Key Votes
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About the Selection and Descriptions of Key Votes
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:
- The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member stands on a particular issue
- The vote should be clear for any person to understand
- The vote has received media attention
- The vote was passed or defeated by a very close margin
- Occasionally, if a specific bill is consistently inquired about on the Voter's Research Hotline, the vote will be added
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.
results per page:
| Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 21, 2014 | AZ | HB 2462 | Authorizes the State to Create a Virtual Border | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 20) |
| April 17, 2014 | AZ | HB 2462 | Authorizes the State to Create a Virtual Border | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8) |
| April 16, 2014 | AZ | HB 2508 | Requires Licensure for Federal Health Care Navigators | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 21) |
| April 16, 2014 | AZ | HB 2508 | Requires Licensure for Federal Health Care Navigators | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10) |
| April 16, 2014 | AZ | HB 2517 | Establishes Penalties for Violations of an Existing State Firearms Law | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
| March 12, 2014 | AZ | HB 2517 | Establishes Penalties for Violations of an Existing State Firearms Law | Bill Passed - House (34 - 22) |
| April 5, 2014 | KS | HB 2578 | Prohibits a City or County from Regulating Firearms | Conference Report Adopted - House (102 - 19) |
| March 27, 2014 | OK | HB 2580 | Extends Film Industry Tax Credit Program | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 11) |
| March 4, 2014 | OK | HB 2580 | Extends Film Industry Tax Credit Program | Bill Passed - House (65 - 28) |
| March 3, 2014 | OK | HB 2580 | Extends Film Industry Tax Credit Program | Bill Failed - House (48 - 43) |
| March 5, 2014 | OK | HB 2638 | Requires an Individual Arrested for Certain Crimes to Submit DNA | Bill Failed - House (35 - 51) |
| March 14, 2014 | KS | HB 2662 | Reduces Wait Time for Expungement for Individuals Convicted of Driving Under the Influence | Bill Passed - House (87 - 31) |
| March 11, 2014 | WA | HB 2789 | Establishes Usage Policy for Extraordinary Sensing Devices | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (77 - 21) |
| Jan. 21, 2014 | AL | HB 31 | Authorizes Health Care Providers to Abstain from Certain Medical Procedures | Bill Passed - House (71 - 26) |
| Feb. 28, 2014 | KY | HB 351 | Authorizes Temporary Concealed Weapons Permits for Domestic Violence Victims | Bill Passed - House (79 - 13) |
| Feb. 28, 2014 | KY | HB 351 | Authorizes Temporary Concealed Weapons Permits for Domestic Violence Victims | Bill Passed - House (79 - 13) |
| March 7, 2014 | MD | HB 354 | Amends the Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Program | Bill Passed - House (84 - 51) |
| April 9, 2014 | OH | HB 369 | Requires Local Boards to Offer Certain Addiction Treatments | Bill Passed - House (71 - 20) |
| May 27, 2014 | IL | HB 3836 | Amends Lincoln Presidential Library Operations | Bill Passed - House (84 - 29) |
| Dec. 10, 2014 | MI | HB 4118 | Requires Drug Testing For Certain Welfare Recipients | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 10) |
| Dec. 10, 2014 | MI | HB 4118 | Requires Drug Testing For Certain Welfare Recipients | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 10) |
| Dec. 3, 2014 | MI | HB 4118 | Requires Drug Testing For Certain Welfare Recipients | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 35) |
| Dec. 3, 2014 | MI | HB 4118 | Requires Drug Testing For Certain Welfare Recipients | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 35) |
| March 27, 2014 | IL | HB 4442 | Requires Law Enforcement Officers to Record Ethnicity During Traffic Stops | Bill Passed - House (63 - 46) |
| Feb. 20, 2014 | AL | HB 45 | Authorizes Display of the Ten Commandments on State Property | Amendment Adopted - House (77 - 19) |
| March 8, 2014 | WV | HB 4588 | Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5) |
| Feb. 25, 2014 | WV | HB 4588 | Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks | Bill Passed - House (79 - 17) |
| Feb. 21, 2014 | ID | HB 470 | Establishes the Idaho Wolf Depredation Control Board | Bill Passed - House (49 - 16) |
| March 26, 2014 | NH | HB 492 | Authorizes the Recreational Use of Marijuana | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (192 - 140) |
| March 26, 2014 | NH | HB 492 | Authorizes the Recreational Use of Marijuana | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (192 - 140) |
| Jan. 15, 2014 | NH | HB 492 | Authorizes the Recreational Use of Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (170 - 162) |
| Jan. 15, 2014 | NH | HB 492 | Authorizes the Recreational Use of Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (170 - 162) |
| March 4, 2014 | AL | HB 493 | Requires Abortion Patients to be Informed of Perinatal Services | Bill Passed - House (73 - 24) |
| April 3, 2014 | AL | HB 494 | Amends Requirements for Minors Who Seek an Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5) |
| March 4, 2014 | AL | HB 494 | Amends Requirements for Minors Seeking an Abortion | Bill Passed - House (82 - 18) |
| Feb. 27, 2014 | MI | HB 5108 | Authorizes Individuals to Resell Admission Tickets | Bill Passed - House (66 - 42) |
| March 21, 2014 | KY | HB 544 | Amends Hotel Tax Laws | Bill Passed - House (52 - 40) |
| Feb. 5, 2014 | UT | HB 57 | Limits the Use of Carbon Monoxide for Animal Euthanasia | Bill Passed - House (61 - 8) |
| April 23, 2014 | FL | HB 59 | Establishes Penalties for Killing or Injuring a Fetus | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14) |
| April 11, 2014 | FL | HB 59 | Establishes Penalties for Killing or Injuring a Fetus | Bill Passed - House (74 - 42) |
| Dec. 4, 2014 | MI | HB 5958 | Prohibits Government from Burdening an Individual's Exercise of Religion | Bill Passed - House (59 - 50) |
| Dec. 4, 2014 | MI | HB 5958 | Prohibits Government from Burdening an Individual's Exercise of Religion | Bill Passed - House (59 - 50) |
| March 20, 2014 | GA | HB 60 | Amends Firearm Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (112 - 58) |
| March 18, 2014 | GA | HB 60 | Amends Firearm Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 18) |
| March 11, 2014 | GA | HB 60 | Amends Firearm Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (108 - 54) |
| Dec. 16, 2014 | MI | HB 6074 | Prohibits Student Athletes from Collective Bargaining | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| Dec. 9, 2014 | MI | HB 6074 | Prohibits Student Athletes from Collective Bargaining | Bill Passed - House (59 - 50) |
| Jan. 30, 2014 | VA | HB 63 | Authorizes Home-Schooled Students to Participate in Public School Interscholastic Programs | Bill Passed - House (60 - 39) |
| Feb. 19, 2014 | KY | HB 64 | Authorizes Felony Record Expungement | Bill Passed - House (79 - 21) |
| March 12, 2014 | GA | HB 702 | Requires Ten Commandments Monument at the Capitol Building | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 3) |
| March 3, 2014 | GA | HB 702 | Requires Ten Commandments Monument at the Capitol Building | Bill Passed - House (138 - 37) |
| April 24, 2014 | FL | HB 7029 | Prohibits Administrators From Punishing Simulation Of Weapon Play | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6) |
| March 20, 2014 | FL | HB 7029 | Prohibits Administrators From Punishing Simulation Of Weapon Play | Bill Passed - House (98 - 17) |
| April 9, 2014 | LA | HB 72 | Authorizes the Concealed Carry of Weapons in Restaurants That Serve Alcohol | Bill Passed - House (79 - 19) |
| April 28, 2014 | FL | HB 753 | Authorizes Certain Individuals to Carry Concealed Firearms on School Property | Bill Passed - House (71 - 44) |
| May 1, 2014 | FL | HB 755 | Authorizes Certain Non-Citizen Individuals to be Admitted to the Bar | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 37) |
| March 3, 2014 | GA | HB 772 | Requires Drug Testing For Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (107 - 66) |
| Jan. 22, 2014 | OH | HB 8 | Authorizes Certain Employees to Carry Concealed Firearms on School Property | Bill Passed - House (63 - 29) |
| Oct. 20, 2014 | PA | HB 80 | Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (138 - 56) |
| Oct. 16, 2014 | PA | HB 80 | Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14) |
| May 2, 2014 | FL | HB 851 | Authorizes In-State Tuition for Non-Citizen Individuals | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 32) |
| May 1, 2014 | FL | HB 851 | Authorizes In-State Tuition for Non-Citizen Individuals | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
| March 20, 2014 | FL | HB 851 | Authorizes In-State Tuition for Non-Citizen Individuals | Bill Passed - House (81 - 33) |
| Feb. 18, 2014 | GA | HB 875 | Authorizes Individuals to Carry Weapons in Previously Prohibited Locations | Bill Passed - House (119 - 56) |
| Feb. 18, 2014 | GA | HB 875 | Authorizes Individuals to Carry Weapons in Previously Prohibited Locations | Bill Passed - House (119 - 56) |
| April 3, 2014 | FL | HB 89 | Prohibits Mandatory Sentencing for Certain Convictions of Aggravated Assault | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7) |
| April 3, 2014 | FL | HB 89 | Prohibits Mandatory Sentencing for Certain Convictions of Aggravated Assault | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7) |
| March 20, 2014 | FL | HB 89 | Prohibits Mandatory Sentencing for Certain Convictions of Aggravated Assault | Bill Passed - House (93 - 24) |
| March 20, 2014 | FL | HB 89 | Prohibits Mandatory Sentencing for Certain Convictions of Aggravated Assault | Bill Passed - House (93 - 24) |
| Feb. 11, 2014 | IA | HF 2175 | Prohibits Webcam Abortions | Bill Passed - House (55 - 42) |
| March 5, 2014 | SD | HJR 1001 | Authorizes Additional Types of Games in Deadwood City Casinos | Amendment Adopted - Senate (25 - 10) |
| Jan. 30, 2014 | SD | HJR 1001 | Authorizes Additional Types of Games in Deadwood City Casinos | Amendment Adopted - House (37 - 30) |
| Feb. 17, 2014 | IN | HJR 3 | Defines Marriage as Between 1 Man and 1 Woman | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (32 - 17) |
| Feb. 17, 2014 | IN | HJR 3 | Defines Marriage as Between 1 Man and 1 Woman | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (32 - 17) |
| Feb. 17, 2014 | IN | HJR 3 | Defines Marriage as Between 1 Man and 1 Woman | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (32 - 17) |
| Jan. 28, 2014 | IN | HJR 3 | Defines Marriage as Between 1 Man and 1 Woman | Joint Resolution Passed - House (57 - 40) |
| Jan. 28, 2014 | IN | HJR 3 | Defines Marriage as Between 1 Man and 1 Woman | Joint Resolution Passed - House (57 - 40) |
| Jan. 28, 2014 | IN | HJR 3 | Defines Marriage as Between 1 Man and 1 Woman | Joint Resolution Passed - House (57 - 40) |
| Aug. 1, 2014 | National | HR 5230 | Making Supplemental Appropriations for the Fiscal Year Ending September 30, 2014, and for Other Purposes | Bill Passed - House (223 - 189) |
| Aug. 1, 2014 | National | HR 5272 | To Prohibit Certain Actions with Respect to Deferred Action for Aliens Not Lawfully Present in the United States, and for Other Purposes | Bill Passed - House (216 - 192) |
| Dec. 4, 2014 | National | HR 5759 | Preventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act of 2014 | Bill Passed - House (219 - 197) |
| Aug. 27, 2014 | MI | Initiation of Legislation | Authorizes Natural Resources Commission to Manage the Taking of Game | Bill Passed - House (65 - 43) |
| Aug. 13, 2014 | MI | Initiation of Legislation | Authorizes Natural Resources Commission to Manage the Taking of Game | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| Feb. 4, 2014 | NE | LB 399 | Authorizes Crime Prevention Vehicles to Use Amber Lights | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (32 - 12) |
| April 7, 2014 | NE | LB 485 | Prohibits Employment Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (26 - 22) |
| April 7, 2014 | NE | LB 485 | Prohibits Employment Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (26 - 22) |
| April 3, 2014 | NE | LB 671 | Prohibits the Hunting of Mountain Lions | Veto Override Failed - Senate (28 - 21) |
| April 3, 2014 | NE | LB 671 | Prohibits the Hunting of Mountain Lions | Veto Override Failed - Senate (28 - 21) |
| April 2, 2014 | NE | LB 671 | Prohibits the Hunting of Mountain Lions | Veto Override Failed - Senate (24 - 21) |
| April 2, 2014 | NE | LB 671 | Prohibits the Hunting of Mountain Lions | Veto Override Failed - Senate (24 - 21) |
| March 24, 2014 | NE | LB 671 | Prohibits the Hunting of Mountain Lions | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 13) |
| March 24, 2014 | NE | LB 671 | Prohibits the Hunting of Mountain Lions | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 13) |
| April 7, 2014 | NE | LR 41CA | Authorizes Gambling on Past Horse Races | Resolution Passed - Senate (30 - 17) |
| April 3, 2014 | NE | LR 41CA | Authorizes Gambling on Past Horse Races | Resolution Failed - Senate (28 - 19) |
| March 6, 2014 | ID | S 1254 | Authorizes the Concealed Carry of Firearms on College or University Campuses | Bill Passed - House (50 - 19) |
| Feb. 18, 2014 | ID | S 1254 | Authorizes the Concealed Carry of Firearms on College or University Campuses | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
| Feb. 26, 2014 | ID | S 1337 | Prohibits Recording of Agricultural Operations | Bill Passed - House (56 - 14) |
| Feb. 26, 2014 | ID | S 1337 | Prohibits Recording of Agricultural Operations | Bill Passed - House (56 - 14) |
| Feb. 14, 2014 | ID | S 1337 | Prohibits Recording of Agricultural Operations | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| Feb. 14, 2014 | ID | S 1337 | Prohibits Recording of Agricultural Operations | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |