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. 22, 2019 | CT | HB 5765 | Authorizes Interest-Free Loans for Federal Employees During Shutdown | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1) |
Feb. 7, 2019 | IL | SB 1 | Increases Minimum Wage to $15 | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 18) |
March 27, 2019 | WA | HB 1074 | Increases the Smoking and Vaping Age to 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12) |
Feb. 27, 2019 | WV | SB 348 | Increases Age for Tobacco Sale Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14) |
Jan. 31, 2019 | NJ | A 15 | Increases State Minimum Wage to $15 per Hour | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16) |
March 6, 2019 | MS | HB 761 | Prohibits Contracts with Businesses That Boycott Israel | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 8) |
April 1, 2019 | NY | A 558 | Increases Age for Tobacco Sale Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 9) |
Feb. 26, 2019 | WA | SB 5165 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Citizenship or Immigration Status | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20) |
March 14, 2019 | IL | HB 345 | Prohibits Smoking Under the Age of 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 16) |
April 5, 2019 | MD | SB 285 | Prohibits Use of Foam Containers | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 13) |
March 5, 2019 | MD | SB 285 | Prohibits Use of Foam Containers | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13) |
March 14, 2019 | MD | HB 166 | Increases State Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 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) |
Feb. 14, 2019 | NH | SB 1 | Establishes Paid Family and Medical Leave | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 10) |
March 26, 2019 | IN | HB 1470 | Authorizes Utilities to Raise Rates Outside of Typical "Rate Case" Process | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
May 20, 2019 | SC | H 4243 | Authorizes Tax Incentives for Carolina Panthers Training Facilities | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 17) |
March 19, 2019 | ND | HB 1097 | Repeals the Sunday Retail Closing Law | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 21) |
Feb. 25, 2019 | MT | SB 21 | Prohibits Minors from Using Tanning Beds | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24) |
May 15, 2019 | VT | H 107 | Establishes a Paid Statewide Family and Medical Leave Program | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10) |
March 7, 2019 | IL | SB 1474 | Prohibits Local Right to Work Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 12) |
May 30, 2019 | IL | HB 3394 | Requires Women and African Americans on Corporate Boards | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 16) |
April 2, 2019 | ME | LD 278 | Prohibits Employers from Basing Wages on Employee's Salary History | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11) |
April 2, 2019 | MD | HB 1169 | Prohibits Smoking Under the Age of 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13) |
April 2, 2019 | IA | SF 516 | Requires Employers to Verify Employee Immigration Status | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
April 9, 2019 | TX | SB 21 | Prohibits Smoking Under the Age of 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11) |
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 | TX | SB 2487 | Prohibits Local Governments from Imposing Regulations on Private Businesses for Employee Leave | 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 | TX | SB 2485 | Prohibits Local Governments from Imposing Regulations on Private Businesses Regarding Employee Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12) |
April 12, 2019 | CO | SB 19-1025 | Prohibits Employers from Asking About Employee Criminal History | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12) |
April 11, 2019 | OR | SB 90 | Prohibits Single-Use Plastic Straws at Restaurants Unless Asked For | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6) |
March 19, 2019 | DE | SB 25 | Prohibits Smoking Under the Age of 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6) |
April 30, 2019 | HI | SB 1292 | Requires Vacation-Rental Websites to Collect Sales Tax | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (13 - 12) |
March 31, 2019 | NY | A 2000 | Establishes $175.5 Billion Budget for FY 2019-2020 | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22) |
April 11, 2019 | IL | SB 10 | Increases Teacher Salaries to $40,000 | Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 11) |
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 | S 1508 | Prohibits Retail Stores from Using Plastic Bags | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 22) |
June 17, 2019 | NC | HB 389 | Authorizes Alcohol Sales at Public College Sporting Events | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12) |
April 22, 2019 | NV | SB 224 | Authorizes Confidentiality Requirements for Public Employee Retirement Records | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10) |
May 13, 2019 | OR | HB 3427 | Increases Business Taxes to Enhance School Funding | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
June 6, 2019 | DE | HB 130 | Prohibits Plastic Bags | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8) |
May 15, 2019 | NV | SB 312 | Requires Employers Provide Paid Sick Leave | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0) |
May 7, 2019 | NV | AB 337 | Amends Certain Railroad Freight Transportation Safety Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8) |
May 16, 2019 | TX | SB 1978 | Prohibits Government Action Against Businesses that Donate to Religious Organizations | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12) |
May 22, 2019 | CT | SB 1 | Establishes Paid Family and Medical Leave | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15) |
May 24, 2019 | MI | SB 1 | Reduces Premium Amount Required for No-Fault Auto Insurance | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 4) |
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) |
May 7, 2019 | PA | SB 453 | Authorizes Annual Farming Construction Code Building Exemptions | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20) |
May 23, 2019 | OR | SB 1049 | Reduces State Public Pension Liability Costs | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12) |
May 31, 2019 | NV | AB 456 | Increases The State Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 7) |
May 16, 2019 | CT | HB 5004 | Increases the Minimum Wage to $15 Dollars Per Hour | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
March 21, 2019 | NH | SB 10 | Increases the State Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10) |
June 11, 2019 | NY | S 1637 | Prohibits Possession of Certain Flamethrowers | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 13) |
Jan. 31, 2019 | NH | SB 2 | Increases the Amount of Funds Allocated for Job Training | Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10) |
July 17, 2019 | OH | HB 80 | Amends Specific Sections of Ohio's Worker's Compensation Law | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 9) |
June 4, 2019 | LA | SB 152 | Establishes Definitions for Meat and Beef | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 7) |
June 27, 2019 | DE | HB 79 | Requires Beverages Included in Kids' Meals to be Milk or Water | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6) |
June 19, 2019 | ME | LD 1028 | Increases Taxes on Tobacco Products | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
March 6, 2019 | IL | SB 1596 | Authorizes Exceptions for Limits on Workers' Compensation Claims | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 16) |
June 30, 2019 | OR | HB 2270 | Authorizes a Ballot Measure to Increase Tobacco Taxes | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 8) |
June 30, 2019 | OR | HB 2005 | Requires 12 Weeks of Paid Medical Leave | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6) |
June 11, 2019 | OR | HB 2509 | Prohibits Single-Use Plastic Checkout Bags | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
June 10, 2019 | ME | LD 1282 | Establishes a "Green New Deal" | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
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) |
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) |
March 19, 2019 | ME | LD 75 | Requires the Protection of Earned Pay | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 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 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) |
May 27, 2019 | AZ | HB 2756 | Amends Minimum Wage Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13) |
May 23, 2019 | CA | SB 392 | Amends Safer Consumer Products Program | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9) |
Aug. 13, 2019 | NC | SB 86 | Establishes Standards for Association Health Plans and Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangements | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 9) |
May 29, 2019 | CA | SB 574 | Requires the Disclosure of Fragrances in Cosmetic Products | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
May 24, 2019 | NV | AB 132 | Prohibits Employment Discrimination for Positive Marijuana Drug Tests | Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 8) |
May 21, 2019 | CA | SB 142 | Requires Additional Lactation Accommodations for Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
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 29, 2019 | IL | HB 2078 | Increases Teacher Salary to $40,000 | Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 13) |
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) |
May 21, 2019 | CA | SB 58 | Authorizes Bars to Remain Open Until 3 AM | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6) |
May 21, 2019 | IL | HB 2670 | Expands Definition of "Mitigating Factors" | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 18) |
May 21, 2019 | IL | HB 253 | Classifies University Graduate and Research Assistants as "Employees" | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 19) |
May 22, 2019 | IL | HB 834 | Requires Equal Pay | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 14) |
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) |
Jan. 23, 2019 | DE | HB 2 | Establishes Protections for Federal Workers During a Shutdown | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 6) |
May 2, 2019 | CO | HB 19-1210 | Authorizes Local Governments to Establish Their Own Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
May 2, 2019 | CO | HB 19-1289 | Increases State Consumer Protection Laws | 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 1, 2019 | CO | HB 19-1230 | Authorizes Marijuana Consumption on the Premises of Hospitality Establishments | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
May 1, 2019 | NY | S 4573 | Reduces Amount of Time Workers on Strike Must Wait to Collect Unemployment | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 14) |
Sept. 5, 2019 | CA | AB 51 | Prohibits Forced Employment Arbitration Agreements | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
April 24, 2019 | WA | SB 5497 | Establishes Washington as a Sanctuary State | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 21) |
April 12, 2019 | WA | HB 1575 | Amends Labor Law Concerning Public Employee Collective Bargaining | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 21) |
April 22, 2019 | WA | SB 5135 | Authorizes the Department of Ecology to Ban Certain Chemicals in Consumer Products | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 22) |