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 30, 2011 | NV | AB 301 | Voting Privileges for Felons | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8) |
| May 30, 2011 | NV | AB 136 | Governing Credits for Offenders | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10) |
| May 30, 2011 | NV | AB 136 | Governing Credits for Offenders | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10) |
| May 30, 2011 | IL | SB 145 | Nursing Home Infection Control | Bill Passed - House (69 - 45) |
| May 30, 2011 | IL | SB 1652 | Smart Grid Technology | Bill Passed - House (67 - 47) |
| May 30, 2011 | IL | SB 2185 | Establishes the DREAM Fund Commission | Bill Passed - House (61 - 53) |
| May 27, 2011 | CT | HB 6308 | Establishes the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership | Bill Passed - House (88 - 48) |
| May 27, 2011 | NV | AB 552 | DNA Samples for Felony Charges | Bill Passed - House (31 - 11) |
| May 26, 2011 | IL | HB 1600 | Limits Artificial Trans Fats | Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 40) |
| May 25, 2011 | SC | S 20 | Immigration Enforcement | Bill Passed - House (65 - 39) |
| May 24, 2011 | CT | HB 6390 | Access to Postsecondary Education | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| May 24, 2011 | LA | HB 591 | Permanent Cigarette Tax | Bill Passed - House (70 - 30) |
| May 23, 2011 | NV | SB 368 | Prohibits Discrimination in Housing | Bill Passed - House (29 - 13) |
| May 23, 2011 | NJ | S 2899 | Medicaid Coverage for Family Planning Services | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
| May 20, 2011 | TX | H Amdt 53 | Prohibits Smoking in Public Places | Amendment Adopted - House (73 - 66) |
| May 19, 2011 | MN | SF 760 | 2011-2012 Health and Human Services Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (69 - 63) |
| May 19, 2011 | NC | HB 578 | State Health Plan Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (90 - 24) |
| May 19, 2011 | CA | AB 1236 | Prohibits Requirement of Electronic Employment Verification | Bill Passed - House (55 - 22) |
| May 18, 2011 | MN | SF 760 | 2011-2012 Health and Human Services Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 28) |
| May 18, 2011 | NC | HB 578 | State Health Plan Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16) |
| May 17, 2011 | TX | SB 420 | Eligibility for Indigent Health Care | Bill Passed - House (102 - 40) |
| May 12, 2011 | CT | HB 6390 | Access to Postsecondary Education | Bill Passed - House (77 - 63) |
| May 12, 2011 | CA | AB 499 | Authorizes Minors to Seek Medical Care for STDs | Bill Passed - House (50 - 25) |
| May 11, 2011 | PA | HB 574 | Amending the Health Care Facilities Act of 1979 | Bill Passed - House (148 - 43) |
| May 10, 2011 | IA | SF 522 | Establishing a Property Tax Credit | Bill Passed - House (58 - 40) |
| May 10, 2011 | OR | HB 2541 | Amends Inheritance Taxes | Bill Passed - House (34 - 25) |
| May 10, 2011 | TX | HB 12 | Enforcement Of State And Federal Laws Governing Immigration | Bill Passed - House (100 - 47) |
| May 7, 2011 | UT | HB 328 | State Government Work Week | Veto Override Passed - Senate (21 - 6) |
| May 6, 2011 | UT | HB 328 | State Government Work Week | Veto Override Passed - House (50 - 18) |
| May 6, 2011 | VT | H 436 | Tax Law Amendments | Conference Report Adopted - House (94 - 48) |
| May 6, 2011 | FL | HB 7107 | Medicaid Managed Care Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 39) |
| May 6, 2011 | FL | HB 7107 | Medicaid Managed Care Program | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11) |
| May 5, 2011 | VT | H 436 | Tax Law Amendments | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 10) |
| May 5, 2011 | CO | SB 200 | Establishing a Health Benefit Exchange | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 14) |
| May 5, 2011 | NC | HB 129 | Regulates Competition Between Local Government and Private Business | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 32) |
| May 5, 2011 | CA | AB 130 | Authorizes Student Financial Aid for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (51 - 22) |
| May 4, 2011 | CO | SB 200 | Establishing a Health Benefit Exchange | Bill Passed - House (44 - 21) |
| May 4, 2011 | FL | SJR 2 | Authorizes Exemptions from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act | Amendment Adopted - House (80 - 37) |
| May 4, 2011 | IL | SB 2185 | Establishes the DREAM Fund Commission | Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 11) |
| May 4, 2011 | National | HR 1214 | Repealing Funding for School-Based Health Center Construction | Bill Passed - House (235 - 191) |
| May 4, 2011 | FL | HJR 381 | Homestead and Property Assessment | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
| May 4, 2011 | LA | HB 52 | Increasing New Orleans Traffic Court Costs | Bill Failed - House (49 - 22) |
| May 4, 2011 | CO | HB 1273 | State Health Care Enactment | Bill Passed - House (34 - 31) |
| May 3, 2011 | NC | HB 129 | Regulates Competition Between Local Government and Private Business | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10) |
| April 28, 2011 | OR | HB 2726 | Certification for Smoke Shops | Bill Passed - House (35 - 23) |
| April 26, 2011 | MT | SB 125 | Prohibits State from Requiring Individuals to Purchase Health Insurance | Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 32) |
| April 25, 2011 | NV | SB 368 | Prohibits Discrimination in Housing | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8) |
| April 25, 2011 | NV | SB 180 | Criminal and Civil Liability for Gender Identity Crimes | Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 11) |
| April 25, 2011 | OR | SB 99 | Establishes the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5) |
| April 21, 2011 | AL | SB 256 | Undocumented Immigrant Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate |
| April 20, 2011 | NC | SB 33 | Medical Malpractice Amendments | Bill Passed - House (91 - 27) |
| April 20, 2011 | MT | HB 198 | Eminent Domain Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22) |
| April 20, 2011 | WA | SB 5622 | Recreation Access on State Lands | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
| April 20, 2011 | IA | SF 525 | Revises the Iowa Mental Health System | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23) |
| April 19, 2011 | AZ | SB 1406 | Interstate Compact to Build a Border Fence | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| April 18, 2011 | AZ | SB 1406 | Interstate Compact to Build a Border Fence | Bill Passed - House (40 - 19) |
| April 18, 2011 | CO | HB 1141 | Reduces Business Taxes | Bill Passed - House (34 - 31) |
| April 18, 2011 | CO | SB 126 | In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| April 14, 2011 | NC | SB 265 | Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees | Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 17) |
| April 14, 2011 | GA | HB 87 | Immigration Enforcement Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (112 - 59) |
| April 14, 2011 | GA | SB 36 | Prescription Drug Database | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (131 - 32) |
| April 14, 2011 | GA | HB 87 | Immigration Enforcement Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 19) |
| April 14, 2011 | GA | HB 461 | Interstate Health Care Compact | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 18) |
| April 13, 2011 | AZ | SB 1593 | Authorizing Out-of-State Insurance Policies in Arizona | Bill Passed - House (37 - 21) |
| April 13, 2011 | IL | HB 1600 | Limits Artificial Trans Fats | Bill Passed - House (73 - 43) |
| April 13, 2011 | National | HR 1217 | Repealing the Prevention and Public Health Fund | Bill Passed - House (236 - 183) |
| April 11, 2011 | MD | SB 167 | In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants | Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 65) |
| April 11, 2011 | MD | SB 167 | In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 19) |
| April 11, 2011 | AZ | HB 2191 | Punitive Damage Awards | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 17) |
| April 11, 2011 | AK | HB 1 | Authorizes Individuals to Decline Health Care Coverage | Bill Passed - House (23 - 16) |
| April 11, 2011 | NY | A 2674 | Rent Regulation | Bill Passed - House (92 - 54) |
| April 9, 2011 | AK | HB 80 | Expands the Use of Deadly Force | Bill Passed - House (33 - 6) |
| April 7, 2011 | OR | SB 695 | Standards for Infant Formula Containers | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9) |
| April 6, 2011 | MN | SF 760 | 2011-2012 Health and Human Services Budget | Bill Passed - House (70 - 62) |
| April 6, 2011 | AZ | HB 2191 | Punitive Damage Awards | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/30 | AB 301 | Voting Privileges for Felons | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8) |
| 5/30 | AB 136 | Governing Credits for Offenders | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10) |
| 5/30 | AB 136 | Governing Credits for Offenders | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10) |
| 5/30 | SB 145 | Nursing Home Infection Control | Bill Passed - House (69 - 45) |
| 5/30 | SB 1652 | Smart Grid Technology | Bill Passed - House (67 - 47) |
| 5/30 | SB 2185 | Establishes the DREAM Fund Commission | Bill Passed - House (61 - 53) |
| 5/27 | HB 6308 | Establishes the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership | Bill Passed - House (88 - 48) |
| 5/27 | AB 552 | DNA Samples for Felony Charges | Bill Passed - House (31 - 11) |
| 5/26 | HB 1600 | Limits Artificial Trans Fats | Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 40) |
| 5/25 | S 20 | Immigration Enforcement | Bill Passed - House (65 - 39) |
| 5/24 | HB 6390 | Access to Postsecondary Education | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| 5/24 | HB 591 | Permanent Cigarette Tax | Bill Passed - House (70 - 30) |
| 5/23 | SB 368 | Prohibits Discrimination in Housing | Bill Passed - House (29 - 13) |
| 5/23 | S 2899 | Medicaid Coverage for Family Planning Services | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
| 5/20 | H Amdt 53 | Prohibits Smoking in Public Places | Amendment Adopted - House (73 - 66) |
| 5/19 | SF 760 | 2011-2012 Health and Human Services Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (69 - 63) |
| 5/19 | HB 578 | State Health Plan Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (90 - 24) |
| 5/19 | AB 1236 | Prohibits Requirement of Electronic Employment Verification | Bill Passed - House (55 - 22) |
| 5/18 | SF 760 | 2011-2012 Health and Human Services Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 28) |
| 5/18 | HB 578 | State Health Plan Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16) |
| 5/17 | SB 420 | Eligibility for Indigent Health Care | Bill Passed - House (102 - 40) |
| 5/12 | HB 6390 | Access to Postsecondary Education | Bill Passed - House (77 - 63) |
| 5/12 | AB 499 | Authorizes Minors to Seek Medical Care for STDs | Bill Passed - House (50 - 25) |
| 5/11 | HB 574 | Amending the Health Care Facilities Act of 1979 | Bill Passed - House (148 - 43) |
| 5/10 | SF 522 | Establishing a Property Tax Credit | Bill Passed - House (58 - 40) |
| 5/10 | HB 2541 | Amends Inheritance Taxes | Bill Passed - House (34 - 25) |
| 5/10 | HB 12 | Enforcement Of State And Federal Laws Governing Immigration | Bill Passed - House (100 - 47) |
| 5/07 | HB 328 | State Government Work Week | Veto Override Passed - Senate (21 - 6) |
| 5/06 | HB 328 | State Government Work Week | Veto Override Passed - House (50 - 18) |
| 5/06 | H 436 | Tax Law Amendments | Conference Report Adopted - House (94 - 48) |
| 5/06 | HB 7107 | Medicaid Managed Care Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 39) |
| 5/06 | HB 7107 | Medicaid Managed Care Program | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11) |
| 5/05 | H 436 | Tax Law Amendments | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 10) |
| 5/05 | SB 200 | Establishing a Health Benefit Exchange | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 14) |
| 5/05 | HB 129 | Regulates Competition Between Local Government and Private Business | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 32) |
| 5/05 | AB 130 | Authorizes Student Financial Aid for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (51 - 22) |
| 5/04 | SB 200 | Establishing a Health Benefit Exchange | Bill Passed - House (44 - 21) |
| 5/04 | SJR 2 | Authorizes Exemptions from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act | Amendment Adopted - House (80 - 37) |
| 5/04 | SB 2185 | Establishes the DREAM Fund Commission | Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 11) |
| 5/04 | HR 1214 | Repealing Funding for School-Based Health Center Construction | Bill Passed - House (235 - 191) |
| 5/04 | HJR 381 | Homestead and Property Assessment | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
| 5/04 | HB 52 | Increasing New Orleans Traffic Court Costs | Bill Failed - House (49 - 22) |
| 5/04 | HB 1273 | State Health Care Enactment | Bill Passed - House (34 - 31) |
| 5/03 | HB 129 | Regulates Competition Between Local Government and Private Business | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10) |
| 4/28 | HB 2726 | Certification for Smoke Shops | Bill Passed - House (35 - 23) |
| 4/26 | SB 125 | Prohibits State from Requiring Individuals to Purchase Health Insurance | Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 32) |
| 4/25 | SB 368 | Prohibits Discrimination in Housing | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8) |
| 4/25 | SB 180 | Criminal and Civil Liability for Gender Identity Crimes | Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 11) |
| 4/25 | SB 99 | Establishes the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5) |
| 4/21 | SB 256 | Undocumented Immigrant Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate |
| 4/20 | SB 33 | Medical Malpractice Amendments | Bill Passed - House (91 - 27) |
| 4/20 | HB 198 | Eminent Domain Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22) |
| 4/20 | SB 5622 | Recreation Access on State Lands | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
| 4/20 | SF 525 | Revises the Iowa Mental Health System | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23) |
| 4/19 | SB 1406 | Interstate Compact to Build a Border Fence | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| 4/18 | SB 1406 | Interstate Compact to Build a Border Fence | Bill Passed - House (40 - 19) |
| 4/18 | HB 1141 | Reduces Business Taxes | Bill Passed - House (34 - 31) |
| 4/18 | SB 126 | In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| 4/14 | SB 265 | Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees | Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 17) |
| 4/14 | HB 87 | Immigration Enforcement Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (112 - 59) |
| 4/14 | SB 36 | Prescription Drug Database | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (131 - 32) |
| 4/14 | HB 87 | Immigration Enforcement Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 19) |
| 4/14 | HB 461 | Interstate Health Care Compact | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 18) |
| 4/13 | SB 1593 | Authorizing Out-of-State Insurance Policies in Arizona | Bill Passed - House (37 - 21) |
| 4/13 | HB 1600 | Limits Artificial Trans Fats | Bill Passed - House (73 - 43) |
| 4/13 | HR 1217 | Repealing the Prevention and Public Health Fund | Bill Passed - House (236 - 183) |
| 4/11 | SB 167 | In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants | Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 65) |
| 4/11 | SB 167 | In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 19) |
| 4/11 | HB 2191 | Punitive Damage Awards | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 17) |
| 4/11 | HB 1 | Authorizes Individuals to Decline Health Care Coverage | Bill Passed - House (23 - 16) |
| 4/11 | A 2674 | Rent Regulation | Bill Passed - House (92 - 54) |
| 4/09 | HB 80 | Expands the Use of Deadly Force | Bill Passed - House (33 - 6) |
| 4/07 | SB 695 | Standards for Infant Formula Containers | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9) |
| 4/06 | SF 760 | 2011-2012 Health and Human Services Budget | Bill Passed - House (70 - 62) |
| 4/06 | HB 2191 | Punitive Damage Awards | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |