Key Votes

Chamber

Keyword Search

Search string must be longer than 3 characters.

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
June 17, 2014 RI S 2690A Establishes the Renewable Growth Energy Program Bill Passed - House (63 - 7)
June 17, 2014 RI H 7764 Prohibits Certain Employers From Hiring Sex Offenders Bill Passed - House (67 - 3)
June 16, 2014 RI H 7133AAA 2014-2015 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
June 13, 2014 RI H 7133AAA 2014-2015 Budget Bill Passed - House (63 - 12)
June 5, 2014 RI S 2796A Establishes Preference In State and Business Contracts Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
May 27, 2014 RI H 7096A Reduces the Frequency of Teacher Evaluations Bill Passed - House (69 - 3)
May 14, 2014 RI S 2059 Prohibits State Assessments for Graduation Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
May 1, 2014 RI H 7944A Authorizes State Fiscal Oversight of Certain Fire Districts Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
May 22, 2013 RI S 256 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
May 9, 2013 RI H 5140 Classifies a Seat Belt Violation as a Primary Offense Bill Passed - House (53 - 17)
May 2, 2013 RI H 5015 Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 15)
April 24, 2013 RI H 5015 Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
Jan. 24, 2013 RI H 5015 Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (51 - 19)
June 13, 2012 RI H 7782 Regulates Auto Insurance Company Claims and Practices Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
June 13, 2012 RI H 7909 Requires State Health Laws to Comply with the Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
June 12, 2012 RI S 2052 Homeless Bill of Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 2)
June 12, 2012 RI S 2052 Homeless Bill of Rights Bill Passed - House (59 - 6)
June 11, 2012 RI H 7323 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
June 11, 2012 RI S 2374 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (60 - 8)
June 11, 2012 RI H 7909 Requires State Health Laws to Comply with the Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - House (56 - 9)
June 11, 2012 RI H 7782 Regulates Auto Insurance Company Claims and Practices Bill Passed - House (38 - 20)
June 8, 2012 RI H 7323 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - House (57 - 15)
June 7, 2012 RI S 2374 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
June 5, 2012 RI H 7092 Reduces Penalties for Possession of Marijuana Bill Passed - House (50 - 24)
June 5, 2012 RI S 2253 Reduces Penalties for Possession of Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
May 16, 2012 RI H 7888 A Authorizes Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Bill Passed - House (64 - 7)
May 9, 2012 RI S 2555 A Authorizes Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 3)
March 13, 2012 RI S 2322 Prohibits The Use Of Tanning Facilities By Minors Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
Feb. 1, 2012 RI S 2178 State Senate, State House, and Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (56 - 12)
Feb. 1, 2012 RI S 2178 State Senate, State House, and Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 2)
Nov. 17, 2011 RI H 6319 Amending the Pension System Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
Nov. 17, 2011 RI H 6319 Amending the Pension System Bill Passed - House (57 - 15)
June 30, 2011 RI S 400 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - House (51 - 22)
June 29, 2011 RI H 6103 Authorizes Civil Unions Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
May 19, 2011 RI H 6103 Authorizes Civil Unions Bill Passed - House (62 - 11)
May 12, 2011 RI S 400 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
April 5, 2011 RI S 87 Establishing the Rhode Island Health Benefit Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
June 10, 2010 RI H 8094 Education Funding Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 10)
June 10, 2010 RI H 8094 Education Funding Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
Oct. 29, 2009 RI HB 5044 Prostitution Ban Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 9)
Oct. 29, 2009 RI HB 5044 Prostitution Ban Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
June 30, 2009 RI S 286 Relating to Video Lottery Terminals Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
June 30, 2009 RI H 5005 Voter Pre-Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
June 26, 2009 RI S 286 Relating to Video Lottery Terminals Bill Passed - House (63 - 9)
June 26, 2009 RI H 5983 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
June 24, 2009 RI H 5983 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - House (69 - 5)
June 18, 2009 RI H 5569 National Popular Vote Act Bill Failed - House (28 - 45)
June 16, 2009 RI H 5359 Medical Marijuana Veto Override Passed - Senate (35 - 3)
June 9, 2009 RI H 6088 Limiting Alcohol Sales Bill Passed - House (35 - 33)
June 4, 2009 RI H 5336 Coastal Resources Management Council Bill Passed - House (60 - 8)
May 28, 2009 RI H 5097 Requiring Voters to Present ID at Polls Bill Passed - House (48 - 24)
May 27, 2009 RI S 659 Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
May 20, 2009 RI H 5359 Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - House (63 - 5)
May 19, 2009 RI H 5769 Boxing Rule Changes Bill Passed - House (53 - 13)
May 12, 2009 RI H 5143 E-Verify Bill Bill Passed - House (38 - 33)
April 2, 2009 RI H 5019 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
April 1, 2009 RI H 5019 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (58 - 16)
March 10, 2009 RI H 5005 Voter Pre-Registration Bill Passed - House (56 - 10)
Jan. 14, 2009 RI H 5097 Requiring Voters to Present ID at Polls
June 20, 2008 RI S 2706 Red Light Cameras Bill Passed - House (44 - 12)
June 19, 2008 RI S 2112 National Popular Vote Bill Passed - House (34 - 28)
June 17, 2008 RI S 2706 Red Light Cameras Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 2)
June 17, 2008 RI H 7106 Allow Sixteen- and Seventeen-Year-Olds to Pre-register to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
June 12, 2008 RI H 7222 page 5, re: Sec. 3-8-9: Transportation of Alcohol by Minors Bill Passed - House (52 - 14)
June 11, 2008 RI S 2081 Allowing Sixteen- and Seventeen-Year-Olds to Pre-register to Vote Bill Passed - House (55 - 9)
May 27, 2008 RI S 2112 National Popular Vote Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
May 27, 2008 RI S 2081 Allowing Sixteen- and Seventeen-Year-Olds to Pre-register to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4)
May 8, 2008 RI H 7106 Allow Sixteen- and Seventeen-Year-Olds to Pre-register to Vote Bill Passed - House (51 - 11)
May 6, 2008 RI H 7040 Twenty-Four Hour Operation of Video Lottery Games Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
May 6, 2008 RI H 7040 Twenty-Four Hour Operation of Video Lottery Games Veto Override Passed - House (51 - 16)
May 1, 2008 RI H 7204 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
April 29, 2008 RI H 7040 Twenty-Four Hour Operation of Video Lottery Games Bill Passed - House (51 - 19)
April 29, 2008 RI H 7107 Employment Verification Program Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
April 29, 2008 RI S 2009 Expansion of Video Lottery Facility Hours Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
April 25, 2008 RI H 7204 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (60 - 12)
June 19, 2007 RI LCO # 2552/4 to H5300Aaa Repeal of Provision Requiring the Trying Seventeen Year-Olds as Adults in Criminal Cases Amendment Rejected - Senate (5 - 30)
June 19, 2007 RI LCO # 2572/2 to H5300A Privatization of State Services Repeal Amendment Rejected - Senate (9 - 24)
June 19, 2007 RI H 5127 Mandatory Minimum Drug Possession Sentence Repeal Bill Passed - House (54 - 6)
June 15, 2007 RI Article 22 of H5300A Classifying Seventeen Year-Olds as Adults in Criminal Cases Amendment Adopted - House (48 - 19)
June 15, 2007 RI LCO # 1305/22 to H5300A Privatization of State Services Amendment Adopted - House (61 - 13)
June 15, 2007 RI LCO # 2551/12 to H5300A Long-Term Capital Gains Tax Amendment Rejected - House (23 - 50)
May 10, 2007 RI S 21 Telephone Political Solicitation Act Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
June 23, 2006 RI H 6885 International Trade Agreements Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
June 23, 2006 RI H 6885 International Trade Agreements Veto Override Passed - House (49 - 15)
June 19, 2006 RI Article 24 to H 7120 Sub A Article 24 Relating to Tuition Tax Credits Motion Agreed - House (62 - 8)
June 19, 2006 RI LCO # 2167/2 Tax Credits for Contributions to Scholarship Programs Amendment Rejected - House (32 - 39)
June 19, 2006 RI LCO # 2143/2 Affordable Housing Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (22 - 43)
June 19, 2006 RI LCO # 2161/3 to H 7120 Sub A Education Funding Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (23 - 47)
June 15, 2006 RI LCO # 2223/6 Campaign Contributions and Expenditures Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (25 - 36)
June 13, 2006 RI H 6874 Ballot Questions from Governor Veto Override Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
June 6, 2006 RI H 6874 Ballot Questions from Governor Veto Override Passed - House (50 - 23)
June 1, 2006 RI LCO # 2854/19 West Warwick Casino Competative Bidding Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (16 - 17)
June 1, 2006 RI H 7935 Sub. A West Warwick Casino Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
May 25, 2006 RI H 7935 Sub. A West Warwick Casino Joint Resolution Passed - House (44 - 28)
May 23, 2006 RI S 2094 Sub. A Contract Reporting Requirements Act Bill Passed - House (49 - 11)
May 9, 2006 RI H 7339 Restriction on Political Surveillance Bill Passed - House (36 - 25)
May 3, 2006 RI H 7720 Sub. A Income Tax Reduction Bill Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
May 3, 2006 RI S 2486 Ex-Felon's Voting Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
Feb. 16, 2006 RI S 2112 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - House (51 - 6)
Feb. 2, 2006 RI S 2112 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/17 S 2690A Establishes the Renewable Growth Energy Program Bill Passed - House (63 - 7)
6/17 H 7764 Prohibits Certain Employers From Hiring Sex Offenders Bill Passed - House (67 - 3)
6/16 H 7133AAA 2014-2015 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
6/13 H 7133AAA 2014-2015 Budget Bill Passed - House (63 - 12)
6/05 S 2796A Establishes Preference In State and Business Contracts Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
5/27 H 7096A Reduces the Frequency of Teacher Evaluations Bill Passed - House (69 - 3)
5/14 S 2059 Prohibits State Assessments for Graduation Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
5/01 H 7944A Authorizes State Fiscal Oversight of Certain Fire Districts Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
5/22 S 256 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
5/09 H 5140 Classifies a Seat Belt Violation as a Primary Offense Bill Passed - House (53 - 17)
5/02 H 5015 Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 15)
4/24 H 5015 Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
1/24 H 5015 Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (51 - 19)
6/13 H 7782 Regulates Auto Insurance Company Claims and Practices Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
6/13 H 7909 Requires State Health Laws to Comply with the Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
6/12 S 2052 Homeless Bill of Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 2)
6/12 S 2052 Homeless Bill of Rights Bill Passed - House (59 - 6)
6/11 H 7323 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
6/11 S 2374 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (60 - 8)
6/11 H 7909 Requires State Health Laws to Comply with the Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - House (56 - 9)
6/11 H 7782 Regulates Auto Insurance Company Claims and Practices Bill Passed - House (38 - 20)
6/08 H 7323 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - House (57 - 15)
6/07 S 2374 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
6/05 H 7092 Reduces Penalties for Possession of Marijuana Bill Passed - House (50 - 24)
6/05 S 2253 Reduces Penalties for Possession of Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
5/16 H 7888 A Authorizes Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Bill Passed - House (64 - 7)
5/09 S 2555 A Authorizes Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 3)
3/13 S 2322 Prohibits The Use Of Tanning Facilities By Minors Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
2/01 S 2178 State Senate, State House, and Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (56 - 12)
2/01 S 2178 State Senate, State House, and Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 2)
11/17 H 6319 Amending the Pension System Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
11/17 H 6319 Amending the Pension System Bill Passed - House (57 - 15)
6/30 S 400 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - House (51 - 22)
6/29 H 6103 Authorizes Civil Unions Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
5/19 H 6103 Authorizes Civil Unions Bill Passed - House (62 - 11)
5/12 S 400 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
4/05 S 87 Establishing the Rhode Island Health Benefit Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
6/10 H 8094 Education Funding Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 10)
6/10 H 8094 Education Funding Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
10/29 HB 5044 Prostitution Ban Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 9)
10/29 HB 5044 Prostitution Ban Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
6/30 S 286 Relating to Video Lottery Terminals Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
6/30 H 5005 Voter Pre-Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
6/26 S 286 Relating to Video Lottery Terminals Bill Passed - House (63 - 9)
6/26 H 5983 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
6/24 H 5983 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - House (69 - 5)
6/18 H 5569 National Popular Vote Act Bill Failed - House (28 - 45)
6/16 H 5359 Medical Marijuana Veto Override Passed - Senate (35 - 3)
6/09 H 6088 Limiting Alcohol Sales Bill Passed - House (35 - 33)
6/04 H 5336 Coastal Resources Management Council Bill Passed - House (60 - 8)
5/28 H 5097 Requiring Voters to Present ID at Polls Bill Passed - House (48 - 24)
5/27 S 659 Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
5/20 H 5359 Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - House (63 - 5)
5/19 H 5769 Boxing Rule Changes Bill Passed - House (53 - 13)
5/12 H 5143 E-Verify Bill Bill Passed - House (38 - 33)
4/02 H 5019 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
4/01 H 5019 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (58 - 16)
3/10 H 5005 Voter Pre-Registration Bill Passed - House (56 - 10)
1/14 H 5097 Requiring Voters to Present ID at Polls
6/20 S 2706 Red Light Cameras Bill Passed - House (44 - 12)
6/19 S 2112 National Popular Vote Bill Passed - House (34 - 28)
6/17 S 2706 Red Light Cameras Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 2)
6/17 H 7106 Allow Sixteen- and Seventeen-Year-Olds to Pre-register to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
6/12 H 7222 page 5, re: Sec. 3-8-9: Transportation of Alcohol by Minors Bill Passed - House (52 - 14)
6/11 S 2081 Allowing Sixteen- and Seventeen-Year-Olds to Pre-register to Vote Bill Passed - House (55 - 9)
5/27 S 2112 National Popular Vote Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
5/27 S 2081 Allowing Sixteen- and Seventeen-Year-Olds to Pre-register to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4)
5/08 H 7106 Allow Sixteen- and Seventeen-Year-Olds to Pre-register to Vote Bill Passed - House (51 - 11)
5/06 H 7040 Twenty-Four Hour Operation of Video Lottery Games Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
5/06 H 7040 Twenty-Four Hour Operation of Video Lottery Games Veto Override Passed - House (51 - 16)
5/01 H 7204 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
4/29 H 7040 Twenty-Four Hour Operation of Video Lottery Games Bill Passed - House (51 - 19)
4/29 H 7107 Employment Verification Program Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
4/29 S 2009 Expansion of Video Lottery Facility Hours Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
4/25 H 7204 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (60 - 12)
6/19 LCO # 2552/4 to H5300Aaa Repeal of Provision Requiring the Trying Seventeen Year-Olds as Adults in Criminal Cases Amendment Rejected - Senate (5 - 30)
6/19 LCO # 2572/2 to H5300A Privatization of State Services Repeal Amendment Rejected - Senate (9 - 24)
6/19 H 5127 Mandatory Minimum Drug Possession Sentence Repeal Bill Passed - House (54 - 6)
6/15 Article 22 of H5300A Classifying Seventeen Year-Olds as Adults in Criminal Cases Amendment Adopted - House (48 - 19)
6/15 LCO # 1305/22 to H5300A Privatization of State Services Amendment Adopted - House (61 - 13)
6/15 LCO # 2551/12 to H5300A Long-Term Capital Gains Tax Amendment Rejected - House (23 - 50)
5/10 S 21 Telephone Political Solicitation Act Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
6/23 H 6885 International Trade Agreements Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
6/23 H 6885 International Trade Agreements Veto Override Passed - House (49 - 15)
6/19 Article 24 to H 7120 Sub A Article 24 Relating to Tuition Tax Credits Motion Agreed - House (62 - 8)
6/19 LCO # 2167/2 Tax Credits for Contributions to Scholarship Programs Amendment Rejected - House (32 - 39)
6/19 LCO # 2143/2 Affordable Housing Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (22 - 43)
6/19 LCO # 2161/3 to H 7120 Sub A Education Funding Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (23 - 47)
6/15 LCO # 2223/6 Campaign Contributions and Expenditures Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (25 - 36)
6/13 H 6874 Ballot Questions from Governor Veto Override Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
6/06 H 6874 Ballot Questions from Governor Veto Override Passed - House (50 - 23)
6/01 LCO # 2854/19 West Warwick Casino Competative Bidding Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (16 - 17)
6/01 H 7935 Sub. A West Warwick Casino Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
5/25 H 7935 Sub. A West Warwick Casino Joint Resolution Passed - House (44 - 28)
5/23 S 2094 Sub. A Contract Reporting Requirements Act Bill Passed - House (49 - 11)
5/09 H 7339 Restriction on Political Surveillance Bill Passed - House (36 - 25)
5/03 H 7720 Sub. A Income Tax Reduction Bill Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
5/03 S 2486 Ex-Felon's Voting Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
2/16 S 2112 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - House (51 - 6)
2/02 S 2112 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)

arrow_upward