Key Votes

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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:

  1. The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member stands on a particular issue
  2. The vote should be clear for any person to understand
  3. The vote has received media attention
  4. The vote was passed or defeated by a very close margin
  5. 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 22, 2019 WA HB 1324 Establishes the Washington Rural Development and Opportunity Zone Act Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 9)
April 22, 2019 WA HB 1324 Establishes the Washington Rural Development and Opportunity Zone Act Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 9)
April 22, 2019 NV SB 224 Authorizes Confidentiality Requirements for Public Employee Retirement Records Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10)
April 18, 2019 WA HB 1575 Amends Labor Law Concerning Public Employee Collective Bargaining Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 38)
April 16, 2019 NC HB 389 Authorizes Alcohol Sales at Public College Sporting Events Bill Passed - House (87 - 25)
April 15, 2019 WA SB 5135 Authorizes the Department of Ecology to Ban Certain Chemicals in Consumer Products Bill Passed - House (60 - 37)
April 13, 2019 MT SB 160 Establishes Presumptive Health Care Coverage for Firefighters Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 10)
April 12, 2019 WA SB 5497 Establishes Washington as a Sanctuary State Bill Passed - House (57 - 38)
April 12, 2019 WA HB 1575 Amends Labor Law Concerning Public Employee Collective Bargaining Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 21)
April 12, 2019 CO SB 19-1025 Prohibits Employers from Asking About Employee Criminal History Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
April 11, 2019 TX SB 2487 Prohibits Local Governments from Imposing Regulations on Private Businesses for Employee Leave Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
April 11, 2019 OR SB 90 Prohibits Single-Use Plastic Straws at Restaurants Unless Asked For Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
April 11, 2019 TX SB 2487 Prohibits Local Governments from Imposing Regulations on Private Businesses for Employee Leave Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
April 11, 2019 IL HB 2670 Expands Definition of "Mitigating Factors" Bill Passed - House (69 - 42)
April 11, 2019 TX SB 2485 Prohibits Local Governments from Imposing Regulations on Private Businesses Regarding Employee Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
April 11, 2019 TX SB 2485 Prohibits Local Governments from Imposing Regulations on Private Businesses Regarding Employee Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
April 11, 2019 IL SB 10 Increases Teacher Salaries to $40,000 Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 11)
April 9, 2019 HI SB 1292 Requires Vacation-Rental Websites to Collect Sales Tax Bill Passed - House (50 - 1)
April 9, 2019 IL HB 2451 Increases the Annual Cost of Living for Retired Firefighters Bill Passed - House (72 - 40)
April 9, 2019 IL HB 356 Amends the Procurement of Domestic Products Act Bill Passed - House (71 - 35)
April 9, 2019 IL HB 2078 Increases Teacher Salary to $40,000 Bill Passed - House (79 - 31)
April 9, 2019 TX SB 21 Prohibits Smoking Under the Age of 21 Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
April 9, 2019 RI H 5663 Requires Firefighters to Receive Overtime Pay After 42 Hours Bill Passed - House (62 - 9)
April 5, 2019 MD SB 285 Prohibits Use of Foam Containers Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
April 5, 2019 VT H 107 Establishes a Paid Statewide Family and Medical Leave Program Bill Passed - House (92 - 52)
April 4, 2019 IL HB 1653 Increases Penalties for Employers Who Commit Wage Theft Bill Passed - House (69 - 43)
April 3, 2019 MD HB 1169 Prohibits Smoking Under the Age of 21 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (101 - 35)
April 2, 2019 MD HB 1169 Prohibits Smoking Under the Age of 21 Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13)
April 2, 2019 ME LD 278 Prohibits Employers from Basing Wages on Employee's Salary History Bill Passed - House (86 - 54)
April 2, 2019 IA SF 516 Requires Employers to Verify Employee Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
April 2, 2019 ME LD 278 Prohibits Employers from Basing Wages on Employee's Salary History Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
April 1, 2019 NY A 558 Increases Age for Tobacco Sale Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 9)
April 1, 2019 TN HB 836 Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Deny Potential Parents Based on Religious Exemption Bill Passed - House (67 - 22)
March 31, 2019 MD HB 994 Prohibits Employment Discrimination Based On an Applicants Criminal History Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 14)
March 31, 2019 MD HB 994 Prohibits Employment Discrimination Based On an Applicants Criminal History Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 40)
March 31, 2019 NY A 2006 Establishes an Education, Labor, Housing and Family Assistance Budget for FY 2019-2020 Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22)
March 31, 2019 NY A 2000 Establishes $175.5 Billion Budget for FY 2019-2020 Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22)
March 31, 2019 NY S 1508 Prohibits Retail Stores from Using Plastic Bags Bill Passed - House (103 - 45)
March 31, 2019 NY A 2000 Establishes $175.5 Billion Budget for FY 2019-2020 Bill Passed - House (111 - 37)
March 31, 2019 NY S 1508 Prohibits Retail Stores from Using Plastic Bags Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 22)
March 29, 2019 GA SB 128 Requires Online Retailers to Collect Sales Taxes Bill Passed - House (94 - 74)
March 29, 2019 IL HB 3394 Requires Women and African Americans on Corporate Boards Bill Passed - House (61 - 27)
March 28, 2019 ID H 259 Establishes an Internet Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
March 28, 2019 MD HB 166 Increases State Minimum Wage Veto Override Passed - House (96 - 43)
March 28, 2019 KY HB 358 Authorizes Pension Relief for Local Health Departments, Regional Universities and Other Groups Conference Report Adopted - House (58 - 39)
March 28, 2019 KY HB 11 Prohibits Tobacco Products from Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
March 28, 2019 IL HB 253 Classifies University Graduate and Research Assistants as "Employees" Bill Passed - House (72 - 37)
March 27, 2019 WA HB 1074 Increases the Smoking and Vaping Age to 21 Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12)
March 27, 2019 National HR 7 Paycheck Fairness Act Bill Passed - House (242 - 187)
March 26, 2019 IN HB 1470 Authorizes Utilities to Raise Rates Outside of Typical "Rate Case" Process Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
March 26, 2019 ID H 179 Requires Proof of Insurance for Vehicle Registration Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
March 26, 2019 RI S 251 Requires the Collection of Sales Tax by Out of State Retailers Bill Passed - House (66 - 6)
March 26, 2019 ME LD 75 Requires the Protection of Earned Pay "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (86 - 55)
March 26, 2019 SC H 4243 Authorizes Tax Incentives for Carolina Panthers Training Facilities Bill Passed - House (90 - 25)
March 21, 2019 TN HB 563 Prohibits Government Entities from Discriminating Based on a Company's Internal Policies Bill Passed - House (68 - 22)
March 21, 2019 NH SB 10 Increases the State Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
March 20, 2019 NH SB 1 Establishes Paid Family and Medical Leave Bill Passed - House (219 - 142)
March 19, 2019 ND HB 1097 Repeals the Sunday Retail Closing Law Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 21)
March 19, 2019 ME LD 75 Requires the Protection of Earned Pay "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 13)
March 19, 2019 NH HB 520 Requires Diaper Changing Stations in Public Restrooms Bill Passed - House (206 - 142)
March 19, 2019 DE SB 25 Prohibits Smoking Under the Age of 21 Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
March 19, 2019 NH HB 560 Prohibits Single-Use Plastic Bags Bill Passed - House (201 - 145)
March 19, 2019 NH HB 558 Prohibits Restaurant Use of Plastic Straws Unless Specifically Requested Bill Passed - House (196 - 146)
March 14, 2019 MD HB 166 Increases State Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
March 14, 2019 IL SB 1596 Authorizes Exceptions for Limits on Workers' Compensation Claims Bill Passed - House (70 - 40)
March 14, 2019 IL HB 345 Prohibits Smoking Under the Age of 21 Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 16)
March 14, 2019 NH HB 186 Increases Minimum Wage to $9.50 by 2020 Bill Passed - House (210 - 145)
March 13, 2019 UT HB 324 Increases Age for Legal Tobacco Sales to 21 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 16)
March 13, 2019 UT HB 324 Increases Age for Legal Tobacco Sales to 21 Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 12)
March 13, 2019 ID H 179 Requires Proof of Insurance for Vehicle Registration Bill Passed - House (54 - 15)
March 11, 2019 OK HB 2612 Establishes State Medical Marijuana Rules and Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 5)
March 10, 2019 NM HB 85 Prohibits Local "Right to Work" Ordinances Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 19)
March 7, 2019 ME LD 477 Appropriates Relief to Federal Employees Affected by Federal Shutdown Bill Passed - House (92 - 46)
March 7, 2019 IL SB 1474 Prohibits Local Right to Work Laws Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 12)
March 6, 2019 MS HB 761 Prohibits Contracts with Businesses That Boycott Israel Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 8)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/22 HB 1324 Establishes the Washington Rural Development and Opportunity Zone Act Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 9)
4/22 HB 1324 Establishes the Washington Rural Development and Opportunity Zone Act Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 9)
4/22 SB 224 Authorizes Confidentiality Requirements for Public Employee Retirement Records Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10)
4/18 HB 1575 Amends Labor Law Concerning Public Employee Collective Bargaining Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 38)
4/16 HB 389 Authorizes Alcohol Sales at Public College Sporting Events Bill Passed - House (87 - 25)
4/15 SB 5135 Authorizes the Department of Ecology to Ban Certain Chemicals in Consumer Products Bill Passed - House (60 - 37)
4/13 SB 160 Establishes Presumptive Health Care Coverage for Firefighters Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 10)
4/12 SB 5497 Establishes Washington as a Sanctuary State Bill Passed - House (57 - 38)
4/12 HB 1575 Amends Labor Law Concerning Public Employee Collective Bargaining Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 21)
4/12 SB 19-1025 Prohibits Employers from Asking About Employee Criminal History Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
4/11 SB 2487 Prohibits Local Governments from Imposing Regulations on Private Businesses for Employee Leave Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
4/11 SB 90 Prohibits Single-Use Plastic Straws at Restaurants Unless Asked For Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
4/11 SB 2487 Prohibits Local Governments from Imposing Regulations on Private Businesses for Employee Leave Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
4/11 HB 2670 Expands Definition of "Mitigating Factors" Bill Passed - House (69 - 42)
4/11 SB 2485 Prohibits Local Governments from Imposing Regulations on Private Businesses Regarding Employee Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
4/11 SB 2485 Prohibits Local Governments from Imposing Regulations on Private Businesses Regarding Employee Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
4/11 SB 10 Increases Teacher Salaries to $40,000 Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 11)
4/09 SB 1292 Requires Vacation-Rental Websites to Collect Sales Tax Bill Passed - House (50 - 1)
4/09 HB 2451 Increases the Annual Cost of Living for Retired Firefighters Bill Passed - House (72 - 40)
4/09 HB 356 Amends the Procurement of Domestic Products Act Bill Passed - House (71 - 35)
4/09 HB 2078 Increases Teacher Salary to $40,000 Bill Passed - House (79 - 31)
4/09 SB 21 Prohibits Smoking Under the Age of 21 Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
4/09 H 5663 Requires Firefighters to Receive Overtime Pay After 42 Hours Bill Passed - House (62 - 9)
4/05 SB 285 Prohibits Use of Foam Containers Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
4/05 H 107 Establishes a Paid Statewide Family and Medical Leave Program Bill Passed - House (92 - 52)
4/04 HB 1653 Increases Penalties for Employers Who Commit Wage Theft Bill Passed - House (69 - 43)
4/03 HB 1169 Prohibits Smoking Under the Age of 21 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (101 - 35)
4/02 HB 1169 Prohibits Smoking Under the Age of 21 Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13)
4/02 LD 278 Prohibits Employers from Basing Wages on Employee's Salary History Bill Passed - House (86 - 54)
4/02 SF 516 Requires Employers to Verify Employee Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
4/02 LD 278 Prohibits Employers from Basing Wages on Employee's Salary History Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
4/01 A 558 Increases Age for Tobacco Sale Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 9)
4/01 HB 836 Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Deny Potential Parents Based on Religious Exemption Bill Passed - House (67 - 22)
3/31 HB 994 Prohibits Employment Discrimination Based On an Applicants Criminal History Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 14)
3/31 HB 994 Prohibits Employment Discrimination Based On an Applicants Criminal History Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 40)
3/31 A 2006 Establishes an Education, Labor, Housing and Family Assistance Budget for FY 2019-2020 Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22)
3/31 A 2000 Establishes $175.5 Billion Budget for FY 2019-2020 Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22)
3/31 S 1508 Prohibits Retail Stores from Using Plastic Bags Bill Passed - House (103 - 45)
3/31 A 2000 Establishes $175.5 Billion Budget for FY 2019-2020 Bill Passed - House (111 - 37)
3/31 S 1508 Prohibits Retail Stores from Using Plastic Bags Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 22)
3/29 SB 128 Requires Online Retailers to Collect Sales Taxes Bill Passed - House (94 - 74)
3/29 HB 3394 Requires Women and African Americans on Corporate Boards Bill Passed - House (61 - 27)
3/28 H 259 Establishes an Internet Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
3/28 HB 166 Increases State Minimum Wage Veto Override Passed - House (96 - 43)
3/28 HB 358 Authorizes Pension Relief for Local Health Departments, Regional Universities and Other Groups Conference Report Adopted - House (58 - 39)
3/28 HB 11 Prohibits Tobacco Products from Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
3/28 HB 253 Classifies University Graduate and Research Assistants as "Employees" Bill Passed - House (72 - 37)
3/27 HB 1074 Increases the Smoking and Vaping Age to 21 Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12)
3/27 HR 7 Paycheck Fairness Act Bill Passed - House (242 - 187)
3/26 HB 1470 Authorizes Utilities to Raise Rates Outside of Typical "Rate Case" Process Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
3/26 H 179 Requires Proof of Insurance for Vehicle Registration Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
3/26 S 251 Requires the Collection of Sales Tax by Out of State Retailers Bill Passed - House (66 - 6)
3/26 LD 75 Requires the Protection of Earned Pay "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (86 - 55)
3/26 H 4243 Authorizes Tax Incentives for Carolina Panthers Training Facilities Bill Passed - House (90 - 25)
3/21 HB 563 Prohibits Government Entities from Discriminating Based on a Company's Internal Policies Bill Passed - House (68 - 22)
3/21 SB 10 Increases the State Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
3/20 SB 1 Establishes Paid Family and Medical Leave Bill Passed - House (219 - 142)
3/19 HB 1097 Repeals the Sunday Retail Closing Law Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 21)
3/19 LD 75 Requires the Protection of Earned Pay "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 13)
3/19 HB 520 Requires Diaper Changing Stations in Public Restrooms Bill Passed - House (206 - 142)
3/19 SB 25 Prohibits Smoking Under the Age of 21 Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
3/19 HB 560 Prohibits Single-Use Plastic Bags Bill Passed - House (201 - 145)
3/19 HB 558 Prohibits Restaurant Use of Plastic Straws Unless Specifically Requested Bill Passed - House (196 - 146)
3/14 HB 166 Increases State Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
3/14 SB 1596 Authorizes Exceptions for Limits on Workers' Compensation Claims Bill Passed - House (70 - 40)
3/14 HB 345 Prohibits Smoking Under the Age of 21 Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 16)
3/14 HB 186 Increases Minimum Wage to $9.50 by 2020 Bill Passed - House (210 - 145)
3/13 HB 324 Increases Age for Legal Tobacco Sales to 21 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 16)
3/13 HB 324 Increases Age for Legal Tobacco Sales to 21 Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 12)
3/13 H 179 Requires Proof of Insurance for Vehicle Registration Bill Passed - House (54 - 15)
3/11 HB 2612 Establishes State Medical Marijuana Rules and Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 5)
3/10 HB 85 Prohibits Local "Right to Work" Ordinances Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 19)
3/07 LD 477 Appropriates Relief to Federal Employees Affected by Federal Shutdown Bill Passed - House (92 - 46)
3/07 SB 1474 Prohibits Local Right to Work Laws Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 12)
3/06 HB 761 Prohibits Contracts with Businesses That Boycott Israel Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 8)

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