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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 5, 2019 | VT | H 107 | Establishes a Paid Statewide Family and Medical Leave Program | Bill Passed - House (92 - 52) |
| April 4, 2019 | IL | HB 1653 | Increases Penalties for Employers Who Commit Wage Theft | Bill Passed - House (69 - 43) |
| April 3, 2019 | MD | HB 1169 | Prohibits Smoking Under the Age of 21 | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (101 - 35) |
| April 2, 2019 | ME | LD 278 | Prohibits Employers from Basing Wages on Employee's Salary History | Bill Passed - House (86 - 54) |
| April 1, 2019 | TN | HB 836 | Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Deny Potential Parents Based on Religious Exemption | Bill Passed - House (67 - 22) |
| March 31, 2019 | MD | HB 994 | Prohibits Employment Discrimination Based On an Applicants Criminal History | Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 40) |
| March 31, 2019 | NY | S 1508 | Prohibits Retail Stores from Using Plastic Bags | Bill Passed - House (103 - 45) |
| March 31, 2019 | NY | A 2000 | Establishes $175.5 Billion Budget for FY 2019-2020 | Bill Passed - House (111 - 37) |
| March 29, 2019 | GA | SB 128 | Requires Online Retailers to Collect Sales Taxes | Bill Passed - House (94 - 74) |
| March 29, 2019 | IL | HB 3394 | Requires Women and African Americans on Corporate Boards | Bill Passed - House (61 - 27) |
| March 28, 2019 | MD | HB 166 | Increases State Minimum Wage | Veto Override Passed - House (96 - 43) |
| March 28, 2019 | KY | HB 358 | Authorizes Pension Relief for Local Health Departments, Regional Universities and Other Groups | Conference Report Adopted - House (58 - 39) |
| March 28, 2019 | IL | HB 253 | Classifies University Graduate and Research Assistants as "Employees" | Bill Passed - House (72 - 37) |
| March 27, 2019 | National | HR 7 | Paycheck Fairness Act | Bill Passed - House (242 - 187) |
| March 26, 2019 | RI | S 251 | Requires the Collection of Sales Tax by Out of State Retailers | Bill Passed - House (66 - 6) |
| March 26, 2019 | ME | LD 75 | Requires the Protection of Earned Pay | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (86 - 55) |
| March 26, 2019 | SC | H 4243 | Authorizes Tax Incentives for Carolina Panthers Training Facilities | Bill Passed - House (90 - 25) |
| March 21, 2019 | TN | HB 563 | Prohibits Government Entities from Discriminating Based on a Company's Internal Policies | Bill Passed - House (68 - 22) |
| March 20, 2019 | NH | SB 1 | Establishes Paid Family and Medical Leave | Bill Passed - House (219 - 142) |
| March 19, 2019 | NH | HB 560 | Prohibits Single-Use Plastic Bags | Bill Passed - House (201 - 145) |
| March 19, 2019 | NH | HB 520 | Requires Diaper Changing Stations in Public Restrooms | Bill Passed - House (206 - 142) |
| March 19, 2019 | NH | HB 558 | Prohibits Restaurant Use of Plastic Straws Unless Specifically Requested | Bill Passed - House (196 - 146) |
| March 14, 2019 | IL | SB 1596 | Authorizes Exceptions for Limits on Workers' Compensation Claims | Bill Passed - House (70 - 40) |
| March 14, 2019 | NH | HB 186 | Increases Minimum Wage to $9.50 by 2020 | Bill Passed - House (210 - 145) |
| March 13, 2019 | UT | HB 324 | Increases Age for Legal Tobacco Sales to 21 | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 16) |
| March 13, 2019 | ID | H 179 | Requires Proof of Insurance for Vehicle Registration | Bill Passed - House (54 - 15) |
| March 7, 2019 | ME | LD 477 | Appropriates Relief to Federal Employees Affected by Federal Shutdown | Bill Passed - House (92 - 46) |
| March 6, 2019 | NY | A 558 | Increases Age for Tobacco Sale Regulations | Bill Passed - House (120 - 26) |
| March 1, 2019 | MD | HB 166 | Increases State Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (96 - 44) |
| Feb. 28, 2019 | AZ | HB 2523 | Authorizes Employers to Pay Less than Minimum Wage to Full-Time Students | Bill Passed - House (31 - 29) |
| Feb. 28, 2019 | CO | SB 19-1025 | Prohibits Employers from Asking About Employee Criminal History | Bill Passed - House (42 - 22) |
| Feb. 28, 2019 | NH | HB 623 | Establishes Rates of Business Profits Tax | Bill Passed - House (200 - 141) |
| Feb. 28, 2019 | MT | HB 547 | Prohibits Employers from Stopping Employees from Discussing Wages | Bill Passed - House (52 - 47) |
| Feb. 26, 2019 | ID | H 153 | Increases State Teacher Pay | Bill Passed - House (61 - 9) |
| Feb. 22, 2019 | NM | HB 85 | Prohibits Local "Right to Work" Ordinances | Bill Passed - House (43 - 23) |
| Feb. 20, 2019 | WA | HB 1074 | Increases the Smoking and Vaping Age to 21 | Bill Passed - House (66 - 30) |
| Feb. 20, 2019 | IA | HF 262 | Prohibits Pyramid Promotional Schemes | Bill Passed - House (88 - 10) |
| Feb. 14, 2019 | IL | SB 1 | Increases Minimum Wage to $15 | Bill Passed - House (69 - 47) |
| Feb. 14, 2019 | NH | HB 253 | Prohibits Employers from Asking Job Applicants About Criminal History | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (213 - 142) |
| Feb. 13, 2019 | VA | HB 2748 | Increases Age for Tobacco Sale Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 32) |
| Feb. 1, 2019 | VT | H 47 | Increases the E-Cigarette Sales Tax | Bill Passed - House (134 - 6) |
| Jan. 31, 2019 | NJ | A 15 | Increases State Minimum Wage to $15 per Hour | Bill Passed - House (52 - 25) |
| Dec. 4, 2018 | MI | SB 1171 | Amends Minimum Wage Increases | Bill Passed - House (60 - 48) |
| Nov. 29, 2018 | NC | SB 820 | Increases Incentives Cap for High-Wage Corporate Jobs | Bill Passed - House (78 - 23) |
| Sept. 27, 2018 | NJ | A 4496 | Amends Sales Tax Regulations | Bill Passed - House (43 - 35) |
| Sept. 27, 2018 | NJ | A 4495 | Increases Corporate Business Tax | Bill Passed - House (41 - 37) |
| Aug. 23, 2018 | CA | SB 820 | Prohibits Non-Disclosure Agreements in Sexual Assault, Harassment, or Discrimination Cases | Bill Passed - House (56 - 19) |
| July 30, 2018 | MA | H 4841 | Authorizes New Tax Regulations and Insurance Requirements for Short-Term Rentals | Bill Passed - House (119 - 30) |
| July 19, 2018 | National | H Con Res 119 | Expressing the sense of Congress that a carbon tax would be detrimental to the United States economy. | Bill Passed - House (229 - 180) |
| July 13, 2018 | National | HR 50 | Unfunded Mandates Information and Transparency Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (230 - 168) |
| July 1, 2018 | NJ | A 1753 | Requires Sales Tax on Transient Accommodations | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 29) |
| July 1, 2018 | DE | SB 170 | Increases Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (21 - 18) |
| June 27, 2018 | OH | SB 220 | Limits Data Breach Liability in Certain Circumstances | Bill Passed - House (68 - 23) |
| June 22, 2018 | PA | HB 1840 | Amends Worker's Compensation Law | Bill Passed - House (115 - 80) |
| June 20, 2018 | MA | H 4640 | Amends Minimum Wage and Paid-Leave Programs | Bill Passed - House (126 - 25) |
| June 13, 2018 | NC | HB 1055 | Amends Pension Benefit Regulations | Bill Passed - House (81 - 34) |
| June 13, 2018 | PA | HB 1810 | Requires Data Information Sharing for Hosting Platforms | Bill Passed - House (177 - 14) |
| June 7, 2018 | OH | HB 456 | Prohibits Required Overtime for Nurses | Bill Passed - House (77 - 11) |
| May 31, 2018 | RI | H 7420 | Prohibits the Rental or Leasing of Pets | Bill Passed - House (69 - 0) |
| May 30, 2018 | IL | SB 2892 | Requires Increase in Teacher Salaries | Bill Passed - House (65 - 47) |
| May 30, 2018 | CA | AB 3080 | Prohibits Nondisclosure Agreements Regarding Workplace Harassment | Bill Passed - House (47 - 25) |
| May 29, 2018 | CA | AB 2160 | Defines Playground Aides as Classified Employees | Bill Passed - House (51 - 26) |
| May 22, 2018 | National | S 2155 | Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act | Bill Passed - House (258 - 159) |
| May 17, 2018 | MO | SB 1007 | Authorizes Restrictions on Public-Sector Unions and Reduces Civil Service Law Coverage | Bill Passed - House (98 - 38) |
| May 9, 2018 | National | HR 5645 | Standard Merger and Acquisition Reviews Through Equal Rules Act of 2018 | Bill Passed - House (230 - 185) |
| April 26, 2018 | IL | HB 4595 | Establishes the Illinois Employers Mutual Insurance Company | Bill Passed - House (62 - 43) |
| April 26, 2018 | IL | HB 4595 | Establishes the Illinois Employers Mutual Insurance Company | Bill Passed - House (62 - 43) |
| April 16, 2018 | PA | SB 936 | Establishes Prescription Drug Formulary for Injured Employees | Bill Passed - House (101 - 92) |
| April 14, 2018 | KY | SB 78 | Amends Licensing for Electricians | Bill Passed - House (45 - 44) |
| April 11, 2018 | PA | HB 456 | Establishes Regulations for Tattoo Industry | Bill Passed - House (173 - 17) |
| April 7, 2018 | KS | HB 2482 | Prohibits Contracts with Businesses That Boycott Israel | Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 32) |
| April 5, 2018 | MD | SB 639 | Establishes Disciplinary Hearing Procedures for Public School Employees | Veto Override Passed - House (89 - 49) |
| April 4, 2018 | TN | SB 1631 | Prohibits Renting Hotel Rooms for Less than 7 Hours | Bill Failed - House (38 - 45) |
| March 30, 2018 | MD | SB 654 | Requires Extension of Union Contracts | Bill Passed - House (89 - 47) |
| March 29, 2018 | KY | SB 151 | Amends the State Public Pension System | Bill Passed - House (49 - 46) |