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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 12, 2019 | WA | HB 1578 | Requires Tug Boat Escorts for Certain Oil Barges | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13) |
| April 11, 2019 | AZ | SB 1346 | Authorizes HIV Prevention Education | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 10) |
| April 11, 2019 | OR | SB 90 | Prohibits Single-Use Plastic Straws at Restaurants Unless Asked For | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6) |
| April 11, 2019 | CA | SB 78 | Requires Citizens Purchase Health Insurance | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9) |
| April 10, 2019 | OH | SB 23 | Prohibits Abortion After a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 13) |
| April 10, 2019 | DE | SB 35 | Requires Coverage Under the Affordable Care Act | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5) |
| April 9, 2019 | DE | SB 34 | Establishes a Per-Pill Tax on Prescription Opioid Painkillers | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 4) |
| April 9, 2019 | DE | SB 34 | Establishes a Per-Pill Tax on Prescription Opioid Painkillers | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 4) |
| April 5, 2019 | MD | SB 285 | Prohibits Use of Foam Containers | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 13) |
| April 3, 2019 | VA | SB 1027 | Authorizes Catastrophic Health Plans | Veto Override Failed - Senate (22 - 16) |
| April 3, 2019 | VA | SB 1240 | Authorizes Short-Term, Limited-Duration Health Insurance | Veto Override Failed - Senate (20 - 18) |
| April 3, 2019 | CO | SB 19-181 | Amends Local Environmental Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| April 2, 2019 | GA | HB 324 | Authorizes Sale of Medical Marijuana Oil | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 20) |
| April 2, 2019 | MD | SB 516 | Establishes Renewable Energy Standards and Plan | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 15) |
| April 2, 2019 | IN | HB 1211 | Prohibits Dilation and Evacuation Abortions | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10) |
| April 2, 2019 | ID | S 1204 | Amends Medicaid Eligibility Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| April 1, 2019 | IN | SB 201 | Authorizes Health Providers to Abstain from Participating in Abortion Procedures | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 8) |
| April 1, 2019 | IN | SB 201 | Authorizes Health Providers to Abstain from Participating in Abortion Procedures | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 8) |
| April 1, 2019 | NY | A 558 | Increases Age for Tobacco Sale Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 9) |
| March 31, 2019 | NY | S 1507 | Establishes a Healthcare Budget for FY 2019-2020 | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22) |
| March 31, 2019 | NY | S 1508 | Prohibits Retail Stores from Using Plastic Bags | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 22) |
| March 28, 2019 | ME | LD 181 | Authorizes State Funds for Free Health Clinics | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16) |
| March 28, 2019 | MA | H 3638 | Appropriates Funding to Family Planning and Women Reproductive Health Clinics | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5) |
| March 27, 2019 | IA | SF 513 | Authorizes Women to Buy Birth Control Without Prescriptions | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 6) |
| March 26, 2019 | MD | HB 298 | Establishes Oyster Sanctuaries | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14) |
| March 26, 2019 | GA | HB 83 | Requires Recess for Students in Kindergarten Through Fifth Grade | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 4) |
| March 26, 2019 | National | S J Res 8 | A joint resolution recognizing the duty of the Federal Government to create a Green New Deal | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (0 - 57) |
| March 25, 2019 | NJ | A 1504 | Authorizes Medical Aid in Dying | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16) |
| March 22, 2019 | GA | HB 481 | Prohibits Abortion After a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 18) |
| March 22, 2019 | GA | HB 481 | Prohibits Abortion After a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 18) |
| March 21, 2019 | VT | S 55 | Establishes Regulations for Toxic Substances and Hazardous Materials | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5) |
| March 20, 2019 | AR | HB 1251 | Expands Procedures that Optometrists May Perform | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8) |
| March 20, 2019 | IA | SF 548 | Amends Land Purchase Regulations for Water Quality Testing | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17) |
| March 19, 2019 | IA | SF 538 | Establishes Medicaid Work Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17) |
| March 18, 2019 | ID | H 180 | Authorizes Syringe and Needle Exchange Program | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11) |
| March 18, 2019 | ID | H 180 | Authorizes Syringe and Needle Exchange Program | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11) |
| March 15, 2019 | ND | HB 1336 | Requires Potential Abortion Reversal Drugs be made Available | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 11) |
| March 14, 2019 | NM | HB 89 | Requires Insurance Companies Provide Coverage for Contraceptives | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8) |
| March 14, 2019 | NM | HB 51 | Amends State Law to Decriminalize Abortion | Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 24) |
| March 14, 2019 | NM | HB 89 | Requires Insurance Companies Provide Coverage for Contraceptives | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8) |
| March 14, 2019 | NH | SB 311 | Amends Annulment Laws for Certain Drug Possession | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8) |
| March 13, 2019 | WA | SB 5822 | Establishes a Work Group to Study Universal Health Care | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21) |
| March 13, 2019 | OH | SB 23 | Prohibits Abortion After a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13) |
| March 13, 2019 | CO | SB 19-181 | Amends Local Environmental Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15) |
| March 6, 2019 | NM | SB 489 | Authorizes State Investment in Renewable Energies | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 9) |
| March 6, 2019 | IL | SB 1596 | Authorizes Exceptions for Limits on Workers' Compensation Claims | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 16) |
| March 5, 2019 | HI | SB 522 | Prohibits Certain Plastics | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 1) |
| March 5, 2019 | MD | SB 285 | Prohibits Use of Foam Containers | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13) |
| March 1, 2019 | WA | SB 5116 | Increases State Clean Energy Efforts to be 100 Percent Carbon Free by 2045 | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19) |
| Feb. 28, 2019 | National | PN 22 | Nomination of Andrew Wheeler to be Administrator of Environmental Protection Agency | (52 - 47) |
| Feb. 28, 2019 | OR | HB 2010 | Authorizes the Continuation of Funding for the Oregon Reinsurance Program | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7) |
| Feb. 27, 2019 | National | PN 22 | Nomination of Andrew Wheeler to be Administrator of Environmental Protection Agency | Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 46) |
| Feb. 26, 2019 | UT | SB 132 | Increases Alcohol Cap for Beer Sales | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 2) |
| Feb. 26, 2019 | GA | SB 106 | Authorizes Governor to Pursue Medicaid Waivers | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 20) |
| Feb. 25, 2019 | WY | HB 103 | Requires Doctor Reporting of Abortions | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9) |
| Feb. 25, 2019 | IN | SB 553 | Authorizes Public Use of Shore of Lake Michigan | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16) |
| Feb. 20, 2019 | KS | SB 32 | Authorizes The Farm Bureau To Offer Coverage | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11) |
| Feb. 20, 2019 | KS | SB 32 | Authorizes The Farm Bureau To Offer Coverage | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11) |
| Feb. 19, 2019 | OR | SB 256 | Prohibits Oil and Gas Exploration In Coastal Waters | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6) |
| Feb. 14, 2019 | NH | SB 1 | Establishes Paid Family and Medical Leave | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 10) |
| Feb. 14, 2019 | NH | SB 142 | Requires Public Schools Provide Menstrual Products | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 6) |
| Feb. 12, 2019 | MT | SB 100 | Requires Abortion Providers Offer Patients an Ultrasound | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19) |
| Feb. 12, 2019 | National | S 47 | Natural Resources Management Act | Bill Passed - Senate (92 - 8) |
| Feb. 7, 2019 | AR | SB 149 | Establishes The Arkansas Human Life Protection Act | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6) |
| Feb. 4, 2019 | UT | SB 96 | Expands Medicaid Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7) |
| Jan. 31, 2019 | NJ | S 1784 | Expands State Medicaid Program to Include Doula Maternity Care Coverage | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 6) |
| Jan. 22, 2019 | NY | S 240 | Authorizes Comprehensive Abortion Coverage | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 24) |
| Jan. 11, 2019 | KY | SB 50 | Requires Reporting of Abortion Drugs | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 6) |
| Dec. 5, 2018 | MI | SB 1197 | Establishes Mackinac Straits Corridor Authority | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
| Oct. 29, 2018 | NJ | S 678 | Prohibits Disposal of Fracking Waste | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5) |
| Oct. 17, 2018 | PA | HB 1822 | Establishes Certification Process for Schools to Become Certified Suicide Prevention Institutions of Higher Education | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - None) |
| Oct. 17, 2018 | PA | HB 2138 | Establishes Medicaid Work Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19) |
| Sept. 17, 2018 | National | HR 6 | Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018 | Bill Passed - Senate (99 - 1) |
| Sept. 17, 2018 | National | HR 6 | Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018 | Bill Passed - Senate (99 - 1) |
| Sept. 17, 2018 | National | S 2554 | Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act | Bill Passed - Senate (98 - 2) |
| Aug. 23, 2018 | National | S Amdt 3967 | Senator Rand Paul's Amendment to H.R. 6157 | Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 48) |
| Aug. 23, 2018 | National | S Amdt 3967 | Senator Rand Paul's Amendment to H.R. 6157 | Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 48) |
| Aug. 21, 2018 | CA | SB 1192 | Requires Beverages Included in Kids' Meals to be Milk or Water | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 9) |
| Aug. 21, 2018 | CA | SB 1192 | Requires Beverages Included in Kids' Meals to be Milk or Water | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 9) |
| Aug. 1, 2018 | National | HR 6147 | Interior, Environment, Financial Services, and General Government Appropriations Act, 2019 | Bill Passed - Senate (92 - 6) |
| July 31, 2018 | MA | H 4857 | Increases State Clean Energy Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0) |
| July 30, 2018 | MA | H 4835 | Authorizes Funds for Climate Change Adaptation and Environmental Protection | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 0) |
| July 12, 2018 | MA | S 2595 | Establishes Commission to Study Lead in Drinking Water at Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0) |
| July 1, 2018 | NJ | S 1612 | Requires Minimum Nurse Aide-to-Resident Ratio | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
| June 28, 2018 | CA | AB 1838 | Prohibits Local Grocery Taxes | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7) |
| June 28, 2018 | MA | H 4479 | Increases Minimum Purchase Age for Tobacco Products | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3) |
| June 28, 2018 | DE | HB 425 | Prohibits Pharmaceutical "Gag Clauses" | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 0) |
| June 27, 2018 | DE | HB 165 | Authorizes Shipment of Wine from Out-of-State Sellers | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10) |
| June 25, 2018 | NJ | A 4249 | Increases the Use of Hospital Admission Fees | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| June 25, 2018 | NJ | A 542 | Requires Schools Maintain a Supply of Opioid Antidotes | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0) |
| June 21, 2018 | RI | H 7715 | Classifies Delivery a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death as a Crime | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
| June 12, 2018 | MI | SB 542 | Establishes Pesticide Notification Registry | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 12) |
| June 12, 2018 | MI | SB 542 | Establishes Pesticide Notification Registry | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 12) |
| June 12, 2018 | MI | SB 653 | Establishes a New Environmental Rules Committee | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| June 12, 2018 | MI | SB 654 | Establishes an Environmental Science Review Board | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| June 12, 2018 | MI | SB 652 | Establishes 11-Member Stakeholder Committee to Review and Amend Environmental Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate |
| June 12, 2018 | MI | HB 5901 | Extends Funding for Statewide Trauma System | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13) |
| May 31, 2018 | CA | SB 1138 | Requires Prisons to Provide Vegan Meal Options | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0) |
| May 30, 2018 | CA | SB 905 | Authorizes Alcohol Sales Until 4 AM | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
| May 29, 2018 | CA | SB 836 | Prohibits Smoking on State Beaches | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |