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
March 12, 2016 MD HB 1002 Prohibits Firearms on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (81 - 54)
March 11, 2016 VA HB 815 Amends Death Penalty Procedures Conference Report Adopted - House (65 - 32)
March 10, 2016 IN HB 1127 Establishes Regulations on Lawsuit Funding Practices Conference Report Adopted - House (63 - 32)
March 10, 2016 OK HB 3098 Amends License and Training Requirements for Gun Possession Bill Passed - House (73 - 15)
March 10, 2016 NH HB 1270 Requires Courts to Notify Jurors of Jury Nullification Bill Passed - House (184 - 145)
March 10, 2016 OK HB 2504 Expands Punishments for Theft of Domestic Animals Bill Passed - House (71 - 21)
March 9, 2016 FL HB 1411 Amends Requirements for Disposal of Fetal Tissue Concurrence Vote Passed - House (76 - 40)
March 9, 2016 FL HB 4027 Prohibits Traffic Infraction Detectors Bill Passed - House (83 - 33)
March 8, 2016 WA HB 2362 Amends Police Body Camera Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 39)
March 4, 2016 WV HB 4145 Authorizes Concealed Carry without Permit Veto Override Passed - House (64 - 33)
March 3, 2016 FL HB 1411 Amends Requirements for Disposal of Fetal Tissue Bill Passed - House (74 - 44)
March 3, 2016 SC H 4701 Prohibits Enforcement of Federal Restrictions on Firearms Bill Passed - House (64 - 30)
March 1, 2016 AZ HB 2524 Authorizes Compacts with Other States to Develop Firearm Transfer Laws Bill Passed - House (35 - 24)
March 1, 2016 MS HB 738 Amends Attorney General Hiring and Filing Oversight Processes Bill Passed - House (61 - 60)
March 1, 2016 CO HB 1231 Limits Use of Automated Vehicle Identification Systems Bill Passed - House (33 - 31)
Feb. 29, 2016 AZ HB 2338 Authorizes Concealed Carry near Schools Bill Passed - House (35 - 24)
Feb. 29, 2016 MS HB 782 Prohibits Enforcement of Certain Law Relating to Firearms Bill Passed - House (75 - 46)
Feb. 26, 2016 National HR 2406 Sportsmen's Heritage and Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (242 - 161)
Feb. 24, 2016 WV HB 4145 Authorizes Concealed Carry without Permit Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 31)
Feb. 23, 2016 SD HB 1206 Authorizes the Use of Handguns to Hunt Game Birds Bill Failed - House (23 - 44)
Feb. 23, 2016 IA HF 2281 Authorizes Individuals Under the age of 14 to Posses a Handgun Bill Passed - House (62 - 36)
Feb. 22, 2016 WA HB 2362 Amends Police Body Camera Regulations Bill Passed - House (61 - 36)
Feb. 22, 2016 GA HB 859 Authorizes Concealed Carry at Postsecondary Education Institutions Bill Passed - House (113 - 59)
Feb. 22, 2016 OR HB 4147 Extends the Background Check Waiting Period for Gun Sales Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
Feb. 22, 2016 OK HB 2275 Requires Collection of DNA upon Arrest for a Felony Charge Bill Failed - House (38 - 56)
Feb. 19, 2016 VA SB 610 Authorizes Concealed Carry Reciprocity for Out-of-State License Holders Bill Passed - House (69 - 29)
Feb. 18, 2016 AZ HB 2451 Amends Requirements for Release of Undocumented Inmates Bill Passed - House (36 - 21)
Feb. 18, 2016 AZ HB 2446 Amends the Definition of Prohibited Weapons Bill Passed - House (38 - 20)
Feb. 17, 2016 MS HB 786 Authorizes Designated Individuals to Carry Firearms in Church Bill Passed - House (85 - 33)
Feb. 16, 2016 MS HB 578 Establishes Civil and Criminal Immunity for Individuals who Report Suspicious Terrorist Activity Bill Passed - House (89 - 30)
Feb. 15, 2016 VA HB 1234 Authorizes School Security Officers to Carry Firearms Bill Passed - House (66 - 33)
Feb. 12, 2016 UT HB 136 Classifies Certain Cases of Human Trafficking as Capital Offense Bill Passed - House (44 - 28)
Feb. 11, 2016 VA HB 1096 Prohibits Regulation of Firearms without Legislative Authorization Bill Passed - House (63 - 35)
Feb. 10, 2016 VA HB 815 Amends Death Penalty Procedures Bill Passed - House (62 - 33)
Feb. 9, 2016 VA HB 560 Amends Brandishing Conviction to Include Intent to Induce Fear Bill Passed - House (68 - 32)
Feb. 9, 2016 VA HB 560 Amends Brandishing Conviction to Include Intent to Induce Fear Bill Passed - House (68 - 32)
Feb. 8, 2016 WV HB 4145 Authorizes Concealed Carry without Permit Bill Passed - House (68 - 31)
Feb. 5, 2016 KS SB 133 Establishes Immunity for Underage Drinkers Who Seek Medical Help Bill Passed - House (92 - 27)
Feb. 3, 2016 VA HB 766 Authorizes Individual with Restraining Order to Carry Concealed Gun without Permit Bill Passed - House (68 - 29)
Feb. 3, 2016 FL HB 4001 Authorizes Open-Carry on State College Campuses Bill Passed - House (80 - 37)
Feb. 3, 2016 FL HB 163 Authorizes Open Carry of Firearms Bill Passed - House (80 - 38)
Jan. 28, 2016 DE SB 40 Repeals the Death Penalty Bill Failed - House (16 - 23)
Jan. 28, 2016 SC H 3521 Prohibits Courts From Enforcing Foreign Law Bill Passed - House (68 - 42)
Jan. 26, 2016 IN HB 1019 Limits Public Access to Police Body Camera Footage Bill Passed - House (65 - 30)
Jan. 21, 2016 MD SB 528 Amends Asset Forfeiture Regulations Veto Override Passed - House (89 - 52)
Jan. 21, 2016 MD SB 517 Authorizes Marijuana Paraphernalia Veto Override Passed - House (86 - 55)
Jan. 8, 2016 National HR 1927 Fairness in Class Action Litigation and Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency Act of 2016 Bill Passed - House (211 - 188)
Dec. 3, 2015 National HR 8 North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act Bill Passed - House (249 - 174)
Nov. 19, 2015 National HR 4038 American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act Bill Passed - House (289 - 137)
Nov. 17, 2015 OH HB 48 Amends Provisions Concerning Concealed Carry of Firearms Bill Passed - House (68 - 29)
Oct. 21, 2015 WI SB 43 Amends John Doe Law Bill Passed - House (61 - 36)
Oct. 1, 2015 National HR 3457 Justice for Victims of Iranian Terrorism Act Bill Passed - House (251 - 173)
Sept. 10, 2015 CA AB 953 Amends "Profiling" Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (43 - 30)
Sept. 1, 2015 CA SB 707 Prohibits Concealed Firearms on School Grounds Bill Passed - House (54 - 24)
July 29, 2015 NC HB 774 Authorizes Certain Medical Professionals to Monitor Executions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 34)
July 16, 2015 CA SB 227 Prohibits Grand Juries from Investigating Certain Cases Bill Passed - House (41 - 33)
July 16, 2015 CA SB 227 Prohibits Grand Juries from Investigating Certain Cases Bill Passed - House (41 - 33)
June 16, 2015 IL HB 1336 Establishes Immunity from Underage Drinking Charges in Certain Circumstances Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 34)
June 16, 2015 National HR 2596 Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 Bill Passed - House (247 - 178)
June 3, 2015 National HR 2578 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016 Bill Passed - House (242 - 183)
June 2, 2015 DE HB 39 Decriminalizes Possession of Small Amounts of Marijuana Bill Passed - House (24 - 14)
June 1, 2015 CA AB 718 Authorizes Sleeping in Vehicles Bill Passed - House (56 - 15)
May 31, 2015 IL HB 352 Authorizes Bobcat Hunting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 46)
May 31, 2015 IL HB 352 Authorizes Bobcat Hunting Concurrence Vote Failed - House (55 - 54)
May 27, 2015 TX SB 11 Authorizes Concealed Carry of Firearms on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (102 - 44)
May 26, 2015 CA AB 884 Requires the Attorney General to Denote Ballot Initiatives That May Be Unconstitutional Bill Passed - House (50 - 26)
May 22, 2015 NV SB 175 Amends Justifiable Homicide and Firearm Regulations Bill Passed - House (25 - 17)
May 22, 2015 NV SB 175 Amends Justifiable Homicide and Firearm Regulations Bill Passed - House (25 - 17)
May 18, 2015 ID H 1 Amends Foreign Child Support Order Bill Passed - House (49 - 21)
May 17, 2015 MN SF 86 Amends Procedures for Data Collected by Police Surveillance Equipment Conference Report Adopted - House (87 - 43)
May 15, 2015 MO SB 199 Amends the Justifications for Use of Deadly Force Bill Passed - House (111 - 43)
May 13, 2015 WI AB 191 Requires Drug Testing for Job Training Programs Bill Passed - House (62 - 33)
May 13, 2015 LA HB 149 Amends Penalties for Marijuana Possesion Bill Passed - House (54 - 37)
May 7, 2015 KS HB 2049 Reduces Penalties for Marijuana Possession Bill Passed - House (81 - 36)
May 7, 2015 MI HB 4467 Authorizes Private High-Security Prisons Bill Passed - House (57 - 53)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/12 HB 1002 Prohibits Firearms on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (81 - 54)
3/11 HB 815 Amends Death Penalty Procedures Conference Report Adopted - House (65 - 32)
3/10 HB 1127 Establishes Regulations on Lawsuit Funding Practices Conference Report Adopted - House (63 - 32)
3/10 HB 3098 Amends License and Training Requirements for Gun Possession Bill Passed - House (73 - 15)
3/10 HB 1270 Requires Courts to Notify Jurors of Jury Nullification Bill Passed - House (184 - 145)
3/10 HB 2504 Expands Punishments for Theft of Domestic Animals Bill Passed - House (71 - 21)
3/09 HB 1411 Amends Requirements for Disposal of Fetal Tissue Concurrence Vote Passed - House (76 - 40)
3/09 HB 4027 Prohibits Traffic Infraction Detectors Bill Passed - House (83 - 33)
3/08 HB 2362 Amends Police Body Camera Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 39)
3/04 HB 4145 Authorizes Concealed Carry without Permit Veto Override Passed - House (64 - 33)
3/03 HB 1411 Amends Requirements for Disposal of Fetal Tissue Bill Passed - House (74 - 44)
3/03 H 4701 Prohibits Enforcement of Federal Restrictions on Firearms Bill Passed - House (64 - 30)
3/01 HB 2524 Authorizes Compacts with Other States to Develop Firearm Transfer Laws Bill Passed - House (35 - 24)
3/01 HB 738 Amends Attorney General Hiring and Filing Oversight Processes Bill Passed - House (61 - 60)
3/01 HB 1231 Limits Use of Automated Vehicle Identification Systems Bill Passed - House (33 - 31)
2/29 HB 2338 Authorizes Concealed Carry near Schools Bill Passed - House (35 - 24)
2/29 HB 782 Prohibits Enforcement of Certain Law Relating to Firearms Bill Passed - House (75 - 46)
2/26 HR 2406 Sportsmen's Heritage and Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (242 - 161)
2/24 HB 4145 Authorizes Concealed Carry without Permit Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 31)
2/23 HB 1206 Authorizes the Use of Handguns to Hunt Game Birds Bill Failed - House (23 - 44)
2/23 HF 2281 Authorizes Individuals Under the age of 14 to Posses a Handgun Bill Passed - House (62 - 36)
2/22 HB 2362 Amends Police Body Camera Regulations Bill Passed - House (61 - 36)
2/22 HB 859 Authorizes Concealed Carry at Postsecondary Education Institutions Bill Passed - House (113 - 59)
2/22 HB 4147 Extends the Background Check Waiting Period for Gun Sales Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
2/22 HB 2275 Requires Collection of DNA upon Arrest for a Felony Charge Bill Failed - House (38 - 56)
2/19 SB 610 Authorizes Concealed Carry Reciprocity for Out-of-State License Holders Bill Passed - House (69 - 29)
2/18 HB 2451 Amends Requirements for Release of Undocumented Inmates Bill Passed - House (36 - 21)
2/18 HB 2446 Amends the Definition of Prohibited Weapons Bill Passed - House (38 - 20)
2/17 HB 786 Authorizes Designated Individuals to Carry Firearms in Church Bill Passed - House (85 - 33)
2/16 HB 578 Establishes Civil and Criminal Immunity for Individuals who Report Suspicious Terrorist Activity Bill Passed - House (89 - 30)
2/15 HB 1234 Authorizes School Security Officers to Carry Firearms Bill Passed - House (66 - 33)
2/12 HB 136 Classifies Certain Cases of Human Trafficking as Capital Offense Bill Passed - House (44 - 28)
2/11 HB 1096 Prohibits Regulation of Firearms without Legislative Authorization Bill Passed - House (63 - 35)
2/10 HB 815 Amends Death Penalty Procedures Bill Passed - House (62 - 33)
2/09 HB 560 Amends Brandishing Conviction to Include Intent to Induce Fear Bill Passed - House (68 - 32)
2/09 HB 560 Amends Brandishing Conviction to Include Intent to Induce Fear Bill Passed - House (68 - 32)
2/08 HB 4145 Authorizes Concealed Carry without Permit Bill Passed - House (68 - 31)
2/05 SB 133 Establishes Immunity for Underage Drinkers Who Seek Medical Help Bill Passed - House (92 - 27)
2/03 HB 766 Authorizes Individual with Restraining Order to Carry Concealed Gun without Permit Bill Passed - House (68 - 29)
2/03 HB 4001 Authorizes Open-Carry on State College Campuses Bill Passed - House (80 - 37)
2/03 HB 163 Authorizes Open Carry of Firearms Bill Passed - House (80 - 38)
1/28 SB 40 Repeals the Death Penalty Bill Failed - House (16 - 23)
1/28 H 3521 Prohibits Courts From Enforcing Foreign Law Bill Passed - House (68 - 42)
1/26 HB 1019 Limits Public Access to Police Body Camera Footage Bill Passed - House (65 - 30)
1/21 SB 528 Amends Asset Forfeiture Regulations Veto Override Passed - House (89 - 52)
1/21 SB 517 Authorizes Marijuana Paraphernalia Veto Override Passed - House (86 - 55)
1/08 HR 1927 Fairness in Class Action Litigation and Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency Act of 2016 Bill Passed - House (211 - 188)
12/03 HR 8 North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act Bill Passed - House (249 - 174)
11/19 HR 4038 American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act Bill Passed - House (289 - 137)
11/17 HB 48 Amends Provisions Concerning Concealed Carry of Firearms Bill Passed - House (68 - 29)
10/21 SB 43 Amends John Doe Law Bill Passed - House (61 - 36)
10/01 HR 3457 Justice for Victims of Iranian Terrorism Act Bill Passed - House (251 - 173)
9/10 AB 953 Amends "Profiling" Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (43 - 30)
9/01 SB 707 Prohibits Concealed Firearms on School Grounds Bill Passed - House (54 - 24)
7/29 HB 774 Authorizes Certain Medical Professionals to Monitor Executions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 34)
7/16 SB 227 Prohibits Grand Juries from Investigating Certain Cases Bill Passed - House (41 - 33)
7/16 SB 227 Prohibits Grand Juries from Investigating Certain Cases Bill Passed - House (41 - 33)
6/16 HB 1336 Establishes Immunity from Underage Drinking Charges in Certain Circumstances Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 34)
6/16 HR 2596 Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 Bill Passed - House (247 - 178)
6/03 HR 2578 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016 Bill Passed - House (242 - 183)
6/02 HB 39 Decriminalizes Possession of Small Amounts of Marijuana Bill Passed - House (24 - 14)
6/01 AB 718 Authorizes Sleeping in Vehicles Bill Passed - House (56 - 15)
5/31 HB 352 Authorizes Bobcat Hunting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 46)
5/31 HB 352 Authorizes Bobcat Hunting Concurrence Vote Failed - House (55 - 54)
5/27 SB 11 Authorizes Concealed Carry of Firearms on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (102 - 44)
5/26 AB 884 Requires the Attorney General to Denote Ballot Initiatives That May Be Unconstitutional Bill Passed - House (50 - 26)
5/22 SB 175 Amends Justifiable Homicide and Firearm Regulations Bill Passed - House (25 - 17)
5/22 SB 175 Amends Justifiable Homicide and Firearm Regulations Bill Passed - House (25 - 17)
5/18 H 1 Amends Foreign Child Support Order Bill Passed - House (49 - 21)
5/17 SF 86 Amends Procedures for Data Collected by Police Surveillance Equipment Conference Report Adopted - House (87 - 43)
5/15 SB 199 Amends the Justifications for Use of Deadly Force Bill Passed - House (111 - 43)
5/13 AB 191 Requires Drug Testing for Job Training Programs Bill Passed - House (62 - 33)
5/13 HB 149 Amends Penalties for Marijuana Possesion Bill Passed - House (54 - 37)
5/07 HB 2049 Reduces Penalties for Marijuana Possession Bill Passed - House (81 - 36)
5/07 HB 4467 Authorizes Private High-Security Prisons Bill Passed - House (57 - 53)

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