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.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
March 30, 2017 TX SB 258 Authorizes Burial or Cremation of Fetal Tissue After Abortion or Miscarriage Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
March 30, 2017 TX SB 2 Appropriates Funds for Private School Scholarships Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
March 27, 2017 TX SB 16 Reduces Fee for Firearm Carry Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
March 27, 2017 TX SB 20 Prohibits Coverage of Abortion by Some Health Insurance Plans Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
March 21, 2017 TX SB 25 Prohibits Wrongful Birth Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
March 15, 2017 TX SB 6 Requires Individuals to Use Bathrooms According to Gender on Birth Certificate Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
May 26, 2015 TX HB 3994 Amends Requirements for Minors Seeking Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
May 22, 2015 TX HB 910 Authorizes Open Carry of Handguns Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
May 12, 2015 TX SB 2065 Authorizes Religious Organizations to Decline to Perform Marriage Services Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
May 7, 2015 TX SB 1968 Prohibits Wage Deductions for State Employee Union Dues Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
May 7, 2015 TX SB 339 Authorizes Medical Use of Cannabis Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
May 6, 2015 TX SB 575 Prohibits Health Plan Coverage for Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
May 4, 2015 TX HB 40 Specifies That The State Will Regulate Oil and Gas Operations Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
April 30, 2015 TX SB 1628 Amends Existing Law Relating to Insurance Claim Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
April 27, 2015 TX SB 900 Amends Texas Windstorm Insurance Association Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
April 23, 2015 TX SB 158 Authorizes Grants for Body-Worn Cameras to Certain Law Enforcement Agencies Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
April 9, 2015 TX SB 10 Transfers Public Integrity Unit to Texas Rangers Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
April 7, 2015 TX SB 267 Prohibits Local Regulations that Prohibit Refusal of Tenants Based on Source of Income Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
March 31, 2015 TX SB 6 Establishes Rating System for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
March 19, 2015 TX SB 11 Authorizes Concealed Carry of Firearms on College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
March 17, 2015 TX SB 17 Authorizes Open Carry of Handguns Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
July 12, 2013 TX HB 2 Increases Abortion Facility Requirements and Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
June 23, 2013 TX SB 3 State House Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
June 18, 2013 TX SB 5 Increases Abortion Facility Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
June 14, 2013 TX SB 4 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 11)
May 26, 2013 TX HB 912 Limits the Private Use of Unmanned Aircrafts Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 5)
May 25, 2013 TX SB 1 2013-2015 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 4)
May 22, 2013 TX HB 950 Requires Equal Pay for Women Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
May 22, 2013 TX HB 1009 Establishes "School Marshal" as a New Category of Law Enforcement for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
April 30, 2013 TX SB 1907 Authorizes Firearms in Vehicles on College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
April 22, 2013 TX SB 1247 Limits Payday Loan Interest Rates Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
April 18, 2013 TX SB 303 Amends the End-of-Life Care Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
April 10, 2013 TX SB 1467 Requires Facilitation of Expansion of Firearms Manufacturers Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
March 19, 2013 TX SJR 13 Establishes Term Limits For Certain Elected Officials Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
June 27, 2011 TX SB 29 Restricts Certain Types of Touching During Searches by Government Officials Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
June 22, 2011 TX SB 22 Establishing the Texas Congressional Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
June 20, 2011 TX SB 4 Congressional Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
June 15, 2011 TX SB 9 Enforcement of Federal and State Immigration Laws Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
June 6, 2011 TX SB 8 Management and Operation of Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
June 6, 2011 TX SB 4 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
June 3, 2011 TX SB 1 2011-2013 Biennium Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
May 28, 2011 TX HB 1 2011-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 11)
May 25, 2011 TX S Amdt 3 Prohibits Texting While Driving Amendment Adopted - Senate (19 - 12)
May 23, 2011 TX HB 359 Corporal Punishment in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
May 21, 2011 TX HB 150 2011-2012 Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
May 9, 2011 TX SB 14 Voter Identification Requirements Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 12)
May 9, 2011 TX SB 1581 Concealed Handguns on Campus Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
May 4, 2011 TX HB 1 2011-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
May 3, 2011 TX HB 15 Requires an Ultrasound Prior to an Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
Feb. 23, 2011 TX SJR 1 Urging Congress to Propose a Balanced Budget Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
Feb. 17, 2011 TX SB 16 Abortion Procedures Bill Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
Jan. 26, 2011 TX SB 14 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
May 11, 2009 TX HB 1736 Increasing Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
April 15, 2009 TX SB 1049 Increasing Age Restriction on Tobacco Purchases Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
April 14, 2009 TX SB 855 Authorizing County Taxes and Fees to Fund Transportation Projects Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
April 1, 2009 TX SB 1 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
March 31, 2009 TX SB 298 Authorizing Sobriety Checkpoints Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
March 25, 2009 TX SB 175 Capping Automatic College Admissions Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
March 19, 2009 TX SB 188 Authorizes Needle Exchange Programs Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
March 11, 2009 TX SB 362 Requiring Proof of Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
Jan. 14, 2009 TX SR 14 Majority Vote Requirement for Voter ID Bill Consideration Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
May 23, 2007 TX CSHB 3678 Religious Expression at Schools Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
May 3, 2007 TX CSSB 920 Ultrasound Required Prior to Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
May 1, 2007 TX CSSB 966 Journalist Confidentiality Protection Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
April 30, 2007 TX CSSB 987 Complex Loan Counseling Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
April 27, 2007 TX CSSB 308 Syringe Exchange Program Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
April 26, 2007 TX CSSB 785 Abortion Reporting Requirement Act Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
April 17, 2007 TX CSSB 1909 Treatment for Drug Possession Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
April 12, 2007 TX CSHB 1 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
May 12, 2006 TX CSHB 5 Cigarette and Tobacco Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 13)
May 10, 2006 TX F 4 Cigarette Tax Revenue Allocation Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 20)
May 10, 2006 TX F 3 Cigarette Tax Revenue Allocation Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (12 - 18)
May 9, 2006 TX CSHB 2 Property Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
May 2, 2006 TX SCS HCS HB 4 Motor Vehicle Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
May 2, 2006 TX HB 3 Business Tax Revisions Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/30 SB 258 Authorizes Burial or Cremation of Fetal Tissue After Abortion or Miscarriage Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
3/30 SB 2 Appropriates Funds for Private School Scholarships Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
3/27 SB 16 Reduces Fee for Firearm Carry Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
3/27 SB 20 Prohibits Coverage of Abortion by Some Health Insurance Plans Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
3/21 SB 25 Prohibits Wrongful Birth Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
3/15 SB 6 Requires Individuals to Use Bathrooms According to Gender on Birth Certificate Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
5/26 HB 3994 Amends Requirements for Minors Seeking Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
5/22 HB 910 Authorizes Open Carry of Handguns Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
5/12 SB 2065 Authorizes Religious Organizations to Decline to Perform Marriage Services Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
5/07 SB 1968 Prohibits Wage Deductions for State Employee Union Dues Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
5/07 SB 339 Authorizes Medical Use of Cannabis Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
5/06 SB 575 Prohibits Health Plan Coverage for Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
5/04 HB 40 Specifies That The State Will Regulate Oil and Gas Operations Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
4/30 SB 1628 Amends Existing Law Relating to Insurance Claim Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
4/27 SB 900 Amends Texas Windstorm Insurance Association Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
4/23 SB 158 Authorizes Grants for Body-Worn Cameras to Certain Law Enforcement Agencies Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
4/09 SB 10 Transfers Public Integrity Unit to Texas Rangers Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
4/07 SB 267 Prohibits Local Regulations that Prohibit Refusal of Tenants Based on Source of Income Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
3/31 SB 6 Establishes Rating System for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
3/19 SB 11 Authorizes Concealed Carry of Firearms on College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
3/17 SB 17 Authorizes Open Carry of Handguns Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
7/12 HB 2 Increases Abortion Facility Requirements and Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
6/23 SB 3 State House Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
6/18 SB 5 Increases Abortion Facility Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
6/14 SB 4 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 11)
5/26 HB 912 Limits the Private Use of Unmanned Aircrafts Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 5)
5/25 SB 1 2013-2015 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 4)
5/22 HB 950 Requires Equal Pay for Women Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
5/22 HB 1009 Establishes "School Marshal" as a New Category of Law Enforcement for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
4/30 SB 1907 Authorizes Firearms in Vehicles on College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
4/22 SB 1247 Limits Payday Loan Interest Rates Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
4/18 SB 303 Amends the End-of-Life Care Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
4/10 SB 1467 Requires Facilitation of Expansion of Firearms Manufacturers Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
3/19 SJR 13 Establishes Term Limits For Certain Elected Officials Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
6/27 SB 29 Restricts Certain Types of Touching During Searches by Government Officials Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
6/22 SB 22 Establishing the Texas Congressional Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
6/20 SB 4 Congressional Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
6/15 SB 9 Enforcement of Federal and State Immigration Laws Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
6/06 SB 8 Management and Operation of Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
6/06 SB 4 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
6/03 SB 1 2011-2013 Biennium Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
5/28 HB 1 2011-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 11)
5/25 S Amdt 3 Prohibits Texting While Driving Amendment Adopted - Senate (19 - 12)
5/23 HB 359 Corporal Punishment in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
5/21 HB 150 2011-2012 Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
5/09 SB 14 Voter Identification Requirements Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 12)
5/09 SB 1581 Concealed Handguns on Campus Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
5/04 HB 1 2011-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
5/03 HB 15 Requires an Ultrasound Prior to an Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
2/23 SJR 1 Urging Congress to Propose a Balanced Budget Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
2/17 SB 16 Abortion Procedures Bill Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
1/26 SB 14 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
5/11 HB 1736 Increasing Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
4/15 SB 1049 Increasing Age Restriction on Tobacco Purchases Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
4/14 SB 855 Authorizing County Taxes and Fees to Fund Transportation Projects Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
4/01 SB 1 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
3/31 SB 298 Authorizing Sobriety Checkpoints Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
3/25 SB 175 Capping Automatic College Admissions Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
3/19 SB 188 Authorizes Needle Exchange Programs Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
3/11 SB 362 Requiring Proof of Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
1/14 SR 14 Majority Vote Requirement for Voter ID Bill Consideration Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
5/23 CSHB 3678 Religious Expression at Schools Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
5/03 CSSB 920 Ultrasound Required Prior to Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
5/01 CSSB 966 Journalist Confidentiality Protection Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
4/30 CSSB 987 Complex Loan Counseling Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
4/27 CSSB 308 Syringe Exchange Program Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
4/26 CSSB 785 Abortion Reporting Requirement Act Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
4/17 CSSB 1909 Treatment for Drug Possession Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
4/12 CSHB 1 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
5/12 CSHB 5 Cigarette and Tobacco Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 13)
5/10 F 4 Cigarette Tax Revenue Allocation Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 20)
5/10 F 3 Cigarette Tax Revenue Allocation Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (12 - 18)
5/09 CSHB 2 Property Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
5/02 SCS HCS HB 4 Motor Vehicle Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
5/02 HB 3 Business Tax Revisions Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)

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