Key Votes

Chamber

Keyword Search

Search string must be longer than 3 characters.

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
April 26, 2013 IN HB 1006 Amends the Criminal Code Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 15)
April 24, 2013 AL SB 191 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
April 17, 2013 IL HB 1 Authorizes the Use of Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - House (61 - 57)
April 16, 2013 VT H 200 Reduces Penalties for Small Amounts of Marijuana Bill Passed - House (92 - 49)
April 10, 2013 IN HB 1483 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 12)
April 8, 2013 AR SB 38 Requires Drug Testing for Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
April 4, 2013 MO SB 126 Prohibits Pharmacies from Being Required to Carry Specific Drugs Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
April 1, 2013 MD SB 580 Expands Affirmative Defense to include a Caregiver Providing Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - House (95 - 37)
March 25, 2013 MD HB 1101 Authorizes Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - House (108 - 28)
March 19, 2013 MD SB 297 Reduces Fine for Marijuana Possession Under 10 Grams Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
March 11, 2013 NM HB 465 Reduces Penalties for Marijuana Possession Bill Passed - House (37 - 33)
March 5, 2013 WA HB 1404 Authorizes Immunity From Prosecution for Minors Who Report Underage Intoxication Bill Passed - House (72 - 24)
Feb. 28, 2013 KS SB 149 Requires Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
Feb. 25, 2013 ID SCR 112 Affirms Legislature's Opposition to Marijuana Authorization Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
Feb. 25, 2013 IN HB 1483 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (78 - 17)
Feb. 25, 2013 IN HB 1006 Amends the Criminal Code Bill Passed - House (80 - 13)
Feb. 25, 2013 ID SJM 101 Urges the Enforcement of Federal Drug-Free Policy Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 21)
Feb. 22, 2013 ND HB 1385 Requires Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients Bill Failed - House (19 - 72)
Feb. 20, 2013 GA HB 178 Requires Pain Management Clinics to be Licensed Bill Passed - House (150 - 15)
Feb. 14, 2013 KY SB 50 Authorizes Industrial Hemp Farming Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
Feb. 8, 2013 MD SB 74 Prohibits Operating a Vessel Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 8)
Feb. 4, 2013 VA SB 721 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 20)
Jan. 31, 2013 SD SB 70 Establishes Alternative Court Programs for Nonviolent Offenders Bill Passed - House (63 - 7)
Oct. 17, 2012 PA SB 941 Increases Penalties for Public Intoxication Bill Passed - House (104 - 87)
Aug. 27, 2012 CA AB 472 Authorizes Immunity for Reporting Drug Overdoses Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 24)
Aug. 22, 2012 CA AB 472 Authorizes Immunity for Reporting Drug Overdoses Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
Aug. 20, 2012 NJ A 578 Authorizes Temporary Immunity for Witnesses and Victims of a Drug Overdose Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
June 27, 2012 NH SB 409 Authorizes Medical Marijuana Veto Override Failed - Senate (13 - 10)
June 25, 2012 NJ A 1465 Reduces Penalties for Marijuana Bill Passed - House (44 - 31)
June 21, 2012 NJ S 2001 Expands Syringe Exchange Program Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
June 7, 2012 MI HB 5223 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (71 - 37)
June 5, 2012 RI S 2253 Reduces Penalties for Possession of Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
June 5, 2012 RI H 7092 Reduces Penalties for Possession of Marijuana Bill Passed - House (50 - 24)
May 31, 2012 IL SB 2621 Amends the Department of Corrections' Early Release Program Bill Passed - House (68 - 50)
May 31, 2012 CA SB 1506 Reduces Charges for Possession of Controlled Substances Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 24)
May 31, 2012 CA AB 2312 Regulations for Marijuana Dispensaries Bill Passed - House (41 - 30)
May 16, 2012 RI H 7888 A Authorizes Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Bill Passed - House (64 - 7)
May 15, 2012 LA HB 380 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (65 - 26)
May 15, 2012 CO HB 1005 Establishes Limits for Driving Under the Influence of Marijuana Bill Passed - House (38 - 24)
May 9, 2012 RI S 2555 A Authorizes Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 3)
May 4, 2012 CT HB 5389 Authorizes the Use of Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
May 2, 2012 CO SB 117 Establishes Limits for Driving Under the Influence of Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
April 25, 2012 NH SB 409 Authorizes Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - House (236 - 96)
April 25, 2012 MA H Amdt 804.1 Electronic Benefit Transfer Cards Amendment Adopted - House (123 - 33)
April 25, 2012 TN SB 2580 Requires Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
April 25, 2012 CT HB 5389 Authorizes the Use of Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - House (96 - 51)
April 20, 2012 KY HB 1 Requires Use of Prescription Monitoring System by Physicians Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 19)
April 20, 2012 KY HB 1 Requires Use of Prescription Monitoring System by Physicians Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
March 30, 2012 KY SB 3 Limits Over-the-Counter Purchases of Cold Medicine Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
March 29, 2012 GA HB 861 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - House (110 - 56)
March 28, 2012 KY SB 3 Limits Over-the-Counter Purchases of Cold Medicine Bill Passed - House (60 - 36)
March 28, 2012 NH SB 409 Authorizes Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 11)
March 27, 2012 GA HB 861 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 15)
March 9, 2012 FL HB 1205 Authorizes Random Drug Tests of State Employees Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
March 8, 2012 NH HB 1705 Legalizes Marijuana for Individuals Over 21 Years of Age "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (228 - 89)
March 8, 2012 NH HB 1526 Reduces Penalties for Possession of Less than One-Half Ounce of Marijuana Bill Passed - House (162 - 161)
March 7, 2012 GA SB 292 Requires Drug Tests for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 18)
March 7, 2012 GA HB 861 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (114 - 59)
March 5, 2012 WY HB 82 Requires Drug Testing of Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 17)
March 5, 2012 GA HB 972 Regulation of Pain Management Clinics Bill Passed - House (124 - 38)
March 5, 2012 AZ SB 1495 Requires Drug Test for Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
March 2, 2012 FL HB 1205 Authorizes Random Drug Tests of State Employees Bill Passed - House (79 - 37)
March 1, 2012 UT HB 155 Requires Drug Testing of Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (62 - 10)
Feb. 27, 2012 WY HB 82 Requires Drug Testing of Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (37 - 23)
Feb. 14, 2012 VA SB 6 Requires Drug Tests for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
Feb. 14, 2012 CO SB 20 Authorizes Legal Immunity to Drug Overdose Reporters Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
Jan. 31, 2012 IN HB 1007 Requires Drug Testing for TANF Applicants Bill Passed - House (73 - 23)
Jan. 27, 2012 IN H Amdt 3 Drug and Alcohol Testing for Legislators Amendment Adopted - House (55 - 40)
Jan. 9, 2012 NJ S 958 Authorizes the Limited Sale of Syringes and Needles Without a Prescription Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 17)
Jan. 9, 2012 NJ S 958 Authorizes the Limited Sale of Syringes and Needles Without a Prescription Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
Oct. 27, 2011 IL SB 1701 Legal Immunity for Individuals Seeking Treatment for Drug Overdose Bill Passed - House (61 - 53)
June 30, 2011 PA HB 960 Public Assistance Program Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (130 - 66)
June 30, 2011 PA HB 960 Public Assistance Program Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
June 21, 2011 LA HB 7 Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 12)
June 7, 2011 CT SB 1014 Penalties For Certain Nonviolent Drug Offenses Bill Passed - House (90 - 57)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/26 HB 1006 Amends the Criminal Code Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 15)
4/24 SB 191 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
4/17 HB 1 Authorizes the Use of Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - House (61 - 57)
4/16 H 200 Reduces Penalties for Small Amounts of Marijuana Bill Passed - House (92 - 49)
4/10 HB 1483 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 12)
4/08 SB 38 Requires Drug Testing for Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
4/04 SB 126 Prohibits Pharmacies from Being Required to Carry Specific Drugs Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
4/01 SB 580 Expands Affirmative Defense to include a Caregiver Providing Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - House (95 - 37)
3/25 HB 1101 Authorizes Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - House (108 - 28)
3/19 SB 297 Reduces Fine for Marijuana Possession Under 10 Grams Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
3/11 HB 465 Reduces Penalties for Marijuana Possession Bill Passed - House (37 - 33)
3/05 HB 1404 Authorizes Immunity From Prosecution for Minors Who Report Underage Intoxication Bill Passed - House (72 - 24)
2/28 SB 149 Requires Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
2/25 SCR 112 Affirms Legislature's Opposition to Marijuana Authorization Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
2/25 HB 1483 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (78 - 17)
2/25 HB 1006 Amends the Criminal Code Bill Passed - House (80 - 13)
2/25 SJM 101 Urges the Enforcement of Federal Drug-Free Policy Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 21)
2/22 HB 1385 Requires Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients Bill Failed - House (19 - 72)
2/20 HB 178 Requires Pain Management Clinics to be Licensed Bill Passed - House (150 - 15)
2/14 SB 50 Authorizes Industrial Hemp Farming Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
2/08 SB 74 Prohibits Operating a Vessel Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 8)
2/04 SB 721 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 20)
1/31 SB 70 Establishes Alternative Court Programs for Nonviolent Offenders Bill Passed - House (63 - 7)
10/17 SB 941 Increases Penalties for Public Intoxication Bill Passed - House (104 - 87)
8/27 AB 472 Authorizes Immunity for Reporting Drug Overdoses Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 24)
8/22 AB 472 Authorizes Immunity for Reporting Drug Overdoses Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
8/20 A 578 Authorizes Temporary Immunity for Witnesses and Victims of a Drug Overdose Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
6/27 SB 409 Authorizes Medical Marijuana Veto Override Failed - Senate (13 - 10)
6/25 A 1465 Reduces Penalties for Marijuana Bill Passed - House (44 - 31)
6/21 S 2001 Expands Syringe Exchange Program Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
6/07 HB 5223 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (71 - 37)
6/05 S 2253 Reduces Penalties for Possession of Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
6/05 H 7092 Reduces Penalties for Possession of Marijuana Bill Passed - House (50 - 24)
5/31 SB 2621 Amends the Department of Corrections' Early Release Program Bill Passed - House (68 - 50)
5/31 SB 1506 Reduces Charges for Possession of Controlled Substances Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 24)
5/31 AB 2312 Regulations for Marijuana Dispensaries Bill Passed - House (41 - 30)
5/16 H 7888 A Authorizes Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Bill Passed - House (64 - 7)
5/15 HB 380 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (65 - 26)
5/15 HB 1005 Establishes Limits for Driving Under the Influence of Marijuana Bill Passed - House (38 - 24)
5/09 S 2555 A Authorizes Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 3)
5/04 HB 5389 Authorizes the Use of Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
5/02 SB 117 Establishes Limits for Driving Under the Influence of Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
4/25 SB 409 Authorizes Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - House (236 - 96)
4/25 H Amdt 804.1 Electronic Benefit Transfer Cards Amendment Adopted - House (123 - 33)
4/25 SB 2580 Requires Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
4/25 HB 5389 Authorizes the Use of Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - House (96 - 51)
4/20 HB 1 Requires Use of Prescription Monitoring System by Physicians Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 19)
4/20 HB 1 Requires Use of Prescription Monitoring System by Physicians Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
3/30 SB 3 Limits Over-the-Counter Purchases of Cold Medicine Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
3/29 HB 861 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - House (110 - 56)
3/28 SB 3 Limits Over-the-Counter Purchases of Cold Medicine Bill Passed - House (60 - 36)
3/28 SB 409 Authorizes Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 11)
3/27 HB 861 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 15)
3/09 HB 1205 Authorizes Random Drug Tests of State Employees Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
3/08 HB 1705 Legalizes Marijuana for Individuals Over 21 Years of Age "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (228 - 89)
3/08 HB 1526 Reduces Penalties for Possession of Less than One-Half Ounce of Marijuana Bill Passed - House (162 - 161)
3/07 SB 292 Requires Drug Tests for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 18)
3/07 HB 861 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (114 - 59)
3/05 HB 82 Requires Drug Testing of Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 17)
3/05 HB 972 Regulation of Pain Management Clinics Bill Passed - House (124 - 38)
3/05 SB 1495 Requires Drug Test for Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
3/02 HB 1205 Authorizes Random Drug Tests of State Employees Bill Passed - House (79 - 37)
3/01 HB 155 Requires Drug Testing of Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (62 - 10)
2/27 HB 82 Requires Drug Testing of Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (37 - 23)
2/14 SB 6 Requires Drug Tests for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
2/14 SB 20 Authorizes Legal Immunity to Drug Overdose Reporters Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
1/31 HB 1007 Requires Drug Testing for TANF Applicants Bill Passed - House (73 - 23)
1/27 H Amdt 3 Drug and Alcohol Testing for Legislators Amendment Adopted - House (55 - 40)
1/09 S 958 Authorizes the Limited Sale of Syringes and Needles Without a Prescription Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 17)
1/09 S 958 Authorizes the Limited Sale of Syringes and Needles Without a Prescription Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
10/27 SB 1701 Legal Immunity for Individuals Seeking Treatment for Drug Overdose Bill Passed - House (61 - 53)
6/30 HB 960 Public Assistance Program Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (130 - 66)
6/30 HB 960 Public Assistance Program Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
6/21 HB 7 Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 12)
6/07 SB 1014 Penalties For Certain Nonviolent Drug Offenses Bill Passed - House (90 - 57)

arrow_upward