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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Nov. 17, 2015 | OH | HB 48 | Amends Provisions Concerning Concealed Carry of Firearms | Bill Passed - House (68 - 29) |
Nov. 10, 2015 | IL | SB 570 | Requires Child Care Benefits for Eligible Individuals | Bill Failed - House (70 - 35) |
Oct. 23, 2015 | National | HR 3762 | Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (240 - 189) |
Oct. 21, 2015 | WI | SB 43 | Amends John Doe Law | Bill Passed - House (61 - 36) |
Sept. 29, 2015 | NC | HB 318 | Prohibits Local Governments from Recognizing Identity Documents issued by Foreign Governments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 43) |
Sept. 24, 2015 | WI | AB 310 | Prohibits a Public Entity from Distributing Certain Funds to Abortion Clinics | Bill Passed - House (60 - 35) |
Sept. 18, 2015 | National | HR 3134 | Defund Planned Parenthood Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (241 - 187) |
Sept. 11, 2015 | CA | AB 329 | Requires Age Appropriate Comprehensive Sex Education | Bill Passed - House (51 - 26) |
Sept. 10, 2015 | CA | AB 953 | Amends "Profiling" Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (43 - 30) |
Sept. 4, 2015 | CA | AB 96 | Prohibits Sale of Ivory and Rhino Horn | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 21) |
Sept. 1, 2015 | CA | SB 707 | Prohibits Concealed Firearms on School Grounds | Bill Passed - House (54 - 24) |
July 28, 2015 | WI | SB 209 | Appropriates Funds for New Sports and Entertainment Arena | Bill Passed - House (52 - 34) |
July 23, 2015 | National | HR 3009 | Enforce the Law for Sanctuary Cities Act | Bill Passed - House (241 - 179) |
July 21, 2015 | NC | SB 22 | Requires Approval to Remove Certain Historical Monuments | Bill Passed - House (70 - 39) |
July 16, 2015 | CA | SB 227 | Prohibits Grand Juries from Investigating Certain Cases | Bill Passed - House (41 - 33) |
July 9, 2015 | SC | S 897 | Requires Removal of Confederate Flag from Capitol Grounds | Bill Passed - House (94 - 20) |
July 2, 2015 | OR | SB 932 | Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students | Bill Passed - House (34 - 25) |
June 30, 2015 | DE | SB 59 | Authorizes an Undocumented Immigrant to Apply For and Obtain Valid Driving Privileges | Bill Passed - House (22 - 15) |
June 16, 2015 | IL | HB 1336 | Establishes Immunity from Underage Drinking Charges in Certain Circumstances | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 34) |
June 16, 2015 | ME | LD 319 | Authorizes Medicaid Coverage for Reproductive Care | Bill Passed - House (80 - 67) |
June 11, 2015 | NC | SB 2 | Authorizes Officials to Not Perform Certain Marriage Duties | Veto Override Passed - House (69 - 41) |
June 11, 2015 | NC | SB 2 | Authorizes Officials to Not Perform Certain Marriage Duties | Veto Override Passed - House (69 - 41) |
June 11, 2015 | NJ | A 3981 | Establishes Alternative Property Tax Payments for Casinos | Bill Passed - House (52 - 20) |
June 10, 2015 | MI | HB 4188 | Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Deny Services for Religious Reasons | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 44) |
June 3, 2015 | National | HR 2578 | Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016 | Bill Passed - House (242 - 183) |
June 2, 2015 | DE | HB 39 | Decriminalizes Possession of Small Amounts of Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (24 - 14) |
June 1, 2015 | National | HR 1335 | Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act | Bill Passed - House (225 - 152) |
June 1, 2015 | CA | AB 718 | Authorizes Sleeping in Vehicles | Bill Passed - House (56 - 15) |
May 31, 2015 | IL | HB 352 | Authorizes Bobcat Hunting | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 46) |
May 31, 2015 | IL | HB 352 | Authorizes Bobcat Hunting | Concurrence Vote Failed - House (55 - 54) |
May 28, 2015 | NC | SB 2 | Authorizes Officials to Not Perform Certain Marriage Duties | Bill Passed - House (67 - 43) |
May 28, 2015 | NC | SB 2 | Authorizes Officials to Not Perform Certain Marriage Duties | Bill Passed - House (67 - 43) |
May 27, 2015 | TX | SB 11 | Authorizes Concealed Carry of Firearms on College Campuses | Bill Passed - House (102 - 44) |
May 22, 2015 | NV | SB 175 | Amends Justifiable Homicide and Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - House (25 - 17) |
May 22, 2015 | NV | SB 175 | Amends Justifiable Homicide and Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - House (25 - 17) |
May 19, 2015 | IL | HB 217 | Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors | Bill Passed - House (68 - 43) |
May 19, 2015 | CT | HB 6844 | Amends Eligibility Requirements for In-State Tuition | Bill Passed - House (78 - 70) |
May 18, 2015 | ID | H 1 | Amends Foreign Child Support Order | Bill Passed - House (49 - 21) |
May 17, 2015 | MN | SF 86 | Amends Procedures for Data Collected by Police Surveillance Equipment | Conference Report Adopted - House (87 - 43) |
May 15, 2015 | MO | SB 199 | Amends the Justifications for Use of Deadly Force | Bill Passed - House (111 - 43) |
May 15, 2015 | National | H Amdt 230 | Prohibits Listing Lesser Prairie Chicken as Endangered | Amendment Adopted - House (229 - 190) |
May 13, 2015 | LA | HB 149 | Amends Penalties for Marijuana Possesion | Bill Passed - House (54 - 37) |
May 13, 2015 | WI | AB 191 | Requires Drug Testing for Job Training Programs | Bill Passed - House (62 - 33) |
May 11, 2015 | CA | AB 202 | Requires Professional Sports Teams to Classify Cheerleaders Employees | Bill Passed - House (56 - 23) |
May 7, 2015 | MI | HB 4467 | Authorizes Private High-Security Prisons | Bill Passed - House (57 - 53) |
May 7, 2015 | KS | HB 2049 | Reduces Penalties for Marijuana Possession | Bill Passed - House (81 - 36) |
May 6, 2015 | NH | SB 40 | Amends Definition of "Another" for Certain Criminal Offenses | Bill Passed - House (193 - 159) |
May 5, 2015 | HI | HB 631 | Amends Procedure to Change Gender on Birth Certificates | Conference Report Adopted - House (37 - 14) |
May 5, 2015 | NV | SB 37 | Authorizes GPS Capable Supervision of Parolees | Bill Passed - House (24 - 18) |
May 5, 2015 | CT | HB 6863 | Limits Police Pursuit for Municipal Ordinance Violations | Bill Passed - House (109 - 38) |
May 1, 2015 | CO | SB 213 | Limits Immunity for Public Schools in Incidents of School Violence | Bill Passed - House (43 - 21) |
April 29, 2015 | NH | SB 116 | Repeals License Requirement for Concealed Handguns | Bill Passed - House (212 - 150) |
April 29, 2015 | NY | A 4958 | Classifies Conversion Therapy on Minors as Professional Misconduct | Bill Passed - House (111 - 26) |
April 28, 2015 | OK | HB 1518 | Establishes the Justice Safety Valve Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 31) |
April 24, 2015 | FL | HB 943 | Amends Alimony Law | Bill Passed - House (93 - 22) |
April 22, 2015 | TN | SB 612 | Exempts Certain Students from Out-of-State Tuition | Bill Failed - House (49 - 47) |
April 22, 2015 | CO | HB 1290 | Prohibits a Peace Office from Seizing a Recording Device Without Consent or Warrant | Bill Passed - House (47 - 16) |
April 21, 2015 | NV | AB 375 | Prohibits Students from Using Facilities Designated for the Opposite Sex | Bill Failed - House (20 - 22) |
April 21, 2015 | NV | AB 244 | Classifies Certain Graffiti Offenses as a Felony | Bill Passed - House (24 - 18) |
April 21, 2015 | TX | HB 1690 | Requires Texas Rangers to Investigate Public Corruption | Bill Passed - House (95 - 49) |
April 20, 2015 | TX | HB 910 | Authorizes Open Carry of Handguns | Bill Passed - House (101 - 42) |
April 16, 2015 | TN | HB 995 | Authorizes Firearms in Public Parks | Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 25) |
April 15, 2015 | MT | SB 245 | Authorizes Post-Season Elk Hunting | Bill Passed - House (59 - 40) |
April 15, 2015 | MT | SB 284 | Requires County Commissioners to Approve Bison Relocations | Bill Passed - House (59 - 40) |
April 15, 2015 | TN | HB 615 | Establishes the Bible as the Official State Book | Bill Passed - House (55 - 38) |
April 15, 2015 | NV | AB 121 | Prohibits Disciplining Students for Simulating Firearms | Bill Passed - House (24 - 17) |
April 14, 2015 | WA | SB 5501 | Amends Animal Cruelty Regulations | Bill Passed - House (59 - 38) |
April 14, 2015 | WA | SB 5501 | Amends Animal Cruelty Regulations | Bill Passed - House (59 - 38) |
April 14, 2015 | CO | HB 1288 | Amends Law Enforcing "Profiling" Regulations | Bill Passed - House (36 - 28) |
April 13, 2015 | TN | SB 1110 | Prohibits Enforcement of Federal Gun Laws | Bill Passed - House (74 - 20) |
April 9, 2015 | ND | HB 1241 | Expands Locations Where Individuals Can Carry Firearms | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 19) |
April 9, 2015 | WA | SB 5870 | Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors | Bill Passed - House (60 - 37) |
April 9, 2015 | FL | SB 290 | Authorizes Concealed Carry During Emergency Evacuations | Bill Passed - House (86 - 26) |
April 9, 2015 | FL | HB 7111 | Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Deny Services Based on Religion | Bill Passed - House (75 - 38) |
April 9, 2015 | FL | HB 7111 | Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Deny Services Based on Religion | Bill Passed - House (75 - 38) |
April 8, 2015 | MD | SB 743 | Authorizes New Birth Certificates for Sex Changes | Bill Passed - House (91 - 49) |
April 8, 2015 | MD | SB 190 | Amends Taxable Price for Sale or Use of Accommodations | Bill Passed - House (84 - 56) |
April 6, 2015 | TN | HB 995 | Authorizes Firearms in Public Parks | Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 17) |
April 6, 2015 | NV | AB 148 | Authorizes Concealed Carry on College Campuses | Bill Passed - House (24 - 15) |
April 2, 2015 | IN | SB 50 | Specifies that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act Does Not Authorize Discrimination | Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 30) |
April 2, 2015 | IN | SB 50 | Specifies that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act Does Not Authorize Discrimination | Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 30) |
April 2, 2015 | GA | SB 94 | Amends Certain Law Enforcement Procedures | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (100 - 65) |
April 2, 2015 | GA | SB 94 | Amends Certain Law Enforcement Procedures | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (100 - 65) |
April 2, 2015 | ND | SB 2279 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation | Bill Failed - House (35 - 56) |
April 2, 2015 | CO | HB 1265 | Authorizes Gender Changes on Birth Certificates | Bill Passed - House (40 - 25) |
March 31, 2015 | MS | SB 2804 | Authorizes Dismissal of Department of Corrections Employees | Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 58) |
March 31, 2015 | AL | HB 85 | Requires Animal Shelters to Compile Monthly Reports | Bill Failed - House (28 - 67) |
March 30, 2015 | TN | HB 995 | Authorizes Firearms in Public Parks | Bill Passed - House (65 - 21) |
March 27, 2015 | GA | SB 134 | Amends Speeding Fine Revenue Reporting | Bill Passed - House (104 - 54) |
March 26, 2015 | ID | S 1011 | Repeals Authorization of Gambling on Past Horse Races | Bill Passed - House (49 - 21) |
March 26, 2015 | NJ | A 4103 | Establishes Workforce Training Program for Former Casino Workers | Bill Passed - House (55 - 18) |
March 25, 2015 | KS | SB 45 | Authorizes Concealed Firearms Without a License | Bill Passed - House (85 - 39) |
March 25, 2015 | AR | HB 1426 | Establishes Paid Maternity Leave for State Employees | Bill Passed - House (56 - 28) |
March 25, 2015 | MI | HB 4015 | Amends Ticket Sale Laws | Bill Passed - House (70 - 40) |
March 24, 2015 | AZ | SB 1094 | Prohibits "Aggressive" Solicitation | Bill Passed - House (33 - 24) |
March 23, 2015 | IN | SB 101 | Prohibits the Government from Burdening the Exercise of Religion | Bill Passed - House (63 - 31) |
March 23, 2015 | TN | SB 1058 | Prohibits the Termination of Employees for Storing Firearms in Vehicles | Bill Passed - House (78 - 14) |
March 23, 2015 | MD | HB 121 | Amends Mandatory Sentences for Certain Drug Offenses | Bill Passed - House (85 - 55) |
March 23, 2015 | MD | HB 121 | Amends Mandatory Sentences for Certain Drug Offenses | Bill Passed - House (85 - 55) |
March 20, 2015 | ID | HJM 4 | Appeals to Congress to Impeach Certain Members of the Judiciary | Bill Passed - House (44 - 25) |