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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sept. 28, 2016 | National | S 2040 | Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act | Veto Override Passed - Senate (97 - 1) |
Sept. 14, 2016 | MO | SB 656 | Authorizes Concealed Carry Without a Permit | Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 6) |
Aug. 31, 2016 | CA | SB 1241 | Amends Current Provisions of Labor Contracts | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 13) |
Aug. 16, 2016 | CA | AB 2466 | Expands Voting Rights for Certain Convicted Felons | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13) |
July 6, 2016 | National | S 2193 | Stop Illegal Reentry Act | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (55 - 42) |
June 30, 2016 | CA | SB 1235 | Requires Background Checks to Buy Ammunition | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
June 30, 2016 | CA | AB 1695 | Prohibits Falsely Reporting the Loss or Theft of a Firearm | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
June 30, 2016 | CA | AB 1674 | Limits the Purchase of Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14) |
June 30, 2016 | CA | AB 1695 | Prohibits Falsely Reporting the Loss or Theft of a Firearm | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
June 30, 2016 | CA | AB 2607 | Authorizes Certain Individuals to Request a Gun Violence Restraining Order | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
June 27, 2016 | NJ | A 3689 | Requires Justifiable Need for Firearm Permits | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17) |
June 27, 2016 | NJ | S 51 | Authorizes Restrictions on Solitary Confinement | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16) |
June 20, 2016 | National | S Amdt 4720 | Prohibits the Transfer of Firearms to Suspected Terrorists | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (47 - 53) |
June 20, 2016 | National | S Amdt 4749 | Authorizes the Attorney General to Delay Transfer of Firearms to Suspected Terrorists | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 47) |
June 20, 2016 | National | S Amdt 4749 | Authorizes the Attorney General to Delay Transfer of Firearms to Suspected Terrorists | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 47) |
June 20, 2016 | National | S Amdt 4750 | Fix Gun Checks Act of 2016 | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (44 - 56) |
June 20, 2016 | National | S Amdt 4751 | Protecting Communities and Preserving the Second Amendment Act of 2016 | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 47) |
June 20, 2016 | National | S Amdt 4720 | Prohibits the Transfer of Firearms to Suspected Terrorists | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (47 - 53) |
May 25, 2016 | MI | HB 4787 | Prohibits Coercing a Pregnant Woman to Have an Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
May 24, 2016 | OH | HB 110 | Authorizes Immunity for Individuals Reporting Drug Overdose | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
May 24, 2016 | OH | HB 110 | Authorizes Immunity for Individuals Reporting Drug Overdose | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
May 21, 2016 | MN | SF 498 | Amends Police Body Camera Regulations | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 17) |
May 19, 2016 | CA | AB 1135 | Prohibits Firearms with Bullet Button | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
May 19, 2016 | CA | SB 1235 | Requires Background Checks to Buy Ammunition | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15) |
May 19, 2016 | CA | SB 1446 | Prohibits the Possession of High-Capacity Gun Magazines | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
May 13, 2016 | MO | SB 656 | Authorizes Concealed Carry Without a Permit | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 8) |
May 13, 2016 | AK | SB 91 | Amends Criminal Justice System | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (14 - 5) |
May 5, 2016 | NH | HR 582 | Repeals Permit Requirements for Concealed Carry of Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10) |
May 4, 2016 | LA | SB 127 | Authorizes Parole Hearings for Juveniles Serving Life Terms | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8) |
May 2, 2016 | CA | SB 1129 | Repeals Minimum Sentences for Repeat Prostitution Offenses | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
April 25, 2016 | CA | SB 966 | Prohibits Extending Sentences for Repeat Drug Offenders | Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 16) |
April 25, 2016 | CA | SB 966 | Prohibits Extending Sentences for Repeat Drug Offenders | Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 16) |
April 20, 2016 | VA | HB 815 | Amends Death Penalty Procedures | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16) |
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 14, 2016 | MO | SR 1793 | Requires Mary Kogut to Appear Before the Senate | Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 8) |
April 14, 2016 | MO | SR 1794 | Requires Dr. James Miller to Appear Before the Senate | Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 8) |
April 7, 2016 | AK | SB 174 | Prohibits the University of Alaska from Regulating Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 5) |
April 7, 2016 | AL | SB 237 | Establishes Innocence Inquiry Commission | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6) |
April 7, 2016 | AL | SB 237 | Establishes Innocence Inquiry Commission | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6) |
April 7, 2016 | AL | SB 237 | Establishes Innocence Inquiry Commission | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6) |
April 5, 2016 | IL | SB 2465 | Prohibits Certain Lawsuits against Inmates | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 19) |
April 5, 2016 | IL | SB 2465 | Prohibits Certain Lawsuits against Inmates | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 19) |
April 5, 2016 | AL | SB 14 | Authorizes Concealed Handguns in Vehicles without a Permit | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6) |
April 4, 2016 | TN | HB 1416 | Prohibits Driving in Left Lane without Passing Other Vehicles | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7) |
March 24, 2016 | TN | HB 1679 | Requires a Claimant to Pay for Defendant Attorney Fees in Certain Legal Proceedings | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9) |
March 24, 2016 | AZ | HB 2451 | Amends Requirements for Release of Undocumented Inmates | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
March 16, 2016 | ID | S 1389 | Authorizes Concealed Carry Without Permit | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
March 15, 2016 | KY | HB 160 | Establishes 1-for-1 Syringe Exchange Program | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
March 11, 2016 | VA | HB 815 | Amends Death Penalty Procedures | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 17) |
March 11, 2016 | GA | HB 859 | Authorizes Concealed Carry of Firearms at Institutions of Higher Education | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17) |
March 10, 2016 | IN | HB 1127 | Establishes Regulations on Lawsuit Funding Practices | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 10) |
March 9, 2016 | FL | HB 1411 | Amends Requirements for Disposal of Fetal Tissue | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15) |
March 8, 2016 | IA | SF 2284 | Amends Definition of Hate Crime to Include Gender Identity or Expression | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21) |
March 3, 2016 | MS | SB 2306 | Prohibits Establishment of Sanctuary Cities | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14) |
March 3, 2016 | AZ | SB 1257 | Authorizes Concealed Carry of Firearms in Public Buildings | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12) |
March 2, 2016 | UT | SB 189 | Repeals Death Penalty | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 12) |
March 2, 2016 | UT | SB 107 | Amends Definition of a Hate Crime | Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 17) |
March 1, 2016 | MS | SB 2237 | Establishes Identity Protections for Execution Teams | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18) |
Feb. 29, 2016 | VA | HB 560 | Amends Brandishing Conviction to Include Intent to Induce Fear | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
Feb. 29, 2016 | VA | HB 560 | Amends Brandishing Conviction to Include Intent to Induce Fear | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
Feb. 26, 2016 | ID | S 1276 | Expands List of Crimes that Prohibit an Individual from Possessing Firearm | Bill Failed - Senate (6 - 29) |
Feb. 26, 2016 | ID | S 1276 | Expands List of Crimes that Prohibit an Individual from Possessing Firearm | Bill Failed - Senate (6 - 29) |
Feb. 25, 2016 | IA | SF 2289 | Expands Criminal Offenses for Animal Mistreatment | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16) |
Feb. 23, 2016 | CO | SB 17 | Authorizes the Concealed Carry of a Firearm Without a Permit | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
Feb. 23, 2016 | WY | SF 96 | Classifies 3 Ounces of Marijuana Edibles as a Felony | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7) |
Feb. 22, 2016 | WV | HB 4145 | Authorizes Concealed Carry without Permit | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
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. 22, 2016 | AZ | SB 1377 | Establishes Criminal Sentencing Requirements for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11) |
Feb. 15, 2016 | VA | SB 552 | Exempts Police Officer Names from Mandatory Disclosure | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15) |
Feb. 9, 2016 | VA | SB 705 | Requires Sanctuary Cities to be Liable for Damages Caused by Undocumented Immigrant | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
Feb. 4, 2016 | VA | SB 610 | Authorizes Concealed Carry Reciprocity for Out-of-State License Holders | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13) |
Feb. 3, 2016 | IN | SB 80 | Authorizes Pharmacists to Decline to Sell Certain Cold Medicines | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 8) |
Feb. 2, 2016 | IN | SB 220 | Classifies an Offense Based on Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity as Aggravating Circumstance | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16) |
Feb. 1, 2016 | VA | SB 48 | Authorizes Concealed Carry without Permit | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 21) |
Jan. 28, 2016 | MO | SB 572 | Establishes Regulations for Municipal Ordinance Violation Penalties | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6) |
Jan. 28, 2016 | FL | SB 344 | Amends Burden of Proof in Self-Defense Immunity Claims | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12) |
Jan. 28, 2016 | FL | SB 344 | Amends Burden of Proof in Self-Defense Immunity Claims | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12) |
Jan. 26, 2016 | IN | SB 259 | Authorizes General Assembly Employees to Carry Handguns in the Statehouse | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13) |
Jan. 21, 2016 | MD | SB 528 | Amends Asset Forfeiture Regulations | Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 14) |
Jan. 21, 2016 | MD | SB 517 | Authorizes Marijuana Paraphernalia | Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 17) |
Jan. 20, 2016 | National | HR 4038 | American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (55 - 43) |
Jan. 20, 2016 | MI | SB 207 | Authorizes Peace Officers to Conduct Roadside Saliva Drug Test | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9) |
Jan. 20, 2016 | WI | SB 248 | Repeals Certain Requirements to Strip Search Detained Individuals | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14) |
Jan. 14, 2016 | NH | HB 560 | Amends Classification of Criminal Offenses for Death of a Viable Fetus | Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 11) |