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 4, 2021 PA HB 288 Authorizes an Agency's Regulatory Compliance Officer to Create Guidelines for Waiving Fines or Penalties Bill Passed - House (106 - 95)
May 4, 2021 PA HB 950 Extends Greater Authority to the General Assembly Over Regulatory Repeals Bill Passed - House (109 - 92)
April 28, 2021 PA SB 434 Authorizes Milk Processors More Leniency With Milk Date Coding Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
April 27, 2021 PA SB 382 Requires PennDOT Receive Approval Before Undertaking Plans to Toll Bridges Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19)
April 21, 2021 PA HB 747 Authorizes Retail Stores to Remain Open with One Staff and One Shopper During Disaster Emergency Declarations Bill Passed - House (117 - 84)
April 7, 2021 PA HB 184 Increases Penalties for Assisted Suicide Bill Passed - House (162 - 39)
April 7, 2021 PA HB 951 Expands the Window for Underage Victims to Sue for Sexual Abuse Bill Passed - House (149 - 52)
April 6, 2021 PA HB 605 Establishes Protections For Businesses From Certain COVID-19 Related Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (107 - 94)
April 5, 2021 PA HB 335 Establishes the Permanent Status of Daylight Savings Time Bill Passed - House (103 - 98)
March 24, 2021 PA HB 63 Increases Suburban County Authority for COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Bill Passed - House (135 - 66)
March 16, 2021 PA HB 103 Increases the Penalty for Spitting on a Police Officer to a First Degree Misdemeanor Bill Passed - House (146 - 56)
Feb. 5, 2021 PA SB 2 Specifies Executive Power Over Disaster Emergency Declarations and Management Bill Passed - House (116 - 86)
Feb. 5, 2021 PA HB 101 Establishes Limited Liability Protections for Farmers Offering Agritourism Activities Bill Passed - House (142 - 60)
Jan. 27, 2021 PA SB 87 Establishes a Task Force on Child Pornography Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 2)
Jan. 27, 2021 PA HB 55 Limits Governor Emergency Declaration Powers Bill Passed - House (116 - 86)
Jan. 27, 2021 PA HB 14 Extends the Statute of Limitations for Childhood Sexual Abuse. Bill Passed - House (187 - 15)
Jan. 27, 2021 PA SB 109 Appropriates Funds for COVID-19 Relief Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
Jan. 26, 2021 PA SB 2 Specifies Executive Power Over Disaster Emergency Declarations and Management Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20)
Nov. 20, 2020 PA SB 1350 Appropriates Funds for the 2021 General Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
Nov. 20, 2020 PA HB 2536 Appropriates funds for the Emergency COVID-19 Response Concurrence Vote Passed - House (108 - 92)
Nov. 20, 2020 PA HB 1737 Establishes Liability Protection to Healthcare Practitioners and Manufacturers of Personal Protective Equipment Concurrence Vote Passed - House (104 - 98)
Nov. 20, 2020 PA SB 1350 Appropriates Funds for the 2021 General Budget Bill Passed - House (104 - 97)
Nov. 20, 2020 PA HB 2536 Appropriates funds for the Emergency COVID-19 Response Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
Nov. 19, 2020 PA HB 1737 Establishes Liability Protection to Healthcare Practitioners and Manufacturers of Personal Protective Equipment Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
Nov. 19, 2020 PA SB 845 Specifies the Size, Weight, Loads, and Regulations for Electric Vehicles Bill Passed - House (132 - 70)
Nov. 19, 2020 PA HR 1100 Requires Legislative Committee Audit Ballots Cast in 2020 General Election Resolution Passed - House (112 - 90)
Nov. 18, 2020 PA SB 1216 Authorizes the Issuance of Temporary Teaching Certificates Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
Nov. 18, 2020 PA HB 2440 Classifies Shooting Ranges, Sportsman Clubs, Hunting Facilities, and Firearm Businesses as "Life-Sustaining" Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
Nov. 18, 2020 PA HB 1747 Limits the Governors Ability to Restrict Firearm Access During a Disaster Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
Nov. 18, 2020 PA HB 1808 Defines Waste Classification in the Recycling Industry to Encourage Investment Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
Nov. 18, 2020 PA HB 1348 Establishes Limited Civil Liability for Agritourism Activity Providers Bill Passed - House (120 - 81)
Nov. 17, 2020 PA SB 790 Repeals Certain Oil and Gas Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
Oct. 21, 2020 PA HB 2438 Authorizes Rural Electric Cooperatives to Use Existing Infrastructure for High-Speed Internet Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
Oct. 21, 2020 PA HB 440 Repeals Obligation to Pay Outstanding Court-Ordered Finances Before Eligible Cases Are Sealed Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
Oct. 21, 2020 PA SB 1112 Repeals Certain Existing Telecommunications Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
Oct. 20, 2020 PA SB 1199 Specifies Provisions for Personal Delivery Devices Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
Oct. 19, 2020 PA SB 1199 Specifies Provisions for Personal Delivery Devices Bill Passed - House (105 - 97)
Oct. 6, 2020 PA SB 1268 Authorizes Certification of Temporary Nurse Aides During COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
Oct. 5, 2020 PA HB 1984 Authorizes a Parent to Petition to Terminate the Other Parent's Parental Rights Prior to Making Adoption Arrangements in Cases of Rape or Incest Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
Sept. 23, 2020 PA HB 2513 Authorizes Restaurants and Bars to Open at 50 Percent Capacity Concurrence Vote Passed - House (145 - 56)
Sept. 22, 2020 PA HB 2513 Authorizes Restaurants and Bars to Open at 50 Percent Capacity Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 6)
Sept. 22, 2020 PA SB 1164 Amends County Coroner Notification Requirements for Contagious Disease Deaths Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
Sept. 15, 2020 PA HB 2530 Prohibits Governor from Disallowing Gatherings at Places of Worship Bill Passed - House (149 - 53)
Sept. 9, 2020 PA HB 2025 Requires Legislative Authorization Before Entering a State or Regional Greenhouse Gas Cap-and-Trade Program Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
Sept. 9, 2020 PA HB 2787 Authorizes Individual School Districts to Make Decisions Surrounding Activities and COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
Sept. 2, 2020 PA HB 2787 Authorizes Individual School Districts to Make Decisions Surrounding Activities and COVID-19 Bill Passed - House (155 - 47)
Sept. 2, 2020 PA HB 1566 Prohibits License Revocation as Punishment for Not Following Disaster Declaration Bill Passed - House (115 - 87)
Sept. 2, 2020 PA HB 2626 Amends the Deadline for Mail-In Voting From 7 to 15 Days Before an Election Bill Passed - House (112 - 90)
Sept. 2, 2020 PA HB 2788 Authorizes Students to Repeat a Grade Level Due to COVID-19 Bill Passed - House (197 - 5)
July 15, 2020 PA SB 1166 Limits the Governor's Emergency Powers Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/04 HB 288 Authorizes an Agency's Regulatory Compliance Officer to Create Guidelines for Waiving Fines or Penalties Bill Passed - House (106 - 95)
5/04 HB 950 Extends Greater Authority to the General Assembly Over Regulatory Repeals Bill Passed - House (109 - 92)
4/28 SB 434 Authorizes Milk Processors More Leniency With Milk Date Coding Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
4/27 SB 382 Requires PennDOT Receive Approval Before Undertaking Plans to Toll Bridges Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19)
4/21 HB 747 Authorizes Retail Stores to Remain Open with One Staff and One Shopper During Disaster Emergency Declarations Bill Passed - House (117 - 84)
4/07 HB 184 Increases Penalties for Assisted Suicide Bill Passed - House (162 - 39)
4/07 HB 951 Expands the Window for Underage Victims to Sue for Sexual Abuse Bill Passed - House (149 - 52)
4/06 HB 605 Establishes Protections For Businesses From Certain COVID-19 Related Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (107 - 94)
4/05 HB 335 Establishes the Permanent Status of Daylight Savings Time Bill Passed - House (103 - 98)
3/24 HB 63 Increases Suburban County Authority for COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Bill Passed - House (135 - 66)
3/16 HB 103 Increases the Penalty for Spitting on a Police Officer to a First Degree Misdemeanor Bill Passed - House (146 - 56)
2/05 SB 2 Specifies Executive Power Over Disaster Emergency Declarations and Management Bill Passed - House (116 - 86)
2/05 HB 101 Establishes Limited Liability Protections for Farmers Offering Agritourism Activities Bill Passed - House (142 - 60)
1/27 SB 87 Establishes a Task Force on Child Pornography Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 2)
1/27 HB 55 Limits Governor Emergency Declaration Powers Bill Passed - House (116 - 86)
1/27 HB 14 Extends the Statute of Limitations for Childhood Sexual Abuse. Bill Passed - House (187 - 15)
1/27 SB 109 Appropriates Funds for COVID-19 Relief Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
1/26 SB 2 Specifies Executive Power Over Disaster Emergency Declarations and Management Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20)
11/20 SB 1350 Appropriates Funds for the 2021 General Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
11/20 HB 2536 Appropriates funds for the Emergency COVID-19 Response Concurrence Vote Passed - House (108 - 92)
11/20 HB 1737 Establishes Liability Protection to Healthcare Practitioners and Manufacturers of Personal Protective Equipment Concurrence Vote Passed - House (104 - 98)
11/20 SB 1350 Appropriates Funds for the 2021 General Budget Bill Passed - House (104 - 97)
11/20 HB 2536 Appropriates funds for the Emergency COVID-19 Response Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
11/19 HB 1737 Establishes Liability Protection to Healthcare Practitioners and Manufacturers of Personal Protective Equipment Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
11/19 SB 845 Specifies the Size, Weight, Loads, and Regulations for Electric Vehicles Bill Passed - House (132 - 70)
11/19 HR 1100 Requires Legislative Committee Audit Ballots Cast in 2020 General Election Resolution Passed - House (112 - 90)
11/18 SB 1216 Authorizes the Issuance of Temporary Teaching Certificates Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
11/18 HB 2440 Classifies Shooting Ranges, Sportsman Clubs, Hunting Facilities, and Firearm Businesses as "Life-Sustaining" Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
11/18 HB 1747 Limits the Governors Ability to Restrict Firearm Access During a Disaster Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
11/18 HB 1808 Defines Waste Classification in the Recycling Industry to Encourage Investment Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
11/18 HB 1348 Establishes Limited Civil Liability for Agritourism Activity Providers Bill Passed - House (120 - 81)
11/17 SB 790 Repeals Certain Oil and Gas Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
10/21 HB 2438 Authorizes Rural Electric Cooperatives to Use Existing Infrastructure for High-Speed Internet Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
10/21 HB 440 Repeals Obligation to Pay Outstanding Court-Ordered Finances Before Eligible Cases Are Sealed Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
10/21 SB 1112 Repeals Certain Existing Telecommunications Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
10/20 SB 1199 Specifies Provisions for Personal Delivery Devices Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
10/19 SB 1199 Specifies Provisions for Personal Delivery Devices Bill Passed - House (105 - 97)
10/06 SB 1268 Authorizes Certification of Temporary Nurse Aides During COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
10/05 HB 1984 Authorizes a Parent to Petition to Terminate the Other Parent's Parental Rights Prior to Making Adoption Arrangements in Cases of Rape or Incest Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
9/23 HB 2513 Authorizes Restaurants and Bars to Open at 50 Percent Capacity Concurrence Vote Passed - House (145 - 56)
9/22 HB 2513 Authorizes Restaurants and Bars to Open at 50 Percent Capacity Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 6)
9/22 SB 1164 Amends County Coroner Notification Requirements for Contagious Disease Deaths Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
9/15 HB 2530 Prohibits Governor from Disallowing Gatherings at Places of Worship Bill Passed - House (149 - 53)
9/09 HB 2025 Requires Legislative Authorization Before Entering a State or Regional Greenhouse Gas Cap-and-Trade Program Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
9/09 HB 2787 Authorizes Individual School Districts to Make Decisions Surrounding Activities and COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
9/02 HB 2787 Authorizes Individual School Districts to Make Decisions Surrounding Activities and COVID-19 Bill Passed - House (155 - 47)
9/02 HB 1566 Prohibits License Revocation as Punishment for Not Following Disaster Declaration Bill Passed - House (115 - 87)
9/02 HB 2626 Amends the Deadline for Mail-In Voting From 7 to 15 Days Before an Election Bill Passed - House (112 - 90)
9/02 HB 2788 Authorizes Students to Repeat a Grade Level Due to COVID-19 Bill Passed - House (197 - 5)
7/15 SB 1166 Limits the Governor's Emergency Powers Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 17)

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