Key Votes

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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:

  1. The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member stands on a particular issue
  2. The vote should be clear for any person to understand
  3. The vote has received media attention
  4. The vote was passed or defeated by a very close margin
  5. Occasionally, if a specific bill is consistently inquired about on the Voter's Research Hotline, the vote will be added

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.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
April 18, 2012 OK HB 2155 Authorizes an Alternative Plan to the Worker's Compensation Program Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 17)
April 16, 2012 TN SB 3345 Limits the Number of Foreign Nationals that May Work in a Charter School Bill Passed - House (63 - 29)
April 14, 2012 ME LD 1913 Worker's Compensation Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
April 14, 2012 ME LD 1913 Worker's Compensation Amendments Bill Passed - House (71 - 69)
April 12, 2012 TN SB 3345 Limits the Number of Foreign Nationals that May Work in a Charter School Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
April 12, 2012 CA AB 2127 Authorizes Work Release for Certain Offenders Bill Passed - House (48 - 24)
April 9, 2012 AZ HB 2199 Authorizes Confidential Environmental Audits by Businesses Concurrence Vote Passed - House (39 - 15)
April 6, 2012 MD SB 433 Prohibits Employers from Asking for Private Passwords Bill Passed - House (128 - 10)
April 5, 2012 LA HB 974 Amends Teacher Tenure Policy Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 43)
April 4, 2012 LA HB 974 Amends Teacher Tenure Policy Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
April 3, 2012 AZ HB 2199 Authorizes Confidential Environmental Audits by Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
April 3, 2012 AL SB 63 Authorizes Private Work-Oriented Rehbilitation Programs for Inmates Bill Passed - House (73 - 22)
March 30, 2012 KY SB 3 Limits Over-the-Counter Purchases of Cold Medicine Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
March 29, 2012 NH HB 1607 Establishes a Tax Credit for Businesses that Donate to Certain Scholarship Funds Bill Passed - House (173 - 127)
March 29, 2012 IL HB 4083 Internet Dating Site Requirements Bill Passed - House (83 - 26)
March 29, 2012 IL HB 3782 Prohibits Employers from Asking for Internet Login Information Bill Passed - House (78 - 30)
March 28, 2012 KY SB 3 Limits Over-the-Counter Purchases of Cold Medicine Bill Passed - House (60 - 36)
March 28, 2012 NH H Amdt 917h Authorizing the Establishment of 4 Casinos Amendment Rejected - House (154 - 195)
March 27, 2012 GA SB 362 Authorizes the Recovery and Sale of Deadhead Logs Bill Failed - House (67 - 93)
March 27, 2012 MN HF 657 Amends Ticket Sales Practices Bill Passed - House (83 - 50)
March 23, 2012 LA HB 974 Amends Teacher Tenure Policy Bill Passed - House (64 - 40)
March 22, 2012 ID S 1369 Penalties for Failure to Report Hiring or Rehiring of Employees Bill Passed - House (36 - 34)
March 22, 2012 ID S 1295 Requires Massage Therapists to be Licensed Bill Passed - House (39 - 29)
March 22, 2012 ID S 1369 Penalties for Failure to Report Hiring or Rehiring of Employees Bill Passed - House (36 - 34)
March 21, 2012 MN HF 2337 Amends Property Taxes Bill Passed - House (72 - 62)
March 20, 2012 ID H 486 Prohibits Minors from Using Tanning Beds Bill Passed - House (39 - 30)
March 19, 2012 SD SB 157 Prohibits Cities From Limiting Outdoor Digital Billboards Veto Override Failed - House (43 - 24)
March 19, 2012 SD SB 157 Prohibits Cities From Limiting Outdoor Digital Billboards Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
March 14, 2012 MS SB 2576 Amends Worker's Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 13)
March 14, 2012 MS SB 2576 Amends Worker's Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 13)
March 14, 2012 NH HB 1677 Prohibits Requiring Public Employees to Join Labor Unions Bill Passed - House (198 - 139)
March 13, 2012 IA HF 2385 Authorizes Professionals to Teach Certain High School Courses Bill Passed - House (61 - 36)
March 12, 2012 ID HCR 45 Encourages the Establishment of Private Healthcare Exchanges Resolution Passed - House (49 - 13)
March 12, 2012 AZ SB 1388 Job Training for Unemployed Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 9)
March 9, 2012 IN HB 1149 Prohibits Smoking in Public Places Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 22)
March 9, 2012 FL HB 1205 Authorizes Random Drug Tests of State Employees Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
March 8, 2012 MO HB 1219 Workplace Discrimination Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
March 8, 2012 AZ SB 1338 Requires Online Retailers to Pay Sales Taxes Bill Failed - Senate (8 - 20)
March 7, 2012 MO SB 572 Amends Worker's Compensation Bill Passed - House (87 - 68)
March 7, 2012 GA SB 469 Prohibits Picketing in Certain Circumstances Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 18)
March 7, 2012 GA SB 460 Exempts Religious Employers from Insurance Requirements for Coverage of Contraception Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 15)
March 7, 2012 GA SB 469 Prohibits Picketing in Certain Circumstances Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 18)
March 6, 2012 AZ HCR 2056 Matches State Minimum Wage to Federal Minimum Resolution Passed - House (39 - 18)
March 5, 2012 GA HB 972 Regulation of Pain Management Clinics Bill Passed - House (124 - 38)
March 2, 2012 FL HB 1205 Authorizes Random Drug Tests of State Employees Bill Passed - House (79 - 37)
March 1, 2012 AZ HB 2815 Establishes Tax Credits for Certain Businesses Bill Passed - House (39 - 18)
Feb. 29, 2012 SD HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 33)
Feb. 29, 2012 IN HB 1149 Prohibits Smoking in Public Places Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
Feb. 29, 2012 WA SB 5895 Authorizes the Use of Student Test Scores in Teacher Evaluations Bill Passed - House (82 - 16)
Feb. 29, 2012 FL HB 609 Prohibits Unpaid Wage Collection Ordinances Bill Passed - House (77 - 38)
Feb. 28, 2012 AZ SB 1486 Prohibits Public Employers from Providing Compensation for Union Activities Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
Feb. 28, 2012 AZ SB 1365 Authorizes religious objections by professionals Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
Feb. 28, 2012 CO HB 1115 Authorizes Businesses to Comment on Fiscal Impact of Proposed Legislation Bill Passed - House (41 - 22)
Feb. 28, 2012 IL HB 1310 Authorizes Certain Businesses to Permit Smoking Bill Failed - House (30 - 82)
Feb. 28, 2012 AZ SB 1336 Limiting Manufacturer Eligibility for Punitive Damages Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
Feb. 27, 2012 SD HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
Feb. 27, 2012 MN HF 1870 Authorizes School Districts to Dismiss Teachers Based on Performance Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 26)
Feb. 27, 2012 OR SB 1548 Prohibits Employers from Limiting Job Vacancies to Employed Applicants Bill Passed - House (56 - 4)
Feb. 27, 2012 OR SB 1548 Prohibits Employers from Limiting Job Vacancies to Employed Applicants Bill Passed - House (56 - 4)
Feb. 23, 2012 KS HCR 5007 Authorizes Kansas to Determine Its Health Care Policies Bill Failed - Senate (26 - 14)
Feb. 23, 2012 KY SB 151 Authorizes Casinos Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 21)
Feb. 23, 2012 KS HB 2638 Reduces Unemployment Benefits and Unemployment Insurance Contributions Bill Passed - House (85 - 39)
Feb. 21, 2012 WI SB 202 Repeals Punitive Damages for Workplace Discrimination Bill Passed - House (60 - 35)
Feb. 21, 2012 CO SB 3 Limits Employers' Use Of Credit Histories Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
Feb. 17, 2012 GA SB 362 Authorizes the Recovery and Sale of Deadhead Logs Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
Feb. 16, 2012 AZ SB 1484 Prohibits Certain Deductions from Public Employee Paychecks Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
Feb. 16, 2012 MN HF 1870 Authorizes School Districts to Dismiss Teachers Based on Performance Bill Passed - House (68 - 61)
Feb. 16, 2012 MO SB 572 Amends Worker's Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
Feb. 14, 2012 AL HB 160 Authorizes Companies to Retain Employee Income Tax Deductions Bill Passed - House (69 - 19)
Feb. 14, 2012 VA SB 438 Amends Teacher Contracts Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 20)
Feb. 14, 2012 VA HB 1129 Reduces State Employee Retirement Benefits Bill Passed - House (74 - 26)
Feb. 13, 2012 CO HB 1088 Authorizes the Use of Deadly Force Against Intruders in a Place of Business Bill Passed - House (35 - 26)
Feb. 13, 2012 NM SB 9 Changes Corporate Income Tax Rates and Filing Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 13)
Feb. 13, 2012 VA HB 576 Amends Teacher Contract and Evaluation Policies Bill Passed - House (55 - 43)
Feb. 13, 2012 SD HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Bill Passed - House (41 - 28)
Feb. 9, 2012 MO HB 1219 Workplace Discrimination Amendments Bill Passed - House (89 - 68)
Feb. 8, 2012 MO SB 592 Limits Punitive Damages for Workplace Discrimination Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
Jan. 31, 2012 IN HB 1149 Prohibits Smoking in Public Places Bill Passed - House (62 - 34)
Jan. 25, 2012 IN HB 1001 Prohibits Employers from Requiring Employees to Join a Labor Organization Bill Passed - House (54 - 44)
Jan. 23, 2012 IN SB 269 Prohibits Employers from Requiring Employees to Join or Pay Unions Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
Jan. 23, 2012 IN SB 269 Prohibits Employers from Requiring Employees to Join or Pay Unions Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
Jan. 23, 2012 IN SB 170 Nepotism and Conflicts of Interest in Local Government Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
Jan. 23, 2012 IN SB 170 Nepotism and Conflicts of Interest in Local Government Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
Jan. 9, 2012 NJ S 3172 Authorizes Direct Shipping By Local and Out-of-State Wineries Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
Jan. 9, 2012 NJ S 3172 Authorizes Direct Shipping By Local and Out-of-State Wineries Bill Passed - House (51 - 18)
Jan. 5, 2012 NC SB 727 No Dues Checkoff for School Employees Veto Override Passed - House (69 - 45)
Jan. 5, 2012 NH HB 383 Prohibits State Employees From Being Requied to Pay Association Fees Bill Passed - House (212 - 128)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/18 HB 2155 Authorizes an Alternative Plan to the Worker's Compensation Program Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 17)
4/16 SB 3345 Limits the Number of Foreign Nationals that May Work in a Charter School Bill Passed - House (63 - 29)
4/14 LD 1913 Worker's Compensation Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
4/14 LD 1913 Worker's Compensation Amendments Bill Passed - House (71 - 69)
4/12 SB 3345 Limits the Number of Foreign Nationals that May Work in a Charter School Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
4/12 AB 2127 Authorizes Work Release for Certain Offenders Bill Passed - House (48 - 24)
4/09 HB 2199 Authorizes Confidential Environmental Audits by Businesses Concurrence Vote Passed - House (39 - 15)
4/06 SB 433 Prohibits Employers from Asking for Private Passwords Bill Passed - House (128 - 10)
4/05 HB 974 Amends Teacher Tenure Policy Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 43)
4/04 HB 974 Amends Teacher Tenure Policy Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
4/03 HB 2199 Authorizes Confidential Environmental Audits by Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
4/03 SB 63 Authorizes Private Work-Oriented Rehbilitation Programs for Inmates Bill Passed - House (73 - 22)
3/30 SB 3 Limits Over-the-Counter Purchases of Cold Medicine Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
3/29 HB 1607 Establishes a Tax Credit for Businesses that Donate to Certain Scholarship Funds Bill Passed - House (173 - 127)
3/29 HB 4083 Internet Dating Site Requirements Bill Passed - House (83 - 26)
3/29 HB 3782 Prohibits Employers from Asking for Internet Login Information Bill Passed - House (78 - 30)
3/28 SB 3 Limits Over-the-Counter Purchases of Cold Medicine Bill Passed - House (60 - 36)
3/28 H Amdt 917h Authorizing the Establishment of 4 Casinos Amendment Rejected - House (154 - 195)
3/27 SB 362 Authorizes the Recovery and Sale of Deadhead Logs Bill Failed - House (67 - 93)
3/27 HF 657 Amends Ticket Sales Practices Bill Passed - House (83 - 50)
3/23 HB 974 Amends Teacher Tenure Policy Bill Passed - House (64 - 40)
3/22 S 1369 Penalties for Failure to Report Hiring or Rehiring of Employees Bill Passed - House (36 - 34)
3/22 S 1295 Requires Massage Therapists to be Licensed Bill Passed - House (39 - 29)
3/22 S 1369 Penalties for Failure to Report Hiring or Rehiring of Employees Bill Passed - House (36 - 34)
3/21 HF 2337 Amends Property Taxes Bill Passed - House (72 - 62)
3/20 H 486 Prohibits Minors from Using Tanning Beds Bill Passed - House (39 - 30)
3/19 SB 157 Prohibits Cities From Limiting Outdoor Digital Billboards Veto Override Failed - House (43 - 24)
3/19 SB 157 Prohibits Cities From Limiting Outdoor Digital Billboards Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
3/14 SB 2576 Amends Worker's Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 13)
3/14 SB 2576 Amends Worker's Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 13)
3/14 HB 1677 Prohibits Requiring Public Employees to Join Labor Unions Bill Passed - House (198 - 139)
3/13 HF 2385 Authorizes Professionals to Teach Certain High School Courses Bill Passed - House (61 - 36)
3/12 HCR 45 Encourages the Establishment of Private Healthcare Exchanges Resolution Passed - House (49 - 13)
3/12 SB 1388 Job Training for Unemployed Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 9)
3/09 HB 1149 Prohibits Smoking in Public Places Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 22)
3/09 HB 1205 Authorizes Random Drug Tests of State Employees Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
3/08 HB 1219 Workplace Discrimination Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
3/08 SB 1338 Requires Online Retailers to Pay Sales Taxes Bill Failed - Senate (8 - 20)
3/07 SB 572 Amends Worker's Compensation Bill Passed - House (87 - 68)
3/07 SB 469 Prohibits Picketing in Certain Circumstances Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 18)
3/07 SB 460 Exempts Religious Employers from Insurance Requirements for Coverage of Contraception Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 15)
3/07 SB 469 Prohibits Picketing in Certain Circumstances Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 18)
3/06 HCR 2056 Matches State Minimum Wage to Federal Minimum Resolution Passed - House (39 - 18)
3/05 HB 972 Regulation of Pain Management Clinics Bill Passed - House (124 - 38)
3/02 HB 1205 Authorizes Random Drug Tests of State Employees Bill Passed - House (79 - 37)
3/01 HB 2815 Establishes Tax Credits for Certain Businesses Bill Passed - House (39 - 18)
2/29 HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 33)
2/29 HB 1149 Prohibits Smoking in Public Places Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
2/29 SB 5895 Authorizes the Use of Student Test Scores in Teacher Evaluations Bill Passed - House (82 - 16)
2/29 HB 609 Prohibits Unpaid Wage Collection Ordinances Bill Passed - House (77 - 38)
2/28 SB 1486 Prohibits Public Employers from Providing Compensation for Union Activities Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
2/28 SB 1365 Authorizes religious objections by professionals Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
2/28 HB 1115 Authorizes Businesses to Comment on Fiscal Impact of Proposed Legislation Bill Passed - House (41 - 22)
2/28 HB 1310 Authorizes Certain Businesses to Permit Smoking Bill Failed - House (30 - 82)
2/28 SB 1336 Limiting Manufacturer Eligibility for Punitive Damages Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
2/27 HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
2/27 HF 1870 Authorizes School Districts to Dismiss Teachers Based on Performance Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 26)
2/27 SB 1548 Prohibits Employers from Limiting Job Vacancies to Employed Applicants Bill Passed - House (56 - 4)
2/27 SB 1548 Prohibits Employers from Limiting Job Vacancies to Employed Applicants Bill Passed - House (56 - 4)
2/23 HCR 5007 Authorizes Kansas to Determine Its Health Care Policies Bill Failed - Senate (26 - 14)
2/23 SB 151 Authorizes Casinos Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 21)
2/23 HB 2638 Reduces Unemployment Benefits and Unemployment Insurance Contributions Bill Passed - House (85 - 39)
2/21 SB 202 Repeals Punitive Damages for Workplace Discrimination Bill Passed - House (60 - 35)
2/21 SB 3 Limits Employers' Use Of Credit Histories Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
2/17 SB 362 Authorizes the Recovery and Sale of Deadhead Logs Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
2/16 SB 1484 Prohibits Certain Deductions from Public Employee Paychecks Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
2/16 HF 1870 Authorizes School Districts to Dismiss Teachers Based on Performance Bill Passed - House (68 - 61)
2/16 SB 572 Amends Worker's Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
2/14 HB 160 Authorizes Companies to Retain Employee Income Tax Deductions Bill Passed - House (69 - 19)
2/14 SB 438 Amends Teacher Contracts Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 20)
2/14 HB 1129 Reduces State Employee Retirement Benefits Bill Passed - House (74 - 26)
2/13 HB 1088 Authorizes the Use of Deadly Force Against Intruders in a Place of Business Bill Passed - House (35 - 26)
2/13 SB 9 Changes Corporate Income Tax Rates and Filing Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 13)
2/13 HB 576 Amends Teacher Contract and Evaluation Policies Bill Passed - House (55 - 43)
2/13 HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Bill Passed - House (41 - 28)
2/09 HB 1219 Workplace Discrimination Amendments Bill Passed - House (89 - 68)
2/08 SB 592 Limits Punitive Damages for Workplace Discrimination Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
1/31 HB 1149 Prohibits Smoking in Public Places Bill Passed - House (62 - 34)
1/25 HB 1001 Prohibits Employers from Requiring Employees to Join a Labor Organization Bill Passed - House (54 - 44)
1/23 SB 269 Prohibits Employers from Requiring Employees to Join or Pay Unions Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
1/23 SB 269 Prohibits Employers from Requiring Employees to Join or Pay Unions Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
1/23 SB 170 Nepotism and Conflicts of Interest in Local Government Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
1/23 SB 170 Nepotism and Conflicts of Interest in Local Government Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
1/09 S 3172 Authorizes Direct Shipping By Local and Out-of-State Wineries Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
1/09 S 3172 Authorizes Direct Shipping By Local and Out-of-State Wineries Bill Passed - House (51 - 18)
1/05 SB 727 No Dues Checkoff for School Employees Veto Override Passed - House (69 - 45)
1/05 HB 383 Prohibits State Employees From Being Requied to Pay Association Fees Bill Passed - House (212 - 128)

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