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. 31, 2016 CA SB 654 Authorizes Paid Family Leave Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
Aug. 31, 2016 CA AB 1671 Prohibits Unauthorized Disclosure of Confidential Communications with Healthcare Providers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 26)
Aug. 31, 2016 CA AB 1889 Appropriates Funds for High-Speed Rail Project Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 30)
Aug. 31, 2016 CA SB 1234 Authorizes Implementation of Retirement Savings Plan Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
Aug. 31, 2016 CA SB 859 Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emission Levels Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
Aug. 31, 2016 CA SB 1241 Amends Current Provisions of Labor Contracts Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
Aug. 31, 2016 CA AB 1671 Prohibits Unauthorized Disclosure of Confidential Communications with Healthcare Providers Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
Aug. 31, 2016 CA SB 1241 Amends Current Provisions of Labor Contracts Bill Passed - House (54 - 21)
Aug. 31, 2016 CA SB 859 Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emission Levels Bill Passed - House (51 - 20)
Aug. 31, 2016 CA AB 2002 Requires Coastal Commission Members to Disclose Private Meetings Bill Failed - Senate (22 - 13)
Aug. 30, 2016 CA SB 1333 Prohibits Smoking on State Beaches and Parks Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
Aug. 30, 2016 CA AB 385 Repeals Daylight Savings Time Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 19)
Aug. 29, 2016 CA AB 1066 Requires Overtime Pay for Farmworkers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 32)
Aug. 29, 2016 CA SB 1069 Amends Requirements for Accessory Dwelling Units Bill Passed - House (55 - 23)
Aug. 26, 2016 CA SB 839 Prohibits Orca Captivity and Breeding Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
Aug. 25, 2016 CA AB 1843 Prohibits Employers from Asking Applicants to Disclose Criminal History Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 36)
Aug. 25, 2016 CA SB 1333 Prohibits Smoking on State Beaches and Parks Bill Passed - House (50 - 26)
Aug. 25, 2016 CA SB 1234 Requires Eligible Employers to Provide Retirement Savings Funds to Employees Bill Passed - House (52 - 26)
Aug. 25, 2016 CA AB 1889 Appropriates Funds for High-Speed Rail Project Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
Aug. 24, 2016 CA SB 32 Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions Levels Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
Aug. 24, 2016 CA SB 1150 Authorizes Heirs to Receive Home Loan Information Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
Aug. 24, 2016 CA AB 197 Establishes the Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 30)
Aug. 23, 2016 CA AB 1887 Prohibits State-Funded Travel to Certain States Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 21)
Aug. 23, 2016 CA AB 1785 Prohibits Use of Handheld Electronic Devices While Driving Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 20)
Aug. 23, 2016 CA SB 32 Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions Levels Bill Passed - House (48 - 31)
Aug. 23, 2016 CA AB 385 Repeals Daylight Savings Time Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 17)
Aug. 22, 2016 CA AB 1843 Prohibits Employers from Asking Applicants to Disclose Criminal History Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
Aug. 22, 2016 CA SB 1150 Authorizes Heirs to Receive Home Loan Information Bill Passed - House (49 - 26)
Aug. 22, 2016 CA AB 197 Establishes the Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
Aug. 22, 2016 CA AB 1066 Requires Overtime Pay for Farmworkers Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
Aug. 18, 2016 CA SB 1322 Exempts Minors from Prostitution Charges Bill Passed - House (42 - 29)
Aug. 17, 2016 CA AB 1887 Prohibits State-Funded Travel to Certain States Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
Aug. 17, 2016 CA AB 1785 Prohibits Use of Handheld Electronic Devices While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
Aug. 16, 2016 CA AB 2466 Expands Voting Rights for Certain Convicted Felons Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
Aug. 15, 2016 CA AB 1687 Requires Entertainment Database Websites to Remove Actor's Age Upon Request Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
Aug. 4, 2016 CA SB 759 Authorizes Early Release for Certain Prisoners in Solitary Confinement Bill Passed - House (41 - 31)
June 30, 2016 CA SB 1235 Requires Background Checks to Buy Ammunition Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
June 30, 2016 CA AB 1674 Limits the Purchase of Firearms Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 34)
June 30, 2016 CA AB 1135 Prohibits Firearms with Bullet Button Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 30)
June 30, 2016 CA AB 1695 Prohibits Falsely Reporting the Loss or Theft of a Firearm Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 25)
June 30, 2016 CA AB 1674 Limits the Purchase of Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
June 30, 2016 CA SB 1235 Requires Background Checks to Buy Ammunition Bill Passed - House (46 - 30)
June 30, 2016 CA AB 1695 Prohibits Falsely Reporting the Loss or Theft of a Firearm Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
June 30, 2016 CA AB 2607 Authorizes Certain Individuals to Request a Gun Violence Restraining Order Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
June 30, 2016 CA SB 1446 Prohibits the Possession of High-Capacity Gun Magazines Bill Passed - House (44 - 31)
June 16, 2016 CA SB 839 Prohibits Orca Captivity and Breeding Bill Passed - House (48 - 28)
June 15, 2016 CA SB 826 Approves Spending Plan for 2016-2017 Fiscal Year Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
June 15, 2016 CA SB 826 Approves Spending Plan for 2016-2017 Fiscal Year Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 27)
June 2, 2016 CA SB 10 Authorizes Undocumented Immigrants to be Eligible for Health Coverage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
June 2, 2016 CA AB 2002 Requires Coastal Commission Members to Disclose Private Meetings Bill Passed - House (54 - 23)
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)
June 1, 2016 CA AB 2607 Authorizes Certain Individuals to Request a Gun Violence Restraining Order Bill Passed - House (41 - 37)
June 1, 2016 CA SB 1033 Requires Physicians to Disclose Probationary Status Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 13)
May 31, 2016 CA SB 10 Authorizes Undocumented Immigrants to be Eligible for Health Coverage Bill Passed - House (55 - 20)
May 31, 2016 CA SB 1333 Prohibits Smoking on State Beaches and Parks Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
May 31, 2016 CA AB 2466 Expands Voting Rights for Certain Convicted Felons Bill Passed - House (41 - 37)
May 26, 2016 CA SB 1146 Amends Religious Exemption Requirements for Universities Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
May 23, 2016 CA SB 1190 Prohibits Coastal Commission from Engaging in Ex Parte Communications Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
May 19, 2016 CA AB 1135 Prohibits Firearms with Bullet Button Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
May 19, 2016 CA SB 1235 Requires Background Checks to Buy Ammunition Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
May 19, 2016 CA SB 1446 Prohibits the Possession of High-Capacity Gun Magazines Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
May 9, 2016 CA AB 1732 Requires Single User Restrooms to be Gender Neutral Bill Passed - House (55 - 19)
May 2, 2016 CA SB 1129 Repeals Minimum Sentences for Repeat Prostitution Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
April 28, 2016 CA ACR 137 Establishes May 26th as John Wayne Day Resolution Failed - House (36 - 19)
April 25, 2016 CA SB 966 Prohibits Extending Sentences for Repeat Drug Offenders Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 16)
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 10, 2016 CA SB 5 Amends Regulations for E-Cigarettes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
March 10, 2016 CA SB 7 Increases Smoking Age to 21 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
March 3, 2016 CA SB 7 Increases Smoking Age to 21 Bill Passed - House (49 - 25)
March 3, 2016 CA SB 5 Amends Regulations for E-Cigarettes Bill Passed - House (52 - 21)
Date No. Title Outcome
8/31 SB 654 Authorizes Paid Family Leave Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
8/31 AB 1671 Prohibits Unauthorized Disclosure of Confidential Communications with Healthcare Providers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 26)
8/31 AB 1889 Appropriates Funds for High-Speed Rail Project Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 30)
8/31 SB 1234 Authorizes Implementation of Retirement Savings Plan Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
8/31 SB 859 Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emission Levels Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
8/31 SB 1241 Amends Current Provisions of Labor Contracts Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
8/31 AB 1671 Prohibits Unauthorized Disclosure of Confidential Communications with Healthcare Providers Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
8/31 SB 1241 Amends Current Provisions of Labor Contracts Bill Passed - House (54 - 21)
8/31 SB 859 Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emission Levels Bill Passed - House (51 - 20)
8/31 AB 2002 Requires Coastal Commission Members to Disclose Private Meetings Bill Failed - Senate (22 - 13)
8/30 SB 1333 Prohibits Smoking on State Beaches and Parks Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
8/30 AB 385 Repeals Daylight Savings Time Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 19)
8/29 AB 1066 Requires Overtime Pay for Farmworkers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 32)
8/29 SB 1069 Amends Requirements for Accessory Dwelling Units Bill Passed - House (55 - 23)
8/26 SB 839 Prohibits Orca Captivity and Breeding Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
8/25 AB 1843 Prohibits Employers from Asking Applicants to Disclose Criminal History Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 36)
8/25 SB 1333 Prohibits Smoking on State Beaches and Parks Bill Passed - House (50 - 26)
8/25 SB 1234 Requires Eligible Employers to Provide Retirement Savings Funds to Employees Bill Passed - House (52 - 26)
8/25 AB 1889 Appropriates Funds for High-Speed Rail Project Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
8/24 SB 32 Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions Levels Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
8/24 SB 1150 Authorizes Heirs to Receive Home Loan Information Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
8/24 AB 197 Establishes the Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 30)
8/23 AB 1887 Prohibits State-Funded Travel to Certain States Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 21)
8/23 AB 1785 Prohibits Use of Handheld Electronic Devices While Driving Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 20)
8/23 SB 32 Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions Levels Bill Passed - House (48 - 31)
8/23 AB 385 Repeals Daylight Savings Time Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 17)
8/22 AB 1843 Prohibits Employers from Asking Applicants to Disclose Criminal History Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
8/22 SB 1150 Authorizes Heirs to Receive Home Loan Information Bill Passed - House (49 - 26)
8/22 AB 197 Establishes the Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
8/22 AB 1066 Requires Overtime Pay for Farmworkers Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
8/18 SB 1322 Exempts Minors from Prostitution Charges Bill Passed - House (42 - 29)
8/17 AB 1887 Prohibits State-Funded Travel to Certain States Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
8/17 AB 1785 Prohibits Use of Handheld Electronic Devices While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
8/16 AB 2466 Expands Voting Rights for Certain Convicted Felons Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
8/15 AB 1687 Requires Entertainment Database Websites to Remove Actor's Age Upon Request Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
8/04 SB 759 Authorizes Early Release for Certain Prisoners in Solitary Confinement Bill Passed - House (41 - 31)
6/30 SB 1235 Requires Background Checks to Buy Ammunition Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
6/30 AB 1674 Limits the Purchase of Firearms Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 34)
6/30 AB 1135 Prohibits Firearms with Bullet Button Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 30)
6/30 AB 1695 Prohibits Falsely Reporting the Loss or Theft of a Firearm Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 25)
6/30 AB 1674 Limits the Purchase of Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
6/30 SB 1235 Requires Background Checks to Buy Ammunition Bill Passed - House (46 - 30)
6/30 AB 1695 Prohibits Falsely Reporting the Loss or Theft of a Firearm Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
6/30 AB 2607 Authorizes Certain Individuals to Request a Gun Violence Restraining Order Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
6/30 SB 1446 Prohibits the Possession of High-Capacity Gun Magazines Bill Passed - House (44 - 31)
6/16 SB 839 Prohibits Orca Captivity and Breeding Bill Passed - House (48 - 28)
6/15 SB 826 Approves Spending Plan for 2016-2017 Fiscal Year Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
6/15 SB 826 Approves Spending Plan for 2016-2017 Fiscal Year Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 27)
6/02 SB 10 Authorizes Undocumented Immigrants to be Eligible for Health Coverage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
6/02 AB 2002 Requires Coastal Commission Members to Disclose Private Meetings Bill Passed - House (54 - 23)
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)
6/01 AB 2607 Authorizes Certain Individuals to Request a Gun Violence Restraining Order Bill Passed - House (41 - 37)
6/01 SB 1033 Requires Physicians to Disclose Probationary Status Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 13)
5/31 SB 10 Authorizes Undocumented Immigrants to be Eligible for Health Coverage Bill Passed - House (55 - 20)
5/31 SB 1333 Prohibits Smoking on State Beaches and Parks Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
5/31 AB 2466 Expands Voting Rights for Certain Convicted Felons Bill Passed - House (41 - 37)
5/26 SB 1146 Amends Religious Exemption Requirements for Universities Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
5/23 SB 1190 Prohibits Coastal Commission from Engaging in Ex Parte Communications Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
5/19 AB 1135 Prohibits Firearms with Bullet Button Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
5/19 SB 1235 Requires Background Checks to Buy Ammunition Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
5/19 SB 1446 Prohibits the Possession of High-Capacity Gun Magazines Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
5/09 AB 1732 Requires Single User Restrooms to be Gender Neutral Bill Passed - House (55 - 19)
5/02 SB 1129 Repeals Minimum Sentences for Repeat Prostitution Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
4/28 ACR 137 Establishes May 26th as John Wayne Day Resolution Failed - House (36 - 19)
4/25 SB 966 Prohibits Extending Sentences for Repeat Drug Offenders Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 16)
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)
3/10 SB 5 Amends Regulations for E-Cigarettes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
3/10 SB 7 Increases Smoking Age to 21 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
3/03 SB 7 Increases Smoking Age to 21 Bill Passed - House (49 - 25)
3/03 SB 5 Amends Regulations for E-Cigarettes Bill Passed - House (52 - 21)

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