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. 14, 2024 KY SB 20 Amends Previous Law to Try Juveniles as Adults for Gun-Related Felonies Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
Feb. 14, 2024 KY SB 20 Amends Previous Law to Try Juveniles as Adults for Gun-Related Felonies Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
Feb. 13, 2024 NM HB 239 Establishes Cannabis as Prison Contraband Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
Feb. 13, 2024 NM SB 96 Increases Criminal Penalties for Attempted Murder Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4)
Feb. 13, 2024 ID H 515 Amends Penalties for Lewd Conduct with a Minor Bill Passed - House (57 - 11)
Feb. 13, 2024 WI SB 874 Authorizes Counting Convictions and Findings for the PUrpose of the Sex Offender Registry Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
Feb. 13, 2024 ID H 515 Amends Penalties for Lewd Conduct with a Minor Bill Passed - House (57 - 11)
Feb. 13, 2024 WA SB 5906 Requires the Department of Health to Develop a Drug Overdose Prevention Campaign Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
Feb. 13, 2024 WA SB 6242 Increases State Funding for Law Enforcement Training Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
Feb. 12, 2024 NY S 8058 Defines Gender-Affirming Care Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 21)
Feb. 12, 2024 NJ S 1425 Expands Culpability Requirements for Firearms Tracking Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
Feb. 12, 2024 NM HB 239 Establishes Cannabis as Prison Contraband Bill Passed - House (57 - 4)
Feb. 12, 2024 CO HB 24-1093 Authorizes Provisional Peace Officer Certification for Former Military Members Bill Passed - House (59 - 5)
Feb. 12, 2024 NJ S 1602 Prohibits Discrimination Based On Height and Weight Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
Feb. 10, 2024 NM HB 129 Establishes a Waiting Period for Firearm Purchases Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 18)
Feb. 10, 2024 NM SB 241 Requires Background Checks for Employees of the State Aging and Long-Term Services Department Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
Feb. 9, 2024 CO HB 24-1017 Establishes a Foster Care Bill of Rights Bill Passed - House (43 - 19)
Feb. 9, 2024 CO HB 24-1058 Expands Colorado Privacy Act to Include Biological and Neural Data as Sensitive Bill Passed - House (59 - 3)
Feb. 8, 2024 WV HB 4851 Authorizes Armed School Security Bill Passed - House (89 - 11)
Feb. 8, 2024 ID S 1234 Requires Health Benefit Plans to to Cover Prescription Contraception for a 6-Month Supply Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
Feb. 8, 2024 SD HB 1203 Requires Entities Using Eminent Domain to Cover Certain Legal Costs for Landowners Bill Passed - House (61 - 3)
Feb. 8, 2024 SD HB 1057 Establishes a Statewide Public Defender Office Bill Passed - House (60 - 4)
Feb. 8, 2024 MS HB 295 Authorizes Electronic Search Warrant Applications and Signatures Bill Passed - House (83 - 35)
Feb. 7, 2024 PA SB 792 Establishes Enhanced Counterterrorism Planning Resources Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
Feb. 7, 2024 GA SB 36 Increases Penalty for Pimping and Pandering Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
Feb. 7, 2024 WA SB 5427 Establishes a Statewide Hate Crimes Hotline Within the Attorney General's Office Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
Feb. 7, 2024 VA SB 2 Establishes a Class 1 Misdemeanor for the Sale, Manufacture, or Purchase of an Assault Firearm Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 7, 2024 WA HB 1958 Prohibits Nonconsensual Removal or Tampering of a Condom or Other Sexually Protective Device Bill Passed - House (64 - 33)
Feb. 6, 2024 GA SB 63 Amends the List of Offenses Ineligible for No-Cash Bail Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 69)
Feb. 6, 2024 WA HB 1579 Establishes State Prosecution Office with the Authority to Charge Police for Deadly Use of Force Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
Feb. 6, 2024 WA HB 1579 Establishes State Prosecution Office with the Authority to Charge Police for Deadly Use of Force Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
Feb. 6, 2024 VA SB 57 Prohibits Firearms in Any Restaurant that Serves Alcohol Regardless of a Concealed Carry Permit Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Feb. 6, 2024 OR HB 4104 Requires Alerting Health Care Providers if a Patient Overdoses Bill Passed - House (52 - 2)
Feb. 6, 2024 IN SB 139 Authorizes Psilocybin Treatment Programs and Research Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 1)
Feb. 6, 2024 IN SB 128 Prohibits Schools from Using Learning Materials for Instruction on Human Sexuality Without Board Approval Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
Feb. 6, 2024 GA SB 332 Establishes a Commission to Investigate Complaints Against Prosecutors Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 22)
Feb. 5, 2024 SD SB 57 Prohibits Professional Agencies from Denying Convicted Felons from Obtaining Trade Licenses Bill Passed - House (62 - 3)
Feb. 5, 2024 VA SB 99 Prohibits Open Carrying Semi-Automatic Firearms in Public Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Feb. 5, 2024 WV SB 539 Establishes a Cold Case Database of Evidence and Records in the State Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
Feb. 2, 2024 NM HB 129 Establishes a Waiting Period for Firearm Purchases Bill Passed - House (37 - 33)
Feb. 1, 2024 GA SB 63 Amends the List of Offenses Ineligible for No-Cash Bail Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 17)
Feb. 1, 2024 SC H 3594 Authorizes Permitless Carriage of Firearms by Eligible Adults Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 15)
Feb. 1, 2024 MA H 4139 Amends and Updates Various State Gun Control Laws Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 3)
Feb. 1, 2024 SC H 3594 Authorizes Permitless Carriage of Firearms by Eligible Adults Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 15)
Feb. 1, 2024 WA SB 5985 Amends Firearms Background Check Program Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
Feb. 1, 2024 WA SB 5841 Requires Individuals Convicted Driving Under the Influence to Pay Financial Support to Minor Children Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
Jan. 31, 2024 WV HB 4252 Establishes a Framework by Which Canadian Domestic Violence Orders can be Recognized and Enforced by Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
Jan. 31, 2024 WV SB 474 Establishes a Critical Incident Review Team in the Department of Human Services to Review Cases that Result in Death Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
Jan. 31, 2024 WV SB 402 Authorizes the U.S. Concealed Carry Association to Provide Concealed Carry Classes in West Virginia Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
Jan. 31, 2024 National HR 6678 Consequences for Social Security Fraud Act Bill Passed - House (272 - 155)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/14 SB 20 Amends Previous Law to Try Juveniles as Adults for Gun-Related Felonies Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
2/14 SB 20 Amends Previous Law to Try Juveniles as Adults for Gun-Related Felonies Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
2/13 HB 239 Establishes Cannabis as Prison Contraband Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
2/13 SB 96 Increases Criminal Penalties for Attempted Murder Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4)
2/13 H 515 Amends Penalties for Lewd Conduct with a Minor Bill Passed - House (57 - 11)
2/13 SB 874 Authorizes Counting Convictions and Findings for the PUrpose of the Sex Offender Registry Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
2/13 H 515 Amends Penalties for Lewd Conduct with a Minor Bill Passed - House (57 - 11)
2/13 SB 5906 Requires the Department of Health to Develop a Drug Overdose Prevention Campaign Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
2/13 SB 6242 Increases State Funding for Law Enforcement Training Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
2/12 S 8058 Defines Gender-Affirming Care Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 21)
2/12 S 1425 Expands Culpability Requirements for Firearms Tracking Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
2/12 HB 239 Establishes Cannabis as Prison Contraband Bill Passed - House (57 - 4)
2/12 HB 24-1093 Authorizes Provisional Peace Officer Certification for Former Military Members Bill Passed - House (59 - 5)
2/12 S 1602 Prohibits Discrimination Based On Height and Weight Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
2/10 HB 129 Establishes a Waiting Period for Firearm Purchases Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 18)
2/10 SB 241 Requires Background Checks for Employees of the State Aging and Long-Term Services Department Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
2/09 HB 24-1017 Establishes a Foster Care Bill of Rights Bill Passed - House (43 - 19)
2/09 HB 24-1058 Expands Colorado Privacy Act to Include Biological and Neural Data as Sensitive Bill Passed - House (59 - 3)
2/08 HB 4851 Authorizes Armed School Security Bill Passed - House (89 - 11)
2/08 S 1234 Requires Health Benefit Plans to to Cover Prescription Contraception for a 6-Month Supply Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
2/08 HB 1203 Requires Entities Using Eminent Domain to Cover Certain Legal Costs for Landowners Bill Passed - House (61 - 3)
2/08 HB 1057 Establishes a Statewide Public Defender Office Bill Passed - House (60 - 4)
2/08 HB 295 Authorizes Electronic Search Warrant Applications and Signatures Bill Passed - House (83 - 35)
2/07 SB 792 Establishes Enhanced Counterterrorism Planning Resources Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
2/07 SB 36 Increases Penalty for Pimping and Pandering Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
2/07 SB 5427 Establishes a Statewide Hate Crimes Hotline Within the Attorney General's Office Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
2/07 SB 2 Establishes a Class 1 Misdemeanor for the Sale, Manufacture, or Purchase of an Assault Firearm Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/07 HB 1958 Prohibits Nonconsensual Removal or Tampering of a Condom or Other Sexually Protective Device Bill Passed - House (64 - 33)
2/06 SB 63 Amends the List of Offenses Ineligible for No-Cash Bail Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 69)
2/06 HB 1579 Establishes State Prosecution Office with the Authority to Charge Police for Deadly Use of Force Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
2/06 HB 1579 Establishes State Prosecution Office with the Authority to Charge Police for Deadly Use of Force Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
2/06 SB 57 Prohibits Firearms in Any Restaurant that Serves Alcohol Regardless of a Concealed Carry Permit Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
2/06 HB 4104 Requires Alerting Health Care Providers if a Patient Overdoses Bill Passed - House (52 - 2)
2/06 SB 139 Authorizes Psilocybin Treatment Programs and Research Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 1)
2/06 SB 128 Prohibits Schools from Using Learning Materials for Instruction on Human Sexuality Without Board Approval Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
2/06 SB 332 Establishes a Commission to Investigate Complaints Against Prosecutors Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 22)
2/05 SB 57 Prohibits Professional Agencies from Denying Convicted Felons from Obtaining Trade Licenses Bill Passed - House (62 - 3)
2/05 SB 99 Prohibits Open Carrying Semi-Automatic Firearms in Public Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
2/05 SB 539 Establishes a Cold Case Database of Evidence and Records in the State Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
2/02 HB 129 Establishes a Waiting Period for Firearm Purchases Bill Passed - House (37 - 33)
2/01 SB 63 Amends the List of Offenses Ineligible for No-Cash Bail Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 17)
2/01 H 3594 Authorizes Permitless Carriage of Firearms by Eligible Adults Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 15)
2/01 H 4139 Amends and Updates Various State Gun Control Laws Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 3)
2/01 H 3594 Authorizes Permitless Carriage of Firearms by Eligible Adults Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 15)
2/01 SB 5985 Amends Firearms Background Check Program Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
2/01 SB 5841 Requires Individuals Convicted Driving Under the Influence to Pay Financial Support to Minor Children Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
1/31 HB 4252 Establishes a Framework by Which Canadian Domestic Violence Orders can be Recognized and Enforced by Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
1/31 SB 474 Establishes a Critical Incident Review Team in the Department of Human Services to Review Cases that Result in Death Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
1/31 SB 402 Authorizes the U.S. Concealed Carry Association to Provide Concealed Carry Classes in West Virginia Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
1/31 HR 6678 Consequences for Social Security Fraud Act Bill Passed - House (272 - 155)

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