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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 22, 2020 | MI | SB 899 | Extends Certain Immunities and Liabilities to Healthcare Providers and Facilities | Bill Passed - House (56 - 51) |
| July 21, 2020 | NY | A 5630 | Amends Various Power of Attorney Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (95 - 47) |
| 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) |
| 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 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) |
| May 28, 2020 | LA | SB 270 | Increases Daily Compensation Paid to Jurors in Civil Cases | Bill Passed - House (66 - 32) |
| 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 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 17, 2020 | UT | SB 3002 | Establishes Legal Immunity to Doctors who Prescribe Experimental Medications to COVID-19 Patients | Bill Passed - House (65 - 7) |
| 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) |
| Feb. 20, 2020 | SD | HB 1133 | Establishes a Rebuttable Presumption in Favor of Joint Custody of a Minor | Bill Passed - House (41 - 25) |
| Feb. 7, 2020 | WV | HB 4585 | Establishes Criminal Immunity for "Good Faith" Child Abuse or Neglect Reporting | Bill Passed - House (69 - 29) |
| 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) |
| June 1, 2019 | IL | HB 2625 | Requires Subcircuit Judicial Boundary Lines be Redrawn | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 46) |
| May 28, 2019 | IL | SB 1609 | Authorizes Incarcerated Persons on Bailable Offenses to Receive a Credit | Bill Passed - House (62 - 52) |
| 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) |
| May 21, 2019 | OK | HB 2751 | Authorizes Settlement Monies be Allocated to State Treasury | Bill Passed - House (73 - 8) |
| May 9, 2019 | TX | HB 1739 | Prohibits Unfair Settlement Practice Regarding Motorist Insurance Coverage | Bill Passed - House (105 - 32) |
| April 27, 2019 | IA | SF 638 | Amends Judicial Commission Selection | Bill Passed - House (53 - 45) |
| April 23, 2019 | IA | SF 615 | Prohibits the Attorney General From Joining Out-Of-State Lawsuits | Bill Passed - House (54 - 45) |
| March 7, 2019 | GA | HB 545 | Reduces Statute of Limitations for Certain Nuisance Lawsuits | Bill Passed - House (107 - 58) |
| Feb. 20, 2019 | WA | HB 1074 | Increases the Smoking and Vaping Age to 21 | Bill Passed - House (66 - 30) |
| June 27, 2018 | NC | HB 717 | Amends Judicial Divisions | Veto Override Passed - House (74 - 45) |
| June 25, 2018 | PA | HB 1037 | Limits Punitive Damages in Certain Medical Lawsuits | Bill Failed - House (91 - 103) |
| June 7, 2018 | OH | HB 411 | Requires Compensation for Wrongfully Imprisoned Individuals | Bill Passed - House (77 - 11) |
| June 5, 2018 | NC | SB 757 | Requires Judicial Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (70 - 45) |
| May 23, 2018 | NC | SB 470 | Amends Asbestos Claim Filing Procedures | Bill Passed - House (78 - 30) |
| May 15, 2018 | LA | SB 389 | Amends Probation Regulations | Bill Passed - House (81 - 6) |
| May 15, 2018 | LA | SB 389 | Amends Probation Regulations | Bill Passed - House (81 - 6) |
| May 3, 2018 | OK | SB 1098 | Establishes the Criminal Justice Reclassification Coordination Council | Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 31) |
| April 26, 2018 | NH | SB 593 | Repeals Death Penalty | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (223 - 116) |
| April 23, 2018 | NY | A 3223 | Amends Penal Law for Victims of Human Trafficking | Bill Passed - House (131 - 0) |
| March 22, 2018 | KY | HB 198 | Limits Fees for Attorneys Contracting with State Agencies | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 36) |
| March 15, 2018 | MO | HB 1578 | Limits Circumstances Under Which Lawsuits May Be Joined | Bill Passed - House (104 - 47) |
| March 10, 2018 | WY | HB 168 | Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 11) |
| March 9, 2018 | ID | H 665 | Increases Penalties for Threats Against Schools | Bill Passed - House (52 - 12) |
| Feb. 20, 2018 | ID | H 419 | Prohibits Courts from Ruling Based on Foreign Law | Bill Passed - House (44 - 24) |
| Feb. 15, 2018 | KY | HB 198 | Limits Fees for Attorneys Contracting with State Agencies | Bill Passed - House (52 - 40) |
| Jan. 12, 2018 | FL | HB 6001 | Repeals Red Light Cameras | Bill Passed - House (83 - 18) |
| Oct. 17, 2017 | NC | S 656 | Prohibits Part Primaries for Certain 2018 Court Elections | Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 40) |
| June 29, 2017 | National | HR 3003 | No Sanctuary for Criminals Act | Bill Passed - House (228 - 195) |
| June 28, 2017 | National | HR 1215 | Protecting Access to Care Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (218 - 210) |
| June 1, 2017 | CA | AB 42 | Amends Money Bail Procedures | Bill Failed - House (35 - 37) |
| May 31, 2017 | IL | SB 639 | Authorizes Drug Crime Prosecutions Across State Lines | Bill Passed - House (105 - 2) |
| May 31, 2017 | IL | SB 1761 | Prohibits "Gay Panic" Defense | Bill Passed - House |
| May 29, 2017 | IL | SB 31 | Establishes the Illinois TRUST Act. | Bill Passed - House (62 - 49) |
| May 24, 2017 | MA | H 3034 | Limits the Use of Prison Labor | Bill Passed - House (120 - 35) |
| May 18, 2017 | NV | SB 176 | Requires Police Officers to Wear Body Cameras | Bill Passed - House (33 - 9) |
| May 1, 2017 | OR | HB 2597 | Increases Penalties for Distracted Driving | Bill Passed - House (46 - 13) |
| April 27, 2017 | NC | HB 330 | Limits Liability for Motorists Involved in Accidents with Protesters | Bill Passed - House (67 - 48) |
| April 26, 2017 | NC | H 239 | Reduces Court of Appeals Caseload | Veto Override Passed - House (73 - 44) |
| April 20, 2017 | WA | SB 5037 | Classifies 4th DUI as a Felony | Bill Passed - House (85 - 11) |
| April 13, 2017 | AZ | SB 1236 | Establishes Regulations for Statewide Initiatives and Referendum Petitions | Bill Passed - House (35 - 23) |
| April 11, 2017 | NC | H 239 | Reduces Court of Appeals Caseload | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 43) |
| April 10, 2017 | NC | H 467 | Limits Penalties for Agricultural Operations | Bill Passed - House (68 - 47) |
| April 4, 2017 | AL | SB 16 | Prohibits Judicial Override of Sentencing Decisions | Bill Passed - House (78 - 19) |
| April 4, 2017 | AL | SB 16 | Prohibits Judicial Override of Sentencing Decisions | Bill Passed - House (78 - 19) |
| March 23, 2017 | NJ | A 4243 | Requires "Whistleblower" Settlements to be Public Record | Bill Passed - House (73 - 0) |
| March 20, 2017 | IA | HF 539 | Reduces the Deadline to File Discrimination Lawsuits | Bill Passed - House (58 - 39) |
| March 16, 2017 | IA | HF 518 | Requires Certain Restrictions Regarding Worker's Compensation | Bill Passed - House (55 - 38) |
| March 10, 2017 | National | HR 720 | Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (230 - 188) |
| March 9, 2017 | National | HR 985 | Fairness in Class Action Litigation and Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (220 - 201) |
| March 8, 2017 | NC | H 100 | Restores Partisan Court Elections | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 43) |
| March 7, 2017 | WA | HB 1371 | Prohibits Texting While Driving | Bill Passed - House (52 - 45) |
| March 2, 2017 | ID | HB 202 | Amends Civil Asset Forfeiture Law | Bill Passed - House (58 - 10) |
| March 2, 2017 | UT | HB 259 | Authorizes the Discharge of Firearm for Self-Defense | Bill Passed - House (53 - 15) |
| Feb. 23, 2017 | UT | HB 99 | Amends Bigamy Laws | Bill Passed - House (48 - 25) |
| Feb. 6, 2017 | MS | HB 645 | Classifies Killing of First Responders as First-Degree Murder | Bill Passed - House (85 - 31) |
| Feb. 6, 2017 | ND | HB 1426 | Classifies Riots Involving More than 100 Individuals as a Class B Felony | Bill Passed - House (63 - 27) |
| Feb. 6, 2017 | ND | HB 1304 | Prohibits Wearing a Mask During the Commission of a Crime | Bill Passed - House (69 - 22) |
| Feb. 6, 2017 | ND | HB 1293 | Authorizes Law Enforcement to Issue Citations for Trespassing | Bill Passed - House (85 - 6) |
| Feb. 6, 2017 | ND | HB 1193 | Classifies Economic Harm as a Class C Felony | Bill Passed - House (72 - 19) |
| Sept. 28, 2016 | National | S 2040 | Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act | Veto Override Passed - House (348 - 77) |
| Aug. 31, 2016 | CA | SB 1241 | Amends Current Provisions of Labor Contracts | Bill Passed - House (54 - 21) |
| April 18, 2016 | TN | SJR 467 | Urges Attorney General to File Lawsuit in Relation to Refugee Resettlement Program | Bill Passed - House (69 - 25) |
| April 5, 2016 | LA | HB 580 | Limits Time Frame for Real Estate Appraisal Lawsuits | Bill Failed - House (45 - 47) |
| March 17, 2016 | National | H Res 639 | Authorizing the Speaker to Appear as Amicus Curiae on Behalf of the House of Representatives in the Matter of United States, et al. v. Texas, et al., No. 15-674 | Resolution Passed - House (234 - 186) |
| March 10, 2016 | IN | HB 1127 | Establishes Regulations on Lawsuit Funding Practices | Conference Report Adopted - House (63 - 32) |
| March 10, 2016 | NH | HB 1270 | Requires Courts to Notify Jurors of Jury Nullification | Bill Passed - House (184 - 145) |
| March 3, 2016 | OK | HB 3162 | Amends Nomination Procedure for Appellate Judges | Bill Passed - House (58 - 34) |
| March 1, 2016 | MS | HB 738 | Amends Attorney General Hiring and Filing Oversight Processes | Bill Passed - House (61 - 60) |
| Jan. 28, 2016 | SC | H 3521 | Prohibits Courts From Enforcing Foreign Law | Bill Passed - House (68 - 42) |
| Jan. 19, 2016 | KS | HB 2151 | Establishes Regulations Regarding Grand Juries | Bill Passed - House (101 - 20) |
| Jan. 8, 2016 | National | HR 1927 | Fairness in Class Action Litigation and Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency Act of 2016 | Bill Passed - House (211 - 188) |
| Oct. 1, 2015 | National | HR 3457 | Justice for Victims of Iranian Terrorism Act | Bill Passed - House (251 - 173) |
| July 16, 2015 | CA | SB 227 | Prohibits Grand Juries from Investigating Certain Cases | Bill Passed - House (41 - 33) |
| May 26, 2015 | CA | AB 884 | Requires the Attorney General to Denote Ballot Initiatives That May Be Unconstitutional | Bill Passed - House (50 - 26) |
| May 18, 2015 | ID | H 1 | Amends Foreign Child Support Order | Bill Passed - House (49 - 21) |
| April 24, 2015 | FL | HB 943 | Amends Alimony Law | Bill Passed - House (93 - 22) |