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 16, 2015 | NC | HB 540 | Requests Billy Graham Statue in National Statuary Hall | Bill Passed - House (71 - 28) |
| April 16, 2015 | NV | AB 252 | Establishes Legislative Redistricting Commission | Bill Passed - House (24 - 17) |
| April 15, 2015 | TN | HB 615 | Establishes the Bible as the Official State Book | Bill Passed - House (55 - 38) |
| April 14, 2015 | PA | SB 333 | Prohibits Local Paid Leave Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12) |
| April 13, 2015 | TN | SB 1110 | Prohibits Enforcement of Federal Gun Laws | Bill Passed - House (74 - 20) |
| April 10, 2015 | WA | SB 5153 | Requires Nonprofits to Disclose Campaign Contributions | Bill Passed - House (65 - 32) |
| April 8, 2015 | MO | HB 63 | Prohibits Superintendents from Serving on Certain School Boards | Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
| April 8, 2015 | MO | HB 63 | Prohibits Superintendents from Serving on Certain School Boards | Veto Override Passed - House (111 - 49) |
| April 7, 2015 | AL | HB 193 | Authorizes Counties to Establish Administrative Programs | Bill Passed - House (76 - 17) |
| April 6, 2015 | ND | HB 1181 | Requires Special Election to Fill Vacant Senate Seat | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20) |
| April 6, 2015 | ND | HB 1181 | Requires Special Election to Fill Vacant Senate Seat | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20) |
| April 6, 2015 | ND | HB 1181 | Requires Special Election to Fill Vacant Senate Seat | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20) |
| April 2, 2015 | GA | SB 127 | Exempts Certain Public Officials from Late Filing Fees | Conference Report Rejected - Senate (22 - 33) |
| April 2, 2015 | AR | SJR 16 | Authorizes Issuance of Bonds for Economic Development Projects | Bill Passed - House (70 - 22) |
| April 2, 2015 | AR | SJR 16 | Authorizes Issuance of Bonds for Economic Development Projects | Bill Passed - House (70 - 22) |
| April 1, 2015 | NC | SB 181 | Requires the Redistricting of Wake County | Bill Passed - House (66 - 47) |
| March 31, 2015 | AZ | SB 1241 | Prohibits Local Ordinances on Disposable Containers | Bill Passed - House (37 - 23) |
| March 30, 2015 | AZ | HB 2608 | Amends Signature Requirements for Political Candidate Nominations | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
| March 27, 2015 | GA | SB 139 | Prohibits Ban on Auxiliary Containers | Bill Failed - House (67 - 85) |
| March 26, 2015 | NJ | A 4326 | Requires Governor to Forecast State Revenue | Bill Passed - House (42 - 31) |
| March 26, 2015 | NH | SB 179 | Amends Residency Requirement for Voter Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 10) |
| March 24, 2015 | ND | HCR 3015 | Requests a Constitutional Convention | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (29 - 17) |
| March 20, 2015 | ID | HJM 4 | Appeals to Congress to Impeach Certain Members of the Judiciary | Bill Passed - House (44 - 25) |
| March 19, 2015 | MO | HB 722 | Prohibits Restrictions on Plastic Bags | Bill Passed - House (114 - 38) |
| March 19, 2015 | IA | SF 331 | Authorizes Online Voter Registration | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20) |
| March 18, 2015 | MO | HB 63 | Prohibits Superintendents from Serving on Certain School Boards | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (110 - 45) |
| March 18, 2015 | IA | SF 437 | Authorizes Employees to Take Unpaid Leave to Participate in a Presidential Precinct Caucus | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24) |
| March 17, 2015 | NM | HB 340 | Amends Voter Identification Requirements | Bill Passed - House (37 - 29) |
| March 16, 2015 | NJ | S 2181 | Increases Oversight of the Port Authority | Veto Override Failed - Senate (25 - 14) |
| March 16, 2015 | ID | S 1092 | Prohibits Local Knife Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
| March 12, 2015 | MO | HB 63 | Prohibits Superintendents from Serving on Certain School Boards | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3) |
| March 12, 2015 | MT | HB 203 | Prohibits Enforcement of Certain Federal Gun Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22) |
| March 12, 2015 | NC | SB 181 | Requires the Redistricting of Wake County | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16) |
| March 11, 2015 | AZ | SCR 1001 | Amends Citizens Clean Elections Fund | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
| March 11, 2015 | AZ | SCR 1001 | Amends Citizens Clean Elections Fund | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
| March 11, 2015 | OK | HB 2178 | Amends Local Municipalities' Ability to Regulate Oil and Gas Production | Bill Passed - House (74 - 23) |
| March 11, 2015 | OK | SJR 4 | Requests Constitutional Convention | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (26 - 20) |
| March 11, 2015 | AZ | SB 1330 | Prohibits State Employees from Enforcing Federal Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
| March 11, 2015 | OK | SB 809 | Amends Local Municipalities' Ability to Regulate Oil and Gas Production | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 7) |
| March 11, 2015 | OK | SJR 4 | Requests Constitutional Convention | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (26 - 20) |
| March 11, 2015 | OK | SJR 4 | Requests Constitutional Convention | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (26 - 20) |
| March 11, 2015 | AK | SB 6 | Exempts State from Daylight Saving Time | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 4) |
| March 10, 2015 | SD | SB 69 | Amends Procedures for Elections and Election Petitions | Bill Passed - House (41 - 25) |
| March 10, 2015 | NM | HB 366 | Authorizes State Regulation of Oil and Gas Production | Bill Passed - House (37 - 28) |
| March 10, 2015 | AZ | HB 2368 | Prohibits Use of State Funds to Enforce Executive Orders not Authorized by Congress | Bill Passed - House (36 - 24) |
| March 9, 2015 | KY | HB 203 | Increases Limit on Individual Campaign Donations | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8) |
| March 6, 2015 | AR | HJR 1003 | Requests a Constitutional Convention | Bill Passed - House (52 - 33) |
| March 6, 2015 | AZ | SB 1340 | Requires Photo Identification for Early Ballot Volunteers | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12) |
| March 5, 2015 | OR | HB 2177 | Establishes Automatic Voter Registration | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13) |
| March 4, 2015 | WY | SF 56 | Appropriates Funds for Study of Public Lands | Bill Passed - House (42 - 17) |
| March 3, 2015 | OK | SB 315 | Amends Absentee Ballot Application Procedure | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 7) |
| Feb. 26, 2015 | MN | SF 174 | Requires Legislative Approval for Certain Salary Increases | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 29) |
| Feb. 26, 2015 | MN | SF 174 | Requires Legislative Approval for Certain Salary Increases | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 29) |
| Feb. 26, 2015 | KS | SB 171 | Amends Voting Schedule | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18) |
| Feb. 25, 2015 | AZ | HB 2608 | Amends Signature Requirements for Political Candidate Nominations | Bill Passed - House (35 - 23) |
| Feb. 24, 2015 | ND | HB 1157 | Authorizes Public Officials to Possess Firearms in Public Buildings | Bill Failed - House (45 - 47) |
| Feb. 23, 2015 | NJ | S 2430 | Requires Disclosure of Political Contributions | Bill Passed - House (53 - 15) |
| Feb. 20, 2015 | OR | HB 2177 | Establishes Automatic Voter Registration | Bill Passed - House (35 - 24) |
| Feb. 19, 2015 | MO | HB 30 | Requires Photo Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - House (118 - 37) |
| Feb. 19, 2015 | MO | HJR 1 | Requires Photo Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - House (118 - 39) |
| Feb. 19, 2015 | MO | HJR 1 | Requires Photo Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - House (118 - 39) |
| Feb. 19, 2015 | AR | HB 1355 | Authorizes Local Control of Fluoride in Water Systems | Bill Passed - House (60 - 34) |
| Feb. 19, 2015 | MO | SB 104 | Establishes Deadline for Changes to Ballot Measures | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
| Feb. 13, 2015 | AR | SB 202 | Prohibits New Classes of Protected Individuals | Bill Passed - House (58 - 21) |
| Feb. 11, 2015 | MS | SB 2389 | Authorizes Joining Interstate Compact for a Balanced Federal Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19) |
| Feb. 11, 2015 | ND | HB 1259 | Requires Performance Audits of Certain State Agencies | Bill Failed - House (22 - 67) |
| Feb. 10, 2015 | WV | HB 2217 | Amends Qualifications for Commissioner of Labor | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 34) |
| Feb. 9, 2015 | MT | HB 203 | Prohibits Enforcement of Certain Federal Gun Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (58 - 42) |
| Feb. 5, 2015 | National | HR 527 | Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (260 - 163) |
| Feb. 4, 2015 | National | HR 50 | Unfunded Mandates Information and Transparency Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (250 - 173) |
| Feb. 4, 2015 | WV | HB 2217 | Amends Qualifications for Commissioner of Labor | Bill Passed - House (64 - 35) |
| Feb. 3, 2015 | WV | SB 249 | Repeals Straight-Ticket Voting | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8) |
| Feb. 2, 2015 | WY | HB 114 | Authorizes Concealed Carry in Certain Public Buildings | Bill Passed - House (42 - 17) |
| Jan. 30, 2015 | WY | SF 56 | Appropriates Funds for Study of Public Lands | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4) |
| Jan. 27, 2015 | CO | SB 52 | Expands Legislative Oversight of the Colorado Health Benefit Exchange | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| Jan. 21, 2015 | National | HR 161 | Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act | Bill Passed - House (253 - 169) |
| Jan. 13, 2015 | National | HR 185 | Regulatory Accountability Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (250 - 175) |
| 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) |
| Dec. 9, 2014 | OH | HB 5 | Amends Municipal Income Tax Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 32) |
| Dec. 4, 2014 | National | HR 5759 | Preventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act of 2014 | Bill Passed - House (219 - 197) |
| Dec. 4, 2014 | OH | HB 661 | Increases Salaries of Elected Officials | Bill Passed - House (56 - 26) |
| Dec. 3, 2014 | OH | HB 5 | Amends Municipal Income Tax Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8) |
| Dec. 1, 2014 | NJ | S 536 | Amends Early Voting Procedures | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15) |
| Dec. 1, 2014 | NJ | S 536 | Amends Early Voting Procedures | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15) |
| 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 | HR 1422 | EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act of 2013 | Bill Passed - House (229 - 191) |
| Oct. 23, 2014 | NJ | S 2430 | Requires Disclosure of Political Contributions | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8) |
| Oct. 23, 2014 | NJ | SCR 125 | Specifies that Proposed Regulations Concerning Greenhouse Gas Cap and Trade Programs are Inconsistent with Legislative Intent | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| Oct. 23, 2014 | NJ | SCR 125 | Specifies that Proposed Regulations Concerning Greenhouse Gas Cap and Trade Programs are Inconsistent with Legislative Intent | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| Oct. 20, 2014 | PA | HB 80 | Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (138 - 56) |
| Oct. 16, 2014 | PA | HB 80 | Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14) |
| Oct. 15, 2014 | PA | HB 2354 | Requires Legislative Approval for Certain Plans from the Department of Environmental Protection | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17) |
| Oct. 6, 2014 | PA | HB 1243 | Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - House (143 - 54) |
| Sept. 11, 2014 | National | S J Res 19 | A Joint Resolution Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of the United States Relating to Contributions and Expenditures Intended to Affect Elections | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 42) |
| Sept. 10, 2014 | MO | SB 506 | Expands and Establishes Certain Agricultural Programs | Veto Override Failed - House (108 - 52) |
| Sept. 10, 2014 | MO | SB 506 | Expands and Establishes Certain Agricultural Programs | Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 7) |
| Sept. 9, 2014 | National | H Res 644 | Condemning and Disapproving of the Failure of the Obama Administration to Comply with the Lawful Statutory Requirement to Notify Congress before Transferring Individuals Detained at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and Expressing Concern About the National Security Risks Over the Transfer of Five Taliban Leaders and the Repercussions of Negotiating with Terrorists | Resolution Passed - House (249 - 163) |
| Aug. 29, 2014 | CA | AB 1739 | Amends Groundwater Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 28) |
| Aug. 29, 2014 | CA | AB 1014 | Authorizes Gun Violence Restraining Orders | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 28) |