Key Votes
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About the Selection and Descriptions of Key Votes
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:
- The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member stands on a particular issue
- The vote should be clear for any person to understand
- The vote has received media attention
- The vote was passed or defeated by a very close margin
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 7, 2020 | WV | HB 4615 | Increases Penalties for Critical Infrastructure Protesting | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 33) |
| June 16, 2020 | MS | SB 2112 | Prohibits Public Employers from Requiring Applicants to Disclose Felony Convictions on Application | Bill Passed - House (97 - 21) |
| March 5, 2020 | WA | SB 6561 | Establishes a Student Loan Program for Undocumented Students | Bill Passed - House (82 - 15) |
| March 12, 2020 | MS | HB 1295 | Prohibits Abortions for Reasons of Race, Sex, or Genetic Abnormality | Bill Passed - House (79 - 33) |
| March 5, 2020 | MN | HF 5 | Establishes Family and Medical Leave | Bill Passed - House (70 - 59) |
| Feb. 10, 2020 | KY | HB 44 | Amends Criminal Trespassing Laws Relating to Critical Infrastructure | Bill Passed - House (71 - 7) |
| March 2, 2020 | TN | HJR 741 | Prohibits the Governor from Solely Taking Action to Assist with the Federal Refugee Resettlement Program | Bill Passed - House (71 - 25) |
| March 7, 2020 | WV | HB 4958 | Prohibits Suspension of Driver's License for Unpaid Fines | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 10) |
| March 7, 2020 | WV | HB 4176 | Establishes the West Virginia Intelligence/Fusion Center Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 11) |
| March 7, 2020 | WV | HB 4176 | Establishes the West Virginia Intelligence/Fusion Center Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 11) |
| March 7, 2020 | WV | HB 2419 | Authorizes Release of Certain Individuals Without Bail Requirements | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 21) |
| Feb. 28, 2020 | UT | HB 206 | Amends Bail and Pretrial Requirements | Bill Passed - House (54 - 15) |
| Feb. 24, 2020 | WY | HB 68 | Prohibits Access to Schools by Sex Offenders Without Principal's Permission | Bill Passed - House (33 - 26) |
| March 13, 2020 | FL | SB 646 | Authorizes Compensation for College Athletes | Bill Passed - House (98 - 14) |
| Feb. 7, 2020 | VA | HB 837 | Establishes the "Dress Code Equity Act" | Bill Passed - House (81 - 17) |
| March 2, 2020 | VA | SB 1030 | Prohibits Dangerous Captive Animal Exhibits | Bill Passed - House (52 - 48) |
| March 2, 2020 | VA | SB 1030 | Prohibits Dangerous Captive Animal Exhibits | Bill Passed - House (52 - 48) |
| Feb. 26, 2020 | VA | HB 980 | Establishes the "Reproductive Health Protection Act" | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 44) |
| March 18, 2020 | MD | SB 708 | Appropriates $10 Million to the Maryland Violence Intervention and Prevention Fund | Bill Passed - House (104 - 28) |
| March 12, 2020 | MS | HB 1200 | Prohibits "Free Speech Zones" on College Campuses | Bill Passed - House (68 - 52) |
| March 12, 2020 | NH | HB 1251 | Prohibits Transgender Students from Playing on a Female Sports Team | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (184 - 131) |
| March 12, 2020 | NH | HB 1251 | Prohibits Transgender Students from Playing on a Female Sports Team | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (184 - 131) |
| March 12, 2020 | NH | HB 1285 | Prohibits Firearms on School Property | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (182 - 141) |
| April 22, 2020 | VA | SB 971 | Establishes the COVID-19 Relief Fund and Amends Gambling Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (76 - 16) |
| March 12, 2020 | WY | HB 44 | Requires the Observation of Mountain Daylight Time | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 13) |
| March 5, 2020 | SD | SB 186 | Establishes Paid Family Leave Policies for State Employees | Bill Passed - House (52 - 14) |
| March 5, 2020 | VA | HB 1150 | Eliminates Requirement that Jails and Prisons Ascertain Citizenship Status of Inmates | Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 45) |
| March 5, 2020 | VA | HB 1150 | Eliminates Requirement that Jails and Prisons Ascertain Citizenship Status of Inmates | Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 45) |
| March 11, 2020 | WY | SF 134 | Authorizes Liquor Licenses for Events Conducted at Rodeo Arenas | Bill Passed - House (34 - 25) |
| Jan. 31, 2020 | VA | HB 995 | Increases the Threshold Amount of Money Taken for Larceny Crimes | Bill Passed - House (58 - 40) |
| March 5, 2020 | VA | HB 33 | Authorizes Inmates to Apply for Parole | Conference Report Adopted - House (53 - 45) |
| April 22, 2020 | VA | SB 384 | Amends Sports Betting Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 29) |
| April 22, 2020 | VA | SB 384 | Amends Sports Betting Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 29) |
| April 22, 2020 | VA | SB 34 | Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Non-United States Citizens | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 41) |
| Feb. 19, 2020 | NH | HB 1101 | Establishes a Waiting Period after Purchasing a Firearm | Bill Passed - House (184 - 134) |
| Feb. 13, 2020 | NH | HB 1700 | Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Non-United States Citizens | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (177 - 128) |
| Feb. 20, 2020 | NH | HB 1379 | Requires a Background Check for Firearm Sales | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (196 - 152) |
| Feb. 19, 2020 | NH | HB 1660 | Establishes a Protective Order for Vulnerable Adults | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (206 - 144) |
| Feb. 19, 2020 | NH | HB 1660 | Establishes a Protective Order for Vulnerable Adults | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (206 - 144) |
| Jan. 31, 2020 | KY | HB 168 | Requires Legislative Ethics Commission to Review Sexual Harassment Complaints | Bill Passed - House (85 - 0) |
| March 18, 2020 | MD | HB 1336 | Authorizes Expungement of Some Misdemeanor Criminal Convictions | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (100 - 31) |
| March 18, 2020 | MD | SB 1006 | Reduces the Amount of Time Child Support May be Suspended While Parent is Incarcerated | Bill Passed - House (102 - 32) |
| March 18, 2020 | MD | SB 1006 | Reduces the Amount of Time Child Support May be Suspended While Parent is Incarcerated | Bill Passed - House (102 - 32) |
| March 17, 2020 | MD | SB 1065 | Appropriates Funds to the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra | Bill Passed - House (103 - 29) |
| April 2, 2020 | NY | S 7505 | Amends Criminal Justice Laws | Bill Passed - House (96 - 45) |
| April 2, 2020 | NY | S 7505 | Amends Criminal Justice Laws | Bill Passed - House (96 - 45) |
| Feb. 17, 2020 | AZ | HB 2030 | Limits the Enforcement of Motor Vehicle Laws by the Arizona Department of Transportation | Bill Passed - House (31 - 28) |
| Feb. 13, 2020 | WA | HB 2614 | Amends the Paid Family Medical Leave Program for Union Employees | Bill Passed - House (60 - 37) |
| May 7, 2020 | LA | HB 132 | Establishes Daylight Savings Time as the Standard Time Year-Round | Bill Passed - House (89 - 0) |
| May 13, 2020 | OH | HB 368 | Establishes Criminal Penalties for Cyber Crimes | Bill Passed - House (93 - 1) |
| March 9, 2020 | MO | HB 1604 | Repeals the Residency Requirement for Municipal Police Forces | Bill Passed - House (106 - 43) |
| Feb. 24, 2020 | VA | SB 935 | Authorizes In-State Tuition for Undocumented Students | Bill Passed - House (56 - 44) |
| May 20, 2020 | OH | HB 3 | Amends Law Enforcement Response to Domestic Violence | Bill Passed - House (94 - 0) |
| May 20, 2020 | OH | HB 3 | Amends Law Enforcement Response to Domestic Violence | Bill Passed - House (94 - 0) |
| Feb. 20, 2020 | SD | HB 1133 | Establishes a Rebuttable Presumption in Favor of Joint Custody of a Minor | Bill Passed - House (41 - 25) |
| May 15, 2020 | OK | SB 1081 | Prohibits Localities from Enacting "Red Flag" Firearm Ordinances | Bill Passed - House (77 - 14) |
| May 15, 2020 | MO | SB 600 | Amends and Expands Provisions Relating to Dangerous Felonies | Bill Passed - House (97 - 51) |
| May 12, 2020 | MO | SB 569 | Requires Forensic Testing of Rape Kits Upon Request of Victim | Bill Passed - House (150 - 3) |
| May 14, 2020 | MO | HB 1896 | Requires Employees of Medical Marijuana Businesses to Submit Fingerprints for Criminal Background Checks | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (124 - 21) |
| May 27, 2020 | National | S 3744 | Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2020 | Bill Passed - House (413 - 1) |
| May 27, 2020 | National | S 3744 | Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2020 | Bill Passed - House (413 - 1) |
| May 23, 2020 | IL | SB 516 | Amends Tax Structure for Chicago Casino | Bill Passed - House (77 - 32) |
| May 22, 2020 | LA | HB 334 | Authorizes Concealed Handgun Permit Holders to Carry Inside Places of Worship | Bill Passed - House (72 - 24) |
| May 22, 2020 | LA | HB 334 | Authorizes Concealed Handgun Permit Holders to Carry Inside Places of Worship | Bill Passed - House (72 - 24) |
| May 28, 2020 | LA | SB 178 | Authorizes Alcohol Delivery by Third Party Platforms | Bill Passed - House (87 - 13) |
| May 28, 2020 | OH | HB 194 | Authorizes Sports Gambling in the State | Bill Passed - House (83 - 10) |
| May 27, 2020 | MI | HB 5217 | Authorizes Compensation for College Athletes | Bill Passed - House (94 - 13) |
| March 8, 2020 | VA | SB 183 | Authorizes Localities to Remove, Relocate, or Alter Monuments | Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 44) |
| April 22, 2020 | VA | SB 437 | Increases Penalty for Motor Accidents Involving a Cyclist or Vulnerable Road User | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 36) |
| Feb. 27, 2020 | CO | HB 20-1019 | Amends the State Department of Corrections Private Prison Populations | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 23) |
| March 10, 2020 | IA | SF 2275 | Increases Penalties for Eluding Law Enforcement | Bill Passed - House (78 - 22) |
| March 11, 2020 | OK | HB 3165 | Amends Criminal Law to Shift Burden of Proof from Defendant to Prosecution | Bill Passed - House (73 - 23) |
| May 11, 2020 | OK | SB 1823 | Establishes a Process to License Midwives | Bill Passed - House (85 - 12) |
| Feb. 27, 2020 | IA | HF 2502 | Amends Gun Policies | Bill Passed - House (52 - 44) |
| June 11, 2020 | IA | HF 2647 | Amends Law Enforcement Policies and Training Requirements | Bill Passed - House (98 - 0) |