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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 17, 2018 | IL | SB 2892 | Requires Increase in Teacher Salaries | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 16) |
| May 14, 2018 | MO | HJR 79 | Amends Constitution to Include Right-to-Work Provision | Bill Passed - House (93 - 54) |
| May 2, 2018 | CT | HB 5460 | Requires Raise for Home Care Employees | Bill Passed - House (88 - 62) |
| April 26, 2018 | IL | HB 4595 | Establishes the Illinois Employers Mutual Insurance Company | Bill Passed - House (62 - 43) |
| April 19, 2018 | IL | SB 2546 | Authorizes Graduate Research Assistant Unions | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 19) |
| April 12, 2018 | NJ | A 1827 | Requires Employers to Provide Paid Sick Leave | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12) |
| April 12, 2018 | NJ | A 3686 | Increases State Protections for Labor Unions | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
| April 12, 2018 | NJ | A 3686 | Increases State Protections for Labor Unions | Bill Passed - House (50 - 22) |
| April 2, 2018 | MD | HB 1539 | Establishes General Contractor Liability for Unpaid Wages | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13) |
| April 2, 2018 | MD | HB 1243 | Authorizes Workers to Sue for Unpaid Wages | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12) |
| March 30, 2018 | MD | SB 654 | Requires Extension of Union Contracts | Bill Passed - House (89 - 47) |
| March 29, 2018 | KY | SB 151 | Amends the State Public Pension System | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
| March 29, 2018 | KY | SB 151 | Amends the State Public Pension System | Bill Passed - House (49 - 46) |
| March 29, 2018 | DE | HB 399 | Amends State Constitution to Provide Equal Rights | Bill Passed - House (34 - 5) |
| March 26, 2018 | NJ | S 104 | Establishes Equal Pay Law | Bill Passed - House (74 - 2) |
| March 26, 2018 | NJ | A 1827 | Requires Employers to Provide Paid Sick Leave | Bill Passed - House (50 - 24) |
| March 26, 2018 | MD | SB 654 | Requires Extension of Union Contracts | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
| March 22, 2018 | MD | HB 1017 | Requires Equal Access to Collective Bargaining New Employee Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
| March 15, 2018 | NH | HB 1500 | Requires Public Workplace Injuries and Deaths to be Reported | Motion Agreed - House (177 - 157) |
| March 14, 2018 | National | HR 4909 | STOP School Violence Act of 2018 | Bill Passed - House (407 - 10) |
| March 12, 2018 | MD | HB 811 | Authorizes Collective Bargaining New Employee Processing | Bill Passed - House (84 - 49) |
| March 1, 2018 | WA | SB 6199 | Authorizes Privatization of Home-Care Workforce | Bill Passed - House (50 - 0) |
| Feb. 27, 2018 | SD | HB 1199 | Prohibits Collective Bargaining at Public Universities | Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 18) |
| Feb. 27, 2018 | SD | HB 1199 | Prohibits Collective Bargaining at Public Universities | Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 18) |
| Feb. 20, 2018 | OR | HB 4113 | Requires School Districts to Bargain About Class Size | Bill Passed - House (33 - 25) |
| Feb. 13, 2018 | SD | HB 1199 | Prohibits Collective Bargaining at Public Universities | Bill Passed - House (37 - 28) |
| Feb. 13, 2018 | SD | HB 1199 | Prohibits Collective Bargaining at Public Universities | Bill Passed - House (37 - 28) |
| Feb. 10, 2018 | WA | SB 6199 | Authorizes Privatization of Home-Care Workforce | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21) |
| Jan. 10, 2018 | National | S 140 | An Act to amend the White Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Quantification Act of 2010 to clarify the use of amounts in the WMAT Settlement Fund | Bill Passed - House (239 - 173) |
| Nov. 30, 2017 | National | HR 4182 | Ensuring a Qualified Civil Service Act of 2017 (EQUALS Act) | Bill Passed - House (213 - 204) |
| June 22, 2017 | OR | SB 828 | Requires 7 Days' Notice for Work Schedules | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6) |
| June 13, 2017 | National | S 1094 | Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (368 - 55) |
| June 7, 2017 | National | HR 2213 | Anti-Border Corruption Reauthorization Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (282 - 137) |
| May 30, 2017 | IL | SB 81 | Establishes New Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (61 - 53) |
| May 30, 2017 | IL | HB 2462 | Prohibits Screening Job Applicants Based on Wage or Salary History | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 18) |
| May 17, 2017 | NV | SB 106 | Requires Certain Increases in Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9) |
| May 11, 2017 | AL | SB 200 | Prohibits Criminal History Inquiries by Employers | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 9) |
| May 8, 2017 | FL | HB 5007 | Revises Florida Retirement System | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 13) |
| May 8, 2017 | CA | AB 22 | Authorizes Termination of Employees Engaged in Subversive Activities | Bill Passed - House (41 - 30) |
| April 27, 2017 | IL | SB 14 | Establishes New Pension Guidelines | Bill Passed - House (63 - 45) |
| April 26, 2017 | IL | HB 2462 | Prohibits Screening Job Applicants Based on Wage or Salary History | Bill Passed - House (91 - 24) |
| April 11, 2017 | TX | SB 75 | Requires Parental Consent for Minors to Join Labor Unions | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11) |
| April 11, 2017 | TX | SB 75 | Requires Parental Consent for Minors to Join Labor Unions | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11) |
| April 7, 2017 | WV | SB 330 | Repeals Provisions from the Workplace Freedom Act | Veto Override Passed - House (51 - 49) |
| April 5, 2017 | MD | HB 1 | Requires Certain Employers to Provide Paid Sick Leave | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 53) |
| April 3, 2017 | MD | HB 1 | Requires Certain Employers to Provide Paid Sick Leave | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18) |
| March 30, 2017 | TX | SB 13 | Amends Provisions Regarding Payroll Deductions | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11) |
| March 17, 2017 | NM | HB 241 | Establishes New Standards of Evaluation for Teachers | Veto Override Failed - House (36 - 31) |
| March 16, 2017 | National | HR 1259 | VA Accountability First Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (237 - 178) |
| March 9, 2017 | MO | HB 1194 | Prohibits Local Minimum Wages | Bill Passed - House (112 - 46) |
| Feb. 27, 2017 | WV | SB 330 | Repeals Provisions from the Workplace Freedom Act | (23 - 11) |
| Feb. 16, 2017 | IA | HF 291 | Limits Collective Bargaining for Public Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21) |
| Feb. 16, 2017 | IA | HF 291 | Limits Collective Bargaining for Public Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21) |
| Feb. 16, 2017 | IA | HF 291 | Limits Collective Bargaining for Public Employees | Bill Passed - House (53 - 47) |
| Feb. 16, 2017 | IA | HF 291 | Limits Collective Bargaining for Public Employees | Bill Passed - House (53 - 47) |
| Feb. 8, 2017 | WI | SB 3 | Prohibits Localities from Requiring Project Labor Agreements | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13) |
| Feb. 2, 2017 | MO | SB 19 | Prohibits Mandatory Union Fees | Bill Passed - House (100 - 59) |
| Jan. 26, 2017 | MO | SB 19 | Prohibits Mandatory Union Fees | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
| Jan. 19, 2017 | NH | SB 11 | Prohibits Collective Bargaining Agreements That Require Employees to Join A Labor Union | Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 11) |
| Sept. 28, 2016 | National | HR 6094 | Regulatory Relief for Small Businesses, Schools, and Nonprofits Act | Bill Passed - House (246 - 177) |
| Sept. 14, 2016 | National | HR 5620 | VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act of 2016 | Bill Passed - House (310 - 116) |
| Aug. 31, 2016 | CA | SB 1241 | Amends Current Provisions of Labor Contracts | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 13) |
| Aug. 31, 2016 | CA | SB 654 | Authorizes Paid Family Leave | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 12) |
| Aug. 31, 2016 | CA | SB 1241 | Amends Current Provisions of Labor Contracts | Bill Passed - House (54 - 21) |
| Aug. 29, 2016 | CA | AB 1066 | Requires Overtime Pay for Farmworkers | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 32) |
| Aug. 25, 2016 | CA | AB 1843 | Prohibits Employers from Asking Applicants to Disclose Criminal History | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 36) |
| Aug. 22, 2016 | CA | AB 1843 | Prohibits Employers from Asking Applicants to Disclose Criminal History | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| Aug. 22, 2016 | CA | AB 1066 | Requires Overtime Pay for Farmworkers | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| June 2, 2016 | CA | AB 1676 | Prohibits Employers from Asking Job Applicants for Salary History | Bill Passed - House (47 - 29) |
| June 2, 2016 | CA | AB 2757 | Requires Overtime Pay for Farmworkers | Bill Failed - House (38 - 35) |
| May 25, 2016 | OH | HB 180 | Prohibits Local Hiring Requirement in Labor Contracts | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| May 25, 2016 | OH | HB 180 | Prohibits Local Hiring Requirement in Labor Contracts | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| May 25, 2016 | National | H Amdt 1128 | Prohibits Use of Funds for Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity | Amendment Adopted - House (223 - 195) |
| May 19, 2016 | National | H Amdt 1079 | Prohibits Use of Funds for Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity | Amendment Rejected - House (212 - 213) |
| May 12, 2016 | MO | HB 1891 | Prohibits the Collection of Union Dues without Written Authorization | Veto Override Failed - Senate (22 - 10) |
| May 5, 2016 | NH | HB 1252 | Authorizes Employers to Pay Wages Biweekly | Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 12) |
| May 4, 2016 | MO | HB 1891 | Prohibits the Collection of Union Dues without Written Authorization | Veto Override Passed - House (109 - 47) |
| May 4, 2016 | OH | SB 152 | Prohibits Local Hiring Requirement in Labor Contracts | Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (8 - 25) |
| May 4, 2016 | OH | SB 152 | Prohibits Local Hiring Requirement in Labor Contracts | Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (8 - 25) |
| May 4, 2016 | OH | SB 152 | Prohibits Local Hiring Requirement in Labor Contracts | Bill Passed - House (51 - 45) |
| May 4, 2016 | OH | SB 152 | Prohibits Local Hiring Requirement in Labor Contracts | Bill Passed - House (51 - 45) |
| May 3, 2016 | MO | SCR 46 | Prohibits a Wage Range Increase for Personal Care Attendants | Veto Override Passed - House (119 - 36) |
| April 26, 2016 | LA | HB 266 | Prohibits Criminal History Questions on Certain Employment Applications | Bill Passed - House (54 - 39) |
| April 12, 2016 | LA | SB 254 | Expands Equal Pay Protections | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
| April 9, 2016 | MD | HB 1003 | Prohibits Wage Discrimination on Basis of Gender Identity | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 33) |
| April 7, 2016 | MD | HB 1003 | Prohibits Wage Discrimination on Basis of Gender Identity | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13) |
| April 6, 2016 | MO | SCR 46 | Prohibits a Wage Range Increase for Personal Care Attendants | Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 8) |
| April 5, 2016 | MD | HB 580 | Requires Employers to Provide Paid Sick Leave | Bill Passed - House (84 - 54) |
| March 31, 2016 | CA | SB 3 | Increases Minimum Wage | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
| March 31, 2016 | CA | SB 3 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (48 - 26) |
| March 28, 2016 | CO | HB 1166 | Prohibits Employers from Discussing Salary History | Bill Passed - House (34 - 31) |
| March 24, 2016 | CO | HB 1001 | Requires State Contractors to Comply with Federal Equal Pay Standards | Bill Passed - House (34 - 29) |
| March 23, 2016 | KS | SB 469 | Amends Labor Union Procedures | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18) |
| March 17, 2016 | NE | LB 83 | Prohibits Wage Discrimination in Small Businesses | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
| March 17, 2016 | KY | SB 297 | Repeals State Coal Mine Inspections | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| March 9, 2016 | UT | HB 251 | Prohibits Non-Compete Agreements | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6) |
| March 3, 2016 | MO | HB 1891 | Prohibits the Collection of Union Dues without Written Authorization | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (109 - 49) |
| March 3, 2016 | IL | HB 580 | Requires Mediation of Expired State Collective Bargaining Agreements | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 17) |
| March 2, 2016 | IA | SF 2252 | Requires Accommodations for Employees During Pregnancy | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22) |
| March 1, 2016 | MO | HB 1891 | Prohibits the Collection of Union Dues without Written Authorization | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7) |