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 29, 2019 | FL | HB 19 | Authorizes the Importation of Prescription Drugs from Canada | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13) |
| April 26, 2019 | FL | HB 1159 | Prohibits Municipal Governments from Requiring Approval for Tree Removal | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16) |
| April 24, 2019 | IA | SF 634 | Amends Process for Approving Local Government Budgets and Property Taxation | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17) |
| April 18, 2019 | TN | HB 658 | Repeals City Police Oversight Boards Subpoena Power | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 6) |
| April 15, 2019 | IA | SF 615 | Prohibits the Attorney General From Joining Out-Of-State Lawsuits | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18) |
| April 11, 2019 | TX | SB 2485 | Prohibits Local Governments from Imposing Regulations on Private Businesses Regarding Employee Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12) |
| April 11, 2019 | CA | SB 78 | Requires Citizens Purchase Health Insurance | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9) |
| April 11, 2019 | TX | SB 2487 | Prohibits Local Governments from Imposing Regulations on Private Businesses for Employee Leave | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12) |
| April 9, 2019 | OR | SB 870 | Authorizes Interstate Agreement to Elect the President by Popular Vote | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
| April 5, 2019 | AR | SB 411 | Prohibits Local Government from Adopting "Sanctuary Policies" | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5) |
| April 3, 2019 | IL | HB 2988 | Prohibits Townships from Regulating Wind Farms Outside of City Zoning Areas | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7) |
| March 29, 2019 | ND | HB 1381 | Prohibits Government Funded Gun Buyback Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12) |
| March 13, 2019 | WA | SB 5822 | Establishes a Work Group to Study Universal Health Care | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21) |
| March 7, 2019 | GA | SB 131 | Expands State Control over the Atlanta Airport | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 22) |
| March 6, 2019 | OK | SB 1001 | Prohibits Cities from Banning Plastic Bags | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 9) |
| March 5, 2019 | HI | SB 557 | Establishes Hawaii as a Sanctuary State | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 4) |
| Feb. 28, 2019 | VT | S 54 | Authorizes the Sale and Regulation of Cannabis | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5) |
| Feb. 25, 2019 | IN | SB 553 | Authorizes Public Use of Shore of Lake Michigan | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16) |
| Feb. 7, 2019 | AZ | SB 1091 | Increases State Rainy-Day Fund by 10 Percent | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6) |
| Feb. 1, 2019 | WY | SF 57 | Establishes Deadline for Public Records Requests | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 2) |
| Jan. 31, 2019 | NJ | S 1073 | Authorizes Local Government Units to Establish Storm Water Utilities | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| Jan. 9, 2019 | IL | SB 3531 | Increases Salary For Certain State Cabinet Positions | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 21) |
| Dec. 20, 2018 | MI | SB 1238 | Authorizes State Absentee Ballot Voting | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
| July 31, 2018 | MA | H 4857 | Increases State Clean Energy Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0) |
| July 30, 2018 | MA | H 4834 | Establishes Automatic Voter Registration | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 0) |
| July 18, 2018 | MA | H 4546 | Authorizes Creation of Community Benefit Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
| June 28, 2018 | CA | AB 1838 | Prohibits Local Grocery Taxes | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7) |
| June 27, 2018 | OH | SB 255 | Increases Occupational Licensing Board Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8) |
| June 25, 2018 | NJ | A 4249 | Increases the Use of Hospital Admission Fees | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| June 20, 2018 | ME | LD 1584 | Expands Local Food Economy by Promoting Local Foods Procurement | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 11) |
| May 31, 2018 | IL | SB 3109 | Amends the Department of Professional Regulation Law | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 10) |
| May 29, 2018 | MI | SB 872 | Amends Statue of Limitations for Sexual Misconduct Cases Going Back until 1997 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 2) |
| May 29, 2018 | MI | SB 871 | Increases the Statute of Limitations for Sexual Assault Offenses | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 0) |
| May 14, 2018 | MN | HF 2802 | Requires Municipalities That Contract Public Treatment Works to Comply with New State Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 26) |
| May 2, 2018 | IL | SB 2213 | Requires State Agencies to Adhere to Federal Regulations as of 2017 | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 21) |
| April 26, 2018 | OK | HB 3036 | Authorizes the Governor power to appoint the State Commissioner of Health | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 11) |
| April 18, 2018 | NE | LB 496 | Amends and Establishes Requirements for Redevelopment Projects Under the Community Development Law | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 8) |
| April 12, 2018 | MI | SB 741 | Prohibits Breed-Specific Ordinances | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13) |
| April 10, 2018 | CO | SB 18-043 | Specifies Rules of Nominee Rejections | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16) |
| March 23, 2018 | National | HR 1625 | Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 | Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 32) |
| March 8, 2018 | WA | HB 3003 | Amends Various Police 'Use of Force' Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24) |
| March 6, 2018 | WY | HB 70 | Authorizes Cryptocurrency Regulations and Securities | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3) |
| March 6, 2018 | WA | HB 2595 | Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21) |
| Feb. 22, 2018 | IN | SB 1 | Authorizes Sunday Alcohol Sales | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 10) |
| Feb. 20, 2018 | WV | SB 415 | Authorizes Casino Sports Betting Upon Federal Approval | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9) |
| Feb. 12, 2018 | MD | SB 138 | Requires Governor to Include Maryland as a Member of US Climate Alliance | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10) |
| Feb. 9, 2018 | WV | SJR 12 | Prohibits a Constitutional Right to Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9) |
| Feb. 1, 2018 | NJ | S 598 | Requires New Jersey to Join US Climate Alliance | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
| Jan. 31, 2018 | MS | SB 2570 | Prohibits Government Bans on Storage Containers | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 15) |
| Jan. 18, 2018 | National | S 139 | FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (65 - 34) |
| Nov. 8, 2017 | MI | SB 586 | Prohibits Localities from Placing Restrictions on Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
| Nov. 7, 2017 | WI | AB 153 | Amends State Election Recount Procedures | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13) |
| Oct. 12, 2017 | MI | HB 4999 | Prohibits Localities from Taxing Foods and Beverages | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5) |
| Sept. 16, 2017 | CA | SB 54 | Establishes a Statewide Sanctuary Policy | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
| April 20, 2017 | MN | HF 600 | Prohibits Local Laws Regarding Minimum Wage or Paid Sick Leave | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 31) |
| April 6, 2017 | ME | LD 306 | Authorizes Issuance of REAL ID Compliant Licenses | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4) |
| April 4, 2017 | IA | HF 517 | Authorizes Use of Deadly Force when Deemed Necessary | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17) |
| April 3, 2017 | CA | SB 54 | Establishes a Statewide Sanctuary Policy | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12) |
| March 27, 2017 | TN | HB 173 | Prohibits Local Government from Enacting Drug-Related Sanctions | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5) |
| March 27, 2017 | IA | HF 295 | Prohibits Localities from Increasing Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21) |
| March 2, 2017 | WA | SB 5223 | Prohibits Localities from Permitting Heroin Injection Sites | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23) |
| Feb. 28, 2017 | IN | SB 423 | Prohibits Sanctuary Policies on College Campuses | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15) |
| Feb. 24, 2017 | VT | S 79 | Prohibits the Disclosure of Personally Identifying Information | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0) |
| Feb. 22, 2017 | VA | HB 2000 | Prohibits Establishment of Sanctuary Cities | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| Feb. 10, 2017 | MD | SJ 5 | Authorizes State Attorney General to Sue Federal Government | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (29 - 17) |
| May 30, 2016 | LA | SB 227 | Authorizes REAL ID Driver's Licenses | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate |
| May 10, 2016 | MI | SB 853 | Prohibits Cities from Restricting Plastic Bags | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
| April 19, 2016 | TN | SJR 467 | Urges Attorney General to File Lawsuit in Relation to Refugee Resettlement Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 4) |
| April 11, 2016 | ME | LD 1600 | Requires Legislative Approval for National Monument Designations | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| March 29, 2016 | LA | SB 227 | Authorizes REAL ID Driver's Licenses | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7) |
| March 29, 2016 | CO | SB 157 | Requires Suspension of Clean Power Plan Implementation | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| March 22, 2016 | KY | SB 245 | Authorizes State to Issue Real ID Compliant Identification Documents | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
| March 15, 2016 | ID | H 372 | Prohibits Local Limitation on Use of Plastic Bags | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| March 10, 2016 | AZ | HB 2131 | Prohibits Local Governments from Taxing Disposable Bags | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
| Feb. 29, 2016 | VA | HB 587 | Prohibits Removal of War Monuments | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
| Feb. 26, 2016 | VA | HB 1371 | Prohibits Cities from Increasing Minimum Wage or Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| Feb. 25, 2016 | AL | HB 174 | Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Wage or Employee Benefits Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
| Feb. 22, 2016 | TN | SJR 467 | Urges Attorney General to File Lawsuit in Relation to Refugee Resettlement Program | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 5) |
| Feb. 9, 2016 | VA | SB 270 | Requires Cities to Enforce Federal Immigration Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| Feb. 9, 2016 | VA | SB 705 | Requires Sanctuary Cities to be Liable for Damages Caused by Undocumented Immigrant | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| Jan. 21, 2016 | National | S J Res 22 | A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval Under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of the Rule Submitted by the Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to the Definition of "Waters of the United States" Under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 40) |
| May 4, 2015 | TX | HB 40 | Specifies That The State Will Regulate Oil and Gas Operations | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7) |
| April 14, 2015 | PA | SB 333 | Prohibits Local Paid Leave Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12) |
| March 16, 2015 | NJ | S 2181 | Increases Oversight of the Port Authority | Veto Override Failed - Senate (25 - 14) |
| March 16, 2015 | ID | S 1092 | Prohibits Local Knife Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
| March 12, 2015 | MT | HB 203 | Prohibits Enforcement of Certain Federal Gun Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22) |
| March 11, 2015 | OK | SB 809 | Amends Local Municipalities' Ability to Regulate Oil and Gas Production | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 7) |
| March 11, 2015 | OK | SJR 4 | Requests Constitutional Convention | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (26 - 20) |
| March 11, 2015 | AZ | SB 1330 | Prohibits State Employees from Enforcing Federal Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
| Feb. 11, 2015 | MS | SB 2389 | Authorizes Joining Interstate Compact for a Balanced Federal Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19) |
| Jan. 30, 2015 | WY | SF 56 | Appropriates Funds for Study of Public Lands | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4) |
| Dec. 11, 2014 | OH | SB 342 | Prohibits Use of Traffic Cameras to Issue Tickets Unless Officer is Present | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| Dec. 3, 2014 | OH | HB 5 | Amends Municipal Income Tax Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8) |
| Nov. 19, 2014 | OH | SB 342 | Prohibits Use of Traffic Cameras to Issue Tickets unless an Officer is Present | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
| Oct. 16, 2014 | PA | HB 80 | Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14) |
| Aug. 29, 2014 | CA | SB 1319 | Authorizes Groundwater Sustainability Plan for Certain Water Basins | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 10) |
| Aug. 29, 2014 | CA | SB 1168 | Requires Sustainability Plans for Groundwater Usage | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
| Aug. 27, 2014 | CA | AB 1739 | Amends Groundwater Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
| July 29, 2014 | National | S Amdt 3584 | Transportation Empowerment Act | Amendment Rejected - Senate (28 - 69) |
| July 10, 2014 | NC | SB 812 | Repeals Common Core Standards | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 12) |