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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 17, 2017 | RI | H 5457A | Requires Parents to Take Course in Driver's Education | Bill Passed - House (59 - 11) |
| May 17, 2017 | NY | A 516 | Expands Cigarette Legislation to Apply to Electronic Cigarette | Bill Passed - House (92 - 36) |
| May 15, 2017 | LA | HB 71 | Prohibits Removal of Public Military Memorials | Bill Passed - House (65 - 31) |
| May 15, 2017 | AK | HB 132 | Authorizes Operation of Ridesharing Services | Bill Passed - House (35 - 5) |
| May 11, 2017 | TX | HB 39 | Prohibits Vaccination of New Foster Children | Bill Passed - House (132 - 11) |
| May 10, 2017 | SC | H 3864 | Amends Restrictions on Children's Car Seats | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 24) |
| May 9, 2017 | CO | HB 1375 | Requires School Districts to Develop a Plan to Equitably Distribute Funds | Bill Passed - House (65 - 0) |
| May 8, 2017 | AZ | SB 1384 | Prohibits Censorship of Student Media | Bill Passed - House (41 - 19) |
| May 6, 2017 | TX | HB 2466 | Expands Healthcare to Cover Postpartum Depression | Bill Passed - House (135 - 7) |
| May 2, 2017 | VT | S 16 | Authorizes Medical Marijuana to Treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder | Bill Passed - House (130 - 16) |
| May 2, 2017 | MI | HB 4215 | Amends Regulations of Unattended Running Vehicles | Bill Passed - House (77 - 30) |
| May 1, 2017 | OR | HB 2597 | Increases Penalties for Distracted Driving | Bill Passed - House (46 - 13) |
| April 28, 2017 | FL | HB 425 | Prohibits City and County Governments from Regulating Short-Term Rental Homes | Bill Passed - House (63 - 56) |
| April 27, 2017 | IN | SB 309 | Amends Payback Rate for Excess Solar Energy | Bill Passed - House (56 - 43) |
| April 27, 2017 | AL | SB 60 | Prohibits Alteration or Removal of Historic Markers | Bill Passed - House (72 - 29) |
| April 27, 2017 | NC | HB 330 | Limits Liability for Motorists Involved in Accidents with Protesters | Bill Passed - House (67 - 48) |
| April 27, 2017 | MO | HB 608 | Prohibits Local Governments from Prohibiting Residential Dwelling Rentals | Bill Passed - House (90 - 49) |
| April 26, 2017 | IL | HB 2977 | Requires Public Schools to Provide Cursive Writing Courses | Bill Passed - House (67 - 48) |
| April 25, 2017 | HI | HB 1418 | Amends Building Code Exemptions to Comply with Federal Requirements | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 0) |
| April 25, 2017 | MT | SB 366 | Establishes Real-ID Compliance | Bill Passed - House (83 - 17) |
| April 25, 2017 | NV | AB 249 | Requires Insurance Coverage for 12-Month Refills of Contraceptive Drugs | Bill Passed - House (40 - 2) |
| April 25, 2017 | PA | HB 97 | Prohibits Failing Students from Continuing Online Charter School | Bill Passed - House (108 - 84) |
| April 25, 2017 | IL | HB 40 | Amends Restrictions on Publicly Funded Abortions | Bill Passed - House (62 - 55) |
| April 22, 2017 | MT | HB 473 | Increases Taxes on Gasoline and Diesel Fuels | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 43) |
| April 22, 2017 | IA | HF 524 | Authorizes the Use of Medical Marijuana | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (83 - 11) |
| April 20, 2017 | FL | HB 743 | Prohibits Anabolic Steroids in Greyhounds | Bill Passed - House (84 - 32) |
| April 20, 2017 | FL | HB 989 | Authorizes Parents to Object to Instructional Material | Bill Passed - House (94 - 25) |
| April 19, 2017 | IN | HB 1133 | Prohibits Local Governments from Regulating Short-Term Rentals | Concurrence Vote Failed - House (50 - 46) |
| April 19, 2017 | IA | HF 653 | Reduces Government Fund Allocations to Planned Parenthood | Bill Passed - House (55 - 42) |
| April 19, 2017 | WA | HB 2200 | Strengthens Privacy of Internet Users | Bill Passed - House (87 - 10) |
| April 13, 2017 | ME | LD 12 | Establishes Protections for Living Organ Donors | Veto Override Passed - House (146 - 0) |
| April 13, 2017 | FL | HB 5105 | Implements School Improvement and Education Accountability | Bill Passed - House (77 - 40) |
| April 13, 2017 | FL | HB 7069 | Establishes New Eligibility Criteria for Teacher Scholarships | Bill Passed - House (79 - 38) |
| April 13, 2017 | TN | HB 531 | Provides Free Commmunity College Education to Adults | Bill Passed - House (87 - 6) |
| April 11, 2017 | ME | LD 306 | Authorizes Issuance of REAL ID Compliant Licenses | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (115 - 30) |
| April 11, 2017 | HI | SB 501 | Requires Certain Disclosures from Limited Service Pregnancy Centers | (41 - 10) |
| April 11, 2017 | MT | SB 299 | Requires Public Disclosure of Fracking Chemicals | Bill Passed - House (65 - 65) |
| April 10, 2017 | NC | H 467 | Limits Penalties for Agricultural Operations | Bill Passed - House (68 - 47) |
| April 6, 2017 | CA | SB 1 | Increases Gas and Vehicle Taxes to Pay for Road and Bridge Repairs | Bill Passed - House (54 - 26) |
| April 5, 2017 | HI | SB 1183 | Authorizes Use of Property Taxes to Fund Rail Project | Bill Passed - House (11 - 6) |
| April 5, 2017 | FL | HB 7037 | Amends Casino and Gaming Laws | Bill Passed - House (73 - 40) |
| April 5, 2017 | FL | HB 7037 | Amends Casino and Gaming Laws | Bill Passed - House (73 - 40) |
| April 5, 2017 | FL | HB 969 | Provides Pregnancy Support and Wellness Services | Bill Passed - House (79 - 38) |
| April 4, 2017 | PA | HB 271 | Establishes Internet Gambling Regulations | Bill Passed - House (142 - 56) |
| April 4, 2017 | OR | HB 2004 | Prohibits Landlords from Evicting a Tenant without Cause | Bill Passed - House (31 - 27) |
| April 4, 2017 | SC | H 3864 | Amends Restrictions on Children's Car Seats | Bill Passed - House (75 - 28) |
| April 4, 2017 | SC | H 3809 | Requires Coverage for 12-Month Refills of Contraceptive Drugs | Bill Passed - House (64 - 38) |
| April 3, 2017 | MO | HB 275 | Prohibits Use of Red-Light Cameras for Issuing Traffic Tickets | Bill Passed - House (125 - 30) |
| April 3, 2017 | MO | HB 90 | Establishes Prescription Drug Monitoring Program | Bill Passed - House (102 - 54) |
| March 31, 2017 | MN | HF 890 | Authorizes Education Funding | Bill Passed - House (75 - 54) |
| March 30, 2017 | OH | HB 114 | Revises Energy Efficiency Provisions | Bill Passed - House (65 - 31) |
| March 29, 2017 | AZ | SB 1367 | Requires Physicians to Attempt to Revive Viable Fetus After Abortion | Bill Passed - House (34 - 22) |
| March 29, 2017 | MT | HB 473 | Increases Taxes on Gasoline and Diesel Fuels | Bill Passed - House (54 - 46) |
| March 28, 2017 | MS | HB 1090 | Authorizes Private Contractor to Audit Medicaid | Conference Report Adopted - House (67 - 48) |
| March 26, 2017 | NC | HB 174 | Authorizes Concealed Handguns at Certain Church Services | Bill Passed - House (82 - 34) |
| March 23, 2017 | FL | HB 7007 | Authorizes Health Insurance and Retirement Benefits | Bill Passed - House (77 - 37) |
| March 22, 2017 | IA | SF 447 | Limits Nuisance Damages Against Livestock Farmers | Bill Passed - House (60 - 39) |
| March 21, 2017 | IA | HF 524 | Authorizes the Use of Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (96 - 0) |
| March 21, 2017 | OK | HB 1549 | Prohibits Abortions Based on Genetic Abnormalities | Bill Passed - House (67 - 16) |
| March 20, 2017 | CA | AB 18 | Authorizes a Ballot Measure to Appropriate $3 Billion to State Parks | Bill Passed - House (59 - 19) |
| March 17, 2017 | NM | HB 241 | Establishes New Standards of Evaluation for Teachers | Veto Override Failed - House (36 - 31) |
| March 17, 2017 | NM | SB 374 | Prohibits Public Shaming of Students Who Can't Pay for Lunch | Bill Passed - House (60 - 0) |
| March 15, 2017 | KY | HB 520 | Authorizes Charter Schools to Operate in Kentucky | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 43) |
| March 15, 2017 | NM | SB 121 | Prohibits Conversion Therapy | Bill Passed - House (44 - 23) |
| March 13, 2017 | MN | HF 5 | Establishes a Health Insurance Cost-Sharing Program | Bill Passed - House (78 - 53) |
| March 7, 2017 | HI | HB 2 | Authorizes Tiny Houses for Farm Workers | Bill Passed - House (41 - 10) |
| March 3, 2017 | KY | HB 520 | Authorizes Charter Schools to Operate in Kentucky | Bill Passed - House (56 - 39) |
| March 1, 2017 | SC | H 3516 | Increases Gas Taxes and Fees to Improve Infrastructure | Bill Passed - House (97 - 18) |
| Feb. 8, 2017 | MS | HB 1090 | Authorizes Private Contractor to Audit Medicaid | Bill Passed - House (77 - 45) |
| Feb. 6, 2017 | IA | SF 166 | Authorizes School Funding Increase of 1.11 Percent | Bill Passed - House (55 - 40) |
| Feb. 6, 2017 | ND | HB 1329 | Prohibits Safe Spaces at Public Universities | Bill Passed - House (65 - 25) |
| Feb. 6, 2017 | ND | HB 1193 | Classifies Economic Harm as a Class C Felony | Bill Passed - House (72 - 19) |
| Jan. 31, 2017 | MD | HB 1106 | Increases Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards | Veto Override Passed - House (88 - 51) |
| Jan. 24, 2017 | VA | HB 1578 | Authorizes Home-schooled Students to Participate in Public School Sports | Bill Passed - House (60 - 38) |
| Oct. 20, 2016 | NJ | A 2451 | Authorizes Physicians to Prescribe Aid-in-Dying Drugs | Bill Passed - House (41 - 29) |
| Oct. 7, 2016 | NJ | A 12 | Restructures Certain State Taxes | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 27) |
| Sept. 28, 2016 | National | HR 5325 | Continuing Appropriations and Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017, and Zika Response and Preparedness Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (342 - 85) |
| Sept. 15, 2016 | National | HR 5351 | To Prohibit the Transfer of Any Individual Detained at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba | Bill Passed - House (244 - 174) |
| Sept. 14, 2016 | MO | HB 1414 | Establishes Regulations for the Release of Certain Agricultural Data | Veto Override Passed - House (111 - 46) |
| Sept. 14, 2016 | MO | SB 641 | Establishes Income Tax Deduction for Agricultural Disaster Aid Payments | Veto Override Passed - House (112 - 38) |
| Aug. 31, 2016 | CA | AB 1889 | Appropriates Funds for High-Speed Rail Project | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 30) |
| Aug. 31, 2016 | CA | AB 1671 | Prohibits Unauthorized Disclosure of Confidential Communications with Healthcare Providers | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 26) |
| Aug. 31, 2016 | CA | SB 859 | Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emission Levels | Bill Passed - House (51 - 20) |
| Aug. 29, 2016 | CA | AB 1066 | Requires Overtime Pay for Farmworkers | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 32) |
| Aug. 29, 2016 | CA | SB 1069 | Amends Requirements for Accessory Dwelling Units | Bill Passed - House (55 - 23) |
| Aug. 23, 2016 | CA | AB 1785 | Prohibits Use of Handheld Electronic Devices While Driving | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 20) |
| Aug. 23, 2016 | CA | AB 1887 | Prohibits State-Funded Travel to Certain States | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 21) |
| Aug. 22, 2016 | CA | SB 1150 | Authorizes Heirs to Receive Home Loan Information | Bill Passed - House (49 - 26) |
| June 27, 2016 | NJ | A 12 | Restructures Certain State Taxes | Bill Passed - House (53 - 23) |
| June 23, 2016 | National | HR 2577 | Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017 | Conference Report Adopted - House (239 - 171) |
| June 23, 2016 | National | HR 2577 | Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017 | Conference Report Adopted - House (239 - 171) |
| June 18, 2016 | RI | S 2864 | Establishes Regulations for Rideshare Companies | Bill Passed - House (53 - 6) |
| June 16, 2016 | NC | HB 1047 | Requires Lottery Commission to Report Winner Information to Social Services | Bill Passed - House (74 - 39) |
| June 15, 2016 | SC | H 3440 | Requires Certain Safety Regulations to Operate a Moped | Veto Override Passed - House (69 - 33) |
| June 9, 2016 | National | HR 5278 | Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA) | Bill Passed - House (297 - 127) |
| June 7, 2016 | RI | H 8240 | Requires Referendum for Power Plant Tax Agreement | Bill Passed - House (64 - 7) |
| June 2, 2016 | NC | HB 954 | Repeals Interstate 77 Toll Contract | Bill Passed - House (81 - 27) |
| June 2, 2016 | CA | AB 2757 | Requires Overtime Pay for Farmworkers | Bill Failed - House (38 - 35) |
| May 24, 2016 | National | HR 897 | Zika Vector Control Act | Bill Passed - House (258 - 156) |
| May 19, 2016 | National | H Amdt 1079 | Prohibits Use of Funds for Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity | Amendment Rejected - House (212 - 213) |