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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan. 10, 2018 | National | S 140 | An Act to amend the White Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Quantification Act of 2010 to clarify the use of amounts in the WMAT Settlement Fund | Bill Passed - House (239 - 173) |
| Nov. 30, 2017 | National | HR 4182 | Ensuring a Qualified Civil Service Act of 2017 (EQUALS Act) | Bill Passed - House (213 - 204) |
| Nov. 9, 2017 | National | HR 2201 | Micro Offering Safe Harbor Act | Bill Passed - House (23 - 188) |
| Nov. 7, 2017 | National | HR 3441 | Save Local Business Act | Bill Passed - House (242 - 181) |
| Oct. 11, 2017 | OH | HB 226 | Authorizes Discharging Fireworks in Ohio | Bill Passed - House (83 - 14) |
| July 6, 2017 | OR | SB 754 | Raises Tobacco Sales Age to 21 | Bill Passed - House (39 - 20) |
| June 30, 2017 | WA | SB 5975 | Establishes Paid Family Leave Insurance Program | Bill Passed - House (65 - 29) |
| June 28, 2017 | OH | HB 27 | Amends Eligibility for Workers' Compensation Benefits | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 39) |
| June 26, 2017 | RI | H 5280A | Requires More State Contracts for Veteran-Owned Businesses | Bill Passed - House (68 - 0) |
| June 13, 2017 | National | S 1094 | Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (368 - 55) |
| June 8, 2017 | NJ | A 1119 | Prohibits Sale of Certain Toy Guns and Imitation Firearms | Bill Passed - House (57 - 16) |
| June 7, 2017 | LA | HB 598 | Increases Gas Tax | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 38) |
| June 7, 2017 | National | HR 2213 | Anti-Border Corruption Reauthorization Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (282 - 137) |
| June 6, 2017 | KS | SB 30 | Establishes Tax Provisions | Veto Override Passed - House (88 - 31) |
| June 6, 2017 | ME | LD 56 | Authorizes Refunds for 50-Milliliter Bottles of Wine and Spirits | Veto Override Passed - House (114 - 31) |
| May 30, 2017 | IL | SB 81 | Establishes New Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (61 - 53) |
| May 26, 2017 | OK | SB 845 | Establishes a Fee for Cigarette Purchases | Bill Passed - House (51 - 43) |
| May 17, 2017 | OH | HB 27 | Amends Eligibility for Workers' Compensation Benefits | Bill Passed - House (66 - 31) |
| May 15, 2017 | AK | HB 132 | Authorizes Operation of Ridesharing Services | Bill Passed - House (35 - 5) |
| May 9, 2017 | ME | LD 56 | Authorizes Refunds for 50-Milliliter Bottles of Wine and Spirits | Bill Passed - House (111 - 34) |
| May 8, 2017 | MO | SB 43 | Requires Certain Changes to Discrimination Lawsuit Proceedings | Bill Passed - House (98 - 30) |
| May 8, 2017 | CA | AB 22 | Authorizes Termination of Employees Engaged in Subversive Activities | Bill Passed - House (41 - 30) |
| May 3, 2017 | VT | H 196 | Requires a Statewide Payroll Tax to Fund a Paid Family Leave Insurance Program | Bill Passed - House (88 - 58) |
| May 2, 2017 | WI | AB 25 | Authorizes Minors Over Age 16 to Work without Permits | Bill Passed - House (64 - 34) |
| May 2, 2017 | National | HR 1180 | Working Families Flexibility Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (229 - 197) |
| April 28, 2017 | TX | HB 28 | Establishes Standards for Determining Adjusted Franchise Tax Rates | Bill Passed - House (96 - 39) |
| April 27, 2017 | IL | SB 14 | Establishes New Pension Guidelines | Bill Passed - House (63 - 45) |
| April 26, 2017 | FL | SB 106 | Revises Provisions on the Sale of Alcoholic Beverages | Bill Passed - House (58 - 57) |
| April 26, 2017 | IL | HB 2462 | Prohibits Screening Job Applicants Based on Wage or Salary History | Bill Passed - House (91 - 24) |
| April 21, 2017 | IN | HB 1496 | Prohibits Sale of Certain Alcohol at Convenience Stores | Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 14) |
| April 18, 2017 | IA | SF 489 | Authorizes the Sale of Consumer Fireworks | Bill Passed - House (56 - 41) |
| April 12, 2017 | CT | HB 5730 | Authorizes Automated Beer and Wine Dispensers | Bill Passed - House (129 - 19) |
| April 11, 2017 | MT | SB 299 | Requires Public Disclosure of Fracking Chemicals | Bill Passed - House (65 - 65) |
| April 7, 2017 | WV | SB 330 | Repeals Provisions from the Workplace Freedom Act | Veto Override Passed - House (51 - 49) |
| April 5, 2017 | MD | HB 1 | Requires Certain Employers to Provide Paid Sick Leave | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 53) |
| March 30, 2017 | MO | HB 104 | Repeals Prevailing Wage Requirements for Public Construction Projects | Bill Passed - House (89 - 60) |
| March 28, 2017 | AZ | SB 1122 | Authorizes Sale of Firearms without Background Checks | Bill Passed - House (32 - 23) |
| March 17, 2017 | NM | HB 241 | Establishes New Standards of Evaluation for Teachers | Veto Override Failed - House (36 - 31) |
| March 17, 2017 | NM | HB 241 | Establishes New Standards of Evaluation for Teachers | Veto Override Failed - House (36 - 31) |
| March 16, 2017 | IA | HF 518 | Requires Certain Restrictions Regarding Worker's Compensation | Bill Passed - House (55 - 38) |
| March 16, 2017 | National | HR 1259 | VA Accountability First Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (237 - 178) |
| March 9, 2017 | IA | HF 295 | Prohibits Localities from Increasing Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (56 - 41) |
| March 9, 2017 | MO | HB 1194 | Prohibits Local Minimum Wages | Bill Passed - House (112 - 46) |
| March 8, 2017 | UT | HB 442 | Amends Certain Restrictions Regarding the Sale of Alcohol | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 17) |
| March 2, 2017 | WA | HB 1493 | Regulates Commercial Use of Biometric Data | Bill Passed - House (81 - 17) |
| Feb. 28, 2017 | ID | H 139 | Reduces the Number of Training Hours Required for Cosmetologists | Bill Passed - House (58 - 11) |
| Feb. 23, 2017 | MO | HB 288 | Requires Term of Unemployment Benefits be Pegged to Unemployment Rate | Bill Passed - House (100 - 56) |
| Feb. 16, 2017 | IA | HF 291 | Limits Collective Bargaining for Public Employees | Bill Passed - House (53 - 47) |
| Sept. 28, 2016 | National | HR 6094 | Regulatory Relief for Small Businesses, Schools, and Nonprofits Act | Bill Passed - House (246 - 177) |
| Sept. 28, 2016 | National | HR 6094 | Regulatory Relief for Small Businesses, Schools, and Nonprofits Act | Bill Passed - House (246 - 177) |
| Sept. 14, 2016 | MO | HB 1870 | Reauthorizes Small Business Tax Deductions | Veto Override Passed - House (113 - 43) |
| Sept. 14, 2016 | National | HR 5620 | VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act of 2016 | Bill Passed - House (310 - 116) |
| Aug. 31, 2016 | CA | SB 1241 | Amends Current Provisions of Labor Contracts | Bill Passed - House (54 - 21) |
| Aug. 29, 2016 | CA | AB 1066 | Requires Overtime Pay for Farmworkers | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 32) |
| Aug. 25, 2016 | CA | AB 1843 | Prohibits Employers from Asking Applicants to Disclose Criminal History | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 36) |
| June 18, 2016 | RI | S 2864 | Establishes Regulations for Rideshare Companies | Bill Passed - House (53 - 6) |
| June 16, 2016 | RI | H 7007 | Authorizes Cities to Establish Regulations for Body Works Businesses | Bill Passed - House (54 - 16) |
| June 9, 2016 | National | HR 5278 | Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA) | Bill Passed - House (297 - 127) |
| June 7, 2016 | RI | H 8240 | Requires Referendum for Power Plant Tax Agreement | Bill Passed - House (64 - 7) |
| June 2, 2016 | CA | AB 1676 | Prohibits Employers from Asking Job Applicants for Salary History | Bill Passed - House (47 - 29) |
| June 2, 2016 | CA | AB 2757 | Requires Overtime Pay for Farmworkers | Bill Failed - House (38 - 35) |
| May 25, 2016 | National | H Amdt 1128 | Prohibits Use of Funds for Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity | Amendment Adopted - House (223 - 195) |
| May 19, 2016 | National | H Amdt 1079 | Prohibits Use of Funds for Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity | Amendment Rejected - House (212 - 213) |
| May 4, 2016 | OH | SB 152 | Prohibits Local Hiring Requirement in Labor Contracts | Bill Passed - House (51 - 45) |
| May 4, 2016 | OH | SB 152 | Prohibits Local Hiring Requirement in Labor Contracts | Bill Passed - House (51 - 45) |
| May 3, 2016 | MO | SCR 46 | Prohibits a Wage Range Increase for Personal Care Attendants | Veto Override Passed - House (119 - 36) |
| April 26, 2016 | LA | HB 266 | Prohibits Criminal History Questions on Certain Employment Applications | Bill Passed - House (54 - 39) |
| April 11, 2016 | MD | SB 1112 | Establishes Tax Credit for Certain Aerospace Businesses | Bill Passed - House (76 - 57) |
| April 11, 2016 | MN | HF 1089 | Authorizes Certain Fireworks | Bill Passed - House (73 - 56) |
| April 9, 2016 | MD | HB 1003 | Prohibits Wage Discrimination on Basis of Gender Identity | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 33) |
| April 5, 2016 | MD | HB 580 | Requires Employers to Provide Paid Sick Leave | Bill Passed - House (84 - 54) |
| April 5, 2016 | MD | HB 580 | Requires Employers to Provide Paid Sick Leave | Bill Passed - House (84 - 54) |
| March 31, 2016 | CA | SB 3 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (48 - 26) |
| March 31, 2016 | CA | SB 3 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (48 - 26) |
| March 28, 2016 | TN | SB 2094 | Limits Liquor Retailers to 2 Stores | Bill Passed - House (72 - 16) |
| March 28, 2016 | CO | HB 1166 | Prohibits Employers from Discussing Salary History | Bill Passed - House (34 - 31) |
| March 24, 2016 | CO | HB 1001 | Requires State Contractors to Comply with Federal Equal Pay Standards | Bill Passed - House (34 - 29) |
| March 21, 2016 | AZ | SB 1316 | Establishes Flexible Credit Loans | Bill Passed - House (31 - 26) |
| March 10, 2016 | KS | HB 2369 | Prohibits Minors From Using Tanning Devices | Bill Passed - House (77 - 44) |
| March 9, 2016 | MA | H 4049 | Establishes Regulations for Ride-Sharing Companies | Bill Passed - House (139 - 16) |
| March 8, 2016 | SD | SB 159 | Authorizes Education Tax Credit for Insurance Companies | Bill Passed - House (45 - 23) |
| March 8, 2016 | HI | HB 2501 | Authorizes Extension for Water Permits | Bill Passed - House (44 - 7) |
| March 3, 2016 | CA | SB 5 | Amends Regulations for E-Cigarettes | Bill Passed - House (52 - 21) |
| March 3, 2016 | CA | SB 7 | Increases Smoking Age to 21 | Bill Passed - House (49 - 25) |
| March 3, 2016 | AZ | HB 2613 | Exempts Certain Professions from Licensing Requirements | Bill Passed - House (31 - 20) |
| March 1, 2016 | WV | HB 4625 | Requires Greyhound Racing Funds to be Redirected to State Road Fund | Bill Passed - House (61 - 36) |
| March 1, 2016 | AZ | HB 2507 | Amends Regulations Regarding Electronic Billboards | Bill Passed - House (32 - 26) |
| March 1, 2016 | AZ | HB 2579 | Prohibits a City from Regulating Nonwage Compensation | Bill Passed - House (35 - 24) |
| Feb. 26, 2016 | GA | HB 781 | Prohibits Undocumented Immigrants from Serving on Local Governing Bodies | Bill Passed - House (93 - 50) |
| Feb. 25, 2016 | UT | SB 59 | Requires Employers Provide Certain Accommodations | Bill Passed - House (59 - 15) |
| Feb. 24, 2016 | FL | HB 1325 | Establishes Tax Credits for Certain Companies | Bill Passed - House (79 - 39) |
| Feb. 19, 2016 | ID | H 463 | Prohibits Local Governments from Increasing Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (55 - 14) |
| 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. 18, 2016 | OR | SB 1532 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (32 - 26) |
| Feb. 17, 2016 | OR | HB 4122 | Requires Genetically Engineered Fish to Be Labeled | Bill Passed - House (32 - 27) |
| Feb. 16, 2016 | AL | HB 174 | Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Wage or Employee Benefits Requirements | Bill Passed - House (71 - 31) |
| Feb. 16, 2016 | AL | HB 174 | Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Wage or Employee Benefits Requirements | Bill Passed - House (71 - 31) |
| Feb. 12, 2016 | WV | SB 1 | Prohibits Employers from Requiring Union Membership | Veto Override Passed - House (54 - 43) |
| Feb. 12, 2016 | National | HR 2017 | Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (266 - 144) |