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 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 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 AL HB 235 Repeals Ban on Yoga Classes in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (84 - 17)
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 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 9, 2020 CO HB 20-1307 Prohibits the "Gay Panic" Murder Defense Bill Passed - House (45 - 19)
March 8, 2020 VA SB 183 Authorizes Localities to Remove, Relocate, or Alter Monuments Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 44)
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 6, 2020 UT SB 67 Amends Requirements for Disposal of Fetal Remains Conference Report Adopted - House (49 - 20)
March 5, 2020 VA SB 70 Requires Background Check for Firearm Transfers Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 46)
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 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 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 WA SB 6561 Establishes a Student Loan Program for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - House (82 - 15)
March 5, 2020 SD SB 186 Establishes Paid Family Leave Policies for State Employees Bill Passed - House (52 - 14)
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 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 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 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 CO SB 20-123 Authorizes Compensation for College Athletes Bill Passed - House (55 - 9)
March 4, 2020 UT SB 67 Amends Requirements for Disposal of Fetal Remains Bill Passed - House (58 - 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 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 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 SD SJR 501 Amends Constitution by Authorizing Wagering on Sporting Events Bill Passed - House (36 - 27)
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 HF 684 Establishes Medical Amnesty for Under-Aged Individuals in Alcohol-Related Emergencies Bill Passed - House (95 - 3)
March 3, 2020 AZ HB 2706 Prohibits Transgender Female Students from Sports Designated for Females Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
March 2, 2020 VA SB 1030 Prohibits Dangerous Captive Animal Exhibits Bill Passed - House (52 - 48)
March 2, 2020 VA SB 1030 Prohibits Dangerous Captive Animal Exhibits Bill Passed - House (52 - 48)
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)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/11 HB 3165 Amends Criminal Law to Shift Burden of Proof from Defendant to Prosecution Bill Passed - House (73 - 23)
3/10 SF 2275 Increases Penalties for Eluding Law Enforcement Bill Passed - House (78 - 22)
3/10 SB 1286 Expands the List of Contraband in Specified Facilities Bill Passed - House (71 - 43)
3/10 HB 2587 Prohibits Denying Healthcare or Adjusting Coverage or Cost Based on Age or Quality of Life Bill Passed - House (69 - 21)
3/10 HB 235 Repeals Ban on Yoga Classes in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (84 - 17)
3/09 HB 1783 Establishes the Washington State Office of Equity Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 39)
3/09 SB 96 Repeals the Lifetime Ban on Drug Felons Receiving TANF Benefits Bill Passed - House (49 - 17)
3/09 HB 1604 Repeals the Residency Requirement for Municipal Police Forces Bill Passed - House (106 - 43)
3/09 HB 20-1307 Prohibits the "Gay Panic" Murder Defense Bill Passed - House (45 - 19)
3/09 HB 20-1307 Prohibits the "Gay Panic" Murder Defense Bill Passed - House (45 - 19)
3/08 SB 183 Authorizes Localities to Remove, Relocate, or Alter Monuments Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 44)
3/07 HB 1250 Establishes the "Community Policing Act" Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 35)
3/07 HB 1250 Establishes the "Community Policing Act" Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 35)
3/07 HB 2419 Authorizes Release of Certain Individuals Without Bail Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 21)
3/07 HB 4615 Increases Penalties for Critical Infrastructure Protesting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 33)
3/07 HB 4958 Prohibits Suspension of Driver's License for Unpaid Fines Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 10)
3/07 HB 4176 Establishes the West Virginia Intelligence/Fusion Center Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 11)
3/07 HB 4176 Establishes the West Virginia Intelligence/Fusion Center Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 11)
3/06 SB 67 Amends Requirements for Disposal of Fetal Remains Conference Report Adopted - House (49 - 20)
3/05 SB 70 Requires Background Check for Firearm Transfers Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 46)
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 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 1150 Eliminates Requirement that Jails and Prisons Ascertain Citizenship Status of Inmates Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 45)
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 SB 6561 Establishes a Student Loan Program for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - House (82 - 15)
3/05 SB 186 Establishes Paid Family Leave Policies for State Employees Bill Passed - House (52 - 14)
3/05 SB 20-83 Prohibits Civil Arrests on Courthouse Grounds Bill Passed - House (40 - 24)
3/05 SB 20-83 Prohibits Civil Arrests on Courthouse Grounds Bill Passed - House (40 - 24)
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 HB 623 Repeals the State Statutory Same-Sex Marriage Ban and Amends State Gender-Neutral Terms Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 43)
3/04 HB 623 Repeals the State Statutory Same-Sex Marriage Ban and Amends State Gender-Neutral Terms Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 43)
3/04 SB 20-123 Authorizes Compensation for College Athletes Bill Passed - House (55 - 9)
3/04 SB 67 Amends Requirements for Disposal of Fetal Remains Bill Passed - House (58 - 14)
3/04 SB 6205 Prohibits Harassment, Abuse, and Discrimination Towards Long-Term Care Workers Bill Passed - House (74 - 23)
3/04 HB 5479 Prohibits Gun Buyback Programs by Local Governments Bill Passed - House (58 - 49)
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 5434 Establishes Restrictions for Firearms in Daycare and Child Care Facilities Bill Passed - House (56 - 40)
3/03 HB 4544 Prohibits Drug Possession within 200 Feet of a Public Library Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 22)
3/03 SB 6268 Prohibits Meritless Litigation Against Domestic Abuse Victims Bill Passed - House (90 - 6)
3/03 SJR 501 Amends Constitution by Authorizing Wagering on Sporting Events Bill Passed - House (36 - 27)
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 HF 684 Establishes Medical Amnesty for Under-Aged Individuals in Alcohol-Related Emergencies Bill Passed - House (95 - 3)
3/03 HB 2706 Prohibits Transgender Female Students from Sports Designated for Females Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
3/02 SB 1030 Prohibits Dangerous Captive Animal Exhibits Bill Passed - House (52 - 48)
3/02 SB 1030 Prohibits Dangerous Captive Animal Exhibits Bill Passed - House (52 - 48)
3/02 HJR 741 Prohibits the Governor from Solely Taking Action to Assist with the Federal Refugee Resettlement Program Bill Passed - House (71 - 25)

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