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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 27, 2021 | FL | HB 53 | Requires State and Local Governments to Accept Certain Public Works Bids | (24 - 16) |
| April 27, 2021 | FL | HB 735 | Prohibits Local Governments from Requiring a License for a Contractor or Journeyman Type Job | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18) |
| April 15, 2021 | FL | HB 1 | Increases Criminal Penalties for Assaulting Law Enforcement Officials | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17) |
| April 8, 2021 | FL | SB 86 | Establishes a Higher Education Scholarship for Students | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18) |
| April 7, 2021 | FL | HB 233 | Requires Florida's Public Universities to Conduct Assessments on Intellectual Freedom | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| March 25, 2021 | FL | SJR 204 | Authorizes Referendum as to Abolishment of Constitution Revision Commission | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12) |
| March 18, 2021 | FL | SB 72 | Specifies Requirements for COVID-Related Civil Actions | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15) |
| March 19, 2020 | FL | H 5001 | Appropriates Funds for the 2020-2021 Fiscal Year Budget and Related COVID-19 Containment Efforts | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 0) |
| March 13, 2020 | FL | HB 1259 | Prohibits Putting Pregnant Prisoners in Restrictive Housing | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 0) |
| March 12, 2020 | FL | SB 810 | Increases the Legal Smoking Age to 21 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 9) |
| March 12, 2020 | FL | SB 664 | Requires Government Agencies Use E-Verify Immigration Check for Employment | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 17) |
| March 11, 2020 | FL | HB 607 | Authorizes Independent Nurse Practitioners to Open Primary Care Practices Without Doctor Supervision | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10) |
| March 11, 2020 | FL | HB 389 | Expands List of Medical Conditions That Pharmacists May Treat | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12) |
| March 11, 2020 | FL | HB 1213 | Requires Adding Ocoee Riots to School Curriculum | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0) |
| March 11, 2020 | FL | HB 199 | Extends Sexual Battery Prosecution Time Limitations | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0) |
| March 10, 2020 | FL | SB 70 | Establishes Alert Systems in Public Schools | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 0) |
| March 9, 2020 | FL | SB 1794 | Increases Signature Threshold for Initiative Petitions | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17) |
| March 6, 2020 | FL | HB 43 | Amends Child Welfare Training Standards | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0) |
| Feb. 6, 2020 | FL | SB 404 | Requires Parental Consent for Minors Prior to Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17) |
| Jan. 29, 2020 | FL | SB 172 | Prohibits Local Governments from Prohibiting Certain Drugs and Cosmetics | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14) |
| May 3, 2019 | FL | HB 5 | Increases Ballot Initiative Signature Collection Requirements | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 17) |
| May 3, 2019 | FL | SB 322 | Amends Health Insurance Options | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 13) |
| May 3, 2019 | FL | HB 7103 | Amends Law Relating to Community Development and Housing | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
| May 2, 2019 | FL | SB 168 | Prohibits State Sanctuary City Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 18) |
| May 2, 2019 | FL | SB 7066 | Requires Felons Pay Outstanding Court Fees Prior to Voting Rights Restoration | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17) |
| May 2, 2019 | FL | HB 629 | Requires Warning Labels on Lottery Tickets | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13) |
| April 30, 2019 | FL | HB 771 | Prohibits Municipal Governments from Prohibiting Plastic Straws | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15) |
| April 29, 2019 | FL | HB 21 | Repeals Provisions Regulating Healthcare Facilities | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17) |
| April 29, 2019 | FL | HB 19 | Authorizes the Importation of Prescription Drugs from Canada | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13) |
| April 29, 2019 | FL | HB 741 | Prohibits "Anti-Semitic Speech" at Public Schools, Colleges, and Universities | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0) |
| April 26, 2019 | FL | HB 1159 | Prohibits Municipal Governments from Requiring Approval for Tree Removal | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16) |
| April 23, 2019 | FL | SB 7030 | Authorizes Firearms on School Campuses | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17) |
| March 7, 2019 | FL | SB 182 | Authorizes the Use of Medical Marijuana by Smoking | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 4) |
| March 7, 2018 | FL | HB 7067 | Authorizes Blackjack in Seminole Casinos | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10) |
| March 5, 2018 | FL | SB 7026 | Establishes the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18) |
| June 9, 2017 | FL | SB 8A | Establishes Rules for Growing Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8) |
| May 8, 2017 | FL | HB 7069 | Establishes New Eligibility Criteria for Teacher Scholarships | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 18) |
| May 8, 2017 | FL | HB 5007 | Revises Florida Retirement System | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 13) |
| May 5, 2017 | FL | HB 989 | Authorizes Residents to Challenge School Textbooks | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17) |
| March 23, 2017 | FL | SB 436 | Prohibits Discrimination Against Religious Expression in Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13) |
| March 15, 2017 | FL | SB 128 | Authorizes Immunity for Self-Defense | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| March 9, 2016 | FL | HB 7029 | Amends Charter School Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12) |
| March 9, 2016 | FL | HB 1411 | Amends Requirements for Disposal of Fetal Tissue | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15) |
| March 7, 2016 | FL | HB 307 | Amends Medical Marijuana Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11) |
| March 3, 2016 | FL | HB 43 | Authorizes Churches to Decline to Provide Certain Marriage Services | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| Feb. 23, 2016 | FL | SB 250 | Requires Legal Presumption of Equal Time-Sharing for Parental Custody | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| Jan. 28, 2016 | FL | SB 344 | Amends Burden of Proof in Self-Defense Immunity Claims | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12) |
| April 24, 2015 | FL | HB 633 | Requires 24-Hour Waiting Period Prior to Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
| April 23, 2015 | FL | SB 1298 | Expands Insurance Requirements for Short-Term Rental Companies | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12) |
| April 14, 2015 | FL | HB 7013 | Amends Child Adoption Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
| March 24, 2015 | FL | SB 290 | Authorizes Concealed Carry During Emergency Evacuations | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10) |
| Aug. 11, 2014 | FL | SB 2-A | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
| May 2, 2014 | FL | HB 755 | Authorizes Certain Non-Citizen Individuals to be Admitted to the Bar | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
| May 2, 2014 | FL | SB 850 | Establishes the Florida Personal Learning Scholarship Accounts Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 11) |
| May 1, 2014 | FL | HB 851 | Authorizes In-State Tuition for Non-Citizen Individuals | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
| April 29, 2014 | FL | SB 1714 | Amends Brewery Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10) |
| April 28, 2014 | FL | SB 386 | Prohibits Enforcement of Foreign Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| April 25, 2014 | FL | HB 1047 | Amends Definition of Fetal Viability | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15) |
| April 24, 2014 | FL | HB 7029 | Prohibits Administrators From Punishing Simulation Of Weapon Play | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6) |
| April 24, 2014 | FL | SB 392 | Increases the Speed Limit on Certain Highways | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
| April 23, 2014 | FL | HB 59 | Establishes Penalties for Killing or Injuring a Fetus | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14) |
| April 3, 2014 | FL | HB 89 | Prohibits Mandatory Sentencing for Certain Convictions of Aggravated Assault | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7) |
| April 3, 2014 | FL | SJR 1188 | Authorizes Governor to Fill Prospective Judicial Vacancies | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (26 - 14) |
| May 1, 2013 | FL | HB 7009 | Amends Teacher Evaluations and Charter School Provisions | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7) |
| April 30, 2013 | FL | HB 867 | Authorizes Parent Involvement in School Turnaround Decisions | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 20) |
| April 29, 2013 | FL | HB 7083 | Limits Post-Conviction Death Penalty Appeals | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
| April 29, 2013 | FL | SB 306 | Authorizes Professional Sports Teams to Bid for State Funds | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 4) |
| April 11, 2013 | FL | SB 1792 | Amends Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12) |
| April 4, 2013 | FL | SB 718 | Amends Alimony Provisions | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11) |
| March 22, 2012 | FL | SJR 2B | State Senate Redistricting | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (31 - 6) |
| March 9, 2012 | FL | HB 5001 | 2012-2013 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 8) |
| March 9, 2012 | FL | HB 119 | Amends Personal Injury Protection Insurance Requirements and Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| March 9, 2012 | FL | HB 1263 | Health Inspection Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9) |
| March 9, 2012 | FL | HB 859 | School Voucher Program | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8) |
| March 9, 2012 | FL | HB 1205 | Authorizes Random Drug Tests of State Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14) |
| March 9, 2012 | FL | SB 1718 | Authorizes Parent Involvement in School Turnaround Decisions | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 20) |
| March 8, 2012 | FL | HB 4001 | Repeals Provisions for Cap and Trade Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5) |
| March 7, 2012 | FL | HB 971 | Amends Process of Judiciary Appointment | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| Feb. 23, 2012 | FL | HB 5001 | 2012-2013 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 6) |
| Feb. 14, 2012 | FL | SB 2038 | Private Correctional Facilities | Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 21) |
| Feb. 1, 2012 | FL | SB 98 | Authorizes Student-Led Prayer in School | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8) |
| May 6, 2011 | FL | HB 5305 | Eliminating the Correctional Medical Authority | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 13) |
| May 6, 2011 | FL | HB 5007 | Amends Business Regulations | Conference Report Rejected - Senate (18 - 21) |
| May 6, 2011 | FL | SB 2000 | 2011-2012 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 8) |
| May 6, 2011 | FL | HB 7107 | Medicaid Managed Care Program | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11) |
| May 5, 2011 | FL | HJR 7111 | Amends the Division of the Florida Supreme Court | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| May 5, 2011 | FL | HB 353 | Drug Screening for Temporary Assistance Beneficiaries | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
| May 5, 2011 | FL | HB 1127 | Abortion Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15) |
| May 4, 2011 | FL | HJR 381 | Homestead and Property Assessment | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
| April 28, 2011 | FL | HB 97 | Prohibits Insurance Coverage of Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11) |
| April 28, 2011 | FL | HJR 1179 | Prohibits Public Funding of Abortions | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12) |
| April 28, 2011 | FL | HB 45 | Regulation of Firearms and Ammunition | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8) |
| April 28, 2011 | FL | SB 234 | Authorizes Open Display of a Firearm | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
| April 28, 2011 | FL | SB 408 | Property and Casualty Insurance Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
| March 24, 2011 | FL | HB 1207 | Campaign Financing Act | Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 9) |
| March 10, 2011 | FL | SB 736 | Public School Evaluation Procedures | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
| March 9, 2011 | FL | SJR 2 | Authorizes Exemptions from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act | Amendment Adopted - Senate (29 - 10) |
| April 28, 2010 | FL | Amdt 841564 | Pre-Abortion Ultrasound Requirement | Amendment Adopted - Senate (22 - 17) |
| April 22, 2010 | FL | HJR 37 | Prohibiting Individual Health Care Mandate | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
| April 15, 2010 | FL | SB 622 | Gaming Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9) |