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:
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.
| Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 12, 2020 | NH | HB 1660 | Establishes a Protective Order for Vulnerable Adults | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10) |
| 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 | UT | HB 494 | Appropriates Funds In Response to the COVID-19 Emergency | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 0) |
| March 12, 2020 | NH | HB 1285 | Prohibits Firearms on School Property | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (182 - 141) |
| March 12, 2020 | GA | HB 720 | Extends Use of Ankle Monitors for Sex Offenders | Bill Passed - House (98 - 63) |
| March 12, 2020 | MS | HB 1200 | Prohibits "Free Speech Zones" on College Campuses | Bill Passed - House (68 - 52) |
| March 12, 2020 | OK | SB 1081 | Prohibits Localities from Enacting "Red Flag" Firearm Ordinances | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 9) |
| March 12, 2020 | AL | SB 45 | Amends Criminal Trespassing Penalties Relating to Critical Infrastructure | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3) |
| March 12, 2020 | MS | HB 1295 | Prohibits Abortions for Reasons of Race, Sex, or Genetic Abnormality | Bill Passed - House (79 - 33) |
| 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 1213 | Requires Adding Ocoee Riots to School Curriculum | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0) |
| March 11, 2020 | FL | HB 199 | Extends Sexual Battery Prosecution Time Limitations | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0) |
| March 11, 2020 | WY | HB 118 | Establishes the Second Amendment Preservation Act | Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 14) |
| 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 | National | HR 6172 | USA FREEDOM Reauthorization Act of 2020 | Bill Passed - House (278 - 136) |
| March 11, 2020 | MD | HB 231 | Establishes the "Housing Opportunities Made Equal Act" | Bill Passed - House (95 - 42) |
| March 11, 2020 | MS | SB 2459 | Establishes Legal Definition for Criminal Gang Activity | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 15) |
| March 11, 2020 | MS | SB 2459 | Establishes Legal Definition for Criminal Gang Activity | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 15) |
| March 11, 2020 | OK | SB 1674 | Increases Penalties for Selling or Possessing Drugs Near Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 12) |
| 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 | OK | HB 3165 | Amends Criminal Law to Shift Burden of Proof from Defendant to Prosecution | Bill Passed - House (73 - 23) |
| March 10, 2020 | SD | SB 151 | Defines "Critical Infrastructure" and Restructures Associated Crimes | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 4) |
| March 10, 2020 | FL | SB 70 | Establishes Alert Systems in Public Schools | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 0) |
| 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 | OK | HB 2587 | Prohibits Denying Healthcare or Adjusting Coverage or Cost Based on Age or Quality of Life | Bill Passed - House (69 - 21) |
| March 10, 2020 | MD | SB 35 | Amends Various Gun Laws Including Making Theft of a Firearm a Felony | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 4) |
| March 9, 2020 | WA | HB 1783 | Establishes the Washington State Office of Equity | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 39) |
| March 9, 2020 | MD | HB 4 | Requires Background Checks for Private Sales of Long Guns | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14) |
| March 9, 2020 | SD | SB 96 | Repeals the Lifetime Ban on Drug Felons Receiving TANF Benefits | Bill Passed - House (49 - 17) |
| March 9, 2020 | MO | HB 1604 | Repeals the Residency Requirement for Municipal Police Forces | Bill Passed - House (106 - 43) |
| 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 | CO | HB 20-1307 | Prohibits the "Gay Panic" Murder Defense | Bill Passed - House (45 - 19) |
| March 9, 2020 | CO | HB 20-1307 | Prohibits the "Gay Panic" Murder Defense | Bill Passed - House (45 - 19) |
| March 8, 2020 | VA | HB 1250 | Establishes the "Community Policing Act" | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 17) |
| March 8, 2020 | VA | HB 1250 | Establishes the "Community Policing Act" | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 17) |
| 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 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 1250 | Establishes the "Community Policing Act" | Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 35) |
| 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 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 5, 2020 | VA | HB 33 | Authorizes Inmates to Apply for Parole | Conference Report Adopted - House (53 - 45) |
| March 5, 2020 | VA | SB 70 | Requires Background Check for Firearm Transfers | Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 46) |
| 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 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 | WA | HB 1783 | Establishes the Washington State Office of Equity | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21) |
| 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 | CO | SB 20-83 | Prohibits Civil Arrests on Courthouse Grounds | Bill Passed - House (40 - 24) |
| March 5, 2020 | CO | SB 20-83 | Prohibits Civil Arrests on Courthouse Grounds | Bill Passed - House (40 - 24) |
| March 5, 2020 | CO | SB 20-83 | Prohibits Civil Arrests on Courthouse Grounds | Bill Passed - House (40 - 24) |
| March 5, 2020 | WA | HB 2467 | Establishes a Background Check System for Firearms Transfers | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20) |
| March 5, 2020 | AZ | HB 2538 | Establishes Workplace Violence Protections for Hospital Staff | Bill Passed - House (40 - 19) |
| March 5, 2020 | National | HR 1140 | Rights for Transportation Security Officers Act | Bill Passed - House (230 - 171) |
| March 4, 2020 | VA | HB 623 | Repeals the State Statutory Same-Sex Marriage Ban and Amends State Gender-Neutral Terms | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 43) |
| March 4, 2020 | SC | H 3967 | Establishes Requirements for the Treatment of Female Inmates | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 0) |
| March 4, 2020 | WA | SB 6205 | Prohibits Harassment, Abuse, and Discrimination Towards Long-Term Care Workers | Bill Passed - House (74 - 23) |
| March 4, 2020 | WA | HB 2602 | Prohibits Race-Based Hairstyle Discrimination | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9) |
| March 4, 2020 | MI | HB 5479 | Prohibits Gun Buyback Programs by Local Governments | Bill Passed - House (58 - 49) |
| March 3, 2020 | WA | SB 5165 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Citizenship or Immigration Status | Bill Passed - House (57 - 39) |
| March 3, 2020 | WA | SB 5434 | Establishes Restrictions for Firearms in Daycare and Child Care Facilities | Bill Passed - House (56 - 40) |
| March 3, 2020 | WV | HB 4544 | Prohibits Drug Possession within 200 Feet of a Public Library | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 22) |
| March 3, 2020 | VA | SB 1030 | Prohibits Dangerous Captive Animal Exhibits | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 14) |
| March 3, 2020 | VA | HB 623 | Repeals the State Statutory Same-Sex Marriage Ban and Amends State Gender-Neutral Terms | (24 - 16) |
| March 3, 2020 | WA | SB 6268 | Prohibits Meritless Litigation Against Domestic Abuse Victims | Bill Passed - House (90 - 6) |
| 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 | VA | HB 837 | Establishes the "Dress Code Equity Act" | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15) |
| 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 | IA | SF 2348 | Requires Restitution Payment from Felons for Restoration of Voting Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 11) |
| 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 3345 | Establishes a Tribal Liaison to Assist with Cases of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People | Bill Passed - House (92 - 4) |
| 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 | HI | SB 2793 | Classifies the Promotion of a Dangerous Drug as a Misdemeanor | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 9) |
| 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 - Senate (53 - 4) |
| March 2, 2020 | NY | S 7919 | Appropriates Funds for COVID-19 Coronavirus Response | Bill Passed - House (122 - 12) |
| March 2, 2020 | IA | SF 2275 | Increases Penalties for Eluding Law Enforcement | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12) |
| March 2, 2020 | MO | SB 591 | Limits Punitive Damage Payouts | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| Feb. 28, 2020 | VA | HB 1083 | Amends Safety Requirements for Unsecured Firearms and Increases Penalties | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 43) |
| Feb. 28, 2020 | VA | HB 9 | Requires Reporting Lost or Stolen Firearms | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 44) |
| Feb. 28, 2020 | VA | HB 9 | Requires Reporting Lost or Stolen Firearms | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 44) |
| Feb. 28, 2020 | CO | HB 20-1048 | Establishes the CROWN Act | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
| Feb. 28, 2020 | UT | HB 206 | Amends Bail and Pretrial Requirements | Bill Passed - House (54 - 15) |
| 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 | ID | H 516 | Amends Constitutional Carry Laws | Bill Passed - House (56 - 14) |
| Feb. 27, 2020 | IA | HF 2502 | Amends Gun Policies | Bill Passed - House (52 - 44) |
| Feb. 27, 2020 | MN | HF 9 | Authorizes Extreme Risk Productive Orders | Bill Passed - House (68 - 62) |
| Feb. 27, 2020 | WY | HB 118 | Establishes the Second Amendment Preservation Act | Bill Passed - House (49 - 9) |
| Feb. 27, 2020 | KY | SB 62 | Authorizes the Restoration of Voting Rights 5 Years After Completion of Sentence for Certain Felonies | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7) |