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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
March 22, 2020 | AK | HB 308 | Establishes Relief for Employees Affected by COVID-19 Coronavirus | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 0) |
April 9, 2012 | AK | SB 203 | Establishes an Energy Assistance Program | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 4) |
June 9, 2011 | AL | HB 414 | Increasing Retirement Contributions for Public Employees | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 12) |
June 2, 2011 | AL | HB 414 | Increasing Retirement Contributions for Public Employees | Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 48) |
Feb. 17, 2022 | AL | HB 231 | Exempts Certain Tax Credits from the Calculation of Income Tax Deductions | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 0) |
April 2, 2014 | AL | SB 115 | Amends Job Application Requirements for Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (70 - 33) |
May 31, 2019 | AL | HB 77 | Expands Retirement Benefits for Public School Teachers | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4) |
April 3, 2014 | AL | SB 63 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (73 - 27) |
March 22, 2011 | AL | SB 72 | Repealing the Deferred Retirement Option Plan | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 13) |
April 11, 2017 | AL | SB 193 | Authorizes Briarwood Presbyterian Church to Form a Police Force | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4) |
Feb. 26, 2014 | AL | SB 63 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4) |
May 11, 2017 | AL | SB 200 | Prohibits Criminal History Inquiries by Employers | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 9) |
April 24, 2013 | AL | SB 191 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10) |
March 22, 2011 | AL | SB 72 | Repealing the Deferred Retirement Option Plan | Conference Report Adopted - House (58 - 33) |
April 10, 2012 | AL | HB 433 | 2012-2013 Budget | Bill Passed - House (56 - 47) |
April 12, 2011 | AL | HB 414 | Increasing Retirement Contributions for Public Employees | Bill Passed - House (54 - 41) |
March 4, 2014 | AR | SB 111 | 2014-2015 Department of Human Services Budget | Bill Passed - House (76 - 24) |
March 30, 2015 | AR | SB 600 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Government Benefits | Bill Passed - House (69 - 14) |
March 12, 2015 | AR | HB 1489 | Reduces Unemployment Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7) |
April 8, 2013 | AR | SB 875 | Reduces Maximum Weekly Unemployment Benefit Amounts | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12) |
Feb. 20, 2014 | AR | SB 111 | 2014-2015 Department of Human Services Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
April 17, 2014 | AZ | HB 2367 | Establishes Work Requirements for Certain Medicaid Recipients | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 22) |
June 13, 2013 | AZ | HB 2608 | Amends Retirement Plans for Elected Officials | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 24) |
April 16, 2014 | AZ | HB 2367 | Establishes Work Requirements for Certain Medicaid Recipients | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
May 8, 2013 | AZ | HB 2608 | Amends Retirement Plans for Elected Officials | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13) |
May 10, 2017 | AZ | HB 2372 | Extends Time Period for Individuals to Receive Government Assistance | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
Feb. 26, 2015 | AZ | SB 1092 | Requires Waivers for Certain Health Insurance | Bill Passed - House (34 - 23) |
March 6, 2014 | AZ | HB 2367 | Establishes Work Requirements for Certain Medicaid Recipients | Bill Passed - House (35 - 22) |
Feb. 21, 2023 | AZ | HB 2211 | Amends Rules Concerning SNAP Eligibility | Bill Passed - House (36 - 24) |
March 19, 2020 | AZ | SB 1690 | Establishes the Emergency Crisis Contingency and Safety Net Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3) |
Feb. 23, 2017 | AZ | HB 2372 | Extends Time Period for Individuals to Receive Government Assistance | Bill Passed - House (31 - 29) |
March 2, 2016 | AZ | HB 2599 | Establishes Provisions that Prohibit Certain Organizations from Receiving State or Federal Funding | Bill Passed - House (35 - 24) |
Feb. 23, 2015 | AZ | SB 1092 | Requires Waivers for Certain Health Insurance | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
Feb. 21, 2013 | AZ | HB 2147 | Requires Individuals Seeking Unemployment Benefits to Provide Proof of Eligibility | Bill Passed - House (36 - 23) |
March 28, 2012 | AZ | HB 2519 | Expands the Requirements for Unemployment Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11) |
March 1, 2012 | AZ | HB 2519 | Expands the Requirements for Unemployment Benefits | Bill Passed - House (39 - 17) |
Aug. 31, 2016 | CA | SB 1234 | Authorizes Implementation of Retirement Savings Plan | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 12) |
Aug. 31, 2016 | CA | SB 654 | Authorizes Paid Family Leave | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 12) |
Aug. 30, 2014 | CA | AB 1522 | Requires Paid Sick Leave for Employees | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 25) |
Aug. 27, 2012 | CA | AB 1640 | Expands Cash Assistance Programs for Pregnant Teenagers | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 26) |
Sept. 2, 2011 | CA | AB 6 | Repeals Fingerprinting Requirement for CalFresh Benefits | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 26) |
June 15, 2012 | CA | AB 1464 | 2012-2013 Budget | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 28) |
July 8, 2019 | CA | AB 1054 | Establishes Wildfire Victim Compensation Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7) |
July 15, 2021 | CA | AB 133 | Expands Medi-Cal Eligibility to Low-Income Adults Regardless of Immigration Status | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8) |
June 25, 2020 | CA | ACA 11 | Establishes the "Home Protection for Seniors, Severely Disabled, Families, and Victims of Wildfire or Natural Disasters Act" | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5) |
Aug. 29, 2014 | CA | AB 1522 | Requires Paid Sick Leave for Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8) |
Aug. 25, 2016 | CA | SB 1234 | Requires Eligible Employers to Provide Retirement Savings Funds to Employees | Bill Passed - House (52 - 26) |
Aug. 31, 2020 | CA | SB 1383 | Expands Protections for Paid Family Leave | Bill Passed - House (46 - 16) |
June 15, 2012 | CA | AB 1464 | 2012-2013 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16) |
Aug. 22, 2012 | CA | AB 1640 | Expands Cash Assistance Programs for Pregnant Teenagers | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
Aug. 31, 2011 | CA | AB 6 | Repeals Fingerprinting Requirement for CalFresh Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
July 2, 2020 | CA | SB 1383 | Expands Protections for Paid Family Leave | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
June 26, 2020 | CA | SB 1410 | Authorizes COVID-19 Eviction Relief Agreements Between Tenants and Landlords | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9) |
May 22, 2019 | CA | AB 163 | Requires State Oversight of Unaccompanied Undocumented Minors | Bill Passed - House (60 - 5) |
June 3, 2015 | CA | SB 185 | Requires Public Retirement Systems to Divest from Coal Companies | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
Jan. 15, 2021 | CA | AB 88 | Exempts Stimulus Payments from Garnishment | Bill Passed - House (48 - 13) |
Feb. 25, 2021 | CA | AB 133 | Expands Medi-Cal Eligibility to Low-Income Adults Regardless of Immigration Status | Bill Passed - House (56 - 18) |
Jan. 21, 2021 | CA | SB 88 | Authorizes Distributing a $600 Payment to Low Income Residents | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 2) |
Feb. 25, 2021 | CA | AB 213 | Extends One-Time Grant Payments to Recipients of SSI/SSP Benefits | Bill Passed - House (56 - 18) |
May 28, 2019 | CA | AB 4 | Authorizes Medi-Cal Benefits for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (51 - 17) |
May 29, 2014 | CA | AB 1522 | Requires Paid Sick Leave for Employees | Bill Passed - House (52 - 23) |
June 15, 2020 | CA | AB 3300 | Establishes the California Access to Housing and Services Fund | Bill Passed - House (62 - 2) |
June 10, 2020 | CA | AB 3269 | Requires the Establishment of Plans to Reduce Homelessness | Bill Passed - House (58 - 10) |
June 22, 2020 | CA | SB 1138 | Requires Land Zoned for Shelters Meet Certain Standards | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8) |
June 25, 2020 | CA | SB 795 | Appropriates Funds for Affordable Housing and Homelessness Aid | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10) |
Dec. 2, 2020 | CO | SB 20B-004 | Authorizes Transference of Money for Cash Assistance During COVID-19 Emergency | Bill Passed - House (46 - 18) |
May 7, 2023 | CO | HB 23-1200 | Establishes Behavioral Health Crisis Vouchers to Fund Treatment Plans | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4) |
Feb. 9, 2015 | CO | SB 65 | Prohibits Withdrawing Public Assistance Funds at Certain Places | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
March 9, 2012 | FL | HB 5001 | 2012-2013 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 8) |
March 9, 2012 | FL | HB 5001 | 2012-2013 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 37) |
June 5, 2015 | FL | SB 2-A | Establishes the Florida Health Insurance Affordability Exchange Program | Bill Failed - House (41 - 72) |
March 11, 2020 | FL | SB 82 | Amends Medicaid Program for Individuals with Disabilities | Bill Passed - House (78 - 37) |
Feb. 23, 2012 | FL | HB 5001 | 2012-2013 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 6) |
May 5, 2011 | FL | HB 353 | Drug Screening for Temporary Assistance Beneficiaries | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
April 25, 2014 | FL | HB 7181 | Reforms Retirement Systems for State Employees | Bill Passed - House (74 - 44) |
April 26, 2011 | FL | HB 353 | Drug Screening for Temporary Assistance Beneficiaries | Bill Passed - House (78 - 38) |
Feb. 9, 2012 | FL | HB 5001 | 2012-2013 Budget | Bill Passed - House (79 - 38) |
March 29, 2012 | GA | HB 347 | Reduces Unemployment Benefits | Conference Report Adopted - House (98 - 60) |
March 29, 2012 | GA | HB 347 | Reduces Unemployment Benefits | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 17) |
March 25, 2019 | GA | SB 106 | Authorizes Governor to Pursue Medicaid Waivers | Bill Passed - House (104 - 67) |
March 3, 2014 | GA | HB 990 | Prohibits Medicaid Expansion without Legislative Approval | Bill Passed - House (118 - 57) |
March 3, 2014 | GA | HB 772 | Requires Drug Testing For Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (107 - 66) |
Feb. 26, 2019 | GA | SB 106 | Authorizes Governor to Pursue Medicaid Waivers | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 20) |
March 7, 2012 | GA | HB 861 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (114 - 59) |
March 7, 2012 | GA | SB 312 | Require Development Activities for Certain Public Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 14) |
July 20, 2016 | HI | SB 2077 | Authorizes Employees Affected by Privatization to Receive Benefits | Veto Override Passed - House (43 - 3) |
July 20, 2016 | HI | SB 2077 | Authorizes Employees Affected by Privatization to Receive Benefits | Veto Override Passed - Senate (18 - 4) |
March 16, 2017 | IA | HF 518 | Requires Certain Restrictions Regarding Worker's Compensation | Bill Passed - House (55 - 38) |
May 23, 2013 | IA | SF 446 | 2013-2014 Health and Human Services Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 17) |
May 22, 2013 | IA | SF 446 | 2013-2014 Health and Human Services Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 24) |
May 1, 2013 | IA | SF 446 | 2013-2014 Health and Human Services Budget | Bill Passed - House (52 - 46) |
March 27, 2017 | IA | HF 518 | Requires Certain Restrictions Regarding Worker's Compensation | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21) |
March 19, 2019 | IA | SF 538 | Establishes Medicaid Work Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17) |
Feb. 26, 2020 | IA | SF 2272 | Establishes Computer Verification System for Public Assistance Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17) |
April 20, 2011 | IA | SF 525 | Revises the Iowa Mental Health System | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23) |
April 4, 2019 | ID | S 1204 | Amends Medicaid Eligibility Requirements | Bill Passed - House (49 - 20) |
March 28, 2011 | ID | H 260 | Medicaid Funding | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
March 23, 2016 | ID | H 644 | Establishes Health Clinic Grant Program | Bill Passed - House (43 - 26) |
April 2, 2019 | ID | S 1204 | Amends Medicaid Eligibility Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
March 2, 2011 | ID | H 109 | Extends Unemployment Benefits | Bill Passed - House (41 - 28) |