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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Dec. 17, 2014 | OH | HB 663 | Requires Confidentiality of Death Penalty Information | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 23) |
Dec. 10, 2014 | OH | HB 234 | Authorizes Noise Suppressors on Certain Firearms | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (72 - 21) |
Dec. 10, 2014 | OH | SB 342 | Prohibits Use of Traffic Cameras to Issue Tickets Unless Officer is Present | Bill Passed - House (58 - 31) |
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) |
Dec. 3, 2014 | MI | HB 4118 | Requires Drug Testing For Certain Welfare Recipients | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 35) |
Dec. 3, 2014 | MI | SB 275 | Requires Drug Testing of Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (75 - 34) |
Oct. 20, 2014 | PA | HB 80 | Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (138 - 56) |
Oct. 20, 2014 | PA | HB 80 | Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (138 - 56) |
Oct. 6, 2014 | PA | HB 1243 | Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - House (143 - 54) |
Oct. 6, 2014 | PA | HB 1243 | Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - House (143 - 54) |
Sept. 15, 2014 | NJ | A 2895 | Establishes a Statewide Firearm Buyback Program | Bill Passed - House (53 - 22) |
Sept. 10, 2014 | MO | SB 656 | Authorizes School Employees to Carry Firearms on School Property | Veto Override Passed - House (117 - 39) |
Sept. 9, 2014 | National | H Res 644 | Condemning and Disapproving of the Failure of the Obama Administration to Comply with the Lawful Statutory Requirement to Notify Congress before Transferring Individuals Detained at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and Expressing Concern About the National Security Risks Over the Transfer of Five Taliban Leaders and the Repercussions of Negotiating with Terrorists | Resolution Passed - House (249 - 163) |
Aug. 29, 2014 | CA | AB 1014 | Authorizes Gun Violence Restraining Orders | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 28) |
Aug. 29, 2014 | CA | AB 1014 | Authorizes Gun Violence Restraining Orders | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 28) |
Aug. 26, 2014 | CA | SB 199 | Requires Certain Replica Guns to be Sold in Fluorescent Colors | Bill Passed - House (43 - 34) |
Aug. 26, 2014 | CA | SB 199 | Requires Certain Replica Guns to be Sold in Fluorescent Colors | Bill Passed - House (43 - 34) |
Aug. 20, 2014 | CA | SB 968 | Authorizes Public Access Route to Martins Beach | Bill Passed - House (42 - 25) |
Aug. 14, 2014 | CA | SB 1010 | Amends Penalties for Cocaine Possession | Bill Passed - House (50 - 19) |
Aug. 14, 2014 | CA | SB 1010 | Amends Penalties for Cocaine Possession | Bill Passed - House (50 - 19) |
July 31, 2014 | MA | H 4278 | Amends Firearm Laws | Conference Report Adopted - House (122 - 30) |
July 31, 2014 | MA | H 4278 | Amends Firearm Laws | Conference Report Adopted - House (122 - 30) |
July 31, 2014 | MA | H 4278 | Amends Firearm Laws | Conference Report Adopted - House (122 - 30) |
July 30, 2014 | National | H Res 676 | Providing for Authority to Initiate Litigation for Actions by the President or Other Executive Branch Officials Inconsistent with Their Duties Under the Constitution of the United States | Resolution Passed - House (225 - 201) |
July 23, 2014 | MA | S 2283 | Authorizes Withdrawal Orders around Reproductive Health Care Facilities | Bill Passed - House (116 - 35) |
July 16, 2014 | MA | H 4184 | Requires Parole Eligibility for Certain Juveniles Sentenced to Life Imprisonment | Conference Report Adopted - House (131 - 18) |
July 16, 2014 | National | H Amdt 1098 | Prohibits District of Columbia from Implementing Certain Firearm Laws | Amendment Adopted - House (241 - 181) |
July 9, 2014 | MA | H 4278 | Amends Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - House (112 - 38) |
July 9, 2014 | MA | H 4278 | Amends Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - House (112 - 38) |
July 9, 2014 | MA | H 4278 | Amends Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - House (112 - 38) |
June 26, 2014 | DE | SB 36 | Authorizes Judges to Hold Suspects of Violent Felonies without Bail | Amendment Adopted - House (29 - 12) |
June 25, 2014 | DE | SB 36 | Authorizes Judges to Hold Suspects of Violent Felonies without Bail | Amendment Rejected - House (24 - 15) |
June 19, 2014 | National | H Amdt 935 | Prohibits a Federal Employee from Requesting Foreign Intelligence Information in Relation to a US Citizen | Amendment Adopted - House (293 - 123) |
June 19, 2014 | NY | A 9583A | Authorizes Demonstration Program for Red Light Cameras | Bill Passed - House (91 - 37) |
June 18, 2014 | MA | H 4184 | Authorizes Parole Eligibility for Certain Juveniles Sentenced to Life Imprisonment | Bill Passed - House (129 - 16) |
June 16, 2014 | NJ | S 783 | Amends the Definition of an Unlawful Employment Practice | Bill Passed - House (49 - 26) |
May 30, 2014 | National | H Amdt 763 | Prohibits Funds from Being Used to Require Journalists to Disclose Sources | Amendment Adopted - House (225 - 183) |
May 29, 2014 | LA | SB 469 | Prohibits Government Entities from Pursuing Cause of Action under the Coastal Management Program | Bill Passed - House (59 - 39) |
May 28, 2014 | CA | AB 1609 | Establishes Requirements for Out of State Firearms Transfers | Bill Passed - House (49 - 25) |
May 22, 2014 | NJ | A 2006 | Reduces the Maximum Capacity of Ammunition Magazines | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 34) |
May 16, 2014 | MO | SB 656 | Authorizes School Employees to Carry Firearms on School Property | Conference Report Adopted - House (111 - 28) |
May 1, 2014 | FL | HB 755 | Authorizes Certain Non-Citizen Individuals to be Admitted to the Bar | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 37) |
April 30, 2014 | IA | SF 2360 | Authorizes Medical Marijuana Oil | Bill Passed - House (77 - 20) |
April 30, 2014 | FL | SB 386 | Prohibits Enforcement of Foreign Laws | Bill Passed - House (78 - 40) |
April 28, 2014 | NY | A 9206 | Authorizes Traffic Cameras on Long Island | Bill Passed - House (104 - 25) |
April 28, 2014 | FL | HB 753 | Authorizes Certain Individuals to Carry Concealed Firearms on School Property | Bill Passed - House (71 - 44) |
April 25, 2014 | AK | HB 218 | Prohibits Use of Risk of Deportation as a Factor in a Felony Case Referral | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (28 - 10) |
April 24, 2014 | MO | HB 2126 | Expands the Legal Use of "Deadly Force" | Bill Passed - House (122 - 30) |
April 23, 2014 | VT | H 112 | Requires Labeling of Genetically Engineered Food | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (114 - 30) |
April 22, 2014 | FL | SB 424 | Prohibits Insurance Increases for Gun Owners | Bill Passed - House (74 - 44) |
April 16, 2014 | AZ | HB 2508 | Requires Licensure for Federal Health Care Navigators | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 21) |
April 16, 2014 | TN | SB 2580 | Authorizes the Use of Certain Execution Methods | Bill Passed - House (68 - 13) |
April 15, 2014 | AZ | SB 1158 | Amends Fireworks Laws | Bill Passed - House (43 - 17) |
April 15, 2014 | KY | SB 5 | Increases Penalties for Drug-Dealers | Bill Failed - House (42 - 51) |
April 15, 2014 | KY | SB 5 | Increases Penalties for Drug-Dealers | Bill Failed - House (42 - 51) |
April 15, 2014 | LA | HB 12 | Repeals Certain "Crimes Against Nature" | Bill Failed - House (27 - 67) |
April 11, 2014 | FL | HB 209 | Authorizes Carrying Firearms During an Emergency | Bill Passed - House (80 - 36) |
April 11, 2014 | FL | HB 59 | Establishes Penalties for Killing or Injuring a Fetus | Bill Passed - House (74 - 42) |
April 9, 2014 | TN | SB 1391 | Prohibits Women from Using Illegal Substances While Pregnant | Bill Passed - House (64 - 30) |
April 9, 2014 | TN | SB 1391 | Prohibits Women from Using Illegal Substances While Pregnant | Bill Passed - House (64 - 30) |
April 9, 2014 | LA | HB 72 | Authorizes the Concealed Carry of Weapons in Restaurants That Serve Alcohol | Bill Passed - House (79 - 19) |
April 9, 2014 | OH | HB 369 | Requires Local Boards to Offer Certain Addiction Treatments | Bill Passed - House (71 - 20) |
April 5, 2014 | KS | HB 2578 | Prohibits a City or County from Regulating Firearms | Conference Report Adopted - House (102 - 19) |
April 3, 2014 | AL | SB 63 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (73 - 27) |
April 3, 2014 | MO | HB 1439 | Prohibits Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - House (110 - 41) |
April 2, 2014 | OH | HB 234 | Authorizes Noise Suppressors on Certain Firearms | Bill Passed - House (76 - 15) |
March 27, 2014 | IL | HB 4442 | Requires Law Enforcement Officers to Record Ethnicity During Traffic Stops | Bill Passed - House (63 - 46) |
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) |
March 20, 2014 | GA | HB 60 | Amends Firearm Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (112 - 58) |
March 20, 2014 | WI | AB 19 | Requires an Individual to Disclose the Number of Asbestos Trusts they Plan to Sue | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 38) |
March 20, 2014 | NJ | A 2777 | Amends Firearm Transportation Laws | Bill Passed - House (43 - 29) |
March 20, 2014 | FL | HB 7029 | Prohibits Administrators From Punishing Simulation Of Weapon Play | Bill Passed - House (98 - 17) |
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) |
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 13, 2014 | IN | SB 229 | Authorizes the Concealed Possession of Firearms on School Property | Conference Report Adopted - House (75 - 24) |
March 13, 2014 | IN | HB 1351 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Conference Report Adopted - House (81 - 17) |
March 13, 2014 | UT | SB 253 | Prohibits Texting While Driving on a Highway | Bill Passed - House (41 - 28) |
March 13, 2014 | MO | HB 1557 | Authorizes the Use of Red Light Cameras | Bill Passed - House (84 - 63) |
March 12, 2014 | NH | Amdt 916h | Exempts Individuals Convicted of Capital Murder from the Death Penalty | Amendment Rejected - House (85 - 245) |
March 12, 2014 | AZ | HB 2339 | Authorizes Individuals with State Issued Gun Permits to Carry in Public Buildings | Bill Passed - House (34 - 22) |
March 12, 2014 | CO | HB 1131 | Prohibits Cyberbullying of a Minor | Bill Passed - House (54 - 10) |
March 12, 2014 | AZ | HB 2517 | Establishes Penalties for Violations of an Existing State Firearms Law | Bill Passed - House (34 - 22) |
March 12, 2014 | NH | HB 1170 | Repeals the Death Penalty | Bill Passed - House (225 - 104) |
March 11, 2014 | WA | HB 2789 | Establishes Usage Policy for Extraordinary Sensing Devices | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (77 - 21) |
March 11, 2014 | GA | HB 60 | Amends Firearm Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (108 - 54) |
March 10, 2014 | OK | HB 2329 | Authorizes Storage of a Handgun in a Secure Motor Vehicle on School Property | Bill Passed - House (76 - 17) |
March 8, 2014 | WV | SB 6 | Authorizes Pharmacists to Refuse to Dispense Pseudophedrine without a Prescription | Bill Passed - House (63 - 34) |
March 8, 2014 | WV | SB 6 | Authorizes Pharmacists to Refuse to Dispense Pseudophedrine without a Prescription | Bill Passed - House (63 - 34) |
March 7, 2014 | MD | HB 354 | Amends the Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Program | Bill Passed - House (84 - 51) |
March 6, 2014 | ID | S 1254 | Authorizes the Concealed Carry of Firearms on College or University Campuses | Bill Passed - House (50 - 19) |
March 6, 2014 | AL | HB 379 | Requires Confidentiality for Lethal-Injection Drug Suppliers | Bill Passed - House (77 - 19) |
March 5, 2014 | UT | HB 20 | Expands Protections for Police Officers in Lawsuits | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 28) |
March 5, 2014 | UT | HB 20 | Expands Protections for Police Officers in Lawsuits | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 28) |
March 5, 2014 | MO | HB 1173 | Establishes Causes of Action in Medical Malpractice Lawsuits | Bill Passed - House (94 - 61) |
March 5, 2014 | NH | HB 1360 | Prohibits the Use of Hand Held Mobile Electronic Devices While Driving | Bill Passed - House (192 - 133) |
March 5, 2014 | OK | HB 2638 | Requires an Individual Arrested for Certain Crimes to Submit DNA | Bill Failed - House (35 - 51) |
March 4, 2014 | AL | HB 493 | Requires Abortion Patients to be Informed of Perinatal Services | Bill Passed - House (73 - 24) |