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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 3, 2021 | NM | SB 93 | Establishes the Office of Broadband Access and Expansion | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 6) |
| March 1, 2021 | CT | HB 6514 | Establishes Tax Breaks for Data Centers | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5) |
| Feb. 22, 2021 | IN | SB 353 | Requires Presenting Valid Identification to Request an Absentee Ballot Online | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15) |
| Feb. 19, 2021 | VA | SB 1392 | Establishes a Framework for Controlling and Processing Personal Health Data | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 7) |
| Feb. 19, 2021 | VA | HB 1810 | Authorizes the Governor to Order the Online Voter Registration System be Made Available After Close of Registration if a System Error Occurs | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 4) |
| Feb. 18, 2021 | NM | SB 144 | Amends the Definition of Remote Education Technology Infrastructure | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8) |
| Feb. 2, 2021 | IN | SB 2 | Amends the Definition of What Constitutes "Virtual Instruction" | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6) |
| Jan. 29, 2021 | VA | SB 1413 | Increases Broadband by Allowing Deals with the State Corporation Commission | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7) |
| Oct. 21, 2020 | PA | HB 2438 | Authorizes Rural Electric Cooperatives to Use Existing Infrastructure for High-Speed Internet | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0) |
| Oct. 21, 2020 | PA | SB 1112 | Repeals Certain Existing Telecommunications Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16) |
| Oct. 20, 2020 | PA | SB 1199 | Specifies Provisions for Personal Delivery Devices | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 19) |
| Sept. 23, 2020 | SC | H 3780 | Expands Internet Access to Rural Communities | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0) |
| Sept. 10, 2020 | MI | SB 892 | Authorizes Deliveries by Semi-Autonomous Delivery Devices | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16) |
| June 26, 2020 | OR | SB 1603 | Extends a Cell Phone Tax to Pay for Public Broadband Projects | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 10) |
| June 24, 2020 | MS | SB 3046 | Establishes COVID-19 Broadband Grant Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 2) |
| May 26, 2020 | LA | HB 722 | Specifies that Electronic Signatures Used in Transactions with Financial Institutions are Enforceable to the Full Extent of the Law | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0) |
| May 13, 2020 | LA | SB 50 | Prohibits Handheld Cell Phone Use While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5) |
| March 19, 2020 | TN | SJR 836 | Increases the 911 Surcharge to $1.50 | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8) |
| March 4, 2020 | SD | HB 1169 | Prohibits Use of Certain Electronic Devices While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| March 4, 2020 | OH | SB 260 | Prohibits the Use of Telemedicine for Medication Abortions | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9) |
| Feb. 26, 2020 | IA | SF 2272 | Establishes Computer Verification System for Public Assistance Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17) |
| Feb. 19, 2020 | WA | SB 6280 | Establishes Regulations for Facial-Recognition Technology | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18) |
| Oct. 30, 2019 | NC | HB 398 | Appropriates State Funding for a Cybersecurity Development Initiative | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21) |
| Sept. 11, 2019 | CA | AB 1215 | Prohibits Facial Recognition in Police Body-Cams | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
| June 5, 2019 | WI | SB 239 | Limits Local Regulations of 5G Technology | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5) |
| May 23, 2019 | IL | HB 3606 | Authorizes Parental Privacy Rights for Student Data Collection | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 17) |
| May 21, 2019 | IL | HB 245 | Authorizes Local Governments to Regulate the Use of Robotic Personal Carrying Devices | Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 6) |
| April 30, 2019 | TN | HB 164 | Prohibits Cell Phone Use While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7) |
| April 12, 2019 | MN | HF 50 | Prohibits Cell Phone Use While Driving | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (48 - 12) |
| March 12, 2019 | UT | HB 57 | Requires Search Warrants for Electronic Information | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 0) |
| Feb. 15, 2019 | WY | HB 74 | Establishes Special Purpose Depository Institutions to Serve Blockchain Businesses | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
| July 19, 2018 | MA | S 2610 | Establishes State-Level Net Neutrality Policy | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0) |
| June 28, 2018 | CA | AB 375 | Establishes Consumer Privacy Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0) |
| May 30, 2018 | CA | SB 822 | Establishes State Level Net Neutrality Policy | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| May 16, 2018 | OH | SB 220 | Limits Data Breach Liability in Certain Circumstances | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8) |
| May 16, 2018 | National | S J Res 52 | A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission relating to "Restoring Internet Freedom" | Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 47) |
| May 9, 2018 | CT | HB 5170 | Authorizes Schools to Search Student Cell Phones | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0) |
| April 12, 2018 | NJ | S 122 | Authorizes Tax Credits for Film Production | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 3) |
| April 7, 2018 | KS | HB 2028 | Establishes the Kansas Telemedicine Act | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 14) |
| March 21, 2018 | National | HR 1865 | Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2) |
| March 1, 2018 | OR | HB 4155 | Establishes State Net Neutrality Policy | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7) |
| Feb. 27, 2018 | WA | HB 2282 | Establishes State Net Neutrality Policy | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 14) |
| May 9, 2017 | AZ | SB 1384 | Prohibits Censorship of Student Media | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 0) |
| April 20, 2017 | WA | SB 5289 | Prohibits Cell-Phone Use on Highways | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 10) |
| April 11, 2017 | WA | HB 1493 | Regulates Commercial Use of Biometric Data | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12) |
| April 7, 2017 | WA | HB 1595 | Establishes Fees for Printed and Digital Copies of Public Records | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 4) |
| March 23, 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 - Senate (50 - 48) |
| Aug. 31, 2016 | CA | AB 1671 | Prohibits Unauthorized Disclosure of Confidential Communications with Healthcare Providers | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
| Aug. 17, 2016 | CA | AB 1785 | Prohibits Use of Handheld Electronic Devices While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13) |
| Aug. 15, 2016 | CA | AB 1687 | Requires Entertainment Database Websites to Remove Actor's Age Upon Request | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
| May 21, 2016 | MN | SF 498 | Amends Police Body Camera Regulations | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 17) |
| Feb. 9, 2016 | WI | SB 295 | Authorizes Voters to Register Online | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13) |
| Oct. 27, 2015 | National | S 754 | Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA) of 2015 | Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 21) |
| Oct. 22, 2015 | National | S Amdt 2564 | Prohibits Liability Immunity for Corporations that Break User Agreements | Amendment Rejected - Senate (32 - 65) |
| June 2, 2015 | National | HR 2048 | Uniting and Strengthening America by Fulfilling Rights and Ensuring Effective Discipline Over Monitoring (USA FREEDOM) Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - Senate (67 - 32) |
| May 7, 2015 | MN | SF 86 | Amends Procedures for Data Collected by Police Surveillance Equipment | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 19) |
| April 23, 2015 | TX | SB 158 | Authorizes Grants for Body-Worn Cameras to Certain Law Enforcement Agencies | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8) |
| April 2, 2015 | ND | HB 1328 | Prohibits the Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Without a Warrant | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17) |
| March 12, 2015 | ID | S 1108 | Authorizes Testing Autonomous Driven Vehicles | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| Dec. 11, 2014 | OH | SB 342 | Prohibits Use of Traffic Cameras to Issue Tickets Unless Officer is Present | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| 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 | S 2685 | USA FREEDOM Act of 2014 | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (58 - 42) |
| Aug. 26, 2014 | CA | AB 1327 | Limits the Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
| May 9, 2014 | MN | SF 1740 | Requires a "Kill Switch" on a Cell Phone | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (44 - 19) |
| May 8, 2014 | CA | SB 962 | Requires Smartphones to Include a Kill Switch | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
| April 30, 2014 | NY | A 9206 | Authorizes Traffic Cameras on Long Island | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 11) |
| April 30, 2014 | CO | HB 1269 | Requires Certain Retailers to Collect Sales Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| April 29, 2014 | MN | HF 2096 | Authorizes Online Voter Registration | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 24) |
| April 24, 2014 | CA | SB 962 | Requires Smartphones to Include a Kill Switch | Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 17) |
| April 22, 2014 | LA | SB 330 | Prohibits Individuals from Using an Unmanned Aircraft to Capture Certain Images or Wireless Data | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16) |
| April 21, 2014 | LA | SB 330 | Prohibits Individuals from Using an Unmanned Aircraft to Capture Certain Images or Wireless Data | Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 21) |
| March 28, 2014 | KY | HB 222 | Prohibits Recording of Agricultural Operations | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6) |
| March 18, 2014 | IA | SF 2318 | Amends School Harassment and Bullying Policies | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 19) |
| March 13, 2014 | SD | HB 1177 | Prohibits Texting While Driving on a Highway | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 7) |
| March 10, 2014 | UT | SB 253 | Prohibits Texting While Driving on a Highway | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 8) |
| Jan. 30, 2014 | CA | SB 383 | Authorizes Businesses to Collect Certain Cardholder Information in Online Transactions | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| July 7, 2013 | OR | SB 9 | Increases Fines for Texting or Talking While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7) |
| June 27, 2013 | NJ | S 2723 | Amends Firearms Identification Card Requirements | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 16) |
| June 18, 2013 | National | S Amdt 1228 | Requires US-VISIT System to be Established at Every Port of Entry | Amendment Rejected - Senate (36 - 58) |
| June 4, 2013 | OR | SB 692 | Requires Certain Electronics to Meet Energy Efficiency Standards | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| May 26, 2013 | TX | HB 912 | Limits the Private Use of Unmanned Aircrafts | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 5) |
| May 23, 2013 | IL | HB 1247 | Prohibits Using a Hand-Held Cell Phone While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 20) |
| May 23, 2013 | NV | AB 440 | Extends Voter Registration Period | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10) |
| May 6, 2013 | National | S 743 | Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013 | Bill Passed - Senate (69 - 27) |
| May 2, 2013 | CA | SB 501 | Requires Social Networking Sites to Remove Personal Identifying Information | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| April 30, 2013 | HI | HB 622 | Limits Media 'Shield Law' Provisions | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 9) |
| April 25, 2013 | National | S 743 | Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013 | Cloture Invoked - Senate (63 - 30) |
| April 17, 2013 | LA | SB 147 | Prohibits the Use of Social Media While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9) |
| April 16, 2013 | TN | SB 1248 | Requires Disclosure of Photographic Evidence of Animal Abuse | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9) |
| March 25, 2013 | MD | SB 339 | Classifies Using a Cell Phone While Driving As a Primary Offense | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6) |
| March 13, 2013 | UT | HB 103 | Prohibits Minors From Using Cell Phones While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
| March 11, 2013 | CO | SB 195 | Requires In-Person Classes for Concealed Carry Licenses | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13) |
| March 11, 2013 | MD | SB 279 | Amends Early Voting Procedures | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 12) |
| March 6, 2013 | SD | SB 106 | Prohibits Minors from Using a Cell Phone While Driving | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| Feb. 19, 2013 | VA | HB 1907 | Increases Fines for Texting While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12) |
| Feb. 19, 2013 | SD | SB 142 | Prohibits Texting While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
| Feb. 14, 2013 | KY | SB 88 | Repeals Regulations on Telephone Utility Companies | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13) |
| Feb. 6, 2013 | SD | SB 106 | Prohibits Minors from Using a Cell Phone While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
| Dec. 28, 2012 | National | HR 5949 | FISA Amendments Act Reauthorization Act of 2012 | Bill Passed - Senate (73 - 23) |
| Nov. 14, 2012 | National | S 3414 | Cybersecurity Act of 2012 | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 47) |