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
Sept. 2, 2020 MO HB 2 Amends the Admissibility of Certain Witness Statements Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA AB 3070 Prohibits the Use of Peremptory Challenge to Remove a Prospective Juror on the Basis of Race, Ethnicity, Gender, Sexual Orientation, or Religious Affiliation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 17)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA AB 1869 Repeals Certain Judicial Fees Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 17)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA SB 592 Expands Appropriate Juror Selection Source Lists to Include Resident State Tax Filers Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA AB 1869 Repeals Certain Judicial Fees Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA AB 3070 Prohibits the Use of Peremptory Challenge to Remove a Prospective Juror on the Basis of Race, Ethnicity, Gender, Sexual Orientation, or Religious Affiliation Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA AB 3234 Authorizes Judges to Offer Misdemeanor Diversion Programs to Certain Defendants Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
Aug. 30, 2020 CA AB 2147 Authorizes Certain Defendants that Participate in the California Conversation Camp Program to File Petitions for Relief Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 12)
Aug. 30, 2020 CA SB 592 Expands Appropriate Juror Selection Source Lists to Include Resident State Tax Filers Bill Passed - House (59 - 12)
Aug. 26, 2020 ID H 6 Establishes Liability Protections for Businesses, Schools, and Cities during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
Aug. 26, 2020 VA SB 5032 Repeals the 6-Month Mandatory Minimum Requirement for Assaulting Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
Aug. 26, 2020 ID H 6 Establishes Liability Protections for Businesses, Schools, and Cities during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - House (54 - 15)
Aug. 24, 2020 CA AB 3234 Authorizes Judges to Offer Misdemeanor Diversion Programs to Certain Defendants Bill Passed - House (43 - 26)
Aug. 5, 2020 NV SB 4 Establishes Liability Protections for Businesses during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - House (31 - 10)
Aug. 5, 2020 NV SB 4 Establishes Liability Protections for Businesses during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
Aug. 2, 2020 NV SB 1 Authorizes Courts to Grant a Stay on Certain Evictions Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 3)
July 30, 2020 NJ A 1076 Requires Attorney General to Collect and Report Prosecutorial and Criminal Justice Data Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
July 29, 2020 CT HB 6004 Establishes Independent Inspector General to Investigate Police Shootings and Illegal Uses of Force Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
July 24, 2020 CT HB 6004 Establishes Independent Inspector General to Investigate Police Shootings and Illegal Uses of Force Bill Passed - House (86 - 58)
July 23, 2020 MI SB 899 Extends Certain Immunities and Liabilities to Healthcare Providers and Facilities Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
July 22, 2020 MI SB 899 Extends Certain Immunities and Liabilities to Healthcare Providers and Facilities Bill Passed - House (56 - 51)
July 22, 2020 NY A 5045 Amends Criminal Procedure Laws to Waive Certain Surcharges and Fees for Defendants Under the Age of 21 Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 19)
July 21, 2020 NY A 5630 Amends Various Power of Attorney Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (95 - 47)
July 21, 2020 NY A 5630 Amends Various Power of Attorney Laws Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 17)
July 21, 2020 NY A 5991 Amends Civil Rights Law in Relation to "Frivolous" Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (116 - 26)
July 20, 2020 NY A 5045 Amends Criminal Procedure Laws to Waive Certain Surcharges and Fees for Defendants Under the Age of 21 Bill Passed - House (97 - 44)
July 15, 2020 PA HB 196 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Elect Appellate Court Judges by Regional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
July 15, 2020 PA SB 14 Establishes New Guidelines to Reduce Probation Sentences Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
June 30, 2020 LA HB 57 Amends Jury Trial and Seatbelt Lawsuit Requirements Conference Report Adopted - House (86 - 15)
June 26, 2020 GA SB 402 Prohibits the Use of "Unsecured Judicial Release" Bill Passed - House (99 - 68)
June 26, 2020 OR SB 1604 Amends Law Enforcement Arbitration Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 0)
June 24, 2020 GA SB 288 Authorizes Record Restriction for Certain Misdemeanor and Conditional Discharges Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
June 18, 2020 GA HB 545 Reduces Statute of Limitations for Certain Nuisance Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
June 16, 2020 NC HB 511 Authorizes Shorter Sentences for Nonviolent Drug Offenders Conference Report Adopted - Senate (48 - 0)
June 16, 2020 NC SB 562 Repeals Dismissed Charges and Nonviolent Misdemeanors & Convictions Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
June 12, 2020 CO SB 20-181 Amends Incompetent-to-Proceed Process for Mentally Ill Defendants Bill Passed - House (41 - 24)
June 11, 2020 CA AB 3262 Requires Electronic Marketplaces Be Held Liable for Defective Products Bill Passed - House (54 - 14)
June 10, 2020 OH HB 61 Authorizes Oral, Written, Electronic, or Telephonic Consent for Contact Tracing of Infectious Diseases Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
June 5, 2020 CO SB 20-181 Amends Incompetent-to-Proceed Process for Mentally Ill Defendants Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
June 3, 2020 OH SB 308 Establishes Legal Protection to Small Businesses and Healthcare Providers during COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
May 31, 2020 LA SB 508 Limits Liability of Restaurants During the COVID-19 Epidemic Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
May 28, 2020 LA SB 270 Increases Daily Compensation Paid to Jurors in Civil Cases Bill Passed - House (66 - 32)
May 20, 2020 LA SB 440 Limits Environmental Lawsuits Against Oil and Gas Companies Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
May 14, 2020 OK SB 1947 Exempts from Product Liability Individuals that Manufacture and Supply Personal Protective Equipment or Medications Used for COVID-19 Treatment Bill Passed - House (82 - 15)
May 14, 2020 MN HF 4605 Authorizes Electronic Submission of Documents and Signatures during Public Health Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (67 - 0)
May 13, 2020 OK HB 2877 Increases the Role of Victim Impact Panels to Prevent Future OWI Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
May 12, 2020 MO SB 591 Limits Punitive Damage Payouts Bill Passed - House (98 - 51)
April 23, 2020 UT SB 3007 Establishes Immunity from COVID-19 Injury Litigation to Businesses after Reopening Bill Passed - House (54 - 21)
April 23, 2020 UT SB 3007 Establishes Immunity from COVID-19 Injury Litigation to Businesses after Reopening Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
April 17, 2020 UT SB 3002 Establishes Legal Immunity to Doctors who Prescribe Experimental Medications to COVID-19 Patients Bill Passed - House (65 - 7)
April 10, 2020 VT S 114 Establishes Emergency Judicial Response Standards during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
March 17, 2020 KS SB 102 Expands Flexibility in Courts Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
March 11, 2020 MS SB 2459 Establishes Legal Definition for Criminal Gang Activity Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 15)
March 11, 2020 OK HB 3165 Amends Criminal Law to Shift Burden of Proof from Defendant to Prosecution Bill Passed - House (73 - 23)
March 7, 2020 WV HB 2419 Authorizes Release of Certain Individuals Without Bail Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 21)
March 6, 2020 WV SB 275 Establishes an Intermediate Court of Appeals Bill Failed - House (44 - 56)
March 5, 2020 CO SB 20-83 Prohibits Civil Arrests on Courthouse Grounds Bill Passed - House (40 - 24)
March 3, 2020 WA SB 6268 Prohibits Meritless Litigation Against Domestic Abuse Victims Bill Passed - House (90 - 6)
March 2, 2020 MO SB 591 Limits Punitive Damage Payouts Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
Feb. 20, 2020 SD HB 1133 Establishes a Rebuttable Presumption in Favor of Joint Custody of a Minor Bill Passed - House (41 - 25)
Feb. 10, 2020 WV SB 275 Establishes an Intermediate Court of Appeals Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
Feb. 7, 2020 WV HB 4585 Establishes Criminal Immunity for "Good Faith" Child Abuse or Neglect Reporting Bill Passed - House (69 - 29)
Feb. 4, 2020 CO SB 20-83 Prohibits Civil Arrests on Courthouse Grounds Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
Jan. 15, 2020 WV HB 3039 Increases Court Discretion When Determining Child Custody Bill Passed - House (87 - 11)
Dec. 18, 2019 PA HB 196 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Elect Appellate Court Judges by Regional Districts Bill Passed - House (102 - 95)
Nov. 25, 2019 NJ A 1796 Prohibits a "Gay Panic" Legal Defense Bill Passed - House (74 - 0)
Sept. 5, 2019 CA AB 51 Prohibits Forced Employment Arbitration Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
June 19, 2019 National PN 233 Nomination of Matthew Kacsmaryk to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Texas (52 - 46)
June 10, 2019 ME LD 1529 Prohibits Employers from Requiring Employees Sign Nondisclosure Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
June 1, 2019 IL HB 2625 Requires Subcircuit Judicial Boundary Lines be Redrawn Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 46)
May 30, 2019 IL SB 1609 Authorizes Incarcerated Persons on Bailable Offenses to Receive a Credit Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 19)
May 28, 2019 IL SB 1609 Authorizes Incarcerated Persons on Bailable Offenses to Receive a Credit Bill Passed - House (62 - 52)
May 23, 2019 IL HB 2625 Requires Subcircuit Judicial Boundary Lines be Redrawn Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 19)
May 22, 2019 CA AB 51 Prohibits Forced Employment Arbitration Agreements Bill Passed - House (47 - 20)
May 21, 2019 NY S 4572 Establishes Parameters for Exemptions to Presidential Pardons Bill Passed - House (91 - 54)
Date No. Title Outcome
9/02 HB 2 Amends the Admissibility of Certain Witness Statements Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
8/31 AB 3070 Prohibits the Use of Peremptory Challenge to Remove a Prospective Juror on the Basis of Race, Ethnicity, Gender, Sexual Orientation, or Religious Affiliation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 17)
8/31 AB 1869 Repeals Certain Judicial Fees Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 17)
8/31 SB 592 Expands Appropriate Juror Selection Source Lists to Include Resident State Tax Filers Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
8/31 AB 1869 Repeals Certain Judicial Fees Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
8/31 AB 3070 Prohibits the Use of Peremptory Challenge to Remove a Prospective Juror on the Basis of Race, Ethnicity, Gender, Sexual Orientation, or Religious Affiliation Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
8/31 AB 3234 Authorizes Judges to Offer Misdemeanor Diversion Programs to Certain Defendants Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
8/30 AB 2147 Authorizes Certain Defendants that Participate in the California Conversation Camp Program to File Petitions for Relief Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 12)
8/30 SB 592 Expands Appropriate Juror Selection Source Lists to Include Resident State Tax Filers Bill Passed - House (59 - 12)
8/26 H 6 Establishes Liability Protections for Businesses, Schools, and Cities during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
8/26 SB 5032 Repeals the 6-Month Mandatory Minimum Requirement for Assaulting Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
8/26 H 6 Establishes Liability Protections for Businesses, Schools, and Cities during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - House (54 - 15)
8/24 AB 3234 Authorizes Judges to Offer Misdemeanor Diversion Programs to Certain Defendants Bill Passed - House (43 - 26)
8/05 SB 4 Establishes Liability Protections for Businesses during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - House (31 - 10)
8/05 SB 4 Establishes Liability Protections for Businesses during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
8/02 SB 1 Authorizes Courts to Grant a Stay on Certain Evictions Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 3)
7/30 A 1076 Requires Attorney General to Collect and Report Prosecutorial and Criminal Justice Data Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
7/29 HB 6004 Establishes Independent Inspector General to Investigate Police Shootings and Illegal Uses of Force Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
7/24 HB 6004 Establishes Independent Inspector General to Investigate Police Shootings and Illegal Uses of Force Bill Passed - House (86 - 58)
7/23 SB 899 Extends Certain Immunities and Liabilities to Healthcare Providers and Facilities Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
7/22 SB 899 Extends Certain Immunities and Liabilities to Healthcare Providers and Facilities Bill Passed - House (56 - 51)
7/22 A 5045 Amends Criminal Procedure Laws to Waive Certain Surcharges and Fees for Defendants Under the Age of 21 Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 19)
7/21 A 5630 Amends Various Power of Attorney Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (95 - 47)
7/21 A 5630 Amends Various Power of Attorney Laws Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 17)
7/21 A 5991 Amends Civil Rights Law in Relation to "Frivolous" Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (116 - 26)
7/20 A 5045 Amends Criminal Procedure Laws to Waive Certain Surcharges and Fees for Defendants Under the Age of 21 Bill Passed - House (97 - 44)
7/15 HB 196 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Elect Appellate Court Judges by Regional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
7/15 SB 14 Establishes New Guidelines to Reduce Probation Sentences Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
6/30 HB 57 Amends Jury Trial and Seatbelt Lawsuit Requirements Conference Report Adopted - House (86 - 15)
6/26 SB 402 Prohibits the Use of "Unsecured Judicial Release" Bill Passed - House (99 - 68)
6/26 SB 1604 Amends Law Enforcement Arbitration Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 0)
6/24 SB 288 Authorizes Record Restriction for Certain Misdemeanor and Conditional Discharges Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
6/18 HB 545 Reduces Statute of Limitations for Certain Nuisance Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
6/16 HB 511 Authorizes Shorter Sentences for Nonviolent Drug Offenders Conference Report Adopted - Senate (48 - 0)
6/16 SB 562 Repeals Dismissed Charges and Nonviolent Misdemeanors & Convictions Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
6/12 SB 20-181 Amends Incompetent-to-Proceed Process for Mentally Ill Defendants Bill Passed - House (41 - 24)
6/11 AB 3262 Requires Electronic Marketplaces Be Held Liable for Defective Products Bill Passed - House (54 - 14)
6/10 HB 61 Authorizes Oral, Written, Electronic, or Telephonic Consent for Contact Tracing of Infectious Diseases Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
6/05 SB 20-181 Amends Incompetent-to-Proceed Process for Mentally Ill Defendants Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
6/03 SB 308 Establishes Legal Protection to Small Businesses and Healthcare Providers during COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
5/31 SB 508 Limits Liability of Restaurants During the COVID-19 Epidemic Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
5/28 SB 270 Increases Daily Compensation Paid to Jurors in Civil Cases Bill Passed - House (66 - 32)
5/20 SB 440 Limits Environmental Lawsuits Against Oil and Gas Companies Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
5/14 SB 1947 Exempts from Product Liability Individuals that Manufacture and Supply Personal Protective Equipment or Medications Used for COVID-19 Treatment Bill Passed - House (82 - 15)
5/14 HF 4605 Authorizes Electronic Submission of Documents and Signatures during Public Health Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (67 - 0)
5/13 HB 2877 Increases the Role of Victim Impact Panels to Prevent Future OWI Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
5/12 SB 591 Limits Punitive Damage Payouts Bill Passed - House (98 - 51)
4/23 SB 3007 Establishes Immunity from COVID-19 Injury Litigation to Businesses after Reopening Bill Passed - House (54 - 21)
4/23 SB 3007 Establishes Immunity from COVID-19 Injury Litigation to Businesses after Reopening Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
4/17 SB 3002 Establishes Legal Immunity to Doctors who Prescribe Experimental Medications to COVID-19 Patients Bill Passed - House (65 - 7)
4/10 S 114 Establishes Emergency Judicial Response Standards during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
3/17 SB 102 Expands Flexibility in Courts Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
3/11 SB 2459 Establishes Legal Definition for Criminal Gang Activity Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 15)
3/11 HB 3165 Amends Criminal Law to Shift Burden of Proof from Defendant to Prosecution Bill Passed - House (73 - 23)
3/07 HB 2419 Authorizes Release of Certain Individuals Without Bail Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 21)
3/06 SB 275 Establishes an Intermediate Court of Appeals Bill Failed - House (44 - 56)
3/05 SB 20-83 Prohibits Civil Arrests on Courthouse Grounds Bill Passed - House (40 - 24)
3/03 SB 6268 Prohibits Meritless Litigation Against Domestic Abuse Victims Bill Passed - House (90 - 6)
3/02 SB 591 Limits Punitive Damage Payouts Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
2/20 HB 1133 Establishes a Rebuttable Presumption in Favor of Joint Custody of a Minor Bill Passed - House (41 - 25)
2/10 SB 275 Establishes an Intermediate Court of Appeals Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
2/07 HB 4585 Establishes Criminal Immunity for "Good Faith" Child Abuse or Neglect Reporting Bill Passed - House (69 - 29)
2/04 SB 20-83 Prohibits Civil Arrests on Courthouse Grounds Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
1/15 HB 3039 Increases Court Discretion When Determining Child Custody Bill Passed - House (87 - 11)
12/18 HB 196 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Elect Appellate Court Judges by Regional Districts Bill Passed - House (102 - 95)
11/25 A 1796 Prohibits a "Gay Panic" Legal Defense Bill Passed - House (74 - 0)
9/05 AB 51 Prohibits Forced Employment Arbitration Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
6/19 PN 233 Nomination of Matthew Kacsmaryk to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Texas (52 - 46)
6/10 LD 1529 Prohibits Employers from Requiring Employees Sign Nondisclosure Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
6/01 HB 2625 Requires Subcircuit Judicial Boundary Lines be Redrawn Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 46)
5/30 SB 1609 Authorizes Incarcerated Persons on Bailable Offenses to Receive a Credit Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 19)
5/28 SB 1609 Authorizes Incarcerated Persons on Bailable Offenses to Receive a Credit Bill Passed - House (62 - 52)
5/23 HB 2625 Requires Subcircuit Judicial Boundary Lines be Redrawn Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 19)
5/22 AB 51 Prohibits Forced Employment Arbitration Agreements Bill Passed - House (47 - 20)
5/21 S 4572 Establishes Parameters for Exemptions to Presidential Pardons Bill Passed - House (91 - 54)

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