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 5, 2013 | MD | SB 715 | Amends Driver's License Requirements for Undocumented Individuals | Bill Passed - House (82 - 55) |
| April 3, 2013 | AR | HB 1938 | Prohibits the Closure of Schools Based on Student Enrollment for 2 Years | Bill Failed - House (46 - 26) |
| April 3, 2013 | NH | HB 2 | 2013-2015 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - House (193 - 166) |
| March 28, 2013 | WV | HB 2108 | Classifies The Failure To Wear A Seatbelt As A Primary Offense | Bill Passed - House (55 - 44) |
| March 27, 2013 | NH | HB 617 | Increases Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Tax | Bill Passed - House (206 - 158) |
| March 22, 2013 | ID | S 1117 | Authorizes Permits for Heavy Trucks on Certain Routes | Bill Passed - House (49 - 18) |
| March 22, 2013 | MD | HB 1515 | Increases the Gas Tax | Bill Passed - House (76 - 63) |
| March 22, 2013 | MD | HB 860 | Authorizes Construction and Renovation of Public Schools | Bill Passed - House (107 - 30) |
| March 21, 2013 | OH | HB 51 | Establishes Transportation Appropriations and Highway Speed Limit | Conference Report Adopted - House (63 - 28) |
| March 21, 2013 | IL | SB 9 | Increases Utility Rates | Bill Passed - House (86 - 28) |
| March 21, 2013 | MD | HB 753 | Classifies Cell Phone Use While Driving as a Primary Offense | Bill Passed - House (106 - 29) |
| March 13, 2013 | UT | HB 96 | Extends Tax Credits for Certain Vehicles | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 12) |
| March 11, 2013 | KS | HB 2234 | Specifies Contract Powers of the Kansas Secretary of Transportation and the Kansas Turnpike Authority | Bill Passed - House (81 - 41) |
| March 4, 2013 | SD | SB 106 | Prohibits Minors from Using a Cell Phone While Driving | Bill Passed - House (43 - 23) |
| March 1, 2013 | IL | HB 1247 | Prohibits Using a Hand-Held Cell Phone While Driving | Bill Passed - House (64 - 46) |
| Feb. 28, 2013 | TN | SB 142 | Authorizes Handguns in Parking Areas | Bill Passed - House (72 - 22) |
| Feb. 25, 2013 | UT | HB 103 | Prohibits Minors From Using Cell Phones While Driving | Bill Passed - House (48 - 22) |
| Feb. 25, 2013 | IN | HB 1011 | Authorizes a Metropolitan Transit District | Bill Passed - House (56 - 39) |
| Feb. 22, 2013 | VA | HB 2313 | Repeals the Retail Gas Tax and Establishes a Wholesale Gas Tax | Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 40) |
| Feb. 11, 2013 | UT | HB 13 | Prohibits Smoking in a Vehicle with Minors Present | Bill Passed - House (41 - 30) |
| Feb. 4, 2013 | UT | HB 34 | Authorizes "In God We Trust" on License Plates | Bill Passed - House (64 - 9) |
| Jan. 15, 2013 | National | HR 152 | Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2013 | Bill Passed - House (241 - 180) |
| Jan. 8, 2013 | IL | SB 957 | Authorizes Temporary Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (65 - 46) |
| Dec. 14, 2012 | MI | SB 756 | Prohibits Teens from Using Cell Phones While Driving | Bill Passed - House (74 - 33) |
| Dec. 13, 2012 | OH | HB 495 | Amends Definition of Loaded Gun | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 23) |
| Oct. 18, 2012 | NJ | A 1711 | Increases Penalties for Failing to Secure a Child in a Car Seat | Bill Passed - House (63 - 16) |
| Oct. 18, 2012 | NJ | A 2641 | Stormwater Management | Bill Passed - House (48 - 31) |
| Oct. 3, 2012 | PA | SB 1480 | 2012-2013 Supplemental Capital Budget | Bill Passed - House (142 - 55) |
| Oct. 3, 2012 | PA | SB 1480 | 2012-2013 Supplemental Capital Budget | Bill Passed - House (142 - 55) |
| Aug. 30, 2012 | CA | AB 2189 | Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Certain Individuals Ineligible for a Social Security Number | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 21) |
| July 5, 2012 | CA | SB 1029 | Authorizes the Sale of State Bonds for a High-Speed Rail | Bill Passed - House (52 - 28) |
| June 30, 2012 | PA | HB 254 | Expands Use of Red-Light Cameras | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (113 - 72) |
| June 30, 2012 | PA | HB 3 | Authorizes Public-Private Partnerships for Transportation Projects | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (117 - 79) |
| June 21, 2012 | NJ | A 1571 | Increases Requirements for Learner's Permits | Bill Passed - House (50 - 27) |
| June 18, 2012 | PA | HB 1521 | Prohibits Hidden Compartments in Vehicles | Bill Passed - House (114 - 83) |
| June 13, 2012 | OH | HB 495 | Amends Definition of Loaded Gun | Bill Passed - House (59 - 28) |
| June 11, 2012 | RI | H 7782 | Regulates Auto Insurance Company Claims and Practices | Bill Passed - House (38 - 20) |
| May 31, 2012 | IL | SB 1566 | Increases License Plate Fees | Bill Passed - House (61 - 56) |
| May 29, 2012 | CA | AB 1534 | Requires Buy-Here-Pay-Here Dealers to Label Used Vehicles | Bill Passed - House (42 - 32) |
| May 29, 2012 | CA | AB 1447 | Requires Buy-Here-Pay-Here Car Sellers to Provide a Limited Warranty | Bill Passed - House (49 - 25) |
| May 15, 2012 | OH | HB 99 | Prohibits Texting While Driving | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 12) |
| May 15, 2012 | CO | HB 1005 | Establishes Limits for Driving Under the Influence of Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (38 - 24) |
| May 8, 2012 | MN | HF 1752 | Authorizes Bonds for Construction Works | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (97 - 33) |
| May 8, 2012 | MN | HF 1752 | Authorizes Bonds for Construction Works | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (97 - 33) |
| May 7, 2012 | MN | HF 1752 | Authorizes Bonds for Construction Works | Bill Passed - House (99 - 32) |
| May 7, 2012 | MN | HF 1752 | Authorizes Bonds for Construction Works | Bill Passed - House (99 - 32) |
| May 2, 2012 | LA | HB 695 | Prohibits the Use of Phones While Driving | Bill Passed - House (68 - 29) |
| April 30, 2012 | CA | AB 1960 | Requires the Department of Transportation to Include Sexual Orientation Reported by Business Owners | Bill Passed - House (48 - 25) |
| April 26, 2012 | CA | AB 2405 | Authorizes Low-Emission Vehicles to Use HOV Lanes | Bill Passed - House (49 - 25) |
| April 18, 2012 | National | HR 4348 | Extension of Surface Transportation Funding and Approval of the Keystone XL Pipeline | Bill Passed - House (293 - 127) |
| April 16, 2012 | OK | HB 2296 | Limits Certain Civil Liability for Mobile Home Park Operators | Bill Tabled - House (43 - 36) |
| April 10, 2012 | AK | HB 255 | Prohibits Texting While Driving | Bill Passed - House (34 - 5) |
| April 6, 2012 | MD | SB 236 | Septic System Installation Requirements | Bill Passed - House (93 - 45) |
| April 3, 2012 | IA | HF 2450 | Prohibits the Use of Traffic Cameras | Bill Passed - House (58 - 42) |
| March 20, 2012 | ID | S 1274 | Prohibits Texting While Driving | Bill Passed - House (53 - 17) |
| March 20, 2012 | KY | SB 89 | Requires Seat Belts in Passenger Vans | Bill Passed - House (61 - 33) |
| March 15, 2012 | ID | H 619 | Prohibits Speed Limit Regulation by Local Authorities | Bill Passed - House (56 - 10) |
| March 15, 2012 | ID | H 542 | Prohibits the State from Limiting the Use of Motorized Vehicles on Public Land | Bill Passed - House (48 - 21) |
| March 12, 2012 | ME | LD 1603 | Authorizes State Employees to Keep Concealed Firearms in Vehicles | Bill Passed - House (84 - 55) |
| March 5, 2012 | WA | SB 6455 | Increases Transportation Fees | Bill Passed - House (55 - 41) |
| March 5, 2012 | AZ | HB 2125 | Prohibits Texting While Driving | Bill Passed - House (45 - 15) |
| March 2, 2012 | UT | HB 298 | Amends Motor Vehicle Safety Inspection Regulations | Bill Passed - House (52 - 18) |
| March 1, 2012 | AZ | HB 2154 | Requires Car Seats for Certain Children | Bill Passed - House (38 - 17) |
| Feb. 29, 2012 | AZ | HB 2757 | Authorizes Electronic Billboards | Bill Passed - House (34 - 20) |
| Feb. 24, 2012 | UT | HB 104 | Prohibits Local Ordinances Against Idling Vehicles | Bill Passed - House (42 - 28) |
| Feb. 23, 2012 | UT | HB 140 | Prohibits Traffic Checkpoints | Bill Passed - House (41 - 33) |
| Feb. 20, 2012 | OR | HB 4090 | Reducing Restrictions on Urban Development | Bill Passed - House (31 - 29) |
| Feb. 15, 2012 | FL | HB 7087 | Increases Certain Business Tax Credits and Sales Tax Exemptions | Bill Passed - House (92 - 22) |
| Feb. 8, 2012 | NM | HB 103 | Increasing Regulation of Driver's Licenses Issued to Foreign Nationals | Bill Passed - House (45 - 25) |
| Feb. 3, 2012 | National | HR 658 | Federal Aviation Administration Act of 2012 | Conference Report Adopted - House (248 - 169) |
| Jan. 5, 2012 | NH | HB 194 | Authorizes Loaded Rifles and Shotguns in Vehicles | Bill Passed - House (204 - 110) |
| Jan. 5, 2012 | NH | HB 628 | Recording and Tracking Complaints of Abuse by Transportation Security Agents | Bill Passed - House (188 - 136) |
| Nov. 29, 2011 | NC | HB 645 | Temporary Fuel Tax Cap | Bill Passed - House (94 - 23) |
| Nov. 17, 2011 | National | HR 2112 | Appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, and the Food and Drug Administration | Conference Report Adopted - House (298 - 121) |
| Nov. 9, 2011 | IL | SB 965 | Authorizing Speed Cameras in Certain Cities | Bill Passed - House (64 - 50) |
| Nov. 2, 2011 | MI | SB 291 | Repeals Motorcycle Helmet Law | Bill Passed - House (69 - 39) |
| Sept. 9, 2011 | CA | AB 1424 | Suspending the Licenses of Delinquent Taxpayers | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 27) |
| Sept. 2, 2011 | CA | AB 353 | DUI Inspection Checkpoints and Unlicensed Drivers | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 12) |
| July 20, 2011 | National | HR 2553 | Airport and Airway Extension Act | Bill Passed - House (243 - 177) |
| June 30, 2011 | DE | HB 95 | Motorcycle Helmet Requirement | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (28 - 11) |
| June 29, 2011 | TX | SB 29 | Restricts Certain Types of Touching During Searches by Government Officials | Motion Rejected - House (96 - 26) |
| June 9, 2011 | LA | HB 338 | Prohibits Handheld Cellular Devices While Driving | Bill Failed - House (33 - 55) |
| June 2, 2011 | National | H Amdt 406 | Transportation Security Administration Appropriations | Amendment Adopted - House (219 - 204) |
| June 2, 2011 | National | H Amdt 398 | Prohibiting the Use of Funds for Transportation Security Administration Collective Bargaining | Amendment Adopted - House (218 - 205) |
| May 30, 2011 | IL | SB 1652 | Smart Grid Technology | Bill Passed - House (67 - 47) |
| May 30, 2011 | NV | SB 140 | Prohibiting the Use of Cellular Devices While Driving | Bill Passed - House (24 - 17) |
| May 29, 2011 | TX | HB 242 | Prohibits Texting While Driving | Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 61) |
| May 28, 2011 | IL | HB 1091 | Public-Private Transportation Partnership | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 40) |
| May 16, 2011 | CA | AB 144 | Concealed Weapons Bill | Bill Passed - House (46 - 29) |
| May 6, 2011 | UT | SB 229 | Transportation Funding Revisions | Veto Override Passed - House (50 - 18) |
| May 5, 2011 | NC | HB 129 | Regulates Competition Between Local Government and Private Business | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 32) |
| May 4, 2011 | LA | HB 52 | Increasing New Orleans Traffic Court Costs | Bill Failed - House (49 - 22) |
| April 27, 2011 | NH | SB 78 | Gas Tax Reduction | Bill Passed - House (208 - 98) |
| April 25, 2011 | LA | HB 338 | Prohibits Handheld Cellular Devices While Driving | |
| April 18, 2011 | AZ | SB 1402 | Special License Plates | Bill Passed - House (31 - 28) |
| April 15, 2011 | IN | SB 473 | Toll Way Projects | Bill Passed - House (73 - 19) |
| April 15, 2011 | WA | HB 1382 | Express Toll Lanes in the Eastside Corridor | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 44) |
| April 5, 2011 | IN | SB 47 | Gambling Expansion | Bill Passed - House (58 - 41) |
| April 4, 2011 | NY | A 4578 | Authorizing an Intercity Bus Permit System | Bill Passed - House (92 - 46) |
| April 1, 2011 | National | H Amdt 232 | Amending FAA Rulemaking Activities | Amendment Adopted - House (215 - 209) |