Key Votes
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About the Selection and Descriptions of Key Votes
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:
- The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member stands on a particular issue
- The vote should be clear for any person to understand
- The vote has received media attention
- The vote was passed or defeated by a very close margin
- 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 26, 2023 | OK | SB 212 | Prohibits Non-Citizens from Owning Certain Property | Bill Passed - House (78 - 6) |
| Feb. 10, 2020 | OK | HB 3195 | Requires County Jails Comply with ICE Detainer Requests | Bill Passed - House (78 - 21) |
| April 18, 2024 | OK | HB 4156 | Amends Various State Immigration Laws, Policies, and Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (77 - 20) |
| March 3, 2018 | OR | HB 4111 | Authorizes DMV to Renew and Replace Limited-Term Driver's Licenses for DACA Recipients | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 22) |
| July 2, 2015 | OR | SB 932 | Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students | Bill Passed - House (34 - 25) |
| March 3, 2018 | OR | SB 1563 | Authorizes Undocumented Students to Continue Receiving Financial Aid | Bill Passed - House (36 - 22) |
| March 4, 2022 | OR | SB 1560 | Amends State Immigration Laws by Replacing Alien with Non-Citizen | Bill Passed - House (48 - 9) |
| March 6, 2024 | OR | SB 1533 | Requires the Secretary of State Translate Voter Pamphlets into the 10 Most Common Languages in the State | Bill Passed - House (45 - 9) |
| April 30, 2013 | OR | SB 833 | Authorizes Drivers Licenses for Individuals Without Legal Proof of US Residence | Bill Passed - House (38 - 20) |
| March 3, 2022 | OR | SB 1550 | Transfers Immigrant Office to Department of Human Services | Bill Passed - House (42 - 16) |
| Feb. 22, 2013 | OR | HB 2787 | Authorizes In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (38 - 18) |
| June 20, 2017 | OR | HB 3464 | Prohibits Disclosure of Immigration Status | Bill Passed - House (35 - 23) |
| June 18, 2019 | OR | HB 2015 | Authorizes Driver Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (39 - 21) |
| June 17, 2021 | OR | HB 3265 | Expands and Strengthens the State's Sanctuary Law | Bill Passed - House (36 - 21) |
| June 24, 2021 | OR | HB 3352 | Expands Insurance Eligibility to Undocumented Immigrants Not Covered by Medicaid | Bill Passed - House (37 - 21) |
| June 17, 2021 | OR | HB 3021 | Requires the Secretary of State Make Available a list of the 5 Most Common Spoken Languages Other than English by State Residents in Each County | Bill Passed - House (36 - 16) |
| June 28, 2006 | PA | A7999 to HB 1959 | English as Official Language | Amendment Adopted - House (122 - 70) |
| June 8, 2010 | PA | HB 1502 | Verification of Employee Eligibility | Bill Passed - House (188 - 6) |
| June 26, 2023 | PA | HB 1067 | Authorizes Immigrant Teachers with Valid License Certification and Experience | Bill Passed - House (110 - 93) |
| Nov. 15, 2011 | PA | HB 439 | Hiring Undocumented Workers | Bill Passed - House (122 - 74) |
| April 29, 2008 | RI | H 7107 | Employment Verification Program | Bill Passed - House (52 - 17) |
| April 25, 2008 | RI | H 7204 | 2007-2008 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - House (60 - 12) |
| May 12, 2009 | RI | H 5143 | E-Verify Bill | Bill Passed - House (38 - 33) |
| June 22, 2022 | RI | H 7939 | Authorizes Driving Permits for Undocumented Persons | (55 - 15) |
| May 7, 2008 | SC | Amendment No. 8A | Requiring Employers to Verify Immigration the Status of Their Employees | Amendment Adopted - House (80 - 33) |
| May 29, 2008 | SC | H 4400 | Immigration Bill | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (94 - 16) |
| Jan. 31, 2008 | SC | H 4400 | Immigration Bill | Bill Passed - House (80 - 13) |
| May 25, 2011 | SC | S 20 | Immigration Enforcement | Bill Passed - House (65 - 39) |
| Feb. 22, 2013 | SD | HB 1214 | Authorizes Prenatal Care for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (39 - 28) |
| Feb. 26, 2024 | SD | HB 1061 | Appropriates $4.28 Million to the Emergency and Disaster Fund for National Guard Troop Deployment to the Texas Border | Bill Passed - House (63 - 5) |
| Feb. 10, 2014 | SD | HB 1158 | Establishes a Prenatal Care Program for Non-Citizen Individuals | Bill Passed - House (46 - 22) |
| May 24, 2010 | TN | HJR 1253 | Resolution Recognizing Arizona Statehood and New Immigration Policy | Joint Resolution Passed - House (67 - 27) |
| June 9, 2010 | TN | HB 670 | Requiring Correctional Facilities to Determine Immigration Status of Inmates | Conference Report Adopted - House (57 - 30) |
| April 18, 2016 | TN | SJR 467 | Urges Attorney General to File Lawsuit in Relation to Refugee Resettlement Program | Bill Passed - House (69 - 25) |
| April 7, 2014 | TN | SB 2115 | Authorizes In-State Tuition for Certain Students | Bill Passed - House (63 - 27) |
| April 22, 2015 | TN | SB 612 | Exempts Certain Students from Out-of-State Tuition | Bill Failed - House (49 - 47) |
| April 25, 2018 | TN | HB 2315 | Prohibits Sanctuary Policies | Bill Passed - House (64 - 23) |
| March 2, 2020 | TN | HJR 741 | Prohibits the Governor from Solely Taking Action to Assist with the Federal Refugee Resettlement Program | Bill Passed - House (71 - 25) |
| April 16, 2012 | TN | SB 3345 | Limits the Number of Foreign Nationals that May Work in a Charter School | Bill Passed - House (63 - 29) |
| March 14, 2024 | TN | HB 2124 | Requires Local Law Enforcement Cooperation with Federal Immigration Authorities | Bill Passed - House (74 - 22) |
| April 24, 2007 | TX | HB 218 | Voter Identification Requirement | Bill Passed - House (76 - 69) |
| April 24, 2006 | TX | HB 3 | Business Tax Revisions | Bill Passed - House (80 - 68) |
| May 23, 2019 | TX | HB 888 | Increases Penalties for Misrepresenting a Child's Identify at a Port of Entry | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (100 - 43) |
| April 27, 2017 | TX | SB 4 | Prohibits Sanctuary Cities | Bill Passed - House (94 - 53) |
| Oct. 26, 2023 | TX | SB 4 | Increases Criminal Penalties for Immigrant Smuggling or Operating a Stash House | Bill Passed - House (92 - 54) |
| Nov. 14, 2023 | TX | SB 4 | Amends State Criminal Code to Establish Illegal Entry Across the Border as a Class B Misdemeanor | Bill Passed - House (83 - 61) |
| May 10, 2023 | TX | HB 7 | Authorizes the Creation of State Border Police | Bill Passed - House (88 - 56) |
| May 17, 2011 | TX | SB 420 | Eligibility for Indigent Health Care | Bill Passed - House (102 - 40) |
| May 10, 2011 | TX | HB 12 | Enforcement Of State And Federal Laws Governing Immigration | Bill Passed - House (100 - 47) |
| Jan. 31, 2007 | UT | HB 224 | Repeal of Exemptions from Nonresident Tuition | Motion Rejected - House (36 - 38) |
| March 3, 2008 | UT | SB 81 | Expanding Immigration Enforcement | Bill Passed - House (56 - 15) |
| March 9, 2009 | UT | HB 171 | Extending CHIP and Medicaid Coverage to Children of Documented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (50 - 23) |
| Feb. 11, 2008 | UT | HB 239 | Driver's License Requirements | Bill Passed - House (39 - 35) |
| Feb. 12, 2008 | UT | HB 241 | Restricting In-State Tuition Eligibility | Bill Passed - House (40 - 35) |
| Feb. 1, 2008 | UT | HB 237 | Immigration Enforcement | Bill Passed - House (44 - 25) |
| Feb. 28, 2011 | UT | HB 191 | Nonresident Tuition Waiver Amendments | Bill Passed - House (44 - 28) |
| Feb. 17, 2021 | UT | SB 102 | Authorizes Lawful Permanent Residents to Apply to Become Peace Officers or Dispatchers | Bill Passed - House (65 - 4) |
| Feb. 24, 2010 | UT | HB 227 | Lawful Presence Documentation Requirement for Business Licensing | Bill Passed - House (38 - 36) |
| March 11, 2010 | UT | SB 251 | Requiring Businesses Utilize Federal E-Verify Program | Bill Passed - House (46 - 24) |
| Feb. 18, 2011 | UT | HB 70 | Identifying Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (58 - 15) |
| Feb. 22, 2011 | UT | HB 253 | Employment of Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (49 - 20) |
| Feb. 24, 2011 | UT | HB 165 | State Reimbursement for Required Medical Services Act | Bill Passed - House (57 - 14) |
| Feb. 23, 2011 | UT | HB 116 | Guest Worker Program | Bill Passed - House (43 - 28) |
| March 4, 2011 | UT | HB 497 | Immigration Enforcement Act | Bill Passed - House (59 - 15) |
| April 19, 2006 | VA | Governor's Recommendation: DMV Voter Registration Requirements | Amendment Rejected - House (27 - 70) | |
| Feb. 1, 2007 | VA | Sub HB 2623 | Denying In-State Tuition to Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (74 - 23) |
| Feb. 2, 2006 | VA | Sub HB 262 | College Admission for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (67 - 33) |
| Feb. 2, 2006 | VA | HB 1050 | In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (76 - 23) |
| Feb. 16, 2007 | VA | Sub SB 1204 | In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (81 - 16) |
| Feb. 14, 2006 | VA | Sub HB 1048 | Employment of Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (77 - 22) |
| April 22, 2020 | VA | SB 34 | Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Non-United States Citizens | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 41) |
| March 5, 2020 | VA | HB 1150 | Eliminates Requirement that Jails and Prisons Ascertain Citizenship Status of Inmates | Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 45) |
| Feb. 23, 2017 | VA | HB 2000 | Prohibits Establishment of Sanctuary Cities | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 34) |
| Feb. 15, 2021 | VA | SB 1387 | Expands Financial Aid for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (58 - 42) |
| Feb. 24, 2020 | VA | SB 935 | Authorizes In-State Tuition for Undocumented Students | Bill Passed - House (56 - 44) |
| Feb. 6, 2020 | VA | HB 262 | Prohibits Law Enforcement Questioning of an Individual's Immigration Status | Bill Passed - House (57 - 42) |
| Feb. 7, 2017 | VA | HB 2000 | Prohibits Establishment of Sanctuary Cities | Bill Passed - House (63 - 33) |
| Feb. 13, 2018 | VA | HB 1257 | Prohibits the Establishment of Sanctuary Cities | Bill Passed - House (51 - 49) |
| Feb. 8, 2011 | VA | HB 1465 | Excludes Undocumented Immigrants from Public Universities | Bill Passed - House (75 - 24) |
| Feb. 8, 2011 | VA | HB 2332 | Citizenship of Arrestee | Bill Passed - House (68 - 31) |
| Feb. 14, 2012 | VA | HB 1060 | Requires Law Enforcement to Ask About Immigration Status During an Arrest | Bill Passed - House (75 - 25) |
| March 15, 2017 | VT | S 79 | Prohibits the Disclosure of Personally Identifying Information | Bill Passed - House (110 - 24) |
| March 3, 2020 | WA | SB 5165 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Citizenship or Immigration Status | Bill Passed - House (57 - 39) |
| March 5, 2020 | WA | SB 6561 | Establishes a Student Loan Program for Undocumented Students | Bill Passed - House (82 - 15) |
| March 5, 2020 | WA | SB 5164 | Expands Assistance for Immigrant Victims of Human Trafficking | Bill Passed - House (89 - 8) |
| April 12, 2019 | WA | SB 5497 | Establishes Washington as a Sanctuary State | Bill Passed - House (57 - 38) |
| Feb. 18, 2014 | WA | SB 6523 | Authorizes In-State Tuition for Non-Citizen Individuals | Bill Passed - House (75 - 22) |
| Feb. 12, 2021 | WA | HB 1072 | Repeals Restrictions on Legal Aid for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (56 - 40) |
| Feb. 9, 2024 | WA | HB 1889 | Repeals Citizenship Requirements to Work for Undocumented Immigrants Seeking Professional Licenses | Bill Passed - House (66 - 31) |
| March 13, 2013 | WA | HB 1817 | Authorizes Undocumented Students to Apply for State Financial Aid | Bill Passed - House (77 - 20) |
| May 4, 2006 | WI | SB 567 | Limit Public Assistance to Citizens or Legal Residents of the United States | Bill Passed - House (51 - 42) |
| Nov. 9, 2023 | WI | SJR 71 | Prohibits Non-Citizens from Voting in Any State Primary or General Election | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 34) |
| Feb. 16, 2016 | WI | SB 533 | Prohibits Local Governments from Issuing Identification Cards | Bill Passed - House (62 - 35) |
| May 11, 2021 | WI | AR 18 | Requires the Governor Send Aid and Resources to the US-Mexico Border to Assist with Immigration Efforts | Resolution Passed - House (59 - 35) |
| Feb. 16, 2016 | WI | AB 450 | Prohibits Local Policies Preventing Immigration Status Inquiries | Bill Passed - House (62 - 35) |
| Jan. 25, 2007 | WY | HB 271 | False Citizenship or Resident Alien Documents | Bill Failed - House (29 - 30) |
| Feb. 25, 2008 | WY | HB 145 | Restricting Benefits for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (40 - 18) |