Key Votes

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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
May 27, 2014 IL HB 3836 Amends Lincoln Presidential Library Operations Bill Passed - House (84 - 29)
April 7, 2014 LA S Amdt 2081 Authorizes "Chicken Boxing" under Certain Conditions Amendment Rejected - Senate (8 - 29)
April 5, 2014 MD SB 172 Authorizes Eminent Domain Against Certain Film Production Entitites Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 38)
April 5, 2014 MD SB 172 Authorizes Eminent Domain Against Certain Film Production Entitites Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 6)
March 27, 2014 OK HB 2580 Extends Film Industry Tax Credit Program Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 11)
March 27, 2014 MD SB 172 Authorizes Eminent Domain Against Certain Film Production Entities Bill Passed - House (96 - 42)
March 21, 2014 KY HB 544 Amends Hotel Tax Laws Bill Passed - House (52 - 40)
March 4, 2014 OK HB 2580 Extends Film Industry Tax Credit Program Bill Passed - House (65 - 28)
March 3, 2014 OK HB 2580 Extends Film Industry Tax Credit Program Bill Failed - House (48 - 43)
Feb. 27, 2014 MI HB 5108 Authorizes Individuals to Resell Admission Tickets Bill Passed - House (66 - 42)
Feb. 25, 2014 IN SB 339 Authorizes the Sale of Alcohol at the Indiana State Fair Bill Passed - House (75 - 20)
Feb. 17, 2014 GA SB 318 Authorizes Bars to Sell Alcohol on Certain Holiday Weekends Bill Failed - Senate (28 - 20)
Jan. 30, 2014 IN SB 339 Authorizes the Sale of Alcohol at the Indiana State Fair Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
Jan. 30, 2014 VA HB 63 Authorizes Home-Schooled Students to Participate in Public School Interscholastic Programs Bill Passed - House (60 - 39)
Oct. 1, 2013 National H J Res 70 National Park Service Operations, Smithsonian Institution, National Gallery of Art, and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Failed - House (252 - 176)
Sept. 11, 2013 MO HB 278 Prohibits a Public Entity from Limiting the Practice or Celebration of Any Federal Holiday Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
Sept. 11, 2013 MO HB 278 Prohibits a Public Entity from Limiting the Practice or Celebration of Any Federal Holiday Veto Override Passed - House (114 - 45)
June 5, 2013 CT HB 5277 Authorizes Mixed Martial Arts Events Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
May 28, 2013 NV SB 165 Authorizes Film Tax Credits Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
May 7, 2013 NC HB 610 Expands the Sale of Alcohol in Seating Areas of Certain Stadiums and Ballparks Bill Passed - House (73 - 45)
May 7, 2013 CT HB 5277 Authorizes Mixed Martial Arts Events Bill Passed - House (117 - 26)
April 29, 2013 FL SB 306 Authorizes Professional Sports Teams to Bid for State Funds Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 4)
April 25, 2013 MI SJR S Establishes a Constitutional Authorization for Individuals to Hunt and Fish Amendment Adopted - Senate (25 - 11)
April 25, 2013 NC SB 201 Authorizes the Use of Silencers While Hunting Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 16)
April 17, 2013 OK SB 330 Increases Rebate Funds for the Film Industry Bill Passed - House (55 - 30)
April 17, 2013 MT SB 143 Amends Bison Management Laws Bill Failed - House (50 - 50)
April 15, 2013 IN SB 487 Establishes Regulations for Hunting Preserves Bill Passed - House (52 - 39)
April 12, 2013 WA HB 1001 Establishes a Liquor License for Small Theaters Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
April 2, 2013 MD SB 183 Authorizes Tax Credits for Certain Film Production Activities Bill Passed - House (108 - 31)
March 16, 2013 NM HB 641 Reduces Corporate Income Tax Rates Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 8)
March 16, 2013 NM HB 641 Reduces Corporate Income Tax Rates Bill Passed - House (35 - 28)
Feb. 19, 2013 IN SB 91 Establishes Motorsports Investment District Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
Feb. 13, 2013 NC HB 66 Authorizes the Use and Display of Wild Animals in Cultural Activities Bill Passed - House (98 - 20)
Jan. 31, 2013 VA HB 1442 Authorizes Home-Schooled Students To Participate In Interscholastic Programs Bill Passed - House (56 - 43)
May 31, 2012 CA SB 1525 Establishes a Student Athlete Bill of Rights Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
May 14, 2012 LA HB 1072 Tax Incentives for a Franchise of the NBA Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
May 10, 2012 MN HF 2958 Authorizes New Viking Stadium Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 28)
May 9, 2012 MN HF 2958 Authorizes New Viking Stadium Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 60)
May 7, 2012 MN HF 1485 Authorizes New Vikings Stadium Bill Passed - House (73 - 58)
April 30, 2012 LA HB 1072 Tax Incentives for a Franchise of the NBA Bill Passed - House (60 - 41)
April 18, 2012 NY S 1707A Authorizes Professional Mixed Martial Arts Events Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 14)
March 27, 2012 MN HF 657 Amends Ticket Sales Practices Bill Passed - House (83 - 50)
Feb. 15, 2012 FL HB 7087 Increases Certain Business Tax Credits and Sales Tax Exemptions Bill Passed - House (92 - 22)
Feb. 8, 2012 VA HB 947 Authorizes Home-Schooled Students to Participate in Interscholastic Programs Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
July 5, 2011 CA SB 48 Requires Teaching Gay History Bill Passed - House (50 - 26)
May 31, 2011 IL HB 1490 Regulates Full-Contact Martial Arts Events Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 45)
May 26, 2011 IL HB 1490 Regulates Full-Contact Martial Arts Events Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 8)
May 23, 2011 NY S 1707 Authorizes Mixed Martial Arts Events Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 18)
May 9, 2011 NJ A 3699 Prohibiting the Burial of Petty's Run Archaeological Excavation Site Bill Passed - House (45 - 29)
April 26, 2011 GA HB 234 Reduces Sales Taxes for Tourism Projects Concurrence Vote Passed - House (90 - 73)
April 20, 2011 WA SB 5622 Recreation Access on State Lands Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
April 14, 2011 CA SB 48 Requires Teaching Gay History Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
April 12, 2011 GA HB 234 Reduces Sales Taxes for Tourism Projects Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 10)
April 1, 2011 TX H Amdt 6 Appropriations for the Department of Aging and Disability Services Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 61)
March 17, 2011 National HR 1076 Prohibiting Federal Funding of National Public Radio Bill Passed - House (228 - 192)
March 2, 2011 NM HB 607 Film Production Tax Credit Bill Passed - House (53 - 17)
Feb. 18, 2011 National H Amdt 92 Prohibiting the Use of Federal Funds for NASCAR Sponsorships Amendment Rejected - House (148 - 281)
Feb. 4, 2011 WV HB 2562 Legalizing Mixed Martial Arts Bill Passed - House (55 - 37)
June 28, 2010 NJ A 3009 Professional Sports Team Specialty License Plates Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
June 28, 2010 NJ A 3009 Professional Sports Team Specialty License Plates Bill Passed - House (41 - 37)
June 16, 2010 NY S 2165B Allows Mixed Martial Arts Performances and Ultimate Fighting Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
June 1, 2010 CA AB 1652 Ski Resort Safety Requirement Modifications Bill Passed - House (44 - 30)
June 1, 2010 CA SB 880 Requiring Snow Sport Helmets for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
April 15, 2010 CO SB 94 State Funding for Works of Art in Capital Construction Projects Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
April 12, 2010 CO SB 94 State Funding for Works of Art in Capital Construction Projects Bill Passed - House (42 - 21)
April 1, 2010 CO HB 1180 Performance-Based Incentive for Film Production Activities Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 18)
March 29, 2010 CO HB 1180 Performance-Based Incentive for Film Production Activities Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
March 26, 2010 IL HB 5109 Prohibiting Public Funding of Portraits of Governors Removed From Office Bill Passed - House (85 - 23)
March 18, 2010 AZ HB 2736 Cactus League Ticket Surcharge for Stadium Costs Bill Passed - House (35 - 19)
Jan. 12, 2010 CA SB 880 Requiring Snow Sport Helmets for Minors
Aug. 7, 2009 NC SB 943 Expanding Production Company Tax Credit Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 18)
Aug. 6, 2009 NC SB 943 Expanding Production Company Tax Credit Bill Passed - House (78 - 26)
June 24, 2009 NC SB 943 Expanding Production Company Tax Credit Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 17)
May 19, 2009 RI H 5769 Boxing Rule Changes Bill Passed - House (53 - 13)
May 8, 2009 MN HF 1231 2010-2011 Cultural and Outdoor Resources Budget Bill Passed - House (78 - 51)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/27 HB 3836 Amends Lincoln Presidential Library Operations Bill Passed - House (84 - 29)
4/07 S Amdt 2081 Authorizes "Chicken Boxing" under Certain Conditions Amendment Rejected - Senate (8 - 29)
4/05 SB 172 Authorizes Eminent Domain Against Certain Film Production Entitites Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 38)
4/05 SB 172 Authorizes Eminent Domain Against Certain Film Production Entitites Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 6)
3/27 HB 2580 Extends Film Industry Tax Credit Program Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 11)
3/27 SB 172 Authorizes Eminent Domain Against Certain Film Production Entities Bill Passed - House (96 - 42)
3/21 HB 544 Amends Hotel Tax Laws Bill Passed - House (52 - 40)
3/04 HB 2580 Extends Film Industry Tax Credit Program Bill Passed - House (65 - 28)
3/03 HB 2580 Extends Film Industry Tax Credit Program Bill Failed - House (48 - 43)
2/27 HB 5108 Authorizes Individuals to Resell Admission Tickets Bill Passed - House (66 - 42)
2/25 SB 339 Authorizes the Sale of Alcohol at the Indiana State Fair Bill Passed - House (75 - 20)
2/17 SB 318 Authorizes Bars to Sell Alcohol on Certain Holiday Weekends Bill Failed - Senate (28 - 20)
1/30 SB 339 Authorizes the Sale of Alcohol at the Indiana State Fair Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
1/30 HB 63 Authorizes Home-Schooled Students to Participate in Public School Interscholastic Programs Bill Passed - House (60 - 39)
10/01 H J Res 70 National Park Service Operations, Smithsonian Institution, National Gallery of Art, and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Failed - House (252 - 176)
9/11 HB 278 Prohibits a Public Entity from Limiting the Practice or Celebration of Any Federal Holiday Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
9/11 HB 278 Prohibits a Public Entity from Limiting the Practice or Celebration of Any Federal Holiday Veto Override Passed - House (114 - 45)
6/05 HB 5277 Authorizes Mixed Martial Arts Events Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
5/28 SB 165 Authorizes Film Tax Credits Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
5/07 HB 610 Expands the Sale of Alcohol in Seating Areas of Certain Stadiums and Ballparks Bill Passed - House (73 - 45)
5/07 HB 5277 Authorizes Mixed Martial Arts Events Bill Passed - House (117 - 26)
4/29 SB 306 Authorizes Professional Sports Teams to Bid for State Funds Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 4)
4/25 SJR S Establishes a Constitutional Authorization for Individuals to Hunt and Fish Amendment Adopted - Senate (25 - 11)
4/25 SB 201 Authorizes the Use of Silencers While Hunting Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 16)
4/17 SB 330 Increases Rebate Funds for the Film Industry Bill Passed - House (55 - 30)
4/17 SB 143 Amends Bison Management Laws Bill Failed - House (50 - 50)
4/15 SB 487 Establishes Regulations for Hunting Preserves Bill Passed - House (52 - 39)
4/12 HB 1001 Establishes a Liquor License for Small Theaters Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
4/02 SB 183 Authorizes Tax Credits for Certain Film Production Activities Bill Passed - House (108 - 31)
3/16 HB 641 Reduces Corporate Income Tax Rates Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 8)
3/16 HB 641 Reduces Corporate Income Tax Rates Bill Passed - House (35 - 28)
2/19 SB 91 Establishes Motorsports Investment District Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
2/13 HB 66 Authorizes the Use and Display of Wild Animals in Cultural Activities Bill Passed - House (98 - 20)
1/31 HB 1442 Authorizes Home-Schooled Students To Participate In Interscholastic Programs Bill Passed - House (56 - 43)
5/31 SB 1525 Establishes a Student Athlete Bill of Rights Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
5/14 HB 1072 Tax Incentives for a Franchise of the NBA Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
5/10 HF 2958 Authorizes New Viking Stadium Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 28)
5/09 HF 2958 Authorizes New Viking Stadium Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 60)
5/07 HF 1485 Authorizes New Vikings Stadium Bill Passed - House (73 - 58)
4/30 HB 1072 Tax Incentives for a Franchise of the NBA Bill Passed - House (60 - 41)
4/18 S 1707A Authorizes Professional Mixed Martial Arts Events Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 14)
3/27 HF 657 Amends Ticket Sales Practices Bill Passed - House (83 - 50)
2/15 HB 7087 Increases Certain Business Tax Credits and Sales Tax Exemptions Bill Passed - House (92 - 22)
2/08 HB 947 Authorizes Home-Schooled Students to Participate in Interscholastic Programs Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
7/05 SB 48 Requires Teaching Gay History Bill Passed - House (50 - 26)
5/31 HB 1490 Regulates Full-Contact Martial Arts Events Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 45)
5/26 HB 1490 Regulates Full-Contact Martial Arts Events Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 8)
5/23 S 1707 Authorizes Mixed Martial Arts Events Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 18)
5/09 A 3699 Prohibiting the Burial of Petty's Run Archaeological Excavation Site Bill Passed - House (45 - 29)
4/26 HB 234 Reduces Sales Taxes for Tourism Projects Concurrence Vote Passed - House (90 - 73)
4/20 SB 5622 Recreation Access on State Lands Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
4/14 SB 48 Requires Teaching Gay History Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
4/12 HB 234 Reduces Sales Taxes for Tourism Projects Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 10)
4/01 H Amdt 6 Appropriations for the Department of Aging and Disability Services Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 61)
3/17 HR 1076 Prohibiting Federal Funding of National Public Radio Bill Passed - House (228 - 192)
3/02 HB 607 Film Production Tax Credit Bill Passed - House (53 - 17)
2/18 H Amdt 92 Prohibiting the Use of Federal Funds for NASCAR Sponsorships Amendment Rejected - House (148 - 281)
2/04 HB 2562 Legalizing Mixed Martial Arts Bill Passed - House (55 - 37)
6/28 A 3009 Professional Sports Team Specialty License Plates Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
6/28 A 3009 Professional Sports Team Specialty License Plates Bill Passed - House (41 - 37)
6/16 S 2165B Allows Mixed Martial Arts Performances and Ultimate Fighting Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
6/01 AB 1652 Ski Resort Safety Requirement Modifications Bill Passed - House (44 - 30)
6/01 SB 880 Requiring Snow Sport Helmets for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
4/15 SB 94 State Funding for Works of Art in Capital Construction Projects Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
4/12 SB 94 State Funding for Works of Art in Capital Construction Projects Bill Passed - House (42 - 21)
4/01 HB 1180 Performance-Based Incentive for Film Production Activities Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 18)
3/29 HB 1180 Performance-Based Incentive for Film Production Activities Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
3/26 HB 5109 Prohibiting Public Funding of Portraits of Governors Removed From Office Bill Passed - House (85 - 23)
3/18 HB 2736 Cactus League Ticket Surcharge for Stadium Costs Bill Passed - House (35 - 19)
1/12 SB 880 Requiring Snow Sport Helmets for Minors
8/07 SB 943 Expanding Production Company Tax Credit Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 18)
8/06 SB 943 Expanding Production Company Tax Credit Bill Passed - House (78 - 26)
6/24 SB 943 Expanding Production Company Tax Credit Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 17)
5/19 H 5769 Boxing Rule Changes Bill Passed - House (53 - 13)
5/08 HF 1231 2010-2011 Cultural and Outdoor Resources Budget Bill Passed - House (78 - 51)

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