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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
March 11, 2015 | AL | HB 18 | Authorizes Execution by Electrocution | Bill Passed - House (76 - 26) |
Feb. 13, 2015 | AR | SB 202 | Prohibits New Classes of Protected Individuals | Bill Passed - House (58 - 21) |
March 9, 2015 | AR | HB 1282 | Amends DWI Charges | Bill Passed - House (52 - 30) |
March 24, 2015 | AZ | SB 1094 | Prohibits "Aggressive" Solicitation | Bill Passed - House (33 - 24) |
Feb. 24, 2015 | AZ | HB 2509 | Amends Aggravated Assault Classifications | Bill Passed - House (37 - 23) |
March 12, 2015 | AZ | HB 2431 | Establishes an Interstate Compact to Regulate Firearm Transfers | Bill Passed - House (34 - 24) |
March 12, 2015 | AZ | HB 2320 | Authorizes Individuals to Carry Concealed Weapons in Public Buildings | Bill Passed - House |
March 3, 2015 | AZ | HB 2662 | Reduces Penalty for Certain Speeding Violations | Bill Passed - House (40 - 20) |
Feb. 24, 2015 | AZ | HB 2509 | Amends Aggravated Assault Classifications | Bill Passed - House (37 - 23) |
Sept. 10, 2015 | CA | AB 953 | Amends "Profiling" Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (43 - 30) |
Sept. 1, 2015 | CA | SB 707 | Prohibits Concealed Firearms on School Grounds | Bill Passed - House (54 - 24) |
July 16, 2015 | CA | SB 227 | Prohibits Grand Juries from Investigating Certain Cases | Bill Passed - House (41 - 33) |
July 16, 2015 | CA | SB 227 | Prohibits Grand Juries from Investigating Certain Cases | Bill Passed - House (41 - 33) |
June 1, 2015 | CA | AB 718 | Authorizes Sleeping in Vehicles | Bill Passed - House (56 - 15) |
May 26, 2015 | CA | AB 884 | Requires the Attorney General to Denote Ballot Initiatives That May Be Unconstitutional | Bill Passed - House (50 - 26) |
May 1, 2015 | CO | SB 213 | Limits Immunity for Public Schools in Incidents of School Violence | Bill Passed - House (43 - 21) |
April 14, 2015 | CO | HB 1288 | Amends Law Enforcing "Profiling" Regulations | Bill Passed - House (36 - 28) |
April 22, 2015 | CO | HB 1290 | Prohibits a Peace Office from Seizing a Recording Device Without Consent or Warrant | Bill Passed - House (47 - 16) |
Feb. 19, 2015 | CO | HB 1072 | Amends Definition of Harassment | Bill Passed - House (43 - 22) |
May 5, 2015 | CT | HB 6863 | Limits Police Pursuit for Municipal Ordinance Violations | Bill Passed - House (109 - 38) |
June 2, 2015 | DE | HB 39 | Decriminalizes Possession of Small Amounts of Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (24 - 14) |
April 9, 2015 | FL | SB 290 | Authorizes Concealed Carry During Emergency Evacuations | Bill Passed - House (86 - 26) |
April 24, 2015 | FL | HB 943 | Amends Alimony Law | Bill Passed - House (93 - 22) |
April 2, 2015 | GA | SB 94 | Amends Certain Law Enforcement Procedures | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (100 - 65) |
April 2, 2015 | GA | SB 94 | Amends Certain Law Enforcement Procedures | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (100 - 65) |
March 27, 2015 | GA | SB 134 | Amends Speeding Fine Revenue Reporting | Bill Passed - House (104 - 54) |
May 18, 2015 | ID | H 1 | Amends Foreign Child Support Order | Bill Passed - House (49 - 21) |
May 31, 2015 | IL | HB 352 | Authorizes Bobcat Hunting | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 46) |
June 16, 2015 | IL | HB 1336 | Establishes Immunity from Underage Drinking Charges in Certain Circumstances | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 34) |
May 31, 2015 | IL | HB 352 | Authorizes Bobcat Hunting | Concurrence Vote Failed - House (55 - 54) |
March 5, 2015 | IL | HB 1336 | Establishes Immunity from Underage Drinking Charges for Certain Individuals | Bill Passed - House (69 - 39) |
April 2, 2015 | IN | SB 50 | Specifies that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act Does Not Authorize Discrimination | Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 30) |
March 25, 2015 | KS | SB 45 | Authorizes Concealed Firearms Without a License | Bill Passed - House (85 - 39) |
May 7, 2015 | KS | HB 2049 | Reduces Penalties for Marijuana Possession | Bill Passed - House (81 - 36) |
May 13, 2015 | LA | HB 149 | Amends Penalties for Marijuana Possesion | Bill Passed - House (54 - 37) |
March 19, 2015 | MD | HB 124 | Authorizes Expungement of Certain Crimes | Bill Passed - House (93 - 46) |
March 23, 2015 | MD | HB 121 | Amends Mandatory Sentences for Certain Drug Offenses | Bill Passed - House (85 - 55) |
March 23, 2015 | MD | HB 121 | Amends Mandatory Sentences for Certain Drug Offenses | Bill Passed - House (85 - 55) |
March 19, 2015 | MD | HB 124 | Authorizes Expungement of Certain Crimes | Bill Passed - House (93 - 46) |
Feb. 25, 2015 | MI | SB 34 | Amends Concealed Carry Licensing Procedures | Bill Passed - House (76 - 34) |
May 7, 2015 | MI | HB 4467 | Authorizes Private High-Security Prisons | Bill Passed - House (57 - 53) |
May 17, 2015 | MN | SF 86 | Amends Procedures for Data Collected by Police Surveillance Equipment | Conference Report Adopted - House (87 - 43) |
May 15, 2015 | MO | SB 199 | Amends the Justifications for Use of Deadly Force | Bill Passed - House (111 - 43) |
Feb. 19, 2015 | MO | HJR 1 | Requires Photo Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - House (118 - 39) |
Feb. 19, 2015 | MO | HB 30 | Requires Photo Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - House (118 - 37) |
March 31, 2015 | MS | SB 2804 | Authorizes Dismissal of Department of Corrections Employees | Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 58) |
Feb. 12, 2015 | MS | HB 1338 | Authorizes Lawsuits for "Wrongful Death" of a Fetus | Bill Passed - House (78 - 37) |
Feb. 19, 2015 | MT | HB 298 | Amends Concealed Weapons Regulations | Bill Passed - House (56 - 43) |
Feb. 9, 2015 | MT | HB 203 | Prohibits Enforcement of Certain Federal Gun Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (58 - 42) |
Feb. 20, 2015 | MT | HB 200 | Requires Drug Testing For Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (55 - 45) |
Feb. 5, 2015 | MT | HB 250 | Authorizes Noise Suppressors on Firearms to Hunt Non-Protected Animals | Bill Passed - House (66 - 32) |
Jan. 14, 2015 | National | HR 240 | Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (236 - 191) |
Feb. 27, 2015 | National | S J Res 35 | Making Further Continuing Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2015 | Bill Failed - House (203 - 224) |
June 3, 2015 | National | HR 2578 | Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016 | Bill Passed - House (242 - 183) |
June 16, 2015 | National | HR 2596 | Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 | Bill Passed - House (247 - 178) |
Oct. 1, 2015 | National | HR 3457 | Justice for Victims of Iranian Terrorism Act | Bill Passed - House (251 - 173) |
Nov. 19, 2015 | National | HR 4038 | American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act | Bill Passed - House (289 - 137) |
Dec. 3, 2015 | National | HR 8 | North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act | Bill Passed - House (249 - 174) |
July 29, 2015 | NC | HB 774 | Authorizes Certain Medical Professionals to Monitor Executions | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 34) |
April 29, 2015 | NC | HB 774 | Authorizes Certain Medical Professionals to Monitor Executions | Bill Passed - House (84 - 33) |
April 9, 2015 | ND | HB 1241 | Expands Locations Where Individuals Can Carry Firearms | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 19) |
Feb. 24, 2015 | ND | HB 1157 | Authorizes Public Officials to Possess Firearms in Public Buildings | Bill Failed - House (45 - 47) |
Feb. 23, 2015 | ND | HB 1328 | Prohibits the Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Without a Warrant | Bill Passed - House (74 - 19) |
Feb. 23, 2015 | ND | HB 1328 | Prohibits the Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Without a Warrant | Bill Passed - House (74 - 19) |
May 6, 2015 | NH | SB 40 | Amends Definition of "Another" for Certain Criminal Offenses | Bill Passed - House (193 - 159) |
April 29, 2015 | NH | SB 116 | Repeals License Requirement for Concealed Handguns | Bill Passed - House (212 - 150) |
March 12, 2015 | NH | HB 403 | Repeals Buffer Zone Around Abortion Clinics | Bill Passed - House (170 - 159) |
March 26, 2015 | NJ | S 2791 | Environmental Protection Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - House (43 - 30) |
May 22, 2015 | NV | SB 175 | Amends Justifiable Homicide and Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - House (25 - 17) |
May 22, 2015 | NV | SB 175 | Amends Justifiable Homicide and Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - House (25 - 17) |
May 5, 2015 | NV | SB 37 | Authorizes GPS Capable Supervision of Parolees | Bill Passed - House (24 - 18) |
April 21, 2015 | NV | AB 244 | Classifies Certain Graffiti Offenses as a Felony | Bill Passed - House (24 - 18) |
April 15, 2015 | NV | AB 121 | Prohibits Disciplining Students for Simulating Firearms | Bill Passed - House (24 - 17) |
Feb. 17, 2015 | NV | AB 125 | Amends Provisions Relating to Constructional Defects | Bill Passed - House (25 - 17) |
April 6, 2015 | NV | AB 148 | Authorizes Concealed Carry on College Campuses | Bill Passed - House (24 - 15) |
Nov. 17, 2015 | OH | HB 48 | Amends Provisions Concerning Concealed Carry of Firearms | Bill Passed - House (68 - 29) |
April 28, 2015 | OK | HB 1518 | Establishes the Justice Safety Valve Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 31) |
Feb. 9, 2015 | OR | HB 2700 | Requires Redistribution of Unclaimed Damages from Class Action Lawsuits | Bill Passed - House (35 - 22) |
Feb. 5, 2015 | SD | HB 1096 | Requires Background Check for Concealed Carry Permit | Bill Passed - House (52 - 15) |
Feb. 10, 2015 | SD | HB 1116 | Authorizes Concealed Carry Without a Permit | Bill Passed - House (44 - 23) |
April 16, 2015 | TN | HB 995 | Authorizes Firearms in Public Parks | Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 25) |
April 6, 2015 | TN | HB 995 | Authorizes Firearms in Public Parks | Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 17) |
March 23, 2015 | TN | SB 1058 | Prohibits the Termination of Employees for Storing Firearms in Vehicles | Bill Passed - House (78 - 14) |
April 13, 2015 | TN | SB 1110 | Prohibits Enforcement of Federal Gun Laws | Bill Passed - House (74 - 20) |
March 30, 2015 | TN | HB 995 | Authorizes Firearms in Public Parks | Bill Passed - House (65 - 21) |
May 27, 2015 | TX | SB 11 | Authorizes Concealed Carry of Firearms on College Campuses | Bill Passed - House (102 - 44) |
April 21, 2015 | TX | HB 1690 | Requires Texas Rangers to Investigate Public Corruption | Bill Passed - House (95 - 49) |
April 21, 2015 | TX | HB 1690 | Requires Texas Rangers to Investigate Public Corruption | Bill Passed - House (95 - 49) |
April 20, 2015 | TX | HB 910 | Authorizes Open Carry of Handguns | Bill Passed - House (101 - 42) |
March 12, 2015 | UT | HB 454 | Authorizes Construction of New State Prison | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 14) |
Feb. 13, 2015 | UT | HB 11 | Authorizes Execution by Firing Squad | Bill Passed - House (39 - 34) |
April 14, 2015 | WA | SB 5501 | Amends Animal Cruelty Regulations | Bill Passed - House (59 - 38) |
Oct. 21, 2015 | WI | SB 43 | Amends John Doe Law | Bill Passed - House (61 - 36) |
May 13, 2015 | WI | AB 191 | Requires Drug Testing for Job Training Programs | Bill Passed - House (62 - 33) |
Feb. 23, 2015 | WV | HB 2002 | Amends Liability Standards | Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 21) |
March 14, 2015 | WV | HB 2011 | Amends Requirements for Workplace Injury Lawsuits | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 33) |
Feb. 17, 2015 | WV | SB 6 | Amends Existing Medical Malpractice Law | Bill Passed - House (76 - 21) |
March 12, 2015 | WV | SB 347 | Repeals the Requirement of a License for Concealed Guns | Bill Passed - House (71 - 29) |
Jan. 27, 2015 | WV | HB 2002 | Amends Liability Standards | Bill Passed - House (74 - 25) |
Feb. 10, 2015 | WV | HB 2011 | Amends Requirements for Workplace Injury Lawsuits | Bill Passed - House (59 - 38) |