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
June 9, 2020 NY S 8496 Authorizes Disclosure of Law Enforcement Disciplinary Records Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22)
June 9, 2020 NY S 8496 Authorizes Disclosure of Law Enforcement Disciplinary Records Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22)
June 9, 2020 CO HB 20-1017 Expands Substance Use Disorder Treatment in the Criminal Justice System Bill Passed - House (40 - 22)
June 8, 2020 NY A 1531 Prohibits Reporting a Non-Emergency Incident Involving a Member of a Protected Class Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 6)
June 8, 2020 NY A 6144 Establishes the Eric Garner Anti-Chokehold Act Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 0)
June 8, 2020 NY S 3253 Authorizes Individuals to Record Law Enforcement Activity Bill Passed - House (128 - 16)
June 8, 2020 NY A 4615 Prohibits Police Officers from Racial and Ethnic Profiling Bill Passed - House (105 - 39)
June 8, 2020 NY A 1531 Prohibits Reporting a Non-Emergency Incident Involving a Member of a Protected Class Bill Passed - House (115 - 29)
June 8, 2020 NY A 10609 Requires Courts to Compile and Publish Data on Misdemeanors and Violations and Law Enforcement Departments on Arrest-Related Deaths Bill Passed - House (100 - 44)
June 8, 2020 NY A 10608 Requires Law Enforcement Officers to Report Weapon Discharges to their Superior Bill Passed - House (105 - 39)
June 8, 2020 NY A 10608 Requires Law Enforcement Officers to Report Weapon Discharges to their Superior Bill Passed - House (105 - 39)
June 5, 2020 IA SF 2338 Establishes Legal Protection to Businesses and Healthcare Providers during COVID-19 Bill Passed - House (52 - 44)
June 5, 2020 IA SF 2413 Increases Penalties for Trespassing on Animal Food Operations Bill Passed - House (59 - 37)
June 5, 2020 CO SB 20-181 Amends Incompetent-to-Proceed Process for Mentally Ill Defendants Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
June 5, 2020 IA SF 2413 Increases Penalties for Trespassing on Animal Food Operations Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 11)
June 5, 2020 CO HB 20-1143 Increases Maximum Fines for Air and Water Quality Violations Bill Passed - House (40 - 24)
June 4, 2020 NJ A 4175 Establishes the "New Jersey COVID-19 Emergency Bond Act" Bill Passed - House (52 - 28)
June 4, 2020 MI SB 945 Requires Implicit Bias and De-Escalation Training for Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
June 3, 2020 IA SF 2348 Requires Restitution Payment from Felons for Restoration of Voting Rights Bill Passed - House (51 - 45)
June 3, 2020 TN HB 1689 Prohibits Students From Participating in Sports That do Not Match Their Birth Sex Bill Passed - House (73 - 13)
June 3, 2020 TN HB 1839 Prohibits Universities from Contracting with a Foreign Nation Bill Passed - House (80 - 10)
June 3, 2020 OH SB 308 Establishes Legal Protection to Small Businesses and Healthcare Providers during COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
June 1, 2020 LA HB 826 Establishes Legal Immunity for COVID-19 Claims to Businesses and Government Agencies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 0)
May 31, 2020 LA SB 508 Limits Liability of Restaurants During the COVID-19 Epidemic Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
May 31, 2020 LA HB 434 Establishes Outlines and Provisions Relating to Homicide Concurrence Vote Passed - House (90 - 0)
May 29, 2020 LA HB 241 Amends Certain Requirements of the Records Expungement Process Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
May 29, 2020 LA HB 317 Authorizes Autism Symbol on Driver's Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
May 29, 2020 LA HB 317 Authorizes Autism Symbol on Driver's Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
May 29, 2020 VT H 959 Establishes an Education Property Tax for Fiscal Year 2021 Bill Passed - House (127 - 20)
May 28, 2020 NC HB 536 Authorizes the Reopening of Bars and Restaurants During COVID-19 Pandemic Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 53)
May 28, 2020 NY S 8113 Establishes Temporary Moratorium on Utility Termination of Services Bill Passed - House (111 - 32)
May 28, 2020 NY S 8182 Authorizes Licensed Pharmacists to Administer COVID-19 Vaccine Bill Passed - House (131 - 12)
May 28, 2020 NY S 8275 Authorizes Suspending the Forfeiture of Unemployment Benefits During the COVID-19 State of Emergency Bill Passed - House (97 - 46)
May 28, 2020 NY S 8419 Establishes the "Emergency Rent Relief Act of 2020" Bill Passed - House (133 - 10)
May 28, 2020 OH HB 606 Establishes a COVID-19 Business Liability Shield Bill Passed - House (83 - 9)
May 28, 2020 PA HR 836 Establishes a Resolution to Terminate the Governor's Emergency Declaration Bill Passed - House (117 - 85)
May 27, 2020 LA HB 819 Expands Access to Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
May 27, 2020 National S 3744 Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2020 Bill Passed - House (413 - 1)
May 27, 2020 NY S 8415 Repeals Anti-Mask Law Bill Passed - House (109 - 35)
May 27, 2020 NY S 8415 Repeals Anti-Mask Law Bill Passed - House (109 - 35)
May 27, 2020 NY S 8415 Repeals Anti-Mask Law Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 27)
May 27, 2020 NY S 8415 Repeals Anti-Mask Law Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 27)
May 23, 2020 IL SB 2135 Establishes the "Government Emergency Administration Act" Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 19)
May 23, 2020 IL SB 2135 Establishes the "Government Emergency Administration Act" Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 19)
May 23, 2020 IL SB 2135 Establishes the "Government Emergency Administration Act" Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 19)
May 23, 2020 IL SB 2135 Establishes the "Government Emergency Administration Act" Bill Passed - House (66 - 44)
May 23, 2020 IL SB 2135 Establishes the "Government Emergency Administration Act" Bill Passed - House (66 - 44)
May 23, 2020 IL SB 2135 Establishes the "Government Emergency Administration Act" Bill Passed - House (66 - 44)
May 22, 2020 OK SB 1002 Expands Broadband Internet Access to Rural Areas Veto Override Passed - House (91 - 7)
May 22, 2020 IL SB 471 Establishes Worker Protections During Public Health Emergency Bill Passed - House (95 - 10)
May 22, 2020 LA HB 241 Amends Certain Requirements of the Records Expungement Process Bill Passed - House (73 - 19)
May 21, 2020 KS HB 2054 Limits Governor Powers During an Emergency and Increases Legislative Oversight Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 11)
May 21, 2020 KS HB 2054 Limits Governor Powers During an Emergency and Increases Legislative Oversight Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 34)
May 21, 2020 HI SB 75 Appropriates Funds to the Departments of Health, Transportation, and Defense to Help Combat the COVID-19 Pandemic Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 2)
May 21, 2020 IL HB 2455 Authorizes Worker Compensation for Essential and Frontline Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 4)
May 21, 2020 LA HB 420 Establishes Minimum Training Requirements for Peace Officers Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
May 21, 2020 AZ HB 2912 Increases Requirements for COVID-19 Business Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
May 20, 2020 OH HB 3 Amends Law Enforcement Response to Domestic Violence Bill Passed - House (94 - 0)
May 17, 2020 MN HF 4415 Expands Aid for COVID-19 Related School Closures Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 55)
May 17, 2020 MN HF 4415 Expands Aid for COVID-19 Related School Closures Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 55)
May 16, 2020 WY SF 1002 Establishes Immunity from COVID-19 Claims to Businesses Bill Passed - House (38 - 20)
May 15, 2020 MO SB 631 Authorizes Mail-In Voting During COVID-19 Pandemic Conference Report Adopted - House (121 - 24)
May 15, 2020 MO HB 1682 Authorizes Free COVID-19 Testing Concurrence Vote Passed - House (127 - 21)
May 15, 2020 OK HB 2587 Prohibits Denying Healthcare or Adjusting Coverage or Cost Based on Age or Quality of Life Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 6)
May 15, 2020 OK HB 3967 Prohibits State Contracts with Companies that Boycott Israel Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 7)
May 15, 2020 OK HB 3967 Prohibits State Contracts with Companies that Boycott Israel Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 7)
May 15, 2020 OK SB 1046 Amends the Supplemental Hospital Offset Payment Program Bill Passed - House (70 - 20)
May 15, 2020 MO SB 600 Amends and Expands Provisions Relating to Dangerous Felonies Bill Passed - House (97 - 51)
May 15, 2020 LA HB 173 Expands Parole Eligibility for Certain Juvenile Offenders Bill Passed - House (68 - 22)
May 15, 2020 WY SF 1002 Establishes Immunity from COVID-19 Claims to Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
May 15, 2020 National H Res 965 Authorizing remote voting by proxy in the House of Representatives and providing for official remote committee proceedings during a public health emergency due to a novel coronavirus, and for other purposes Bill Passed - House (217 - 189)
May 15, 2020 National HR 6800 Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act Bill Passed - House (208 - 199)
May 14, 2020 MO HB 1896 Requires Employees of Medical Marijuana Businesses to Submit Fingerprints for Criminal Background Checks Concurrence Vote Passed - House (124 - 21)
May 14, 2020 MO HB 1414 Establishes a State Birth Certificate Program and Medicaid Health Coverage for Missouri's Homeless Youth Concurrence Vote Passed - House (138 - 4)
May 14, 2020 NJ S 2332 Establishes the 2020 New Jersey Emergency Rental Assistance Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/09 S 8496 Authorizes Disclosure of Law Enforcement Disciplinary Records Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22)
6/09 S 8496 Authorizes Disclosure of Law Enforcement Disciplinary Records Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22)
6/09 HB 20-1017 Expands Substance Use Disorder Treatment in the Criminal Justice System Bill Passed - House (40 - 22)
6/08 A 1531 Prohibits Reporting a Non-Emergency Incident Involving a Member of a Protected Class Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 6)
6/08 A 6144 Establishes the Eric Garner Anti-Chokehold Act Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 0)
6/08 S 3253 Authorizes Individuals to Record Law Enforcement Activity Bill Passed - House (128 - 16)
6/08 A 4615 Prohibits Police Officers from Racial and Ethnic Profiling Bill Passed - House (105 - 39)
6/08 A 1531 Prohibits Reporting a Non-Emergency Incident Involving a Member of a Protected Class Bill Passed - House (115 - 29)
6/08 A 10609 Requires Courts to Compile and Publish Data on Misdemeanors and Violations and Law Enforcement Departments on Arrest-Related Deaths Bill Passed - House (100 - 44)
6/08 A 10608 Requires Law Enforcement Officers to Report Weapon Discharges to their Superior Bill Passed - House (105 - 39)
6/08 A 10608 Requires Law Enforcement Officers to Report Weapon Discharges to their Superior Bill Passed - House (105 - 39)
6/05 SF 2338 Establishes Legal Protection to Businesses and Healthcare Providers during COVID-19 Bill Passed - House (52 - 44)
6/05 SF 2413 Increases Penalties for Trespassing on Animal Food Operations Bill Passed - House (59 - 37)
6/05 SB 20-181 Amends Incompetent-to-Proceed Process for Mentally Ill Defendants Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
6/05 SF 2413 Increases Penalties for Trespassing on Animal Food Operations Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 11)
6/05 HB 20-1143 Increases Maximum Fines for Air and Water Quality Violations Bill Passed - House (40 - 24)
6/04 A 4175 Establishes the "New Jersey COVID-19 Emergency Bond Act" Bill Passed - House (52 - 28)
6/04 SB 945 Requires Implicit Bias and De-Escalation Training for Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
6/03 SF 2348 Requires Restitution Payment from Felons for Restoration of Voting Rights Bill Passed - House (51 - 45)
6/03 HB 1689 Prohibits Students From Participating in Sports That do Not Match Their Birth Sex Bill Passed - House (73 - 13)
6/03 HB 1839 Prohibits Universities from Contracting with a Foreign Nation Bill Passed - House (80 - 10)
6/03 SB 308 Establishes Legal Protection to Small Businesses and Healthcare Providers during COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
6/01 HB 826 Establishes Legal Immunity for COVID-19 Claims to Businesses and Government Agencies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 0)
5/31 SB 508 Limits Liability of Restaurants During the COVID-19 Epidemic Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
5/31 HB 434 Establishes Outlines and Provisions Relating to Homicide Concurrence Vote Passed - House (90 - 0)
5/29 HB 241 Amends Certain Requirements of the Records Expungement Process Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
5/29 HB 317 Authorizes Autism Symbol on Driver's Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
5/29 HB 317 Authorizes Autism Symbol on Driver's Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
5/29 H 959 Establishes an Education Property Tax for Fiscal Year 2021 Bill Passed - House (127 - 20)
5/28 HB 536 Authorizes the Reopening of Bars and Restaurants During COVID-19 Pandemic Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 53)
5/28 S 8113 Establishes Temporary Moratorium on Utility Termination of Services Bill Passed - House (111 - 32)
5/28 S 8182 Authorizes Licensed Pharmacists to Administer COVID-19 Vaccine Bill Passed - House (131 - 12)
5/28 S 8275 Authorizes Suspending the Forfeiture of Unemployment Benefits During the COVID-19 State of Emergency Bill Passed - House (97 - 46)
5/28 S 8419 Establishes the "Emergency Rent Relief Act of 2020" Bill Passed - House (133 - 10)
5/28 HB 606 Establishes a COVID-19 Business Liability Shield Bill Passed - House (83 - 9)
5/28 HR 836 Establishes a Resolution to Terminate the Governor's Emergency Declaration Bill Passed - House (117 - 85)
5/27 HB 819 Expands Access to Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
5/27 S 3744 Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2020 Bill Passed - House (413 - 1)
5/27 S 8415 Repeals Anti-Mask Law Bill Passed - House (109 - 35)
5/27 S 8415 Repeals Anti-Mask Law Bill Passed - House (109 - 35)
5/27 S 8415 Repeals Anti-Mask Law Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 27)
5/27 S 8415 Repeals Anti-Mask Law Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 27)
5/23 SB 2135 Establishes the "Government Emergency Administration Act" Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 19)
5/23 SB 2135 Establishes the "Government Emergency Administration Act" Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 19)
5/23 SB 2135 Establishes the "Government Emergency Administration Act" Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 19)
5/23 SB 2135 Establishes the "Government Emergency Administration Act" Bill Passed - House (66 - 44)
5/23 SB 2135 Establishes the "Government Emergency Administration Act" Bill Passed - House (66 - 44)
5/23 SB 2135 Establishes the "Government Emergency Administration Act" Bill Passed - House (66 - 44)
5/22 SB 1002 Expands Broadband Internet Access to Rural Areas Veto Override Passed - House (91 - 7)
5/22 SB 471 Establishes Worker Protections During Public Health Emergency Bill Passed - House (95 - 10)
5/22 HB 241 Amends Certain Requirements of the Records Expungement Process Bill Passed - House (73 - 19)
5/21 HB 2054 Limits Governor Powers During an Emergency and Increases Legislative Oversight Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 11)
5/21 HB 2054 Limits Governor Powers During an Emergency and Increases Legislative Oversight Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 34)
5/21 SB 75 Appropriates Funds to the Departments of Health, Transportation, and Defense to Help Combat the COVID-19 Pandemic Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 2)
5/21 HB 2455 Authorizes Worker Compensation for Essential and Frontline Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 4)
5/21 HB 420 Establishes Minimum Training Requirements for Peace Officers Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
5/21 HB 2912 Increases Requirements for COVID-19 Business Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
5/20 HB 3 Amends Law Enforcement Response to Domestic Violence Bill Passed - House (94 - 0)
5/17 HF 4415 Expands Aid for COVID-19 Related School Closures Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 55)
5/17 HF 4415 Expands Aid for COVID-19 Related School Closures Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 55)
5/16 SF 1002 Establishes Immunity from COVID-19 Claims to Businesses Bill Passed - House (38 - 20)
5/15 SB 631 Authorizes Mail-In Voting During COVID-19 Pandemic Conference Report Adopted - House (121 - 24)
5/15 HB 1682 Authorizes Free COVID-19 Testing Concurrence Vote Passed - House (127 - 21)
5/15 HB 2587 Prohibits Denying Healthcare or Adjusting Coverage or Cost Based on Age or Quality of Life Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 6)
5/15 HB 3967 Prohibits State Contracts with Companies that Boycott Israel Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 7)
5/15 HB 3967 Prohibits State Contracts with Companies that Boycott Israel Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 7)
5/15 SB 1046 Amends the Supplemental Hospital Offset Payment Program Bill Passed - House (70 - 20)
5/15 SB 600 Amends and Expands Provisions Relating to Dangerous Felonies Bill Passed - House (97 - 51)
5/15 HB 173 Expands Parole Eligibility for Certain Juvenile Offenders Bill Passed - House (68 - 22)
5/15 SF 1002 Establishes Immunity from COVID-19 Claims to Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
5/15 H Res 965 Authorizing remote voting by proxy in the House of Representatives and providing for official remote committee proceedings during a public health emergency due to a novel coronavirus, and for other purposes Bill Passed - House (217 - 189)
5/15 HR 6800 Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act Bill Passed - House (208 - 199)
5/14 HB 1896 Requires Employees of Medical Marijuana Businesses to Submit Fingerprints for Criminal Background Checks Concurrence Vote Passed - House (124 - 21)
5/14 HB 1414 Establishes a State Birth Certificate Program and Medicaid Health Coverage for Missouri's Homeless Youth Concurrence Vote Passed - House (138 - 4)
5/14 S 2332 Establishes the 2020 New Jersey Emergency Rental Assistance Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 0)

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