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
Sept. 9, 2015 IL HB 1 Expands Heroin Abuse Treatment Programs Veto Override Passed - Senate (44 - 11)
May 5, 2015 National S Con Res 11 An Original Concurrent Resolution Setting Forth the Congressional Budget for the United States Government for Fiscal Year 2016 and Setting Forth the Appropriate Budgetary Levels for Fiscal Years 2017 Through 2025 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 48)
May 18, 2015 MN HF 846 Requires 50 Foot Buffers around Certain Waterways Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 30)
June 12, 2015 MN SF 5 2015-2017 Biennium Agriculture and Environment and Natural Resources Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 29)
March 6, 2015 WY SF 145 Appropriates Funds for Uncompensated Charity Care Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 7)
May 5, 2015 HI SB 1028 Appropriates Funds for the Hawaii Health Connector Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 2)
May 1, 2015 HI HB 1075 Authorizes Public-private Partnership of Hospital Facilities Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 1)
April 28, 2015 HI SB 550 Prohibits Powdered Alcohol Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 2)
April 24, 2015 HI SB 1030 Prohibits Sale of Tobacco Products to Individuals Under 21 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 4)
April 18, 2015 MT SB 405 Expands Health Care Coverage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
June 29, 2015 CA SB 277 Amends School Immunization Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
March 20, 2015 ND HB 1434 Authorizes Alcohol Sales on Sunday Mornings Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
July 6, 2015 OR HB 2828 Appropriates Funds for Healthcare Financing Study Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
May 11, 2015 OR HB 2546 Prohibits Sale of Electronic Cigarettes to Minors Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
April 7, 2015 IN HB 1432 Establishes E-Liquid Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
April 23, 2015 IL HB 373 Authorizes Construction of Presidential Libraries and Museums on Park Land Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 13)
Sept. 4, 2015 CA AB 888 Prohibits the Sale of Products Containing Plastic Microbeads Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
Dec. 3, 2015 National HR 3762 Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015 Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 47)
Dec. 3, 2015 National HR 3762 Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015 Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 47)
March 4, 2015 KY HB 168 Prohibits Out-of-State Breweries from Holding Alcohol Distributors Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
May 7, 2015 OR HB 2307 Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
March 12, 2015 ID H 75 Exempts Prescription Eyeglasses and Contact Lenses from Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
June 2, 2015 CT HB 6949 Expands Requirements for Vaccine Exemptions Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
Sept. 11, 2015 CA AB 15 Authorizes A Physician to Prescribe Aid-in-Dying Drugs Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
March 12, 2015 UT HB 48 Prohibits Powdered Alcohol Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
May 29, 2015 IL HB 217 Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 19)
March 24, 2015 MD SB 416 Requires Health Insurers to Cover In Vitro Fertilization for Same-Sex Couples Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 10)
March 24, 2015 MD SB 458 Increases Liabilities for Hydraulic Fracturing Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
March 27, 2015 National S Con Res 11 An Original Concurrent Resolution Setting Forth the Congressional Budget for the United States Government for Fiscal Year 2016 and Setting Forth the Appropriate Budgetary Levels for Fiscal Years 2017 Through 2025 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 46)
March 30, 2015 MT SB 405 Expands Health Care Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
April 3, 2015 VT S 20 Establish and Regulate Dental Therapy Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 8)
Feb. 23, 2015 AZ SB 1092 Requires Waivers for Certain Health Insurance Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
April 21, 2015 AL SJR 34 Specifies the Intent to Not Expand Medicaid Services Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
Nov. 17, 2015 National S J Res 23 A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval Under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of a Rule Submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to "Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from New, Modified, and Reconstructed Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units" Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 46)
Feb. 23, 2015 PA SB 293 Requires Health Care Exchange Navigator Certification Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
April 28, 2015 CO SB 268 Amends Definition of "Person" for Assault and Homicide Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
Feb. 20, 2015 WV SB 30 Authorizes the Consumption of Raw Milk Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
Feb. 19, 2015 AZ SB 1318 Limits Health Insurance Coverage for Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
Feb. 19, 2015 OR SB 1 Repeals Oregon Health Insurance Exchange Corporation Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
Feb. 17, 2015 OR SB 324 Extends Low Carbon Fuel Standards Target Date Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
May 6, 2015 TX SB 575 Prohibits Health Plan Coverage for Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
Jan. 27, 2015 CO SB 52 Expands Legislative Oversight of the Colorado Health Benefit Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
May 14, 2015 CA SB 277 Amends School Immunization Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
Feb. 12, 2015 CO SB 77 Extends Parental Rights in Education and Health Care Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
June 2, 2015 CA SB 4 Expands Health Care Coverage to Certain Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
June 2, 2015 CA SB 140 Prohibits Smoking Electronic Cigarettes in Certain Indoor Areas Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
June 2, 2015 CA SB 151 Increases Smoking Age Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
June 3, 2015 CA SB 32 Establishes Certain Greenhouse Gas Emission Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
June 4, 2015 CA SB 128 Authorizes Prescription of "Aid-in-Dying Drugs" Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Feb. 11, 2015 WY SF 145 Appropriates Funds for Uncompensated Charity Care Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
Date No. Title Outcome
9/09 HB 1 Expands Heroin Abuse Treatment Programs Veto Override Passed - Senate (44 - 11)
5/05 S Con Res 11 An Original Concurrent Resolution Setting Forth the Congressional Budget for the United States Government for Fiscal Year 2016 and Setting Forth the Appropriate Budgetary Levels for Fiscal Years 2017 Through 2025 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 48)
5/18 HF 846 Requires 50 Foot Buffers around Certain Waterways Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 30)
6/12 SF 5 2015-2017 Biennium Agriculture and Environment and Natural Resources Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 29)
3/06 SF 145 Appropriates Funds for Uncompensated Charity Care Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 7)
5/05 SB 1028 Appropriates Funds for the Hawaii Health Connector Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 2)
5/01 HB 1075 Authorizes Public-private Partnership of Hospital Facilities Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 1)
4/28 SB 550 Prohibits Powdered Alcohol Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 2)
4/24 SB 1030 Prohibits Sale of Tobacco Products to Individuals Under 21 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 4)
4/18 SB 405 Expands Health Care Coverage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
6/29 SB 277 Amends School Immunization Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
3/20 HB 1434 Authorizes Alcohol Sales on Sunday Mornings Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
7/06 HB 2828 Appropriates Funds for Healthcare Financing Study Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
5/11 HB 2546 Prohibits Sale of Electronic Cigarettes to Minors Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
4/07 HB 1432 Establishes E-Liquid Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
4/23 HB 373 Authorizes Construction of Presidential Libraries and Museums on Park Land Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 13)
9/04 AB 888 Prohibits the Sale of Products Containing Plastic Microbeads Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
12/03 HR 3762 Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015 Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 47)
12/03 HR 3762 Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015 Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 47)
3/04 HB 168 Prohibits Out-of-State Breweries from Holding Alcohol Distributors Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
5/07 HB 2307 Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
3/12 H 75 Exempts Prescription Eyeglasses and Contact Lenses from Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
6/02 HB 6949 Expands Requirements for Vaccine Exemptions Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
9/11 AB 15 Authorizes A Physician to Prescribe Aid-in-Dying Drugs Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
3/12 HB 48 Prohibits Powdered Alcohol Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
5/29 HB 217 Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 19)
3/24 SB 416 Requires Health Insurers to Cover In Vitro Fertilization for Same-Sex Couples Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 10)
3/24 SB 458 Increases Liabilities for Hydraulic Fracturing Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
3/27 S Con Res 11 An Original Concurrent Resolution Setting Forth the Congressional Budget for the United States Government for Fiscal Year 2016 and Setting Forth the Appropriate Budgetary Levels for Fiscal Years 2017 Through 2025 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 46)
3/30 SB 405 Expands Health Care Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
4/03 S 20 Establish and Regulate Dental Therapy Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 8)
2/23 SB 1092 Requires Waivers for Certain Health Insurance Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
4/21 SJR 34 Specifies the Intent to Not Expand Medicaid Services Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
11/17 S J Res 23 A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval Under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of a Rule Submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to "Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from New, Modified, and Reconstructed Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units" Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 46)
2/23 SB 293 Requires Health Care Exchange Navigator Certification Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
4/28 SB 268 Amends Definition of "Person" for Assault and Homicide Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
2/20 SB 30 Authorizes the Consumption of Raw Milk Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
2/19 SB 1318 Limits Health Insurance Coverage for Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
2/19 SB 1 Repeals Oregon Health Insurance Exchange Corporation Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
2/17 SB 324 Extends Low Carbon Fuel Standards Target Date Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
5/06 SB 575 Prohibits Health Plan Coverage for Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
1/27 SB 52 Expands Legislative Oversight of the Colorado Health Benefit Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
5/14 SB 277 Amends School Immunization Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
2/12 SB 77 Extends Parental Rights in Education and Health Care Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
6/02 SB 4 Expands Health Care Coverage to Certain Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
6/02 SB 140 Prohibits Smoking Electronic Cigarettes in Certain Indoor Areas Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
6/02 SB 151 Increases Smoking Age Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
6/03 SB 32 Establishes Certain Greenhouse Gas Emission Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
6/04 SB 128 Authorizes Prescription of "Aid-in-Dying Drugs" Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
2/11 SF 145 Appropriates Funds for Uncompensated Charity Care Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)

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