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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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) |