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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 29, 2019 | CA | SB 144 | Repeals Various Administrative Fees Within the Criminal Justice System | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
| May 28, 2019 | AL | HB 361 | Authorizes Sports Betting | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8) |
| May 26, 2019 | TX | HB 3557 | Increases Penalties for Pipeline Protesting | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 12) |
| May 24, 2019 | IL | HB 94 | Establishes Specific Rehabilitation Classes as a Means of Reducing Prison Sentences | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17) |
| May 23, 2019 | OK | HB 1269 | Amends Criminal Sentencing Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 11) |
| May 23, 2019 | IL | HB 3606 | Authorizes Parental Privacy Rights for Student Data Collection | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 17) |
| May 23, 2019 | CT | HB 7219 | Establishes Regulations on Manufacturing Guns | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7) |
| May 23, 2019 | IL | HB 246 | Requires Public Schools to Teach about Prominent LGBTQ Figures | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17) |
| May 23, 2019 | OR | HB 2023 | Requires Inclusive Education on Certain Classifications of Individuals | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 5) |
| May 23, 2019 | CT | HB 7218 | Amends Firearm Storage Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 2) |
| May 23, 2019 | CT | HB 7223 | Prohibits Unlocked Vehicle Storage of Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| May 23, 2019 | CA | SB 55 | Expands List of Persons Prohibited from Owning Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10) |
| May 23, 2019 | CA | SB 329 | Prohibits Discrimination Against Section 8 Housing Renters | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| May 23, 2019 | CA | SB 360 | Requires Religious Officials Report Minor Sex Abuse Evidence to Law Enforcement | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4) |
| May 23, 2019 | CA | SB 627 | Authorizes Prescription of Medical Cannabis for Animals | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0) |
| May 23, 2019 | CA | SB 132 | Authorizes Inmate Housing According to Gender Identity | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8) |
| May 23, 2019 | CA | SB 132 | Authorizes Inmate Housing According to Gender Identity | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8) |
| May 23, 2019 | ME | LD 264 | Authorizes Certain EMS Personnel to Draw Blood at the Scene of Fatal Accidents | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13) |
| May 22, 2019 | IL | HB 834 | Requires Equal Pay | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 14) |
| May 22, 2019 | OR | HB 2303 | Repeals Pseudoephedrine and Ephedrine as Class 3 Controlled Substances | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10) |
| May 22, 2019 | TX | HB 2536 | Establishes Drug-Pricing Transparency Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4) |
| May 22, 2019 | NV | AB 431 | Expands Voting Rights for Convicted Individuals | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8) |
| May 22, 2019 | NV | AB 431 | Expands Voting Rights for Convicted Individuals | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8) |
| May 22, 2019 | CT | SB 1 | Establishes Paid Family and Medical Leave | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15) |
| May 22, 2019 | CA | SB 61 | Prohibits Purchasing More than One Gun per Month | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10) |
| May 22, 2019 | CA | SB 172 | Amends Firearm Storage Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
| May 22, 2019 | CA | SB 206 | Authorizes Compensation for College Athletes | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5) |
| May 21, 2019 | TX | HB 1143 | Authorizes Storage and Transportation of Firearms in School Parking Areas | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6) |
| May 21, 2019 | ME | LD 1025 | Prohibits the Practice of Conversion Therapy | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9) |
| May 21, 2019 | ME | LD 1025 | Prohibits the Practice of Conversion Therapy | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9) |
| May 21, 2019 | IL | HB 2670 | Expands Definition of "Mitigating Factors" | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 18) |
| May 21, 2019 | IL | HB 1613 | Requires Police Keep Racial Profiling Records | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18) |
| May 21, 2019 | IL | HB 1613 | Requires Police Keep Racial Profiling Records | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18) |
| May 21, 2019 | CA | SB 159 | Authorizes Use of HIV Prevention Drugs Without Prescription | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 1) |
| May 21, 2019 | OR | SB 1013 | Redefines the Crime of Aggravated Murder | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 9) |
| May 20, 2019 | SC | H 4243 | Authorizes Tax Incentives for Carolina Panthers Training Facilities | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 17) |
| May 20, 2019 | TX | HB 2911 | Amends Election Law to Determine Voter Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12) |
| May 20, 2019 | LA | SB 172 | Requires Individuals to be At Least 16 Years Old to Marry | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
| May 20, 2019 | CA | SB 24 | Requires Public Universities Offer and Cover the Cost of Abortion Drugs | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
| May 17, 2019 | OK | SB 252 | Amends the State Cash Bail System | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 12) |
| May 16, 2019 | National | PN 526 | Nomination of Jeffrey Rosen to be Deputy Attorney General for the Department of Justice | (52 - 45) |
| May 16, 2019 | IL | HB 2040 | Prohibits Private Prisons and Civil Detention Centers | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14) |
| May 16, 2019 | IL | HB 2040 | Prohibits Private Prisons and Civil Detention Centers | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14) |
| May 16, 2019 | TX | SB 1978 | Prohibits Government Action Against Businesses that Donate to Religious Organizations | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12) |
| May 15, 2019 | VT | H 107 | Establishes a Paid Statewide Family and Medical Leave Program | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10) |
| May 15, 2019 | NY | S 1414 | Prohibits 3D Printed Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 5) |
| May 15, 2019 | NV | SB 312 | Requires Employers Provide Paid Sick Leave | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0) |
| May 14, 2019 | AK | HB 49 | Amends Criminal Justice Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 0) |
| May 14, 2019 | CT | SB 992 | Limits Cooperation Between Local Law Enforcement and Federal Immigration Agencies | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| May 14, 2019 | CT | SB 992 | Limits Cooperation Between Local Law Enforcement and Federal Immigration Agencies | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| May 8, 2019 | IL | HB 2691 | Authorizes Tuition Assistance to Transgender and Undocumented Immigrant Students | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15) |
| May 8, 2019 | IL | HB 2691 | Authorizes Tuition Assistance to Transgender and Undocumented Immigrant Students | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15) |
| May 6, 2019 | AZ | HCR 2009 | Classifies Pornography as a Public Health Crises | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13) |
| May 3, 2019 | CO | HB 19-1263 | Amends Criminal Classification of Certain Drug Possessions | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| May 3, 2019 | CO | HB 19-1263 | Amends Criminal Classification of Certain Drug Possessions | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| May 3, 2019 | CO | HB 19-1124 | Prohibits Local Law Enforcement from Helping to Enforce Federal Civil Immigration Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| May 3, 2019 | CO | HB 19-1327 | Authorizes Sports Betting | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
| May 3, 2019 | CO | HB 19-1124 | Prohibits Local Law Enforcement from Helping to Enforce Federal Civil Immigration Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| May 2, 2019 | FL | SB 168 | Prohibits State Sanctuary City Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 18) |
| May 2, 2019 | FL | SB 7066 | Requires Felons Pay Outstanding Court Fees Prior to Voting Rights Restoration | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17) |
| May 2, 2019 | FL | SB 7066 | Requires Felons Pay Outstanding Court Fees Prior to Voting Rights Restoration | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17) |
| May 2, 2019 | FL | HB 629 | Requires Warning Labels on Lottery Tickets | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13) |
| May 2, 2019 | CO | HB 19-1289 | Increases State Consumer Protection Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| May 1, 2019 | CO | SB 19-188 | Establishes A Task Force Related To Paid-Family-Leave | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| May 1, 2019 | TX | SB 535 | Authorizes Handguns on the Premises of Places of Worship | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6) |
| May 1, 2019 | IL | SB 690 | Expands the Number of Casinos Permitted in Illinois | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 18) |
| May 1, 2019 | OH | SB 33 | Increases Penalties for Infrastructure Protesting | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8) |
| April 30, 2019 | CO | SB 19-085 | Establishes the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| April 30, 2019 | TN | HB 1 | Authorizes Online Sports Betting | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12) |
| April 30, 2019 | TN | HB 1151 | Prohibits Indecent Exposure to Include Restrooms, Locker Rooms, Dressing Rooms, and Showers | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 5) |
| April 30, 2019 | TN | HB 1151 | Prohibits Indecent Exposure to Include Restrooms, Locker Rooms, Dressing Rooms, and Showers | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 5) |
| April 30, 2019 | NY | S 5098 | Prohibits the Sale of Anything Made from "Vulnerable Species", Including Giraffe Products | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 14) |
| April 30, 2019 | NY | S 5098 | Prohibits the Sale of Anything Made from "Vulnerable Species", Including Giraffe Products | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 14) |
| April 29, 2019 | FL | HB 19 | Authorizes the Importation of Prescription Drugs from Canada | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13) |
| April 29, 2019 | FL | HB 741 | Prohibits "Anti-Semitic Speech" at Public Schools, Colleges, and Universities | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0) |
| April 29, 2019 | FL | HB 741 | Prohibits "Anti-Semitic Speech" at Public Schools, Colleges, and Universities | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0) |
| April 29, 2019 | CO | SB 19-007 | Establishes Standards for Sexual Misconduct Policies at Higher Education Institutions | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| April 26, 2019 | IA | HF 766 | Establishes a Health and Human Services Budget for FY 2019-2020 | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19) |
| April 26, 2019 | IA | HF 766 | Establishes a Health and Human Services Budget for FY 2019-2020 | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19) |
| April 26, 2019 | CO | HB 19-1266 | Authorizes Voting Rights to Paroled Felons | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| April 25, 2019 | TN | HB 1079 | Increases Penalties for Voter Registration Errors | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6) |
| April 25, 2019 | OK | HB 1269 | Amends Criminal Sentencing Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 5) |
| April 25, 2019 | AL | SB 220 | Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Create a State Lottery | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
| April 24, 2019 | IN | HB 1015 | Authorizes Sports Betting | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 12) |
| April 24, 2019 | WA | SB 5497 | Establishes Washington as a Sanctuary State | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 21) |
| April 24, 2019 | OK | HB 2591 | Requires Healthcare Providers Report Statutory Rape | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 8) |
| April 24, 2019 | CO | SB 19-235 | Expands Automatic Voter Registration System | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| April 23, 2019 | FL | SB 7030 | Authorizes Firearms on School Campuses | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17) |
| April 22, 2019 | IN | HB 1284 | Expands "Stand Your Ground" Laws | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 7) |
| April 22, 2019 | IN | HB 1284 | Expands "Stand Your Ground" Laws | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 7) |
| April 19, 2019 | WA | SB 5001 | Authorizes Composting of Human Remains | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 11) |
| April 18, 2019 | MT | HB 54 | Amends Requirements for Missing Persons Reports | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (46 - 4) |
| April 18, 2019 | TN | HB 658 | Repeals City Police Oversight Boards Subpoena Power | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 6) |
| April 18, 2019 | HI | SB 600 | Prohibits Individuals Younger than 21 from Bringing Firearms into the State | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 4) |
| April 18, 2019 | MT | HB 217 | Prohibits Suspension of Driver's License as Punishment for Certain Crimes | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20) |
| April 18, 2019 | MT | HB 500 | Prohibits Abortions After 20th Week of Pregnancy | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19) |
| April 18, 2019 | OR | SB 250 | Prohibits Health Benefit Plans from Discrimination | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5) |
| April 17, 2019 | DE | HB 63 | Amends Firearms Storage Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8) |
| April 17, 2019 | CO | HB 19-1039 | Amends Birth Certificate Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| April 17, 2019 | MT | HB 725 | Establishes a State Lottery System to Oversee Sports Wagering | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16) |