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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan. 30, 2013 | KS | SCR 1601 | Authorizes the Governor to Nominate Judges | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12) |
| May 10, 2012 | KS | SB 102 | State Senate Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (67 - 50) |
| May 10, 2012 | KS | SB 102 | State Senate Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (67 - 50) |
| March 21, 2012 | KS | HB 2117 | Reduces Income Tax Rate | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 20) |
| Feb. 23, 2012 | KS | SB 83 | Amends Judicial Appointment Process | Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (17 - 22) |
| Feb. 23, 2012 | KS | HCR 5007 | Authorizes Kansas to Determine Its Health Care Policies | Bill Failed - Senate (26 - 14) |
| Feb. 23, 2012 | KS | HB 2437 | Amends Voting Registration Requirements | Bill Passed - House (81 - 43) |
| Feb. 9, 2012 | KS | HB 2606 | State House Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (109 - 14) |
| Feb. 9, 2012 | KS | HB 2606 | State House Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (109 - 14) |
| May 11, 2011 | KS | SB 129 | Amends Voter Identification Requirements | Conference Report Rejected - Senate (15 - 23) |
| March 23, 2011 | KS | SB 83 | Amends Judicial Appointment Process | Bill Passed - House (66 - 57) |
| Feb. 25, 2011 | KS | HB 2067 | Voter Photographic Identification Requirements | Bill Passed - House (83 - 36) |
| Feb. 11, 2011 | KS | HCR 5007 | Prohibiting Mandated Health Insurance | Bill Passed - House (91 - 27) |
| Feb. 11, 2011 | KS | HCR 5007 | Prohibiting Mandated Health Insurance | Bill Passed - House (91 - 27) |
| May 11, 2010 | KS | HB 2650 | Transportation Works For Kansas Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (86 - 38) |
| May 10, 2010 | KS | HB 2360 | Kansas Taxpayer Transparency Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 61) |
| May 7, 2010 | KS | HB 2650 | Transportation Works For Kansas Program | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
| May 6, 2010 | KS | HB 2360 | Kansas Tax Payer Transparency Act | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17) |
| March 30, 2010 | KS | HB 2115 | Late-Term/Partial Birth Abortion Reporting Requirements | Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 36) |
| March 30, 2010 | KS | HB 2115 | Late-Term/Partial Birth Abortion Reporting Requirements | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 15) |
| March 23, 2010 | KS | HCR 5032 | Prohibiting Health Insurance Mandates | Joint Resolution Failed - House (75 - 47) |
| March 1, 2010 | KS | HB 2538 | Business Tax Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (84 - 34) |
| Feb. 11, 2010 | KS | SCR 1615 | Statement of Opposition to Federal Mandates | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (33 - 7) |
| May 7, 2009 | KS | HB 2373 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 60) |
| May 5, 2009 | KS | HB 2373 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
| March 31, 2009 | KS | HB 2354 | 2009-2010 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 53) |
| March 31, 2009 | KS | HB 2354 | 2009-2010 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 5) |
| March 25, 2009 | KS | HB 2275 | Drug Testing for Cash Assistance Recipients | Bill Passed - House (99 - 26) |
| March 24, 2009 | KS | HB 2354 | 2009-2010 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14) |
| March 24, 2009 | KS | HB 2373 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - House (70 - 54) |
| March 12, 2009 | KS | HB 2320 | State Spending Limitations and Savings Accounts | Bill Passed - House (89 - 33) |
| March 12, 2009 | KS | HB 2320 | State Spending Limitations and Savings Accounts | Bill Passed - House (89 - 33) |
| March 12, 2009 | KS | HB 2320 | State Spending Limitations and Savings Accounts | Bill Passed - House (89 - 33) |
| March 4, 2009 | KS | HB 2206 | Partial Birth/Late-term Abortion Reporting Requirements | Bill Passed - House (82 - 40) |
| Feb. 12, 2009 | KS | SB 23 | 2008-2009, 2009-2010, and 2010-2011Budget Amendments | Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 51) |
| Feb. 12, 2009 | KS | SB 23 | 2008-2009, 2009-2010, and 2010-2011Budget Amendments | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 11) |
| Feb. 5, 2009 | KS | SB 23 | 2008-2009, 2009-2010, and 2010-2011 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - House (74 - 48) |
| Jan. 29, 2009 | KS | SB 23 | 2008-2009, 2009-2010, and 2010-2011 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14) |
| May 7, 2008 | KS | HB 2946 | 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Amendments | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 11) |
| May 7, 2008 | KS | HB 2946 | 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Amendments | Conference Report Adopted - House (73 - 49) |
| May 6, 2008 | KS | HB 2019 | Voter Identification | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 3) |
| May 6, 2008 | KS | HB 2019 | Voter Identification | Conference Report Adopted - House (67 - 56) |
| May 5, 2008 | KS | HB 2860 | Eminent Domain and Water Rights | Conference Report Adopted - House (64 - 57) |
| May 3, 2008 | KS | SB 81 | Health Care Reform | Conference Report Adopted - House (104 - 16) |
| May 3, 2008 | KS | SB 81 | Health Care Reform | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 1) |
| May 1, 2008 | KS | SB 148 | Electricity Generation and Conservation | Veto Override Failed - House (80 - 45) |
| April 30, 2008 | KS | SB 148 | Electricity Generation and Conservation | Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 7) |
| April 4, 2008 | KS | SB 148 | Electricity Generation and Conservation | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 7) |
| April 4, 2008 | KS | SB 148 | Electricity Generation and Conservation | Bill Passed - House (83 - 41) |
| March 26, 2008 | KS | Journey Amnd. 1 | Penalties for Obstructing Immigration Enforcement | Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 24) |
| March 26, 2008 | KS | Journey Amnd. 1 | Penalties for Obstructing Immigration Enforcement | Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 24) |
| March 26, 2008 | KS | Huelskamp Amnd. 2 | Undocumented Immigrants Ineligible for Public Benefits | Amendment Rejected - Senate (12 - 26) |
| March 26, 2008 | KS | Brownlee Amnd. | Prohibits Union from collecting dues from Undocumented Workers | Amendment Adopted - Senate (19 - 18) |
| March 25, 2008 | KS | SB 81 | Health Care Reform | Bill Passed - House (103 - 20) |
| March 20, 2008 | KS | SB 461 | Electronic Wage Reports and Reimbursement Payments | Motion Agreed - House (63 - 58) |
| March 20, 2008 | KS | HB 2936 | Capital Improvements Funding | Bill Passed - House (87 - 35) |
| March 20, 2008 | KS | HB 2947 | 2008-2009 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - House (71 - 51) |
| March 19, 2008 | KS | SB 541 | Expanding Children's Health Coverage | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8) |
| March 19, 2008 | KS | SB 409 | Three-Strikes Sentencing for Theft | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 6) |
| March 18, 2008 | KS | Hensley Amnd. | Premium Assistance Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 27) |
| March 18, 2008 | KS | Kelly Amnd. | Premium Assistance Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 27) |
| March 17, 2008 | KS | HB 2938 | Sales Tax Exemptions | Bill Passed - House (96 - 26) |
| March 17, 2008 | KS | HB 2762 | Income Tax Reduction | Bill Passed - House (109 - 13) |
| March 14, 2008 | KS | HB 2873 | Department of Corrections Bonds | Bill Passed - House (104 - 18) |
| Feb. 29, 2008 | KS | HB 2870 | Employment Incentive for Teachers | Bill Failed - House (59 - 63) |
| Feb. 28, 2008 | KS | Ward Amnd. | Teacher Scholarship Program | Amendment Rejected - House (50 - 71) |
| Feb. 28, 2008 | KS | HB 2605 | Changing School Finance Formula | Bill Failed - House (62 - 63) |
| Feb. 27, 2008 | KS | McKinney Amnd. A to HB 2760 | Per Student Public School Funding | Amendment Rejected - House (50 - 70) |
| April 30, 2007 | KS | Sub HB 2237 | Maintenance for State Colleges and Universities | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 8) |
| April 30, 2007 | KS | Sub HB 2237 | Maintenance for State Colleges and Universities | Conference Report Adopted - House (102 - 20) |
| April 3, 2007 | KS | HB 2019 | Voter Identification | Concurrence Vote Failed - House (61 - 61) |
| March 28, 2007 | KS | HB 2019 | Voter Identification | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14) |
| March 27, 2007 | KS | SB 385 | State Employee Pay Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11) |
| March 16, 2007 | KS | HB 2540 | Capital Improvement Budget | Bill Passed - House (99 - 24) |
| March 16, 2007 | KS | HB 2542 | 2007-2008, 2008-2009, 2009-2010, 2010-2011, 2011-2012 Budget | Bill Passed - House (79 - 44) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/30 | SCR 1601 | Authorizes the Governor to Nominate Judges | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12) |
| 5/10 | SB 102 | State Senate Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (67 - 50) |
| 5/10 | SB 102 | State Senate Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (67 - 50) |
| 3/21 | HB 2117 | Reduces Income Tax Rate | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 20) |
| 2/23 | SB 83 | Amends Judicial Appointment Process | Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (17 - 22) |
| 2/23 | HCR 5007 | Authorizes Kansas to Determine Its Health Care Policies | Bill Failed - Senate (26 - 14) |
| 2/23 | HB 2437 | Amends Voting Registration Requirements | Bill Passed - House (81 - 43) |
| 2/09 | HB 2606 | State House Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (109 - 14) |
| 2/09 | HB 2606 | State House Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (109 - 14) |
| 5/11 | SB 129 | Amends Voter Identification Requirements | Conference Report Rejected - Senate (15 - 23) |
| 3/23 | SB 83 | Amends Judicial Appointment Process | Bill Passed - House (66 - 57) |
| 2/25 | HB 2067 | Voter Photographic Identification Requirements | Bill Passed - House (83 - 36) |
| 2/11 | HCR 5007 | Prohibiting Mandated Health Insurance | Bill Passed - House (91 - 27) |
| 2/11 | HCR 5007 | Prohibiting Mandated Health Insurance | Bill Passed - House (91 - 27) |
| 5/11 | HB 2650 | Transportation Works For Kansas Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (86 - 38) |
| 5/10 | HB 2360 | Kansas Taxpayer Transparency Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 61) |
| 5/07 | HB 2650 | Transportation Works For Kansas Program | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
| 5/06 | HB 2360 | Kansas Tax Payer Transparency Act | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17) |
| 3/30 | HB 2115 | Late-Term/Partial Birth Abortion Reporting Requirements | Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 36) |
| 3/30 | HB 2115 | Late-Term/Partial Birth Abortion Reporting Requirements | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 15) |
| 3/23 | HCR 5032 | Prohibiting Health Insurance Mandates | Joint Resolution Failed - House (75 - 47) |
| 3/01 | HB 2538 | Business Tax Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (84 - 34) |
| 2/11 | SCR 1615 | Statement of Opposition to Federal Mandates | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (33 - 7) |
| 5/07 | HB 2373 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 60) |
| 5/05 | HB 2373 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
| 3/31 | HB 2354 | 2009-2010 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 53) |
| 3/31 | HB 2354 | 2009-2010 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 5) |
| 3/25 | HB 2275 | Drug Testing for Cash Assistance Recipients | Bill Passed - House (99 - 26) |
| 3/24 | HB 2354 | 2009-2010 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14) |
| 3/24 | HB 2373 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - House (70 - 54) |
| 3/12 | HB 2320 | State Spending Limitations and Savings Accounts | Bill Passed - House (89 - 33) |
| 3/12 | HB 2320 | State Spending Limitations and Savings Accounts | Bill Passed - House (89 - 33) |
| 3/12 | HB 2320 | State Spending Limitations and Savings Accounts | Bill Passed - House (89 - 33) |
| 3/04 | HB 2206 | Partial Birth/Late-term Abortion Reporting Requirements | Bill Passed - House (82 - 40) |
| 2/12 | SB 23 | 2008-2009, 2009-2010, and 2010-2011Budget Amendments | Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 51) |
| 2/12 | SB 23 | 2008-2009, 2009-2010, and 2010-2011Budget Amendments | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 11) |
| 2/05 | SB 23 | 2008-2009, 2009-2010, and 2010-2011 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - House (74 - 48) |
| 1/29 | SB 23 | 2008-2009, 2009-2010, and 2010-2011 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14) |
| 5/07 | HB 2946 | 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Amendments | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 11) |
| 5/07 | HB 2946 | 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Amendments | Conference Report Adopted - House (73 - 49) |
| 5/06 | HB 2019 | Voter Identification | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 3) |
| 5/06 | HB 2019 | Voter Identification | Conference Report Adopted - House (67 - 56) |
| 5/05 | HB 2860 | Eminent Domain and Water Rights | Conference Report Adopted - House (64 - 57) |
| 5/03 | SB 81 | Health Care Reform | Conference Report Adopted - House (104 - 16) |
| 5/03 | SB 81 | Health Care Reform | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 1) |
| 5/01 | SB 148 | Electricity Generation and Conservation | Veto Override Failed - House (80 - 45) |
| 4/30 | SB 148 | Electricity Generation and Conservation | Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 7) |
| 4/04 | SB 148 | Electricity Generation and Conservation | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 7) |
| 4/04 | SB 148 | Electricity Generation and Conservation | Bill Passed - House (83 - 41) |
| 3/26 | Journey Amnd. 1 | Penalties for Obstructing Immigration Enforcement | Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 24) |
| 3/26 | Journey Amnd. 1 | Penalties for Obstructing Immigration Enforcement | Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 24) |
| 3/26 | Huelskamp Amnd. 2 | Undocumented Immigrants Ineligible for Public Benefits | Amendment Rejected - Senate (12 - 26) |
| 3/26 | Brownlee Amnd. | Prohibits Union from collecting dues from Undocumented Workers | Amendment Adopted - Senate (19 - 18) |
| 3/25 | SB 81 | Health Care Reform | Bill Passed - House (103 - 20) |
| 3/20 | SB 461 | Electronic Wage Reports and Reimbursement Payments | Motion Agreed - House (63 - 58) |
| 3/20 | HB 2936 | Capital Improvements Funding | Bill Passed - House (87 - 35) |
| 3/20 | HB 2947 | 2008-2009 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - House (71 - 51) |
| 3/19 | SB 541 | Expanding Children's Health Coverage | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8) |
| 3/19 | SB 409 | Three-Strikes Sentencing for Theft | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 6) |
| 3/18 | Hensley Amnd. | Premium Assistance Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 27) |
| 3/18 | Kelly Amnd. | Premium Assistance Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 27) |
| 3/17 | HB 2938 | Sales Tax Exemptions | Bill Passed - House (96 - 26) |
| 3/17 | HB 2762 | Income Tax Reduction | Bill Passed - House (109 - 13) |
| 3/14 | HB 2873 | Department of Corrections Bonds | Bill Passed - House (104 - 18) |
| 2/29 | HB 2870 | Employment Incentive for Teachers | Bill Failed - House (59 - 63) |
| 2/28 | Ward Amnd. | Teacher Scholarship Program | Amendment Rejected - House (50 - 71) |
| 2/28 | HB 2605 | Changing School Finance Formula | Bill Failed - House (62 - 63) |
| 2/27 | McKinney Amnd. A to HB 2760 | Per Student Public School Funding | Amendment Rejected - House (50 - 70) |
| 4/30 | Sub HB 2237 | Maintenance for State Colleges and Universities | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 8) |
| 4/30 | Sub HB 2237 | Maintenance for State Colleges and Universities | Conference Report Adopted - House (102 - 20) |
| 4/03 | HB 2019 | Voter Identification | Concurrence Vote Failed - House (61 - 61) |
| 3/28 | HB 2019 | Voter Identification | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14) |
| 3/27 | SB 385 | State Employee Pay Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11) |
| 3/16 | HB 2540 | Capital Improvement Budget | Bill Passed - House (99 - 24) |
| 3/16 | HB 2542 | 2007-2008, 2008-2009, 2009-2010, 2010-2011, 2011-2012 Budget | Bill Passed - House (79 - 44) |