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.


results per page:
Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
April 16, 2014 AZ HB 2517 Establishes Penalties for Violations of an Existing State Firearms Law Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
April 16, 2014 AZ HB 2339 Authorizes Individuals with State Issued Gun Permits to Carry in Public Buildings Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
April 7, 2014 TN SB 1391 Prohibits Women from Using Illegal Substances While Pregnant Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
April 7, 2014 TN SB 1391 Prohibits Women from Using Illegal Substances While Pregnant Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
April 4, 2014 KS SB 323 Limits the Duration of Conservation Easements Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 23)
April 3, 2014 NE LB 671 Prohibits the Hunting of Mountain Lions Veto Override Failed - Senate (28 - 21)
April 3, 2014 AL HB 494 Amends Requirements for Minors Who Seek an Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
April 3, 2014 FL HB 89 Prohibits Mandatory Sentencing for Certain Convictions of Aggravated Assault Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
April 3, 2014 FL HB 89 Prohibits Mandatory Sentencing for Certain Convictions of Aggravated Assault Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
April 2, 2014 NE LB 671 Prohibits the Hunting of Mountain Lions Veto Override Failed - Senate (24 - 21)
April 1, 2014 WI AB 120 Prohibits Certain Actions Made by Health Care Providers from Being Used Against Them in Court Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
April 1, 2014 WI AB 556 Expands Jailhouse Strip Search Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
March 31, 2014 MD SB 973 Establishes an Automated Assessment System for Pretrial Releases Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 9)
March 28, 2014 KY HB 222 Prohibits Recording of Agricultural Operations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
March 27, 2014 NJ S 783 Amends the Definition of an Unlawful Employment Practice Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
March 24, 2014 NE LB 671 Prohibits the Hunting of Mountain Lions Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 13)
March 20, 2014 IL AM 121 Nomination of Salvador A. Godinez to be Director of the Illinois Department of Corrections Nomination Confirmed - Senate (37 - 18)
March 19, 2014 AL SB 354 Authorizes Individuals Without Concealed Carry Licenses to Carry Firearms in Vehicles Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
March 18, 2014 GA HB 60 Amends Firearm Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 18)
March 17, 2014 KY SB 221 Authorizes Legislative Leaders to Intervene in Certain Court Cases Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
March 13, 2014 IN HB 1351 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Conference Report Rejected - Senate (24 - 24)
March 13, 2014 IN SB 229 Authorizes the Concealed Possession of Firearms on School Property Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 10)
March 12, 2014 WI AB 19 Requires an Individual to Disclose the Number of Asbestos Trusts they Plan to Sue Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
March 10, 2014 UT SB 253 Prohibits Texting While Driving on a Highway Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 8)
March 8, 2014 WV HB 4588 Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
March 6, 2014 OR HB 4143 Amends Payout Procedures In Class Action Lawsuits Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 15)
March 6, 2014 National S 1752 Military Justice Improvement Act of 2013 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (55 - 45)
March 5, 2014 SD HB 1229 Requires Certain Individuals to be Reported to the National Background Check System Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
March 4, 2014 IN HB 1126 Amends Procedures for Awarding Unpaid Wages Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 25)
March 4, 2014 IN HB 1351 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
March 4, 2014 UT HB 20 Expands Protections for Police Officers in Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 13)
March 4, 2014 UT HB 20 Expands Protections for Police Officers in Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 13)
Feb. 27, 2014 KS SB 311 Increases the Limit for Non-Economic Civil Damages Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
Feb. 26, 2014 AL SB 63 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
Feb. 25, 2014 KY SB 116 Amends Patent Laws Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
Feb. 20, 2014 KS HB 2387 Requires 50 Year Minimum Sentence for Certain Murder Convictions Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 3)
Feb. 20, 2014 MO SB 613 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearms Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
Feb. 20, 2014 MO SB 613 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearms Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
Feb. 19, 2014 AZ SB 1062 Authorizes Individuals to use Potential Infringements of Religious Freedom as a Claim or Defense Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
Feb. 19, 2014 AZ SB 1062 Authorizes Individuals to use Potential Infringements of Religious Freedom as a Claim or Defense Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
Feb. 19, 2014 KY SB 119 Establishes Medical Malpractice Claims Review Panel Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
Feb. 18, 2014 VA HB 1237 Authorizes Hunting on Sundays Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
Feb. 18, 2014 ID S 1254 Authorizes the Concealed Carry of Firearms on College or University Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
Feb. 18, 2014 WV SB 6 Prohibits Sale of Medicines Containing Pseudoephedrine without Prescription Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
Feb. 18, 2014 WV SB 6 Prohibits Sale of Medicines Containing Pseudoephedrine without Prescription Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
Feb. 17, 2014 IN HJR 3 Defines Marriage as Between 1 Man and 1 Woman Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
Feb. 14, 2014 ID S 1337 Prohibits Recording of Agricultural Operations Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
Feb. 13, 2014 KS HB 2389 Establishes Time Limits on Death Penalty Appeals Process Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
Feb. 13, 2014 KS HB 2389 Establishes Time Limits on Death Penalty Appeals Process Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
Feb. 13, 2014 TN SB 1496 Authorizes Certain Individuals to Carry a Handgun in Public Parks Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/16 HB 2517 Establishes Penalties for Violations of an Existing State Firearms Law Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
4/16 HB 2339 Authorizes Individuals with State Issued Gun Permits to Carry in Public Buildings Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
4/07 SB 1391 Prohibits Women from Using Illegal Substances While Pregnant Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
4/07 SB 1391 Prohibits Women from Using Illegal Substances While Pregnant Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
4/04 SB 323 Limits the Duration of Conservation Easements Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 23)
4/03 LB 671 Prohibits the Hunting of Mountain Lions Veto Override Failed - Senate (28 - 21)
4/03 HB 494 Amends Requirements for Minors Who Seek an Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
4/03 HB 89 Prohibits Mandatory Sentencing for Certain Convictions of Aggravated Assault Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
4/03 HB 89 Prohibits Mandatory Sentencing for Certain Convictions of Aggravated Assault Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
4/02 LB 671 Prohibits the Hunting of Mountain Lions Veto Override Failed - Senate (24 - 21)
4/01 AB 120 Prohibits Certain Actions Made by Health Care Providers from Being Used Against Them in Court Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
4/01 AB 556 Expands Jailhouse Strip Search Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
3/31 SB 973 Establishes an Automated Assessment System for Pretrial Releases Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 9)
3/28 HB 222 Prohibits Recording of Agricultural Operations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
3/27 S 783 Amends the Definition of an Unlawful Employment Practice Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
3/24 LB 671 Prohibits the Hunting of Mountain Lions Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 13)
3/20 AM 121 Nomination of Salvador A. Godinez to be Director of the Illinois Department of Corrections Nomination Confirmed - Senate (37 - 18)
3/19 SB 354 Authorizes Individuals Without Concealed Carry Licenses to Carry Firearms in Vehicles Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
3/18 HB 60 Amends Firearm Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 18)
3/17 SB 221 Authorizes Legislative Leaders to Intervene in Certain Court Cases Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
3/13 HB 1351 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Conference Report Rejected - Senate (24 - 24)
3/13 SB 229 Authorizes the Concealed Possession of Firearms on School Property Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 10)
3/12 AB 19 Requires an Individual to Disclose the Number of Asbestos Trusts they Plan to Sue Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
3/10 SB 253 Prohibits Texting While Driving on a Highway Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 8)
3/08 HB 4588 Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
3/06 HB 4143 Amends Payout Procedures In Class Action Lawsuits Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 15)
3/06 S 1752 Military Justice Improvement Act of 2013 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (55 - 45)
3/05 HB 1229 Requires Certain Individuals to be Reported to the National Background Check System Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
3/04 HB 1126 Amends Procedures for Awarding Unpaid Wages Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 25)
3/04 HB 1351 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
3/04 HB 20 Expands Protections for Police Officers in Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 13)
3/04 HB 20 Expands Protections for Police Officers in Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 13)
2/27 SB 311 Increases the Limit for Non-Economic Civil Damages Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
2/26 SB 63 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
2/25 SB 116 Amends Patent Laws Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
2/20 HB 2387 Requires 50 Year Minimum Sentence for Certain Murder Convictions Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 3)
2/20 SB 613 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearms Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
2/20 SB 613 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearms Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
2/19 SB 1062 Authorizes Individuals to use Potential Infringements of Religious Freedom as a Claim or Defense Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
2/19 SB 1062 Authorizes Individuals to use Potential Infringements of Religious Freedom as a Claim or Defense Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
2/19 SB 119 Establishes Medical Malpractice Claims Review Panel Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
2/18 HB 1237 Authorizes Hunting on Sundays Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
2/18 S 1254 Authorizes the Concealed Carry of Firearms on College or University Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
2/18 SB 6 Prohibits Sale of Medicines Containing Pseudoephedrine without Prescription Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
2/18 SB 6 Prohibits Sale of Medicines Containing Pseudoephedrine without Prescription Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
2/17 HJR 3 Defines Marriage as Between 1 Man and 1 Woman Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
2/14 S 1337 Prohibits Recording of Agricultural Operations Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
2/13 HB 2389 Establishes Time Limits on Death Penalty Appeals Process Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
2/13 HB 2389 Establishes Time Limits on Death Penalty Appeals Process Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
2/13 SB 1496 Authorizes Certain Individuals to Carry a Handgun in Public Parks Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)

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