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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct. 22, 2019 | PA | HB 1780 | Exempts Volunteer Firefighters from Right-to-Know Laws | Bill Passed - House (166 - 34) |
| Sept. 25, 2019 | PA | SB 473 | Increases Age for Legal Tobacco Sales to 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 6) |
| Sept. 25, 2019 | PA | HB 1410 | Authorizes Funds to Remove PFAS from Drinking Water | Bill Passed - House (144 - 54) |
| Sept. 19, 2019 | PA | HB 1100 | Establishes an Energy and Fertilizer Manufacturing Tax Credit | Bill Passed - House (139 - 46) |
| Sept. 19, 2019 | PA | HB 847 | Prohibits Using Public Assistance Funds for Purchasing Tobacco or Tobacco Products | Bill Passed - House (154 - 32) |
| June 28, 2019 | PA | HB 1615 | Expands Tax Credit Education Scholarships | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (160 - 39) |
| June 27, 2019 | PA | SB 48 | Amends State Election Laws Regarding Straight Party Voting | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 19) |
| June 27, 2019 | PA | HB 1615 | Expands Tax Credit Education Scholarships | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13) |
| June 27, 2019 | PA | SB 48 | Amends State Election Laws Regarding Straight Party Voting | Bill Passed - House (111 - 88) |
| June 27, 2019 | PA | SB 621 | Authorizes Schools to Arm Security Guards | Bill Passed - House (116 - 83) |
| June 26, 2019 | PA | HB 33 | Repeals a General Assistance Program for Adults with Disabilities | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24) |
| June 26, 2019 | PA | SB 147 | Establishes Hunting Regulations on Sundays | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14) |
| June 25, 2019 | PA | HB 790 | Establishes State Budget for Fiscal Year 2019-2020 | Bill Passed - House (140 - 62) |
| June 19, 2019 | PA | HB 33 | Repeals a General Assistance Program for Adults with Disabilities | Bill Passed - House (106 - 95) |
| June 11, 2019 | PA | HB 800 | Increases Amount of Tax Credits Available for Students to Attend the School of Their Choice | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21) |
| June 11, 2019 | PA | SB 621 | Authorizes Schools to Arm Security Guards | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17) |
| May 14, 2019 | PA | HB 321 | Prohibits Abortions Based on a Diagnosis of Down Syndrome | Bill Passed - House (117 - 76) |
| May 7, 2019 | PA | SB 588 | Exempts Milk Haulers from Travel Bans Imposed During Emergency Disasters | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15) |
| May 7, 2019 | PA | SB 453 | Authorizes Annual Farming Construction Code Building Exemptions | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20) |
| May 7, 2019 | PA | HB 800 | Increases Amount of Tax Credits Available for Students to Attend the School of Their Choice | Bill Passed - House (111 - 85) |
| May 6, 2019 | PA | HB 1058 | Prohibits Abortions Based Solely on a Diagnosis of Down Syndrome | Bill Passed - House (116 - 76) |
| April 10, 2019 | PA | HB 629 | Requires Full Lyme Disease Coverage under Health Insurance Plans | Bill Passed - House (158 - 34) |
| Oct. 17, 2018 | PA | HB 1822 | Establishes Certification Process for Schools to Become Certified Suicide Prevention Institutions of Higher Education | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - None) |
| Oct. 17, 2018 | PA | SB 6 | Establishes Further Stipulations for Welfare Access | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 12) |
| Oct. 17, 2018 | PA | SB 554 | Establishes Protections for Juvenile Human Trafficking Victims | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0) |
| Oct. 17, 2018 | PA | SB 6 | Establishes Further Stipulations for Welfare Access | Bill Passed - House (124 - 62) |
| Oct. 17, 2018 | PA | HB 2138 | Establishes Medicaid Work Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19) |
| Oct. 16, 2018 | PA | SB 1127 | Authorizes Interception of Wire, Electronic, or Oral Communications | Amendment Adopted - House (166 - 24) |
| Oct. 15, 2018 | PA | SB 1095 | Authorizes Alternatives to Graduate for Keystone Test | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0) |
| Oct. 9, 2018 | PA | SB 1090 | Increases Anti Hazing Penalties and Regulations | Bill Passed - House (191 - 0) |
| Oct. 3, 2018 | PA | HB 2060 | Requires Surrender of Firearms in Protection Abuse Situations | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 5) |
| Sept. 26, 2018 | PA | SB 1098 | Establishes School Bus Safety Grant Program Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0) |
| Sept. 26, 2018 | PA | HB 2060 | Requires Surrender of Firearms in Protection Abuse Situations | Bill Passed - House (131 - 62) |
| Sept. 25, 2018 | PA | SB 172 | Authorizes Speed Cameras in Work Zones | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (173 - 22) |
| Sept. 25, 2018 | PA | SB 261 | Increases the Statute of Limitations for Victims of Sexual Abuse | Bill Passed - House (173 - 21) |
| Sept. 25, 2018 | PA | SB 521 | Requires CPR Training in High Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0) |
| June 25, 2018 | PA | HB 1037 | Limits Punitive Damages in Certain Medical Lawsuits | Bill Failed - House (91 - 103) |
| June 22, 2018 | PA | HB 1448 | Requires Lead Testing in School Water Systems | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (44 - 4) |
| June 22, 2018 | PA | HB 2468 | Requires Court Order for Eminent Domain on Conserved Lands | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (177 - 15) |
| June 22, 2018 | PA | HB 1448 | Requires Lead Testing in School Water Systems | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (193 - 1) |
| June 22, 2018 | PA | HB 864 | Amends Gaming and Gambling Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 29) |
| June 22, 2018 | PA | HB 2468 | Requires Court Order for Eminent Domain on Conserved Lands | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12) |
| June 22, 2018 | PA | HB 1419 | Authorizes Limited Access to Certain Criminal Records | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0) |
| June 22, 2018 | PA | HB 2121 | Establishes a State Budget for Fiscal year 2018-2019 | Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 2) |
| June 22, 2018 | PA | HB 1840 | Amends Worker's Compensation Law | Bill Passed - House (115 - 80) |
| June 13, 2018 | PA | SB 22 | Establishes 11-Member Redistricting Commission | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 14) |
| June 13, 2018 | PA | HB 1810 | Requires Data Information Sharing for Hosting Platforms | Bill Passed - House (177 - 14) |
| June 6, 2018 | PA | HB 564 | Requires Civics Test for High School Students | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (167 - 27) |
| June 5, 2018 | PA | HB 2154 | Amends Oil and Gas Drilling Regulations | Bill Passed - House (111 - 84) |
| May 2, 2018 | PA | HB 1843 | Requires Public Release of Budget Requests and Expenditures | Bill Passed - House (178 - 12) |
| May 1, 2018 | PA | HB 1659 | Repeals SNAP Work Requirement Waivers | Bill Passed - House (108 - 79) |
| April 18, 2018 | PA | SB 961 | Increases OWI Penalties | Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4) |
| April 17, 2018 | PA | HB 2138 | Establishes Medicaid Work Requirements | Bill Passed - House (115 - 80) |
| April 16, 2018 | PA | SB 936 | Establishes Prescription Drug Formulary for Injured Employees | Bill Passed - House (101 - 92) |
| April 16, 2018 | PA | HB 2050 | Prohibits Abortions Based on a Diagnosis of Down Syndrome | Bill Passed - House (139 - 56) |
| April 11, 2018 | PA | HB 1419 | Authorizes Limited Access to Certain Criminal Records | Bill Passed - House (188 - 2) |
| April 11, 2018 | PA | HB 456 | Establishes Regulations for Tattoo Industry | Bill Passed - House (173 - 17) |
| March 13, 2018 | PA | HB 153 | Decreases Size of State Legislature | Bill Passed - House (101 - 84) |
| Dec. 12, 2017 | PA | SB 3 | Prohibits Dilation and Evacuation Abortions Prior to 20 Weeks | Bill Passed - House (121 - 70) |
| Oct. 25, 2017 | PA | SB 936 | Establishes Prescription Drug Formulary for Injured Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16) |
| Oct. 18, 2017 | PA | HB 178 | Amends Public School Code | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (105 - 81) |
| Oct. 2, 2017 | PA | HB 45 | Authorizes Terminally Ill Patients to Use Experimental Treatments | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0) |
| Sept. 26, 2017 | PA | HB 171 | Authorizes Any Registered Vote to be Appointed a Poll Watcher | Bill Passed - House (106 - 91) |
| Sept. 13, 2017 | PA | HB 453 | Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 91) |
| July 27, 2017 | PA | HB 453 | Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 10) |
| July 9, 2017 | PA | HB 97 | Authorizes Budget Cuts for Low-Performing Charter Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23) |
| June 30, 2017 | PA | HB 218 | Establishes a Budget for the Fiscal Year 2017-2018 | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7) |
| June 28, 2017 | PA | SB 383 | Authorizes Teachers to Carry Firearms on School Property | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22) |
| June 13, 2017 | PA | HB 864 | Amends Gaming and Gambling Laws | Bill Passed - House (136 - 56) |
| May 24, 2017 | PA | HB 271 | Establishes Internet Gambling Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 12) |
| May 10, 2017 | PA | SB 560 | Establishes Provisions for Police Use of Body Cameras | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0) |
| April 26, 2017 | PA | HB 671 | Authorizes Lawsuits Against Local Governments with Gun Ordinances | Bill Passed - House (134 - 53) |
| April 25, 2017 | PA | HB 97 | Prohibits Failing Students from Continuing Online Charter School | Bill Passed - House (108 - 84) |
| April 25, 2017 | PA | HB 1071 | Prohibits Bans, Fees, and Taxes on Recyclable Plastic Bags | Bill Passed - House (102 - 87) |
| April 5, 2017 | PA | HB 741 | Reinstates Mandatory Minimum Sentences | Bill Passed - House (122 - 67) |
| April 4, 2017 | PA | HB 218 | Establishes a Budget for the Fiscal Year 2017-2018 | Bill Passed - House (144 - 84) |
| April 4, 2017 | PA | HB 271 | Establishes Internet Gambling Regulations | Bill Passed - House (142 - 56) |
| Feb. 8, 2017 | PA | SB 3 | Prohibits Dilation and Evacuation Abortions Prior to 20 Weeks | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18) |
| Feb. 1, 2017 | PA | SB 261 | Increases the Statute of Limitations for Victims of Sexual Abuse | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0) |
| March 16, 2016 | PA | SB 3 | Establishes Medical Marijuana Program | Bill Passed - House (149 - 43) |
| July 13, 2015 | PA | SB 683 | Requires DNA Sample from Individuals Arrested for Certain Crimes | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
| June 30, 2015 | PA | HB 1192 | Establishes State Budget for FY 2015-2016 | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19) |
| June 27, 2015 | PA | HB 1192 | Establishes State Budget for FY 2015-2016 | Bill Passed - House (112 - 77) |
| June 23, 2015 | PA | HB 805 | Requires Schools to Use Teacher Performance Evaluations | Bill Passed - House (100 - 91) |
| May 6, 2015 | PA | SB 644 | Requires Cost Analysis of Collective Bargaining Agreements | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19) |
| May 6, 2015 | PA | SB 645 | Requires Notice of Proposed Collective Bargaining Agreements | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19) |
| April 21, 2015 | PA | HB 874 | Repeals Exemptions for Harassment during Labor Disputes | Bill Passed - House (109 - 84) |
| April 14, 2015 | PA | SB 333 | Prohibits Local Paid Leave Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12) |
| March 4, 2015 | PA | HB 530 | Amends Charter School Laws | Bill Passed - House (118 - 78) |
| Feb. 26, 2015 | PA | HB 466 | Authorizes Private Alcohol Sales | Bill Passed - House (114 - 87) |
| Feb. 23, 2015 | PA | SB 293 | Requires Health Care Exchange Navigator Certification | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19) |
| Oct. 20, 2014 | PA | HB 80 | Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (138 - 56) |
| Oct. 16, 2014 | PA | HB 80 | Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14) |
| Oct. 15, 2014 | PA | HB 1565 | Amends Buffer Zone Requirements around Certain Streams | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (118 - 79) |
| Oct. 15, 2014 | PA | HB 1750 | Prohibits Pigeon Shoots | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 12) |
| Oct. 15, 2014 | PA | HB 2354 | Requires Legislative Approval for Certain Plans from the Department of Environmental Protection | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17) |
| Oct. 14, 2014 | PA | HB 1565 | Amends Buffer Zone Requirements around Certain Streams | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22) |
| Oct. 14, 2014 | PA | SB 1268 | Amends Health Insurance Navigator Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22) |
| Oct. 6, 2014 | PA | HB 1243 | Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - House (143 - 54) |
| Sept. 24, 2014 | PA | SB 1182 | Authorizes Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7) |