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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Feb. 12, 2015 | CO | SB 77 | Extends Parental Rights in Education and Health Care | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16) |
Feb. 5, 2015 | IL | SB 11 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 18) |
Jan. 27, 2015 | CO | SB 52 | Expands Legislative Oversight of the Colorado Health Benefit Exchange | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
Feb. 4, 2015 | MO | HB 150 | Limits Duration of Unemployment Benefits | Bill Passed - House (112 - 47) |
March 5, 2015 | NV | SB 119 | Exempts Schools from Paying Prevailing Wages | Bill Passed - House (23 - 19) |
Feb. 16, 2015 | NV | SB 119 | Exempts Schools from Paying Prevailing Wages | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9) |
Feb. 18, 2015 | SD | SB 177 | Establishes a Youth Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
Feb. 10, 2015 | SD | HB 1195 | Requires a Student's Gender Identity to be Determined by a Birth Certificate | Bill Passed - House (51 - 16) |
Feb. 10, 2015 | KY | HB 2 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (56 - 43) |
April 2, 2015 | ND | SB 2279 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation | Bill Failed - House (35 - 56) |
Feb. 17, 2015 | ND | SB 2279 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 22) |
Feb. 12, 2015 | MO | HB 116 | Prohibits Mandatory Payment of Fees to Labor Organizations | Bill Passed - House (91 - 64) |
Jan. 14, 2015 | National | HR 240 | Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (236 - 191) |
Feb. 25, 2015 | NC | SB 2 | Authorizes Officials to Not Perform Certain Marriage Duties | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16) |
Feb. 24, 2015 | IA | SF 269 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22) |
Feb. 10, 2015 | WY | SF 115 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Idenity | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6) |
Feb. 26, 2015 | MN | SF 174 | Requires Legislative Approval for Certain Salary Increases | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 29) |
March 18, 2015 | MO | SB 24 | Reduces the Lifetime Limit for Certain Government Benefits | Bill Passed - House (115 - 44) |
Feb. 23, 2015 | MO | SB 24 | Reduces the Lifetime Limit for Certain Government Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8) |
Feb. 26, 2015 | MT | SB 262 | Establishes Water Rights Compact | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19) |
Feb. 20, 2015 | MT | HB 200 | Requires Drug Testing For Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (55 - 45) |
Feb. 23, 2015 | IN | HB 1019 | Repeals Common Construction Wage | Bill Passed - House (55 - 41) |
Feb. 26, 2015 | AZ | SB 1092 | Requires Waivers for Certain Health Insurance | Bill Passed - House (34 - 23) |
Feb. 23, 2015 | AZ | SB 1092 | Requires Waivers for Certain Health Insurance | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
March 5, 2015 | WI | SB 44 | Prohibits Employers from Mandating Employees to Join or Pay Unions | Bill Passed - House (62 - 35) |
Feb. 25, 2015 | WI | SB 44 | Prohibits Employers from Mandating Employees to Join or Pay Unions | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15) |
March 3, 2015 | WA | HB 1355 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (51 - 46) |
Feb. 27, 2015 | KY | SB 76 | Prohibits Students from Using Restrooms Designated for the Opposite Sex | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9) |
Feb. 25, 2015 | UT | SB 164 | Establishes Medicaid Expansion Pilot Program | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11) |
Feb. 27, 2015 | VA | HB 1570 | Increases Regulations on Day Care Providers | Conference Report Adopted - House (68 - 26) |
March 11, 2015 | UT | SB 296 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation | Bill Passed - House (65 - 10) |
March 6, 2015 | UT | SB 296 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5) |
Feb. 11, 2015 | MS | SB 2695 | Establishes Education Scholarship Accounts for Special Needs Students | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21) |
March 5, 2015 | GA | SB 129 | Prohibits Government Interference with Religious Practice | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 15) |
March 5, 2015 | AZ | SB 1222 | Prohibits Plea Agreements for Individuals Deported During Trial | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12) |
March 3, 2015 | WV | SB 361 | Amends Prevailing Wage Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
Feb. 28, 2015 | WV | SB 361 | Amends Prevailing Wage Laws | Bill Passed - House (56 - 39) |
Feb. 12, 2015 | WV | SB 361 | Amends Prevailing Wage Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
March 11, 2015 | MO | HB 187 | Prohibits Undocumented Immigrants from Receiving Student Financial Aid | Bill Passed - House (111 - 41) |
March 12, 2015 | AR | HB 1489 | Reduces Unemployment Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7) |
March 12, 2015 | NH | SB 261 | Increases Minimum Wage | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (14 - 10) |
May 7, 2015 | OR | HB 2307 | Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
March 17, 2015 | OR | HB 2307 | Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors | Bill Passed - House (41 - 18) |
March 11, 2015 | NH | HB 658 | Prohibits Requiring Employees to Join or Pay Unions | Bill Passed - House (149 - 146) |
March 23, 2015 | MN | HF 1027 | Amends Minimum Wage for Employees Receiving Gratuities | Bill Passed - House (78 - 55) |
March 24, 2015 | MD | SB 416 | Requires Health Insurers to Cover In Vitro Fertilization for Same-Sex Couples | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 10) |
March 20, 2015 | ID | HJM 4 | Appeals to Congress to Impeach Certain Members of the Judiciary | Bill Passed - House (44 - 25) |
March 20, 2015 | ID | HJM 4 | Appeals to Congress to Impeach Certain Members of the Judiciary | Bill Passed - House (44 - 25) |
April 7, 2015 | NV | AB 165 | Establishes the Nevada Educational Choice Scholarship Program | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9) |
April 1, 2015 | NV | AB 165 | Establishes the Nevada Educational Choice Scholarship Program | Bill Passed - House (25 - 17) |
May 22, 2015 | NV | SB 193 | Increases Minimum Wage and Amends Overtime Definition | Bill Passed - House (22 - 20) |
April 3, 2015 | NV | SB 193 | Increases Minimum Wage and Amends Overtime Definition | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9) |
April 2, 2015 | KS | HB 2258 | Amends Social Service Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10) |
April 7, 2015 | TX | SB 267 | Prohibits Local Regulations that Prohibit Refusal of Tenants Based on Source of Income | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11) |
Feb. 5, 2015 | NJ | S 866 | Authorizes Gestational Surrogacy Contracts | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
April 1, 2015 | AZ | SB 1332 | Expands Empowerment Scholarship to Include Native Americans | Bill Passed - House (31 - 28) |
March 10, 2015 | CO | HB 1175 | Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy on Minors | Bill Passed - House (35 - 29) |
April 2, 2015 | CO | HB 1265 | Authorizes Gender Changes on Birth Certificates | Bill Passed - House (40 - 25) |
March 10, 2015 | HI | HB 631 | Amends Procedure to Change Gender on Birth Certificates | Bill Passed - House (41 - 10) |
Feb. 25, 2015 | NM | HB 75 | Prohibits Employers from Requiring Employees to Join or Pay Unions | Bill Passed - House (37 - 30) |
April 9, 2015 | WA | SB 5870 | Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors | Bill Passed - House (60 - 37) |
April 8, 2015 | MD | SB 743 | Authorizes New Birth Certificates for Sex Changes | Bill Passed - House (91 - 49) |
March 24, 2015 | MD | SB 743 | Authorizes New Birth Certificates for Sex Changes | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16) |
Feb. 12, 2015 | NM | HB 32 | Limits Driver's Licenses for Foreign Nationals | Bill Passed - House (39 - 29) |
April 2, 2015 | AR | SJR 16 | Authorizes Issuance of Bonds for Economic Development Projects | Bill Passed - House (70 - 22) |
April 6, 2015 | ND | HB 1181 | Requires Special Election to Fill Vacant Senate Seat | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20) |
April 6, 2015 | ND | HB 1181 | Requires Special Election to Fill Vacant Senate Seat | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20) |
June 3, 2015 | AL | SB 71 | Increases Cumulative Cap on Tax Credits Available for Scholarship Donations | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 14) |
May 28, 2015 | AL | SB 71 | Increases Cumulative Cap on Tax Credits Available for Scholarship Donations | Bill Passed - House (68 - 26) |
March 31, 2015 | AL | SB 71 | Increases Cumulative Cap on Tax Credits Available for Scholarship Donations | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14) |
April 22, 2015 | TN | SB 612 | Exempts Certain Students from Out-of-State Tuition | Bill Failed - House (49 - 47) |
March 26, 2015 | OK | HB 1749 | Prohibits Payroll Deductions for Public Employee Organizations | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 16) |
April 16, 2015 | TN | SB 612 | Authorizes Certain Students to be Charged In-State Tuition | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
April 10, 2015 | ND | SB 2242 | Appropriates Funds for Burial of Veterans' Families | Bill Failed - House (32 - 58) |
April 9, 2015 | FL | HB 7111 | Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Deny Services Based on Religion | Bill Passed - House (75 - 38) |
April 21, 2015 | NV | AB 375 | Prohibits Students from Using Facilities Designated for the Opposite Sex | Bill Failed - House (20 - 22) |
April 14, 2015 | FL | HB 7013 | Amends Child Adoption Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
April 14, 2015 | FL | HB 7013 | Amends Child Adoption Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
March 11, 2015 | FL | HB 7013 | Amends Child Adoption Laws | Bill Passed - House (68 - 50) |
March 11, 2015 | FL | HB 7013 | Amends Child Adoption Laws | Bill Passed - House (68 - 50) |
March 11, 2015 | OK | SJR 4 | Requests Constitutional Convention | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (26 - 20) |
April 2, 2015 | IN | SB 50 | Specifies that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act Does Not Authorize Discrimination | Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 30) |
April 2, 2015 | IN | SB 50 | Specifies that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act Does Not Authorize Discrimination | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 16) |
April 15, 2015 | CO | HB 1165 | Requires Approval to Use Native American School Mascots | Bill Passed - House (33 - 32) |
March 26, 2015 | NJ | A 4103 | Establishes Workforce Training Program for Former Casino Workers | Bill Passed - House (55 - 18) |
April 29, 2015 | NY | A 4958 | Classifies Conversion Therapy on Minors as Professional Misconduct | Bill Passed - House (111 - 26) |
Sept. 16, 2015 | MO | HB 150 | Limits Duration of Unemployment Benefits | Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 8) |
May 12, 2015 | MO | HB 150 | Limits Duration of Unemployment Benefits | Veto Override Passed - House (109 - 53) |
April 21, 2015 | MO | HB 150 | Limits Duration of Unemployment Benefits | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 68) |
April 15, 2015 | MO | HB 150 | Limits Duration of Unemployment Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
April 27, 2015 | ND | HB 1033 | Prohibits Legacy Fund Calculation in State Budget Drafts | Veto Override Passed - House (67 - 23) |
June 11, 2015 | NC | SB 2 | Authorizes Officials to Not Perform Certain Marriage Duties | Veto Override Passed - House (69 - 41) |
June 1, 2015 | NC | SB 2 | Authorizes Officials to Not Perform Certain Marriage Duties | Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 16) |
May 28, 2015 | NC | SB 2 | Authorizes Officials to Not Perform Certain Marriage Duties | Bill Passed - House (67 - 43) |
Sept. 16, 2015 | MO | HB 116 | Prohibits Mandatory Enrollment In Labor Unions | Veto Override Failed - House (96 - 63) |
May 13, 2015 | MO | HB 116 | Prohibits Mandatory Enrollment In Labor Unions | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (92 - 66) |
May 12, 2015 | MO | HB 116 | Prohibits Mandatory Enrollment In Labor Unions | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
March 25, 2015 | AR | HB 1426 | Establishes Paid Maternity Leave for State Employees | Bill Passed - House (56 - 28) |
May 6, 2015 | PA | SB 644 | Requires Cost Analysis of Collective Bargaining Agreements | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19) |
May 7, 2015 | TX | SB 1968 | Prohibits Wage Deductions for State Employee Union Dues | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11) |