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 12, 2018 | RI | H 7452 | Prohibits Sharing Explicit Images without Consent | Bill Passed - House (66 - 0) |
| April 2, 2018 | TN | SB 1796 | Establishes Process to Remove Domestic Abusers from Cell Phone Plans | Bill Passed - House (94 - 0) |
| March 29, 2018 | GA | HB 673 | Prohibits Use of Handheld Technology While Driving | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (144 - 18) |
| Feb. 27, 2018 | National | HR 1865 | Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (388 - 25) |
| Feb. 26, 2018 | OR | HB 4155 | Establishes State Net Neutrality Policy | Bill Passed - House (40 - 17) |
| Feb. 9, 2018 | WA | HB 2282 | Establishes State Net Neutrality Policy | Bill Passed - House (93 - 5) |
| May 8, 2017 | AZ | SB 1384 | Prohibits Censorship of Student Media | Bill Passed - House (41 - 19) |
| May 1, 2017 | OR | HB 2597 | Increases Penalties for Distracted Driving | Bill Passed - House (46 - 13) |
| March 28, 2017 | National | S J Res 34 | Providing for congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission relating to Protecting the Privacy of Customers of Broadband and other Telecommunications Services | Joint Resolution Passed - House (215 - 205) |
| March 7, 2017 | WA | HB 1371 | Prohibits Texting While Driving | Bill Passed - House (52 - 45) |
| March 2, 2017 | WA | HB 1493 | Regulates Commercial Use of Biometric Data | Bill Passed - House (81 - 17) |
| Aug. 31, 2016 | CA | AB 1671 | Prohibits Unauthorized Disclosure of Confidential Communications with Healthcare Providers | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 26) |
| Aug. 23, 2016 | CA | AB 1785 | Prohibits Use of Handheld Electronic Devices While Driving | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 20) |
| July 7, 2016 | National | HR 4361 | Government Reform and Improvement Act of 2016 | Bill Passed - House (241 - 181) |
| May 21, 2016 | MN | SF 498 | Amends Police Body Camera Regulations | Conference Report Adopted - House (96 - 34) |
| April 15, 2016 | National | HR 2666 | No Rate Regulation of Broadband Internet Access Act | Bill Passed - House (241 - 173) |
| March 8, 2016 | WA | HB 2362 | Amends Police Body Camera Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 39) |
| Feb. 22, 2016 | WA | HB 2362 | Amends Police Body Camera Regulations | Bill Passed - House (61 - 36) |
| Jan. 26, 2016 | IN | HB 1019 | Limits Public Access to Police Body Camera Footage | Bill Passed - House (65 - 30) |
| May 21, 2015 | National | HR 2262 | Spurring Private Aerospace Competitiveness and Entrepreneurship Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (284 - 133) |
| May 17, 2015 | MN | SF 86 | Amends Procedures for Data Collected by Police Surveillance Equipment | Conference Report Adopted - House (87 - 43) |
| May 5, 2015 | NV | SB 37 | Authorizes GPS Capable Supervision of Parolees | Bill Passed - House (24 - 18) |
| April 24, 2015 | FL | SB 604 | Requires Contact Information from Certain Website Operators | Bill Passed - House (78 - 38) |
| April 22, 2015 | CO | HB 1290 | Prohibits a Peace Office from Seizing a Recording Device Without Consent or Warrant | Bill Passed - House (47 - 16) |
| Feb. 23, 2015 | ND | HB 1328 | Prohibits the Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Without a Warrant | Bill Passed - House (74 - 19) |
| Feb. 19, 2015 | CO | HB 1072 | Amends Definition of Harassment | Bill Passed - House (43 - 22) |
| Dec. 10, 2014 | OH | SB 342 | Prohibits Use of Traffic Cameras to Issue Tickets Unless Officer is Present | Bill Passed - House (58 - 31) |
| July 16, 2014 | National | H Amdt 1093 | Prohibits Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from Preventing States from Implementing Broadband Internet Access Service Laws | Amendment Adopted - House (223 - 200) |
| June 19, 2014 | National | H Amdt 935 | Prohibits a Federal Employee from Requesting Foreign Intelligence Information in Relation to a US Citizen | Amendment Adopted - House (293 - 123) |
| June 19, 2014 | NY | A 9583A | Authorizes Demonstration Program for Red Light Cameras | Bill Passed - House (91 - 37) |
| June 10, 2014 | National | H Amdt 815 | Prohibits Funds from Being Used to Acquire Traffic Cameras | Amendment Adopted - House (255 - 171) |
| May 22, 2014 | National | HR 3361 | USA FREEDOM Act | Bill Passed - House (303 - 121) |
| May 8, 2014 | MN | SF 1740 | Requires a "Kill Switch" on a Cell Phone | Bill Passed - House (73 - 58) |
| April 28, 2014 | NY | A 9206 | Authorizes Traffic Cameras on Long Island | Bill Passed - House (104 - 25) |
| April 25, 2014 | IA | SF 2318 | Amends School Harassment and Bullying Policies | Bill Passed - House (68 - 27) |
| April 14, 2014 | CO | HB 1269 | Requires Certain Retailers to Collect Sales Tax | Bill Passed - House (36 - 26) |
| March 13, 2014 | SD | HB 1177 | Prohibits Texting While Driving on a Highway | Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 18) |
| March 13, 2014 | UT | SB 253 | Prohibits Texting While Driving on a Highway | Bill Passed - House (41 - 28) |
| March 12, 2014 | CO | HB 1131 | Prohibits Cyberbullying of a Minor | Bill Passed - House (54 - 10) |
| March 11, 2014 | WA | HB 2789 | Establishes Usage Policy for Extraordinary Sensing Devices | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (77 - 21) |
| March 5, 2014 | NH | HB 1360 | Prohibits the Use of Hand Held Mobile Electronic Devices While Driving | Bill Passed - House (192 - 133) |
| March 5, 2014 | AZ | HB 2359 | Prohibits Cell Phone Use by Minors While Driving | Bill Passed - House (41 - 17) |
| Feb. 28, 2014 | KY | HB 33 | Amends Existing Texting While Driving Prohibition | Bill Passed - House (62 - 32) |
| Feb. 27, 2014 | MS | SB 2434 | Classifies Texting While Driving as Careless Driving | Bill Passed - House (91 - 27) |
| Feb. 25, 2014 | National | HR 1123 | Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act | Bill Passed - House (295 - 114) |
| Feb. 11, 2014 | IA | HF 2175 | Prohibits Webcam Abortions | Bill Passed - House (55 - 42) |
| Jan. 13, 2014 | National | HR 3811 | Health Exchange Security and Transparency Act of 2014 | Bill Passed - House (291 - 122) |
| Dec. 5, 2013 | National | H Amdt 521 | Authorizes Judicial Discretion in Awarding Legal Fees in Patent Lawsuits | Amendment Rejected - House (199 - 213) |
| Dec. 5, 2013 | National | H Amdt 524 | Limits Covered Customers to Businesses With Less Than $25 Million in Revenue | Amendment Rejected - House (144 - 266) |
| Dec. 5, 2013 | National | HR 3309 | Innovation Act | Bill Passed - House (325 - 91) |
| Nov. 20, 2013 | National | H Amdt 503 | Requires a Report on the Effect of Flooding on Oil and Gas Facilities | Amendment Rejected - House (202 - 221) |
| Nov. 20, 2013 | National | H Amdt 498 | Specifies That Certain Fees Do Not Limit the Right to Petition | Amendment Rejected - House (199 - 222) |
| Nov. 20, 2013 | National | H Amdt 499 | Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to Require Certain Findings for Categorical Exclusions | Amendment Rejected - House (194 - 228) |
| Nov. 20, 2013 | National | H Amdt 504 | Appropriates $10 Million to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission | Amendment Rejected - House (195 - 226) |
| Nov. 20, 2013 | National | HR 1965 | Federal Lands Jobs and Energy Security Act | Bill Passed - House (228 - 192) |
| July 24, 2013 | National | H Amdt 413 | Prohibits the National Security Agency from Collecting Records Under the PATRIOT Act | Amendment Rejected - House (205 - 217) |
| July 7, 2013 | OR | SB 9 | Increases Fines for Texting or Talking While Driving | Bill Passed - House (33 - 26) |
| June 24, 2013 | NJ | S 2723 | Amends Firearm Identification Card Requirements | Bill Passed - House (43 - 34) |
| May 30, 2013 | OR | SB 692 | Requires Certain Electronics to Meet Energy Efficiency Standards | Bill Passed - House (40 - 19) |
| May 30, 2013 | CA | AB 1217 | Establishes Certain Regulations for Home Care Aides | Bill Passed - House (52 - 26) |
| May 28, 2013 | IL | HB 1247 | Prohibits Using a Hand-Held Cell Phone While Driving | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 48) |
| May 3, 2013 | TX | HB 318 | Prohibits Employers from Asking for Private Passwords | Bill Passed - House (79 - 64) |
| April 18, 2013 | TX | HB 63 | Prohibits Texting While Driving | Bill Passed - House (97 - 45) |
| April 18, 2013 | National | HR 624 | Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act | Bill Passed - House (288 - 127) |
| April 17, 2013 | TN | SB 1248 | Requires Disclosure of Photographic Evidence of Animal Abuse | Bill Passed - House (50 - 43) |
| April 4, 2013 | MO | HB 46 | Prohibits the Use of Unmanned Aircrafts | Bill Passed - House (87 - 66) |
| March 21, 2013 | MD | HB 753 | Classifies Cell Phone Use While Driving as a Primary Offense | Bill Passed - House (106 - 29) |
| March 14, 2013 | OK | HB 2218 | Reduces Funds for the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority | Bill Failed - House (41 - 57) |
| March 10, 2013 | NM | HCR 1 | Limits the Disclosure of Legislative Information | Bill Passed - House (48 - 16) |
| March 4, 2013 | SD | SB 106 | Prohibits Minors from Using a Cell Phone While Driving | Bill Passed - House (43 - 23) |
| March 1, 2013 | IL | HB 1247 | Prohibits Using a Hand-Held Cell Phone While Driving | Bill Passed - House (64 - 46) |
| Feb. 25, 2013 | UT | HB 103 | Prohibits Minors From Using Cell Phones While Driving | Bill Passed - House (48 - 22) |
| Feb. 22, 2013 | ND | HB 1373 | Limits the Use of Unmanned Aircrafts | Bill Passed - House (60 - 31) |
| Feb. 13, 2013 | ID | HB 55 | Authorizes Telecommunications Businesses to Solicit Existing Customers | Bill Passed - House (65 - 5) |
| Jan. 30, 2013 | SD | HB 1113 | Requires Certain State Electronic Exchanges to Be Made Public | Bill Failed - House (34 - 35) |
| Jan. 28, 2013 | SD | HB 1108 | Exempts Certain Advisory Bodies From Providing Telephone or Internet Access | Bill Passed - House (63 - 5) |
| Dec. 17, 2012 | NJ | S 581 | Establishes Tax Credits for Investors in Small Business Technology | Bill Passed - House (47 - 30) |
| Dec. 17, 2012 | NJ | A 2578 | Authorizes Internet Gaming at Atlantic City Casinos | Bill Passed - House (48 - 25) |
| Dec. 14, 2012 | MI | SB 756 | Prohibits Teens from Using Cell Phones While Driving | Bill Passed - House (74 - 33) |
| Dec. 5, 2012 | OH | HB 605 | Prohibits Gambling In Internet Cafes | Bill Passed - House (63 - 30) |
| Nov. 30, 2012 | National | HR 6429 | STEM Jobs Act of 2012 | Bill Passed - House (245 - 139) |
| Oct. 18, 2012 | NJ | A 2870 | Establishes Online Vote Registration | Bill Passed - House (46 - 30) |
| Sept. 20, 2012 | National | HR 6429 | STEM Jobs Act of 2012 | Bill Failed - House (257 - 158) |
| Sept. 12, 2012 | National | HR 5949 | FISA Amendments Act Reauthorization Act of 2012 | Bill Passed - House (301 - 118) |
| June 30, 2012 | PA | HB 254 | Expands Use of Red-Light Cameras | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (113 - 72) |
| June 25, 2012 | NJ | A 763 | Increases Fees to Fund the E-Court Information System | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 30) |
| June 19, 2012 | NY | A 1157B | Requires Firearms to Have Microstamping Technology | Bill Passed - House (85 - 60) |
| June 13, 2012 | PA | HB 2400 | Expands Wiretapping Authority | Bill Passed - House (145 - 52) |
| June 12, 2012 | DE | HB 333 | Authorizes Online Gambling | Bill Passed - House (29 - 8) |
| May 24, 2012 | NJ | A 1238 | Requires Copy Machine Hard Drives to be Erased Before Being Exchanged | Bill Passed - House (51 - 28) |
| May 22, 2012 | IL | SB 1808 | Authorizes Individuals to Record Law Enforcement Officers | Bill Passed - House (71 - 45) |
| May 15, 2012 | OH | HB 99 | Prohibits Texting While Driving | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 12) |
| 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 4083 | Internet Dating Site Requirements | Bill Passed - House (83 - 26) |
| March 29, 2012 | IL | HB 3782 | Prohibits Employers from Asking for Internet Login Information | Bill Passed - House (78 - 30) |