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 16, 2006 | NH | SB 343 | Emergency Contraceptives Bill | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (14 - 10) |
| March 16, 2006 | NH | SB 343 | Emergency Contraceptives Bill | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (14 - 10) |
| March 16, 2006 | CO | HB 1175 | Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 15) |
| March 16, 2006 | AZ | SB 1430 | Children, Child Protective Services | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
| March 16, 2006 | AZ | HB 2649 | Firearms; Possession; Storage | Bill Passed - House (32 - 23) |
| March 16, 2006 | IA | HF 2671 | Undocumented Immigrants Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (69 - 25) |
| March 15, 2006 | MD | Amendment 503528 to SB 110 | Funding to Family Planning Programs Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (18 - 29) |
| March 15, 2006 | MD | Amendment 553220 | Needle Exchange Funding Prohibition Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 32) |
| March 15, 2006 | MD | Amendment 553220 | Needle Exchange Funding Prohibition Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 32) |
| March 15, 2006 | OH | Amdt. HB 9 | Concealed Weapons Permit Disclosure Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (51 - 43) |
| March 14, 2006 | IN | HB 1099 | Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries | Conference Report Adopted - House (59 - 35) |
| 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 | IN | HB 1099 | Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries | Conference Report Adopted - House (59 - 35) |
| March 14, 2006 | OK | HCS HB 3119 | Voter ID, Repealing Tuition Assistance, and Reporting of Illegal Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (63 - 24) |
| March 14, 2006 | AZ | SB 1477 | Psychotropic drugs; Testing; Informed Consent | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13) |
| March 14, 2006 | KS | SB 418 | Concealed Weapons Permits | Bill Passed - House (90 - 33) |
| March 14, 2006 | KS | SB 418 | Concealed Weapons Permits | Bill Passed - House (90 - 33) |
| March 14, 2006 | KS | SB 418 | Concealed Weapons Permits | Bill Passed - House (90 - 33) |
| March 14, 2006 | OK | HB 2475 | Unattended Children in Motor Vehicle Safety Act | Bill Failed - House (30 - 67) |
| March 14, 2006 | OK | HB 2475 | Unattended Children in Motor Vehicle Safety Act | Bill Failed - House (30 - 67) |
| March 11, 2006 | WV | Com Sub SB 205 | Sex Offenders | Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
| 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 9, 2006 | NH | HB 1492 | Emergency Contraceptives and Pharmacists | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (215 - 106) |
| March 9, 2006 | NH | HB 1492 | Emergency Contraceptives and Pharmacists | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (215 - 106) |
| March 9, 2006 | AZ | HB 2696 | Adoption Preference for Married Couples | Bill Passed - House (32 - 25) |
| March 9, 2006 | AZ | HB 2696 | Adoption Preference for Married Couples | Bill Passed - House (32 - 25) |
| March 9, 2006 | AZ | HB 2577 | Immigration Policy; Forgery; Employment; Licensing | Bill Passed - House (35 - 20) |
| March 9, 2006 | AZ | HB 2577 | Immigration Policy; Forgery; Employment; Licensing | Bill Passed - House (35 - 20) |
| March 9, 2006 | OK | SCS SB 1698 | Inmate State ID Cards and Faith-Based Programs in Prisons | Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 23) |
| March 9, 2006 | AZ | HB 2696 | Adoption Preference for Married Couples | Bill Passed - House (32 - 25) |
| March 8, 2006 | MS | SB 2511 | Parole Eligibility for First-Time Nonviolent Offenders Under Twenty-Five | Bill Passed - House (67 - 51) |
| March 8, 2006 | MS | SB 2511 | Parole Eligibility for First-Time Nonviolent Offenders Under Twenty-Five | Bill Passed - House (67 - 51) |
| March 8, 2006 | KY | HB 334 | Helmet Requirement for ATV Drivers Under 16 | Bill Passed - House (56 - 34) |
| March 8, 2006 | WY | SF 36 | Open Containers of Alcohol in Vehicles | Bill Failed - House (30 - 29) |
| March 8, 2006 | GA | SCS SB 529 | Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 13) |
| March 8, 2006 | MS | HB 1089 | Wildlife Feeding Regulation | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 12) |
| March 8, 2006 | MS | HB 1089 | Wildlife Feeding Regulation | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 12) |
| March 7, 2006 | KS | Amend HB 2615 | In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (63 - 58) |
| March 7, 2006 | VA | SB 526 | Defining Marriage | Bill Passed - House (85 - 12) |
| March 7, 2006 | VA | SB 526 | Defining Marriage | Bill Passed - House (85 - 12) |
| March 7, 2006 | VA | SB 526 | Defining Marriage | Bill Passed - House (85 - 12) |
| March 7, 2006 | OK | HCS HB 2138 | Release From School to Attend Religious Instruction | Bill Passed - House (70 - 25) |
| March 7, 2006 | IA | HF 2558 | 2006-2007 Department of Justice, Corrections, Public Defense, and Public Safety Budget | Bill Passed - House (54 - 45) |
| March 7, 2006 | HI | SB 3102 | Student to Teacher Ratio Reduction | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 2) |
| March 7, 2006 | WI | SJR 5 | Advisory Referendum on the Death Penalty | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (20 - 13) |
| March 6, 2006 | ID | H 630 | School Grounds - Violence | Bill Passed - House (49 - 12) |
| March 6, 2006 | AZ | SB 1273 | Border Radar Lease Appropriation | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/16 | SB 343 | Emergency Contraceptives Bill | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (14 - 10) |
| 3/16 | SB 343 | Emergency Contraceptives Bill | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (14 - 10) |
| 3/16 | HB 1175 | Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 15) |
| 3/16 | SB 1430 | Children, Child Protective Services | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
| 3/16 | HB 2649 | Firearms; Possession; Storage | Bill Passed - House (32 - 23) |
| 3/16 | HF 2671 | Undocumented Immigrants Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (69 - 25) |
| 3/15 | Amendment 503528 to SB 110 | Funding to Family Planning Programs Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (18 - 29) |
| 3/15 | Amendment 553220 | Needle Exchange Funding Prohibition Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 32) |
| 3/15 | Amendment 553220 | Needle Exchange Funding Prohibition Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 32) |
| 3/15 | Amdt. HB 9 | Concealed Weapons Permit Disclosure Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (51 - 43) |
| 3/14 | HB 1099 | Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries | Conference Report Adopted - House (59 - 35) |
| 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 | HB 1099 | Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries | Conference Report Adopted - House (59 - 35) |
| 3/14 | HCS HB 3119 | Voter ID, Repealing Tuition Assistance, and Reporting of Illegal Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (63 - 24) |
| 3/14 | SB 1477 | Psychotropic drugs; Testing; Informed Consent | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13) |
| 3/14 | SB 418 | Concealed Weapons Permits | Bill Passed - House (90 - 33) |
| 3/14 | SB 418 | Concealed Weapons Permits | Bill Passed - House (90 - 33) |
| 3/14 | SB 418 | Concealed Weapons Permits | Bill Passed - House (90 - 33) |
| 3/14 | HB 2475 | Unattended Children in Motor Vehicle Safety Act | Bill Failed - House (30 - 67) |
| 3/14 | HB 2475 | Unattended Children in Motor Vehicle Safety Act | Bill Failed - House (30 - 67) |
| 3/11 | Com Sub SB 205 | Sex Offenders | Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
| 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) |
| 3/09 | HB 1492 | Emergency Contraceptives and Pharmacists | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (215 - 106) |
| 3/09 | HB 1492 | Emergency Contraceptives and Pharmacists | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (215 - 106) |
| 3/09 | HB 2696 | Adoption Preference for Married Couples | Bill Passed - House (32 - 25) |
| 3/09 | HB 2696 | Adoption Preference for Married Couples | Bill Passed - House (32 - 25) |
| 3/09 | HB 2577 | Immigration Policy; Forgery; Employment; Licensing | Bill Passed - House (35 - 20) |
| 3/09 | HB 2577 | Immigration Policy; Forgery; Employment; Licensing | Bill Passed - House (35 - 20) |
| 3/09 | SCS SB 1698 | Inmate State ID Cards and Faith-Based Programs in Prisons | Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 23) |
| 3/09 | HB 2696 | Adoption Preference for Married Couples | Bill Passed - House (32 - 25) |
| 3/08 | SB 2511 | Parole Eligibility for First-Time Nonviolent Offenders Under Twenty-Five | Bill Passed - House (67 - 51) |
| 3/08 | SB 2511 | Parole Eligibility for First-Time Nonviolent Offenders Under Twenty-Five | Bill Passed - House (67 - 51) |
| 3/08 | HB 334 | Helmet Requirement for ATV Drivers Under 16 | Bill Passed - House (56 - 34) |
| 3/08 | SF 36 | Open Containers of Alcohol in Vehicles | Bill Failed - House (30 - 29) |
| 3/08 | SCS SB 529 | Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 13) |
| 3/08 | HB 1089 | Wildlife Feeding Regulation | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 12) |
| 3/08 | HB 1089 | Wildlife Feeding Regulation | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 12) |
| 3/07 | Amend HB 2615 | In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (63 - 58) |
| 3/07 | SB 526 | Defining Marriage | Bill Passed - House (85 - 12) |
| 3/07 | SB 526 | Defining Marriage | Bill Passed - House (85 - 12) |
| 3/07 | SB 526 | Defining Marriage | Bill Passed - House (85 - 12) |
| 3/07 | HCS HB 2138 | Release From School to Attend Religious Instruction | Bill Passed - House (70 - 25) |
| 3/07 | HF 2558 | 2006-2007 Department of Justice, Corrections, Public Defense, and Public Safety Budget | Bill Passed - House (54 - 45) |
| 3/07 | SB 3102 | Student to Teacher Ratio Reduction | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 2) |
| 3/07 | SJR 5 | Advisory Referendum on the Death Penalty | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (20 - 13) |
| 3/06 | H 630 | School Grounds - Violence | Bill Passed - House (49 - 12) |
| 3/06 | SB 1273 | Border Radar Lease Appropriation | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6) |