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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 7, 2018 | MA | H 4501 | Authorizes Capital for State Life Sciences Capital Fund | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 5) |
| May 30, 2018 | CA | AB 3080 | Prohibits Nondisclosure Agreements Regarding Workplace Harassment | Bill Passed - House (47 - 25) |
| May 10, 2018 | LA | HB 206 | Authorizes Employment of Convicted Felons in Insurance Businesses | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9) |
| May 8, 2018 | VT | H 707 | Amends State Workplace Sexual Harassment Policies | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0) |
| April 27, 2018 | OK | SB 1600 | Amends General Appropriations | Bill Passed - House (63 - 31) |
| 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 5, 2018 | CO | HB 18-1322 | Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
| April 2, 2018 | MD | HB 1243 | Authorizes Workers to Sue for Unpaid Wages | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12) |
| March 30, 2018 | MD | SB 654 | Requires Extension of Union Contracts | Bill Passed - House (89 - 47) |
| March 29, 2018 | CO | HB 18-1322 | Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 | Bill Passed - House (42 - 22) |
| March 28, 2018 | AL | HB 317 | Exempts Certain Individuals from Registering as Lobbyists | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 14) |
| March 28, 2018 | AL | HB 317 | Exempts Certain Individuals from Registering as Lobbyists | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 14) |
| March 27, 2018 | CO | SB 18-200 | Amends Public Retirement System Policies | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| March 26, 2018 | MD | SB 859 | Establishes State Parental Leave | Bill Passed - House (96 - 41) |
| March 26, 2018 | MD | SB 654 | Requires Extension of Union Contracts | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
| March 22, 2018 | KY | HB 2 | Amends Workers' Compensation Law | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| March 22, 2018 | MD | HB 1017 | Requires Equal Access to Collective Bargaining New Employee Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
| March 21, 2018 | MI | HB 5456 | Establishes Asbestos Bankruptcy Trust Claims Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (83 - 25) |
| March 21, 2018 | MD | SB 646 | Establishes a Maryland Estate Tax | Bill Passed - House (90 - 49) |
| March 20, 2018 | KY | HB 557 | Amends Regulations on Economic Development | Bill Passed - House (58 - 38) |
| March 16, 2018 | VT | H 710 | Amends State Beer Franchise Contracts | Bill Passed - House (123 - 11) |
| March 12, 2018 | MD | HB 811 | Authorizes Collective Bargaining New Employee Processing | Bill Passed - House (84 - 49) |
| March 7, 2018 | WA | HB 1506 | Prohibits Employers from Retaliating Against Employees for Discussing Wages | Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 28) |
| March 6, 2018 | WA | HB 1506 | Prohibits Employers from Retaliating Against Employees for Discussing Wages | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 12) |
| March 2, 2018 | OR | SB 1529 | Amends Oregon Corporate Tax | Bill Passed - House (39 - 21) |
| March 1, 2018 | MI | HB 4321 | Appropriates Funds for Road Repairs | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (109 - 0) |
| March 1, 2018 | WA | HB 1506 | Prohibits Employers from Retaliating Against Employees for Discussing Wages | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12) |
| March 1, 2018 | WA | SB 6199 | Authorizes Privatization of Home-Care Workforce | Bill Passed - House (50 - 0) |
| Feb. 27, 2018 | WA | SB 5996 | Prohibits Employers from Requiring Sexual Assault Nondisclosure Agreements | Bill Passed - House (98 - 0) |
| Feb. 21, 2018 | KY | HB 2 | Amends Workers' Compensation Law | Bill Passed - House (55 - 39) |
| Feb. 20, 2018 | WI | AB 1 | Increases Work Hour Requirements for Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14) |
| Feb. 20, 2018 | OR | HB 4113 | Requires School Districts to Bargain About Class Size | Bill Passed - House (33 - 25) |
| Feb. 15, 2018 | WI | AB 10 | Requires Photo Identification for Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (61 - 36) |
| Feb. 15, 2018 | VT | S 40 | Increases State Minimum Wage to $15 per Hour | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
| Feb. 15, 2018 | WI | AB 1 | Increases Work Hour Requirements for Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (62 - 35) |
| Feb. 10, 2018 | WA | SB 6199 | Authorizes Privatization of Home-Care Workforce | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21) |
| Feb. 9, 2018 | National | HR 1892 | Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (240 - 186) |
| Feb. 9, 2018 | National | HR 1892 | Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (71 - 28) |
| Feb. 8, 2018 | MI | HB 5456 | Establishes Asbestos Bankruptcy Trust Claims Act | Bill Passed - House (58 - 51) |
| Jan. 31, 2018 | MI | SB 660 | Extends the Deadline for 100 Percent Cage-Free Eggs to 2025 | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5) |
| Jan. 29, 2018 | WV | HB 2546 | Authorizes Company Equipment Cost Deductions from an Employee's Final Paycheck | Bill Passed - House (61 - 35) |
| Jan. 17, 2018 | WA | HB 1506 | Prohibits Employers from Retaliating Against Employees for Discussing Wages | Bill Passed - House (69 - 28) |
| Dec. 21, 2017 | National | HR 4667 | Making further supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018, for disaster assistance for Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, and calendar year 2017 wildfires, and for other purposes | Bill Passed - House (251 - 169) |
| Nov. 9, 2017 | National | HR 2201 | Micro Offering Safe Harbor Act | Bill Passed - House (23 - 188) |
| Nov. 8, 2017 | OK | HB 1054 | Increases Tax Rate on Tobacco, Alcohol, and Fuel Products | Bill Failed - House (71 - 27) |
| Nov. 7, 2017 | National | HR 3441 | Save Local Business Act | Bill Passed - House (242 - 181) |
| Oct. 31, 2017 | MI | SB 253 | Appropriates Supplemental Funds for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (105 - 2) |
| Oct. 25, 2017 | PA | SB 936 | Establishes Prescription Drug Formulary for Injured Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16) |
| Oct. 5, 2017 | MI | SB 353 | Prohibits Local Rules Regarding Employer Interview Practices | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9) |
| Sept. 14, 2017 | National | HR 3354 | Making Appropriations for the Department of the Interior, Environment, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018, and for other purposes. | Bill Passed - House (211 - 198) |
| Aug. 28, 2017 | IL | SB 1947 | Establishes School Funding Plan | Bill Passed - House (73 - 34) |
| July 28, 2017 | National | HR 3180 | Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 | Bill Passed - House (380 - 35) |
| July 27, 2017 | National | HR 3219 | Make America Secure Appropriations Act | Bill Passed - House (235 - 192) |
| July 7, 2017 | MA | H 3800 | Establishes State Budget for Fiscal Year 2018 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 2) |
| July 7, 2017 | MA | H 3800 | Establishes State Budget for Fiscal Year 2018 | Conference Report Adopted - House (140 - 9) |
| July 6, 2017 | IL | SB 6 | Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 | Veto Override Passed - House (74 - 37) |
| July 6, 2017 | OR | HB 2017 | Establishes Oregon's Transportation Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7) |
| July 5, 2017 | OR | HB 2017 | Establishes Oregon's Transportation Budget | Bill Passed - House (39 - 20) |
| July 4, 2017 | IL | SB 6 | Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 | Veto Override Passed - Senate (39 - 15) |
| July 2, 2017 | IL | SB 6 | Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 | Bill Passed - House (81 - 34) |
| June 30, 2017 | PA | HB 218 | Establishes a Budget for the Fiscal Year 2017-2018 | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7) |
| June 29, 2017 | NC | SJR 36 | Authorizes Participation in a Constitutional Convention | Joint Resolution Failed - House (66 - 45) |
| June 28, 2017 | OH | HB 49 | Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 | Conference Report Adopted - House (59 - 40) |
| June 28, 2017 | OH | HB 27 | Amends Eligibility for Workers' Compensation Benefits | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 39) |
| June 26, 2017 | RI | H 5280A | Requires More State Contracts for Veteran-Owned Businesses | Bill Passed - House (68 - 0) |
| June 21, 2017 | OR | HB 2391 | Establishes a Tax on Oregon Health Plan Insurance Plans | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
| June 15, 2017 | OR | HB 2391 | Establishes a Tax on Oregon Health Plan Insurance Plans | Bill Passed - House (36 - 23) |
| June 4, 2017 | NV | SB 546 | Establishes 2-Year State Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6) |
| May 17, 2017 | OH | HB 27 | Amends Eligibility for Workers' Compensation Benefits | Bill Passed - House (66 - 31) |
| May 17, 2017 | IL | SB 6 | Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 21) |
| May 15, 2017 | AK | HB 132 | Authorizes Operation of Ridesharing Services | Bill Passed - House (35 - 5) |
| May 12, 2017 | NC | S 257 | Establishes State Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15) |
| May 9, 2017 | CO | HB 1375 | Requires School Districts to Develop a Plan to Equitably Distribute Funds | Bill Passed - House (65 - 0) |
| May 8, 2017 | MO | SB 43 | Requires Certain Changes to Discrimination Lawsuit Proceedings | Bill Passed - House (98 - 30) |
| May 4, 2017 | AL | HB 155 | Establishes Budget for 2017-2018 | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4) |
| May 3, 2017 | VT | H 196 | Requires a Statewide Payroll Tax to Fund a Paid Family Leave Insurance Program | Bill Passed - House (88 - 58) |
| May 2, 2017 | OH | HB 49 | Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 | Bill Passed - House (58 - 37) |
| May 2, 2017 | National | HR 1180 | Working Families Flexibility Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (229 - 197) |
| April 27, 2017 | National | PN 88 | Nomination of Alexander Acosta to be Secretary of Labor | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (60 - 38) |
| April 26, 2017 | National | PN 88 | Nomination of Alexander Acosta to be Secretary of Labor | Cloture Invoked - Senate (61 - 39) |
| April 24, 2017 | NC | S 68 | Establishes Bipartisan Elections and Ethics Board | Veto Override Passed - Senate (33 - 15) |
| April 20, 2017 | MN | HF 600 | Prohibits Local Laws Regarding Minimum Wage or Paid Sick Leave | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 31) |
| April 20, 2017 | IA | SF 516 | Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20) |
| April 9, 2017 | WV | HB 2018 | Reduces State Spending | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 37) |
| April 9, 2017 | NY | A 3009 | Establishes State Fiscal Plan | (53 - 4) |
| April 7, 2017 | WV | SB 330 | Repeals Provisions from the Workplace Freedom Act | Veto Override Passed - House (51 - 49) |
| April 6, 2017 | KS | HB 2052 | Establishes State Budget for FY 2017 to FY 2021 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 10) |
| April 6, 2017 | CA | SB 1 | Increases Gas and Vehicle Taxes to Pay for Road and Bridge Repairs | Bill Passed - House (54 - 26) |
| April 6, 2017 | IL | HB 109 | Establishes Stopgap Budget | Bill Passed - House (64 - 45) |
| April 6, 2017 | CA | SB 1 | Increases Gas and Vehicle Taxes to Pay for Road and Bridge Repairs | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
| April 5, 2017 | WI | SB 76 | Reduces Regulations of High-Capacity Water Wells | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13) |
| April 4, 2017 | IN | HB 1384 | Expands Indiana's Voucher Program | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 12) |
| April 4, 2017 | PA | HB 218 | Establishes a Budget for the Fiscal Year 2017-2018 | Bill Passed - House (144 - 84) |
| April 4, 2017 | AL | SB 129 | Establishes Education Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 2) |
| March 31, 2017 | CO | HB 1242 | Increases State Sales Tax | Bill Passed - House (41 - 24) |
| March 30, 2017 | NC | HB 142 | Establishes Provisions Related to Gender-Based Bathroom Use | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16) |