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 22, 2013 | NV | SB 229 | Repeals the Withdrawal from the Tahoe Regional Planning Compact | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10) |
| April 18, 2013 | AR | SB 1020 | Authorizes Private Purchase of Health Insurance with Federal Funds | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 5) |
| April 18, 2013 | TN | HB 702 | Increases the Appeal Time Period for Establishing Charter Schools | Bill Passed - House (62 - 30) |
| April 18, 2013 | AZ | HB 2280 | Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Employee Pay Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11) |
| April 18, 2013 | MO | HB 436 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - House (115 - 41) |
| April 17, 2013 | AR | SB 1020 | Authorizes Private Purchase of Health Insurance with Federal Funds | Bill Passed - House (70 - 23) |
| April 17, 2013 | National | S Amdt 719 | Authorizes Reciprocity for the Carrying of Certain Concealed Firearms | Amendment Rejected - Senate (57 - 43) |
| April 16, 2013 | IA | SF 440 | Appropriates Funds for Mental Health Services | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17) |
| April 9, 2013 | WI | AB 15 | Authorizes Work-Share Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15) |
| April 8, 2013 | AZ | HB 2477 | Requires Photo Radar Systems To Be Necessary for Public Safety | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 16) |
| April 6, 2013 | MD | HB 1107 | Amends Prince George's County School System Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 47) |
| April 5, 2013 | KS | SB 102 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 4) |
| April 5, 2013 | KS | SB 102 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Conference Report Adopted - House (96 - 24) |
| April 5, 2013 | KS | HB 2069 | Prohibits Local Governments from Enforcing a Union Wage | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 32) |
| April 4, 2013 | MO | SB 265 | Prohibits Compliance with United Nations Agenda 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
| April 4, 2013 | OR | HB 2870 | Authorizes Counties to Tax Cigarette Sales | Bill Passed - House (31 - 29) |
| April 2, 2013 | MS | HB 1009 | Authorizes Department of Human Services to Hire Private Contractors | Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 56) |
| April 2, 2013 | KS | HB 2069 | Prohibits Local Governments from Enforcing a Union Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9) |
| April 2, 2013 | AZ | HB 2477 | Requires Photo Radar Systems To Be Necessary for Public Safety | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11) |
| April 1, 2013 | NV | SJR 15 | Removes the Separate Tax Rate on Mining | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 4) |
| March 25, 2013 | IN | SB 213 | Prohibits Localities From Requiring Certain Employment Benefits | Bill Passed - House (55 - 39) |
| March 25, 2013 | OR | SB 602 | Prohibits Motorized Boats and Seaplanes on Waldo Lake | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
| March 25, 2013 | MD | HB 228 | Amends the State Health Benefits Exchange and Medicaid Program | Bill Passed - House (93 - 43) |
| March 22, 2013 | ID | S 1108 | Increases Petition Signature Requirements | Bill Passed - House (45 - 21) |
| March 21, 2013 | ID | H 248 | Establishes Health Insurance Exchange | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| March 21, 2013 | National | H Con Res 25 | Establishing the Budget for the United States Government for Fiscal Year 2014 and Setting Forth Appropriate Budgetary Levels for Fiscal Years 2015 Through 2023 | Joint Resolution Passed - House (221 - 207) |
| March 18, 2013 | MN | HF 5 | Establishes the Minnesota Health Insurance Exchange | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 28) |
| March 14, 2013 | MN | HF 5 | Establishes the Minnesota Health Insurance Exchange | Conference Report Adopted - House (72 - 61) |
| March 14, 2013 | KS | HB 2199 | Prohibits Enforcement of Federal Firearms Laws Within the State of Kansas | Bill Passed - House (94 - 29) |
| March 13, 2013 | MT | HB 302 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearms Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21) |
| March 13, 2013 | OK | HB 1021 | Prohibits the Enforcement of the Affordable Care Act | Bill Passed - House (72 - 20) |
| March 13, 2013 | NC | SB 81 | Establishes the Charlotte Regional Airport Authority | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18) |
| March 13, 2013 | National | HR 890 | Preserving Work Requirements for Welfare Programs Act of 2013 | Bill Passed - House (246 - 181) |
| March 13, 2013 | OK | HB 1412 | Prohibits Compliance with United Nations Agenda 21/Sustainable Development | Bill Passed - House (67 - 17) |
| March 13, 2013 | ID | H 248 | Establishes Health Insurance Exchange | Bill Passed - House (41 - 29) |
| March 12, 2013 | OK | HB 2021 | Exempts Certain Firearms from Federal Regulation | Bill Passed - House (79 - 12) |
| March 11, 2013 | ID | S 1108 | Increases Petition Signature Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
| March 7, 2013 | MN | HF 5 | Establishes the Minnesota Health Insurance Exchange | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 28) |
| March 7, 2013 | CA | SB 1-1 | Expands Eligibility for Medi-Cal Program | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7) |
| March 7, 2013 | CA | AB 1-1 | Expands Eligibility for Medi-Cal Program | Bill Passed - House (54 - 22) |
| March 6, 2013 | MS | SB 2687 | Prohibits Local Government Management of Nutrition Labeling | Bill Passed - House (92 - 26) |
| March 6, 2013 | WI | AB 15 | Authorizes Work-Share Programs | Bill Passed - House (74 - 22) |
| March 4, 2013 | NC | SB 10 | Authorizes the Reorganization of State Boards and Commissions | Bill Passed - House (71 - 43) |
| March 4, 2013 | NM | SB 416 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 17) |
| March 4, 2013 | MN | HF 5 | Establishes the Minnesota Health Insurance Exchange | Bill Passed - House (72 - 58) |
| March 4, 2013 | GA | HB 125 | Amends State Immigration Policy | Bill Passed - House (116 - 49) |
| March 4, 2013 | AZ | HB 2280 | Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Employee Pay Requirements | Bill Passed - House (32 - 27) |
| Feb. 28, 2013 | MI | HB 4111 | Appropriates Federal Funding for Health Insurance Exchange | Bill Passed - House (78 - 31) |
| Feb. 28, 2013 | IL | SB 26 | Expands Medicaid Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 19) |
| Feb. 28, 2013 | OK | HB 2195 | Limits the Issuance of Bonds | Bill Passed - House (78 - 17) |
| Feb. 28, 2013 | NM | HB 168 | Establishes Health Insurance Exchange | Bill Failed - House (30 - 39) |
| Feb. 27, 2013 | WY | HB 41 | Reduces Limitations on Hunting Bison | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 11) |
| Feb. 27, 2013 | ND | HB 1362 | Expands Medicaid Eligibility | Bill Passed - House (57 - 36) |
| Feb. 27, 2013 | NC | SB 76 | Amends Hydraulic Fracturing Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 7) |
| Feb. 26, 2013 | WY | HB 41 | Reduces Limitations on Hunting Bison | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14) |
| Feb. 26, 2013 | IN | SB 213 | Prohibits Localities From Requiring Certain Employment Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 12) |
| Feb. 26, 2013 | UT | SB 109 | Authorizes the State Engineer to Manage Water Usage | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9) |
| Feb. 25, 2013 | TN | HB 553 | Prohibits War Monuments from Being Renamed | Bill Passed - House (69 - 22) |
| Feb. 25, 2013 | ID | SJM 101 | Urges the Enforcement of Federal Drug-Free Policy | Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 21) |
| Feb. 25, 2013 | AK | HB 69 | Exempts Firearms from Federal Regulation | Bill Passed - House (31 - 5) |
| Feb. 25, 2013 | IN | HB 1011 | Authorizes a Metropolitan Transit District | Bill Passed - House (56 - 39) |
| Feb. 25, 2013 | MT | HB 396 | Requires County Board Approval for Bison Relocation | Bill Passed - House (61 - 37) |
| Feb. 20, 2013 | VA | SB 1324 | Establishes Education Institution and Board | Bill Passed - House (64 - 34) |
| Feb. 20, 2013 | WV | HB 2434 | Increases Compensation for Court Magistrates | Bill Passed - House (53 - 45) |
| Feb. 18, 2013 | NM | HB 63 | Prohibits Breed-Specific Dog Regulations | Bill Passed - House (48 - 14) |
| Feb. 14, 2013 | MN | HF 9 | Expands Medicaid Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 22) |
| Feb. 14, 2013 | KY | SB 50 | Authorizes Industrial Hemp Farming | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6) |
| Feb. 13, 2013 | NC | HB 66 | Authorizes the Use and Display of Wild Animals in Cultural Activities | Bill Passed - House (98 - 20) |
| Feb. 5, 2013 | VA | SB 1324 | Establishes Education Institution and Board | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20) |
| Feb. 4, 2013 | NM | HJM 16 | Authorizes a Feasibility Study of Horse Slaughter Plants | Joint Resolution Failed - House (28 - 36) |
| Feb. 4, 2013 | AR | HB 1100 | Prohibits Abortion Coverage on the State Health Insurance Exchange | Bill Passed - House (77 - 15) |
| Feb. 1, 2013 | WY | HB 104 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - House (46 - 13) |
| Feb. 1, 2013 | WY | HB 103 | Requires State Approval of Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - House (53 - 6) |
| 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. 13, 2012 | MI | SB 865 | Authorizes Local Officials to Solve Fiscal Crisis | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| Dec. 12, 2012 | MI | SB 865 | Authorizes Local Officials to Solve Fiscal Crisis | Bill Passed - House (64 - 45) |
| Nov. 29, 2012 | NJ | S 2 | Requires Certain Municipalities to Merge Public Services | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9) |
| Oct. 18, 2012 | NJ | AR 86 | Opposes the U.S. Supreme Court Decision in Citizens United Versus Federal Elections Commission | Resolution Passed - House (49 - 23) |
| June 30, 2012 | PA | HB 254 | Expands Use of Red-Light Cameras | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (113 - 72) |
| June 30, 2012 | PA | SB 1263 | Prohibits Gas Drilling in Certain Areas | Bill Passed - House (123 - 74) |
| June 29, 2012 | PA | HB 254 | Expands Use of Red-Light Cameras | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15) |
| June 28, 2012 | PA | HB 1307 | Authorizes State Control of Financially Distressed Schools | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (106 - 95) |
| June 19, 2012 | PA | HB 1307 | Authorizes State Control of Financially Distressed Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21) |
| June 19, 2012 | National | HR 2578 | Conservation and Economic Growth Act | Bill Passed - House (232 - 188) |
| June 18, 2012 | NC | HB 7 | Authorizes Community Colleges to Opt Out of Federal Loan Program | Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 16) |
| June 14, 2012 | NC | HB 7 | Authorizes Community Colleges to Opt Out of Federal Loan Program | Veto Override Passed - House (71 - 46) |
| June 12, 2012 | NC | HB 819 | Requirements for Calculating Sea Level Rise | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 12) |
| June 6, 2012 | PA | SB 1310 | Authorizes Repayment of Unemployment Debt to the Federal Government | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (129 - 67) |
| June 5, 2012 | PA | SB 1310 | Authorizes Repayment of Unemployment Debt to the Federal Government | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 19) |
| May 31, 2012 | IL | SB 3442 | Requires Recycling of Plastic Bags | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 15) |
| May 30, 2012 | IL | SB 3442 | Requires Recycling of Plastic Bags | Bill Passed - House (72 - 44) |
| May 9, 2012 | IA | SF 2315 | Amends the Mental Health and Disability Services Program | Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 31) |
| May 2, 2012 | AZ | HCR 2004 | Establishes State Sovereignty Over Certain Natural Resources | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (38 - 20) |
| April 30, 2012 | AZ | HCR 2004 | Establishes State Sovereignty Over Certain Natural Resources | Resolution Passed - Senate (16 - 14) |
| April 27, 2012 | CO | SM 3 | Urges Congress to Authorize Religious Exemptions to Providing Birth Control | Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 20) |
| April 25, 2012 | AZ | SB 1332 | Requires the Federal Government to Give Back Land to Arizona | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 9) |
| April 24, 2012 | AZ | SB 1182 | Prohibits Enforcement of Certain Provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 8) |
| April 23, 2012 | AZ | SB 1332 | Requires the Federal Government to Give Back Land to Arizona | Bill Passed - House (35 - 15) |
| April 19, 2012 | AZ | SB 1182 | Prohibits Enforcement of Certain Provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act | Bill Passed - House (34 - 22) |