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 4, 2016 | IN | SB 339 | Establishes Regulations for Fantasy Sports Games | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 10) |
Feb. 3, 2016 | IN | SB 339 | Establishes Regulations for Fantasy Sports Games | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11) |
Jan. 28, 2016 | FL | SB 344 | Amends Burden of Proof in Self-Defense Immunity Claims | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12) |
Feb. 12, 2016 | VA | SB 41 | Prohibits State from Requiring Religious Organizations to Solemnize Certain Marriages | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 19) |
Feb. 12, 2016 | VA | SB 41 | Prohibits State from Requiring Religious Organizations to Solemnize Certain Marriages | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 19) |
May 24, 2016 | LA | SB 436 | Prohibits Discrimination on Basis of Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity | Bill Failed - Senate (8 - 25) |
Feb. 1, 2016 | VA | SB 48 | Authorizes Concealed Carry without Permit | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 21) |
March 17, 2016 | MD | SB 49 | Amends the State Song | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 8) |
Feb. 18, 2016 | KY | SB 5 | Establishes Separate Marriage License for Same-Sex Couples | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8) |
Jan. 21, 2016 | MD | SB 517 | Authorizes Marijuana Paraphernalia | Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 17) |
Jan. 21, 2016 | MD | SB 528 | Amends Asset Forfeiture Regulations | Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 14) |
Feb. 16, 2016 | WI | SB 533 | Prohibits Local Governments from Issuing Identification Cards | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13) |
March 24, 2016 | NH | SB 551 | Authorizes a Casino in Salem | Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 13) |
Feb. 15, 2016 | VA | SB 552 | Exempts Police Officer Names from Mandatory Disclosure | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15) |
Jan. 28, 2016 | MO | SB 572 | Establishes Regulations for Municipal Ordinance Violation Penalties | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6) |
Feb. 29, 2016 | GA | SB 6 | Establishes Driving Safety Cards for Certain Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17) |
Feb. 4, 2016 | VA | SB 610 | Authorizes Concealed Carry Reciprocity for Out-of-State License Holders | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13) |
Feb. 10, 2016 | WA | SB 6443 | Repeals Rule Authorizing Use of Bathrooms Consistent with Gender Identity | Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 25) |
Feb. 8, 2016 | VA | SB 646 | Establishes Regulations for Fantasy Sports | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
Sept. 14, 2016 | MO | SB 656 | Authorizes Concealed Carry Without a Permit | Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 6) |
May 13, 2016 | MO | SB 656 | Authorizes Concealed Carry Without a Permit | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 8) |
Jan. 29, 2016 | VA | SB 67 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation in Housing Practices | 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. 3, 2016 | IN | SB 80 | Authorizes Pharmacists to Decline to Sell Certain Cold Medicines | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 8) |
Aug. 26, 2016 | CA | SB 839 | Prohibits Orca Captivity and Breeding | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
May 13, 2016 | AK | SB 91 | Amends Criminal Justice System | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (14 - 5) |
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) |
March 8, 2016 | IA | SF 2284 | Amends Definition of Hate Crime to Include Gender Identity or Expression | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21) |
March 8, 2016 | IA | SF 2284 | Amends Definition of Hate Crime to Include Gender Identity or Expression | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21) |
Feb. 25, 2016 | IA | SF 2289 | Expands Criminal Offenses for Animal Mistreatment | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16) |
Feb. 25, 2016 | IA | SF 2289 | Expands Criminal Offenses for Animal Mistreatment | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16) |
May 21, 2016 | MN | SF 498 | Amends Police Body Camera Regulations | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 17) |
Feb. 23, 2016 | WY | SF 96 | Classifies 3 Ounces of Marijuana Edibles as a Felony | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7) |
March 10, 2016 | MO | SJR 39 | Prohibits Penalties for Declining Participation in Same-Sex Marriage Ceremonies | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 7) |
March 10, 2016 | MO | SJR 39 | Prohibits Penalties for Declining Participation in Same-Sex Marriage Ceremonies | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 7) |
April 19, 2016 | TN | SJR 467 | Urges Attorney General to File Lawsuit in Relation to Refugee Resettlement Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 4) |
Feb. 22, 2016 | TN | SJR 467 | Urges Attorney General to File Lawsuit in Relation to Refugee Resettlement Program | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 5) |