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
April 20, 2021 NY A 2681 Requires the Creation of an Infectious Disease Exposure Prevention Standard Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 17)
June 7, 2021 NY A 3213A Establishes Employees as Automatically Enrolled Into the Secure Choice Savings Program Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 19)
June 2, 2021 NY A 3350 Establishes Wage Theft Prevention Measures for Construction Workers Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 13)
June 30, 2021 NJ A 5890 Authorizes the State Enforce Worker Misclassification and Stop-Work Order Laws Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
June 30, 2021 NJ A 5892 Amends the Process to Identify and Streamline Worker Misclassification Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
Sept. 2, 2021 CA AB 1550 Establishes New Rules Regarding Higher Education Labor Relations Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
Aug. 26, 2021 CA AB 616 Authorizes "Card Check" for Farm Workers Unions Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
Sept. 10, 2021 CA AB 654 Authorizes the State to Not Disclose COVID-19 Outbreak Numbers Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
Sept. 8, 2021 CA AB 701 Establishes Transparency Requirements on Automated Quota Systems for Workers Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
Nov. 17, 2021 FL HB 1 Prohibits Private Employers from Imposing COVID-19 Vaccination Mandates Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
Feb. 8, 2021 SD HB 1046 Establishes a COVID-19 Liability Shield for Businesses and Healthcare Providers Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 3)
April 6, 2021 WA HB 1097 Establishes Procedures for an Employer to Contest an Order of Immediate Restraint Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
Oct. 6, 2021 AR HB 1977 Exempts Employees from Federal Mandates and Employer Mandates Related to COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
Jan. 11, 2021 IL HB 2275 Repeals Section 4.5 of Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 16)
Jan. 11, 2021 IL HB 2451 Increases the Annual Cost of Living for Retired Firefighters Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 14)
Nov. 17, 2021 FL HB 3 Authorizes Exemption from Public Records Requirements for Employee Complaints Alleging Private Employer's Violation of COVID-19 Vaccination Policies or Practices Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
Oct. 19, 2021 WV HB 335 Limits Employer Discretion in Requiring Workers have the COVID-19 Vaccine Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
Sept. 1, 2021 MI HB 4063 Extends Work Permit Requirements to Children that are Homeschooled Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
March 16, 2021 KY HB 475 Prohibits Adopting More Significant Administrative Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
Nov. 17, 2021 FL HB 5 Authorizes the Development of a Plan to Create a State Occupational Safety and Health Administration Agency Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
March 1, 2021 CT HB 6516 Authorizes Tax Fairness for Remote Workers During COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
April 27, 2021 FL HB 735 Prohibits Local Governments from Requiring a License for a Contractor or Journeyman Type Job Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
June 8, 2021 National HR 7 Paycheck Fairness Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (49 - 50)
April 29, 2021 NE LB 451 Prohibits the Process Known as Hair Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 4)
July 19, 2021 ME LD 151 Authorizes Farm Workers to Bargain Collectively (18 - 17)
May 19, 2021 ME LD 52 Authorizes Additional Educational Policies to be Subjects of Collective Bargaining Negotiations Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
June 18, 2021 ME LD 677 Amends Law Regarding Public Sector Labor Relations (20 - 13)
June 10, 2021 ME LD 99 Requires the PERS to Divest from Fossil Fuel Related Investments "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 15)
July 20, 2021 National PN 126 Nomination of Jennifer Abruzzo as General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 50)
March 22, 2021 National PN 78-23 Nomination of Martin Walsh as Secretary of Labor Nomination Confirmed - Senate (68 - 29)
Feb. 10, 2021 RI S 1 Increases the State Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
Feb. 2, 2021 NY S 1351 Repeals Previous Law Prohibiting Loitering While Engaging in Sex Work Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
April 8, 2021 SC S 177 Prohibits Business from Firing Employees if they Don't Get Vaccinated Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 7)
March 9, 2021 RI S 196 Establishes the Dignity at Work Act Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 3)
March 2, 2021 RI S 270 Establishes Workplace Protections to Encourage Fair Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
June 2, 2021 NY S 4394A Establishes Protections for Employees and Former Employees that Report Dangerous Business Activities Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 19)
June 10, 2021 NY S 6350A Requires Payment of Prevailing Wages go to Building Service Workers at Co-Ops and Condos Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 15)
Feb. 19, 2021 NJ S 989 Expands Health Care and Minimum Wages for Airport Workers Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
March 5, 2021 National S Amdt 972 Increases the Federal Minimum Wage to $15 an Hour Amendment Rejected - Senate (42 - 58)
Feb. 18, 2021 WI SB 1 Authorizes the Modernization of the State's Unemployment System Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
April 16, 2021 NV SB 107 Establishes a Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Termination of Employment Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
Feb. 22, 2021 WV SB 11 Prohibits Work Stoppages or Strikes by Public Employees Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
May 12, 2021 PA SB 115 Authorizes Nurses to Hold a License in Multiple States Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
Feb. 8, 2021 MT SB 118 Amends Laws Related to False Statements Regarding Workers Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
Oct. 25, 2021 WI SB 125 Extends Tax Benefits to Provide Tuition Tax Breaks for Apprentices in Trade Schools Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
Feb. 23, 2021 AZ SB 1294 Authorizes Job Applicants Nondisclosure Status of Sealed Criminal Records Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
Feb. 22, 2021 CA SB 132 Requires the University of California to Place all Construction Funds Into an Account With the State Controller Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
Feb. 2, 2021 MT SB 132 Requires Employers to Offer Alternative Accommodations for Employees Who Do Not Receive the COVID-19 Vaccination Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
April 1, 2021 NH SB 137 Increases the Minimum Wage for Workers that Rely on Tips "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
May 29, 2021 TX SB 14 Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Employment Leave, Hiring Practices, and Scheduling Policies in Conflict with Federal or State Law Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 12)
March 18, 2021 DE SB 15 Increases the Minimum Wage to $15 Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
Jan. 28, 2021 DE SB 32 Prohibits Hair Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
Aug. 30, 2021 CA SB 331 Prohibits Employers from Using Secret Settlements to Prevent Workers from Voicing Harassment Complaints Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
May 26, 2021 NV SB 386 Establishes the Right for Laid-Off Hospitality Workers to Return to their Jobs Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
Sept. 22, 2021 OH SB 47 Exempts Certain Tasks from Overtime Pay Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
March 9, 2021 WA SB 5065 Increases Public Safety Regulations for Railroad Workers Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
April 14, 2021 CT SB 56 Prohibits Employers from Asking for an Applicant's Age or Date of Birth Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
Feb. 11, 2021 NH SB 61 Prohibits Collective Bargaining Agreements that Require Employees to Join a Labor Union "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (13 - 11)
May 24, 2021 CA SB 62 Requires Garment Manufacturers to Guarantee Payment of Wages to Employees Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
March 9, 2021 HI SB 676 Establishes a Higher Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 2)
Oct. 4, 2021 AR SB 730 Extends Unemployment Benefits to Individuals Who Have Been Terminated After Refusing the COVID-19 Vaccine Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
Oct. 4, 2021 AR SB 739 Exempts Employees from Federal Vaccine Mandates Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
March 17, 2021 IA SF 361 Establishes Guidelines for Drug Testing Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/20 A 2681 Requires the Creation of an Infectious Disease Exposure Prevention Standard Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 17)
6/07 A 3213A Establishes Employees as Automatically Enrolled Into the Secure Choice Savings Program Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 19)
6/02 A 3350 Establishes Wage Theft Prevention Measures for Construction Workers Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 13)
6/30 A 5890 Authorizes the State Enforce Worker Misclassification and Stop-Work Order Laws Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
6/30 A 5892 Amends the Process to Identify and Streamline Worker Misclassification Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
9/02 AB 1550 Establishes New Rules Regarding Higher Education Labor Relations Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
8/26 AB 616 Authorizes "Card Check" for Farm Workers Unions Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
9/10 AB 654 Authorizes the State to Not Disclose COVID-19 Outbreak Numbers Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
9/08 AB 701 Establishes Transparency Requirements on Automated Quota Systems for Workers Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
11/17 HB 1 Prohibits Private Employers from Imposing COVID-19 Vaccination Mandates Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
2/08 HB 1046 Establishes a COVID-19 Liability Shield for Businesses and Healthcare Providers Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 3)
4/06 HB 1097 Establishes Procedures for an Employer to Contest an Order of Immediate Restraint Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
10/06 HB 1977 Exempts Employees from Federal Mandates and Employer Mandates Related to COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
1/11 HB 2275 Repeals Section 4.5 of Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 16)
1/11 HB 2451 Increases the Annual Cost of Living for Retired Firefighters Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 14)
11/17 HB 3 Authorizes Exemption from Public Records Requirements for Employee Complaints Alleging Private Employer's Violation of COVID-19 Vaccination Policies or Practices Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
10/19 HB 335 Limits Employer Discretion in Requiring Workers have the COVID-19 Vaccine Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
9/01 HB 4063 Extends Work Permit Requirements to Children that are Homeschooled Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
3/16 HB 475 Prohibits Adopting More Significant Administrative Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
11/17 HB 5 Authorizes the Development of a Plan to Create a State Occupational Safety and Health Administration Agency Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
3/01 HB 6516 Authorizes Tax Fairness for Remote Workers During COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
4/27 HB 735 Prohibits Local Governments from Requiring a License for a Contractor or Journeyman Type Job Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
6/08 HR 7 Paycheck Fairness Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (49 - 50)
4/29 LB 451 Prohibits the Process Known as Hair Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 4)
7/19 LD 151 Authorizes Farm Workers to Bargain Collectively (18 - 17)
5/19 LD 52 Authorizes Additional Educational Policies to be Subjects of Collective Bargaining Negotiations Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
6/18 LD 677 Amends Law Regarding Public Sector Labor Relations (20 - 13)
6/10 LD 99 Requires the PERS to Divest from Fossil Fuel Related Investments "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 15)
7/20 PN 126 Nomination of Jennifer Abruzzo as General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 50)
3/22 PN 78-23 Nomination of Martin Walsh as Secretary of Labor Nomination Confirmed - Senate (68 - 29)
2/10 S 1 Increases the State Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
2/02 S 1351 Repeals Previous Law Prohibiting Loitering While Engaging in Sex Work Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
4/08 S 177 Prohibits Business from Firing Employees if they Don't Get Vaccinated Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 7)
3/09 S 196 Establishes the Dignity at Work Act Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 3)
3/02 S 270 Establishes Workplace Protections to Encourage Fair Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
6/02 S 4394A Establishes Protections for Employees and Former Employees that Report Dangerous Business Activities Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 19)
6/10 S 6350A Requires Payment of Prevailing Wages go to Building Service Workers at Co-Ops and Condos Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 15)
2/19 S 989 Expands Health Care and Minimum Wages for Airport Workers Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
3/05 S Amdt 972 Increases the Federal Minimum Wage to $15 an Hour Amendment Rejected - Senate (42 - 58)
2/18 SB 1 Authorizes the Modernization of the State's Unemployment System Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
4/16 SB 107 Establishes a Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Termination of Employment Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
2/22 SB 11 Prohibits Work Stoppages or Strikes by Public Employees Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
5/12 SB 115 Authorizes Nurses to Hold a License in Multiple States Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
2/08 SB 118 Amends Laws Related to False Statements Regarding Workers Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
10/25 SB 125 Extends Tax Benefits to Provide Tuition Tax Breaks for Apprentices in Trade Schools Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
2/23 SB 1294 Authorizes Job Applicants Nondisclosure Status of Sealed Criminal Records Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
2/22 SB 132 Requires the University of California to Place all Construction Funds Into an Account With the State Controller Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
2/02 SB 132 Requires Employers to Offer Alternative Accommodations for Employees Who Do Not Receive the COVID-19 Vaccination Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
4/01 SB 137 Increases the Minimum Wage for Workers that Rely on Tips "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
5/29 SB 14 Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Employment Leave, Hiring Practices, and Scheduling Policies in Conflict with Federal or State Law Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 12)
3/18 SB 15 Increases the Minimum Wage to $15 Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
1/28 SB 32 Prohibits Hair Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
8/30 SB 331 Prohibits Employers from Using Secret Settlements to Prevent Workers from Voicing Harassment Complaints Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
5/26 SB 386 Establishes the Right for Laid-Off Hospitality Workers to Return to their Jobs Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
9/22 SB 47 Exempts Certain Tasks from Overtime Pay Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
3/09 SB 5065 Increases Public Safety Regulations for Railroad Workers Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
4/14 SB 56 Prohibits Employers from Asking for an Applicant's Age or Date of Birth Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
2/11 SB 61 Prohibits Collective Bargaining Agreements that Require Employees to Join a Labor Union "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (13 - 11)
5/24 SB 62 Requires Garment Manufacturers to Guarantee Payment of Wages to Employees Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
3/09 SB 676 Establishes a Higher Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 2)
10/04 SB 730 Extends Unemployment Benefits to Individuals Who Have Been Terminated After Refusing the COVID-19 Vaccine Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
10/04 SB 739 Exempts Employees from Federal Vaccine Mandates Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
3/17 SF 361 Establishes Guidelines for Drug Testing Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)

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