Key Votes

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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:

  1. The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member stands on a particular issue
  2. The vote should be clear for any person to understand
  3. The vote has received media attention
  4. The vote was passed or defeated by a very close margin
  5. Occasionally, if a specific bill is consistently inquired about on the Voter's Research Hotline, the vote will be added

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.


results per page:
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)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/05 H 107 Establishes a Paid Statewide Family and Medical Leave Program Bill Passed - House (92 - 52)
4/04 HB 1653 Increases Penalties for Employers Who Commit Wage Theft Bill Passed - House (69 - 43)
4/03 HB 1169 Prohibits Smoking Under the Age of 21 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (101 - 35)
4/02 LD 278 Prohibits Employers from Basing Wages on Employee's Salary History Bill Passed - House (86 - 54)
4/01 HB 836 Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Deny Potential Parents Based on Religious Exemption Bill Passed - House (67 - 22)
3/31 HB 994 Prohibits Employment Discrimination Based On an Applicants Criminal History Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 40)
3/31 S 1508 Prohibits Retail Stores from Using Plastic Bags Bill Passed - House (103 - 45)
3/31 A 2000 Establishes $175.5 Billion Budget for FY 2019-2020 Bill Passed - House (111 - 37)
3/29 SB 128 Requires Online Retailers to Collect Sales Taxes Bill Passed - House (94 - 74)
3/29 HB 3394 Requires Women and African Americans on Corporate Boards Bill Passed - House (61 - 27)
3/28 HB 166 Increases State Minimum Wage Veto Override Passed - House (96 - 43)
3/28 HB 358 Authorizes Pension Relief for Local Health Departments, Regional Universities and Other Groups Conference Report Adopted - House (58 - 39)
3/28 HB 253 Classifies University Graduate and Research Assistants as "Employees" Bill Passed - House (72 - 37)
3/27 HR 7 Paycheck Fairness Act Bill Passed - House (242 - 187)
3/26 S 251 Requires the Collection of Sales Tax by Out of State Retailers Bill Passed - House (66 - 6)
3/26 LD 75 Requires the Protection of Earned Pay "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (86 - 55)
3/26 H 4243 Authorizes Tax Incentives for Carolina Panthers Training Facilities Bill Passed - House (90 - 25)
3/21 HB 563 Prohibits Government Entities from Discriminating Based on a Company's Internal Policies Bill Passed - House (68 - 22)
3/20 SB 1 Establishes Paid Family and Medical Leave Bill Passed - House (219 - 142)
3/19 HB 560 Prohibits Single-Use Plastic Bags Bill Passed - House (201 - 145)
3/19 HB 520 Requires Diaper Changing Stations in Public Restrooms Bill Passed - House (206 - 142)
3/19 HB 558 Prohibits Restaurant Use of Plastic Straws Unless Specifically Requested Bill Passed - House (196 - 146)
3/14 SB 1596 Authorizes Exceptions for Limits on Workers' Compensation Claims Bill Passed - House (70 - 40)
3/14 HB 186 Increases Minimum Wage to $9.50 by 2020 Bill Passed - House (210 - 145)
3/13 HB 324 Increases Age for Legal Tobacco Sales to 21 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 16)
3/13 H 179 Requires Proof of Insurance for Vehicle Registration Bill Passed - House (54 - 15)
3/07 LD 477 Appropriates Relief to Federal Employees Affected by Federal Shutdown Bill Passed - House (92 - 46)
3/06 A 558 Increases Age for Tobacco Sale Regulations Bill Passed - House (120 - 26)
3/01 HB 166 Increases State Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (96 - 44)
2/28 HB 2523 Authorizes Employers to Pay Less than Minimum Wage to Full-Time Students Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
2/28 SB 19-1025 Prohibits Employers from Asking About Employee Criminal History Bill Passed - House (42 - 22)
2/28 HB 623 Establishes Rates of Business Profits Tax Bill Passed - House (200 - 141)
2/28 HB 547 Prohibits Employers from Stopping Employees from Discussing Wages Bill Passed - House (52 - 47)
2/26 H 153 Increases State Teacher Pay Bill Passed - House (61 - 9)
2/22 HB 85 Prohibits Local "Right to Work" Ordinances Bill Passed - House (43 - 23)
2/20 HB 1074 Increases the Smoking and Vaping Age to 21 Bill Passed - House (66 - 30)
2/20 HF 262 Prohibits Pyramid Promotional Schemes Bill Passed - House (88 - 10)
2/14 SB 1 Increases Minimum Wage to $15 Bill Passed - House (69 - 47)
2/14 HB 253 Prohibits Employers from Asking Job Applicants About Criminal History "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (213 - 142)
2/13 HB 2748 Increases Age for Tobacco Sale Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 32)
2/01 H 47 Increases the E-Cigarette Sales Tax Bill Passed - House (134 - 6)
1/31 A 15 Increases State Minimum Wage to $15 per Hour Bill Passed - House (52 - 25)
12/04 SB 1171 Amends Minimum Wage Increases Bill Passed - House (60 - 48)
11/29 SB 820 Increases Incentives Cap for High-Wage Corporate Jobs Bill Passed - House (78 - 23)
9/27 A 4496 Amends Sales Tax Regulations Bill Passed - House (43 - 35)
9/27 A 4495 Increases Corporate Business Tax Bill Passed - House (41 - 37)
8/23 SB 820 Prohibits Non-Disclosure Agreements in Sexual Assault, Harassment, or Discrimination Cases Bill Passed - House (56 - 19)
7/30 H 4841 Authorizes New Tax Regulations and Insurance Requirements for Short-Term Rentals Bill Passed - House (119 - 30)
7/19 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)
7/13 HR 50 Unfunded Mandates Information and Transparency Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (230 - 168)
7/01 A 1753 Requires Sales Tax on Transient Accommodations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 29)
7/01 SB 170 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (21 - 18)
6/27 SB 220 Limits Data Breach Liability in Certain Circumstances Bill Passed - House (68 - 23)
6/22 HB 1840 Amends Worker's Compensation Law Bill Passed - House (115 - 80)
6/20 H 4640 Amends Minimum Wage and Paid-Leave Programs Bill Passed - House (126 - 25)
6/13 HB 1055 Amends Pension Benefit Regulations Bill Passed - House (81 - 34)
6/13 HB 1810 Requires Data Information Sharing for Hosting Platforms Bill Passed - House (177 - 14)
6/07 HB 456 Prohibits Required Overtime for Nurses Bill Passed - House (77 - 11)
5/31 H 7420 Prohibits the Rental or Leasing of Pets Bill Passed - House (69 - 0)
5/30 SB 2892 Requires Increase in Teacher Salaries Bill Passed - House (65 - 47)
5/30 AB 3080 Prohibits Nondisclosure Agreements Regarding Workplace Harassment Bill Passed - House (47 - 25)
5/29 AB 2160 Defines Playground Aides as Classified Employees Bill Passed - House (51 - 26)
5/22 S 2155 Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act Bill Passed - House (258 - 159)
5/17 SB 1007 Authorizes Restrictions on Public-Sector Unions and Reduces Civil Service Law Coverage Bill Passed - House (98 - 38)
5/09 HR 5645 Standard Merger and Acquisition Reviews Through Equal Rules Act of 2018 Bill Passed - House (230 - 185)
4/26 HB 4595 Establishes the Illinois Employers Mutual Insurance Company Bill Passed - House (62 - 43)
4/26 HB 4595 Establishes the Illinois Employers Mutual Insurance Company Bill Passed - House (62 - 43)
4/16 SB 936 Establishes Prescription Drug Formulary for Injured Employees Bill Passed - House (101 - 92)
4/14 SB 78 Amends Licensing for Electricians Bill Passed - House (45 - 44)
4/11 HB 456 Establishes Regulations for Tattoo Industry Bill Passed - House (173 - 17)
4/07 HB 2482 Prohibits Contracts with Businesses That Boycott Israel Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 32)
4/05 SB 639 Establishes Disciplinary Hearing Procedures for Public School Employees Veto Override Passed - House (89 - 49)
4/04 SB 1631 Prohibits Renting Hotel Rooms for Less than 7 Hours Bill Failed - House (38 - 45)
3/30 SB 654 Requires Extension of Union Contracts Bill Passed - House (89 - 47)
3/29 SB 151 Amends the State Public Pension System Bill Passed - House (49 - 46)

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