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 16, 2018 | PA | HB 2050 | Prohibits Abortions Based on a Diagnosis of Down Syndrome | Bill Passed - House (139 - 56) |
| April 11, 2018 | PA | HB 456 | Establishes Regulations for Tattoo Industry | Bill Passed - House (173 - 17) |
| April 11, 2018 | PA | HB 1419 | Authorizes Limited Access to Certain Criminal Records | Bill Passed - House (188 - 2) |
| 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. 18, 2017 | PA | HB 178 | Amends Public School Code | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (105 - 81) |
| 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) |
| June 13, 2017 | PA | HB 864 | Amends Gaming and Gambling Laws | Bill Passed - House (136 - 56) |
| 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) |
| March 16, 2016 | PA | SB 3 | Establishes Medical Marijuana Program | Bill Passed - House (149 - 43) |
| 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) |
| April 21, 2015 | PA | HB 874 | Repeals Exemptions for Harassment during Labor Disputes | Bill Passed - House (109 - 84) |
| 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) |
| Oct. 20, 2014 | PA | HB 80 | Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (138 - 56) |
| Oct. 15, 2014 | PA | HB 1565 | Amends Buffer Zone Requirements around Certain Streams | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (118 - 79) |
| Oct. 6, 2014 | PA | HB 1243 | Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - House (143 - 54) |
| Sept. 22, 2014 | PA | HB 1177 | Authorizes Cigarette Tax | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (114 - 84) |
| July 2, 2014 | PA | HB 1177 | Authorizes Cigarette and Hotel Taxes | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (119 - 80) |
| July 1, 2014 | PA | HB 2354 | Requires Legislative Approval for Certain Plans from the Department of Environmental Protection | Bill Passed - House (144 - 59) |
| June 29, 2014 | PA | HB 1013 | Amends Laws for Home-Schooled Individuals | Bill Passed - House (133 - 65) |
| Jan. 13, 2014 | PA | HB 1741 | Requires a School Board to Provide Public Notice Prior to Certain Votes | Bill Passed - House (102 - 98) |
| Jan. 13, 2014 | PA | HB 1411 | Requires Schools To Make Their Expenses Public | Bill Passed - House (119 - 81) |
| Dec. 17, 2013 | PA | HB 1234 | Reduces Size of General Assembly | Joint Resolution Passed - House (148 - 50) |
| July 1, 2013 | PA | HB 1075 | Amends Public Welfare Code | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (108 - 94) |
| May 6, 2013 | PA | HB 440 | Amends Tax Code | Bill Passed - House (129 - 65) |
| April 23, 2013 | PA | HB 818 | Prohibits Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance Exchanges | Bill Passed - House (144 - 53) |
| March 21, 2013 | PA | HB 790 | Requires the State to Privatize Alcohol Sales | Bill Passed - House (105 - 90) |
| Oct. 17, 2012 | PA | HB 2626 | Authorizes Employers to Keep Income Taxes Paid by their Employees | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (111 - 80) |
| Oct. 17, 2012 | PA | SB 941 | Increases Penalties for Public Intoxication | Bill Passed - House (104 - 87) |
| Oct. 3, 2012 | PA | SB 1480 | 2012-2013 Supplemental Capital Budget | Bill Passed - House (142 - 55) |
| Sept. 25, 2012 | PA | SB 367 | Authorizes Natural Resource Development | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (136 - 62) |
| June 30, 2012 | PA | HB 254 | Expands Use of Red-Light Cameras | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (113 - 72) |
| June 30, 2012 | PA | HB 761 | Exempts Certain Transfers from the Realty Transfer Tax | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (140 - 56) |
| June 30, 2012 | PA | HB 1261 | Repeals the General Assistance Cash Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (102 - 91) |
| June 30, 2012 | PA | HB 3 | Authorizes Public-Private Partnerships for Transportation Projects | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (117 - 79) |
| June 30, 2012 | PA | SB 1263 | Prohibits Gas Drilling in Certain Areas | Bill Passed - House (123 - 74) |
| June 30, 2012 | PA | SB 1115 | Amends Charter School Laws | Bill Passed - House (120 - 77) |
| June 28, 2012 | PA | HB 1307 | Authorizes State Control of Financially Distressed Schools | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (106 - 95) |
| June 28, 2012 | PA | SB 1466 | 2012-2013 Budget | Bill Passed - House (120 - 81) |
| June 18, 2012 | PA | HB 1521 | Prohibits Hidden Compartments in Vehicles | Bill Passed - House (114 - 83) |
| June 13, 2012 | PA | HB 2400 | Expands Wiretapping Authority | Bill Passed - House (145 - 52) |
| June 6, 2012 | PA | SB 1310 | Authorizes Repayment of Unemployment Debt to the Federal Government | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (129 - 67) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4/16 | HB 2050 | Prohibits Abortions Based on a Diagnosis of Down Syndrome | Bill Passed - House (139 - 56) |
| 4/11 | HB 456 | Establishes Regulations for Tattoo Industry | Bill Passed - House (173 - 17) |
| 4/11 | HB 1419 | Authorizes Limited Access to Certain Criminal Records | Bill Passed - House (188 - 2) |
| 3/13 | HB 153 | Decreases Size of State Legislature | Bill Passed - House (101 - 84) |
| 12/12 | SB 3 | Prohibits Dilation and Evacuation Abortions Prior to 20 Weeks | Bill Passed - House (121 - 70) |
| 10/18 | HB 178 | Amends Public School Code | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (105 - 81) |
| 9/26 | HB 171 | Authorizes Any Registered Vote to be Appointed a Poll Watcher | Bill Passed - House (106 - 91) |
| 9/13 | HB 453 | Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 91) |
| 6/13 | HB 864 | Amends Gaming and Gambling Laws | Bill Passed - House (136 - 56) |
| 4/26 | HB 671 | Authorizes Lawsuits Against Local Governments with Gun Ordinances | Bill Passed - House (134 - 53) |
| 4/25 | HB 97 | Prohibits Failing Students from Continuing Online Charter School | Bill Passed - House (108 - 84) |
| 4/25 | HB 1071 | Prohibits Bans, Fees, and Taxes on Recyclable Plastic Bags | Bill Passed - House (102 - 87) |
| 4/05 | HB 741 | Reinstates Mandatory Minimum Sentences | Bill Passed - House (122 - 67) |
| 4/04 | HB 218 | Establishes a Budget for the Fiscal Year 2017-2018 | Bill Passed - House (144 - 84) |
| 4/04 | HB 271 | Establishes Internet Gambling Regulations | Bill Passed - House (142 - 56) |
| 3/16 | SB 3 | Establishes Medical Marijuana Program | Bill Passed - House (149 - 43) |
| 6/27 | HB 1192 | Establishes State Budget for FY 2015-2016 | Bill Passed - House (112 - 77) |
| 6/23 | HB 805 | Requires Schools to Use Teacher Performance Evaluations | Bill Passed - House (100 - 91) |
| 4/21 | HB 874 | Repeals Exemptions for Harassment during Labor Disputes | Bill Passed - House (109 - 84) |
| 3/04 | HB 530 | Amends Charter School Laws | Bill Passed - House (118 - 78) |
| 2/26 | HB 466 | Authorizes Private Alcohol Sales | Bill Passed - House (114 - 87) |
| 10/20 | HB 80 | Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (138 - 56) |
| 10/15 | HB 1565 | Amends Buffer Zone Requirements around Certain Streams | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (118 - 79) |
| 10/06 | HB 1243 | Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - House (143 - 54) |
| 9/22 | HB 1177 | Authorizes Cigarette Tax | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (114 - 84) |
| 7/02 | HB 1177 | Authorizes Cigarette and Hotel Taxes | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (119 - 80) |
| 7/01 | HB 2354 | Requires Legislative Approval for Certain Plans from the Department of Environmental Protection | Bill Passed - House (144 - 59) |
| 6/29 | HB 1013 | Amends Laws for Home-Schooled Individuals | Bill Passed - House (133 - 65) |
| 1/13 | HB 1741 | Requires a School Board to Provide Public Notice Prior to Certain Votes | Bill Passed - House (102 - 98) |
| 1/13 | HB 1411 | Requires Schools To Make Their Expenses Public | Bill Passed - House (119 - 81) |
| 12/17 | HB 1234 | Reduces Size of General Assembly | Joint Resolution Passed - House (148 - 50) |
| 7/01 | HB 1075 | Amends Public Welfare Code | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (108 - 94) |
| 5/06 | HB 440 | Amends Tax Code | Bill Passed - House (129 - 65) |
| 4/23 | HB 818 | Prohibits Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance Exchanges | Bill Passed - House (144 - 53) |
| 3/21 | HB 790 | Requires the State to Privatize Alcohol Sales | Bill Passed - House (105 - 90) |
| 10/17 | HB 2626 | Authorizes Employers to Keep Income Taxes Paid by their Employees | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (111 - 80) |
| 10/17 | SB 941 | Increases Penalties for Public Intoxication | Bill Passed - House (104 - 87) |
| 10/03 | SB 1480 | 2012-2013 Supplemental Capital Budget | Bill Passed - House (142 - 55) |
| 9/25 | SB 367 | Authorizes Natural Resource Development | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (136 - 62) |
| 6/30 | HB 254 | Expands Use of Red-Light Cameras | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (113 - 72) |
| 6/30 | HB 761 | Exempts Certain Transfers from the Realty Transfer Tax | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (140 - 56) |
| 6/30 | HB 1261 | Repeals the General Assistance Cash Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (102 - 91) |
| 6/30 | HB 3 | Authorizes Public-Private Partnerships for Transportation Projects | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (117 - 79) |
| 6/30 | SB 1263 | Prohibits Gas Drilling in Certain Areas | Bill Passed - House (123 - 74) |
| 6/30 | SB 1115 | Amends Charter School Laws | Bill Passed - House (120 - 77) |
| 6/28 | HB 1307 | Authorizes State Control of Financially Distressed Schools | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (106 - 95) |
| 6/28 | SB 1466 | 2012-2013 Budget | Bill Passed - House (120 - 81) |
| 6/18 | HB 1521 | Prohibits Hidden Compartments in Vehicles | Bill Passed - House (114 - 83) |
| 6/13 | HB 2400 | Expands Wiretapping Authority | Bill Passed - House (145 - 52) |
| 6/06 | SB 1310 | Authorizes Repayment of Unemployment Debt to the Federal Government | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (129 - 67) |