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
March 3, 2021 NM SB 93 Establishes the Office of Broadband Access and Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 6)
March 1, 2021 CT HB 6514 Establishes Tax Breaks for Data Centers Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
Feb. 22, 2021 IN SB 353 Requires Presenting Valid Identification to Request an Absentee Ballot Online Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
Feb. 19, 2021 VA SB 1392 Establishes a Framework for Controlling and Processing Personal Health Data Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
Feb. 19, 2021 VA HB 1810 Authorizes the Governor to Order the Online Voter Registration System be Made Available After Close of Registration if a System Error Occurs Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 4)
Feb. 18, 2021 NM SB 144 Amends the Definition of Remote Education Technology Infrastructure Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
Feb. 2, 2021 IN SB 2 Amends the Definition of What Constitutes "Virtual Instruction" Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
Jan. 29, 2021 VA SB 1413 Increases Broadband by Allowing Deals with the State Corporation Commission Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
Oct. 21, 2020 PA HB 2438 Authorizes Rural Electric Cooperatives to Use Existing Infrastructure for High-Speed Internet Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
Oct. 21, 2020 PA SB 1112 Repeals Certain Existing Telecommunications Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
Oct. 20, 2020 PA SB 1199 Specifies Provisions for Personal Delivery Devices Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
Sept. 23, 2020 SC H 3780 Expands Internet Access to Rural Communities Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Sept. 10, 2020 MI SB 892 Authorizes Deliveries by Semi-Autonomous Delivery Devices Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
June 26, 2020 OR SB 1603 Extends a Cell Phone Tax to Pay for Public Broadband Projects Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 10)
June 24, 2020 MS SB 3046 Establishes COVID-19 Broadband Grant Programs Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 2)
May 26, 2020 LA HB 722 Specifies that Electronic Signatures Used in Transactions with Financial Institutions are Enforceable to the Full Extent of the Law Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
May 13, 2020 LA SB 50 Prohibits Handheld Cell Phone Use While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
March 19, 2020 TN SJR 836 Increases the 911 Surcharge to $1.50 Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8)
March 4, 2020 SD HB 1169 Prohibits Use of Certain Electronic Devices While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
March 4, 2020 OH SB 260 Prohibits the Use of Telemedicine for Medication Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
Feb. 26, 2020 IA SF 2272 Establishes Computer Verification System for Public Assistance Programs Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
Feb. 19, 2020 WA SB 6280 Establishes Regulations for Facial-Recognition Technology Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
Oct. 30, 2019 NC HB 398 Appropriates State Funding for a Cybersecurity Development Initiative Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
Sept. 11, 2019 CA AB 1215 Prohibits Facial Recognition in Police Body-Cams Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
June 5, 2019 WI SB 239 Limits Local Regulations of 5G Technology Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
May 23, 2019 IL HB 3606 Authorizes Parental Privacy Rights for Student Data Collection Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 17)
May 21, 2019 IL HB 245 Authorizes Local Governments to Regulate the Use of Robotic Personal Carrying Devices Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 6)
April 30, 2019 TN HB 164 Prohibits Cell Phone Use While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
April 12, 2019 MN HF 50 Prohibits Cell Phone Use While Driving Conference Report Adopted - Senate (48 - 12)
March 12, 2019 UT HB 57 Requires Search Warrants for Electronic Information Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 0)
Feb. 15, 2019 WY HB 74 Establishes Special Purpose Depository Institutions to Serve Blockchain Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
July 19, 2018 MA S 2610 Establishes State-Level Net Neutrality Policy Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
June 28, 2018 CA AB 375 Establishes Consumer Privacy Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
May 30, 2018 CA SB 822 Establishes State Level Net Neutrality Policy Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
May 16, 2018 OH SB 220 Limits Data Breach Liability in Certain Circumstances Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
May 16, 2018 National S J Res 52 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission relating to "Restoring Internet Freedom" Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 47)
May 9, 2018 CT HB 5170 Authorizes Schools to Search Student Cell Phones Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
April 12, 2018 NJ S 122 Authorizes Tax Credits for Film Production Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
April 7, 2018 KS HB 2028 Establishes the Kansas Telemedicine Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 14)
March 21, 2018 National HR 1865 Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2)
March 1, 2018 OR HB 4155 Establishes State Net Neutrality Policy Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
Feb. 27, 2018 WA HB 2282 Establishes State Net Neutrality Policy Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
May 9, 2017 AZ SB 1384 Prohibits Censorship of Student Media Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 0)
April 20, 2017 WA SB 5289 Prohibits Cell-Phone Use on Highways Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
April 11, 2017 WA HB 1493 Regulates Commercial Use of Biometric Data Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
April 7, 2017 WA HB 1595 Establishes Fees for Printed and Digital Copies of Public Records Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 4)
March 23, 2017 National S J Res 34 Providing for congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission relating to Protecting the Privacy of Customers of Broadband and other Telecommunications Services Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (50 - 48)
Aug. 31, 2016 CA AB 1671 Prohibits Unauthorized Disclosure of Confidential Communications with Healthcare Providers Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
Aug. 17, 2016 CA AB 1785 Prohibits Use of Handheld Electronic Devices While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
Aug. 15, 2016 CA AB 1687 Requires Entertainment Database Websites to Remove Actor's Age Upon Request Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
May 21, 2016 MN SF 498 Amends Police Body Camera Regulations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 17)
Feb. 9, 2016 WI SB 295 Authorizes Voters to Register Online Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
Oct. 27, 2015 National S 754 Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA) of 2015 Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 21)
Oct. 22, 2015 National S Amdt 2564 Prohibits Liability Immunity for Corporations that Break User Agreements Amendment Rejected - Senate (32 - 65)
June 2, 2015 National HR 2048 Uniting and Strengthening America by Fulfilling Rights and Ensuring Effective Discipline Over Monitoring (USA FREEDOM) Act of 2015 Bill Passed - Senate (67 - 32)
May 7, 2015 MN SF 86 Amends Procedures for Data Collected by Police Surveillance Equipment Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 19)
April 23, 2015 TX SB 158 Authorizes Grants for Body-Worn Cameras to Certain Law Enforcement Agencies Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
April 2, 2015 ND HB 1328 Prohibits the Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Without a Warrant Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
March 12, 2015 ID S 1108 Authorizes Testing Autonomous Driven Vehicles Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
Dec. 11, 2014 OH SB 342 Prohibits Use of Traffic Cameras to Issue Tickets Unless Officer is Present Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
Nov. 19, 2014 OH SB 342 Prohibits Use of Traffic Cameras to Issue Tickets unless an Officer is Present Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
Nov. 18, 2014 National S 2685 USA FREEDOM Act of 2014 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (58 - 42)
Aug. 26, 2014 CA AB 1327 Limits the Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
May 9, 2014 MN SF 1740 Requires a "Kill Switch" on a Cell Phone Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (44 - 19)
May 8, 2014 CA SB 962 Requires Smartphones to Include a Kill Switch Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
April 30, 2014 NY A 9206 Authorizes Traffic Cameras on Long Island Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 11)
April 30, 2014 CO HB 1269 Requires Certain Retailers to Collect Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
April 29, 2014 MN HF 2096 Authorizes Online Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 24)
April 24, 2014 CA SB 962 Requires Smartphones to Include a Kill Switch Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 17)
April 22, 2014 LA SB 330 Prohibits Individuals from Using an Unmanned Aircraft to Capture Certain Images or Wireless Data Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
April 21, 2014 LA SB 330 Prohibits Individuals from Using an Unmanned Aircraft to Capture Certain Images or Wireless Data Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 21)
March 28, 2014 KY HB 222 Prohibits Recording of Agricultural Operations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
March 18, 2014 IA SF 2318 Amends School Harassment and Bullying Policies Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 19)
March 13, 2014 SD HB 1177 Prohibits Texting While Driving on a Highway Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 7)
March 10, 2014 UT SB 253 Prohibits Texting While Driving on a Highway Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 8)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/03 SB 93 Establishes the Office of Broadband Access and Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 6)
3/01 HB 6514 Establishes Tax Breaks for Data Centers Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
2/22 SB 353 Requires Presenting Valid Identification to Request an Absentee Ballot Online Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
2/19 SB 1392 Establishes a Framework for Controlling and Processing Personal Health Data Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
2/19 HB 1810 Authorizes the Governor to Order the Online Voter Registration System be Made Available After Close of Registration if a System Error Occurs Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 4)
2/18 SB 144 Amends the Definition of Remote Education Technology Infrastructure Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
2/02 SB 2 Amends the Definition of What Constitutes "Virtual Instruction" Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
1/29 SB 1413 Increases Broadband by Allowing Deals with the State Corporation Commission Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
10/21 HB 2438 Authorizes Rural Electric Cooperatives to Use Existing Infrastructure for High-Speed Internet Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
10/21 SB 1112 Repeals Certain Existing Telecommunications Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
10/20 SB 1199 Specifies Provisions for Personal Delivery Devices Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
9/23 H 3780 Expands Internet Access to Rural Communities Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
9/10 SB 892 Authorizes Deliveries by Semi-Autonomous Delivery Devices Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
6/26 SB 1603 Extends a Cell Phone Tax to Pay for Public Broadband Projects Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 10)
6/24 SB 3046 Establishes COVID-19 Broadband Grant Programs Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 2)
5/26 HB 722 Specifies that Electronic Signatures Used in Transactions with Financial Institutions are Enforceable to the Full Extent of the Law Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
5/13 SB 50 Prohibits Handheld Cell Phone Use While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
3/19 SJR 836 Increases the 911 Surcharge to $1.50 Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8)
3/04 HB 1169 Prohibits Use of Certain Electronic Devices While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
3/04 SB 260 Prohibits the Use of Telemedicine for Medication Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
2/26 SF 2272 Establishes Computer Verification System for Public Assistance Programs Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
2/19 SB 6280 Establishes Regulations for Facial-Recognition Technology Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
10/30 HB 398 Appropriates State Funding for a Cybersecurity Development Initiative Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
9/11 AB 1215 Prohibits Facial Recognition in Police Body-Cams Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
6/05 SB 239 Limits Local Regulations of 5G Technology Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
5/23 HB 3606 Authorizes Parental Privacy Rights for Student Data Collection Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 17)
5/21 HB 245 Authorizes Local Governments to Regulate the Use of Robotic Personal Carrying Devices Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 6)
4/30 HB 164 Prohibits Cell Phone Use While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
4/12 HF 50 Prohibits Cell Phone Use While Driving Conference Report Adopted - Senate (48 - 12)
3/12 HB 57 Requires Search Warrants for Electronic Information Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 0)
2/15 HB 74 Establishes Special Purpose Depository Institutions to Serve Blockchain Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
7/19 S 2610 Establishes State-Level Net Neutrality Policy Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
6/28 AB 375 Establishes Consumer Privacy Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
5/30 SB 822 Establishes State Level Net Neutrality Policy Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
5/16 SB 220 Limits Data Breach Liability in Certain Circumstances Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
5/16 S J Res 52 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission relating to "Restoring Internet Freedom" Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 47)
5/09 HB 5170 Authorizes Schools to Search Student Cell Phones Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
4/12 S 122 Authorizes Tax Credits for Film Production Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
4/07 HB 2028 Establishes the Kansas Telemedicine Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 14)
3/21 HR 1865 Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2)
3/01 HB 4155 Establishes State Net Neutrality Policy Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
2/27 HB 2282 Establishes State Net Neutrality Policy Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
5/09 SB 1384 Prohibits Censorship of Student Media Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 0)
4/20 SB 5289 Prohibits Cell-Phone Use on Highways Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
4/11 HB 1493 Regulates Commercial Use of Biometric Data Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
4/07 HB 1595 Establishes Fees for Printed and Digital Copies of Public Records Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 4)
3/23 S J Res 34 Providing for congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission relating to Protecting the Privacy of Customers of Broadband and other Telecommunications Services Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (50 - 48)
8/31 AB 1671 Prohibits Unauthorized Disclosure of Confidential Communications with Healthcare Providers Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
8/17 AB 1785 Prohibits Use of Handheld Electronic Devices While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
8/15 AB 1687 Requires Entertainment Database Websites to Remove Actor's Age Upon Request Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
5/21 SF 498 Amends Police Body Camera Regulations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 17)
2/09 SB 295 Authorizes Voters to Register Online Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
10/27 S 754 Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA) of 2015 Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 21)
10/22 S Amdt 2564 Prohibits Liability Immunity for Corporations that Break User Agreements Amendment Rejected - Senate (32 - 65)
6/02 HR 2048 Uniting and Strengthening America by Fulfilling Rights and Ensuring Effective Discipline Over Monitoring (USA FREEDOM) Act of 2015 Bill Passed - Senate (67 - 32)
5/07 SF 86 Amends Procedures for Data Collected by Police Surveillance Equipment Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 19)
4/23 SB 158 Authorizes Grants for Body-Worn Cameras to Certain Law Enforcement Agencies Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
4/02 HB 1328 Prohibits the Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Without a Warrant Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
3/12 S 1108 Authorizes Testing Autonomous Driven Vehicles Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
12/11 SB 342 Prohibits Use of Traffic Cameras to Issue Tickets Unless Officer is Present Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
11/19 SB 342 Prohibits Use of Traffic Cameras to Issue Tickets unless an Officer is Present Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
11/18 S 2685 USA FREEDOM Act of 2014 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (58 - 42)
8/26 AB 1327 Limits the Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
5/09 SF 1740 Requires a "Kill Switch" on a Cell Phone Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (44 - 19)
5/08 SB 962 Requires Smartphones to Include a Kill Switch Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
4/30 A 9206 Authorizes Traffic Cameras on Long Island Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 11)
4/30 HB 1269 Requires Certain Retailers to Collect Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
4/29 HF 2096 Authorizes Online Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 24)
4/24 SB 962 Requires Smartphones to Include a Kill Switch Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 17)
4/22 SB 330 Prohibits Individuals from Using an Unmanned Aircraft to Capture Certain Images or Wireless Data Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
4/21 SB 330 Prohibits Individuals from Using an Unmanned Aircraft to Capture Certain Images or Wireless Data Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 21)
3/28 HB 222 Prohibits Recording of Agricultural Operations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
3/18 SF 2318 Amends School Harassment and Bullying Policies Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 19)
3/13 HB 1177 Prohibits Texting While Driving on a Highway Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 7)
3/10 SB 253 Prohibits Texting While Driving on a Highway Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 8)

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