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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Dec. 18, 2019 | PA | HB 1477 | Authorizes Professional Licenses for Ex-Convicts | Bill Passed - House (193 - 4) |
Dec. 17, 2019 | PA | SB 501 | Amends Parole, Probation, and Criminal Sentencing Guidelines | Bill Passed - House (167 - 29) |
Dec. 16, 2019 | NJ | A 4260 | Prohibits the Sale of Certain Toy Guns or Imitation Firearms | Bill Passed - House (54 - 19) |
Dec. 6, 2019 | National | HR 4 | Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2019 | Bill Passed - House (228 - 187) |
Nov. 25, 2019 | NJ | S 761 | Establishes Inmate Re-Entry Plans | Bill Passed - House (55 - 16) |
Nov. 25, 2019 | NJ | S 2055 | Authorizes Student Financial Aid for Incarcerated Persons | Bill Passed - House (41 - 27) |
Nov. 25, 2019 | NJ | A 5823 | Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration for Individuals Released from Prison | Bill Passed - House (48 - 24) |
Nov. 25, 2019 | NJ | A 5823 | Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration for Individuals Released from Prison | Bill Passed - House (48 - 24) |
Nov. 25, 2019 | NJ | A 1796 | Prohibits a "Gay Panic" Legal Defense | Bill Passed - House (74 - 0) |
Nov. 25, 2019 | NJ | A 1796 | Prohibits a "Gay Panic" Legal Defense | Bill Passed - House (74 - 0) |
Nov. 25, 2019 | NJ | A 5816 | Reduces the Penalty for Certain Parole Violations | Bill Passed - House (47 - 24) |
Nov. 19, 2019 | PA | HB 49 | Authorizes School Police to Make Arrests | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (161 - 37) |
Nov. 19, 2019 | National | HR 5084 | Improving Corporate Governance Through Diversity Act of 2019 | Bill Passed - House (281 - 135) |
Nov. 18, 2019 | National | HR 3702 | Reforming Disaster Recovery Act of 2019 | Bill Passed - House (290 - 118) |
Nov. 13, 2019 | IL | SB 667 | Limits the Cost of Insulin to $100 per 30-day Supply | Bill Passed - House (100 - 13) |
Nov. 13, 2019 | OH | HB 272 | Prohibits State Officials From Changing the Time and Place of an Election | Bill Passed - House (91 - 0) |
Nov. 5, 2019 | MI | HB 5120 | Authorizes Criminal Records Expungement for Certain Crimes | Bill Passed - House (100 - 8) |
Oct. 30, 2019 | NC | SB 250 | Amends Voting Rolls to Correlate with Jury Selection Excusals | Conference Report Adopted - House (59 - 51) |
Oct. 30, 2019 | PA | SB 147 | Establishes Hunting Regulations on Sundays | Bill Passed - House (144 - 54) |
Oct. 29, 2019 | IL | SB 1786 | Prohibits License Suspension for Unpaid Parking Tickets | Bill Passed - House (88 - 27) |
Sept. 27, 2019 | National | SJ Res 54 | Rescinds a National Emergency Declared by the President on February 15, 2019 | Bill Passed - House (236 - 174) |
Sept. 25, 2019 | National | HR 2203 | Homeland Security Improvement Act | Bill Passed - House (230 - 194) |
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) |
Sept. 13, 2019 | CA | AB 681 | Requires Voter Party Affiliation Notification Prior To Primary Elections | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 13) |
Sept. 13, 2019 | CA | SB 61 | Prohibits Purchasing More than One Gun per Month | Bill Passed - House (55 - 22) |
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) |
Sept. 11, 2019 | CA | SB 172 | Amends Firearm Storage Regulations | Bill Passed - House (52 - 22) |
Sept. 10, 2019 | CA | AB 1076 | Requires Criminal Record Expungement for Individuals Never Convicted | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 23) |
Sept. 10, 2019 | CA | SB 329 | Prohibits Discrimination Against Section 8 Housing Renters | Bill Passed - House (46 - 21) |
Sept. 9, 2019 | CA | AB 1282 | Prohibits Prisons from Working with ICE Contractors | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 16) |
Sept. 9, 2019 | CA | SB 310 | Authorizes Felons to Serve on Juries | Bill Passed - House (47 - 26) |
Sept. 9, 2019 | CA | SB 310 | Authorizes Felons to Serve on Juries | Bill Passed - House (47 - 26) |
Aug. 15, 2019 | CA | SB 192 | Repeals Law Requiring Citizens Help Police | (63 - 5) |
July 31, 2019 | NC | SB 199 | Extends Statute of Limitations for Child Sexual Abuse | Bill Passed - House (92 - 15) |
July 23, 2019 | National | H Res 246 | Opposing Efforts to Delegitimize the State of Israel and The Global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement Targeting Israel | Bill Passed - House (398 - 17) |
July 16, 2019 | National | H Res 489 | Condemning President Trump's Racist Comments Directed at Members of Congress | Bill Passed - House (240 - 187) |
July 12, 2019 | National | HR 1327 | Never Forget the Heroes: Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act | Bill Passed - House (402 - 12) |
July 1, 2019 | CA | SB 233 | Authorizes Immunity from Arrest to Sex Workers Reporting Certain Crimes | Bill Passed - House (54 - 13) |
June 30, 2019 | DE | SB 45 | Establishes Marijuana Usage by a Juvenile as a Civil Violation | Bill Passed - House (34 - 7) |
June 27, 2019 | NH | HB 315 | Repeals Participation in Interstate Voter Registration Crosscheck Program | Conference Report Adopted - House (203 - 142) |
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 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) |
June 27, 2019 | PA | SB 621 | Authorizes Schools to Arm Security Guards | Bill Passed - House (116 - 83) |
June 27, 2019 | National | HR 2722 | Securing America's Federal Elections (SAFE) Act | Bill Passed - House (225 - 184) |
June 26, 2019 | DE | SB 47 | Repeals Certain Sentencing Enhancements Based Upon Where Crimes were Committed | Bill Passed - House (28 - 12) |
June 25, 2019 | DE | HB 77 | Amends Burglary and Home Invasion Code | Bill Passed - House (23 - 16) |
June 25, 2019 | National | HR 3401 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance and Security at the Southern Border Act, 2019 | Bill Passed - House (230 - 195) |
June 20, 2019 | NJ | S 3897 | Prohibits Persons Convicted of Certain Crimes from Purchasing Guns | Bill Passed - House (58 - 10) |
June 20, 2019 | NJ | S 101 | Requires Firearm Retailers to Sell Personalized Handguns | Bill Passed - House (49 - 23) |
June 20, 2019 | NY | S 5248 | Prohibits Class-Based Wage Differentials | Bill Passed - House (138 - 9) |
June 20, 2019 | NJ | A 5453 | Increases Penalties for Illegal Firearm Transfers | Bill Passed - House (59 - 10) |
June 20, 2019 | NJ | A 314 | Amends Solitary Confinement Procedures | Bill Passed - House (49 - 24) |
June 20, 2019 | NJ | A 5455 | Amends Ammunition Sale Regulations | Bill Passed - House (51 - 18) |
June 20, 2019 | NJ | A 5452 | Amends Firearm Identification and Training Requirements | Bill Passed - House (45 - 24) |
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) |
June 19, 2019 | OR | SB 1013 | Redefines the Crime of Aggravated Murder | Bill Passed - House (33 - 26) |
June 19, 2019 | OR | SB 1013 | Redefines the Crime of Aggravated Murder | Bill Passed - House (33 - 26) |
June 19, 2019 | NY | A 8421 | Amends Requirements for Workplace Harassment Claims | Bill Passed - House (128 - 20) |
June 18, 2019 | ME | LD 1312 | Establishes Extreme Risk Protection Orders | "Ought to Pass" Report Not Adopted - House (61 - 82) |
June 18, 2019 | ME | LD 1312 | Establishes Extreme Risk Protection Orders | "Ought to Pass" Report Not Adopted - House (61 - 82) |
June 11, 2019 | DE | HB 5 | Authorizes Judges to Impose Prison Sentences Concurrently | Bill Passed - House (30 - 10) |
June 11, 2019 | DE | HB 5 | Authorizes Judges to Impose Prison Sentences Concurrently | Bill Passed - House (30 - 10) |
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) |
June 5, 2019 | NH | SB 263 | Prohibits Discrimination in Public Schools | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (211 - 141) |
June 5, 2019 | CT | SB 380 | Requires the Release of Police Camera Video | Bill Passed - House (86 - 60) |
June 5, 2019 | OH | HB 136 | Prohibits Individuals With Serious Mental Illnesses from Being Sentenced to Death | Bill Passed - House (76 - 18) |
June 5, 2019 | OH | HB 136 | Prohibits Individuals With Serious Mental Illnesses from Being Sentenced to Death | Bill Passed - House (76 - 18) |
June 4, 2019 | OR | SB 420 | Establishes Procedures for the Expungement of Marijuana Related Convictions | Bill Passed - House (41 - 16) |
June 4, 2019 | OR | SB 910 | Expands Access to Substances That Can Stop Overdoses and Treat Addiction | Bill Passed - House (36 - 21) |
June 4, 2019 | OR | SB 731 | Authorizes College and University Student Governments to Take Positions on Initiatives and Ballot Measures | Bill Passed - House (42 - 13) |
June 4, 2019 | ME | LD 795 | Amends State Constitution to Include a Right to Food | Bill Passed - House (93 - 47) |
June 3, 2019 | National | HR 2157 | Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2019 | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (354 - 58) |
June 3, 2019 | ME | LD 665 | Prohibits Restrictions of Free Speech on College Campuses | Bill Passed - House (87 - 51) |
May 30, 2019 | IL | HB 94 | Establishes Specific Rehabilitation Classes as a Means of Reducing Prison Sentences | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 52) |
May 30, 2019 | CT | SB 992 | Limits Cooperation Between Local Law Enforcement and Federal Immigration Agencies | Bill Passed - House (79 - 61) |
May 29, 2019 | IL | HB 834 | Requires Equal Pay | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (93 - 19) |
May 29, 2019 | CA | AB 1550 | Establishes the "Caution Against Racially Exploitative Non-Emergencies (CAREN) Act" | Bill Passed - House (78 - 0) |
May 29, 2019 | CA | AB 1246 | Requires Large Group Health Plans to Cover Medically Necessary Prescription Drugs | (58 - 19) |
May 28, 2019 | IL | SB 1609 | Authorizes Incarcerated Persons on Bailable Offenses to Receive a Credit | Bill Passed - House (62 - 52) |
May 28, 2019 | IL | SB 1609 | Authorizes Incarcerated Persons on Bailable Offenses to Receive a Credit | Bill Passed - House (62 - 52) |
May 28, 2019 | IL | SB 2090 | Expands Access to Voting in Jails | Bill Passed - House (69 - 45) |
May 28, 2019 | IL | SB 2090 | Expands Access to Voting in Jails | Bill Passed - House (69 - 45) |
May 28, 2019 | CA | AB 767 | Establishes Restitution for Victims of Police Violence | Bill Passed - House (59 - 10) |
May 28, 2019 | CA | AB 1669 | Increases Firearm Purchasing Fees | Bill Passed - House (49 - 22) |
May 28, 2019 | CT | HB 7160 | Authorizes Voting Access to Parolees | Bill Passed - House (84 - 60) |
May 28, 2019 | CA | AB 767 | Establishes Restitution for Victims of Police Violence | Bill Passed - House (59 - 10) |
May 26, 2019 | TX | HB 3557 | Increases Penalties for Pipeline Protesting | Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 49) |
May 24, 2019 | TX | HB 3285 | Establishes Services for Substance Use Disorders | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (124 - 18) |
May 24, 2019 | MI | HB 4434 | Amends Fines and Sentences for Conceal Carry Violations | Bill Passed - House (90 - 19) |
May 23, 2019 | NH | HB 455 | Repeals the Death Penalty | Veto Override Passed - House (247 - 123) |
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) |
May 23, 2019 | OR | SB 1008 | Amends Juvenile Offender Sentencing | Bill Passed - House (40 - 18) |
May 23, 2019 | IL | SB 1610 | Amends Immigrant Deportation Regulations | Bill Passed - House (84 - 32) |
May 23, 2019 | CA | AB 32 | Prohibits Private Prisons and ICE Detention Centers | Bill Passed - House (61 - 13) |
May 22, 2019 | TX | HB 1528 | Requires Family Violence Convictions be Reported to the Department of Public Safety | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (102 - 39) |
May 22, 2019 | LA | HB 506 | Establishes Task Force for Law Enforcement Data Collection | Bill Passed - House (77 - 20) |
May 22, 2019 | CA | AB 51 | Prohibits Forced Employment Arbitration Agreements | Bill Passed - House (47 - 20) |
May 21, 2019 | NY | S 4572 | Establishes Parameters for Exemptions to Presidential Pardons | Bill Passed - House (91 - 54) |
May 21, 2019 | TX | SB 535 | Authorizes Handguns on the Premises of Places of Worship | Bill Passed - House (86 - 53) |