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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 27, 2008 | MN | Seifert Amendment: Breaches of Insurance Policy | Amendment Adopted - House (80 - 52) | |
| Jan. 23, 2006 | WA | 2nd Sub HB 2292 | Addressing Health Care Liability Reform | Bill Passed - House (54 - 43) |
| May 7, 2008 | NY | A 10083 | Foreclosure Assistance Finance | Bill Passed - House (104 - 33) |
| May 7, 2008 | NY | A 10219 | Mortgage Bill of Rights | Bill Passed - House (122 - 15) |
| July 30, 2020 | NJ | A 1076 | Requires Attorney General to Collect and Report Prosecutorial and Criminal Justice Data | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0) |
| Nov. 16, 2020 | NJ | A 1649 | Prohibits Public Disclosure of Personal Information of Judicial Officers | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0) |
| Nov. 25, 2019 | NJ | A 1796 | Prohibits a "Gay Panic" Legal Defense | Bill Passed - House (74 - 0) |
| March 25, 2021 | NY | A 297 | Authorizes Residential Tenants Access to Small Claims Courts in the Area the Rental Unit is Located. | Bill Passed - House (104 - 44) |
| April 23, 2018 | NY | A 3223 | Amends Penal Law for Victims of Human Trafficking | Bill Passed - House (131 - 0) |
| June 22, 2006 | NJ | A 3257 | Eminent Domain and Redevelopment Programs | Bill Passed - House (51 - 18) |
| March 23, 2017 | NJ | A 4243 | Requires "Whistleblower" Settlements to be Public Record | Bill Passed - House (73 - 0) |
| July 22, 2020 | NY | A 5045 | Amends Criminal Procedure Laws to Waive Certain Surcharges and Fees for Defendants Under the Age of 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 19) |
| July 20, 2020 | NY | A 5045 | Amends Criminal Procedure Laws to Waive Certain Surcharges and Fees for Defendants Under the Age of 21 | Bill Passed - House (97 - 44) |
| July 21, 2020 | NY | A 5630 | Amends Various Power of Attorney Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (95 - 47) |
| July 21, 2020 | NY | A 5630 | Amends Various Power of Attorney Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 17) |
| July 21, 2020 | NY | A 5991 | Amends Civil Rights Law in Relation to "Frivolous" Lawsuits | Bill Passed - House (116 - 26) |
| June 25, 2012 | NJ | A 763 | Increases Fees to Fund the E-Court Information System | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 30) |
| June 25, 2012 | NJ | A 763 | Increases Fees to Fund the E-Court Information System | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| March 2, 2006 | NJ | A 798 | New Jersey Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act | Bill Passed - House (55 - 14) |
| May 7, 2008 | NY | A 8972 | Foreclosure and Lending | Bill Passed - House (113 - 21) |
| May 7, 2008 | NY | A 9695 | Foreclosure Relief | Bill Passed - House (126 - 11) |
| May 23, 2023 | NV | AB 101 | Requires Prosecutors Using Jailhouse Informants to Disclose Their Criminal History | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 0) |
| Aug. 29, 2014 | CA | AB 1014 | Authorizes Gun Violence Restraining Orders | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 28) |
| Aug. 27, 2014 | CA | AB 1014 | Authorizes Gun Violence Restraining Orders | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8) |
| March 7, 2006 | WI | AB 1073 | Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Caps | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8) |
| March 2, 2006 | WI | AB 1073 | Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Caps | Bill Passed - House (74 - 22) |
| Aug. 24, 2012 | CA | AB 1081 | Prohibits Excessive Detention of Undocumented Immigrants | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 26) |
| July 5, 2012 | CA | AB 1081 | Prohibits Excessive Detention of Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| May 20, 2021 | NV | AB 115 | Authorizes Children to Have More Than Two Legal Parents | Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6) |
| April 20, 2021 | NV | AB 115 | Authorizes Children to Have More Than Two Legal Parents | Bill Passed - House (34 - 8) |
| April 1, 2014 | WI | AB 120 | Prohibits Certain Actions Made by Health Care Providers from Being Used Against Them in Court | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14) |
| Sept. 1, 2021 | CA | AB 1203 | Amends Property Tax Laws and the Assessment Appeals Court | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 15) |
| Feb. 20, 2015 | NV | AB 125 | Amends Provisions Relating to Constructional Defects | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 8) |
| Feb. 17, 2015 | NV | AB 125 | Amends Provisions Relating to Constructional Defects | Bill Passed - House (25 - 17) |
| April 25, 2013 | CA | AB 1401 | Authorizes Non-United States Citizens to Serve on Juries | Bill Passed - House (45 - 26) |
| Nov. 1, 2011 | WI | AB 147 | Inadmissibility of Apology Statements by Health Care Providers | Bill Passed - House (62 - 33) |
| June 27, 2022 | CA | AB 1594 | Authorizes Lawsuits Against Gun Industry | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
| May 26, 2022 | CA | AB 1594 | Authorizes Lawsuits Against Gun Industry | Bill Passed - House (50 - 20) |
| Feb. 18, 2014 | WI | AB 161 | Authorizes the Appeal of Court Orders that Suspend State Law | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 36) |
| Feb. 11, 2014 | WI | AB 161 | Authorizes the Appeal of Court Orders that Suspend State Law | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14) |
| Aug. 31, 2020 | CA | AB 1869 | Repeals Certain Judicial Fees | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 17) |
| Aug. 31, 2020 | CA | AB 1869 | Repeals Certain Judicial Fees | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7) |
| March 20, 2014 | WI | AB 19 | Requires an Individual to Disclose the Number of Asbestos Trusts they Plan to Sue | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 38) |
| March 12, 2014 | WI | AB 19 | Requires an Individual to Disclose the Number of Asbestos Trusts they Plan to Sue | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16) |
| May 16, 2015 | NV | AB 193 | Authorizes a Court of Law to Admit Hearsay as Evidence | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 8) |
| Aug. 12, 2008 | CA | AB 1946 | Expanding Enforcement of Water Pollution Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 29) |
| Aug. 7, 2008 | CA | AB 1946 | Expanding Enforcement of Water Pollution Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16) |
| May 22, 2024 | CA | AB 1960 | Increases Criminal Sentences for Destruction of Property in Organized Retail Theft Incidents for High Value Items | Bill Passed - House (60 - 5) |
| May 23, 2024 | CA | AB 1990 | Authorizes Warrantless arrests for Misdemeanor Shoplifiting Offenses Totaling Less Than $950 | Bill Passed - House (44 - 1) |
| Sept. 10, 2009 | CA | AB 2 | Health Care Law Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 26) |
| Sept. 8, 2009 | CA | AB 2 | Health Care Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13) |
| Aug. 5, 2008 | CA | AB 2001 | Whistleblower Hotline | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8) |
| Aug. 30, 2020 | CA | AB 2147 | Authorizes Certain Defendants that Participate in the California Conversation Camp Program to File Petitions for Relief | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 12) |
| Aug. 29, 2012 | CA | AB 2346 | Authorizes Farm Workers to Sue Employers for Health or Safety Violations | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 33) |
| Aug. 27, 2012 | CA | AB 2346 | Authorizes Farm Workers to Sue Employers for Health or Safety Violations | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
| Aug. 7, 2008 | CA | AB 2654 | Expanding Anti-Discrimination Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| May 27, 2008 | CA | AB 2654 | Expanding Anti-Discrimination Laws | Bill Passed - House (48 - 30) |
| May 21, 2024 | CA | AB 2930 | Establishes Compliance Requirements for Entities that Use AI as a Substantial Factor in Making Consequential Decisions | Bill Passed - House (50 - 14) |
| Aug. 31, 2020 | CA | AB 3070 | Prohibits the Use of Peremptory Challenge to Remove a Prospective Juror on the Basis of Race, Ethnicity, Gender, Sexual Orientation, or Religious Affiliation | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 17) |
| Aug. 31, 2020 | CA | AB 3070 | Prohibits the Use of Peremptory Challenge to Remove a Prospective Juror on the Basis of Race, Ethnicity, Gender, Sexual Orientation, or Religious Affiliation | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16) |
| May 22, 2024 | CA | AB 3209 | Authorizes Courts to Place Restraining Orders on Individuals that Commit Theft, Vandalism, or Battery in a Retail Store | Bill Passed - House (68 - 1) |
| Aug. 31, 2020 | CA | AB 3234 | Authorizes Judges to Offer Misdemeanor Diversion Programs to Certain Defendants | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10) |
| Aug. 24, 2020 | CA | AB 3234 | Authorizes Judges to Offer Misdemeanor Diversion Programs to Certain Defendants | Bill Passed - House (43 - 26) |
| June 11, 2020 | CA | AB 3262 | Requires Electronic Marketplaces Be Held Liable for Defective Products | Bill Passed - House (54 - 14) |
| Jan. 30, 2012 | CA | AB 327 | Amends Three Strikes Law | Bill Failed - House (33 - 35) |
| May 20, 2024 | CA | AB 3279 | Requires the Committee of Bar Examiners to be Responsible for the Approval of Uncredited Law Schools that Offer a Juris Doctor Degree | Bill Passed - House (55 - 14) |
| June 5, 2023 | NV | AB 404 | Authorizes Caps for Medical Malpractice Lawsuits to Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5) |
| May 26, 2023 | NV | AB 404 | Authorizes Caps for Medical Malpractice Lawsuits to Increase | Bill Passed - House (24 - 17) |
| June 1, 2017 | CA | AB 42 | Amends Money Bail Procedures | Bill Failed - House (35 - 37) |
| Aug. 27, 2012 | CA | AB 472 | Authorizes Immunity for Reporting Drug Overdoses | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 24) |
| Aug. 22, 2012 | CA | AB 472 | Authorizes Immunity for Reporting Drug Overdoses | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16) |
| April 20, 2009 | NV | AB 495 | Removing Medical Malpractice Award Cap | Bill Passed - House (26 - 15) |
| Sept. 5, 2019 | CA | AB 51 | Prohibits Forced Employment Arbitration Agreements | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
| May 22, 2019 | CA | AB 51 | Prohibits Forced Employment Arbitration Agreements | Bill Passed - House (47 - 20) |
| May 25, 2007 | NV | AB 510 | Parole Credit Act | Bill Passed - House (35 - 4) |
| Nov. 9, 2023 | WI | AB 552 | Establishes an Age Limit of 75 for State Judges | Bill Passed - House (53 - 44) |
| Nov. 1, 2011 | WI | AB 69 | Use of Deadly Force in Self-Defense | Bill Passed - House (71 - 24) |
| Feb. 26, 2008 | WI | AB 695 | John Doe Proceedings | Bill Passed - House (84 - 13) |
| Jan. 19, 2006 | WI | AB 766 | Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Caps | Veto Override Failed - House (63 - 36) |
| Sept. 4, 2009 | CA | AB 793 | Clarifying Statute of Limitations for Wage Discrimination Lawsuits | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
| May 26, 2015 | CA | AB 884 | Requires the Attorney General to Denote Ballot Initiatives That May Be Unconstitutional | Bill Passed - House (50 - 26) |
| March 15, 2006 | OH | Amdt. HB 9 | Concealed Weapons Permit Disclosure Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (51 - 43) |
| July 1, 2014 | MA | Amdt 17 | Limits Use of Non-Competition Agreements | Amendment Adopted - Senate (32 - 7) |
| April 24, 2008 | FL | Amdt 28283 | Commuter Trains in Orlando | Amendment Rejected - House (54 - 64) |
| May 25, 2006 | SC | Amdt 3 to S 1084 | Inclusion of Unborn Child/Fetus in Definition for Civil Suits Amendment | Amendment Tabled - House (65 - 31) |
| Nov. 18, 2008 | NE | Amdt 4 | Establishing an Age Limit on Safe Haven Law | Amendment Rejected - Senate (23 - 26) |
| March 26, 2009 | FL | Amdt 677495 | Amendments to Attorney Fee Cap in Workers Compensation Lawsuits | Amendment Rejected - House (45 - 69) |
| Feb. 26, 2008 | IN | Amnd. 2 | Permitting Lawsuits for Injuries Caused by Hazardous Substances | Amendment Adopted - House (52 - 45) |
| March 29, 2006 | OH | Am Sub SB 17 | Child Abuse Reporting Requirements and Statute of Limitations Regarding Religious Figures | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 13) |
| March 29, 2006 | OH | Am Sub SB 17 | Child Abuse Reporting Requirements and Statute of Limitations Regarding Religious Figures | Bill Passed - House (77 - 18) |
| Feb. 26, 2008 | WI | AR 13 | Supporting the Individual's Right to Bear Arms | Resolution Passed - House (78 - 18) |
| June 15, 2007 | RI | Article 22 of H5300A | Classifying Seventeen Year-Olds as Adults in Criminal Cases | Amendment Adopted - House (48 - 19) |
| March 26, 2008 | KS | Brownlee Amnd. | Prohibits Union from collecting dues from Undocumented Workers | Amendment Adopted - Senate (19 - 18) |
| April 27, 2007 | FL | CS CS HB 1231 | Prostitution Act | Bill Passed - House (85 - 31) |
| March 20, 2007 | TX | CSSB 378 | Deadly Force in Self-Defense | Bill Passed - House (133 - 13) |
| May 1, 2007 | TX | CSSB 966 | Journalist Confidentiality Protection | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4) |
| March 19, 2008 | GA | Fleming AM 29 0700 | Amending Capital Punishment Sentencing Procedures | Amendment Adopted - House (100 - 66) |
| May 18, 2015 | ID | H 1 | Amends Foreign Child Support Order | Bill Passed - House (49 - 21) |
| March 8, 2017 | NC | H 100 | Restores Partisan Court Elections | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 43) |
| April 23, 2014 | VT | H 112 | Requires Labeling of Genetically Engineered Food | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (114 - 30) |