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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 22, 2021 | MA | H 3977 | Authorizes the Legalization of Sports Betting | Bill Passed - House (156 - 3) |
| June 30, 2021 | MA | H 3770 | Requires the $400 Million Holyoke Soldiers' Home Construction Project be Completed with Unionized Labor | Veto Override Passed - House (130 - 30) |
| June 15, 2021 | MA | S 2472 | Extends Certain COVID-19 Measures Adopted During the State of Emergency | Bill Passed - House (146 - 14) |
| June 15, 2021 | MA | S 2475 | Amends Measures Adopted During the COVID-19 Pandemic | Bill Passed - House (150 - 10) |
| June 10, 2021 | MA | H 3862 | Appropriates Funds for the 2021 Fiscal Year and Supplements Existing Appropriations | Bill Passed - House (131 - 29) |
| June 10, 2021 | MA | H 3871 | Appropriates Funds for a Supplemental Budget | Bill Passed - House (131 - 29) |
| June 10, 2021 | MA | H 3863 | Amends the Redistricting Process to Redraw Congressional Boundaries | Bill Passed - House (131 - 29) |
| March 11, 2021 | MA | H 73 | Establishes That Early Voting by Mail-In Ballot Can Continue Through the End of June | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0) |
| Jan. 28, 2021 | MA | S 9 | Establishes a Roadmap for Massachusetts Climate Policy | Bill Passed - House (144 - 14) |
| Jan. 4, 2021 | MA | S 2995 | Amends State Climate Goals | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 2) |
| Dec. 29, 2020 | MA | H 5179 | Expands State Abortion Access | Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 8) |
| Dec. 28, 2020 | MA | H 5179 | Expands State Abortion Access | Veto Override Passed - House (107 - 46) |
| Dec. 1, 2020 | MA | S 2963 | Amends Various Police Accountability and Reform Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (91 - 67) |
| Dec. 1, 2020 | MA | S 2963 | Amends Various Police Accountability and Reform Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 11) |
| Nov. 18, 2020 | MA | H 5151 | Appropriates Funds for the 2021 General Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0) |
| July 28, 2020 | MA | S 2848 | Establishes a Commission to Revise the State Seal and Motto | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0) |
| July 28, 2020 | MA | S 2844 | Repeals Previous Restrictions on Students with Disabilities Attending Universities of Higher Education | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0) |
| July 14, 2020 | MA | S 2800 | Amends Police Standards and Restructures Policing Resources | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7) |
| July 2, 2020 | MA | H 4820 | Expands Voting Options in Response to COVID-19 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 0) |
| June 30, 2020 | MA | H 4818 | Establishes a Special Commission to Reduce Racial Inequalities in Maternal Health | Bill Passed - House (159 - 0) |
| Feb. 27, 2020 | MA | H 4502 | Appropriates Funds for the Executive Office of Education to Contain, Treat, and Prevent COVID-19 | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0) |
| Jan. 16, 2020 | MA | H 4218 | Requires School Districts Offer Breakfast After Instruction Begins | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0) |
| Nov. 13, 2019 | MA | H 4183 | Prohibits Flavored Tobacco and Vaping Products, Including Menthol Cigarettes | Bill Passed - House (127 - 31) |
| March 28, 2019 | MA | H 3638 | Appropriates Funding to Family Planning and Women Reproductive Health Clinics | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5) |
| March 13, 2019 | MA | H 140 | Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors | Bill Passed - House (148 - 8) |
| July 31, 2018 | MA | H 4857 | Increases State Clean Energy Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0) |
| July 30, 2018 | MA | H 4835 | Authorizes Funds for Climate Change Adaptation and Environmental Protection | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 0) |
| July 30, 2018 | MA | H 4834 | Establishes Automatic Voter Registration | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 0) |
| July 30, 2018 | MA | H 4841 | Authorizes New Tax Regulations and Insurance Requirements for Short-Term Rentals | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8) |
| July 30, 2018 | MA | H 4841 | Authorizes New Tax Regulations and Insurance Requirements for Short-Term Rentals | Bill Passed - House (119 - 30) |
| July 19, 2018 | MA | S 2598 | Authorizes Diversion Program for First-Time Prostitution Offenses | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0) |
| July 19, 2018 | MA | S 2610 | Establishes State-Level Net Neutrality Policy | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0) |
| July 19, 2018 | MA | S 2599 | Requires Licensure and Oversight of "Bodyworks" Establishments | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0) |
| July 18, 2018 | MA | H 4546 | Authorizes Creation of Community Benefit Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
| July 12, 2018 | MA | S 2595 | Establishes Commission to Study Lead in Drinking Water at Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0) |
| June 28, 2018 | MA | H 4670 | Authorizes Temporary Firearm Removal to Those Deemed a Threat | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (132 - 15) |
| June 28, 2018 | MA | H 4479 | Increases Minimum Purchase Age for Tobacco Products | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3) |
| June 28, 2018 | MA | S 2562 | Authorizes Non-Binary Gender on Driver's Licenses | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1) |
| June 27, 2018 | MA | H 4664 | Prohibits Gender Conversion Therapy | Bill Passed - House (137 - 14) |
| June 20, 2018 | MA | H 4640 | Amends Minimum Wage and Paid-Leave Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0) |
| June 20, 2018 | MA | H 4640 | Amends Minimum Wage and Paid-Leave Programs | Bill Passed - House (126 - 25) |
| June 19, 2018 | MA | H 4617 | Increases Access to Affordable High Quality Health Insurance | Bill Passed - House (117 - 32) |
| June 7, 2018 | MA | H 4501 | Authorizes Capital for State Life Sciences Capital Fund | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 5) |
| May 23, 2018 | MA | H 4517 | Authorizes Extreme Risk Protection Orders | Bill Passed - House (139 - 14) |
| May 9, 2018 | MA | H 4479 | Increases Minimum Purchase Age for Tobacco Products | Bill Passed - House (147 - 4) |
| April 4, 2018 | MA | S 2371 | Amends Criminal Justice Law | Conference Report Adopted - House (148 - 5) |
| April 4, 2018 | MA | S 2372 | Establishes the Garden of Peace Trust Fund | Conference Report Adopted - House (152 - 0) |
| April 4, 2018 | MA | S 2371 | Amends Criminal Justice Law | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 0) |
| Jan. 25, 2018 | MA | S 2260 | Repeals State-Level Law Prohibiting Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0) |
| Nov. 9, 2017 | MA | S 2202 | Amends Various Healthcare Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 6) |
| Oct. 26, 2017 | MA | S 2200 | Amends Various Criminal Justice Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10) |
| Oct. 11, 2017 | MA | Amdt 1 | Prohibits Sale or Possession of "Bump Stocks" | Bill Passed - House (152 - 3) |
| July 20, 2017 | MA | H 3818 | Amends Voter-Passed Marijuana Law | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6) |
| July 7, 2017 | MA | H 3800 | Establishes State Budget for Fiscal Year 2018 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 2) |
| July 7, 2017 | MA | H 3800 | Establishes State Budget for Fiscal Year 2018 | Conference Report Adopted - House (140 - 9) |
| June 22, 2017 | MA | H 3776 | Authorizes Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5) |
| June 21, 2017 | MA | H 3768 | Authorizes Reforms to Recreational Marijuana Laws | Bill Passed - House (126 - 28) |
| May 25, 2017 | MA | H 3601 | Appropriates Funds for the 2018 Fiscal Year | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0) |
| May 24, 2017 | MA | H 3034 | Limits the Use of Prison Labor | Bill Passed - House (120 - 35) |
| April 25, 2017 | MA | H 3601 | Appropriates Funds for the 2018 Fiscal Year | Bill Passed - House (159 - 1) |
| June 9, 2016 | MA | S 2311 | Amends Residential Zoning Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| June 1, 2016 | MA | S 735 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity | Bill Passed - House (116 - 36) |
| May 12, 2016 | MA | S 735 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4) |
| April 28, 2016 | MA | S 2269 | Increases Smoking Age to 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2) |
| April 7, 2016 | MA | S 2220 | Increases Spending Cap on Charter School Tuition | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13) |
| March 9, 2016 | MA | H 4049 | Establishes Regulations for Ride-Sharing Companies | Bill Passed - House (139 - 16) |
| Sept. 17, 2015 | MA | S 1981 | Requires Foreclosure Title Clearing | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7) |
| July 31, 2014 | MA | H 4278 | Amends Firearm Laws | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 3) |
| July 31, 2014 | MA | H 4278 | Amends Firearm Laws | Conference Report Adopted - House (122 - 30) |
| July 23, 2014 | MA | S 2283 | Authorizes Withdrawal Orders around Reproductive Health Care Facilities | Bill Passed - House (116 - 35) |
| July 16, 2014 | MA | H 4184 | Requires Parole Eligibility for Certain Juveniles Sentenced to Life Imprisonment | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 4) |
| July 16, 2014 | MA | H 4184 | Requires Parole Eligibility for Certain Juveniles Sentenced to Life Imprisonment | Conference Report Adopted - House (131 - 18) |
| July 16, 2014 | MA | H 4108 | Amends Charter School Laws | Bill Failed - Senate (9 - 30) |
| July 9, 2014 | MA | H 4278 | Amends Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - House (112 - 38) |
| July 1, 2014 | MA | Amdt 17 | Limits Use of Non-Competition Agreements | Amendment Adopted - Senate (32 - 7) |
| June 18, 2014 | MA | S 2123 | Increases the Minimum Wage | Conference Report Adopted - House (124 - 24) |
| June 18, 2014 | MA | S 2132 | Establishes Labor Standards for Domestic Workers | Bill Passed - House (126 - 22) |
| June 18, 2014 | MA | H 4184 | Authorizes Parole Eligibility for Certain Juveniles Sentenced to Life Imprisonment | Bill Passed - House (129 - 16) |
| June 12, 2014 | MA | S 2123 | Increases the Minimum Wage | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 4) |
| June 12, 2014 | MA | H 4111 | Appropriates Funds for the Expansion of the Boston Convention Center | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6) |
| June 11, 2014 | MA | Amdt 46 | Establishes a Sales Tax Holiday | Amendment Adopted - House (132 - 14) |
| May 28, 2014 | MA | H 4111 | Appropriates Funds for the Expansion of the Boston Convention Center | Bill Passed - House (131 - 19) |
| May 21, 2014 | MA | H 4108 | Amends Charter School Laws | Bill Passed - House (114 - 35) |
| May 1, 2014 | MA | S 2123 | Increases the Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 5) |
| April 2, 2014 | MA | H 4026 | Increases the Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (125 - 24) |
| Nov. 19, 2013 | MA | Amdt 1 | Increases the Minimum Wage for Tipped Employees | Amendment Adopted - Senate (31 - 7) |
| Nov. 19, 2013 | MA | S 1925 | Increases the Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7) |
| April 24, 2013 | MA | H 3401 | 2013-2014 Budget | Bill Passed - House (127 - 29) |
| April 8, 2013 | MA | H 3382 | Expands Retail Tax to Include Computer System Design Services | Bill Passed - House (97 - 55) |
| July 31, 2012 | MA | S 2400 | Establishes Accountable Care Organizations | Conference Report Adopted - House (133 - 20) |
| July 19, 2012 | MA | H 3818 | Requires Habitual Violent Offenders to Serve Their Full Sentence | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 7) |
| July 18, 2012 | MA | H 3818 | Requires Habitual Violent Offenders to Serve Their Full Sentence | Conference Report Adopted - House (139 - 14) |
| June 27, 2012 | MA | H 4174 | Authorizes Funds for State Transportation Projects | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 9) |
| June 27, 2012 | MA | S 2214 | Amends Renewable Energy Contract Requirements | Bill Passed - House (135 - 16) |
| June 5, 2012 | MA | S 2270 | Reduces Health Care Spending | Bill Passed - House (148 - 7) |
| May 31, 2012 | MA | H Amdt 11 | Requires Photo Identification to Vote | Amendment Adopted - House (105 - 43) |
| May 30, 2012 | MA | H 3986 | Authorizes Child Care Workers to Form Labor Organizations | Bill Passed - House (117 - 32) |
| May 15, 2012 | MA | S Amdt 125 | Requires Establishing a Single Payer Health Care System Benchmark | Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 22) |
| April 25, 2012 | MA | H Amdt 804.1 | Electronic Benefit Transfer Cards | Amendment Adopted - House (123 - 33) |
| Oct. 13, 2011 | MA | H 3711 | Authorizes Gambling Casinos | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |