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
Feb. 23, 2024 WY HB 29 Amends Cold Case Database and Investigation Provisions Bill Passed - House (53 - 9)
Feb. 22, 2024 MI HB 4525 Authorizes Support for Offenders to Access Mental Health and Drug Treatment Courts with Judicial and Prosecutorial Consent Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
Feb. 22, 2024 MI HB 4525 Authorizes Support for Offenders to Access Mental Health and Drug Treatment Courts with Judicial and Prosecutorial Consent Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
Feb. 22, 2024 MI HB 4524 Amends the Revised Judicature Act (RJA) to Allow Offenders to Participate if Approved by Judge, Prosecutor, and Victim Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
Feb. 22, 2024 NH HB 1050 Establishes a Second List of Individuals Prohibited from Buying Guns "Ought to Pass" Report Not Adopted - House (179 - 200)
Feb. 22, 2024 NH HB 1186 Prohibits Firearm Dealers from Tracking Individual Gun or Ammunition Purchases "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (203 - 174)
Feb. 22, 2024 LA SB 9 Authorizes Prosecutors to Bring Rape Charges at Any Time Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Feb. 22, 2024 LA SB 5 Amends Parole Proceedings and Revocation Policies in Certain Cases Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
Feb. 22, 2024 LA SB 10 Reduces Ability of Incarcerated Individuals Convicted in the Death of an Officer from Earning Time Off for Good Behavior Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
Feb. 22, 2024 LA SB 9 Authorizes Prosecutors to Bring Rape Charges at Any Time Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Feb. 22, 2024 LA HB 8 Increases Penalties for Distributing Drugs Containing Fentanyl Bill Passed - House (92 - 13)
Feb. 22, 2024 LA HB 8 Increases Penalties for Distributing Drugs Containing Fentanyl Bill Passed - House (92 - 13)
Feb. 22, 2024 AZ HB 2843 Authorizes Individuals to Shoot Trespassers on Their Property Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
Feb. 22, 2024 AZ HB 2843 Authorizes Individuals to Shoot Trespassers on Their Property Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
Feb. 22, 2024 NE LB 137 Establishes New Penalties for Deaths Caused by Controlled Substances Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
Feb. 22, 2024 KS SB 190 Requires Extra Information for Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
Feb. 22, 2024 KS SB 190 Requires Extra Information for Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
Feb. 22, 2024 OR SB 1576 Amends Liability Laws to make Owners Immune from Liability when they Allow Recreation on Their Land Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 2)
Feb. 22, 2024 LA SB 1 Authorizes Carrying a Concealed Weapon Without a Permit Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
Feb. 22, 2024 LA SB 4 Increases Penalties and Amends Sentencing Guidelines for Certain Juveniles Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
Feb. 22, 2024 LA SB 3 Amends Juvenile Justice Laws to Treat 17-Year-Olds as Adults Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
Feb. 22, 2024 AZ SB 1185 Prohibits the Possession of Detached Catalytic Converters Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
Feb. 22, 2024 AL HB 161 Amends State Privacy Violation Laws Bill Passed - House (100 - 0)
Feb. 22, 2024 KS HB 2613 Establishes the Statewide Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Program Educator Position Bill Passed - House (105 - 15)
Feb. 21, 2024 SD SB 203 Authorizes Concealed Carry Permit Holders to Carry a Concealed Weapon on School Grounds with Permission Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
Feb. 21, 2024 AZ SB 1231 Classifies Illegal Border Crossing as a State Crime Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
Feb. 21, 2024 WV HB 4299 Authorizes Teachers to Conceal Carry Bill Passed - House (89 - 11)
Feb. 21, 2024 CO SB 24-066 Authorizes Tracking Gun and Ammunition Purchases Through Payment Networks Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
Feb. 20, 2024 SD HB 1098 Repeals the Fee for Homeless Individuals to Obtain a Copy of Their Birth Certificate Bill Passed - House (53 - 15)
Feb. 20, 2024 WI SB 613 Limits Non-Economic Damage Awarded in Lawsuits Involving Commercial Vehicle Accidents to $1 Million Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
Feb. 19, 2024 WV HB 4782 Requires Municipalities Regulate Zoning Ordinances Equally for All Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
Feb. 19, 2024 VA HB 46 Requires Individuals Named Under Protective Orders to Hand Over Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Feb. 19, 2024 OR SB 1580 Prohibits Employer Falsifying of Payroll Report Records Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
Feb. 16, 2024 UT HB 30 Establishes Road Rage as a Criminal Offense Bill Passed - House (51 - 17)
Feb. 16, 2024 UT HB 272 Increases Protections for Minors in Child Custody Judicial Proceedings Bill Passed - House (59 - 8)
Feb. 15, 2024 FL HB 1377 Establishes Exemptions From Public Document Requests Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
Feb. 15, 2024 UT HB 249 Prohibits Government Entities from Granting or Recognizing Legal Personhood in Certain Categories of Nonhumans Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 5)
Feb. 15, 2024 UT HB 249 Prohibits Government Entities from Granting or Recognizing Legal Personhood in Certain Categories of Nonhumans Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 5)
Feb. 15, 2024 NH SB 322 Requires a License Authorizing an Individual to Carry a Loaded Handgun in this State to Include Sellers Information "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 9)
Feb. 15, 2024 NH SB 577 Establishes New Waiting Period for Purchase and Delivery of a Firearm "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (14 - 9)
Feb. 15, 2024 NH SB 360 Establishes a Procedure for Issuing Extreme Risk Protection Orders "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (14 - 9)
Feb. 15, 2024 OK SB 1280 Increases State Criminal Penalties for Fentanyl Distribution and Manufacture Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 0)
Feb. 15, 2024 OK SB 1280 Increases State Criminal Penalties for Fentanyl Distribution and Manufacture Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 0)
Feb. 15, 2024 WI AJR 109 Prohibits Governments from Giving Preferential Treatment to Staff on the Basis of Race, Sex, or National Origin Joint Resolution Passed - House (62 - 35)
Feb. 15, 2024 KY SB 16 Increases Various Corporate Trespass Laws and Penalties and Limits Whistleblowing Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
Feb. 14, 2024 NM SB 5 Prohibits Fireams at State Drop Boxes and Polling Places Bill Passed - House (35 - 34)
Feb. 14, 2024 NM SB 271 Requires the Court To Hold a Person for a Violation of Condition of Release Bill Passed - House (57 - 10)
Feb. 14, 2024 NM SB 96 Increases Criminal Penalties for Attempted Murder Bill Passed - House (49 - 18)
Feb. 14, 2024 NM HB 33 Requires Increased Transparency in Prescription Drug Costs Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
Feb. 14, 2024 NY S 8058 Defines Gender-Affirming Care Bill Passed - House (97 - 48)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/23 HB 29 Amends Cold Case Database and Investigation Provisions Bill Passed - House (53 - 9)
2/22 HB 4525 Authorizes Support for Offenders to Access Mental Health and Drug Treatment Courts with Judicial and Prosecutorial Consent Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
2/22 HB 4525 Authorizes Support for Offenders to Access Mental Health and Drug Treatment Courts with Judicial and Prosecutorial Consent Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
2/22 HB 4524 Amends the Revised Judicature Act (RJA) to Allow Offenders to Participate if Approved by Judge, Prosecutor, and Victim Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
2/22 HB 1050 Establishes a Second List of Individuals Prohibited from Buying Guns "Ought to Pass" Report Not Adopted - House (179 - 200)
2/22 HB 1186 Prohibits Firearm Dealers from Tracking Individual Gun or Ammunition Purchases "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (203 - 174)
2/22 SB 9 Authorizes Prosecutors to Bring Rape Charges at Any Time Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
2/22 SB 5 Amends Parole Proceedings and Revocation Policies in Certain Cases Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
2/22 SB 10 Reduces Ability of Incarcerated Individuals Convicted in the Death of an Officer from Earning Time Off for Good Behavior Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
2/22 SB 9 Authorizes Prosecutors to Bring Rape Charges at Any Time Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
2/22 HB 8 Increases Penalties for Distributing Drugs Containing Fentanyl Bill Passed - House (92 - 13)
2/22 HB 8 Increases Penalties for Distributing Drugs Containing Fentanyl Bill Passed - House (92 - 13)
2/22 HB 2843 Authorizes Individuals to Shoot Trespassers on Their Property Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
2/22 HB 2843 Authorizes Individuals to Shoot Trespassers on Their Property Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
2/22 LB 137 Establishes New Penalties for Deaths Caused by Controlled Substances Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
2/22 SB 190 Requires Extra Information for Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
2/22 SB 190 Requires Extra Information for Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
2/22 SB 1576 Amends Liability Laws to make Owners Immune from Liability when they Allow Recreation on Their Land Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 2)
2/22 SB 1 Authorizes Carrying a Concealed Weapon Without a Permit Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
2/22 SB 4 Increases Penalties and Amends Sentencing Guidelines for Certain Juveniles Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
2/22 SB 3 Amends Juvenile Justice Laws to Treat 17-Year-Olds as Adults Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
2/22 SB 1185 Prohibits the Possession of Detached Catalytic Converters Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
2/22 HB 161 Amends State Privacy Violation Laws Bill Passed - House (100 - 0)
2/22 HB 2613 Establishes the Statewide Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Program Educator Position Bill Passed - House (105 - 15)
2/21 SB 203 Authorizes Concealed Carry Permit Holders to Carry a Concealed Weapon on School Grounds with Permission Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
2/21 SB 1231 Classifies Illegal Border Crossing as a State Crime Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
2/21 HB 4299 Authorizes Teachers to Conceal Carry Bill Passed - House (89 - 11)
2/21 SB 24-066 Authorizes Tracking Gun and Ammunition Purchases Through Payment Networks Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
2/20 HB 1098 Repeals the Fee for Homeless Individuals to Obtain a Copy of Their Birth Certificate Bill Passed - House (53 - 15)
2/20 SB 613 Limits Non-Economic Damage Awarded in Lawsuits Involving Commercial Vehicle Accidents to $1 Million Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
2/19 HB 4782 Requires Municipalities Regulate Zoning Ordinances Equally for All Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
2/19 HB 46 Requires Individuals Named Under Protective Orders to Hand Over Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
2/19 SB 1580 Prohibits Employer Falsifying of Payroll Report Records Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
2/16 HB 30 Establishes Road Rage as a Criminal Offense Bill Passed - House (51 - 17)
2/16 HB 272 Increases Protections for Minors in Child Custody Judicial Proceedings Bill Passed - House (59 - 8)
2/15 HB 1377 Establishes Exemptions From Public Document Requests Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
2/15 HB 249 Prohibits Government Entities from Granting or Recognizing Legal Personhood in Certain Categories of Nonhumans Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 5)
2/15 HB 249 Prohibits Government Entities from Granting or Recognizing Legal Personhood in Certain Categories of Nonhumans Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 5)
2/15 SB 322 Requires a License Authorizing an Individual to Carry a Loaded Handgun in this State to Include Sellers Information "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 9)
2/15 SB 577 Establishes New Waiting Period for Purchase and Delivery of a Firearm "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (14 - 9)
2/15 SB 360 Establishes a Procedure for Issuing Extreme Risk Protection Orders "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (14 - 9)
2/15 SB 1280 Increases State Criminal Penalties for Fentanyl Distribution and Manufacture Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 0)
2/15 SB 1280 Increases State Criminal Penalties for Fentanyl Distribution and Manufacture Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 0)
2/15 AJR 109 Prohibits Governments from Giving Preferential Treatment to Staff on the Basis of Race, Sex, or National Origin Joint Resolution Passed - House (62 - 35)
2/15 SB 16 Increases Various Corporate Trespass Laws and Penalties and Limits Whistleblowing Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
2/14 SB 5 Prohibits Fireams at State Drop Boxes and Polling Places Bill Passed - House (35 - 34)
2/14 SB 271 Requires the Court To Hold a Person for a Violation of Condition of Release Bill Passed - House (57 - 10)
2/14 SB 96 Increases Criminal Penalties for Attempted Murder Bill Passed - House (49 - 18)
2/14 HB 33 Requires Increased Transparency in Prescription Drug Costs Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
2/14 S 8058 Defines Gender-Affirming Care Bill Passed - House (97 - 48)

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