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 23, 2015 | MN | HF 1027 | Amends Minimum Wage for Employees Receiving Gratuities | Bill Passed - House (78 - 55) |
| March 19, 2015 | MO | HB 722 | Prohibits Restrictions on Plastic Bags | Bill Passed - House (114 - 38) |
| March 18, 2015 | IA | SF 437 | Authorizes Employees to Take Unpaid Leave to Participate in a Presidential Precinct Caucus | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24) |
| March 17, 2015 | NY | A 3870 | Requires Employers to Provide Paid Family Leave | Bill Passed - House (97 - 48) |
| March 16, 2015 | NJ | S 1593 | Establishes Interest-Free Housing Loans for Public Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| March 16, 2015 | ID | H 262 | Establishes Standards for Transportation Network Companies | Bill Passed - House (56 - 12) |
| March 14, 2015 | WV | HB 2011 | Amends Requirements for Workplace Injury Lawsuits | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 33) |
| March 12, 2015 | AR | HB 1489 | Reduces Unemployment Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7) |
| March 12, 2015 | NH | SB 261 | Increases Minimum Wage | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (14 - 10) |
| March 12, 2015 | NH | SB 261 | Increases Minimum Wage | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (14 - 10) |
| March 12, 2015 | OK | SB 298 | Requires Insurers to Check Policies after an Insured Individual's Death | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 12) |
| March 12, 2015 | AR | SB 366 | Authorizes Additional Compensations to Teachers | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
| March 11, 2015 | UT | SB 296 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation | Bill Passed - House (65 - 10) |
| March 11, 2015 | AZ | HB 2069 | Reduces State Income Tax Rates | Bill Passed - House (31 - 28) |
| March 10, 2015 | WA | SB 5513 | Reduces Minimum Age to Settle a Worker's Compensation Claim | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21) |
| March 10, 2015 | WA | SB 5513 | Reduces Minimum Age to Settle a Worker's Compensation Claim | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21) |
| March 10, 2015 | HI | SB 1030 | Prohibits Sale of Tobacco Products to Individuals Under 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 5) |
| March 10, 2015 | WA | SB 5899 | Establishes Small Loans and Small Consumer Installment Loans | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18) |
| March 9, 2015 | GA | HB 110 | Authorizes and Regulates the Sale of Consumer Fireworks | Bill Passed - House (119 - 49) |
| March 6, 2015 | UT | SB 296 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5) |
| March 4, 2015 | MS | HB 1127 | Prohibits Contracting with Companies with Investments in Iran | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11) |
| March 4, 2015 | NH | HB 136 | Prohibits Minors from Using Tanning Beds | Bill Passed - House (199 - 162) |
| March 4, 2015 | AZ | HB 2611 | Authorizes "Flex Loans" | Bill Passed - House (31 - 29) |
| March 3, 2015 | WV | SB 361 | Amends Prevailing Wage Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
| March 3, 2015 | WA | HB 1356 | Requires Employers to Offer Paid Sick Leave | Bill Passed - House (51 - 46) |
| March 3, 2015 | WA | HB 1355 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (51 - 46) |
| March 3, 2015 | WA | HB 1355 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (51 - 46) |
| March 3, 2015 | WA | HB 1356 | Requires Employers to Offer Paid Sick Leave | Bill Passed - House (51 - 46) |
| March 2, 2015 | UT | SB 169 | Prohibits Contact Lens Manufacturers from Fixing Prices | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
| Feb. 28, 2015 | WV | SB 361 | Amends Prevailing Wage Laws | Bill Passed - House (56 - 39) |
| Feb. 27, 2015 | VA | HB 1570 | Increases Regulations on Day Care Providers | Conference Report Adopted - House (68 - 26) |
| Feb. 27, 2015 | WV | SB 357 | Establishes New Coal Mining Safety Guidelines. | Bill Passed - House (73 - 25) |
| Feb. 26, 2015 | MN | SF 174 | Requires Legislative Approval for Certain Salary Increases | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 29) |
| Feb. 26, 2015 | AZ | SB 1092 | Requires Waivers for Certain Health Insurance | Bill Passed - House (34 - 23) |
| Feb. 26, 2015 | PA | HB 466 | Authorizes Private Alcohol Sales | Bill Passed - House (114 - 87) |
| Feb. 25, 2015 | NM | HB 75 | Prohibits Employers from Requiring Employees to Join or Pay Unions | Bill Passed - House (37 - 30) |
| Feb. 25, 2015 | NM | HB 75 | Prohibits Employers from Requiring Employees to Join or Pay Unions | Bill Passed - House (37 - 30) |
| Feb. 24, 2015 | IA | SF 269 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22) |
| Feb. 24, 2015 | IA | SF 269 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22) |
| Feb. 24, 2015 | IA | SF 270 | Prohibits Wage Diversion | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23) |
| Feb. 23, 2015 | AZ | SB 1092 | Requires Waivers for Certain Health Insurance | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
| Feb. 23, 2015 | IN | HB 1019 | Repeals Common Construction Wage | Bill Passed - House (55 - 41) |
| Feb. 19, 2015 | CO | HB 1144 | Prohibits Production and Sale of Products Containing Microbeads | Bill Passed - House (47 - 18) |
| Feb. 18, 2015 | SD | SB 177 | Establishes a Youth Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
| Feb. 18, 2015 | SD | SB 177 | Establishes a Youth Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
| Feb. 17, 2015 | ND | SB 2279 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 22) |
| Feb. 16, 2015 | ND | HB 1437 | Extends Triggered Oil Extraction Tax Rate | Bill Passed - House (79 - 14) |
| Feb. 13, 2015 | KY | HB 145 | Prohibits Smoking in Public Places | Bill Passed - House (51 - 46) |
| Feb. 13, 2015 | National | HR 636 | America's Small Business Tax Relief Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (272 - 142) |
| Feb. 12, 2015 | WV | SB 361 | Amends Prevailing Wage Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
| Feb. 10, 2015 | WV | HB 2217 | Amends Qualifications for Commissioner of Labor | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 34) |
| Feb. 10, 2015 | KY | HB 2 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (56 - 43) |
| Feb. 10, 2015 | WV | HB 2011 | Amends Requirements for Workplace Injury Lawsuits | Bill Passed - House (59 - 38) |
| Feb. 10, 2015 | WY | SF 115 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Idenity | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6) |
| Feb. 10, 2015 | KY | HB 2 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (56 - 43) |
| Feb. 9, 2015 | CO | SB 65 | Prohibits Withdrawing Public Assistance Funds at Certain Places | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| Feb. 5, 2015 | IL | SB 11 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 18) |
| Feb. 5, 2015 | KY | SB 9 | Exempts Certain Construction Projects from Prevailing Wage Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12) |
| Feb. 5, 2015 | IL | SB 11 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 18) |
| Feb. 5, 2015 | National | HR 527 | Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (260 - 163) |
| Feb. 4, 2015 | WV | HB 2217 | Amends Qualifications for Commissioner of Labor | Bill Passed - House (64 - 35) |
| Feb. 3, 2015 | IN | SB 127 | Authorizes Religious Organizations to Hire Based on Religion | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 11) |
| Feb. 2, 2015 | CO | HB 1031 | Prohibits the Sale of Powdered Alcohol | Bill Passed - House (46 - 17) |
| Jan. 14, 2015 | National | HR 37 | Promoting Job Creation and Reducing Small Business Burdens Act | Bill Passed - House (271 - 154) |
| Jan. 8, 2015 | National | HR 30 | Save American Workers Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (252 - 172) |
| Dec. 18, 2014 | NJ | S 1811 | Requires Made in the United States Materials for Public Works | Bill Passed - House (43 - 24) |
| Dec. 17, 2014 | OH | HB 663 | Requires Confidentiality of Death Penalty Information | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 23) |
| Dec. 11, 2014 | OH | HB 663 | Requires Confidentiality of Death Penalty Information | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
| Dec. 11, 2014 | MI | SB 1156 | Prohibits Actions that Coerce a Woman to Get an Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
| Dec. 9, 2014 | OH | SB 386 | Authorizes the Use of Certain Fireworks | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7) |
| Dec. 4, 2014 | MI | SB 247 | Authorizes the Sale of Alcohol until 4 a.m. | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14) |
| Oct. 23, 2014 | NJ | A 939 | Amends Tax Expenditure Report | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| Oct. 16, 2014 | NJ | A 2814 | Requires Certain Graduation Rates from For-Profit Colleges | Bill Passed - House (47 - 14) |
| Sept. 17, 2014 | NH | HB 591 | Requires State Employers to Implement a Policy Prohibiting Certain Conduct in the Workplace | Veto Override Failed - House (141 - 154) |
| Aug. 30, 2014 | CA | AB 1522 | Requires Paid Sick Leave for Employees | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 25) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/23 | HF 1027 | Amends Minimum Wage for Employees Receiving Gratuities | Bill Passed - House (78 - 55) |
| 3/19 | HB 722 | Prohibits Restrictions on Plastic Bags | Bill Passed - House (114 - 38) |
| 3/18 | SF 437 | Authorizes Employees to Take Unpaid Leave to Participate in a Presidential Precinct Caucus | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24) |
| 3/17 | A 3870 | Requires Employers to Provide Paid Family Leave | Bill Passed - House (97 - 48) |
| 3/16 | S 1593 | Establishes Interest-Free Housing Loans for Public Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| 3/16 | H 262 | Establishes Standards for Transportation Network Companies | Bill Passed - House (56 - 12) |
| 3/14 | HB 2011 | Amends Requirements for Workplace Injury Lawsuits | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 33) |
| 3/12 | HB 1489 | Reduces Unemployment Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7) |
| 3/12 | SB 261 | Increases Minimum Wage | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (14 - 10) |
| 3/12 | SB 261 | Increases Minimum Wage | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (14 - 10) |
| 3/12 | SB 298 | Requires Insurers to Check Policies after an Insured Individual's Death | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 12) |
| 3/12 | SB 366 | Authorizes Additional Compensations to Teachers | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
| 3/11 | SB 296 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation | Bill Passed - House (65 - 10) |
| 3/11 | HB 2069 | Reduces State Income Tax Rates | Bill Passed - House (31 - 28) |
| 3/10 | SB 5513 | Reduces Minimum Age to Settle a Worker's Compensation Claim | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21) |
| 3/10 | SB 5513 | Reduces Minimum Age to Settle a Worker's Compensation Claim | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21) |
| 3/10 | SB 1030 | Prohibits Sale of Tobacco Products to Individuals Under 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 5) |
| 3/10 | SB 5899 | Establishes Small Loans and Small Consumer Installment Loans | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18) |
| 3/09 | HB 110 | Authorizes and Regulates the Sale of Consumer Fireworks | Bill Passed - House (119 - 49) |
| 3/06 | SB 296 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5) |
| 3/04 | HB 1127 | Prohibits Contracting with Companies with Investments in Iran | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11) |
| 3/04 | HB 136 | Prohibits Minors from Using Tanning Beds | Bill Passed - House (199 - 162) |
| 3/04 | HB 2611 | Authorizes "Flex Loans" | Bill Passed - House (31 - 29) |
| 3/03 | SB 361 | Amends Prevailing Wage Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
| 3/03 | HB 1356 | Requires Employers to Offer Paid Sick Leave | Bill Passed - House (51 - 46) |
| 3/03 | HB 1355 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (51 - 46) |
| 3/03 | HB 1355 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (51 - 46) |
| 3/03 | HB 1356 | Requires Employers to Offer Paid Sick Leave | Bill Passed - House (51 - 46) |
| 3/02 | SB 169 | Prohibits Contact Lens Manufacturers from Fixing Prices | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
| 2/28 | SB 361 | Amends Prevailing Wage Laws | Bill Passed - House (56 - 39) |
| 2/27 | HB 1570 | Increases Regulations on Day Care Providers | Conference Report Adopted - House (68 - 26) |
| 2/27 | SB 357 | Establishes New Coal Mining Safety Guidelines. | Bill Passed - House (73 - 25) |
| 2/26 | SF 174 | Requires Legislative Approval for Certain Salary Increases | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 29) |
| 2/26 | SB 1092 | Requires Waivers for Certain Health Insurance | Bill Passed - House (34 - 23) |
| 2/26 | HB 466 | Authorizes Private Alcohol Sales | Bill Passed - House (114 - 87) |
| 2/25 | HB 75 | Prohibits Employers from Requiring Employees to Join or Pay Unions | Bill Passed - House (37 - 30) |
| 2/25 | HB 75 | Prohibits Employers from Requiring Employees to Join or Pay Unions | Bill Passed - House (37 - 30) |
| 2/24 | SF 269 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22) |
| 2/24 | SF 269 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22) |
| 2/24 | SF 270 | Prohibits Wage Diversion | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23) |
| 2/23 | SB 1092 | Requires Waivers for Certain Health Insurance | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
| 2/23 | HB 1019 | Repeals Common Construction Wage | Bill Passed - House (55 - 41) |
| 2/19 | HB 1144 | Prohibits Production and Sale of Products Containing Microbeads | Bill Passed - House (47 - 18) |
| 2/18 | SB 177 | Establishes a Youth Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
| 2/18 | SB 177 | Establishes a Youth Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
| 2/17 | SB 2279 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 22) |
| 2/16 | HB 1437 | Extends Triggered Oil Extraction Tax Rate | Bill Passed - House (79 - 14) |
| 2/13 | HB 145 | Prohibits Smoking in Public Places | Bill Passed - House (51 - 46) |
| 2/13 | HR 636 | America's Small Business Tax Relief Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (272 - 142) |
| 2/12 | SB 361 | Amends Prevailing Wage Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
| 2/10 | HB 2217 | Amends Qualifications for Commissioner of Labor | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 34) |
| 2/10 | HB 2 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (56 - 43) |
| 2/10 | HB 2011 | Amends Requirements for Workplace Injury Lawsuits | Bill Passed - House (59 - 38) |
| 2/10 | SF 115 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Idenity | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6) |
| 2/10 | HB 2 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (56 - 43) |
| 2/09 | SB 65 | Prohibits Withdrawing Public Assistance Funds at Certain Places | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| 2/05 | SB 11 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 18) |
| 2/05 | SB 9 | Exempts Certain Construction Projects from Prevailing Wage Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12) |
| 2/05 | SB 11 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 18) |
| 2/05 | HR 527 | Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (260 - 163) |
| 2/04 | HB 2217 | Amends Qualifications for Commissioner of Labor | Bill Passed - House (64 - 35) |
| 2/03 | SB 127 | Authorizes Religious Organizations to Hire Based on Religion | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 11) |
| 2/02 | HB 1031 | Prohibits the Sale of Powdered Alcohol | Bill Passed - House (46 - 17) |
| 1/14 | HR 37 | Promoting Job Creation and Reducing Small Business Burdens Act | Bill Passed - House (271 - 154) |
| 1/08 | HR 30 | Save American Workers Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (252 - 172) |
| 12/18 | S 1811 | Requires Made in the United States Materials for Public Works | Bill Passed - House (43 - 24) |
| 12/17 | HB 663 | Requires Confidentiality of Death Penalty Information | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 23) |
| 12/11 | HB 663 | Requires Confidentiality of Death Penalty Information | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
| 12/11 | SB 1156 | Prohibits Actions that Coerce a Woman to Get an Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
| 12/09 | SB 386 | Authorizes the Use of Certain Fireworks | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7) |
| 12/04 | SB 247 | Authorizes the Sale of Alcohol until 4 a.m. | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14) |
| 10/23 | A 939 | Amends Tax Expenditure Report | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| 10/16 | A 2814 | Requires Certain Graduation Rates from For-Profit Colleges | Bill Passed - House (47 - 14) |
| 9/17 | HB 591 | Requires State Employers to Implement a Policy Prohibiting Certain Conduct in the Workplace | Veto Override Failed - House (141 - 154) |
| 8/30 | AB 1522 | Requires Paid Sick Leave for Employees | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 25) |