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 23, 2019 | CA | AB 44 | Prohibits the Sale and Manufacturing of Fur Products | Bill Passed - House (52 - 16) |
| May 23, 2019 | CA | SB 392 | Amends Safer Consumer Products Program | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9) |
| May 22, 2019 | CA | AB 51 | Prohibits Forced Employment Arbitration Agreements | Bill Passed - House (47 - 20) |
| May 21, 2019 | CA | SB 58 | Authorizes Bars to Remain Open Until 3 AM | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6) |
| May 21, 2019 | CA | SB 142 | Requires Additional Lactation Accommodations for Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
| Aug. 24, 2018 | CA | SB 820 | Prohibits Non-Disclosure Agreements in Sexual Assault, Harassment, or Discrimination Cases | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 8) |
| Aug. 23, 2018 | CA | SB 820 | Prohibits Non-Disclosure Agreements in Sexual Assault, Harassment, or Discrimination Cases | Bill Passed - House (56 - 19) |
| May 30, 2018 | CA | AB 3080 | Prohibits Nondisclosure Agreements Regarding Workplace Harassment | Bill Passed - House (47 - 25) |
| May 29, 2018 | CA | AB 2160 | Defines Playground Aides as Classified Employees | Bill Passed - House (51 - 26) |
| May 8, 2017 | CA | AB 22 | Authorizes Termination of Employees Engaged in Subversive Activities | Bill Passed - House (41 - 30) |
| Aug. 31, 2016 | CA | SB 654 | Authorizes Paid Family Leave | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 12) |
| Aug. 31, 2016 | CA | SB 1241 | Amends Current Provisions of Labor Contracts | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 13) |
| Aug. 31, 2016 | CA | SB 654 | Authorizes Paid Family Leave | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 12) |
| Aug. 31, 2016 | CA | SB 1241 | Amends Current Provisions of Labor Contracts | Bill Passed - House (54 - 21) |
| Aug. 29, 2016 | CA | AB 1066 | Requires Overtime Pay for Farmworkers | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 32) |
| Aug. 25, 2016 | CA | AB 1843 | Prohibits Employers from Asking Applicants to Disclose Criminal History | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 36) |
| Aug. 22, 2016 | CA | AB 1843 | Prohibits Employers from Asking Applicants to Disclose Criminal History | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| Aug. 22, 2016 | CA | AB 1066 | Requires Overtime Pay for Farmworkers | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| Aug. 15, 2016 | CA | AB 1687 | Requires Entertainment Database Websites to Remove Actor's Age Upon Request | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
| June 2, 2016 | CA | AB 1676 | Prohibits Employers from Asking Job Applicants for Salary History | Bill Passed - House (47 - 29) |
| June 2, 2016 | CA | AB 2757 | Requires Overtime Pay for Farmworkers | Bill Failed - House (38 - 35) |
| March 31, 2016 | CA | SB 3 | Increases Minimum Wage | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
| 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 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. 4, 2015 | CA | AB 888 | Prohibits the Sale of Products Containing Plastic Microbeads | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| Aug. 27, 2015 | CA | SB 5 | Amends Regulations for E-Cigarettes | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
| Aug. 27, 2015 | CA | SB 7 | Increases Smoking Age to 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| 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 1, 2015 | CA | SB 3 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| June 1, 2015 | CA | SB 3 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| June 1, 2015 | CA | SB 588 | Authorizes Labor Commissioner to Enforce the Payment of Wages | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
| May 11, 2015 | CA | AB 202 | Requires Professional Sports Teams to Classify Cheerleaders Employees | Bill Passed - House (56 - 23) |
| Aug. 30, 2014 | CA | AB 1522 | Requires Paid Sick Leave for Employees | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 25) |
| Aug. 30, 2014 | CA | AB 1522 | Requires Paid Sick Leave for Employees | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 25) |
| Aug. 29, 2014 | CA | SB 270 | Prohibits Retailers from Using Single-Use Carryout Bags | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
| Aug. 29, 2014 | CA | AB 1522 | Requires Paid Sick Leave for Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8) |
| Aug. 29, 2014 | CA | AB 1522 | Requires Paid Sick Leave for Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8) |
| Aug. 28, 2014 | CA | SB 199 | Requires Certain Replica Guns to be Sold in Fluorescent Colors | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| Aug. 28, 2014 | CA | SB 270 | Prohibits Retailers from Using Single-Use Carryout Bags | Bill Passed - House (45 - 31) |
| Aug. 26, 2014 | CA | SB 199 | Requires Certain Replica Guns to be Sold in Fluorescent Colors | Bill Passed - House (43 - 34) |
| Aug. 25, 2014 | CA | SB 270 | Prohibits Retailers from Using Single-Use Carryout Bags | Bill Failed - House (38 - 33) |
| Aug. 21, 2014 | CA | SB 610 | Amends Franchise Agreement Terms | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 9) |
| Aug. 21, 2014 | CA | AB 1699 | Prohibits the Sale of Products Containing Microplastics | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 14) |
| Aug. 14, 2014 | CA | SB 610 | Amends Franchise Agreement Terms | Bill Passed - House (41 - 28) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/23 | AB 44 | Prohibits the Sale and Manufacturing of Fur Products | Bill Passed - House (52 - 16) |
| 5/23 | SB 392 | Amends Safer Consumer Products Program | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9) |
| 5/22 | AB 51 | Prohibits Forced Employment Arbitration Agreements | Bill Passed - House (47 - 20) |
| 5/21 | SB 58 | Authorizes Bars to Remain Open Until 3 AM | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6) |
| 5/21 | SB 142 | Requires Additional Lactation Accommodations for Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
| 8/24 | SB 820 | Prohibits Non-Disclosure Agreements in Sexual Assault, Harassment, or Discrimination Cases | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 8) |
| 8/23 | SB 820 | Prohibits Non-Disclosure Agreements in Sexual Assault, Harassment, or Discrimination Cases | Bill Passed - House (56 - 19) |
| 5/30 | AB 3080 | Prohibits Nondisclosure Agreements Regarding Workplace Harassment | Bill Passed - House (47 - 25) |
| 5/29 | AB 2160 | Defines Playground Aides as Classified Employees | Bill Passed - House (51 - 26) |
| 5/08 | AB 22 | Authorizes Termination of Employees Engaged in Subversive Activities | Bill Passed - House (41 - 30) |
| 8/31 | SB 654 | Authorizes Paid Family Leave | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 12) |
| 8/31 | SB 1241 | Amends Current Provisions of Labor Contracts | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 13) |
| 8/31 | SB 654 | Authorizes Paid Family Leave | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 12) |
| 8/31 | SB 1241 | Amends Current Provisions of Labor Contracts | Bill Passed - House (54 - 21) |
| 8/29 | AB 1066 | Requires Overtime Pay for Farmworkers | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 32) |
| 8/25 | AB 1843 | Prohibits Employers from Asking Applicants to Disclose Criminal History | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 36) |
| 8/22 | AB 1843 | Prohibits Employers from Asking Applicants to Disclose Criminal History | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| 8/22 | AB 1066 | Requires Overtime Pay for Farmworkers | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| 8/15 | AB 1687 | Requires Entertainment Database Websites to Remove Actor's Age Upon Request | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
| 6/02 | AB 1676 | Prohibits Employers from Asking Job Applicants for Salary History | Bill Passed - House (47 - 29) |
| 6/02 | AB 2757 | Requires Overtime Pay for Farmworkers | Bill Failed - House (38 - 35) |
| 3/31 | SB 3 | Increases Minimum Wage | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
| 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) |
| 3/31 | 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) |
| 9/04 | AB 888 | Prohibits the Sale of Products Containing Plastic Microbeads | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| 8/27 | SB 5 | Amends Regulations for E-Cigarettes | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
| 8/27 | SB 7 | Increases Smoking Age to 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| 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) |
| 6/01 | SB 3 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| 6/01 | SB 3 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| 6/01 | SB 588 | Authorizes Labor Commissioner to Enforce the Payment of Wages | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
| 5/11 | AB 202 | Requires Professional Sports Teams to Classify Cheerleaders Employees | Bill Passed - House (56 - 23) |
| 8/30 | AB 1522 | Requires Paid Sick Leave for Employees | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 25) |
| 8/30 | AB 1522 | Requires Paid Sick Leave for Employees | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 25) |
| 8/29 | SB 270 | Prohibits Retailers from Using Single-Use Carryout Bags | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
| 8/29 | AB 1522 | Requires Paid Sick Leave for Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8) |
| 8/29 | AB 1522 | Requires Paid Sick Leave for Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8) |
| 8/28 | SB 199 | Requires Certain Replica Guns to be Sold in Fluorescent Colors | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| 8/28 | SB 270 | Prohibits Retailers from Using Single-Use Carryout Bags | Bill Passed - House (45 - 31) |
| 8/26 | SB 199 | Requires Certain Replica Guns to be Sold in Fluorescent Colors | Bill Passed - House (43 - 34) |
| 8/25 | SB 270 | Prohibits Retailers from Using Single-Use Carryout Bags | Bill Failed - House (38 - 33) |
| 8/21 | SB 610 | Amends Franchise Agreement Terms | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 9) |
| 8/21 | AB 1699 | Prohibits the Sale of Products Containing Microplastics | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 14) |
| 8/14 | SB 610 | Amends Franchise Agreement Terms | Bill Passed - House (41 - 28) |