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.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
July 31, 2014 MA H 4278 Amends Firearm Laws Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 3)
March 20, 2014 GA HB 60 Amends Firearm Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (112 - 58)
July 31, 2014 MA H 4278 Amends Firearm Laws Conference Report Adopted - House (122 - 30)
March 18, 2014 GA HB 60 Amends Firearm Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 18)
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)
Aug. 29, 2014 CA AB 1014 Authorizes Gun Violence Restraining Orders Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 28)
Feb. 12, 2014 MI SB 319 Amends the Sentencing Procedure for Certain Juvenile Offenders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
Feb. 18, 2014 WI AB 161 Authorizes the Appeal of Court Orders that Suspend State Law Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 36)
Aug. 21, 2014 CA SB 968 Authorizes Public Access Route to Martins Beach Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
Oct. 20, 2014 PA HB 80 Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (138 - 56)
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)
March 5, 2014 UT HB 20 Expands Protections for Police Officers in Lawsuits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 28)
April 23, 2014 VT H 112 Requires Labeling of Genetically Engineered Food Concurrence Vote Passed - House (114 - 30)
May 1, 2014 FL HB 755 Authorizes Certain Non-Citizen Individuals to be Admitted to the Bar Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 37)
March 11, 2014 GA HB 60 Amends Firearm Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (108 - 54)
July 23, 2014 MA S 2283 Authorizes Withdrawal Orders around Reproductive Health Care Facilities Bill Passed - House (116 - 35)
May 29, 2014 LA SB 469 Prohibits Government Entities from Pursuing Cause of Action under the Coastal Management Program Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
Feb. 4, 2014 MI SB 319 Amends the Sentencing Procedure for Certain Juvenile Offenders Bill Passed - House (62 - 48)
Feb. 13, 2014 KS HB 2389 Establishes Time Limits on Death Penalty Appeals Process Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
Aug. 27, 2014 CA AB 1014 Authorizes Gun Violence Restraining Orders Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
March 12, 2014 WI AB 19 Requires an Individual to Disclose the Number of Asbestos Trusts they Plan to Sue Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
April 3, 2014 AL HB 494 Amends Requirements for Minors Who Seek an Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
March 6, 2014 KS HB 2338 Appropriates Funds to the Judicial Branch Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Aug. 20, 2014 CA SB 968 Authorizes Public Access Route to Martins Beach Bill Passed - House (42 - 25)
Feb. 11, 2014 WI AB 161 Authorizes the Appeal of Court Orders that Suspend State Law Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
Oct. 16, 2014 PA HB 80 Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
June 16, 2014 NJ S 783 Amends the Definition of an Unlawful Employment Practice Bill Passed - House (49 - 26)
Feb. 20, 2014 AZ SB 1062 Authorizes Individuals to use Potential Infringements of Religious Freedom as a Claim or Defense Bill Passed - House (33 - 27)
March 4, 2014 UT HB 20 Expands Protections for Police Officers in Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 13)
April 1, 2014 WI AB 120 Prohibits Certain Actions Made by Health Care Providers from Being Used Against Them in Court Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
April 30, 2014 FL SB 386 Prohibits Enforcement of Foreign Laws Bill Passed - House (78 - 40)
April 30, 2014 FL SJR 1188 Authorizes Governor to Fill Prospective Judicial Vacancies Joint Resolution Passed - House (74 - 45)
May 30, 2014 National H Amdt 750 Prohibits Funds from Being Used for the Transfer of Clemency Application Screening Personnel Amendment Adopted - House (219 - 189)
July 1, 2014 MA Amdt 17 Limits Use of Non-Competition Agreements Amendment Adopted - Senate (32 - 7)
April 3, 2014 FL SJR 1188 Authorizes Governor to Fill Prospective Judicial Vacancies Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
March 12, 2014 National HR 4138 Executive Needs to Faithfully Observe and Respect Congressional Enactments of (ENFORCE) the Law Act of 2014 Bill Passed - House (233 - 181)
March 31, 2014 MD SB 973 Establishes an Automated Assessment System for Pretrial Releases Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 9)
Feb. 19, 2014 KY SB 119 Establishes Medical Malpractice Claims Review Panel Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 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)
Feb. 17, 2014 OR HB 4143 Amends Payout Procedures In Class Action Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (36 - 21)
Oct. 6, 2014 PA HB 1243 Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws Bill Passed - House (143 - 54)
March 17, 2014 KY SB 221 Authorizes Legislative Leaders to Intervene in Certain Court Cases Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
March 13, 2014 National HR 3973 Faithful Execution of the Law Act of 2014 Bill Passed - House (244 - 171)
March 27, 2014 NJ S 783 Amends the Definition of an Unlawful Employment Practice Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
March 5, 2014 MO HB 1173 Establishes Causes of Action in Medical Malpractice Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (94 - 61)
April 28, 2014 FL SB 386 Prohibits Enforcement of Foreign Laws Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
Feb. 3, 2014 VA HB 706 Authorizes Legislators to Hire Counsel to Represent Virginia in Court Bill Passed - House (65 - 32)
Dec. 4, 2014 MI HB 5958 Prohibits Government from Burdening an Individual's Exercise of Religion Bill Passed - House (59 - 50)
May 28, 2014 CA SB 968 Requires Public Access Route to Martin's Beach Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
March 4, 2014 AL HB 494 Amends Requirements for Minors Seeking an Abortion Bill Passed - House (82 - 18)
Date No. Title Outcome
7/31 H 4278 Amends Firearm Laws Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 3)
3/20 HB 60 Amends Firearm Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (112 - 58)
7/31 H 4278 Amends Firearm Laws Conference Report Adopted - House (122 - 30)
3/18 HB 60 Amends Firearm Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 18)
3/20 AB 19 Requires an Individual to Disclose the Number of Asbestos Trusts they Plan to Sue Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 38)
8/29 AB 1014 Authorizes Gun Violence Restraining Orders Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 28)
2/12 SB 319 Amends the Sentencing Procedure for Certain Juvenile Offenders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
2/18 AB 161 Authorizes the Appeal of Court Orders that Suspend State Law Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 36)
8/21 SB 968 Authorizes Public Access Route to Martins Beach Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
10/20 HB 80 Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (138 - 56)
5/30 SB 469 Prohibits Government Entities from Pursuing Cause of Action under the Coastal Management Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
3/05 HB 20 Expands Protections for Police Officers in Lawsuits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 28)
4/23 H 112 Requires Labeling of Genetically Engineered Food Concurrence Vote Passed - House (114 - 30)
5/01 HB 755 Authorizes Certain Non-Citizen Individuals to be Admitted to the Bar Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 37)
3/11 HB 60 Amends Firearm Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (108 - 54)
7/23 S 2283 Authorizes Withdrawal Orders around Reproductive Health Care Facilities Bill Passed - House (116 - 35)
5/29 SB 469 Prohibits Government Entities from Pursuing Cause of Action under the Coastal Management Program Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
2/04 SB 319 Amends the Sentencing Procedure for Certain Juvenile Offenders Bill Passed - House (62 - 48)
2/13 HB 2389 Establishes Time Limits on Death Penalty Appeals Process Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
8/27 AB 1014 Authorizes Gun Violence Restraining Orders Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
3/12 AB 19 Requires an Individual to Disclose the Number of Asbestos Trusts they Plan to Sue Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
4/03 HB 494 Amends Requirements for Minors Who Seek an Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
3/06 HB 2338 Appropriates Funds to the Judicial Branch Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
8/20 SB 968 Authorizes Public Access Route to Martins Beach Bill Passed - House (42 - 25)
2/11 AB 161 Authorizes the Appeal of Court Orders that Suspend State Law Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
10/16 HB 80 Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
6/16 S 783 Amends the Definition of an Unlawful Employment Practice Bill Passed - House (49 - 26)
2/20 SB 1062 Authorizes Individuals to use Potential Infringements of Religious Freedom as a Claim or Defense Bill Passed - House (33 - 27)
3/04 HB 20 Expands Protections for Police Officers in Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 13)
4/01 AB 120 Prohibits Certain Actions Made by Health Care Providers from Being Used Against Them in Court Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
4/30 SB 386 Prohibits Enforcement of Foreign Laws Bill Passed - House (78 - 40)
4/30 SJR 1188 Authorizes Governor to Fill Prospective Judicial Vacancies Joint Resolution Passed - House (74 - 45)
5/30 H Amdt 750 Prohibits Funds from Being Used for the Transfer of Clemency Application Screening Personnel Amendment Adopted - House (219 - 189)
7/01 Amdt 17 Limits Use of Non-Competition Agreements Amendment Adopted - Senate (32 - 7)
4/03 SJR 1188 Authorizes Governor to Fill Prospective Judicial Vacancies Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
3/12 HR 4138 Executive Needs to Faithfully Observe and Respect Congressional Enactments of (ENFORCE) the Law Act of 2014 Bill Passed - House (233 - 181)
3/31 SB 973 Establishes an Automated Assessment System for Pretrial Releases Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 9)
2/19 SB 119 Establishes Medical Malpractice Claims Review Panel Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
2/19 SB 1062 Authorizes Individuals to use Potential Infringements of Religious Freedom as a Claim or Defense Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
2/17 HB 4143 Amends Payout Procedures In Class Action Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (36 - 21)
10/06 HB 1243 Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws Bill Passed - House (143 - 54)
3/17 SB 221 Authorizes Legislative Leaders to Intervene in Certain Court Cases Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
3/13 HR 3973 Faithful Execution of the Law Act of 2014 Bill Passed - House (244 - 171)
3/27 S 783 Amends the Definition of an Unlawful Employment Practice Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
3/05 HB 1173 Establishes Causes of Action in Medical Malpractice Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (94 - 61)
4/28 SB 386 Prohibits Enforcement of Foreign Laws Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
2/03 HB 706 Authorizes Legislators to Hire Counsel to Represent Virginia in Court Bill Passed - House (65 - 32)
12/04 HB 5958 Prohibits Government from Burdening an Individual's Exercise of Religion Bill Passed - House (59 - 50)
5/28 SB 968 Requires Public Access Route to Martin's Beach Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
3/04 HB 494 Amends Requirements for Minors Seeking an Abortion Bill Passed - House (82 - 18)

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