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
March 27, 2012 GA SB 362 Authorizes the Recovery and Sale of Deadhead Logs Bill Failed - House (67 - 93)
March 27, 2012 MN HF 657 Amends Ticket Sales Practices Bill Passed - House (83 - 50)
March 23, 2012 LA HB 974 Amends Teacher Tenure Policy Bill Passed - House (64 - 40)
March 22, 2012 ID S 1295 Requires Massage Therapists to be Licensed Bill Passed - House (39 - 29)
March 22, 2012 ID S 1369 Penalties for Failure to Report Hiring or Rehiring of Employees Bill Passed - House (36 - 34)
March 22, 2012 ID S 1369 Penalties for Failure to Report Hiring or Rehiring of Employees Bill Passed - House (36 - 34)
March 21, 2012 MN HF 2337 Amends Property Taxes Bill Passed - House (72 - 62)
March 20, 2012 ID H 486 Prohibits Minors from Using Tanning Beds Bill Passed - House (39 - 30)
March 19, 2012 SD SB 157 Prohibits Cities From Limiting Outdoor Digital Billboards Veto Override Failed - House (43 - 24)
March 14, 2012 NH HB 1677 Prohibits Requiring Public Employees to Join Labor Unions Bill Passed - House (198 - 139)
March 13, 2012 IA HF 2385 Authorizes Professionals to Teach Certain High School Courses Bill Passed - House (61 - 36)
March 12, 2012 ID HCR 45 Encourages the Establishment of Private Healthcare Exchanges Resolution Passed - House (49 - 13)
March 7, 2012 MO SB 572 Amends Worker's Compensation Bill Passed - House (87 - 68)
March 6, 2012 AZ HCR 2056 Matches State Minimum Wage to Federal Minimum Resolution Passed - House (39 - 18)
March 5, 2012 GA HB 972 Regulation of Pain Management Clinics Bill Passed - House (124 - 38)
March 2, 2012 FL HB 1205 Authorizes Random Drug Tests of State Employees Bill Passed - House (79 - 37)
March 1, 2012 AZ HB 2815 Establishes Tax Credits for Certain Businesses Bill Passed - House (39 - 18)
Feb. 29, 2012 SD HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 33)
Feb. 29, 2012 WA SB 5895 Authorizes the Use of Student Test Scores in Teacher Evaluations Bill Passed - House (82 - 16)
Feb. 29, 2012 FL HB 609 Prohibits Unpaid Wage Collection Ordinances Bill Passed - House (77 - 38)
Feb. 28, 2012 IL HB 1310 Authorizes Certain Businesses to Permit Smoking Bill Failed - House (30 - 82)
Feb. 28, 2012 CO HB 1115 Authorizes Businesses to Comment on Fiscal Impact of Proposed Legislation Bill Passed - House (41 - 22)
Feb. 27, 2012 OR SB 1548 Prohibits Employers from Limiting Job Vacancies to Employed Applicants Bill Passed - House (56 - 4)
Feb. 27, 2012 OR SB 1548 Prohibits Employers from Limiting Job Vacancies to Employed Applicants Bill Passed - House (56 - 4)
Feb. 23, 2012 KS HB 2638 Reduces Unemployment Benefits and Unemployment Insurance Contributions Bill Passed - House (85 - 39)
Feb. 21, 2012 WI SB 202 Repeals Punitive Damages for Workplace Discrimination Bill Passed - House (60 - 35)
Feb. 16, 2012 MN HF 1870 Authorizes School Districts to Dismiss Teachers Based on Performance Bill Passed - House (68 - 61)
Feb. 14, 2012 VA HB 1129 Reduces State Employee Retirement Benefits Bill Passed - House (74 - 26)
Feb. 14, 2012 AL HB 160 Authorizes Companies to Retain Employee Income Tax Deductions Bill Passed - House (69 - 19)
Feb. 13, 2012 CO HB 1088 Authorizes the Use of Deadly Force Against Intruders in a Place of Business Bill Passed - House (35 - 26)
Feb. 13, 2012 VA HB 576 Amends Teacher Contract and Evaluation Policies Bill Passed - House (55 - 43)
Feb. 13, 2012 SD HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Bill Passed - House (41 - 28)
Feb. 9, 2012 MO HB 1219 Workplace Discrimination Amendments Bill Passed - House (89 - 68)
Jan. 31, 2012 IN HB 1149 Prohibits Smoking in Public Places Bill Passed - House (62 - 34)
Jan. 25, 2012 IN HB 1001 Prohibits Employers from Requiring Employees to Join a Labor Organization Bill Passed - House (54 - 44)
Jan. 9, 2012 NJ S 3172 Authorizes Direct Shipping By Local and Out-of-State Wineries Bill Passed - House (51 - 18)
Jan. 5, 2012 NC SB 727 No Dues Checkoff for School Employees Veto Override Passed - House (69 - 45)
Jan. 5, 2012 NH HB 383 Prohibits State Employees From Being Requied to Pay Association Fees Bill Passed - House (212 - 128)
Dec. 7, 2011 National HR 10 Congressional Approval of Regulations Bill Passed - House (241 - 184)
Dec. 2, 2011 National HR 3010 Establishes Additional Requirements for Regulatory Agencies Bill Passed - House (253 - 167)
Dec. 1, 2011 National HR 527 Increases Requirements for Agencies that Promulgate Regulations Affecting Small Businesses Bill Passed - House (263 - 159)
Nov. 29, 2011 IL HB 1883 Property Tax Amendments Concurrence Vote Failed - House (8 - 99)
Nov. 17, 2011 RI H 6319 Amending the Pension System Bill Passed - House (57 - 15)
Nov. 15, 2011 PA HB 439 Hiring Undocumented Workers Bill Passed - House (122 - 74)
Nov. 3, 2011 National H Amdt 853 Requires Crowdfunding Intermediaries to Disclose Methods of Compensation to Investors Amendment Rejected - House (189 - 234)
Nov. 3, 2011 National H Amdt 849 Requires Public Disclosure of Bonuses and Golden Parachute Arrangements Amendment Rejected - House (190 - 234)
Nov. 3, 2011 National HR 2930 Authorizes Crowdfunding for Small Businesses Bill Passed - House (407 - 17)
Nov. 2, 2011 MI HB 5002 Amends Workers' Compensation Law Bill Passed - House (59 - 49)
Sept. 15, 2011 National HR 2587 National Labor Relations Board Prohibitions Bill Passed - House (238 - 186)
Sept. 9, 2011 CA SB 922 Project Labor Agreements Bill Passed - House (52 - 27)
Sept. 8, 2011 CA SB 931 Payroll Debit Cards Bill Passed - House (48 - 28)
Sept. 8, 2011 CA ABX1 40 State Tax Code Restructuring Bill Passed - House (54 - 15)
Sept. 6, 2011 CA AB 1319 Prohibiting the Use of BPA in Baby Products Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 27)
Sept. 6, 2011 CA SB 299 Pregnancy or Childbirth Leave for Employees Bill Passed - House (52 - 26)
Sept. 1, 2011 CA SB 469 Requirements for Expansion by Large Retailers Bill Passed - House (46 - 28)
Aug. 29, 2011 CA SB 185 Considering Race, Ethnicity and Gender in College Admissions Bill Passed - House (49 - 28)
June 30, 2011 MI SB 7 Employee Contribution to Health Care Benefits Bill Passed - House (56 - 52)
June 23, 2011 National HR 1249 Patent Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (304 - 117)
June 23, 2011 NJ S 2937 Pension and Health Care Benefits for Public Employees Bill Passed - House (46 - 32)
June 22, 2011 NH HB 2 Recertification of Employer Retirement Contribution Rates Conference Report Adopted - House (259 - 119)
June 22, 2011 NH HB 2 Recertification of Employer Retirement Contribution Rates Conference Report Adopted - House (259 - 119)
June 20, 2011 NY A 6698A Freelance Wage Protection Bill Passed - House (84 - 58)
June 16, 2011 TX SB 8 Management and Operation of Public Schools Bill Passed - House (81 - 55)
June 2, 2011 CA AB 889 Establishes Work Condition Requirements for Domestic Work Employees Bill Passed - House (49 - 28)
May 31, 2011 IL HB 1698 Amends Workers' Compensation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 43)
May 31, 2011 CA AB 155 Online Sale Taxes Bill Passed - House (52 - 20)
May 23, 2011 CA AB 1319 Prohibiting the Use of BPA in Baby Products Bill Passed - House (42 - 29)
May 19, 2011 NC HB 578 State Health Plan Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (90 - 24)
May 19, 2011 CA AB 1236 Prohibits Requirement of Electronic Employment Verification Bill Passed - House (55 - 22)
May 18, 2011 NH SB 196 Guidelines for Teacher Dismissal Bill Passed - House (253 - 105)
May 18, 2011 NH SB 121 Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Bill Passed - House (259 - 100)
May 12, 2011 MI HB 4362 Business Tax Reduction Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 51)
May 11, 2011 WI SB 13 Repealing Regulations for Telecommunications Services Bill Passed - House (80 - 13)
May 6, 2011 UT HB 328 State Government Work Week Veto Override Passed - House (50 - 18)
May 6, 2011 FL HB 5007 Amends Business Regulations Conference Report Adopted - House (81 - 35)
April 29, 2011 IN HB 1216 Public Works Projects Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 47)
April 28, 2011 NC HB 546 Alternative Teacher Salary Plans Bill Passed - House (72 - 42)
April 27, 2011 SC Amendment No. 1 Distribution Facilities and the Sales Tax Amendment Rejected - House (47 - 71)
April 27, 2011 TX HB 2403 Internet Sales Tax Bill Passed - House (125 - 20)
April 26, 2011 GA HB 234 Reduces Sales Taxes for Tourism Projects Concurrence Vote Passed - House (90 - 73)
April 20, 2011 MT HB 13 Increases Pay for State Employees Bill Failed - House (40 - 60)
April 18, 2011 CO HB 1141 Reduces Business Taxes Bill Passed - House (34 - 31)
April 18, 2011 NV AB 211 Prohibiting Discriminatory Employment Practices Based On Gender or Expression Bill Passed - House (29 - 13)
April 14, 2011 AZ SB 1609 Public Workers' Pensions Bill Passed - House (36 - 20)
April 13, 2011 AZ SB 1593 Authorizing Out-of-State Insurance Policies in Arizona Bill Passed - House (37 - 21)
April 11, 2011 NY A 6130 Prohibiting Discrimination in Wages Based on Gender, Race or National Origin Bill Passed - House (93 - 53)
April 11, 2011 NY A 6130 Prohibiting Discrimination in Wages Based on Gender, Race or National Origin Bill Passed - House (93 - 53)
March 30, 2011 IN HB 1216 Public Works Projects Bill Passed - House (54 - 44)
March 30, 2011 NH HB 580 Public Employee Retirement System Amendments Bill Passed - House (228 - 139)
March 30, 2011 NH HB 580 Public Employee Retirement System Amendments Bill Passed - House (228 - 139)
March 29, 2011 SC H 3408 Freedom of Conscience Act Bill Passed - House (69 - 41)
March 26, 2011 MD HB 235 Prohibiting Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Discrimination Bill Passed - House (86 - 52)
March 23, 2011 MT HB 13 Increases Pay for State Employees Bill Not Tabled - House (39 - 54)
March 15, 2011 NM HB 644 Raises Retirement Age Bill Passed - House (37 - 32)
March 13, 2011 NM HB 644 Raises Retirement Age Bill Failed - House (28 - 38)
March 10, 2011 GA HB 47 Ability to Purchase Insurance Out of State Bill Passed - House (111 - 47)
March 9, 2011 UT SB 73 Public School Teacher Tenure Modifications Bill Passed - House (45 - 28)
March 4, 2011 ID H 104a Teacher Union Activities Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
March 4, 2011 UT HB 317 Specifies that Gold and Silver Coins are Legal Tender in Utah Bill Passed - House (47 - 26)
March 3, 2011 MO HB 61 Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (92 - 60)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/27 SB 362 Authorizes the Recovery and Sale of Deadhead Logs Bill Failed - House (67 - 93)
3/27 HF 657 Amends Ticket Sales Practices Bill Passed - House (83 - 50)
3/23 HB 974 Amends Teacher Tenure Policy Bill Passed - House (64 - 40)
3/22 S 1295 Requires Massage Therapists to be Licensed Bill Passed - House (39 - 29)
3/22 S 1369 Penalties for Failure to Report Hiring or Rehiring of Employees Bill Passed - House (36 - 34)
3/22 S 1369 Penalties for Failure to Report Hiring or Rehiring of Employees Bill Passed - House (36 - 34)
3/21 HF 2337 Amends Property Taxes Bill Passed - House (72 - 62)
3/20 H 486 Prohibits Minors from Using Tanning Beds Bill Passed - House (39 - 30)
3/19 SB 157 Prohibits Cities From Limiting Outdoor Digital Billboards Veto Override Failed - House (43 - 24)
3/14 HB 1677 Prohibits Requiring Public Employees to Join Labor Unions Bill Passed - House (198 - 139)
3/13 HF 2385 Authorizes Professionals to Teach Certain High School Courses Bill Passed - House (61 - 36)
3/12 HCR 45 Encourages the Establishment of Private Healthcare Exchanges Resolution Passed - House (49 - 13)
3/07 SB 572 Amends Worker's Compensation Bill Passed - House (87 - 68)
3/06 HCR 2056 Matches State Minimum Wage to Federal Minimum Resolution Passed - House (39 - 18)
3/05 HB 972 Regulation of Pain Management Clinics Bill Passed - House (124 - 38)
3/02 HB 1205 Authorizes Random Drug Tests of State Employees Bill Passed - House (79 - 37)
3/01 HB 2815 Establishes Tax Credits for Certain Businesses Bill Passed - House (39 - 18)
2/29 HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 33)
2/29 SB 5895 Authorizes the Use of Student Test Scores in Teacher Evaluations Bill Passed - House (82 - 16)
2/29 HB 609 Prohibits Unpaid Wage Collection Ordinances Bill Passed - House (77 - 38)
2/28 HB 1310 Authorizes Certain Businesses to Permit Smoking Bill Failed - House (30 - 82)
2/28 HB 1115 Authorizes Businesses to Comment on Fiscal Impact of Proposed Legislation Bill Passed - House (41 - 22)
2/27 SB 1548 Prohibits Employers from Limiting Job Vacancies to Employed Applicants Bill Passed - House (56 - 4)
2/27 SB 1548 Prohibits Employers from Limiting Job Vacancies to Employed Applicants Bill Passed - House (56 - 4)
2/23 HB 2638 Reduces Unemployment Benefits and Unemployment Insurance Contributions Bill Passed - House (85 - 39)
2/21 SB 202 Repeals Punitive Damages for Workplace Discrimination Bill Passed - House (60 - 35)
2/16 HF 1870 Authorizes School Districts to Dismiss Teachers Based on Performance Bill Passed - House (68 - 61)
2/14 HB 1129 Reduces State Employee Retirement Benefits Bill Passed - House (74 - 26)
2/14 HB 160 Authorizes Companies to Retain Employee Income Tax Deductions Bill Passed - House (69 - 19)
2/13 HB 1088 Authorizes the Use of Deadly Force Against Intruders in a Place of Business Bill Passed - House (35 - 26)
2/13 HB 576 Amends Teacher Contract and Evaluation Policies Bill Passed - House (55 - 43)
2/13 HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Bill Passed - House (41 - 28)
2/09 HB 1219 Workplace Discrimination Amendments Bill Passed - House (89 - 68)
1/31 HB 1149 Prohibits Smoking in Public Places Bill Passed - House (62 - 34)
1/25 HB 1001 Prohibits Employers from Requiring Employees to Join a Labor Organization Bill Passed - House (54 - 44)
1/09 S 3172 Authorizes Direct Shipping By Local and Out-of-State Wineries Bill Passed - House (51 - 18)
1/05 SB 727 No Dues Checkoff for School Employees Veto Override Passed - House (69 - 45)
1/05 HB 383 Prohibits State Employees From Being Requied to Pay Association Fees Bill Passed - House (212 - 128)
12/07 HR 10 Congressional Approval of Regulations Bill Passed - House (241 - 184)
12/02 HR 3010 Establishes Additional Requirements for Regulatory Agencies Bill Passed - House (253 - 167)
12/01 HR 527 Increases Requirements for Agencies that Promulgate Regulations Affecting Small Businesses Bill Passed - House (263 - 159)
11/29 HB 1883 Property Tax Amendments Concurrence Vote Failed - House (8 - 99)
11/17 H 6319 Amending the Pension System Bill Passed - House (57 - 15)
11/15 HB 439 Hiring Undocumented Workers Bill Passed - House (122 - 74)
11/03 H Amdt 853 Requires Crowdfunding Intermediaries to Disclose Methods of Compensation to Investors Amendment Rejected - House (189 - 234)
11/03 H Amdt 849 Requires Public Disclosure of Bonuses and Golden Parachute Arrangements Amendment Rejected - House (190 - 234)
11/03 HR 2930 Authorizes Crowdfunding for Small Businesses Bill Passed - House (407 - 17)
11/02 HB 5002 Amends Workers' Compensation Law Bill Passed - House (59 - 49)
9/15 HR 2587 National Labor Relations Board Prohibitions Bill Passed - House (238 - 186)
9/09 SB 922 Project Labor Agreements Bill Passed - House (52 - 27)
9/08 SB 931 Payroll Debit Cards Bill Passed - House (48 - 28)
9/08 ABX1 40 State Tax Code Restructuring Bill Passed - House (54 - 15)
9/06 AB 1319 Prohibiting the Use of BPA in Baby Products Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 27)
9/06 SB 299 Pregnancy or Childbirth Leave for Employees Bill Passed - House (52 - 26)
9/01 SB 469 Requirements for Expansion by Large Retailers Bill Passed - House (46 - 28)
8/29 SB 185 Considering Race, Ethnicity and Gender in College Admissions Bill Passed - House (49 - 28)
6/30 SB 7 Employee Contribution to Health Care Benefits Bill Passed - House (56 - 52)
6/23 HR 1249 Patent Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (304 - 117)
6/23 S 2937 Pension and Health Care Benefits for Public Employees Bill Passed - House (46 - 32)
6/22 HB 2 Recertification of Employer Retirement Contribution Rates Conference Report Adopted - House (259 - 119)
6/22 HB 2 Recertification of Employer Retirement Contribution Rates Conference Report Adopted - House (259 - 119)
6/20 A 6698A Freelance Wage Protection Bill Passed - House (84 - 58)
6/16 SB 8 Management and Operation of Public Schools Bill Passed - House (81 - 55)
6/02 AB 889 Establishes Work Condition Requirements for Domestic Work Employees Bill Passed - House (49 - 28)
5/31 HB 1698 Amends Workers' Compensation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 43)
5/31 AB 155 Online Sale Taxes Bill Passed - House (52 - 20)
5/23 AB 1319 Prohibiting the Use of BPA in Baby Products Bill Passed - House (42 - 29)
5/19 HB 578 State Health Plan Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (90 - 24)
5/19 AB 1236 Prohibits Requirement of Electronic Employment Verification Bill Passed - House (55 - 22)
5/18 SB 196 Guidelines for Teacher Dismissal Bill Passed - House (253 - 105)
5/18 SB 121 Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Bill Passed - House (259 - 100)
5/12 HB 4362 Business Tax Reduction Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 51)
5/11 SB 13 Repealing Regulations for Telecommunications Services Bill Passed - House (80 - 13)
5/06 HB 328 State Government Work Week Veto Override Passed - House (50 - 18)
5/06 HB 5007 Amends Business Regulations Conference Report Adopted - House (81 - 35)
4/29 HB 1216 Public Works Projects Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 47)
4/28 HB 546 Alternative Teacher Salary Plans Bill Passed - House (72 - 42)
4/27 Amendment No. 1 Distribution Facilities and the Sales Tax Amendment Rejected - House (47 - 71)
4/27 HB 2403 Internet Sales Tax Bill Passed - House (125 - 20)
4/26 HB 234 Reduces Sales Taxes for Tourism Projects Concurrence Vote Passed - House (90 - 73)
4/20 HB 13 Increases Pay for State Employees Bill Failed - House (40 - 60)
4/18 HB 1141 Reduces Business Taxes Bill Passed - House (34 - 31)
4/18 AB 211 Prohibiting Discriminatory Employment Practices Based On Gender or Expression Bill Passed - House (29 - 13)
4/14 SB 1609 Public Workers' Pensions Bill Passed - House (36 - 20)
4/13 SB 1593 Authorizing Out-of-State Insurance Policies in Arizona Bill Passed - House (37 - 21)
4/11 A 6130 Prohibiting Discrimination in Wages Based on Gender, Race or National Origin Bill Passed - House (93 - 53)
4/11 A 6130 Prohibiting Discrimination in Wages Based on Gender, Race or National Origin Bill Passed - House (93 - 53)
3/30 HB 1216 Public Works Projects Bill Passed - House (54 - 44)
3/30 HB 580 Public Employee Retirement System Amendments Bill Passed - House (228 - 139)
3/30 HB 580 Public Employee Retirement System Amendments Bill Passed - House (228 - 139)
3/29 H 3408 Freedom of Conscience Act Bill Passed - House (69 - 41)
3/26 HB 235 Prohibiting Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Discrimination Bill Passed - House (86 - 52)
3/23 HB 13 Increases Pay for State Employees Bill Not Tabled - House (39 - 54)
3/15 HB 644 Raises Retirement Age Bill Passed - House (37 - 32)
3/13 HB 644 Raises Retirement Age Bill Failed - House (28 - 38)
3/10 HB 47 Ability to Purchase Insurance Out of State Bill Passed - House (111 - 47)
3/09 SB 73 Public School Teacher Tenure Modifications Bill Passed - House (45 - 28)
3/04 H 104a Teacher Union Activities Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
3/04 HB 317 Specifies that Gold and Silver Coins are Legal Tender in Utah Bill Passed - House (47 - 26)
3/03 HB 61 Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (92 - 60)

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