congressional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
Sept. 2, 2021 CA SB 500 Requires All New Self-Driving Cars to be Zero-Emission by 2030 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
Sept. 2, 2021 CA SB 714 Authorizes DREAMers to Participate in County Central Committees Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
Sept. 2, 2021 CA SB 16 Expands the Public's Access to Police Records Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
Sept. 2, 2021 CA SB 556 Limits the Ability of Local Governments to Regulate the Placement of Cell Wireless Facilities Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
Sept. 2, 2021 CA AB 48 Prohibits Police from Using Tear Gas on Protestors Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
Sept. 2, 2021 CA AB 1183 Establishes the California Desert Conservation Program Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
Sept. 2, 2021 CA AB 1550 Establishes New Rules Regarding Higher Education Labor Relations Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
Sept. 2, 2021 CA AB 970 Reduces Obstacles to Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
Sept. 1, 2021 CA AB 570 Requires Health Insurance Plans to Make Coverage Available to their Members' Dependent Parents Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
Sept. 1, 2021 CA AB 1356 Prohibits Patients and Providers at Reproductive Healthcare Facilities from Being Recorded Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
Sept. 1, 2021 CA AB 1084 Requires Retailers and Department Stores to Have a Gender Neutral Section Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
Aug. 30, 2021 CA SB 331 Prohibits Employers from Using Secret Settlements to Prevent Workers from Voicing Harassment Complaints Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
Aug. 30, 2021 CA AB 816 Requires State and Local Governments to Develop Plans to Reduce Homelessness Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
Aug. 26, 2021 CA AB 616 Authorizes "Card Check" for Farm Workers Unions Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
July 15, 2021 CA AB 133 Expands Medi-Cal Eligibility to Low-Income Adults Regardless of Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
June 28, 2021 CA SB 152 Authorizes a Recall Election without the Approval of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
June 21, 2021 CA AB 439 Requires Listing the Gender Identity of a Deceased Individual on their Death Certificate Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
June 14, 2021 CA AB 128 Appropriates Funding for the 2021 State Budget Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
June 3, 2021 CA SB 38 Requires the Beverage Industry to Create an Accessible Recycling and Redemption System Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
June 2, 2021 CA SB 742 Prohibits Interfering with People in Connection with Any Vaccination Services Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
June 2, 2021 CA SB 10 Authorizes Cities to Rezone Certain Lands for Low-Income Housing Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
June 1, 2021 CA SB 245 Reduces the Cost of Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
June 1, 2021 CA SB 464 Authorizes Food Assistance Benefits for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
June 1, 2021 CA SB 523 Requires University Health Plans to Include Coverage of Over-the-counter Birth Control and Contraceptives Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
June 1, 2021 CA SB 519 Authorizes the Decriminalization of Psychedelic Drugs for Veterans Suffering from PTSD Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
May 26, 2021 CA SB 771 Repeals Limit on the Number of Prenatal Tests State Programs May Provide Per Patient Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 4)
May 26, 2021 CA SB 2 Prohibits the Transfer of Police Officers to Other Departments Following Misconduct Convictions Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
May 26, 2021 CA SB 9 Authorizes the Development of Up to Two Duplexes Without Local Reviews or Hearings Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
May 24, 2021 CA SB 62 Requires Garment Manufacturers to Guarantee Payment of Wages to Employees Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
April 22, 2021 CA SB 57 Establishes Safe Injection Sites Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
Feb. 22, 2021 CA SB 132 Requires the University of California to Place all Construction Funds Into an Account With the State Controller Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
Feb. 22, 2021 CA SB 130 Appropriates Funds for Education Related Expenses Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
Jan. 28, 2021 CA SB 29 Authorizes the Continuation of Mail-In Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
Jan. 21, 2021 CA SB 88 Authorizes Distributing a $600 Payment to Low Income Residents Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 2)
Jan. 21, 2021 CA SB 86 Appropriates $6.5 Billion for In Person Learning Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 1)
Jan. 21, 2021 CA SB 93 Transfers Emergency COVID-19 Relief Funds for Childcare Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 2)
Jan. 21, 2021 CA SB 85 Appropriates Funding for the State's Annual Budget Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 2)
Jan. 21, 2021 CA SB 87 Expands COVID-19 Small Business Assistance Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 2)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA SB 275 Establishes Personal Protective Equipment Stockpile Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA SB 1079 Prohibits Bundling Foreclosed Properties for the Purpose of Sale Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA SB 1102 Requires Employers to Provide H-2A Employees with a Written Notice of their Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA SB 592 Expands Appropriate Juror Selection Source Lists to Include Resident State Tax Filers Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA SB 629 Establishes Legal Protection for Journalists Attending Protest Demonstrations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 2)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA SB 132 Authorizes Incarcerated Transgendered Individuals to be Housed by Gender Identity Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA SB 145 Exempts Certain Persons Convicted of Certain Offenses Involving Minors from Mandatory Sex Offender Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA SB 823 Establishes the Office of Youth and Community Restoration Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA SB 493 Requires State-Funded Colleges to Clarify Sexual Assault Allegation Procedures Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA SB 852 Establishes the California Affordable Drug Manufacturing Act of 2020 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA AB 2542 Prohibits Racial Discrimination in Criminal Courts Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA AB 1867 Requires Employers with 500 Employees to Provide 2 Weeks of Supplemental Paid Sick Leave for Full Time Workers Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA AB 1876 Authorizes Undocumented Immigrant Workers to Qualify for State Tax Returns Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA AB 1869 Repeals Certain Judicial Fees Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA AB 1299 Requires Law Enforcement Agencies to Report the Termination of Officers Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA AB 3070 Prohibits the Use of Peremptory Challenge to Remove a Prospective Juror on the Basis of Race, Ethnicity, Gender, Sexual Orientation, or Religious Affiliation Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA AB 3234 Authorizes Judges to Offer Misdemeanor Diversion Programs to Certain Defendants Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
Aug. 30, 2020 CA SB 973 Requires Employers to Submit Annual Pay Data Report Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
Aug. 30, 2020 CA SB 855 Expands Health Insurance Coverage for Mental Health Treatment Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
Aug. 30, 2020 CA AB 685 Requires Employers to Report COVID-19 Infections Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
Aug. 30, 2020 CA AB 2537 Requires Hospitals Maintain 3-Month Supply of PPE Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
Aug. 30, 2020 CA AB 826 Establishes a Disaster Food Assistance Program Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
Aug. 30, 2020 CA AB 1196 Prohibits Law Enforcement Agencies from Authorizing the Use of Carotid Restraints or Choke Holds Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
Aug. 30, 2020 CA AB 1506 Requires a State Prosecutor to Investigate Certain Officer-Involved Shootings Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
Aug. 29, 2020 CA AB 3121 Establishes a Task Force for Reparations to African Americans Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3)
Aug. 29, 2020 CA AB 2992 Prohibits Employer Punishment for Employee Leave Time Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3)
Aug. 29, 2020 CA AB 979 Requires Corporations to Have Directors From Under-Represented Groups Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
Aug. 29, 2020 CA AB 2425 Prohibits the Release of Certain Juvenile Police Records Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
Aug. 29, 2020 CA AB 2405 Establishes a Right to Affordable Housing Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
Aug. 28, 2020 CA AB 376 Establishes Protections for Student Loan Borrowers Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
Aug. 28, 2020 CA AB 2762 Prohibits Certain Toxic Chemicals in Cosmetics Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Aug. 28, 2020 CA AB 646 Authorizes Individuals on Parole for a Felony Conviction to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
Aug. 28, 2020 CA AB 2847 Requires Microstamping Within Handguns Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
Aug. 28, 2020 CA AB 1185 Authorizes Counties to Establish a Sheriff Oversight Board Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
Date No. Title Outcome
9/08 AB 1346 Prohibits Exhaust, Emissions From Certain Vehicles Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
9/07 AB 7 Requires Protective Body Gear and Training for Private Ambulance Employees Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
9/03 SB 594 Amends Redistricting Regulations for Congressional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
9/02 SB 500 Requires All New Self-Driving Cars to be Zero-Emission by 2030 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
9/02 SB 714 Authorizes DREAMers to Participate in County Central Committees Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
9/02 SB 16 Expands the Public's Access to Police Records Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
9/02 SB 556 Limits the Ability of Local Governments to Regulate the Placement of Cell Wireless Facilities Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
9/02 AB 48 Prohibits Police from Using Tear Gas on Protestors Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
9/02 AB 1183 Establishes the California Desert Conservation Program Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
9/02 AB 1550 Establishes New Rules Regarding Higher Education Labor Relations Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
9/02 AB 970 Reduces Obstacles to Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
9/01 AB 570 Requires Health Insurance Plans to Make Coverage Available to their Members' Dependent Parents Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
9/01 AB 1356 Prohibits Patients and Providers at Reproductive Healthcare Facilities from Being Recorded Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
9/01 AB 1084 Requires Retailers and Department Stores to Have a Gender Neutral Section Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
8/30 SB 331 Prohibits Employers from Using Secret Settlements to Prevent Workers from Voicing Harassment Complaints Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
8/30 AB 816 Requires State and Local Governments to Develop Plans to Reduce Homelessness Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
8/26 AB 616 Authorizes "Card Check" for Farm Workers Unions Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
7/15 AB 133 Expands Medi-Cal Eligibility to Low-Income Adults Regardless of Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
6/28 SB 152 Authorizes a Recall Election without the Approval of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
6/21 AB 439 Requires Listing the Gender Identity of a Deceased Individual on their Death Certificate Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
6/14 AB 128 Appropriates Funding for the 2021 State Budget Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
6/03 SB 38 Requires the Beverage Industry to Create an Accessible Recycling and Redemption System Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
6/02 SB 742 Prohibits Interfering with People in Connection with Any Vaccination Services Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
6/02 SB 10 Authorizes Cities to Rezone Certain Lands for Low-Income Housing Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
6/01 SB 245 Reduces the Cost of Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
6/01 SB 464 Authorizes Food Assistance Benefits for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
6/01 SB 523 Requires University Health Plans to Include Coverage of Over-the-counter Birth Control and Contraceptives Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
6/01 SB 519 Authorizes the Decriminalization of Psychedelic Drugs for Veterans Suffering from PTSD Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
5/26 SB 771 Repeals Limit on the Number of Prenatal Tests State Programs May Provide Per Patient Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 4)
5/26 SB 2 Prohibits the Transfer of Police Officers to Other Departments Following Misconduct Convictions Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
5/26 SB 9 Authorizes the Development of Up to Two Duplexes Without Local Reviews or Hearings Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
5/24 SB 62 Requires Garment Manufacturers to Guarantee Payment of Wages to Employees Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
4/22 SB 57 Establishes Safe Injection Sites Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
2/22 SB 132 Requires the University of California to Place all Construction Funds Into an Account With the State Controller Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
2/22 SB 130 Appropriates Funds for Education Related Expenses Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
1/28 SB 29 Authorizes the Continuation of Mail-In Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
1/21 SB 88 Authorizes Distributing a $600 Payment to Low Income Residents Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 2)
1/21 SB 86 Appropriates $6.5 Billion for In Person Learning Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 1)
1/21 SB 93 Transfers Emergency COVID-19 Relief Funds for Childcare Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 2)
1/21 SB 85 Appropriates Funding for the State's Annual Budget Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 2)
1/21 SB 87 Expands COVID-19 Small Business Assistance Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 2)
8/31 SB 275 Establishes Personal Protective Equipment Stockpile Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
8/31 SB 1079 Prohibits Bundling Foreclosed Properties for the Purpose of Sale Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
8/31 SB 1102 Requires Employers to Provide H-2A Employees with a Written Notice of their Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
8/31 SB 592 Expands Appropriate Juror Selection Source Lists to Include Resident State Tax Filers Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
8/31 SB 629 Establishes Legal Protection for Journalists Attending Protest Demonstrations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 2)
8/31 SB 132 Authorizes Incarcerated Transgendered Individuals to be Housed by Gender Identity Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
8/31 SB 145 Exempts Certain Persons Convicted of Certain Offenses Involving Minors from Mandatory Sex Offender Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
8/31 SB 823 Establishes the Office of Youth and Community Restoration Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
8/31 SB 493 Requires State-Funded Colleges to Clarify Sexual Assault Allegation Procedures Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
8/31 SB 852 Establishes the California Affordable Drug Manufacturing Act of 2020 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
8/31 AB 2542 Prohibits Racial Discrimination in Criminal Courts Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
8/31 AB 1867 Requires Employers with 500 Employees to Provide 2 Weeks of Supplemental Paid Sick Leave for Full Time Workers Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
8/31 AB 1876 Authorizes Undocumented Immigrant Workers to Qualify for State Tax Returns Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
8/31 AB 1869 Repeals Certain Judicial Fees Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
8/31 AB 1299 Requires Law Enforcement Agencies to Report the Termination of Officers Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
8/31 AB 3070 Prohibits the Use of Peremptory Challenge to Remove a Prospective Juror on the Basis of Race, Ethnicity, Gender, Sexual Orientation, or Religious Affiliation Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
8/31 AB 3234 Authorizes Judges to Offer Misdemeanor Diversion Programs to Certain Defendants Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
8/30 SB 973 Requires Employers to Submit Annual Pay Data Report Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
8/30 SB 855 Expands Health Insurance Coverage for Mental Health Treatment Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
8/30 AB 685 Requires Employers to Report COVID-19 Infections Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
8/30 AB 2537 Requires Hospitals Maintain 3-Month Supply of PPE Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
8/30 AB 826 Establishes a Disaster Food Assistance Program Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
8/30 AB 1196 Prohibits Law Enforcement Agencies from Authorizing the Use of Carotid Restraints or Choke Holds Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
8/30 AB 1506 Requires a State Prosecutor to Investigate Certain Officer-Involved Shootings Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
8/29 AB 3121 Establishes a Task Force for Reparations to African Americans Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3)
8/29 AB 2992 Prohibits Employer Punishment for Employee Leave Time Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3)
8/29 AB 979 Requires Corporations to Have Directors From Under-Represented Groups Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
8/29 AB 2425 Prohibits the Release of Certain Juvenile Police Records Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
8/29 AB 2405 Establishes a Right to Affordable Housing Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
8/28 AB 376 Establishes Protections for Student Loan Borrowers Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
8/28 AB 2762 Prohibits Certain Toxic Chemicals in Cosmetics Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
8/28 AB 646 Authorizes Individuals on Parole for a Felony Conviction to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
8/28 AB 2847 Requires Microstamping Within Handguns Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
8/28 AB 1185 Authorizes Counties to Establish a Sheriff Oversight Board Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)

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