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
March 5, 2014 SD HJR 1001 Authorizes Additional Types of Games in Deadwood City Casinos Amendment Adopted - Senate (25 - 10)
March 5, 2014 OK SB 1219 Prohibits Minors from Purchasing Certain Emergency Contraceptives Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11)
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 MD SB 212 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
Feb. 28, 2014 AK HB 1 Requires Certain Drivers Licenses to Expire Pursuant to their Visa Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 4)
Feb. 26, 2014 AL SB 63 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
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 SD SB 180 Increases Maximum Number of Video Lottery Machines Authorized in a Licensed Establishment Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
Feb. 18, 2014 VA HB 1237 Authorizes Hunting on Sundays Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
Feb. 18, 2014 VA HB 1237 Authorizes Hunting on Sundays Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
Feb. 18, 2014 WV SB 6 Prohibits Sale of Medicines Containing Pseudoephedrine without Prescription Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
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. 17, 2014 IN HJR 3 Defines Marriage as Between 1 Man and 1 Woman Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
Feb. 17, 2014 IN HJR 3 Defines Marriage as Between 1 Man and 1 Woman Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
Feb. 17, 2014 IN HJR 3 Defines Marriage as Between 1 Man and 1 Woman Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
Feb. 17, 2014 GA SB 318 Authorizes Bars to Sell Alcohol on Certain Holiday Weekends Bill Failed - Senate (28 - 20)
Feb. 14, 2014 ID S 1337 Prohibits Recording of Agricultural Operations Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
Feb. 14, 2014 ID S 1337 Prohibits Recording of Agricultural Operations Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
Feb. 13, 2014 TN SB 1496 Authorizes Certain Individuals to Carry a Handgun in Public Parks Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
Feb. 12, 2014 MI SB 319 Amends the Sentencing Procedure for Certain Juvenile Offenders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
Feb. 11, 2014 MS SB 2563 Requires Universities to Develop a Plan of Action for Unplanned Pregnancies Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11)
Feb. 6, 2014 MD SB 263 Amends Baltimore's Needle and Syringe Exchange Program Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 6)
Feb. 5, 2014 KY SB 8 Requires an Ultrasound Prior to an Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
Feb. 4, 2014 NE LB 399 Authorizes Crime Prevention Vehicles to Use Amber Lights Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (32 - 12)
Feb. 4, 2014 SD SB 75 Prohibits a Local Government From Establishing a Dog Breed-Specific Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
Feb. 4, 2014 IN SB 404 Establishes Regulations for High-Fence Hunting Preserves Bill Failed - Senate (25 - 23)
Feb. 4, 2014 IN SB 404 Establishes Regulations for High-Fence Hunting Preserves Bill Failed - Senate (25 - 23)
Jan. 31, 2014 WA SB 6523 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Non-Citizen Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 10)
Jan. 30, 2014 CA SB 383 Authorizes Businesses to Collect Certain Cardholder Information in Online Transactions Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
Jan. 30, 2014 IN SB 339 Authorizes the Sale of Alcohol at the Indiana State Fair Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
Jan. 29, 2014 SD SB 76 Amends Self Defense Against a Mountain Lion Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
Jan. 28, 2014 IN SB 229 Amends Firearm Buy-Back Program Laws Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
Jan. 23, 2014 IN SB 50 Prohibits the Use Of Tanning Facilities By Minors Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
Jan. 23, 2014 IN SB 50 Prohibits the Use Of Tanning Facilities By Minors Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
Jan. 21, 2014 VA SB 236 Authorizes Religious Expression in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/05 HJR 1001 Authorizes Additional Types of Games in Deadwood City Casinos Amendment Adopted - Senate (25 - 10)
3/05 SB 1219 Prohibits Minors from Purchasing Certain Emergency Contraceptives Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11)
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 SB 212 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
2/28 HB 1 Requires Certain Drivers Licenses to Expire Pursuant to their Visa Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 4)
2/26 SB 63 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
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 180 Increases Maximum Number of Video Lottery Machines Authorized in a Licensed Establishment Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
2/18 HB 1237 Authorizes Hunting on Sundays Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
2/18 HB 1237 Authorizes Hunting on Sundays Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
2/18 SB 6 Prohibits Sale of Medicines Containing Pseudoephedrine without Prescription Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
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)
2/17 HJR 3 Defines Marriage as Between 1 Man and 1 Woman Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
2/17 HJR 3 Defines Marriage as Between 1 Man and 1 Woman Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
2/17 HJR 3 Defines Marriage as Between 1 Man and 1 Woman Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
2/17 SB 318 Authorizes Bars to Sell Alcohol on Certain Holiday Weekends Bill Failed - Senate (28 - 20)
2/14 S 1337 Prohibits Recording of Agricultural Operations Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
2/14 S 1337 Prohibits Recording of Agricultural Operations Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
2/13 SB 1496 Authorizes Certain Individuals to Carry a Handgun in Public Parks Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
2/12 SB 319 Amends the Sentencing Procedure for Certain Juvenile Offenders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
2/11 SB 2563 Requires Universities to Develop a Plan of Action for Unplanned Pregnancies Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11)
2/06 SB 263 Amends Baltimore's Needle and Syringe Exchange Program Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 6)
2/05 SB 8 Requires an Ultrasound Prior to an Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
2/04 LB 399 Authorizes Crime Prevention Vehicles to Use Amber Lights Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (32 - 12)
2/04 SB 75 Prohibits a Local Government From Establishing a Dog Breed-Specific Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
2/04 SB 404 Establishes Regulations for High-Fence Hunting Preserves Bill Failed - Senate (25 - 23)
2/04 SB 404 Establishes Regulations for High-Fence Hunting Preserves Bill Failed - Senate (25 - 23)
1/31 SB 6523 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Non-Citizen Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 10)
1/30 SB 383 Authorizes Businesses to Collect Certain Cardholder Information in Online Transactions Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
1/30 SB 339 Authorizes the Sale of Alcohol at the Indiana State Fair Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
1/29 SB 76 Amends Self Defense Against a Mountain Lion Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
1/28 SB 229 Amends Firearm Buy-Back Program Laws Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
1/23 SB 50 Prohibits the Use Of Tanning Facilities By Minors Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
1/23 SB 50 Prohibits the Use Of Tanning Facilities By Minors Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
1/21 SB 236 Authorizes Religious Expression in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)

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