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
April 25, 2006 MA H 4479 Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 112 Veto Override Passed - House (147 - 10)
April 25, 2006 MA H 4479 Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 112 Veto Override Passed - House (137 - 19)
June 29, 2006 MA S 2258 Massage Therapist Licensing Veto Override Passed - House (134 - 22)
April 25, 2006 MA H 4479 Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 112 Veto Override Passed - House (137 - 20)
April 27, 2006 MA C Amdt "H" Local Education Funding Study Bill Amendment Adopted - House (144 - 13)
March 12, 2008 MA DeLeo Amdt Legislative Committee Chair Pay Raises Amendment Adopted - House (126 - 20)
April 5, 2006 MA S 2227 Slot Machines at Race Tracks Bill Motion Agreed - House (100 - 55)
Sept. 27, 2007 MA Jones Amendment Expanding Pension Fund Divestments to Any State Sponsor of Terrorism Amendment Rejected - House (32 - 124)
July 29, 2008 MA Peterson Amdt to H 5022 Reducing Firearm Licensing Fee Amendment Adopted - House (97 - 59)
March 20, 2008 MA H 4920 to 4307 Establishing and Regulating Casinos Amendment Adopted - House (106 - 48)
June 3, 2009 MA H Amendment 2 Eliminate Evacuation Day and Bunker Hill Day Amendment Rejected - House (78 - 78)
Sept. 27, 2007 MA Koutoujian Amendment Expanding Pension Fund Divestment to Any State with a History of Genocide Amendment Rejected - House (53 - 101)
June 18, 2009 MA S 2087 Massachusetts Transportation Agency Consolidation Conference Report Adopted - House (130 - 25)
June 11, 2008 MA H 4554 Life-Science Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (142 - 15)
April 4, 2006 MA H 4479 Health Care Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (154 - 2)
Nov. 1, 2007 MA S 1353 Reproductive Health Clinic Buffer Zones Bill Passed - House (122 - 28)
Sept. 27, 2007 MA S 2255 State Pension Fund Divestment from Sudan Bill Passed - House (154 - 2)
Jan. 23, 2008 MA H 4477 Cell Phone Driving Ban Bill Passed - House (107 - 47)
Jan. 11, 2006 MA H 1230 In State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Failed - House (57 - 96)
July 9, 2008 MA H 678 National Popular Vote Plan Bill Passed - House (116 - 37)
July 26, 2007 MA HB 2876 Sales Tax Holiday Bill Passed - House (145 - 8)
June 4, 2008 MA H 4346 Trans Fat Ban Bill Passed - House (116 - 34)
June 14, 2007 MA S 2220 Constitutional Amendment Defining Marriage Bill Failed - House (40 - 117)
Feb. 6, 2008 MA H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - House (135 - 19)
Jan. 25, 2006 MA S 1074 Disclosure of Religious Funds Bill Bill Failed - House (3 - 147)
April 10, 2008 MA H 4645 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (131 - 23)
July 29, 2008 MA SB 800 Repealing Out of State Marriage Restrictions Bill Passed - House (119 - 36)
May 24, 2006 MA H 4988 Nurse Staffing Bill Bill Passed - House (133 - 20)
April 10, 2008 MA Garry and D'Amico Amendment: Removal of Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Failed - House (49 - 105)
July 9, 2008 MA Frost Amdt - National Popular Vote Plan Ratification Threshold Bill Failed - House (34 - 120)
July 9, 2008 MA Jones Amdt - Presidential Electors by Congressional District Bill Failed - House (34 - 120)
Oct. 11, 2007 MA H 4282 Supplemental Budget Bill Passed - House (126 - 18)
May 1, 2009 MA H 4101 Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2010 Bill Passed - House (137 - 19)
May 23, 2006 MA H 229 Primary Seat Belt Bill Bill Failed - House (76 - 80)
Jan. 19, 2006 MA H 229 Primary Seat Belt Bill Bill Passed - House (76 - 74)
June 8, 2022 MA H 4805 Authorizes State Drivers Licenses for Certain Undocumented Persons Veto Override Passed - House (119 - 36)
July 28, 2021 MA H 4002 Appropriates Funds for FY 2022 Veto Override Passed - House (124 - 35)
June 18, 2014 MA S 2123 Increases the Minimum Wage Conference Report Adopted - House (124 - 24)
Aug. 1, 2022 MA H 5164 Authorizes Sports Wagering in the Commonwealth Bill Passed - House (151 - 2)
June 30, 2021 MA H 3770 Requires the $400 Million Holyoke Soldiers' Home Construction Project be Completed with Unionized Labor Veto Override Passed - House (130 - 30)
Dec. 28, 2020 MA H 5179 Expands State Abortion Access Veto Override Passed - House (107 - 46)
July 31, 2014 MA H 4278 Amends Firearm Laws Conference Report Adopted - House (122 - 30)
July 16, 2014 MA H 4184 Requires Parole Eligibility for Certain Juveniles Sentenced to Life Imprisonment Conference Report Adopted - House (131 - 18)
July 31, 2012 MA S 2400 Establishes Accountable Care Organizations Conference Report Adopted - House (133 - 20)
Dec. 1, 2020 MA S 2963 Amends Various Police Accountability and Reform Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (91 - 67)
Jan. 14, 2010 MA S 2247 Education Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (98 - 47)
July 31, 2010 MA H 5000 Gambling Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (117 - 36)
April 25, 2024 MA H 4582 Appropriates Funding for Homeless Shelter Costs and Amends Stay Limits Conference Report Adopted - House (123 - 35)
July 18, 2012 MA H 3818 Requires Habitual Violent Offenders to Serve Their Full Sentence Conference Report Adopted - House (139 - 14)
June 28, 2018 MA H 4670 Authorizes Temporary Firearm Removal to Those Deemed a Threat Concurrence Vote Passed - House (132 - 15)
June 1, 2016 MA S 735 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity Bill Passed - House (116 - 36)
July 26, 2022 MA H 5090 Expands Protections for Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Care Bill Passed - House (137 - 16)
May 26, 2022 MA H 4805 Authorizes State Drivers Licenses for Certain Undocumented Persons Bill Passed - House (117 - 36)
Aug. 1, 2022 MA H 5163 Authorizes Technology Improvements to State Judiciary Bill Passed - House (147 - 6)
July 21, 2022 MA H 5060 Establishes Various New Programs and Laws to Promote Growth in the Clean Energy Industry Bill Passed - House (146 - 7)
Jan. 27, 2022 MA S 2554 Establishes Early Voting Opportunities (124 - 34)
May 18, 2022 MA S 2823 Amends Existing State Cannabis Laws (153 - 2)
Sept. 23, 2021 MA H 4011 Prohibits Denial of Assistance Based on Person's Assets Veto Override Passed - House (130 - 29)
July 20, 2010 MA H 4156 National Popular Vote Act Motion Agreed - House (116 - 34)
April 4, 2018 MA S 2371 Amends Criminal Justice Law Conference Report Adopted - House (148 - 5)
July 23, 2014 MA S 2283 Authorizes Withdrawal Orders around Reproductive Health Care Facilities Bill Passed - House (116 - 35)
June 15, 2021 MA S 2472 Extends Certain COVID-19 Measures Adopted During the State of Emergency Bill Passed - House (146 - 14)
June 15, 2021 MA S 2475 Amends Measures Adopted During the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - House (150 - 10)
July 17, 2024 MA S 2838 Authorizes and Streamlines State Clean Energy Infrastructure Construction Bill Passed - House (131 - 25)
June 16, 2022 MA S 2924 Specifies Mail-In Voting Regulations Bill Passed - House (126 - 29)
June 18, 2014 MA S 2132 Establishes Labor Standards for Domestic Workers Bill Passed - House (126 - 22)
Feb. 16, 2022 MA H 4461 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Certain Undocumented Immigrants (120 - 36)
April 28, 2010 MA Sánchez Amdt Sending Public Benefits Amendment to Study Amendment Adopted - House (83 - 75)
May 31, 2012 MA H Amdt 11 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Amendment Adopted - House (105 - 43)
July 7, 2017 MA H 3800 Establishes State Budget for Fiscal Year 2018 Conference Report Adopted - House (140 - 9)
April 4, 2018 MA S 2372 Establishes the Garden of Peace Trust Fund Conference Report Adopted - House (152 - 0)
April 7, 2009 MA S 2024 Massachusetts Transportation Agency Consolidation Bill Passed - House (147 - 7)
Oct. 8, 2009 MA SB 2028 Pandemic and Disaster Preparedness Plan Bill Passed - House (114 - 36)
Feb. 10, 2022 MA H 4441 Expands Protections for Veterans Bill Passed - House (156 - 1)
June 5, 2012 MA S 2270 Reduces Health Care Spending Bill Passed - House (148 - 7)
June 27, 2012 MA S 2214 Amends Renewable Energy Contract Requirements Bill Passed - House (135 - 16)
Sept. 23, 2021 MA H 4121 Establishes House Working Group on COVID-19 Bill Passed - House (131 - 28)
June 12, 2024 MA H 4672 Amends the Legal Definition of Parentage Bill Passed - House (156 - 0)
March 2, 2011 MA S 9 Establishing a Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - House (123 - 30)
April 8, 2013 MA H 3382 Expands Retail Tax to Include Computer System Design Services Bill Passed - House (97 - 55)
April 24, 2013 MA H 3401 2013-2014 Budget Bill Passed - House (127 - 29)
April 2, 2014 MA H 4026 Increases the Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (125 - 24)
May 21, 2014 MA H 4108 Amends Charter School Laws Bill Passed - House (114 - 35)
May 28, 2014 MA H 4111 Appropriates Funds for the Expansion of the Boston Convention Center Bill Passed - House (131 - 19)
June 11, 2014 MA Amdt 46 Establishes a Sales Tax Holiday Amendment Adopted - House (132 - 14)
June 18, 2014 MA H 4184 Authorizes Parole Eligibility for Certain Juveniles Sentenced to Life Imprisonment Bill Passed - House (129 - 16)
July 9, 2014 MA H 4278 Amends Firearm Laws Bill Passed - House (112 - 38)
March 9, 2016 MA H 4049 Establishes Regulations for Ride-Sharing Companies Bill Passed - House (139 - 16)
April 25, 2017 MA H 3601 Appropriates Funds for the 2018 Fiscal Year Bill Passed - House (159 - 1)
May 24, 2017 MA H 3034 Limits the Use of Prison Labor Bill Passed - House (120 - 35)
June 21, 2017 MA H 3768 Authorizes Reforms to Recreational Marijuana Laws Bill Passed - House (126 - 28)
May 9, 2018 MA H 4479 Increases Minimum Purchase Age for Tobacco Products Bill Passed - House (147 - 4)
May 23, 2018 MA H 4517 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - House (139 - 14)
June 27, 2018 MA H 4664 Prohibits Gender Conversion Therapy Bill Passed - House (137 - 14)
June 20, 2018 MA H 4640 Amends Minimum Wage and Paid-Leave Programs Bill Passed - House (126 - 25)
July 30, 2018 MA H 4841 Authorizes New Tax Regulations and Insurance Requirements for Short-Term Rentals Bill Passed - House (119 - 30)
June 19, 2018 MA H 4617 Increases Access to Affordable High Quality Health Insurance Bill Passed - House (117 - 32)
March 13, 2019 MA H 140 Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors Bill Passed - House (148 - 8)
Nov. 13, 2019 MA H 4183 Prohibits Flavored Tobacco and Vaping Products, Including Menthol Cigarettes Bill Passed - House (127 - 31)
June 30, 2020 MA H 4818 Establishes a Special Commission to Reduce Racial Inequalities in Maternal Health Bill Passed - House (159 - 0)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/25 H 4479 Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 112 Veto Override Passed - House (147 - 10)
4/25 H 4479 Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 112 Veto Override Passed - House (137 - 19)
6/29 S 2258 Massage Therapist Licensing Veto Override Passed - House (134 - 22)
4/25 H 4479 Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 112 Veto Override Passed - House (137 - 20)
4/27 C Amdt "H" Local Education Funding Study Bill Amendment Adopted - House (144 - 13)
3/12 DeLeo Amdt Legislative Committee Chair Pay Raises Amendment Adopted - House (126 - 20)
4/05 S 2227 Slot Machines at Race Tracks Bill Motion Agreed - House (100 - 55)
9/27 Jones Amendment Expanding Pension Fund Divestments to Any State Sponsor of Terrorism Amendment Rejected - House (32 - 124)
7/29 Peterson Amdt to H 5022 Reducing Firearm Licensing Fee Amendment Adopted - House (97 - 59)
3/20 H 4920 to 4307 Establishing and Regulating Casinos Amendment Adopted - House (106 - 48)
6/03 H Amendment 2 Eliminate Evacuation Day and Bunker Hill Day Amendment Rejected - House (78 - 78)
9/27 Koutoujian Amendment Expanding Pension Fund Divestment to Any State with a History of Genocide Amendment Rejected - House (53 - 101)
6/18 S 2087 Massachusetts Transportation Agency Consolidation Conference Report Adopted - House (130 - 25)
6/11 H 4554 Life-Science Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (142 - 15)
4/04 H 4479 Health Care Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (154 - 2)
11/01 S 1353 Reproductive Health Clinic Buffer Zones Bill Passed - House (122 - 28)
9/27 S 2255 State Pension Fund Divestment from Sudan Bill Passed - House (154 - 2)
1/23 H 4477 Cell Phone Driving Ban Bill Passed - House (107 - 47)
1/11 H 1230 In State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Failed - House (57 - 96)
7/09 H 678 National Popular Vote Plan Bill Passed - House (116 - 37)
7/26 HB 2876 Sales Tax Holiday Bill Passed - House (145 - 8)
6/04 H 4346 Trans Fat Ban Bill Passed - House (116 - 34)
6/14 S 2220 Constitutional Amendment Defining Marriage Bill Failed - House (40 - 117)
2/06 H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - House (135 - 19)
1/25 S 1074 Disclosure of Religious Funds Bill Bill Failed - House (3 - 147)
4/10 H 4645 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (131 - 23)
7/29 SB 800 Repealing Out of State Marriage Restrictions Bill Passed - House (119 - 36)
5/24 H 4988 Nurse Staffing Bill Bill Passed - House (133 - 20)
4/10 Garry and D'Amico Amendment: Removal of Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Failed - House (49 - 105)
7/09 Frost Amdt - National Popular Vote Plan Ratification Threshold Bill Failed - House (34 - 120)
7/09 Jones Amdt - Presidential Electors by Congressional District Bill Failed - House (34 - 120)
10/11 H 4282 Supplemental Budget Bill Passed - House (126 - 18)
5/01 H 4101 Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2010 Bill Passed - House (137 - 19)
5/23 H 229 Primary Seat Belt Bill Bill Failed - House (76 - 80)
1/19 H 229 Primary Seat Belt Bill Bill Passed - House (76 - 74)
6/08 H 4805 Authorizes State Drivers Licenses for Certain Undocumented Persons Veto Override Passed - House (119 - 36)
7/28 H 4002 Appropriates Funds for FY 2022 Veto Override Passed - House (124 - 35)
6/18 S 2123 Increases the Minimum Wage Conference Report Adopted - House (124 - 24)
8/01 H 5164 Authorizes Sports Wagering in the Commonwealth Bill Passed - House (151 - 2)
6/30 H 3770 Requires the $400 Million Holyoke Soldiers' Home Construction Project be Completed with Unionized Labor Veto Override Passed - House (130 - 30)
12/28 H 5179 Expands State Abortion Access Veto Override Passed - House (107 - 46)
7/31 H 4278 Amends Firearm Laws Conference Report Adopted - House (122 - 30)
7/16 H 4184 Requires Parole Eligibility for Certain Juveniles Sentenced to Life Imprisonment Conference Report Adopted - House (131 - 18)
7/31 S 2400 Establishes Accountable Care Organizations Conference Report Adopted - House (133 - 20)
12/01 S 2963 Amends Various Police Accountability and Reform Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (91 - 67)
1/14 S 2247 Education Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (98 - 47)
7/31 H 5000 Gambling Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (117 - 36)
4/25 H 4582 Appropriates Funding for Homeless Shelter Costs and Amends Stay Limits Conference Report Adopted - House (123 - 35)
7/18 H 3818 Requires Habitual Violent Offenders to Serve Their Full Sentence Conference Report Adopted - House (139 - 14)
6/28 H 4670 Authorizes Temporary Firearm Removal to Those Deemed a Threat Concurrence Vote Passed - House (132 - 15)
6/01 S 735 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity Bill Passed - House (116 - 36)
7/26 H 5090 Expands Protections for Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Care Bill Passed - House (137 - 16)
5/26 H 4805 Authorizes State Drivers Licenses for Certain Undocumented Persons Bill Passed - House (117 - 36)
8/01 H 5163 Authorizes Technology Improvements to State Judiciary Bill Passed - House (147 - 6)
7/21 H 5060 Establishes Various New Programs and Laws to Promote Growth in the Clean Energy Industry Bill Passed - House (146 - 7)
1/27 S 2554 Establishes Early Voting Opportunities (124 - 34)
5/18 S 2823 Amends Existing State Cannabis Laws (153 - 2)
9/23 H 4011 Prohibits Denial of Assistance Based on Person's Assets Veto Override Passed - House (130 - 29)
7/20 H 4156 National Popular Vote Act Motion Agreed - House (116 - 34)
4/04 S 2371 Amends Criminal Justice Law Conference Report Adopted - House (148 - 5)
7/23 S 2283 Authorizes Withdrawal Orders around Reproductive Health Care Facilities Bill Passed - House (116 - 35)
6/15 S 2472 Extends Certain COVID-19 Measures Adopted During the State of Emergency Bill Passed - House (146 - 14)
6/15 S 2475 Amends Measures Adopted During the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - House (150 - 10)
7/17 S 2838 Authorizes and Streamlines State Clean Energy Infrastructure Construction Bill Passed - House (131 - 25)
6/16 S 2924 Specifies Mail-In Voting Regulations Bill Passed - House (126 - 29)
6/18 S 2132 Establishes Labor Standards for Domestic Workers Bill Passed - House (126 - 22)
2/16 H 4461 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Certain Undocumented Immigrants (120 - 36)
4/28 Sánchez Amdt Sending Public Benefits Amendment to Study Amendment Adopted - House (83 - 75)
5/31 H Amdt 11 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Amendment Adopted - House (105 - 43)
7/07 H 3800 Establishes State Budget for Fiscal Year 2018 Conference Report Adopted - House (140 - 9)
4/04 S 2372 Establishes the Garden of Peace Trust Fund Conference Report Adopted - House (152 - 0)
4/07 S 2024 Massachusetts Transportation Agency Consolidation Bill Passed - House (147 - 7)
10/08 SB 2028 Pandemic and Disaster Preparedness Plan Bill Passed - House (114 - 36)
2/10 H 4441 Expands Protections for Veterans Bill Passed - House (156 - 1)
6/05 S 2270 Reduces Health Care Spending Bill Passed - House (148 - 7)
6/27 S 2214 Amends Renewable Energy Contract Requirements Bill Passed - House (135 - 16)
9/23 H 4121 Establishes House Working Group on COVID-19 Bill Passed - House (131 - 28)
6/12 H 4672 Amends the Legal Definition of Parentage Bill Passed - House (156 - 0)
3/02 S 9 Establishing a Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - House (123 - 30)
4/08 H 3382 Expands Retail Tax to Include Computer System Design Services Bill Passed - House (97 - 55)
4/24 H 3401 2013-2014 Budget Bill Passed - House (127 - 29)
4/02 H 4026 Increases the Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (125 - 24)
5/21 H 4108 Amends Charter School Laws Bill Passed - House (114 - 35)
5/28 H 4111 Appropriates Funds for the Expansion of the Boston Convention Center Bill Passed - House (131 - 19)
6/11 Amdt 46 Establishes a Sales Tax Holiday Amendment Adopted - House (132 - 14)
6/18 H 4184 Authorizes Parole Eligibility for Certain Juveniles Sentenced to Life Imprisonment Bill Passed - House (129 - 16)
7/09 H 4278 Amends Firearm Laws Bill Passed - House (112 - 38)
3/09 H 4049 Establishes Regulations for Ride-Sharing Companies Bill Passed - House (139 - 16)
4/25 H 3601 Appropriates Funds for the 2018 Fiscal Year Bill Passed - House (159 - 1)
5/24 H 3034 Limits the Use of Prison Labor Bill Passed - House (120 - 35)
6/21 H 3768 Authorizes Reforms to Recreational Marijuana Laws Bill Passed - House (126 - 28)
5/09 H 4479 Increases Minimum Purchase Age for Tobacco Products Bill Passed - House (147 - 4)
5/23 H 4517 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - House (139 - 14)
6/27 H 4664 Prohibits Gender Conversion Therapy Bill Passed - House (137 - 14)
6/20 H 4640 Amends Minimum Wage and Paid-Leave Programs Bill Passed - House (126 - 25)
7/30 H 4841 Authorizes New Tax Regulations and Insurance Requirements for Short-Term Rentals Bill Passed - House (119 - 30)
6/19 H 4617 Increases Access to Affordable High Quality Health Insurance Bill Passed - House (117 - 32)
3/13 H 140 Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors Bill Passed - House (148 - 8)
11/13 H 4183 Prohibits Flavored Tobacco and Vaping Products, Including Menthol Cigarettes Bill Passed - House (127 - 31)
6/30 H 4818 Establishes a Special Commission to Reduce Racial Inequalities in Maternal Health Bill Passed - House (159 - 0)

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