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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 21, 2021 | NY | S 5321 | Increases the Maximum Civil Penalty to $1,000 for Mortgagee Violations | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 14) |
| March 30, 2021 | NY | S 1453 | Extends the Utility Shut-Off Moratorium throughout the Duration of the COVID-19 Pandemic State of Emergency | Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 9) |
| March 18, 2021 | NY | A 2277 | Limits the Use of Solitary Confinement | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 21) |
| March 5, 2021 | NY | S 5357 | Limits the Governor's Pandemic Emergency Powers | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20) |
| Feb. 24, 2021 | NY | S 830 | Extends Voting Rights to Convicted Felons on Parole | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20) |
| Feb. 24, 2021 | NY | S 830 | Extends Voting Rights to Convicted Felons on Parole | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20) |
| Feb. 10, 2021 | NY | S 13 | Increases Penalties and Regulations for Guns Without Serial Numbers | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20) |
| Jan. 20, 2021 | NY | S 1184 | Requires an Incarcerated Individual to be Released Within 24 Hours if They are Not Charged With a Crime | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 21) |
| Dec. 28, 2020 | NY | S 9114 | Establishes Emergency Eviction and Foreclosure Protections | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 21) |
| July 23, 2020 | NY | S 8617 | Requires Public Employers Prepare Public Health Emergency Plans | Bill Passed - Senate (58 - 2) |
| July 22, 2020 | NY | A 2176 | Prohibits Civil Arrest of Individuals Attending Court Proceedings | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 18) |
| July 22, 2020 | NY | A 5045 | Amends Criminal Procedure Laws to Waive Certain Surcharges and Fees for Defendants Under the Age of 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 19) |
| July 21, 2020 | NY | A 5630 | Amends Various Power of Attorney Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 17) |
| July 21, 2020 | NY | A 5630 | Amends Various Power of Attorney Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 17) |
| July 21, 2020 | NY | A 6710 | Requires Incarcerated Parents to Be Placed at Facilities Closest to Their Children's Home | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 11) |
| June 10, 2020 | NY | S 2574 | Establishes an Office of Special Investigation Under the Attorney General | Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 17) |
| June 10, 2020 | NY | S 8539 | Establishes the Law Enforcement Misconduct Investigative Office | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 20) |
| June 10, 2020 | NY | S 8539 | Establishes the Law Enforcement Misconduct Investigative Office | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 20) |
| June 9, 2020 | NY | S 8496 | Authorizes Disclosure of Law Enforcement Disciplinary Records | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22) |
| June 8, 2020 | NY | A 1531 | Prohibits Reporting a Non-Emergency Incident Involving a Member of a Protected Class | Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 6) |
| June 8, 2020 | NY | A 6144 | Establishes the Eric Garner Anti-Chokehold Act | Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 0) |
| June 8, 2020 | NY | A 1531 | Prohibits Reporting a Non-Emergency Incident Involving a Member of a Protected Class | Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 6) |
| May 27, 2020 | NY | S 8415 | Repeals Anti-Mask Law | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 27) |
| May 27, 2020 | NY | S 8192 | Extends Eviction Protections for Tenants During Emergency Shutdowns | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 23) |
| March 31, 2020 | NY | S 7505 | Amends Criminal Justice Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 24) |
| March 31, 2020 | NY | S 7505 | Amends Criminal Justice Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 24) |
| 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 2, 2020 | NY | S 7919 | Appropriates Funds for COVID-19 Coronavirus Response | Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 4) |
| June 19, 2019 | NY | S 3909 | Establishes a Hate Crimes Training Program for Law Enforcement | Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 0) |
| June 19, 2019 | NY | S 3909 | Establishes a Hate Crimes Training Program for Law Enforcement | Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 0) |
| June 17, 2019 | NY | S 6209 | Expands the Definition of Race and Prohibits Racial Discrimination | Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 16) |
| June 14, 2019 | NY | S 5864 | Establishes the Television Diversity Tax Credit | Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 18) |
| May 15, 2019 | NY | S 1414 | Prohibits 3D Printed Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 5) |
| May 8, 2019 | NY | S 4572 | Establishes Parameters for Exemptions to Presidential Pardons | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 23) |
| April 30, 2019 | NY | S 5098 | Prohibits the Sale of Anything Made from "Vulnerable Species", Including Giraffe Products | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 14) |
| April 10, 2019 | NY | A 6188 | Prohibits Harassment of Rent Regulated Tenants | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 17) |
| March 31, 2019 | NY | S 1505 | Amends Criminal Justice Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22) |
| March 19, 2019 | NY | A 6449 | Increases Number of Speed Cameras in School Zones | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 18) |
| March 4, 2019 | NY | S 2450 | Increases Penalties for Improper Gun Storages | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 22) |
| Jan. 29, 2019 | NY | S 2451 | Establishes Extreme Risk Protection Orders | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 21) |
| Jan. 29, 2019 | NY | S 101 | Prohibits Firearms on School Campuses | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 22) |
| Jan. 29, 2019 | NY | S 2449 | Establishes a Firearm Buyback Program | Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 13) |
| Jan. 29, 2019 | NY | S 2374 | Amends Background Check Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 23) |
| Jan. 29, 2019 | NY | S 2448 | Prohibits Bump Stocks | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 14) |
| Jan. 29, 2019 | NY | S 2451 | Establishes Extreme Risk Protection Orders | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 21) |
| Jan. 15, 2019 | NY | A 576 | Prohibits Conversion Therapy | Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 4) |
| Jan. 15, 2019 | NY | S 1047 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity or Expression | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 19) |
| June 14, 2018 | NY | S 2412 | Establishes A Commission Of Prosecutorial Conduct | Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 12) |
| March 30, 2018 | NY | S 8121 | Prohibits Individuals Convicted of Domestic Abuse from Purchasing Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 19) |
| March 30, 2018 | NY | S 8121 | Prohibits Individuals Convicted of Domestic Abuse from Purchasing Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 19) |
| June 19, 2017 | NY | S 5512A | Establishes Harsher Penalties for Bomb Threats Against Community Centers | Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 0) |
| April 30, 2014 | NY | A 9206 | Authorizes Traffic Cameras on Long Island | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 11) |
| Jan. 14, 2013 | NY | S 2230 | Establishes Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 18) |
| March 14, 2012 | NY | S 6733 | Expands DNA Database to Include Misdemeanors | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0) |
| Jan. 31, 2012 | NY | S 5560-A | Requires DNA Testing of All Persons Convicted of Certain Crimes | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 10) |
| June 24, 2010 | NY | S 1523 | Allowing Unmarried Partners to Adopt a Child | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 21) |
| June 15, 2010 | NY | S 5620 | Reducing Drug Penalties for Offenders with Hypodermic Syringes | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 18) |
| June 15, 2010 | NY | S 5620 | Reducing Drug Penalties for Offenders with Hypodermic Syringes | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 18) |
| Dec. 2, 2009 | NY | A 40003 | Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 38) |
| June 18, 2008 | NY | S 4632 | Reinstate the Death Penalty | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 21) |
| June 12, 2008 | NY | S 2375 | DNA Database Expansion | Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 9) |
| June 12, 2008 | NY | S 2375 | DNA Database Expansion | Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 9) |
| May 14, 2007 | NY | S 319 | Death Penalty For Certain Murders | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 24) |
| May 14, 2007 | NY | S 319 | Death Penalty For Certain Murders | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 24) |
| March 5, 2007 | NY | S 3318 | Sex Offender Management and Treatment Act | Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 8) |
| June 21, 2006 | NY | S 8446 | DNA Database Expansion | Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 2) |
| June 21, 2006 | NY | S 8446 | DNA Database Expansion | Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 2) |
| June 13, 2006 | NY | S 6771 | Death Penalty and Life Imprisonment Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 23) |