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.


results per page:
Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
April 15, 2020 KY HB 351 Increases Taxes on Tobacco Products and Authorizes the Expansion of Absentee Voting Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
April 15, 2020 PA SB 613 Requires the Governor's Office to Follow Federal Guidelines to Reopen Businesses During COVID-19 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
March 28, 2020 AK SB 241 Appropriates Emergency Funds for COVID-19 Coronavirus Relief Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 1)
March 26, 2020 KY HB 415 Amends Shipping Laws for Distillers, Wineries, and Breweries Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
March 17, 2020 MD HB 732 Increases Tobacco Tax and Establishes Vaping Tax Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 16)
March 17, 2020 KY HB 99 Establishes a Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority Loan for a Qualifying Public Medical Center Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
March 16, 2020 KS SB 474 Authorizes Compensation for College Athletes Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 4)
March 13, 2020 MD HB 932 Requires the Distribution of Sales and Use Tax Revenue from Certain Digital Products to the Blueprint for Maryland's Future Fund Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 15)
March 12, 2020 FL SB 810 Increases the Legal Smoking Age to 21 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
March 11, 2020 FL HB 607 Authorizes Independent Nurse Practitioners to Open Primary Care Practices Without Doctor Supervision Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
March 11, 2020 National H J Res 76 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to "Borrower Defense Institutional Accountability" Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 42)
March 10, 2020 CO HB 20-1080 Repeals State Residency Requirement for Medical Marijuana Business Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
March 9, 2020 WA SB 5323 Establishes Standards for the Use of Plastic Bags at Retail Establishments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
March 7, 2020 VA HB 812 Prohibits Unlicensed Individuals to Deal Firearms from Purchasing More Than One Gun in a 30-Day Period Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 19)
March 6, 2020 UT HB 243 Requires Warning Labels on Pornography Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
March 5, 2020 NH SB 159 Increases Net Metering Capacity for Customer-Generators Veto Override Passed - Senate (17 - 7)
March 5, 2020 VA HB 1251 Authorizes Enrollee not to Pay Out-of-Network Amount Except Applicable Cost-sharing Requirement (40 - 0)
March 5, 2020 NJ S 864 Prohibits Single-Use Plastic Bags and Styrofoam Containers Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
Feb. 3, 2020 IN SB 438 Establishes Regulations for Pesticides Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
Jan. 16, 2020 GA HB 276 Establishes an Online Sales Tax Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 9)
Jan. 16, 2020 National HR 5430 United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act Bill Passed - Senate (89 - 10)
Jan. 14, 2020 TN HB 836 Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Deny Potential Parents Based on Religious Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
Jan. 8, 2020 NH SB 248 Increases the Age for Sales of Tobacco Products "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
Oct. 31, 2019 NC SB 578 Reduces the Corporate Tax Rate and Establishes the Film and Entertainment Grant Fund Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
Oct. 29, 2019 IL SB 1864 Prohibits Use of Vaping Devices in Public Areas Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 11)
Sept. 25, 2019 PA SB 473 Increases Age for Legal Tobacco Sales to 21 Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 6)
Sept. 11, 2019 CA AB 857 Authorizes Cities and Counties to Establish Public Banks Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
Sept. 11, 2019 CA AB 5 Establishes Criteria For Determining Who Is An Employee Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
Sept. 10, 2019 CA AB 44 Prohibits the Sale and Manufacturing of Fur Products Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
June 30, 2019 OR HB 2270 Authorizes a Ballot Measure to Increase Tobacco Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 8)
June 27, 2019 NJ A 5385 Increases Licensing and Tax Requirements for Vape Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
June 27, 2019 DE HB 79 Requires Beverages Included in Kids' Meals to be Milk or Water Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
June 19, 2019 ME LD 1028 Increases Taxes on Tobacco Products Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
June 17, 2019 NC HB 389 Authorizes Alcohol Sales at Public College Sporting Events Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12)
June 17, 2019 NY S 5575 Expands Data Protections for New York Residents Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 21)
June 11, 2019 OR HB 2509 Prohibits Single-Use Plastic Checkout Bags Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
June 11, 2019 NY S 1637 Prohibits Possession of Certain Flamethrowers Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 13)
June 6, 2019 DE HB 130 Prohibits Plastic Bags Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
June 4, 2019 LA SB 152 Establishes Definitions for Meat and Beef Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
June 4, 2019 ME LD 1532 Prohibits Single-Use Plastic Bags Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
May 30, 2019 IL HB 3394 Requires Women and African Americans on Corporate Boards Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 16)
May 29, 2019 CA SB 574 Requires the Disclosure of Fragrances in Cosmetic Products Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
May 29, 2019 ME LD 1564 Authorizes Project Labor Agreements for Public Works Projects Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
May 28, 2019 CA SB 43 Establishes the Feasibility and Practicality of Assessing the Carbon Intensity of Retail Products Subject to the Sales and Use Tax Law Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
May 24, 2019 MI SB 1 Reduces Premium Amount Required for No-Fault Auto Insurance Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 4)
May 23, 2019 CA SB 392 Amends Safer Consumer Products Program Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
May 21, 2019 CA SB 58 Authorizes Bars to Remain Open Until 3 AM Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
May 16, 2019 TX SB 1978 Prohibits Government Action Against Businesses that Donate to Religious Organizations Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
May 13, 2019 OR HB 3427 Increases Business Taxes to Enhance School Funding Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
May 7, 2019 PA SB 453 Authorizes Annual Farming Construction Code Building Exemptions Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/15 HB 351 Increases Taxes on Tobacco Products and Authorizes the Expansion of Absentee Voting Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
4/15 SB 613 Requires the Governor's Office to Follow Federal Guidelines to Reopen Businesses During COVID-19 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
3/28 SB 241 Appropriates Emergency Funds for COVID-19 Coronavirus Relief Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 1)
3/26 HB 415 Amends Shipping Laws for Distillers, Wineries, and Breweries Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
3/17 HB 732 Increases Tobacco Tax and Establishes Vaping Tax Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 16)
3/17 HB 99 Establishes a Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority Loan for a Qualifying Public Medical Center Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
3/16 SB 474 Authorizes Compensation for College Athletes Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 4)
3/13 HB 932 Requires the Distribution of Sales and Use Tax Revenue from Certain Digital Products to the Blueprint for Maryland's Future Fund Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 15)
3/12 SB 810 Increases the Legal Smoking Age to 21 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
3/11 HB 607 Authorizes Independent Nurse Practitioners to Open Primary Care Practices Without Doctor Supervision Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
3/11 H J Res 76 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to "Borrower Defense Institutional Accountability" Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 42)
3/10 HB 20-1080 Repeals State Residency Requirement for Medical Marijuana Business Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
3/09 SB 5323 Establishes Standards for the Use of Plastic Bags at Retail Establishments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
3/07 HB 812 Prohibits Unlicensed Individuals to Deal Firearms from Purchasing More Than One Gun in a 30-Day Period Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 19)
3/06 HB 243 Requires Warning Labels on Pornography Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
3/05 SB 159 Increases Net Metering Capacity for Customer-Generators Veto Override Passed - Senate (17 - 7)
3/05 HB 1251 Authorizes Enrollee not to Pay Out-of-Network Amount Except Applicable Cost-sharing Requirement (40 - 0)
3/05 S 864 Prohibits Single-Use Plastic Bags and Styrofoam Containers Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
2/03 SB 438 Establishes Regulations for Pesticides Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
1/16 HB 276 Establishes an Online Sales Tax Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 9)
1/16 HR 5430 United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act Bill Passed - Senate (89 - 10)
1/14 HB 836 Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Deny Potential Parents Based on Religious Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
1/08 SB 248 Increases the Age for Sales of Tobacco Products "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
10/31 SB 578 Reduces the Corporate Tax Rate and Establishes the Film and Entertainment Grant Fund Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
10/29 SB 1864 Prohibits Use of Vaping Devices in Public Areas Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 11)
9/25 SB 473 Increases Age for Legal Tobacco Sales to 21 Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 6)
9/11 AB 857 Authorizes Cities and Counties to Establish Public Banks Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
9/11 AB 5 Establishes Criteria For Determining Who Is An Employee Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
9/10 AB 44 Prohibits the Sale and Manufacturing of Fur Products Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
6/30 HB 2270 Authorizes a Ballot Measure to Increase Tobacco Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 8)
6/27 A 5385 Increases Licensing and Tax Requirements for Vape Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
6/27 HB 79 Requires Beverages Included in Kids' Meals to be Milk or Water Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
6/19 LD 1028 Increases Taxes on Tobacco Products Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
6/17 HB 389 Authorizes Alcohol Sales at Public College Sporting Events Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12)
6/17 S 5575 Expands Data Protections for New York Residents Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 21)
6/11 HB 2509 Prohibits Single-Use Plastic Checkout Bags Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
6/11 S 1637 Prohibits Possession of Certain Flamethrowers Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 13)
6/06 HB 130 Prohibits Plastic Bags Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
6/04 SB 152 Establishes Definitions for Meat and Beef Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
6/04 LD 1532 Prohibits Single-Use Plastic Bags Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
5/30 HB 3394 Requires Women and African Americans on Corporate Boards Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 16)
5/29 SB 574 Requires the Disclosure of Fragrances in Cosmetic Products Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
5/29 LD 1564 Authorizes Project Labor Agreements for Public Works Projects Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
5/28 SB 43 Establishes the Feasibility and Practicality of Assessing the Carbon Intensity of Retail Products Subject to the Sales and Use Tax Law Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
5/24 SB 1 Reduces Premium Amount Required for No-Fault Auto Insurance Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 4)
5/23 SB 392 Amends Safer Consumer Products Program Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
5/21 SB 58 Authorizes Bars to Remain Open Until 3 AM Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
5/16 SB 1978 Prohibits Government Action Against Businesses that Donate to Religious Organizations Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
5/13 HB 3427 Increases Business Taxes to Enhance School Funding Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
5/07 SB 453 Authorizes Annual Farming Construction Code Building Exemptions Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)

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