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
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)
Nov. 9, 2020 VA HB 5109 Amends Existing Law Enforcement Officer Training and Qualifications Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
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 VA HB 5104 Increases Employment Assessment and Review Requirements for Law Enforcement Hiring Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 5)
Oct. 14, 2020 MI HB 6030 Establishes a Minimum Threshold for COVID-19 Business Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
Oct. 14, 2020 MI HB 6030 Establishes a Minimum Threshold for COVID-19 Business Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
Oct. 8, 2020 MI SB 886 Extends COVID-19 Unemployment Benefits Until the End of 2020 Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
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. 31, 2020 CA SB 1102 Requires Employers to Provide H-2A Employees with a Written Notice of their Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA AB 1299 Requires Law Enforcement Agencies to Report the Termination of Officers Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA AB 1867 Requires Employers with 500 Employees to Provide 2 Weeks of Supplemental Paid Sick Leave for Full Time Workers Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
Aug. 30, 2020 CA SB 973 Requires Employers to Submit Annual Pay Data Report Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
Aug. 30, 2020 CA SB 973 Requires Employers to Submit Annual Pay Data Report Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
Aug. 30, 2020 CA AB 685 Requires Employers to Report COVID-19 Infections Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
Aug. 29, 2020 CA AB 2992 Prohibits Employer Punishment for Employee Leave Time Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3)
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 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 1060 Prohibits Racial Discrimination in the Workplace Based on Certain Hair Textures and Styles Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
Aug. 10, 2020 OR SB 1701 Authorizes Unemployment Benefits for Employees Working Less than Full-Time Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 6)
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 2 Amends the State Constitution to Increase Taxes on Mining Proceeeds Resolution Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
Aug. 2, 2020 NV AJR 1 Increases Tax on Mining Companies Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
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 30, 2020 NJ S 2380 Requires Employer to Offer Benefits to Essential Workers Unable to Work Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
July 23, 2020 NY S 8617 Requires Public Employers Prepare Public Health Emergency Plans Bill Passed - Senate (58 - 2)
July 13, 2020 PA HB 732 Establishes Tax Credit for Companies that Invest and Create Jobs Building Petrochemical or Fertilizer Plants using Dry Natural Gas Produced in Pennsylvania Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 9)
July 2, 2020 CA SB 1383 Expands Protections for Paid Family Leave Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
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 30, 2020 OH HB 606 Establishes a COVID-19 Business Liability Shield Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
June 29, 2020 NJ S 2273 Amends Teacher Health Benefits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
June 29, 2020 NJ S 2455 Prohibits Lawful Presence as Qualification for Occupational License Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
June 26, 2020 CA SB 1159 Requires Coverage of COVID-19 Related Illness and Death Under Workers' Compensation Program Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
June 25, 2020 CA SB 908 Requires the Licensing of Debt Collectors Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
June 25, 2020 CA SB 1257 Establishes Employment Safety Standards for Domestic Service Employees Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
June 25, 2020 CA SB 793 Prohibits Flavored Tobacco Products Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
June 24, 2020 CA ACA 5 Establishes Constitutional Amendment Repealing Prohibition on Affirmative Action Policies Amendment Adopted - Senate (30 - 10)
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 16, 2020 NH HB 731 Increases the State Minimum Wage "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
June 16, 2020 NH HB 1166 Extends Emergency Benefit Enhancements Regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
June 15, 2020 CO SB 20-205 Establishes the "Healthy Families and Workplace Act" Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 11)
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 MI SB 942 Extends To-Go and Delivery Options to Cocktails Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 1)
June 10, 2020 CO SB 20-213 Extends State Take-Out Regulations for Alcohol Sales Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 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 21, 2020 IL HB 2455 Authorizes Worker Compensation for Essential and Frontline Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 4)
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 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)
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)
11/09 HB 5109 Amends Existing Law Enforcement Officer Training and Qualifications Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
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 5104 Increases Employment Assessment and Review Requirements for Law Enforcement Hiring Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 5)
10/14 HB 6030 Establishes a Minimum Threshold for COVID-19 Business Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
10/14 HB 6030 Establishes a Minimum Threshold for COVID-19 Business Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
10/08 SB 886 Extends COVID-19 Unemployment Benefits Until the End of 2020 Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
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)
8/31 SB 1102 Requires Employers to Provide H-2A Employees with a Written Notice of their Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
8/31 AB 1299 Requires Law Enforcement Agencies to Report the Termination of Officers Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
8/31 AB 1867 Requires Employers with 500 Employees to Provide 2 Weeks of Supplemental Paid Sick Leave for Full Time Workers Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
8/30 SB 973 Requires Employers to Submit Annual Pay Data Report Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
8/30 SB 973 Requires Employers to Submit Annual Pay Data Report Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
8/30 AB 685 Requires Employers to Report COVID-19 Infections Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
8/29 AB 2992 Prohibits Employer Punishment for Employee Leave Time Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3)
8/29 AB 979 Requires Corporations to Have Directors From Under-Represented Groups Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
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 1060 Prohibits Racial Discrimination in the Workplace Based on Certain Hair Textures and Styles Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
8/10 SB 1701 Authorizes Unemployment Benefits for Employees Working Less than Full-Time Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 6)
8/05 SB 4 Establishes Liability Protections for Businesses during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
8/02 AJR 2 Amends the State Constitution to Increase Taxes on Mining Proceeeds Resolution Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
8/02 AJR 1 Increases Tax on Mining Companies Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
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)
7/30 S 2380 Requires Employer to Offer Benefits to Essential Workers Unable to Work Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
7/23 S 8617 Requires Public Employers Prepare Public Health Emergency Plans Bill Passed - Senate (58 - 2)
7/13 HB 732 Establishes Tax Credit for Companies that Invest and Create Jobs Building Petrochemical or Fertilizer Plants using Dry Natural Gas Produced in Pennsylvania Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 9)
7/02 SB 1383 Expands Protections for Paid Family Leave Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
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)
6/30 HB 606 Establishes a COVID-19 Business Liability Shield Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
6/29 S 2273 Amends Teacher Health Benefits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
6/29 S 2455 Prohibits Lawful Presence as Qualification for Occupational License Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
6/26 SB 1159 Requires Coverage of COVID-19 Related Illness and Death Under Workers' Compensation Program Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
6/25 SB 908 Requires the Licensing of Debt Collectors Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
6/25 SB 1257 Establishes Employment Safety Standards for Domestic Service Employees Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
6/25 SB 793 Prohibits Flavored Tobacco Products Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
6/24 ACA 5 Establishes Constitutional Amendment Repealing Prohibition on Affirmative Action Policies Amendment Adopted - Senate (30 - 10)
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)
6/16 HB 731 Increases the State Minimum Wage "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
6/16 HB 1166 Extends Emergency Benefit Enhancements Regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
6/15 SB 20-205 Establishes the "Healthy Families and Workplace Act" Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 11)
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 942 Extends To-Go and Delivery Options to Cocktails Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 1)
6/10 SB 20-213 Extends State Take-Out Regulations for Alcohol Sales Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 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)
5/21 HB 2455 Authorizes Worker Compensation for Essential and Frontline Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 4)
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 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)

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