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.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
Jan. 15, 2020 WV HB 3039 Increases Court Discretion When Determining Child Custody Bill Passed - House (87 - 11)
Feb. 7, 2020 WV HB 4585 Establishes Criminal Immunity for "Good Faith" Child Abuse or Neglect Reporting Bill Passed - House (69 - 29)
June 18, 2020 GA HB 545 Reduces Statute of Limitations for Certain Nuisance Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
March 17, 2020 KS SB 102 Expands Flexibility in Courts Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
March 11, 2020 MS SB 2459 Establishes Legal Definition for Criminal Gang Activity Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 15)
March 7, 2020 WV HB 2419 Authorizes Release of Certain Individuals Without Bail Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 21)
March 6, 2020 WV SB 275 Establishes an Intermediate Court of Appeals Bill Failed - House (44 - 56)
Feb. 10, 2020 WV SB 275 Establishes an Intermediate Court of Appeals Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
April 10, 2020 VT S 114 Establishes Emergency Judicial Response Standards during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
May 12, 2020 MO SB 591 Limits Punitive Damage Payouts Bill Passed - House (98 - 51)
March 2, 2020 MO SB 591 Limits Punitive Damage Payouts Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
April 23, 2020 UT SB 3007 Establishes Immunity from COVID-19 Injury Litigation to Businesses after Reopening Bill Passed - House (54 - 21)
April 23, 2020 UT SB 3007 Establishes Immunity from COVID-19 Injury Litigation to Businesses after Reopening Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
April 17, 2020 UT SB 3002 Establishes Legal Immunity to Doctors who Prescribe Experimental Medications to COVID-19 Patients Bill Passed - House (65 - 7)
Feb. 20, 2020 SD HB 1133 Establishes a Rebuttable Presumption in Favor of Joint Custody of a Minor Bill Passed - House (41 - 25)
May 14, 2020 OK SB 1947 Exempts from Product Liability Individuals that Manufacture and Supply Personal Protective Equipment or Medications Used for COVID-19 Treatment Bill Passed - House (82 - 15)
May 28, 2020 LA SB 270 Increases Daily Compensation Paid to Jurors in Civil Cases Bill Passed - House (66 - 32)
May 20, 2020 LA SB 440 Limits Environmental Lawsuits Against Oil and Gas Companies Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
June 3, 2020 OH SB 308 Establishes Legal Protection to Small Businesses and Healthcare Providers during COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
March 11, 2020 OK HB 3165 Amends Criminal Law to Shift Burden of Proof from Defendant to Prosecution Bill Passed - House (73 - 23)
June 10, 2020 OH HB 61 Authorizes Oral, Written, Electronic, or Telephonic Consent for Contact Tracing of Infectious Diseases Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
June 16, 2020 NC HB 511 Authorizes Shorter Sentences for Nonviolent Drug Offenders Conference Report Adopted - Senate (48 - 0)
May 31, 2020 LA SB 508 Limits Liability of Restaurants During the COVID-19 Epidemic Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
March 5, 2020 CO SB 20-83 Prohibits Civil Arrests on Courthouse Grounds Bill Passed - House (40 - 24)
Feb. 4, 2020 CO SB 20-83 Prohibits Civil Arrests on Courthouse Grounds Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
June 26, 2020 OR SB 1604 Amends Law Enforcement Arbitration Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 0)
June 30, 2020 LA HB 57 Amends Jury Trial and Seatbelt Lawsuit Requirements Conference Report Adopted - House (86 - 15)
June 12, 2020 CO SB 20-181 Amends Incompetent-to-Proceed Process for Mentally Ill Defendants Bill Passed - House (41 - 24)
June 5, 2020 CO SB 20-181 Amends Incompetent-to-Proceed Process for Mentally Ill Defendants Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
July 15, 2020 PA SB 14 Establishes New Guidelines to Reduce Probation Sentences Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
July 15, 2020 PA HB 196 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Elect Appellate Court Judges by Regional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
July 29, 2020 CT HB 6004 Establishes Independent Inspector General to Investigate Police Shootings and Illegal Uses of Force Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
July 24, 2020 CT HB 6004 Establishes Independent Inspector General to Investigate Police Shootings and Illegal Uses of Force Bill Passed - House (86 - 58)
June 26, 2020 GA SB 402 Prohibits the Use of "Unsecured Judicial Release" Bill Passed - House (99 - 68)
July 23, 2020 MI SB 899 Extends Certain Immunities and Liabilities to Healthcare Providers and Facilities Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
July 22, 2020 MI SB 899 Extends Certain Immunities and Liabilities to Healthcare Providers and Facilities Bill Passed - House (56 - 51)
June 24, 2020 GA SB 288 Authorizes Record Restriction for Certain Misdemeanor and Conditional Discharges Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
May 13, 2020 OK HB 2877 Increases the Role of Victim Impact Panels to Prevent Future OWI Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
Aug. 5, 2020 NV SB 4 Establishes Liability Protections for Businesses during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - House (31 - 10)
Aug. 5, 2020 NV SB 4 Establishes Liability Protections for Businesses during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
Aug. 2, 2020 NV SB 1 Authorizes Courts to Grant a Stay on Certain Evictions Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 3)
June 11, 2020 CA AB 3262 Requires Electronic Marketplaces Be Held Liable for Defective Products Bill Passed - House (54 - 14)
Aug. 26, 2020 VA SB 5032 Repeals the 6-Month Mandatory Minimum Requirement for Assaulting Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
Aug. 26, 2020 ID H 6 Establishes Liability Protections for Businesses, Schools, and Cities during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
Aug. 26, 2020 ID H 6 Establishes Liability Protections for Businesses, Schools, and Cities during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - House (54 - 15)
July 22, 2020 NY A 5045 Amends Criminal Procedure Laws to Waive Certain Surcharges and Fees for Defendants Under the Age of 21 Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 19)
July 20, 2020 NY A 5045 Amends Criminal Procedure Laws to Waive Certain Surcharges and Fees for Defendants Under the Age of 21 Bill Passed - House (97 - 44)
Sept. 2, 2020 MO HB 2 Amends the Admissibility of Certain Witness Statements Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA AB 3070 Prohibits the Use of Peremptory Challenge to Remove a Prospective Juror on the Basis of Race, Ethnicity, Gender, Sexual Orientation, or Religious Affiliation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 17)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA AB 3070 Prohibits the Use of Peremptory Challenge to Remove a Prospective Juror on the Basis of Race, Ethnicity, Gender, Sexual Orientation, or Religious Affiliation Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
Date No. Title Outcome
1/15 HB 3039 Increases Court Discretion When Determining Child Custody Bill Passed - House (87 - 11)
2/07 HB 4585 Establishes Criminal Immunity for "Good Faith" Child Abuse or Neglect Reporting Bill Passed - House (69 - 29)
6/18 HB 545 Reduces Statute of Limitations for Certain Nuisance Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
3/17 SB 102 Expands Flexibility in Courts Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
3/11 SB 2459 Establishes Legal Definition for Criminal Gang Activity Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 15)
3/07 HB 2419 Authorizes Release of Certain Individuals Without Bail Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 21)
3/06 SB 275 Establishes an Intermediate Court of Appeals Bill Failed - House (44 - 56)
2/10 SB 275 Establishes an Intermediate Court of Appeals Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
4/10 S 114 Establishes Emergency Judicial Response Standards during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
5/12 SB 591 Limits Punitive Damage Payouts Bill Passed - House (98 - 51)
3/02 SB 591 Limits Punitive Damage Payouts Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
4/23 SB 3007 Establishes Immunity from COVID-19 Injury Litigation to Businesses after Reopening Bill Passed - House (54 - 21)
4/23 SB 3007 Establishes Immunity from COVID-19 Injury Litigation to Businesses after Reopening Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
4/17 SB 3002 Establishes Legal Immunity to Doctors who Prescribe Experimental Medications to COVID-19 Patients Bill Passed - House (65 - 7)
2/20 HB 1133 Establishes a Rebuttable Presumption in Favor of Joint Custody of a Minor Bill Passed - House (41 - 25)
5/14 SB 1947 Exempts from Product Liability Individuals that Manufacture and Supply Personal Protective Equipment or Medications Used for COVID-19 Treatment Bill Passed - House (82 - 15)
5/28 SB 270 Increases Daily Compensation Paid to Jurors in Civil Cases Bill Passed - House (66 - 32)
5/20 SB 440 Limits Environmental Lawsuits Against Oil and Gas Companies Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
6/03 SB 308 Establishes Legal Protection to Small Businesses and Healthcare Providers during COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
3/11 HB 3165 Amends Criminal Law to Shift Burden of Proof from Defendant to Prosecution Bill Passed - House (73 - 23)
6/10 HB 61 Authorizes Oral, Written, Electronic, or Telephonic Consent for Contact Tracing of Infectious Diseases Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
6/16 HB 511 Authorizes Shorter Sentences for Nonviolent Drug Offenders Conference Report Adopted - Senate (48 - 0)
5/31 SB 508 Limits Liability of Restaurants During the COVID-19 Epidemic Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
3/05 SB 20-83 Prohibits Civil Arrests on Courthouse Grounds Bill Passed - House (40 - 24)
2/04 SB 20-83 Prohibits Civil Arrests on Courthouse Grounds Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
6/26 SB 1604 Amends Law Enforcement Arbitration Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 0)
6/30 HB 57 Amends Jury Trial and Seatbelt Lawsuit Requirements Conference Report Adopted - House (86 - 15)
6/12 SB 20-181 Amends Incompetent-to-Proceed Process for Mentally Ill Defendants Bill Passed - House (41 - 24)
6/05 SB 20-181 Amends Incompetent-to-Proceed Process for Mentally Ill Defendants Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
7/15 SB 14 Establishes New Guidelines to Reduce Probation Sentences Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
7/15 HB 196 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Elect Appellate Court Judges by Regional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
7/29 HB 6004 Establishes Independent Inspector General to Investigate Police Shootings and Illegal Uses of Force Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
7/24 HB 6004 Establishes Independent Inspector General to Investigate Police Shootings and Illegal Uses of Force Bill Passed - House (86 - 58)
6/26 SB 402 Prohibits the Use of "Unsecured Judicial Release" Bill Passed - House (99 - 68)
7/23 SB 899 Extends Certain Immunities and Liabilities to Healthcare Providers and Facilities Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
7/22 SB 899 Extends Certain Immunities and Liabilities to Healthcare Providers and Facilities Bill Passed - House (56 - 51)
6/24 SB 288 Authorizes Record Restriction for Certain Misdemeanor and Conditional Discharges Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
5/13 HB 2877 Increases the Role of Victim Impact Panels to Prevent Future OWI Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
8/05 SB 4 Establishes Liability Protections for Businesses during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - House (31 - 10)
8/05 SB 4 Establishes Liability Protections for Businesses during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
8/02 SB 1 Authorizes Courts to Grant a Stay on Certain Evictions Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 3)
6/11 AB 3262 Requires Electronic Marketplaces Be Held Liable for Defective Products Bill Passed - House (54 - 14)
8/26 SB 5032 Repeals the 6-Month Mandatory Minimum Requirement for Assaulting Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
8/26 H 6 Establishes Liability Protections for Businesses, Schools, and Cities during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
8/26 H 6 Establishes Liability Protections for Businesses, Schools, and Cities during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - House (54 - 15)
7/22 A 5045 Amends Criminal Procedure Laws to Waive Certain Surcharges and Fees for Defendants Under the Age of 21 Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 19)
7/20 A 5045 Amends Criminal Procedure Laws to Waive Certain Surcharges and Fees for Defendants Under the Age of 21 Bill Passed - House (97 - 44)
9/02 HB 2 Amends the Admissibility of Certain Witness Statements Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
8/31 AB 3070 Prohibits the Use of Peremptory Challenge to Remove a Prospective Juror on the Basis of Race, Ethnicity, Gender, Sexual Orientation, or Religious Affiliation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 17)
8/31 AB 3070 Prohibits the Use of Peremptory Challenge to Remove a Prospective Juror on the Basis of Race, Ethnicity, Gender, Sexual Orientation, or Religious Affiliation Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)

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