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.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
Oct. 31, 2019 NC SB 578 Reduces the Corporate Tax Rate and Establishes the Film and Entertainment Grant Fund Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
Oct. 29, 2019 IL SB 1864 Prohibits Use of Vaping Devices in Public Areas Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 11)
Sept. 26, 2019 National PN 1099 Nomination of Eugene Scalia as the Secretary of Labor (53 - 44)
Sept. 25, 2019 National PN 1099 Nomination of Eugene Scalia as the Secretary of Labor Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 42)
Sept. 25, 2019 PA SB 473 Increases Age for Legal Tobacco Sales to 21 Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 6)
Sept. 11, 2019 CA AB 5 Establishes Criteria For Determining Who Is An Employee Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
Sept. 11, 2019 CA AB 5 Establishes Criteria For Determining Who Is An Employee Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
Sept. 10, 2019 CA AB 44 Prohibits the Sale and Manufacturing of Fur Products Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
Sept. 9, 2019 CA AB 35 Requires Reporting on Employee Blood Level Testing for Lead Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
Sept. 5, 2019 CA AB 378 Authorizes Collective Bargaining for Childcare Workers Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
Sept. 5, 2019 CA AB 51 Prohibits Forced Employment Arbitration Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
Aug. 13, 2019 NC SB 86 Establishes Standards for Association Health Plans and Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 9)
July 24, 2019 KY HB 1 Establishes a State of Emergency for the Kentucky Employees Retirement System Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
July 17, 2019 OH HB 80 Amends Specific Sections of Ohio's Worker's Compensation Law Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 9)
June 30, 2019 OR HB 2005 Requires 12 Weeks of Paid Medical Leave Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
June 30, 2019 OR HB 2270 Authorizes a Ballot Measure to Increase Tobacco Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 8)
June 27, 2019 NJ A 5385 Increases Licensing and Tax Requirements for Vape Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
June 27, 2019 DE HB 79 Requires Beverages Included in Kids' Meals to be Milk or Water Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
June 25, 2019 NJ S 761 Establishes Inmate Re-Entry Plans Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
June 19, 2019 ME LD 1028 Increases Taxes on Tobacco Products Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
June 18, 2019 ME LD 1451 Requires Public Employers to Provide Bargaining Agents Access to Certain Member Information and Other Rights Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
June 17, 2019 CA SB 83 Increases State Paid Family Leave Benefits from 6 to 8 Weeks Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
June 17, 2019 NC HB 389 Authorizes Alcohol Sales at Public College Sporting Events Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12)
June 17, 2019 NY S 5575 Expands Data Protections for New York Residents Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 21)
June 11, 2019 OR HB 2509 Prohibits Single-Use Plastic Checkout Bags Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
June 11, 2019 NY S 1637 Prohibits Possession of Certain Flamethrowers Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 13)
June 10, 2019 ME LD 1412 Amends the Laws Governing the Collective Bargaining Rights of Employees of School Management and Leadership Centers "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 13)
June 10, 2019 ME LD 1282 Establishes a "Green New Deal" Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
June 10, 2019 ME LD 1529 Prohibits Employers from Requiring Employees Sign Nondisclosure Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
June 6, 2019 DE HB 130 Prohibits Plastic Bags Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
June 5, 2019 ME LD 1524 Prohibits Wage Theft and Establishes Employer Accountability Standards "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 14)
June 5, 2019 ME LD 1386 Expands the Definition of Public Works Projects Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
June 5, 2019 ME LD 1620 Exempts Certain Salary or Wage Increases From a Cap on Earnings when Calculating Retirement Benefits for Public Employees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
June 4, 2019 LA SB 152 Establishes Definitions for Meat and Beef Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
June 4, 2019 ME LD 1532 Prohibits Single-Use Plastic Bags Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
May 31, 2019 NV AB 456 Increases The State Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 7)
May 30, 2019 AL HB 225 Prohibits Pay Discrimination Based on Sex and Race Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
May 30, 2019 IL HB 3394 Requires Women and African Americans on Corporate Boards Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 16)
May 29, 2019 IL HB 2078 Increases Teacher Salary to $40,000 Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 13)
May 29, 2019 ME LD 1564 Authorizes Project Labor Agreements for Public Works Projects Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
May 29, 2019 CA SB 574 Requires the Disclosure of Fragrances in Cosmetic Products Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
May 29, 2019 ME LD 1564 Authorizes Project Labor Agreements for Public Works Projects Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
May 28, 2019 CA SB 43 Establishes the Feasibility and Practicality of Assessing the Carbon Intensity of Retail Products Subject to the Sales and Use Tax Law Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
May 27, 2019 AZ HB 2756 Amends Minimum Wage Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
May 24, 2019 MI SB 1 Reduces Premium Amount Required for No-Fault Auto Insurance Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 4)
May 24, 2019 NV AB 132 Prohibits Employment Discrimination for Positive Marijuana Drug Tests Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 8)
May 23, 2019 CA SB 392 Amends Safer Consumer Products Program Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
May 23, 2019 OR SB 1049 Reduces State Public Pension Liability Costs Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
May 22, 2019 IL HB 834 Requires Equal Pay Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 14)
May 22, 2019 CT SB 1 Establishes Paid Family and Medical Leave Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
Date No. Title Outcome
10/31 SB 578 Reduces the Corporate Tax Rate and Establishes the Film and Entertainment Grant Fund Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
10/29 SB 1864 Prohibits Use of Vaping Devices in Public Areas Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 11)
9/26 PN 1099 Nomination of Eugene Scalia as the Secretary of Labor (53 - 44)
9/25 PN 1099 Nomination of Eugene Scalia as the Secretary of Labor Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 42)
9/25 SB 473 Increases Age for Legal Tobacco Sales to 21 Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 6)
9/11 AB 5 Establishes Criteria For Determining Who Is An Employee Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
9/11 AB 5 Establishes Criteria For Determining Who Is An Employee Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
9/10 AB 44 Prohibits the Sale and Manufacturing of Fur Products Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
9/09 AB 35 Requires Reporting on Employee Blood Level Testing for Lead Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
9/05 AB 378 Authorizes Collective Bargaining for Childcare Workers Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
9/05 AB 51 Prohibits Forced Employment Arbitration Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
8/13 SB 86 Establishes Standards for Association Health Plans and Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 9)
7/24 HB 1 Establishes a State of Emergency for the Kentucky Employees Retirement System Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
7/17 HB 80 Amends Specific Sections of Ohio's Worker's Compensation Law Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 9)
6/30 HB 2005 Requires 12 Weeks of Paid Medical Leave Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
6/30 HB 2270 Authorizes a Ballot Measure to Increase Tobacco Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 8)
6/27 A 5385 Increases Licensing and Tax Requirements for Vape Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
6/27 HB 79 Requires Beverages Included in Kids' Meals to be Milk or Water Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
6/25 S 761 Establishes Inmate Re-Entry Plans Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
6/19 LD 1028 Increases Taxes on Tobacco Products Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
6/18 LD 1451 Requires Public Employers to Provide Bargaining Agents Access to Certain Member Information and Other Rights Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
6/17 SB 83 Increases State Paid Family Leave Benefits from 6 to 8 Weeks Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
6/17 HB 389 Authorizes Alcohol Sales at Public College Sporting Events Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12)
6/17 S 5575 Expands Data Protections for New York Residents Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 21)
6/11 HB 2509 Prohibits Single-Use Plastic Checkout Bags Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
6/11 S 1637 Prohibits Possession of Certain Flamethrowers Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 13)
6/10 LD 1412 Amends the Laws Governing the Collective Bargaining Rights of Employees of School Management and Leadership Centers "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 13)
6/10 LD 1282 Establishes a "Green New Deal" Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
6/10 LD 1529 Prohibits Employers from Requiring Employees Sign Nondisclosure Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
6/06 HB 130 Prohibits Plastic Bags Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
6/05 LD 1524 Prohibits Wage Theft and Establishes Employer Accountability Standards "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 14)
6/05 LD 1386 Expands the Definition of Public Works Projects Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
6/05 LD 1620 Exempts Certain Salary or Wage Increases From a Cap on Earnings when Calculating Retirement Benefits for Public Employees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
6/04 SB 152 Establishes Definitions for Meat and Beef Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
6/04 LD 1532 Prohibits Single-Use Plastic Bags Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
5/31 AB 456 Increases The State Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 7)
5/30 HB 225 Prohibits Pay Discrimination Based on Sex and Race Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
5/30 HB 3394 Requires Women and African Americans on Corporate Boards Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 16)
5/29 HB 2078 Increases Teacher Salary to $40,000 Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 13)
5/29 LD 1564 Authorizes Project Labor Agreements for Public Works Projects Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
5/29 SB 574 Requires the Disclosure of Fragrances in Cosmetic Products Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
5/29 LD 1564 Authorizes Project Labor Agreements for Public Works Projects Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
5/28 SB 43 Establishes the Feasibility and Practicality of Assessing the Carbon Intensity of Retail Products Subject to the Sales and Use Tax Law Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
5/27 HB 2756 Amends Minimum Wage Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
5/24 SB 1 Reduces Premium Amount Required for No-Fault Auto Insurance Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 4)
5/24 AB 132 Prohibits Employment Discrimination for Positive Marijuana Drug Tests Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 8)
5/23 SB 392 Amends Safer Consumer Products Program Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
5/23 SB 1049 Reduces State Public Pension Liability Costs Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
5/22 HB 834 Requires Equal Pay Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 14)
5/22 SB 1 Establishes Paid Family and Medical Leave Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)

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