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:
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.
Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|---|
Oct. 11, 2017 | MA | Amdt 1 | Prohibits Sale or Possession of "Bump Stocks" | Bill Passed - House (152 - 3) |
Jan. 11, 2006 | MA | H 1230 | In State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Failed - House (57 - 96) |
March 13, 2019 | MA | H 140 | Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors | Bill Passed - House (148 - 8) |
May 24, 2017 | MA | H 3034 | Limits the Use of Prison Labor | Bill Passed - House (120 - 35) |
Sept. 14, 2011 | MA | H 3711 | Authorizes Gambling Casinos | Bill Passed - House (123 - 32) |
June 21, 2017 | MA | H 3768 | Authorizes Reforms to Recreational Marijuana Laws | Bill Passed - House (126 - 28) |
July 18, 2012 | MA | H 3818 | Requires Habitual Violent Offenders to Serve Their Full Sentence | Conference Report Adopted - House (139 - 14) |
June 10, 2021 | MA | H 3862 | Appropriates Funds for the 2021 Fiscal Year and Supplements Existing Appropriations | Bill Passed - House (131 - 29) |
July 22, 2021 | MA | H 3977 | Authorizes the Legalization of Sports Betting | Bill Passed - House (156 - 3) |
May 30, 2012 | MA | H 3986 | Authorizes Child Care Workers to Form Labor Organizations | Bill Passed - House (117 - 32) |
May 28, 2014 | MA | H 4111 | Appropriates Funds for the Expansion of the Boston Convention Center | Bill Passed - House (131 - 19) |
Oct. 18, 2023 | MA | H 4135 | Amends and Updates Various State Gun Control Laws | Bill Passed - House (120 - 38) |
Oct. 18, 2023 | MA | H 4135 | Amends and Updates Various State Gun Control Laws | Bill Passed - House (120 - 38) |
Oct. 18, 2023 | MA | H 4139 | Amends and Updates Various State Gun Control Laws | Bill Passed - House (120 - 38) |
July 16, 2014 | MA | H 4184 | Requires Parole Eligibility for Certain Juveniles Sentenced to Life Imprisonment | Conference Report Adopted - House (131 - 18) |
June 18, 2014 | MA | H 4184 | Authorizes Parole Eligibility for Certain Juveniles Sentenced to Life Imprisonment | Bill Passed - House (129 - 16) |
Jan. 10, 2024 | MA | H 4241 | Prohibits Revenge Porn and Increases Penalties | Bill Passed - House (151 - 0) |
July 31, 2014 | MA | H 4278 | Amends Firearm Laws | Conference Report Adopted - House (122 - 30) |
July 31, 2014 | MA | H 4278 | Amends Firearm Laws | Conference Report Adopted - House (122 - 30) |
July 9, 2014 | MA | H 4278 | Amends Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - House (112 - 38) |
July 9, 2014 | MA | H 4278 | Amends Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - House (112 - 38) |
Jan. 28, 2010 | MA | H 4441 | School Nutrition Standards | Bill Passed - House (152 - 4) |
Feb. 16, 2022 | MA | H 4461 | Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Certain Undocumented Immigrants | (120 - 36) |
Feb. 4, 2010 | MA | H 4466 | Expanding Driving Regulations | Bill Passed - House (146 - 9) |
Feb. 16, 2022 | MA | H 4470 | Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Certain Undocumented Persons | Bill Passed - House (120 - 36) |
Jan. 23, 2008 | MA | H 4477 | Cell Phone Driving Ban | Bill Passed - House (107 - 47) |
April 25, 2006 | MA | H 4479 | Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 112 | Veto Override Passed - House (137 - 19) |
May 23, 2018 | MA | H 4517 | Authorizes Extreme Risk Protection Orders | Bill Passed - House (139 - 14) |
May 23, 2018 | MA | H 4517 | Authorizes Extreme Risk Protection Orders | Bill Passed - House (139 - 14) |
April 25, 2024 | MA | H 4582 | Appropriates Funding for Homeless Shelter Costs and Amends Stay Limits | Conference Report Adopted - House (123 - 35) |
April 14, 2010 | MA | H 4591 | Gaming Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (120 - 37) |
June 27, 2018 | MA | H 4664 | Prohibits Gender Conversion Therapy | Bill Passed - House (137 - 14) |
June 28, 2018 | MA | H 4670 | Authorizes Temporary Firearm Removal to Those Deemed a Threat | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (132 - 15) |
June 12, 2024 | MA | H 4672 | Amends the Legal Definition of Parentage | Bill Passed - House (156 - 0) |
June 12, 2024 | MA | H 4672 | Amends the Legal Definition of Parentage | Bill Passed - House (156 - 0) |
May 26, 2010 | MA | H 4703 | Sentencing Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (139 - 17) |
June 13, 2024 | MA | H 4758 | Establishes Treatments and Coverage for Substance Use Disorder and Recovery Coach Licensure | Bill Passed - House (153 - 0) |
June 8, 2022 | MA | H 4805 | Authorizes State Drivers Licenses for Certain Undocumented Persons | Veto Override Passed - House (119 - 36) |
May 26, 2022 | MA | H 4805 | Authorizes State Drivers Licenses for Certain Undocumented Persons | Bill Passed - House (117 - 36) |
June 30, 2020 | MA | H 4818 | Establishes a Special Commission to Reduce Racial Inequalities in Maternal Health | Bill Passed - House (159 - 0) |
June 30, 2020 | MA | H 4818 | Establishes a Special Commission to Reduce Racial Inequalities in Maternal Health | Bill Passed - House (159 - 0) |
July 24, 2024 | MA | H 4891 | Promoting Access and Affordability of Prescription Drugs | Bill Passed - House (158 - 0) |
March 20, 2008 | MA | H 4920 to 4307 | Establishing and Regulating Casinos | Amendment Adopted - House (106 - 48) |
July 31, 2010 | MA | H 5000 | Gambling Law Amendments | Conference Report Adopted - House (117 - 36) |
July 26, 2022 | MA | H 5090 | Expands Protections for Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Care | Bill Passed - House (137 - 16) |
July 26, 2022 | MA | H 5090 | Expands Protections for Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Care | Bill Passed - House (137 - 16) |
Aug. 1, 2022 | MA | H 5164 | Authorizes Sports Wagering in the Commonwealth | Bill Passed - House (151 - 2) |
May 31, 2012 | MA | H Amdt 11 | Requires Photo Identification to Vote | Amendment Adopted - House (105 - 43) |
April 25, 2012 | MA | H Amdt 804.1 | Electronic Benefit Transfer Cards | Amendment Adopted - House (123 - 33) |
April 25, 2012 | MA | H Amdt 804.1 | Electronic Benefit Transfer Cards | Amendment Adopted - House (123 - 33) |
June 3, 2009 | MA | H Amendment 2 | Eliminate Evacuation Day and Bunker Hill Day | Amendment Rejected - House (78 - 78) |
July 29, 2008 | MA | Peterson Amdt to H 5022 | Reducing Firearm Licensing Fee | Amendment Adopted - House (97 - 59) |
Nov. 1, 2007 | MA | S 1353 | Reproductive Health Clinic Buffer Zones | Bill Passed - House (122 - 28) |
Nov. 1, 2007 | MA | S 1353 | Reproductive Health Clinic Buffer Zones | Bill Passed - House (122 - 28) |
June 14, 2007 | MA | S 2220 | Constitutional Amendment Defining Marriage | Bill Failed - House (40 - 117) |
June 14, 2007 | MA | S 2220 | Constitutional Amendment Defining Marriage | Bill Failed - House (40 - 117) |
June 14, 2007 | MA | S 2220 | Constitutional Amendment Defining Marriage | Bill Failed - House (40 - 117) |
April 4, 2018 | MA | S 2371 | Amends Criminal Justice Law | Conference Report Adopted - House (148 - 5) |
April 4, 2018 | MA | S 2372 | Establishes the Garden of Peace Trust Fund | Conference Report Adopted - House (152 - 0) |
June 16, 2022 | MA | S 2924 | Specifies Mail-In Voting Regulations | Bill Passed - House (126 - 29) |
Dec. 1, 2020 | MA | S 2963 | Amends Various Police Accountability and Reform Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (91 - 67) |
June 1, 2016 | MA | S 735 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity | Bill Passed - House (116 - 36) |
Oct. 8, 2009 | MA | SB 2028 | Pandemic and Disaster Preparedness Plan | Bill Passed - House (114 - 36) |
July 29, 2008 | MA | SB 800 | Repealing Out of State Marriage Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (119 - 36) |
July 29, 2008 | MA | SB 800 | Repealing Out of State Marriage Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (119 - 36) |
April 28, 2010 | MA | Sánchez Amdt | Sending Public Benefits Amendment to Study | Amendment Adopted - House (83 - 75) |
Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|
10/11 | Amdt 1 | Prohibits Sale or Possession of "Bump Stocks" | Bill Passed - House (152 - 3) |
1/11 | H 1230 | In State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Failed - House (57 - 96) |
3/13 | H 140 | Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors | Bill Passed - House (148 - 8) |
5/24 | H 3034 | Limits the Use of Prison Labor | Bill Passed - House (120 - 35) |
9/14 | H 3711 | Authorizes Gambling Casinos | Bill Passed - House (123 - 32) |
6/21 | H 3768 | Authorizes Reforms to Recreational Marijuana Laws | Bill Passed - House (126 - 28) |
7/18 | H 3818 | Requires Habitual Violent Offenders to Serve Their Full Sentence | Conference Report Adopted - House (139 - 14) |
6/10 | H 3862 | Appropriates Funds for the 2021 Fiscal Year and Supplements Existing Appropriations | Bill Passed - House (131 - 29) |
7/22 | H 3977 | Authorizes the Legalization of Sports Betting | Bill Passed - House (156 - 3) |
5/30 | H 3986 | Authorizes Child Care Workers to Form Labor Organizations | Bill Passed - House (117 - 32) |
5/28 | H 4111 | Appropriates Funds for the Expansion of the Boston Convention Center | Bill Passed - House (131 - 19) |
10/18 | H 4135 | Amends and Updates Various State Gun Control Laws | Bill Passed - House (120 - 38) |
10/18 | H 4135 | Amends and Updates Various State Gun Control Laws | Bill Passed - House (120 - 38) |
10/18 | H 4139 | Amends and Updates Various State Gun Control Laws | Bill Passed - House (120 - 38) |
7/16 | H 4184 | Requires Parole Eligibility for Certain Juveniles Sentenced to Life Imprisonment | Conference Report Adopted - House (131 - 18) |
6/18 | H 4184 | Authorizes Parole Eligibility for Certain Juveniles Sentenced to Life Imprisonment | Bill Passed - House (129 - 16) |
1/10 | H 4241 | Prohibits Revenge Porn and Increases Penalties | Bill Passed - House (151 - 0) |
7/31 | H 4278 | Amends Firearm Laws | Conference Report Adopted - House (122 - 30) |
7/31 | H 4278 | Amends Firearm Laws | Conference Report Adopted - House (122 - 30) |
7/09 | H 4278 | Amends Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - House (112 - 38) |
7/09 | H 4278 | Amends Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - House (112 - 38) |
1/28 | H 4441 | School Nutrition Standards | Bill Passed - House (152 - 4) |
2/16 | H 4461 | Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Certain Undocumented Immigrants | (120 - 36) |
2/04 | H 4466 | Expanding Driving Regulations | Bill Passed - House (146 - 9) |
2/16 | H 4470 | Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Certain Undocumented Persons | Bill Passed - House (120 - 36) |
1/23 | H 4477 | Cell Phone Driving Ban | Bill Passed - House (107 - 47) |
4/25 | H 4479 | Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 112 | Veto Override Passed - House (137 - 19) |
5/23 | H 4517 | Authorizes Extreme Risk Protection Orders | Bill Passed - House (139 - 14) |
5/23 | H 4517 | Authorizes Extreme Risk Protection Orders | Bill Passed - House (139 - 14) |
4/25 | H 4582 | Appropriates Funding for Homeless Shelter Costs and Amends Stay Limits | Conference Report Adopted - House (123 - 35) |
4/14 | H 4591 | Gaming Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (120 - 37) |
6/27 | H 4664 | Prohibits Gender Conversion Therapy | Bill Passed - House (137 - 14) |
6/28 | H 4670 | Authorizes Temporary Firearm Removal to Those Deemed a Threat | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (132 - 15) |
6/12 | H 4672 | Amends the Legal Definition of Parentage | Bill Passed - House (156 - 0) |
6/12 | H 4672 | Amends the Legal Definition of Parentage | Bill Passed - House (156 - 0) |
5/26 | H 4703 | Sentencing Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (139 - 17) |
6/13 | H 4758 | Establishes Treatments and Coverage for Substance Use Disorder and Recovery Coach Licensure | Bill Passed - House (153 - 0) |
6/08 | H 4805 | Authorizes State Drivers Licenses for Certain Undocumented Persons | Veto Override Passed - House (119 - 36) |
5/26 | H 4805 | Authorizes State Drivers Licenses for Certain Undocumented Persons | Bill Passed - House (117 - 36) |
6/30 | H 4818 | Establishes a Special Commission to Reduce Racial Inequalities in Maternal Health | Bill Passed - House (159 - 0) |
6/30 | H 4818 | Establishes a Special Commission to Reduce Racial Inequalities in Maternal Health | Bill Passed - House (159 - 0) |
7/24 | H 4891 | Promoting Access and Affordability of Prescription Drugs | Bill Passed - House (158 - 0) |
3/20 | H 4920 to 4307 | Establishing and Regulating Casinos | Amendment Adopted - House (106 - 48) |
7/31 | H 5000 | Gambling Law Amendments | Conference Report Adopted - House (117 - 36) |
7/26 | H 5090 | Expands Protections for Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Care | Bill Passed - House (137 - 16) |
7/26 | H 5090 | Expands Protections for Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Care | Bill Passed - House (137 - 16) |
8/01 | H 5164 | Authorizes Sports Wagering in the Commonwealth | Bill Passed - House (151 - 2) |
5/31 | H Amdt 11 | Requires Photo Identification to Vote | Amendment Adopted - House (105 - 43) |
4/25 | H Amdt 804.1 | Electronic Benefit Transfer Cards | Amendment Adopted - House (123 - 33) |
4/25 | H Amdt 804.1 | Electronic Benefit Transfer Cards | Amendment Adopted - House (123 - 33) |
6/03 | H Amendment 2 | Eliminate Evacuation Day and Bunker Hill Day | Amendment Rejected - House (78 - 78) |
7/29 | Peterson Amdt to H 5022 | Reducing Firearm Licensing Fee | Amendment Adopted - House (97 - 59) |
11/01 | S 1353 | Reproductive Health Clinic Buffer Zones | Bill Passed - House (122 - 28) |
11/01 | S 1353 | Reproductive Health Clinic Buffer Zones | Bill Passed - House (122 - 28) |
6/14 | S 2220 | Constitutional Amendment Defining Marriage | Bill Failed - House (40 - 117) |
6/14 | S 2220 | Constitutional Amendment Defining Marriage | Bill Failed - House (40 - 117) |
6/14 | S 2220 | Constitutional Amendment Defining Marriage | Bill Failed - House (40 - 117) |
4/04 | S 2371 | Amends Criminal Justice Law | Conference Report Adopted - House (148 - 5) |
4/04 | S 2372 | Establishes the Garden of Peace Trust Fund | Conference Report Adopted - House (152 - 0) |
6/16 | S 2924 | Specifies Mail-In Voting Regulations | Bill Passed - House (126 - 29) |
12/01 | S 2963 | Amends Various Police Accountability and Reform Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (91 - 67) |
6/01 | S 735 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity | Bill Passed - House (116 - 36) |
10/08 | SB 2028 | Pandemic and Disaster Preparedness Plan | Bill Passed - House (114 - 36) |
7/29 | SB 800 | Repealing Out of State Marriage Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (119 - 36) |
7/29 | SB 800 | Repealing Out of State Marriage Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (119 - 36) |
4/28 | Sánchez Amdt | Sending Public Benefits Amendment to Study | Amendment Adopted - House (83 - 75) |