Washington Government Operations Key Votes

Chamber

Keyword Search

Search string must be longer than 3 characters.

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.


results per page:
Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
April 21, 2023 WA HB 1447 Expands Assistance Programs Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
April 21, 2023 WA HB 1447 Expands Assistance Programs Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
April 20, 2023 WA SB 5316 Amends Rules Concerning Background Checks and Application Fees for Programs Run by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
April 19, 2023 WA HB 1756 Amends Tax Rules Concerning Clean Energies and Increased Revenue to Local Governments, Schools, and Communities Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
April 14, 2023 WA SB 5112 Amends the Voter Registration Process Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
April 12, 2023 WA HB 1317 Expands Reporting Rules Regarding Grassroots Lobbying Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
Feb. 8, 2023 WA SB 5082 Amends Local Election Laws Repealing Non-Binding Ballot Votes if Taxes are Increased Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
Feb. 1, 2023 WA SB 5208 Amends Online Voter Registration to Allow the Last 4 Digits of Social Security Numbers be Used for Authentication Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
March 4, 2022 WA HB 1927 Requires Employer Flexibility for Part-Time Legislators Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 4)
Feb. 8, 2022 WA HCR 4407 Amends Congressional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
March 24, 2021 WA HB 1078 Extends Voting Rights to Citizens on Parole Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
March 7, 2020 WA SB 6313 Authorizes 16 and 17 Year Olds to Opt Out of the Automatic Voter Pre-Registration Process Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
March 6, 2020 WA HB 1590 Authorizes Local Affordable Housing Tax to be Imposed by a Councilmanic Authority Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
March 13, 2019 WA SB 5822 Establishes a Work Group to Study Universal Health Care Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
March 12, 2019 WA SB 5078 Requires Presidential and VP Candidates Release 5 Years of Tax Returns Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
Jan. 30, 2019 WA SB 5273 Amends Presidential Primary Dates Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
March 8, 2018 WA HB 3003 Amends Various Police 'Use of Force' Laws Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24)
March 6, 2018 WA HB 2595 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
March 6, 2018 WA HB 2595 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
Feb. 28, 2018 WA HB 1513 Authorizes Automatic Voter Pre-Registration for 16 and 17 Year Old Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
Feb. 23, 2018 WA SB 6617 Exempts Legislators from Public Records Law Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 7)
Feb. 23, 2018 WA SB 6617 Exempts Legislators from Public Records Law Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 7)
March 23, 2017 WA SB 5048 Establishes 2017-2019 Fiscal Biennium Operating Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24)
March 2, 2017 WA SB 5223 Prohibits Localities from Permitting Heroin Injection Sites Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
Feb. 1, 2012 WA EHCR 4409 Congressional and State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 4)
Feb. 1, 2012 WA EHCR 4409 Congressional and State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 4)
April 12, 2010 WA SB 6444 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 21)
April 12, 2010 WA SB 6143 Tax Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 21)
April 12, 2010 WA HB 2836 2009-2011 Supplemental Biennium Capital Budget Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
April 12, 2010 WA HB 2493 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 17)
March 22, 2010 WA HB 2782 Limiting Disability Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 16)
March 10, 2010 WA SB 6364 2009 - 2011 Biennium Capital Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
Feb. 27, 2010 WA SB 6444 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 19)
Feb. 22, 2010 WA SB 6130 Initiative 960 (Tax Increase Restrictions) Suspension Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
Feb. 15, 2010 WA SB 6562 Expanding State University Tuition Authority Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
Feb. 9, 2010 WA SB 6382 Extending State Employee Salary Freeze Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
Feb. 9, 2010 WA SB 6843 Suspension of Tax Increase Vote Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
April 25, 2009 WA HB 1244 2009-2011 Biennium Budget and 2007-2009 Supplemental Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
April 24, 2009 WA SB 5768 Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Project Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
April 16, 2009 WA HB 2261 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
April 15, 2009 WA HB 1517 Expediting the Restoration of Felons' Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
March 12, 2009 WA SB 5599 National Popular Vote Act Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
March 13, 2008 WA HB 2687 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 18)
March 11, 2008 WA SB 6809 Working Family Tax Exemption Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
Feb. 19, 2008 WA SB 6809 Working Family Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
Feb. 18, 2008 WA SB 6305 Use of Federal Sex Education Grants Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 11)
Feb. 18, 2008 WA SB 5628 Presidential Election by Popular Vote Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
Feb. 13, 2008 WA SB 5278 Public Financing of Local Campaigns Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
Nov. 29, 2007 WA Sub SB 6178 Property Tax Deferral Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
Nov. 29, 2007 WA HB 2416 Adjusting the Property Tax Cap Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
April 9, 2007 WA HB 1528 Electronic Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
March 8, 2006 WA SB 6386 2005-2007 Supplemental Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 19)
Jan. 27, 2006 WA Sub HB 2661 Expanding the Jurisdiction of the Human Rights Commission Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 23)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/21 HB 1447 Expands Assistance Programs Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
4/21 HB 1447 Expands Assistance Programs Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
4/20 SB 5316 Amends Rules Concerning Background Checks and Application Fees for Programs Run by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
4/19 HB 1756 Amends Tax Rules Concerning Clean Energies and Increased Revenue to Local Governments, Schools, and Communities Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
4/14 SB 5112 Amends the Voter Registration Process Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
4/12 HB 1317 Expands Reporting Rules Regarding Grassroots Lobbying Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
2/08 SB 5082 Amends Local Election Laws Repealing Non-Binding Ballot Votes if Taxes are Increased Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
2/01 SB 5208 Amends Online Voter Registration to Allow the Last 4 Digits of Social Security Numbers be Used for Authentication Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
3/04 HB 1927 Requires Employer Flexibility for Part-Time Legislators Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 4)
2/08 HCR 4407 Amends Congressional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
3/24 HB 1078 Extends Voting Rights to Citizens on Parole Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
3/07 SB 6313 Authorizes 16 and 17 Year Olds to Opt Out of the Automatic Voter Pre-Registration Process Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
3/06 HB 1590 Authorizes Local Affordable Housing Tax to be Imposed by a Councilmanic Authority Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
3/13 SB 5822 Establishes a Work Group to Study Universal Health Care Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
3/12 SB 5078 Requires Presidential and VP Candidates Release 5 Years of Tax Returns Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
1/30 SB 5273 Amends Presidential Primary Dates Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
3/08 HB 3003 Amends Various Police 'Use of Force' Laws Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24)
3/06 HB 2595 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
3/06 HB 2595 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
2/28 HB 1513 Authorizes Automatic Voter Pre-Registration for 16 and 17 Year Old Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
2/23 SB 6617 Exempts Legislators from Public Records Law Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 7)
2/23 SB 6617 Exempts Legislators from Public Records Law Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 7)
3/23 SB 5048 Establishes 2017-2019 Fiscal Biennium Operating Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24)
3/02 SB 5223 Prohibits Localities from Permitting Heroin Injection Sites Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
2/01 EHCR 4409 Congressional and State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 4)
2/01 EHCR 4409 Congressional and State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 4)
4/12 SB 6444 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 21)
4/12 SB 6143 Tax Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 21)
4/12 HB 2836 2009-2011 Supplemental Biennium Capital Budget Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
4/12 HB 2493 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 17)
3/22 HB 2782 Limiting Disability Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 16)
3/10 SB 6364 2009 - 2011 Biennium Capital Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
2/27 SB 6444 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 19)
2/22 SB 6130 Initiative 960 (Tax Increase Restrictions) Suspension Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
2/15 SB 6562 Expanding State University Tuition Authority Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
2/09 SB 6382 Extending State Employee Salary Freeze Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
2/09 SB 6843 Suspension of Tax Increase Vote Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
4/25 HB 1244 2009-2011 Biennium Budget and 2007-2009 Supplemental Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
4/24 SB 5768 Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Project Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
4/16 HB 2261 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
4/15 HB 1517 Expediting the Restoration of Felons' Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
3/12 SB 5599 National Popular Vote Act Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
3/13 HB 2687 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 18)
3/11 SB 6809 Working Family Tax Exemption Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
2/19 SB 6809 Working Family Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
2/18 SB 6305 Use of Federal Sex Education Grants Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 11)
2/18 SB 5628 Presidential Election by Popular Vote Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
2/13 SB 5278 Public Financing of Local Campaigns Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
11/29 Sub SB 6178 Property Tax Deferral Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
11/29 HB 2416 Adjusting the Property Tax Cap Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
4/09 HB 1528 Electronic Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
3/08 SB 6386 2005-2007 Supplemental Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 19)
1/27 Sub HB 2661 Expanding the Jurisdiction of the Human Rights Commission Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 23)

arrow_upward