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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 10, 2017 | SC | H 3864 | Amends Restrictions on Children's Car Seats | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 24) |
| May 10, 2017 | IL | HB 40 | Amends Restrictions on Publicly Funded Abortions | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 22) |
| May 10, 2017 | IL | SB 1351 | Establishes Laws Governing Student Loan Servicers | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15) |
| May 9, 2017 | AZ | SB 1384 | Prohibits Censorship of Student Media | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 0) |
| May 9, 2017 | CO | SB 301 | Amends Funds and Regulations for Renewable Energy Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| May 9, 2017 | CO | HB 1375 | Requires School Districts to Develop a Plan to Equitably Distribute Funds | Bill Passed - House (65 - 0) |
| May 8, 2017 | FL | HB 7069 | Establishes New Eligibility Criteria for Teacher Scholarships | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 18) |
| May 8, 2017 | AZ | SB 1384 | Prohibits Censorship of Student Media | Bill Passed - House (41 - 19) |
| May 6, 2017 | TX | HB 2466 | Expands Healthcare to Cover Postpartum Depression | Bill Passed - House (135 - 7) |
| May 5, 2017 | FL | HB 989 | Authorizes Residents to Challenge School Textbooks | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17) |
| May 2, 2017 | National | PN 47 | Nomination of Jay Clayton to be a Member of the Securities and Exchange Commission | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (61 - 37) |
| May 2, 2017 | VT | S 16 | Authorizes Medical Marijuana to Treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder | Bill Passed - House (130 - 16) |
| May 2, 2017 | MI | HB 4215 | Amends Regulations of Unattended Running Vehicles | Bill Passed - House (77 - 30) |
| May 1, 2017 | National | PN 47 | Nomination of Jay Clayton to be a Member of the Securities and Exchange Commission | Cloture Invoked - Senate (60 - 36) |
| May 1, 2017 | OR | HB 2597 | Increases Penalties for Distracted Driving | Bill Passed - House (46 - 13) |
| May 1, 2017 | TX | SB 463 | Amends High-School Diploma Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3) |
| April 28, 2017 | FL | HB 425 | Prohibits City and County Governments from Regulating Short-Term Rental Homes | Bill Passed - House (63 - 56) |
| April 27, 2017 | IN | SB 309 | Amends Payback Rate for Excess Solar Energy | Bill Passed - House (56 - 43) |
| April 27, 2017 | AL | SB 60 | Prohibits Alteration or Removal of Historic Markers | Bill Passed - House (72 - 29) |
| April 27, 2017 | NC | HB 330 | Limits Liability for Motorists Involved in Accidents with Protesters | Bill Passed - House (67 - 48) |
| April 27, 2017 | MI | SB 163 | Authorizes "Choose Life" License Plates | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| April 27, 2017 | TX | SB 457 | Appropriates Funds for Charter Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
| April 27, 2017 | MO | HB 608 | Prohibits Local Governments from Prohibiting Residential Dwelling Rentals | Bill Passed - House (90 - 49) |
| April 26, 2017 | IL | HB 2977 | Requires Public Schools to Provide Cursive Writing Courses | Bill Passed - House (67 - 48) |
| April 25, 2017 | HI | HB 1418 | Amends Building Code Exemptions to Comply with Federal Requirements | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 0) |
| April 25, 2017 | NC | HB 13 | Establishes Maximum Class Size for Kindergarten Through Third Grade | (48 - 1) |
| April 25, 2017 | MT | SB 366 | Establishes Real-ID Compliance | Bill Passed - House (83 - 17) |
| April 25, 2017 | PA | HB 97 | Prohibits Failing Students from Continuing Online Charter School | Bill Passed - House (108 - 84) |
| April 25, 2017 | NV | SB 122 | Provides Funding and Regulations Related to Family Planning Services | Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9) |
| April 25, 2017 | AZ | SB 1042 | Establishes New Requirements for Teacher Certification | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12) |
| April 25, 2017 | NV | AB 249 | Requires Insurance Coverage for 12-Month Refills of Contraceptive Drugs | Bill Passed - House (40 - 2) |
| April 25, 2017 | IL | HB 40 | Amends Restrictions on Publicly Funded Abortions | Bill Passed - House (62 - 55) |
| April 22, 2017 | IA | HF 524 | Authorizes the Use of Medical Marijuana | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 7) |
| April 22, 2017 | MT | HB 473 | Increases Taxes on Gasoline and Diesel Fuels | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 43) |
| April 22, 2017 | IA | HF 524 | Authorizes the Use of Medical Marijuana | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (83 - 11) |
| April 21, 2017 | NV | SB 226 | Increases Insurance Requirements of Ridesharing Companies | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 4) |
| April 20, 2017 | WA | SB 5289 | Prohibits Cell-Phone Use on Highways | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 10) |
| April 20, 2017 | IA | HF 653 | Reduces Government Fund Allocations to Planned Parenthood | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21) |
| April 20, 2017 | FL | HB 743 | Prohibits Anabolic Steroids in Greyhounds | Bill Passed - House (84 - 32) |
| April 20, 2017 | FL | HB 989 | Authorizes Parents to Object to Instructional Material | Bill Passed - House (94 - 25) |
| April 19, 2017 | IN | HB 1133 | Prohibits Local Governments from Regulating Short-Term Rentals | Concurrence Vote Failed - House (50 - 46) |
| April 19, 2017 | MT | HB 193 | Authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to Approve Cost-Tracking Adjustments | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21) |
| April 19, 2017 | IA | HF 653 | Reduces Government Fund Allocations to Planned Parenthood | Bill Passed - House (55 - 42) |
| April 19, 2017 | WA | HB 2200 | Strengthens Privacy of Internet Users | Bill Passed - House (87 - 10) |
| April 18, 2017 | ME | LD 12 | Establishes Protections for Living Organ Donors | Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 2) |
| April 13, 2017 | ME | LD 12 | Establishes Protections for Living Organ Donors | Veto Override Passed - House (146 - 0) |
| April 13, 2017 | MT | SB 299 | Requires Public Disclosure of Fracking Chemicals | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 16) |
| April 13, 2017 | MT | HB 473 | Increases Taxes on Gasoline and Diesel Fuels | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22) |
| April 13, 2017 | IA | HF 524 | Authorizes the Use of Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0) |
| April 13, 2017 | MO | HB 90 | Establishes Prescription Drug Monitoring Program | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9) |
| April 13, 2017 | FL | HB 5105 | Implements School Improvement and Education Accountability | Bill Passed - House (77 - 40) |
| April 13, 2017 | TN | HB 531 | Provides Free Commmunity College Education to Adults | Bill Passed - House (87 - 6) |
| April 13, 2017 | FL | HB 7069 | Establishes New Eligibility Criteria for Teacher Scholarships | Bill Passed - House (79 - 38) |
| April 12, 2017 | WA | HB 1234 | Requires Coverage for 12-Month Refills of Contraceptive Drugs | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1) |
| April 12, 2017 | MO | SB 22 | Authorizes State to Buy Out Contaminated Homes | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3) |
| April 12, 2017 | CO | SB 192 | Authorizes Transfers of Retail Marijuana to Medical Marijuana Licensees | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7) |
| April 11, 2017 | ME | LD 306 | Authorizes Issuance of REAL ID Compliant Licenses | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (115 - 30) |
| April 11, 2017 | HI | SB 501 | Requires Certain Disclosures from Limited Service Pregnancy Centers | (41 - 10) |
| April 11, 2017 | MO | HB 130 | Establishes Regulations for Transportation Network Companies | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 1) |
| April 11, 2017 | MT | SB 299 | Requires Public Disclosure of Fracking Chemicals | Bill Passed - House (65 - 65) |
| April 10, 2017 | IN | SB 309 | Amends Payback Rate for Excess Solar Energy | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 11) |
| April 10, 2017 | NC | H 467 | Limits Penalties for Agricultural Operations | Bill Passed - House (68 - 47) |
| April 9, 2017 | NY | A 3009 | Establishes State Fiscal Plan | (53 - 4) |
| April 7, 2017 | KS | SB 70 | Amends Ride Inspection Laws for Amusement Parks | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 2) |
| April 7, 2017 | MD | HB 631 | Prohibits Unwarranted Price Hikes on Generic Drugs | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 7) |
| April 6, 2017 | ME | LD 306 | Authorizes Issuance of REAL ID Compliant Licenses | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4) |
| April 6, 2017 | IN | HB 1438 | Authorizes Counties or Municipalities to Approve Syringe Exchange Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16) |
| April 6, 2017 | CA | SB 1 | Increases Gas and Vehicle Taxes to Pay for Road and Bridge Repairs | Bill Passed - House (54 - 26) |
| April 6, 2017 | CA | SB 1 | Increases Gas and Vehicle Taxes to Pay for Road and Bridge Repairs | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
| April 6, 2017 | WA | SB 5893 | Expands Vehicle Valuation Methods | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24) |
| April 5, 2017 | HI | SB 1183 | Authorizes Use of Property Taxes to Fund Rail Project | Bill Passed - House (11 - 6) |
| April 5, 2017 | FL | HB 7037 | Amends Casino and Gaming Laws | Bill Passed - House (73 - 40) |
| April 5, 2017 | FL | HB 7037 | Amends Casino and Gaming Laws | Bill Passed - House (73 - 40) |
| April 5, 2017 | FL | HB 969 | Provides Pregnancy Support and Wellness Services | Bill Passed - House (79 - 38) |
| April 4, 2017 | MN | HF 890 | Authorizes Education Funding | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 28) |
| April 4, 2017 | IN | HB 1384 | Expands Indiana's Voucher Program | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 12) |
| April 4, 2017 | AL | SB 129 | Establishes Education Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 2) |
| April 4, 2017 | OR | HB 2004 | Prohibits Landlords from Evicting a Tenant without Cause | Bill Passed - House (31 - 27) |
| April 4, 2017 | SC | H 3864 | Amends Restrictions on Children's Car Seats | Bill Passed - House (75 - 28) |
| April 4, 2017 | PA | HB 271 | Establishes Internet Gambling Regulations | Bill Passed - House (142 - 56) |
| April 4, 2017 | SC | H 3809 | Requires Coverage for 12-Month Refills of Contraceptive Drugs | Bill Passed - House (64 - 38) |
| April 3, 2017 | NE | LB 46 | Requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to Create a "Choose Life" Specialty License Plate | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 5) |
| April 3, 2017 | MO | HB 275 | Prohibits Use of Red-Light Cameras for Issuing Traffic Tickets | Bill Passed - House (125 - 30) |
| April 3, 2017 | MN | SF 800 | Establishes Health and Human Services Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 30) |
| April 3, 2017 | MO | HB 90 | Establishes Prescription Drug Monitoring Program | Bill Passed - House (102 - 54) |
| March 31, 2017 | ND | HB 1329 | Authorizes Free Speech at Public Universities | Bill Failed - Senate (7 - 37) |
| March 31, 2017 | MN | HF 890 | Authorizes Education Funding | Bill Passed - House (75 - 54) |
| March 30, 2017 | MN | HF 5 | Establishes a Health Insurance Cost-Sharing Program | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 32) |
| March 30, 2017 | NC | HB 142 | Establishes Provisions Related to Gender-Based Bathroom Use | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16) |
| March 30, 2017 | TX | SB 3 | Appropriates State Funds for Education in Non-Rural Areas | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13) |
| March 30, 2017 | TX | SB 2 | Appropriates Funds for Private School Scholarships | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13) |
| March 30, 2017 | OH | HB 114 | Revises Energy Efficiency Provisions | Bill Passed - House (65 - 31) |
| March 30, 2017 | MT | SB 354 | Raises Cigarette Taxes | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22) |
| March 29, 2017 | MS | HB 1090 | Authorizes Private Contractor to Audit Medicaid | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 17) |
| March 29, 2017 | AZ | SB 1367 | Requires Physicians to Attempt to Revive Viable Fetus After Abortion | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
| March 29, 2017 | AZ | SB 1367 | Requires Physicians to Attempt to Revive Viable Fetus After Abortion | Bill Passed - House (34 - 22) |
| March 29, 2017 | KY | HB 128 | Establishes Regulations for Elective Courses on Religious Literature | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 4) |
| March 29, 2017 | KY | HB 128 | Establishes Regulations for Elective Courses on Religious Literature | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 4) |
| March 29, 2017 | MT | HB 473 | Increases Taxes on Gasoline and Diesel Fuels | Bill Passed - House (54 - 46) |
| March 28, 2017 | MS | HB 1090 | Authorizes Private Contractor to Audit Medicaid | Conference Report Adopted - House (67 - 48) |