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
March 1, 2018 WA HB 2578 Establishes Source-of-Income Housing Non-Discrimination Policy Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
Feb. 28, 2018 WA HB 1513 Authorizes Automatic Voter Pre-Registration for 16 and 17 Year Old Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
Feb. 27, 2018 WA SB 5992 Prohibits Bump Stocks Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
Feb. 27, 2018 WA HB 2282 Establishes State Net Neutrality Policy Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
Feb. 23, 2018 WA SB 6617 Exempts Legislators from Public Records Law Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 7)
Feb. 22, 2018 WA SB 6052 Repeals Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
Feb. 10, 2018 WA SB 6199 Authorizes Privatization of Home-Care Workforce Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
Feb. 9, 2018 WA SB 6298 Amends Definitions and Regulations for Domestic Violence Crimes Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
Jan. 25, 2018 WA SB 5992 Prohibits Bump Stocks Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
Jan. 19, 2018 WA SB 5766 Requires School Districts to Adopt Transgender Student Policies and Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
Jan. 19, 2018 WA SB 5722 Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
Jan. 18, 2018 WA SB 6091 Authorizes Rural Landowners to Tap Household Wells Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
June 30, 2017 WA SB 5883 Establishes Washington State's Budget for the Fiscal Biennium 2017-2019 Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
June 30, 2017 WA SB 5975 Establishes Paid Family Leave Insurance Program Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
April 20, 2017 WA SB 5289 Prohibits Cell-Phone Use on Highways Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
April 12, 2017 WA HB 1234 Requires Coverage for 12-Month Refills of Contraceptive Drugs Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
April 11, 2017 WA HB 1017 Authorizes Urban School Districts to Build in Rural Areas Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17)
April 11, 2017 WA HB 1493 Regulates Commercial Use of Biometric Data Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
April 7, 2017 WA HB 1595 Establishes Fees for Printed and Digital Copies of Public Records Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 4)
April 6, 2017 WA SB 5893 Expands Vehicle Valuation Methods Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24)
March 23, 2017 WA SB 5048 Establishes 2017-2019 Fiscal Biennium Operating Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24)
March 6, 2017 WA SB 5289 Prohibits Cell-Phone Use on Highways Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
March 2, 2017 WA SB 5223 Prohibits Localities from Permitting Heroin Injection Sites Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
Feb. 28, 2017 WA SB 5008 Modifies Legislation Related to REAL ID Compliance Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4)
March 10, 2016 WA SB 6194 Authorizes Public Charter Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
Feb. 26, 2016 WA SB 6246 2016-2017 Supplemental Budget Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 22)
Feb. 16, 2016 WA SB 6195 Amends Education Funding System Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
Feb. 10, 2016 WA SB 6443 Repeals Rule Authorizing Use of Bathrooms Consistent with Gender Identity Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 25)
Jan. 20, 2016 WA SB 6194 Authorizes Commission Oversight for Public Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
July 9, 2015 WA HB 2266 Establishes a Delay on Class Size Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11)
June 30, 2015 WA HB 2266 Establishes a Delay on Class Size Restrictions Bill Failed - Senate (27 - 17)
April 6, 2015 WA SB 6088 Amends Class Size-Related Funding Calculation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
March 11, 2015 WA SB 5748 Requires the Use of Test Scores in Teacher Evaluations Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
March 10, 2015 WA SB 5899 Establishes Small Loans and Small Consumer Installment Loans Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
March 10, 2015 WA SB 5513 Reduces Minimum Age to Settle a Worker's Compensation Claim Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
March 9, 2015 WA SB 5735 Establishes Carbon Reduction Investment as Alternative to Meeting Renewable Energy Targets Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
March 2, 2015 WA SB 5987 Increases Gas Tax and Amends Transportation Funding Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
March 8, 2014 WA SB 5887 Establishes Medical and Retail Marijuana Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
Jan. 31, 2014 WA SB 6523 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Non-Citizen Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 10)
June 13, 2013 WA HB 2075 Repeals Marital Trust Estate Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
April 12, 2013 WA HB 1001 Establishes a Liquor License for Small Theaters Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
March 13, 2013 WA SB 5802 Authorizes a Carbon Emissions Reduction Study Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
March 8, 2013 WA SB 5187 Authorizes Livestock Owners to Dispatch Gray Wolves Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 23)
March 6, 2013 WA SB 5328 Establishes a Grading System for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
Feb. 4, 2013 WA SB 5128 Authorizes Voluntary Settlements for Workers' Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24)
Feb. 4, 2013 WA SB 5112 Amends Scheduling Authority In Workers Compensation Rehabilitation Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24)
Feb. 4, 2013 WA SB 5127 Reduces Age Requirements for Workers' Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
April 11, 2012 WA HB 2565 Roll-Your-Own Cigarette Tax Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19)
April 11, 2012 WA SB 5940 Amends Public School Employees Retirement Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 20)
April 10, 2012 WA SB 6378 Amends State Employee Pension System Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
April 7, 2012 WA SB 6636 Requires a Balanced Budget Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
March 1, 2012 WA HB 2319 Requirements for Health Benefit Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
Feb. 1, 2012 WA EHCR 4409 Congressional and State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 4)
Feb. 1, 2012 WA SB 6239 Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
May 25, 2011 WA SB 5942 State Liquor Sales Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 19)
April 21, 2011 WA HB 1267 Definition of Parenthood Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 21)
April 20, 2011 WA SB 5622 Recreation Access on State Lands Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
April 9, 2011 WA HB 1382 Express Toll Lanes in the Eastside Corridor Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
March 29, 2011 WA SB 5251 Electric Vehicle Registration Fees Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
March 16, 2011 WA SB 5407 Prohibits Drivers Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Motion Rejected - Senate (23 - 25)
March 5, 2011 WA SB 5039 Tobacco Cessation Treatment Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
March 5, 2011 WA SB 5769 Coal-Fired Power Plants Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
March 2, 2011 WA SB 5073 Regulations for the Use of Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
April 12, 2010 WA SB 6444 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 21)
April 12, 2010 WA SB 6143 Tax Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 21)
April 12, 2010 WA HB 2836 2009-2011 Supplemental Biennium Capital Budget Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
April 12, 2010 WA HB 2493 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 17)
March 22, 2010 WA HB 2782 Limiting Disability Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 16)
March 10, 2010 WA SB 6364 2009 - 2011 Biennium Capital Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
Feb. 27, 2010 WA SB 6444 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 19)
Feb. 22, 2010 WA SB 6130 Initiative 960 (Tax Increase Restrictions) Suspension Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
Feb. 15, 2010 WA SB 6562 Expanding State University Tuition Authority Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
Feb. 9, 2010 WA SB 6382 Extending State Employee Salary Freeze Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
Feb. 9, 2010 WA SB 6843 Suspension of Tax Increase Vote Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
April 25, 2009 WA SB 5288 Probation Time Reductions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/01 HB 2578 Establishes Source-of-Income Housing Non-Discrimination Policy Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
2/28 HB 1513 Authorizes Automatic Voter Pre-Registration for 16 and 17 Year Old Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
2/27 SB 5992 Prohibits Bump Stocks Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
2/27 HB 2282 Establishes State Net Neutrality Policy Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
2/23 SB 6617 Exempts Legislators from Public Records Law Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 7)
2/22 SB 6052 Repeals Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
2/10 SB 6199 Authorizes Privatization of Home-Care Workforce Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
2/09 SB 6298 Amends Definitions and Regulations for Domestic Violence Crimes Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
1/25 SB 5992 Prohibits Bump Stocks Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
1/19 SB 5766 Requires School Districts to Adopt Transgender Student Policies and Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
1/19 SB 5722 Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
1/18 SB 6091 Authorizes Rural Landowners to Tap Household Wells Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
6/30 SB 5883 Establishes Washington State's Budget for the Fiscal Biennium 2017-2019 Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
6/30 SB 5975 Establishes Paid Family Leave Insurance Program Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
4/20 SB 5289 Prohibits Cell-Phone Use on Highways Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
4/12 HB 1234 Requires Coverage for 12-Month Refills of Contraceptive Drugs Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
4/11 HB 1017 Authorizes Urban School Districts to Build in Rural Areas Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17)
4/11 HB 1493 Regulates Commercial Use of Biometric Data Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
4/07 HB 1595 Establishes Fees for Printed and Digital Copies of Public Records Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 4)
4/06 SB 5893 Expands Vehicle Valuation Methods Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24)
3/23 SB 5048 Establishes 2017-2019 Fiscal Biennium Operating Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24)
3/06 SB 5289 Prohibits Cell-Phone Use on Highways Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
3/02 SB 5223 Prohibits Localities from Permitting Heroin Injection Sites Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
2/28 SB 5008 Modifies Legislation Related to REAL ID Compliance Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4)
3/10 SB 6194 Authorizes Public Charter Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
2/26 SB 6246 2016-2017 Supplemental Budget Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 22)
2/16 SB 6195 Amends Education Funding System Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
2/10 SB 6443 Repeals Rule Authorizing Use of Bathrooms Consistent with Gender Identity Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 25)
1/20 SB 6194 Authorizes Commission Oversight for Public Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
7/09 HB 2266 Establishes a Delay on Class Size Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11)
6/30 HB 2266 Establishes a Delay on Class Size Restrictions Bill Failed - Senate (27 - 17)
4/06 SB 6088 Amends Class Size-Related Funding Calculation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
3/11 SB 5748 Requires the Use of Test Scores in Teacher Evaluations Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
3/10 SB 5899 Establishes Small Loans and Small Consumer Installment Loans Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
3/10 SB 5513 Reduces Minimum Age to Settle a Worker's Compensation Claim Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
3/09 SB 5735 Establishes Carbon Reduction Investment as Alternative to Meeting Renewable Energy Targets Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
3/02 SB 5987 Increases Gas Tax and Amends Transportation Funding Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
3/08 SB 5887 Establishes Medical and Retail Marijuana Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
1/31 SB 6523 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Non-Citizen Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 10)
6/13 HB 2075 Repeals Marital Trust Estate Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
4/12 HB 1001 Establishes a Liquor License for Small Theaters Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
3/13 SB 5802 Authorizes a Carbon Emissions Reduction Study Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
3/08 SB 5187 Authorizes Livestock Owners to Dispatch Gray Wolves Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 23)
3/06 SB 5328 Establishes a Grading System for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
2/04 SB 5128 Authorizes Voluntary Settlements for Workers' Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24)
2/04 SB 5112 Amends Scheduling Authority In Workers Compensation Rehabilitation Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24)
2/04 SB 5127 Reduces Age Requirements for Workers' Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
4/11 HB 2565 Roll-Your-Own Cigarette Tax Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19)
4/11 SB 5940 Amends Public School Employees Retirement Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 20)
4/10 SB 6378 Amends State Employee Pension System Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
4/07 SB 6636 Requires a Balanced Budget Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
3/01 HB 2319 Requirements for Health Benefit Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
2/01 EHCR 4409 Congressional and State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 4)
2/01 SB 6239 Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
5/25 SB 5942 State Liquor Sales Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 19)
4/21 HB 1267 Definition of Parenthood Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 21)
4/20 SB 5622 Recreation Access on State Lands Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
4/09 HB 1382 Express Toll Lanes in the Eastside Corridor Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
3/29 SB 5251 Electric Vehicle Registration Fees Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
3/16 SB 5407 Prohibits Drivers Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Motion Rejected - Senate (23 - 25)
3/05 SB 5039 Tobacco Cessation Treatment Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
3/05 SB 5769 Coal-Fired Power Plants Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
3/02 SB 5073 Regulations for the Use of Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
4/12 SB 6444 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 21)
4/12 SB 6143 Tax Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 21)
4/12 HB 2836 2009-2011 Supplemental Biennium Capital Budget Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
4/12 HB 2493 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 17)
3/22 HB 2782 Limiting Disability Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 16)
3/10 SB 6364 2009 - 2011 Biennium Capital Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
2/27 SB 6444 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 19)
2/22 SB 6130 Initiative 960 (Tax Increase Restrictions) Suspension Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
2/15 SB 6562 Expanding State University Tuition Authority Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
2/09 SB 6382 Extending State Employee Salary Freeze Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
2/09 SB 6843 Suspension of Tax Increase Vote Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
4/25 SB 5288 Probation Time Reductions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 23)

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