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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 16, 2019 | AL | SB 140 | Amends Sex Education Standards | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 1) |
| April 16, 2019 | AL | SB 140 | Amends Sex Education Standards | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 1) |
| April 16, 2019 | OR | SB 1008 | Amends Juvenile Offender Sentencing | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
| April 15, 2019 | ND | SCR 4001 | Requires Legislative Approval for Constitutional Amendments Approved by Voters | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 15) |
| April 15, 2019 | IA | SF 615 | Prohibits the Attorney General From Joining Out-Of-State Lawsuits | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18) |
| April 13, 2019 | MT | SB 160 | Establishes Presumptive Health Care Coverage for Firefighters | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 10) |
| April 12, 2019 | WA | SB 5497 | Establishes Washington as a Sanctuary State | Bill Passed - House (57 - 38) |
| April 12, 2019 | WA | SB 5600 | Expands Residential Tenant Protections | Bill Passed - House (51 - 46) |
| April 12, 2019 | CO | SB 19-1025 | Prohibits Employers from Asking About Employee Criminal History | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12) |
| April 11, 2019 | AZ | SB 1346 | Authorizes HIV Prevention Education | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 10) |
| April 11, 2019 | AZ | SB 1346 | Authorizes HIV Prevention Education | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 10) |
| April 11, 2019 | National | PN 503 | Nomination of David Bernhardt as the Secretary of the Interior | (56 - 41) |
| April 11, 2019 | ND | SCR 4001 | Requires Legislative Approval for Constitutional Amendments Approved by Voters | Bill Passed - House (63 - 30) |
| April 11, 2019 | CO | SB 19-139 | Authorizes Drivers Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (42 - 22) |
| April 11, 2019 | IL | HB 1633 | Prohibits Infrastructure-Related Protests | Bill Passed - House (77 - 28) |
| April 11, 2019 | IL | HB 1633 | Prohibits Infrastructure-Related Protests | Bill Passed - House (77 - 28) |
| April 11, 2019 | IL | HB 1587 | Amends Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Rules | Bill Passed - House (61 - 48) |
| April 11, 2019 | IL | HB 1613 | Requires Police Keep Racial Profiling Records | Bill Passed - House (75 - 35) |
| April 11, 2019 | IL | HB 1115 | Eliminates Electronic Monitoring for People Who Have Completed Their State Prison Sentences | Bill Passed - House (62 - 49) |
| April 11, 2019 | IL | HB 2244 | Amends Conditions of Parole | Bill Passed - House (62 - 51) |
| April 11, 2019 | TX | HB 793 | Prohibits Specific State Contracts with Certain Companies that Boycott Israel | Bill Passed - House (105 - 0) |
| April 11, 2019 | TN | HB 1280 | Amends State Medicaid Funding | Bill Passed - House (68 - 21) |
| April 11, 2019 | IL | HB 2670 | Expands Definition of "Mitigating Factors" | Bill Passed - House (69 - 42) |
| April 11, 2019 | IL | HB 2 | Establishes Rights for Women in Pregnancy and Childbirth | Bill Passed - House (67 - 35) |
| April 11, 2019 | IL | HB 1690 | Amends Criminal Record Expungement Law | Bill Passed - House (69 - 36) |
| April 11, 2019 | IL | HB 1873 | Increases Fines for Drivers Who Pass School Buses | Bill Passed - House (74 - 16) |
| April 11, 2019 | CA | AB 101 | Prohibits Citizens' Right to Appeal the Building of Homeless Navigation Centers | Bill Passed - House (54 - 13) |
| April 11, 2019 | IL | HB 2691 | Authorizes Tuition Assistance to Transgender and Undocumented Immigrant Students | Bill Passed - House (66 - 47) |
| April 11, 2019 | FL | HB 521 | Authorizes Mitigation of Conservation Lands by Municipal Governments | Bill Passed - House (72 - 42) |
| April 11, 2019 | CO | HB 19-1239 | Appropriates $12 Million for Census Outreach | Bill Passed - House (41 - 23) |
| April 11, 2019 | IL | SB 10 | Increases Teacher Salaries to $40,000 | Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 11) |
| April 10, 2019 | AZ | SB 1167 | Prohibits Government Contractors from Participating in a Boycott of Israel | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 10) |
| April 10, 2019 | AZ | SB 1346 | Authorizes HIV Prevention Education | Bill Passed - House (55 - 5) |
| April 10, 2019 | AZ | SB 1346 | Authorizes HIV Prevention Education | Bill Passed - House (55 - 5) |
| April 10, 2019 | MT | HB 146 | Prohibits Cities from Passing Sanctuary Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20) |
| April 10, 2019 | AR | SB 411 | Prohibits Local Government from Adopting "Sanctuary Policies" | Bill Passed - House (71 - 24) |
| April 10, 2019 | NY | A 6188 | Prohibits Harassment of Rent Regulated Tenants | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 17) |
| April 10, 2019 | IL | SB 2090 | Expands Access to Voting in Jails | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17) |
| April 10, 2019 | PA | HB 629 | Requires Full Lyme Disease Coverage under Health Insurance Plans | Bill Passed - House (158 - 34) |
| April 10, 2019 | CO | HB 19-1266 | Authorizes Voting Rights to Paroled Felons | Bill Passed - House (45 - 19) |
| April 10, 2019 | IL | HB 2040 | Prohibits Private Prisons and Civil Detention Centers | Bill Passed - House (85 - 26) |
| April 10, 2019 | IL | HB 2040 | Prohibits Private Prisons and Civil Detention Centers | Bill Passed - House (85 - 26) |
| April 9, 2019 | DE | SB 34 | Establishes a Per-Pill Tax on Prescription Opioid Painkillers | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 4) |
| April 9, 2019 | IL | HB 2078 | Increases Teacher Salary to $40,000 | Bill Passed - House (79 - 31) |
| April 8, 2019 | AZ | SB 1167 | Prohibits Government Contractors from Participating in a Boycott of Israel | Bill Passed - House (37 - 21) |
| April 8, 2019 | MT | SB 171 | Requires Paid Firefighters be Tobacco-Free | Bill Passed - House (83 - 14) |
| April 8, 2019 | MT | SB 171 | Requires Paid Firefighters be Tobacco-Free | Bill Passed - House (83 - 14) |
| April 8, 2019 | TN | HB 1151 | Prohibits Indecent Exposure to Include Restrooms, Locker Rooms, Dressing Rooms, and Showers | Bill Passed - House (69 - 25) |
| April 5, 2019 | KS | SB 78 | Authorizes Victims of Domestic Violence to Opt Out of Lease Agreements | Conference Report Adopted - House (100 - 23) |
| April 5, 2019 | KS | SB 78 | Authorizes Victims of Domestic Violence to Opt Out of Lease Agreements | Conference Report Adopted - House (100 - 23) |
| April 5, 2019 | AR | HB 1684 | Authorizes In-State Tuition for DACA Students | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 19) |
| April 5, 2019 | AR | SB 411 | Prohibits Local Government from Adopting "Sanctuary Policies" | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5) |
| April 5, 2019 | VT | H 107 | Establishes a Paid Statewide Family and Medical Leave Program | Bill Passed - House (92 - 52) |
| April 4, 2019 | KS | SB 16 | Appropriates Additional $90 Million for Public Education | Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 47) |
| April 4, 2019 | ME | LD 181 | Authorizes State Funds for Free Health Clinics | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (76 - 63) |
| April 4, 2019 | National | S J Res 7 | A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that have not been authorized by Congress | Bill Passed - House (247 - 175) |
| April 4, 2019 | ID | S 1204 | Amends Medicaid Eligibility Requirements | Bill Passed - House (49 - 20) |
| April 4, 2019 | CO | SB 19-078 | Establishes Net Neutrality Rules | Bill Passed - House (41 - 22) |
| April 4, 2019 | MO | HB 352 | Authorizes Opportunities for Parole for Inmates Aged 65 and Older | Bill Passed - House (90 - 60) |
| April 4, 2019 | IL | HB 1653 | Increases Penalties for Employers Who Commit Wage Theft | Bill Passed - House (69 - 43) |
| April 3, 2019 | SC | H 3438 | Establishes State Department of Veterans Affairs | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (81 - 29) |
| April 3, 2019 | AR | HB 1684 | Authorizes In-State Tuition for DACA Students | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7) |
| April 3, 2019 | IL | HB 2988 | Prohibits Townships from Regulating Wind Farms Outside of City Zoning Areas | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7) |
| April 3, 2019 | National | H Res 271 | Condemning the Trump Administration's Legal Campaign to Take Away Americans' Health Care | Bill Passed - House (240 - 186) |
| April 3, 2019 | NC | HB 370 | Requires Sheriffs to Cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers | Bill Passed - House (63 - 51) |
| April 3, 2019 | NC | HB 370 | Requires Sheriffs to Cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers | Bill Passed - House (63 - 51) |
| April 2, 2019 | GA | HB 324 | Authorizes Sale of Medical Marijuana Oil | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 20) |
| April 2, 2019 | GA | HB 470 | Requires DNA Collection From Those Charged with a Felony as a First Offender | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (126 - 29) |
| April 2, 2019 | IN | SB 198 | Amends Criminal Sentencing Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 14) |
| April 2, 2019 | IN | SB 373 | Authorizes Academic Credit for Religious Education Courses | Bill Passed - House (67 - 26) |
| April 2, 2019 | GA | SB 15 | Requires Schools to Perform Certain Threat Assessments | Bill Passed - House (110 - 56) |
| April 2, 2019 | ID | S 1204 | Amends Medicaid Eligibility Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| April 2, 2019 | IA | SF 516 | Requires Employers to Verify Employee Immigration Status | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
| April 1, 2019 | IN | SB 201 | Authorizes Health Providers to Abstain from Participating in Abortion Procedures | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 8) |
| April 1, 2019 | OR | HB 2975 | Reduces Oregon's "Kicker" Tax Rebate | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
| March 31, 2019 | MD | HB 994 | Prohibits Employment Discrimination Based On an Applicants Criminal History | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 14) |
| March 31, 2019 | MD | HB 994 | Prohibits Employment Discrimination Based On an Applicants Criminal History | Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 40) |
| March 31, 2019 | NY | A 2006 | Establishes an Education, Labor, Housing and Family Assistance Budget for FY 2019-2020 | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22) |
| March 31, 2019 | NY | S 1505 | Amends Criminal Justice Regulations | Bill Passed - House (92 - 56) |
| March 31, 2019 | NY | S 1507 | Establishes a Healthcare Budget for FY 2019-2020 | Bill Passed - House (111 - 36) |
| March 31, 2019 | NY | A 2006 | Establishes an Education, Labor, Housing and Family Assistance Budget for FY 2019-2020 | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22) |
| March 31, 2019 | NY | S 1507 | Establishes a Healthcare Budget for FY 2019-2020 | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22) |
| March 31, 2019 | NY | S 1505 | Amends Criminal Justice Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22) |
| March 30, 2019 | MT | HB 763 | Amends Corrections Law and Establishes Requirements for Solitary Confinement | Bill Passed - House (86 - 12) |
| March 30, 2019 | MT | HB 763 | Amends Corrections Law and Establishes Requirements for Solitary Confinement | Bill Passed - House (86 - 12) |
| March 29, 2019 | GA | HB 481 | Prohibits Abortion After a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (92 - 78) |
| March 29, 2019 | GA | HB 345 | Establishes Rights for Pregnant Inmates | Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 1) |
| March 28, 2019 | ME | LD 181 | Authorizes State Funds for Free Health Clinics | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16) |
| March 28, 2019 | MD | SB 793 | Establishes a University Police Department at Johns Hopkins University | Bill Passed - House (94 - 42) |
| March 28, 2019 | GA | HB 346 | Prohibits Retaliation By A Landlord Against A Tenant For Taking Certain Actions | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16) |
| March 28, 2019 | KY | HB 11 | Prohibits Tobacco Products from Public Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
| March 28, 2019 | IL | HB 1553 | Authorizes Certain Kinds of Visas for Undocumented Children that are Victims of Abuse, Neglect, or Abandonment | Bill Passed - House (87 - 18) |
| March 28, 2019 | IL | HB 2275 | Repeals Section 4.5 of Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act | Bill Passed - House (73 - 35) |
| March 28, 2019 | IL | HB 836 | Authorizes Temporary Guardians for Children Whose Parents Have Been Detained or Deported by ICE | Bill Passed - House (89 - 19) |
| March 28, 2019 | IL | SB 1786 | Prohibits License Suspension for Unpaid Parking Tickets | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10) |
| March 28, 2019 | IL | HB 2276 | Prohibits Smoking in a Vehicle with Minors Present | Bill Passed - House (78 - 20) |
| March 28, 2019 | MT | SB 65 | Amends DUI Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10) |
| March 27, 2019 | MD | SB 1030 | Appropriates Funds for Public Schools | Bill Passed - House (114 - 20) |
| March 27, 2019 | CO | HB 19-1119 | Requires Law Enforcement Internal Investigations to Become Public | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| March 27, 2019 | IL | HB 2988 | Prohibits Townships from Regulating Wind Farms Outside of City Zoning Areas | Bill Passed - House (95 - 12) |