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
Oct. 9, 2024 PA HB 2266 Increases Fines for Street Racing Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
Oct. 9, 2024 PA HB 2561 Expands the Federal Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Act Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
Oct. 9, 2024 PA HB 1730 Amends the Real Estate Licensing and Registration Act Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
Oct. 8, 2024 PA HB 2383 Establishes a Program of Retired Volunteers Willing to Share Life Lessons, Experience and Hobbies with Students Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 1)
Oct. 8, 2024 WV HB 227 Amends Funding Application Procedures for Public Charter Schools in West Virginia Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 1)
Oct. 6, 2024 WV SB 2031 Appropriates Funding to the School Building Authority and School Construction Fund Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 1)
Oct. 1, 2024 PA SB 153 Exempts Milk Haulers from Travel Bans Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
Oct. 1, 2024 PA SB 1237 Extends the PA One Call Law Permanently Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
Sept. 30, 2024 NJ A 2607 Authorizes Taxicabs, Limousines, and Transportation Network Companies to Provide Para-Transit Services for a 2-year Period Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
Sept. 30, 2024 NJ A 4447 Requires Healthcare Practitioner Referrals to Pharmacies be in Accordance with Certain Professional Standards Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
Sept. 30, 2024 NJ A 4811 Appropriates $20 Million for Summer Tuition Aid Grants for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
Sept. 26, 2024 MI SB 716 Authorizes Historic Vehicle Owners Personalized License Plates Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
Sept. 26, 2024 MI SB 716 Authorizes Historic Vehicle Owners Personalized License Plates Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
Sept. 26, 2024 MI SB 929 Authorizes Low-Income Access to a Broader Range of Care Centers by Repurposing Medicaid Funding Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
Sept. 26, 2024 MI SB 366 Increases Natural Gas Safety Violation Fines to be in Line with Federal Amounts Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
Sept. 26, 2024 MI SB 931 Amends the Compulsive Gaming Prevention Fund Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
Sept. 25, 2024 MI HB 5503 Establishes a Tip Line for Students to Anonymously Report Improperly Stored Firearms Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 15)
Sept. 25, 2024 MI SB 791 Defines "Public Employee" for Collective Bargaining Purposes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Sept. 25, 2024 MI SB 790 Requires Individual Home Caregivers be Categorized as Public Employees and Authorizes Collective Bargaining Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Sept. 25, 2024 MI HB 5803 Amends State School Retirement Systems Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Sept. 25, 2024 MI HB 5779 Requires Autonomy be Returned to Certain Local Governments on Bridge Infrastructure Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Sept. 17, 2024 MI SB 911 Amends the State's School Retirement System Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
Sept. 17, 2024 National S 4445 A bill to protect and expand nationwide access to fertility treatment, including in vitro fertilization. Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 44)
Sept. 9, 2024 NC HB 690 Prohibits State Agencies from Using Cryptocurrency as Payments Veto Override Passed - Senate (27 - 17)
Sept. 9, 2024 NC HB 155 Authorizes Modified Utility Vehicles to Drive on Highways Veto Override Passed - Senate (27 - 17)
Sept. 9, 2024 NC SB 166 Amends and Reforms Certain Regulations Surrounding Building Codes Veto Override Passed - Senate (27 - 17)
Sept. 9, 2024 NC HB 556 Prohibits Landlords from Refusing Tenants Based on their Lawful Source of Income and Clarifies Changes to Ordinances in North Carolina Veto Override Passed - Senate (27 - 17)
Aug. 31, 2024 CA SB 1103 Expands Certain Residential Tenant Protections to Commercial Property Tenants Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
Aug. 31, 2024 CA SB 1037 Requires a Court to Modify Previous Housing and Zoning Orders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
Aug. 31, 2024 CA SB 961 Requires Vehicles Made in 2030 to Have a Passive Intelligence Speed Assistance System that Signals Drivers When they are Over the Speed Limit Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
Aug. 31, 2024 CA AB 98 Requires Creations of a Truck Routing Plan for California Cities Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
Aug. 31, 2024 CA AB 1893 Amends the Housing Accountability Act Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
Aug. 30, 2024 CA SB 1374 Amends Solar Energy Tax Credits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
Aug. 30, 2024 CA AB 1008 Extends Privacy Laws to AI Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
Aug. 29, 2024 CA SB 1348 Establishes Designation of Black-Serving Institutions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
Aug. 29, 2024 CA SB 764 Requires Media with Child Actors Put 30% of Their Earnings in a Future Trust Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
Aug. 29, 2024 CA AB 1886 Extends Certain State Housing Laws Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
Aug. 28, 2024 CA SB 1137 Prohibits Discrimination on the Basis of a Combination of Characteristics (Intersectionality) Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
Aug. 28, 2024 CA SB 896 Establishes the Generative Artificial Intelligence Accountability Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Aug. 28, 2024 CA SB 906 Requires Compensation for Student Athletes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Aug. 28, 2024 CA AB 2515 Prohibits PFAs in Menstrual Product Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
Aug. 28, 2024 CA AB 2319 Establishes the California Dignity in Pregnancy and Childbirth Act Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
Aug. 27, 2024 CA AB 2655 Establishes the Defending Democracy from Deepfake Deception Act of 2024 Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
Aug. 27, 2024 CA AB 1864 Expand Pesticide Regulations Near Schools Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
Aug. 27, 2024 CA AB 1840 Expands the Home Purchase Assistance Program Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
Aug. 27, 2024 CA AB 1825 Establishes the California Freedom to Read Act Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
Aug. 26, 2024 CA SB 1022 Amend Sections Regarding the Enforcement of Civil Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
Aug. 20, 2024 CA AB 1778 Expands Restrictions on Class 2 E-Bikes Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Aug. 20, 2024 CA AB 2876 Requires Adoption of Media Literacy Standards for California Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
Aug. 20, 2024 CA AB 1827 Establishes the Low-Water User Protection Act Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
Aug. 20, 2024 CA AB 2435 Extends Healthcare Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
Aug. 19, 2024 CA AB 1880 Requires Parents of Minors in Monetized Media Content Online Put 15% of Earnings in a Trust Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
Aug. 17, 2024 CA AB 2801 Increases Renter Protection Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
July 18, 2024 MA H 4653 Increases Oversight of the Massachusetts Healthcare Market Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 2)
July 11, 2024 PA SB 1150 Establishes the Grow PA Scholarship Grant Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
July 11, 2024 PA SB 700 Appropriates Funding for Cell Phone Pouches in Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
July 11, 2024 PA SB 656 Amends and Restructures Taxes for Electric Vehicles Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (44 - 5)
July 11, 2024 PA SB 656 Amends and Restructures Taxes for Electric Vehicles Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (44 - 5)
July 11, 2024 PA SB 24 Requires Automatic Return of Unclaimed Property Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
July 11, 2024 PA HB 2310 Amends the Fiscal Code in Emergency Response to COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4)
July 11, 2024 PA HB 2310 Amends the Fiscal Code in Emergency Response to COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4)
July 11, 2024 PA HB 897 Expands Programs Related to Higher Education Institutions and Outlines Protocol for Credits Needed when a Student is Transferring Into the Institution Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 3)
July 11, 2024 PA HB 663 Establishes New Guidelines for Students, Families, and School Districts During Residency Disputes Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
July 11, 2024 PA HB 1889 Amends and Reforms Electronic Billing Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
July 11, 2024 PA HB 1889 Amends and Reforms Electronic Billing Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
July 11, 2024 National S J Res 89 A joint resolution to direct the termination of the use of United States Armed Forces for the construction, maintenance, and operation of the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore pier on the coast of the Gaza Strip that has not been authorized by Congress. Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (48 - 46)
July 3, 2024 PA HB 1716 Specifies Shareholder Rights in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
July 3, 2024 PA SB 1207 Authorizes School Districts to Prohibit Student Cell Phone Use During School Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 5)
July 2, 2024 PA HB 829 Amends State Laws Related to Liquor Regulation and Licensing in Pennsylvania Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 3)
July 1, 2024 CA AB 2813 Authorizes Affordable Housing Measures Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
June 30, 2024 DE HB 212 Prohibits Increasing of Rent Rates in Manufactured Homes If Raised in Previous Year Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 0)
June 28, 2024 NJ A 3772 Restructures Property Tax Process Regarding Foreclosures and Equity Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
June 28, 2024 NJ S 2188 Requires DEP, DOH, Owners or Operators of Certain Public Community Water Systems to Take Certain Actions to Prevent and Control Cases of Legionnaires' Disease Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
June 28, 2024 NJ A 4533 Amends Certain Sections of Law Concerning Financing Mechanisms for School Facilities Projects Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
June 28, 2024 NJ S 3006 Amends and Increases Penalties for Home Invasions Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1)
Date No. Title Outcome
10/09 HB 2266 Increases Fines for Street Racing Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
10/09 HB 2561 Expands the Federal Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Act Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
10/09 HB 1730 Amends the Real Estate Licensing and Registration Act Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
10/08 HB 2383 Establishes a Program of Retired Volunteers Willing to Share Life Lessons, Experience and Hobbies with Students Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 1)
10/08 HB 227 Amends Funding Application Procedures for Public Charter Schools in West Virginia Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 1)
10/06 SB 2031 Appropriates Funding to the School Building Authority and School Construction Fund Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 1)
10/01 SB 153 Exempts Milk Haulers from Travel Bans Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
10/01 SB 1237 Extends the PA One Call Law Permanently Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
9/30 A 2607 Authorizes Taxicabs, Limousines, and Transportation Network Companies to Provide Para-Transit Services for a 2-year Period Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
9/30 A 4447 Requires Healthcare Practitioner Referrals to Pharmacies be in Accordance with Certain Professional Standards Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
9/30 A 4811 Appropriates $20 Million for Summer Tuition Aid Grants for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
9/26 SB 716 Authorizes Historic Vehicle Owners Personalized License Plates Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
9/26 SB 716 Authorizes Historic Vehicle Owners Personalized License Plates Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
9/26 SB 929 Authorizes Low-Income Access to a Broader Range of Care Centers by Repurposing Medicaid Funding Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
9/26 SB 366 Increases Natural Gas Safety Violation Fines to be in Line with Federal Amounts Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
9/26 SB 931 Amends the Compulsive Gaming Prevention Fund Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
9/25 HB 5503 Establishes a Tip Line for Students to Anonymously Report Improperly Stored Firearms Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 15)
9/25 SB 791 Defines "Public Employee" for Collective Bargaining Purposes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
9/25 SB 790 Requires Individual Home Caregivers be Categorized as Public Employees and Authorizes Collective Bargaining Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
9/25 HB 5803 Amends State School Retirement Systems Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
9/25 HB 5779 Requires Autonomy be Returned to Certain Local Governments on Bridge Infrastructure Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
9/17 SB 911 Amends the State's School Retirement System Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
9/17 S 4445 A bill to protect and expand nationwide access to fertility treatment, including in vitro fertilization. Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 44)
9/09 HB 690 Prohibits State Agencies from Using Cryptocurrency as Payments Veto Override Passed - Senate (27 - 17)
9/09 HB 155 Authorizes Modified Utility Vehicles to Drive on Highways Veto Override Passed - Senate (27 - 17)
9/09 SB 166 Amends and Reforms Certain Regulations Surrounding Building Codes Veto Override Passed - Senate (27 - 17)
9/09 HB 556 Prohibits Landlords from Refusing Tenants Based on their Lawful Source of Income and Clarifies Changes to Ordinances in North Carolina Veto Override Passed - Senate (27 - 17)
8/31 SB 1103 Expands Certain Residential Tenant Protections to Commercial Property Tenants Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
8/31 SB 1037 Requires a Court to Modify Previous Housing and Zoning Orders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
8/31 SB 961 Requires Vehicles Made in 2030 to Have a Passive Intelligence Speed Assistance System that Signals Drivers When they are Over the Speed Limit Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
8/31 AB 98 Requires Creations of a Truck Routing Plan for California Cities Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
8/31 AB 1893 Amends the Housing Accountability Act Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
8/30 SB 1374 Amends Solar Energy Tax Credits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
8/30 AB 1008 Extends Privacy Laws to AI Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
8/29 SB 1348 Establishes Designation of Black-Serving Institutions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
8/29 SB 764 Requires Media with Child Actors Put 30% of Their Earnings in a Future Trust Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
8/29 AB 1886 Extends Certain State Housing Laws Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
8/28 SB 1137 Prohibits Discrimination on the Basis of a Combination of Characteristics (Intersectionality) Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
8/28 SB 896 Establishes the Generative Artificial Intelligence Accountability Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
8/28 SB 906 Requires Compensation for Student Athletes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
8/28 AB 2515 Prohibits PFAs in Menstrual Product Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
8/28 AB 2319 Establishes the California Dignity in Pregnancy and Childbirth Act Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
8/27 AB 2655 Establishes the Defending Democracy from Deepfake Deception Act of 2024 Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
8/27 AB 1864 Expand Pesticide Regulations Near Schools Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
8/27 AB 1840 Expands the Home Purchase Assistance Program Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
8/27 AB 1825 Establishes the California Freedom to Read Act Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
8/26 SB 1022 Amend Sections Regarding the Enforcement of Civil Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
8/20 AB 1778 Expands Restrictions on Class 2 E-Bikes Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
8/20 AB 2876 Requires Adoption of Media Literacy Standards for California Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
8/20 AB 1827 Establishes the Low-Water User Protection Act Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
8/20 AB 2435 Extends Healthcare Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
8/19 AB 1880 Requires Parents of Minors in Monetized Media Content Online Put 15% of Earnings in a Trust Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
8/17 AB 2801 Increases Renter Protection Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
7/18 H 4653 Increases Oversight of the Massachusetts Healthcare Market Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 2)
7/11 SB 1150 Establishes the Grow PA Scholarship Grant Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
7/11 SB 700 Appropriates Funding for Cell Phone Pouches in Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
7/11 SB 656 Amends and Restructures Taxes for Electric Vehicles Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (44 - 5)
7/11 SB 656 Amends and Restructures Taxes for Electric Vehicles Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (44 - 5)
7/11 SB 24 Requires Automatic Return of Unclaimed Property Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
7/11 HB 2310 Amends the Fiscal Code in Emergency Response to COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4)
7/11 HB 2310 Amends the Fiscal Code in Emergency Response to COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4)
7/11 HB 897 Expands Programs Related to Higher Education Institutions and Outlines Protocol for Credits Needed when a Student is Transferring Into the Institution Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 3)
7/11 HB 663 Establishes New Guidelines for Students, Families, and School Districts During Residency Disputes Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
7/11 HB 1889 Amends and Reforms Electronic Billing Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
7/11 HB 1889 Amends and Reforms Electronic Billing Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
7/11 S J Res 89 A joint resolution to direct the termination of the use of United States Armed Forces for the construction, maintenance, and operation of the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore pier on the coast of the Gaza Strip that has not been authorized by Congress. Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (48 - 46)
7/03 HB 1716 Specifies Shareholder Rights in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
7/03 SB 1207 Authorizes School Districts to Prohibit Student Cell Phone Use During School Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 5)
7/02 HB 829 Amends State Laws Related to Liquor Regulation and Licensing in Pennsylvania Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 3)
7/01 AB 2813 Authorizes Affordable Housing Measures Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
6/30 HB 212 Prohibits Increasing of Rent Rates in Manufactured Homes If Raised in Previous Year Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 0)
6/28 A 3772 Restructures Property Tax Process Regarding Foreclosures and Equity Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
6/28 S 2188 Requires DEP, DOH, Owners or Operators of Certain Public Community Water Systems to Take Certain Actions to Prevent and Control Cases of Legionnaires' Disease Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
6/28 A 4533 Amends Certain Sections of Law Concerning Financing Mechanisms for School Facilities Projects Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
6/28 S 3006 Amends and Increases Penalties for Home Invasions Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1)

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