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 23, 2018 | MA | H 4517 | Authorizes Extreme Risk Protection Orders | Bill Passed - House (139 - 14) |
| May 23, 2018 | IL | HB 2354 | Authorizes Courts to Confiscate Firearms from Potentially Dangerous Individuals | Bill Passed - House (80 - 32) |
| May 23, 2018 | MA | H 4517 | Authorizes Extreme Risk Protection Orders | Bill Passed - House (139 - 14) |
| May 23, 2018 | IL | HB 2354 | Authorizes Courts to Confiscate Firearms from Potentially Dangerous Individuals | Bill Passed - House (80 - 32) |
| May 22, 2018 | National | S 204 | Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn, and Matthew Bellina Right to Try Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (250 - 169) |
| May 22, 2018 | National | HR 5682 | FIRST STEP Act | Bill Passed - House (360 - 59) |
| May 16, 2018 | LA | HB 88 | Establishes Crime of Government Benefits Fraud | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11) |
| May 16, 2018 | National | HR 5698 | Protect and Serve Act of 2018 | Bill Passed - House (382 - 35) |
| May 16, 2018 | National | S J Res 52 | A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission relating to "Restoring Internet Freedom" | Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 47) |
| May 16, 2018 | NY | A 3557 | Requires Public Education about Veterans' Mental Health | Bill Passed - House (137 - 0) |
| May 15, 2018 | LA | SB 243 | Establishes Constitutional Amendment for Unanimous Consent on Juries | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 7) |
| May 15, 2018 | LA | SB 389 | Amends Probation Regulations | Bill Passed - House (81 - 6) |
| May 15, 2018 | LA | SB 389 | Amends Probation Regulations | Bill Passed - House (81 - 6) |
| May 15, 2018 | MI | HB 5901 | Extends Funding for Statewide Trauma System | Bill Passed - House (69 - 39) |
| May 14, 2018 | LA | SB 236 | Amends Laws Concerning Sexual Abuse of Animals | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 1) |
| May 14, 2018 | MN | HF 390 | Establishes Penalties for Obstructing a Highway | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 27) |
| May 9, 2018 | SC | S 109 | Prohibits Flying Drones Over Military Installations | Bill Passed - House (88 - 1) |
| May 9, 2018 | National | HR 2152 | Citizens' Right to Know Act of 2018 | Bill Passed - House (221 - 197) |
| May 8, 2018 | CT | HB 5542 | Prohibits Bump Stocks | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10) |
| May 8, 2018 | National | S J Res 57 | A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to "Indirect Auto Lending and Compliance with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act" | Bill Passed - House (234 - 175) |
| May 3, 2018 | OK | SB 1098 | Establishes the Criminal Justice Reclassification Coordination Council | Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 31) |
| May 3, 2018 | OK | SB 1098 | Establishes the Criminal Justice Reclassification Coordination Council | Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 31) |
| May 3, 2018 | VT | H 25 | Amends State Domestic Terrorism Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 0) |
| May 3, 2018 | VT | H 25 | Amends State Domestic Terrorism Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 0) |
| May 2, 2018 | OK | SB 1212 | Establishes a State Firearm Constitutional Carry Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 9) |
| May 2, 2018 | NH | HB 1319 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10) |
| May 2, 2018 | IL | SB 3249 | Requires LGBT History in Public Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 18) |
| May 1, 2018 | HI | SB 270 | Prohibits Conversion Therapy for Minors | Conference Report Adopted - House (45 - 5) |
| May 1, 2018 | HI | HB 1489 | Prohibits LGBTQ Discrimination | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 0) |
| May 1, 2018 | HI | HB 2131 | Establishes A Sexual Assault Training Program | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 0) |
| May 1, 2018 | MI | HB 5010 | Extends Statute of Limitations for Armed Robbery | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4) |
| May 1, 2018 | MI | HB 5010 | Extends Statute of Limitations for Armed Robbery | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4) |
| May 1, 2018 | MN | HF 2856 | Amends Public Safety Laws | Bill Passed - House (92 - 35) |
| May 1, 2018 | LA | SB 534 | Amends "Crime of Violence" to Include Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0) |
| May 1, 2018 | CT | HB 5542 | Prohibits Bump Stocks | Bill Passed - House (114 - 35) |
| April 30, 2018 | MO | HB 2499 | Amends Parole Hearing Procedures | Bill Passed - House (114 - 30) |
| April 26, 2018 | NH | SB 593 | Repeals Death Penalty | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (223 - 116) |
| April 26, 2018 | NH | SB 593 | Repeals Death Penalty | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (223 - 116) |
| April 26, 2018 | National | PN 1761 | Nomination of Mike Pompeo to Secretary of State | (57 - 42) |
| April 26, 2018 | CO | SB 18-166 | Amends Sentencing Requirements for Certain Crimes | Bill Passed - House (36 - 29) |
| April 26, 2018 | National | PN 1761 | Nomination of Mike Pompeo to Secretary of State | Cloture Invoked - Senate (57 - 42) |
| April 24, 2018 | OK | SB 786 | Amends Burglary Laws | Conference Report Adopted - House (56 - 33) |
| April 24, 2018 | OK | SB 793 | Amends Drug Possession Sentences | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 20) |
| April 24, 2018 | OK | SB 793 | Amends Drug Possession Sentences | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 20) |
| April 23, 2018 | MN | SF 3673 | Amends Prison Release Requirements for Sex Offenders | Bill Passed - Senate (67 - 0) |
| April 23, 2018 | NY | A 3223 | Amends Penal Law for Victims of Human Trafficking | Bill Passed - House (131 - 0) |
| April 23, 2018 | NY | A 3223 | Amends Penal Law for Victims of Human Trafficking | Bill Passed - House (131 - 0) |
| April 19, 2018 | NH | HB 587 | Prohibits Providing Conversion Therapy to Minors | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10) |
| April 19, 2018 | CA | AB 2943 | Prohibits Advertising Conversion Therapy | Bill Passed - House (50 - 18) |
| April 18, 2018 | VA | HB 83 | Requires Feminine Hygiene Products to be Provided to Prisons Inmates | (39 - None) |
| April 18, 2018 | ME | LD 912 | Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors | Concurrence Vote Failed - House (72 - 76) |
| April 18, 2018 | VT | H 333 | Requires Gender-Neutral Bathrooms | Bill Passed - Senate |
| April 18, 2018 | ME | LD 912 | Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| April 18, 2018 | PA | SB 961 | Increases OWI Penalties | Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4) |
| April 18, 2018 | National | S J Res 57 | A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to "Indirect Auto Lending and Compliance with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act" | Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 47) |
| April 18, 2018 | PA | SB 961 | Increases OWI Penalties | Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4) |
| April 18, 2018 | CO | HB 18-1391 | Establishes Requirements for Sexual Misconduct Policies | Bill Passed - House (34 - 28) |
| April 17, 2018 | TN | SB 2133 | Prohibits Criminal Sentencing Based on Sterilization | Bill Passed - House (70 - 23) |
| April 15, 2018 | AK | HB 316 | Amends Rules Concerning Release of Marijuana Conviction Records | Bill Passed - House (30 - 10) |
| April 13, 2018 | KY | HB 169 | Amends Criminal Laws Related to Gang Violence | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 30) |
| April 12, 2018 | TN | HB 849 | Authorizes GPS Monitoring for Domestic Abuse Defendants | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (85 - 5) |
| April 12, 2018 | NJ | A 1827 | Requires Employers to Provide Paid Sick Leave | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12) |
| April 12, 2018 | NJ | A 3686 | Increases State Protections for Labor Unions | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
| April 12, 2018 | NJ | A 764 | Requires Panic Alarms in Public Schools | Bill Passed - House (66 - 6) |
| April 12, 2018 | MI | HB 4891 | Authorizes Parents to Monitor Child's Communications | Bill Passed - House (105 - 3) |
| April 12, 2018 | NJ | A 3686 | Increases State Protections for Labor Unions | Bill Passed - House (50 - 22) |
| April 12, 2018 | RI | H 7075 | Prohibits Bump Stocks | Bill Passed - House (65 - 3) |
| April 12, 2018 | ME | LD 912 | Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors | Bill Passed - House (76 - 68) |
| April 12, 2018 | RI | H 7688 | Authorizes Extreme Risk Protection Orders | Bill Passed - House (60 - 8) |
| April 12, 2018 | RI | H 7688 | Authorizes Extreme Risk Protection Orders | Bill Passed - House (60 - 8) |
| April 12, 2018 | RI | H 7452 | Prohibits Sharing Explicit Images without Consent | Bill Passed - House (66 - 0) |
| April 11, 2018 | OH | SB 231 | Establishes Database of Violent Offenders | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 2) |
| April 11, 2018 | PA | HB 1419 | Authorizes Limited Access to Certain Criminal Records | Bill Passed - House (188 - 2) |
| April 5, 2018 | MD | HB 819 | Amends Handgun Permit Rules and Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (98 - 31) |
| April 4, 2018 | MA | S 2371 | Amends Criminal Justice Law | Conference Report Adopted - House (148 - 5) |
| April 4, 2018 | MA | S 2372 | Establishes the Garden of Peace Trust Fund | Conference Report Adopted - House (152 - 0) |
| April 4, 2018 | MA | S 2371 | Amends Criminal Justice Law | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 0) |
| April 3, 2018 | MD | SB 101 | Amends Certain Definitions and Regulations for Crimes of Violence | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 7) |
| April 3, 2018 | MD | HB 1302 | Authorizes Extreme Risk Protective Order | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (93 - 46) |
| April 3, 2018 | MD | SB 101 | Amends Certain Definitions and Regulations for Crimes of Violence | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 7) |
| April 3, 2018 | MD | HB 447 | Establishes Pretrial Services Program Grant Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 11) |
| April 2, 2018 | TN | SB 1796 | Establishes Process to Remove Domestic Abusers from Cell Phone Plans | Bill Passed - House (94 - 0) |
| March 30, 2018 | NY | S 8121 | Prohibits Individuals Convicted of Domestic Abuse from Purchasing Firearms | Bill Passed - House (94 - 34) |
| March 30, 2018 | VT | S 55 | Amends Various State Gun Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13) |
| March 30, 2018 | NY | S 8121 | Prohibits Individuals Convicted of Domestic Abuse from Purchasing Firearms | Bill Passed - House (94 - 34) |
| March 30, 2018 | NY | S 8121 | Prohibits Individuals Convicted of Domestic Abuse from Purchasing Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 19) |
| March 30, 2018 | NY | S 8121 | Prohibits Individuals Convicted of Domestic Abuse from Purchasing Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 19) |
| March 29, 2018 | DE | HB 399 | Amends State Constitution to Provide Equal Rights | Bill Passed - House (34 - 5) |
| March 27, 2018 | VT | S 55 | Amends Various State Gun Laws | Bill Passed - House (89 - 54) |
| March 26, 2018 | NJ | A 2758 | Requires Justifiable Need to Carry a Handgun | Bill Passed - House (48 - 26) |
| March 26, 2018 | NJ | A 1217 | Authorizes Extreme Risk Protective Orders | Bill Passed - House (59 - 12) |
| March 26, 2018 | NJ | A 1181 | Amends Various Firearm Confiscation Measures | Bill Passed - House (62 - 7) |
| March 26, 2018 | NJ | S 1036 | Requires Attorney General to Appoint an Independent Prosecutor | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
| March 26, 2018 | NJ | S 1036 | Requires Attorney General to Appoint an Independent Prosecutor | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
| March 26, 2018 | NJ | A 2761 | Prohibits Firearm Magazines with More than 10 Rounds | Bill Passed - House (48 - 25) |
| March 26, 2018 | NJ | A 1827 | Requires Employers to Provide Paid Sick Leave | Bill Passed - House (50 - 24) |
| March 26, 2018 | NJ | A 2757 | Requires Background Checks for Private Gun Sales | Bill Passed - House (62 - 10) |
| March 22, 2018 | KY | HB 198 | Limits Fees for Attorneys Contracting with State Agencies | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 36) |
| March 22, 2018 | MD | HB 532 | Establishes Election Day Voter Registration and Same-Day Voting | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
| March 21, 2018 | ID | H 658 | Amends Trespassing Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6) |