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 20, 2016 | NE | LB 947 | Authorizes Certain Immigrants to Qualify for Professional Licenses | Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 13) |
| April 13, 2016 | NE | LB 947 | Authorizes Certain Immigrants to Qualify for Professional Licenses | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11) |
| April 12, 2016 | HI | HB 2501 | Authorizes Extension for Water Permits | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 6) |
| April 8, 2016 | MD | SB 1112 | Establishes Tax Credit for Certain Aerospace Businesses | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 13) |
| April 7, 2016 | National | S Amdt 3483 | Establishes Standards for Passenger Space on Airplanes | Amendment Rejected - Senate (42 - 54) |
| March 31, 2016 | CA | SB 3 | Increases Minimum Wage | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
| March 30, 2016 | AK | SB 1 | Prohibits Smoking in Public | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5) |
| March 23, 2016 | AK | SB 125 | Amends Alaska Gasline Development Corporation Board of Directors | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 7) |
| March 15, 2016 | ID | H 372 | Prohibits Local Limitation on Use of Plastic Bags | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| March 15, 2016 | WI | SB 239 | Amends Regulations for High Capacity Wells | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13) |
| March 14, 2016 | KY | SB 205 | Establishes Regulations for Nursing Home Advertisements | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
| March 10, 2016 | IN | HB 1127 | Establishes Regulations on Lawsuit Funding Practices | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 10) |
| March 10, 2016 | CA | SB 7 | Increases Smoking Age to 21 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 10) |
| March 10, 2016 | CA | SB 5 | Amends Regulations for E-Cigarettes | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
| March 10, 2016 | AZ | HB 2131 | Prohibits Local Governments from Taxing Disposable Bags | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
| March 7, 2016 | UT | SB 246 | Authorizes Infrastructure Appropriations | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7) |
| March 3, 2016 | MO | SB 919 | Authorizes Breweries to Lease Coolers to Stores | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14) |
| Feb. 29, 2016 | TN | SB 2094 | Limits Liquor Retailers to 2 Stores | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 6) |
| Feb. 26, 2016 | VA | HB 1371 | Prohibits Cities from Increasing Minimum Wage or Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| Feb. 25, 2016 | AL | HB 174 | Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Wage or Employee Benefits Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
| Feb. 24, 2016 | SD | SB 159 | Authorizes Education Tax Credit for Insurance Companies | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| Feb. 16, 2016 | VA | SB 416 | Authorizes Individuals to Rent Out Rooms through Online Platform | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 19) |
| Feb. 11, 2016 | OR | SB 1532 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12) |
| Jan. 12, 2016 | National | S 2232 | Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2015 | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 44) |
| Nov. 17, 2015 | National | S J Res 23 | A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval Under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of a Rule Submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to "Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from New, Modified, and Reconstructed Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units" | Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 46) |
| Oct. 22, 2015 | National | S Amdt 2564 | Prohibits Liability Immunity for Corporations that Break User Agreements | Amendment Rejected - Senate (32 - 65) |
| Sept. 4, 2015 | CA | AB 888 | Prohibits the Sale of Products Containing Plastic Microbeads | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| Aug. 27, 2015 | CA | SB 7 | Increases Smoking Age to 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| Aug. 27, 2015 | CA | SB 5 | Amends Regulations for E-Cigarettes | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
| July 1, 2015 | OR | SB 478 | Requires Manufacturers to Disclose Certain Chemicals Used in Children's Products | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
| June 25, 2015 | RI | H 5364 | Increases Minimum Wage for Tipped Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3) |
| June 24, 2015 | NH | HB 550 | Authorizes Businesses to Not Declare Profits from Interest Sales | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10) |
| June 23, 2015 | NC | HB 148 | Requires Auto Insurance for Moped Operators | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 8) |
| June 11, 2015 | RI | H 5074 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 3) |
| June 10, 2015 | OR | SB 454 | Requires Employers to Offer Paid Sick Leave | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13) |
| June 3, 2015 | NC | HB 405 | Prohibits the Recording of Certain Employer Property | Veto Override Passed - Senate (33 - 15) |
| June 2, 2015 | CA | SB 151 | Increases Smoking Age | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9) |
| June 2, 2015 | CA | SB 140 | Prohibits Smoking Electronic Cigarettes in Certain Indoor Areas | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
| June 1, 2015 | CA | SB 3 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| May 28, 2015 | OR | HB 2007 | Prohibits Employers from Penalizing Employees for Discussing Wages | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13) |
| May 27, 2015 | MI | HB 4467 | Authorizes Private High-Security Prisons | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| May 18, 2015 | NC | HB 405 | Prohibits the Recording of Certain Employer Property | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13) |
| May 12, 2015 | National | HR 1314 | Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 46) |
| May 12, 2015 | DE | SB 75 | Prohibits Stock Corporations from Establishing Fee-Shifting Bylaws | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5) |
| May 5, 2015 | KS | SB 117 | Requires Insurance Coverage for Transportation Network Companies | Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 5) |
| May 1, 2015 | HI | HB 1075 | Authorizes Public-private Partnership of Hospital Facilities | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 1) |
| April 30, 2015 | TX | SB 1628 | Amends Existing Law Relating to Insurance Claim Lawsuits | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10) |
| April 27, 2015 | TX | SB 900 | Amends Texas Windstorm Insurance Association | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7) |
| April 24, 2015 | HI | SB 1030 | Prohibits Sale of Tobacco Products to Individuals Under 21 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 4) |
| April 23, 2015 | FL | SB 1298 | Expands Insurance Requirements for Short-Term Rental Companies | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12) |
| April 15, 2015 | OK | HB 1614 | Establishes Regulations for Transportation Network Company Services | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11) |
| April 15, 2015 | NV | SB 439 | Establishes Regulations for Transportation Network Companies | Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 10) |
| April 7, 2015 | IN | HB 1432 | Establishes E-Liquid Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 15) |
| April 3, 2015 | NV | SB 193 | Increases Minimum Wage and Amends Overtime Definition | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9) |
| April 2, 2015 | IN | SB 50 | Specifies that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act Does Not Authorize Discrimination | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 16) |
| March 30, 2015 | ND | HB 1437 | Extends Triggered Oil Extraction Tax Rate | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 12) |
| March 26, 2015 | National | S Amdt 798 | Deficit-Neutral Reserve Fund for Legislation to Allow Americans to Earn Paid Sick Time | Amendment Adopted - Senate (61 - 39) |
| March 24, 2015 | IA | SF 232 | Prohibits Minors from Using Tanning Beds | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23) |
| March 12, 2015 | NH | SB 261 | Increases Minimum Wage | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (14 - 10) |
| March 12, 2015 | OK | SB 298 | Requires Insurers to Check Policies after an Insured Individual's Death | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 12) |
| March 10, 2015 | WA | SB 5899 | Establishes Small Loans and Small Consumer Installment Loans | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18) |
| March 10, 2015 | WA | SB 5899 | Establishes Small Loans and Small Consumer Installment Loans | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18) |
| March 10, 2015 | HI | SB 1030 | Prohibits Sale of Tobacco Products to Individuals Under 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 5) |
| March 10, 2015 | WA | SB 5513 | Reduces Minimum Age to Settle a Worker's Compensation Claim | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21) |
| March 4, 2015 | MS | HB 1127 | Prohibits Contracting with Companies with Investments in Iran | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11) |
| March 2, 2015 | UT | SB 169 | Prohibits Contact Lens Manufacturers from Fixing Prices | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
| Feb. 24, 2015 | IA | SF 269 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22) |
| Feb. 18, 2015 | SD | SB 177 | Establishes a Youth Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
| Feb. 9, 2015 | CO | SB 65 | Prohibits Withdrawing Public Assistance Funds at Certain Places | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| Feb. 5, 2015 | IL | SB 11 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 18) |
| Dec. 11, 2014 | OH | HB 663 | Requires Confidentiality of Death Penalty Information | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
| Dec. 9, 2014 | OH | SB 386 | Authorizes the Use of Certain Fireworks | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7) |
| Dec. 4, 2014 | MI | SB 247 | Authorizes the Sale of Alcohol until 4 a.m. | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14) |
| Oct. 23, 2014 | NJ | A 939 | Amends Tax Expenditure Report | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| Sept. 18, 2014 | National | H J Res 124 | Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2015 | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (78 - 22) |
| Aug. 29, 2014 | CA | SB 270 | Prohibits Retailers from Using Single-Use Carryout Bags | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
| Aug. 29, 2014 | CA | AB 1522 | Requires Paid Sick Leave for Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8) |
| Aug. 28, 2014 | CA | SB 199 | Requires Certain Replica Guns to be Sold in Fluorescent Colors | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| Aug. 21, 2014 | CA | SB 610 | Amends Franchise Agreement Terms | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 9) |
| Aug. 21, 2014 | CA | AB 1699 | Prohibits the Sale of Products Containing Microplastics | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 14) |
| July 30, 2014 | National | S 2569 | Bring Jobs Home Act | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 42) |
| June 30, 2014 | NJ | S 602 | Increases the Legal Age to Purchase of Tobacco Products | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10) |
| June 20, 2014 | NY | A 6357E | Authorizes Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 10) |
| June 19, 2014 | RI | H 7194A | Increases the Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5) |
| June 12, 2014 | MA | S 2123 | Increases the Minimum Wage | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 4) |
| June 11, 2014 | National | S 2432 | Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 38) |
| May 29, 2014 | CA | SB 1000 | Requires Health Warning Labels on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| May 28, 2014 | CA | SB 1372 | Amends the Corporate Tax Rate | Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 17) |
| May 27, 2014 | MI | SB 934 | Increases Minimum Wage | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 12) |
| May 16, 2014 | MN | HF 2293 | Amends Regulations for Payday Lenders | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 25) |
| May 16, 2014 | MN | HF 2293 | Amends Regulations for Payday Lenders | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 25) |
| May 9, 2014 | MN | SF 1740 | Requires a "Kill Switch" on a Cell Phone | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (44 - 19) |
| May 8, 2014 | MN | HF 2536 | Increases Equal Pay and Establishes Certain Workplace Protections for Employees | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (43 - 24) |
| May 8, 2014 | NH | HB 1403 | Increases the Minimum Wage | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (13 - 11) |
| May 8, 2014 | CA | SB 962 | Requires Smartphones to Include a Kill Switch | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
| May 5, 2014 | MO | SB 509 | Reduces State Income Tax Rates | Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 8) |
| May 1, 2014 | IA | SF 2360 | Authorizes Medical Marijuana Oil | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 8) |
| May 1, 2014 | MA | S 2123 | Increases the Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 5) |
| April 30, 2014 | CO | HB 1269 | Requires Certain Retailers to Collect Sales Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| April 24, 2014 | CA | SB 962 | Requires Smartphones to Include a Kill Switch | Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 17) |