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 19, 2020 | KS | SB 66 | Appropriates Funds for the 2020 and 2021 Fiscal Years | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 10) |
| March 17, 2020 | KS | SB 102 | Expands Flexibility in Courts | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 7) |
| Jan. 29, 2020 | KS | SCR 1613 | Establishes a State Constitutional Amendment Specifying that Abortion Shall Not Be Constitutionally Protected | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12) |
| April 6, 2017 | KS | HB 2052 | Establishes State Budget for FY 2017 to FY 2021 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 10) |
| March 22, 2016 | KS | SB 439 | Specifies Qualifications for Impeachment | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| Feb. 26, 2015 | KS | SB 171 | Amends Voting Schedule | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18) |
| April 5, 2014 | KS | SB 423 | Authorizes the Sale of Certain State Office Buildings | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 11) |
| April 4, 2014 | KS | HB 2553 | Establishes an Interstate Health Care Compact | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11) |
| April 4, 2014 | KS | HB 2553 | Establishes an Interstate Health Care Compact | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11) |
| April 3, 2014 | KS | Knox Amdt | Prohibits Implementation of Common Core Standards Using Certain State Funds | Amendment Adopted - Senate (27 - 12) |
| March 25, 2014 | KS | HB 2125 | Prohibits Slot Machines at Certain Racetracks | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12) |
| March 12, 2014 | KS | HB 2210 | Amends the Date by Which a Voter May Change Party Affiliation | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12) |
| March 12, 2014 | KS | SB 362 | Requires Registration for Health Insurance Navigators | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10) |
| March 6, 2014 | KS | HB 2338 | Appropriates Funds to the Judicial Branch | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| April 5, 2013 | KS | SB 102 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 4) |
| April 5, 2013 | KS | HB 2234 | Requires the Secretary of Transportation to Direct the Kansas Turnpike Authority | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 13) |
| April 2, 2013 | KS | HB 2069 | Prohibits Local Governments from Enforcing a Union Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9) |
| March 27, 2013 | KS | HB 2234 | Requires the Secretary of Transportation to Direct the Kansas Turnpike Authority | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14) |
| March 14, 2013 | KS | HB 2059 | Reduces Income Tax Rates | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14) |
| March 13, 2013 | KS | HB 2019 | Authorizes Governor to Appoint Judges to Kansas Court of Appeals | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12) |
| March 13, 2013 | KS | HB 2019 | Authorizes Governor to Appoint Judges to Kansas Court of Appeals | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12) |
| March 13, 2013 | KS | HB 2019 | Authorizes Governor to Appoint Judges to Kansas Court of Appeals | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12) |
| Feb. 28, 2013 | KS | SB 63 | Authorizes Secretary of State to Prosecute Election Fraud Cases | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9) |
| Jan. 30, 2013 | KS | SCR 1601 | Authorizes the Governor to Nominate Judges | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12) |
| Jan. 30, 2013 | KS | SCR 1601 | Authorizes the Governor to Nominate Judges | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12) |
| Jan. 30, 2013 | KS | SCR 1601 | Authorizes the Governor to Nominate Judges | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12) |
| 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) |
| May 11, 2011 | KS | SB 129 | Amends Voter Identification Requirements | Conference Report Rejected - Senate (15 - 23) |
| 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 - Senate (24 - 15) |
| Feb. 11, 2010 | KS | SCR 1615 | Statement of Opposition to Federal Mandates | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (33 - 7) |
| 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 - Senate (35 - 5) |
| March 24, 2009 | KS | HB 2354 | 2009-2010 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14) |
| Feb. 12, 2009 | KS | SB 23 | 2008-2009, 2009-2010, and 2010-2011Budget Amendments | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 11) |
| 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 6, 2008 | KS | HB 2019 | Voter Identification | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 3) |
| May 3, 2008 | KS | SB 81 | Health Care Reform | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 1) |
| 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) |
| March 26, 2008 | KS | Journey Amnd. 1 | Penalties for Obstructing Immigration Enforcement | Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 24) |
| March 26, 2008 | KS | Brownlee Amnd. | Prohibits Union from collecting dues from Undocumented Workers | Amendment Adopted - Senate (19 - 18) |
| 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 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) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/19 | SB 66 | Appropriates Funds for the 2020 and 2021 Fiscal Years | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 10) |
| 3/17 | SB 102 | Expands Flexibility in Courts | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 7) |
| 1/29 | SCR 1613 | Establishes a State Constitutional Amendment Specifying that Abortion Shall Not Be Constitutionally Protected | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12) |
| 4/06 | HB 2052 | Establishes State Budget for FY 2017 to FY 2021 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 10) |
| 3/22 | SB 439 | Specifies Qualifications for Impeachment | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| 2/26 | SB 171 | Amends Voting Schedule | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18) |
| 4/05 | SB 423 | Authorizes the Sale of Certain State Office Buildings | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 11) |
| 4/04 | HB 2553 | Establishes an Interstate Health Care Compact | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11) |
| 4/04 | HB 2553 | Establishes an Interstate Health Care Compact | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11) |
| 4/03 | Knox Amdt | Prohibits Implementation of Common Core Standards Using Certain State Funds | Amendment Adopted - Senate (27 - 12) |
| 3/25 | HB 2125 | Prohibits Slot Machines at Certain Racetracks | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12) |
| 3/12 | HB 2210 | Amends the Date by Which a Voter May Change Party Affiliation | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12) |
| 3/12 | SB 362 | Requires Registration for Health Insurance Navigators | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10) |
| 3/06 | HB 2338 | Appropriates Funds to the Judicial Branch | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| 4/05 | SB 102 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 4) |
| 4/05 | HB 2234 | Requires the Secretary of Transportation to Direct the Kansas Turnpike Authority | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 13) |
| 4/02 | HB 2069 | Prohibits Local Governments from Enforcing a Union Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9) |
| 3/27 | HB 2234 | Requires the Secretary of Transportation to Direct the Kansas Turnpike Authority | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14) |
| 3/14 | HB 2059 | Reduces Income Tax Rates | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14) |
| 3/13 | HB 2019 | Authorizes Governor to Appoint Judges to Kansas Court of Appeals | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12) |
| 3/13 | HB 2019 | Authorizes Governor to Appoint Judges to Kansas Court of Appeals | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12) |
| 3/13 | HB 2019 | Authorizes Governor to Appoint Judges to Kansas Court of Appeals | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12) |
| 2/28 | SB 63 | Authorizes Secretary of State to Prosecute Election Fraud Cases | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9) |
| 1/30 | SCR 1601 | Authorizes the Governor to Nominate Judges | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12) |
| 1/30 | SCR 1601 | Authorizes the Governor to Nominate Judges | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12) |
| 1/30 | SCR 1601 | Authorizes the Governor to Nominate Judges | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12) |
| 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) |
| 5/11 | SB 129 | Amends Voter Identification Requirements | Conference Report Rejected - Senate (15 - 23) |
| 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 - Senate (24 - 15) |
| 2/11 | SCR 1615 | Statement of Opposition to Federal Mandates | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (33 - 7) |
| 5/05 | HB 2373 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
| 3/31 | HB 2354 | 2009-2010 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 5) |
| 3/24 | HB 2354 | 2009-2010 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14) |
| 2/12 | SB 23 | 2008-2009, 2009-2010, and 2010-2011Budget Amendments | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 11) |
| 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) |
| 5/06 | HB 2019 | Voter Identification | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 3) |
| 5/03 | SB 81 | Health Care Reform | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 1) |
| 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) |
| 3/26 | Journey Amnd. 1 | Penalties for Obstructing Immigration Enforcement | Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 24) |
| 3/26 | Brownlee Amnd. | Prohibits Union from collecting dues from Undocumented Workers | Amendment Adopted - Senate (19 - 18) |
| 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) |
| 3/19 | 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) |