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 12, 2021 | VT | H 133 | Establishes that a Judge Issuing an Emergency Protection Order has the Authority to Require the Firearm | Bill Passed - House (102 - 44) |
April 7, 2009 | ID | H 138 | Allowing Lawsuits for Nonnative Species Attacks | Bill Passed - House (46 - 24) |
March 20, 2009 | ID | H 214 | Voluntary Death Certificates for Miscarriages | Bill Failed - House (31 - 32) |
April 26, 2017 | NC | H 239 | Reduces Court of Appeals Caseload | Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 15) |
April 26, 2017 | NC | H 239 | Reduces Court of Appeals Caseload | Veto Override Passed - House (73 - 44) |
April 11, 2017 | NC | H 239 | Reduces Court of Appeals Caseload | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 43) |
March 8, 2023 | SC | H 3014 | Authorizes Additional Penalties for Perpetrators of Hate Crimes | Bill Passed - House (84 - 31) |
May 24, 2017 | MA | H 3034 | Limits the Use of Prison Labor | Bill Passed - House (120 - 35) |
April 10, 2008 | SC | H 3427 | Ending Common Law Marriage | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (21 - 17) |
Jan. 28, 2016 | SC | H 3521 | Prohibits Courts From Enforcing Foreign Law | Bill Passed - House (68 - 42) |
March 30, 2023 | ID | H 374 | Amends Existing Laws to Specify the Definition of Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
May 21, 2008 | SC | H 3816 | Bankruptcy Exemptions | Veto Override Passed - House (78 - 26) |
Feb. 20, 2018 | ID | H 419 | Prohibits Courts from Ruling Based on Foreign Law | Bill Passed - House (44 - 24) |
July 31, 2014 | MA | H 4278 | Amends Firearm Laws | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 3) |
July 31, 2014 | MA | H 4278 | Amends Firearm Laws | Conference Report Adopted - House (122 - 30) |
July 9, 2014 | MA | H 4278 | Amends Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - House (112 - 38) |
Jan. 31, 2008 | SC | H 4400 | Immigration Bill | Bill Passed - House (80 - 13) |
April 10, 2017 | NC | H 467 | Limits Penalties for Agricultural Operations | Bill Passed - House (68 - 47) |
June 19, 2007 | RI | H 5127 | Mandatory Minimum Drug Possession Sentence Repeal | Bill Passed - House (54 - 6) |
Aug. 1, 2022 | MA | H 5163 | Authorizes Technology Improvements to State Judiciary | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 1) |
Aug. 1, 2022 | MA | H 5163 | Authorizes Technology Improvements to State Judiciary | Bill Passed - House (147 - 6) |
Aug. 26, 2020 | ID | H 6 | Establishes Liability Protections for Businesses, Schools, and Cities during COVID-19 Pandemic | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7) |
Aug. 26, 2020 | ID | H 6 | Establishes Liability Protections for Businesses, Schools, and Cities during COVID-19 Pandemic | Bill Passed - House (54 - 15) |
March 28, 2012 | ID | H 660 | Amends the Judicial Retirement Fund | Bill Passed - House (46 - 22) |
March 16, 2018 | ID | H 665 | Increases Penalties for Threats Against Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1) |
March 9, 2018 | ID | H 665 | Increases Penalties for Threats Against Schools | Bill Passed - House (52 - 12) |
March 7, 2022 | ID | H 666 | Repeals Affirmative Defense for Persons Charged with "Disseminating Material Harmful to Minors" | Bill Passed - House (51 - 14) |
Jan. 26, 2006 | RI | H 6700 Sub A | Driver Refusal of Chemical Tests | Bill Passed - House (64 - 6) |
March 28, 2012 | ID | H 695 | Establishes a Legislative Legal Defense Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
March 26, 2012 | ID | H 695 | Establishes a Legislative Legal Defense Fund | Bill Passed - House (53 - 16) |
June 13, 2024 | RI | H 7271 | Authorizes the Appointment of Magistrates for Family Court Procedures | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9) |
April 30, 2024 | RI | H 7271 | Authorizes the Appointment of Magistrates for Family Court Procedures | Bill Passed - House (62 - 9) |
May 9, 2006 | RI | H 7339 | Restriction on Political Surveillance | Bill Passed - House (36 - 25) |
March 24, 2022 | ID | H 782 | Amends Existing Law Regarding Members of the Judicial Council | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
March 18, 2022 | ID | H 782 | Amends Existing Law Regarding Members of the Judicial Council | Bill Passed - House (44 - 24) |
June 13, 2012 | RI | H 7909 | Requires State Health Laws to Comply with the Affordable Care Act | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
June 11, 2012 | RI | H 7909 | Requires State Health Laws to Comply with the Affordable Care Act | Bill Passed - House (56 - 9) |
June 21, 2022 | RI | H 8230 | Expands the Definition of Third Degree Sexual Assault | Bill Passed - House (64 - 4) |
April 25, 2008 | IA | H 8672 | DUI Appeals | Amendment Rejected - House (45 - 50) |
Feb. 28, 2013 | National | H Amdt 23 | Reauthorizes the Violence Against Women Act | Amendment Rejected - House (166 - 257) |
April 21, 2005 | National | H Amdt 370 | Liability Shield Language Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (213 - 219) |
Feb. 10, 1994 | National | H Amdt 436 | Bryant Amendment to Independent Counsel Reauthorization Act of 1993 | Amendment Adopted - House (230 - 188) |
Sept. 18, 2013 | National | H Amdt 463 | Amends the Definition of "Strategic and Critical Minerals" | Amendment Rejected - House (187 - 241) |
Feb. 25, 1998 | National | H Amdt 497 | Death Sentence Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (113 - 300) |
Nov. 7, 2009 | National | H Amdt 510 | Substitute Health Care and Insurance Law Amendments | Amendment Rejected - House (176 - 258) |
Dec. 5, 2013 | National | H Amdt 521 | Authorizes Judicial Discretion in Awarding Legal Fees in Patent Lawsuits | Amendment Rejected - House (199 - 213) |
Dec. 5, 2013 | National | H Amdt 521 | Authorizes Judicial Discretion in Awarding Legal Fees in Patent Lawsuits | Amendment Rejected - House (199 - 213) |
Dec. 5, 2013 | National | H Amdt 524 | Limits Covered Customers to Businesses With Less Than $25 Million in Revenue | Amendment Rejected - House (144 - 266) |
Dec. 5, 2013 | National | H Amdt 524 | Limits Covered Customers to Businesses With Less Than $25 Million in Revenue | Amendment Rejected - House (144 - 266) |
May 22, 2013 | National | H Amdt 72 | Increases Time to File a Claim Under the Northern Route Approval Act from 60 Days to 1 Year | Amendment Rejected - House (182 - 234) |
May 30, 2014 | National | H Amdt 750 | Prohibits Funds from Being Used for the Transfer of Clemency Application Screening Personnel | Amendment Adopted - House (219 - 189) |
March 14, 1996 | National | H Amdt 954 | Habeas Corpus Reform Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (135 - 283) |
Feb. 22, 2006 | VT | HA to H 856 | Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (50 - 82) |
March 5, 2021 | FL | HB 07 | Establishes a Legal Defense Fund for Businesses | Bill Passed - House (83 - 31) |
April 11, 2011 | PA | HB 1 | Comparative Negligence Provisions | Bill Passed - House (112 - 88) |
July 18, 2024 | NM | HB 1 | Appropriates Funding for Flood and Fire Response, Pilot Projects, Healthcare, Court Resources, and Fentanyl Trafficking Prevention | Bill Passed - House (57 - 7) |
Jan. 9, 2021 | KY | HB 10 | Protects Businesses from Civil Lawsuits Arising from COVID-19 | Bill Passed - House (75 - 21) |
March 11, 2013 | WA | HB 1000 | Authorizes Immunity to Health Care Providers Following End-Of-Life Directives | Bill Passed - House (59 - 36) |
May 15, 2012 | CO | HB 1005 | Establishes Limits for Driving Under the Influence of Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (38 - 24) |
Feb. 5, 2021 | PA | HB 101 | Establishes Limited Liability Protections for Farmers Offering Agritourism Activities | Bill Passed - House (142 - 60) |
March 7, 2023 | MS | HB 1020 | Establishes a Court System of Unelected Judges and Prosecutors for the City of Jackson, Mississippi | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15) |
Feb. 7, 2023 | MS | HB 1020 | Establishes a Court System of Unelected Judges and Prosecutors for the City of Jackson, Mississippi | Bill Passed - House (76 - 38) |
Feb. 26, 2007 | CO | HB 1036 | Eminent Domain Over Water Rights | Bill Passed - House (34 - 30) |
June 25, 2018 | PA | HB 1037 | Limits Punitive Damages in Certain Medical Lawsuits | Bill Failed - House (91 - 103) |
Feb. 8, 2024 | SD | HB 1057 | Establishes a Statewide Public Defender Office | Bill Passed - House (60 - 4) |
April 27, 2022 | AK | HB 106 | Authorizes Specific Police Reporting in Relation to Missing Persons Under 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 0) |
Feb. 12, 2021 | WA | HB 1072 | Repeals Restrictions on Legal Aid for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (56 - 40) |
March 27, 2019 | WA | HB 1074 | Increases the Smoking and Vaping Age to 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12) |
Feb. 20, 2019 | WA | HB 1074 | Increases the Smoking and Vaping Age to 21 | Bill Passed - House (66 - 30) |
May 5, 2008 | CO | HB 1082 | Sealing Criminal Records | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 28) |
May 2, 2008 | CO | HB 1082 | Sealing Criminal Records | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
April 22, 2008 | CO | HB 1082 | Sealing Criminal Records | Bill Passed - House (36 - 28) |
June 12, 2023 | PA | HB 1085 | Appropriates Funding for the State Public Defenders Office | Bill Passed - House (132 - 71) |
May 3, 2006 | CO | HB 1090 | Sexual Abuse Prosecution Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 17) |
Feb. 28, 2023 | SD | HB 1090 | Authorizes Protections for Farmers and Agricultural Operations from Frivolous Lawsuits | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 7) |
Feb. 24, 2023 | SD | HB 1090 | Authorizes Protections for Farmers and Agricultural Operations from Frivolous Lawsuits | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8) |
March 8, 2023 | WA | HB 1112 | Authorizes New Penalties for Negligent Driving | Bill Passed - House (86 - 11) |
March 17, 2021 | GA | HB 112 | Establishes COVID-19 Liability Protections for Businesses | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 17) |
Feb. 9, 2021 | GA | HB 112 | Establishes COVID-19 Liability Protections for Businesses | Bill Passed - House (99 - 68) |
March 31, 2008 | CO | HB 1123 | Funeral Registration | Bill Passed - House (41 - 24) |
March 4, 2014 | IN | HB 1126 | Amends Procedures for Awarding Unpaid Wages | Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 25) |
March 10, 2016 | IN | HB 1127 | Establishes Regulations on Lawsuit Funding Practices | Conference Report Adopted - House (63 - 32) |
March 10, 2016 | IN | HB 1127 | Establishes Regulations on Lawsuit Funding Practices | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 10) |
March 5, 2008 | CO | HB 1130 | Removing Wiretap Restrictions | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 9) |
Feb. 6, 2008 | CO | HB 1130 | Removing Wiretap Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (43 - 20) |
Feb. 20, 2020 | SD | HB 1133 | Establishes a Rebuttable Presumption in Favor of Joint Custody of a Minor | Bill Passed - House (41 - 25) |
May 10, 2023 | IL | HB 1155 | Authorizes Individuals Injured by an Impaired Minor to Sue the Individual Who Supplied the Drugs or Alcohol | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 2) |
May 3, 2023 | NC | HB 116 | Establishes Various Provisions for State District Attorney's Offices | Bill Passed - House (110 - 7) |
March 13, 2013 | CO | HB 1166 | Repeals Classification of Adultery as a Criminal Offense | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
Feb. 17, 2011 | SD | HB 1171 | Fetus Protection Bill | Bill Tabled - House (61 - 4) |
March 5, 2014 | MO | HB 1173 | Establishes Causes of Action in Medical Malpractice Lawsuits | Bill Passed - House (94 - 61) |
Feb. 6, 2017 | ND | HB 1193 | Classifies Economic Harm as a Class C Felony | Bill Passed - House (72 - 19) |
April 10, 2023 | MD | HB 1200 | Requires Election Judges be Paid at Least $250 Per Day | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (129 - 10) |
Feb. 8, 2024 | SD | HB 1203 | Requires Entities Using Eminent Domain to Cover Certain Legal Costs for Landowners | Bill Passed - House (61 - 3) |
Jan. 29, 2014 | IN | HB 1205 | Establishes Civil Proceeding Advance Payment Transactions | Bill Passed - House (57 - 39) |
May 5, 2008 | CO | HB 1208 | Limitations on Direct File Juvenile Cases | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (34 - 30) |
May 2, 2008 | CO | HB 1208 | Limitations on Direct File Juvenile Cases | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16) |
March 1, 2012 | FL | HB 1209 | Prohibits Courts from Basing Decisions on Foreign Laws | Bill Passed - House (92 - 24) |
March 8, 2012 | MO | HB 1219 | Workplace Discrimination Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8) |
Feb. 9, 2012 | MO | HB 1219 | Workplace Discrimination Amendments | Bill Passed - House (89 - 68) |