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 6, 2020 WY SF 122 Exempts Public Utility Companies from Civil Liability in Catastrophes Caused by an "Act of God" Bill Passed - House (37 - 21)
March 6, 2020 WV SB 275 Establishes an Intermediate Court of Appeals Bill Failed - House (44 - 56)
March 5, 2020 NH SB 159 Increases Net Metering Capacity for Customer-Generators Veto Override Passed - Senate (17 - 7)
March 5, 2020 VA HB 812 Prohibits Unlicensed Individuals to Deal Firearms from Purchasing More Than One Gun in a 30-Day Period Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 48)
March 5, 2020 VA HB 33 Authorizes Inmates to Apply for Parole Conference Report Adopted - House (53 - 45)
March 5, 2020 VA HB 1150 Eliminates Requirement that Jails and Prisons Ascertain Citizenship Status of Inmates Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 45)
March 5, 2020 VA HB 1150 Eliminates Requirement that Jails and Prisons Ascertain Citizenship Status of Inmates Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 45)
March 5, 2020 VA HB 1255 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Create an Independent Redistricting Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 45)
March 5, 2020 SD SB 186 Establishes Paid Family Leave Policies for State Employees Bill Passed - House (52 - 14)
March 5, 2020 WA SB 6561 Establishes a Student Loan Program for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - House (82 - 15)
March 5, 2020 VA HB 66 Limits the Cost of Insulin to $50 Per 30-Day Supply Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
March 5, 2020 WA SB 5164 Expands Assistance for Immigrant Victims of Human Trafficking Bill Passed - House (89 - 8)
March 5, 2020 WA SB 5164 Expands Assistance for Immigrant Victims of Human Trafficking Bill Passed - House (89 - 8)
March 5, 2020 SD HB 1117 Repeals and Revises Certain Provisions Regarding Riots Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
March 5, 2020 National HR 6074 Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 1)
March 5, 2020 CO SB 20-83 Prohibits Civil Arrests on Courthouse Grounds Bill Passed - House (40 - 24)
March 5, 2020 AL SB 219 Establishes a Felony for Doctors that Perform Gender Reassignment Treatment to Individuals Under the Age of 19 Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 3)
March 5, 2020 AZ HB 2538 Establishes Workplace Violence Protections for Hospital Staff Bill Passed - House (40 - 19)
March 5, 2020 AZ HB 2538 Establishes Workplace Violence Protections for Hospital Staff Bill Passed - House (40 - 19)
March 5, 2020 MN HF 5 Establishes Family and Medical Leave Bill Passed - House (70 - 59)
March 4, 2020 WA SB 5395 Establishes K-12 Sexual Health Education Programs in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (56 - 40)
March 4, 2020 WV SB 739 Authorizes the Public Service Commission to Protect Consumers of Water and Wastewater Utilities Bill Passed - House (76 - 14)
March 4, 2020 SC H 3967 Establishes Requirements for the Treatment of Female Inmates Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 0)
March 4, 2020 WV SB 739 Authorizes the Public Service Commission to Protect Consumers of Water and Wastewater Utilities Bill Passed - House (76 - 14)
March 4, 2020 WA SB 6205 Prohibits Harassment, Abuse, and Discrimination Towards Long-Term Care Workers Bill Passed - House (74 - 23)
March 4, 2020 SD HB 1189 Appropriates Funds to Expand Rural Access to Broadband Services Bill Passed - House (54 - 14)
March 4, 2020 National HR 6074 Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act Bill Passed - House (415 - 2)
March 4, 2020 OK HB 2804 Requires Dyslexia Screening for All K-3rd Grade Students Not Reading at Grade Level Bill Passed - House (92 - 1)
March 3, 2020 WA SB 5165 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Citizenship or Immigration Status Bill Passed - House (57 - 39)
March 3, 2020 WA SB 5165 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Citizenship or Immigration Status Bill Passed - House (57 - 39)
March 3, 2020 VA SB 1030 Prohibits Dangerous Captive Animal Exhibits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
March 3, 2020 IN SB 229 Removes State Oversight of Certain Drains Near Wetlands Bill Passed - House (58 - 37)
March 3, 2020 WA SB 6268 Prohibits Meritless Litigation Against Domestic Abuse Victims Bill Passed - House (90 - 6)
March 3, 2020 UT HB 116 Establishes a Missing Indigenous Women and Girls Task Force Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 0)
March 3, 2020 IN HB 1222 Reduces Number of Assistance Funding Requests Made by Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13)
March 3, 2020 CO HB 20-1009 Prohibits Landlords from Viewing Eviction Filing Records Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
March 3, 2020 HI SB 75 Appropriates Funds to the Departments of Health, Transportation, and Defense to Help Combat the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 0)
March 3, 2020 OK HB 3967 Prohibits State Contracts with Companies that Boycott Israel Bill Passed - House (75 - 20)
March 3, 2020 MD SB 300 Prohibits Use of Chlorpyrifos Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
March 3, 2020 OK HB 3345 Establishes a Tribal Liaison to Assist with Cases of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Bill Passed - House (92 - 4)
March 3, 2020 HI SB 2793 Classifies the Promotion of a Dangerous Drug as a Misdemeanor Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 9)
March 3, 2020 OK HB 3967 Prohibits State Contracts with Companies that Boycott Israel Bill Passed - House (75 - 20)
March 3, 2020 IA SF 2348 Requires Restitution Payment from Felons for Restoration of Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 11)
March 3, 2020 IA HF 684 Establishes Medical Amnesty for Under-Aged Individuals in Alcohol-Related Emergencies Bill Passed - House (95 - 3)
March 3, 2020 IA HF 684 Establishes Medical Amnesty for Under-Aged Individuals in Alcohol-Related Emergencies Bill Passed - House (95 - 3)
March 2, 2020 VA SB 1030 Prohibits Dangerous Captive Animal Exhibits Bill Passed - House (52 - 48)
March 2, 2020 NY S 7919 Appropriates Funds for COVID-19 Coronavirus Response Bill Passed - House (122 - 12)
March 2, 2020 NY S 7919 Appropriates Funds for COVID-19 Coronavirus Response Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 4)
March 2, 2020 IA SF 2275 Increases Penalties for Eluding Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
March 2, 2020 AZ SB 1059 Establishes a Ballot Referendum to Raise $900 Million Per Year for State K-12 Education Funding Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
March 2, 2020 TN HJR 741 Prohibits the Governor from Solely Taking Action to Assist with the Federal Refugee Resettlement Program Bill Passed - House (71 - 25)
Feb. 28, 2020 VA HB 9 Requires Reporting Lost or Stolen Firearms Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 44)
Feb. 28, 2020 UT HB 206 Amends Bail and Pretrial Requirements Bill Passed - House (54 - 15)
Feb. 28, 2020 CO SB 20-163 Amends the Definition for Nonmedical Exemptions for School Immunization Policies Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
Feb. 28, 2020 CO SB 20-163 Amends the Definition for Nonmedical Exemptions for School Immunization Policies Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
Feb. 28, 2020 National HR 2339 Protecting American Lungs and Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act Bill Passed - House (213 - 195)
Feb. 27, 2020 TN SB 9 Authorizes Local Governments to Prohibit Smoking on Playgrounds Conference Report Adopted - House (73 - 14)
Feb. 27, 2020 CO HB 20-1019 Amends the State Department of Corrections Private Prison Populations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 23)
Feb. 27, 2020 MA H 4502 Appropriates Funds for the Executive Office of Education to Contain, Treat, and Prevent COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
Feb. 27, 2020 AL SJR 7 Classifies Pornography as a Public Health Crisis Bill Passed - House (67 - 19)
Feb. 26, 2020 VA HB 618 Specifies that Gender Related Crimes are Associated with Hate Crimes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 43)
Feb. 26, 2020 UT SB 102 Reduces Criminal Penalties for Polygamy Bill Passed - House (70 - 3)
Feb. 26, 2020 VA SB 1 Prohibits Suspension of Driver's License for Unpaid Fines Bill Passed - House (75 - 25)
Feb. 26, 2020 VA HB 9 Requires Reporting Lost or Stolen Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
Feb. 26, 2020 MI SB 686 Prohibits Disciplinary Action Against State Employees for Communicating with Legislative Branch Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
Feb. 26, 2020 OK SB 1606 Amends Responsibility for Transport for Individuals in Custody Experiencing Mental Distress Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 0)
Feb. 26, 2020 National HR 35 Emmett Till Antilynching Act Bill Passed - House (410 - 4)
Feb. 26, 2020 OK SB 1606 Amends Responsibility for Transport for Individuals in Custody Experiencing Mental Distress Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 0)
Feb. 26, 2020 UT SB 39 Increases Funding for Affordable Housing Development Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 11)
Feb. 25, 2020 VT S 23 Increases the State Minimum Wage Veto Override Passed - House (100 - 49)
Feb. 25, 2020 NY A 7331 Requires Housing Providers to Make Reasonable Accommodations for the Use of an Animal to Alleviate Symptoms of a Disability Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 9)
Feb. 25, 2020 SD SB 6 Amends Conditions for Presumptive Probation Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
Feb. 25, 2020 WV SB 106 Establishes Daylight Savings Time as the Official Time Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
Feb. 24, 2020 VA HB 618 Specifies that Gender Related Crimes are Associated with Hate Crimes (24 - 16)
Feb. 24, 2020 CO HB 20-1019 Amends the State Department of Corrections Private Prison Populations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/06 SF 122 Exempts Public Utility Companies from Civil Liability in Catastrophes Caused by an "Act of God" Bill Passed - House (37 - 21)
3/06 SB 275 Establishes an Intermediate Court of Appeals Bill Failed - House (44 - 56)
3/05 SB 159 Increases Net Metering Capacity for Customer-Generators Veto Override Passed - Senate (17 - 7)
3/05 HB 812 Prohibits Unlicensed Individuals to Deal Firearms from Purchasing More Than One Gun in a 30-Day Period Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 48)
3/05 HB 33 Authorizes Inmates to Apply for Parole Conference Report Adopted - House (53 - 45)
3/05 HB 1150 Eliminates Requirement that Jails and Prisons Ascertain Citizenship Status of Inmates Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 45)
3/05 HB 1150 Eliminates Requirement that Jails and Prisons Ascertain Citizenship Status of Inmates Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 45)
3/05 HB 1255 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Create an Independent Redistricting Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 45)
3/05 SB 186 Establishes Paid Family Leave Policies for State Employees Bill Passed - House (52 - 14)
3/05 SB 6561 Establishes a Student Loan Program for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - House (82 - 15)
3/05 HB 66 Limits the Cost of Insulin to $50 Per 30-Day Supply Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
3/05 SB 5164 Expands Assistance for Immigrant Victims of Human Trafficking Bill Passed - House (89 - 8)
3/05 SB 5164 Expands Assistance for Immigrant Victims of Human Trafficking Bill Passed - House (89 - 8)
3/05 HB 1117 Repeals and Revises Certain Provisions Regarding Riots Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
3/05 HR 6074 Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 1)
3/05 SB 20-83 Prohibits Civil Arrests on Courthouse Grounds Bill Passed - House (40 - 24)
3/05 SB 219 Establishes a Felony for Doctors that Perform Gender Reassignment Treatment to Individuals Under the Age of 19 Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 3)
3/05 HB 2538 Establishes Workplace Violence Protections for Hospital Staff Bill Passed - House (40 - 19)
3/05 HB 2538 Establishes Workplace Violence Protections for Hospital Staff Bill Passed - House (40 - 19)
3/05 HF 5 Establishes Family and Medical Leave Bill Passed - House (70 - 59)
3/04 SB 5395 Establishes K-12 Sexual Health Education Programs in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (56 - 40)
3/04 SB 739 Authorizes the Public Service Commission to Protect Consumers of Water and Wastewater Utilities Bill Passed - House (76 - 14)
3/04 H 3967 Establishes Requirements for the Treatment of Female Inmates Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 0)
3/04 SB 739 Authorizes the Public Service Commission to Protect Consumers of Water and Wastewater Utilities Bill Passed - House (76 - 14)
3/04 SB 6205 Prohibits Harassment, Abuse, and Discrimination Towards Long-Term Care Workers Bill Passed - House (74 - 23)
3/04 HB 1189 Appropriates Funds to Expand Rural Access to Broadband Services Bill Passed - House (54 - 14)
3/04 HR 6074 Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act Bill Passed - House (415 - 2)
3/04 HB 2804 Requires Dyslexia Screening for All K-3rd Grade Students Not Reading at Grade Level Bill Passed - House (92 - 1)
3/03 SB 5165 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Citizenship or Immigration Status Bill Passed - House (57 - 39)
3/03 SB 5165 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Citizenship or Immigration Status Bill Passed - House (57 - 39)
3/03 SB 1030 Prohibits Dangerous Captive Animal Exhibits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
3/03 SB 229 Removes State Oversight of Certain Drains Near Wetlands Bill Passed - House (58 - 37)
3/03 SB 6268 Prohibits Meritless Litigation Against Domestic Abuse Victims Bill Passed - House (90 - 6)
3/03 HB 116 Establishes a Missing Indigenous Women and Girls Task Force Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 0)
3/03 HB 1222 Reduces Number of Assistance Funding Requests Made by Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13)
3/03 HB 20-1009 Prohibits Landlords from Viewing Eviction Filing Records Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
3/03 SB 75 Appropriates Funds to the Departments of Health, Transportation, and Defense to Help Combat the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 0)
3/03 HB 3967 Prohibits State Contracts with Companies that Boycott Israel Bill Passed - House (75 - 20)
3/03 SB 300 Prohibits Use of Chlorpyrifos Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
3/03 HB 3345 Establishes a Tribal Liaison to Assist with Cases of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Bill Passed - House (92 - 4)
3/03 SB 2793 Classifies the Promotion of a Dangerous Drug as a Misdemeanor Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 9)
3/03 HB 3967 Prohibits State Contracts with Companies that Boycott Israel Bill Passed - House (75 - 20)
3/03 SF 2348 Requires Restitution Payment from Felons for Restoration of Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 11)
3/03 HF 684 Establishes Medical Amnesty for Under-Aged Individuals in Alcohol-Related Emergencies Bill Passed - House (95 - 3)
3/03 HF 684 Establishes Medical Amnesty for Under-Aged Individuals in Alcohol-Related Emergencies Bill Passed - House (95 - 3)
3/02 SB 1030 Prohibits Dangerous Captive Animal Exhibits Bill Passed - House (52 - 48)
3/02 S 7919 Appropriates Funds for COVID-19 Coronavirus Response Bill Passed - House (122 - 12)
3/02 S 7919 Appropriates Funds for COVID-19 Coronavirus Response Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 4)
3/02 SF 2275 Increases Penalties for Eluding Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
3/02 SB 1059 Establishes a Ballot Referendum to Raise $900 Million Per Year for State K-12 Education Funding Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
3/02 HJR 741 Prohibits the Governor from Solely Taking Action to Assist with the Federal Refugee Resettlement Program Bill Passed - House (71 - 25)
2/28 HB 9 Requires Reporting Lost or Stolen Firearms Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 44)
2/28 HB 206 Amends Bail and Pretrial Requirements Bill Passed - House (54 - 15)
2/28 SB 20-163 Amends the Definition for Nonmedical Exemptions for School Immunization Policies Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
2/28 SB 20-163 Amends the Definition for Nonmedical Exemptions for School Immunization Policies Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
2/28 HR 2339 Protecting American Lungs and Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act Bill Passed - House (213 - 195)
2/27 SB 9 Authorizes Local Governments to Prohibit Smoking on Playgrounds Conference Report Adopted - House (73 - 14)
2/27 HB 20-1019 Amends the State Department of Corrections Private Prison Populations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 23)
2/27 H 4502 Appropriates Funds for the Executive Office of Education to Contain, Treat, and Prevent COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
2/27 SJR 7 Classifies Pornography as a Public Health Crisis Bill Passed - House (67 - 19)
2/26 HB 618 Specifies that Gender Related Crimes are Associated with Hate Crimes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 43)
2/26 SB 102 Reduces Criminal Penalties for Polygamy Bill Passed - House (70 - 3)
2/26 SB 1 Prohibits Suspension of Driver's License for Unpaid Fines Bill Passed - House (75 - 25)
2/26 HB 9 Requires Reporting Lost or Stolen Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
2/26 SB 686 Prohibits Disciplinary Action Against State Employees for Communicating with Legislative Branch Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
2/26 SB 1606 Amends Responsibility for Transport for Individuals in Custody Experiencing Mental Distress Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 0)
2/26 HR 35 Emmett Till Antilynching Act Bill Passed - House (410 - 4)
2/26 SB 1606 Amends Responsibility for Transport for Individuals in Custody Experiencing Mental Distress Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 0)
2/26 SB 39 Increases Funding for Affordable Housing Development Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 11)
2/25 S 23 Increases the State Minimum Wage Veto Override Passed - House (100 - 49)
2/25 A 7331 Requires Housing Providers to Make Reasonable Accommodations for the Use of an Animal to Alleviate Symptoms of a Disability Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 9)
2/25 SB 6 Amends Conditions for Presumptive Probation Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
2/25 SB 106 Establishes Daylight Savings Time as the Official Time Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
2/24 HB 618 Specifies that Gender Related Crimes are Associated with Hate Crimes (24 - 16)
2/24 HB 20-1019 Amends the State Department of Corrections Private Prison Populations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)

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