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 17, 2019 | IA | SF 617 | Authorizes Sports Betting | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18) |
| April 17, 2019 | CO | SB 19-030 | Authorizes a Remedy for Improperly Entered Guilty Pleas | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| April 17, 2019 | CO | SB 19-030 | Authorizes a Remedy for Improperly Entered Guilty Pleas | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| April 16, 2019 | MT | HB 21 | Establishes a Missing Persons Specialist in the Department of Justice | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13) |
| April 16, 2019 | WA | HB 1739 | Prohibits All Untraceable 3D Printed "Ghost Guns" | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18) |
| April 16, 2019 | IN | HB 1253 | Authorizes Firearm Training for Teachers and School Staff | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14) |
| April 16, 2019 | OR | SB 1008 | Amends Juvenile Offender Sentencing | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
| April 12, 2019 | CO | SB 19-1025 | Prohibits Employers from Asking About Employee Criminal History | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12) |
| April 11, 2019 | AZ | HB 2693 | Repeals Requirement that Firearms be Unloaded on School Grounds | Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 14) |
| April 11, 2019 | CA | SB 92 | Amends Tax Policies | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9) |
| April 10, 2019 | OH | SB 23 | Prohibits Abortion After a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 13) |
| April 10, 2019 | WA | HB 1579 | Increases Catch Limits for Bass, Walleye, and Catfish | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20) |
| April 10, 2019 | NY | A 6188 | Prohibits Harassment of Rent Regulated Tenants | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 17) |
| April 10, 2019 | MT | HB 146 | Prohibits Cities from Passing Sanctuary Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20) |
| April 10, 2019 | MT | HB 291 | Establishes a Voluntary Wolf Mitigation Account | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20) |
| April 10, 2019 | NC | SB 250 | Amends Voting Rolls to Correlate with Jury Selection Excusals | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19) |
| April 10, 2019 | IL | SB 2090 | Expands Access to Voting in Jails | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17) |
| April 10, 2019 | IL | SB 2090 | Expands Access to Voting in Jails | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17) |
| April 9, 2019 | DE | SB 34 | Establishes a Per-Pill Tax on Prescription Opioid Painkillers | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 4) |
| April 9, 2019 | NC | SB 154 | Authorizes Sports Gambling on Tribal Lands | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7) |
| April 8, 2019 | AR | HJR 1008 | Establishes Stricter Requirements for Ballot Initiatives | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
| April 8, 2019 | MD | SB 737 | Amends Long Gun License Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14) |
| April 5, 2019 | AR | SB 411 | Prohibits Local Government from Adopting "Sanctuary Policies" | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5) |
| April 3, 2019 | AR | HB 1684 | Authorizes In-State Tuition for DACA Students | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7) |
| April 3, 2019 | TX | SB 17 | Authorizes Protections for Lawyers that Deny Clients Based on Religious Exemptions | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12) |
| April 3, 2019 | TX | SB 17 | Authorizes Protections for Lawyers that Deny Clients Based on Religious Exemptions | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12) |
| April 3, 2019 | TX | SB 406 | Amends Conceal Carry Regulations for Local School Marshals | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3) |
| April 3, 2019 | TX | SB 17 | Authorizes Protections for Lawyers that Deny Clients Based on Religious Exemptions | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12) |
| April 2, 2019 | IN | SB 198 | Amends Criminal Sentencing Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 14) |
| April 2, 2019 | IN | HB 1211 | Prohibits Dilation and Evacuation Abortions | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10) |
| 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) |
| March 31, 2019 | MD | HB 994 | Prohibits Employment Discrimination Based On an Applicants Criminal History | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 14) |
| 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 - Senate (40 - 22) |
| March 29, 2019 | GA | HB 345 | Establishes Rights for Pregnant Inmates | Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 1) |
| March 29, 2019 | GA | HB 345 | Establishes Rights for Pregnant Inmates | Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 1) |
| March 29, 2019 | ND | HB 1381 | Prohibits Government Funded Gun Buyback Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12) |
| March 29, 2019 | ND | HB 1332 | Authorizes Schools to Develop a Plan for an Armed First Responder | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14) |
| March 28, 2019 | CO | HB 19-1177 | Establishes Extreme Risk Protection Orders | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| March 28, 2019 | MA | H 3638 | Appropriates Funding to Family Planning and Women Reproductive Health Clinics | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5) |
| March 28, 2019 | IL | SB 1786 | Prohibits License Suspension for Unpaid Parking Tickets | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10) |
| March 28, 2019 | MT | SB 65 | Amends DUI Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10) |
| March 27, 2019 | CO | HB 19-1119 | Requires Law Enforcement Internal Investigations to Become Public | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| March 27, 2019 | IA | SF 513 | Authorizes Women to Buy Birth Control Without Prescriptions | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 6) |
| March 26, 2019 | MD | HB 298 | Establishes Oyster Sanctuaries | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14) |
| March 26, 2019 | IA | SF 523 | Expands Penalties for Fetal Homicide | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18) |
| March 25, 2019 | CO | HB 19-1129 | Prohibits Conversion Therapy | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| March 25, 2019 | NJ | S 1080 | Establishes Conditions for Restricted Usage of Suspended or Revoked Driver's Licenses | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10) |
| March 22, 2019 | GA | HB 481 | Prohibits Abortion After a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 18) |
| March 21, 2019 | NH | SB 310 | Authorizes Casino Gambling | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 11) |
| March 21, 2019 | VT | S 169 | Establishes a 24-Hour Waiting Period for Handgun Purchases | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
| March 19, 2019 | NY | A 6449 | Increases Number of Speed Cameras in School Zones | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 18) |
| March 18, 2019 | ID | H 180 | Authorizes Syringe and Needle Exchange Program | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11) |
| March 15, 2019 | ND | HB 1336 | Requires Potential Abortion Reversal Drugs be made Available | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 11) |
| March 14, 2019 | NM | HB 51 | Amends State Law to Decriminalize Abortion | Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 24) |
| March 14, 2019 | NM | HB 89 | Requires Insurance Companies Provide Coverage for Contraceptives | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8) |
| March 14, 2019 | NH | SB 311 | Amends Annulment Laws for Certain Drug Possession | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8) |
| March 14, 2019 | NJ | S 477 | Increases Statutes of Limitation for Sexual Abuse Victims | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1) |
| March 14, 2019 | CO | SB 19-139 | Authorizes Drivers Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
| March 14, 2019 | NH | SB 311 | Amends Annulment Laws for Certain Drug Possession | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8) |
| March 13, 2019 | MS | HB 1352 | Amends Criminal Justice Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 2) |
| March 13, 2019 | OH | SB 23 | Prohibits Abortion After a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13) |
| March 12, 2019 | NM | HB 564 | Amends Probation and Parole Procedures | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6) |
| March 12, 2019 | UT | HB 57 | Requires Search Warrants for Electronic Information | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 0) |
| March 12, 2019 | UT | HB 57 | Requires Search Warrants for Electronic Information | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 0) |
| March 12, 2019 | IA | SF 519 | Establishes Trespass Charges for Undercover Investigators at Certain Agricultural Facilities | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 8) |
| March 11, 2019 | WA | SB 5434 | Establishes Restrictions for Firearms in Daycare and Child Care Facilities | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21) |
| March 11, 2019 | IA | SF 274 | Amends Free Speech Regulations on College Campuses | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11) |
| March 8, 2019 | CO | HB 19-1148 | Reduces Maximum Criminal Penalty for Certain Crimes to 364 Days | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| March 8, 2019 | CO | HB 19-1148 | Reduces Maximum Criminal Penalty for Certain Crimes to 364 Days | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| March 7, 2019 | UT | HB 114 | Expands "Stand Your Ground" Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 8) |
| March 7, 2019 | SD | SB 189 | Establishes "Riot Boosting" as a Civil Offense | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4) |
| March 7, 2019 | SD | SB 189 | Establishes "Riot Boosting" as a Civil Offense | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4) |
| March 6, 2019 | MS | HB 761 | Prohibits Contracts with Businesses That Boycott Israel | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 8) |
| March 6, 2019 | OH | HB 86 | Amends Regulations for Firearm Length | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9) |
| March 6, 2019 | IL | SB 1610 | Amends Immigrant Deportation Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 14) |
| March 6, 2019 | IL | SB 1610 | Amends Immigrant Deportation Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 14) |
| March 5, 2019 | HI | SB 557 | Establishes Hawaii as a Sanctuary State | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 4) |
| March 5, 2019 | NM | SB 323 | Reduces Criminal Penalties for Marijuana Possession | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8) |
| March 5, 2019 | HI | SB 1466 | Establishes Extreme Risk Protection Orders | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 2) |
| March 4, 2019 | NY | S 2450 | Increases Penalties for Improper Gun Storages | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 22) |
| Feb. 28, 2019 | AZ | SB 1250 | Authorizes Protective Orders for Victims of Sexual Violence | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0) |
| Feb. 26, 2019 | WA | SB 5165 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Citizenship or Immigration Status | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20) |
| Feb. 26, 2019 | WA | SB 5165 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Citizenship or Immigration Status | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20) |
| Feb. 26, 2019 | IN | SB 552 | Authorizes Sports Gambling | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11) |
| Feb. 25, 2019 | WY | HB 103 | Requires Doctor Reporting of Abortions | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9) |
| Feb. 23, 2019 | VA | SB 1126 | Authorizes Casino Gaming in Select Cities | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 10) |
| Feb. 22, 2019 | UT | HB 40 | Repeals the Misdemeanor Crime of Sodomy and Adultery | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 2) |
| Feb. 22, 2019 | UT | HB 40 | Repeals the Misdemeanor Crime of Sodomy and Adultery | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 2) |
| Feb. 22, 2019 | MD | SB 196 | Authorizes Designation for Unspecified Gender on Licenses and ID Cards | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14) |
| Feb. 21, 2019 | IN | SB 12 | Authorizes Consideration of Bias in Sentencing | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10) |
| Feb. 21, 2019 | IN | SB 12 | Authorizes Consideration of Bias in Sentencing | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10) |
| Feb. 21, 2019 | NJ | S 758 | Requires Incarcerated Individuals Count in Legislative Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10) |
| Feb. 21, 2019 | NJ | S 758 | Requires Incarcerated Individuals Count in Legislative Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10) |
| Feb. 20, 2019 | SD | SB 115 | Authorizes Constitutional Carry Within the Capital | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13) |
| Feb. 19, 2019 | ND | SB 2315 | Establishes Hunters Access Advisory Group | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18) |
| Feb. 14, 2019 | NH | SB 1 | Establishes Paid Family and Medical Leave | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 10) |
| Feb. 14, 2019 | NM | SB 8 | Requires Background Checks for Gun Sales | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 20) |
| Feb. 13, 2019 | MI | SB 2 | Prohibits Property Seizures by Law Enforcement Until After Criminal Conviction | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2) |