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
May 28, 2025 NE LB 415 Exempts Small Businesses, Minors, and Temporary Agriculture Workers from Receiving Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
May 28, 2025 CT SB 8 Authorizes Individual's Whose Total or Partial Unemployment is Due to the Existence of a Labor Dispute to Collect Unemployment Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
May 28, 2025 CA SB 576 Prohibits Video Streaming Services from Transmitting the Audio of the Commercial Advertisements Louder than the Video Being Played Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
May 28, 2025 NY S 1464 Establishes Regulations Regarding Commercial Packaging and Recyclability Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 25)
May 28, 2025 CA SB 513 Requires Education and Training Certificates to be Available for Employer Viewing Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
May 28, 2025 CT SB 1358 Restructures the Compensation of Nonprofit Employees in Connecticut to Match Inflation Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
May 28, 2025 CA SB 590 Expands Eligibility for Benefits Under the State's Paid Family Leave Program Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
May 28, 2025 CA SB 590 Expands Eligibility for Benefits Under the State's Paid Family Leave Program Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
May 27, 2025 OR SB 551 Prohibits All Plastic Bags at Checkout Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
May 27, 2025 AK SB 95 Establishes a Tax Credit Program that Rewards Companies that Invest in Child Care Programs for Their Workers Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 3)
May 27, 2025 NE LB 316 Prohibits Sale of Consumable Hemp Products Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
May 23, 2025 NV AB 112 Requires Private Employers that Provide Sick Leave to Allow an Employee to Use Accrued Sick Leave for an Absence Due to an Illness, Injury, or Medical Appointment of a Member of Their Immediate Family Even if the Employee is Covered Under a Valid Collective Bargaining Agreement Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
May 22, 2025 NV AB 44 Prohibits the Use of Deceptive Practices to Manipulate the Price of Essential Goods and Services Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
May 22, 2025 IL HB 1278 Prohibits Employers from Retaliating Against Employees in any Way if the Employee used Employer-Issued Equipment to Record Domestic Violence, Sexual Violence, Gender Violence, or any Other Crime of Violence Committed Against the Employee Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 1)
May 22, 2025 IL HB 1278 Prohibits Employers from Retaliating Against Employees in any Way if the Employee used Employer-Issued Equipment to Record Domestic Violence, Sexual Violence, Gender Violence, or any Other Crime of Violence Committed Against the Employee Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 1)
May 22, 2025 IL HB 2688 Amends the Nurse Practice Act to Expand Collaborative and Practice Authority for Certified Nurse Midwives Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 1)
May 22, 2025 NV SB 182 Requires Hospitals to Establish Staffing Committees and Report Staffing Information Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
May 21, 2025 IL HB 1189 Requires State and Local Projects Funded by the Federal Government to Pay Illinois' Prevailing Wage when Federal Prevailing Wage is Equal to or Less than the State's Prevailing Wage Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 18)
May 21, 2025 TX HB 3260 Amends and Modifies State Law to Allow TWC to Grow the Program Without Dependence on the U.S. Department of Labor Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
May 21, 2025 NY S 187 Prohibits Products Containing Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl in New York Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 12)
May 21, 2025 IL SB 1976 Prohibits State Agencies from Revising their Rules in a Way that is Less Stringent in its Protection of Workers' Rights or Safety than the Requirements Established under Federal Law Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 19)
May 21, 2025 IL SB 1976 Prohibits State Agencies from Revising their Rules in a Way that is Less Stringent in its Protection of Workers' Rights or Safety than the Requirements Established under Federal Law Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 19)
May 20, 2025 ME LD 784 Establishes a Rebutable Presumption Related to Specialized Risk Screening for First Responders "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 12)
May 15, 2025 CA SB 693 Exempts Water Corporations From Employee Lunch Break Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
May 15, 2025 CA SB 693 Exempts Water Corporations From Employee Lunch Break Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
May 14, 2025 IA HF 889 Establishes Paid Parental Leave for State Employees in Iowa Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 1)
May 14, 2025 MO HB 567 Amends Provisions Relating to Employee Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
May 14, 2025 AL HB 343 Requires Membership of the General Retirement System for Employees of Jefferson County be Mandatory for Eligible Full-Time Employees Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 3)
May 14, 2025 NE LB 246 Establishes the Nebraska Pure Food Act to Regulate Adulterated Food Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
May 14, 2025 IA SF 607 Reduces the Percent of the Iowa's Average Weekly Wage Used to Calculate Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
May 14, 2025 IA SF 607 Reduces the Percent of the Iowa's Average Weekly Wage Used to Calculate Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
May 13, 2025 IA SF 615 Extends and Expands Medicaid Work Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
May 13, 2025 OR HB 3187 Prohibits Employers From Asking For or Requiring an Applicant's Age Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
May 8, 2025 IL SB 1486 Restricts the Use of Undisclosed Charges for Good and Services Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 1)
May 8, 2025 CA SB 652 Amends Training Standards for Private Security Services Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
May 8, 2025 CA SB 652 Amends Training Standards for Private Security Services Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
May 8, 2025 CA SB 521 Expands the List of Offenses That Can Bar Someone From Public Employment Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
May 7, 2025 SC H 3309 Authorizes Santee Cooper and Dominion Energy to Enter Into an Agreement to Build a Gas Powerplant Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 11)
May 7, 2025 TX SB 29 Establishes Specialty Courts to Handle Business Disputes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
May 7, 2025 AL HB 357 Defines the Terms "Cigarette" and "Heated Tobacco Product," and Authorizes the State to Impose a 33.75 Mill Tax on Each Cigarette and $0.017 tax on Each Heated Tobacco Product Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
May 7, 2025 NC SB 416 Prohibits Public Agencies from "Collecting, Disclosing, or Releasing Personal Information" About Individuals Associated with 501(c) Nonprofits, With Exceptions Allowed by State or Federal Law. Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
May 6, 2025 CO SB 25-299 Requires that Companies Selling Residential Solar-Power Systems Disclose the Terms of Financing Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
May 6, 2025 AL HB 8 Increases Regulations on Tobacco and Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
May 5, 2025 National H J Res 61 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Rubber Tire Manufacturing". Motion Agreed - Senate (51 - 43)
May 2, 2025 HI HB 1483 Increases Penalty Fines for Illegal Fireworks Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 2)
May 2, 2025 ND HB 1575 Amends Property Tax Relief by Reducing the Taxable Value of All Categories Bill Failed - Senate (0 - 46)
May 1, 2025 National H J Res 75 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy relating to "Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Refrigerators, Freezers, and Refrigerator- Freezers". Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 45)
April 30, 2025 National H J Res 75 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy relating to "Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Refrigerators, Freezers, and Refrigerator- Freezers". Motion Agreed - Senate (52 - 46)
April 30, 2025 ME LD 588 Establishes the Agricultural Employees Concerted Activity Protection Act "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 13)
April 30, 2025 NE LB 258 Amends Annual Increases to State Minimum Wage Down to a Fixed Rate Motion Agreed - Senate (33 - 16)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/28 LB 415 Exempts Small Businesses, Minors, and Temporary Agriculture Workers from Receiving Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
5/28 SB 8 Authorizes Individual's Whose Total or Partial Unemployment is Due to the Existence of a Labor Dispute to Collect Unemployment Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
5/28 SB 576 Prohibits Video Streaming Services from Transmitting the Audio of the Commercial Advertisements Louder than the Video Being Played Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
5/28 S 1464 Establishes Regulations Regarding Commercial Packaging and Recyclability Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 25)
5/28 SB 513 Requires Education and Training Certificates to be Available for Employer Viewing Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
5/28 SB 1358 Restructures the Compensation of Nonprofit Employees in Connecticut to Match Inflation Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
5/28 SB 590 Expands Eligibility for Benefits Under the State's Paid Family Leave Program Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
5/28 SB 590 Expands Eligibility for Benefits Under the State's Paid Family Leave Program Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
5/27 SB 551 Prohibits All Plastic Bags at Checkout Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
5/27 SB 95 Establishes a Tax Credit Program that Rewards Companies that Invest in Child Care Programs for Their Workers Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 3)
5/27 LB 316 Prohibits Sale of Consumable Hemp Products Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
5/23 AB 112 Requires Private Employers that Provide Sick Leave to Allow an Employee to Use Accrued Sick Leave for an Absence Due to an Illness, Injury, or Medical Appointment of a Member of Their Immediate Family Even if the Employee is Covered Under a Valid Collective Bargaining Agreement Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
5/22 AB 44 Prohibits the Use of Deceptive Practices to Manipulate the Price of Essential Goods and Services Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
5/22 HB 1278 Prohibits Employers from Retaliating Against Employees in any Way if the Employee used Employer-Issued Equipment to Record Domestic Violence, Sexual Violence, Gender Violence, or any Other Crime of Violence Committed Against the Employee Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 1)
5/22 HB 1278 Prohibits Employers from Retaliating Against Employees in any Way if the Employee used Employer-Issued Equipment to Record Domestic Violence, Sexual Violence, Gender Violence, or any Other Crime of Violence Committed Against the Employee Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 1)
5/22 HB 2688 Amends the Nurse Practice Act to Expand Collaborative and Practice Authority for Certified Nurse Midwives Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 1)
5/22 SB 182 Requires Hospitals to Establish Staffing Committees and Report Staffing Information Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
5/21 HB 1189 Requires State and Local Projects Funded by the Federal Government to Pay Illinois' Prevailing Wage when Federal Prevailing Wage is Equal to or Less than the State's Prevailing Wage Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 18)
5/21 HB 3260 Amends and Modifies State Law to Allow TWC to Grow the Program Without Dependence on the U.S. Department of Labor Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
5/21 S 187 Prohibits Products Containing Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl in New York Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 12)
5/21 SB 1976 Prohibits State Agencies from Revising their Rules in a Way that is Less Stringent in its Protection of Workers' Rights or Safety than the Requirements Established under Federal Law Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 19)
5/21 SB 1976 Prohibits State Agencies from Revising their Rules in a Way that is Less Stringent in its Protection of Workers' Rights or Safety than the Requirements Established under Federal Law Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 19)
5/20 LD 784 Establishes a Rebutable Presumption Related to Specialized Risk Screening for First Responders "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 12)
5/15 SB 693 Exempts Water Corporations From Employee Lunch Break Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
5/15 SB 693 Exempts Water Corporations From Employee Lunch Break Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
5/14 HF 889 Establishes Paid Parental Leave for State Employees in Iowa Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 1)
5/14 HB 567 Amends Provisions Relating to Employee Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
5/14 HB 343 Requires Membership of the General Retirement System for Employees of Jefferson County be Mandatory for Eligible Full-Time Employees Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 3)
5/14 LB 246 Establishes the Nebraska Pure Food Act to Regulate Adulterated Food Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
5/14 SF 607 Reduces the Percent of the Iowa's Average Weekly Wage Used to Calculate Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
5/14 SF 607 Reduces the Percent of the Iowa's Average Weekly Wage Used to Calculate Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
5/13 SF 615 Extends and Expands Medicaid Work Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
5/13 HB 3187 Prohibits Employers From Asking For or Requiring an Applicant's Age Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
5/08 SB 1486 Restricts the Use of Undisclosed Charges for Good and Services Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 1)
5/08 SB 652 Amends Training Standards for Private Security Services Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
5/08 SB 652 Amends Training Standards for Private Security Services Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
5/08 SB 521 Expands the List of Offenses That Can Bar Someone From Public Employment Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
5/07 H 3309 Authorizes Santee Cooper and Dominion Energy to Enter Into an Agreement to Build a Gas Powerplant Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 11)
5/07 SB 29 Establishes Specialty Courts to Handle Business Disputes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
5/07 HB 357 Defines the Terms "Cigarette" and "Heated Tobacco Product," and Authorizes the State to Impose a 33.75 Mill Tax on Each Cigarette and $0.017 tax on Each Heated Tobacco Product Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
5/07 SB 416 Prohibits Public Agencies from "Collecting, Disclosing, or Releasing Personal Information" About Individuals Associated with 501(c) Nonprofits, With Exceptions Allowed by State or Federal Law. Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
5/06 SB 25-299 Requires that Companies Selling Residential Solar-Power Systems Disclose the Terms of Financing Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
5/06 HB 8 Increases Regulations on Tobacco and Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
5/05 H J Res 61 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Rubber Tire Manufacturing". Motion Agreed - Senate (51 - 43)
5/02 HB 1483 Increases Penalty Fines for Illegal Fireworks Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 2)
5/02 HB 1575 Amends Property Tax Relief by Reducing the Taxable Value of All Categories Bill Failed - Senate (0 - 46)
5/01 H J Res 75 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy relating to "Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Refrigerators, Freezers, and Refrigerator- Freezers". Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 45)
4/30 H J Res 75 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy relating to "Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Refrigerators, Freezers, and Refrigerator- Freezers". Motion Agreed - Senate (52 - 46)
4/30 LD 588 Establishes the Agricultural Employees Concerted Activity Protection Act "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 13)
4/30 LB 258 Amends Annual Increases to State Minimum Wage Down to a Fixed Rate Motion Agreed - Senate (33 - 16)

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