Key Votes

Chamber

Keyword Search

Search string must be longer than 3 characters.

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
Sept. 14, 2023 CA SB 407 Requires the Department of Social Services Amend the Foster Care Vetting Process to Ensure LGBTQ+ Youth are Not Placed in Hostile Homes. Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
Sept. 14, 2023 CA AB 524 Prohibits Employment Discrimination for Those With Family Caregiver Status Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 17)
Sept. 14, 2023 CA AB 352 Requires Information on Fertility and Menstrual Tracking Apps Be Subject to Medical Privacy Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 14)
Sept. 14, 2023 CA SJR 7 Establishes Various State Gun Control Measures Joint Resolution Passed - House (53 - 17)
Sept. 13, 2023 CA AB 352 Requires Information on Fertility and Menstrual Tracking Apps Be Subject to Medical Privacy Laws Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
Sept. 13, 2023 CA SB 407 Requires the Department of Social Services Amend the Foster Care Vetting Process to Ensure LGBTQ+ Youth are Not Placed in Hostile Homes. Bill Passed - House (61 - 14)
Sept. 13, 2023 CA AB 280 Limits the Use of Solitary Confinement in California State Prisons Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Sept. 13, 2023 CA AB 280 Limits the Use of Solitary Confinement in California State Prisons Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Sept. 12, 2023 CA SB 447 Authorizes State and Public University Employees to Resume Travel to Previously Restricted States Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
Sept. 12, 2023 CA SB 2 Amends Penal Code Related to Firearms Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
Sept. 12, 2023 CA AB 524 Prohibits Employment Discrimination for Those With Family Caregiver Status Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
Sept. 12, 2023 CA SB 326 Authorizes Counties to Provide Substance Abuse Disorder Treatment that Emphasizes Housing Bill Passed - House (68 - 7)
Sept. 12, 2023 CA AB 33 Establishes a Fentanyl Misuse and Overdose Prevention Task Force Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
Sept. 11, 2023 CA SB 4 Authorizes Religious Institutions and Nonprofit Colleges to Build Affordable Housing on Their Property Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
Sept. 11, 2023 CA SB 447 Authorizes State and Public University Employees to Resume Travel to Previously Restricted States Bill Passed - House (64 - 12)
Sept. 11, 2023 CA SB 2 Amends Penal Code Related to Firearms Bill Passed - House (54 - 23)
Sept. 8, 2023 CA AB 957 Establishes Gender Identity Acknowledgement as a Parental Custody Requirement Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 16)
Sept. 7, 2023 CA SB 58 Amends Laws and Statutes Concerning the Decriminalization of Certain Hallucinogens Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
Sept. 7, 2023 CA AB 1078 Prohibits School Book Bans Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 17)
Sept. 7, 2023 CA AB 28 Establishes an 11% Tax on Firearm and Ammunition Purchases in California Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 17)
Sept. 7, 2023 CA SB 345 Establishes State Protections for Health Care Providers who Prescribe an Abortion or Gender-Affirming Care from Out-of-State Legal Action Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
Sept. 7, 2023 CA SB 58 Amends Laws and Statutes Concerning the Decriminalization of Certain Hallucinogens Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
Sept. 7, 2023 CA AB 881 Increases Juror Pay to $100 Per Day for Middle and Low Income Jurors Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 3)
Sept. 7, 2023 CA AB 1078 Prohibits School Book Bans Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
Sept. 7, 2023 CA AB 28 Establishes an 11% Tax on Firearm and Ammunition Purchases in California Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
Sept. 6, 2023 CA SB 732 Establishes the Pallid Bat as the State Official Bat Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
Sept. 6, 2023 CA SB 58 Amends Laws and Statutes Concerning the Decriminalization of Certain Hallucinogens Bill Passed - House (43 - 15)
Sept. 6, 2023 CA SB 58 Amends Laws and Statutes Concerning the Decriminalization of Certain Hallucinogens Bill Passed - House (43 - 15)
Sept. 6, 2023 CA AB 957 Establishes Gender Identity Acknowledgement as a Parental Custody Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
Sept. 6, 2023 CA SB 345 Establishes State Protections for Health Care Providers who Prescribe an Abortion or Gender-Affirming Care from Out-of-State Legal Action Bill Passed - House (62 - 15)
Sept. 6, 2023 CA SJR 7 Establishes Various State Gun Control Measures Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
July 5, 2023 CA SB 147 Amends the Fish and Game Code to Protect Certain Species Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
June 1, 2023 CA AB 793 Prohibits Government Entities from Making A Reverse-Location Demand or a Reverse-Keyword Demand Bill Passed - House (54 - 15)
May 31, 2023 CA AB 518 Extends Paid Family Leave to LGBTQ+ Members Bill Passed - House (64 - 0)
May 31, 2023 CA AB 280 Limits the Use of Solitary Confinement in California State Prisons Bill Passed - House (56 - 16)
May 31, 2023 CA AB 280 Limits the Use of Solitary Confinement in California State Prisons Bill Passed - House (56 - 16)
May 31, 2023 CA SB 760 Requires there be All-Gender Restrooms in Every School Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 6)
May 30, 2023 CA SB 50 Prohibits Law Enforcement Officers from Making Traffic Stops for Lower-Level Violations Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
May 30, 2023 CA SB 227 Establishes a State Program to Pay Undocumented Workers Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
May 30, 2023 CA AB 1089 Prohibits 3-D Printed Firearms or "Ghost Guns" Bill Passed - House (64 - 8)
May 25, 2023 CA SB 14 Defines Child Trafficking as a Serious Felony Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
May 25, 2023 CA SB 399 Prohibits an Employer from Requiring an Employee to Come to Certain Political Meetings or Religious Outings Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
May 25, 2023 CA SB 2 Amends Penal Code Related to Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
May 25, 2023 CA AB 461 Requires Fentanyl Test Strips and Education about Use on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (78 - 0)
May 24, 2023 CA SB 735 Establishes Extra Occupational Safety Measures on Motion Picture Sets Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
May 24, 2023 CA SB 58 Amends Laws and Statutes Concerning the Decriminalization of Certain Hallucinogens Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
May 24, 2023 CA SB 447 Authorizes State and Public University Employees to Resume Travel to Previously Restricted States Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
May 24, 2023 CA SB 58 Amends Laws and Statutes Concerning the Decriminalization of Certain Hallucinogens Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
May 11, 2023 CA SB 403 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Ancestry Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 1)
March 30, 2023 CA AB 957 Establishes Gender Identity Acknowledgement as a Parental Custody Requirement Bill Passed - House (51 - 13)
Date No. Title Outcome
9/14 SB 407 Requires the Department of Social Services Amend the Foster Care Vetting Process to Ensure LGBTQ+ Youth are Not Placed in Hostile Homes. Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
9/14 AB 524 Prohibits Employment Discrimination for Those With Family Caregiver Status Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 17)
9/14 AB 352 Requires Information on Fertility and Menstrual Tracking Apps Be Subject to Medical Privacy Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 14)
9/14 SJR 7 Establishes Various State Gun Control Measures Joint Resolution Passed - House (53 - 17)
9/13 AB 352 Requires Information on Fertility and Menstrual Tracking Apps Be Subject to Medical Privacy Laws Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
9/13 SB 407 Requires the Department of Social Services Amend the Foster Care Vetting Process to Ensure LGBTQ+ Youth are Not Placed in Hostile Homes. Bill Passed - House (61 - 14)
9/13 AB 280 Limits the Use of Solitary Confinement in California State Prisons Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
9/13 AB 280 Limits the Use of Solitary Confinement in California State Prisons Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
9/12 SB 447 Authorizes State and Public University Employees to Resume Travel to Previously Restricted States Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
9/12 SB 2 Amends Penal Code Related to Firearms Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
9/12 AB 524 Prohibits Employment Discrimination for Those With Family Caregiver Status Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
9/12 SB 326 Authorizes Counties to Provide Substance Abuse Disorder Treatment that Emphasizes Housing Bill Passed - House (68 - 7)
9/12 AB 33 Establishes a Fentanyl Misuse and Overdose Prevention Task Force Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
9/11 SB 4 Authorizes Religious Institutions and Nonprofit Colleges to Build Affordable Housing on Their Property Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
9/11 SB 447 Authorizes State and Public University Employees to Resume Travel to Previously Restricted States Bill Passed - House (64 - 12)
9/11 SB 2 Amends Penal Code Related to Firearms Bill Passed - House (54 - 23)
9/08 AB 957 Establishes Gender Identity Acknowledgement as a Parental Custody Requirement Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 16)
9/07 SB 58 Amends Laws and Statutes Concerning the Decriminalization of Certain Hallucinogens Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
9/07 AB 1078 Prohibits School Book Bans Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 17)
9/07 AB 28 Establishes an 11% Tax on Firearm and Ammunition Purchases in California Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 17)
9/07 SB 345 Establishes State Protections for Health Care Providers who Prescribe an Abortion or Gender-Affirming Care from Out-of-State Legal Action Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
9/07 SB 58 Amends Laws and Statutes Concerning the Decriminalization of Certain Hallucinogens Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
9/07 AB 881 Increases Juror Pay to $100 Per Day for Middle and Low Income Jurors Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 3)
9/07 AB 1078 Prohibits School Book Bans Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
9/07 AB 28 Establishes an 11% Tax on Firearm and Ammunition Purchases in California Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
9/06 SB 732 Establishes the Pallid Bat as the State Official Bat Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
9/06 SB 58 Amends Laws and Statutes Concerning the Decriminalization of Certain Hallucinogens Bill Passed - House (43 - 15)
9/06 SB 58 Amends Laws and Statutes Concerning the Decriminalization of Certain Hallucinogens Bill Passed - House (43 - 15)
9/06 AB 957 Establishes Gender Identity Acknowledgement as a Parental Custody Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
9/06 SB 345 Establishes State Protections for Health Care Providers who Prescribe an Abortion or Gender-Affirming Care from Out-of-State Legal Action Bill Passed - House (62 - 15)
9/06 SJR 7 Establishes Various State Gun Control Measures Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
7/05 SB 147 Amends the Fish and Game Code to Protect Certain Species Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
6/01 AB 793 Prohibits Government Entities from Making A Reverse-Location Demand or a Reverse-Keyword Demand Bill Passed - House (54 - 15)
5/31 AB 518 Extends Paid Family Leave to LGBTQ+ Members Bill Passed - House (64 - 0)
5/31 AB 280 Limits the Use of Solitary Confinement in California State Prisons Bill Passed - House (56 - 16)
5/31 AB 280 Limits the Use of Solitary Confinement in California State Prisons Bill Passed - House (56 - 16)
5/31 SB 760 Requires there be All-Gender Restrooms in Every School Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 6)
5/30 SB 50 Prohibits Law Enforcement Officers from Making Traffic Stops for Lower-Level Violations Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
5/30 SB 227 Establishes a State Program to Pay Undocumented Workers Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
5/30 AB 1089 Prohibits 3-D Printed Firearms or "Ghost Guns" Bill Passed - House (64 - 8)
5/25 SB 14 Defines Child Trafficking as a Serious Felony Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
5/25 SB 399 Prohibits an Employer from Requiring an Employee to Come to Certain Political Meetings or Religious Outings Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
5/25 SB 2 Amends Penal Code Related to Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
5/25 AB 461 Requires Fentanyl Test Strips and Education about Use on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (78 - 0)
5/24 SB 735 Establishes Extra Occupational Safety Measures on Motion Picture Sets Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
5/24 SB 58 Amends Laws and Statutes Concerning the Decriminalization of Certain Hallucinogens Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
5/24 SB 447 Authorizes State and Public University Employees to Resume Travel to Previously Restricted States Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
5/24 SB 58 Amends Laws and Statutes Concerning the Decriminalization of Certain Hallucinogens Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
5/11 SB 403 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Ancestry Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 1)
3/30 AB 957 Establishes Gender Identity Acknowledgement as a Parental Custody Requirement Bill Passed - House (51 - 13)

arrow_upward