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 11, 2020 | MD | HB 231 | Establishes the "Housing Opportunities Made Equal Act" | Bill Passed - House (95 - 42) |
| 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 | FL | SB 1286 | Expands the List of Contraband in Specified Facilities | Bill Passed - House (71 - 43) |
| March 10, 2020 | IA | SF 2275 | Increases Penalties for Eluding Law Enforcement | Bill Passed - House (78 - 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 1783 | Establishes the Washington State Office of Equity | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 39) |
| March 9, 2020 | SD | SB 96 | Repeals the Lifetime Ban on Drug Felons Receiving TANF Benefits | Bill Passed - House (49 - 17) |
| March 9, 2020 | CO | HB 20-1307 | Prohibits the "Gay Panic" Murder Defense | Bill Passed - House (45 - 19) |
| March 9, 2020 | MO | HB 1604 | Repeals the Residency Requirement for Municipal Police Forces | Bill Passed - House (106 - 43) |
| March 9, 2020 | CO | HB 20-1307 | Prohibits the "Gay Panic" Murder Defense | Bill Passed - House (45 - 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 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 2419 | Authorizes Release of Certain Individuals Without Bail Requirements | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 21) |
| 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 5, 2020 | VA | HB 33 | Authorizes Inmates to Apply for Parole | Conference Report Adopted - House (53 - 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 | VA | HB 1150 | Eliminates Requirement that Jails and Prisons Ascertain Citizenship Status of Inmates | Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 45) |
| March 5, 2020 | VA | SB 70 | Requires Background Check for Firearm Transfers | Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 46) |
| March 5, 2020 | WA | SB 5164 | Expands Assistance for Immigrant Victims of Human Trafficking | Bill Passed - House (89 - 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 | National | HR 1140 | Rights for Transportation Security Officers Act | Bill Passed - House (230 - 171) |
| March 5, 2020 | AZ | HB 2538 | Establishes Workplace Violence Protections for Hospital Staff | Bill Passed - House (40 - 19) |
| 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 | WA | SB 6205 | Prohibits Harassment, Abuse, and Discrimination Towards Long-Term Care Workers | Bill Passed - House (74 - 23) |
| 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 | 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 | IA | HF 684 | Establishes Medical Amnesty for Under-Aged Individuals in Alcohol-Related Emergencies | Bill Passed - House (95 - 3) |
| 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 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) |
| Feb. 28, 2020 | VA | HB 9 | Requires Reporting Lost or Stolen Firearms | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 44) |
| 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 | 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 | WY | HB 118 | Establishes the Second Amendment Preservation Act | Bill Passed - House (49 - 9) |
| Feb. 27, 2020 | ID | H 516 | Amends Constitutional Carry Laws | Bill Passed - House (56 - 14) |
| Feb. 27, 2020 | MN | HF 9 | Authorizes Extreme Risk Productive Orders | Bill Passed - House (68 - 62) |
| Feb. 27, 2020 | IA | HF 2502 | Amends Gun Policies | Bill Passed - House (52 - 44) |
| 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 | VA | SB 35 | Authorizes Localities to Prohibit Guns at Public Events | Bill Passed - House (53 - 46) |
| Feb. 26, 2020 | VA | SB 1 | Prohibits Suspension of Driver's License for Unpaid Fines | Bill Passed - House (75 - 25) |
| Feb. 26, 2020 | UT | SB 102 | Reduces Criminal Penalties for Polygamy | Bill Passed - House (70 - 3) |
| Feb. 26, 2020 | CO | SB 20-100 | Repeals the Death Penalty | Bill Passed - House (38 - 27) |
| Feb. 26, 2020 | National | HR 35 | Emmett Till Antilynching Act | Bill Passed - House (410 - 4) |
| Feb. 26, 2020 | National | HR 35 | Emmett Till Antilynching Act | Bill Passed - House (410 - 4) |
| Feb. 24, 2020 | VA | SB 868 | Amends Anti-Discrimination Law to Include Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity | Bill Passed - House (54 - 46) |
| Feb. 24, 2020 | VA | SB 601 | Establishes Election Day to Replace Lee-Jackson Day | Bill Passed - House (55 - 44) |
| Feb. 24, 2020 | WY | HB 68 | Prohibits Access to Schools by Sex Offenders Without Principal's Permission | Bill Passed - House (33 - 26) |
| Feb. 21, 2020 | VA | SB 50 | Prohibits Race-Based Hairstyle Discrimination | Bill Passed - House (71 - 26) |
| Feb. 20, 2020 | NH | HB 1379 | Requires a Background Check for Firearm Sales | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (196 - 152) |
| Feb. 20, 2020 | SD | HB 1133 | Establishes a Rebuttable Presumption in Favor of Joint Custody of a Minor | Bill Passed - House (41 - 25) |
| Feb. 19, 2020 | NH | HB 1660 | Establishes a Protective Order for Vulnerable Adults | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (206 - 144) |
| Feb. 19, 2020 | NH | HB 1660 | Establishes a Protective Order for Vulnerable Adults | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (206 - 144) |
| Feb. 19, 2020 | NH | HB 1101 | Establishes a Waiting Period after Purchasing a Firearm | Bill Passed - House (184 - 134) |
| Feb. 18, 2020 | AZ | HB 2608 | Establishes Used Needle Exchange Program | Bill Passed - House (50 - 10) |
| Feb. 18, 2020 | SD | HB 1117 | Repeals and Revises Certain Provisions Regarding Riots | Bill Passed - House (45 - 25) |
| Feb. 17, 2020 | AZ | HB 2030 | Limits the Enforcement of Motor Vehicle Laws by the Arizona Department of Transportation | Bill Passed - House (31 - 28) |
| Feb. 13, 2020 | WA | HB 2467 | Establishes a Background Check System for Firearms Transfers | Bill Passed - House (66 - 32) |
| Feb. 13, 2020 | National | H J Res 79 | Removing the deadline for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment | Bill Passed - House (232 - 183) |
| Feb. 12, 2020 | WA | HB 2602 | Prohibits Race-Based Hairstyle Discrimination | Bill Passed - House (87 - 10) |
| Feb. 11, 2020 | WI | AB 804 | Increases Penalties for Domestic Abuse Victim Intimidation | Bill Passed - House (67 - 32) |
| Feb. 11, 2020 | WI | AB 806 | Amends the Age for Juvenile Incarceration | Bill Passed - House (60 - 38) |
| Feb. 11, 2020 | WV | HB 4069 | Prohibits Religious Discrimination in Public Schools | Bill Passed - House (76 - 22) |
| Feb. 11, 2020 | VA | HB 961 | Prohibits the Sale or Transportation of Assault Weapons or Magazines Holding 12 or More Rounds | Bill Passed - House (51 - 48) |
| Feb. 11, 2020 | WI | AB 734 | Increases Penalties for Mail Theft | Bill Passed - House (84 - 13) |
| Feb. 11, 2020 | CO | HB 20-1048 | Establishes the CROWN Act | Bill Passed - House (42 - 21) |
| Feb. 11, 2020 | WI | AB 809 | Prohibits Early Release for Individuals Convicted of Violent Crimes | Bill Passed - House (61 - 37) |
| Feb. 10, 2020 | KY | HB 44 | Amends Criminal Trespassing Laws Relating to Critical Infrastructure | Bill Passed - House (71 - 7) |
| Feb. 10, 2020 | OK | HB 3195 | Requires County Jails Comply with ICE Detainer Requests | Bill Passed - House (78 - 21) |
| Feb. 7, 2020 | KY | SB 8 | Requires School Districts Have Armed School Resource Officers | Bill Passed - House (78 - 8) |
| Feb. 7, 2020 | VA | HB 837 | Establishes the "Dress Code Equity Act" | Bill Passed - House (81 - 17) |
| Feb. 7, 2020 | WV | HB 4585 | Establishes Criminal Immunity for "Good Faith" Child Abuse or Neglect Reporting | Bill Passed - House (69 - 29) |
| Feb. 7, 2020 | WV | HB 4585 | Establishes Criminal Immunity for "Good Faith" Child Abuse or Neglect Reporting | Bill Passed - House (69 - 29) |
| Feb. 7, 2020 | National | HR 5687 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief and Puerto Rico Disaster Tax Relief Act, 2020 | Bill Passed - House (237 - 161) |
| Feb. 6, 2020 | VA | HB 1663 | Prohibits LGBTQ Discrimination | Bill Passed - House (59 - 35) |
| Feb. 6, 2020 | VA | HB 262 | Prohibits Law Enforcement Questioning of an Individual's Immigration Status | Bill Passed - House (57 - 42) |
| Feb. 6, 2020 | AZ | HB 2084 | Authorizes Construction of Border Walls without Building Permits | Bill Passed - House (31 - 29) |
| Feb. 6, 2020 | VA | HB 827 | Prohibits Discrimination on the Basis of Pregnancy | Bill Passed - House (66 - 31) |
| Feb. 4, 2020 | MD | HB 4 | Requires Background Checks for Private Sales of Long Guns | Bill Passed - House (87 - 47) |
| Feb. 3, 2020 | VA | HB 386 | Prohibits State Funding for Conversion Therapy on Minors | Bill Passed - House (66 - 27) |
| Feb. 3, 2020 | VA | HB 340 | Establishes Housing Relief to Furloughed Government Employees | Bill Passed - House (65 - 34) |
| Jan. 31, 2020 | KY | HB 168 | Requires Legislative Ethics Commission to Review Sexual Harassment Complaints | Bill Passed - House (85 - 0) |
| Jan. 31, 2020 | VA | HB 995 | Increases the Threshold Amount of Money Taken for Larceny Crimes | Bill Passed - House (58 - 40) |
| Jan. 30, 2020 | VA | HB 674 | Authorizes Removing Firearms from Persons Posing Substantial Risk | Bill Passed - House (52 - 46) |
| Jan. 29, 2020 | National | S 3201 | Temporary Reauthorization and Study of the Emergency Scheduling of Fentanyl Analogues Act | Bill Passed - House (320 - 88) |
| Jan. 27, 2020 | CA | AB 979 | Requires Corporations to Have Directors From Under-Represented Groups | Bill Passed - House (73 - 0) |
| Jan. 23, 2020 | WA | HB 1010 | Requires the Disposition of Forfeited Firearms | Bill Passed - House (56 - 42) |
| Jan. 15, 2020 | National | HR 1230 | Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act | Bill Passed - House (261 - 155) |
| Jan. 15, 2020 | VA | HJ 1 | Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights | Bill Passed - House (59 - 41) |