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
March 12, 2020 FL SB 664 Requires Government Agencies Use E-Verify Immigration Check for Employment Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
March 12, 2020 NH HB 1660 Establishes a Protective Order for Vulnerable Adults "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
March 12, 2020 CO HB 20-1078 Prohibits Retroactively Charged Fees on Already Filled Medical Prescriptions Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
March 12, 2020 UT HB 494 Appropriates Funds In Response to the COVID-19 Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 0)
March 12, 2020 WA HB 2965 Appropriates Funds for COVID-19 Coronavirus Response Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
March 12, 2020 AL HB 186 Appropriates Funds for COVID-19 Coronavirus Response Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 0)
March 12, 2020 NH HB 1247 Requires Sooner Notice of Rent Increases "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (188 - 108)
March 12, 2020 AL SB 45 Amends Criminal Trespassing Penalties Relating to Critical Infrastructure Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
March 12, 2020 AZ HCR 2045 Requires Warning Labels on Medical Marijuana Among Other Provisions Bill Passed - House (31 - 27)
March 12, 2020 ME LD 2077 Establishes a Legislative Review for Performance Evaluation and Professional Growth Bill Passed - House (91 - 47)
March 12, 2020 AL SB 45 Amends Criminal Trespassing Penalties Relating to Critical Infrastructure Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
March 12, 2020 AL SB 165 Establishes a Medical Marijuana Program Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
March 12, 2020 GA HB 720 Extends Use of Ankle Monitors for Sex Offenders Bill Passed - House (98 - 63)
March 12, 2020 ME LD 1894 Increases Purchases of Electric School Buses Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
March 11, 2020 IN SB 148 Prohibits Regulating Relationship between Renters and Landlords Conference Report Adopted - House (64 - 32)
March 11, 2020 IN HB 1207 Amends Regulations for Pharmacists Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 2)
March 11, 2020 IN SB 148 Prohibits Regulating Relationship between Renters and Landlords Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 19)
March 11, 2020 IN HB 1004 Requires Healthcare Providers Give "Good Faith" Estimates of Medical Costs Conference Report Adopted - House (59 - 32)
March 11, 2020 FL HB 389 Expands List of Medical Conditions That Pharmacists May Treat Concurrence Vote Passed - House (98 - 17)
March 11, 2020 FL HB 389 Expands List of Medical Conditions That Pharmacists May Treat Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
March 11, 2020 FL HB 607 Authorizes Independent Nurse Practitioners to Open Primary Care Practices Without Doctor Supervision Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
March 11, 2020 FL SB 664 Requires Government Agencies Use E-Verify Immigration Check for Employment Bill Passed - House (73 - 45)
March 11, 2020 FL SB 664 Requires Government Agencies Use E-Verify Immigration Check for Employment Bill Passed - House (73 - 45)
March 11, 2020 FL HB 199 Extends Sexual Battery Prosecution Time Limitations Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
March 11, 2020 National S J Res 68 A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress Bill Passed - House (227 - 186)
March 11, 2020 FL SB 1794 Increases Signature Threshold for Initiative Petitions Bill Passed - House (73 - 45)
March 11, 2020 NH HB 1410 Prohibits Use of Flavors in Vaping Products "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (192 - 143)
March 11, 2020 OK HB 3165 Amends Criminal Law to Shift Burden of Proof from Defendant to Prosecution Bill Passed - House (73 - 23)
March 11, 2020 MD HB 231 Establishes the "Housing Opportunities Made Equal Act" Bill Passed - House (95 - 42)
March 11, 2020 OK SB 1674 Increases Penalties for Selling or Possessing Drugs Near Schools Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 12)
March 11, 2020 MD HB 550 Expands Marijuana Decriminalization Policies Bill Passed - House (93 - 44)
March 11, 2020 MS SB 2459 Establishes Legal Definition for Criminal Gang Activity Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 15)
March 11, 2020 KY HB 432 Reduces the Governor's Role Over the State Investment Commission Bill Passed - House (74 - 23)
March 10, 2020 IN HB 1022 Expands the Definition of Panhandling Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 14)
March 10, 2020 SD SB 70 Authorizes Use of Spanish for Driver License Testing Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
March 10, 2020 WA SB 6617 Expands Access to Accessory Dwelling Unit Construction Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (41 - 8)
March 10, 2020 UT HB 246 Establishes Additional Psychiatry Positions at the University of Utah Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 10)
March 10, 2020 FL SB 70 Establishes Alert Systems in Public Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
March 10, 2020 SD SB 151 Defines "Critical Infrastructure" and Restructures Associated Crimes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
March 10, 2020 UT HB 207 Establishes an Insulin Price Cap Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 2)
March 10, 2020 WY HB 159 Requires Payment of Ad Valorem Tax on Mineral Production Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
March 10, 2020 UT SB 39 Increases Funding for Affordable Housing Development Bill Passed - House (48 - 24)
March 10, 2020 IA SF 2275 Increases Penalties for Eluding Law Enforcement Bill Passed - House (78 - 22)
March 10, 2020 FL SB 1286 Expands the List of Contraband in Specified Facilities Bill Passed - House (71 - 43)
March 10, 2020 GA SB 386 Expands State-Funded Private School Scholarships for Students with Learning Disabilities Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 22)
March 10, 2020 OK HB 2587 Prohibits Denying Healthcare or Adjusting Coverage or Cost Based on Age or Quality of Life Bill Passed - House (69 - 21)
March 9, 2020 WA HB 1590 Authorizes Local Affordable Housing Tax to be Imposed by a Councilmanic Authority Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 44)
March 9, 2020 WA HB 1590 Authorizes Local Affordable Housing Tax to be Imposed by a Councilmanic Authority Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 44)
March 9, 2020 UT HB 209 Authorizes Health Data Committee to Disclose Identifiable Health Data Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 20)
March 9, 2020 UT HB 209 Authorizes Health Data Committee to Disclose Identifiable Health Data Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 20)
March 9, 2020 WA SB 6561 Establishes a Student Loan Program for Undocumented Students Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 11)
March 9, 2020 SD SB 70 Authorizes Use of Spanish for Driver License Testing Bill Passed - House (42 - 24)
March 9, 2020 FL SB 1794 Increases Signature Threshold for Initiative Petitions Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
March 9, 2020 CO HB 20-1307 Prohibits the "Gay Panic" Murder Defense Bill Passed - House (45 - 19)
March 9, 2020 MN SF 3813 Appropriates Funding for the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Public Health Response Planning Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 0)
March 9, 2020 MS SB 2112 Prohibits Public Employers from Requiring Applicants to Disclose Felony Convictions on Application Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 17)
March 9, 2020 MO HB 1604 Repeals the Residency Requirement for Municipal Police Forces Bill Passed - House (106 - 43)
March 9, 2020 MO HB 1604 Repeals the Residency Requirement for Municipal Police Forces Bill Passed - House (106 - 43)
March 8, 2020 VA HB 1250 Establishes the "Community Policing Act" Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 17)
March 7, 2020 VA HB 812 Prohibits Unlicensed Individuals to Deal Firearms from Purchasing More Than One Gun in a 30-Day Period Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 19)
March 7, 2020 VA HB 1150 Eliminates Requirement that Jails and Prisons Ascertain Citizenship Status of Inmates Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 19)
March 7, 2020 VA HB 1150 Eliminates Requirement that Jails and Prisons Ascertain Citizenship Status of Inmates Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 19)
March 7, 2020 VA HB 1250 Establishes the "Community Policing Act" Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 35)
March 7, 2020 WV HB 2419 Authorizes Release of Certain Individuals Without Bail Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 21)
March 7, 2020 WV HB 4615 Increases Penalties for Critical Infrastructure Protesting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 33)
March 7, 2020 WV HB 4958 Prohibits Suspension of Driver's License for Unpaid Fines Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 10)
March 7, 2020 WV HB 4615 Increases Penalties for Critical Infrastructure Protesting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 33)
March 7, 2020 WV HB 4176 Establishes the West Virginia Intelligence/Fusion Center Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 11)
March 7, 2020 WV HB 4176 Establishes the West Virginia Intelligence/Fusion Center Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 11)
March 7, 2020 WV HB 4615 Increases Penalties for Critical Infrastructure Protesting Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
March 7, 2020 WV HB 4615 Increases Penalties for Critical Infrastructure Protesting Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
March 6, 2020 WA HB 1590 Authorizes Local Affordable Housing Tax to be Imposed by a Councilmanic Authority Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
March 6, 2020 WA HB 1590 Authorizes Local Affordable Housing Tax to be Imposed by a Councilmanic Authority Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
March 6, 2020 UT HB 243 Requires Warning Labels on Pornography Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
March 6, 2020 WV SB 797 Authorizes Hospitals to Employ Police Officers Bill Passed - House (76 - 23)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/12 SB 664 Requires Government Agencies Use E-Verify Immigration Check for Employment Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
3/12 HB 1660 Establishes a Protective Order for Vulnerable Adults "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
3/12 HB 20-1078 Prohibits Retroactively Charged Fees on Already Filled Medical Prescriptions Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
3/12 HB 494 Appropriates Funds In Response to the COVID-19 Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 0)
3/12 HB 2965 Appropriates Funds for COVID-19 Coronavirus Response Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
3/12 HB 186 Appropriates Funds for COVID-19 Coronavirus Response Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 0)
3/12 HB 1247 Requires Sooner Notice of Rent Increases "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (188 - 108)
3/12 SB 45 Amends Criminal Trespassing Penalties Relating to Critical Infrastructure Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
3/12 HCR 2045 Requires Warning Labels on Medical Marijuana Among Other Provisions Bill Passed - House (31 - 27)
3/12 LD 2077 Establishes a Legislative Review for Performance Evaluation and Professional Growth Bill Passed - House (91 - 47)
3/12 SB 45 Amends Criminal Trespassing Penalties Relating to Critical Infrastructure Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
3/12 SB 165 Establishes a Medical Marijuana Program Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
3/12 HB 720 Extends Use of Ankle Monitors for Sex Offenders Bill Passed - House (98 - 63)
3/12 LD 1894 Increases Purchases of Electric School Buses Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
3/11 SB 148 Prohibits Regulating Relationship between Renters and Landlords Conference Report Adopted - House (64 - 32)
3/11 HB 1207 Amends Regulations for Pharmacists Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 2)
3/11 SB 148 Prohibits Regulating Relationship between Renters and Landlords Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 19)
3/11 HB 1004 Requires Healthcare Providers Give "Good Faith" Estimates of Medical Costs Conference Report Adopted - House (59 - 32)
3/11 HB 389 Expands List of Medical Conditions That Pharmacists May Treat Concurrence Vote Passed - House (98 - 17)
3/11 HB 389 Expands List of Medical Conditions That Pharmacists May Treat Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
3/11 HB 607 Authorizes Independent Nurse Practitioners to Open Primary Care Practices Without Doctor Supervision Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
3/11 SB 664 Requires Government Agencies Use E-Verify Immigration Check for Employment Bill Passed - House (73 - 45)
3/11 SB 664 Requires Government Agencies Use E-Verify Immigration Check for Employment Bill Passed - House (73 - 45)
3/11 HB 199 Extends Sexual Battery Prosecution Time Limitations Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
3/11 S J Res 68 A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress Bill Passed - House (227 - 186)
3/11 SB 1794 Increases Signature Threshold for Initiative Petitions Bill Passed - House (73 - 45)
3/11 HB 1410 Prohibits Use of Flavors in Vaping Products "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (192 - 143)
3/11 HB 3165 Amends Criminal Law to Shift Burden of Proof from Defendant to Prosecution Bill Passed - House (73 - 23)
3/11 HB 231 Establishes the "Housing Opportunities Made Equal Act" Bill Passed - House (95 - 42)
3/11 SB 1674 Increases Penalties for Selling or Possessing Drugs Near Schools Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 12)
3/11 HB 550 Expands Marijuana Decriminalization Policies Bill Passed - House (93 - 44)
3/11 SB 2459 Establishes Legal Definition for Criminal Gang Activity Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 15)
3/11 HB 432 Reduces the Governor's Role Over the State Investment Commission Bill Passed - House (74 - 23)
3/10 HB 1022 Expands the Definition of Panhandling Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 14)
3/10 SB 70 Authorizes Use of Spanish for Driver License Testing Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
3/10 SB 6617 Expands Access to Accessory Dwelling Unit Construction Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (41 - 8)
3/10 HB 246 Establishes Additional Psychiatry Positions at the University of Utah Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 10)
3/10 SB 70 Establishes Alert Systems in Public Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
3/10 SB 151 Defines "Critical Infrastructure" and Restructures Associated Crimes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
3/10 HB 207 Establishes an Insulin Price Cap Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 2)
3/10 HB 159 Requires Payment of Ad Valorem Tax on Mineral Production Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
3/10 SB 39 Increases Funding for Affordable Housing Development Bill Passed - House (48 - 24)
3/10 SF 2275 Increases Penalties for Eluding Law Enforcement Bill Passed - House (78 - 22)
3/10 SB 1286 Expands the List of Contraband in Specified Facilities Bill Passed - House (71 - 43)
3/10 SB 386 Expands State-Funded Private School Scholarships for Students with Learning Disabilities Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 22)
3/10 HB 2587 Prohibits Denying Healthcare or Adjusting Coverage or Cost Based on Age or Quality of Life Bill Passed - House (69 - 21)
3/09 HB 1590 Authorizes Local Affordable Housing Tax to be Imposed by a Councilmanic Authority Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 44)
3/09 HB 1590 Authorizes Local Affordable Housing Tax to be Imposed by a Councilmanic Authority Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 44)
3/09 HB 209 Authorizes Health Data Committee to Disclose Identifiable Health Data Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 20)
3/09 HB 209 Authorizes Health Data Committee to Disclose Identifiable Health Data Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 20)
3/09 SB 6561 Establishes a Student Loan Program for Undocumented Students Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 11)
3/09 SB 70 Authorizes Use of Spanish for Driver License Testing Bill Passed - House (42 - 24)
3/09 SB 1794 Increases Signature Threshold for Initiative Petitions Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
3/09 HB 20-1307 Prohibits the "Gay Panic" Murder Defense Bill Passed - House (45 - 19)
3/09 SF 3813 Appropriates Funding for the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Public Health Response Planning Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 0)
3/09 SB 2112 Prohibits Public Employers from Requiring Applicants to Disclose Felony Convictions on Application Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 17)
3/09 HB 1604 Repeals the Residency Requirement for Municipal Police Forces Bill Passed - House (106 - 43)
3/09 HB 1604 Repeals the Residency Requirement for Municipal Police Forces Bill Passed - House (106 - 43)
3/08 HB 1250 Establishes the "Community Policing Act" Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 17)
3/07 HB 812 Prohibits Unlicensed Individuals to Deal Firearms from Purchasing More Than One Gun in a 30-Day Period Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 19)
3/07 HB 1150 Eliminates Requirement that Jails and Prisons Ascertain Citizenship Status of Inmates Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 19)
3/07 HB 1150 Eliminates Requirement that Jails and Prisons Ascertain Citizenship Status of Inmates Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 19)
3/07 HB 1250 Establishes the "Community Policing Act" Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 35)
3/07 HB 2419 Authorizes Release of Certain Individuals Without Bail Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 21)
3/07 HB 4615 Increases Penalties for Critical Infrastructure Protesting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 33)
3/07 HB 4958 Prohibits Suspension of Driver's License for Unpaid Fines Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 10)
3/07 HB 4615 Increases Penalties for Critical Infrastructure Protesting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 33)
3/07 HB 4176 Establishes the West Virginia Intelligence/Fusion Center Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 11)
3/07 HB 4176 Establishes the West Virginia Intelligence/Fusion Center Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 11)
3/07 HB 4615 Increases Penalties for Critical Infrastructure Protesting Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
3/07 HB 4615 Increases Penalties for Critical Infrastructure Protesting Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
3/06 HB 1590 Authorizes Local Affordable Housing Tax to be Imposed by a Councilmanic Authority Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
3/06 HB 1590 Authorizes Local Affordable Housing Tax to be Imposed by a Councilmanic Authority Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
3/06 HB 243 Requires Warning Labels on Pornography Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
3/06 SB 797 Authorizes Hospitals to Employ Police Officers Bill Passed - House (76 - 23)

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