Key Votes

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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:

  1. The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member stands on a particular issue
  2. The vote should be clear for any person to understand
  3. The vote has received media attention
  4. The vote was passed or defeated by a very close margin
  5. 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
Dec. 17, 2020 NJ S 2875 Establishes New Ownership Exceptions to Expand Access to Investments for Certain Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
Dec. 14, 2020 MN SF 31 Extends State Unemployment Benefits by 13 Weeks and Appropriates $216 Million for Business COVID-19 Relief Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 4)
Dec. 2, 2020 CO SB 20B-001 Appropriates $57 Million in Direct Aid, Grants, and Annual Fee Waivers to Small Businesses Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
Dec. 2, 2020 CO HB 20B-1005 Authorizes Local Authorities to Impose Food Delivery Fee Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Oct. 21, 2020 LA SB 72 Authorizes One-Time Income Tax Credit For Businesses Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
Oct. 20, 2020 PA SB 1199 Specifies Provisions for Personal Delivery Devices Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
Oct. 20, 2020 LA HB 37 Expands Business Tax Credits Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
Oct. 14, 2020 MI HB 6030 Establishes a Minimum Threshold for COVID-19 Business Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
Oct. 1, 2020 VA HB 5047 Prohibits Price-Gouging during a Declared State of Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Oct. 1, 2020 CT HB 7001 Amends The Connecticut Property Transfer Act of 1985 Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
Sept. 24, 2020 MI HB 5340 Amends the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act to Allow Access to Private Data (22 - 15)
Sept. 24, 2020 NJ A 4721 Establishes a Corporate Business Tax Rate of 2.5 Percent Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
Sept. 24, 2020 NJ S 2021 Appropriations State and Federal Funds for the Fiscal Year 2020-21 Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
Sept. 23, 2020 OH HB 669 Extends the To-Go Alcohol Sales Provision Permanently Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 2)
Sept. 23, 2020 OH SB 360 Prohibits Public Officials from Issuing an Order that Prohibits Statewide Firearm Sales Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
Sept. 22, 2020 PA HB 2513 Authorizes Restaurants and Bars to Open at 50 Percent Capacity Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 6)
Sept. 10, 2020 MI SB 892 Authorizes Deliveries by Semi-Autonomous Delivery Devices Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
Aug. 30, 2020 CA SB 973 Requires Employers to Submit Annual Pay Data Report Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
Aug. 29, 2020 CA AB 979 Requires Corporations to Have Directors From Under-Represented Groups Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
Aug. 28, 2020 CA AB 376 Establishes Protections for Student Loan Borrowers Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
Aug. 28, 2020 CA AB 2762 Prohibits Certain Toxic Chemicals in Cosmetics Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Aug. 26, 2020 ID H 6 Establishes Liability Protections for Businesses, Schools, and Cities during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
Aug. 11, 2020 NE LB 424 Amends the Nebraska Municipal Land Bank Act Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 12)
Aug. 5, 2020 NV SB 4 Establishes Liability Protections for Businesses during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
Aug. 2, 2020 NV AJR 1 Increases Tax on Mining Companies Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
Aug. 2, 2020 NV AJR 2 Amends the State Constitution to Increase Taxes on Mining Proceeeds Resolution Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
Aug. 1, 2020 NV SJR 1 Amends the State Constitution to Increase Taxes on Mining Proceeds Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
July 30, 2020 NJ S 2412 Requires Refunds or Credit for Certain Short-Term Rental Reservations During Public Health Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
July 1, 2020 MS SB 3049 Establishes the "Mississippi Back-to-Business Liability Assurance and Health Care Emergency Response Liability Protection Act" Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
June 25, 2020 CA SB 793 Prohibits Flavored Tobacco Products Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
June 25, 2020 CA SB 908 Requires the Licensing of Debt Collectors Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
June 25, 2020 CA SB 908 Requires the Licensing of Debt Collectors Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
June 24, 2020 MI HB 5781 Authorizes the Creation of Social Districts for Alcohol Consumption Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1)
June 23, 2020 GA HB 879 Authorizes Retailers to Deliver Alcohol to Residents Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 9)
June 19, 2020 NM SB 3 Establishes the "Small Business Recovery Act of 2020" Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
June 17, 2020 MI SB 781 Establishes 18 Percent Tax on E-Cigarette Liquid Nicotine Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
June 17, 2020 MI SB 783 Authorizes Certain Flavors of Vape Products and Prohibits Certain Vape Advertisements Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
June 15, 2020 CO HB 20-1427 Increases the Cigarette Tobacco and Nicotine Products Tax Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
June 10, 2020 IA SF 2338 Establishes Legal Protection to Businesses and Healthcare Providers during COVID-19 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
June 10, 2020 CO SB 20-213 Extends State Take-Out Regulations for Alcohol Sales Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 1)
June 10, 2020 MI SB 942 Extends To-Go and Delivery Options to Cocktails Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 1)
June 5, 2020 CO HB 20-1001 Increases Legal Age to Buy Tobacco Products to 21 Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
June 3, 2020 OH SB 308 Establishes Legal Protection to Small Businesses and Healthcare Providers during COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
June 1, 2020 LA HB 826 Establishes Legal Immunity for COVID-19 Claims to Businesses and Government Agencies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 0)
May 31, 2020 LA SB 508 Limits Liability of Restaurants During the COVID-19 Epidemic Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
May 29, 2020 LA HB 846 Establishes Tax Rebates for COVID-19 Impacted Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
May 27, 2020 OH HB 242 Prohibits Local Government from Enacting Fees on Plastic Bags in Stores Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
May 26, 2020 LA HB 722 Specifies that Electronic Signatures Used in Transactions with Financial Institutions are Enforceable to the Full Extent of the Law Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
May 15, 2020 WY SF 1002 Establishes Immunity from COVID-19 Claims to Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
May 14, 2020 NJ S 2437 Limits Fees Charged to Restaurants by Third-Party Food Delivery Applications Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
May 13, 2020 PA HB 2388 Establishes Exemption Waivers for Business Closures Due to COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17)
May 13, 2020 MN HF 331 Increases Legal Age to Buy Tobacco Products to 21 Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 21)
May 11, 2020 OK SB 1946 Exempts from Civil Liability Any Individual Who Potentially Exposes Another to COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 11)
April 30, 2020 MI SB 858 Establishes Deadlines for Governor's Stay At Home Orders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
April 30, 2020 MN SF 3843 Amends Business Tax Policies and Establishes Recovery Aid to Small Businesses for Financial Relief Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 27)
April 23, 2020 UT SB 3007 Establishes Immunity from COVID-19 Injury Litigation to Businesses after Reopening Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
April 15, 2020 KY HB 351 Increases Taxes on Tobacco Products and Authorizes the Expansion of Absentee Voting Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
April 15, 2020 PA SB 613 Requires the Governor's Office to Follow Federal Guidelines to Reopen Businesses During COVID-19 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
March 28, 2020 AK SB 241 Appropriates Emergency Funds for COVID-19 Coronavirus Relief Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 1)
March 26, 2020 KY HB 415 Amends Shipping Laws for Distillers, Wineries, and Breweries Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
March 17, 2020 MD HB 732 Increases Tobacco Tax and Establishes Vaping Tax Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 16)
March 17, 2020 KY HB 99 Establishes a Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority Loan for a Qualifying Public Medical Center Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
March 16, 2020 KS SB 474 Authorizes Compensation for College Athletes Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 4)
March 13, 2020 MD HB 932 Requires the Distribution of Sales and Use Tax Revenue from Certain Digital Products to the Blueprint for Maryland's Future Fund Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 15)
March 12, 2020 FL SB 810 Increases the Legal Smoking Age to 21 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
March 11, 2020 FL HB 607 Authorizes Independent Nurse Practitioners to Open Primary Care Practices Without Doctor Supervision Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
March 11, 2020 National H J Res 76 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to "Borrower Defense Institutional Accountability" Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 42)
March 10, 2020 CO HB 20-1080 Repeals State Residency Requirement for Medical Marijuana Business Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
March 9, 2020 WA SB 5323 Establishes Standards for the Use of Plastic Bags at Retail Establishments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
March 7, 2020 VA HB 812 Prohibits Unlicensed Individuals to Deal Firearms from Purchasing More Than One Gun in a 30-Day Period Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 19)
March 6, 2020 UT HB 243 Requires Warning Labels on Pornography Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
March 5, 2020 NH SB 159 Increases Net Metering Capacity for Customer-Generators Veto Override Passed - Senate (17 - 7)
March 5, 2020 VA HB 1251 Authorizes Enrollee not to Pay Out-of-Network Amount Except Applicable Cost-sharing Requirement (40 - 0)
March 5, 2020 NJ S 864 Prohibits Single-Use Plastic Bags and Styrofoam Containers Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
Feb. 3, 2020 IN SB 438 Establishes Regulations for Pesticides Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
Jan. 16, 2020 GA HB 276 Establishes an Online Sales Tax Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 9)
Jan. 16, 2020 National HR 5430 United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act Bill Passed - Senate (89 - 10)
Jan. 14, 2020 TN HB 836 Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Deny Potential Parents Based on Religious Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
Jan. 8, 2020 NH SB 248 Increases the Age for Sales of Tobacco Products "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/17 S 2875 Establishes New Ownership Exceptions to Expand Access to Investments for Certain Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
12/14 SF 31 Extends State Unemployment Benefits by 13 Weeks and Appropriates $216 Million for Business COVID-19 Relief Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 4)
12/02 SB 20B-001 Appropriates $57 Million in Direct Aid, Grants, and Annual Fee Waivers to Small Businesses Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
12/02 HB 20B-1005 Authorizes Local Authorities to Impose Food Delivery Fee Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
10/21 SB 72 Authorizes One-Time Income Tax Credit For Businesses Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
10/20 SB 1199 Specifies Provisions for Personal Delivery Devices Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
10/20 HB 37 Expands Business Tax Credits Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
10/14 HB 6030 Establishes a Minimum Threshold for COVID-19 Business Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
10/01 HB 5047 Prohibits Price-Gouging during a Declared State of Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
10/01 HB 7001 Amends The Connecticut Property Transfer Act of 1985 Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
9/24 HB 5340 Amends the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act to Allow Access to Private Data (22 - 15)
9/24 A 4721 Establishes a Corporate Business Tax Rate of 2.5 Percent Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
9/24 S 2021 Appropriations State and Federal Funds for the Fiscal Year 2020-21 Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
9/23 HB 669 Extends the To-Go Alcohol Sales Provision Permanently Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 2)
9/23 SB 360 Prohibits Public Officials from Issuing an Order that Prohibits Statewide Firearm Sales Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
9/22 HB 2513 Authorizes Restaurants and Bars to Open at 50 Percent Capacity Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 6)
9/10 SB 892 Authorizes Deliveries by Semi-Autonomous Delivery Devices Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
8/30 SB 973 Requires Employers to Submit Annual Pay Data Report Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
8/29 AB 979 Requires Corporations to Have Directors From Under-Represented Groups Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
8/28 AB 376 Establishes Protections for Student Loan Borrowers Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
8/28 AB 2762 Prohibits Certain Toxic Chemicals in Cosmetics Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
8/26 H 6 Establishes Liability Protections for Businesses, Schools, and Cities during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
8/11 LB 424 Amends the Nebraska Municipal Land Bank Act Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 12)
8/05 SB 4 Establishes Liability Protections for Businesses during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
8/02 AJR 1 Increases Tax on Mining Companies Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
8/02 AJR 2 Amends the State Constitution to Increase Taxes on Mining Proceeeds Resolution Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
8/01 SJR 1 Amends the State Constitution to Increase Taxes on Mining Proceeds Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
7/30 S 2412 Requires Refunds or Credit for Certain Short-Term Rental Reservations During Public Health Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
7/01 SB 3049 Establishes the "Mississippi Back-to-Business Liability Assurance and Health Care Emergency Response Liability Protection Act" Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
6/25 SB 793 Prohibits Flavored Tobacco Products Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
6/25 SB 908 Requires the Licensing of Debt Collectors Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
6/25 SB 908 Requires the Licensing of Debt Collectors Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
6/24 HB 5781 Authorizes the Creation of Social Districts for Alcohol Consumption Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1)
6/23 HB 879 Authorizes Retailers to Deliver Alcohol to Residents Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 9)
6/19 SB 3 Establishes the "Small Business Recovery Act of 2020" Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
6/17 SB 781 Establishes 18 Percent Tax on E-Cigarette Liquid Nicotine Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
6/17 SB 783 Authorizes Certain Flavors of Vape Products and Prohibits Certain Vape Advertisements Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
6/15 HB 20-1427 Increases the Cigarette Tobacco and Nicotine Products Tax Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
6/10 SF 2338 Establishes Legal Protection to Businesses and Healthcare Providers during COVID-19 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
6/10 SB 20-213 Extends State Take-Out Regulations for Alcohol Sales Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 1)
6/10 SB 942 Extends To-Go and Delivery Options to Cocktails Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 1)
6/05 HB 20-1001 Increases Legal Age to Buy Tobacco Products to 21 Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
6/03 SB 308 Establishes Legal Protection to Small Businesses and Healthcare Providers during COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
6/01 HB 826 Establishes Legal Immunity for COVID-19 Claims to Businesses and Government Agencies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 0)
5/31 SB 508 Limits Liability of Restaurants During the COVID-19 Epidemic Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
5/29 HB 846 Establishes Tax Rebates for COVID-19 Impacted Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
5/27 HB 242 Prohibits Local Government from Enacting Fees on Plastic Bags in Stores Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
5/26 HB 722 Specifies that Electronic Signatures Used in Transactions with Financial Institutions are Enforceable to the Full Extent of the Law Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
5/15 SF 1002 Establishes Immunity from COVID-19 Claims to Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
5/14 S 2437 Limits Fees Charged to Restaurants by Third-Party Food Delivery Applications Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
5/13 HB 2388 Establishes Exemption Waivers for Business Closures Due to COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17)
5/13 HF 331 Increases Legal Age to Buy Tobacco Products to 21 Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 21)
5/11 SB 1946 Exempts from Civil Liability Any Individual Who Potentially Exposes Another to COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 11)
4/30 SB 858 Establishes Deadlines for Governor's Stay At Home Orders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
4/30 SF 3843 Amends Business Tax Policies and Establishes Recovery Aid to Small Businesses for Financial Relief Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 27)
4/23 SB 3007 Establishes Immunity from COVID-19 Injury Litigation to Businesses after Reopening Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
4/15 HB 351 Increases Taxes on Tobacco Products and Authorizes the Expansion of Absentee Voting Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
4/15 SB 613 Requires the Governor's Office to Follow Federal Guidelines to Reopen Businesses During COVID-19 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
3/28 SB 241 Appropriates Emergency Funds for COVID-19 Coronavirus Relief Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 1)
3/26 HB 415 Amends Shipping Laws for Distillers, Wineries, and Breweries Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
3/17 HB 732 Increases Tobacco Tax and Establishes Vaping Tax Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 16)
3/17 HB 99 Establishes a Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority Loan for a Qualifying Public Medical Center Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
3/16 SB 474 Authorizes Compensation for College Athletes Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 4)
3/13 HB 932 Requires the Distribution of Sales and Use Tax Revenue from Certain Digital Products to the Blueprint for Maryland's Future Fund Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 15)
3/12 SB 810 Increases the Legal Smoking Age to 21 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
3/11 HB 607 Authorizes Independent Nurse Practitioners to Open Primary Care Practices Without Doctor Supervision Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
3/11 H J Res 76 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to "Borrower Defense Institutional Accountability" Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 42)
3/10 HB 20-1080 Repeals State Residency Requirement for Medical Marijuana Business Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
3/09 SB 5323 Establishes Standards for the Use of Plastic Bags at Retail Establishments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
3/07 HB 812 Prohibits Unlicensed Individuals to Deal Firearms from Purchasing More Than One Gun in a 30-Day Period Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 19)
3/06 HB 243 Requires Warning Labels on Pornography Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
3/05 SB 159 Increases Net Metering Capacity for Customer-Generators Veto Override Passed - Senate (17 - 7)
3/05 HB 1251 Authorizes Enrollee not to Pay Out-of-Network Amount Except Applicable Cost-sharing Requirement (40 - 0)
3/05 S 864 Prohibits Single-Use Plastic Bags and Styrofoam Containers Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
2/03 SB 438 Establishes Regulations for Pesticides Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
1/16 HB 276 Establishes an Online Sales Tax Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 9)
1/16 HR 5430 United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act Bill Passed - Senate (89 - 10)
1/14 HB 836 Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Deny Potential Parents Based on Religious Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
1/08 SB 248 Increases the Age for Sales of Tobacco Products "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)

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