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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 13, 2014 | AK | SB 49 | Prohibits the Use of Medicaid Funds for Abortions | Bill Passed - House (23 - 17) |
| April 12, 2014 | AK | HB 23 | Establishes Funding for the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority (KABATA) | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 4) |
| April 10, 2014 | NE | LB 690 | Establishes the Aging Nebraskans Task Force | Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 12) |
| April 10, 2014 | CT | SB 443 | Prohibits the Sale of Genetically Modified Seed | Bill Failed - House (37 - 103) |
| April 10, 2014 | NE | LB 1092 | Authorizes Highway Commission to Issue Bonds | Bill Failed - Senate (27 - 16) |
| April 10, 2014 | IL | HB 4075 | Establishes Standards for Ridesharing Companies | Bill Passed - House (80 - 26) |
| April 9, 2014 | AZ | HB 2284 | Authorizes Unannounced Inspections of Abortion Facilities | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13) |
| April 9, 2014 | MO | HJR 68 | Increases Sales Tax | Joint Resolution Passed - House (96 - 53) |
| April 9, 2014 | OH | HB 369 | Requires Local Boards to Offer Certain Addiction Treatments | Bill Passed - House (71 - 20) |
| April 9, 2014 | CT | SB 36 | Authorizes Advanced Practiced Registered Nurses to Independently Perform Medical Duties | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| April 9, 2014 | CT | SB 443 | Prohibits the Sale of Genetically Modified Seed | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| April 8, 2014 | IL | SB 1922 | Amends the City of Chicago Employee Pensions | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 23) |
| April 8, 2014 | IL | SB 1922 | Amends the City of Chicago Employee Pensions | Bill Passed - House (73 - 41) |
| April 7, 2014 | NE | LR 41CA | Authorizes Gambling on Past Horse Races | Resolution Passed - Senate (30 - 17) |
| April 7, 2014 | LA | S Amdt 2081 | Authorizes "Chicken Boxing" under Certain Conditions | Amendment Rejected - Senate (8 - 29) |
| April 5, 2014 | MD | SB 172 | Authorizes Eminent Domain Against Certain Film Production Entitites | Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 38) |
| April 5, 2014 | MD | SB 172 | Authorizes Eminent Domain Against Certain Film Production Entitites | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 6) |
| April 5, 2014 | KS | SB 423 | Authorizes the Sale of Certain State Office Buildings | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 11) |
| April 5, 2014 | MD | HB 1168 | Prohibits the Construction of a Wind-Powered Generating Station | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (100 - 24) |
| April 5, 2014 | MD | HB 1168 | Prohibits the Construction of a Wind-Powered Generating Station | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16) |
| April 5, 2014 | KS | SB 423 | Authorizes the Sale of Certain State Office Buildings | Bill Passed - House (66 - 55) |
| April 5, 2014 | MD | SB 364 | Reduces Penalties for Possession of Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (78 - 55) |
| April 4, 2014 | KS | HB 2125 | Prohibits Slot Machines at Certain Racetracks | (55 - 67) |
| April 4, 2014 | ME | LD 1838 | Establishes The Affordable Heating From Maine's Forest Fund | "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (89 - 53) |
| April 4, 2014 | KS | SB 323 | Limits the Duration of Conservation Easements | Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 23) |
| April 3, 2014 | ME | LD 1838 | Establishes The Affordable Heating From Maine's Forest Fund | "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 14) |
| April 3, 2014 | NE | LR 41CA | Authorizes Gambling on Past Horse Races | Resolution Failed - Senate (28 - 19) |
| April 2, 2014 | KS | HB 2272 | Amends Gaming Law | (84 - 36) |
| April 2, 2014 | SC | H 4803 | Authorizes Individuals with Epilepsy to Use Oil Derived from Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (90 - 24) |
| 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) |
| March 31, 2014 | NE | LB 690 | Establishes the Aging Nebraskans Task Force | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 11) |
| March 31, 2014 | National | HR 4302 | Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014 | Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 35) |
| March 28, 2014 | KY | HB 222 | Prohibits Recording of Agricultural Operations | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6) |
| March 27, 2014 | OK | HB 2580 | Extends Film Industry Tax Credit Program | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 11) |
| March 27, 2014 | TN | HB 937 | Prohibits Medicaid Expansion | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6) |
| March 27, 2014 | MD | SB 172 | Authorizes Eminent Domain Against Certain Film Production Entities | Bill Passed - House (96 - 42) |
| March 27, 2014 | IL | HB 4442 | Requires Law Enforcement Officers to Record Ethnicity During Traffic Stops | Bill Passed - House (63 - 46) |
| March 27, 2014 | NH | SB 367 | Amends Gas Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 9) |
| March 27, 2014 | NH | SB 366 | Authorizes Casino Gaming | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 9) |
| March 26, 2014 | KS | HB 2014 | Repeals the Kansas Renewable Energy Standards Act | Concurrence Vote Failed - House (44 - 77) |
| March 25, 2014 | KS | HB 2272 | Amends Gaming Law | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
| March 25, 2014 | KS | HB 2014 | Repeals the Kansas Renewable Energy Standards Act | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15) |
| March 25, 2014 | KS | HB 2125 | Prohibits Slot Machines at Certain Racetracks | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12) |
| March 25, 2014 | National | HR 2824 | Preventing Government Waste and Protecting Coal Mining Jobs in America | Bill Passed - House (229 - 192) |
| March 24, 2014 | CO | SB 18 | Expands List of Tobacco Products Prohibited to Minors | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| March 24, 2014 | CO | HB 1288 | Amends Student Immunization Laws | Bill Passed - House (42 - 19) |
| March 21, 2014 | CO | SB 18 | Expands List of Tobacco Products Prohibited to Minors | Bill Passed - House (43 - 19) |
| March 21, 2014 | KY | HB 544 | Amends Hotel Tax Laws | Bill Passed - House (52 - 40) |
| March 20, 2014 | NJ | A 2777 | Amends Firearm Transportation Laws | Bill Passed - House (43 - 29) |
| March 19, 2014 | AL | SB 354 | Authorizes Individuals Without Concealed Carry Licenses to Carry Firearms in Vehicles | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7) |
| March 19, 2014 | KS | SB 298 | Repeals Mortgage Registration Fees | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
| March 18, 2014 | ME | LD 1487 | Expands Medicaid Eligibility | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (97 - 49) |
| March 17, 2014 | ID | S 1314 | Amends the Provisions of Payday Loans | Bill Passed - House (35 - 34) |
| March 17, 2014 | AK | Amdt 1 | Exempts Same-Sex Partners of Military Members from Driver's License Requirements | Amendment Rejected - House (14 - 22) |
| March 14, 2014 | KS | HB 2662 | Reduces Wait Time for Expungement for Individuals Convicted of Driving Under the Influence | Bill Passed - House (87 - 31) |
| March 14, 2014 | MD | SB 364 | Reduces Penalties for Possession of Marijuana | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 8) |
| March 13, 2014 | SD | HB 1177 | Prohibits Texting While Driving on a Highway | Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 18) |
| March 13, 2014 | IN | HB 1036 | Expands Voucher Eligibility Requirements for Child Care Providers | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 6) |
| March 13, 2014 | IN | SB 176 | Authorizes Funding for a Mass Transit System | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 16) |
| March 13, 2014 | UT | HB 96 | Establishes a School Readiness Board | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 17) |
| March 13, 2014 | IN | SB 176 | Authorizes Funding for a Mass Transit System | Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 34) |
| March 13, 2014 | SD | HB 1177 | Prohibits Texting While Driving on a Highway | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 7) |
| March 13, 2014 | National | HR 3370 | Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014 | Bill Passed - Senate (72 - 22) |
| March 13, 2014 | UT | SB 253 | Prohibits Texting While Driving on a Highway | Bill Passed - House (41 - 28) |
| March 13, 2014 | OK | HJR 1033 | Authorizes Bonds for Capitol Repairs | Joint Resolution Passed - House (59 - 31) |
| March 13, 2014 | National | HR 3189 | Water Rights Protection Act | Bill Passed - House (238 - 174) |
| March 13, 2014 | OK | SB 1495 | Establishes a Pilot Managed Care System under Medicaid | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 21) |
| March 13, 2014 | MO | HB 1557 | Authorizes the Use of Red Light Cameras | Bill Passed - House (84 - 63) |
| March 12, 2014 | IN | HB 1036 | Expands Voucher Eligibility Requirements for Child Care Providers | Conference Report Adopted - House (75 - 21) |
| March 12, 2014 | UT | HB 96 | Establishes a School Readiness Board | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 10) |
| March 12, 2014 | ME | LD 1487 | Expands Medicaid Eligibility | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 13) |
| March 12, 2014 | OK | SB 1440 | Prohibits Development of Certain Wind Energy Facilities | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8) |
| March 12, 2014 | OK | SB 1848 | Amends Standards for Abortion Facilities | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 8) |
| March 12, 2014 | NH | HB 1601 | Requires the Use of Headlights of a Motor Vehicle During Certain Conditions | Bill Failed - House (151 - 182) |
| March 12, 2014 | KY | HB 445 | Increases the Wholesale Price of Gasoline | Bill Passed - House (53 - 44) |