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:
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.
Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|---|
June 18, 2019 | ME | LD 1312 | Establishes Extreme Risk Protection Orders | "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 15) |
June 18, 2019 | ME | LD 1312 | Establishes Extreme Risk Protection Orders | "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 15) |
May 29, 2019 | IL | HB 3534 | Establishes a Non-Binary Gender Option on IDs | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 16) |
June 27, 2019 | NH | HB 315 | Repeals Participation in Interstate Voter Registration Crosscheck Program | Conference Report Adopted - House (203 - 142) |
May 23, 2019 | NH | HB 455 | Repeals the Death Penalty | Veto Override Passed - House (247 - 123) |
March 31, 2019 | MD | HB 994 | Prohibits Employment Discrimination Based On an Applicants Criminal History | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 14) |
Sept. 24, 2019 | MI | HB 4231 | Appropriates $2.2 Billion for the State Corrections Budget for Fiscal Year 2020 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 16) |
Oct. 30, 2019 | NC | SB 250 | Amends Voting Rolls to Correlate with Jury Selection Excusals | Conference Report Adopted - House (59 - 51) |
June 27, 2019 | NH | HB 315 | Repeals Participation in Interstate Voter Registration Crosscheck Program | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10) |
April 18, 2019 | TN | HB 658 | Repeals City Police Oversight Boards Subpoena Power | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 6) |
April 22, 2019 | IN | HB 1284 | Expands "Stand Your Ground" Laws | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 7) |
April 22, 2019 | IN | HB 1284 | Expands "Stand Your Ground" Laws | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 7) |
April 18, 2019 | MT | HB 54 | Amends Requirements for Missing Persons Reports | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (46 - 4) |
May 26, 2019 | TX | HB 3557 | Increases Penalties for Pipeline Protesting | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 12) |
March 19, 2019 | MS | SB 2901 | Amends Landowner Liability | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 20) |
Nov. 21, 2019 | PA | HB 49 | Authorizes School Police to Make Arrests | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 14) |
May 3, 2019 | FL | SB 7066 | Requires Felons Pay Outstanding Court Fees Prior to Voting Rights Restoration | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 42) |
May 3, 2019 | FL | SB 7066 | Requires Felons Pay Outstanding Court Fees Prior to Voting Rights Restoration | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 42) |
May 30, 2019 | AL | HB 225 | Prohibits Pay Discrimination Based on Sex and Race | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 0) |
June 5, 2019 | LA | HB 518 | Exempts Certain Non-Violent Crimes From Habitual Offender Law | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 6) |
May 23, 2019 | OK | HB 1269 | Amends Criminal Sentencing Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 11) |
April 30, 2019 | HI | SB 192 | Authorizes the Release of Defendants on Unsecured Bail | Bill Passed - House (42 - 9) |
April 24, 2019 | ND | HB 1393 | Classifies Domestic Violence as a Distinct Crime | Conference Report Adopted - House (73 - 19) |
April 5, 2019 | KS | SB 78 | Authorizes Victims of Domestic Violence to Opt Out of Lease Agreements | Conference Report Adopted - House (100 - 23) |
April 22, 2019 | IN | HB 1284 | Expands "Stand Your Ground" Laws | Conference Report Adopted - House (64 - 17) |
Sept. 24, 2019 | MI | HB 4231 | Appropriates $2.2 Billion for the State Corrections Budget for Fiscal Year 2020 | Conference Report Adopted - House (58 - 51) |
April 17, 2019 | TN | HB 658 | Repeals City Police Oversight Boards Subpoena Power | Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 16) |
May 26, 2019 | TX | HB 3557 | Increases Penalties for Pipeline Protesting | Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 49) |
March 31, 2019 | MD | HB 994 | Prohibits Employment Discrimination Based On an Applicants Criminal History | Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 40) |
April 22, 2019 | IN | HB 1284 | Expands "Stand Your Ground" Laws | Conference Report Adopted - House (64 - 17) |
May 20, 2019 | MN | HF 400 | Establishes an Opiate Product Registration Fee and the Opiate Epidemic Response Advisory Council | Conference Report Adopted - House (109 - 25) |
Sept. 11, 2019 | CA | SB 310 | Authorizes Felons to Serve on Juries | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 10) |
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) |
Sept. 10, 2019 | CA | AB 1076 | Requires Criminal Record Expungement for Individuals Never Convicted | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 23) |
Dec. 18, 2019 | PA | SB 501 | Amends Parole, Probation, and Criminal Sentencing Guidelines | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 11) |
April 30, 2019 | HI | HB 1165 | Establishes a Non-Binary Gender Option on IDs | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 4) |
April 18, 2019 | HI | SB 600 | Prohibits Individuals Younger than 21 from Bringing Firearms into the State | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 4) |
April 29, 2019 | FL | HB 19 | Authorizes the Importation of Prescription Drugs from Canada | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (93 - 20) |
Sept. 11, 2019 | CA | SB 310 | Authorizes Felons to Serve on Juries | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 10) |
March 12, 2019 | SD | HB 1087 | Requires Protections for All Forms of Free Speech at Public Universities | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 12) |
April 30, 2019 | CO | SB 19-085 | Establishes the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
May 24, 2019 | TX | HB 3285 | Establishes Services for Substance Use Disorders | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (124 - 18) |
Sept. 9, 2019 | CA | AB 1282 | Prohibits Prisons from Working with ICE Contractors | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 16) |
Sept. 13, 2019 | CA | AB 681 | Requires Voter Party Affiliation Notification Prior To Primary Elections | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 13) |
April 2, 2019 | GA | HB 470 | Requires DNA Collection From Those Charged with a Felony as a First Offender | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (126 - 29) |
May 22, 2019 | TX | HB 1528 | Requires Family Violence Convictions be Reported to the Department of Public Safety | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (102 - 39) |
Sept. 12, 2019 | CA | AB 1215 | Prohibits Facial Recognition in Police Body-Cams | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 21) |
Sept. 12, 2019 | CA | AB 1215 | Prohibits Facial Recognition in Police Body-Cams | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 21) |
May 3, 2019 | CO | HB 19-1289 | Increases State Consumer Protection Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 22) |
May 3, 2019 | CO | HB 19-1263 | Amends Criminal Classification of Certain Drug Possessions | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (43 - 20) |
May 3, 2019 | CO | HB 19-1263 | Amends Criminal Classification of Certain Drug Possessions | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (43 - 20) |
May 30, 2019 | IL | SB 1609 | Authorizes Incarcerated Persons on Bailable Offenses to Receive a Credit | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 19) |
May 30, 2019 | IL | SB 1609 | Authorizes Incarcerated Persons on Bailable Offenses to Receive a Credit | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 19) |
May 29, 2019 | IL | HB 834 | Requires Equal Pay | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (93 - 19) |
May 30, 2019 | IL | HB 94 | Establishes Specific Rehabilitation Classes as a Means of Reducing Prison Sentences | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 52) |
July 8, 2019 | CA | SB 233 | Authorizes Immunity from Arrest to Sex Workers Reporting Certain Crimes | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 9) |
June 20, 2019 | NJ | S 824 | Requires Ignition interlock Devices for Sentenced Drunk Drivers | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 5) |
June 20, 2019 | NJ | S 101 | Requires Firearm Retailers to Sell Personalized Handguns | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 12) |
June 27, 2019 | National | HR 3401 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance and Security at the Southern Border Act, 2019 | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (305 - 102) |
June 3, 2019 | National | HR 2157 | Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2019 | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (354 - 58) |
May 17, 2019 | OK | SB 252 | Amends the State Cash Bail System | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 12) |
April 23, 2019 | WA | HB 1739 | Prohibits All Untraceable 3D Printed "Ghost Guns" | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 40) |
Nov. 19, 2019 | PA | HB 49 | Authorizes School Police to Make Arrests | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (161 - 37) |
May 2, 2019 | FL | SB 7066 | Requires Felons Pay Outstanding Court Fees Prior to Voting Rights Restoration | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17) |
May 2, 2019 | FL | SB 7066 | Requires Felons Pay Outstanding Court Fees Prior to Voting Rights Restoration | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17) |
March 6, 2019 | MS | HB 761 | Prohibits Contracts with Businesses That Boycott Israel | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 8) |
March 14, 2019 | National | H J Res 46 | Relating to a national emergency declared by the President on February 15, 2019 | Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 41) |
June 5, 2019 | NH | SB 235 | Establishes a Human Resources Office to Investigate Sexual Harassment Complaints in Legislature | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (207 - 139) |
May 30, 2019 | NH | HB 608 | Expands Definition of Gender Discrimination | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8) |
May 30, 2019 | NH | HB 637 | Establishes Online Criminal Record Database | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (15 - 9) |
June 10, 2019 | ME | LD 777 | Establishes a Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial and Ethnic Populations | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 14) |
June 5, 2019 | NH | SB 263 | Prohibits Discrimination in Public Schools | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (211 - 141) |
June 19, 2019 | ME | LD 1811 | Requires Judicial Hearings and Evaluations for Individuals in Protective Custody Regarding Risk of Harm and Restricting Access to Dangerous Weapons | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (135 - 9) |
Nov. 13, 2019 | National | PN 410 | Nomination of Chad Wolf to be Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans for the Department of Homeland Security | (54 - 41) |
May 16, 2019 | National | PN 526 | Nomination of Jeffrey Rosen to be Deputy Attorney General for the Department of Justice | (52 - 45) |
April 2, 2019 | ND | HB 1332 | Authorizes Schools to Develop a Plan for an Armed First Responder | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 15) |
April 2, 2019 | IN | SB 198 | Amends Criminal Sentencing Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 14) |
March 25, 2019 | ND | SB 2044 | Increases Penalties for Pipeline Protesting | Bill Passed - House (76 - 14) |
March 29, 2019 | GA | HB 345 | Establishes Rights for Pregnant Inmates | Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 1) |
March 29, 2019 | GA | HB 345 | Establishes Rights for Pregnant Inmates | Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 1) |
April 2, 2019 | GA | SB 15 | Requires Schools to Perform Certain Threat Assessments | Bill Passed - House (110 - 56) |
April 16, 2019 | WA | HB 1739 | Prohibits All Untraceable 3D Printed "Ghost Guns" | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18) |
Nov. 13, 2019 | IL | SB 667 | Limits the Cost of Insulin to $100 per 30-day Supply | Bill Passed - House (100 - 13) |
June 4, 2019 | OR | SB 420 | Establishes Procedures for the Expungement of Marijuana Related Convictions | Bill Passed - House (41 - 16) |
Sept. 10, 2019 | CA | AB 681 | Requires Voter Party Affiliation Notification Prior To Primary Elections | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11) |
March 14, 2019 | KY | SB 162 | Establishes a State Police School Resource Officer Program | Bill Passed - House (77 - 14) |
June 4, 2019 | ME | LD 665 | Prohibits Restrictions of Free Speech on College Campuses | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14) |
June 4, 2019 | OR | SB 910 | Expands Access to Substances That Can Stop Overdoses and Treat Addiction | Bill Passed - House (36 - 21) |
Sept. 5, 2019 | CA | AB 1282 | Prohibits Prisons from Working with ICE Contractors | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10) |
June 27, 2019 | DE | SB 44 | Reduces the Punishment for Possession or Consumption of Alcohol by a Person Under 21 to a Civil Offense | Bill Passed - House (34 - 6) |
May 31, 2019 | NV | AB 291 | Establishes Various Provisions to Increase Gun Safety | Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 8) |
July 31, 2019 | NC | SB 199 | Extends Statute of Limitations for Child Sexual Abuse | Bill Passed - House (92 - 15) |
March 12, 2019 | NM | HB 564 | Amends Probation and Parole Procedures | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6) |
April 16, 2019 | MT | HB 21 | Establishes a Missing Persons Specialist in the Department of Justice | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13) |
May 23, 2019 | National | HR 2157 | Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2019 | Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 8) |
June 19, 2019 | OR | SB 1013 | Redefines the Crime of Aggravated Murder | Bill Passed - House (33 - 26) |
Sept. 4, 2019 | CA | AB 61 | Amends Restraining Order Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10) |
June 5, 2019 | CT | SB 380 | Requires the Release of Police Camera Video | Bill Passed - House (86 - 60) |
April 16, 2019 | IN | HB 1253 | Authorizes Firearm Training for Teachers and School Staff | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14) |
June 19, 2019 | OR | SB 1013 | Redefines the Crime of Aggravated Murder | Bill Passed - House (33 - 26) |