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
May 16, 2020 WY SF 1002 Establishes Immunity from COVID-19 Claims to Businesses Bill Passed - House (38 - 20)
May 15, 2020 OK SB 1714 Repeals Certain Regulations for Selling Homemade Food Items Bill Passed - House (69 - 13)
May 15, 2020 National HR 6800 Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act Bill Passed - House (208 - 199)
May 15, 2020 National HR 6800 Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act Bill Passed - House (208 - 199)
May 15, 2020 WY SF 1002 Establishes Immunity from COVID-19 Claims to Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
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 OK SB 1946 Exempts from Civil Liability Any Individual Who Potentially Exposes Another to COVID-19 Bill Passed - House (76 - 20)
May 14, 2020 NJ S 2437 Limits Fees Charged to Restaurants by Third-Party Food Delivery Applications Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
May 13, 2020 PA HB 2388 Establishes Exemption Waivers for Business Closures Due to COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17)
May 13, 2020 PA HB 2388 Establishes Exemption Waivers for Business Closures Due to COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17)
May 13, 2020 MN HF 331 Increases Legal Age to Buy Tobacco Products to 21 Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 21)
May 12, 2020 MN HF 4602 Reduces the Number of Job Retainments for Verso in Duluth, Minnesota from 200 to 150 Bill Passed - House (114 - 18)
May 11, 2020 OK SB 1946 Exempts from Civil Liability Any Individual Who Potentially Exposes Another to COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 11)
May 9, 2020 MN HF 331 Increases Legal Age to Buy Tobacco Products to 21 Bill Passed - House (89 - 41)
May 1, 2020 VT S 346 Establishes Hazard Pay for Essential Workers Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 0)
April 30, 2020 MI SB 858 Establishes Deadlines for Governor's Stay At Home Orders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
April 30, 2020 MI SB 858 Establishes Deadlines for Governor's Stay At Home Orders Bill Passed - House (59 - 41)
April 30, 2020 MN SF 3843 Amends Business Tax Policies and Establishes Recovery Aid to Small Businesses for Financial Relief Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 27)
April 29, 2020 PA HB 327 Amends the State Liquor Code Bill Passed - House (193 - 9)
April 23, 2020 National HR 266 Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (388 - 5)
April 23, 2020 National HR 266 Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (388 - 5)
April 23, 2020 UT SB 3007 Establishes Immunity from COVID-19 Injury Litigation to Businesses after Reopening Bill Passed - House (54 - 21)
April 23, 2020 UT SB 3007 Establishes Immunity from COVID-19 Injury Litigation to Businesses after Reopening Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
April 22, 2020 VA HB 395 Increases the Minimum Wage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
April 21, 2020 PA HB 2388 Establishes Exemption Waivers for Business Closures Due to COVID-19 Bill Passed - House (113 - 89)
April 21, 2020 PA HB 2388 Establishes Exemption Waivers for Business Closures Due to COVID-19 Bill Passed - House (113 - 89)
April 21, 2020 PA HB 1822 Extends Workplace Protections Related to COVID-19 Bill Passed - House (105 - 97)
April 15, 2020 KY HB 351 Increases Taxes on Tobacco Products and Authorizes the Expansion of Absentee Voting Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
April 15, 2020 KY HB 351 Increases Taxes on Tobacco Products and Authorizes the Expansion of Absentee Voting Veto Override Passed - House (57 - 32)
April 15, 2020 PA SB 613 Requires the Governor's Office to Follow Federal Guidelines to Reopen Businesses During COVID-19 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
April 14, 2020 PA SB 613 Requires the Governor's Office to Follow Federal Guidelines to Reopen Businesses During COVID-19 Bill Passed - House (107 - 95)
April 14, 2020 PA HB 2376 Authorizes Certain Retail Operations and Construction Sites to Reopen Bill Passed - House (112 - 90)
April 1, 2020 KY HB 351 Increases Taxes on Tobacco Products and Authorizes the Expansion of Absentee Voting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 22)
March 30, 2020 SD SB 192 Establishes the Small Business Economic Disaster Relief Subfund Bill Passed - House (61 - 6)
March 28, 2020 AK SB 241 Appropriates Emergency Funds for COVID-19 Coronavirus Relief Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 1)
March 26, 2020 KY SB 150 Establishes Emergency Response to COVID-19 Coronavirus Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 0)
March 26, 2020 KY HB 415 Amends Shipping Laws for Distillers, Wineries, and Breweries Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
March 25, 2020 PA SB 751 Authorizes Financial Assistance for Schools Amid COVID-19-Related Shutdown Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
March 25, 2020 PA HB 68 Establishes a System of Unemployment Compensation in Response to the COVID-19 Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
March 22, 2020 AK HB 308 Establishes Relief for Employees Affected by COVID-19 Coronavirus Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 0)
March 18, 2020 MD HB 1663 Establishes the "COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Protection Act of 2020" Concurrence Vote Passed - House (131 - 3)
March 18, 2020 MD HB 732 Increases Tobacco Tax and Establishes Vaping Tax Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 47)
March 18, 2020 MS HB 1647 Authorizes Local Governments and School Districts to Grant Administrative Leave with Pay In Case of Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 0)
March 18, 2020 KY HB 415 Amends Shipping Laws for Distillers, Wineries, and Breweries Bill Passed - House (52 - 33)
March 18, 2020 NY S 8091 Establishes Paid Sick Leave for Employees Affected by the COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 6)
March 17, 2020 KS SB 27 Authorizes 26 Weeks of Unemployment Insurance Benefits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
March 17, 2020 MD HB 732 Increases Tobacco Tax and Establishes Vaping Tax Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 16)
March 17, 2020 MD HB 14 Prohibits Employers From Retaliating Against Employees Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
March 17, 2020 ID S 1428 Appropriates Funds for the State Advanced Paid/Sick Administrative Leave Program Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
March 16, 2020 MD HB 123 Prohibits Employers from Asking About Wage History Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
March 16, 2020 NJ A 3847 Amends Paid Leave Laws for Local Government Employees Who Test Positive for COVID-19 Bill Passed - House (56 - 4)
March 16, 2020 KS SB 474 Authorizes Compensation for College Athletes Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 4)
March 15, 2020 MD HB 932 Requires the Distribution of Sales and Use Tax Revenue from Certain Digital Products to the Blueprint for Maryland's Future Fund Concurrence Vote Passed - House (89 - 45)
March 13, 2020 MD HB 932 Requires the Distribution of Sales and Use Tax Revenue from Certain Digital Products to the Blueprint for Maryland's Future Fund Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 15)
March 13, 2020 MD HB 123 Prohibits Employers from Asking About Wage History Bill Passed - House (98 - 36)
March 12, 2020 UT HB 23 Increases Legal Smoking Age to 21 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 19)
March 12, 2020 FL SB 664 Requires Government Agencies Use E-Verify Immigration Check for Employment Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
March 12, 2020 FL SB 810 Increases the Legal Smoking Age to 21 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
March 12, 2020 NH HB 712 Establishes a System of Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
March 12, 2020 MS SB 2522 Requires Employers to Pay Employees the Same Wage Regardless of Sex Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
March 11, 2020 WA SB 6690 Reduces the Business and Occupation Tax Preference for Aerospace Manufacturers Bill Passed - House (73 - 24)
March 11, 2020 FL HB 607 Authorizes Independent Nurse Practitioners to Open Primary Care Practices Without Doctor Supervision Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
March 11, 2020 FL SB 664 Requires Government Agencies Use E-Verify Immigration Check for Employment Bill Passed - House (73 - 45)
March 11, 2020 FL SB 140 Authorizes the Sale of Fireworks for New Years Eve, New Years Day, and Independence Day Bill Passed - House (82 - 34)
March 10, 2020 CO HB 20-1080 Repeals State Residency Requirement for Medical Marijuana Business Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
March 10, 2020 ME LD 2031 Requires Cable Companies to Probate Bills Bill Passed - House (131 - 6)
March 10, 2020 GA HB 879 Authorizes Retailers to Deliver Alcohol to Residents Bill Passed - House (110 - 54)
March 9, 2020 WA SB 5323 Establishes Standards for the Use of Plastic Bags at Retail Establishments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
March 9, 2020 MS SB 2112 Prohibits Public Employers from Requiring Applicants to Disclose Felony Convictions on Application Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 17)
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 395 Increases the Minimum Wage Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 45)
March 7, 2020 WA SB 5323 Establishes Standards for the Use of Plastic Bags at Retail Establishments Bill Passed - House (67 - 29)
March 6, 2020 WA SB 6281 Increases Consumer Personal Data Protections and Regulations on Facial Recognition Technology Bill Passed - House (56 - 41)
March 6, 2020 UT HB 243 Requires Warning Labels on Pornography Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
March 6, 2020 WY SF 122 Exempts Public Utility Companies from Civil Liability in Catastrophes Caused by an "Act of God" Bill Passed - House (37 - 21)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/16 SF 1002 Establishes Immunity from COVID-19 Claims to Businesses Bill Passed - House (38 - 20)
5/15 SB 1714 Repeals Certain Regulations for Selling Homemade Food Items Bill Passed - House (69 - 13)
5/15 HR 6800 Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act Bill Passed - House (208 - 199)
5/15 HR 6800 Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act Bill Passed - House (208 - 199)
5/15 SF 1002 Establishes Immunity from COVID-19 Claims to Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
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 SB 1946 Exempts from Civil Liability Any Individual Who Potentially Exposes Another to COVID-19 Bill Passed - House (76 - 20)
5/14 S 2437 Limits Fees Charged to Restaurants by Third-Party Food Delivery Applications Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
5/13 HB 2388 Establishes Exemption Waivers for Business Closures Due to COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17)
5/13 HB 2388 Establishes Exemption Waivers for Business Closures Due to COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17)
5/13 HF 331 Increases Legal Age to Buy Tobacco Products to 21 Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 21)
5/12 HF 4602 Reduces the Number of Job Retainments for Verso in Duluth, Minnesota from 200 to 150 Bill Passed - House (114 - 18)
5/11 SB 1946 Exempts from Civil Liability Any Individual Who Potentially Exposes Another to COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 11)
5/09 HF 331 Increases Legal Age to Buy Tobacco Products to 21 Bill Passed - House (89 - 41)
5/01 S 346 Establishes Hazard Pay for Essential Workers Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 0)
4/30 SB 858 Establishes Deadlines for Governor's Stay At Home Orders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
4/30 SB 858 Establishes Deadlines for Governor's Stay At Home Orders Bill Passed - House (59 - 41)
4/30 SF 3843 Amends Business Tax Policies and Establishes Recovery Aid to Small Businesses for Financial Relief Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 27)
4/29 HB 327 Amends the State Liquor Code Bill Passed - House (193 - 9)
4/23 HR 266 Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (388 - 5)
4/23 HR 266 Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (388 - 5)
4/23 SB 3007 Establishes Immunity from COVID-19 Injury Litigation to Businesses after Reopening Bill Passed - House (54 - 21)
4/23 SB 3007 Establishes Immunity from COVID-19 Injury Litigation to Businesses after Reopening Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
4/22 HB 395 Increases the Minimum Wage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
4/21 HB 2388 Establishes Exemption Waivers for Business Closures Due to COVID-19 Bill Passed - House (113 - 89)
4/21 HB 2388 Establishes Exemption Waivers for Business Closures Due to COVID-19 Bill Passed - House (113 - 89)
4/21 HB 1822 Extends Workplace Protections Related to COVID-19 Bill Passed - House (105 - 97)
4/15 HB 351 Increases Taxes on Tobacco Products and Authorizes the Expansion of Absentee Voting Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
4/15 HB 351 Increases Taxes on Tobacco Products and Authorizes the Expansion of Absentee Voting Veto Override Passed - House (57 - 32)
4/15 SB 613 Requires the Governor's Office to Follow Federal Guidelines to Reopen Businesses During COVID-19 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
4/14 SB 613 Requires the Governor's Office to Follow Federal Guidelines to Reopen Businesses During COVID-19 Bill Passed - House (107 - 95)
4/14 HB 2376 Authorizes Certain Retail Operations and Construction Sites to Reopen Bill Passed - House (112 - 90)
4/01 HB 351 Increases Taxes on Tobacco Products and Authorizes the Expansion of Absentee Voting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 22)
3/30 SB 192 Establishes the Small Business Economic Disaster Relief Subfund Bill Passed - House (61 - 6)
3/28 SB 241 Appropriates Emergency Funds for COVID-19 Coronavirus Relief Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 1)
3/26 SB 150 Establishes Emergency Response to COVID-19 Coronavirus Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 0)
3/26 HB 415 Amends Shipping Laws for Distillers, Wineries, and Breweries Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
3/25 SB 751 Authorizes Financial Assistance for Schools Amid COVID-19-Related Shutdown Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
3/25 HB 68 Establishes a System of Unemployment Compensation in Response to the COVID-19 Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
3/22 HB 308 Establishes Relief for Employees Affected by COVID-19 Coronavirus Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 0)
3/18 HB 1663 Establishes the "COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Protection Act of 2020" Concurrence Vote Passed - House (131 - 3)
3/18 HB 732 Increases Tobacco Tax and Establishes Vaping Tax Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 47)
3/18 HB 1647 Authorizes Local Governments and School Districts to Grant Administrative Leave with Pay In Case of Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 0)
3/18 HB 415 Amends Shipping Laws for Distillers, Wineries, and Breweries Bill Passed - House (52 - 33)
3/18 S 8091 Establishes Paid Sick Leave for Employees Affected by the COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 6)
3/17 SB 27 Authorizes 26 Weeks of Unemployment Insurance Benefits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
3/17 HB 732 Increases Tobacco Tax and Establishes Vaping Tax Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 16)
3/17 HB 14 Prohibits Employers From Retaliating Against Employees Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
3/17 S 1428 Appropriates Funds for the State Advanced Paid/Sick Administrative Leave Program Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
3/16 HB 123 Prohibits Employers from Asking About Wage History Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
3/16 A 3847 Amends Paid Leave Laws for Local Government Employees Who Test Positive for COVID-19 Bill Passed - House (56 - 4)
3/16 SB 474 Authorizes Compensation for College Athletes Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 4)
3/15 HB 932 Requires the Distribution of Sales and Use Tax Revenue from Certain Digital Products to the Blueprint for Maryland's Future Fund Concurrence Vote Passed - House (89 - 45)
3/13 HB 932 Requires the Distribution of Sales and Use Tax Revenue from Certain Digital Products to the Blueprint for Maryland's Future Fund Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 15)
3/13 HB 123 Prohibits Employers from Asking About Wage History Bill Passed - House (98 - 36)
3/12 HB 23 Increases Legal Smoking Age to 21 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 19)
3/12 SB 664 Requires Government Agencies Use E-Verify Immigration Check for Employment Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
3/12 SB 810 Increases the Legal Smoking Age to 21 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
3/12 HB 712 Establishes a System of Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
3/12 SB 2522 Requires Employers to Pay Employees the Same Wage Regardless of Sex Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
3/11 SB 6690 Reduces the Business and Occupation Tax Preference for Aerospace Manufacturers Bill Passed - House (73 - 24)
3/11 HB 607 Authorizes Independent Nurse Practitioners to Open Primary Care Practices Without Doctor Supervision Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
3/11 SB 664 Requires Government Agencies Use E-Verify Immigration Check for Employment Bill Passed - House (73 - 45)
3/11 SB 140 Authorizes the Sale of Fireworks for New Years Eve, New Years Day, and Independence Day Bill Passed - House (82 - 34)
3/10 HB 20-1080 Repeals State Residency Requirement for Medical Marijuana Business Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
3/10 LD 2031 Requires Cable Companies to Probate Bills Bill Passed - House (131 - 6)
3/10 HB 879 Authorizes Retailers to Deliver Alcohol to Residents Bill Passed - House (110 - 54)
3/09 SB 5323 Establishes Standards for the Use of Plastic Bags at Retail Establishments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
3/09 SB 2112 Prohibits Public Employers from Requiring Applicants to Disclose Felony Convictions on Application Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 17)
3/07 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)
3/07 HB 395 Increases the Minimum Wage Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 45)
3/07 SB 5323 Establishes Standards for the Use of Plastic Bags at Retail Establishments Bill Passed - House (67 - 29)
3/06 SB 6281 Increases Consumer Personal Data Protections and Regulations on Facial Recognition Technology Bill Passed - House (56 - 41)
3/06 HB 243 Requires Warning Labels on Pornography Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
3/06 SF 122 Exempts Public Utility Companies from Civil Liability in Catastrophes Caused by an "Act of God" Bill Passed - House (37 - 21)

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