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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
April 25, 2016 | CA | SB 966 | Prohibits Extending Sentences for Repeat Drug Offenders | Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 16) |
May 13, 2016 | AK | SB 91 | Amends Criminal Justice System | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (14 - 5) |
May 12, 2016 | MA | S 735 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4) |
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) |
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 4751 | Protecting Communities and Preserving the Second Amendment Act of 2016 | 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) |
Aug. 16, 2016 | CA | AB 2466 | Expands Voting Rights for Certain Convicted Felons | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13) |
Feb. 11, 2016 | GA | SB 308 | Authorizes Grants to Pregnancy Resource Centers | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 16) |
May 19, 2016 | IL | HB 3655 | Establishes Regulations for Fantasy Sports Contests | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 22) |
April 4, 2016 | TN | HB 1416 | Prohibits Driving in Left Lane without Passing Other Vehicles | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7) |
Jan. 20, 2016 | MI | SB 207 | Authorizes Peace Officers to Conduct Roadside Saliva Drug Test | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9) |
May 19, 2016 | CA | SB 1446 | Prohibits the Possession of High-Capacity Gun Magazines | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
April 20, 2016 | NE | LB 947 | Authorizes Certain Immigrants to Qualify for Professional Licenses | Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 13) |
May 19, 2016 | CA | AB 1135 | Prohibits Firearms with Bullet Button | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 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 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 2607 | Authorizes Certain Individuals to Request a Gun Violence Restraining Order | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
May 26, 2016 | CA | SB 1146 | Amends Religious Exemption Requirements for Universities | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
June 28, 2016 | NC | HB 100 | Rescinds Certain Funds from Sanctuary Cities | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18) |
June 30, 2016 | CA | SB 1235 | Requires Background Checks to Buy Ammunition | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
May 19, 2016 | CA | SB 1235 | Requires Background Checks to Buy Ammunition | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15) |
June 27, 2016 | NJ | A 3689 | Requires Justifiable Need for Firearm Permits | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17) |
July 6, 2016 | National | S 2193 | Stop Illegal Reentry Act | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (55 - 42) |
July 6, 2016 | National | S 2193 | Stop Illegal Reentry Act | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (55 - 42) |
Aug. 19, 2016 | AL | SB 3 | Establishes State Lottery | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
Feb. 22, 2016 | HI | SB 2647 | Prohibits Sale of Endangered Species Parts or Products | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 7) |
Aug. 26, 2016 | CA | SB 839 | Prohibits Orca Captivity and Breeding | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
Feb. 23, 2016 | WY | SF 96 | Classifies 3 Ounces of Marijuana Edibles as a Felony | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7) |
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 25, 2016 | MI | HB 4787 | Prohibits Coercing a Pregnant Woman to Have an Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
Aug. 15, 2016 | CA | AB 1687 | Requires Entertainment Database Websites to Remove Actor's Age Upon Request | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
June 27, 2016 | NJ | S 51 | Authorizes Restrictions on Solitary Confinement | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16) |
May 5, 2016 | NH | HR 582 | Repeals Permit Requirements for Concealed Carry of Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10) |