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
April 9, 2021 NH HB 542 Authorizes Places of Worship to Stay Open During States of Emergency Bill Passed - House (199 - 173)
April 8, 2021 KS HB 2089 Restructures Firearm Safety Education Training Programs for School Districts Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 44)
April 8, 2021 KS HB 2089 Restructures Firearm Safety Education Training Programs for School Districts Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
April 8, 2021 ND HB 1498 Expands "Stand Your Ground" Laws Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 10)
April 8, 2021 SC H 3620 Increases Penalties for Hate Crimes Bill Passed - House (71 - 28)
April 8, 2021 AL SB 267 Prohibits Implementation of COVID-19 Vaccine Passports Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
April 8, 2021 SC S 177 Prohibits Business from Firing Employees if they Don't Get Vaccinated Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 7)
April 8, 2021 AL SB 267 Prohibits Implementation of COVID-19 Vaccine Passports Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
April 7, 2021 VA SB 1339 Requires an Individual Petition a Court for Permission to have Their Criminal Records Sealed Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 40)
April 7, 2021 VA HB 2113 Authorizes Criminal Records Expungement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
April 7, 2021 MD SB 600 Requires Independent Investigation of Police Use of Force Incidents that Result in Death Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
April 7, 2021 MD SB 71 Requires Police to Wear Body Cameras Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
April 7, 2021 ID S 1136 Establishes Restrictions on the Governor's Authority During an Emergency Bill Passed - House (54 - 16)
April 7, 2021 AR SB 494 Extends Qualified Immunity to Law Enforcement who Patrol Higher Education Institutions Bill Passed - House (76 - 10)
April 7, 2021 NH HB 195 Exempts Display of a Firearm from the Definition of "Reckless Conduct" "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (198 - 169)
April 7, 2021 PA HB 184 Increases Penalties for Assisted Suicide Bill Passed - House (162 - 39)
April 7, 2021 NH CACR 8 Prohibits Restrictions on the Right to Own, Carry, or Use Firearms Amendment Rejected - House (201 - 174)
April 7, 2021 NH CACR 8 Prohibits Restrictions on the Right to Own, Carry, or Use Firearms Amendment Rejected - House (201 - 174)
April 7, 2021 PA HB 951 Expands the Window for Underage Victims to Sue for Sexual Abuse Bill Passed - House (149 - 52)
April 7, 2021 NH HB 307 Establishes Pre-Emptive Measures Against Second Amendment Violations Bill Passed - House (191 - 162)
April 7, 2021 AR HB 1557 Requires Electric Utilities to Have an Emergency Plan for Certain Weather Events Bill Passed - House (70 - 8)
April 7, 2021 SC H 3096 Authorizes the Permitless Carry of Firearms Bill Passed - House (69 - 47)
April 7, 2021 OR SB 204 Expands Criminal Justice Agencies to Include Citizen Review Boards Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8)
April 6, 2021 MD SB 178 Authorizes Certain Officer Misconduct Records to be Available to the Public Bill Passed - House (88 - 46)
April 6, 2021 PA HB 605 Establishes Protections For Businesses From Certain COVID-19 Related Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (107 - 94)
April 6, 2021 PA HB 605 Establishes Protections For Businesses From Certain COVID-19 Related Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (107 - 94)
April 6, 2021 NV SB 47 Authorizes Borrowing Money for Programs Approved by the State Legislature Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
April 5, 2021 MD SB 600 Requires Independent Investigation of Police Use of Force Incidents that Result in Death Bill Passed - House (98 - 39)
April 3, 2021 WA HB 1214 Establishes the Category of Safety and Security Staff for K-12 Schools Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
April 2, 2021 MD SB 71 Requires Police to Wear Body Cameras Bill Passed - House (92 - 38)
April 1, 2021 AL HB 103 Prohibits the Government Selecting Which Entities Can Remain Open During COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
April 1, 2021 MD HB 670 Repeals the Law Enforcement Officer's Bill of Rights and Replaces it With a Multistep System Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
April 1, 2021 NH SB 141 Rescinds the State Police "Gun Line" "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
April 1, 2021 AL SB 308 Authorizes Residents to Purchase Lifetime Concealed Carry Permits Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
April 1, 2021 AL SB 97 Reduces the Power of the Public Health Officer During a Public Health Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
April 1, 2021 DE SB 6 Prohibits the Sale of Magazines that Hold More than 17 Rounds Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
April 1, 2021 DE SB 3 Establishes that People Must Complete Firearm Training and Acquire a Permit Before Purchasing Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
April 1, 2021 OR SB 398 Establishes the Presence of a Noose as a Hate Crime Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 1)
April 1, 2021 OR SB 398 Establishes the Presence of a Noose as a Hate Crime Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 1)
April 1, 2021 MT HB 632 Appropriates Funds as Part of COVID-19 Relief Bill Passed - House (83 - 14)
March 31, 2021 GA HB 286 Prohibits Local Police Departments from Reducing Annual Police Budgets Concurrence Vote Passed - House (100 - 73)
March 31, 2021 NY S 1453 Extends the Utility Shut-Off Moratorium throughout the Duration of the COVID-19 Pandemic State of Emergency Bill Passed - House (111 - 35)
March 31, 2021 NC HB 264 Requires Legislative Approval of All Governor Statewide Emergency Declarations Beyond 30 Days Bill Passed - House (69 - 50)
March 30, 2021 NY S 1453 Extends the Utility Shut-Off Moratorium throughout the Duration of the COVID-19 Pandemic State of Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 9)
March 30, 2021 RI S 128 Repeals Law that Only Allowed Officers to Issue Verbal Warnings to Adults Who Leave Children in Cars Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
March 30, 2021 KS HB 2412 Establishes a Grant Program to Reduce the Effects of Substance Abuse Bill Passed - House (81 - 43)
March 30, 2021 DE SB 72 Classifies Discrimination Against Any Person Because of their Religion as Illegal Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
March 29, 2021 KY HJR 77 Limits the Governor's Emergency Health Orders to 60 Days Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
March 29, 2021 KY HJR 77 Limits the Governor's Emergency Health Orders to 60 Days Veto Override Passed - House (71 - 23)
March 29, 2021 TN SB 765 Authorizes Individuals 21 Years Old and Older to Either Openly Carry or Carry a Concealed Handgun Without a Permit Bill Passed - House (64 - 29)
March 29, 2021 GA HB 218 Requires the State to Recognize Gun Carry Permits from Other States Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 18)
March 29, 2021 AR SB 346 Authorizes Law Enforcement to Charge $15 for Audiovisual Records Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
March 29, 2021 MO SB 53 Prohibits Law Enforcement Officers from Using Chokeholds Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
March 29, 2021 CO HB 21-1011 Requires Providing Multilingual Ballot Access Bill Passed - House (40 - 23)
March 26, 2021 FL SB 72 Specifies Requirements for COVID-Related Civil Actions Bill Passed - House (83 - 31)
March 26, 2021 AK HB 76 Extends the Governor's Disaster Declaration Bill Passed - House (22 - 15)
March 26, 2021 FL HB 259 Authorizes Individuals to Carry Concealed Weapons on Church Property Bill Passed - House (76 - 37)
March 26, 2021 FL HB 1 Increases Criminal Penalties for Assaulting Law Enforcement Officials Bill Passed - House (76 - 39)
March 25, 2021 IN HB 1068 Authorizes the Creation of Local Justice Reinvestment Advisory Councils Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 18)
March 25, 2021 IL SB 72 Authorizes Victims in Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Cases to Collect Interest Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 17)
March 25, 2021 GA SB 28 Authorizes Reform of Juvenile Justice System (123 - 46)
March 25, 2021 GA HB 286 Prohibits Local Police Departments from Reducing Annual Police Budgets Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 15)
March 25, 2021 WY HB 49 Increases 5 State Agency Fees and Establishes a $25 Per Month Fee to Parolees to Appropriate $1.4 Million to General Fund Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
March 25, 2021 IN HB 1485 Establishes it is a Crime for Someone to Refuse to Leave a Polling Place After Directed Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 8)
March 25, 2021 MT HB 121 Repeals the Ability for Health Boards to Implement Rules Surrounding Covid-19 Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
March 25, 2021 KS HB 2126 Exempts Various Industries from Legal Liability Related to COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
March 25, 2021 KS HB 2126 Exempts Various Industries from Legal Liability Related to COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
March 25, 2021 TN SB 1286 Authorizes a Child to be Detained in a Secure Facility Bill Passed - House (70 - 20)
March 25, 2021 IL HB 158 Reduces Racial Disparities in Medical Care Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 16)
March 25, 2021 NH SB 114 Requires Law Enforcement Training on Multiple Topics Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 0)
March 25, 2021 NJ A 4655 Prohibits Police from Being Within 100 Feet of a Polling Location Bill Passed - House (44 - 25)
March 25, 2021 CT HB 6672 Expands Governors Emergency Declarations for an Additional Month Bill Passed - House (90 - 50)
March 25, 2021 DE HB 26 Prohibits Incarcerated Youths from Being Housed in Adult Prisons Bill Passed - House (27 - 14)
March 25, 2021 OR SB 554 Authorizes Local Governments and School Districts to Prohibit Guns on Capital and State Property Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 7)
March 25, 2021 MI SB 250 Establishes Opening Rules for Restaurants Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/09 HB 542 Authorizes Places of Worship to Stay Open During States of Emergency Bill Passed - House (199 - 173)
4/08 HB 2089 Restructures Firearm Safety Education Training Programs for School Districts Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 44)
4/08 HB 2089 Restructures Firearm Safety Education Training Programs for School Districts Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
4/08 HB 1498 Expands "Stand Your Ground" Laws Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 10)
4/08 H 3620 Increases Penalties for Hate Crimes Bill Passed - House (71 - 28)
4/08 SB 267 Prohibits Implementation of COVID-19 Vaccine Passports Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
4/08 S 177 Prohibits Business from Firing Employees if they Don't Get Vaccinated Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 7)
4/08 SB 267 Prohibits Implementation of COVID-19 Vaccine Passports Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
4/07 SB 1339 Requires an Individual Petition a Court for Permission to have Their Criminal Records Sealed Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 40)
4/07 HB 2113 Authorizes Criminal Records Expungement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
4/07 SB 600 Requires Independent Investigation of Police Use of Force Incidents that Result in Death Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
4/07 SB 71 Requires Police to Wear Body Cameras Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
4/07 S 1136 Establishes Restrictions on the Governor's Authority During an Emergency Bill Passed - House (54 - 16)
4/07 SB 494 Extends Qualified Immunity to Law Enforcement who Patrol Higher Education Institutions Bill Passed - House (76 - 10)
4/07 HB 195 Exempts Display of a Firearm from the Definition of "Reckless Conduct" "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (198 - 169)
4/07 HB 184 Increases Penalties for Assisted Suicide Bill Passed - House (162 - 39)
4/07 CACR 8 Prohibits Restrictions on the Right to Own, Carry, or Use Firearms Amendment Rejected - House (201 - 174)
4/07 CACR 8 Prohibits Restrictions on the Right to Own, Carry, or Use Firearms Amendment Rejected - House (201 - 174)
4/07 HB 951 Expands the Window for Underage Victims to Sue for Sexual Abuse Bill Passed - House (149 - 52)
4/07 HB 307 Establishes Pre-Emptive Measures Against Second Amendment Violations Bill Passed - House (191 - 162)
4/07 HB 1557 Requires Electric Utilities to Have an Emergency Plan for Certain Weather Events Bill Passed - House (70 - 8)
4/07 H 3096 Authorizes the Permitless Carry of Firearms Bill Passed - House (69 - 47)
4/07 SB 204 Expands Criminal Justice Agencies to Include Citizen Review Boards Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8)
4/06 SB 178 Authorizes Certain Officer Misconduct Records to be Available to the Public Bill Passed - House (88 - 46)
4/06 HB 605 Establishes Protections For Businesses From Certain COVID-19 Related Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (107 - 94)
4/06 HB 605 Establishes Protections For Businesses From Certain COVID-19 Related Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (107 - 94)
4/06 SB 47 Authorizes Borrowing Money for Programs Approved by the State Legislature Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
4/05 SB 600 Requires Independent Investigation of Police Use of Force Incidents that Result in Death Bill Passed - House (98 - 39)
4/03 HB 1214 Establishes the Category of Safety and Security Staff for K-12 Schools Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
4/02 SB 71 Requires Police to Wear Body Cameras Bill Passed - House (92 - 38)
4/01 HB 103 Prohibits the Government Selecting Which Entities Can Remain Open During COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
4/01 HB 670 Repeals the Law Enforcement Officer's Bill of Rights and Replaces it With a Multistep System Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
4/01 SB 141 Rescinds the State Police "Gun Line" "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
4/01 SB 308 Authorizes Residents to Purchase Lifetime Concealed Carry Permits Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
4/01 SB 97 Reduces the Power of the Public Health Officer During a Public Health Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
4/01 SB 6 Prohibits the Sale of Magazines that Hold More than 17 Rounds Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
4/01 SB 3 Establishes that People Must Complete Firearm Training and Acquire a Permit Before Purchasing Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
4/01 SB 398 Establishes the Presence of a Noose as a Hate Crime Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 1)
4/01 SB 398 Establishes the Presence of a Noose as a Hate Crime Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 1)
4/01 HB 632 Appropriates Funds as Part of COVID-19 Relief Bill Passed - House (83 - 14)
3/31 HB 286 Prohibits Local Police Departments from Reducing Annual Police Budgets Concurrence Vote Passed - House (100 - 73)
3/31 S 1453 Extends the Utility Shut-Off Moratorium throughout the Duration of the COVID-19 Pandemic State of Emergency Bill Passed - House (111 - 35)
3/31 HB 264 Requires Legislative Approval of All Governor Statewide Emergency Declarations Beyond 30 Days Bill Passed - House (69 - 50)
3/30 S 1453 Extends the Utility Shut-Off Moratorium throughout the Duration of the COVID-19 Pandemic State of Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 9)
3/30 S 128 Repeals Law that Only Allowed Officers to Issue Verbal Warnings to Adults Who Leave Children in Cars Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
3/30 HB 2412 Establishes a Grant Program to Reduce the Effects of Substance Abuse Bill Passed - House (81 - 43)
3/30 SB 72 Classifies Discrimination Against Any Person Because of their Religion as Illegal Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
3/29 HJR 77 Limits the Governor's Emergency Health Orders to 60 Days Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
3/29 HJR 77 Limits the Governor's Emergency Health Orders to 60 Days Veto Override Passed - House (71 - 23)
3/29 SB 765 Authorizes Individuals 21 Years Old and Older to Either Openly Carry or Carry a Concealed Handgun Without a Permit Bill Passed - House (64 - 29)
3/29 HB 218 Requires the State to Recognize Gun Carry Permits from Other States Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 18)
3/29 SB 346 Authorizes Law Enforcement to Charge $15 for Audiovisual Records Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
3/29 SB 53 Prohibits Law Enforcement Officers from Using Chokeholds Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
3/29 HB 21-1011 Requires Providing Multilingual Ballot Access Bill Passed - House (40 - 23)
3/26 SB 72 Specifies Requirements for COVID-Related Civil Actions Bill Passed - House (83 - 31)
3/26 HB 76 Extends the Governor's Disaster Declaration Bill Passed - House (22 - 15)
3/26 HB 259 Authorizes Individuals to Carry Concealed Weapons on Church Property Bill Passed - House (76 - 37)
3/26 HB 1 Increases Criminal Penalties for Assaulting Law Enforcement Officials Bill Passed - House (76 - 39)
3/25 HB 1068 Authorizes the Creation of Local Justice Reinvestment Advisory Councils Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 18)
3/25 SB 72 Authorizes Victims in Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Cases to Collect Interest Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 17)
3/25 SB 28 Authorizes Reform of Juvenile Justice System (123 - 46)
3/25 HB 286 Prohibits Local Police Departments from Reducing Annual Police Budgets Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 15)
3/25 HB 49 Increases 5 State Agency Fees and Establishes a $25 Per Month Fee to Parolees to Appropriate $1.4 Million to General Fund Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
3/25 HB 1485 Establishes it is a Crime for Someone to Refuse to Leave a Polling Place After Directed Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 8)
3/25 HB 121 Repeals the Ability for Health Boards to Implement Rules Surrounding Covid-19 Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
3/25 HB 2126 Exempts Various Industries from Legal Liability Related to COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
3/25 HB 2126 Exempts Various Industries from Legal Liability Related to COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
3/25 SB 1286 Authorizes a Child to be Detained in a Secure Facility Bill Passed - House (70 - 20)
3/25 HB 158 Reduces Racial Disparities in Medical Care Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 16)
3/25 SB 114 Requires Law Enforcement Training on Multiple Topics Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 0)
3/25 A 4655 Prohibits Police from Being Within 100 Feet of a Polling Location Bill Passed - House (44 - 25)
3/25 HB 6672 Expands Governors Emergency Declarations for an Additional Month Bill Passed - House (90 - 50)
3/25 HB 26 Prohibits Incarcerated Youths from Being Housed in Adult Prisons Bill Passed - House (27 - 14)
3/25 SB 554 Authorizes Local Governments and School Districts to Prohibit Guns on Capital and State Property Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 7)
3/25 SB 250 Establishes Opening Rules for Restaurants Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)

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