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 10, 2015 | SD | SB 1 | Increases Speed Limit | Bill Passed - House (54 - 14) |
| March 10, 2015 | UT | HB 79 | Amends Safety Belt Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11) |
| March 10, 2015 | NM | HB 366 | Authorizes State Regulation of Oil and Gas Production | Bill Passed - House (37 - 28) |
| March 10, 2015 | WA | SB 5899 | Establishes Small Loans and Small Consumer Installment Loans | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18) |
| March 10, 2015 | CO | HB 1175 | Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy on Minors | Bill Passed - House (35 - 29) |
| March 9, 2015 | UT | HB 362 | Amends Motor Fuel Tax | Bill Passed - House (51 - 22) |
| March 9, 2015 | UT | HB 396 | Prohibits a Seasonal Prohibition on Wood-Burning Stoves | Bill Passed - House (58 - 15) |
| March 9, 2015 | WA | SB 5735 | Establishes Carbon Reduction Investment as Alternative to Meeting Renewable Energy Targets | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23) |
| March 7, 2015 | NM | HB 235 | Requires Consent to Use Waterways that Flow Through Private Property | Bill Passed - House (34 - 28) |
| March 6, 2015 | WY | SF 145 | Appropriates Funds for Uncompensated Charity Care | Conference Report Adopted - House (42 - 15) |
| March 6, 2015 | WY | SF 145 | Appropriates Funds for Uncompensated Charity Care | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 7) |
| March 6, 2015 | CO | HB 1173 | Requires Snow Tires or Chains on Vehicles | Bill Passed - House (43 - 21) |
| March 5, 2015 | MS | SB 2585 | Authorizes the State to Jail Tuberculosis Patients Who Decline Treatment | Bill Failed - House (40 - 70) |
| March 5, 2015 | GA | HB 170 | Amends Gasoline Tax | Bill Passed - House (123 - 46) |
| March 5, 2015 | UT | HB 104 | Authorizes Cow-Share Programs | Bill Passed - House (61 - 11) |
| March 4, 2015 | WY | SF 145 | Appropriates Funds for Uncompensated Charity Care | Bill Passed - House (50 - 9) |
| March 4, 2015 | WY | SF 56 | Appropriates Funds for Study of Public Lands | Bill Passed - House (42 - 17) |
| March 4, 2015 | WV | HB 2688 | Authorizes Petroleum Drilling Without Consent of all Property Owners | Bill Passed - House (60 - 40) |
| March 4, 2015 | AZ | HB 2611 | Authorizes "Flex Loans" | Bill Passed - House (31 - 29) |
| March 4, 2015 | WV | HB 2688 | Authorizes Petroleum Drilling Without Consent of all Property Owners | Bill Passed - House (60 - 40) |
| March 3, 2015 | SD | HB 1030 | Requires Motorists to Maintain Safe Distance When Passing Cyclists | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7) |
| March 3, 2015 | AZ | HB 2662 | Reduces Penalty for Certain Speeding Violations | Bill Passed - House (40 - 20) |
| March 2, 2015 | WA | SB 5987 | Increases Gas Tax and Amends Transportation Funding | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22) |
| March 2, 2015 | NM | SB 94 | Authorizes Industrial Hemp Research | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 8) |
| Feb. 27, 2015 | WV | SB 357 | Establishes New Coal Mining Safety Guidelines. | Bill Passed - House (73 - 25) |
| Feb. 26, 2015 | MO | HB 130 | Establishes a Prescription Drug Monitoring Program | Bill Passed - House (107 - 48) |
| Feb. 26, 2015 | NM | HB 148 | Prohibits Smoking in Motor Vehicles with Minors | Bill Passed - House (34 - 23) |
| Feb. 26, 2015 | MT | SB 262 | Establishes Water Rights Compact | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19) |
| Feb. 25, 2015 | IN | HB 1540 | Authorizes Riverboat Casinos to Relocate Inland | Bill Passed - House (76 - 19) |
| Feb. 25, 2015 | ND | HB 1357 | Requires Crew of At Least 2 Individuals on Freight Trains | Bill Failed - House (46 - 45) |
| Feb. 24, 2015 | CO | SB 93 | Requires Compensation for Mineral Rights Owners | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15) |
| Feb. 24, 2015 | CO | SB 93 | Requires Compensation for Mineral Rights Owners | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15) |
| Feb. 24, 2015 | IA | SF 257 | Increases Fuel Taxes | Bill Passed - House (53 - 46) |
| Feb. 24, 2015 | IA | SF 257 | Increases Fuel Taxes | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21) |
| Feb. 24, 2015 | IN | SJR 12 | Authorizes the Use of Diverse Farming and Ranching Practices | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (22 - 28) |
| Feb. 24, 2015 | NM | SB 53 | Authorizes Mandatory Outpatient Treatment for Certain Individuals with Mental Disorders | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 11) |
| Feb. 23, 2015 | AZ | SB 1167 | Prohibits the Use of Photo Radar and Red Light Cameras | Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 15) |
| Feb. 20, 2015 | NV | AB 125 | Amends Provisions Relating to Constructional Defects | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 8) |
| Feb. 18, 2015 | ND | HB 1430 | Authorizes the Use of Medical Marijuana | Bill Failed - House (26 - 67) |
| Feb. 17, 2015 | WV | SB 6 | Amends Existing Medical Malpractice Law | Bill Passed - House (76 - 21) |
| Feb. 17, 2015 | NV | AB 125 | Amends Provisions Relating to Constructional Defects | Bill Passed - House (25 - 17) |
| Feb. 17, 2015 | ID | S 1011 | Repeals Authorization of Gambling on Past Horse Races | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9) |
| Feb. 17, 2015 | UT | HB 79 | Amends Safety Belt Laws | Bill Passed - House (41 - 32) |
| Feb. 17, 2015 | ND | HB 1238 | Increases Fee on Cattle Sales | Bill Passed - House (69 - 22) |
| Feb. 17, 2015 | SD | HB 1030 | Requires Motorists to Maintain Safe Distance When Passing Cyclists | Bill Passed - House (53 - 16) |
| Feb. 16, 2015 | NM | HB 54 | Expands Practice Locations for Anesthesiologist Assistants | Bill Passed - House (38 - 28) |
| Feb. 13, 2015 | KY | HB 145 | Prohibits Smoking in Public Places | Bill Passed - House (51 - 46) |
| Feb. 12, 2015 | CO | SB 77 | Extends Parental Rights in Education and Health Care | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16) |
| Feb. 12, 2015 | NC | SB 20 | Restructures the Motor Fuel Tax Rate and the State Tax Code | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15) |
| Feb. 12, 2015 | NM | HB 32 | Limits Driver's Licenses for Foreign Nationals | Bill Passed - House (39 - 29) |
| Feb. 11, 2015 | WY | SF 145 | Appropriates Funds for Uncompensated Charity Care | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11) |
| Feb. 11, 2015 | ND | HB 1259 | Requires Performance Audits of Certain State Agencies | Bill Failed - House (22 - 67) |
| Feb. 9, 2015 | WY | SF 14 | Amends Property Forfeiture Laws | Bill Passed - House (54 - 6) |
| Feb. 9, 2015 | OK | HB 1948 | Authorizes Monitoring of Prescription Drugs | Bill Passed - House (64 - 30) |
| Feb. 5, 2015 | SD | SB 57 | Authorizes Additional Types of Games in Deadwood City Casinos | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7) |
| Feb. 5, 2015 | AZ | HB 2128 | Exempts Religious Organizations from Certain Property Taxes | Bill Passed - House (33 - 25) |
| Feb. 4, 2015 | MO | HB 259 | Amends Dairy Industry Laws | Bill Passed - House (110 - 49) |
| Jan. 30, 2015 | WY | SF 56 | Appropriates Funds for Study of Public Lands | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4) |
| Jan. 23, 2015 | WY | SF 14 | Amends Property Forfeiture Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 3) |
| Jan. 21, 2015 | WY | HB 18 | Limits the Use of Drones by Law Enforcement Agencies | Bill Passed - House (41 - 19) |
| Jan. 14, 2015 | National | HR 37 | Promoting Job Creation and Reducing Small Business Burdens Act | Bill Passed - House (271 - 154) |
| Dec. 19, 2014 | MI | HB 5477 | Increases Gasoline and Diesel Tax | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 15) |
| Dec. 16, 2014 | MI | HB 6074 | Prohibits Student Athletes from Collective Bargaining | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| 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. 10, 2014 | OH | SB 342 | Prohibits Use of Traffic Cameras to Issue Tickets Unless Officer is Present | Bill Passed - House (58 - 31) |
| Dec. 9, 2014 | MI | HB 6074 | Prohibits Student Athletes from Collective Bargaining | Bill Passed - House (59 - 50) |
| Dec. 4, 2014 | MI | HB 5205 | Defines Solid Waste as a Renewable Energy Resource | Bill Passed - House (63 - 46) |
| Dec. 3, 2014 | MI | SB 1130 | Amends Public Health Code to Include Hepatitis C Virus | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
| Dec. 2, 2014 | MI | SB 1150 | Reduces Maximum Weight Limit of a Vehicle | Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 22) |
| Nov. 19, 2014 | OH | HB 490 | Limits Use of Manure and Fertilizers | Bill Passed - House (73 - 20) |
| Nov. 19, 2014 | OH | SB 342 | Prohibits Use of Traffic Cameras to Issue Tickets unless an Officer is Present | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
| Nov. 19, 2014 | National | HR 4012 | Secret Science Reform Act of 2014 | Bill Passed - House (237 - 190) |
| Nov. 13, 2014 | MI | HB 5477 | Increases Gasoline and Diesel Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| Nov. 13, 2014 | NJ | A 2270 | Authorizes Certain Terminally Ill Individuals to Use Life-Ending Medication | Bill Passed - House (41 - 31) |
| Oct. 16, 2014 | NJ | S 998 | Prohibits Confinement of Pregnant Pigs in Certain Enclosures | Bill Passed - House (53 - 13) |
| Oct. 15, 2014 | PA | HB 1565 | Amends Buffer Zone Requirements around Certain Streams | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (118 - 79) |
| Oct. 14, 2014 | PA | HB 1565 | Amends Buffer Zone Requirements around Certain Streams | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22) |
| Sept. 24, 2014 | PA | SB 1182 | Authorizes Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7) |
| Sept. 23, 2014 | PA | HB 1177 | Authorizes Cigarette Tax | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 11) |
| Sept. 22, 2014 | PA | HB 1177 | Authorizes Cigarette Tax | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (114 - 84) |
| Sept. 18, 2014 | National | H J Res 124 | Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2015 | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (78 - 22) |
| Sept. 18, 2014 | National | H J Res 124 | Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2015 | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (78 - 22) |
| Sept. 17, 2014 | National | H Amdt 1141 | Authorizes Aid to Syrian Opposition | Amendment Adopted - House (273 - 156) |
| Sept. 17, 2014 | National | H J Res 124 | Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2015 | Joint Resolution Passed - House (319 - 108) |
| Sept. 17, 2014 | National | H J Res 124 | Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2015 | Joint Resolution Passed - House (319 - 108) |
| Sept. 10, 2014 | MO | SB 506 | Expands and Establishes Certain Agricultural Programs | Veto Override Failed - House (108 - 52) |
| Sept. 10, 2014 | MO | SB 506 | Expands and Establishes Certain Agricultural Programs | Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 7) |
| Aug. 29, 2014 | CA | SB 1319 | Authorizes Groundwater Sustainability Plan for Certain Water Basins | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 10) |
| Aug. 29, 2014 | CA | AB 1014 | Authorizes Gun Violence Restraining Orders | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 28) |
| Aug. 29, 2014 | CA | AB 1739 | Amends Groundwater Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 28) |
| Aug. 29, 2014 | CA | SB 1168 | Requires Sustainability Plans for Groundwater Usage | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
| Aug. 29, 2014 | CA | SB 1168 | Requires Sustainability Plans for Groundwater Usage | Bill Passed - House (47 - 27) |
| Aug. 29, 2014 | CA | SB 1319 | Authorizes Groundwater Sustainability Plan for Certain Water Basins | Bill Passed - House (48 - 26) |
| Aug. 27, 2014 | CA | AB 1739 | Amends Groundwater Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
| Aug. 27, 2014 | CA | AB 1014 | Authorizes Gun Violence Restraining Orders | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8) |
| Aug. 21, 2014 | CA | SB 968 | Authorizes Public Access Route to Martins Beach | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 9) |
| Aug. 20, 2014 | CA | SB 968 | Authorizes Public Access Route to Martins Beach | Bill Passed - House (42 - 25) |
| Aug. 19, 2014 | CA | AB 2198 | Requires Suicide Prevention Training for Mental Health Professionals | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 13) |
| July 31, 2014 | National | HR 5021 | Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2014 | (81 - 13) |
| July 30, 2014 | NC | HB 1133 | Amends Technical Language in Education, Firearm, and Economic Statutes | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10) |