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 1, 2016 | AZ | HB 2579 | Prohibits a City from Regulating Nonwage Compensation | Bill Passed - House (35 - 24) |
| Feb. 26, 2016 | VA | HB 1371 | Prohibits Cities from Increasing Minimum Wage or Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| Feb. 25, 2016 | UT | SB 59 | Requires Employers Provide Certain Accommodations | Bill Passed - House (59 - 15) |
| Feb. 25, 2016 | AL | HB 174 | Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Wage or Employee Benefits Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
| Feb. 22, 2016 | TN | SB 1621 | Prohibits Local-Hire Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5) |
| Feb. 22, 2016 | CO | SB 70 | Prohibits Employers from Requiring Union Membership | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16) |
| Feb. 22, 2016 | CO | SB 70 | Prohibits Employers from Requiring Union Membership | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16) |
| Feb. 19, 2016 | ID | H 463 | Prohibits Local Governments from Increasing Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (55 - 14) |
| Feb. 18, 2016 | OR | SB 1532 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (32 - 26) |
| Feb. 18, 2016 | MO | HB 1891 | Prohibits the Collection of Union Dues without Written Authorization | Bill Passed - House (110 - 47) |
| Feb. 16, 2016 | AL | HB 174 | Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Wage or Employee Benefits Requirements | Bill Passed - House (71 - 31) |
| Feb. 16, 2016 | IL | HB 580 | Requires Mediation of Expired State Collective Bargaining Agreements | Bill Passed - House (67 - 46) |
| Feb. 12, 2016 | WV | SB 1 | Prohibits Employers from Requiring Union Membership | Veto Override Passed - Senate (18 - 16) |
| Feb. 12, 2016 | WV | SB 1 | Prohibits Employers from Requiring Union Membership | Veto Override Passed - Senate (18 - 16) |
| Feb. 12, 2016 | WV | SB 1 | Prohibits Employers from Requiring Union Membership | Veto Override Passed - House (54 - 43) |
| Feb. 12, 2016 | WV | SB 1 | Prohibits Employers from Requiring Union Membership | Veto Override Passed - House (54 - 43) |
| Feb. 11, 2016 | AL | HB 37 | Prohibits Requiring Employees to Join or Pay Unions | Bill Failed - House (60 - 24) |
| Feb. 11, 2016 | OR | SB 1532 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12) |
| Feb. 10, 2016 | MO | SCR 46 | Prohibits a Wage Range Increase for Personal Care Attendants | Joint Resolution Passed - House (125 - 34) |
| Feb. 10, 2016 | VA | HB 1371 | Prohibits Cities from Increasing Minimum Wage or Benefits | Bill Passed - House (65 - 34) |
| Feb. 5, 2016 | WV | SB 1 | Prohibits Employers from Requiring Union Membership | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 16) |
| Feb. 5, 2016 | WV | SB 1 | Prohibits Employers from Requiring Union Membership | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 16) |
| Feb. 4, 2016 | WV | SB 1 | Prohibits Employers from Requiring Union Membership | Bill Passed - House (54 - 46) |
| Feb. 4, 2016 | WV | SB 1 | Prohibits Employers from Requiring Union Membership | Bill Passed - House (54 - 46) |
| Feb. 4, 2016 | WV | HB 4005 | Repeals Hourly Wage Requirements for Workers on Public Improvement Projects | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16) |
| Feb. 4, 2016 | WV | HB 4005 | Repeals Hourly Wage Requirements for Workers on Public Improvement Projects | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16) |
| Feb. 4, 2016 | CO | HB 1002 | Authorizes Leave for Academic Activities | Bill Passed - House (35 - 30) |
| Feb. 3, 2016 | IN | HB 1004 | Authorizes Higher Wages for Hard-to-Fill Teaching Positions | Bill Passed - House (57 - 42) |
| Feb. 2, 2016 | NY | A 3870 | Requires Employers to Provide Paid Family Leave | Bill Passed - House (97 - 44) |
| Feb. 2, 2016 | UT | SB 59 | Requires Employers Provide Certain Accommodations | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 9) |
| Jan. 29, 2016 | VA | SB 12 | Prohibits Discrimination in Public Employment Based on Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15) |
| Jan. 29, 2016 | NM | HB 195 | Specifies Employer is not Liable for Medical Marijuana Workers' Compensation Costs | Bill Passed - House (33 - 29) |
| Jan. 27, 2016 | WV | HB 4005 | Repeals Hourly Wage Requirements for Workers on Public Improvement Projects | Bill Passed - House (55 - 44) |
| Jan. 27, 2016 | WV | HB 4005 | Repeals Hourly Wage Requirements for Workers on Public Improvement Projects | Bill Passed - House (55 - 44) |
| Jan. 25, 2016 | VA | SB 335 | Prohibits State Employers From Inquiring about an Applicant's Criminal History | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| Jan. 25, 2016 | TN | SB 151 | Prohibits Automatic Deduction from Teachers' Paychecks for Union Dues | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| Jan. 25, 2016 | MO | SCR 46 | Prohibits a Wage Range Increase for Personal Care Attendants | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 4) |
| Jan. 21, 2016 | WV | SB 1 | Prohibits Employers from Requiring Union Membership | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16) |
| Jan. 21, 2016 | WV | SB 1 | Prohibits Employers from Requiring Union Membership | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16) |
| Nov. 17, 2015 | National | HR 511 | Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (249 - 177) |
| Sept. 16, 2015 | MO | HB 116 | Prohibits Mandatory Enrollment In Labor Unions | Veto Override Failed - House (96 - 63) |
| Sept. 2, 2015 | IL | SB 1229 | Establishes Arbitration Procedure For Labor Disputes | Veto Override Failed - House (68 - 34) |
| Aug. 19, 2015 | IL | SB 1229 | Establishes Arbitration Procedure For Labor Disputes | Veto Override Passed - Senate (38 - 15) |
| July 9, 2015 | IL | HB 3593 | Limits Community College Severance Packages | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 34) |
| June 25, 2015 | RI | H 5364 | Increases Minimum Wage for Tipped Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3) |
| 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 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 11, 2015 | OR | HB 3025 | Prohibits Asking Job Applicants' Criminal History | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
| June 11, 2015 | MI | HB 4052 | Amends Government Regulation of Employment Conditions | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16) |
| June 11, 2015 | RI | H 5074 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 3) |
| June 10, 2015 | OR | SB 454 | Requires Employers to Offer Paid Sick Leave | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13) |
| 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 - Senate (33 - 15) |
| June 3, 2015 | NC | HB 405 | Prohibits the Recording of Certain Employer Property | Veto Override Passed - House (79 - 36) |
| June 3, 2015 | CA | SB 548 | Authorizes Child Care Workers to Form Unions | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
| June 2, 2015 | RI | H 5074 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (59 - 13) |
| June 1, 2015 | CA | SB 3 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| June 1, 2015 | CA | SB 588 | Authorizes Labor Commissioner to Enforce the Payment of Wages | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
| May 30, 2015 | IL | SB 1229 | Establishes Arbitration Procedure For Labor Disputes | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 17) |
| May 28, 2015 | OR | HB 2007 | Prohibits Employers from Penalizing Employees for Discussing Wages | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13) |
| May 22, 2015 | NV | SB 193 | Increases Minimum Wage and Amends Overtime Definition | Bill Passed - House (22 - 20) |
| May 20, 2015 | MI | HB 4052 | Amends Government Regulation of Employment Conditions | Bill Passed - House (57 - 52) |
| May 18, 2015 | NC | HB 405 | Prohibits the Recording of Certain Employer Property | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13) |
| May 13, 2015 | MO | HB 116 | Prohibits Mandatory Enrollment In Labor Unions | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (92 - 66) |
| May 12, 2015 | MO | HB 116 | Prohibits Mandatory Enrollment In Labor Unions | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| May 12, 2015 | LA | SB 219 | Amends Equal Pay Protections | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16) |
| May 11, 2015 | CA | AB 202 | Requires Professional Sports Teams to Classify Cheerleaders Employees | Bill Passed - House (56 - 23) |
| May 7, 2015 | TX | SB 1968 | Prohibits Wage Deductions for State Employee Union Dues | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11) |
| May 6, 2015 | PA | SB 645 | Requires Notice of Proposed Collective Bargaining Agreements | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19) |
| May 6, 2015 | PA | SB 644 | Requires Cost Analysis of Collective Bargaining Agreements | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19) |
| May 4, 2015 | NY | A 7257 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (97 - 43) |
| April 27, 2015 | NY | A 6937 | Amends Existing Labor Laws | Bill Passed - House (97 - 44) |
| April 21, 2015 | PA | HB 874 | Repeals Exemptions for Harassment during Labor Disputes | Bill Passed - House (109 - 84) |
| 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 16, 2015 | IN | HB 1019 | Repeals Common Construction Wage | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 40) |
| April 16, 2015 | TN | SB 606 | Amends Eligibility for Longevity Pay | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 3) |
| April 15, 2015 | IN | HB 1019 | Repeals Common Construction Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22) |
| April 15, 2015 | IN | HB 1019 | Repeals Common Construction Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22) |
| April 15, 2015 | AK | HB 176 | Repeals Salary Increase for Certain State Employees | Bill Passed - House (21 - 19) |
| April 14, 2015 | PA | SB 333 | Prohibits Local Paid Leave Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12) |
| 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 3, 2015 | NV | SB 193 | Increases Minimum Wage and Amends Overtime Definition | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9) |
| April 2, 2015 | ND | SB 2279 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation | Bill Failed - House (35 - 56) |
| March 31, 2015 | MS | SB 2804 | Authorizes Dismissal of Department of Corrections Employees | Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 58) |
| March 31, 2015 | NY | S 2006B | Establishes Annual Teacher Evaluation Program | Bill Passed - House (92 - 55) |
| March 31, 2015 | NY | S 2006B | Establishes Annual Teacher Evaluation Program | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 26) |
| March 26, 2015 | OK | HB 1749 | Prohibits Payroll Deductions for Public Employee Organizations | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 16) |
| March 26, 2015 | OK | HB 1749 | Prohibits Payroll Deductions for Public Employee Organizations | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 16) |
| March 26, 2015 | National | S Amdt 798 | Deficit-Neutral Reserve Fund for Legislation to Allow Americans to Earn Paid Sick Time | Amendment Adopted - Senate (61 - 39) |
| March 26, 2015 | NJ | A 4103 | Establishes Workforce Training Program for Former Casino Workers | Bill Passed - House (55 - 18) |
| March 25, 2015 | KS | HB 2326 | Amends Teacher Contracts | Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 27) |
| March 25, 2015 | KS | HB 2391 | Specifies Civil Service Classification | Bill Passed - House (74 - 51) |
| 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 18, 2015 | IA | SF 437 | Authorizes Employees to Take Unpaid Leave to Participate in a Presidential Precinct Caucus | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24) |