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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 16, 2010 | LA | HB 303 | Authorizing Home School Student Athletic Participation | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (82 - 13) |
| June 2, 2010 | LA | SB 9 | Classifying Text Messaging While Driving as a Primary Offense | Bill Passed - House (69 - 22) |
| May 26, 2010 | LA | SB 38 | Criminalization of Participation in Cockfighting | Bill Passed - House (73 - 13) |
| May 26, 2010 | LA | SB 38 | Criminalization of Participation in Cockfighting | Bill Passed - House (73 - 13) |
| May 13, 2010 | LA | HB 554 | Prohibiting Release on Own Recognizance for Domestic Abuse Suspects | Bill Passed - House (63 - 20) |
| May 13, 2010 | LA | HB 554 | Prohibiting Release on Own Recognizance for Domestic Abuse Suspects | Bill Passed - House (63 - 20) |
| May 12, 2010 | LA | HB 1339 | Increasing Driving Restrictions on Class E License Holders | Bill Passed - House (59 - 34) |
| May 10, 2010 | LA | HB 219 | Illegal Dog Restraining | Bill Failed - House (46 - 40) |
| May 6, 2010 | LA | HB 863 | Prohibits Hand-Held Cell Phones while Driving | Bill Failed - House (49 - 41) |
| May 6, 2010 | LA | HB 68 | Authorizing Concealed Handguns in Places of Worship | Bill Failed - House (45 - 39) |
| April 28, 2010 | LA | HB 617 | Expanding Drug Testing Requirements for Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (61 - 27) |
| April 28, 2010 | LA | HB 1259 | Prohibiting "Cyber-Bullying" | Bill Passed - House (78 - 16) |
| April 22, 2010 | LA | Amdt 88 | Health Risk Exemption from Prohibition on Insurance Coverage of Elective Abortion | Amendment Rejected - House (17 - 67) |
| April 22, 2010 | LA | Amdt 89 | Rape and Incest Exemption From Prohibition on Insurance Coverage of Elective Abortion | Amendment Rejected - House (21 - 65) |
| April 22, 2010 | LA | Amdt 87A | Non-Viability Exemption From Prohibition on Insurance Coverage of Elective Abortion | Amendment Rejected - House (19 - 66) |
| April 22, 2010 | LA | HB 1247 | Prohibiting Insurance Coverage of Elective Abortions | Bill Passed - House (76 - 13) |
| April 19, 2010 | LA | HB 224 | Withholding Pension Benefits from Incarcerated Public Employees | Bill Failed - House (42 - 56) |
| June 18, 2009 | LA | HB 340 | Religious Freedom Constitutional Amendment | Concurrence Vote Failed - House (53 - 26) |
| June 17, 2009 | LA | HB 499 | Seat Belt Law | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 12) |
| June 16, 2009 | LA | HB 11 | Designating Driver's Licenses for Drug Dealers | Bill Failed - House (68 - 23) |
| June 16, 2009 | LA | HB 11 | Designating Driver's Licenses for Drug Dealers | Bill Failed - House (68 - 23) |
| June 16, 2009 | LA | HB 11 | Designating Driver's Licenses for Drug Dealers | Bill Failed - House (68 - 23) |
| June 2, 2009 | LA | HB 639 | Motorcycle Helmets | Bill Passed - House (64 - 33) |
| May 28, 2009 | LA | HB 834 | Education Requirements for Marriage and Family Therapists | Bill Passed - House (53 - 40) |
| May 28, 2009 | LA | HB 834 | Education Requirements for Marriage and Family Therapists | Bill Passed - House (53 - 40) |
| May 27, 2009 | LA | Amdt B-200 | Cell Phone Secondary Offense | Amendment Adopted - House (56 - 40) |
| May 27, 2009 | LA | HB 146 | Cell Phones While Driving | Bill Passed - House (57 - 41) |
| May 19, 2009 | LA | HB 517 | Health Care Protection | Bill Passed - House (82 - 13) |
| May 12, 2009 | LA | HB 60 | Birth Certificates for Adoption | Bill Passed - House (78 - 17) |
| May 12, 2009 | LA | HB 60 | Birth Certificates for Adoption | Bill Passed - House (78 - 17) |
| May 12, 2009 | LA | HB 60 | Birth Certificates for Adoption | Bill Passed - House (78 - 17) |
| June 21, 2008 | LA | HB 906 | Anonymity of Ethics Board Complaints | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 21) |
| June 20, 2008 | LA | SB 51 | Guns in Parked Locked Cars | Bill Passed - House (66 - 35) |
| June 20, 2008 | LA | SB 718 | State Board Member and Commissioner Financial Disclosures | Bill Passed - House (92 - 8) |
| June 19, 2008 | LA | SB 137 | Young Drivers Using Cell Phones While Driving | Bill Passed - House (70 - 19) |
| June 19, 2008 | LA | SB 137 | Young Drivers Using Cell Phones While Driving | Bill Passed - House (70 - 19) |
| June 11, 2008 | LA | SB 733 | Supplemental Science Teaching Materials | Bill Passed - House (94 - 3) |
| June 11, 2008 | LA | SB 144 | Castration of Sex Offenders | Bill Passed - House (69 - 15) |
| June 11, 2008 | LA | SB 144 | Castration of Sex Offenders | Bill Passed - House (69 - 15) |
| May 13, 2008 | LA | HB 1357 | Harboring of Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (77 - 18) |
| May 13, 2008 | LA | HB 1357 | Harboring of Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (77 - 18) |
| May 13, 2008 | LA | HB 1358 | Transporting Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (70 - 17) |
| May 13, 2008 | LA | HB 1358 | Transporting Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (70 - 17) |
| May 13, 2008 | LA | HB 25 | Verification of Citizenship or Immigration Status | Bill Passed - House (83 - 11) |
| May 13, 2008 | LA | HB 25 | Verification of Citizenship or Immigration Status | Bill Passed - House (83 - 11) |
| April 29, 2008 | LA | HB 674 | Anti-Bullying Bill | Bill Failed - House (28 - 63) |
| April 29, 2008 | LA | HB 674 | Anti-Bullying Bill | Bill Failed - House (28 - 63) |
| April 21, 2008 | LA | HB 852 | Banning Cell Phones While Driving | Bill Passed - House (55 - 43) |
| April 15, 2008 | LA | HB 370 | Banning Public Funds for Human Cloning | Bill Passed - House (90 - 9) |
| June 13, 2007 | LA | HB 747 | Restrictions on All-Terrain Vehicle Use | Bill Failed - House (50 - 50) |
| June 7, 2007 | LA | HB 786 | Teenage Driver Passenger Limit | Bill Failed - House (38 - 60) |
| June 7, 2007 | LA | HB 786 | Teenage Driver Passenger Limit | Bill Failed - House (38 - 60) |
| June 5, 2007 | LA | HB 313 | Extended Period for Indictments | Bill Passed - House (79 - 25) |
| June 5, 2007 | LA | HB 313 | Extended Period for Indictments | Bill Passed - House (79 - 25) |
| June 16, 2006 | LA | SB 753 | Hiring of Undocumented Immigrants Bill | Bill Passed - House (91 - 5) |
| June 14, 2006 | LA | HB 1379 | Procedures for the Granting of a Divorce When There are Minor Children | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 20) |
| May 31, 2006 | LA | SB 33 | Prohibits Abortion Except When Necessary to Save the Life or Health of the Woman | Bill Passed - House (85 - 17) |
| May 18, 2006 | LA | HB 1142 | Parole Eligibility | Bill Failed - House (37 - 48) |
| May 17, 2006 | LA | HB 853 | Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment in State Government | Bill Failed - House (38 - 58) |
| May 17, 2006 | LA | HB 853 | Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment in State Government | Bill Failed - House (38 - 58) |
| May 15, 2006 | LA | HB 1379 | Procedures for the Granting of a Divorce When There are Minor Children | Bill Passed - House (58 - 35) |
| May 4, 2006 | LA | HB 1010 | Smoking in Motor Vehicles Ban | Bill Passed - House (67 - 31) |
| May 4, 2006 | LA | HB 1010 | Smoking in Motor Vehicles Ban | Bill Passed - House (67 - 31) |
| April 3, 2006 | LA | HB 26 | Expanding the Definition of Resisting an Officer | Bill Passed - House (58 - 36) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6/16 | HB 303 | Authorizing Home School Student Athletic Participation | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (82 - 13) |
| 6/02 | SB 9 | Classifying Text Messaging While Driving as a Primary Offense | Bill Passed - House (69 - 22) |
| 5/26 | SB 38 | Criminalization of Participation in Cockfighting | Bill Passed - House (73 - 13) |
| 5/26 | SB 38 | Criminalization of Participation in Cockfighting | Bill Passed - House (73 - 13) |
| 5/13 | HB 554 | Prohibiting Release on Own Recognizance for Domestic Abuse Suspects | Bill Passed - House (63 - 20) |
| 5/13 | HB 554 | Prohibiting Release on Own Recognizance for Domestic Abuse Suspects | Bill Passed - House (63 - 20) |
| 5/12 | HB 1339 | Increasing Driving Restrictions on Class E License Holders | Bill Passed - House (59 - 34) |
| 5/10 | HB 219 | Illegal Dog Restraining | Bill Failed - House (46 - 40) |
| 5/06 | HB 863 | Prohibits Hand-Held Cell Phones while Driving | Bill Failed - House (49 - 41) |
| 5/06 | HB 68 | Authorizing Concealed Handguns in Places of Worship | Bill Failed - House (45 - 39) |
| 4/28 | HB 617 | Expanding Drug Testing Requirements for Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (61 - 27) |
| 4/28 | HB 1259 | Prohibiting "Cyber-Bullying" | Bill Passed - House (78 - 16) |
| 4/22 | Amdt 88 | Health Risk Exemption from Prohibition on Insurance Coverage of Elective Abortion | Amendment Rejected - House (17 - 67) |
| 4/22 | Amdt 89 | Rape and Incest Exemption From Prohibition on Insurance Coverage of Elective Abortion | Amendment Rejected - House (21 - 65) |
| 4/22 | Amdt 87A | Non-Viability Exemption From Prohibition on Insurance Coverage of Elective Abortion | Amendment Rejected - House (19 - 66) |
| 4/22 | HB 1247 | Prohibiting Insurance Coverage of Elective Abortions | Bill Passed - House (76 - 13) |
| 4/19 | HB 224 | Withholding Pension Benefits from Incarcerated Public Employees | Bill Failed - House (42 - 56) |
| 6/18 | HB 340 | Religious Freedom Constitutional Amendment | Concurrence Vote Failed - House (53 - 26) |
| 6/17 | HB 499 | Seat Belt Law | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 12) |
| 6/16 | HB 11 | Designating Driver's Licenses for Drug Dealers | Bill Failed - House (68 - 23) |
| 6/16 | HB 11 | Designating Driver's Licenses for Drug Dealers | Bill Failed - House (68 - 23) |
| 6/16 | HB 11 | Designating Driver's Licenses for Drug Dealers | Bill Failed - House (68 - 23) |
| 6/02 | HB 639 | Motorcycle Helmets | Bill Passed - House (64 - 33) |
| 5/28 | HB 834 | Education Requirements for Marriage and Family Therapists | Bill Passed - House (53 - 40) |
| 5/28 | HB 834 | Education Requirements for Marriage and Family Therapists | Bill Passed - House (53 - 40) |
| 5/27 | Amdt B-200 | Cell Phone Secondary Offense | Amendment Adopted - House (56 - 40) |
| 5/27 | HB 146 | Cell Phones While Driving | Bill Passed - House (57 - 41) |
| 5/19 | HB 517 | Health Care Protection | Bill Passed - House (82 - 13) |
| 5/12 | HB 60 | Birth Certificates for Adoption | Bill Passed - House (78 - 17) |
| 5/12 | HB 60 | Birth Certificates for Adoption | Bill Passed - House (78 - 17) |
| 5/12 | HB 60 | Birth Certificates for Adoption | Bill Passed - House (78 - 17) |
| 6/21 | HB 906 | Anonymity of Ethics Board Complaints | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 21) |
| 6/20 | SB 51 | Guns in Parked Locked Cars | Bill Passed - House (66 - 35) |
| 6/20 | SB 718 | State Board Member and Commissioner Financial Disclosures | Bill Passed - House (92 - 8) |
| 6/19 | SB 137 | Young Drivers Using Cell Phones While Driving | Bill Passed - House (70 - 19) |
| 6/19 | SB 137 | Young Drivers Using Cell Phones While Driving | Bill Passed - House (70 - 19) |
| 6/11 | SB 733 | Supplemental Science Teaching Materials | Bill Passed - House (94 - 3) |
| 6/11 | SB 144 | Castration of Sex Offenders | Bill Passed - House (69 - 15) |
| 6/11 | SB 144 | Castration of Sex Offenders | Bill Passed - House (69 - 15) |
| 5/13 | HB 1357 | Harboring of Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (77 - 18) |
| 5/13 | HB 1357 | Harboring of Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (77 - 18) |
| 5/13 | HB 1358 | Transporting Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (70 - 17) |
| 5/13 | HB 1358 | Transporting Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (70 - 17) |
| 5/13 | HB 25 | Verification of Citizenship or Immigration Status | Bill Passed - House (83 - 11) |
| 5/13 | HB 25 | Verification of Citizenship or Immigration Status | Bill Passed - House (83 - 11) |
| 4/29 | HB 674 | Anti-Bullying Bill | Bill Failed - House (28 - 63) |
| 4/29 | HB 674 | Anti-Bullying Bill | Bill Failed - House (28 - 63) |
| 4/21 | HB 852 | Banning Cell Phones While Driving | Bill Passed - House (55 - 43) |
| 4/15 | HB 370 | Banning Public Funds for Human Cloning | Bill Passed - House (90 - 9) |
| 6/13 | HB 747 | Restrictions on All-Terrain Vehicle Use | Bill Failed - House (50 - 50) |
| 6/07 | HB 786 | Teenage Driver Passenger Limit | Bill Failed - House (38 - 60) |
| 6/07 | HB 786 | Teenage Driver Passenger Limit | Bill Failed - House (38 - 60) |
| 6/05 | HB 313 | Extended Period for Indictments | Bill Passed - House (79 - 25) |
| 6/05 | HB 313 | Extended Period for Indictments | Bill Passed - House (79 - 25) |
| 6/16 | SB 753 | Hiring of Undocumented Immigrants Bill | Bill Passed - House (91 - 5) |
| 6/14 | HB 1379 | Procedures for the Granting of a Divorce When There are Minor Children | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 20) |
| 5/31 | SB 33 | Prohibits Abortion Except When Necessary to Save the Life or Health of the Woman | Bill Passed - House (85 - 17) |
| 5/18 | HB 1142 | Parole Eligibility | Bill Failed - House (37 - 48) |
| 5/17 | HB 853 | Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment in State Government | Bill Failed - House (38 - 58) |
| 5/17 | HB 853 | Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment in State Government | Bill Failed - House (38 - 58) |
| 5/15 | HB 1379 | Procedures for the Granting of a Divorce When There are Minor Children | Bill Passed - House (58 - 35) |
| 5/04 | HB 1010 | Smoking in Motor Vehicles Ban | Bill Passed - House (67 - 31) |
| 5/04 | HB 1010 | Smoking in Motor Vehicles Ban | Bill Passed - House (67 - 31) |
| 4/03 | HB 26 | Expanding the Definition of Resisting an Officer | Bill Passed - House (58 - 36) |