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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb. 25, 2008 | WY | HB 137 | Deadly Force in Self Defense | Bill Passed - House (54 - 4) |
| March 7, 2017 | WA | HB 1371 | Prohibits Texting While Driving | Bill Passed - House (52 - 45) |
| Feb. 22, 2013 | ND | HB 1373 | Limits the Use of Unmanned Aircrafts | Bill Passed - House (60 - 31) |
| June 14, 2006 | LA | HB 1379 | Procedures for the Granting of a Divorce When There are Minor Children | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 20) |
| May 15, 2006 | LA | HB 1379 | Procedures for the Granting of a Divorce When There are Minor Children | Bill Passed - House (58 - 35) |
| Jan. 27, 2021 | PA | HB 14 | Extends the Statute of Limitations for Childhood Sexual Abuse. | Bill Passed - House (187 - 15) |
| May 11, 2010 | CO | HB 1408 | Criteria for Judicial Determinations of Congressional Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| April 30, 2010 | CO | HB 1408 | Criteria for Judicial Determinations of Congressional Districts | Bill Passed - House (35 - 28) |
| Feb. 6, 2017 | ND | HB 1426 | Classifies Riots Involving More than 100 Individuals as a Class B Felony | Bill Passed - House (63 - 27) |
| June 7, 2007 | NH | HB 143 | Damages in Civil Actions | Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 11) |
| Feb. 21, 2007 | NH | HB 143 | Damages in Civil Actions | Bill Passed - House (202 - 150) |
| March 16, 2006 | FL | HB 145 | Joint and Several Liability Elimination | Bill Passed - House (93 - 27) |
| March 30, 2006 | FL | HB 145 | Joint and Several Liability Elimination | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13) |
| April 10, 2023 | WA | HB 1469 | Prohibits the State from Cooperating with Out-of-State Abortion and Gender Affirming Care Lawsuits | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20) |
| Feb. 28, 2023 | WA | HB 1469 | Prohibits the State from Cooperating with Out-of-State Abortion and Gender Affirming Care Lawsuits | Bill Passed - House (59 - 38) |
| April 29, 2009 | IN | HB 1491 | St. Joseph Superior Court Judges | Conference Report Adopted - House (68 - 22) |
| April 29, 2009 | IN | HB 1491 | St. Joseph Superior Court Judges | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 18) |
| April 26, 2012 | MO | HB 1540 | Prohibits Employees from Suing Co-Workers for Job Injuries | Bill Passed - House (99 - 47) |
| April 3, 2009 | ND | HB 1572 | Legislative Intent With Regards to the Legal Definition of Life | Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 29) |
| Feb. 17, 2009 | ND | HB 1572 | Legislative Intent With Regards to the Legal Definition of Life | Bill Passed - House (51 - 41) |
| March 15, 2018 | MO | HB 1578 | Limits Circumstances Under Which Lawsuits May Be Joined | Bill Passed - House (104 - 47) |
| Feb. 6, 2024 | WA | HB 1579 | Establishes State Prosecution Office with the Authority to Charge Police for Deadly Use of Force | Bill Passed - House (53 - 44) |
| June 8, 2023 | LA | HB 160 | Authorizes Victims and Family in Juvenile Court Proceedings to Openly Share Information | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 1) |
| Feb. 11, 2009 | OK | HB 1601 | Regulating Attorney Election Contributions | Bill Passed - House (62 - 36) |
| April 8, 2009 | OK | HB 1601 | Regulating Attorney Election Contributions | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22) |
| Feb. 18, 2009 | OK | HB 1602 | Attorney Fee Limits | Bill Passed - House (54 - 46) |
| April 22, 2009 | OK | HB 1602 | Attorney Fee Limits | Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 23) |
| April 22, 2009 | OK | HB 1603 | Tort Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19) |
| March 4, 2009 | OK | HB 1603 | Tort Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (61 - 39) |
| March 18, 2008 | NH | HB 1623 | Marijuana Decriminalization | Bill Passed - House (193 - 141) |
| April 26, 2023 | FL | HB 1627 | Authorizes Pretrial Detention for DUI Manslaughter, Fentanyl Trafficking, and Extortion | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 3) |
| April 13, 2023 | FL | HB 1627 | Authorizes Pretrial Detention for DUI Manslaughter, Fentanyl Trafficking, and Extortion | Bill Passed - House (83 - 19) |
| March 5, 2024 | WA | HB 1652 | Reduces State Seizures of Child Support Payments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (92 - 4) |
| Feb. 24, 2009 | VA | HB 1671 | "Derelict Building" Plan Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 3) |
| Feb. 4, 2009 | VA | HB 1671 | "Derelict Building" Plan Requirements | Bill Passed - House (80 - 17) |
| March 24, 2016 | TN | HB 1679 | Requires a Claimant to Pay for Defendant Attorney Fees in Certain Legal Proceedings | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9) |
| March 10, 2018 | WY | HB 168 | Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 11) |
| March 9, 2018 | WY | HB 168 | Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4) |
| May 27, 2021 | LA | HB 168 | Authorizes a District Attorney to Decide Which Evidence Can be Presented for Objections to a Candidacy for Elective Office | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 4) |
| April 21, 2015 | TX | HB 1690 | Requires Texas Rangers to Investigate Public Corruption | Bill Passed - House (95 - 49) |
| May 11, 2009 | TX | HB 1736 | Increasing Wrongful Conviction Compensation | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4) |
| Nov. 20, 2020 | PA | HB 1737 | Establishes Liability Protection to Healthcare Practitioners and Manufacturers of Personal Protective Equipment | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (104 - 98) |
| Nov. 19, 2020 | PA | HB 1737 | Establishes Liability Protection to Healthcare Practitioners and Manufacturers of Personal Protective Equipment | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20) |
| May 9, 2019 | TX | HB 1739 | Prohibits Unfair Settlement Practice Regarding Motorist Insurance Coverage | Bill Passed - House (105 - 32) |
| March 3, 2022 | WA | HB 1795 | Limits Non-Disclosure Agreements and Non-Disparagement Provisions in Employment and Independent Contractor Agreements | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20) |
| Feb. 9, 2022 | WA | HB 1795 | Limits Non-Disclosure Agreements and Non-Disparagement Provisions in Employment and Independent Contractor Agreements | Bill Passed - House (56 - 40) |
| April 27, 2007 | IL | HB 1798 | Wrongful Death Damages | Bill Passed - House (63 - 52) |
| May 17, 2007 | IL | HB 1798 | Wrongful Death Damages | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 23) |
| April 9, 2013 | AR | HB 1855 | Classifies the Office of Prosecuting Attorney as Nonpartisan | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13) |
| March 20, 2013 | AR | HB 1855 | Classifies the Office of Prosecuting Attorney as Nonpartisan | Bill Passed - House (63 - 24) |
| March 3, 2009 | UT | HB 187 | Restricting Access to Public Waters on Private Property | Bill Failed - House (34 - 41) |
| May 31, 2012 | IL | HB 1907 | Illinois Street Gang and Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (93 - 18) |
| July 15, 2020 | PA | HB 196 | Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Elect Appellate Court Judges by Regional Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24) |
| Dec. 18, 2019 | PA | HB 196 | Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Elect Appellate Court Judges by Regional Districts | Bill Passed - House (102 - 95) |
| March 22, 2018 | KY | HB 198 | Limits Fees for Attorneys Contracting with State Agencies | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 36) |
| March 19, 2018 | KY | HB 198 | Limits Fees for Attorneys Contracting with State Agencies | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
| Feb. 15, 2018 | KY | HB 198 | Limits Fees for Attorneys Contracting with State Agencies | Bill Passed - House (52 - 40) |
| Feb. 7, 2011 | WY | HB 198 | Admissibility of Evidence in Sex Offense Cases | Bill Failed - House (29 - 30) |
| Oct. 5, 2020 | PA | HB 1984 | Authorizes a Parent to Petition to Terminate the Other Parent's Parental Rights Prior to Making Adoption Arrangements in Cases of Rape or Incest | Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0) |
| Feb. 9, 2006 | MS | HB 199 | Juvenile Delinquent Program Changes | Bill Passed - House (74 - 47) |
| Feb. 29, 2024 | LA | HB 2 | Authorizes Immunity for Law Enforcement Under Most Circumstances | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 27) |
| Feb. 28, 2024 | LA | HB 2 | Authorizes Immunity for Law Enforcement Under Most Circumstances | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
| Sept. 2, 2020 | MO | HB 2 | Amends the Admissibility of Certain Witness Statements | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8) |
| March 5, 2014 | UT | HB 20 | Expands Protections for Police Officers in Lawsuits | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 28) |
| March 4, 2014 | UT | HB 20 | Expands Protections for Police Officers in Lawsuits | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 13) |
| Feb. 23, 2015 | WV | HB 2002 | Amends Liability Standards | Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 21) |
| Feb. 9, 2015 | WV | HB 2002 | Amends Liability Standards | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
| Jan. 27, 2015 | WV | HB 2002 | Amends Liability Standards | Bill Passed - House (74 - 25) |
| March 14, 2015 | WV | HB 2011 | Amends Requirements for Workplace Injury Lawsuits | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 33) |
| Feb. 10, 2015 | WV | HB 2011 | Amends Requirements for Workplace Injury Lawsuits | Bill Passed - House (59 - 38) |
| March 13, 2013 | KS | HB 2019 | Authorizes Governor to Appoint Judges to Kansas Court of Appeals | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12) |
| March 1, 2013 | KS | HB 2019 | Authorizes Governor to Appoint Judges to Kansas Court of Appeals | Bill Passed - House (73 - 50) |
| March 2, 2017 | ID | HB 202 | Amends Civil Asset Forfeiture Law | Bill Passed - House (58 - 10) |
| June 22, 2023 | OR | HB 2054 | Establishes that Deputy District Attorneys Qualify as Police Officers in the Retirement System | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 3) |
| Feb. 27, 2023 | UT | HB 208 | Amends Criminal Trespass Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 17) |