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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb. 27, 2018 | National | HR 1865 | Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (388 - 25) |
| Feb. 26, 2018 | OR | HB 4155 | Establishes State Net Neutrality Policy | Bill Passed - House (40 - 17) |
| Feb. 9, 2018 | WA | HB 2282 | Establishes State Net Neutrality Policy | Bill Passed - House (93 - 5) |
| Feb. 2, 2018 | VT | S 289 | Requires Internet Providers Compliance with State Net Neutrality Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5) |
| June 22, 2017 | OH | HB 170 | Authorizes Students to Take Computer Science in Lieu of Algebra II | Bill Passed - House (83 - 12) |
| May 9, 2017 | AZ | SB 1384 | Prohibits Censorship of Student Media | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 0) |
| May 8, 2017 | AZ | SB 1384 | Prohibits Censorship of Student Media | Bill Passed - House (41 - 19) |
| May 1, 2017 | OR | HB 2597 | Increases Penalties for Distracted Driving | Bill Passed - House (46 - 13) |
| April 20, 2017 | WA | SB 5289 | Prohibits Cell-Phone Use on Highways | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 10) |
| April 19, 2017 | WA | HB 2200 | Strengthens Privacy of Internet Users | Bill Passed - House (87 - 10) |
| April 11, 2017 | WA | HB 1493 | Regulates Commercial Use of Biometric Data | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12) |
| April 7, 2017 | WA | HB 1595 | Establishes Fees for Printed and Digital Copies of Public Records | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 4) |
| March 31, 2017 | MT | HB 622 | Revises Programs, Funds, and Regulations Related to Invasive Species | Bill Passed - House (100 - 0) |
| March 30, 2017 | National | HR 1431 | EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (229 - 193) |
| March 29, 2017 | National | HR 1430 | Honest and Open New EPA Science Treatment Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (228 - 194) |
| March 28, 2017 | National | S J Res 34 | Providing for congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission relating to Protecting the Privacy of Customers of Broadband and other Telecommunications Services | Joint Resolution Passed - House (215 - 205) |
| March 23, 2017 | National | S J Res 34 | Providing for congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission relating to Protecting the Privacy of Customers of Broadband and other Telecommunications Services | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (50 - 48) |
| March 7, 2017 | WA | HB 1371 | Prohibits Texting While Driving | Bill Passed - House (52 - 45) |
| March 2, 2017 | WA | HB 1493 | Regulates Commercial Use of Biometric Data | Bill Passed - House (81 - 17) |
| Jan. 31, 2017 | RI | HB 5098 | Exempts University Researchers from Public Records Requests | Bill Passed - House (59 - 8) |
| 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 1671 | Prohibits Unauthorized Disclosure of Confidential Communications with Healthcare Providers | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
| Aug. 23, 2016 | CA | AB 1785 | Prohibits Use of Handheld Electronic Devices While Driving | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 20) |
| Aug. 17, 2016 | CA | AB 1785 | Prohibits Use of Handheld Electronic Devices While Driving | 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) |
| July 7, 2016 | National | S 764 | Establishes Labeling Standards for Genetically Modified Foods | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (63 - 30) |
| July 7, 2016 | National | HR 4361 | Government Reform and Improvement Act of 2016 | Bill Passed - House (241 - 181) |
| 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) |
| April 15, 2016 | National | HR 2666 | No Rate Regulation of Broadband Internet Access Act | Bill Passed - House (241 - 173) |
| March 8, 2016 | WA | HB 2362 | Amends Police Body Camera Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 39) |
| Feb. 22, 2016 | WA | HB 2362 | Amends Police Body Camera Regulations | Bill Passed - House (61 - 36) |
| Feb. 10, 2016 | National | HR 3293 | Scientific Research in the National Interest Act | Bill Passed - House (236 - 178) |
| Feb. 9, 2016 | WI | SB 295 | Authorizes Voters to Register Online | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13) |
| Jan. 26, 2016 | IN | HB 1019 | Limits Public Access to Police Body Camera Footage | Bill Passed - House (65 - 30) |
| Oct. 27, 2015 | National | S 754 | Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA) of 2015 | Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 21) |
| Oct. 22, 2015 | National | S Amdt 2564 | Prohibits Liability Immunity for Corporations that Break User Agreements | Amendment Rejected - Senate (32 - 65) |
| June 3, 2015 | National | HR 2578 | Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016 | Bill Passed - House (242 - 183) |
| June 2, 2015 | National | HR 2048 | Uniting and Strengthening America by Fulfilling Rights and Ensuring Effective Discipline Over Monitoring (USA FREEDOM) Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - Senate (67 - 32) |
| May 21, 2015 | National | HR 2262 | Spurring Private Aerospace Competitiveness and Entrepreneurship Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (284 - 133) |
| May 21, 2015 | National | HR 2262 | Spurring Private Aerospace Competitiveness and Entrepreneurship Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (284 - 133) |
| May 20, 2015 | National | HR 880 | American Research and Competitiveness Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (274 - 145) |
| May 20, 2015 | National | HR 1806 | America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (217 - 205) |
| May 17, 2015 | MN | SF 86 | Amends Procedures for Data Collected by Police Surveillance Equipment | Conference Report Adopted - House (87 - 43) |
| May 7, 2015 | MN | SF 86 | Amends Procedures for Data Collected by Police Surveillance Equipment | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 19) |
| May 5, 2015 | NV | SB 37 | Authorizes GPS Capable Supervision of Parolees | Bill Passed - House (24 - 18) |
| April 24, 2015 | FL | SB 604 | Requires Contact Information from Certain Website Operators | Bill Passed - House (78 - 38) |
| April 23, 2015 | TX | SB 158 | Authorizes Grants for Body-Worn Cameras to Certain Law Enforcement Agencies | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8) |
| 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 2, 2015 | GA | SB 94 | Amends Certain Law Enforcement Procedures | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (100 - 65) |
| April 2, 2015 | ND | HB 1328 | Prohibits the Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Without a Warrant | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17) |
| March 20, 2015 | NM | SB 94 | Authorizes Industrial Hemp Research | Bill Passed - House (54 - 12) |
| March 12, 2015 | ID | S 1108 | Authorizes Testing Autonomous Driven Vehicles | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| March 2, 2015 | NM | SB 94 | Authorizes Industrial Hemp Research | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 8) |
| Feb. 23, 2015 | ND | HB 1328 | Prohibits the Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Without a Warrant | Bill Passed - House (74 - 19) |
| Feb. 19, 2015 | CO | HB 1072 | Amends Definition of Harassment | Bill Passed - House (43 - 22) |
| Jan. 21, 2015 | WY | HB 18 | Limits the Use of Drones by Law Enforcement Agencies | Bill Passed - House (41 - 19) |
| Dec. 11, 2014 | OH | SB 342 | Prohibits Use of Traffic Cameras to Issue Tickets Unless Officer is Present | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| Dec. 10, 2014 | OH | SB 342 | Prohibits Use of Traffic Cameras to Issue Tickets Unless Officer is Present | Bill Passed - House (58 - 31) |
| Nov. 19, 2014 | National | HR 4012 | Secret Science Reform Act of 2014 | Bill Passed - House (237 - 190) |
| Nov. 19, 2014 | OH | SB 342 | Prohibits Use of Traffic Cameras to Issue Tickets unless an Officer is Present | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
| Nov. 18, 2014 | National | S 2685 | USA FREEDOM Act of 2014 | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (58 - 42) |
| Aug. 26, 2014 | CA | AB 1327 | Limits the Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
| July 16, 2014 | National | H Amdt 1093 | Prohibits Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from Preventing States from Implementing Broadband Internet Access Service Laws | Amendment Adopted - House (223 - 200) |
| June 23, 2014 | CA | AB 129 | Repeals Prohibition on Currency Other than the Lawful Money of the United States | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 11) |
| June 19, 2014 | National | H Amdt 935 | Prohibits a Federal Employee from Requesting Foreign Intelligence Information in Relation to a US Citizen | Amendment Adopted - House (293 - 123) |
| June 19, 2014 | NY | A 9583A | Authorizes Demonstration Program for Red Light Cameras | Bill Passed - House (91 - 37) |
| June 10, 2014 | National | H Amdt 815 | Prohibits Funds from Being Used to Acquire Traffic Cameras | Amendment Adopted - House (255 - 171) |
| May 22, 2014 | National | HR 3361 | USA FREEDOM Act | Bill Passed - House (303 - 121) |
| May 9, 2014 | MN | SF 1740 | Requires a "Kill Switch" on a Cell Phone | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (44 - 19) |
| May 9, 2014 | National | HR 4438 | American Research and Competitiveness Act of 2014 | Bill Passed - House (274 - 131) |
| May 8, 2014 | MN | SF 1740 | Requires a "Kill Switch" on a Cell Phone | Bill Passed - House (73 - 58) |
| May 8, 2014 | CA | SB 962 | Requires Smartphones to Include a Kill Switch | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
| May 2, 2014 | MN | SF 2047 | Authorizes State to Store Infant Blood Samples | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 20) |
| May 1, 2014 | MN | SF 2047 | Authorizes State to Store Infant Blood Samples | Bill Passed - House (69 - 58) |
| April 30, 2014 | CO | HB 1269 | Requires Certain Retailers to Collect Sales Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| April 30, 2014 | NY | A 9206 | Authorizes Traffic Cameras on Long Island | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 11) |
| April 29, 2014 | MN | HF 2096 | Authorizes Online Voter Registration | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 24) |
| April 28, 2014 | NY | A 9206 | Authorizes Traffic Cameras on Long Island | Bill Passed - House (104 - 25) |
| April 25, 2014 | IA | SF 2318 | Amends School Harassment and Bullying Policies | Bill Passed - House (68 - 27) |
| April 24, 2014 | CA | SB 962 | Requires Smartphones to Include a Kill Switch | Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 17) |
| April 23, 2014 | MN | SF 2047 | Authorizes State to Store Infant Blood Samples | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 22) |
| April 22, 2014 | LA | SB 330 | Prohibits Individuals from Using an Unmanned Aircraft to Capture Certain Images or Wireless Data | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16) |
| April 21, 2014 | LA | SB 330 | Prohibits Individuals from Using an Unmanned Aircraft to Capture Certain Images or Wireless Data | Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 21) |
| April 14, 2014 | CO | HB 1269 | Requires Certain Retailers to Collect Sales Tax | Bill Passed - House (36 - 26) |
| March 28, 2014 | KY | HB 222 | Prohibits Recording of Agricultural Operations | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6) |
| March 18, 2014 | IA | SF 2318 | Amends School Harassment and Bullying Policies | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 19) |
| March 13, 2014 | SD | HB 1177 | Prohibits Texting While Driving on a Highway | Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 18) |
| March 13, 2014 | SD | HB 1177 | Prohibits Texting While Driving on a Highway | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 7) |
| March 13, 2014 | UT | SB 253 | Prohibits Texting While Driving on a Highway | Bill Passed - House (41 - 28) |
| March 12, 2014 | CO | HB 1131 | Prohibits Cyberbullying of a Minor | Bill Passed - House (54 - 10) |
| March 11, 2014 | WA | HB 2789 | Establishes Usage Policy for Extraordinary Sensing Devices | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (77 - 21) |
| March 10, 2014 | UT | SB 253 | Prohibits Texting While Driving on a Highway | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 8) |
| March 5, 2014 | AZ | HB 2359 | Prohibits Cell Phone Use by Minors While Driving | Bill Passed - House (41 - 17) |
| March 5, 2014 | NH | HB 1360 | Prohibits the Use of Hand Held Mobile Electronic Devices While Driving | Bill Passed - House (192 - 133) |
| March 5, 2014 | OK | HB 2638 | Requires an Individual Arrested for Certain Crimes to Submit DNA | Bill Failed - House (35 - 51) |
| Feb. 28, 2014 | KY | HB 33 | Amends Existing Texting While Driving Prohibition | Bill Passed - House (62 - 32) |
| Feb. 27, 2014 | MS | SB 2434 | Classifies Texting While Driving as Careless Driving | Bill Passed - House (91 - 27) |
| Feb. 25, 2014 | National | HR 1123 | Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act | Bill Passed - House (295 - 114) |
| Feb. 11, 2014 | IA | HF 2175 | Prohibits Webcam Abortions | Bill Passed - House (55 - 42) |