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 31, 2015 | AL | HB 85 | Requires Animal Shelters to Compile Monthly Reports | Bill Failed - House (28 - 67) |
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) |
Feb. 13, 2015 | AR | HB 1228 | Prohibits the State from Burdening the Exercise of Religion | Bill Passed - House (72 - 20) |
March 25, 2015 | AR | HB 1426 | Establishes Paid Maternity Leave for State Employees | Bill Passed - House (56 - 28) |
March 24, 2015 | AZ | SB 1094 | Prohibits "Aggressive" Solicitation | Bill Passed - House (33 - 24) |
Feb. 5, 2015 | AZ | HB 2128 | Exempts Religious Organizations from Certain Property Taxes | Bill Passed - House (33 - 25) |
March 12, 2015 | AZ | HB 2431 | Establishes an Interstate Compact to Regulate Firearm Transfers | Bill Passed - House (34 - 24) |
Feb. 24, 2015 | AZ | HB 2509 | Amends Aggravated Assault Classifications | Bill Passed - House (37 - 23) |
March 3, 2015 | AZ | HB 2662 | Reduces Penalty for Certain Speeding Violations | Bill Passed - House (40 - 20) |
March 12, 2015 | AZ | HB 2320 | Authorizes Individuals to Carry Concealed Weapons in Public Buildings | Bill Passed - House |
Feb. 24, 2015 | AZ | HB 2509 | Amends Aggravated Assault Classifications | Bill Passed - House (37 - 23) |
March 10, 2015 | AZ | HB 2368 | Prohibits Use of State Funds to Enforce Executive Orders not Authorized by Congress | Bill Passed - House (36 - 24) |
Sept. 4, 2015 | CA | AB 96 | Prohibits Sale of Ivory and Rhino Horn | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 21) |
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) |
Sept. 11, 2015 | CA | AB 329 | Requires Age Appropriate Comprehensive Sex Education | Bill Passed - House (51 - 26) |
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 11, 2015 | CA | AB 202 | Requires Professional Sports Teams to Classify Cheerleaders Employees | Bill Passed - House (56 - 23) |
May 1, 2015 | CO | SB 213 | Limits Immunity for Public Schools in Incidents of School Violence | Bill Passed - House (43 - 21) |
April 22, 2015 | CO | HB 1290 | Prohibits a Peace Office from Seizing a Recording Device Without Consent or Warrant | Bill Passed - House (47 - 16) |
March 10, 2015 | CO | HB 1175 | Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy on Minors | Bill Passed - House (35 - 29) |
April 2, 2015 | CO | HB 1265 | Authorizes Gender Changes on Birth Certificates | Bill Passed - House (40 - 25) |
Feb. 19, 2015 | CO | HB 1072 | Amends Definition of Harassment | Bill Passed - House (43 - 22) |
April 14, 2015 | CO | HB 1288 | Amends Law Enforcing "Profiling" Regulations | Bill Passed - House (36 - 28) |
May 5, 2015 | CT | HB 6863 | Limits Police Pursuit for Municipal Ordinance Violations | Bill Passed - House (109 - 38) |
May 19, 2015 | CT | HB 6844 | Amends Eligibility Requirements for In-State Tuition | Bill Passed - House (78 - 70) |
June 30, 2015 | DE | SB 59 | Authorizes an Undocumented Immigrant to Apply For and Obtain Valid Driving Privileges | Bill Passed - House (22 - 15) |
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) |
March 11, 2015 | FL | HB 7013 | Amends Child Adoption Laws | Bill Passed - House (68 - 50) |
April 9, 2015 | FL | HB 7111 | Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Deny Services Based on Religion | Bill Passed - House (75 - 38) |
April 9, 2015 | FL | HB 7111 | Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Deny Services Based on Religion | Bill Passed - House (75 - 38) |
April 24, 2015 | FL | HB 943 | Amends Alimony Law | Bill Passed - House (93 - 22) |
March 11, 2015 | FL | HB 7013 | Amends Child Adoption Laws | Bill Passed - House (68 - 50) |
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 5, 2015 | HI | HB 631 | Amends Procedure to Change Gender on Birth Certificates | Conference Report Adopted - House (37 - 14) |
March 10, 2015 | HI | HB 631 | Amends Procedure to Change Gender on Birth Certificates | Bill Passed - House (41 - 10) |
March 26, 2015 | ID | S 1011 | Repeals Authorization of Gambling on Past Horse Races | Bill Passed - House (49 - 21) |
May 18, 2015 | ID | H 1 | Amends Foreign Child Support Order | Bill Passed - House (49 - 21) |
March 20, 2015 | ID | HJM 4 | Appeals to Congress to Impeach Certain Members of the Judiciary | Bill Passed - House (44 - 25) |
May 31, 2015 | IL | HB 352 | Authorizes Bobcat Hunting | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 46) |
May 31, 2015 | IL | HB 352 | Authorizes Bobcat Hunting | Concurrence Vote Failed - House (55 - 54) |
June 16, 2015 | IL | HB 1336 | Establishes Immunity from Underage Drinking Charges in Certain Circumstances | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 34) |
Nov. 10, 2015 | IL | SB 570 | Requires Child Care Benefits for Eligible Individuals | Bill Failed - House (70 - 35) |
May 19, 2015 | IL | HB 217 | Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors | Bill Passed - House (68 - 43) |
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) |
April 2, 2015 | IN | SB 50 | Specifies that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act Does Not Authorize Discrimination | Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 30) |
March 23, 2015 | IN | SB 101 | Prohibits the Government from Burdening the Exercise of Religion | Bill Passed - House (63 - 31) |
Feb. 25, 2015 | IN | HB 1540 | Authorizes Riverboat Casinos to Relocate Inland | Bill Passed - House (76 - 19) |
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) |
April 8, 2015 | MD | SB 190 | Amends Taxable Price for Sale or Use of Accommodations | Bill Passed - House (84 - 56) |
April 8, 2015 | MD | SB 743 | Authorizes New Birth Certificates for Sex Changes | Bill Passed - House (91 - 49) |
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) |
March 23, 2015 | MD | HB 121 | Amends Mandatory Sentences for Certain Drug Offenses | Bill Passed - House (85 - 55) |
June 16, 2015 | ME | LD 319 | Authorizes Medicaid Coverage for Reproductive Care | Bill Passed - House (80 - 67) |
June 10, 2015 | MI | HB 4188 | Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Deny Services for Religious Reasons | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 44) |
Feb. 25, 2015 | MI | SB 34 | Amends Concealed Carry Licensing Procedures | Bill Passed - House (76 - 34) |
March 18, 2015 | MI | HB 4189 | Authorizes Child Placing Agencies to Deny Adoptions Based on Religion | Bill Passed - House (65 - 44) |
March 18, 2015 | MI | HB 4190 | Prohibits the Department of Human Services from Taking Certain Actions Against Religion-Based Adoption Agencies | Bill Passed - House (65 - 44) |
March 25, 2015 | MI | HB 4015 | Amends Ticket Sale Laws | Bill Passed - House (70 - 40) |
May 7, 2015 | MI | HB 4467 | Authorizes Private High-Security Prisons | Bill Passed - House (57 - 53) |
March 11, 2015 | MI | HB 4122 | Prohibits Additional Funding for In-State Media Productions | Bill Passed - House (58 - 51) |
March 18, 2015 | MI | HB 4188 | Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Deny Services for Religious Reasons | Bill Passed - House (65 - 44) |
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 | HB 30 | Requires Photo Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - House (118 - 37) |
Feb. 19, 2015 | MO | HJR 1 | Requires Photo Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - House (118 - 39) |
March 19, 2015 | MO | HB 104 | Prohibits Universities From Denying Benefits to a Religious Student Association | Bill Passed - House (117 - 38) |
March 11, 2015 | MO | HB 187 | Prohibits Undocumented Immigrants from Receiving Student Financial Aid | Bill Passed - House (111 - 41) |
March 31, 2015 | MS | SB 2804 | Authorizes Dismissal of Department of Corrections Employees | Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 58) |
April 15, 2015 | MT | SB 284 | Requires County Commissioners to Approve Bison Relocations | Bill Passed - House (59 - 40) |
April 15, 2015 | MT | SB 245 | Authorizes Post-Season Elk Hunting | Bill Passed - House (59 - 40) |
Feb. 19, 2015 | MT | HB 298 | Amends Concealed Weapons Regulations | Bill Passed - House (56 - 43) |
Feb. 20, 2015 | MT | HB 200 | Requires Drug Testing For Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (55 - 45) |
Feb. 3, 2015 | MT | HB 212 | Amends Definitions of Fishing, Hunting, and Trapping | Bill Passed - House (64 - 35) |
Feb. 9, 2015 | MT | HB 203 | Prohibits Enforcement of Certain Federal Gun Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (58 - 42) |
Feb. 5, 2015 | MT | HB 250 | Authorizes Noise Suppressors on Firearms to Hunt Non-Protected Animals | Bill Passed - House (66 - 32) |
Feb. 5, 2015 | MT | HB 250 | Authorizes Noise Suppressors on Firearms to Hunt Non-Protected Animals | Bill Passed - House (66 - 32) |
May 15, 2015 | National | H Amdt 230 | Prohibits Listing Lesser Prairie Chicken as Endangered | Amendment Adopted - House (229 - 190) |
Oct. 23, 2015 | National | HR 3762 | Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (240 - 189) |
Jan. 14, 2015 | National | HR 240 | Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (236 - 191) |
Sept. 18, 2015 | National | HR 3134 | Defund Planned Parenthood Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (241 - 187) |
July 23, 2015 | National | HR 3009 | Enforce the Law for Sanctuary Cities Act | Bill Passed - House (241 - 179) |
June 3, 2015 | National | HR 2578 | Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016 | Bill Passed - House (242 - 183) |
June 1, 2015 | National | HR 1335 | Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act | Bill Passed - House (225 - 152) |
June 11, 2015 | NC | SB 2 | Authorizes Officials to Not Perform Certain Marriage Duties | Veto Override Passed - House (69 - 41) |
June 11, 2015 | NC | SB 2 | Authorizes Officials to Not Perform Certain Marriage Duties | Veto Override Passed - House (69 - 41) |
Sept. 29, 2015 | NC | HB 318 | Prohibits Local Governments from Recognizing Identity Documents issued by Foreign Governments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 43) |
May 28, 2015 | NC | SB 2 | Authorizes Officials to Not Perform Certain Marriage Duties | Bill Passed - House (67 - 43) |
July 21, 2015 | NC | SB 22 | Requires Approval to Remove Certain Historical Monuments | Bill Passed - House (70 - 39) |
May 28, 2015 | NC | SB 2 | Authorizes Officials to Not Perform Certain Marriage Duties | Bill Passed - House (67 - 43) |
April 9, 2015 | ND | HB 1241 | Expands Locations Where Individuals Can Carry Firearms | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 19) |