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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec. 1, 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 - House (235 - 188) |
| Nov. 17, 2015 | National | HR 511 | Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (249 - 177) |
| July 23, 2015 | National | HR 1599 | Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (275 - 150) |
| July 9, 2015 | IL | HB 3593 | Limits Community College Severance Packages | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 34) |
| July 3, 2015 | OR | SB 478 | Requires Manufacturers to Disclose Certain Chemicals Used in Children's Products | Bill Passed - House (43 - 17) |
| June 25, 2015 | NJ | A 4018 | Authorizes Lottery Courier Services | Bill Passed - House (54 - 20) |
| June 24, 2015 | NH | HB 550 | Authorizes Businesses to Not Declare Profits from Interest Sales | Conference Report Adopted - House (202 - 145) |
| June 23, 2015 | IL | HB 3593 | Limits Community College Severance Packages | Concurrence Vote Failed - House (51 - 44) |
| June 23, 2015 | RI | H 5364 | Increases Minimum Wage for Tipped Employees | Bill Passed - House (56 - 16) |
| June 23, 2015 | RI | H 5364 | Increases Minimum Wage for Tipped Employees | Bill Passed - House (56 - 16) |
| June 16, 2015 | OR | HB 3025 | Prohibits Asking Job Applicants' Criminal History | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (34 - 25) |
| June 12, 2015 | OR | SB 454 | Requires Employers to Offer Paid Sick Leave | Bill Passed - House (33 - 24) |
| June 12, 2015 | OR | SB 454 | Requires Employers to Offer Paid Sick Leave | Bill Passed - House (33 - 24) |
| June 11, 2015 | NJ | A 3981 | Establishes Alternative Property Tax Payments for Casinos | Bill Passed - House (52 - 20) |
| June 10, 2015 | National | HR 2393 | Country of Origin Labeling Amendments Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (300 - 131) |
| June 4, 2015 | IL | HB 1287 | Amends Certain Workers' Compensation Programs | Bill Passed - House (63 - 39) |
| June 4, 2015 | IL | HB 1287 | Amends Certain Workers' Compensation Programs | Bill Passed - House (63 - 39) |
| June 3, 2015 | NC | HB 405 | Prohibits the Recording of Certain Employer Property | Veto Override Passed - House (79 - 36) |
| June 3, 2015 | NC | HB 405 | Prohibits the Recording of Certain Employer Property | Veto Override Passed - House (79 - 36) |
| June 2, 2015 | RI | H 5074 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (59 - 13) |
| June 2, 2015 | RI | H 5074 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (59 - 13) |
| June 1, 2015 | National | HR 1335 | Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act | Bill Passed - House (225 - 152) |
| May 22, 2015 | NV | SB 193 | Increases Minimum Wage and Amends Overtime Definition | Bill Passed - House (22 - 20) |
| May 22, 2015 | NV | SB 193 | Increases Minimum Wage and Amends Overtime Definition | Bill Passed - House (22 - 20) |
| May 21, 2015 | National | HR 2262 | Spurring Private Aerospace Competitiveness and Entrepreneurship Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (284 - 133) |
| May 20, 2015 | MI | HB 4052 | Amends Government Regulation of Employment Conditions | Bill Passed - House (57 - 52) |
| May 20, 2015 | National | HR 880 | American Research and Competitiveness Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (274 - 145) |
| May 14, 2015 | CT | HB 6283 | Prohibits E-Cigarettes in Public Spaces | Bill Passed - House (99 - 46) |
| May 11, 2015 | CA | AB 202 | Requires Professional Sports Teams to Classify Cheerleaders Employees | Bill Passed - House (56 - 23) |
| May 7, 2015 | MI | HB 4467 | Authorizes Private High-Security Prisons | Bill Passed - House (57 - 53) |
| May 7, 2015 | LA | HB 805 | Reduces Corporate Inventory Tax Refunds | Bill Passed - House (58 - 42) |
| May 5, 2015 | KS | SB 117 | Requires Insurance Coverage for Transportation Network Companies | Veto Override Passed - House (96 - 25) |
| May 4, 2015 | NY | A 7257 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (97 - 43) |
| May 4, 2015 | NY | A 7257 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (97 - 43) |
| May 1, 2015 | HI | HB 1075 | Authorizes Public-private Partnership of Hospital Facilities | Conference Report Adopted - House (34 - 16) |
| April 28, 2015 | CO | HB 1346 | Amends Taxation on Certain Corporate Income | Bill Passed - House (33 - 31) |
| April 27, 2015 | NY | A 6937 | Amends Existing Labor Laws | Bill Passed - House (97 - 44) |
| April 24, 2015 | FL | SB 604 | Requires Contact Information from Certain Website Operators | Bill Passed - House (78 - 38) |
| April 23, 2015 | MO | HB 830 | Authorizes Cultivation of Industrial Hemp | Bill Passed - House (104 - 41) |
| April 21, 2015 | IL | HB 3761 | Prohibits Sale of Crib Bumper Pads | Bill Passed - House (63 - 48) |
| April 21, 2015 | PA | HB 874 | Repeals Exemptions for Harassment during Labor Disputes | Bill Passed - House (109 - 84) |
| April 20, 2015 | TN | SB 606 | Amends Eligibility for Longevity Pay | Bill Passed - House (70 - 26) |
| April 16, 2015 | IN | HB 1019 | Repeals Common Construction Wage | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 40) |
| April 15, 2015 | IL | HB 2653 | Prohibits Sale of Certain Crib Bumper Pads | Bill Passed - House (64 - 49) |
| April 15, 2015 | AK | HB 176 | Repeals Salary Increase for Certain State Employees | Bill Passed - House (21 - 19) |
| April 14, 2015 | HI | SB 1030 | Prohibits Sale of Tobacco Products to Individuals Under 21 | Bill Passed - House (45 - 7) |
| April 9, 2015 | MO | HB 1019 | Amends Workplace Discrimination Standards | Bill Passed - House (95 - 60) |
| April 7, 2015 | OK | SB 71 | Expands the Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program Act | Bill Passed - House (51 - 43) |
| April 7, 2015 | OK | SB 71 | Expands the Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program Act | Bill Passed - House (51 - 43) |
| April 2, 2015 | KS | SB 117 | Requires Insurance Coverage for Transportation Network Companies | Conference Report Adopted - House (107 - 16) |
| 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 | ND | SB 2279 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation | Bill Failed - House (35 - 56) |
| April 2, 2015 | AR | SJR 16 | Authorizes Issuance of Bonds for Economic Development Projects | Bill Passed - House (70 - 22) |
| March 31, 2015 | MS | SB 2804 | Authorizes Dismissal of Department of Corrections Employees | Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 58) |
| March 31, 2015 | AZ | SB 1241 | Prohibits Local Ordinances on Disposable Containers | Bill Passed - House (37 - 23) |
| March 31, 2015 | NY | S 2006B | Establishes Annual Teacher Evaluation Program | Bill Passed - House (92 - 55) |
| March 27, 2015 | GA | SB 139 | Prohibits Ban on Auxiliary Containers | Bill Failed - House (67 - 85) |
| March 26, 2015 | NJ | A 939 | Amends Tax Expenditure Report | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (43 - 31) |
| March 26, 2015 | NJ | A 4103 | Establishes Workforce Training Program for Former Casino Workers | Bill Passed - House (55 - 18) |
| March 25, 2015 | KS | HB 2391 | Specifies Civil Service Classification | Bill Passed - House (74 - 51) |
| March 25, 2015 | MI | HB 4015 | Amends Ticket Sale Laws | Bill Passed - House (70 - 40) |
| March 25, 2015 | AR | HB 1426 | Establishes Paid Maternity Leave for State Employees | Bill Passed - House (56 - 28) |
| March 23, 2015 | MN | HF 1027 | Amends Minimum Wage for Employees Receiving Gratuities | Bill Passed - House (78 - 55) |
| March 23, 2015 | MN | HF 1027 | Amends Minimum Wage for Employees Receiving Gratuities | Bill Passed - House (78 - 55) |
| March 19, 2015 | MO | HB 722 | Prohibits Restrictions on Plastic Bags | Bill Passed - House (114 - 38) |
| March 17, 2015 | NY | A 3870 | Requires Employers to Provide Paid Family Leave | Bill Passed - House (97 - 48) |
| March 16, 2015 | ID | H 262 | Establishes Standards for Transportation Network Companies | Bill Passed - House (56 - 12) |
| March 14, 2015 | WV | HB 2011 | Amends Requirements for Workplace Injury Lawsuits | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 33) |
| March 11, 2015 | AZ | HB 2069 | Reduces State Income Tax Rates | Bill Passed - House (31 - 28) |
| March 11, 2015 | UT | SB 296 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation | Bill Passed - House (65 - 10) |
| March 9, 2015 | GA | HB 110 | Authorizes and Regulates the Sale of Consumer Fireworks | Bill Passed - House (119 - 49) |
| March 4, 2015 | NH | HB 136 | Prohibits Minors from Using Tanning Beds | Bill Passed - House (199 - 162) |
| March 4, 2015 | AZ | HB 2611 | Authorizes "Flex Loans" | Bill Passed - House (31 - 29) |
| March 3, 2015 | WA | HB 1356 | Requires Employers to Offer Paid Sick Leave | Bill Passed - House (51 - 46) |
| March 3, 2015 | WA | HB 1355 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (51 - 46) |
| March 3, 2015 | WA | HB 1355 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (51 - 46) |
| March 3, 2015 | WA | HB 1356 | Requires Employers to Offer Paid Sick Leave | Bill Passed - House (51 - 46) |
| Feb. 28, 2015 | WV | SB 361 | Amends Prevailing Wage Laws | Bill Passed - House (56 - 39) |
| Feb. 27, 2015 | VA | HB 1570 | Increases Regulations on Day Care Providers | Conference Report Adopted - House (68 - 26) |
| Feb. 27, 2015 | WV | SB 357 | Establishes New Coal Mining Safety Guidelines. | Bill Passed - House (73 - 25) |
| Feb. 26, 2015 | AZ | SB 1092 | Requires Waivers for Certain Health Insurance | Bill Passed - House (34 - 23) |
| Feb. 26, 2015 | PA | HB 466 | Authorizes Private Alcohol Sales | Bill Passed - House (114 - 87) |
| Feb. 25, 2015 | NM | HB 75 | Prohibits Employers from Requiring Employees to Join or Pay Unions | Bill Passed - House (37 - 30) |
| Feb. 25, 2015 | NM | HB 75 | Prohibits Employers from Requiring Employees to Join or Pay Unions | Bill Passed - House (37 - 30) |
| Feb. 23, 2015 | IN | HB 1019 | Repeals Common Construction Wage | Bill Passed - House (55 - 41) |
| Feb. 19, 2015 | CO | HB 1144 | Prohibits Production and Sale of Products Containing Microbeads | Bill Passed - House (47 - 18) |
| Feb. 16, 2015 | ND | HB 1437 | Extends Triggered Oil Extraction Tax Rate | Bill Passed - House (79 - 14) |
| Feb. 13, 2015 | KY | HB 145 | Prohibits Smoking in Public Places | Bill Passed - House (51 - 46) |
| Feb. 13, 2015 | National | HR 636 | America's Small Business Tax Relief Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (272 - 142) |
| Feb. 10, 2015 | WV | HB 2217 | Amends Qualifications for Commissioner of Labor | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 34) |
| Feb. 10, 2015 | KY | HB 2 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (56 - 43) |
| Feb. 10, 2015 | WV | HB 2011 | Amends Requirements for Workplace Injury Lawsuits | Bill Passed - House (59 - 38) |
| Feb. 10, 2015 | KY | HB 2 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (56 - 43) |
| Feb. 5, 2015 | National | HR 527 | Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (260 - 163) |
| Feb. 4, 2015 | WV | HB 2217 | Amends Qualifications for Commissioner of Labor | Bill Passed - House (64 - 35) |
| Feb. 2, 2015 | CO | HB 1031 | Prohibits the Sale of Powdered Alcohol | Bill Passed - House (46 - 17) |
| Jan. 14, 2015 | National | HR 37 | Promoting Job Creation and Reducing Small Business Burdens Act | Bill Passed - House (271 - 154) |
| Jan. 8, 2015 | National | HR 30 | Save American Workers Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (252 - 172) |