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.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
Dec. 28, 2020 NY S 9114 Establishes Emergency Eviction and Foreclosure Protections Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 21)
Dec. 22, 2020 OH HB 75 Requires a Resolution or Notice if the Government Contests Property Values Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
Dec. 22, 2020 OH HB 236 Classifies Police Employed at Hospitals as Peace Officers Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
Dec. 22, 2020 OH HB 236 Classifies Police Employed at Hospitals as Peace Officers Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
Dec. 21, 2020 National HR 133 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (92 - 6)
Dec. 21, 2020 OR HB 4402 Establishes Liability Immunity from COVID-19 Related Lawsuits for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 4)
Dec. 21, 2020 OR HB 4402 Establishes Liability Immunity from COVID-19 Related Lawsuits for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 4)
Dec. 21, 2020 OR HB 4401 Requires Distribution of Unpaid Rent During State of Emergencies Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 6)
Dec. 18, 2020 MI SB 1253 Establishes a Committee to Suspend Public Health Orders Between Sessions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
Dec. 18, 2020 MI HB 4223 Requires Dental Screenings for Children Attending Public School Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
Dec. 17, 2020 NJ A 1135 Amends Property Tax Law to Exempt Non-Profit Hospitals Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
Dec. 3, 2020 MI SB 1048 Reduces Mandatory Minimum Sentences Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1)
Dec. 2, 2020 MO HB 14 Appropriates Emergency Spending for COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 1)
Dec. 1, 2020 MA S 2963 Amends Various Police Accountability and Reform Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
Nov. 24, 2020 NM HB 1 Appropriates $330 Million in Coronavirus Relief Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
Nov. 20, 2020 PA HB 2536 Appropriates funds for the Emergency COVID-19 Response Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
Nov. 19, 2020 PA HB 1737 Establishes Liability Protection to Healthcare Practitioners and Manufacturers of Personal Protective Equipment Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
Nov. 18, 2020 OH SB 89 Authorizes EdChoice Expansion in School Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 8)
Nov. 18, 2020 OH SB 317 Authorizes Teachers to Carry Firearms on School Grounds if Approved by the School Board Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
Nov. 16, 2020 NJ S 1163 Requires Law Enforcement to Wear Body Cameras Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Nov. 16, 2020 NJ A 1649 Prohibits Public Disclosure of Personal Information of Judicial Officers Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Nov. 16, 2020 NJ A 1649 Prohibits Public Disclosure of Personal Information of Judicial Officers Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Nov. 16, 2020 NJ A 1897 Reduces Criminal Penalty for Marijuana Possession Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
Nov. 9, 2020 VA HB 5109 Amends Existing Law Enforcement Officer Training and Qualifications Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Oct. 29, 2020 NJ S 2708 Requires Certain Provisions in State Contracts for Delivery of Mental Health, Behavioral Health, and Addiction Services Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
Oct. 22, 2020 LA HB 43 Establishes Guidelines for Nursing Homes During COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
Oct. 22, 2020 LA SR 54 Establishes Support for Law Enforcement and Police Departments and Prohibits Any Notion to Defund Law Enforcement or Police Departments in the State Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
Oct. 21, 2020 PA HB 440 Repeals Obligation to Pay Outstanding Court-Ordered Finances Before Eligible Cases Are Sealed Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
Oct. 16, 2020 VA HB 5043 Authorizes Mental Health Experts to Accompany Police Officers Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 12)
Oct. 16, 2020 VA HB 5043 Authorizes Mental Health Experts to Accompany Police Officers Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 12)
Oct. 14, 2020 VA HB 5148 Establishes a 4-Level Earned Sentence Credit Classification System Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 18)
Oct. 14, 2020 VA HB 5104 Increases Employment Assessment and Review Requirements for Law Enforcement Hiring Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 5)
Oct. 14, 2020 VA HB 5099 Prohibits No-Knock Search Warrants Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 16)
Oct. 14, 2020 VA HB 5049 Prohibits the Acquisition and Use of Military Property by Law Enforcement Agencies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17)
Oct. 14, 2020 VA SB 5030 Establishes and Amends Various Provisions Relating to Law Enforcement Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17)
Oct. 12, 2020 LA SB 31 Prohibits the Use of Statewide Assessments to Evaluate Teacher Performance or Student Placement in the 2020-2021 School Year Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
Oct. 8, 2020 MI SB 1094 Prohibits Nursing Homes from Admitting or Retaining Coronavirus Positive Individuals for Care Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
Oct. 7, 2020 VA SB 5038 Requires the Development of a Comprehensive Crisis Service Continuum Including a MARCUS Alert System Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
Oct. 7, 2020 VA SB 5038 Requires the Development of a Comprehensive Crisis Service Continuum Including a MARCUS Alert System Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
Oct. 6, 2020 PA SB 1268 Authorizes Certification of Temporary Nurse Aides During COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
Oct. 2, 2020 VA SB 5033 Amends Court Authority in Criminal Cases Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
Oct. 2, 2020 VA SB 5029 Prohibits Search and Seizure Based Solely on the Odor of Marijuana Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
Oct. 2, 2020 VA HB 5108 Amends the Makeup of the Criminal Justice Services Board Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Oct. 2, 2020 VA HB 5029 Establishes a Felony Charge for Officers that Fail to Intervene When Witnessing Unlawful Deadly Force Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
Oct. 2, 2020 VA HB 5069 Prohibits Use of Chokeholds by Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Oct. 1, 2020 VA HB 5146 Authorizes a Person to File a Petition Requesting Expungement in Certain Circumstances Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
Oct. 1, 2020 MI HB 5881 Amends Sentencing Guidelines for Absentee Voting Law Violations Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
Oct. 1, 2020 VA HB 5098 Increases Penalty for Filing a False Police Report Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
Oct. 1, 2020 CT HB 7001 Amends The Connecticut Property Transfer Act of 1985 Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
Oct. 1, 2020 CT HB 7001 Amends The Connecticut Property Transfer Act of 1985 Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/28 S 9114 Establishes Emergency Eviction and Foreclosure Protections Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 21)
12/22 HB 75 Requires a Resolution or Notice if the Government Contests Property Values Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
12/22 HB 236 Classifies Police Employed at Hospitals as Peace Officers Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
12/22 HB 236 Classifies Police Employed at Hospitals as Peace Officers Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
12/21 HR 133 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (92 - 6)
12/21 HB 4402 Establishes Liability Immunity from COVID-19 Related Lawsuits for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 4)
12/21 HB 4402 Establishes Liability Immunity from COVID-19 Related Lawsuits for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 4)
12/21 HB 4401 Requires Distribution of Unpaid Rent During State of Emergencies Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 6)
12/18 SB 1253 Establishes a Committee to Suspend Public Health Orders Between Sessions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
12/18 HB 4223 Requires Dental Screenings for Children Attending Public School Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
12/17 A 1135 Amends Property Tax Law to Exempt Non-Profit Hospitals Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
12/03 SB 1048 Reduces Mandatory Minimum Sentences Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1)
12/02 HB 14 Appropriates Emergency Spending for COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 1)
12/01 S 2963 Amends Various Police Accountability and Reform Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
11/24 HB 1 Appropriates $330 Million in Coronavirus Relief Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
11/20 HB 2536 Appropriates funds for the Emergency COVID-19 Response Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
11/19 HB 1737 Establishes Liability Protection to Healthcare Practitioners and Manufacturers of Personal Protective Equipment Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
11/18 SB 89 Authorizes EdChoice Expansion in School Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 8)
11/18 SB 317 Authorizes Teachers to Carry Firearms on School Grounds if Approved by the School Board Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
11/16 S 1163 Requires Law Enforcement to Wear Body Cameras Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
11/16 A 1649 Prohibits Public Disclosure of Personal Information of Judicial Officers Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
11/16 A 1649 Prohibits Public Disclosure of Personal Information of Judicial Officers Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
11/16 A 1897 Reduces Criminal Penalty for Marijuana Possession Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
11/09 HB 5109 Amends Existing Law Enforcement Officer Training and Qualifications Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
10/29 S 2708 Requires Certain Provisions in State Contracts for Delivery of Mental Health, Behavioral Health, and Addiction Services Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
10/22 HB 43 Establishes Guidelines for Nursing Homes During COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
10/22 SR 54 Establishes Support for Law Enforcement and Police Departments and Prohibits Any Notion to Defund Law Enforcement or Police Departments in the State Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
10/21 HB 440 Repeals Obligation to Pay Outstanding Court-Ordered Finances Before Eligible Cases Are Sealed Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
10/16 HB 5043 Authorizes Mental Health Experts to Accompany Police Officers Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 12)
10/16 HB 5043 Authorizes Mental Health Experts to Accompany Police Officers Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 12)
10/14 HB 5148 Establishes a 4-Level Earned Sentence Credit Classification System Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 18)
10/14 HB 5104 Increases Employment Assessment and Review Requirements for Law Enforcement Hiring Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 5)
10/14 HB 5099 Prohibits No-Knock Search Warrants Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 16)
10/14 HB 5049 Prohibits the Acquisition and Use of Military Property by Law Enforcement Agencies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17)
10/14 SB 5030 Establishes and Amends Various Provisions Relating to Law Enforcement Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17)
10/12 SB 31 Prohibits the Use of Statewide Assessments to Evaluate Teacher Performance or Student Placement in the 2020-2021 School Year Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
10/08 SB 1094 Prohibits Nursing Homes from Admitting or Retaining Coronavirus Positive Individuals for Care Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
10/07 SB 5038 Requires the Development of a Comprehensive Crisis Service Continuum Including a MARCUS Alert System Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
10/07 SB 5038 Requires the Development of a Comprehensive Crisis Service Continuum Including a MARCUS Alert System Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
10/06 SB 1268 Authorizes Certification of Temporary Nurse Aides During COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
10/02 SB 5033 Amends Court Authority in Criminal Cases Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
10/02 SB 5029 Prohibits Search and Seizure Based Solely on the Odor of Marijuana Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
10/02 HB 5108 Amends the Makeup of the Criminal Justice Services Board Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
10/02 HB 5029 Establishes a Felony Charge for Officers that Fail to Intervene When Witnessing Unlawful Deadly Force Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
10/02 HB 5069 Prohibits Use of Chokeholds by Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
10/01 HB 5146 Authorizes a Person to File a Petition Requesting Expungement in Certain Circumstances Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
10/01 HB 5881 Amends Sentencing Guidelines for Absentee Voting Law Violations Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
10/01 HB 5098 Increases Penalty for Filing a False Police Report Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
10/01 HB 7001 Amends The Connecticut Property Transfer Act of 1985 Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
10/01 HB 7001 Amends The Connecticut Property Transfer Act of 1985 Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)

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