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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 7, 2018 | OH | HB 411 | Requires Compensation for Wrongfully Imprisoned Individuals | Bill Passed - House (77 - 11) |
| June 6, 2018 | NY | A 2142 | Requires Certain Marijuana Convictions be Sealed | Bill Passed - House (98 - 41) |
| June 6, 2018 | OH | HB 506 | Amends Laws Related to High-Volume Dog Breeding | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1) |
| June 6, 2018 | NY | A 9016 | Authorizes Medical Marijuana for Opioid-Use Disorder | Bill Passed - House (108 - 28) |
| June 6, 2018 | NY | S 7415 | Prohibits Leasing Plans for Pets | Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 0) |
| May 31, 2018 | IL | SB 336 | Establishes the Alternatives to Opioids Act of 2018 | Bill Passed - House (72 - 38) |
| May 30, 2018 | IL | SB 337 | Amends Gun Dealer Licensing Rules | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 20) |
| May 30, 2018 | IL | SB 3256 | Requires 72 Hour Waiting Period for Guns | Bill Passed - House (72 - 44) |
| May 30, 2018 | IL | SB 2562 | Authorizes Police Drone Surveillance | Bill Passed - House (74 - 35) |
| May 30, 2018 | IL | HB 2354 | Authorizes Courts to Confiscate Firearms from Potentially Dangerous Individuals | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 11) |
| May 30, 2018 | IL | SB 3489 | Amends the Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Registration Act. | Bill Passed - House (73 - 42) |
| May 30, 2018 | IL | HB 2354 | Authorizes Courts to Confiscate Firearms from Potentially Dangerous Individuals | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 11) |
| May 30, 2018 | IL | SB 2560 | Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act | Bill Passed - House (66 - 50) |
| May 30, 2018 | CA | AB 2965 | Authorizes Medicaid Benefits for Undocumented Children | Bill Passed - House (47 - 25) |
| May 29, 2018 | MI | SB 872 | Amends Statue of Limitations for Sexual Misconduct Cases Going Back until 1997 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 2) |
| May 29, 2018 | MI | SB 871 | Increases the Statute of Limitations for Sexual Assault Offenses | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 0) |
| May 29, 2018 | IL | SB 337 | Amends Gun Dealer Licensing Rules | Bill Passed - House (65 - 49) |
| May 29, 2018 | CA | SB 1100 | Increases the Purchasing Age for Firearms to 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10) |
| May 24, 2018 | MI | SB 872 | Amends Statue of Limitations for Sexual Misconduct Cases Going Back until 1997 | Bill Passed - House (99 - 10) |
| May 24, 2018 | MI | SB 871 | Increases the Statute of Limitations for Sexual Assault Offenses | Bill Passed - House (108 - 1) |
| May 24, 2018 | IL | HB 4965 | Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 15) |
| May 24, 2018 | IL | HB 5599 | Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 17) |
| May 24, 2018 | NJ | S 493 | Authorizes Transgender Death Certificates | Bill Passed - House (57 - 10) |
| May 24, 2018 | MI | HB 6043 | Requires School Districts to Report Inappropriate Conduct within 60 Days | Bill Passed - House (88 - 21) |
| May 23, 2018 | IL | SB 2428 | Requires Schools Provide Lunch to All Students | Bill Passed - House (66 - 44) |
| 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 | MA | H 4517 | Authorizes Extreme Risk Protection Orders | Bill Passed - House (139 - 14) |
| May 23, 2018 | RI | S 2678 | Authorizes Driver's Licenses for DACA Recipients | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2) |
| 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 | SB 184 | Amends Video Draw Poker Devices Control Law | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 14) |
| May 16, 2018 | LA | HB 88 | Establishes Crime of Government Benefits Fraud | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11) |
| 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 | National | HR 5698 | Protect and Serve Act of 2018 | Bill Passed - House (382 - 35) |
| 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 316 | Amend State Riverboat Gaming Laws | Bill Passed - House (53 - 42) |
| 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 | LA | SB 236 | Amends Laws Concerning Sexual Abuse of Animals | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 1) |
| May 10, 2018 | CA | SB 785 | Prohibits Irrelevant Disclosures of Immigration Status in Open Court | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 6) |
| May 9, 2018 | SC | S 109 | Prohibits Flying Drones Over Military Installations | Bill Passed - House (88 - 1) |
| May 9, 2018 | LA | HB 484 | Authorizes Fantasy Sports Contests | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15) |
| 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 7, 2018 | LA | SB 160 | Prohibits Tying Up Pets During Hurricanes | Bill Passed - House (67 - 25) |
| May 3, 2018 | OK | SB 1098 | Establishes the Criminal Justice Reclassification Coordination Council | Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 31) |
| May 3, 2018 | KS | SB 284 | Authorizes Child Placement Agencies to Deny Service Based on Religion | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 15) |
| May 3, 2018 | KS | SB 284 | Authorizes Child Placement Agencies to Deny Service Based on Religion | Conference Report Adopted - House (63 - 58) |
| May 3, 2018 | VT | H 25 | Amends State Domestic Terrorism Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 0) |
| May 3, 2018 | OK | SB 1140 | Authorizes Child-Placement Agencies to Deny Services Based on Religion | Bill Passed - House (57 - 24) |
| May 3, 2018 | OK | SB 1140 | Authorizes Child-Placement Agencies to Deny Services Based on Religion | Bill Passed - House (57 - 24) |
| May 2, 2018 | OK | SB 1212 | Establishes a State Firearm Constitutional Carry Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 9) |
| May 2, 2018 | NH | SB 569 | Amends Pet Vendor Regulations | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (222 - 111) |
| 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 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 | MI | HB 5010 | Extends Statute of Limitations for Armed Robbery | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4) |
| May 1, 2018 | HI | HB 2131 | Establishes A Sexual Assault Training Program | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 0) |
| 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 27, 2018 | National | H Res 856 | Raising a Question of the Privileges of the House | Bill Tabled - House (215 - 171) |
| April 26, 2018 | NH | SB 593 | Repeals Death Penalty | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (223 - 116) |
| April 26, 2018 | CO | SB 18-166 | Amends Sentencing Requirements for Certain Crimes | Bill Passed - House (36 - 29) |
| April 26, 2018 | IL | HB 5599 | Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code | Bill Passed - House (75 - 31) |
| April 25, 2018 | CT | SB 4 | Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students | Bill Passed - House (91 - 59) |
| April 25, 2018 | TN | HB 2315 | Prohibits Sanctuary Policies | Bill Passed - House (64 - 23) |
| 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 | TN | HB 2381 | Authorizes 'Monument to the Unborn' | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 3) |
| April 23, 2018 | TN | HB 2381 | Authorizes 'Monument to the Unborn' | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 3) |
| 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 19, 2018 | NH | HB 587 | Prohibits Providing Conversion Therapy to Minors | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10) |
| April 19, 2018 | MN | HF 3157 | Prohibits Misrepresentation of a Service Animal | Bill Passed - Senate (67 - 0) |
| April 19, 2018 | TN | HB 2381 | Authorizes 'Monument to the Unborn' | Bill Passed - House (63 - 15) |
| April 19, 2018 | CA | AB 2943 | Prohibits Advertising Conversion Therapy | Bill Passed - House (50 - 18) |
| April 19, 2018 | TN | HB 2381 | Authorizes 'Monument to the Unborn' | Bill Passed - House (63 - 15) |
| 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 | CT | SB 4 | Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5) |
| 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 17, 2018 | TN | SB 2133 | Prohibits Criminal Sentencing Based on Sterilization | Bill Passed - House (70 - 23) |
| April 17, 2018 | OK | HB 2692 | Amends Child Care Licensing | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15) |
| April 17, 2018 | LA | HB 484 | Authorizes Fantasy Sports Contests | Bill Passed - House (67 - 23) |
| April 17, 2018 | CO | SB 18-220 | Prohibits Jurisdictions From Establishing Sanctuary Status | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |