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 7, 2015 | AL | HB 236 | Authorizes Home-Schooled Students to Participate in Public School Sports | Bill Passed - House (52 - 43) |
| April 21, 2015 | AL | SJR 34 | Specifies the Intent to Not Expand Medicaid Services | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 8) |
| April 7, 2015 | AL | HB 193 | Authorizes Counties to Establish Administrative Programs | Bill Passed - House (76 - 17) |
| March 31, 2015 | AL | HB 85 | Requires Animal Shelters to Compile Monthly Reports | Bill Failed - House (28 - 67) |
| March 31, 2015 | AL | SB 71 | Increases Cumulative Cap on Tax Credits Available for Scholarship Donations | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14) |
| March 19, 2015 | AL | SB 191 | Establishes the Board of Trustees of the Alabama Community College System | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5) |
| March 18, 2015 | AL | SB 45 | Authorizes Public Charter Schools | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| March 18, 2015 | AL | SB 45 | Authorizes Public Charter Schools | Bill Passed - House (58 - 41) |
| March 17, 2015 | AL | SB 4 | Requires Vehicles to Maintain Certain Distance From Bicycles | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 11) |
| March 12, 2015 | AL | HB 56 | Authorizes Officials to Refuse to Perform Marriage Ceremonies | Bill Passed - House (69 - 25) |
| March 11, 2015 | AL | HB 18 | Authorizes Execution by Electrocution | Bill Passed - House (76 - 26) |
| March 10, 2015 | AL | SB 45 | Authorizes Public Charter Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12) |
| April 3, 2014 | AL | HB 494 | Amends Requirements for Minors Who Seek an Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5) |
| April 3, 2014 | AL | SB 63 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (73 - 27) |
| April 2, 2014 | AL | SB 115 | Amends Job Application Requirements for Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (70 - 33) |
| April 2, 2014 | AL | HB 489 | Increases the Time Physicians Have to Provide Certain Information Prior to an Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10) |
| March 19, 2014 | AL | SB 354 | Authorizes Individuals Without Concealed Carry Licenses to Carry Firearms in Vehicles | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7) |
| March 6, 2014 | AL | HB 379 | Requires Confidentiality for Lethal-Injection Drug Suppliers | Bill Passed - House (77 - 19) |
| March 4, 2014 | AL | HB 493 | Requires Abortion Patients to be Informed of Perinatal Services | Bill Passed - House (73 - 24) |
| March 4, 2014 | AL | HB 490 | Prohibits an Abortion After a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected | Bill Passed - House (73 - 29) |
| March 4, 2014 | AL | HB 489 | Increases the Time Physicians Have to Provide Certain Information Prior to an Abortion | Bill Passed - House (76 - 23) |
| March 4, 2014 | AL | HB 494 | Amends Requirements for Minors Seeking an Abortion | Bill Passed - House (82 - 18) |
| Feb. 26, 2014 | AL | SB 63 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4) |
| Feb. 25, 2014 | AL | HB 141 | Authorizes Veterinarians to Work at Nonprofit Spay Neuter Clinics | Bill Passed - House (58 - 37) |
| Feb. 20, 2014 | AL | HB 45 | Authorizes Display of the Ten Commandments on State Property | Amendment Adopted - House (77 - 19) |
| Feb. 13, 2014 | AL | SB 18 | Authorizes a School District to Educate on Traditional Winter Celebrations | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7) |
| Feb. 11, 2014 | AL | SB 168 | Prohibits Smoking in Public Places | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
| Jan. 22, 2014 | AL | HB 48 | Authorizes a Tax Credit for the Adoption of Qualified Children | Bill Passed - House (72 - 23) |
| Jan. 21, 2014 | AL | HB 31 | Authorizes Health Care Providers to Abstain from Certain Medical Procedures | Bill Passed - House (71 - 26) |
| May 20, 2013 | AL | SB 445 | Repeals Limits on Campaign Financing | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 4) |
| May 9, 2013 | AL | HB 658 | Amends The School "Accountability Act" | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 41) |
| May 9, 2013 | AL | HB 658 | Amends The School "Accountability Act" | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
| May 7, 2013 | AL | HB 9 | Authorizes Home Brewing | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7) |
| May 2, 2013 | AL | SB 286 | Amends Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - House (74 - 27) |
| April 30, 2013 | AL | HB 8 | Requires Courts to Apply "Strict Scrutiny" to Certain Firearm Regulation Laws | Bill Passed - House (76 - 22) |
| April 30, 2013 | AL | HB 162 | Amends the Voter Registration Deadline | Bill Passed - House (67 - 34) |
| April 30, 2013 | AL | SB 93 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6) |
| April 25, 2013 | AL | SB 340 | Amends the Medicaid Program | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3) |
| April 24, 2013 | AL | SB 191 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10) |
| April 2, 2013 | AL | HB 57 | Establishes Requirements for Medical Care at Abortion Clinics | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 21) |
| April 2, 2013 | AL | HB 57 | Establishes Requirements for Medical Care at Abortion Clinics | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10) |
| April 2, 2013 | AL | HB 9 | Authorizes Home Brewing | Bill Passed - House (58 - 33) |
| March 7, 2013 | AL | SB 41 | Amends Employment Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10) |
| Feb. 28, 2013 | AL | HB 84 | Authorizes Schools to Apply for Waivers from State Laws | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 11) |
| Feb. 19, 2013 | AL | HB 57 | Establishes Requirements for Medical Care at Abortion Clinics | Bill Passed - House (73 - 23) |
| Feb. 14, 2013 | AL | HB 84 | Authorizes Schools to Apply for Waivers from State Laws | Bill Passed - House (65 - 37) |
| May 24, 2012 | AL | SB 25 | State Senate Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (65 - 36) |
| May 24, 2012 | AL | HB 19 | State House Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| May 22, 2012 | AL | SB 25 | State Senate Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
| May 21, 2012 | AL | HB 19 | State House Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (66 - 35) |
| May 16, 2012 | AL | HB 433 | 2012-2013 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 6) |
| May 16, 2012 | AL | HB 433 | 2012-2013 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (77 - 28) |
| May 16, 2012 | AL | HB 658 | Amends Immigration Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 37) |
| May 16, 2012 | AL | HB 658 | Amends Immigration Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7) |
| May 10, 2012 | AL | HB 360 | Requires Schools to Have a Longer Summer Vacation | Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 8) |
| May 8, 2012 | AL | HB 360 | Requires Schools to Have a Longer Summer Vacation | Veto Override Passed - House (71 - 21) |
| May 8, 2012 | AL | SB 10 | Prohibits Insurance from Providing Coverage for Abortions | Bill Passed - House (76 - 28) |
| May 2, 2012 | AL | SB 513 | Authorizes Charter Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| May 1, 2012 | AL | HB 360 | Requires Schools to Have a Longer Summer Vacation | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (58 - 36) |
| May 1, 2012 | AL | HB 360 | Requires Schools to Have a Longer Summer Vacation | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
| April 19, 2012 | AL | HB 658 | Amends Immigration Regulations | Bill Passed - House (64 - 34) |
| April 10, 2012 | AL | HB 433 | 2012-2013 Budget | Bill Passed - House (56 - 47) |
| April 10, 2012 | AL | SB 388 | Amends State Employee Pensions | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8) |
| April 3, 2012 | AL | SB 63 | Authorizes Private Work-Oriented Rehbilitation Programs for Inmates | Bill Passed - House (73 - 22) |
| April 3, 2012 | AL | SB 396 | Compensation to Bridget Lee for Wrongful Incarceration | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| Feb. 16, 2012 | AL | HB 159 | Authorizes Economic Development Incentive Program | Bill Passed - House (65 - 22) |
| Feb. 14, 2012 | AL | HB 160 | Authorizes Companies to Retain Employee Income Tax Deductions | Bill Passed - House (69 - 19) |
| June 9, 2011 | AL | HB 123 | Education Appropriations for 2011-2012 | Veto Override Passed - House (78 - 21) |
| June 9, 2011 | AL | HB 414 | Increasing Retirement Contributions for Public Employees | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 12) |
| June 9, 2011 | AL | HB 60 | Prohibiting Mandatory Participation in any Health Care System | Amendment Adopted - Senate (24 - 9) |
| June 9, 2011 | AL | HB 18 | Prohibiting Abortions after 20 Weeks of Pregnancy | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 20) |
| June 9, 2011 | AL | HB 18 | Prohibiting Abortions after 20 Weeks of Pregnancy | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5) |
| June 2, 2011 | AL | HB 56 | Immigration Enforcement | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 7) |
| June 2, 2011 | AL | SB 484 | 2011 Congressional Redistricting | Conference Report Adopted - House (57 - 45) |
| June 2, 2011 | AL | HB 414 | Increasing Retirement Contributions for Public Employees | Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 48) |
| June 2, 2011 | AL | SB 484 | 2011 Congressional Redistricting | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 15) |
| June 2, 2011 | AL | HB 56 | Immigration Enforcement | Conference Report Adopted - House (67 - 29) |
| April 21, 2011 | AL | SB 256 | Undocumented Immigrant Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate |
| April 21, 2011 | AL | SJR 82 | Establishing A Constitutional Revision Commission | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 9) |
| April 14, 2011 | AL | HB 126 | Extending Forever Wild Land Trust | Bill Passed - House (69 - 24) |
| April 12, 2011 | AL | HB 123 | Education Appropriations for 2011-2012 | Bill Passed - House (64 - 36) |
| April 12, 2011 | AL | HB 414 | Increasing Retirement Contributions for Public Employees | Bill Passed - House (54 - 41) |
| April 7, 2011 | AL | HB 18 | Prohibiting Abortions after 20 Weeks of Pregnancy | Bill Passed - House (69 - 19) |
| April 7, 2011 | AL | SB 133 | 2011-2012 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4) |
| April 5, 2011 | AL | HB 60 | Prohibiting Mandatory Participation in any Health Care System | Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 28) |
| April 5, 2011 | AL | HB 56 | Immigration Enforcement | Bill Passed - House (73 - 28) |
| March 24, 2011 | AL | HB 60 | Prohibiting Mandatory Participation in any Health Care System | Amendment Rejected - House (59 - 28) |
| March 22, 2011 | AL | SB 72 | Repealing the Deferred Retirement Option Plan | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 13) |
| March 22, 2011 | AL | SB 72 | Repealing the Deferred Retirement Option Plan | Conference Report Adopted - House (58 - 33) |
| March 22, 2011 | AL | HB 19 | Requires Photo Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - House (64 - 31) |
| April 21, 2010 | AL | SB 162 | PACT Funding and Tuition Restrictions | Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 7) |
| April 21, 2010 | AL | SB 121 | Highway Construction Appropriations from the Alabama Trust Fund | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 8) |
| April 21, 2010 | AL | SB 162 | PACT Funding and Tuition Restrictions | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 3) |
| April 21, 2010 | AL | SB 121 | Highway Construction Appropriations from the Alabama Trust Fund | Conference Report Adopted - House (86 - 13) |
| April 21, 2010 | AL | HB 105 | Required Physical Education | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (72 - 7) |
| April 14, 2010 | AL | HB 105 | Required Physical Education | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 8) |
| April 1, 2010 | AL | SB 233 | Prohibiting Individual Health Care Mandate | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8) |
| March 30, 2010 | AL | SB 380 | Authorization, Regulation, and Taxation of Bingo | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| March 4, 2010 | AL | HB 44 | Tennessee Valley Authority Fund Allocation Modification | Veto Override Passed - Senate (19 - 10) |
| March 4, 2010 | AL | HB 44 | Tennessee Valley Authority Fund Allocation Modification | Veto Override Passed - House (56 - 21) |