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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
April 1, 2008 | PA | A 6178 to HB 1845 | Reporting Missing Firearms | Amendment Rejected - House (75 - 128) |
April 22, 2009 | PA | A771 | Requiring Hands Free Devices for Cell Phones in Cars | Amendment Rejected - House (95 - 100) |
June 25, 2007 | PA | A 2062 | Exceptions to Clean Indoor Air Act | Amendment Adopted - Senate (29 - 21) |
June 10, 2008 | PA | SB 246 | Smoking Ban | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 9) |
June 4, 2008 | PA | SB 246 | Smoking Ban | Conference Report Adopted - House (163 - 38) |
June 4, 2008 | PA | SB 246 | Smoking Ban | Conference Report Rejected - Senate (19 - 31) |
July 16, 2007 | PA | SB 246 | Smoking Ban | Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (13 - 36) |
July 16, 2007 | PA | SB 246 | Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - House (141 - 62) |
June 12, 2006 | PA | HB 698 | Mental Retardation Consideration in Murder Cases | Bill Passed - House (169 - 28) |
June 21, 2006 | PA | HB 2381 | Marriage Definition Constitutional Amendment | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (38 - 12) |
April 11, 2011 | PA | HB 1 | Comparative Negligence Provisions | Bill Passed - House (112 - 88) |
June 26, 2007 | PA | SB 246 | Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17) |
June 25, 2008 | PA | A 7738 | Real ID Biometric Data | Bill Failed - House (92 - 108) |
June 25, 2008 | PA | A 7738 | Real ID Biometric Data | Bill Failed - House (92 - 108) |
June 28, 2006 | PA | HB 804 | Handheld Cell Phone Ban While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7) |
March 20, 2006 | PA | HB 213 | Ecoterrorism Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10) |
June 6, 2006 | PA | HB 2381 | Marriage Definition Constitutional Amendment | Joint Resolution Passed - House (136 - 61) |
July 14, 2009 | PA | HB 264 | Expungement of Criminal Records and Juvenile Records | Bill Passed - House (104 - 91) |
March 4, 2011 | PA | HB 934 | Amends Voter Identification Laws | |
April 15, 2020 | PA | SB 613 | Requires the Governor's Office to Follow Federal Guidelines to Reopen Businesses During COVID-19 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 21) |
Nov. 21, 2019 | PA | HB 49 | Authorizes School Police to Make Arrests | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 14) |
April 14, 2020 | PA | SB 613 | Requires the Governor's Office to Follow Federal Guidelines to Reopen Businesses During COVID-19 | Bill Passed - House (107 - 95) |
Nov. 15, 2022 | PA | HB 1546 | Prohibits "Endangerment" of Public Safety Officials | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (158 - 39) |
Nov. 20, 2020 | PA | HB 2536 | Appropriates funds for the Emergency COVID-19 Response | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (108 - 92) |
March 25, 2020 | PA | SB 751 | Authorizes Financial Assistance for Schools Amid COVID-19-Related Shutdown | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (50 - 0) |
Dec. 13, 2023 | PA | HB 863 | Reduces Physical Fitness Standards for Police Training | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (118 - 85) |
Oct. 4, 2023 | PA | HB 27 | Appropriates Funding for State K-12 Public Education System | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (106 - 97) |
Oct. 4, 2023 | PA | HB 1300 | Authorizes Funding for Home Repair Subsidies, Adult Mental Health Services, and Public Defenders | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (121 - 82) |
Sept. 19, 2022 | PA | HB 146 | Prohibits Premature Release of an Individual who has Committed a Violent Offense while Imprisoned | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (133 - 69) |
July 6, 2022 | PA | SB 1183 | Limits Use of Off-Road Vehicles; Authorizes Forfeiture Thereof | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (48 - 2) |
Oct. 17, 2012 | PA | SB 850 | Repeals Mandatory Life Sentences for Certain Juvenile Offenders | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 12) |
June 24, 2021 | PA | SB 618 | Prohibits Vaccine Passports and Limits Powers of the Secretary of Health | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 21) |
Oct. 20, 2014 | PA | HB 80 | Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (138 - 56) |
Oct. 20, 2014 | PA | HB 80 | Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (138 - 56) |
Nov. 20, 2020 | PA | HB 1737 | Establishes Liability Protection to Healthcare Practitioners and Manufacturers of Personal Protective Equipment | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (104 - 98) |
Dec. 18, 2019 | PA | SB 501 | Amends Parole, Probation, and Criminal Sentencing Guidelines | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 11) |
July 7, 2020 | PA | HB 256 | Amends State Law to make Assaulting a Correctional Officer a Felony | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (173 - 28) |
Oct. 17, 2018 | PA | SB 554 | Establishes Protections for Juvenile Human Trafficking Victims | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0) |
Oct. 17, 2018 | PA | SB 554 | Establishes Protections for Juvenile Human Trafficking Victims | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0) |
July 15, 2020 | PA | SB 1166 | Limits the Governor's Emergency Powers | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 17) |
Nov. 19, 2019 | PA | HB 49 | Authorizes School Police to Make Arrests | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (161 - 37) |
Jan. 25, 2022 | PA | HB 979 | Authorizes Gun Owners and Organizations to Challenge Local Guns Laws that are Stricter than State Law | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17) |
Nov. 15, 2010 | PA | HB 1926 | Amending Self-Protection Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (161 - 35) |
Nov. 15, 2010 | PA | HB 1926 | Amending Self-Protection Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (161 - 35) |
March 14, 2012 | PA | HB 934 | Amends Voter Identification Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (104 - 88) |
June 30, 2011 | PA | HB 960 | Public Assistance Program Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (130 - 66) |
Nov. 19, 2020 | PA | HB 1737 | Establishes Liability Protection to Healthcare Practitioners and Manufacturers of Personal Protective Equipment | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20) |
March 25, 2020 | PA | HB 68 | Establishes a System of Unemployment Compensation in Response to the COVID-19 Emergency | Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0) |
Aug. 30, 2023 | PA | HB 1300 | Authorizes Funding for Home Repair Subsidies, Adult Mental Health Services, and Public Defenders | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18) |
Dec. 13, 2023 | PA | SB 683 | Requires Fentanyl and Xylazine Screening in Many Diagnostic Urine Tests | Bill Passed - House (166 - 37) |
July 14, 2020 | PA | SB 1166 | Limits the Governor's Emergency Powers | Bill Passed - House (115 - 86) |
March 25, 2020 | PA | HB 1232 | Authorizes Emergency Finances and Tax Provisions in Response to the COVID-19 Emergency | Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0) |
Nov. 20, 2019 | PA | HB 1402 | Establishes and Defines the Crime of Sexual Extortion | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0) |
June 23, 2021 | PA | SB 618 | Prohibits Vaccine Passports and Limits Powers of the Secretary of Health | Bill Passed - House (112 - 89) |
Oct. 30, 2019 | PA | SB 147 | Establishes Hunting Regulations on Sundays | Bill Passed - House (144 - 54) |
Nov. 20, 2020 | PA | HB 2536 | Appropriates funds for the Emergency COVID-19 Response | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16) |
Oct. 21, 2020 | PA | HB 440 | Repeals Obligation to Pay Outstanding Court-Ordered Finances Before Eligible Cases Are Sealed | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0) |
Oct. 25, 2022 | PA | HB 1546 | Prohibits "Endangerment" of Public Safety Officials | Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 2) |
July 6, 2022 | PA | HB 146 | Prohibits Premature Release of an Individual who has Committed a Violent Offense while Imprisoned | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 9) |
Oct. 21, 2020 | PA | HB 440 | Repeals Obligation to Pay Outstanding Court-Ordered Finances Before Eligible Cases Are Sealed | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0) |
July 1, 2022 | PA | SB 1183 | Limits Use of Off-Road Vehicles; Authorizes Forfeiture Thereof | Bill Passed - House (135 - 65) |
May 13, 2020 | PA | HB 2388 | Establishes Exemption Waivers for Business Closures Due to COVID-19 | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17) |
June 30, 2022 | PA | SB 814 | Increases Penalties For Fleeing the Police on Foot | Bill Passed - House (127 - 73) |
Dec. 17, 2019 | PA | SB 501 | Amends Parole, Probation, and Criminal Sentencing Guidelines | Bill Passed - House (167 - 29) |
Dec. 13, 2023 | PA | SB 683 | Requires Fentanyl and Xylazine Screening in Many Diagnostic Urine Tests | Bill Passed - House (166 - 37) |
Oct. 23, 2019 | PA | HB 49 | Authorizes School Police to Make Arrests | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20) |
Oct. 16, 2014 | PA | HB 80 | Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14) |
Oct. 16, 2014 | PA | HB 80 | Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14) |
Oct. 15, 2014 | PA | HB 1750 | Prohibits Pigeon Shoots | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 12) |
June 9, 2020 | PA | HR 836 | Establishes a Resolution to Terminate the Governor's Emergency Declaration | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19) |
June 27, 2019 | PA | SB 621 | Authorizes Schools to Arm Security Guards | Bill Passed - House (116 - 83) |
Oct. 3, 2018 | PA | HB 2060 | Requires Surrender of Firearms in Protection Abuse Situations | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 5) |
Oct. 3, 2018 | PA | HB 2060 | Requires Surrender of Firearms in Protection Abuse Situations | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 5) |
June 22, 2018 | PA | HB 1419 | Authorizes Limited Access to Certain Criminal Records | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0) |
Sept. 25, 2018 | PA | SB 261 | Increases the Statute of Limitations for Victims of Sexual Abuse | Bill Passed - House (173 - 21) |
July 15, 2020 | PA | HB 2463 | Requires State Agency Response to Public Record Requests Made During a Gubernatorial Disaster Declaration | Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0) |
Oct. 5, 2020 | PA | HB 1984 | Authorizes a Parent to Petition to Terminate the Other Parent's Parental Rights Prior to Making Adoption Arrangements in Cases of Rape or Incest | Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0) |
June 30, 2020 | PA | HB 1910 | Establishes New Training Requirements for Police Officers | Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0) |
June 30, 2020 | PA | HB 1910 | Establishes New Training Requirements for Police Officers | Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0) |
Nov. 18, 2020 | PA | HB 2440 | Classifies Shooting Ranges, Sportsman Clubs, Hunting Facilities, and Firearm Businesses as "Life-Sustaining" | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20) |
Nov. 18, 2020 | PA | HB 1747 | Limits the Governors Ability to Restrict Firearm Access During a Disaster Emergency | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20) |
Nov. 18, 2020 | PA | HB 1747 | Limits the Governors Ability to Restrict Firearm Access During a Disaster Emergency | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20) |
Nov. 16, 2021 | PA | SB 565 | Expands Concealed Carry Laws | Bill Passed - House (107 - 92) |
Oct. 26, 2022 | PA | HB 1393 | Defines Testing of Fentanyl Test Strips and Other Compounds in Relation to Controlled Substances | Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0) |
Dec. 13, 2023 | PA | SB 140 | Authorizes the State Attorney General to Appoint a Special Prosecutor for South Eastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) Crimes | Bill Passed - House (159 - 44) |
April 27, 2022 | PA | HB 2275 | Establishes Philadelphia Gun Violence Task Force | Bill Passed - House (151 - 49) |
April 27, 2022 | PA | HB 2275 | Establishes Philadelphia Gun Violence Task Force | Bill Passed - House (151 - 49) |
June 30, 2011 | PA | HB 960 | Public Assistance Program Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15) |
March 7, 2012 | PA | HB 934 | Amends Voter Identification Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23) |
Oct. 14, 2010 | PA | HB 1926 | Amending Self-Protection Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4) |
Oct. 17, 2012 | PA | SB 941 | Increases Penalties for Public Intoxication | Bill Passed - House (104 - 87) |
Oct. 14, 2010 | PA | HB 1926 | Amending Self-Protection Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4) |
June 24, 2020 | PA | SB 1205 | Prohibits the Use of Police Chokeholds | Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0) |
June 24, 2020 | PA | HB 1747 | Limits the Governors Ability to Restrict Firearm Access During a Disaster Emergency | Bill Passed - House (127 - 74) |
June 24, 2020 | PA | HB 1747 | Limits the Governors Ability to Restrict Firearm Access During a Disaster Emergency | Bill Passed - House (127 - 74) |
April 18, 2018 | PA | SB 961 | Increases OWI Penalties | Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4) |
April 18, 2018 | PA | SB 961 | Increases OWI Penalties | Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4) |
April 5, 2017 | PA | HB 741 | Reinstates Mandatory Minimum Sentences | Bill Passed - House (122 - 67) |
June 24, 2020 | PA | SB 459 | Requires Municipal Law Enforcement Department Adoption of Use of Force Policies | Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0) |
Jan. 27, 2021 | PA | SB 87 | Establishes a Task Force on Child Pornography | Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 2) |