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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Jan. 31, 2019 | NJ | A 15 | Increases State Minimum Wage to $15 per Hour | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16) |
March 31, 2019 | NY | A 2000 | Establishes $175.5 Billion Budget for FY 2019-2020 | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22) |
March 31, 2019 | NY | A 2006 | Establishes an Education, Labor, Housing and Family Assistance Budget for FY 2019-2020 | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22) |
June 27, 2019 | NJ | A 5385 | Increases Licensing and Tax Requirements for Vape Businesses | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11) |
April 1, 2019 | NY | A 558 | Increases Age for Tobacco Sale Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 9) |
May 24, 2019 | NV | AB 132 | Prohibits Employment Discrimination for Positive Marijuana Drug Tests | Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 8) |
May 7, 2019 | NV | AB 337 | Amends Certain Railroad Freight Transportation Safety Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 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. 10, 2019 | CA | AB 44 | Prohibits the Sale and Manufacturing of Fur Products | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
May 31, 2019 | NV | AB 456 | Increases The State Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 7) |
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. 5, 2019 | CA | AB 51 | Prohibits Forced Employment Arbitration Agreements | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
May 15, 2019 | VT | H 107 | Establishes a Paid Statewide Family and Medical Leave Program | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10) |
March 26, 2019 | ID | H 179 | Requires Proof of Insurance for Vehicle Registration | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
March 28, 2019 | ID | H 259 | Establishes an Internet Sales Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
May 20, 2019 | SC | H 4243 | Authorizes Tax Incentives for Carolina Panthers Training Facilities | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 17) |
July 24, 2019 | KY | HB 1 | Establishes a State of Emergency for the Kentucky Employees Retirement System | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
March 27, 2019 | WA | HB 1074 | Increases the Smoking and Vaping Age to 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12) |
March 19, 2019 | ND | HB 1097 | Repeals the Sunday Retail Closing Law | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 21) |
March 28, 2019 | KY | HB 11 | Prohibits Tobacco Products from Public Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
April 24, 2019 | WA | HB 1155 | Requires Uninterrupted Breaks for Health Care Workers | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 16) |
April 2, 2019 | MD | HB 1169 | Prohibits Smoking Under the Age of 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13) |
June 6, 2019 | DE | HB 130 | Prohibits Plastic Bags | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8) |
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) |
March 26, 2019 | IN | HB 1470 | Authorizes Utilities to Raise Rates Outside of Typical "Rate Case" Process | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
April 12, 2019 | WA | HB 1575 | Amends Labor Law Concerning Public Employee Collective Bargaining | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 21) |
April 27, 2019 | WA | HB 1652 | Establishes a Paint Stewardship Program | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22) |
March 14, 2019 | MD | HB 166 | Increases State Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15) |
May 2, 2019 | CO | HB 19-1210 | Authorizes Local Governments to Establish Their Own Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
May 1, 2019 | CO | HB 19-1230 | Authorizes Marijuana Consumption on the Premises of Hospitality Establishments | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
May 2, 2019 | CO | HB 19-1245 | Reduces Sales Tax Vendor Fee Allowance and Increases Funding for Affordable Housing | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
May 2, 2019 | CO | HB 19-1289 | Increases State Consumer Protection Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
Jan. 23, 2019 | DE | HB 2 | Establishes Protections for Federal Workers During a Shutdown | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 6) |
June 30, 2019 | OR | HB 2005 | Requires 12 Weeks of Paid Medical Leave | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6) |
May 29, 2019 | IL | HB 2078 | Increases Teacher Salary to $40,000 | Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 13) |
May 30, 2019 | AL | HB 225 | Prohibits Pay Discrimination Based on Sex and Race | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 0) |
June 30, 2019 | OR | HB 2270 | Authorizes a Ballot Measure to Increase Tobacco Taxes | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 8) |
June 11, 2019 | OR | HB 2509 | Prohibits Single-Use Plastic Checkout Bags | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
May 21, 2019 | IL | HB 253 | Classifies University Graduate and Research Assistants as "Employees" | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 19) |
March 11, 2019 | OK | HB 2612 | Establishes State Medical Marijuana Rules and Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 5) |
May 21, 2019 | IL | HB 2670 | Expands Definition of "Mitigating Factors" | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 18) |
May 27, 2019 | AZ | HB 2756 | Amends Minimum Wage Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13) |
March 13, 2019 | UT | HB 324 | Increases Age for Legal Tobacco Sales to 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 12) |
May 30, 2019 | IL | HB 3394 | Requires Women and African Americans on Corporate Boards | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 16) |
May 13, 2019 | OR | HB 3427 | Increases Business Taxes to Enhance School Funding | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
March 14, 2019 | IL | HB 345 | Prohibits Smoking Under the Age of 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 16) |
June 17, 2019 | NC | HB 389 | Authorizes Alcohol Sales at Public College Sporting Events | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12) |
May 16, 2019 | CT | HB 5004 | Increases the Minimum Wage to $15 Dollars Per Hour | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
Jan. 22, 2019 | CT | HB 5765 | Authorizes Interest-Free Loans for Federal Employees During Shutdown | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1) |
March 6, 2019 | MS | HB 761 | Prohibits Contracts with Businesses That Boycott Israel | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 8) |
June 27, 2019 | DE | HB 79 | Requires Beverages Included in Kids' Meals to be Milk or Water | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6) |
July 17, 2019 | OH | HB 80 | Amends Specific Sections of Ohio's Worker's Compensation Law | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 9) |
May 22, 2019 | IL | HB 834 | Requires Equal Pay | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 14) |
March 10, 2019 | NM | HB 85 | Prohibits Local "Right to Work" Ordinances | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 19) |
March 31, 2019 | MD | HB 994 | Prohibits Employment Discrimination Based On an Applicants Criminal History | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 14) |
June 19, 2019 | ME | LD 1028 | Increases Taxes on Tobacco Products | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
June 10, 2019 | ME | LD 1282 | Establishes a "Green New Deal" | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
June 5, 2019 | ME | LD 1386 | Expands the Definition of Public Works Projects | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
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 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 5, 2019 | ME | LD 1524 | Prohibits Wage Theft and Establishes Employer Accountability Standards | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 14) |
June 10, 2019 | ME | LD 1529 | Prohibits Employers from Requiring Employees Sign Nondisclosure Agreements | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
June 4, 2019 | ME | LD 1532 | Prohibits Single-Use Plastic Bags | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
May 29, 2019 | ME | LD 1564 | Authorizes Project Labor Agreements for Public Works Projects | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
May 29, 2019 | ME | LD 1564 | Authorizes Project Labor Agreements for Public Works Projects | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
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) |
April 2, 2019 | ME | LD 278 | Prohibits Employers from Basing Wages on Employee's Salary History | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11) |
March 19, 2019 | ME | LD 75 | Requires the Protection of Earned Pay | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 13) |
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) |
March 31, 2019 | NY | S 1508 | Prohibits Retail Stores from Using Plastic Bags | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 22) |
June 11, 2019 | NY | S 1637 | Prohibits Possession of Certain Flamethrowers | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 13) |
May 1, 2019 | NY | S 4573 | Reduces Amount of Time Workers on Strike Must Wait to Collect Unemployment | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 14) |
June 17, 2019 | NY | S 5575 | Expands Data Protections for New York Residents | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 21) |
June 25, 2019 | NJ | S 761 | Establishes Inmate Re-Entry Plans | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
May 24, 2019 | MI | SB 1 | Reduces Premium Amount Required for No-Fault Auto Insurance | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 4) |
Feb. 7, 2019 | IL | SB 1 | Increases Minimum Wage to $15 | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 18) |
Feb. 14, 2019 | NH | SB 1 | Establishes Paid Family and Medical Leave | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 10) |
May 22, 2019 | CT | SB 1 | Establishes Paid Family and Medical Leave | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15) |
March 21, 2019 | NH | SB 10 | Increases the State Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10) |
April 11, 2019 | IL | SB 10 | Increases Teacher Salaries to $40,000 | Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 11) |
May 23, 2019 | OR | SB 1049 | Reduces State Public Pension Liability Costs | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12) |
April 30, 2019 | HI | SB 1292 | Requires Vacation-Rental Websites to Collect Sales Tax | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (13 - 12) |
May 21, 2019 | CA | SB 142 | Requires Additional Lactation Accommodations for Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
March 7, 2019 | IL | SB 1474 | Prohibits Local Right to Work Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 12) |
June 4, 2019 | LA | SB 152 | Establishes Definitions for Meat and Beef | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 7) |
March 6, 2019 | IL | SB 1596 | Authorizes Exceptions for Limits on Workers' Compensation Claims | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 16) |
April 13, 2019 | MT | SB 160 | Establishes Presumptive Health Care Coverage for Firefighters | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 10) |
Feb. 22, 2019 | KY | SB 18 | Establishes Employment Protections for Pregnant Women | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7) |
Oct. 29, 2019 | IL | SB 1864 | Prohibits Use of Vaping Devices in Public Areas | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 11) |
April 30, 2019 | CO | SB 19-085 | Establishes the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
April 12, 2019 | CO | SB 19-1025 | Prohibits Employers from Asking About Employee Criminal History | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12) |
May 16, 2019 | TX | SB 1978 | Prohibits Government Action Against Businesses that Donate to Religious Organizations | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12) |
Jan. 31, 2019 | NH | SB 2 | Increases the Amount of Funds Allocated for Job Training | Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10) |
April 9, 2019 | TX | SB 21 | Prohibits Smoking Under the Age of 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11) |
Feb. 25, 2019 | MT | SB 21 | Prohibits Minors from Using Tanning Beds | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24) |
April 22, 2019 | NV | SB 224 | Authorizes Confidentiality Requirements for Public Employee Retirement Records | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10) |