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
Feb. 22, 2016 IN SB 91 Authorizes Adopted Individuals to Access Birth Certificates Bill Passed - House (72 - 24)
Feb. 22, 2016 TN SJR 467 Urges Attorney General to File Lawsuit in Relation to Refugee Resettlement Program Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
Feb. 22, 2016 AZ SB 1377 Establishes Criminal Sentencing Requirements for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
Feb. 22, 2016 CO SB 70 Prohibits Employers from Requiring Union Membership Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
Feb. 22, 2016 AZ SB 1378 Prohibits the State Treasurer from Allocating Funds to "Sanctuary Cities" Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 16)
Feb. 19, 2016 GA HB 757 Authorizes Religious Officials to Decline to Perform Certain Ceremonies Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 14)
Feb. 19, 2016 ID H 463 Prohibits Local Governments from Increasing Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
Feb. 19, 2016 MS HB 1523 Establishes Protections for Religious Beliefs or Moral Convictions Bill Passed - House (80 - 39)
Feb. 18, 2016 OR SB 1532 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (32 - 26)
Feb. 18, 2016 KY SB 5 Establishes Separate Marriage License for Same-Sex Couples Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
Feb. 18, 2016 AZ HB 2451 Amends Requirements for Release of Undocumented Inmates Bill Passed - House (36 - 21)
Feb. 18, 2016 MO HB 1891 Prohibits the Collection of Union Dues without Written Authorization Bill Passed - House (110 - 47)
Feb. 16, 2016 WI SB 533 Prohibits Local Governments from Issuing Identification Cards Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
Feb. 16, 2016 SD HB 1008 Prohibits Students from Using School Restrooms Designated for the Opposite Biological Sex Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
Feb. 16, 2016 IL HB 580 Requires Mediation of Expired State Collective Bargaining Agreements Bill Passed - House (67 - 46)
Feb. 16, 2016 WI AB 450 Prohibits Local Policies Preventing Immigration Status Inquiries Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
Feb. 16, 2016 AL HB 174 Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Wage or Employee Benefits Requirements Bill Passed - House (71 - 31)
Feb. 16, 2016 WI SB 533 Prohibits Local Governments from Issuing Identification Cards Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
Feb. 12, 2016 WV SB 1 Prohibits Employers from Requiring Union Membership Veto Override Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
Feb. 12, 2016 WV SB 1 Prohibits Employers from Requiring Union Membership Veto Override Passed - House (54 - 43)
Feb. 12, 2016 VA SB 41 Prohibits State from Requiring Religious Organizations to Solemnize Certain Marriages Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 19)
Feb. 11, 2016 AL HB 37 Prohibits Requiring Employees to Join or Pay Unions Bill Failed - House (60 - 24)
Feb. 11, 2016 OR SB 1532 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
Feb. 10, 2016 WA SB 6443 Repeals Rule Authorizing Use of Bathrooms Consistent with Gender Identity Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 25)
Feb. 9, 2016 VA SB 270 Requires Cities to Enforce Federal Immigration Laws Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 9, 2016 SD HB 1112 Repeals Transgender Policies Adopted by High School Sports Associations Bill Passed - House (45 - 23)
Feb. 9, 2016 VA SB 705 Requires Sanctuary Cities to be Liable for Damages Caused by Undocumented Immigrant Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 5, 2016 WV SB 1 Prohibits Employers from Requiring Union Membership Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
Feb. 4, 2016 WV SB 1 Prohibits Employers from Requiring Union Membership Bill Passed - House (54 - 46)
Feb. 4, 2016 WV HB 4005 Repeals Hourly Wage Requirements for Workers on Public Improvement Projects Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
Feb. 3, 2016 FL HB 675 Requires Local Governments to Enforce Federal Immigration Regulations Bill Passed - House (80 - 38)
Feb. 2, 2016 IN SB 220 Classifies an Offense Based on Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity as Aggravating Circumstance Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
Feb. 2, 2016 UT SB 59 Requires Employers Provide Certain Accommodations Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 9)
Jan. 29, 2016 VA SB 12 Prohibits Discrimination in Public Employment Based on Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
Jan. 29, 2016 VA SB 67 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation in Housing Practices Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
Jan. 27, 2016 SD HB 1008 Prohibits Students from Using School Restrooms Designated for the Opposite Biological Sex Bill Passed - House (58 - 10)
Jan. 27, 2016 WV HB 4005 Repeals Hourly Wage Requirements for Workers on Public Improvement Projects Bill Passed - House (55 - 44)
Jan. 26, 2016 VA SJ 1 Authorizes Ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Jan. 25, 2016 TN SB 151 Prohibits Automatic Deduction from Teachers' Paychecks for Union Dues Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
Jan. 21, 2016 WV SB 1 Prohibits Employers from Requiring Union Membership Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
Jan. 21, 2016 NM HB 99 Requires Driver's Licenses to Comply with Federal Standards Bill Passed - House (39 - 30)
Jan. 19, 2016 National PN 367 Nomination of Wilhelmina Wright to Be U.S. District Judge Nomination Confirmed - Senate (58 - 36)
Jan. 19, 2016 KS HB 2151 Establishes Regulations Regarding Grand Juries Bill Passed - House (101 - 20)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/22 SB 91 Authorizes Adopted Individuals to Access Birth Certificates Bill Passed - House (72 - 24)
2/22 SJR 467 Urges Attorney General to File Lawsuit in Relation to Refugee Resettlement Program Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
2/22 SB 1377 Establishes Criminal Sentencing Requirements for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
2/22 SB 70 Prohibits Employers from Requiring Union Membership Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
2/22 SB 1378 Prohibits the State Treasurer from Allocating Funds to "Sanctuary Cities" Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 16)
2/19 HB 757 Authorizes Religious Officials to Decline to Perform Certain Ceremonies Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 14)
2/19 H 463 Prohibits Local Governments from Increasing Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
2/19 HB 1523 Establishes Protections for Religious Beliefs or Moral Convictions Bill Passed - House (80 - 39)
2/18 SB 1532 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (32 - 26)
2/18 SB 5 Establishes Separate Marriage License for Same-Sex Couples Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
2/18 HB 2451 Amends Requirements for Release of Undocumented Inmates Bill Passed - House (36 - 21)
2/18 HB 1891 Prohibits the Collection of Union Dues without Written Authorization Bill Passed - House (110 - 47)
2/16 SB 533 Prohibits Local Governments from Issuing Identification Cards Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
2/16 HB 1008 Prohibits Students from Using School Restrooms Designated for the Opposite Biological Sex Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
2/16 HB 580 Requires Mediation of Expired State Collective Bargaining Agreements Bill Passed - House (67 - 46)
2/16 AB 450 Prohibits Local Policies Preventing Immigration Status Inquiries Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
2/16 HB 174 Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Wage or Employee Benefits Requirements Bill Passed - House (71 - 31)
2/16 SB 533 Prohibits Local Governments from Issuing Identification Cards Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
2/12 SB 1 Prohibits Employers from Requiring Union Membership Veto Override Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
2/12 SB 1 Prohibits Employers from Requiring Union Membership Veto Override Passed - House (54 - 43)
2/12 SB 41 Prohibits State from Requiring Religious Organizations to Solemnize Certain Marriages Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 19)
2/11 HB 37 Prohibits Requiring Employees to Join or Pay Unions Bill Failed - House (60 - 24)
2/11 SB 1532 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
2/10 SB 6443 Repeals Rule Authorizing Use of Bathrooms Consistent with Gender Identity Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 25)
2/09 SB 270 Requires Cities to Enforce Federal Immigration Laws Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/09 HB 1112 Repeals Transgender Policies Adopted by High School Sports Associations Bill Passed - House (45 - 23)
2/09 SB 705 Requires Sanctuary Cities to be Liable for Damages Caused by Undocumented Immigrant Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/05 SB 1 Prohibits Employers from Requiring Union Membership Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
2/04 SB 1 Prohibits Employers from Requiring Union Membership Bill Passed - House (54 - 46)
2/04 HB 4005 Repeals Hourly Wage Requirements for Workers on Public Improvement Projects Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
2/03 HB 675 Requires Local Governments to Enforce Federal Immigration Regulations Bill Passed - House (80 - 38)
2/02 SB 220 Classifies an Offense Based on Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity as Aggravating Circumstance Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
2/02 SB 59 Requires Employers Provide Certain Accommodations Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 9)
1/29 SB 12 Prohibits Discrimination in Public Employment Based on Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
1/29 SB 67 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation in Housing Practices Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
1/27 HB 1008 Prohibits Students from Using School Restrooms Designated for the Opposite Biological Sex Bill Passed - House (58 - 10)
1/27 HB 4005 Repeals Hourly Wage Requirements for Workers on Public Improvement Projects Bill Passed - House (55 - 44)
1/26 SJ 1 Authorizes Ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
1/25 SB 151 Prohibits Automatic Deduction from Teachers' Paychecks for Union Dues Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
1/21 SB 1 Prohibits Employers from Requiring Union Membership Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
1/21 HB 99 Requires Driver's Licenses to Comply with Federal Standards Bill Passed - House (39 - 30)
1/19 PN 367 Nomination of Wilhelmina Wright to Be U.S. District Judge Nomination Confirmed - Senate (58 - 36)
1/19 HB 2151 Establishes Regulations Regarding Grand Juries Bill Passed - House (101 - 20)

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