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 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 | NY | A 3223 | Amends Penal Law for Victims of Human Trafficking | Bill Passed - House (131 - 0) |
| 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 19, 2018 | TN | HB 2381 | Authorizes 'Monument to the Unborn' | Bill Passed - House (63 - 15) |
| April 18, 2018 | ME | LD 912 | Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors | Concurrence Vote Failed - House (72 - 76) |
| 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 | LA | HB 484 | Authorizes Fantasy Sports Contests | Bill Passed - House (67 - 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 | TN | HB 849 | Authorizes GPS Monitoring for Domestic Abuse Defendants | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (85 - 5) |
| April 12, 2018 | NJ | S 122 | Authorizes Tax Credits for Film Production | Bill Passed - House (59 - 14) |
| April 12, 2018 | NJ | S 699 | Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students | Bill Passed - House (49 - 24) |
| 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 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 11, 2018 | PA | HB 1419 | Authorizes Limited Access to Certain Criminal Records | Bill Passed - House (188 - 2) |
| April 9, 2018 | TN | SJR 141 | Authorizes Relocation of President James K. Polk's Body | Bill Passed - House (51 - 37) |
| 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 | TN | SB 1631 | Prohibits Renting Hotel Rooms for Less than 7 Hours | Bill Failed - House (38 - 45) |
| April 4, 2018 | MA | S 2372 | Establishes the Garden of Peace Trust Fund | Conference Report Adopted - House (152 - 0) |
| April 3, 2018 | MD | HB 1302 | Authorizes Extreme Risk Protective Order | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (93 - 46) |
| April 3, 2018 | IA | SF 481 | Requires Law Enforcement for Comply with ICE Detainer Requests | Bill Passed - House (55 - 45) |
| April 2, 2018 | TN | SB 1796 | Establishes Process to Remove Domestic Abusers from Cell Phone Plans | Bill Passed - House (94 - 0) |
| 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 | NY | S 8121 | Prohibits Individuals Convicted of Domestic Abuse from Purchasing Firearms | Bill Passed - House (94 - 34) |
| March 29, 2018 | DE | HB 399 | Amends State Constitution to Provide Equal Rights | Bill Passed - House (34 - 5) |
| March 28, 2018 | AZ | SB 1393 | Authorizes Parents to Use Frozen Embryos after Divorce | Bill Passed - House (33 - 25) |
| March 28, 2018 | AZ | SB 1393 | Authorizes Parents to Use Frozen Embryos after Divorce | Bill Passed - House (33 - 25) |
| March 28, 2018 | MD | SB 900 | Amends Rules and Regulations to the Gaming Industry | Bill Passed - House (87 - 45) |
| March 27, 2018 | VT | S 55 | Amends Various State Gun Laws | Bill Passed - House (89 - 54) |
| March 26, 2018 | NJ | A 2757 | Requires Background Checks for Private Gun Sales | Bill Passed - House (62 - 10) |
| 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 | 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 22, 2018 | NH | HB 628 | Requires Paid Family and Medical Leave | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (171 - 162) |
| 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 | National | HR 5247 | Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn, and Matthew Bellina Right to Try Act of 2018 | Bill Passed - House (259 - 140) |
| March 20, 2018 | DE | HB 330 | Increases Minimum Purchase Age for Firearms | Bill Passed - House (24 - 16) |
| March 15, 2018 | MD | HB 888 | Prohibits Certain Firearms Accessories | Bill Passed - House (128 - 7) |
| 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 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 | KY | HB 164 | Authorizes Charitable Gambling | Bill Passed - House (59 - 36) |
| 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 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 | ID | H 665 | Increases Penalties for Threats Against Schools | Bill Passed - House (52 - 12) |
| March 8, 2018 | MD | HB 532 | Establishes Election Day Voter Registration and Same-Day Voting | Bill Passed - House (91 - 46) |
| March 8, 2018 | MI | HB 5531 | Requires Expulsion of Students Convicted of Criminal Sexual Conduct | Bill Passed - House (93 - 14) |
| March 7, 2018 | SD | HB 1083 | Amends Concealed Carry Provisions | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 3) |
| March 7, 2018 | FL | SB 7026 | Establishes the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act | Bill Passed - House (67 - 50) |
| March 7, 2018 | NH | HB 1319 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (195 - 129) |
| March 7, 2018 | WA | HB 3003 | Amends Various Police 'Use of Force' Laws | Bill Passed - House (73 - 25) |
| March 7, 2018 | WA | HB 3003 | Amends Various Police 'Use of Force' Laws | Bill Passed - House (73 - 25) |
| March 6, 2018 | WA | HB 2578 | Establishes Source-of-Income Housing Non-Discrimination Policy | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 31) |
| March 6, 2018 | OK | HB 2632 | Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" in Defense of Church Members | Bill Passed - House (62 - 21) |
| March 6, 2018 | OK | HB 2632 | Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" in Defense of Church Members | Bill Passed - House (62 - 21) |
| March 5, 2018 | FL | HB 7067 | Authorizes Blackjack in Seminole Casinos | Bill Passed - House (70 - 40) |
| March 3, 2018 | OR | HB 4111 | Authorizes DMV to Renew and Replace Limited-Term Driver's Licenses for DACA Recipients | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 22) |
| March 3, 2018 | OR | HB 4111 | Authorizes DMV to Renew and Replace Limited-Term Driver's Licenses for DACA Recipients | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 22) |
| March 3, 2018 | OR | SB 1563 | Authorizes Undocumented Students to Continue Receiving Financial Aid | Bill Passed - House (36 - 22) |
| March 2, 2018 | WV | SB 415 | Authorizes Casino Sports Betting Upon Federal Approval | Bill Passed - House (77 - 22) |
| March 1, 2018 | AL | HB 14 | Amends Driving-Under-the-Influence Laws | Bill Passed - House (44 - 42) |
| Feb. 28, 2018 | WA | SB 5722 | Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors | Bill Passed - House (66 - 32) |
| Feb. 28, 2018 | IL | SB 1657 | Requires State-Level License to Sell Firearms | Bill Passed - House (64 - 52) |
| Feb. 28, 2018 | WA | SB 6219 | Requires State Insurer Coverage of Abortion and Contraception | Bill Passed - House (50 - 48) |
| Feb. 28, 2018 | IL | HB 1465 | Establishes Age Limit for Purchase of Assault-Style Weapons | Bill Passed - House (64 - 51) |
| Feb. 28, 2018 | IL | HB 1467 | Prohibits Bump Stocks | Bill Passed - House (83 - 31) |
| Feb. 27, 2018 | WA | SB 5996 | Prohibits Employers from Requiring Sexual Assault Nondisclosure Agreements | Bill Passed - House (98 - 0) |
| Feb. 27, 2018 | WA | SB 6037 | Authorizes Financial Compensation of Surrogates | Bill Passed - House (50 - 47) |
| Feb. 27, 2018 | National | HR 1865 | Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (388 - 25) |
| Feb. 27, 2018 | National | HR 1865 | Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (388 - 25) |
| Feb. 23, 2018 | WA | SB 5992 | Prohibits Bump Stocks | Bill Passed - House (56 - 41) |
| Feb. 22, 2018 | MI | HB 4053 | Establishes English as Official Language | Bill Passed - House (62 - 46) |
| Feb. 16, 2018 | OR | HB 4135 | Authorizes Healthcare Providers to Make Decisions for End of Life Patients | Bill Passed - House (35 - 25) |