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
Sept. 14, 2016 MO HB 1870 Reauthorizes Small Business Tax Deductions Veto Override Failed - Senate (18 - 12)
Aug. 31, 2016 CA SB 1241 Amends Current Provisions of Labor Contracts Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
Aug. 31, 2016 CA SB 654 Authorizes Paid Family Leave Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
Aug. 31, 2016 CA SB 654 Authorizes Paid Family Leave Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
Aug. 22, 2016 CA AB 1843 Prohibits Employers from Asking Applicants to Disclose Criminal History Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
Aug. 22, 2016 CA AB 1066 Requires Overtime Pay for Farmworkers Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
Aug. 15, 2016 CA AB 1687 Requires Entertainment Database Websites to Remove Actor's Age Upon Request Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
July 7, 2016 National S 764 Establishes Labeling Standards for Genetically Modified Foods Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (63 - 30)
June 17, 2016 RI S 2864 Establishes Regulations for Rideshare Companies Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
May 25, 2016 OH HB 180 Prohibits Local Hiring Requirement in Labor Contracts Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
May 25, 2016 OH HB 180 Prohibits Local Hiring Requirement in Labor Contracts Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
May 25, 2016 OH SB 331 Establishes Regulations for Dog Sales Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
May 5, 2016 NH HB 1252 Authorizes Employers to Pay Wages Biweekly Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 12)
May 4, 2016 OH SB 152 Prohibits Local Hiring Requirement in Labor Contracts Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (8 - 25)
May 4, 2016 AZ SB 1400 Amends Review Process for County Water Supply Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
May 4, 2016 OH SB 152 Prohibits Local Hiring Requirement in Labor Contracts Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (8 - 25)
April 20, 2016 NE LB 947 Authorizes Certain Immigrants to Qualify for Professional Licenses Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
April 13, 2016 NE LB 947 Authorizes Certain Immigrants to Qualify for Professional Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11)
April 12, 2016 HI HB 2501 Authorizes Extension for Water Permits Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 6)
April 12, 2016 LA SB 254 Expands Equal Pay Protections Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
April 8, 2016 MD SB 1112 Establishes Tax Credit for Certain Aerospace Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
April 7, 2016 MD HB 1003 Prohibits Wage Discrimination on Basis of Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13)
April 7, 2016 National S Amdt 3483 Establishes Standards for Passenger Space on Airplanes Amendment Rejected - Senate (42 - 54)
April 6, 2016 MO SCR 46 Prohibits a Wage Range Increase for Personal Care Attendants Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
March 31, 2016 CA SB 3 Increases Minimum Wage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
March 31, 2016 CA SB 3 Increases Minimum Wage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
March 30, 2016 AK SB 1 Prohibits Smoking in Public Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
March 23, 2016 AK SB 125 Amends Alaska Gasline Development Corporation Board of Directors Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 7)
March 17, 2016 NE LB 83 Prohibits Wage Discrimination in Small Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
March 17, 2016 KY SB 297 Repeals State Coal Mine Inspections Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
March 15, 2016 ID H 372 Prohibits Local Limitation on Use of Plastic Bags Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
March 15, 2016 WI SB 239 Amends Regulations for High Capacity Wells Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
March 14, 2016 KY SB 205 Establishes Regulations for Nursing Home Advertisements Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
March 10, 2016 CA SB 7 Increases Smoking Age to 21 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
March 10, 2016 CA SB 5 Amends Regulations for E-Cigarettes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
March 10, 2016 AZ HB 2131 Prohibits Local Governments from Taxing Disposable Bags Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
March 9, 2016 UT HB 251 Prohibits Non-Compete Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
March 3, 2016 MO SB 919 Authorizes Breweries to Lease Coolers to Stores Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
March 2, 2016 IA SF 2252 Requires Accommodations for Employees During Pregnancy Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
Feb. 29, 2016 TN SB 2094 Limits Liquor Retailers to 2 Stores Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 6)
Feb. 26, 2016 VA HB 1371 Prohibits Cities from Increasing Minimum Wage or Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 26, 2016 VA HB 1371 Prohibits Cities from Increasing Minimum Wage or Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 25, 2016 AL HB 174 Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Wage or Employee Benefits Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
Feb. 25, 2016 AL HB 174 Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Wage or Employee Benefits Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
Feb. 24, 2016 SD SB 159 Authorizes Education Tax Credit for Insurance Companies Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
Feb. 22, 2016 CO SB 70 Prohibits Employers from Requiring Union Membership Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
Feb. 22, 2016 TN SB 1621 Prohibits Local-Hire Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
Feb. 16, 2016 VA SB 416 Authorizes Individuals to Rent Out Rooms through Online Platform Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 19)
Feb. 12, 2016 WV SB 1 Prohibits Employers from Requiring Union Membership Veto Override Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
Feb. 11, 2016 OR SB 1532 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
Feb. 11, 2016 OR SB 1532 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
Feb. 5, 2016 WV SB 1 Prohibits Employers from Requiring Union Membership Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
Feb. 4, 2016 WV HB 4005 Repeals Hourly Wage Requirements for Workers on Public Improvement Projects Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
Feb. 2, 2016 UT SB 59 Requires Employers Provide Certain Accommodations Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 9)
Jan. 29, 2016 VA SB 12 Prohibits Discrimination in Public Employment Based on Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
Jan. 25, 2016 MO SCR 46 Prohibits a Wage Range Increase for Personal Care Attendants Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
Jan. 25, 2016 VA SB 335 Prohibits State Employers From Inquiring about an Applicant's Criminal History Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Jan. 21, 2016 WV SB 1 Prohibits Employers from Requiring Union Membership Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
Date No. Title Outcome
9/14 HB 1870 Reauthorizes Small Business Tax Deductions Veto Override Failed - Senate (18 - 12)
8/31 SB 1241 Amends Current Provisions of Labor Contracts Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
8/31 SB 654 Authorizes Paid Family Leave Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
8/31 SB 654 Authorizes Paid Family Leave Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
8/22 AB 1843 Prohibits Employers from Asking Applicants to Disclose Criminal History Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
8/22 AB 1066 Requires Overtime Pay for Farmworkers Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
8/15 AB 1687 Requires Entertainment Database Websites to Remove Actor's Age Upon Request Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
7/07 S 764 Establishes Labeling Standards for Genetically Modified Foods Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (63 - 30)
6/17 S 2864 Establishes Regulations for Rideshare Companies Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
5/25 HB 180 Prohibits Local Hiring Requirement in Labor Contracts Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
5/25 HB 180 Prohibits Local Hiring Requirement in Labor Contracts Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
5/25 SB 331 Establishes Regulations for Dog Sales Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
5/05 HB 1252 Authorizes Employers to Pay Wages Biweekly Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 12)
5/04 SB 152 Prohibits Local Hiring Requirement in Labor Contracts Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (8 - 25)
5/04 SB 1400 Amends Review Process for County Water Supply Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
5/04 SB 152 Prohibits Local Hiring Requirement in Labor Contracts Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (8 - 25)
4/20 LB 947 Authorizes Certain Immigrants to Qualify for Professional Licenses Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
4/13 LB 947 Authorizes Certain Immigrants to Qualify for Professional Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11)
4/12 HB 2501 Authorizes Extension for Water Permits Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 6)
4/12 SB 254 Expands Equal Pay Protections Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
4/08 SB 1112 Establishes Tax Credit for Certain Aerospace Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
4/07 HB 1003 Prohibits Wage Discrimination on Basis of Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13)
4/07 S Amdt 3483 Establishes Standards for Passenger Space on Airplanes Amendment Rejected - Senate (42 - 54)
4/06 SCR 46 Prohibits a Wage Range Increase for Personal Care Attendants Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
3/31 SB 3 Increases Minimum Wage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
3/31 SB 3 Increases Minimum Wage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
3/30 SB 1 Prohibits Smoking in Public Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
3/23 SB 125 Amends Alaska Gasline Development Corporation Board of Directors Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 7)
3/17 LB 83 Prohibits Wage Discrimination in Small Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
3/17 SB 297 Repeals State Coal Mine Inspections Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
3/15 H 372 Prohibits Local Limitation on Use of Plastic Bags Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
3/15 SB 239 Amends Regulations for High Capacity Wells Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
3/14 SB 205 Establishes Regulations for Nursing Home Advertisements Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
3/10 SB 7 Increases Smoking Age to 21 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
3/10 SB 5 Amends Regulations for E-Cigarettes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
3/10 HB 2131 Prohibits Local Governments from Taxing Disposable Bags Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
3/09 HB 251 Prohibits Non-Compete Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
3/03 SB 919 Authorizes Breweries to Lease Coolers to Stores Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
3/02 SF 2252 Requires Accommodations for Employees During Pregnancy Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
2/29 SB 2094 Limits Liquor Retailers to 2 Stores Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 6)
2/26 HB 1371 Prohibits Cities from Increasing Minimum Wage or Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/26 HB 1371 Prohibits Cities from Increasing Minimum Wage or Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/25 HB 174 Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Wage or Employee Benefits Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
2/25 HB 174 Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Wage or Employee Benefits Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
2/24 SB 159 Authorizes Education Tax Credit for Insurance Companies Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
2/22 SB 70 Prohibits Employers from Requiring Union Membership Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
2/22 SB 1621 Prohibits Local-Hire Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
2/16 SB 416 Authorizes Individuals to Rent Out Rooms through Online Platform Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 19)
2/12 SB 1 Prohibits Employers from Requiring Union Membership Veto Override Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
2/11 SB 1532 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
2/11 SB 1532 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
2/05 SB 1 Prohibits Employers from Requiring Union Membership Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
2/04 HB 4005 Repeals Hourly Wage Requirements for Workers on Public Improvement Projects Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
2/02 SB 59 Requires Employers Provide Certain Accommodations Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 9)
1/29 SB 12 Prohibits Discrimination in Public Employment Based on Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
1/25 SCR 46 Prohibits a Wage Range Increase for Personal Care Attendants Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
1/25 SB 335 Prohibits State Employers From Inquiring about an Applicant's Criminal History Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
1/21 SB 1 Prohibits Employers from Requiring Union Membership Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)

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