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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 25, 2007 | PA | A 2062 | Exceptions to Clean Indoor Air Act | Amendment Adopted - Senate (29 - 21) |
| 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, 2008 | PA | A 7738 | Real ID Biometric Data | Bill Failed - House (92 - 108) |
| June 28, 2006 | PA | A7999 to HB 1959 | English as Official Language | Amendment Adopted - House (122 - 70) |
| Dec. 14, 2011 | PA | H Amdt 7732 | Tuition Vouchers for Charter Schools | Amendment Rejected - House (90 - 105) |
| June 29, 2009 | PA | HB 1 | Expanding Health Insurance | Bill Passed - House (104 - 96) |
| March 11, 2008 | PA | HB 1 | Clean Energy Program | Bill Passed - House (126 - 74) |
| April 11, 2011 | PA | HB 1 | Comparative Negligence Provisions | Bill Passed - House (112 - 88) |
| Feb. 24, 2023 | PA | HB 1 | Amends the State Constitution to Increase the Reporting Window for Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse | Bill Passed - House (161 - 40) |
| May 2, 2023 | PA | HB 100 | Authorizes Cross-Age Tutoring for Students in Lower Grades | Bill Passed - House (141 - 60) |
| Nov. 17, 2010 | PA | HB 101 | Education Law Amendments | Veto Override Passed - Senate (42 - 7) |
| Nov. 15, 2010 | PA | HB 101 | Education Law Amendments | Veto Override Passed - House (171 - 24) |
| Feb. 5, 2021 | PA | HB 101 | Establishes Limited Liability Protections for Farmers Offering Agritourism Activities | Bill Passed - House (142 - 60) |
| May 24, 2021 | PA | HB 1010 | Transfers the Authority Over Writing and Advertising Constitutional Amendments | Bill Passed - House (113 - 88) |
| June 29, 2014 | PA | HB 1013 | Amends Laws for Home-Schooled Individuals | Bill Passed - House (133 - 65) |
| May 22, 2023 | PA | HB 1018 | Authorizes Extreme Risk Protection Orders | Bill Passed - House (102 - 99) |
| June 25, 2021 | PA | HB 1024 | Amends Marijuana Laws to Make it Easier to Remove Yeast or Mold Contaminants | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (165 - 36) |
| March 16, 2021 | PA | HB 103 | Increases the Penalty for Spitting on a Police Officer to a First Degree Misdemeanor | Bill Passed - House (146 - 56) |
| June 25, 2018 | PA | HB 1037 | Limits Punitive Damages in Certain Medical Lawsuits | Bill Failed - House (91 - 103) |
| May 6, 2019 | PA | HB 1058 | Prohibits Abortions Based Solely on a Diagnosis of Down Syndrome | Bill Passed - House (116 - 76) |
| Oct. 26, 2022 | PA | HB 1059 | Amends Tax Law Relating to Personal Income Tax and Transfer of Tax | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (139 - 59) |
| Oct. 26, 2022 | PA | HB 1059 | Amends Tax Law Relating to Personal Income Tax and Transfer of Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 8) |
| July 4, 2008 | PA | HB 1067 | Omnibus Education Bill | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (191 - 11) |
| June 26, 2023 | PA | HB 1067 | Authorizes Immigrant Teachers with Valid License Certification and Experience | Bill Passed - House (110 - 93) |
| April 25, 2017 | PA | HB 1071 | Prohibits Bans, Fees, and Taxes on Recyclable Plastic Bags | Bill Passed - House (102 - 87) |
| July 3, 2013 | PA | HB 1075 | Amends Public Welfare Code | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 22) |
| July 1, 2013 | PA | HB 1075 | Amends Public Welfare Code | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (108 - 94) |
| June 12, 2023 | PA | HB 1085 | Appropriates Funding for the State Public Defenders Office | Bill Passed - House (132 - 71) |
| June 13, 2023 | PA | HB 1092 | Authorizes Second Chance Certification for Disqualified Truck Drivers | Bill Passed - House (155 - 48) |
| Sept. 19, 2019 | PA | HB 1100 | Establishes an Energy and Fertilizer Manufacturing Tax Credit | Bill Passed - House (139 - 46) |
| June 13, 2023 | PA | HB 1131 | Establishes the Pennsylvania Department of Health | Bill Passed - House (199 - 4) |
| June 16, 2021 | PA | HB 1154 | Authorizes Certain Stores to Sell Mixed Alcoholic Beverages To-Go | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24) |
| Sept. 23, 2014 | PA | HB 1177 | Authorizes Cigarette Tax | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 11) |
| Sept. 22, 2014 | PA | HB 1177 | Authorizes Cigarette Tax | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (114 - 84) |
| July 8, 2014 | PA | HB 1177 | Authorizes Cigarette and Hotel Taxes | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 5) |
| July 2, 2014 | PA | HB 1177 | Authorizes Cigarette and Hotel Taxes | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (119 - 80) |
| July 1, 2014 | PA | HB 1177 | Authorizes Cigarette and Hotel Taxes | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 12) |
| June 9, 2021 | PA | HB 118 | Requires Either a Funeral or Cremation of Abortion Remains | Bill Passed - House (118 - 83) |
| June 30, 2015 | PA | HB 1192 | Establishes State Budget for FY 2015-2016 | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19) |
| June 27, 2015 | PA | HB 1192 | Establishes State Budget for FY 2015-2016 | Bill Passed - House (112 - 77) |
| June 20, 2007 | PA | HB 1200 | Alternative Energy Incentives | Bill Passed - House (128 - 70) |
| June 20, 2007 | PA | HB 1202 | Clean Fuels and Energy Independence Act | Bill Passed - House (138 - 60) |
| March 25, 2020 | PA | HB 1232 | Authorizes Emergency Finances and Tax Provisions in Response to the COVID-19 Emergency | Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0) |
| Dec. 17, 2013 | PA | HB 1234 | Reduces Size of General Assembly | Joint Resolution Passed - House (148 - 50) |
| Oct. 6, 2014 | PA | HB 1243 | Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - House (143 - 54) |
| June 12, 2023 | PA | HB 1259 | Establishes the Pennsylvania Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit Program | Bill Passed - House (141 - 62) |
| June 30, 2012 | PA | HB 1261 | Repeals the General Assistance Cash Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (102 - 91) |
| June 29, 2012 | PA | HB 1261 | Repeals the General Assistance Cash Program | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18) |
| Dec. 13, 2023 | PA | HB 1284 | Authorizes Speed Cameras on Philadelphia's Roosevelt Avenue and Expands the Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (121 - 82) |
| Dec. 13, 2023 | PA | HB 1284 | Authorizes Speed Cameras on Philadelphia's Roosevelt Avenue and Expands the Program | Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 3) |
| July 16, 2007 | PA | HB 1286 | 2007-2008 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (46 - 2) |
| July 16, 2007 | PA | HB 1286 | 2007-2008 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (140 - 63) |
| June 30, 2007 | PA | HB 1286 | 2007-2008 Budget | Concurrence Vote Failed - House (96 - 102) |
| May 4, 2021 | PA | HB 129 | Requires All Unemployment Hearings be Held Digitally | Bill Passed - House (102 - 99) |
| 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) |
| Aug. 30, 2023 | PA | HB 1300 | Authorizes Funding for Home Repair Subsidies, Adult Mental Health Services, and Public Defenders | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18) |
| June 25, 2021 | PA | HB 1300 | Establishes State Legislative Authority Over Elections | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21) |
| June 22, 2021 | PA | HB 1300 | Establishes State Legislative Authority Over Elections | Bill Passed - House (110 - 91) |
| June 14, 2023 | PA | HB 1305 | Establishes Resources for Mental Health Behavioral Crisis Intervention | Bill Passed - House (113 - 90) |
| June 28, 2012 | PA | HB 1307 | Authorizes State Control of Financially Distressed Schools | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (106 - 95) |
| June 19, 2012 | PA | HB 1307 | Authorizes State Control of Financially Distressed Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21) |
| Feb. 14, 2006 | PA | HB 1318 | Voter Identification Requirements | Conference Report Adopted - House (106 - 91) |
| Feb. 15, 2006 | PA | HB 1318 | Voter Identification Requirements | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 20) |
| Feb. 1, 2006 | PA | HB 1318 | Voter Identification Requirements | Bill Passed - House (106 - 85) |
| Oct. 6, 2021 | PA | HB 1332 | Requires All School Districts Post Curriculum Online | Bill Passed - House (110 - 89) |
| Nov. 18, 2020 | PA | HB 1348 | Establishes Limited Civil Liability for Agritourism Activity Providers | Bill Passed - House (120 - 81) |
| Oct. 16, 2023 | PA | HB 1378 | Prohibits Use of Computer Software (Grinch Bots) to Bulk Purchase Tickets for Resale | Bill Passed - House (193 - 10) |
| May 4, 2021 | PA | HB 139 | Establishes New Rules for Permit Programs for Annual Reports | Bill Passed - House (113 - 88) |
| 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) |
| July 7, 2023 | PA | HB 1394 | Prohibits Hair Discrimination | Bill Passed - House (182 - 21) |
| Jan. 27, 2021 | PA | HB 14 | Extends the Statute of Limitations for Childhood Sexual Abuse. | Bill Passed - House (187 - 15) |
| Nov. 20, 2019 | PA | HB 1402 | Establishes and Defines the Crime of Sexual Extortion | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0) |
| Sept. 25, 2019 | PA | HB 1410 | Authorizes Funds to Remove PFAS from Drinking Water | Bill Passed - House (144 - 54) |
| Jan. 13, 2014 | PA | HB 1411 | Requires Schools To Make Their Expenses Public | Bill Passed - House (119 - 81) |
| Oct. 9, 2009 | PA | HB 1416 | 2009-2010 Budget | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (42 - 7) |
| Oct. 7, 2009 | PA | HB 1416 | 2009-2010 Budget | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (107 - 93) |
| July 20, 2009 | PA | HB 1416 | 2009-2010 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19) |
| July 17, 2009 | PA | HB 1416 | 2009-2010 Budget | Bill Passed - House (104 - 95) |
| Nov. 14, 2023 | PA | HB 1416 | Amends Cost of Living Adjustments for Pre-2001 School Retirees' Pensions | Bill Passed - House (140 - 63) |
| June 22, 2018 | PA | HB 1419 | Authorizes Limited Access to Certain Criminal Records | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0) |
| April 11, 2018 | PA | HB 1419 | Authorizes Limited Access to Certain Criminal Records | Bill Passed - House (188 - 2) |
| July 7, 2023 | PA | HB 1422 | Requires Public Schools Report Spending for Paid Media Advertisements | Bill Passed - House (122 - 82) |
| Feb. 9, 2022 | PA | HB 1440 | Establishes Further Definitions of Healthcare Professionals | Bill Passed - House (132 - 67) |
| June 22, 2018 | PA | HB 1448 | Requires Lead Testing in School Water Systems | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (44 - 4) |
| June 22, 2018 | PA | HB 1448 | Requires Lead Testing in School Water Systems | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (193 - 1) |
| Oct. 4, 2023 | PA | HB 1456 | Appropriates $45 Billion for the State Budget | Bill Passed - House (115 - 88) |
| July 14, 2020 | PA | HB 1459 | Establishes a Mental Health Wellness and Stress Management Program for Emergency First Responders | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0) |
| 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 | HB 146 | Prohibits Premature Release of an Individual who has Committed a Violent Offense while Imprisoned | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 9) |
| Dec. 18, 2019 | PA | HB 1477 | Authorizes Professional Licenses for Ex-Convicts | Bill Passed - House (193 - 4) |
| April 26, 2023 | PA | HB 148 | Establishes Educational Tools to Spot Warning Signs of Eating Disorders | Bill Passed - House (158 - 43) |
| June 29, 2011 | PA | HB 1485 | 2011-2012 Budget | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (109 - 92) |
| June 28, 2011 | PA | HB 1485 | 2011-2012 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20) |
| June 8, 2010 | PA | HB 1502 | Verification of Employee Eligibility | Bill Passed - House (188 - 6) |
| Nov. 14, 2011 | PA | HB 1503 | Angel Investment Tax Credits | Bill Passed - House (151 - 44) |
| June 18, 2012 | PA | HB 1521 | Prohibits Hidden Compartments in Vehicles | Bill Passed - House (114 - 83) |
| March 13, 2018 | PA | HB 153 | Decreases Size of State Legislature | Bill Passed - House (101 - 84) |
| April 4, 2012 | PA | HB 153 | Reduces the Number of Members in the General Assembly | Bill Passed - House (140 - 49) |
| Oct. 7, 2009 | PA | HB 1531 | Tax Law Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (102 - 96) |