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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 26, 2018 | NJ | S 1036 | Requires Attorney General to Appoint an Independent Prosecutor | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
| March 26, 2018 | NJ | S 699 | Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10) |
| March 26, 2018 | NJ | S 482 | Authorizes Couples to Enter Into Legally Binding Agreements with Surrogate Mothers | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
| 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 | NH | HB 628 | Requires Paid Family and Medical Leave | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (171 - 162) |
| March 22, 2018 | MD | HB 532 | Establishes Election Day Voter Registration and Same-Day Voting | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
| March 22, 2018 | NH | SB 569 | Amends Pet Vendor Regulations | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 5) |
| March 21, 2018 | ID | H 658 | Amends Trespassing Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6) |
| March 21, 2018 | National | HR 1865 | Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2) |
| March 21, 2018 | National | HR 1865 | Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2) |
| March 21, 2018 | National | HR 5247 | Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn, and Matthew Bellina Right to Try Act of 2018 | Bill Passed - House (259 - 140) |
| March 21, 2018 | OH | HB 410 | Establishes Monetary Penalties for Red Light Camera Tickets Going to Trial | Bill Passed - House (71 - 24) |
| March 21, 2018 | OH | HB 506 | Amends Laws Related to High-Volume Dog Breeding | Bill Passed - House (75 - 22) |
| March 21, 2018 | NY | S 3698 | Prohibits Sanctuary Cities | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29) |
| March 20, 2018 | DE | HB 330 | Increases Minimum Purchase Age for Firearms | Bill Passed - House (24 - 16) |
| March 18, 2018 | IL | HB 1465 | Establishes Age Limit for Purchase of Assault-Style Weapons | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 22) |
| March 16, 2018 | ID | H 665 | Increases Penalties for Threats Against Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1) |
| March 16, 2018 | ID | H 649 | Amends Drug Use Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1) |
| March 16, 2018 | ID | H 649 | Amends Drug Use Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1) |
| March 16, 2018 | MD | SB 790 | Repeals State Song | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 13) |
| March 15, 2018 | KS | HB 2042 | Authorizes Individuals Aged 18-20 to Obtain a Concealed Carry Permit | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15) |
| March 15, 2018 | NH | SB 593 | Repeals Death Penalty | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10) |
| March 15, 2018 | AL | HB 225 | Amends State Juvenile Justice Laws | Bill Passed - House (69 - 20) |
| March 15, 2018 | MD | HB 908 | Requires Insurance Companies to Cover Fertility Treatments for Cancer Patients | Bill Passed - House (133 - 2) |
| March 15, 2018 | MD | HB 888 | Prohibits Certain Firearms Accessories | Bill Passed - House (128 - 7) |
| March 14, 2018 | National | HR 4909 | STOP School Violence Act of 2018 | Bill Passed - House (407 - 10) |
| March 14, 2018 | National | HR 4909 | STOP School Violence Act of 2018 | Bill Passed - House (407 - 10) |
| March 14, 2018 | National | HR 4909 | STOP School Violence Act of 2018 | Bill Passed - House (407 - 10) |
| March 13, 2018 | ID | S 1313 | Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy | Bill Passed - House (57 - 12) |
| March 13, 2018 | OK | SB 1140 | Authorizes Child-Placement Agencies to Deny Services Based on Religion | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 9) |
| March 13, 2018 | KY | HB 164 | Authorizes Charitable Gambling | Bill Passed - House (59 - 36) |
| March 13, 2018 | OK | SB 1140 | Authorizes Child-Placement Agencies to Deny Services Based on Religion | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 9) |
| March 12, 2018 | IN | SB 12 | Specifies Rules of Sex Offender Residency | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 20) |
| March 12, 2018 | ID | H 448 | Amends Indecent Exposure Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0) |
| March 12, 2018 | ID | S 1243 | Requires Public Information Regarding Abortion Interventions | Bill Passed - House (55 - 11) |
| March 12, 2018 | ID | H 658 | Amends Trespassing Laws | Bill Passed - House (45 - 22) |
| March 12, 2018 | MD | SB 122 | Amends Criminal Law | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 8) |
| March 10, 2018 | WY | HB 168 | Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 11) |
| March 10, 2018 | WY | HB 168 | Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 11) |
| March 9, 2018 | WY | HB 168 | Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4) |
| March 9, 2018 | WY | HB 168 | Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4) |
| March 9, 2018 | WV | HB 4006 | Repeals Department of Education and Arts | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15) |
| March 9, 2018 | ID | H 665 | Increases Penalties for Threats Against Schools | Bill Passed - House (52 - 12) |
| March 8, 2018 | WA | HB 3003 | Amends Various Police 'Use of Force' Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24) |
| March 8, 2018 | WA | HB 3003 | Amends Various Police 'Use of Force' Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24) |
| March 8, 2018 | MI | HB 5531 | Requires Expulsion of Students Convicted of Criminal Sexual Conduct | Bill Passed - House (93 - 14) |
| March 8, 2018 | MD | HB 532 | Establishes Election Day Voter Registration and Same-Day Voting | Bill Passed - House (91 - 46) |
| March 7, 2018 | SD | HB 1083 | Amends Concealed Carry Provisions | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 3) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/26 | S 1036 | Requires Attorney General to Appoint an Independent Prosecutor | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
| 3/26 | S 699 | Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10) |
| 3/26 | S 482 | Authorizes Couples to Enter Into Legally Binding Agreements with Surrogate Mothers | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
| 3/26 | A 2761 | Prohibits Firearm Magazines with More than 10 Rounds | Bill Passed - House (48 - 25) |
| 3/26 | A 1827 | Requires Employers to Provide Paid Sick Leave | Bill Passed - House (50 - 24) |
| 3/26 | A 2757 | Requires Background Checks for Private Gun Sales | Bill Passed - House (62 - 10) |
| 3/22 | HB 628 | Requires Paid Family and Medical Leave | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (171 - 162) |
| 3/22 | HB 532 | Establishes Election Day Voter Registration and Same-Day Voting | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
| 3/22 | SB 569 | Amends Pet Vendor Regulations | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 5) |
| 3/21 | H 658 | Amends Trespassing Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6) |
| 3/21 | HR 1865 | Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2) |
| 3/21 | HR 1865 | Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2) |
| 3/21 | HR 5247 | Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn, and Matthew Bellina Right to Try Act of 2018 | Bill Passed - House (259 - 140) |
| 3/21 | HB 410 | Establishes Monetary Penalties for Red Light Camera Tickets Going to Trial | Bill Passed - House (71 - 24) |
| 3/21 | HB 506 | Amends Laws Related to High-Volume Dog Breeding | Bill Passed - House (75 - 22) |
| 3/21 | S 3698 | Prohibits Sanctuary Cities | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29) |
| 3/20 | HB 330 | Increases Minimum Purchase Age for Firearms | Bill Passed - House (24 - 16) |
| 3/18 | HB 1465 | Establishes Age Limit for Purchase of Assault-Style Weapons | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 22) |
| 3/16 | H 665 | Increases Penalties for Threats Against Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1) |
| 3/16 | H 649 | Amends Drug Use Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1) |
| 3/16 | H 649 | Amends Drug Use Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1) |
| 3/16 | SB 790 | Repeals State Song | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 13) |
| 3/15 | HB 2042 | Authorizes Individuals Aged 18-20 to Obtain a Concealed Carry Permit | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15) |
| 3/15 | SB 593 | Repeals Death Penalty | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10) |
| 3/15 | HB 225 | Amends State Juvenile Justice Laws | Bill Passed - House (69 - 20) |
| 3/15 | HB 908 | Requires Insurance Companies to Cover Fertility Treatments for Cancer Patients | Bill Passed - House (133 - 2) |
| 3/15 | HB 888 | Prohibits Certain Firearms Accessories | Bill Passed - House (128 - 7) |
| 3/14 | HR 4909 | STOP School Violence Act of 2018 | Bill Passed - House (407 - 10) |
| 3/14 | HR 4909 | STOP School Violence Act of 2018 | Bill Passed - House (407 - 10) |
| 3/14 | HR 4909 | STOP School Violence Act of 2018 | Bill Passed - House (407 - 10) |
| 3/13 | S 1313 | Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy | Bill Passed - House (57 - 12) |
| 3/13 | SB 1140 | Authorizes Child-Placement Agencies to Deny Services Based on Religion | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 9) |
| 3/13 | HB 164 | Authorizes Charitable Gambling | Bill Passed - House (59 - 36) |
| 3/13 | SB 1140 | Authorizes Child-Placement Agencies to Deny Services Based on Religion | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 9) |
| 3/12 | SB 12 | Specifies Rules of Sex Offender Residency | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 20) |
| 3/12 | H 448 | Amends Indecent Exposure Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0) |
| 3/12 | S 1243 | Requires Public Information Regarding Abortion Interventions | Bill Passed - House (55 - 11) |
| 3/12 | H 658 | Amends Trespassing Laws | Bill Passed - House (45 - 22) |
| 3/12 | SB 122 | Amends Criminal Law | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 8) |
| 3/10 | HB 168 | Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 11) |
| 3/10 | HB 168 | Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 11) |
| 3/09 | HB 168 | Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4) |
| 3/09 | HB 168 | Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4) |
| 3/09 | HB 4006 | Repeals Department of Education and Arts | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15) |
| 3/09 | H 665 | Increases Penalties for Threats Against Schools | Bill Passed - House (52 - 12) |
| 3/08 | HB 3003 | Amends Various Police 'Use of Force' Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24) |
| 3/08 | HB 3003 | Amends Various Police 'Use of Force' Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24) |
| 3/08 | HB 5531 | Requires Expulsion of Students Convicted of Criminal Sexual Conduct | Bill Passed - House (93 - 14) |
| 3/08 | HB 532 | Establishes Election Day Voter Registration and Same-Day Voting | Bill Passed - House (91 - 46) |
| 3/07 | HB 1083 | Amends Concealed Carry Provisions | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 3) |