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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Oct. 20, 2016 | NJ | S 51 | Authorizes Restrictions on Solitary Confinement | Bill Passed - House (45 - 26) |
Sept. 14, 2016 | MO | SB 656 | Authorizes Concealed Carry Without a Permit | Veto Override Passed - House (112 - 41) |
Sept. 14, 2016 | MO | SB 656 | Authorizes Concealed Carry Without a Permit | Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 6) |
Aug. 26, 2016 | CA | SB 839 | Prohibits Orca Captivity and Breeding | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
Aug. 19, 2016 | AL | SB 3 | Establishes State Lottery | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
Aug. 18, 2016 | CA | SB 1322 | Exempts Minors from Prostitution Charges | Bill Passed - House (42 - 29) |
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) |
July 6, 2016 | National | S 2193 | Stop Illegal Reentry Act | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (55 - 42) |
July 6, 2016 | National | S 2193 | Stop Illegal Reentry Act | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (55 - 42) |
June 30, 2016 | CA | AB 1135 | Prohibits Firearms with Bullet Button | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 30) |
June 30, 2016 | CA | AB 1674 | Limits the Purchase of Firearms | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 34) |
June 30, 2016 | CA | SB 1235 | Requires Background Checks to Buy Ammunition | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
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 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 | AB 1695 | Prohibits Falsely Reporting the Loss or Theft of a Firearm | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
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 | SB 1235 | Requires Background Checks to Buy Ammunition | Bill Passed - House (46 - 30) |
June 30, 2016 | CA | SB 1446 | Prohibits the Possession of High-Capacity Gun Magazines | Bill Passed - House (44 - 31) |
June 30, 2016 | CA | AB 2607 | Authorizes Certain Individuals to Request a Gun Violence Restraining Order | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
June 28, 2016 | NC | HB 100 | Rescinds Certain Funds from Sanctuary Cities | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18) |
June 27, 2016 | NJ | A 3689 | Requires Justifiable Need for Firearm Permits | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17) |
June 27, 2016 | NJ | S 51 | Authorizes Restrictions on Solitary Confinement | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16) |
June 20, 2016 | National | S Amdt 4720 | Prohibits the Transfer of Firearms to Suspected Terrorists | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (47 - 53) |
June 20, 2016 | National | S Amdt 4749 | Authorizes the Attorney General to Delay Transfer of Firearms to Suspected Terrorists | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 47) |
June 20, 2016 | National | S Amdt 4750 | Fix Gun Checks Act of 2016 | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (44 - 56) |
June 20, 2016 | National | S Amdt 4751 | Protecting Communities and Preserving the Second Amendment Act of 2016 | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 47) |
June 16, 2016 | CA | SB 839 | Prohibits Orca Captivity and Breeding | Bill Passed - House (48 - 28) |
June 16, 2016 | NJ | A 3689 | Requires Justifiable Need for Firearm Permits | Bill Passed - House (46 - 28) |
June 16, 2016 | NC | HB 1047 | Requires Lottery Commission to Report Winner Information to Social Services | Bill Passed - House (74 - 39) |
June 2, 2016 | CA | SB 10 | Authorizes Undocumented Immigrants to be Eligible for Health Coverage | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
June 1, 2016 | MA | S 735 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity | Bill Passed - House (116 - 36) |
June 1, 2016 | CA | AB 2607 | Authorizes Certain Individuals to Request a Gun Violence Restraining Order | Bill Passed - House (41 - 37) |
May 31, 2016 | CA | SB 10 | Authorizes Undocumented Immigrants to be Eligible for Health Coverage | Bill Passed - House (55 - 20) |
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 25, 2016 | MI | HB 4787 | Prohibits Coercing a Pregnant Woman to Have an Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
May 25, 2016 | National | H Amdt 1128 | Prohibits Use of Funds for Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity | Amendment Adopted - House (223 - 195) |
May 25, 2016 | OH | SB 331 | Establishes Regulations for Dog Sales | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11) |
May 24, 2016 | OH | HB 110 | Authorizes Immunity for Individuals Reporting Drug Overdose | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
May 24, 2016 | OH | HB 110 | Authorizes Immunity for Individuals Reporting Drug Overdose | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
May 24, 2016 | LA | SB 436 | Prohibits Discrimination on Basis of Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity | Bill Failed - Senate (8 - 25) |
May 21, 2016 | MN | SF 498 | Amends Police Body Camera Regulations | Conference Report Adopted - House (96 - 34) |
May 21, 2016 | MN | SF 498 | Amends Police Body Camera Regulations | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 17) |
May 19, 2016 | IL | HB 3655 | Establishes Regulations for Fantasy Sports Contests | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 22) |
May 19, 2016 | CA | AB 1135 | Prohibits Firearms with Bullet Button | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
May 19, 2016 | National | H Amdt 1079 | Prohibits Use of Funds for Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity | Amendment Rejected - House (212 - 213) |
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 13, 2016 | MO | SB 656 | Authorizes Concealed Carry Without a Permit | Conference Report Adopted - House (114 - 36) |
May 13, 2016 | MO | SB 656 | Authorizes Concealed Carry Without a Permit | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 8) |
May 13, 2016 | AK | SB 91 | Amends Criminal Justice System | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (14 - 5) |
May 12, 2016 | MA | S 735 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4) |
May 11, 2016 | AK | SB 91 | Amends Criminal Justice System | Bill Passed - House (28 - 10) |
May 11, 2016 | NH | SB 336 | Amends Requirements to Obtain Concealed Carry License | Bill Passed - House (217 - 132) |
May 9, 2016 | CA | AB 1732 | Requires Single User Restrooms to be Gender Neutral | Bill Passed - House (55 - 19) |
May 5, 2016 | NH | HR 582 | Repeals Permit Requirements for Concealed Carry of Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10) |
May 5, 2016 | AZ | SB 1377 | Establishes Criminal Sentencing Requirements for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Failed - House (29 - 31) |
May 5, 2016 | AZ | SB 1377 | Establishes Criminal Sentencing Requirements for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Failed - House (29 - 31) |
May 4, 2016 | AZ | SB 1377 | Establishes Criminal Sentencing Requirements for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Failed - House (28 - 32) |
May 4, 2016 | AZ | SB 1377 | Establishes Criminal Sentencing Requirements for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Failed - House (28 - 32) |
May 4, 2016 | LA | HB 1148 | Prohibits Sanctuary Cities from Receiving Certain State Funds | Bill Passed - House (67 - 27) |
May 4, 2016 | LA | SB 127 | Authorizes Parole Hearings for Juveniles Serving Life Terms | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8) |
May 4, 2016 | LA | HB 453 | Requires Sanctuary Cities to be Liable for Damages Caused by Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (65 - 20) |
May 4, 2016 | LA | HB 453 | Requires Sanctuary Cities to be Liable for Damages Caused by Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (65 - 20) |
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 27, 2016 | LA | HB 598 | Amends Voter Registration Policies for Convicted Felons | Bill Failed - House (37 - 60) |
April 26, 2016 | AZ | SB 1257 | Authorizes Concelead Carry of Firearms in Public Places | Bill Passed - House (35 - 23) |
April 26, 2016 | MO | HB 1679 | Authorizes Pharmacists to Prescribe Oral Contraceptives | Bill Passed - House (97 - 50) |
April 25, 2016 | LA | HB 863 | Prohibits Schools from Holding Membership in Certain Associations or Organizations | Bill Failed - House (33 - 51) |
April 25, 2016 | CA | SB 966 | Prohibits Extending Sentences for Repeat Drug Offenders | Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 16) |
April 25, 2016 | CA | SB 966 | Prohibits Extending Sentences for Repeat Drug Offenders | Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 16) |
April 22, 2016 | IA | HF 2460 | Appropriates Funding for Health and Human Services | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23) |
April 21, 2016 | IL | HB 5576 | Requires Health Insurance Plans to Cover Birth Control | Bill Passed - House (61 - 52) |
April 21, 2016 | DE | HB 325 | Amends Requirements for Purchasing a Firearm | Bill Passed - House (22 - 17) |
April 20, 2016 | NE | LB 947 | Authorizes Certain Immigrants to Qualify for Professional Licenses | Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 13) |
April 20, 2016 | TN | HB 615 | Establishes the Bible as the Official State Book | Veto Override Failed - House (43 - 50) |
April 20, 2016 | TN | SB 2376 | Authorizes University of Tennessee Employees to Carry a Handgun on Campus | Bill Passed - House (69 - 24) |
April 20, 2016 | CT | SB 147 | Authorizes Students Qualifying for In-State Tuition to Receive Financial Assistance | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
April 20, 2016 | IA | HF 2460 | Appropriates Funding for Health and Human Services | Bill Passed - House (56 - 42) |
April 19, 2016 | TN | SJR 467 | Urges Attorney General to File Lawsuit in Relation to Refugee Resettlement Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 4) |
April 19, 2016 | TN | SB 2376 | Authorizes University of Tennessee Employees to Carry a Handgun on Campus | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5) |
April 18, 2016 | TN | SJR 467 | Urges Attorney General to File Lawsuit in Relation to Refugee Resettlement Program | Bill Passed - House (69 - 25) |
April 14, 2016 | MO | HB 2069 | Prohibits Donation of Fetal Tissue | Bill Passed - House (120 - 34) |
April 13, 2016 | NE | LB 947 | Authorizes Certain Immigrants to Qualify for Professional Licenses | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11) |
April 13, 2016 | OH | HB 425 | Authorizes Religious Expression in Schools | Bill Passed - House (73 - 22) |
April 11, 2016 | ME | LD 1600 | Requires Legislative Approval for National Monument Designations | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
April 9, 2016 | MD | HB 1003 | Prohibits Wage Discrimination on Basis of Gender Identity | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 33) |
April 7, 2016 | MD | HB 1003 | Prohibits Wage Discrimination on Basis of Gender Identity | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13) |
April 7, 2016 | HI | SB 2954 | Requires Gun Owners to Register in Database | Bill Passed - House (26 - 21) |
April 7, 2016 | AK | SB 174 | Prohibits the University of Alaska from Regulating Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 5) |
April 7, 2016 | AL | SB 237 | Establishes Innocence Inquiry Commission | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6) |
April 7, 2016 | ME | LD 1600 | Requires Legislative Approval for National Monument Designations | Bill Passed - House (77 - 73) |
April 6, 2016 | AZ | SB 1248 | Prohibits Pet Stores from Selling Commercially Bred Animals | Bill Passed - House (36 - 23) |
April 6, 2016 | TN | SB 1556 | Authorizes Therapists to Decline to Provide Services | Bill Passed - House (68 - 22) |
April 5, 2016 | AL | SB 14 | Authorizes Concealed Handguns in Vehicles without a Permit | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6) |
April 5, 2016 | IL | SB 2465 | Prohibits Certain Lawsuits against Inmates | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 19) |