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
Aug. 29, 2012 CA SB 1476 Authorizes Courts to Designate More than 2 Individuals as Parents of a Child Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
Aug. 29, 2012 CA AB 2346 Authorizes Farm Workers to Sue Employers for Health or Safety Violations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 33)
Aug. 27, 2012 CA AB 472 Authorizes Immunity for Reporting Drug Overdoses Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 24)
Aug. 27, 2012 CA AB 2346 Authorizes Farm Workers to Sue Employers for Health or Safety Violations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Aug. 27, 2012 CA SB 1476 Authorizes Courts to Designate More than 2 Individuals as Parents of a Child Bill Passed - House (52 - 27)
Aug. 24, 2012 CA AB 1081 Prohibits Excessive Detention of Undocumented Immigrants Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 26)
Aug. 22, 2012 CA AB 472 Authorizes Immunity for Reporting Drug Overdoses Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
Aug. 20, 2012 CA SB 9 Sentence Reconsideration for Juvenile Offenders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
Aug. 16, 2012 CA SB 9 Sentence Reconsideration for Juvenile Offenders Bill Passed - House (41 - 34)
July 31, 2012 MA S 2400 Establishes Accountable Care Organizations Conference Report Adopted - House (133 - 20)
July 5, 2012 CA AB 1081 Prohibits Excessive Detention of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
June 27, 2012 NH SB 406 Authorizes Early Offer Alternative to Medical Injury Claims Veto Override Passed - House (247 - 111)
June 25, 2012 NJ A 763 Increases Fees to Fund the E-Court Information System Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 30)
June 25, 2012 NJ A 763 Increases Fees to Fund the E-Court Information System Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
June 21, 2012 NJ S 1599 Amends Surrogacy Laws Bill Passed - House (41 - 33)
June 13, 2012 RI H 7909 Requires State Health Laws to Comply with the Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
June 11, 2012 RI H 7909 Requires State Health Laws to Comply with the Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - House (56 - 9)
June 6, 2012 NH SB 406 Authorizes Early Offer Alternative to Medical Injury Claims Conference Report Adopted - House (220 - 141)
May 31, 2012 IL HB 1907 Illinois Street Gang and Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (93 - 18)
May 31, 2012 CA SB 1506 Reduces Charges for Possession of Controlled Substances Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 24)
May 31, 2012 NJ S 1599 Amends Surrogacy Laws Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
May 30, 2012 CA SB 1476 Authorizes Courts to Designate More than 2 Individuals as Parents of a Child Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
May 16, 2012 National HR 4970 Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2012 Bill Passed - House (222 - 205)
May 15, 2012 CO HB 1005 Establishes Limits for Driving Under the Influence of Marijuana Bill Passed - House (38 - 24)
May 2, 2012 MS HB 211 Authorizes Certian Officials to Hire Their Own Lawyers Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 18)
May 1, 2012 MS HB 211 Authorizes Certian Officials to Hire Their Own Lawyers Conference Report Adopted - House (63 - 56)
April 26, 2012 TN SJR 710 Amends Judicial Appointment Process Joint Resolution Passed - House (70 - 27)
April 26, 2012 CO SB 2 Authorizes Civil Unions Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
April 26, 2012 MO HB 1540 Prohibits Employees from Suing Co-Workers for Job Injuries Bill Passed - House (99 - 47)
April 26, 2012 National S 1925 Reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act Bill Passed - Senate (68 - 31)
April 23, 2012 TN SJR 710 Amends Judicial Appointment Process Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
April 19, 2012 CT SB 245 Authorizes People to Record Police Officers Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
April 11, 2012 ME LD 1810 Regulatory Takings Bill Passed - House (74 - 72)
April 9, 2012 AZ HB 2199 Authorizes Confidential Environmental Audits by Businesses Concurrence Vote Passed - House (39 - 15)
April 5, 2012 CO HB 1271 Repeals Direct Filing of Juveniles by Prosecutors Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
April 3, 2012 AZ HB 2199 Authorizes Confidential Environmental Audits by Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
April 3, 2012 AL SB 396 Compensation to Bridget Lee for Wrongful Incarceration Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
March 28, 2012 ID H 695 Establishes a Legislative Legal Defense Fund Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
March 28, 2012 ID H 660 Amends the Judicial Retirement Fund Bill Passed - House (46 - 22)
March 26, 2012 ID H 695 Establishes a Legislative Legal Defense Fund Bill Passed - House (53 - 16)
March 21, 2012 IL HB 3944 Authorizing the Recording of Police Bill Failed - House (45 - 59)
March 19, 2012 CO HB 1271 Repeals Direct Filing of Juveniles by Prosecutors Bill Passed - House (45 - 20)
March 15, 2012 ID S 1358 Amends Bullying Laws Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
March 15, 2012 KY SB 18 Amends Redistricting Requirements Amendment Adopted - Senate (27 - 11)
March 8, 2012 MO HB 1219 Workplace Discrimination Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
March 7, 2012 FL HB 971 Amends Process of Judiciary Appointment Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
March 7, 2012 MO SB 572 Amends Worker's Compensation Bill Passed - House (87 - 68)
March 6, 2012 AZ SB 1359 Prohibits Wrongful Birth Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
March 5, 2012 IA SF 2304 Requires DNA Samples from all Individuals Convicted of Certain Misdemeanors Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
March 1, 2012 FL HB 1209 Prohibits Courts from Basing Decisions on Foreign Laws Bill Passed - House (92 - 24)
Feb. 29, 2012 FL HB 609 Prohibits Unpaid Wage Collection Ordinances Bill Passed - House (77 - 38)
Feb. 28, 2012 UT HB 316 Extends Waiting Period for Divorce Bill Passed - House (43 - 26)
Feb. 28, 2012 AZ SB 1336 Limiting Manufacturer Eligibility for Punitive Damages Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
Feb. 24, 2012 FL HB 971 Amends Process of Judiciary Appointment Bill Passed - House (77 - 35)
Feb. 23, 2012 KS SB 83 Amends Judicial Appointment Process Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (17 - 22)
Feb. 23, 2012 FL HB 549 Amends Alimony Provisions Bill Passed - House (83 - 30)
Feb. 16, 2012 MO SB 572 Amends Worker's Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
Feb. 15, 2012 MS HB 211 Amends the Rules Regarding Hiring Outside Counsel Bill Passed - House (59 - 56)
Feb. 14, 2012 CO SB 20 Authorizes Legal Immunity to Drug Overdose Reporters Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
Feb. 9, 2012 National S 2038 Prohibits Insider Trading by Government Officials Bill Passed - House (417 - 2)
Feb. 9, 2012 MO HB 1219 Workplace Discrimination Amendments Bill Passed - House (89 - 68)
Feb. 8, 2012 MO SB 592 Limits Punitive Damages for Workplace Discrimination Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
Feb. 2, 2012 National S 2038 Prohibits Insider Trading by Government Officials Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 3)
Jan. 30, 2012 CA AB 327 Amends Three Strikes Law Bill Failed - House (33 - 35)
Date No. Title Outcome
8/29 SB 1476 Authorizes Courts to Designate More than 2 Individuals as Parents of a Child Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
8/29 AB 2346 Authorizes Farm Workers to Sue Employers for Health or Safety Violations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 33)
8/27 AB 472 Authorizes Immunity for Reporting Drug Overdoses Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 24)
8/27 AB 2346 Authorizes Farm Workers to Sue Employers for Health or Safety Violations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
8/27 SB 1476 Authorizes Courts to Designate More than 2 Individuals as Parents of a Child Bill Passed - House (52 - 27)
8/24 AB 1081 Prohibits Excessive Detention of Undocumented Immigrants Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 26)
8/22 AB 472 Authorizes Immunity for Reporting Drug Overdoses Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
8/20 SB 9 Sentence Reconsideration for Juvenile Offenders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
8/16 SB 9 Sentence Reconsideration for Juvenile Offenders Bill Passed - House (41 - 34)
7/31 S 2400 Establishes Accountable Care Organizations Conference Report Adopted - House (133 - 20)
7/05 AB 1081 Prohibits Excessive Detention of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
6/27 SB 406 Authorizes Early Offer Alternative to Medical Injury Claims Veto Override Passed - House (247 - 111)
6/25 A 763 Increases Fees to Fund the E-Court Information System Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 30)
6/25 A 763 Increases Fees to Fund the E-Court Information System Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
6/21 S 1599 Amends Surrogacy Laws Bill Passed - House (41 - 33)
6/13 H 7909 Requires State Health Laws to Comply with the Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
6/11 H 7909 Requires State Health Laws to Comply with the Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - House (56 - 9)
6/06 SB 406 Authorizes Early Offer Alternative to Medical Injury Claims Conference Report Adopted - House (220 - 141)
5/31 HB 1907 Illinois Street Gang and Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (93 - 18)
5/31 SB 1506 Reduces Charges for Possession of Controlled Substances Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 24)
5/31 S 1599 Amends Surrogacy Laws Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
5/30 SB 1476 Authorizes Courts to Designate More than 2 Individuals as Parents of a Child Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
5/16 HR 4970 Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2012 Bill Passed - House (222 - 205)
5/15 HB 1005 Establishes Limits for Driving Under the Influence of Marijuana Bill Passed - House (38 - 24)
5/02 HB 211 Authorizes Certian Officials to Hire Their Own Lawyers Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 18)
5/01 HB 211 Authorizes Certian Officials to Hire Their Own Lawyers Conference Report Adopted - House (63 - 56)
4/26 SJR 710 Amends Judicial Appointment Process Joint Resolution Passed - House (70 - 27)
4/26 SB 2 Authorizes Civil Unions Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
4/26 HB 1540 Prohibits Employees from Suing Co-Workers for Job Injuries Bill Passed - House (99 - 47)
4/26 S 1925 Reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act Bill Passed - Senate (68 - 31)
4/23 SJR 710 Amends Judicial Appointment Process Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
4/19 SB 245 Authorizes People to Record Police Officers Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
4/11 LD 1810 Regulatory Takings Bill Passed - House (74 - 72)
4/09 HB 2199 Authorizes Confidential Environmental Audits by Businesses Concurrence Vote Passed - House (39 - 15)
4/05 HB 1271 Repeals Direct Filing of Juveniles by Prosecutors Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
4/03 HB 2199 Authorizes Confidential Environmental Audits by Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
4/03 SB 396 Compensation to Bridget Lee for Wrongful Incarceration Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
3/28 H 695 Establishes a Legislative Legal Defense Fund Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
3/28 H 660 Amends the Judicial Retirement Fund Bill Passed - House (46 - 22)
3/26 H 695 Establishes a Legislative Legal Defense Fund Bill Passed - House (53 - 16)
3/21 HB 3944 Authorizing the Recording of Police Bill Failed - House (45 - 59)
3/19 HB 1271 Repeals Direct Filing of Juveniles by Prosecutors Bill Passed - House (45 - 20)
3/15 S 1358 Amends Bullying Laws Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
3/15 SB 18 Amends Redistricting Requirements Amendment Adopted - Senate (27 - 11)
3/08 HB 1219 Workplace Discrimination Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
3/07 HB 971 Amends Process of Judiciary Appointment Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
3/07 SB 572 Amends Worker's Compensation Bill Passed - House (87 - 68)
3/06 SB 1359 Prohibits Wrongful Birth Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
3/05 SF 2304 Requires DNA Samples from all Individuals Convicted of Certain Misdemeanors Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
3/01 HB 1209 Prohibits Courts from Basing Decisions on Foreign Laws Bill Passed - House (92 - 24)
2/29 HB 609 Prohibits Unpaid Wage Collection Ordinances Bill Passed - House (77 - 38)
2/28 HB 316 Extends Waiting Period for Divorce Bill Passed - House (43 - 26)
2/28 SB 1336 Limiting Manufacturer Eligibility for Punitive Damages Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
2/24 HB 971 Amends Process of Judiciary Appointment Bill Passed - House (77 - 35)
2/23 SB 83 Amends Judicial Appointment Process Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (17 - 22)
2/23 HB 549 Amends Alimony Provisions Bill Passed - House (83 - 30)
2/16 SB 572 Amends Worker's Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
2/15 HB 211 Amends the Rules Regarding Hiring Outside Counsel Bill Passed - House (59 - 56)
2/14 SB 20 Authorizes Legal Immunity to Drug Overdose Reporters Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
2/09 S 2038 Prohibits Insider Trading by Government Officials Bill Passed - House (417 - 2)
2/09 HB 1219 Workplace Discrimination Amendments Bill Passed - House (89 - 68)
2/08 SB 592 Limits Punitive Damages for Workplace Discrimination Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
2/02 S 2038 Prohibits Insider Trading by Government Officials Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 3)
1/30 AB 327 Amends Three Strikes Law Bill Failed - House (33 - 35)

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