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 4, 2016 | TN | HB 1416 | Prohibits Driving in Left Lane without Passing Other Vehicles | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7) |
| March 29, 2016 | LA | SB 227 | Authorizes REAL ID Driver's Licenses | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7) |
| March 22, 2016 | KY | SB 245 | Authorizes State to Issue Real ID Compliant Identification Documents | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
| March 10, 2016 | UT | SB 115 | Amends Regulations Regarding Public Electricity | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 8) |
| March 9, 2016 | SC | H 3579 | Appropriates Funds for Highways | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 15) |
| March 9, 2016 | SC | H 3579 | Appropriates Funds for Highways | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 15) |
| March 3, 2016 | WY | SF 72 | Increases the Speed Limit on State Highways | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 4) |
| Feb. 29, 2016 | GA | SB 6 | Establishes Driving Safety Cards for Certain Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17) |
| Feb. 15, 2016 | AZ | SB 1241 | Prohibits Photo Enforcement System | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12) |
| Feb. 11, 2016 | RI | H 7409 | Establishes Highway Truck Tolls | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
| Feb. 4, 2016 | National | S 2012 | Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015 | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (43 - 54) |
| Feb. 2, 2016 | VA | SB 117 | Prohibits Opening Car Door in Traffic Lane | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
| Jan. 20, 2016 | MI | SB 207 | Authorizes Peace Officers to Conduct Roadside Saliva Drug Test | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9) |
| July 30, 2015 | National | HR 22 | Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act | Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 34) |
| July 30, 2015 | National | HR 22 | Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act | Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 34) |
| June 23, 2015 | NC | HB 148 | Requires Auto Insurance for Moped Operators | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 8) |
| June 23, 2015 | RI | S 997 | Establishes a Toll for Large Commercial Trucks | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 4) |
| June 23, 2015 | RI | S 997 | Establishes a Toll for Large Commercial Trucks | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 4) |
| June 19, 2015 | CA | SB 88 | Amends Water Use Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| May 5, 2015 | KS | SB 117 | Requires Insurance Coverage for Transportation Network Companies | Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 5) |
| May 5, 2015 | HI | HB 134 | Authorizes Rail Tax | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 4) |
| April 29, 2015 | IN | HB 1305 | Amends Exisitng Law Relating to Motor Vehicles | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 20) |
| April 27, 2015 | MN | HF 4 | 2015-2017 Biennium Transportation Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 27) |
| April 27, 2015 | TX | SB 900 | Amends Texas Windstorm Insurance Association | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7) |
| April 23, 2015 | FL | SB 1298 | Expands Insurance Requirements for Short-Term Rental Companies | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12) |
| April 23, 2015 | OR | SB 694 | Authorizes Motorcycles to Travel Between Traffic Lanes | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10) |
| April 22, 2015 | ND | SB 2304 | Appropriates Funds for New Governor's Residence | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 19) |
| April 16, 2015 | MI | SB 248 | Amends Automobile Insurance Law | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
| April 15, 2015 | OK | HB 1614 | Establishes Regulations for Transportation Network Company Services | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11) |
| April 15, 2015 | TN | SB 177 | Increases Fines for Failure to Wear a Seat Belt | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| April 15, 2015 | NV | SB 439 | Establishes Regulations for Transportation Network Companies | Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 10) |
| April 13, 2015 | NE | LB 610 | Increases Gas Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 15) |
| April 10, 2015 | ID | H 312 | Increases Gas Tax and Vehicle Registration Fees | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 9) |
| April 7, 2015 | ID | H 312 | Increases Gax Tax and Vehicle Registration Fees | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13) |
| April 2, 2015 | GA | HB 202 | Establishes Vehicle Manufacturer Headquarter License Plates | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 22) |
| March 18, 2015 | MI | SB 84 | Authorizes "Choose Life" License Plates | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
| March 17, 2015 | AL | SB 4 | Requires Vehicles to Maintain Certain Distance From Bicycles | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 11) |
| March 16, 2015 | NJ | S 2181 | Increases Oversight of the Port Authority | Veto Override Failed - Senate (25 - 14) |
| March 13, 2015 | SD | SB 1 | Increases Speed Limit | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 9) |
| March 12, 2015 | UT | HB 362 | Amends Motor Fuel Tax | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 8) |
| March 12, 2015 | ID | S 1108 | Authorizes Testing Autonomous Driven Vehicles | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| March 10, 2015 | UT | HB 79 | Amends Safety Belt Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11) |
| March 3, 2015 | SD | HB 1030 | Requires Motorists to Maintain Safe Distance When Passing Cyclists | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7) |
| March 2, 2015 | WA | SB 5987 | Increases Gas Tax and Amends Transportation Funding | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22) |
| Feb. 24, 2015 | IA | SF 257 | Increases Fuel Taxes | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21) |
| Feb. 23, 2015 | AZ | SB 1167 | Prohibits the Use of Photo Radar and Red Light Cameras | Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 15) |
| Feb. 16, 2015 | NV | SB 119 | Exempts Schools from Paying Prevailing Wages | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9) |
| Feb. 12, 2015 | NC | SB 20 | Restructures the Motor Fuel Tax Rate and the State Tax Code | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15) |
| Feb. 5, 2015 | IL | SB 11 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 18) |
| Dec. 19, 2014 | MI | HB 5477 | Increases Gasoline and Diesel Tax | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 15) |
| 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. 4, 2014 | MI | SB 247 | Authorizes the Sale of Alcohol until 4 a.m. | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14) |
| Dec. 2, 2014 | MI | SB 1150 | Reduces Maximum Weight Limit of a Vehicle | Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 22) |
| 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. 13, 2014 | MI | HB 5477 | Increases Gasoline and Diesel Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| Oct. 14, 2014 | PA | HB 1565 | Amends Buffer Zone Requirements around Certain Streams | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22) |
| Aug. 29, 2014 | CA | SB 1168 | Requires Sustainability Plans for Groundwater Usage | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
| Aug. 29, 2014 | CA | SB 1319 | Authorizes Groundwater Sustainability Plan for Certain Water Basins | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 10) |
| July 31, 2014 | National | HR 5021 | Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2014 | (81 - 13) |
| July 29, 2014 | National | HR 5021 | Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2014 | Bill Passed - Senate (79 - 18) |
| July 29, 2014 | National | S Amdt 3584 | Transportation Empowerment Act | Amendment Rejected - Senate (28 - 69) |
| July 29, 2014 | National | S Amdt 3583 | Appropriates Funds to the Highway Trust Fund | Amendment Adopted - Senate (66 - 31) |
| July 29, 2014 | National | S Amdt 3585 | Exempts Infrastructure Damaged by Natural Disasters from Environmental Reviews | Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 50) |
| June 12, 2014 | MI | HB 5477 | Increases Gasoline and Diesel Tax | Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 20) |
| May 28, 2014 | CA | SB 1319 | Expands Prevention and Response Programs for Oil Spills | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| May 21, 2014 | LA | HB 1091 | Prohibits the Transportation of Dogs in the Bed of a Pickup Truck on Interstates | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7) |
| May 15, 2014 | IL | HB 4075 | Establishes Standards for Ridesharing Companies | Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 8) |
| May 12, 2014 | NJ | A 2777 | Amends Firearm Transportation Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
| May 1, 2014 | RI | H 7944A | Authorizes State Fiscal Oversight of Certain Fire Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5) |
| April 30, 2014 | NY | A 9206 | Authorizes Traffic Cameras on Long Island | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 11) |
| April 29, 2014 | MO | HJR 68 | Increases Sales Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10) |
| April 25, 2014 | AK | HB 23 | Establishes Funding for the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority (KABATA) | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 4) |
| April 25, 2014 | AK | HB 23 | Establishes Funding for the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority (KABATA) | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 4) |
| April 24, 2014 | FL | SB 392 | Increases the Speed Limit on Certain Highways | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
| April 22, 2014 | AZ | HB 2262 | Establishes Regulatory Framework for Rideshare Companies | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8) |
| April 12, 2014 | AK | HB 23 | Establishes Funding for the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority (KABATA) | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 4) |
| April 12, 2014 | AK | HB 23 | Establishes Funding for the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority (KABATA) | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 4) |
| April 10, 2014 | NE | LB 1092 | Authorizes Highway Commission to Issue Bonds | Bill Failed - Senate (27 - 16) |
| March 27, 2014 | NH | SB 367 | Amends Gas Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 9) |
| March 25, 2014 | KS | HB 2014 | Repeals the Kansas Renewable Energy Standards Act | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15) |
| March 19, 2014 | AL | SB 354 | Authorizes Individuals Without Concealed Carry Licenses to Carry Firearms in Vehicles | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7) |
| March 13, 2014 | IN | SB 176 | Authorizes Funding for a Mass Transit System | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 16) |
| March 13, 2014 | SD | HB 1177 | Prohibits Texting While Driving on a Highway | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 7) |
| March 12, 2014 | OK | SB 1440 | Prohibits Development of Certain Wind Energy Facilities | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8) |
| March 10, 2014 | UT | SB 253 | Prohibits Texting While Driving on a Highway | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 8) |
| March 4, 2014 | UT | HB 20 | Expands Protections for Police Officers in Lawsuits | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 13) |
| Feb. 28, 2014 | AK | HB 1 | Requires Certain Drivers Licenses to Expire Pursuant to their Visa | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 4) |
| Feb. 11, 2014 | NE | LB 393 | Repeals Motorcycle Helmet Law | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (25 - 22) |
| Feb. 4, 2014 | NE | LB 399 | Authorizes Crime Prevention Vehicles to Use Amber Lights | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (32 - 12) |
| Feb. 4, 2014 | IN | SB 176 | Authorizes Funding for a Mass Transit System | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20) |
| Sept. 12, 2013 | CA | SB 359 | Appropriates Funds for Hybrid and Zero Emission Vehicle Use | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 10) |
| Sept. 12, 2013 | CA | AB 60 | Authorizes Driver's License for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8) |
| July 23, 2013 | NC | HB 937 | Amends Firearm Laws | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 14) |
| July 18, 2013 | NC | SB 81 | Establishes the Charlotte International Airport Authority | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 14) |
| July 7, 2013 | OR | HB 3521 | Requires Voter Registration Agencies to Provide Records for Automatic Registration | Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 16) |
| July 7, 2013 | OR | SB 9 | Increases Fines for Texting or Talking While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7) |
| May 29, 2013 | CT | HB 6495 | Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| May 23, 2013 | IL | HB 1247 | Prohibits Using a Hand-Held Cell Phone While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 20) |
| May 21, 2013 | IL | SB 9 | Increases Utility Rates | Veto Override Passed - Senate (44 - 11) |
| May 14, 2013 | MO | HB 533 | Authorizes State Employees to Keep Firearms in Vehicles | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |