Key Votes

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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:

  1. The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member stands on a particular issue
  2. The vote should be clear for any person to understand
  3. The vote has received media attention
  4. The vote was passed or defeated by a very close margin
  5. Occasionally, if a specific bill is consistently inquired about on the Voter's Research Hotline, the vote will be added

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.


results per page:
Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
Dec. 10, 2014 MI HB 4118 Requires Drug Testing For Certain Welfare Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
Dec. 10, 2014 MI SB 275 Requires Drug Testing of Welfare Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
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)
Sept. 15, 2014 NH SB 391 Increases Oversight of Juvenile Justice Programs Veto Override Failed - Senate (12 - 9)
Sept. 10, 2014 MO SB 841 Establishes Regulations for Alternative Nicotine and Vapor Products Veto Override Passed - House (125 - 33)
Sept. 10, 2014 MO SB 841 Establishes Regulations for Alternative Nicotine and Vapor Products Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
Aug. 26, 2014 CA SB 1174 Repeals Prohibition on Bilingual Education Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
Aug. 25, 2014 CA SB 1174 Repeals Prohibition on Bilingual Education Bill Passed - House (53 - 26)
Aug. 21, 2014 CA AB 420 Prohibits Student Suspensions for Certain Actions and Misconduct Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 16)
Aug. 19, 2014 CA AB 420 Prohibits Student Suspensions for Certain Actions and Misconduct Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
July 30, 2014 NC HB 1133 Amends Technical Language in Education, Firearm, and Economic Statutes Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
July 25, 2014 NC HB 1133 Amends Technical Language in Education, Firearm, and Economic Statutes Bill Passed - House (61 - 35)
July 16, 2014 MA H 4184 Requires Parole Eligibility for Certain Juveniles Sentenced to Life Imprisonment Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 4)
July 16, 2014 MA H 4184 Requires Parole Eligibility for Certain Juveniles Sentenced to Life Imprisonment Conference Report Adopted - House (131 - 18)
July 2, 2014 AR HB 1004 Amends the Public School Health Insurance Program Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
June 18, 2014 MA H 4184 Authorizes Parole Eligibility for Certain Juveniles Sentenced to Life Imprisonment Bill Passed - House (129 - 16)
June 17, 2014 RI H 7764 Prohibits Certain Employers From Hiring Sex Offenders Bill Passed - House (67 - 3)
May 29, 2014 CA SB 837 Establishes the California Prekindergarten Program Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
May 27, 2014 CA SB 1174 Repeals Prohibition on Bilingual Education Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
May 15, 2014 CA AB 2127 Limits Full-Contact Practices for Certain Sports Bill Passed - House (50 - 22)
May 12, 2014 MO SB 841 Establishes Regulations for Alternative Nicotine and Vapor Products Bill Passed - House (127 - 19)
May 5, 2014 CA SB 1038 Amends Juvenile Court Records Laws Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
May 2, 2014 MN SF 2047 Authorizes State to Store Infant Blood Samples Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 20)
May 1, 2014 MN SF 2047 Authorizes State to Store Infant Blood Samples Bill Passed - House (69 - 58)
April 23, 2014 CO HB 1288 Amends Student Immunization Laws Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
April 23, 2014 MN SF 2047 Authorizes State to Store Infant Blood Samples Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 22)
April 17, 2014 MO SB 841 Establishes Regulations for Alternative Nicotine and Vapor Products Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
April 7, 2014 NE LB 485 Prohibits Employment Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (26 - 22)
April 3, 2014 AL HB 494 Amends Requirements for Minors Who Seek an Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
March 26, 2014 OH HB 352 Authorizes Private Non-Profit Wilderness Camps to Obtain a License Bill Passed - House (58 - 32)
March 24, 2014 CO SB 18 Expands List of Tobacco Products Prohibited to Minors Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
March 24, 2014 CO HB 1288 Amends Student Immunization Laws Bill Passed - House (42 - 19)
March 21, 2014 CO SB 18 Expands List of Tobacco Products Prohibited to Minors Bill Passed - House (43 - 19)
March 19, 2014 OH HB 334 Amends the Circumstances a Student May be Expelled Bill Passed - House (70 - 27)
March 17, 2014 AK Amdt 1 Exempts Same-Sex Partners of Military Members from Driver's License Requirements Amendment Rejected - House (14 - 22)
March 13, 2014 IN HB 1036 Expands Voucher Eligibility Requirements for Child Care Providers Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 6)
March 13, 2014 UT HB 96 Establishes a School Readiness Board Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 17)
March 12, 2014 IN HB 1036 Expands Voucher Eligibility Requirements for Child Care Providers Conference Report Adopted - House (75 - 21)
March 12, 2014 UT HB 96 Establishes a School Readiness Board Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 10)
March 12, 2014 CO HB 1131 Prohibits Cyberbullying of a Minor Bill Passed - House (54 - 10)
March 10, 2014 KY HB 310 Prohibits the Use of Tanning Facilities by Minors Bill Passed - House (61 - 31)
March 7, 2014 WA SB 6065 Prohibits the Use of Tanning Beds by Minors Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
March 6, 2014 IN SB 50 Prohibits the Use Of Tanning Facilities By Minors Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
March 5, 2014 NY A 1793b Amends Worker Paid Leave Laws Bill Passed - House (89 - 44)
March 5, 2014 OK SB 1219 Prohibits Minors from Purchasing Certain Emergency Contraceptives Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11)
March 5, 2014 AZ HB 2359 Prohibits Cell Phone Use by Minors While Driving Bill Passed - House (41 - 17)
March 4, 2014 IN HB 1036 Expands Voucher Eligibility Requirements for Child Care Providers Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 12)
March 4, 2014 AL HB 494 Amends Requirements for Minors Seeking an Abortion Bill Passed - House (82 - 18)
Feb. 27, 2014 IN SB 50 Prohibits the Use Of Tanning Facilities By Minors Bill Passed - House (69 - 23)
Feb. 27, 2014 CO HB 1054 Prohibits the Use of Tanning Facilities By Minors Bill Passed - House (33 - 31)
Feb. 18, 2014 WA SB 6523 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Non-Citizen Individuals Bill Passed - House (75 - 22)
Feb. 17, 2014 IN HJR 3 Defines Marriage as Between 1 Man and 1 Woman Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
Feb. 12, 2014 MI SB 319 Amends the Sentencing Procedure for Certain Juvenile Offenders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
Feb. 11, 2014 UT HB 96 Establishes a School Readiness Board Bill Passed - House (49 - 24)
Feb. 4, 2014 MI SB 319 Amends the Sentencing Procedure for Certain Juvenile Offenders Bill Passed - House (62 - 48)
Jan. 31, 2014 WA SB 6523 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Non-Citizen Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 10)
Jan. 28, 2014 IN HJR 3 Defines Marriage as Between 1 Man and 1 Woman Joint Resolution Passed - House (57 - 40)
Jan. 28, 2014 IN HB 1036 Expands Voucher Eligibility Requirements for Child Care Providers Bill Passed - House (71 - 24)
Jan. 23, 2014 IN SB 50 Prohibits the Use Of Tanning Facilities By Minors Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
Jan. 22, 2014 AL HB 48 Authorizes a Tax Credit for the Adoption of Qualified Children Bill Passed - House (72 - 23)
Jan. 16, 2014 IN HB 1004 Establishes Preschool Scholarship System for Certain Individuals Bill Passed - House (87 - 9)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/10 HB 4118 Requires Drug Testing For Certain Welfare Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
12/10 SB 275 Requires Drug Testing of Welfare Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
12/03 HB 4118 Requires Drug Testing For Certain Welfare Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 35)
12/03 SB 275 Requires Drug Testing of Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (75 - 34)
9/15 SB 391 Increases Oversight of Juvenile Justice Programs Veto Override Failed - Senate (12 - 9)
9/10 SB 841 Establishes Regulations for Alternative Nicotine and Vapor Products Veto Override Passed - House (125 - 33)
9/10 SB 841 Establishes Regulations for Alternative Nicotine and Vapor Products Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
8/26 SB 1174 Repeals Prohibition on Bilingual Education Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
8/25 SB 1174 Repeals Prohibition on Bilingual Education Bill Passed - House (53 - 26)
8/21 AB 420 Prohibits Student Suspensions for Certain Actions and Misconduct Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 16)
8/19 AB 420 Prohibits Student Suspensions for Certain Actions and Misconduct Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
7/30 HB 1133 Amends Technical Language in Education, Firearm, and Economic Statutes Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
7/25 HB 1133 Amends Technical Language in Education, Firearm, and Economic Statutes Bill Passed - House (61 - 35)
7/16 H 4184 Requires Parole Eligibility for Certain Juveniles Sentenced to Life Imprisonment Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 4)
7/16 H 4184 Requires Parole Eligibility for Certain Juveniles Sentenced to Life Imprisonment Conference Report Adopted - House (131 - 18)
7/02 HB 1004 Amends the Public School Health Insurance Program Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
6/18 H 4184 Authorizes Parole Eligibility for Certain Juveniles Sentenced to Life Imprisonment Bill Passed - House (129 - 16)
6/17 H 7764 Prohibits Certain Employers From Hiring Sex Offenders Bill Passed - House (67 - 3)
5/29 SB 837 Establishes the California Prekindergarten Program Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
5/27 SB 1174 Repeals Prohibition on Bilingual Education Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
5/15 AB 2127 Limits Full-Contact Practices for Certain Sports Bill Passed - House (50 - 22)
5/12 SB 841 Establishes Regulations for Alternative Nicotine and Vapor Products Bill Passed - House (127 - 19)
5/05 SB 1038 Amends Juvenile Court Records Laws Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
5/02 SF 2047 Authorizes State to Store Infant Blood Samples Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 20)
5/01 SF 2047 Authorizes State to Store Infant Blood Samples Bill Passed - House (69 - 58)
4/23 HB 1288 Amends Student Immunization Laws Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
4/23 SF 2047 Authorizes State to Store Infant Blood Samples Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 22)
4/17 SB 841 Establishes Regulations for Alternative Nicotine and Vapor Products Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
4/07 LB 485 Prohibits Employment Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (26 - 22)
4/03 HB 494 Amends Requirements for Minors Who Seek an Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
3/26 HB 352 Authorizes Private Non-Profit Wilderness Camps to Obtain a License Bill Passed - House (58 - 32)
3/24 SB 18 Expands List of Tobacco Products Prohibited to Minors Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
3/24 HB 1288 Amends Student Immunization Laws Bill Passed - House (42 - 19)
3/21 SB 18 Expands List of Tobacco Products Prohibited to Minors Bill Passed - House (43 - 19)
3/19 HB 334 Amends the Circumstances a Student May be Expelled Bill Passed - House (70 - 27)
3/17 Amdt 1 Exempts Same-Sex Partners of Military Members from Driver's License Requirements Amendment Rejected - House (14 - 22)
3/13 HB 1036 Expands Voucher Eligibility Requirements for Child Care Providers Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 6)
3/13 HB 96 Establishes a School Readiness Board Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 17)
3/12 HB 1036 Expands Voucher Eligibility Requirements for Child Care Providers Conference Report Adopted - House (75 - 21)
3/12 HB 96 Establishes a School Readiness Board Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 10)
3/12 HB 1131 Prohibits Cyberbullying of a Minor Bill Passed - House (54 - 10)
3/10 HB 310 Prohibits the Use of Tanning Facilities by Minors Bill Passed - House (61 - 31)
3/07 SB 6065 Prohibits the Use of Tanning Beds by Minors Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
3/06 SB 50 Prohibits the Use Of Tanning Facilities By Minors Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
3/05 A 1793b Amends Worker Paid Leave Laws Bill Passed - House (89 - 44)
3/05 SB 1219 Prohibits Minors from Purchasing Certain Emergency Contraceptives Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11)
3/05 HB 2359 Prohibits Cell Phone Use by Minors While Driving Bill Passed - House (41 - 17)
3/04 HB 1036 Expands Voucher Eligibility Requirements for Child Care Providers Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 12)
3/04 HB 494 Amends Requirements for Minors Seeking an Abortion Bill Passed - House (82 - 18)
2/27 SB 50 Prohibits the Use Of Tanning Facilities By Minors Bill Passed - House (69 - 23)
2/27 HB 1054 Prohibits the Use of Tanning Facilities By Minors Bill Passed - House (33 - 31)
2/18 SB 6523 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Non-Citizen Individuals Bill Passed - House (75 - 22)
2/17 HJR 3 Defines Marriage as Between 1 Man and 1 Woman Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
2/12 SB 319 Amends the Sentencing Procedure for Certain Juvenile Offenders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
2/11 HB 96 Establishes a School Readiness Board Bill Passed - House (49 - 24)
2/04 SB 319 Amends the Sentencing Procedure for Certain Juvenile Offenders Bill Passed - House (62 - 48)
1/31 SB 6523 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Non-Citizen Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 10)
1/28 HJR 3 Defines Marriage as Between 1 Man and 1 Woman Joint Resolution Passed - House (57 - 40)
1/28 HB 1036 Expands Voucher Eligibility Requirements for Child Care Providers Bill Passed - House (71 - 24)
1/23 SB 50 Prohibits the Use Of Tanning Facilities By Minors Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
1/22 HB 48 Authorizes a Tax Credit for the Adoption of Qualified Children Bill Passed - House (72 - 23)
1/16 HB 1004 Establishes Preschool Scholarship System for Certain Individuals Bill Passed - House (87 - 9)

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