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
April 5, 2024 PA SB 745 Requires Contracts for Information Technology Commodities Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
Oct. 18, 2023 PA HB 636 Prohibits Hidden or "Junk" Fees in All Online Sales and Advertising Bill Passed - House (172 - 31)
Oct. 17, 2023 PA HB 1658 Prohibits Speculative Ticketing Practices Bill Passed - House (201 - 2)
Oct. 16, 2023 PA HB 1378 Prohibits Use of Computer Software (Grinch Bots) to Bulk Purchase Tickets for Resale Bill Passed - House (193 - 10)
May 22, 2023 PA SB 190 Defines and Provides for Existing Regulatory Practices Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
May 22, 2023 PA SB 190 Defines and Provides for Existing Regulatory Practices Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
May 10, 2023 PA SB 350 Amends and Reforms the State Permitting Process Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
May 2, 2023 PA HB 760 Establishes Greater Access to Worker's Compensation Bill Passed - House (114 - 86)
May 2, 2023 PA HB 299 Extends OSHA Protections for Public Workers in the State Bill Passed - House (116 - 85)
May 1, 2023 PA HB 666 Repeals the "At Will" Employment Requirement for the State Housing Authority Bill Passed - House (172 - 29)
Oct. 26, 2022 PA HB 1393 Defines Testing of Fentanyl Test Strips and Other Compounds in Relation to Controlled Substances Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
Oct. 26, 2022 PA SB 431 Amends Hunting and Furtaking Licenses Bill Passed - House (174 - 24)
Oct. 25, 2022 PA HB 2633 Amends Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Language in Previous State Law Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
Sept. 20, 2022 PA SB 431 Amends Hunting and Furtaking Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 5)
June 24, 2021 PA SB 115 Authorizes Nurses to Hold a License in Multiple States Bill Passed - House (146 - 55)
May 12, 2021 PA SB 115 Authorizes Nurses to Hold a License in Multiple States Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
April 6, 2021 PA HB 605 Establishes Protections For Businesses From Certain COVID-19 Related Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (107 - 94)
Oct. 20, 2020 PA SB 1199 Specifies Provisions for Personal Delivery Devices Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
Oct. 19, 2020 PA SB 1199 Specifies Provisions for Personal Delivery Devices Bill Passed - House (105 - 97)
Sept. 23, 2020 PA HB 2513 Authorizes Restaurants and Bars to Open at 50 Percent Capacity Concurrence Vote Passed - House (145 - 56)
Sept. 22, 2020 PA HB 2513 Authorizes Restaurants and Bars to Open at 50 Percent Capacity Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 6)
July 13, 2020 PA HB 732 Establishes Tax Credit for Companies that Invest and Create Jobs Building Petrochemical or Fertilizer Plants using Dry Natural Gas Produced in Pennsylvania Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 9)
May 13, 2020 PA HB 2388 Establishes Exemption Waivers for Business Closures Due to COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17)
May 13, 2020 PA HB 2388 Establishes Exemption Waivers for Business Closures Due to COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17)
April 29, 2020 PA HB 327 Amends the State Liquor Code Bill Passed - House (193 - 9)
April 21, 2020 PA HB 2388 Establishes Exemption Waivers for Business Closures Due to COVID-19 Bill Passed - House (113 - 89)
April 21, 2020 PA HB 2388 Establishes Exemption Waivers for Business Closures Due to COVID-19 Bill Passed - House (113 - 89)
April 21, 2020 PA HB 1822 Extends Workplace Protections Related to COVID-19 Bill Passed - House (105 - 97)
April 15, 2020 PA SB 613 Requires the Governor's Office to Follow Federal Guidelines to Reopen Businesses During COVID-19 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
April 14, 2020 PA SB 613 Requires the Governor's Office to Follow Federal Guidelines to Reopen Businesses During COVID-19 Bill Passed - House (107 - 95)
April 14, 2020 PA HB 2376 Authorizes Certain Retail Operations and Construction Sites to Reopen Bill Passed - House (112 - 90)
March 25, 2020 PA SB 751 Authorizes Financial Assistance for Schools Amid COVID-19-Related Shutdown Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
March 25, 2020 PA HB 68 Establishes a System of Unemployment Compensation in Response to the COVID-19 Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
Dec. 18, 2019 PA HB 1477 Authorizes Professional Licenses for Ex-Convicts Bill Passed - House (193 - 4)
Nov. 21, 2019 PA SB 473 Increases Age for Legal Tobacco Sales to 21 Bill Passed - House (135 - 49)
Sept. 25, 2019 PA SB 473 Increases Age for Legal Tobacco Sales to 21 Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 6)
May 7, 2019 PA SB 453 Authorizes Annual Farming Construction Code Building Exemptions Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
June 22, 2018 PA HB 1840 Amends Worker's Compensation Law Bill Passed - House (115 - 80)
June 13, 2018 PA HB 1810 Requires Data Information Sharing for Hosting Platforms Bill Passed - House (177 - 14)
April 16, 2018 PA SB 936 Establishes Prescription Drug Formulary for Injured Employees Bill Passed - House (101 - 92)
April 11, 2018 PA HB 456 Establishes Regulations for Tattoo Industry Bill Passed - House (173 - 17)
Oct. 25, 2017 PA SB 936 Establishes Prescription Drug Formulary for Injured Employees Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
April 21, 2015 PA HB 874 Repeals Exemptions for Harassment during Labor Disputes Bill Passed - House (109 - 84)
April 14, 2015 PA SB 333 Prohibits Local Paid Leave Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
Feb. 26, 2015 PA HB 466 Authorizes Private Alcohol Sales Bill Passed - House (114 - 87)
Jan. 13, 2014 PA HB 1741 Requires a School Board to Provide Public Notice Prior to Certain Votes Bill Passed - House (102 - 98)
May 6, 2013 PA HB 440 Amends Tax Code Bill Passed - House (129 - 65)
March 21, 2013 PA HB 790 Requires the State to Privatize Alcohol Sales Bill Passed - House (105 - 90)
Oct. 17, 2012 PA HB 2626 Authorizes Employers to Keep Income Taxes Paid by their Employees Concurrence Vote Passed - House (111 - 80)
Oct. 17, 2012 PA HB 2626 Authorizes Employers to Keep Income Taxes Paid by their Employees Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
Nov. 15, 2011 PA HB 439 Hiring Undocumented Workers Bill Passed - House (122 - 74)
May 11, 2011 PA SB 612 Guidelines for Teacher Suspension Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 12)
Oct. 9, 2009 PA HB 1614 Fiscal Code Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
June 24, 2009 PA SB 81 Liquor Tastings and Liquor Code Updates Bill Passed - House (163 - 31)
June 3, 2009 PA SB 81 Liquor Tastings and Liquor Code Updates Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
June 16, 2008 PA SB 1388 Change Formula for Calculating Corporate Net Income Tax Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
June 16, 2008 PA SB 1387 Business Property Tax Deduction Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
June 16, 2008 PA SB 1385 Increase Tax Credit for Business Net Losses Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
June 10, 2008 PA SB 246 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 9)
June 4, 2008 PA SB 246 Smoking Ban Conference Report Rejected - Senate (19 - 31)
June 4, 2008 PA SB 246 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (163 - 38)
May 7, 2008 PA HB 2297 Expansion of the Keystone Opportunity Zone Bill Passed - House (126 - 72)
March 17, 2008 PA SB 1137 Expanding Subsidized Health Care Bill Passed - House (118 - 81)
July 16, 2007 PA SB 246 Smoking Ban Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (13 - 36)
July 16, 2007 PA SB 246 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (141 - 62)
June 28, 2007 PA HB 1631 Funding for Local County Projects Bill Passed - House (121 - 77)
June 26, 2007 PA SB 246 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
June 25, 2007 PA A 2062 Exceptions to Clean Indoor Air Act Amendment Adopted - Senate (29 - 21)
June 20, 2007 PA HB 1200 Alternative Energy Incentives Bill Passed - House (128 - 70)
June 20, 2007 PA HB 1202 Clean Fuels and Energy Independence Act Bill Passed - House (138 - 60)
June 30, 2006 PA SB 1090 Minimum Wage Bill Bill Passed - House (161 - 37)
June 30, 2006 PA SB 1090 Minimum Wage Bill Bill Passed - House (161 - 37)
June 28, 2006 PA HB 243 Flood Insurance Premium Assistance Program Bill Passed - House (180 - 13)
June 27, 2006 PA SB 1230 Slot Supplier Elimination Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
June 22, 2006 PA SB 1090 Minimum Wage Bill Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
June 22, 2006 PA SB 1090 Minimum Wage Bill Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
April 5, 2006 PA HB 257 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - House (146 - 50)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/05 SB 745 Requires Contracts for Information Technology Commodities Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
10/18 HB 636 Prohibits Hidden or "Junk" Fees in All Online Sales and Advertising Bill Passed - House (172 - 31)
10/17 HB 1658 Prohibits Speculative Ticketing Practices Bill Passed - House (201 - 2)
10/16 HB 1378 Prohibits Use of Computer Software (Grinch Bots) to Bulk Purchase Tickets for Resale Bill Passed - House (193 - 10)
5/22 SB 190 Defines and Provides for Existing Regulatory Practices Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
5/22 SB 190 Defines and Provides for Existing Regulatory Practices Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
5/10 SB 350 Amends and Reforms the State Permitting Process Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
5/02 HB 760 Establishes Greater Access to Worker's Compensation Bill Passed - House (114 - 86)
5/02 HB 299 Extends OSHA Protections for Public Workers in the State Bill Passed - House (116 - 85)
5/01 HB 666 Repeals the "At Will" Employment Requirement for the State Housing Authority Bill Passed - House (172 - 29)
10/26 HB 1393 Defines Testing of Fentanyl Test Strips and Other Compounds in Relation to Controlled Substances Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
10/26 SB 431 Amends Hunting and Furtaking Licenses Bill Passed - House (174 - 24)
10/25 HB 2633 Amends Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Language in Previous State Law Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
9/20 SB 431 Amends Hunting and Furtaking Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 5)
6/24 SB 115 Authorizes Nurses to Hold a License in Multiple States Bill Passed - House (146 - 55)
5/12 SB 115 Authorizes Nurses to Hold a License in Multiple States Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
4/06 HB 605 Establishes Protections For Businesses From Certain COVID-19 Related Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (107 - 94)
10/20 SB 1199 Specifies Provisions for Personal Delivery Devices Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
10/19 SB 1199 Specifies Provisions for Personal Delivery Devices Bill Passed - House (105 - 97)
9/23 HB 2513 Authorizes Restaurants and Bars to Open at 50 Percent Capacity Concurrence Vote Passed - House (145 - 56)
9/22 HB 2513 Authorizes Restaurants and Bars to Open at 50 Percent Capacity Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 6)
7/13 HB 732 Establishes Tax Credit for Companies that Invest and Create Jobs Building Petrochemical or Fertilizer Plants using Dry Natural Gas Produced in Pennsylvania Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 9)
5/13 HB 2388 Establishes Exemption Waivers for Business Closures Due to COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17)
5/13 HB 2388 Establishes Exemption Waivers for Business Closures Due to COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17)
4/29 HB 327 Amends the State Liquor Code Bill Passed - House (193 - 9)
4/21 HB 2388 Establishes Exemption Waivers for Business Closures Due to COVID-19 Bill Passed - House (113 - 89)
4/21 HB 2388 Establishes Exemption Waivers for Business Closures Due to COVID-19 Bill Passed - House (113 - 89)
4/21 HB 1822 Extends Workplace Protections Related to COVID-19 Bill Passed - House (105 - 97)
4/15 SB 613 Requires the Governor's Office to Follow Federal Guidelines to Reopen Businesses During COVID-19 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
4/14 SB 613 Requires the Governor's Office to Follow Federal Guidelines to Reopen Businesses During COVID-19 Bill Passed - House (107 - 95)
4/14 HB 2376 Authorizes Certain Retail Operations and Construction Sites to Reopen Bill Passed - House (112 - 90)
3/25 SB 751 Authorizes Financial Assistance for Schools Amid COVID-19-Related Shutdown Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
3/25 HB 68 Establishes a System of Unemployment Compensation in Response to the COVID-19 Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
12/18 HB 1477 Authorizes Professional Licenses for Ex-Convicts Bill Passed - House (193 - 4)
11/21 SB 473 Increases Age for Legal Tobacco Sales to 21 Bill Passed - House (135 - 49)
9/25 SB 473 Increases Age for Legal Tobacco Sales to 21 Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 6)
5/07 SB 453 Authorizes Annual Farming Construction Code Building Exemptions Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
6/22 HB 1840 Amends Worker's Compensation Law Bill Passed - House (115 - 80)
6/13 HB 1810 Requires Data Information Sharing for Hosting Platforms Bill Passed - House (177 - 14)
4/16 SB 936 Establishes Prescription Drug Formulary for Injured Employees Bill Passed - House (101 - 92)
4/11 HB 456 Establishes Regulations for Tattoo Industry Bill Passed - House (173 - 17)
10/25 SB 936 Establishes Prescription Drug Formulary for Injured Employees Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
4/21 HB 874 Repeals Exemptions for Harassment during Labor Disputes Bill Passed - House (109 - 84)
4/14 SB 333 Prohibits Local Paid Leave Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
2/26 HB 466 Authorizes Private Alcohol Sales Bill Passed - House (114 - 87)
1/13 HB 1741 Requires a School Board to Provide Public Notice Prior to Certain Votes Bill Passed - House (102 - 98)
5/06 HB 440 Amends Tax Code Bill Passed - House (129 - 65)
3/21 HB 790 Requires the State to Privatize Alcohol Sales Bill Passed - House (105 - 90)
10/17 HB 2626 Authorizes Employers to Keep Income Taxes Paid by their Employees Concurrence Vote Passed - House (111 - 80)
10/17 HB 2626 Authorizes Employers to Keep Income Taxes Paid by their Employees Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
11/15 HB 439 Hiring Undocumented Workers Bill Passed - House (122 - 74)
5/11 SB 612 Guidelines for Teacher Suspension Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 12)
10/09 HB 1614 Fiscal Code Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
6/24 SB 81 Liquor Tastings and Liquor Code Updates Bill Passed - House (163 - 31)
6/03 SB 81 Liquor Tastings and Liquor Code Updates Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
6/16 SB 1388 Change Formula for Calculating Corporate Net Income Tax Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
6/16 SB 1387 Business Property Tax Deduction Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
6/16 SB 1385 Increase Tax Credit for Business Net Losses Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
6/10 SB 246 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 9)
6/04 SB 246 Smoking Ban Conference Report Rejected - Senate (19 - 31)
6/04 SB 246 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (163 - 38)
5/07 HB 2297 Expansion of the Keystone Opportunity Zone Bill Passed - House (126 - 72)
3/17 SB 1137 Expanding Subsidized Health Care Bill Passed - House (118 - 81)
7/16 SB 246 Smoking Ban Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (13 - 36)
7/16 SB 246 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (141 - 62)
6/28 HB 1631 Funding for Local County Projects Bill Passed - House (121 - 77)
6/26 SB 246 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
6/25 A 2062 Exceptions to Clean Indoor Air Act Amendment Adopted - Senate (29 - 21)
6/20 HB 1200 Alternative Energy Incentives Bill Passed - House (128 - 70)
6/20 HB 1202 Clean Fuels and Energy Independence Act Bill Passed - House (138 - 60)
6/30 SB 1090 Minimum Wage Bill Bill Passed - House (161 - 37)
6/30 SB 1090 Minimum Wage Bill Bill Passed - House (161 - 37)
6/28 HB 243 Flood Insurance Premium Assistance Program Bill Passed - House (180 - 13)
6/27 SB 1230 Slot Supplier Elimination Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
6/22 SB 1090 Minimum Wage Bill Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
6/22 SB 1090 Minimum Wage Bill Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
4/05 HB 257 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - House (146 - 50)

arrow_upward