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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 10, 2020 | NY | S 8539 | Establishes the Law Enforcement Misconduct Investigative Office | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 20) |
| June 10, 2020 | NY | S 2574 | Establishes an Office of Special Investigation Under the Attorney General | Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 17) |
| June 9, 2020 | NY | S 8496 | Authorizes Disclosure of Law Enforcement Disciplinary Records | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22) |
| June 8, 2020 | NY | A 1531 | Prohibits Reporting a Non-Emergency Incident Involving a Member of a Protected Class | Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 6) |
| June 8, 2020 | NY | A 1531 | Prohibits Reporting a Non-Emergency Incident Involving a Member of a Protected Class | Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 6) |
| June 8, 2020 | NY | A 6144 | Establishes the Eric Garner Anti-Chokehold Act | Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 0) |
| June 5, 2020 | CO | SB 20-181 | Amends Incompetent-to-Proceed Process for Mentally Ill Defendants | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7) |
| June 5, 2020 | IA | SF 2413 | Increases Penalties for Trespassing on Animal Food Operations | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 11) |
| June 4, 2020 | MI | SB 945 | Requires Implicit Bias and De-Escalation Training for Law Enforcement | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0) |
| June 4, 2020 | MI | SB 945 | Requires Implicit Bias and De-Escalation Training for Law Enforcement | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0) |
| June 3, 2020 | IA | HF 2502 | Amends Gun Policies | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17) |
| May 29, 2020 | LA | HB 140 | Prohibits Localities from Establishing Restrictions to Prohibit Firearm Possession | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3) |
| May 29, 2020 | LA | HB 241 | Amends Certain Requirements of the Records Expungement Process | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3) |
| May 27, 2020 | NY | S 8415 | Repeals Anti-Mask Law | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 27) |
| May 23, 2020 | IL | SB 516 | Amends Tax Structure for Chicago Casino | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (42 - 14) |
| May 21, 2020 | LA | HB 420 | Establishes Minimum Training Requirements for Peace Officers | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0) |
| May 15, 2020 | OK | HB 2587 | Prohibits Denying Healthcare or Adjusting Coverage or Cost Based on Age or Quality of Life | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 6) |
| May 13, 2020 | OK | HB 2742 | Reduces Contributions to Retirement Systems for Police and Firefighters | Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 11) |
| May 13, 2020 | OK | HB 2877 | Increases the Role of Victim Impact Panels to Prevent Future OWI Offenses | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 13) |
| May 13, 2020 | LA | SB 130 | Authorizes a Ballot Referendum Vote on Legalizing Sports Betting | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8) |
| April 22, 2020 | VA | HB 33 | Authorizes Inmates to Apply for Parole | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 18) |
| April 22, 2020 | VA | SB 384 | Amends Sports Betting Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 13) |
| April 22, 2020 | VA | SB 971 | Establishes the COVID-19 Relief Fund and Amends Gambling Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 8) |
| April 22, 2020 | VA | SB 384 | Amends Sports Betting Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 13) |
| April 22, 2020 | VA | SB 34 | Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Non-United States Citizens | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 18) |
| April 22, 2020 | VA | HB 1442 | Authorizes the Use of Photo Speed Monitoring Devices | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 18) |
| April 22, 2020 | VA | SB 479 | Prohibits Individuals Subject to a Protective Order From Possessing Firearms | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 18) |
| April 10, 2020 | VT | S 114 | Establishes Emergency Judicial Response Standards during COVID-19 Pandemic | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0) |
| March 31, 2020 | NY | S 7505 | Amends Criminal Justice Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 24) |
| March 31, 2020 | NY | S 7505 | Amends Criminal Justice Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 24) |
| March 18, 2020 | MD | SB 4 | Establishes Referendum to Authorize Sports and Event Wagering | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (45 - 0) |
| March 18, 2020 | ID | H 516 | Amends Constitutional Carry Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5) |
| March 18, 2020 | National | HR 6201 | Families First Coronavirus Response Act | Bill Passed - Senate (90 - 8) |
| March 17, 2020 | ID | H 509 | Prohibits Gender Change on Birth Certificates | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6) |
| March 16, 2020 | ID | H 500 | Prohibits Transgender Female Students from Sports designated for Females | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| March 16, 2020 | MD | HB 1444 | Prohibits Race-Based Hairstyle Discrimination | Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0) |
| March 16, 2020 | MD | HB 280 | Prohibits Suspension of Driver's License for Unpaid Fines | Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0) |
| March 15, 2020 | MD | SB 684 | Establishes a Prerelease Unit for Women | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14) |
| March 13, 2020 | FL | HB 1259 | Prohibits Putting Pregnant Prisoners in Restrictive Housing | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 0) |
| March 12, 2020 | FL | SB 664 | Requires Government Agencies Use E-Verify Immigration Check for Employment | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 17) |
| March 12, 2020 | WY | SF 134 | Authorizes Liquor Licenses for Events Conducted at Rodeo Arenas | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 8) |
| March 12, 2020 | NH | HB 1660 | Establishes a Protective Order for Vulnerable Adults | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10) |
| March 12, 2020 | NH | HB 1660 | Establishes a Protective Order for Vulnerable Adults | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10) |
| March 12, 2020 | AL | SB 45 | Amends Criminal Trespassing Penalties Relating to Critical Infrastructure | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3) |
| March 12, 2020 | OK | SB 1081 | Prohibits Localities from Enacting "Red Flag" Firearm Ordinances | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 9) |
| March 11, 2020 | FL | HB 1213 | Requires Adding Ocoee Riots to School Curriculum | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0) |
| March 11, 2020 | FL | HB 1213 | Requires Adding Ocoee Riots to School Curriculum | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0) |
| March 11, 2020 | FL | HB 389 | Expands List of Medical Conditions That Pharmacists May Treat | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12) |
| March 11, 2020 | WY | HB 44 | Requires the Observation of Mountain Daylight Time | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11) |
| March 11, 2020 | WY | HB 118 | Establishes the Second Amendment Preservation Act | Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 14) |
| March 11, 2020 | FL | HB 199 | Extends Sexual Battery Prosecution Time Limitations | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0) |
| March 11, 2020 | MS | SB 2459 | Establishes Legal Definition for Criminal Gang Activity | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 15) |
| March 11, 2020 | OK | SB 1674 | Increases Penalties for Selling or Possessing Drugs Near Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 12) |
| March 11, 2020 | OK | SB 1674 | Increases Penalties for Selling or Possessing Drugs Near Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 12) |
| March 10, 2020 | FL | SB 70 | Establishes Alert Systems in Public Schools | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 0) |
| March 10, 2020 | SD | SB 151 | Defines "Critical Infrastructure" and Restructures Associated Crimes | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 4) |
| March 10, 2020 | MD | SB 35 | Amends Various Gun Laws Including Making Theft of a Firearm a Felony | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 4) |
| March 9, 2020 | WA | SB 6561 | Establishes a Student Loan Program for Undocumented Students | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 11) |
| March 9, 2020 | MD | HB 4 | Requires Background Checks for Private Sales of Long Guns | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14) |
| March 9, 2020 | MS | SB 2112 | Prohibits Public Employers from Requiring Applicants to Disclose Felony Convictions on Application | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 17) |
| March 8, 2020 | VA | HB 1250 | Establishes the "Community Policing Act" | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 17) |
| March 8, 2020 | VA | HB 1250 | Establishes the "Community Policing Act" | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 17) |
| March 7, 2020 | VA | HB 812 | Prohibits Unlicensed Individuals to Deal Firearms from Purchasing More Than One Gun in a 30-Day Period | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 19) |
| March 7, 2020 | VA | HB 1150 | Eliminates Requirement that Jails and Prisons Ascertain Citizenship Status of Inmates | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 19) |
| March 7, 2020 | VA | HB 1150 | Eliminates Requirement that Jails and Prisons Ascertain Citizenship Status of Inmates | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 19) |
| March 7, 2020 | VA | SB 183 | Authorizes Localities to Remove, Relocate, or Alter Monuments | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 16) |
| March 7, 2020 | WV | HB 4615 | Increases Penalties for Critical Infrastructure Protesting | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| March 6, 2020 | UT | SB 67 | Amends Requirements for Disposal of Fetal Remains | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 6) |
| March 6, 2020 | UT | HB 243 | Requires Warning Labels on Pornography | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6) |
| March 6, 2020 | FL | HB 43 | Amends Child Welfare Training Standards | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0) |
| March 5, 2020 | WA | HB 1783 | Establishes the Washington State Office of Equity | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21) |
| March 5, 2020 | WA | HB 2638 | Authorizes Sports Betting | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15) |
| March 5, 2020 | WA | HB 2467 | Establishes a Background Check System for Firearms Transfers | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20) |
| March 5, 2020 | WA | HB 2614 | Amends the Paid Family Medical Leave Program for Union Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10) |
| March 5, 2020 | SD | HB 1117 | Repeals and Revises Certain Provisions Regarding Riots | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |