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 19, 2017 | LA | SB 22 | Redefines Hunting Supplies for Purposes of Sales Tax Holiday | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6) |
| April 18, 2017 | AL | SB 12 | Authorizes Use of Nitrogen in Death Penalty Executions | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7) |
| April 17, 2017 | ND | HB 1221 | Establishes Protective Measures of Drug Informants | Conference Report Adopted - House (90 - 0) |
| April 17, 2017 | AZ | SB 1406 | Limits Applicability of Disability Lawsuits | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
| April 17, 2017 | NV | AB 118 | Revises Provisions Governing the Issuance of Permits to Carry Concealed Firearms | Bill Passed - House (34 - 4) |
| April 13, 2017 | MO | HB 90 | Establishes Prescription Drug Monitoring Program | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9) |
| April 13, 2017 | AZ | SB 1236 | Establishes Regulations for Statewide Initiatives and Referendum Petitions | Bill Passed - House (35 - 23) |
| April 12, 2017 | AZ | HB 2244 | Establishes Reciprocity for Concealed Weapons Permits | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14) |
| April 12, 2017 | CO | SB 192 | Authorizes Transfers of Retail Marijuana to Medical Marijuana Licensees | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7) |
| April 12, 2017 | CO | SB 192 | Authorizes Transfers of Retail Marijuana to Medical Marijuana Licensees | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7) |
| April 12, 2017 | VT | HB 492 | Establishes a Board for Racial Justice in Policing | Bill Passed - House (120 - 25) |
| April 12, 2017 | VT | HB 492 | Establishes a Board for Racial Justice in Policing | Bill Passed - House (120 - 25) |
| April 11, 2017 | AZ | SB 1366 | Establishes Stricter Penalties for Assaulting Off-Duty Police Officers | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| April 11, 2017 | AL | SB 193 | Authorizes Briarwood Presbyterian Church to Form a Police Force | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4) |
| April 11, 2017 | TX | SB 75 | Requires Parental Consent for Minors to Join Labor Unions | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11) |
| April 11, 2017 | AL | SB 193 | Authorizes Briarwood Presbyterian Church to Form a Police Force | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4) |
| April 10, 2017 | AZ | HB 2477 | Requires Prosecutors to Provide Evidence before Seizing Property | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 1) |
| April 10, 2017 | TN | HB 109 | Amends Marijuana Possession Laws | Bill Failed - House (44 - 45) |
| April 10, 2017 | NC | H 467 | Limits Penalties for Agricultural Operations | Bill Passed - House (68 - 47) |
| April 7, 2017 | National | PN 55 | Nomination of Neil M. Gorsuch to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States | (54 - 45) |
| April 7, 2017 | WA | HB 1595 | Establishes Fees for Printed and Digital Copies of Public Records | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 4) |
| April 6, 2017 | IN | HB 1438 | Authorizes Counties or Municipalities to Approve Syringe Exchange Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16) |
| April 6, 2017 | National | PN 55 | Nomination of Neil M. Gorsuch to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States | Cloture Invoked - Senate (55 - 45) |
| April 5, 2017 | VA | HB 1852 | Authorizes Individual Issued Protective Order to Carry A Concealed Handgun. | Veto Override Failed - House (65 - 34) |
| April 5, 2017 | VA | HB 1852 | Authorizes Individual Issued Protective Order to Carry A Concealed Handgun. | Veto Override Failed - House (65 - 34) |
| April 5, 2017 | AZ | SB 1366 | Establishes Stricter Penalties for Assaulting Off-Duty Police Officers | Bill Passed - House (34 - 25) |
| April 5, 2017 | SC | H 3930 | Amends Handgun Carry Rules | Bill Passed - House (64 - 46) |
| April 5, 2017 | PA | HB 741 | Reinstates Mandatory Minimum Sentences | Bill Passed - House (122 - 67) |
| April 5, 2017 | PA | HB 741 | Reinstates Mandatory Minimum Sentences | Bill Passed - House (122 - 67) |
| April 5, 2017 | SC | H 3930 | Amends Handgun Carry Rules | Bill Passed - House (64 - 46) |
| April 4, 2017 | IA | HF 517 | Authorizes Use of Deadly Force when Deemed Necessary | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17) |
| April 4, 2017 | AL | SB 16 | Prohibits Judicial Override of Sentencing Decisions | Bill Passed - House (78 - 19) |
| April 4, 2017 | AL | SB 16 | Prohibits Judicial Override of Sentencing Decisions | Bill Passed - House (78 - 19) |
| April 4, 2017 | TX | SB 576 | Establishes Reporting Standards for Sexual Assault on College Campuses | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 1) |
| April 4, 2017 | TX | SB 576 | Establishes Reporting Standards for Sexual Assault on College Campuses | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 1) |
| April 3, 2017 | MO | HB 90 | Establishes Prescription Drug Monitoring Program | Bill Passed - House (102 - 54) |
| March 30, 2017 | MN | HF 3 | Requires REAL ID Compliance | Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 54) |
| March 30, 2017 | MN | HF 3 | Requires REAL ID Compliance | Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 7) |
| March 30, 2017 | MO | HB 151 | Requires REAL ID Compliance | Bill Passed - House (99 - 40) |
| March 30, 2017 | GA | HB 280 | Authorizes Concealed Carry on College Campuses | Bill Passed - House (96 - 70) |
| March 29, 2017 | MT | HB 494 | Authorizes Concealed Carry in Restaurants | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19) |
| March 29, 2017 | OH | SB 1 | Increases Penalties for Fentanyl-Related Drug Convictions | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6) |
| March 28, 2017 | MS | HB 638 | Authorizes Alternative Methods of Execution | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 10) |
| March 28, 2017 | ND | HB 1310 | Amends Concealed Carry Laws | Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 27) |
| March 28, 2017 | ND | HB 1310 | Amends Concealed Carry Laws | Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 27) |
| March 28, 2017 | AZ | SB 1122 | Authorizes Sale of Firearms without Background Checks | Bill Passed - House (32 - 23) |
| March 28, 2017 | MN | SF 803 | Appropriates Funds to Various Agencies | Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 15) |
| March 28, 2017 | MN | SF 803 | Appropriates Funds to Various Agencies | Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 15) |
| March 27, 2017 | TN | HB 173 | Prohibits Local Government from Enacting Drug-Related Sanctions | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5) |
| March 27, 2017 | TN | HB 173 | Prohibits Local Government from Enacting Drug-Related Sanctions | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5) |
| March 27, 2017 | IA | HF 518 | Requires Certain Restrictions Regarding Worker's Compensation | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21) |
| March 27, 2017 | TX | SB 16 | Reduces Fee for Firearm Carry Licenses | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5) |
| March 26, 2017 | MS | HB 638 | Authorizes Alternative Methods of Execution | Conference Report Adopted - House (78 - 43) |
| March 26, 2017 | NC | HB 174 | Authorizes Concealed Handguns at Certain Church Services | Bill Passed - House (82 - 34) |
| March 23, 2017 | IA | HF 516 | Requires Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21) |
| March 23, 2017 | FL | SB 436 | Prohibits Discrimination Against Religious Expression in Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13) |
| March 23, 2017 | VT | S 96 | Establishes Protections For Journalists | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 0) |
| March 23, 2017 | VT | S 96 | Establishes Protections For Journalists | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 0) |
| March 22, 2017 | VT | HB 422 | Requires Law Enforcement to Remove Firearms from the Scene of an Alleged Domestic Assault | Bill Passed - House (78 - 60) |
| March 22, 2017 | VT | HB 422 | Requires Law Enforcement to Remove Firearms from the Scene of an Alleged Domestic Assault | Bill Passed - House (78 - 60) |
| March 20, 2017 | IA | HF 539 | Reduces the Deadline to File Discrimination Lawsuits | Bill Passed - House (58 - 39) |
| March 17, 2017 | NM | SB 374 | Prohibits Public Shaming of Students Who Can't Pay for Lunch | Bill Passed - House (60 - 0) |
| March 16, 2017 | IA | HF 518 | Requires Certain Restrictions Regarding Worker's Compensation | Bill Passed - House (55 - 38) |
| March 16, 2017 | National | HR 1181 | Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act | Bill Passed - House (240 - 175) |
| March 16, 2017 | TN | HB 688 | Authorizes Carry of Firearms on Boats | Bill Passed - House (79 - 12) |
| March 15, 2017 | NM | SB 259 | Prohibits Certain Individuals from Possessing or Purchasing Firearms | Bill Passed - House (43 - 22) |
| March 15, 2017 | NM | SB 121 | Prohibits Conversion Therapy | Bill Passed - House (44 - 23) |
| March 15, 2017 | FL | SB 128 | Authorizes Immunity for Self-Defense | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| March 15, 2017 | FL | SB 128 | Authorizes Immunity for Self-Defense | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| March 13, 2017 | MO | HB 441 | Establishes Protections for Student Journalists | Bill Passed - House (148 - 6) |
| March 10, 2017 | National | HR 720 | Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (230 - 188) |
| March 10, 2017 | SC | H 3643 | Requires Public Universities to Adopt Antisemitism Policy | Bill Passed - House (103 - 3) |
| March 9, 2017 | National | HR 985 | Fairness in Class Action Litigation and Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (220 - 201) |
| March 9, 2017 | UT | HB 99 | Amends Bigamy Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 14) |
| March 9, 2017 | IA | HF 516 | Requires Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - House (59 - 40) |
| March 9, 2017 | NM | SB 374 | Prohibits Public Shaming of Students Who Can't Pay for Lunch | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7) |
| March 8, 2017 | MN | HF 3 | Requires REAL ID Compliance | Bill Failed - Senate (29 - 38) |
| March 7, 2017 | KY | HB 14 | Classifies First-Responders as a Protected Class Under Hate Crimes Law | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5) |
| March 7, 2017 | IA | HF 517 | Authorizes Use of Deadly Force when Deemed Necessary | Bill Passed - House (58 - 39) |
| March 7, 2017 | WA | HB 1371 | Prohibits Texting While Driving | Bill Passed - House (52 - 45) |
| March 6, 2017 | KY | SB 17 | Authorizes Expression of Religious or Political Viewpoints in Public Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3) |
| March 4, 2017 | NM | SB 259 | Prohibits Certain Individuals from Possessing or Purchasing Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15) |
| March 2, 2017 | MS | HB 638 | Authorizes Alternative Methods of Execution | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 13) |
| March 2, 2017 | UT | HB 259 | Authorizes the Discharge of Firearm for Self-Defense | Bill Passed - House (53 - 15) |
| March 2, 2017 | UT | HB 259 | Authorizes the Discharge of Firearm for Self-Defense | Bill Passed - House (53 - 15) |
| March 2, 2017 | WA | SB 5223 | Prohibits Localities from Permitting Heroin Injection Sites | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23) |
| March 2, 2017 | MO | SB 43 | Requires Certain Changes to Discrimination Lawsuit Proceedings | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9) |
| March 2, 2017 | WA | SB 5223 | Prohibits Localities from Permitting Heroin Injection Sites | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23) |
| March 2, 2017 | ID | HB 202 | Amends Civil Asset Forfeiture Law | Bill Passed - House (58 - 10) |
| March 2, 2017 | ID | HB 202 | Amends Civil Asset Forfeiture Law | Bill Passed - House (58 - 10) |
| March 1, 2017 | GA | HB 51 | Classifies University Staff as Mandated Reporters | Bill Passed - House (115 - 55) |
| March 1, 2017 | AZ | SB 1122 | Authorizes Sale of Firearms without Background Checks | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14) |
| Feb. 28, 2017 | AZ | HB 1243 | Authorizes Gun Show Sales Without Background Checks | Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 16) |
| Feb. 28, 2017 | WA | SB 5008 | Modifies Legislation Related to REAL ID Compliance | Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4) |
| Feb. 24, 2017 | VA | HB 1852 | Authorizes Individual Issued Protective Order to Carry A Concealed Handgun. | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 14) |
| Feb. 24, 2017 | VA | HB 1852 | Authorizes Individual Issued Protective Order to Carry A Concealed Handgun. | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 14) |
| Feb. 23, 2017 | UT | HB 99 | Amends Bigamy Laws | Bill Passed - House (48 - 25) |
| Feb. 23, 2017 | MN | HF 3 | Requires REAL ID Compliance | Bill Passed - House (72 - 58) |
| Feb. 23, 2017 | SD | HB 1072 | Authorizes Concealed Carry of Firearms Without Permit | Bill Passed - House (37 - 30) |
| Feb. 22, 2017 | NV | IP 1 | Requires Automatic Voter Registration when Applying for Driver's License | Bill Passed - House (27 - 15) |