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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 10, 2015 | WA | SB 5899 | Establishes Small Loans and Small Consumer Installment Loans | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18) |
| March 9, 2015 | WA | SB 5735 | Establishes Carbon Reduction Investment as Alternative to Meeting Renewable Energy Targets | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23) |
| March 6, 2015 | WY | SF 145 | Appropriates Funds for Uncompensated Charity Care | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 7) |
| March 3, 2015 | SD | HB 1030 | Requires Motorists to Maintain Safe Distance When Passing Cyclists | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7) |
| March 2, 2015 | WA | SB 5987 | Increases Gas Tax and Amends Transportation Funding | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22) |
| March 2, 2015 | NM | SB 94 | Authorizes Industrial Hemp Research | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 8) |
| Feb. 26, 2015 | MT | SB 262 | Establishes Water Rights Compact | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19) |
| Feb. 24, 2015 | CO | SB 93 | Requires Compensation for Mineral Rights Owners | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15) |
| Feb. 24, 2015 | CO | SB 93 | Requires Compensation for Mineral Rights Owners | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15) |
| Feb. 24, 2015 | IN | SJR 12 | Authorizes the Use of Diverse Farming and Ranching Practices | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (22 - 28) |
| Feb. 24, 2015 | IA | SF 257 | Increases Fuel Taxes | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21) |
| Feb. 24, 2015 | NM | SB 53 | Authorizes Mandatory Outpatient Treatment for Certain Individuals with Mental Disorders | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 11) |
| Feb. 23, 2015 | AZ | SB 1167 | Prohibits the Use of Photo Radar and Red Light Cameras | Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 15) |
| Feb. 20, 2015 | NV | AB 125 | Amends Provisions Relating to Constructional Defects | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 8) |
| Feb. 17, 2015 | ID | S 1011 | Repeals Authorization of Gambling on Past Horse Races | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9) |
| Feb. 12, 2015 | NC | SB 20 | Restructures the Motor Fuel Tax Rate and the State Tax Code | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15) |
| Feb. 12, 2015 | CO | SB 77 | Extends Parental Rights in Education and Health Care | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16) |
| Feb. 11, 2015 | WY | SF 145 | Appropriates Funds for Uncompensated Charity Care | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11) |
| Feb. 5, 2015 | SD | SB 57 | Authorizes Additional Types of Games in Deadwood City Casinos | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7) |
| Jan. 30, 2015 | WY | SF 56 | Appropriates Funds for Study of Public Lands | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4) |
| Jan. 23, 2015 | WY | SF 14 | Amends Property Forfeiture Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 3) |