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 1, 2008 PA A 6178 to HB 1845 Reporting Missing Firearms Amendment Rejected - House (75 - 128)
June 28, 2006 PA A7999 to HB 1959 English as Official Language Amendment Adopted - House (122 - 70)
June 25, 2007 PA A 2062 Exceptions to Clean Indoor Air Act Amendment Adopted - Senate (29 - 21)
April 22, 2009 PA A771 Requiring Hands Free Devices for Cell Phones in Cars Amendment Rejected - House (95 - 100)
Feb. 15, 2006 PA HB 1318 Voter Identification Requirements Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 20)
Feb. 14, 2006 PA HB 1318 Voter Identification Requirements Conference Report Adopted - House (106 - 91)
June 4, 2008 PA SB 246 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (163 - 38)
July 16, 2007 PA HB 1286 2007-2008 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (140 - 63)
June 4, 2008 PA SB 246 Smoking Ban Conference Report Rejected - Senate (19 - 31)
June 14, 2006 PA HB 39 Property Taxes (Special Session) Conference Report Adopted - House (137 - 61)
June 10, 2008 PA SB 246 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 9)
July 16, 2007 PA HB 1286 2007-2008 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (46 - 2)
July 1, 2006 PA HB 2499 2006-2007 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (130 - 68)
May 2, 2006 PA HB 39 Property Taxes (Special Session) Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 9)
July 1, 2006 PA HB 2499 2006-2007 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 21)
July 4, 2008 PA SB 1389 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (170 - 32)
July 16, 2007 PA SB 246 Smoking Ban Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (13 - 36)
Nov. 18, 2020 PA SB 1216 Authorizes the Issuance of Temporary Teaching Certificates Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
Oct. 7, 2009 PA HB 1531 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (102 - 96)
Oct. 9, 2009 PA HB 1416 2009-2010 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
May 3, 2006 PA SB 999 Voting Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
July 17, 2007 PA HB 1590 Public Transportation and Interstate 80 Toll Road Concurrence Vote Passed - House (124 - 79)
July 4, 2008 PA HB 1067 Omnibus Education Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - House (191 - 11)
June 30, 2007 PA HB 1286 2007-2008 Budget Concurrence Vote Failed - House (96 - 102)
Oct. 7, 2009 PA HB 1416 2009-2010 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (107 - 93)
Oct. 2, 2009 PA HB 1531 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 98)
Oct. 6, 2009 PA HB 1531 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
Sept. 11, 2009 PA HB 1828 Municipal Pension System Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (113 - 76)
March 17, 2008 PA SB 1137 Expanding Subsidized Health Care Bill Passed - House (118 - 81)
July 16, 2007 PA SB 246 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (141 - 62)
July 10, 2007 PA HB 289 Presidential Primary Date Change Bill Passed - House (117 - 85)
June 24, 2009 PA SB 81 Liquor Tastings and Liquor Code Updates Bill Passed - House (163 - 31)
July 20, 2009 PA HB 1416 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
Aug. 26, 2009 PA HB 1828 Municipal Pension System Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
July 16, 2007 PA HB 1590 Public Transportation and Interstate 80 Toll Road Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
June 6, 2006 PA HB 2381 Marriage Definition Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (136 - 61)
May 23, 2011 PA HB 815 Reduces the Offense of "Sexting" for Minors Bill Passed - House (178 - 20)
Aug. 5, 2009 PA HB 1663 Appropriations from State Gaming Fund Bill Passed - House (110 - 87)
Feb. 15, 2011 PA HB 262 New Gaming Unit in the Office of Attorney General Bill Passed - House (126 - 72)
June 28, 2006 PA HB 804 Handheld Cell Phone Ban While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
March 14, 2006 PA SB 862 State Gaming Bill Passed - House (180 - 20)
Feb. 1, 2006 PA HB 1318 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - House (106 - 85)
April 11, 2011 PA HB 1 Comparative Negligence Provisions Bill Passed - House (112 - 88)
April 5, 2006 PA HB 257 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - House (146 - 50)
June 30, 2006 PA SB 1090 Minimum Wage Bill Bill Passed - House (161 - 37)
May 3, 2006 PA SB 999 Voting Standards Bill Passed - House (139 - 59)
June 28, 2006 PA HB 243 Flood Insurance Premium Assistance Program Bill Passed - House (180 - 13)
June 22, 2006 PA SB 1090 Minimum Wage Bill Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
June 29, 2006 PA HB 1588 Fluoride Content in Water Bill Passed - House (150 - 42)
Oct. 9, 2009 PA SB 1033 Gaming Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
Aug. 5, 2009 PA HB 1828 Municipal Pension System Amendments Bill Passed - House (112 - 85)
May 13, 2008 PA SB 1278 Child Support Fee Bill Passed - House (116 - 84)
June 16, 2008 PA SB 1385 Increase Tax Credit for Business Net Losses Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
July 17, 2009 PA HB 1416 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - House (104 - 95)
March 11, 2008 PA HB 1 Clean Energy Program Bill Passed - House (126 - 74)
June 29, 2009 PA HB 746 Children's Health Care Insurance Bill Passed - House (106 - 94)
June 20, 2007 PA HB 1202 Clean Fuels and Energy Independence Act Bill Passed - House (138 - 60)
June 28, 2007 PA HB 1631 Funding for Local County Projects Bill Passed - House (121 - 77)
Feb. 15, 2006 PA SB 1025 PA Clean Vehicles Program Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
June 20, 2007 PA HB 1200 Alternative Energy Incentives Bill Passed - House (128 - 70)
June 26, 2007 PA SB 246 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
May 7, 2008 PA HB 2297 Expansion of the Keystone Opportunity Zone Bill Passed - House (126 - 72)
June 25, 2008 PA A 7738 Real ID Biometric Data Bill Failed - House (92 - 108)
June 16, 2008 PA SB 1388 Change Formula for Calculating Corporate Net Income Tax Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
June 16, 2008 PA SB 1387 Business Property Tax Deduction Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
June 2, 2008 PA SB 1386 Poverty Income Tax Cut Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
June 27, 2007 PA HB 1590 Public Transportation and Interstate 80 Toll Road Bill Passed - House (105 - 96)
June 21, 2006 PA HB 2381 Marriage Definition Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (38 - 12)
Oct. 17, 2018 PA HB 1822 Establishes Certification Process for Schools to Become Certified Suicide Prevention Institutions of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (49 - None)
May 6, 2009 PA SB 850 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
June 8, 2010 PA HB 1502 Verification of Employee Eligibility Bill Passed - House (188 - 6)
March 20, 2006 PA HB 213 Ecoterrorism Bill Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
March 25, 2009 PA SB 490 Oil and Gas Lease Fund Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
June 29, 2009 PA HB 1 Expanding Health Insurance Bill Passed - House (104 - 96)
June 3, 2009 PA SB 81 Liquor Tastings and Liquor Code Updates Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
June 12, 2006 PA HB 698 Mental Retardation Consideration in Murder Cases Bill Passed - House (169 - 28)
June 27, 2006 PA SB 1230 Slot Supplier Elimination Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
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
Sept. 23, 2014 PA HB 1177 Authorizes Cigarette Tax Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
Nov. 17, 2010 PA HB 101 Education Law Amendments Veto Override Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
Jan. 6, 2010 PA SB 711 Legalizing Table Games Conference Report Adopted - House (103 - 89)
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)
Sept. 22, 2014 PA HB 1177 Authorizes Cigarette Tax Concurrence Vote Passed - House (114 - 84)
Nov. 15, 2010 PA HB 101 Education Law Amendments Veto Override Passed - House (171 - 24)
Jan. 5, 2010 PA SB 711 Legalizing Table Games Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 22)
Feb. 8, 2012 PA HB 1950 Amends Statutes Concerning Oil and Gas Resources Conference Report Adopted - House (101 - 90)
Dec. 13, 2023 PA SB 843 Amends Various Education Regulations and Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (188 - 15)
Nov. 21, 2019 PA HB 49 Authorizes School Police to Make Arrests Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
June 22, 2018 PA HB 1448 Requires Lead Testing in School Water Systems Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (44 - 4)
July 8, 2022 PA SB 106 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment that States there is No Right to Taxpayer-Funded Abortion and Amends Voter ID Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (107 - 92)
Dec. 13, 2023 PA HB 301 Appropriates Millions for Various State Education Funding Costs Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
July 3, 2013 PA HB 1075 Amends Public Welfare Code Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
July 8, 2014 PA HB 1177 Authorizes Cigarette and Hotel Taxes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 5)
Sept. 25, 2018 PA SB 172 Authorizes Speed Cameras in Work Zones Concurrence Vote Passed - House (173 - 22)
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)
Feb. 7, 2012 PA HB 1950 Amends Statutes Concerning Oil and Gas Resources Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 19)
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)
Dec. 13, 2023 PA HB 1284 Authorizes Speed Cameras on Philadelphia's Roosevelt Avenue and Expands the Program Concurrence Vote Passed - House (121 - 82)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/01 A 6178 to HB 1845 Reporting Missing Firearms Amendment Rejected - House (75 - 128)
6/28 A7999 to HB 1959 English as Official Language Amendment Adopted - House (122 - 70)
6/25 A 2062 Exceptions to Clean Indoor Air Act Amendment Adopted - Senate (29 - 21)
4/22 A771 Requiring Hands Free Devices for Cell Phones in Cars Amendment Rejected - House (95 - 100)
2/15 HB 1318 Voter Identification Requirements Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 20)
2/14 HB 1318 Voter Identification Requirements Conference Report Adopted - House (106 - 91)
6/04 SB 246 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (163 - 38)
7/16 HB 1286 2007-2008 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (140 - 63)
6/04 SB 246 Smoking Ban Conference Report Rejected - Senate (19 - 31)
6/14 HB 39 Property Taxes (Special Session) Conference Report Adopted - House (137 - 61)
6/10 SB 246 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 9)
7/16 HB 1286 2007-2008 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (46 - 2)
7/01 HB 2499 2006-2007 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (130 - 68)
5/02 HB 39 Property Taxes (Special Session) Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 9)
7/01 HB 2499 2006-2007 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 21)
7/04 SB 1389 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (170 - 32)
7/16 SB 246 Smoking Ban Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (13 - 36)
11/18 SB 1216 Authorizes the Issuance of Temporary Teaching Certificates Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
10/07 HB 1531 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (102 - 96)
10/09 HB 1416 2009-2010 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
5/03 SB 999 Voting Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
7/17 HB 1590 Public Transportation and Interstate 80 Toll Road Concurrence Vote Passed - House (124 - 79)
7/04 HB 1067 Omnibus Education Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - House (191 - 11)
6/30 HB 1286 2007-2008 Budget Concurrence Vote Failed - House (96 - 102)
10/07 HB 1416 2009-2010 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (107 - 93)
10/02 HB 1531 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 98)
10/06 HB 1531 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
9/11 HB 1828 Municipal Pension System Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (113 - 76)
3/17 SB 1137 Expanding Subsidized Health Care Bill Passed - House (118 - 81)
7/16 SB 246 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (141 - 62)
7/10 HB 289 Presidential Primary Date Change Bill Passed - House (117 - 85)
6/24 SB 81 Liquor Tastings and Liquor Code Updates Bill Passed - House (163 - 31)
7/20 HB 1416 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
8/26 HB 1828 Municipal Pension System Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
7/16 HB 1590 Public Transportation and Interstate 80 Toll Road Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
6/06 HB 2381 Marriage Definition Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (136 - 61)
5/23 HB 815 Reduces the Offense of "Sexting" for Minors Bill Passed - House (178 - 20)
8/05 HB 1663 Appropriations from State Gaming Fund Bill Passed - House (110 - 87)
2/15 HB 262 New Gaming Unit in the Office of Attorney General Bill Passed - House (126 - 72)
6/28 HB 804 Handheld Cell Phone Ban While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
3/14 SB 862 State Gaming Bill Passed - House (180 - 20)
2/01 HB 1318 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - House (106 - 85)
4/11 HB 1 Comparative Negligence Provisions Bill Passed - House (112 - 88)
4/05 HB 257 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - House (146 - 50)
6/30 SB 1090 Minimum Wage Bill Bill Passed - House (161 - 37)
5/03 SB 999 Voting Standards Bill Passed - House (139 - 59)
6/28 HB 243 Flood Insurance Premium Assistance Program Bill Passed - House (180 - 13)
6/22 SB 1090 Minimum Wage Bill Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
6/29 HB 1588 Fluoride Content in Water Bill Passed - House (150 - 42)
10/09 SB 1033 Gaming Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
8/05 HB 1828 Municipal Pension System Amendments Bill Passed - House (112 - 85)
5/13 SB 1278 Child Support Fee Bill Passed - House (116 - 84)
6/16 SB 1385 Increase Tax Credit for Business Net Losses Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
7/17 HB 1416 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - House (104 - 95)
3/11 HB 1 Clean Energy Program Bill Passed - House (126 - 74)
6/29 HB 746 Children's Health Care Insurance Bill Passed - House (106 - 94)
6/20 HB 1202 Clean Fuels and Energy Independence Act Bill Passed - House (138 - 60)
6/28 HB 1631 Funding for Local County Projects Bill Passed - House (121 - 77)
2/15 SB 1025 PA Clean Vehicles Program Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
6/20 HB 1200 Alternative Energy Incentives Bill Passed - House (128 - 70)
6/26 SB 246 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
5/07 HB 2297 Expansion of the Keystone Opportunity Zone Bill Passed - House (126 - 72)
6/25 A 7738 Real ID Biometric Data Bill Failed - House (92 - 108)
6/16 SB 1388 Change Formula for Calculating Corporate Net Income Tax Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
6/16 SB 1387 Business Property Tax Deduction Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
6/02 SB 1386 Poverty Income Tax Cut Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
6/27 HB 1590 Public Transportation and Interstate 80 Toll Road Bill Passed - House (105 - 96)
6/21 HB 2381 Marriage Definition Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (38 - 12)
10/17 HB 1822 Establishes Certification Process for Schools to Become Certified Suicide Prevention Institutions of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (49 - None)
5/06 SB 850 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
6/08 HB 1502 Verification of Employee Eligibility Bill Passed - House (188 - 6)
3/20 HB 213 Ecoterrorism Bill Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
3/25 SB 490 Oil and Gas Lease Fund Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
6/29 HB 1 Expanding Health Insurance Bill Passed - House (104 - 96)
6/03 SB 81 Liquor Tastings and Liquor Code Updates Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
6/12 HB 698 Mental Retardation Consideration in Murder Cases Bill Passed - House (169 - 28)
6/27 SB 1230 Slot Supplier Elimination Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
7/14 HB 264 Expungement of Criminal Records and Juvenile Records Bill Passed - House (104 - 91)
3/04 HB 934 Amends Voter Identification Laws
9/23 HB 1177 Authorizes Cigarette Tax Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
11/17 HB 101 Education Law Amendments Veto Override Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
1/06 SB 711 Legalizing Table Games Conference Report Adopted - House (103 - 89)
4/15 SB 613 Requires the Governor's Office to Follow Federal Guidelines to Reopen Businesses During COVID-19 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
9/22 HB 1177 Authorizes Cigarette Tax Concurrence Vote Passed - House (114 - 84)
11/15 HB 101 Education Law Amendments Veto Override Passed - House (171 - 24)
1/05 SB 711 Legalizing Table Games Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 22)
2/08 HB 1950 Amends Statutes Concerning Oil and Gas Resources Conference Report Adopted - House (101 - 90)
12/13 SB 843 Amends Various Education Regulations and Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (188 - 15)
11/21 HB 49 Authorizes School Police to Make Arrests Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
6/22 HB 1448 Requires Lead Testing in School Water Systems Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (44 - 4)
7/08 SB 106 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment that States there is No Right to Taxpayer-Funded Abortion and Amends Voter ID Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (107 - 92)
12/13 HB 301 Appropriates Millions for Various State Education Funding Costs Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
7/03 HB 1075 Amends Public Welfare Code Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
7/08 HB 1177 Authorizes Cigarette and Hotel Taxes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 5)
9/25 SB 172 Authorizes Speed Cameras in Work Zones Concurrence Vote Passed - House (173 - 22)
4/14 SB 613 Requires the Governor's Office to Follow Federal Guidelines to Reopen Businesses During COVID-19 Bill Passed - House (107 - 95)
2/07 HB 1950 Amends Statutes Concerning Oil and Gas Resources Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 19)
3/25 SB 751 Authorizes Financial Assistance for Schools Amid COVID-19-Related Shutdown Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
12/13 HB 863 Reduces Physical Fitness Standards for Police Training Concurrence Vote Passed - House (118 - 85)
12/13 HB 1284 Authorizes Speed Cameras on Philadelphia's Roosevelt Avenue and Expands the Program Concurrence Vote Passed - House (121 - 82)

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