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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 9, 2016 | MD | HB 1003 | Prohibits Wage Discrimination on Basis of Gender Identity | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 33) |
| April 9, 2016 | MD | HB 1003 | Prohibits Wage Discrimination on Basis of Gender Identity | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 33) |
| April 7, 2016 | AK | HB 222 | Limits Governor's Ability to Accept Federal Funds | Bill Passed - House (26 - 13) |
| March 31, 2016 | CA | SB 3 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (48 - 26) |
| March 24, 2016 | CO | HB 1001 | Requires State Contractors to Comply with Federal Equal Pay Standards | Bill Passed - House (34 - 29) |
| March 23, 2016 | NC | HB 2 | Requires Individuals to Use Bathroom of Biological Sex | Bill Passed - House (82 - 26) |
| March 23, 2016 | NH | HB 1661 | Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors | Bill Passed - House (299 - 99) |
| March 17, 2016 | National | H Res 639 | Authorizing the Speaker to Appear as Amicus Curiae on Behalf of the House of Representatives in the Matter of United States, et al. v. Texas, et al., No. 15-674 | Resolution Passed - House (234 - 186) |
| March 17, 2016 | National | H Res 639 | Authorizing the Speaker to Appear as Amicus Curiae on Behalf of the House of Representatives in the Matter of United States, et al. v. Texas, et al., No. 15-674 | Resolution Passed - House (234 - 186) |
| March 17, 2016 | CO | HB 1210 | Prohibits Conversion Therapy for Minors | Bill Passed - House (35 - 29) |
| March 16, 2016 | GA | HB 757 | Authorizes Religious Officials to Decline to Perform Certain Ceremonies | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (104 - 65) |
| March 8, 2016 | FL | SB 668 | Amends Divorce and Child Custody Procedures | Bill Passed - House (74 - 38) |
| March 3, 2016 | SD | HB 1008 | Prohibits Students from Using School Restrooms Designated for the Opposite Biological Sex | Veto Override Failed - House (36 - 29) |
| March 3, 2016 | MO | HB 1891 | Prohibits the Collection of Union Dues without Written Authorization | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (109 - 49) |
| March 3, 2016 | OR | SB 1533 | Authorizes Inclusionary Zoning | Bill Passed - House (39 - 21) |
| March 3, 2016 | MD | HB 274 | Repeals Witness Requirement for Uncontested Divorces | Bill Passed - House (94 - 45) |
| March 3, 2016 | OK | HB 3162 | Amends Nomination Procedure for Appellate Judges | Bill Passed - House (58 - 34) |
| March 2, 2016 | FL | HB 43 | Authorizes Churches to Decline to Provide Certain Marriage Services | Bill Passed - House (82 - 37) |
| Feb. 26, 2016 | GA | HB 781 | Prohibits Undocumented Immigrants from Serving on Local Governing Bodies | Bill Passed - House (93 - 50) |
| Feb. 25, 2016 | UT | SB 59 | Requires Employers Provide Certain Accommodations | Bill Passed - House (59 - 15) |
| Feb. 22, 2016 | IN | SB 91 | Authorizes Adopted Individuals to Access Birth Certificates | Bill Passed - House (72 - 24) |
| Feb. 19, 2016 | ID | H 463 | Prohibits Local Governments from Increasing Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (55 - 14) |
| Feb. 19, 2016 | MS | HB 1523 | Establishes Protections for Religious Beliefs or Moral Convictions | Bill Passed - House (80 - 39) |
| Feb. 18, 2016 | OR | SB 1532 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (32 - 26) |
| Feb. 18, 2016 | AZ | HB 2451 | Amends Requirements for Release of Undocumented Inmates | Bill Passed - House (36 - 21) |
| Feb. 18, 2016 | MO | HB 1891 | Prohibits the Collection of Union Dues without Written Authorization | Bill Passed - House (110 - 47) |
| Feb. 16, 2016 | WI | SB 533 | Prohibits Local Governments from Issuing Identification Cards | Bill Passed - House (62 - 35) |
| Feb. 16, 2016 | WI | AB 450 | Prohibits Local Policies Preventing Immigration Status Inquiries | Bill Passed - House (62 - 35) |
| Feb. 16, 2016 | AL | HB 174 | Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Wage or Employee Benefits Requirements | Bill Passed - House (71 - 31) |
| Feb. 16, 2016 | IL | HB 580 | Requires Mediation of Expired State Collective Bargaining Agreements | Bill Passed - House (67 - 46) |
| Feb. 12, 2016 | WV | SB 1 | Prohibits Employers from Requiring Union Membership | Veto Override Passed - House (54 - 43) |
| Feb. 11, 2016 | AL | HB 37 | Prohibits Requiring Employees to Join or Pay Unions | Bill Failed - House (60 - 24) |
| Feb. 9, 2016 | SD | HB 1112 | Repeals Transgender Policies Adopted by High School Sports Associations | Bill Passed - House (45 - 23) |
| Feb. 4, 2016 | WV | SB 1 | Prohibits Employers from Requiring Union Membership | Bill Passed - House (54 - 46) |
| Feb. 3, 2016 | FL | HB 675 | Requires Local Governments to Enforce Federal Immigration Regulations | Bill Passed - House (80 - 38) |
| Jan. 27, 2016 | SD | HB 1008 | Prohibits Students from Using School Restrooms Designated for the Opposite Biological Sex | Bill Passed - House (58 - 10) |
| Jan. 27, 2016 | WV | HB 4005 | Repeals Hourly Wage Requirements for Workers on Public Improvement Projects | Bill Passed - House (55 - 44) |
| Jan. 21, 2016 | NM | HB 99 | Requires Driver's Licenses to Comply with Federal Standards | Bill Passed - House (39 - 30) |
| Jan. 19, 2016 | KS | HB 2151 | Establishes Regulations Regarding Grand Juries | Bill Passed - House (101 - 20) |
| Nov. 17, 2015 | National | HR 511 | Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (249 - 177) |
| Nov. 17, 2015 | National | HR 511 | Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (249 - 177) |
| Nov. 10, 2015 | IL | SB 570 | Requires Child Care Benefits for Eligible Individuals | Bill Failed - House (70 - 35) |
| Oct. 8, 2015 | National | HR 538 | Native American Energy Act | Bill Passed - House (254 - 173) |
| Oct. 1, 2015 | National | HR 1735 | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 | Conference Report Adopted - House (270 - 156) |
| Sept. 29, 2015 | NC | HB 318 | Prohibits Local Governments from Recognizing Identity Documents issued by Foreign Governments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 43) |
| Sept. 16, 2015 | MO | HB 116 | Prohibits Mandatory Enrollment In Labor Unions | Veto Override Failed - House (96 - 63) |
| Sept. 11, 2015 | CA | AB 329 | Requires Age Appropriate Comprehensive Sex Education | Bill Passed - House (51 - 26) |
| Sept. 10, 2015 | National | H Res 411 | Finding that the President Has Not Complied with Section 2 of the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (245 - 186) |
| Sept. 2, 2015 | IL | SB 1229 | Establishes Arbitration Procedure For Labor Disputes | Veto Override Failed - House (68 - 34) |
| July 29, 2015 | National | HR 1994 | VA Accountability Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (256 - 170) |
| July 28, 2015 | National | HR 427 | Regulations for the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (243 - 165) |
| July 28, 2015 | National | HR 427 | Regulations for the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (243 - 165) |
| July 23, 2015 | National | HR 3009 | Enforce the Law for Sanctuary Cities Act | Bill Passed - House (241 - 179) |
| 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 23, 2015 | RI | H 5364 | Increases Minimum Wage for Tipped Employees | Bill Passed - House (56 - 16) |
| June 11, 2015 | NC | SB 2 | Authorizes Officials to Not Perform Certain Marriage Duties | Veto Override Passed - House (69 - 41) |
| June 5, 2015 | FL | SB 2-A | Establishes the Florida Health Insurance Affordability Exchange Program | Bill Failed - House (41 - 72) |
| June 2, 2015 | RI | H 5074 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (59 - 13) |
| June 1, 2015 | CA | AB 718 | Authorizes Sleeping in Vehicles | Bill Passed - House (56 - 15) |
| May 28, 2015 | AL | SB 71 | Increases Cumulative Cap on Tax Credits Available for Scholarship Donations | Bill Passed - House (68 - 26) |
| May 28, 2015 | NC | SB 2 | Authorizes Officials to Not Perform Certain Marriage Duties | Bill Passed - House (67 - 43) |
| May 22, 2015 | NV | SB 193 | Increases Minimum Wage and Amends Overtime Definition | Bill Passed - House (22 - 20) |
| 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 15, 2015 | National | HR 1735 | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 | Bill Passed - House (269 - 151) |
| May 13, 2015 | MO | HB 116 | Prohibits Mandatory Enrollment In Labor Unions | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (92 - 66) |
| May 13, 2015 | WI | AB 192 | Requires Drug Tests for Certain Individuals | Bill Passed - House (63 - 32) |
| May 13, 2015 | WI | AB 177 | Limits Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Purchases | Bill Passed - House (60 - 35) |
| May 13, 2015 | WI | AB 191 | Requires Drug Testing for Job Training Programs | Bill Passed - House (62 - 33) |
| May 12, 2015 | MO | HB 150 | Limits Duration of Unemployment Benefits | Veto Override Passed - House (109 - 53) |
| May 5, 2015 | MO | SB 24 | Reduces the Lifetime Limit for Certain Government Benefits | Veto Override Passed - House (113 - 42) |
| May 5, 2015 | HI | HB 631 | Amends Procedure to Change Gender on Birth Certificates | Conference Report Adopted - House (37 - 14) |
| May 4, 2015 | NY | A 7257 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (97 - 43) |