Key Votes
State
Issue
Year
Chamber
Keyword Search
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 28, 2008 | MI | Anderson Amendment: Increase Revenue Sharing Grants | Amendment Rejected - Senate (19 - 18) | |
| Aug. 8, 2008 | NY | A 11258 | Mandatory Cigarette Taxation | Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 4) |
| June 25, 2007 | PA | A 2062 | Exceptions to Clean Indoor Air Act | Amendment Adopted - Senate (29 - 21) |
| June 25, 2018 | NJ | A 4249 | Increases the Use of Hospital Admission Fees | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| Aug. 27, 2020 | NJ | A 4276 | Authorizes Voters to Cure Their Ballot to Fix Problems that County Election Officials Identify | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7) |
| March 25, 2021 | NJ | A 5373 | Authorizes County Board of Elections to Determine the Location of Certain Ballot Drop Boxes | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12) |
| June 3, 2021 | NJ | A 5820 | Repeals the Public Health Emergency Declared by the Governor to Address the COVID-19 Pandemic | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16) |
| June 3, 2009 | NY | A 8501 | Government Consolidation Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 16) |
| Aug. 6, 2009 | NY | A 8903-A | Extending City Board Jurisdiction Over New York City Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 8) |
| April 30, 2014 | NY | A 9206 | Authorizes Traffic Cameras on Long Island | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 11) |
| March 17, 2011 | CA | AB 109 | Criminal Justice Realignment | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
| Sept. 6, 2011 | CA | AB 1236 | Prohibits Requirement of Electronic Employment Verification | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| Sept. 12, 2023 | CA | AB 1248 | Requires Local Jurisdictions by 2030 Form Independent Redistricting Commissions | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7) |
| June 7, 2023 | WI | AB 141 | Prohibits Local Restrictions on Clean Energy Devices | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11) |
| June 7, 2023 | WI | AB 142 | Prohibits Local Restrictions on Motor Vehicles Based on Energy Sources | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11) |
| April 9, 2013 | WI | AB 15 | Authorizes Work-Share Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15) |
| Nov. 7, 2017 | WI | AB 153 | Amends State Election Recount Procedures | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13) |
| Sept. 13, 2023 | CA | AB 1633 | Requires Local Government Review of State Environmental Policies | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 3) |
| Aug. 27, 2014 | CA | AB 1739 | Amends Groundwater Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
| June 28, 2018 | CA | AB 1838 | Prohibits Local Grocery Taxes | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7) |
| June 23, 2021 | WI | AB 374 | Establishes Guidelines for Potential Opioid Settlement Disbursement to State Counties | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11) |
| Aug. 29, 2011 | CA | AB 46 | Small City Disincorporation | Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 17) |
| Sept. 10, 2013 | CA | AB 484 | Amends State School Testing Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
| May 31, 2009 | NV | AB 543 | Property Tax Reappropriation | Veto Override Passed - Senate (15 - 6) |
| April 26, 2010 | CA | AB 711 | Authorizing Loan for East Los Angeles Incorporation Study | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9) |
| June 14, 2013 | CA | AB 76 | Specifies that Compliance with the California Public Records Act is Optional | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
| Aug. 30, 2021 | CA | AB 816 | Requires State and Local Governments to Develop Plans to Reduce Homelessness | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7) |
| May 14, 2013 | WI | AB 85 | Amends Milwaukee County Board Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14) |
| Sept. 2, 2021 | CA | AB 970 | Reduces Obstacles to Electric Vehicle Infrastructure | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9) |
| July 24, 2009 | CA | ABX4 14 | 2009-2010 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13) |
| July 24, 2009 | CA | ABX4 15 | Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Implementing Prop 1A Suspension | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9) |
| July 24, 2009 | CA | ABX4 26 | Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Shifting Redevelopment Funds | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
| July 24, 2009 | CA | ABX4 30 | Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Transfer of Local Government Revenue | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| Aug. 12, 2019 | CA | AJR 5 | Urges the Federal Government to Pass Universal Firearm Safety Regulation | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9) |
| Feb. 14, 2008 | NE | AM 1736 | Eliminating Opt-Out Provision of Smoking Ban | Amendment Adopted - Senate (33 - 13) |
| Feb. 25, 2008 | IN | Amnd. 17 | Elimination of Township Assessors | Amendment Rejected - Senate (23 - 23) |
| Feb. 25, 2008 | IN | Amnd. 19 | Referendum on Township Assessors | Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 20) |
| Feb. 15, 2008 | LA | Amnd. 423 to SB 1 | Persons Restricted from Doing Business with the State | Amendment Adopted - Senate (21 - 16) |
| May 3, 2011 | VT | H 202 | Single-Payer and Unified Health System | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 9) |
| March 21, 2013 | ID | H 248 | Establishes Health Insurance Exchange | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| April 5, 2011 | ID | H 298 | Response to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| March 19, 2014 | SC | H 3101 | Prohibits Implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 | Bill Failed - Senate (9 - 33) |
| April 6, 2022 | SC | H 3126 | Prohibits Political Subdivisions from Accepting Federal Funds to Enforce Unlawful Mask Mandates | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 12) |
| March 9, 2022 | SC | H 3205 | Authorizes the State of South Carolina to Join a "Convention of States" | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13) |
| March 15, 2016 | ID | H 372 | Prohibits Local Limitation on Use of Plastic Bags | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| March 9, 2010 | ID | H 391 | Opposing Federal Individual Health Insurance Mandate | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10) |
| Sept. 22, 2009 | MA | H 4246 | Authorizing Governor to Appoint Interim U.S. Senator | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
| Feb. 7, 2008 | MA | H 4488 | Education Reorganization | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5) |
| July 18, 2018 | MA | H 4546 | Authorizes Creation of Community Benefit Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
| July 30, 2018 | MA | H 4834 | Establishes Automatic Voter Registration | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 0) |
| July 31, 2018 | MA | H 4857 | Increases State Clean Energy Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0) |
| March 23, 2012 | ID | H 619 | Prohibits Speed Limit Regulation by Local Authorities | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
| March 25, 2022 | ID | H 635 | Amends Existing Law to Revise Provisions Regarding City Annexations | Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 19) |
| Feb. 25, 2021 | ID | H 67 | Prohibits Public Health Districts from Closing Schools or Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3) |
| Sept. 22, 2020 | VT | H 688 | Establishes the Global Warming Solutions Act | Veto Override Passed - Senate (22 - 8) |
| June 26, 2020 | VT | H 688 | Establishes the Global Warming Solutions Act | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5) |
| March 22, 2022 | ID | H 705 | Amends State of Emergency Rules and Limitations | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4) |
| May 1, 2008 | RI | H 7204 | 2007-2008 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| May 1, 2014 | RI | H 7944A | Authorizes State Fiscal Oversight of Certain Fire Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5) |
| March 10, 2022 | WY | HB 105 | Reduces State Coal Severance Tax by 0.5 Percent | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4) |
| Feb. 28, 2024 | SD | HB 1061 | Appropriates $4.28 Million to the Emergency and Disaster Fund for National Guard Troop Deployment to the Texas Border | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4) |
| March 21, 2024 | GA | HB 1105 | Establishes Penalties for Sheriff's that Refuse to Follow Federal Immigration Orders | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 19) |
| Feb. 21, 2011 | AR | HB 1115 | Absentee Mayor | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9) |
| Feb. 14, 2011 | AR | HB 1115 | Absentee Mayor | Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 14) |
| March 4, 2014 | SD | HB 1123 | Extends the Alcoholic Beverage Service Hours of Certain Hotels | Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 20) |
| April 26, 2019 | FL | HB 1159 | Prohibits Municipal Governments from Requiring Approval for Tree Removal | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16) |
| April 13, 2021 | IN | HB 1164 | Limits a City or Township's Ability to Restrict 5G Poles | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19) |
| Feb. 18, 2009 | SD | HB 1171 | Exemptions from School District Minimum Size Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12) |
| April 13, 2021 | IN | HB 1191 | Prohibits a Local Government's Control Board from Banning a Fuel Source | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16) |
| March 25, 2021 | MT | HB 121 | Repeals the Ability for Health Boards to Implement Rules Surrounding Covid-19 | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19) |
| May 21, 2021 | TX | HB 1239 | Prohibits Elected Officials from Closing Places of Worship | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3) |
| Feb. 28, 2012 | SD | HB 1253 | Prohibits State Enforcement of Religious Codes | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4) |
| March 11, 2011 | ND | HB 1263 | Athletic Nickname and Logo of the University of North Dakota | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 15) |
| April 2, 2021 | WY | HB 127 | Limits the Time Period for Protective Orders to a Period of 10 Days Without Corresponding County or Commission Approval | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10) |
| March 31, 2008 | CO | HB 1270 | Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| April 1, 2008 | GA | HB 1281 | Restricting Local Outdoor Water Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 13) |
| May 3, 2011 | NC | HB 129 | Regulates Competition Between Local Government and Private Business | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10) |
| June 19, 2012 | PA | HB 1307 | Authorizes State Control of Financially Distressed Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21) |
| March 1, 2023 | UT | HB 131 | Prohibits Public Entities from Restricting Employment Due to an Individuals Vaccination Status | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 5) |
| April 5, 2023 | ND | HB 1340 | Prohibits Local Governments from Enforcing Stricter Gun Laws then Passed by the State | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6) |
| Feb. 26, 2016 | VA | HB 1371 | Prohibits Cities from Increasing Minimum Wage or Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| March 29, 2019 | ND | HB 1381 | Prohibits Government Funded Gun Buyback Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12) |
| April 19, 2021 | ND | HB 1383 | Prohibits State Enforcement of Federal Regulations on Firearms | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 7) |
| Feb. 18, 2022 | LA | HB 14 | Authorizes New Election Districts for the House of Representatives | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| May 29, 2020 | LA | HB 140 | Prohibits Localities from Establishing Restrictions to Prohibit Firearm Possession | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3) |
| April 30, 2014 | MO | HB 1439 | Prohibits Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8) |
| March 7, 2012 | UT | HB 148 | Authorizes the Transfer of Federal Lands to the State | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 6) |
| March 22, 2021 | GA | HB 150 | Prohibits State and Local Governments From Restricting Use of Fossil Fuels | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15) |
| March 15, 2023 | KY | HB 153 | Prohibits Any Federal Ban or Regulation on Firearms Enacted in 2021 or After | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9) |
| May 16, 2008 | MO | HB 1549, 1771, 1395, 2366 | Undocumented Immigrants | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 7) |
| May 4, 2023 | IL | HB 1596 | Amends the Children Family Services Act by Removing Gender Specific Pronouns | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 19) |
| April 15, 2009 | IN | HB 1604 | Authorizing Local Tax Increases to Fund Sports and Convention Facilities | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17) |
| April 14, 2009 | HI | HB 1605 | Allowing Counties to Impose Retail Sales Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 4) |
| May 17, 2019 | TX | HB 1631 | Prohibits Use of Red Light Cameras | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8) |
| May 30, 2019 | IL | HB 1637 | Establishes the Keep Illinois Families Together Act | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 19) |
| March 18, 2020 | MS | HB 1647 | Authorizes Local Governments and School Districts to Grant Administrative Leave with Pay In Case of Emergency | Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 0) |
| March 27, 2017 | TN | HB 173 | Prohibits Local Government from Enacting Drug-Related Sanctions | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5) |
| Feb. 25, 2016 | AL | HB 174 | Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Wage or Employee Benefits Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
| April 14, 2009 | HI | HB 1744 | Allowing a County Surcharge on the Transient Accommodations Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 6) |
| May 14, 2009 | AL | HB 175 | Permitting Elections in Smaller Municipalities on Allowing Alcohol | Veto Override Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |