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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 29, 2014 | National | S Amdt 3583 | Appropriates Funds to the Highway Trust Fund | Amendment Adopted - Senate (66 - 31) |
| July 15, 2014 | National | HR 5021 | Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2014 | Bill Passed - House (367 - 55) |
| June 19, 2014 | NY | A 9583A | Authorizes Demonstration Program for Red Light Cameras | Bill Passed - House (91 - 37) |
| June 19, 2014 | NY | A 10144 | Reduces New York City Speed Limit | Bill Passed - House (113 - 16) |
| June 16, 2014 | NJ | A 1577 | Requires Drivers to Give Cyclists and Pedestrians 4 Feet of Space on the Road | Bill Passed - House (50 - 21) |
| June 12, 2014 | MI | HB 5477 | Increases Gasoline and Diesel Tax | Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 20) |
| June 10, 2014 | National | H Amdt 815 | Prohibits Funds from Being Used to Acquire Traffic Cameras | Amendment Adopted - House (255 - 171) |
| June 10, 2014 | National | H Amdt 813 | Prohibits Funds from Being Used to Implement a Department of Housing and Urban Development Plan | Amendment Adopted - House (219 - 207) |
| June 10, 2014 | National | H Amdt 823 | Prohibits Funds from Being Used for the California High-Speed Rail | Amendment Adopted - House (227 - 186) |
| June 10, 2014 | National | HR 4745 | Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015 | Bill Passed - House (229 - 192) |
| June 9, 2014 | National | H Amdt 783 | Reduces Appropriations to Amtrak | Amendment Rejected - House (154 - 248) |
| May 21, 2014 | LA | HB 1091 | Prohibits the Transportation of Dogs in the Bed of a Pickup Truck on Interstates | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7) |
| May 15, 2014 | IL | HB 4075 | Establishes Standards for Ridesharing Companies | Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 8) |
| May 14, 2014 | MO | HJR 68 | Increases Sales Tax | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (105 - 43) |
| May 12, 2014 | NJ | A 2777 | Amends Firearm Transportation Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
| April 30, 2014 | NY | A 9206 | Authorizes Traffic Cameras on Long Island | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 11) |
| April 30, 2014 | FL | SB 392 | Increases the Speed Limit on Certain Highways | Bill Passed - House (58 - 56) |
| April 29, 2014 | MO | HJR 68 | Increases Sales Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10) |
| April 28, 2014 | NY | A 9206 | Authorizes Traffic Cameras on Long Island | Bill Passed - House (104 - 25) |
| April 25, 2014 | AK | HB 23 | Establishes Funding for the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority (KABATA) | Conference Report Adopted - House (28 - 10) |
| April 25, 2014 | AK | HB 23 | Establishes Funding for the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority (KABATA) | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 4) |
| April 24, 2014 | FL | SB 392 | Increases the Speed Limit on Certain Highways | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
| April 23, 2014 | AZ | HB 2262 | Establishes Regulatory Framework for Rideshare Companies | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (31 - 22) |
| April 23, 2014 | AK | HB 23 | Establishes Funding for the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority (KABATA) | Concurrence Vote Failed - House (20 - 18) |
| April 23, 2014 | NH | SB 367 | Amends Gas Tax | Bill Passed - House (193 - 141) |
| April 22, 2014 | AZ | HB 2262 | Establishes Regulatory Framework for Rideshare Companies | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8) |
| April 22, 2014 | LA | HB 1091 | Prohibits the Transportation of Dogs in the Bed of a Pickup Truck on Interstates | Bill Passed - House (53 - 34) |
| April 12, 2014 | AK | HB 23 | Establishes Funding for the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority (KABATA) | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 4) |
| April 10, 2014 | NE | LB 1092 | Authorizes Highway Commission to Issue Bonds | Bill Failed - Senate (27 - 16) |
| April 10, 2014 | IL | HB 4075 | Establishes Standards for Ridesharing Companies | Bill Passed - House (80 - 26) |
| April 9, 2014 | MO | HJR 68 | Increases Sales Tax | Joint Resolution Passed - House (96 - 53) |
| March 27, 2014 | IL | HB 4442 | Requires Law Enforcement Officers to Record Ethnicity During Traffic Stops | Bill Passed - House (63 - 46) |
| March 27, 2014 | NH | SB 367 | Amends Gas Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 9) |
| March 20, 2014 | NJ | A 2777 | Amends Firearm Transportation Laws | Bill Passed - House (43 - 29) |
| March 19, 2014 | AL | SB 354 | Authorizes Individuals Without Concealed Carry Licenses to Carry Firearms in Vehicles | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7) |
| March 17, 2014 | AK | Amdt 1 | Exempts Same-Sex Partners of Military Members from Driver's License Requirements | Amendment Rejected - House (14 - 22) |
| March 14, 2014 | KS | HB 2662 | Reduces Wait Time for Expungement for Individuals Convicted of Driving Under the Influence | Bill Passed - House (87 - 31) |
| March 13, 2014 | SD | HB 1177 | Prohibits Texting While Driving on a Highway | Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 18) |
| March 13, 2014 | IN | SB 176 | Authorizes Funding for a Mass Transit System | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 16) |
| March 13, 2014 | IN | SB 176 | Authorizes Funding for a Mass Transit System | Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 34) |
| March 13, 2014 | SD | HB 1177 | Prohibits Texting While Driving on a Highway | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 7) |
| March 13, 2014 | UT | SB 253 | Prohibits Texting While Driving on a Highway | Bill Passed - House (41 - 28) |
| March 13, 2014 | MO | HB 1557 | Authorizes the Use of Red Light Cameras | Bill Passed - House (84 - 63) |
| March 12, 2014 | KY | HB 445 | Increases the Wholesale Price of Gasoline | Bill Passed - House (53 - 44) |
| March 12, 2014 | NH | HB 1601 | Requires the Use of Headlights of a Motor Vehicle During Certain Conditions | Bill Failed - House (151 - 182) |
| March 10, 2014 | OK | HB 2329 | Authorizes Storage of a Handgun in a Secure Motor Vehicle on School Property | Bill Passed - House (76 - 17) |
| March 10, 2014 | UT | SB 253 | Prohibits Texting While Driving on a Highway | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 8) |
| March 5, 2014 | UT | HB 20 | Expands Protections for Police Officers in Lawsuits | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 28) |
| March 5, 2014 | AZ | HB 2359 | Prohibits Cell Phone Use by Minors While Driving | Bill Passed - House (41 - 17) |
| March 5, 2014 | NH | HB 1360 | Prohibits the Use of Hand Held Mobile Electronic Devices While Driving | Bill Passed - House (192 - 133) |
| March 4, 2014 | UT | HB 20 | Expands Protections for Police Officers in Lawsuits | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 13) |
| March 3, 2014 | IN | SB 176 | Authorizes Funding for a Mass Transit System | Bill Passed - House (52 - 47) |
| Feb. 28, 2014 | AK | HB 1 | Requires Certain Drivers Licenses to Expire Pursuant to their Visa | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 4) |
| 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. 11, 2014 | NE | LB 393 | Repeals Motorcycle Helmet Law | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (25 - 22) |
| Feb. 4, 2014 | NE | LB 399 | Authorizes Crime Prevention Vehicles to Use Amber Lights | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (32 - 12) |
| Feb. 4, 2014 | IN | SB 176 | Authorizes Funding for a Mass Transit System | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20) |
| Oct. 9, 2013 | National | H J Res 90 | Federal Aviation Administration Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 | Joint Resolution Passed - House (252 - 172) |
| Sept. 12, 2013 | CA | SB 359 | Appropriates Funds for Hybrid and Zero Emission Vehicle Use | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 10) |
| Sept. 12, 2013 | CA | SB 359 | Appropriates Funds for Hybrid and Zero Emission Vehicle Use | Bill Passed - House (53 - 20) |
| Sept. 12, 2013 | CA | AB 60 | Authorizes Driver's License for Undocumented Immigrants | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 21) |
| Sept. 12, 2013 | CA | AB 60 | Authorizes Driver's License for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8) |
| July 23, 2013 | NC | HB 937 | Amends Firearm Laws | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 14) |
| July 23, 2013 | NC | HB 937 | Amends Firearm Laws | Conference Report Adopted - House (73 - 41) |
| July 18, 2013 | NC | SB 81 | Establishes the Charlotte International Airport Authority | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 14) |
| July 16, 2013 | NC | SB 81 | Establishes the Charlotte International Airport Authority | Bill Passed - House (75 - 39) |
| July 7, 2013 | OR | HB 3521 | Requires Voter Registration Agencies to Provide Records for Automatic Registration | Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 16) |
| July 7, 2013 | OR | SB 9 | Increases Fines for Texting or Talking While Driving | Bill Passed - House (33 - 26) |
| July 7, 2013 | OR | SB 9 | Increases Fines for Texting or Talking While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7) |
| June 25, 2013 | OR | HB 3521 | Requires Voter Registration Agencies to Provide Records for Automatic Registration | Bill Passed - House (32 - 28) |
| May 29, 2013 | CT | HB 6495 | Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| May 29, 2013 | CA | AB 60 | Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (55 - 20) |
| May 28, 2013 | IL | HB 1247 | Prohibits Using a Hand-Held Cell Phone While Driving | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 48) |
| May 27, 2013 | NV | SB 303 | Authorizes Driver Authorization Cards for Non-Citizens | Bill Passed - House (30 - 9) |
| May 23, 2013 | IL | HB 1247 | Prohibits Using a Hand-Held Cell Phone While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 20) |
| May 22, 2013 | IL | SB 2356 | Increases Speed Limit on Non-Urban Highways | Bill Passed - House (85 - 30) |
| May 22, 2013 | CT | HB 6495 | Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (74 - 55) |
| May 17, 2013 | MO | HB 533 | Authorizes State Employees to Keep Firearms in Vehicles | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (125 - 27) |
| May 14, 2013 | MO | HB 533 | Authorizes State Employees to Keep Firearms in Vehicles | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
| May 14, 2013 | MO | SJR 16 | Establishes an Additional Sales Tax for Local Transportation Projects | Bill Passed - House (100 - 57) |
| May 13, 2013 | OR | SB 602 | Prohibits Motorized Boats and Seaplanes on Waldo Lake | Bill Passed - House (37 - 20) |
| May 9, 2013 | RI | H 5140 | Classifies a Seat Belt Violation as a Primary Offense | Bill Passed - House (53 - 17) |
| May 8, 2013 | ME | LD 115 | Prohibits the Sale of Gasoline Containing Corn-Based Ethanol | Bill Passed - House (109 - 32) |
| May 7, 2013 | CO | SB 251 | Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| May 7, 2013 | CO | SB 251 | Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (34 - 31) |
| May 7, 2013 | NC | HB 937 | Amends Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - House (78 - 42) |
| May 6, 2013 | OK | SB 652 | Increases Driver's License Fees | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 15) |
| May 6, 2013 | OK | HB 2005 | Extends Tax Credits for Qualified Clean-Burning Motor Vehicle Property | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 29) |
| May 2, 2013 | MO | HB 555 | Amends Motorcycle Helmet Law | Bill Passed - House (94 - 63) |
| April 30, 2013 | OR | SB 833 | Authorizes Drivers Licenses for Individuals Without Legal Proof of US Residence | Bill Passed - House (38 - 20) |
| April 30, 2013 | TX | SB 1907 | Authorizes Firearms in Vehicles on College Campuses | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4) |
| April 24, 2013 | OK | SB 652 | Increases Driver's License Fees | Bill Passed - House (53 - 42) |
| April 24, 2013 | ME | LD 405 | Increases the Maximum Vehicle Registration Fee | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| April 24, 2013 | IL | SB 923 | Authorizes the Use of Traffic Cameras on School Buses | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 12) |
| April 23, 2013 | OR | SB 833 | Authorizes Drivers Licenses for Individuals Without Legal Proof of US Residence | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7) |
| April 23, 2013 | ME | LD 405 | Increases the Maximum Vehicle Registration Fee | Bill Passed - House (89 - 57) |
| April 18, 2013 | TX | HB 63 | Prohibits Texting While Driving | Bill Passed - House (97 - 45) |
| April 17, 2013 | LA | SB 147 | Prohibits the Use of Social Media While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9) |
| April 11, 2013 | MO | HB 533 | Authorizes State Employees to Keep Firearms in Vehicles | Bill Passed - House (126 - 25) |