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 25, 2006 | OK | HCS HB 2615 | "Stand Your Ground Law" | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 5) |
| April 25, 2006 | OK | HCS HB 2615 | "Stand Your Ground Law" | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 5) |
| April 20, 2006 | CO | SB 81 | Employment Nondiscrimination Expansion Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14) |
| April 20, 2006 | MN | SF 1070 | Seat Belt Law | Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 20) |
| April 17, 2006 | AZ | HB 2696 | Adoption Preference for Married Couples | Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 13) |
| April 13, 2006 | AZ | SB 1444 | Sentencing; Third Felony Offenses | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 8) |
| April 12, 2006 | AZ | SB 1157 | Trespassing by Undocumented Immigrants | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 12) |
| April 12, 2006 | AZ | SB 1157 | Trespassing by Undocumented Immigrants | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 12) |
| April 11, 2006 | AZ | HB 2649 | Firearms; Possession; Storage | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8) |
| April 11, 2006 | AZ | HB 2142 | Human Eggs; Sale; Prohibition | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
| April 6, 2006 | NH | HB 1177 | Smoking Ban | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (12 - 11) |
| April 4, 2006 | AZ | HB 2074 | Concealed Weapons; Training Requirement; Renewal | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7) |
| March 30, 2006 | NE | LB 454 | Concealed Handgun Permit Act | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12) |
| March 29, 2006 | OH | Am Sub SB 17 | Child Abuse Reporting Requirements and Statute of Limitations Regarding Religious Figures | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 13) |
| March 28, 2006 | SC | Amdt 2B | Sex Offenders Penalties Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (34 - 4) |
| March 28, 2006 | ID | H 630 | School Grounds - Violence | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4) |
| March 28, 2006 | ID | H 630 | School Grounds - Violence | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4) |
| March 28, 2006 | MD | SB 539 | Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 25) |
| March 28, 2006 | MD | SB 539 | Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 25) |
| March 27, 2006 | MD | SB 539 | Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill | Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 22) |
| March 27, 2006 | MD | SB 539 | Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill | Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 22) |
| March 22, 2006 | KS | SB 418 | Concealed Weapons Permits | Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 10) |
| March 22, 2006 | KS | SB 418 | Concealed Weapons Permits | Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 10) |
| March 22, 2006 | KS | SB 418 | Concealed Weapons Permits | Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 10) |
| March 20, 2006 | PA | HB 213 | Ecoterrorism Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10) |
| March 16, 2006 | NH | SB 343 | Emergency Contraceptives Bill | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (14 - 10) |
| March 16, 2006 | National | S Amdt 3166 | National Defense Funding Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (50 - 50) |
| March 16, 2006 | CO | HB 1175 | Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 15) |
| March 15, 2006 | MD | Amendment 553220 | Needle Exchange Funding Prohibition Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 32) |
| March 14, 2006 | IN | HB 1099 | Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 16) |
| March 14, 2006 | IN | HB 1099 | Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 16) |
| March 14, 2006 | AZ | SB 1477 | Psychotropic drugs; Testing; Informed Consent | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13) |
| March 11, 2006 | WV | Com Sub SB 205 | Sex Offenders | Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
| March 10, 2006 | CO | Amendment L.004 | Balanced Teaching Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 20) |
| March 10, 2006 | CO | HB 1125 | Seat Belt Enforcement Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14) |
| March 8, 2006 | MS | HB 1089 | Wildlife Feeding Regulation | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 12) |
| March 7, 2006 | WI | SJR 5 | Advisory Referendum on the Death Penalty | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (20 - 13) |
| March 6, 2006 | AZ | SB 1425 | Prohibition of Confiscation of Firearms During an Emergency. | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 3) |
| March 6, 2006 | AZ | SB 1425 | Prohibition of Confiscation of Firearms During an Emergency. | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 3) |
| March 6, 2006 | OK | SB 1434 | Prescription Drug Reimportation Act | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17) |
| March 6, 2006 | AZ | SB 1273 | Border Radar Lease Appropriation | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6) |
| March 2, 2006 | National | HR 3199 | PATRIOT Act Reauthorization | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (89 - 10) |
| March 2, 2006 | National | HR 3199 | PATRIOT Act Reauthorization | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (89 - 10) |
| March 2, 2006 | GA | SCS SB 396 | Use of Deadly Force | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 13) |
| March 2, 2006 | GA | SCS SB 396 | Use of Deadly Force | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 13) |
| March 2, 2006 | GA | SCS SB 396 | Use of Deadly Force | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 13) |
| March 2, 2006 | IN | HB 1099 | Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18) |
| March 2, 2006 | IN | HB 1099 | Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18) |
| March 1, 2006 | UT | HB 328 | Eliminating The Age Requirement For Hunting Small Game | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7) |
| March 1, 2006 | UT | HB 328 | Eliminating The Age Requirement For Hunting Small Game | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7) |
| March 1, 2006 | ID | SJR 106 | Right to Hunt, Fish and Trap | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (18 - 16) |
| Feb. 28, 2006 | CO | HB 1175 | Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| Feb. 28, 2006 | ID | S 1337 | Controlled Substances Relating to Pregnant Women & Children Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16) |
| Feb. 28, 2006 | IN | HB 1028 | Firearms and Self-Defense | Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 5) |
| Feb. 28, 2006 | ID | S 1337 | Controlled Substances Relating to Pregnant Women & Children Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16) |
| Feb. 23, 2006 | UT | 1SSB 97 | Student Organizations | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11) |
| Feb. 22, 2006 | SD | S Amdt 1215ca | Exceptions to Abortion Ban in Cases of Rape or Incest Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 21) |
| Feb. 22, 2006 | SD | S Amdt 1215cb | Exception to Abortion Ban in Cases Where the Health of the Woman is Seriously Threatened | Amendment Rejected - Senate (13 - 22) |
| Feb. 22, 2006 | SD | HB 1215 | Abortion Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| Feb. 22, 2006 | WY | SF 36 | Open Containers of Alcohol in Vehicles | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5) |
| Feb. 20, 2006 | VA | HB 968 | Membership of the Board of Correctional Education | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 20) |
| Feb. 16, 2006 | AZ | SB 1157 | Trespassing by Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11) |
| Feb. 16, 2006 | AZ | SB 1157 | Trespassing by Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11) |
| Feb. 15, 2006 | ID | HJR 2 | Marriage Amendment Ballot Question | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
| Feb. 14, 2006 | ID | S 1327 | Background Checks for Adults Who Work With Children | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| Feb. 14, 2006 | NM | HB 211 | Pseudoephedrine as a Controlled Substance | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8) |
| Feb. 11, 2006 | NM | SB 216 | Criminal DNA Collection | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5) |
| Feb. 9, 2006 | KS | SB 418 | Concealed Weapons Permits | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11) |
| Feb. 9, 2006 | KS | SB 418 | Concealed Weapons Permits | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11) |
| Feb. 9, 2006 | KS | SB 418 | Concealed Weapons Permits | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11) |
| Feb. 7, 2006 | MS | SB 2511 | Parole Eligibility for First-Time Nonviolent Offenders Under Twenty-Five | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18) |
| Feb. 7, 2006 | MS | SB 2511 | Parole Eligibility for First-Time Nonviolent Offenders Under Twenty-Five | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18) |
| Feb. 2, 2006 | VA | SB 253 | Mandatory Reporting of Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18) |
| Jan. 31, 2006 | VA | SB 362 | Death Penalty Age Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3) |
| Jan. 31, 2006 | NM | SB 258 | Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 6) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4/25 | HCS HB 2615 | "Stand Your Ground Law" | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 5) |
| 4/25 | HCS HB 2615 | "Stand Your Ground Law" | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 5) |
| 4/20 | SB 81 | Employment Nondiscrimination Expansion Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14) |
| 4/20 | SF 1070 | Seat Belt Law | Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 20) |
| 4/17 | HB 2696 | Adoption Preference for Married Couples | Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 13) |
| 4/13 | SB 1444 | Sentencing; Third Felony Offenses | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 8) |
| 4/12 | SB 1157 | Trespassing by Undocumented Immigrants | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 12) |
| 4/12 | SB 1157 | Trespassing by Undocumented Immigrants | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 12) |
| 4/11 | HB 2649 | Firearms; Possession; Storage | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8) |
| 4/11 | HB 2142 | Human Eggs; Sale; Prohibition | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
| 4/06 | HB 1177 | Smoking Ban | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (12 - 11) |
| 4/04 | HB 2074 | Concealed Weapons; Training Requirement; Renewal | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7) |
| 3/30 | LB 454 | Concealed Handgun Permit Act | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12) |
| 3/29 | Am Sub SB 17 | Child Abuse Reporting Requirements and Statute of Limitations Regarding Religious Figures | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 13) |
| 3/28 | Amdt 2B | Sex Offenders Penalties Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (34 - 4) |
| 3/28 | H 630 | School Grounds - Violence | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4) |
| 3/28 | H 630 | School Grounds - Violence | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4) |
| 3/28 | SB 539 | Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 25) |
| 3/28 | SB 539 | Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 25) |
| 3/27 | SB 539 | Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill | Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 22) |
| 3/27 | SB 539 | Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill | Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 22) |
| 3/22 | SB 418 | Concealed Weapons Permits | Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 10) |
| 3/22 | SB 418 | Concealed Weapons Permits | Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 10) |
| 3/22 | SB 418 | Concealed Weapons Permits | Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 10) |
| 3/20 | HB 213 | Ecoterrorism Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10) |
| 3/16 | SB 343 | Emergency Contraceptives Bill | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (14 - 10) |
| 3/16 | S Amdt 3166 | National Defense Funding Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (50 - 50) |
| 3/16 | HB 1175 | Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 15) |
| 3/15 | Amendment 553220 | Needle Exchange Funding Prohibition Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 32) |
| 3/14 | HB 1099 | Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 16) |
| 3/14 | HB 1099 | Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 16) |
| 3/14 | SB 1477 | Psychotropic drugs; Testing; Informed Consent | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13) |
| 3/11 | Com Sub SB 205 | Sex Offenders | Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
| 3/10 | Amendment L.004 | Balanced Teaching Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 20) |
| 3/10 | HB 1125 | Seat Belt Enforcement Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14) |
| 3/08 | HB 1089 | Wildlife Feeding Regulation | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 12) |
| 3/07 | SJR 5 | Advisory Referendum on the Death Penalty | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (20 - 13) |
| 3/06 | SB 1425 | Prohibition of Confiscation of Firearms During an Emergency. | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 3) |
| 3/06 | SB 1425 | Prohibition of Confiscation of Firearms During an Emergency. | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 3) |
| 3/06 | SB 1434 | Prescription Drug Reimportation Act | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17) |
| 3/06 | SB 1273 | Border Radar Lease Appropriation | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6) |
| 3/02 | HR 3199 | PATRIOT Act Reauthorization | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (89 - 10) |
| 3/02 | HR 3199 | PATRIOT Act Reauthorization | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (89 - 10) |
| 3/02 | SCS SB 396 | Use of Deadly Force | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 13) |
| 3/02 | SCS SB 396 | Use of Deadly Force | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 13) |
| 3/02 | SCS SB 396 | Use of Deadly Force | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 13) |
| 3/02 | HB 1099 | Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18) |
| 3/02 | HB 1099 | Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18) |
| 3/01 | HB 328 | Eliminating The Age Requirement For Hunting Small Game | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7) |
| 3/01 | HB 328 | Eliminating The Age Requirement For Hunting Small Game | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7) |
| 3/01 | SJR 106 | Right to Hunt, Fish and Trap | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (18 - 16) |
| 2/28 | HB 1175 | Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| 2/28 | S 1337 | Controlled Substances Relating to Pregnant Women & Children Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16) |
| 2/28 | HB 1028 | Firearms and Self-Defense | Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 5) |
| 2/28 | S 1337 | Controlled Substances Relating to Pregnant Women & Children Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16) |
| 2/23 | 1SSB 97 | Student Organizations | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11) |
| 2/22 | S Amdt 1215ca | Exceptions to Abortion Ban in Cases of Rape or Incest Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 21) |
| 2/22 | S Amdt 1215cb | Exception to Abortion Ban in Cases Where the Health of the Woman is Seriously Threatened | Amendment Rejected - Senate (13 - 22) |
| 2/22 | HB 1215 | Abortion Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| 2/22 | SF 36 | Open Containers of Alcohol in Vehicles | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5) |
| 2/20 | HB 968 | Membership of the Board of Correctional Education | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 20) |
| 2/16 | SB 1157 | Trespassing by Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11) |
| 2/16 | SB 1157 | Trespassing by Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11) |
| 2/15 | HJR 2 | Marriage Amendment Ballot Question | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
| 2/14 | S 1327 | Background Checks for Adults Who Work With Children | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| 2/14 | HB 211 | Pseudoephedrine as a Controlled Substance | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8) |
| 2/11 | SB 216 | Criminal DNA Collection | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5) |
| 2/09 | SB 418 | Concealed Weapons Permits | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11) |
| 2/09 | SB 418 | Concealed Weapons Permits | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11) |
| 2/09 | SB 418 | Concealed Weapons Permits | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11) |
| 2/07 | SB 2511 | Parole Eligibility for First-Time Nonviolent Offenders Under Twenty-Five | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18) |
| 2/07 | SB 2511 | Parole Eligibility for First-Time Nonviolent Offenders Under Twenty-Five | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18) |
| 2/02 | SB 253 | Mandatory Reporting of Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18) |
| 1/31 | SB 362 | Death Penalty Age Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3) |
| 1/31 | SB 258 | Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 6) |