Key Votes
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About the Selection and Descriptions of Key Votes
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:
- The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member stands on a particular issue
- The vote should be clear for any person to understand
- The vote has received media attention
- The vote was passed or defeated by a very close margin
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 26, 2020 | ID | H 6 | Establishes Liability Protections for Businesses, Schools, and Cities during COVID-19 Pandemic | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7) |
| Aug. 24, 2020 | ID | S 1002 | Authorizes In-Person Voting Centers | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4) |
| Aug. 24, 2020 | ID | S 1001 | Authorizes Early Processing of Absentee Ballots | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0) |
| March 18, 2020 | ID | H 516 | Amends Constitutional Carry Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5) |
| March 17, 2020 | ID | H 509 | Prohibits Gender Change on Birth Certificates | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6) |
| 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 | ID | H 500 | Prohibits Transgender Female Students from Sports designated for Females | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| March 12, 2020 | ID | S 1385 | Prohibits Abortion if Roe v Wade is Overturned by the Supreme Court | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7) |
| Feb. 21, 2020 | ID | S 1318 | Prohibits Employment Discrimination Based On Criminal History Background | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| April 3, 2019 | ID | H 296 | Amends Ballot Initiative Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| April 2, 2019 | ID | S 1204 | Amends Medicaid Eligibility Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| March 28, 2019 | ID | H 259 | Establishes an Internet Sales Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| March 26, 2019 | ID | H 270 | Authorizes Public Schools as Election Polling Sites | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12) |
| March 26, 2019 | ID | H 179 | Requires Proof of Insurance for Vehicle Registration | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| March 22, 2019 | ID | S 1159 | Increases Threshold for Ballot Initiative Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| March 18, 2019 | ID | H 180 | Authorizes Syringe and Needle Exchange Program | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11) |
| March 21, 2018 | ID | H 658 | Amends Trespassing Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6) |
| March 16, 2018 | ID | H 665 | Increases Penalties for Threats Against Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1) |
| March 16, 2018 | ID | H 649 | Amends Drug Use Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1) |
| March 14, 2018 | ID | HB 638 | Requires Additional Abortion Complications Reporting | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| March 12, 2018 | ID | H 448 | Amends Indecent Exposure Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0) |
| March 2, 2018 | ID | S 1313 | Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6) |
| March 1, 2018 | ID | H 463 | Amends Tax Law | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
| Feb. 20, 2018 | ID | S 1243 | Requires Public Information Regarding Abortion Interventions | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6) |
| March 23, 2017 | ID | H 139 | Reduces the Number of Training Hours Required for Cosmetologists | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6) |
| March 22, 2017 | ID | H 67 | Repeals Grocery Sales Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
| March 22, 2017 | ID | H 274 | Establishes the Office of Administrator of Invasive Species Policy | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3) |
| March 22, 2016 | ID | H 331 | Prohibits Powdered Alcohol | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16) |
| March 16, 2016 | ID | S 1389 | Authorizes Concealed Carry Without Permit | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
| March 15, 2016 | ID | H 372 | Prohibits Local Limitation on Use of Plastic Bags | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| Feb. 26, 2016 | ID | S 1276 | Expands List of Crimes that Prohibit an Individual from Possessing Firearm | Bill Failed - Senate (6 - 29) |
| Feb. 22, 2016 | ID | S 1248 | Repeals the Requirement that Charter Schools Use State Contracts | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13) |
| April 10, 2015 | ID | H 312 | Increases Gas Tax and Vehicle Registration Fees | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 9) |
| April 7, 2015 | ID | H 312 | Increases Gax Tax and Vehicle Registration Fees | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13) |
| April 6, 2015 | ID | S 1011 | Repeals Authorization of Gambling on Past Horse Races | Veto Override Failed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| March 17, 2015 | ID | S 1095 | Establishes 5-Tier Sexual Offender Registry | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14) |
| March 16, 2015 | ID | S 1092 | Prohibits Local Knife Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
| March 16, 2015 | ID | S 1096 | Establishes Parental Rights in Education | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| March 12, 2015 | ID | H 75 | Exempts Prescription Eyeglasses and Contact Lenses from Sales Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| March 12, 2015 | ID | S 1108 | Authorizes Testing Autonomous Driven Vehicles | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| Feb. 17, 2015 | ID | S 1011 | Repeals Authorization of Gambling on Past Horse Races | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9) |
| March 10, 2014 | ID | S 1314 | Amends the Provisions of Payday Loans | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| Feb. 18, 2014 | ID | S 1254 | Authorizes the Concealed Carry of Firearms on College or University Campuses | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
| Feb. 14, 2014 | ID | S 1337 | Prohibits Recording of Agricultural Operations | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| March 28, 2013 | ID | H 221 | Amends Public Charter School Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7) |
| March 21, 2013 | ID | H 248 | Establishes Health Insurance Exchange | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| March 11, 2013 | ID | S 1108 | Increases Petition Signature Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
| March 6, 2013 | ID | S 1117 | Authorizes Permits for Heavy Trucks on Certain Routes | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13) |
| Feb. 26, 2013 | ID | S 1089 | Amends Early Teacher Retirement Program | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6) |
| Feb. 25, 2013 | ID | SCR 112 | Affirms Legislature's Opposition to Marijuana Authorization | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (29 - 5) |
| Feb. 25, 2013 | ID | SJM 101 | Urges the Enforcement of Federal Drug-Free Policy | Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 21) |
| Feb. 21, 2013 | ID | S 1042 | Establishes a State Health Insurance Exchange | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| March 29, 2012 | ID | H 563 | Reduces Income Tax Rates | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7) |
| March 28, 2012 | ID | S 1256 | Authorizes the Auction of Big-Game Tags | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| March 28, 2012 | ID | H 695 | Establishes a Legislative Legal Defense Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
| March 26, 2012 | ID | H 542 | Prohibits the State from Limiting the Use of Motorized Vehicles on Public Land | Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 20) |
| March 23, 2012 | ID | S 1274 | Prohibits Texting While Driving | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 5) |
| March 23, 2012 | ID | H 619 | Prohibits Speed Limit Regulation by Local Authorities | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
| March 19, 2012 | ID | H 426 | Establishes a Program for High School Students to Obtain an Associate's Degree | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7) |
| March 19, 2012 | ID | S 1387 | Requires an Ultrasound Prior to an Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| March 19, 2012 | ID | S 1348 | Requires Doctors to Provide End-of-Life Care | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10) |
| March 15, 2012 | ID | H 481 | Repeals Limit on Charter Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12) |
| March 15, 2012 | ID | S 1358 | Amends Bullying Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8) |
| March 14, 2012 | ID | H 464 | Prohibits Local Ordinances from Limiting Oil and Gas Extraction | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10) |
| Feb. 24, 2012 | ID | S 1256 | Authorizes the Auction of Big-Game Tags | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16) |
| Feb. 23, 2012 | ID | HB 391 | Repeals the Presidential Primary Election | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 16) |
| Feb. 21, 2012 | ID | S 1274 | Prohibits Texting While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6) |
| Feb. 14, 2012 | ID | H 404 | Prohibits Camping on Capitol Mall Property | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
| April 5, 2011 | ID | H 298 | Response to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| April 4, 2011 | ID | S 1202 | Appropriations to Secretary of State | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
| March 30, 2011 | ID | S 1198 | Primary Elections | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7) |
| March 29, 2011 | ID | H 187 | Freedom of Conscience for Health Care Professionals | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| March 28, 2011 | ID | H 260 | Medicaid Funding | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
| March 24, 2011 | ID | S 1181 | Post-Secondary Education Appropriations | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7) |
| March 24, 2011 | ID | S 1182 | 2012-2013 State Liquor Division Appropriations | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |