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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 10, 2020 | IN | HB 1022 | Expands the Definition of Panhandling | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 14) |
| March 10, 2020 | UT | SB 39 | Increases Funding for Affordable Housing Development | Bill Passed - House (48 - 24) |
| March 9, 2020 | SD | SB 96 | Repeals the Lifetime Ban on Drug Felons Receiving TANF Benefits | Bill Passed - House (49 - 17) |
| March 5, 2020 | WA | HB 2441 | Increases Access to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17) |
| Feb. 26, 2020 | IA | SF 2272 | Establishes Computer Verification System for Public Assistance Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17) |
| Feb. 26, 2020 | SD | SB 96 | Repeals the Lifetime Ban on Drug Felons Receiving TANF Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6) |
| Feb. 26, 2020 | UT | SB 39 | Increases Funding for Affordable Housing Development | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 11) |
| Feb. 25, 2020 | VT | S 23 | Increases the State Minimum Wage | Veto Override Passed - House (100 - 49) |
| Feb. 21, 2020 | KY | HB 1 | Amends Public Assistance Laws and Regulations | Bill Passed - House (58 - 32) |
| Feb. 18, 2020 | AZ | HB 2732 | Increases Low-Income Housing Tax Credits by $8 Million | Bill Passed - House (45 - 15) |
| Feb. 14, 2020 | OR | HB 4067 | Authorizes the Public Utility Commission to Provide Assistance to Low-Income Earners | Bill Passed - House (43 - 11) |
| Feb. 13, 2020 | VT | S 23 | Increases the State Minimum Wage | Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 6) |
| Feb. 12, 2020 | KY | SB 30 | Limits the Number of Companies that Oversee State's Medicaid Program | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7) |
| Feb. 11, 2020 | NE | LB 329 | Amends Eligibility Provisions for Transitional Childcare Assistance Subsidies | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7) |
| Sept. 10, 2019 | CA | SB 329 | Prohibits Discrimination Against Section 8 Housing Renters | Bill Passed - House (46 - 21) |
| June 17, 2019 | OR | HB 3076 | Establishes Standards for Non-Profit Hospitals | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8) |
| June 5, 2019 | NH | SB 290 | Amends Medicaid Work Requirements | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (207 - 143) |
| May 30, 2019 | ME | LD 1324 | Establishes Committee for Universal Basic Income System | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (77 - 62) |
| May 29, 2019 | ME | LD 1324 | Establishes Committee for Universal Basic Income System | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 13) |
| May 23, 2019 | NH | SB 165 | Authorizes Solar Energy Development in Low-Income Communities | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (229 - 113) |
| May 23, 2019 | CA | SB 329 | Prohibits Discrimination Against Section 8 Housing Renters | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| May 20, 2019 | OR | HB 3076 | Establishes Standards for Non-Profit Hospitals | Bill Passed - House (38 - 21) |
| April 11, 2019 | CA | AB 101 | Prohibits Citizens' Right to Appeal the Building of Homeless Navigation Centers | Bill Passed - House (54 - 13) |
| April 4, 2019 | ID | S 1204 | Amends Medicaid Eligibility Requirements | Bill Passed - House (49 - 20) |
| April 2, 2019 | ID | S 1204 | Amends Medicaid Eligibility Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| March 29, 2019 | IL | HB 3343 | Authorizes Food Stamp Benefits to Be Used in Restaurants | Bill Passed - House (75 - 18) |
| March 25, 2019 | GA | SB 106 | Authorizes Governor to Pursue Medicaid Waivers | Bill Passed - House (104 - 67) |
| Feb. 26, 2019 | GA | SB 106 | Authorizes Governor to Pursue Medicaid Waivers | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 20) |
| Oct. 17, 2018 | PA | SB 6 | Establishes Further Stipulations for Welfare Access | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 12) |
| Oct. 17, 2018 | PA | SB 6 | Establishes Further Stipulations for Welfare Access | Bill Passed - House (124 - 62) |
| Jan. 25, 2018 | AL | SB 92 | Reduces Time Period of Unemployment Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
| May 10, 2017 | AZ | HB 2372 | Extends Time Period for Individuals to Receive Government Assistance | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
| March 17, 2017 | NM | SB 374 | Prohibits Public Shaming of Students Who Can't Pay for Lunch | Bill Passed - House (60 - 0) |
| March 9, 2017 | NM | SB 374 | Prohibits Public Shaming of Students Who Can't Pay for Lunch | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7) |
| Feb. 23, 2017 | AZ | HB 2372 | Extends Time Period for Individuals to Receive Government Assistance | Bill Passed - House (31 - 29) |
| March 31, 2016 | CA | SB 3 | Increases Minimum Wage | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
| March 31, 2016 | CA | SB 3 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (48 - 26) |
| March 3, 2016 | OR | SB 1533 | Authorizes Inclusionary Zoning | Bill Passed - House (39 - 21) |
| Feb. 25, 2016 | AL | HB 174 | Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Wage or Employee Benefits Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
| Feb. 19, 2016 | ID | H 463 | Prohibits Local Governments from Increasing Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (55 - 14) |
| Feb. 18, 2016 | OR | SB 1532 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (32 - 26) |
| Feb. 16, 2016 | AL | HB 174 | Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Wage or Employee Benefits Requirements | Bill Passed - House (71 - 31) |
| Feb. 11, 2016 | OR | SB 1532 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12) |
| Sept. 16, 2015 | MO | HB 150 | Limits Duration of Unemployment Benefits | Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 8) |
| June 25, 2015 | RI | H 5364 | Increases Minimum Wage for Tipped Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3) |
| June 23, 2015 | RI | H 5364 | Increases Minimum Wage for Tipped Employees | Bill Passed - House (56 - 16) |
| June 11, 2015 | RI | H 5074 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 3) |
| June 5, 2015 | FL | SB 2-A | Establishes the Florida Health Insurance Affordability Exchange Program | Bill Failed - House (41 - 72) |
| June 3, 2015 | AL | SB 71 | Increases Cumulative Cap on Tax Credits Available for Scholarship Donations | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 14) |
| June 2, 2015 | RI | H 5074 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (59 - 13) |
| June 1, 2015 | CA | AB 718 | Authorizes Sleeping in Vehicles | Bill Passed - House (56 - 15) |
| June 1, 2015 | CA | SB 3 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| May 28, 2015 | AL | SB 71 | Increases Cumulative Cap on Tax Credits Available for Scholarship Donations | Bill Passed - House (68 - 26) |
| May 22, 2015 | NV | SB 193 | Increases Minimum Wage and Amends Overtime Definition | Bill Passed - House (22 - 20) |
| May 13, 2015 | WI | AB 177 | Limits Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Purchases | Bill Passed - House (60 - 35) |
| May 13, 2015 | WI | AB 192 | Requires Drug Tests for Certain Individuals | Bill Passed - House (63 - 32) |
| May 13, 2015 | WI | AB 191 | Requires Drug Testing for Job Training Programs | Bill Passed - House (62 - 33) |
| May 12, 2015 | MO | HB 150 | Limits Duration of Unemployment Benefits | Veto Override Passed - House (109 - 53) |
| May 5, 2015 | MO | SB 24 | Reduces the Lifetime Limit for Certain Government Benefits | Veto Override Passed - House (113 - 42) |
| May 4, 2015 | MO | SB 24 | Reduces the Lifetime Limit for Certain Government Benefits | Veto Override Passed - Senate (25 - 9) |
| May 4, 2015 | NY | A 7257 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (97 - 43) |
| April 21, 2015 | MO | HB 150 | Limits Duration of Unemployment Benefits | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 68) |
| April 16, 2015 | MO | SB 24 | Reduces the Lifetime Limit for Certain Government Benefits | Conference Report Adopted - House (111 - 36) |
| April 15, 2015 | MO | HB 150 | Limits Duration of Unemployment Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
| April 14, 2015 | MO | SB 24 | Reduces the Lifetime Limit for Certain Government Benefits | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 9) |
| April 7, 2015 | NV | AB 165 | Establishes the Nevada Educational Choice Scholarship Program | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9) |
| April 7, 2015 | TX | SB 267 | Prohibits Local Regulations that Prohibit Refusal of Tenants Based on Source of Income | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11) |
| April 3, 2015 | NV | SB 193 | Increases Minimum Wage and Amends Overtime Definition | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9) |
| April 2, 2015 | KS | HB 2258 | Amends Social Service Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10) |
| April 1, 2015 | NV | AB 165 | Establishes the Nevada Educational Choice Scholarship Program | Bill Passed - House (25 - 17) |
| March 31, 2015 | AL | SB 71 | Increases Cumulative Cap on Tax Credits Available for Scholarship Donations | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14) |
| March 26, 2015 | NJ | A 4103 | Establishes Workforce Training Program for Former Casino Workers | Bill Passed - House (55 - 18) |
| March 23, 2015 | MN | HF 1027 | Amends Minimum Wage for Employees Receiving Gratuities | Bill Passed - House (78 - 55) |
| March 18, 2015 | MO | SB 24 | Reduces the Lifetime Limit for Certain Government Benefits | Bill Passed - House (115 - 44) |
| March 12, 2015 | AR | HB 1489 | Reduces Unemployment Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7) |
| March 12, 2015 | NH | SB 261 | Increases Minimum Wage | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (14 - 10) |
| March 3, 2015 | WA | HB 1355 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (51 - 46) |
| Feb. 26, 2015 | AZ | SB 1092 | Requires Waivers for Certain Health Insurance | Bill Passed - House (34 - 23) |
| Feb. 25, 2015 | UT | SB 164 | Establishes Medicaid Expansion Pilot Program | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11) |
| Feb. 24, 2015 | IA | SF 269 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22) |
| Feb. 23, 2015 | AZ | SB 1092 | Requires Waivers for Certain Health Insurance | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
| Feb. 23, 2015 | MO | SB 24 | Reduces the Lifetime Limit for Certain Government Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8) |
| Feb. 20, 2015 | MT | HB 200 | Requires Drug Testing For Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (55 - 45) |
| Feb. 18, 2015 | SD | SB 177 | Establishes a Youth Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
| Feb. 10, 2015 | KY | HB 2 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (56 - 43) |
| Feb. 5, 2015 | IL | SB 11 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 18) |
| Feb. 4, 2015 | MO | HB 150 | Limits Duration of Unemployment Benefits | Bill Passed - House (112 - 47) |
| Dec. 10, 2014 | MI | HB 4118 | Requires Drug Testing For Certain Welfare Recipients | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 10) |
| Dec. 10, 2014 | MI | SB 275 | Requires Drug Testing of Welfare Recipients | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 10) |
| Dec. 3, 2014 | MI | HB 4118 | Requires Drug Testing For Certain Welfare Recipients | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 35) |
| Dec. 3, 2014 | MI | SB 275 | Requires Drug Testing of Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (75 - 34) |
| July 28, 2014 | NC | HB 1181 | Establishes Commercial Managed Care for Medicaid Recipients | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17) |
| July 16, 2014 | National | H Amdt 1083 | Prohibits Federal Agencies from Paying Federal Employees Certain Pay Rates | Amendment Rejected - House (193 - 230) |
| June 19, 2014 | RI | H 7194A | Increases the Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5) |
| June 18, 2014 | MA | S 2123 | Increases the Minimum Wage | Conference Report Adopted - House (124 - 24) |
| June 18, 2014 | MA | S 2132 | Establishes Labor Standards for Domestic Workers | Bill Passed - House (126 - 22) |
| June 18, 2014 | RI | H 7194A | Increases the Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (63 - 10) |
| June 12, 2014 | MA | S 2123 | Increases the Minimum Wage | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 4) |
| May 29, 2014 | CA | SB 935 | Increases the Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
| May 8, 2014 | NH | HB 1403 | Increases the Minimum Wage | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (13 - 11) |