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
Aug. 24, 2020 CA AB 901 Limits a School District's Ability to Refer Students to Probation Officers Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
July 6, 2020 HI HB 2043 Authorizes Mental Health Services or Counseling to Minors without Parent or Guardian Participation Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 2)
June 26, 2020 CA SB 1111 Requires Certain Juvenile Offenders to Remain in Juvenile Hall Until Age 21 Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
June 13, 2020 CO SB 20-163 Amends the Definition for Nonmedical Exemptions for School Immunization Policies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 13)
March 12, 2020 FL SB 810 Increases the Legal Smoking Age to 21 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
March 11, 2020 WY SF 50 Increases the Legal Smoking Age to 21 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
March 9, 2020 WY HB 174 Amends Kindergarten Minimum Age Start Date Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
March 7, 2020 WA SB 6313 Authorizes 16 and 17 Year Olds to Opt Out of the Automatic Voter Pre-Registration Process Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
March 6, 2020 FL HB 43 Amends Child Welfare Training Standards Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
Feb. 28, 2020 CO SB 20-163 Amends the Definition for Nonmedical Exemptions for School Immunization Policies Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
Feb. 11, 2020 NE LB 329 Amends Eligibility Provisions for Transitional Childcare Assistance Subsidies Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
Feb. 6, 2020 FL SB 404 Requires Parental Consent for Minors Prior to Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
Feb. 4, 2020 IN SB 449 Reduces the Age at Which Juveniles Can be Sent to Jail Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
Jan. 16, 2020 MA H 4218 Requires School Districts Offer Breakfast After Instruction Begins Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
Nov. 5, 2019 WI SB 49 Prohibits Prostitution Charges Against Minors Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
June 27, 2019 DE HB 79 Requires Beverages Included in Kids' Meals to be Milk or Water Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
June 19, 2019 ME LD 1028 Increases Taxes on Tobacco Products Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
May 29, 2019 IL HB 2276 Prohibits Smoking in a Vehicle with Minors Present Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 10)
May 24, 2019 NE LB 149 Increases State Smoking Age Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 0)
May 23, 2019 CA SB 360 Requires Religious Officials Report Minor Sex Abuse Evidence to Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
May 21, 2019 ME LD 1417 Expands Access to Head Start Programs "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 11)
May 20, 2019 LA SB 172 Requires Individuals to be At Least 16 Years Old to Marry Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
May 2, 2019 CO HB 19-1120 Reduces the Age at Which a Child Can Seek Mental Health Treatment Without Parental Consent Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
May 1, 2019 TN HB 939 Authorizes Education Savings Account Vouchers Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 14)
April 29, 2019 CO HB 19-1278 Authorizes Primary Voting for 17 Year Olds and Increases Rural Voter Services Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
April 17, 2019 WA HB 1638 Prohibits Parental Exemptions of the Measles Vaccine Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 22)
April 16, 2019 OR SB 1008 Amends Juvenile Offender Sentencing Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
April 11, 2019 IL SB 2075 Requires 5-Year-Olds to Attend Kindergarten Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 16)
April 9, 2019 TX SB 21 Prohibits Smoking Under the Age of 21 Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
April 2, 2019 MD HB 1169 Prohibits Smoking Under the Age of 21 Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13)
March 27, 2019 WA HB 1074 Increases the Smoking and Vaping Age to 21 Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12)
March 26, 2019 GA HB 83 Requires Recess for Students in Kindergarten Through Fifth Grade Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 4)
March 19, 2019 NY A 6449 Increases Number of Speed Cameras in School Zones Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 18)
March 19, 2019 DE SB 25 Prohibits Smoking Under the Age of 21 Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
March 14, 2019 IL HB 345 Prohibits Smoking Under the Age of 21 Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 16)
March 11, 2019 WA SB 5434 Establishes Restrictions for Firearms in Daycare and Child Care Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
Feb. 27, 2019 WV SB 348 Increases Age for Tobacco Sale Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
Feb. 25, 2019 MT SB 21 Prohibits Minors from Using Tanning Beds Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
Oct. 17, 2018 PA SB 554 Establishes Protections for Juvenile Human Trafficking Victims Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
Aug. 21, 2018 CA SB 1192 Requires Beverages Included in Kids' Meals to be Milk or Water Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
June 25, 2018 NJ A 4110 Requires Seat Belts on School Buses Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
June 21, 2018 NJ S 2711 Requires Child Abuse Training for Teachers Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
May 9, 2018 CT HB 5170 Authorizes Schools to Search Student Cell Phones Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
May 3, 2018 KS SB 284 Authorizes Child Placement Agencies to Deny Service Based on Religion Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 15)
April 25, 2018 RI S 2353 Requires Educators to Report Sexual Abuse Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
April 19, 2018 VT S 103 Requires Regulations of Toxic Substances in Products Veto Override Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
April 11, 2018 OH SB 82 Requires Schools to Contact Parents for Unexcused Absences Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
April 3, 2018 RI S 2299 Prohibits Minors from Using Tanning Beds Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
March 21, 2018 National HR 1865 Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2)
March 13, 2018 OK SB 1140 Authorizes Child-Placement Agencies to Deny Services Based on Religion Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 9)
Date No. Title Outcome
8/24 AB 901 Limits a School District's Ability to Refer Students to Probation Officers Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
7/06 HB 2043 Authorizes Mental Health Services or Counseling to Minors without Parent or Guardian Participation Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 2)
6/26 SB 1111 Requires Certain Juvenile Offenders to Remain in Juvenile Hall Until Age 21 Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
6/13 SB 20-163 Amends the Definition for Nonmedical Exemptions for School Immunization Policies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 13)
3/12 SB 810 Increases the Legal Smoking Age to 21 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
3/11 SF 50 Increases the Legal Smoking Age to 21 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
3/09 HB 174 Amends Kindergarten Minimum Age Start Date Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
3/07 SB 6313 Authorizes 16 and 17 Year Olds to Opt Out of the Automatic Voter Pre-Registration Process Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
3/06 HB 43 Amends Child Welfare Training Standards Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
2/28 SB 20-163 Amends the Definition for Nonmedical Exemptions for School Immunization Policies Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
2/11 LB 329 Amends Eligibility Provisions for Transitional Childcare Assistance Subsidies Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
2/06 SB 404 Requires Parental Consent for Minors Prior to Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
2/04 SB 449 Reduces the Age at Which Juveniles Can be Sent to Jail Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
1/16 H 4218 Requires School Districts Offer Breakfast After Instruction Begins Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
11/05 SB 49 Prohibits Prostitution Charges Against Minors Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
6/27 HB 79 Requires Beverages Included in Kids' Meals to be Milk or Water Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
6/19 LD 1028 Increases Taxes on Tobacco Products Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
5/29 HB 2276 Prohibits Smoking in a Vehicle with Minors Present Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 10)
5/24 LB 149 Increases State Smoking Age Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 0)
5/23 SB 360 Requires Religious Officials Report Minor Sex Abuse Evidence to Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
5/21 LD 1417 Expands Access to Head Start Programs "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 11)
5/20 SB 172 Requires Individuals to be At Least 16 Years Old to Marry Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
5/02 HB 19-1120 Reduces the Age at Which a Child Can Seek Mental Health Treatment Without Parental Consent Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
5/01 HB 939 Authorizes Education Savings Account Vouchers Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 14)
4/29 HB 19-1278 Authorizes Primary Voting for 17 Year Olds and Increases Rural Voter Services Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
4/17 HB 1638 Prohibits Parental Exemptions of the Measles Vaccine Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 22)
4/16 SB 1008 Amends Juvenile Offender Sentencing Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
4/11 SB 2075 Requires 5-Year-Olds to Attend Kindergarten Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 16)
4/09 SB 21 Prohibits Smoking Under the Age of 21 Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
4/02 HB 1169 Prohibits Smoking Under the Age of 21 Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13)
3/27 HB 1074 Increases the Smoking and Vaping Age to 21 Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12)
3/26 HB 83 Requires Recess for Students in Kindergarten Through Fifth Grade Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 4)
3/19 A 6449 Increases Number of Speed Cameras in School Zones Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 18)
3/19 SB 25 Prohibits Smoking Under the Age of 21 Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
3/14 HB 345 Prohibits Smoking Under the Age of 21 Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 16)
3/11 SB 5434 Establishes Restrictions for Firearms in Daycare and Child Care Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
2/27 SB 348 Increases Age for Tobacco Sale Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
2/25 SB 21 Prohibits Minors from Using Tanning Beds Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
10/17 SB 554 Establishes Protections for Juvenile Human Trafficking Victims Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
8/21 SB 1192 Requires Beverages Included in Kids' Meals to be Milk or Water Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
6/25 A 4110 Requires Seat Belts on School Buses Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
6/21 S 2711 Requires Child Abuse Training for Teachers Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
5/09 HB 5170 Authorizes Schools to Search Student Cell Phones Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
5/03 SB 284 Authorizes Child Placement Agencies to Deny Service Based on Religion Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 15)
4/25 S 2353 Requires Educators to Report Sexual Abuse Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
4/19 S 103 Requires Regulations of Toxic Substances in Products Veto Override Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
4/11 SB 82 Requires Schools to Contact Parents for Unexcused Absences Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
4/03 S 2299 Prohibits Minors from Using Tanning Beds Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
3/21 HR 1865 Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2)
3/13 SB 1140 Authorizes Child-Placement Agencies to Deny Services Based on Religion Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 9)

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