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 27, 2017 | TN | SJR 141 | Authorizes Relocation of President James K. Polk's Body | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6) |
| March 23, 2017 | TN | SB 0902 | Imposes a $200 Fine for Obstructing Roads | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 2) |
| April 21, 2016 | TN | HB 2248 | Rescinds Funding for the University of Tennessee's Diversity Office | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 3) |
| April 19, 2016 | TN | SJR 467 | Urges Attorney General to File Lawsuit in Relation to Refugee Resettlement Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 4) |
| April 19, 2016 | TN | SB 2376 | Authorizes University of Tennessee Employees to Carry a Handgun on Campus | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5) |
| April 4, 2016 | TN | HB 1416 | Prohibits Driving in Left Lane without Passing Other Vehicles | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7) |
| April 4, 2016 | TN | HB 615 | Establishes the Bible as the Official State Book | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 8) |
| March 24, 2016 | TN | HB 1679 | Requires a Claimant to Pay for Defendant Attorney Fees in Certain Legal Proceedings | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9) |
| Feb. 29, 2016 | TN | SB 2094 | Limits Liquor Retailers to 2 Stores | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 6) |
| Feb. 22, 2016 | TN | SB 1621 | Prohibits Local-Hire Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5) |
| Feb. 22, 2016 | TN | SJR 467 | Urges Attorney General to File Lawsuit in Relation to Refugee Resettlement Program | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 5) |
| Feb. 17, 2016 | TN | SB 1556 | Authorizes Therapists to Decline to Provide Services | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5) |
| Jan. 25, 2016 | TN | SB 151 | Prohibits Automatic Deduction from Teachers' Paychecks for Union Dues | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| April 16, 2015 | TN | HB 995 | Authorizes Firearms in Public Parks | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 6) |
| April 16, 2015 | TN | SB 612 | Authorizes Certain Students to be Charged In-State Tuition | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
| April 16, 2015 | TN | SB 606 | Amends Eligibility for Longevity Pay | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 3) |
| April 15, 2015 | TN | SB 177 | Increases Fines for Failure to Wear a Seat Belt | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| April 15, 2015 | TN | SB 1222 | Requires a 48 Hour Waiting Period Prior to an Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5) |
| April 15, 2015 | TN | SB 1280 | Exempts Certain Abortion Facilities From Being Licensed as Surgical Centers | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 4) |
| April 13, 2015 | TN | SB 874 | Authorizes Exploding Targets for Sporting Use | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 3) |
| April 1, 2015 | TN | HB 995 | Authorizes Firearms in Public Parks | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
| March 30, 2015 | TN | SB 999 | Establishes The Tennessee Choice and Opportunity Scholarship Program | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9) |
| March 23, 2015 | TN | SB 1058 | Prohibits the Termination of Employees for Storing Firearms in Vehicles | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5) |
| April 17, 2014 | TN | HB 1574 | Limits Amount of Pseudoephedrine an Individual Can Purchase | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 7) |
| April 17, 2014 | TN | SB 2580 | Authorizes the Use of Certain Execution Methods | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 4) |
| April 10, 2014 | TN | SB 196 | Establishes the Tennessee Choice and Opportunity Scholarship Program | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10) |
| April 7, 2014 | TN | SB 2039 | Reduces Lifetime Eligibility for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| April 7, 2014 | TN | SB 1391 | Prohibits Women from Using Illegal Substances While Pregnant | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
| March 27, 2014 | TN | HB 937 | Prohibits Medicaid Expansion | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6) |
| March 24, 2014 | TN | SB 2115 | Authorizes In-State Tuition for Certain Students | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
| March 13, 2014 | TN | SJR 626 | Authorizes Individuals Paying School Fees to Determine Allocation of Fees to Student Organizations | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 6) |
| March 3, 2014 | TN | SB 837 | Authorizes the Sale of Wine in Grocery Stores | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 4) |
| Feb. 13, 2014 | TN | SB 1496 | Authorizes Certain Individuals to Carry a Handgun in Public Parks | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
| Feb. 5, 2014 | TN | SJR 123 | Requires Election of Attorney General Position | Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 14) |
| Jan. 30, 2014 | TN | SB 837 | Authorizes the Sale of Wine in Grocery Stores | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8) |
| April 16, 2013 | TN | SB 1248 | Requires Disclosure of Photographic Evidence of Animal Abuse | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9) |
| March 14, 2013 | TN | SB 514 | Prohibits Universities from Disciplining Students Who Refuse to Treat Someone Based on Religious Beliefs | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 4) |
| Feb. 11, 2013 | TN | SB 142 | Authorizes Handguns in Parking Areas | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5) |
| April 30, 2012 | TN | SB 3597 | Prohibits Discrimination Against Religious Student Groups at Public Universities | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12) |
| April 26, 2012 | TN | HB 2566 | Increases Kindergarten Age Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10) |
| April 25, 2012 | TN | SB 2580 | Requires Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
| April 24, 2012 | TN | HB 3808 | Requires Publication of Abortion Statistics | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5) |
| April 24, 2012 | TN | HJR 587 | Opposes the United Nations Agenda 21 | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (19 - 11) |
| April 23, 2012 | TN | SJR 710 | Amends Judicial Appointment Process | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 9) |
| April 16, 2012 | TN | SB 2514 | Amends Eligibility Requirements for the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
| April 12, 2012 | TN | SB 3345 | Limits the Number of Foreign Nationals that May Work in a Charter School | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13) |
| March 19, 2012 | TN | HB 368 | Scientific Theories in the Classroom | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8) |
| Feb. 23, 2012 | TN | HB 2638 | Prohibits Camping in Non-Designated Areas of Public Property | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| Jan. 19, 2012 | TN | SB 1514 | State Senate Redistricting | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 10) |
| Jan. 13, 2012 | TN | HB 1555 | State House Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| Jan. 13, 2012 | TN | HB 1558 | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
| May 20, 2011 | TN | SB 113 | Teachers' Unions Negotiations | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 12) |
| May 20, 2011 | TN | SB 16 | Voter Identification Requirements | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 14) |
| May 20, 2011 | TN | SB 1915 | Increases Contribution Limits to Campaigns | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11) |
| May 20, 2011 | TN | SB 49 | Prohibits Instruction of Non-Heterosexual Human Sexuality in Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10) |
| May 18, 2011 | TN | SJR 221 | Constitutional Amendment to Prohibit State Income Tax | Amendment Adopted - Senate (26 - 4) |
| May 12, 2011 | TN | HB 600 | Equal Access to Interstate Commerce Act | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8) |
| May 2, 2011 | TN | SB 113 | Teachers' Unions Negotiations | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14) |
| April 21, 2011 | TN | SB 485 | Equal Opportunity Scholarship Act | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10) |
| April 18, 2011 | TN | SJR 127 | Abortion Specifications | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 8) |
| March 10, 2011 | TN | SB 1528 | Amends Requirements for Teacher Tenure | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
| March 9, 2011 | TN | SJR 18 | Constitutional Amendment Prohibiting an Income Tax | Amendment Adopted - Senate (28 - 5) |
| Feb. 23, 2011 | TN | SB 79 | Tennessee Health Care Freedom Act | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10) |
| June 9, 2010 | TN | HB 670 | Requiring Correctional Facilities to Determine Immigration Status of Inmates | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 7) |
| June 4, 2010 | TN | HJR 1253 | Resolution Recognizing Arizona Statehood and New Immigration Policy | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 7) |
| May 27, 2010 | TN | SB 3012 | Guns in Bars | Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| May 10, 2010 | TN | SB 63 | English Only Requirement for Driver's License Examinations | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10) |
| May 10, 2010 | TN | HB 270 | Citizenship Status for Voting and Registration | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12) |
| Feb. 17, 2010 | TN | SB 3498 | Requiring Legal Challenge to Federal Health Insurance Mandates | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 1) |
| Jan. 28, 2010 | TN | SB 1092 | Prohibiting Non-Elected Boards from Requiring Nutrition Information on Menus | Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 7) |
| Jan. 12, 2010 | TN | HB 614 | Delaying Paper Ballot Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10) |
| June 18, 2009 | TN | HB 614 | Delaying Paper Ballot Requirements | Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 14) |
| June 16, 2009 | TN | SB 162 | Creation of the Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11) |
| June 4, 2009 | TN | HB 962 | Authorizing Guns in Restaurants that Serve Alcohol | Veto Override Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| May 7, 2009 | TN | SB 2133 | Charter School Access Expansion | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7) |
| April 16, 2009 | TN | HB 962 | Authorizing Guns in Restaurants that Serve Alcohol | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
| April 13, 2009 | TN | SB 1954 | Basic Phone Service Deregulation | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7) |
| March 12, 2009 | TN | SB 83 | "Living" Wage Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13) |
| April 29, 2008 | TN | SB 3042 | Open Container Law | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7) |
| Feb. 13, 2008 | TN | SB 3419 | Parental Consent for Sexual Abuse Prevention Education | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6) |
| Feb. 11, 2008 | TN | SA 883 | Commission of Indian Affairs Extension Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (20 - 10) |
| Jan. 30, 2008 | TN | SA 839 | Allowing Medically Necessary Abortions | Bill Tabled - Senate (18 - 14) |
| Jan. 30, 2008 | TN | SA 837 | Allowing Abortion in Certain Circumstances | Bill Tabled - Senate (20 - 11) |
| Jan. 30, 2008 | TN | SA 841 | Allowing Abortion for Rape Victims who are Minors | Bill Tabled - Senate (20 - 12) |
| Jan. 30, 2008 | TN | SJR 127 | Abortion Not Protected by State Constitution | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 9) |
| Jan. 16, 2008 | TN | SB 23 | Allowing Guns in Establishments that Serve Alcohol | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6) |
| May 31, 2007 | TN | SB 2143 | Legalization of Handguns in State Parks | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5) |
| May 31, 2007 | TN | SB 2326 | Cigarette Tax Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16) |
| May 24, 2007 | TN | SB 1325 | Indoor Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5) |
| May 21, 2007 | TN | SJR 139 | Popular Election of Statewide Officers | Resolution Passed - Senate (19 - 12) |
| April 26, 2007 | TN | SA 3 | PAC-to-PAC Contribution Limits | Bill Tabled - Senate (16 - 13) |
| April 16, 2007 | TN | SB 227 | Voter ID Act | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10) |
| March 5, 2007 | TN | SB 201 | English-Only Driver's License Exam | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6) |
| May 27, 2006 | TN | SB 3178 | State Legislators Pension Plan | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 8) |
| May 17, 2006 | TN | SA 1505 | Medical Malpractice Limits Amendment | Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 16) |
| April 27, 2006 | TN | SB 1528 | Alcoholic Beverage Regulation | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 4) |
| April 19, 2006 | TN | SB 303 | Driver's License Examination English Language Requirement | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14) |
| March 9, 2006 | TN | SJR 127 | Relating to Abortion in the Constitution | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |