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.


results per page:
Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
May 13, 2025 TX HB 305 Amends the Time Period for Conducting Pretrial Hearings After a Criminal Defendant Has Been Restored to Competency Bill Passed - House (136 - 4)
May 13, 2025 TX HB 305 Amends the Time Period for Conducting Pretrial Hearings After a Criminal Defendant Has Been Restored to Competency Bill Passed - House (136 - 4)
May 13, 2025 TX HB 413 Prohibits the Detainment of Pre-Trial Defendants for Longer Than Their Potential Punishment in Texas Bill Passed - House (115 - 23)
May 13, 2025 National H Con Res 30 Expressing support for local law enforcement officers. Joint Resolution Passed - House (411 - 1)
May 12, 2025 MO SB 160 Reduces Hazing on College Campuses Conference Report Adopted - House (117 - 11)
May 12, 2025 IA HF 639 Limits Carbon Sequestration Pipelines Ability to Use Eminent Domain Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
May 12, 2025 National PN 25-50 Nomination of Reed Rubinstein to be Legal Adviser of the Department of State Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 45)
May 12, 2025 LA SB 15 Authorizes Punishments to Jailers for Not Cooperating with ICE Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
May 9, 2025 MO SB 43 Amends Laws to Expand Protections for Children, Survivors of Abuse, and Crime Victims Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
May 8, 2025 SC S 156 Establishes a New Felony Offense of Fentanyl-Induced Homicide Conference Report Adopted - House (92 - 14)
May 8, 2025 SC S 156 Establishes a New Felony Offense of Fentanyl-Induced Homicide Conference Report Adopted - House (92 - 14)
May 8, 2025 SC S 156 Establishes a New Felony Offense of Fentanyl-Induced Homicide Conference Report Adopted - Senate (44 - 1)
May 8, 2025 SC S 156 Establishes a New Felony Offense of Fentanyl-Induced Homicide Conference Report Adopted - Senate (44 - 1)
May 8, 2025 SC S 29 Amends Laws on Sexual Exploitation of Minors Conference Report Adopted - Senate (45 - 0)
May 8, 2025 MO HB 147 Appropriates Funding for the State Sheriffs' Retirement System Concurrence Vote Passed - House (134 - 4)
May 8, 2025 NH SB 62 Authorizes Law Enforcement Officials to Enter into Agreements with ICE "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (200 - 162)
May 8, 2025 MO SB 43 Amends Laws to Expand Protections for Children, Survivors of Abuse, and Crime Victims Bill Passed - House (123 - 14)
May 8, 2025 CT HB 7132 Amends Certain Statutes for Traffic Stops Bill Passed - House (143 - 0)
May 8, 2025 CA SB 521 Expands the List of Offenses That Can Bar Someone From Public Employment Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
May 8, 2025 CT HB 6990 Classifies Digital Wallets as "Property" and Authorizes Law Enforcement to Seize Them as Assets in Criminal Cases Bill Passed - House (140 - 0)
May 7, 2025 CO SB 25-072 Establishes Regulations Surrounding the Sale, Distribution, and Possession of Kratom in Colorado Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
May 7, 2025 SC H 3127 Repeals the Mandatory Minimum of 90 Days for a First Offense of Failure to Stop that Doesn't Involve Injury or Death Concurrence Vote Passed - House (95 - 14)
May 7, 2025 AL HB 509 Prohibits Alabama State Agencies from Killing, Testing, or Restricting the Transfer of Game Breeder-Owned Cervids (Deer) Concurrence Vote Passed - House (102 - 1)
May 7, 2025 CO SB 25-072 Establishes Regulations Surrounding the Sale, Distribution, and Possession of Kratom in Colorado Bill Passed - House (47 - 18)
May 7, 2025 OK SB 418 Requires Certain Bathroom Gender Designations in Prisons and the Department of Corrections Bill Passed - House (77 - 15)
May 7, 2025 OK HB 1597 Establishes Misdemeanor Charges for Continuing to Approach First Responders Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 6)
May 7, 2025 OK SB 1027 Limits Petitions for Ballot Measures Bill Passed - House (70 - 21)
May 7, 2025 NC SB 416 Prohibits Public Agencies from "Collecting, Disclosing, or Releasing Personal Information" About Individuals Associated with 501(c) Nonprofits, With Exceptions Allowed by State or Federal Law. Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
May 7, 2025 OH HB 57 Authorizes K-12 Schools to Store and Use Opioid Reversal Drugs (Naloxone) Bill Passed - House (96 - 0)
May 7, 2025 PA HB 1200 Authorizes Recreational Cannabis Use for Adults Ages 21 and Older Bill Passed - House (102 - 101)
May 7, 2025 NC SB 280 Authorizes School Administrators to Give Consent to Employees and Volunteers to Possess Handguns and Stun Guns on School Grounds Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
May 7, 2025 NC HB 674 Establishes a Lifetime Concealed-Carry Permit Bill Passed - House (70 - 42)
May 6, 2025 CO SB 25-304 Establishes the Colorado Sexual Assault Forensic Medical Evidence Review Board Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 1)
May 6, 2025 CO SB 25-304 Establishes the Colorado Sexual Assault Forensic Medical Evidence Review Board Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 1)
May 6, 2025 AZ HB 2611 Establishes a Class 4 Felony for Assaults which Include 2 or More Accomplices Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 19)
May 6, 2025 CO SB 25-289 Establishes a State-Regulated Drug Donation Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
May 6, 2025 AZ HB 2611 Establishes a Class 4 Felony for Assaults which Include 2 or More Accomplices Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 19)
May 6, 2025 AZ HB 2611 Establishes a Class 4 Felony for Assaults which Include 2 or More Accomplices Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
May 6, 2025 AZ HB 2611 Establishes a Class 4 Felony for Assaults which Include 2 or More Accomplices Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
May 6, 2025 AL SB 53 Increases the Crime of Human Smuggling to a Class C Felony Bill Passed - House (80 - 18)
May 6, 2025 CO SB 25-304 Establishes the Colorado Sexual Assault Forensic Medical Evidence Review Board Bill Passed - House (61 - 4)
May 6, 2025 CO SB 25-288 Defines AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Materials to be Included in State Child Pornography Laws Bill Passed - House (43 - 22)
May 6, 2025 CO SB 25-304 Establishes the Colorado Sexual Assault Forensic Medical Evidence Review Board Bill Passed - House (61 - 4)
May 6, 2025 CO SB 25-071 Prohibits Pharmaceutical Companies from Restricting Hospitals' Use of the Federal 340B Prescription Drug Discount Program Bill Passed - House (57 - 8)
May 6, 2025 AL SB 63 Requires Law Enforcement Agencies to Collect and Submit Fingerprints and DNA from Undocumented Immigrants in Custody Bill Passed - House (76 - 7)
May 6, 2025 TX HB 3120 Defines Certain Duties of the Owner or Operator of a Residential Child Detention Facility Bill Passed - House (143 - 2)
May 6, 2025 LA SB 154 Prohibits and Criminalizes Possession or Distribution of Kratom Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
May 6, 2025 LA SB 154 Prohibits and Criminalizes Possession or Distribution of Kratom Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
May 5, 2025 CO SB 25-276 Extends and Expands the State's Protections on Disclosing Personal Information Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
May 5, 2025 CO SB 25-276 Extends and Expands the State's Protections on Disclosing Personal Information Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/13 HB 305 Amends the Time Period for Conducting Pretrial Hearings After a Criminal Defendant Has Been Restored to Competency Bill Passed - House (136 - 4)
5/13 HB 305 Amends the Time Period for Conducting Pretrial Hearings After a Criminal Defendant Has Been Restored to Competency Bill Passed - House (136 - 4)
5/13 HB 413 Prohibits the Detainment of Pre-Trial Defendants for Longer Than Their Potential Punishment in Texas Bill Passed - House (115 - 23)
5/13 H Con Res 30 Expressing support for local law enforcement officers. Joint Resolution Passed - House (411 - 1)
5/12 SB 160 Reduces Hazing on College Campuses Conference Report Adopted - House (117 - 11)
5/12 HF 639 Limits Carbon Sequestration Pipelines Ability to Use Eminent Domain Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
5/12 PN 25-50 Nomination of Reed Rubinstein to be Legal Adviser of the Department of State Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 45)
5/12 SB 15 Authorizes Punishments to Jailers for Not Cooperating with ICE Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
5/09 SB 43 Amends Laws to Expand Protections for Children, Survivors of Abuse, and Crime Victims Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
5/08 S 156 Establishes a New Felony Offense of Fentanyl-Induced Homicide Conference Report Adopted - House (92 - 14)
5/08 S 156 Establishes a New Felony Offense of Fentanyl-Induced Homicide Conference Report Adopted - House (92 - 14)
5/08 S 156 Establishes a New Felony Offense of Fentanyl-Induced Homicide Conference Report Adopted - Senate (44 - 1)
5/08 S 156 Establishes a New Felony Offense of Fentanyl-Induced Homicide Conference Report Adopted - Senate (44 - 1)
5/08 S 29 Amends Laws on Sexual Exploitation of Minors Conference Report Adopted - Senate (45 - 0)
5/08 HB 147 Appropriates Funding for the State Sheriffs' Retirement System Concurrence Vote Passed - House (134 - 4)
5/08 SB 62 Authorizes Law Enforcement Officials to Enter into Agreements with ICE "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (200 - 162)
5/08 SB 43 Amends Laws to Expand Protections for Children, Survivors of Abuse, and Crime Victims Bill Passed - House (123 - 14)
5/08 HB 7132 Amends Certain Statutes for Traffic Stops Bill Passed - House (143 - 0)
5/08 SB 521 Expands the List of Offenses That Can Bar Someone From Public Employment Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
5/08 HB 6990 Classifies Digital Wallets as "Property" and Authorizes Law Enforcement to Seize Them as Assets in Criminal Cases Bill Passed - House (140 - 0)
5/07 SB 25-072 Establishes Regulations Surrounding the Sale, Distribution, and Possession of Kratom in Colorado Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
5/07 H 3127 Repeals the Mandatory Minimum of 90 Days for a First Offense of Failure to Stop that Doesn't Involve Injury or Death Concurrence Vote Passed - House (95 - 14)
5/07 HB 509 Prohibits Alabama State Agencies from Killing, Testing, or Restricting the Transfer of Game Breeder-Owned Cervids (Deer) Concurrence Vote Passed - House (102 - 1)
5/07 SB 25-072 Establishes Regulations Surrounding the Sale, Distribution, and Possession of Kratom in Colorado Bill Passed - House (47 - 18)
5/07 SB 418 Requires Certain Bathroom Gender Designations in Prisons and the Department of Corrections Bill Passed - House (77 - 15)
5/07 HB 1597 Establishes Misdemeanor Charges for Continuing to Approach First Responders Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 6)
5/07 SB 1027 Limits Petitions for Ballot Measures Bill Passed - House (70 - 21)
5/07 SB 416 Prohibits Public Agencies from "Collecting, Disclosing, or Releasing Personal Information" About Individuals Associated with 501(c) Nonprofits, With Exceptions Allowed by State or Federal Law. Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
5/07 HB 57 Authorizes K-12 Schools to Store and Use Opioid Reversal Drugs (Naloxone) Bill Passed - House (96 - 0)
5/07 HB 1200 Authorizes Recreational Cannabis Use for Adults Ages 21 and Older Bill Passed - House (102 - 101)
5/07 SB 280 Authorizes School Administrators to Give Consent to Employees and Volunteers to Possess Handguns and Stun Guns on School Grounds Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
5/07 HB 674 Establishes a Lifetime Concealed-Carry Permit Bill Passed - House (70 - 42)
5/06 SB 25-304 Establishes the Colorado Sexual Assault Forensic Medical Evidence Review Board Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 1)
5/06 SB 25-304 Establishes the Colorado Sexual Assault Forensic Medical Evidence Review Board Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 1)
5/06 HB 2611 Establishes a Class 4 Felony for Assaults which Include 2 or More Accomplices Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 19)
5/06 SB 25-289 Establishes a State-Regulated Drug Donation Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
5/06 HB 2611 Establishes a Class 4 Felony for Assaults which Include 2 or More Accomplices Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 19)
5/06 HB 2611 Establishes a Class 4 Felony for Assaults which Include 2 or More Accomplices Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
5/06 HB 2611 Establishes a Class 4 Felony for Assaults which Include 2 or More Accomplices Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
5/06 SB 53 Increases the Crime of Human Smuggling to a Class C Felony Bill Passed - House (80 - 18)
5/06 SB 25-304 Establishes the Colorado Sexual Assault Forensic Medical Evidence Review Board Bill Passed - House (61 - 4)
5/06 SB 25-288 Defines AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Materials to be Included in State Child Pornography Laws Bill Passed - House (43 - 22)
5/06 SB 25-304 Establishes the Colorado Sexual Assault Forensic Medical Evidence Review Board Bill Passed - House (61 - 4)
5/06 SB 25-071 Prohibits Pharmaceutical Companies from Restricting Hospitals' Use of the Federal 340B Prescription Drug Discount Program Bill Passed - House (57 - 8)
5/06 SB 63 Requires Law Enforcement Agencies to Collect and Submit Fingerprints and DNA from Undocumented Immigrants in Custody Bill Passed - House (76 - 7)
5/06 HB 3120 Defines Certain Duties of the Owner or Operator of a Residential Child Detention Facility Bill Passed - House (143 - 2)
5/06 SB 154 Prohibits and Criminalizes Possession or Distribution of Kratom Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
5/06 SB 154 Prohibits and Criminalizes Possession or Distribution of Kratom Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
5/05 SB 25-276 Extends and Expands the State's Protections on Disclosing Personal Information Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
5/05 SB 25-276 Extends and Expands the State's Protections on Disclosing Personal Information Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12)

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