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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Dec. 18, 2019 | PA | SB 501 | Amends Parole, Probation, and Criminal Sentencing Guidelines | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 11) |
Dec. 16, 2019 | NJ | A 5823 | Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration for Individuals Released from Prison | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17) |
Dec. 16, 2019 | NJ | A 5823 | Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration for Individuals Released from Prison | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17) |
Nov. 21, 2019 | PA | HB 49 | Authorizes School Police to Make Arrests | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 14) |
Nov. 20, 2019 | PA | HB 1402 | Establishes and Defines the Crime of Sexual Extortion | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0) |
Nov. 20, 2019 | PA | HB 321 | Prohibits Abortions Based on a Diagnosis of Down Syndrome | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22) |
Nov. 13, 2019 | MI | HB 4687 | Repeals Prohibition of Deer-Baiting | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
Nov. 13, 2019 | MI | HB 4687 | Repeals Prohibition of Deer-Baiting | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
Nov. 7, 2019 | MI | SB 174 | Extends Deadline for 100 Percent Cage-Free Eggs Requirement | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 3) |
Nov. 6, 2019 | OH | SB 155 | Requires Potential Abortion Reversal Drugs be made Available | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
Nov. 6, 2019 | OH | SB 208 | Establishes Requirements for Abortions Resulting in Premature Birth | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
Nov. 5, 2019 | WI | SB 49 | Prohibits Prostitution Charges Against Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14) |
Oct. 29, 2019 | IL | SB 667 | Limits the Cost of Insulin to $100 per 30-day Supply | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 7) |
Oct. 24, 2019 | MI | SB 174 | Extends Deadline for 100 Percent Cage-Free Eggs Requirement | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
Oct. 23, 2019 | PA | HB 49 | Authorizes School Police to Make Arrests | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20) |
Sept. 24, 2019 | MI | HB 4231 | Appropriates $2.2 Billion for the State Corrections Budget for Fiscal Year 2020 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 16) |
Sept. 11, 2019 | CA | SB 310 | Authorizes Felons to Serve on Juries | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 10) |
Sept. 11, 2019 | CA | SB 310 | Authorizes Felons to Serve on Juries | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 10) |
Sept. 11, 2019 | CA | AB 1215 | Prohibits Facial Recognition in Police Body-Cams | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
Sept. 11, 2019 | CA | AB 1215 | Prohibits Facial Recognition in Police Body-Cams | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
Sept. 10, 2019 | CA | AB 681 | Requires Voter Party Affiliation Notification Prior To Primary Elections | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11) |
Sept. 10, 2019 | CA | AB 44 | Prohibits the Sale and Manufacturing of Fur Products | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
Sept. 10, 2019 | CA | AB 963 | Establishes a Student Civic and Voter Empowerment Program at Public Post-Secondary Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9) |
Sept. 10, 2019 | CA | AB 32 | Prohibits Private Prisons and ICE Detention Centers | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 6) |
Sept. 9, 2019 | CA | AB 521 | Authorizes Healthcare Professions be Trained to Reduce Firearm-Related Injuries | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6) |
Sept. 9, 2019 | CA | AB 12 | Authorizes Gun Violence Restraining Orders | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8) |
Sept. 9, 2019 | CA | AB 1254 | Prohibits Hunting of Bobcats | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8) |
Sept. 9, 2019 | CA | AB 1669 | Increases Firearm Purchasing Fees | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
Sept. 5, 2019 | CA | AB 1282 | Prohibits Prisons from Working with ICE Contractors | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10) |
Sept. 5, 2019 | CA | AB 1076 | Requires Criminal Record Expungement for Individuals Never Convicted | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12) |
Sept. 5, 2019 | CA | AB 1282 | Prohibits Prisons from Working with ICE Contractors | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10) |
Sept. 4, 2019 | CA | AB 61 | Amends Restraining Order Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10) |
Sept. 4, 2019 | CA | AB 175 | Amends Foster Care Bill of Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8) |
Sept. 4, 2019 | CA | AB 175 | Amends Foster Care Bill of Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8) |
Sept. 4, 2019 | CA | AB 61 | Amends Restraining Order Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10) |
Sept. 4, 2019 | CA | AB 500 | Requires Paid Maternity Leave for California Teachers | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2) |
Sept. 3, 2019 | CA | AB 454 | Establishes Protections for Migratory Birds | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9) |
Aug. 19, 2019 | CA | AB 467 | Requires Competitions Held on Public Lands to Offer Equal Prize Compensation Regardless of Gender | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0) |
Aug. 19, 2019 | CA | AB 467 | Requires Competitions Held on Public Lands to Offer Equal Prize Compensation Regardless of Gender | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0) |
Aug. 12, 2019 | CA | AB 711 | Authorizes High School Document Name Changes Regarding Gender Identity | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0) |
Aug. 12, 2019 | CA | AB 273 | Prohibits Recreational and Commercial Fur Trapping Licenses | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9) |
Aug. 12, 2019 | CA | AJR 5 | Urges the Federal Government to Pass Universal Firearm Safety Regulation | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9) |
July 23, 2019 | National | HR 1327 | Never Forget the Heroes: Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act | Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2) |
July 17, 2019 | OH | HB 80 | Amends Specific Sections of Ohio's Worker's Compensation Law | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 9) |
July 8, 2019 | CA | SB 233 | Authorizes Immunity from Arrest to Sex Workers Reporting Certain Crimes | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 9) |
July 8, 2019 | CA | AB 392 | Increases Public Oversight and Police Accountability when Deadly Use of Force is Used | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3) |
June 29, 2019 | OR | HB 2015 | Authorizes Driver Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 10) |
June 26, 2019 | National | HR 3401 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance and Security at the Southern Border Act, 2019 | Bill Passed - Senate (84 - 8) |
June 26, 2019 | PA | SB 147 | Establishes Hunting Regulations on Sundays | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14) |
June 26, 2019 | PA | SB 147 | Establishes Hunting Regulations on Sundays | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14) |
June 25, 2019 | NJ | S 761 | Establishes Inmate Re-Entry Plans | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
June 24, 2019 | NC | HB 370 | Requires Sheriffs to Cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 18) |
June 24, 2019 | NC | HB 370 | Requires Sheriffs to Cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 18) |
June 20, 2019 | NJ | S 101 | Requires Firearm Retailers to Sell Personalized Handguns | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 12) |
June 20, 2019 | NJ | S 824 | Requires Ignition interlock Devices for Sentenced Drunk Drivers | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 5) |
June 20, 2019 | NJ | A 4135 | Establishes Procedures for Digital Parking Meters and a Fund for Encouraging Designated Drivers | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
June 20, 2019 | NJ | A 314 | Amends Solitary Confinement Procedures | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4) |
June 20, 2019 | DE | SB 45 | Establishes Marijuana Usage by a Juvenile as a Civil Violation | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 6) |
June 20, 2019 | NJ | A 3696 | Amends Firearms Storage Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 18) |
June 19, 2019 | RI | H 5125 | Establishes Abortion Procedures as Protected State Law | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
June 19, 2019 | NY | S 3909 | Establishes a Hate Crimes Training Program for Law Enforcement | Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 0) |
June 19, 2019 | NY | S 3909 | Establishes a Hate Crimes Training Program for Law Enforcement | Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 0) |
June 18, 2019 | ME | LD 1312 | Establishes Extreme Risk Protection Orders | "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 15) |
June 18, 2019 | ME | LD 1312 | Establishes Extreme Risk Protection Orders | "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 15) |
June 18, 2019 | ME | LD 553 | Authorizes Sports Betting | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 15) |
June 18, 2019 | ME | LD 553 | Authorizes Sports Betting | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 15) |
June 17, 2019 | NY | A 3675 | Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 29) |
June 17, 2019 | NY | S 6209 | Expands the Definition of Race and Prohibits Racial Discrimination | Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 16) |
June 14, 2019 | NY | S 5864 | Establishes the Television Diversity Tax Credit | Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 18) |
June 14, 2019 | NY | S 5864 | Establishes the Television Diversity Tax Credit | Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 18) |
June 14, 2019 | NY | S 4203 | Authorizes Foster Care Adoptees to Have Contact with Their Parents | Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 16) |
June 13, 2019 | NY | A 2371 | Prohibits Exemption from Vaccinations Based on Religious Beliefs | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 26) |
June 12, 2019 | DE | SB 73 | Repeals Daylight Savings | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 4) |
June 11, 2019 | NY | S 1637 | Prohibits Possession of Certain Flamethrowers | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 13) |
June 11, 2019 | NY | S 45 | Establishes Protections for LGBTQ Veterans | Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 0) |
June 11, 2019 | NY | S 2071 | Repeals Prohibitions on Surrogacy and In Vitro Fertilization | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 21) |
June 11, 2019 | PA | SB 621 | Authorizes Schools to Arm Security Guards | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17) |
June 10, 2019 | ME | LD 777 | Establishes a Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial and Ethnic Populations | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 14) |
June 10, 2019 | ME | LD 1529 | Prohibits Employers from Requiring Employees Sign Nondisclosure Agreements | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
June 5, 2019 | LA | HB 518 | Exempts Certain Non-Violent Crimes From Habitual Offender Law | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 6) |
June 5, 2019 | WI | AB 180 | Requires Potential Abortion Reversal Drugs be made Available | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13) |
June 5, 2019 | ME | LD 795 | Amends State Constitution to Include a Right to Food | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
June 5, 2019 | WI | AB 179 | Establishes Requirements for Abortions Resulting in Premature Birth | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14) |
June 4, 2019 | ME | LD 665 | Prohibits Restrictions of Free Speech on College Campuses | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14) |
June 4, 2019 | NY | S 5532 | Prohibits Declawing Cats | Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 12) |
June 3, 2019 | OR | HB 3216 | Prohibits Discriminatory 911 Calls | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 1) |
June 3, 2019 | OR | HB 3216 | Prohibits Discriminatory 911 Calls | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 1) |
May 31, 2019 | NV | AB 291 | Establishes Various Provisions to Increase Gun Safety | Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 8) |
May 30, 2019 | AL | HB 225 | Prohibits Pay Discrimination Based on Sex and Race | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 0) |
May 30, 2019 | IL | SB 1609 | Authorizes Incarcerated Persons on Bailable Offenses to Receive a Credit | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 19) |
May 30, 2019 | NH | HB 651 | Authorizes the Use of Campaign Funds for Child Care Expenses | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (15 - 9) |
May 30, 2019 | NH | HB 637 | Establishes Online Criminal Record Database | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (15 - 9) |
May 30, 2019 | NH | HB 608 | Expands Definition of Gender Discrimination | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8) |
May 30, 2019 | NH | HB 608 | Expands Definition of Gender Discrimination | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8) |
May 30, 2019 | IL | HB 3394 | Requires Women and African Americans on Corporate Boards | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 16) |
May 30, 2019 | NH | HB 105 | Repeals State Photo Identification Voter ID Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10) |
May 30, 2019 | IL | HB 1637 | Establishes the Keep Illinois Families Together Act | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 19) |
May 29, 2019 | IL | HB 3534 | Establishes a Non-Binary Gender Option on IDs | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 16) |
May 29, 2019 | IL | HB 3534 | Establishes a Non-Binary Gender Option on IDs | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 16) |
May 29, 2019 | CA | SB 29 | Expands Medi-Cal Program Eligibility to Undocumented Immigrants Ages 19-25 or 65 and Older | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |