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 2, 2018 SC S 28 Amends Rule Related to Time-Off Credits For Religious Exemption Bill Passed - House (84 - 20)
May 2, 2018 IL SB 2213 Requires State Agencies to Adhere to Federal Regulations as of 2017 Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 21)
May 2, 2018 CT HB 5460 Requires Raise for Home Care Employees Bill Passed - House (88 - 62)
May 2, 2018 NY A 10475 Prohibits State Test Scores from Teacher Evaluations Bill Passed - House (133 - 1)
May 1, 2018 MI HB 5010 Extends Statute of Limitations for Armed Robbery Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4)
May 1, 2018 HI HB 2131 Establishes A Sexual Assault Training Program Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 0)
May 1, 2018 LA SB 534 Amends "Crime of Violence" to Include Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
May 1, 2018 LA SB 325 Authorizes Department of Health to Close Clinics that Falsify Records Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3)
May 1, 2018 MN HF 2856 Amends Public Safety Laws Bill Passed - House (92 - 35)
April 30, 2018 MO HB 2499 Amends Parole Hearing Procedures Bill Passed - House (114 - 30)
April 30, 2018 MO HB 2179 Prohibits State Contracts with Businesses that Support BDS Bill Passed - House (111 - 35)
April 27, 2018 OK SB 1600 Amends General Appropriations Bill Passed - House (63 - 31)
April 27, 2018 IL HB 5245 Requires Nurses to Complete Sexual Assault Response Training Bill Passed - House (101 - 0)
April 26, 2018 NH SB 593 Repeals Death Penalty "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (223 - 116)
April 26, 2018 National PN 1761 Nomination of Mike Pompeo to Secretary of State (57 - 42)
April 26, 2018 CO SB 18-166 Amends Sentencing Requirements for Certain Crimes Bill Passed - House (36 - 29)
April 26, 2018 National PN 1761 Nomination of Mike Pompeo to Secretary of State Cloture Invoked - Senate (57 - 42)
April 25, 2018 CT SB 4 Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - House (91 - 59)
April 25, 2018 IL SB 2332 Increases Minimum Purchase Age for Tobacco Products Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 20)
April 25, 2018 TN HB 2315 Prohibits Sanctuary Policies Bill Passed - House (64 - 23)
April 24, 2018 OK SB 786 Amends Burglary Laws Conference Report Adopted - House (56 - 33)
April 24, 2018 OK SB 793 Amends Drug Possession Sentences Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 20)
April 23, 2018 MN SF 3673 Amends Prison Release Requirements for Sex Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (67 - 0)
April 23, 2018 NY A 3223 Amends Penal Law for Victims of Human Trafficking Bill Passed - House (131 - 0)
April 18, 2018 VA HB 83 Requires Feminine Hygiene Products to be Provided to Prisons Inmates (39 - None)
April 18, 2018 PA SB 961 Increases OWI Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4)
April 18, 2018 CT SB 4 Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
April 18, 2018 NE LB 117 Authorizes Terminally Ill Individuals to Access Non-FDA Approved Experimental Drugs Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
April 18, 2018 NE LB 496 Amends and Establishes Requirements for Redevelopment Projects Under the Community Development Law Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 8)
April 18, 2018 NE LB 496 Amends and Establishes Requirements for Redevelopment Projects Under the Community Development Law Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 8)
April 18, 2018 CO HB 18-1391 Establishes Requirements for Sexual Misconduct Policies Bill Passed - House (34 - 28)
April 17, 2018 TN SB 2133 Prohibits Criminal Sentencing Based on Sterilization Bill Passed - House (70 - 23)
April 17, 2018 CO SB 18-220 Prohibits Jurisdictions From Establishing Sanctuary Status Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
April 17, 2018 PA HB 2138 Establishes Medicaid Work Requirements Bill Passed - House (115 - 80)
April 16, 2018 PA SB 936 Establishes Prescription Drug Formulary for Injured Employees Bill Passed - House (101 - 92)
April 16, 2018 PA SB 936 Establishes Prescription Drug Formulary for Injured Employees Bill Passed - House (101 - 92)
April 15, 2018 AK HB 316 Amends Rules Concerning Release of Marijuana Conviction Records Bill Passed - House (30 - 10)
April 14, 2018 KY HB 513 Amends Regulations on Wastewater Treatment Plants Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 25)
April 14, 2018 KY SB 78 Amends Licensing for Electricians Bill Passed - House (45 - 44)
April 13, 2018 KY HB 169 Amends Criminal Laws Related to Gang Violence Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 30)
April 12, 2018 TN HB 849 Authorizes GPS Monitoring for Domestic Abuse Defendants Concurrence Vote Passed - House (85 - 5)
April 12, 2018 NJ S 699 Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - House (49 - 24)
April 12, 2018 NJ S 1878 Establishes a State Health Reinsurance Plan Bill Passed - House (46 - 22)
April 12, 2018 NJ S 1229 Increases Salary For Certain State Cabinet Members, Judges, Prosecutors, and Public Employees Bill Passed - House (45 - 23)
April 12, 2018 NJ A 2039 Establishes Regulations for Out-of-Network Billing Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
April 12, 2018 NJ S 1878 Establishes a State Health Reinsurance Plan Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
April 12, 2018 NJ A 2039 Establishes Regulations for Out-of-Network Billing Bill Passed - House (48 - 21)
April 12, 2018 NJ S 1229 Increases Salary For Certain State Cabinet Members, Judges, Prosecutors, and Public Employees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
April 12, 2018 RI H 7452 Prohibits Sharing Explicit Images without Consent Bill Passed - House (66 - 0)
April 12, 2018 RI H 7688 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - House (60 - 8)
April 12, 2018 NJ A 764 Requires Panic Alarms in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (66 - 6)
April 11, 2018 MO SJR 27 Prohibits Lobbyist Gifts to Government Officials Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
April 11, 2018 PA HB 1419 Authorizes Limited Access to Certain Criminal Records Bill Passed - House (188 - 2)
April 11, 2018 PA HB 456 Establishes Regulations for Tattoo Industry Bill Passed - House (173 - 17)
April 11, 2018 OH SB 231 Establishes Database of Violent Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 2)
April 7, 2018 KS HB 2482 Prohibits Contracts with Businesses That Boycott Israel Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 32)
April 7, 2018 KS HB 2028 Establishes the Kansas Telemedicine Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 14)
April 5, 2018 MD SB 639 Establishes Disciplinary Hearing Procedures for Public School Employees Veto Override Passed - House (89 - 49)
April 5, 2018 MD SB 639 Establishes Disciplinary Hearing Procedures for Public School Employees Veto Override Passed - House (89 - 49)
April 5, 2018 MD HB 1782 Establishes Individual Market Stabilization within Healthcare Concurrence Vote Passed - House (89 - 48)
April 4, 2018 IA SF 481 Requires Law Enforcement for Comply with ICE Detainer Requests Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 18)
April 4, 2018 MA S 2371 Amends Criminal Justice Law Conference Report Adopted - House (148 - 5)
April 4, 2018 TN SB 1631 Prohibits Renting Hotel Rooms for Less than 7 Hours Bill Failed - House (38 - 45)
April 4, 2018 MA S 2372 Establishes the Garden of Peace Trust Fund Conference Report Adopted - House (152 - 0)
April 4, 2018 MA S 2371 Amends Criminal Justice Law Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 0)
April 3, 2018 MD SB 101 Amends Certain Definitions and Regulations for Crimes of Violence Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 7)
April 3, 2018 IA SF 481 Requires Law Enforcement for Comply with ICE Detainer Requests Bill Passed - House (55 - 45)
April 3, 2018 RI S 2299 Prohibits Minors from Using Tanning Beds Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
April 3, 2018 MO HB 1486 Establishes Work Requirements for SNAP Benefits Bill Passed - House (107 - 43)
April 2, 2018 MD HB 1243 Authorizes Workers to Sue for Unpaid Wages Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12)
April 2, 2018 TN SB 1796 Establishes Process to Remove Domestic Abusers from Cell Phone Plans Bill Passed - House (94 - 0)
March 30, 2018 MD HB 908 Requires Insurance Companies to Cover Fertility Treatments for Cancer Patients Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
March 30, 2018 MD SB 654 Requires Extension of Union Contracts Bill Passed - House (89 - 47)
March 30, 2018 NY S 8121 Prohibits Individuals Convicted of Domestic Abuse from Purchasing Firearms Bill Passed - House (94 - 34)
March 30, 2018 NY S 8121 Prohibits Individuals Convicted of Domestic Abuse from Purchasing Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 19)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/02 S 28 Amends Rule Related to Time-Off Credits For Religious Exemption Bill Passed - House (84 - 20)
5/02 SB 2213 Requires State Agencies to Adhere to Federal Regulations as of 2017 Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 21)
5/02 HB 5460 Requires Raise for Home Care Employees Bill Passed - House (88 - 62)
5/02 A 10475 Prohibits State Test Scores from Teacher Evaluations Bill Passed - House (133 - 1)
5/01 HB 5010 Extends Statute of Limitations for Armed Robbery Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4)
5/01 HB 2131 Establishes A Sexual Assault Training Program Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 0)
5/01 SB 534 Amends "Crime of Violence" to Include Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
5/01 SB 325 Authorizes Department of Health to Close Clinics that Falsify Records Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3)
5/01 HF 2856 Amends Public Safety Laws Bill Passed - House (92 - 35)
4/30 HB 2499 Amends Parole Hearing Procedures Bill Passed - House (114 - 30)
4/30 HB 2179 Prohibits State Contracts with Businesses that Support BDS Bill Passed - House (111 - 35)
4/27 SB 1600 Amends General Appropriations Bill Passed - House (63 - 31)
4/27 HB 5245 Requires Nurses to Complete Sexual Assault Response Training Bill Passed - House (101 - 0)
4/26 SB 593 Repeals Death Penalty "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (223 - 116)
4/26 PN 1761 Nomination of Mike Pompeo to Secretary of State (57 - 42)
4/26 SB 18-166 Amends Sentencing Requirements for Certain Crimes Bill Passed - House (36 - 29)
4/26 PN 1761 Nomination of Mike Pompeo to Secretary of State Cloture Invoked - Senate (57 - 42)
4/25 SB 4 Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - House (91 - 59)
4/25 SB 2332 Increases Minimum Purchase Age for Tobacco Products Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 20)
4/25 HB 2315 Prohibits Sanctuary Policies Bill Passed - House (64 - 23)
4/24 SB 786 Amends Burglary Laws Conference Report Adopted - House (56 - 33)
4/24 SB 793 Amends Drug Possession Sentences Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 20)
4/23 SF 3673 Amends Prison Release Requirements for Sex Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (67 - 0)
4/23 A 3223 Amends Penal Law for Victims of Human Trafficking Bill Passed - House (131 - 0)
4/18 HB 83 Requires Feminine Hygiene Products to be Provided to Prisons Inmates (39 - None)
4/18 SB 961 Increases OWI Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4)
4/18 SB 4 Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
4/18 LB 117 Authorizes Terminally Ill Individuals to Access Non-FDA Approved Experimental Drugs Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
4/18 LB 496 Amends and Establishes Requirements for Redevelopment Projects Under the Community Development Law Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 8)
4/18 LB 496 Amends and Establishes Requirements for Redevelopment Projects Under the Community Development Law Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 8)
4/18 HB 18-1391 Establishes Requirements for Sexual Misconduct Policies Bill Passed - House (34 - 28)
4/17 SB 2133 Prohibits Criminal Sentencing Based on Sterilization Bill Passed - House (70 - 23)
4/17 SB 18-220 Prohibits Jurisdictions From Establishing Sanctuary Status Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
4/17 HB 2138 Establishes Medicaid Work Requirements Bill Passed - House (115 - 80)
4/16 SB 936 Establishes Prescription Drug Formulary for Injured Employees Bill Passed - House (101 - 92)
4/16 SB 936 Establishes Prescription Drug Formulary for Injured Employees Bill Passed - House (101 - 92)
4/15 HB 316 Amends Rules Concerning Release of Marijuana Conviction Records Bill Passed - House (30 - 10)
4/14 HB 513 Amends Regulations on Wastewater Treatment Plants Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 25)
4/14 SB 78 Amends Licensing for Electricians Bill Passed - House (45 - 44)
4/13 HB 169 Amends Criminal Laws Related to Gang Violence Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 30)
4/12 HB 849 Authorizes GPS Monitoring for Domestic Abuse Defendants Concurrence Vote Passed - House (85 - 5)
4/12 S 699 Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - House (49 - 24)
4/12 S 1878 Establishes a State Health Reinsurance Plan Bill Passed - House (46 - 22)
4/12 S 1229 Increases Salary For Certain State Cabinet Members, Judges, Prosecutors, and Public Employees Bill Passed - House (45 - 23)
4/12 A 2039 Establishes Regulations for Out-of-Network Billing Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
4/12 S 1878 Establishes a State Health Reinsurance Plan Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
4/12 A 2039 Establishes Regulations for Out-of-Network Billing Bill Passed - House (48 - 21)
4/12 S 1229 Increases Salary For Certain State Cabinet Members, Judges, Prosecutors, and Public Employees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
4/12 H 7452 Prohibits Sharing Explicit Images without Consent Bill Passed - House (66 - 0)
4/12 H 7688 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - House (60 - 8)
4/12 A 764 Requires Panic Alarms in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (66 - 6)
4/11 SJR 27 Prohibits Lobbyist Gifts to Government Officials Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
4/11 HB 1419 Authorizes Limited Access to Certain Criminal Records Bill Passed - House (188 - 2)
4/11 HB 456 Establishes Regulations for Tattoo Industry Bill Passed - House (173 - 17)
4/11 SB 231 Establishes Database of Violent Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 2)
4/07 HB 2482 Prohibits Contracts with Businesses That Boycott Israel Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 32)
4/07 HB 2028 Establishes the Kansas Telemedicine Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 14)
4/05 SB 639 Establishes Disciplinary Hearing Procedures for Public School Employees Veto Override Passed - House (89 - 49)
4/05 SB 639 Establishes Disciplinary Hearing Procedures for Public School Employees Veto Override Passed - House (89 - 49)
4/05 HB 1782 Establishes Individual Market Stabilization within Healthcare Concurrence Vote Passed - House (89 - 48)
4/04 SF 481 Requires Law Enforcement for Comply with ICE Detainer Requests Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 18)
4/04 S 2371 Amends Criminal Justice Law Conference Report Adopted - House (148 - 5)
4/04 SB 1631 Prohibits Renting Hotel Rooms for Less than 7 Hours Bill Failed - House (38 - 45)
4/04 S 2372 Establishes the Garden of Peace Trust Fund Conference Report Adopted - House (152 - 0)
4/04 S 2371 Amends Criminal Justice Law Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 0)
4/03 SB 101 Amends Certain Definitions and Regulations for Crimes of Violence Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 7)
4/03 SF 481 Requires Law Enforcement for Comply with ICE Detainer Requests Bill Passed - House (55 - 45)
4/03 S 2299 Prohibits Minors from Using Tanning Beds Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
4/03 HB 1486 Establishes Work Requirements for SNAP Benefits Bill Passed - House (107 - 43)
4/02 HB 1243 Authorizes Workers to Sue for Unpaid Wages Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12)
4/02 SB 1796 Establishes Process to Remove Domestic Abusers from Cell Phone Plans Bill Passed - House (94 - 0)
3/30 HB 908 Requires Insurance Companies to Cover Fertility Treatments for Cancer Patients Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
3/30 SB 654 Requires Extension of Union Contracts Bill Passed - House (89 - 47)
3/30 S 8121 Prohibits Individuals Convicted of Domestic Abuse from Purchasing Firearms Bill Passed - House (94 - 34)
3/30 S 8121 Prohibits Individuals Convicted of Domestic Abuse from Purchasing Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 19)

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