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 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)
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)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/08 HB 2691 Authorizes Tuition Assistance to Transgender and Undocumented Immigrant Students Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
5/08 HB 2691 Authorizes Tuition Assistance to Transgender and Undocumented Immigrant Students Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
5/06 HCR 2009 Classifies Pornography as a Public Health Crises Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
5/03 HB 19-1263 Amends Criminal Classification of Certain Drug Possessions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
5/03 HB 19-1263 Amends Criminal Classification of Certain Drug Possessions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
5/03 HB 19-1124 Prohibits Local Law Enforcement from Helping to Enforce Federal Civil Immigration Laws Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
5/03 HB 19-1327 Authorizes Sports Betting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
5/03 HB 19-1124 Prohibits Local Law Enforcement from Helping to Enforce Federal Civil Immigration Laws Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
5/02 SB 168 Prohibits State Sanctuary City Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
5/02 SB 7066 Requires Felons Pay Outstanding Court Fees Prior to Voting Rights Restoration Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
5/02 SB 7066 Requires Felons Pay Outstanding Court Fees Prior to Voting Rights Restoration Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
5/02 HB 629 Requires Warning Labels on Lottery Tickets Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
5/02 HB 19-1289 Increases State Consumer Protection Laws Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
5/01 SB 19-188 Establishes A Task Force Related To Paid-Family-Leave Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
5/01 SB 535 Authorizes Handguns on the Premises of Places of Worship Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
5/01 SB 690 Expands the Number of Casinos Permitted in Illinois Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 18)
5/01 SB 33 Increases Penalties for Infrastructure Protesting Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
4/30 SB 19-085 Establishes the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
4/30 HB 1 Authorizes Online Sports Betting Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
4/30 HB 1151 Prohibits Indecent Exposure to Include Restrooms, Locker Rooms, Dressing Rooms, and Showers Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 5)
4/30 HB 1151 Prohibits Indecent Exposure to Include Restrooms, Locker Rooms, Dressing Rooms, and Showers Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 5)
4/30 S 5098 Prohibits the Sale of Anything Made from "Vulnerable Species", Including Giraffe Products Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 14)
4/30 S 5098 Prohibits the Sale of Anything Made from "Vulnerable Species", Including Giraffe Products Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 14)
4/29 HB 19 Authorizes the Importation of Prescription Drugs from Canada Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
4/29 HB 741 Prohibits "Anti-Semitic Speech" at Public Schools, Colleges, and Universities Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
4/29 HB 741 Prohibits "Anti-Semitic Speech" at Public Schools, Colleges, and Universities Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
4/29 SB 19-007 Establishes Standards for Sexual Misconduct Policies at Higher Education Institutions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
4/26 HF 766 Establishes a Health and Human Services Budget for FY 2019-2020 Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
4/26 HF 766 Establishes a Health and Human Services Budget for FY 2019-2020 Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
4/26 HB 19-1266 Authorizes Voting Rights to Paroled Felons Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
4/25 HB 1079 Increases Penalties for Voter Registration Errors Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
4/25 HB 1269 Amends Criminal Sentencing Laws Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 5)
4/25 SB 220 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Create a State Lottery Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
4/24 HB 1015 Authorizes Sports Betting Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 12)
4/24 SB 5497 Establishes Washington as a Sanctuary State Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
4/24 HB 2591 Requires Healthcare Providers Report Statutory Rape Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 8)
4/24 SB 19-235 Expands Automatic Voter Registration System Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
4/23 SB 7030 Authorizes Firearms on School Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
4/22 HB 1284 Expands "Stand Your Ground" Laws Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 7)
4/22 HB 1284 Expands "Stand Your Ground" Laws Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 7)
4/19 SB 5001 Authorizes Composting of Human Remains Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
4/18 HB 54 Amends Requirements for Missing Persons Reports Conference Report Adopted - Senate (46 - 4)
4/18 HB 658 Repeals City Police Oversight Boards Subpoena Power Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 6)
4/18 SB 600 Prohibits Individuals Younger than 21 from Bringing Firearms into the State Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 4)
4/18 HB 217 Prohibits Suspension of Driver's License as Punishment for Certain Crimes Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
4/18 HB 500 Prohibits Abortions After 20th Week of Pregnancy Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
4/18 SB 250 Prohibits Health Benefit Plans from Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
4/17 HB 63 Amends Firearms Storage Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
4/17 HB 19-1039 Amends Birth Certificate Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
4/17 HB 725 Establishes a State Lottery System to Oversee Sports Wagering Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
4/17 SF 617 Authorizes Sports Betting Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
4/17 SB 19-030 Authorizes a Remedy for Improperly Entered Guilty Pleas Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
4/17 SB 19-030 Authorizes a Remedy for Improperly Entered Guilty Pleas Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
4/16 HB 21 Establishes a Missing Persons Specialist in the Department of Justice Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13)
4/16 HB 1739 Prohibits All Untraceable 3D Printed "Ghost Guns" Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
4/16 HB 1253 Authorizes Firearm Training for Teachers and School Staff Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14)
4/16 SB 1008 Amends Juvenile Offender Sentencing Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
4/12 SB 19-1025 Prohibits Employers from Asking About Employee Criminal History Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
4/11 HB 2693 Repeals Requirement that Firearms be Unloaded on School Grounds Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 14)
4/11 SB 92 Amends Tax Policies Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
4/10 SB 23 Prohibits Abortion After a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
4/10 HB 1579 Increases Catch Limits for Bass, Walleye, and Catfish Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20)
4/10 A 6188 Prohibits Harassment of Rent Regulated Tenants Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 17)
4/10 HB 146 Prohibits Cities from Passing Sanctuary Laws Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
4/10 HB 291 Establishes a Voluntary Wolf Mitigation Account Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
4/10 SB 250 Amends Voting Rolls to Correlate with Jury Selection Excusals Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19)
4/10 SB 2090 Expands Access to Voting in Jails Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17)
4/10 SB 2090 Expands Access to Voting in Jails Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17)
4/09 SB 34 Establishes a Per-Pill Tax on Prescription Opioid Painkillers Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 4)
4/09 SB 154 Authorizes Sports Gambling on Tribal Lands Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
4/08 HJR 1008 Establishes Stricter Requirements for Ballot Initiatives Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
4/08 SB 737 Amends Long Gun License Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14)
4/05 SB 411 Prohibits Local Government from Adopting "Sanctuary Policies" Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
4/03 HB 1684 Authorizes In-State Tuition for DACA Students Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
4/03 SB 17 Authorizes Protections for Lawyers that Deny Clients Based on Religious Exemptions Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)

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