Key Votes

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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
May 2, 2012 LA HB 695 Prohibits the Use of Phones While Driving Bill Passed - House (68 - 29)
May 1, 2012 MI SB 619 Cyber Schools Bill Passed - House (57 - 52)
April 26, 2012 National HR 3523 Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act Bill Passed - House (248 - 168)
April 19, 2012 MO HB 1860 Prohibits Undisclosed Recording of Livestock Bill Passed - House (108 - 32)
April 10, 2012 AK HB 255 Prohibits Texting While Driving Bill Passed - House (34 - 5)
April 6, 2012 MD SB 433 Prohibits Employers from Asking for Private Passwords Bill Passed - House (128 - 10)
March 29, 2012 IL HB 3782 Prohibits Employers from Asking for Internet Login Information Bill Passed - House (78 - 30)
March 29, 2012 IL HB 4083 Internet Dating Site Requirements Bill Passed - House (83 - 26)
March 26, 2012 TN HB 368 Scientific Theories in the Classroom Concurrence Vote Passed - House (72 - 23)
March 21, 2012 IL HB 3944 Authorizing the Recording of Police Bill Failed - House (45 - 59)
March 20, 2012 ID S 1274 Prohibits Texting While Driving Bill Passed - House (53 - 17)
March 19, 2012 SD SB 157 Prohibits Cities From Limiting Outdoor Digital Billboards Veto Override Failed - House (43 - 24)
March 15, 2012 OK HB 1551 Authorizes the Instruction of Various Scientific Theories Bill Passed - House (56 - 12)
March 13, 2012 IA HF 2380 Amends Education Provisions Bill Passed - House (53 - 46)
March 13, 2012 IA HF 2385 Authorizes Professionals to Teach Certain High School Courses Bill Passed - House (61 - 36)
March 9, 2012 IL HB 5099 Prohibits the Use of Cell Phones Near Emergency Scenes Bill Passed - House (62 - 38)
March 7, 2012 UT HB 187 Prohibits Recording of Agricultural Operations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 13)
Feb. 29, 2012 SD HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 33)
Feb. 29, 2012 AZ HB 2757 Authorizes Electronic Billboards Bill Passed - House (34 - 20)
Feb. 15, 2012 AK HB 311 Amends Requirements for Electronic Campaign Finance Disclosure Conference Report Adopted - House (26 - 5)
Feb. 13, 2012 SD HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Bill Passed - House (41 - 28)
Nov. 9, 2011 IL SB 965 Authorizing Speed Cameras in Certain Cities Bill Passed - House (64 - 50)
Nov. 3, 2011 National H Amdt 853 Requires Crowdfunding Intermediaries to Disclose Methods of Compensation to Investors Amendment Rejected - House (189 - 234)
Oct. 26, 2011 CT SB 1401 Establishes the Connecticut Bioscience Collaboration Program Bill Passed - House (101 - 41)
Sept. 23, 2011 MO SB 7 Incentives for Science-Based Businesses Bill Passed - House (94 - 48)
Sept. 23, 2011 MO SB 7 Incentives for Science-Based Businesses Bill Passed - House (94 - 48)
Sept. 23, 2011 MO HA 1 to SB 7 Prohibits Public Funding for Certain Life Science Research Projects Amendment Rejected - House (68 - 74)
June 21, 2011 OR HB 2301 Online Charter School Enrollment Bill Passed - House (33 - 27)
June 9, 2011 LA HB 338 Prohibits Handheld Cellular Devices While Driving Bill Failed - House (33 - 55)
May 30, 2011 NV SB 140 Prohibiting the Use of Cellular Devices While Driving Bill Passed - House (24 - 17)
May 29, 2011 TX HB 242 Prohibits Texting While Driving Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 61)
May 23, 2011 PA HB 815 Reduces the Offense of "Sexting" for Minors Bill Passed - House (178 - 20)
May 19, 2011 CA AB 1236 Prohibits Requirement of Electronic Employment Verification Bill Passed - House (55 - 22)
May 18, 2011 CT HB 5866 Internet Dating Safety Bill Passed - House (94 - 47)
May 11, 2011 WI SB 13 Repealing Regulations for Telecommunications Services Bill Passed - House (80 - 13)
May 5, 2011 NC HB 129 Regulates Competition Between Local Government and Private Business Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 32)
April 28, 2011 SC Amdt 46 Educational Television Commission Amendment to 2011-2012 Budget Amendment Adopted - House (25 - 18)
April 27, 2011 TX HB 2403 Internet Sales Tax Bill Passed - House (125 - 20)
April 25, 2011 LA HB 338 Prohibits Handheld Cellular Devices While Driving
April 14, 2011 GA SB 36 Prescription Drug Database Concurrence Vote Passed - House (131 - 32)
April 8, 2011 National H J Res 37 Disapproving FCC Rules Concerning Internet Providers Joint Resolution Passed - House (240 - 179)
April 7, 2011 TN HB 368 Scientific Theories in the Classroom Bill Passed - House (70 - 23)
April 1, 2011 ID S 1184 Technology in the Classroom Bill Passed - House (44 - 26)
March 7, 2011 UT HB 477 Government Records Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 29)
March 7, 2011 AZ HB 2415 Punishment Guidelines for Bullying in Schools Bill Passed - House (38 - 21)
Feb. 15, 2011 AR SB 154 Cell Phones in School Zones Bill Passed - House (52 - 41)
Feb. 15, 2011 NH HB 113 Prohibits the Use of State Funds for Public Television Bill Passed - House (263 - 102)
Feb. 8, 2011 ND HB 1195 Bans Texting While Driving Bill Passed - House (50 - 41)
Feb. 1, 2011 AR HB 1049 Prohibit Cell Phone Use in School Zones Bill Passed - House (53 - 41)
Jan. 31, 2011 AR HB 1049 Prohibit Cell Phone Use in School Zones Bill Failed - House (46 - 47)
Nov. 18, 2010 National HR 1722 Telework Policies and Regulations for Federal Agencies Concurrence Vote Passed - House (254 - 152)
July 1, 2010 PA HB 67 Driving Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Failed - House (71 - 126)
June 29, 2010 PA HB 2189 Defining the Offense of Sexting Bill Passed - House (163 - 36)
June 2, 2010 LA SB 9 Classifying Text Messaging While Driving as a Primary Offense Bill Passed - House (69 - 22)
May 28, 2010 National HR 5116 Science and Technology Funding Bill Passed - House (262 - 150)
May 28, 2010 National HR 5116 Science and Technology Funding Bill Passed - House (262 - 150)
May 26, 2010 OH HB 473 Prohibits Inappropriate Pictures of Minors Bill Passed - House (86 - 12)
May 19, 2010 National HR 5325 Science and Technology Funding Bill Failed - House (261 - 148)
May 19, 2010 National HR 5325 Science and Technology Funding Bill Failed - House (261 - 148)
May 6, 2010 National HR 1722 Telework Policies and Regulations for Federal Agencies Bill Failed - House (268 - 147)
May 6, 2010 LA HB 863 Prohibits Hand-Held Cell Phones while Driving Bill Failed - House (49 - 41)
May 5, 2010 CT SB 312 Regionalization of State Emergency Telecommunications Bill Passed - House (119 - 29)
April 28, 2010 AZ SB 1307 Treatment of Human Embryos Bill Passed - House (35 - 24)
April 28, 2010 LA HB 1259 Prohibiting "Cyber-Bullying" Bill Passed - House (78 - 16)
April 21, 2010 VA Amdt 18 Reducing Funding for Public Media Amendment Rejected - House (43 - 52)
April 20, 2010 MI HB 4394 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 33)
April 20, 2010 WI AB 696 Landline Phone Service Deregulation Bill Passed - House (71 - 27)
April 9, 2010 MD SB 321 Prohibiting Hand-Held Cell Phone Use While Driving Bill Passed - House (125 - 14)
April 1, 2010 KY HB 415 Prohibiting Text-Messaging While Driving Concurrence Vote Passed - House (86 - 10)
March 26, 2010 ID H 729 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (51 - 16)
March 25, 2010 ME LD 1706 Requiring Cell Phone Radiation Warning Label Bill Failed - House (62 - 83)
March 23, 2010 IA HF 2456 Texting While Driving Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 33)
March 3, 2010 WY SF 20 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (32 - 26)
Feb. 23, 2010 SD HB 1083 Appropriations for the Sanford Lab at Homestake Bill Failed - House (45 - 23)
Feb. 23, 2010 IA HF 2456 Texting While Driving Ban Bill Passed - House (65 - 31)
Feb. 17, 2010 SD HB 1178 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Failed - House (32 - 37)
Feb. 10, 2010 VA HB 53 Ban on Required Human Microchip Implantation Bill Passed - House (88 - 9)
Feb. 9, 2010 NM HB 10 Prohibiting Hand-Held Cell Phone Use While Driving Bill Passed - House (35 - 30)
Feb. 4, 2010 OK HB 2430 2010-2011 Space Industry Development Authority Budget Bill Passed - House (68 - 27)
Feb. 4, 2010 MA H 4466 Expanding Driving Regulations Bill Passed - House (146 - 9)
Sept. 22, 2009 WI SB 107 Electronics Sale and Disposal Regulations Bill Passed - House (57 - 37)
Aug. 5, 2009 NC SB 138 Banning Salvia Divinorum Bill Passed - House (96 - 15)
June 29, 2009 OR SB 767 Virtual Charter Schools Conference Report Adopted - House (31 - 29)
June 23, 2009 LA HB 782 Wireless Phone Card Fees Concurrence Vote Passed - House (83 - 16)
June 9, 2009 LA HB 866 Publishing Legal Records Bill Passed - House (53 - 40)
May 27, 2009 LA Amdt B-200 Cell Phone Secondary Offense Amendment Adopted - House (56 - 40)
May 27, 2009 LA HB 146 Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - House (57 - 41)
May 19, 2009 LA HB 782 Wireless Phone Card Fees Bill Passed - House (79 - 13)
May 12, 2009 RI H 5143 E-Verify Bill Bill Passed - House (38 - 33)
May 7, 2009 ID H 374 Allowing Diversion of Funds to Virtual Education Bill Passed - House (49 - 15)
April 30, 2009 AL SB 373 Deregulation of Landline Phone Service Rates Bill Passed - House (67 - 24)
April 28, 2009 OR HB 2377 Prohibiting Handheld Cell Phone Use While Driving Bill Passed - House (38 - 22)
April 27, 2009 TN SB 393 Prohibiting Texting While Driving Bill Passed - House (67 - 24)
April 22, 2009 PA A771 Requiring Hands Free Devices for Cell Phones in Cars Amendment Rejected - House (95 - 100)
April 15, 2009 VT H 147 Primary Seat Belt Enforcement Bill Passed - House (104 - 40)
April 14, 2009 ID H 303 Online Public Education Bill Passed - House (51 - 19)
April 1, 2009 IL HB 72 Cell Phone Ban in School Speed Zones and Construction Zones Bill Passed - House (90 - 24)
April 1, 2009 IL HB 71 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (89 - 27)
March 27, 2009 WV HB 2621 Prohibiting the Use of Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - House (80 - 18)
March 24, 2009 NH HB 34 Banning Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (222 - 137)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/02 HB 695 Prohibits the Use of Phones While Driving Bill Passed - House (68 - 29)
5/01 SB 619 Cyber Schools Bill Passed - House (57 - 52)
4/26 HR 3523 Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act Bill Passed - House (248 - 168)
4/19 HB 1860 Prohibits Undisclosed Recording of Livestock Bill Passed - House (108 - 32)
4/10 HB 255 Prohibits Texting While Driving Bill Passed - House (34 - 5)
4/06 SB 433 Prohibits Employers from Asking for Private Passwords Bill Passed - House (128 - 10)
3/29 HB 3782 Prohibits Employers from Asking for Internet Login Information Bill Passed - House (78 - 30)
3/29 HB 4083 Internet Dating Site Requirements Bill Passed - House (83 - 26)
3/26 HB 368 Scientific Theories in the Classroom Concurrence Vote Passed - House (72 - 23)
3/21 HB 3944 Authorizing the Recording of Police Bill Failed - House (45 - 59)
3/20 S 1274 Prohibits Texting While Driving Bill Passed - House (53 - 17)
3/19 SB 157 Prohibits Cities From Limiting Outdoor Digital Billboards Veto Override Failed - House (43 - 24)
3/15 HB 1551 Authorizes the Instruction of Various Scientific Theories Bill Passed - House (56 - 12)
3/13 HF 2380 Amends Education Provisions Bill Passed - House (53 - 46)
3/13 HF 2385 Authorizes Professionals to Teach Certain High School Courses Bill Passed - House (61 - 36)
3/09 HB 5099 Prohibits the Use of Cell Phones Near Emergency Scenes Bill Passed - House (62 - 38)
3/07 HB 187 Prohibits Recording of Agricultural Operations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 13)
2/29 HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 33)
2/29 HB 2757 Authorizes Electronic Billboards Bill Passed - House (34 - 20)
2/15 HB 311 Amends Requirements for Electronic Campaign Finance Disclosure Conference Report Adopted - House (26 - 5)
2/13 HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Bill Passed - House (41 - 28)
11/09 SB 965 Authorizing Speed Cameras in Certain Cities Bill Passed - House (64 - 50)
11/03 H Amdt 853 Requires Crowdfunding Intermediaries to Disclose Methods of Compensation to Investors Amendment Rejected - House (189 - 234)
10/26 SB 1401 Establishes the Connecticut Bioscience Collaboration Program Bill Passed - House (101 - 41)
9/23 SB 7 Incentives for Science-Based Businesses Bill Passed - House (94 - 48)
9/23 SB 7 Incentives for Science-Based Businesses Bill Passed - House (94 - 48)
9/23 HA 1 to SB 7 Prohibits Public Funding for Certain Life Science Research Projects Amendment Rejected - House (68 - 74)
6/21 HB 2301 Online Charter School Enrollment Bill Passed - House (33 - 27)
6/09 HB 338 Prohibits Handheld Cellular Devices While Driving Bill Failed - House (33 - 55)
5/30 SB 140 Prohibiting the Use of Cellular Devices While Driving Bill Passed - House (24 - 17)
5/29 HB 242 Prohibits Texting While Driving Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 61)
5/23 HB 815 Reduces the Offense of "Sexting" for Minors Bill Passed - House (178 - 20)
5/19 AB 1236 Prohibits Requirement of Electronic Employment Verification Bill Passed - House (55 - 22)
5/18 HB 5866 Internet Dating Safety Bill Passed - House (94 - 47)
5/11 SB 13 Repealing Regulations for Telecommunications Services Bill Passed - House (80 - 13)
5/05 HB 129 Regulates Competition Between Local Government and Private Business Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 32)
4/28 Amdt 46 Educational Television Commission Amendment to 2011-2012 Budget Amendment Adopted - House (25 - 18)
4/27 HB 2403 Internet Sales Tax Bill Passed - House (125 - 20)
4/25 HB 338 Prohibits Handheld Cellular Devices While Driving
4/14 SB 36 Prescription Drug Database Concurrence Vote Passed - House (131 - 32)
4/08 H J Res 37 Disapproving FCC Rules Concerning Internet Providers Joint Resolution Passed - House (240 - 179)
4/07 HB 368 Scientific Theories in the Classroom Bill Passed - House (70 - 23)
4/01 S 1184 Technology in the Classroom Bill Passed - House (44 - 26)
3/07 HB 477 Government Records Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 29)
3/07 HB 2415 Punishment Guidelines for Bullying in Schools Bill Passed - House (38 - 21)
2/15 SB 154 Cell Phones in School Zones Bill Passed - House (52 - 41)
2/15 HB 113 Prohibits the Use of State Funds for Public Television Bill Passed - House (263 - 102)
2/08 HB 1195 Bans Texting While Driving Bill Passed - House (50 - 41)
2/01 HB 1049 Prohibit Cell Phone Use in School Zones Bill Passed - House (53 - 41)
1/31 HB 1049 Prohibit Cell Phone Use in School Zones Bill Failed - House (46 - 47)
11/18 HR 1722 Telework Policies and Regulations for Federal Agencies Concurrence Vote Passed - House (254 - 152)
7/01 HB 67 Driving Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Failed - House (71 - 126)
6/29 HB 2189 Defining the Offense of Sexting Bill Passed - House (163 - 36)
6/02 SB 9 Classifying Text Messaging While Driving as a Primary Offense Bill Passed - House (69 - 22)
5/28 HR 5116 Science and Technology Funding Bill Passed - House (262 - 150)
5/28 HR 5116 Science and Technology Funding Bill Passed - House (262 - 150)
5/26 HB 473 Prohibits Inappropriate Pictures of Minors Bill Passed - House (86 - 12)
5/19 HR 5325 Science and Technology Funding Bill Failed - House (261 - 148)
5/19 HR 5325 Science and Technology Funding Bill Failed - House (261 - 148)
5/06 HR 1722 Telework Policies and Regulations for Federal Agencies Bill Failed - House (268 - 147)
5/06 HB 863 Prohibits Hand-Held Cell Phones while Driving Bill Failed - House (49 - 41)
5/05 SB 312 Regionalization of State Emergency Telecommunications Bill Passed - House (119 - 29)
4/28 SB 1307 Treatment of Human Embryos Bill Passed - House (35 - 24)
4/28 HB 1259 Prohibiting "Cyber-Bullying" Bill Passed - House (78 - 16)
4/21 Amdt 18 Reducing Funding for Public Media Amendment Rejected - House (43 - 52)
4/20 HB 4394 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 33)
4/20 AB 696 Landline Phone Service Deregulation Bill Passed - House (71 - 27)
4/09 SB 321 Prohibiting Hand-Held Cell Phone Use While Driving Bill Passed - House (125 - 14)
4/01 HB 415 Prohibiting Text-Messaging While Driving Concurrence Vote Passed - House (86 - 10)
3/26 H 729 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (51 - 16)
3/25 LD 1706 Requiring Cell Phone Radiation Warning Label Bill Failed - House (62 - 83)
3/23 HF 2456 Texting While Driving Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 33)
3/03 SF 20 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (32 - 26)
2/23 HB 1083 Appropriations for the Sanford Lab at Homestake Bill Failed - House (45 - 23)
2/23 HF 2456 Texting While Driving Ban Bill Passed - House (65 - 31)
2/17 HB 1178 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Failed - House (32 - 37)
2/10 HB 53 Ban on Required Human Microchip Implantation Bill Passed - House (88 - 9)
2/09 HB 10 Prohibiting Hand-Held Cell Phone Use While Driving Bill Passed - House (35 - 30)
2/04 HB 2430 2010-2011 Space Industry Development Authority Budget Bill Passed - House (68 - 27)
2/04 H 4466 Expanding Driving Regulations Bill Passed - House (146 - 9)
9/22 SB 107 Electronics Sale and Disposal Regulations Bill Passed - House (57 - 37)
8/05 SB 138 Banning Salvia Divinorum Bill Passed - House (96 - 15)
6/29 SB 767 Virtual Charter Schools Conference Report Adopted - House (31 - 29)
6/23 HB 782 Wireless Phone Card Fees Concurrence Vote Passed - House (83 - 16)
6/09 HB 866 Publishing Legal Records Bill Passed - House (53 - 40)
5/27 Amdt B-200 Cell Phone Secondary Offense Amendment Adopted - House (56 - 40)
5/27 HB 146 Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - House (57 - 41)
5/19 HB 782 Wireless Phone Card Fees Bill Passed - House (79 - 13)
5/12 H 5143 E-Verify Bill Bill Passed - House (38 - 33)
5/07 H 374 Allowing Diversion of Funds to Virtual Education Bill Passed - House (49 - 15)
4/30 SB 373 Deregulation of Landline Phone Service Rates Bill Passed - House (67 - 24)
4/28 HB 2377 Prohibiting Handheld Cell Phone Use While Driving Bill Passed - House (38 - 22)
4/27 SB 393 Prohibiting Texting While Driving Bill Passed - House (67 - 24)
4/22 A771 Requiring Hands Free Devices for Cell Phones in Cars Amendment Rejected - House (95 - 100)
4/15 H 147 Primary Seat Belt Enforcement Bill Passed - House (104 - 40)
4/14 H 303 Online Public Education Bill Passed - House (51 - 19)
4/01 HB 72 Cell Phone Ban in School Speed Zones and Construction Zones Bill Passed - House (90 - 24)
4/01 HB 71 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (89 - 27)
3/27 HB 2621 Prohibiting the Use of Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - House (80 - 18)
3/24 HB 34 Banning Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (222 - 137)

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