Key Votes
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About the Selection and Descriptions of Key Votes
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:
- The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member stands on a particular issue
- The vote should be clear for any person to understand
- The vote has received media attention
- The vote was passed or defeated by a very close margin
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb. 9, 2021 | AL | HB 24 | Amends Sentencing Guidelines for State Prisoners | Bill Passed - House (63 - 33) |
| Feb. 9, 2021 | AL | HB 17 | Authorizes Deploying Wiretaps for Drug Related Offenses | Bill Passed - House (80 - 14) |
| Feb. 4, 2021 | AL | SB 30 | Increases Protections Against Lawsuits Involving COVID-19 | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 1) |
| May 18, 2020 | AL | SB 161 | Appropriates CARES Act Funds to the State Government for the COVID-19 Pandemic | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 1) |
| May 9, 2020 | AL | HB 187 | Appropriates Funds for the Fiscal Year 2021 Education Budget | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 1) |
| March 12, 2020 | AL | HB 186 | Appropriates Funds for COVID-19 Coronavirus Response | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 0) |
| March 12, 2020 | AL | SB 45 | Amends Criminal Trespassing Penalties Relating to Critical Infrastructure | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3) |
| March 12, 2020 | AL | SB 165 | Establishes a Medical Marijuana Program | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11) |
| March 10, 2020 | AL | HB 235 | Repeals Ban on Yoga Classes in Public Schools | Bill Passed - House (84 - 17) |
| March 5, 2020 | AL | SB 219 | Establishes a Felony for Doctors that Perform Gender Reassignment Treatment to Individuals Under the Age of 19 | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 3) |
| Feb. 27, 2020 | AL | SJR 7 | Classifies Pornography as a Public Health Crisis | Bill Passed - House (67 - 19) |
| Feb. 11, 2020 | AL | HB 147 | Prohibits City Occupational Taxes Without Permission of State Legislature | Bill Passed - House (74 - 27) |
| May 31, 2019 | AL | SB 397 | Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Create Governor-Appointed Board of Education | Bill Passed - House (78 - 21) |
| May 31, 2019 | AL | HB 77 | Expands Retirement Benefits for Public School Teachers | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4) |
| May 30, 2019 | AL | HB 225 | Prohibits Pay Discrimination Based on Sex and Race | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 0) |
| May 28, 2019 | AL | HB 361 | Authorizes Sports Betting | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (82 - 16) |
| May 28, 2019 | AL | HB 361 | Authorizes Sports Betting | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8) |
| May 23, 2019 | AL | SB 69 | Repeals Marriage Licenses | Bill Passed - House (67 - 26) |
| May 21, 2019 | AL | HB 491 | Establishes Requirements for Abortions Resulting in Premature Birth | Bill Passed - House (66 - 18) |
| May 21, 2019 | AL | HB 379 | Requires Chemical Castration for All Child Sex Offenders | Bill Passed - House (72 - 16) |
| May 14, 2019 | AL | HB 314 | Increases Penalties for Abortions | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6) |
| April 30, 2019 | AL | HB 314 | Increases Penalties for Abortions | Bill Passed - House (74 - 3) |
| April 25, 2019 | AL | SB 220 | Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Create a State Lottery | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
| April 16, 2019 | AL | SB 140 | Amends Sex Education Standards | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 1) |
| April 11, 2019 | AL | HB 212 | Prohibits Driving in the Left Lane for More than 1.5 Miles | Bill Passed - House (61 - 24) |
| March 21, 2019 | AL | SB 69 | Repeals Marriage Licenses | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 0) |
| March 21, 2019 | AL | SB 119 | Repeals Common Core | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7) |
| March 28, 2018 | AL | HB 317 | Exempts Certain Individuals from Registering as Lobbyists | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 14) |
| March 20, 2018 | AL | SB 311 | Authorizes Car Rental Taxes to be Used for Birmingham Stadium | Bill Passed - House (14 - 3) |
| March 15, 2018 | AL | HB 225 | Amends State Juvenile Justice Laws | Bill Passed - House (69 - 20) |
| March 1, 2018 | AL | HB 14 | Amends Driving-Under-the-Influence Laws | Bill Passed - House (44 - 42) |
| Feb. 15, 2018 | AL | HB 34 | Authorizes "Stand Your Ground' in Defense of Church Members | Bill Passed - House (40 - 16) |
| Jan. 30, 2018 | AL | HB 26 | Prohibits Smoking Tobacco in Cars where a Minor is Present | Bill Passed - House (41 - 30) |
| Jan. 25, 2018 | AL | SB 92 | Reduces Time Period of Unemployment Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
| Jan. 23, 2018 | AL | HB 17 | Repeals Special Elections | Bill Passed - House (67 - 31) |
| May 16, 2017 | AL | SB 187 | Reduces Time to File Appeals for Death Row Inmates | Bill Passed - House (74 - 26) |
| May 11, 2017 | AL | SB 200 | Prohibits Criminal History Inquiries by Employers | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 9) |
| May 4, 2017 | AL | HB 155 | Establishes Budget for 2017-2018 | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4) |
| April 27, 2017 | AL | SB 60 | Prohibits Alteration or Removal of Historic Markers | Bill Passed - House (72 - 29) |
| April 25, 2017 | AL | HB 315 | Authorizes Midwives to Practice in Alabama | Bill Passed - House (84 - 11) |
| April 18, 2017 | AL | SB 12 | Authorizes Use of Nitrogen in Death Penalty Executions | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7) |
| April 11, 2017 | AL | SB 193 | Authorizes Briarwood Presbyterian Church to Form a Police Force | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4) |
| April 4, 2017 | AL | SB 16 | Prohibits Judicial Override of Sentencing Decisions | Bill Passed - House (78 - 19) |
| April 4, 2017 | AL | SB 129 | Establishes Education Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 2) |
| March 16, 2017 | AL | HB 24 | Authorizes Child-Placement Agencies to Deny Services Based on Religion | Bill Passed - House (60 - 14) |
| Aug. 19, 2016 | AL | SB 3 | Establishes State Lottery | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
| May 4, 2016 | AL | SB 363 | Prohibits Dilation and Evacuation Abortion | Bill Passed - House (74 - 26) |
| April 28, 2016 | AL | SB 287 | Appropriates Funds for New Prison Facilities | Bill Passed - House (52 - 33) |
| April 7, 2016 | AL | SB 237 | Establishes Innocence Inquiry Commission | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6) |
| April 5, 2016 | AL | SB 14 | Authorizes Concealed Handguns in Vehicles without a Permit | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6) |
| April 5, 2016 | AL | SB 287 | Appropriates Funds for New Prison Facilities | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
| March 22, 2016 | AL | SB 205 | Prohibits Abortion Clinics from being Located Near Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6) |
| March 15, 2016 | AL | SB 125 | 2016-2017 Budget | Bill Passed - House (65 - 35) |
| March 15, 2016 | AL | SB 143 | Amends Marriage License Practices | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 3) |
| March 3, 2016 | AL | SB 13 | Prohibits Removal of Momuments on Public Property | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9) |
| Feb. 25, 2016 | AL | HB 174 | Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Wage or Employee Benefits Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
| Feb. 25, 2016 | AL | SB 125 | 2016-2017 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10) |
| Feb. 17, 2016 | AL | HB 45 | Prohibits Fetal Tissue from Being Sold or Used for Research | Bill Passed - House (76 - 24) |
| Feb. 16, 2016 | AL | HB 174 | Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Wage or Employee Benefits Requirements | Bill Passed - House (71 - 31) |
| Feb. 11, 2016 | AL | HB 37 | Prohibits Requiring Employees to Join or Pay Unions | Bill Failed - House (60 - 24) |
| Sept. 16, 2015 | AL | HB 1 | 2015-2016 Budget | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 21) |
| Sept. 16, 2015 | AL | HB 1 | 2015-2016 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9) |
| Sept. 15, 2015 | AL | HB 3 | Increases Cigarette Taxes | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 42) |
| Sept. 15, 2015 | AL | SB 21 | Repeals Marriage Licenses | Bill Failed - House (53 - 36) |
| Sept. 15, 2015 | AL | HB 3 | Increases Cigarette Taxes | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| Sept. 15, 2015 | AL | HB 8 | Amends Budget for the Fiscal Year 2015-2016 | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13) |
| Sept. 11, 2015 | AL | HB 1 | 2015-2016 Budget | Bill Passed - House (59 - 37) |
| Sept. 10, 2015 | AL | HB 8 | Amends Budget for the Fiscal Year 2015-2016 | Bill Passed - House (53 - 38) |
| Sept. 10, 2015 | AL | HB 3 | Increases Cigarette Taxes | Bill Passed - House (52 - 46) |
| June 4, 2015 | AL | HB 135 | 2015-2016 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13) |
| June 3, 2015 | AL | SB 71 | Increases Cumulative Cap on Tax Credits Available for Scholarship Donations | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 14) |
| June 3, 2015 | AL | SB 216 | Authorizes Certain Agencies to Raise Fees | Bill Passed - House (61 - 38) |
| May 28, 2015 | AL | SB 71 | Increases Cumulative Cap on Tax Credits Available for Scholarship Donations | Bill Passed - House (68 - 26) |
| May 19, 2015 | AL | HB 135 | 2015-2016 Budget | Bill Passed - House (66 - 36) |
| May 19, 2015 | AL | SB 377 | Requires Marrying Couples to Sign a Marriage Contract | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 3) |
| May 7, 2015 | AL | HB 236 | Authorizes Home-Schooled Students to Participate in Public School Sports | Bill Passed - House (52 - 43) |
| April 21, 2015 | AL | SJR 34 | Specifies the Intent to Not Expand Medicaid Services | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 8) |
| April 7, 2015 | AL | HB 193 | Authorizes Counties to Establish Administrative Programs | Bill Passed - House (76 - 17) |
| March 31, 2015 | AL | HB 85 | Requires Animal Shelters to Compile Monthly Reports | Bill Failed - House (28 - 67) |
| March 31, 2015 | AL | SB 71 | Increases Cumulative Cap on Tax Credits Available for Scholarship Donations | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14) |
| March 19, 2015 | AL | SB 191 | Establishes the Board of Trustees of the Alabama Community College System | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5) |
| March 18, 2015 | AL | SB 45 | Authorizes Public Charter Schools | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| March 18, 2015 | AL | SB 45 | Authorizes Public Charter Schools | Bill Passed - House (58 - 41) |
| March 17, 2015 | AL | SB 4 | Requires Vehicles to Maintain Certain Distance From Bicycles | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 11) |
| March 12, 2015 | AL | HB 56 | Authorizes Officials to Refuse to Perform Marriage Ceremonies | Bill Passed - House (69 - 25) |
| March 11, 2015 | AL | HB 18 | Authorizes Execution by Electrocution | Bill Passed - House (76 - 26) |
| March 10, 2015 | AL | SB 45 | Authorizes Public Charter Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12) |
| April 3, 2014 | AL | HB 494 | Amends Requirements for Minors Who Seek an Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5) |
| April 3, 2014 | AL | SB 63 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (73 - 27) |
| April 2, 2014 | AL | SB 115 | Amends Job Application Requirements for Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (70 - 33) |
| April 2, 2014 | AL | HB 489 | Increases the Time Physicians Have to Provide Certain Information Prior to an Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10) |
| March 19, 2014 | AL | SB 354 | Authorizes Individuals Without Concealed Carry Licenses to Carry Firearms in Vehicles | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7) |
| March 6, 2014 | AL | HB 379 | Requires Confidentiality for Lethal-Injection Drug Suppliers | Bill Passed - House (77 - 19) |
| March 4, 2014 | AL | HB 489 | Increases the Time Physicians Have to Provide Certain Information Prior to an Abortion | Bill Passed - House (76 - 23) |
| March 4, 2014 | AL | HB 493 | Requires Abortion Patients to be Informed of Perinatal Services | Bill Passed - House (73 - 24) |
| March 4, 2014 | AL | HB 490 | Prohibits an Abortion After a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected | Bill Passed - House (73 - 29) |
| March 4, 2014 | AL | HB 494 | Amends Requirements for Minors Seeking an Abortion | Bill Passed - House (82 - 18) |
| Feb. 26, 2014 | AL | SB 63 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4) |
| Feb. 25, 2014 | AL | HB 141 | Authorizes Veterinarians to Work at Nonprofit Spay Neuter Clinics | Bill Passed - House (58 - 37) |
| Feb. 20, 2014 | AL | HB 45 | Authorizes Display of the Ten Commandments on State Property | Amendment Adopted - House (77 - 19) |