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 3, 2014 | AL | HB 494 | Amends Requirements for Minors Who Seek an Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5) |
March 19, 2014 | AL | SB 354 | Authorizes Individuals Without Concealed Carry Licenses to Carry Firearms in Vehicles | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7) |
Feb. 26, 2014 | AL | SB 63 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4) |
April 16, 2014 | AZ | SB 1158 | Amends Fireworks Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 4) |
April 16, 2014 | AZ | HB 2508 | Requires Licensure for Federal Health Care Navigators | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10) |
April 16, 2014 | AZ | HB 2339 | Authorizes Individuals with State Issued Gun Permits to Carry in Public Buildings | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12) |
April 16, 2014 | AZ | HB 2517 | Establishes Penalties for Violations of an Existing State Firearms Law | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
Feb. 19, 2014 | AZ | SB 1062 | Authorizes Individuals to use Potential Infringements of Religious Freedom as a Claim or Defense | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13) |
Feb. 19, 2014 | AZ | SB 1062 | Authorizes Individuals to use Potential Infringements of Religious Freedom as a Claim or Defense | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13) |
Aug. 21, 2014 | CA | SB 968 | Authorizes Public Access Route to Martins Beach | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 9) |
Aug. 28, 2014 | CA | SB 199 | Requires Certain Replica Guns to be Sold in Fluorescent Colors | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
Aug. 28, 2014 | CA | SB 199 | Requires Certain Replica Guns to be Sold in Fluorescent Colors | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
Aug. 21, 2014 | CA | SB 1010 | Amends Penalties for Cocaine Possession | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
Aug. 21, 2014 | CA | SB 1010 | Amends Penalties for Cocaine Possession | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
Aug. 27, 2014 | CA | AB 1014 | Authorizes Gun Violence Restraining Orders | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8) |
Aug. 26, 2014 | CA | AB 1327 | Limits the Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
Aug. 27, 2014 | CA | AB 1014 | Authorizes Gun Violence Restraining Orders | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8) |
Aug. 26, 2014 | CA | AB 1327 | Limits the Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
May 5, 2014 | CA | SB 1038 | Amends Juvenile Court Records Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13) |
Jan. 30, 2014 | CA | SB 383 | Authorizes Businesses to Collect Certain Cardholder Information in Online Transactions | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
May 28, 2014 | CA | SB 1010 | Amends Penalties for Cocaine Possession | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
May 28, 2014 | CA | SB 1010 | Amends Penalties for Cocaine Possession | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
May 28, 2014 | CA | SB 968 | Requires Public Access Route to Martin's Beach | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11) |
April 3, 2014 | FL | HB 89 | Prohibits Mandatory Sentencing for Certain Convictions of Aggravated Assault | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7) |
April 3, 2014 | FL | HB 89 | Prohibits Mandatory Sentencing for Certain Convictions of Aggravated Assault | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7) |
April 24, 2014 | FL | HB 7029 | Prohibits Administrators From Punishing Simulation Of Weapon Play | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6) |
April 23, 2014 | FL | HB 59 | Establishes Penalties for Killing or Injuring a Fetus | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14) |
April 28, 2014 | FL | SB 386 | Prohibits Enforcement of Foreign Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
March 18, 2014 | GA | HB 60 | Amends Firearm Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 18) |
May 1, 2014 | IA | SF 2360 | Authorizes Medical Marijuana Oil | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 8) |
Feb. 14, 2014 | ID | S 1337 | Prohibits Recording of Agricultural Operations | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
Feb. 18, 2014 | ID | S 1254 | Authorizes the Concealed Carry of Firearms on College or University Campuses | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
May 22, 2014 | IL | SJRCA 75 | Ratifies the Equal Rights Amendment | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 11) |
March 20, 2014 | IL | AM 121 | Nomination of Salvador A. Godinez to be Director of the Illinois Department of Corrections | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (37 - 18) |
March 13, 2014 | IN | HB 1351 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Conference Report Rejected - Senate (24 - 24) |
March 13, 2014 | IN | SB 229 | Authorizes the Concealed Possession of Firearms on School Property | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 10) |
March 4, 2014 | IN | HB 1351 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14) |
March 4, 2014 | IN | HB 1126 | Amends Procedures for Awarding Unpaid Wages | Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 25) |
Feb. 17, 2014 | IN | HJR 3 | Defines Marriage as Between 1 Man and 1 Woman | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (32 - 17) |
Jan. 28, 2014 | IN | SB 229 | Amends Firearm Buy-Back Program Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21) |
Feb. 4, 2014 | IN | SB 404 | Establishes Regulations for High-Fence Hunting Preserves | Bill Failed - Senate (25 - 23) |
Feb. 13, 2014 | KS | HB 2389 | Establishes Time Limits on Death Penalty Appeals Process | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13) |
Feb. 13, 2014 | KS | HB 2389 | Establishes Time Limits on Death Penalty Appeals Process | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13) |
Feb. 20, 2014 | KS | HB 2387 | Requires 50 Year Minimum Sentence for Certain Murder Convictions | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 3) |
April 4, 2014 | KS | SB 323 | Limits the Duration of Conservation Easements | Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 23) |
Feb. 27, 2014 | KS | SB 311 | Increases the Limit for Non-Economic Civil Damages | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8) |
March 28, 2014 | KY | HB 222 | Prohibits Recording of Agricultural Operations | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6) |
Feb. 25, 2014 | KY | SB 116 | Amends Patent Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7) |
Feb. 5, 2014 | KY | SB 8 | Requires an Ultrasound Prior to an Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5) |
March 17, 2014 | KY | SB 221 | Authorizes Legislative Leaders to Intervene in Certain Court Cases | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6) |
Feb. 19, 2014 | KY | SB 119 | Establishes Medical Malpractice Claims Review Panel | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13) |
May 30, 2014 | LA | SB 469 | Prohibits Government Entities from Pursuing Cause of Action under the Coastal Management Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
July 31, 2014 | MA | H 4278 | Amends Firearm Laws | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 3) |
July 16, 2014 | MA | H 4184 | Requires Parole Eligibility for Certain Juveniles Sentenced to Life Imprisonment | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 4) |
July 31, 2014 | MA | H 4278 | Amends Firearm Laws | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 3) |
July 31, 2014 | MA | H 4278 | Amends Firearm Laws | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 3) |
July 1, 2014 | MA | Amdt 17 | Limits Use of Non-Competition Agreements | Amendment Adopted - Senate (32 - 7) |
March 31, 2014 | MD | SB 973 | Establishes an Automated Assessment System for Pretrial Releases | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 9) |
Feb. 6, 2014 | MD | SB 263 | Amends Baltimore's Needle and Syringe Exchange Program | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 6) |
Dec. 10, 2014 | MI | HB 4118 | Requires Drug Testing For Certain Welfare Recipients | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 10) |
Feb. 12, 2014 | MI | SB 319 | Amends the Sentencing Procedure for Certain Juvenile Offenders | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
Dec. 10, 2014 | MI | SB 275 | Requires Drug Testing of Welfare Recipients | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 10) |
Dec. 3, 2014 | MI | SB 1130 | Amends Public Health Code to Include Hepatitis C Virus | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
June 10, 2014 | MI | SB 789 | Amends Firearm Licensing Procedures | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13) |
Dec. 11, 2014 | MI | SB 1156 | Prohibits Actions that Coerce a Woman to Get an Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
Sept. 10, 2014 | MO | SB 656 | Authorizes School Employees to Carry Firearms on School Property | Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 8) |
May 15, 2014 | MO | SB 656 | Authorizes School Employees to Carry Firearms on School Property | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 8) |
April 30, 2014 | MO | HB 1439 | Prohibits Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8) |
Feb. 20, 2014 | MO | SB 613 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearms Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
Feb. 20, 2014 | MO | SB 613 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearms Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
March 6, 2014 | National | S 1752 | Military Justice Improvement Act of 2013 | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (55 - 45) |
Nov. 18, 2014 | National | S 2685 | USA FREEDOM Act of 2014 | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (58 - 42) |
Nov. 18, 2014 | National | S 2685 | USA FREEDOM Act of 2014 | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (58 - 42) |
April 3, 2014 | NE | LB 671 | Prohibits the Hunting of Mountain Lions | Veto Override Failed - Senate (28 - 21) |
April 2, 2014 | NE | LB 671 | Prohibits the Hunting of Mountain Lions | Veto Override Failed - Senate (24 - 21) |
March 24, 2014 | NE | LB 671 | Prohibits the Hunting of Mountain Lions | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 13) |
Feb. 4, 2014 | NE | LB 399 | Authorizes Crime Prevention Vehicles to Use Amber Lights | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (32 - 12) |
Sept. 15, 2014 | NH | SB 391 | Increases Oversight of Juvenile Justice Programs | Veto Override Failed - Senate (12 - 9) |
April 17, 2014 | NH | HB 1170 | Repeals the Death Penalty | Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 12) |
May 12, 2014 | NJ | A 2006 | Reduces the Maximum Capacity of Ammunition Magazines | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17) |
May 12, 2014 | NJ | A 2777 | Amends Firearm Transportation Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
March 27, 2014 | NJ | S 783 | Amends the Definition of an Unlawful Employment Practice | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
April 30, 2014 | NY | A 9206 | Authorizes Traffic Cameras on Long Island | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 11) |
Dec. 11, 2014 | OH | SB 342 | Prohibits Use of Traffic Cameras to Issue Tickets Unless Officer is Present | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
Dec. 11, 2014 | OH | HB 663 | Requires Confidentiality of Death Penalty Information | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
Dec. 9, 2014 | OH | HB 234 | Authorizes Noise Suppressors on Certain Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6) |
Nov. 19, 2014 | OH | SB 342 | Prohibits Use of Traffic Cameras to Issue Tickets unless an Officer is Present | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
March 6, 2014 | OR | HB 4143 | Amends Payout Procedures In Class Action Lawsuits | Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 15) |
Oct. 16, 2014 | PA | HB 80 | Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14) |
Oct. 15, 2014 | PA | HB 1750 | Prohibits Pigeon Shoots | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 12) |
Oct. 16, 2014 | PA | HB 80 | Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14) |
March 5, 2014 | SD | HB 1229 | Requires Certain Individuals to be Reported to the National Background Check System | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
April 17, 2014 | TN | HB 1574 | Limits Amount of Pseudoephedrine an Individual Can Purchase | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 7) |
April 17, 2014 | TN | SB 2580 | Authorizes the Use of Certain Execution Methods | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 4) |
Feb. 5, 2014 | TN | SJR 123 | Requires Election of Attorney General Position | Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 14) |
April 7, 2014 | TN | SB 1391 | Prohibits Women from Using Illegal Substances While Pregnant | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
Feb. 13, 2014 | TN | SB 1496 | Authorizes Certain Individuals to Carry a Handgun in Public Parks | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
April 7, 2014 | TN | SB 1391 | Prohibits Women from Using Illegal Substances While Pregnant | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
March 4, 2014 | UT | HB 20 | Expands Protections for Police Officers in Lawsuits | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 13) |
March 4, 2014 | UT | HB 20 | Expands Protections for Police Officers in Lawsuits | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 13) |