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 5, 2024 IA SF 2340 Establishes Illegal Immigration as a State Crime Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
Feb. 28, 2024 IA SF 108 Requires Employer Use of the E-Verify System for Employee Hiring Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
Feb. 20, 2024 IA SF 2096 Repeals Gender Balance Requirements on Iowa's Boards and Commissions Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
Feb. 19, 2024 IA SF 2251 Extends the Length of Time Individuals can Receive Medicaid Postpartum Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
May 2, 2023 IA SF 563 Appropriates Funding for State Judicial Spending and Requires Courts Obtain Consent of Non-Contract Attorneys Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
March 15, 2023 IA SF 455 Amends Regulations Concerning Topsoil and Storm Water at Construction Sites Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
March 7, 2023 IA SF 482 Requires Students Use the Same Restroom that Aligns with Their Sex at Birth Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
March 7, 2023 IA SF 538 Prohibits Gender Affirming Care for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
March 7, 2023 IA SF 514 Restructures Iowa State Government Cabinet Positions Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
March 6, 2023 IA SF 411 Amends Regulation of Energy Sources by Counties and Cities Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
May 23, 2022 IA SF 2367 Repeals Sales Tax on Menstrual Products Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (44 - 0)
March 23, 2022 IA HF 2355 Reduces the Maximum Amount of Time an Individual Can Receive Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
March 2, 2022 IA HF 2416 Requires Student Athletes to Join Teams Based on Sex Assigned at Birth Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17)
Oct. 28, 2021 IA SF 621 Establishes Congressional and Legislative Districts Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
Feb. 23, 2021 IA SF 389 Increases Eligibility Requirements for Public Assistance Programs Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
Feb. 17, 2021 IA SF 252 Prohibits Cities from Mandating Participation in the Section 8 Federal Housing Program Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
Feb. 26, 2020 IA SF 2272 Establishes Computer Verification System for Public Assistance Programs Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
April 27, 2019 IA SF 638 Amends Judicial Commission Selection Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
April 27, 2019 IA SF 638 Amends Judicial Commission Selection Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
April 26, 2019 IA HF 766 Establishes a Health and Human Services Budget for FY 2019-2020 Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
April 2, 2019 IA SF 516 Requires Employers to Verify Employee Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
March 27, 2019 IA SF 513 Authorizes Women to Buy Birth Control Without Prescriptions Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 6)
March 12, 2019 IA SF 237 Amends Judicial Commission Selection Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
April 4, 2018 IA SF 481 Requires Law Enforcement for Comply with ICE Detainer Requests Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 18)
April 12, 2017 IA SF 481 Requires Law Enforcement for Comply with ICE Detainer Requests Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
March 27, 2017 IA HF 518 Requires Certain Restrictions Regarding Worker's Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
March 27, 2017 IA HF 295 Prohibits Localities from Increasing Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
Feb. 16, 2017 IA HF 291 Limits Collective Bargaining for Public Employees Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
March 8, 2016 IA SF 2284 Amends Definition of Hate Crime to Include Gender Identity or Expression Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
March 2, 2016 IA SF 2252 Requires Accommodations for Employees During Pregnancy Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
Feb. 29, 2016 IA SF 2222 Authorizes Pharmacists to Dispense Over-the-Counter Birth Control Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
March 17, 2015 IA SF 334 Prohibits Sexual-Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
Feb. 24, 2015 IA SF 269 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
March 18, 2014 IA SF 2318 Amends School Harassment and Bullying Policies Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 19)
April 17, 2013 IA SF 447 2013-2014 Justice Department Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
April 16, 2013 IA SF 439 Establishes a Tax Credit for Farmers Who Donate to Food Banks Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
March 25, 2013 IA SF 296 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
April 20, 2011 IA SF 525 Revises the Iowa Mental Health System Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
April 14, 2011 IA HF 682 Congressional and Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
March 29, 2010 IA SF 2389 Iowa Jobs II Program and Budget Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 17)
March 18, 2010 IA HF 2518 Retirement Contribution Rate Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
March 11, 2010 IA SF 2357 Prohibiting Firearm Possession by Domestic Violence Perpetrators Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 12)
Feb. 4, 2010 IA SF 2062 State Worker Retirement Incentive Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
March 19, 2009 IA SF 389 Health Insurance Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
Feb. 16, 2009 IA SF 137 Wage Discrimination Policy and Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
Feb. 16, 2009 IA SF 137 Wage Discrimination Policy and Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
April 7, 2008 IA HF 2539 Health Care Expansion Plan Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 6)
April 7, 2008 IA HF 2539 Health Care Expansion Plan Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 6)
March 31, 2008 IA HF 2145 Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 8)
March 24, 2008 IA HF 2645 Public Employee Collective Bargaining and Teacher Termination Policy Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
March 12, 2008 IA SF 2355 Time Off to Attend Presidential Precinct Caucuses Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
March 12, 2008 IA SF 2355 Time Off to Attend Presidential Precinct Caucuses Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
March 10, 2008 IA HF 2359 Veterans Trust Fund Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
Feb. 26, 2008 IA SF 2216 State-Mandated Curriculum for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
April 25, 2007 IA SF 427 Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity Discrimination Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
April 18, 2007 IA HF 877 Statewide Preschool Program Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
April 10, 2007 IA HF 611 Research-Based Sex Education Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
March 28, 2007 IA SF 430 Recognition of Tribal Court Decisions Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
March 26, 2007 IA SF 427 Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
March 19, 2007 IA HF 5 Maximum Title Loan Finance Charge Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
March 8, 2007 IA SF 413 “Fair Share” Union Fees Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
Jan. 24, 2007 IA HF 1 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 8)
May 2, 2006 IA SF 2408 Elderly Income Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 4)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/05 SF 2340 Establishes Illegal Immigration as a State Crime Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
2/28 SF 108 Requires Employer Use of the E-Verify System for Employee Hiring Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
2/20 SF 2096 Repeals Gender Balance Requirements on Iowa's Boards and Commissions Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
2/19 SF 2251 Extends the Length of Time Individuals can Receive Medicaid Postpartum Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
5/02 SF 563 Appropriates Funding for State Judicial Spending and Requires Courts Obtain Consent of Non-Contract Attorneys Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
3/15 SF 455 Amends Regulations Concerning Topsoil and Storm Water at Construction Sites Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
3/07 SF 482 Requires Students Use the Same Restroom that Aligns with Their Sex at Birth Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
3/07 SF 538 Prohibits Gender Affirming Care for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
3/07 SF 514 Restructures Iowa State Government Cabinet Positions Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
3/06 SF 411 Amends Regulation of Energy Sources by Counties and Cities Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
5/23 SF 2367 Repeals Sales Tax on Menstrual Products Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (44 - 0)
3/23 HF 2355 Reduces the Maximum Amount of Time an Individual Can Receive Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
3/02 HF 2416 Requires Student Athletes to Join Teams Based on Sex Assigned at Birth Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17)
10/28 SF 621 Establishes Congressional and Legislative Districts Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
2/23 SF 389 Increases Eligibility Requirements for Public Assistance Programs Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
2/17 SF 252 Prohibits Cities from Mandating Participation in the Section 8 Federal Housing Program Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
2/26 SF 2272 Establishes Computer Verification System for Public Assistance Programs Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
4/27 SF 638 Amends Judicial Commission Selection Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
4/27 SF 638 Amends Judicial Commission Selection Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
4/26 HF 766 Establishes a Health and Human Services Budget for FY 2019-2020 Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
4/02 SF 516 Requires Employers to Verify Employee Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
3/27 SF 513 Authorizes Women to Buy Birth Control Without Prescriptions Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 6)
3/12 SF 237 Amends Judicial Commission Selection Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
4/04 SF 481 Requires Law Enforcement for Comply with ICE Detainer Requests Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 18)
4/12 SF 481 Requires Law Enforcement for Comply with ICE Detainer Requests Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
3/27 HF 518 Requires Certain Restrictions Regarding Worker's Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
3/27 HF 295 Prohibits Localities from Increasing Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
2/16 HF 291 Limits Collective Bargaining for Public Employees Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
3/08 SF 2284 Amends Definition of Hate Crime to Include Gender Identity or Expression Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
3/02 SF 2252 Requires Accommodations for Employees During Pregnancy Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
2/29 SF 2222 Authorizes Pharmacists to Dispense Over-the-Counter Birth Control Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
3/17 SF 334 Prohibits Sexual-Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
2/24 SF 269 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
3/18 SF 2318 Amends School Harassment and Bullying Policies Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 19)
4/17 SF 447 2013-2014 Justice Department Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
4/16 SF 439 Establishes a Tax Credit for Farmers Who Donate to Food Banks Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
3/25 SF 296 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
4/20 SF 525 Revises the Iowa Mental Health System Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
4/14 HF 682 Congressional and Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
3/29 SF 2389 Iowa Jobs II Program and Budget Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 17)
3/18 HF 2518 Retirement Contribution Rate Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
3/11 SF 2357 Prohibiting Firearm Possession by Domestic Violence Perpetrators Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 12)
2/04 SF 2062 State Worker Retirement Incentive Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
3/19 SF 389 Health Insurance Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
2/16 SF 137 Wage Discrimination Policy and Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
2/16 SF 137 Wage Discrimination Policy and Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
4/07 HF 2539 Health Care Expansion Plan Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 6)
4/07 HF 2539 Health Care Expansion Plan Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 6)
3/31 HF 2145 Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 8)
3/24 HF 2645 Public Employee Collective Bargaining and Teacher Termination Policy Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
3/12 SF 2355 Time Off to Attend Presidential Precinct Caucuses Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
3/12 SF 2355 Time Off to Attend Presidential Precinct Caucuses Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
3/10 HF 2359 Veterans Trust Fund Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
2/26 SF 2216 State-Mandated Curriculum for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
4/25 SF 427 Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity Discrimination Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
4/18 HF 877 Statewide Preschool Program Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
4/10 HF 611 Research-Based Sex Education Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
3/28 SF 430 Recognition of Tribal Court Decisions Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
3/26 SF 427 Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
3/19 HF 5 Maximum Title Loan Finance Charge Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
3/08 SF 413 “Fair Share” Union Fees Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
1/24 HF 1 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 8)
5/02 SF 2408 Elderly Income Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 4)

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