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. 22, 2024 AZ HB 2843 Authorizes Individuals to Shoot Trespassers on Their Property Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
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. 22, 2024 AZ HB 2843 Authorizes Individuals to Shoot Trespassers on Their Property Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
Feb. 22, 2024 AL HB 161 Amends State Privacy Violation Laws Bill Passed - House (100 - 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. 21, 2024 WV HB 4299 Authorizes Teachers to Conceal Carry Bill Passed - House (89 - 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. 16, 2024 UT HB 272 Increases Protections for Minors in Child Custody Judicial Proceedings Bill Passed - House (59 - 8)
Feb. 16, 2024 UT HB 30 Establishes Road Rage as a Criminal Offense Bill Passed - House (51 - 17)
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. 14, 2024 NY S 8058 Defines Gender-Affirming Care Bill Passed - House (97 - 48)
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 SB 5 Prohibits Fireams at State Drop Boxes and Polling Places Bill Passed - House (35 - 34)
Feb. 13, 2024 ID H 515 Amends Penalties for Lewd Conduct with a Minor Bill Passed - House (57 - 11)
Feb. 13, 2024 ID H 515 Amends Penalties for Lewd Conduct with a Minor Bill Passed - House (57 - 11)
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. 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 SD HB 1203 Requires Entities Using Eminent Domain to Cover Certain Legal Costs for Landowners Bill Passed - House (61 - 3)
Feb. 8, 2024 MS HB 295 Authorizes Electronic Search Warrant Applications and Signatures Bill Passed - House (83 - 35)
Feb. 8, 2024 SD HB 1057 Establishes a Statewide Public Defender Office Bill Passed - House (60 - 4)
Feb. 8, 2024 WV HB 4851 Authorizes Armed School Security Bill Passed - House (89 - 11)
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 OR HB 4104 Requires Alerting Health Care Providers if a Patient Overdoses Bill Passed - House (52 - 2)
Feb. 5, 2024 SD SB 57 Prohibits Professional Agencies from Denying Convicted Felons from Obtaining Trade Licenses Bill Passed - House (62 - 3)
Feb. 2, 2024 NM HB 129 Establishes a Waiting Period for Firearm Purchases Bill Passed - House (37 - 33)
Jan. 31, 2024 National HR 6678 Consequences for Social Security Fraud Act Bill Passed - House (272 - 155)
Jan. 31, 2024 ID H 415 Authorizes Firearms in Schools Bill Passed - House (53 - 16)
Jan. 30, 2024 National HR 5585 Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act Bill Passed - House (271 - 154)
Jan. 30, 2024 UT HB 249 Prohibits Government Entities from Granting or Recognizing Legal Personhood in Certain Categories of Nonhumans Bill Passed - House (58 - 11)
Jan. 30, 2024 UT HB 249 Prohibits Government Entities from Granting or Recognizing Legal Personhood in Certain Categories of Nonhumans Bill Passed - House (58 - 11)
Jan. 29, 2024 SD SB 54 Increases Criteria to Qualify for Resident Hunting and Fishing Licenses Bill Passed - House (37 - 29)
Jan. 29, 2024 ID H 406 Requires Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Individuals Convicted of Trafficking Fentanyl Bill Passed - House (55 - 13)
Jan. 29, 2024 ID H 406 Requires Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Individuals Convicted of Trafficking Fentanyl Bill Passed - House (55 - 13)
Jan. 26, 2024 VA HB 46 Requires Individuals Named Under Protective Orders to Hand Over Firearms Bill Passed - House (51 - 44)
Jan. 25, 2024 GA HB 30 Defines "Antisemitism" into State Law Concurrence Vote Passed - House (129 - 5)
Jan. 25, 2024 KY HB 5 Increases Penalties for Violent Crimes and Camping on Public Property Without Permission Bill Passed - House (74 - 22)
Jan. 25, 2024 DE HB 267 Prohibits Family Court From Imposing a Sentence of Incarceration or a Suspension of an Individuals License for Failure to Pay Child Support Bill Passed - House (31 - 5)
Jan. 23, 2024 DE HB 91 Authorizes a New Offense for Tampering with Infastructure Concurrence Vote Passed - House (39 - 1)
Jan. 19, 2024 LA HB 17 Authorizes Certain Offices to Conduct Closed Party Primary Elections and Amends Election Codes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 36)
Jan. 18, 2024 WI SB 466 Prohibits Credit Card Companies from Requiring a Merchant Category Code that Identifies Firearms Retailers Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
Jan. 18, 2024 IN HB 1002 Defines Antisemitism as Discrimination on the Basis of the Jewish Religion Bill Passed - House (83 - 0)
Jan. 17, 2024 National H Res 957 Denouncing the Biden administration's open-borders policies, condemning the national security and public safety crisis along the southwest border, and urging President Biden to end his administration's open-borders policies. Resolution Passed - House (225 - 187)
Jan. 16, 2024 SD HB 1024 Require Applications for Medical Cannabis Licenses have Notice on the Federal Prohibition on Firearm Ownership While Using Cannabis Bill Passed - House (68 - 1)
Jan. 16, 2024 UT HB 14 Increases Penalties Associated with Threatening or Falsely Reporting an Emergency at School Bill Passed - House (73 - 1)
Jan. 16, 2024 SD HB 1036 Requires Cannabis Dispensary's Post Public Notice on the Federal Prohibition on Firearm Ownership While Using Cannabis Bill Passed - House (42 - 27)
Jan. 11, 2024 DE SB 276 Amends Penalties for Possession of a Weapon in a Safe School and Recreation Zone Bill Passed - House (35 - 3)
Jan. 11, 2024 VT H 27 Expands the Definition of Domestic Violence to Include "Coercive and Controlling Behavior" Bill Passed - House (106 - 31)
Jan. 10, 2024 MA H 4241 Prohibits Revenge Porn and Increases Penalties Bill Passed - House (151 - 0)
Jan. 10, 2024 VT H 72 Establishes and Appropriates Funding for Overdose Prevention Centers in the State Bill Passed - House (95 - 35)
Jan. 8, 2024 WA HB 1012 Requires the Military Department Develop an Extreme Weather Response Grant Program Bill Passed - House (68 - 30)
Jan. 8, 2024 NJ S 723 Establishes a Domestic Bill of Rights Bill Passed - House (48 - 26)
Dec. 13, 2023 PA HB 863 Reduces Physical Fitness Standards for Police Training Concurrence Vote Passed - House (118 - 85)
Dec. 13, 2023 PA SB 683 Requires Fentanyl and Xylazine Screening in Many Diagnostic Urine Tests Bill Passed - House (166 - 37)
Dec. 13, 2023 PA SB 683 Requires Fentanyl and Xylazine Screening in Many Diagnostic Urine Tests Bill Passed - House (166 - 37)
Dec. 13, 2023 PA SB 140 Authorizes the State Attorney General to Appoint a Special Prosecutor for South Eastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) Crimes Bill Passed - House (159 - 44)
Dec. 13, 2023 OH HB 56 Prohibits Various Forms of Stunt Driving and Enforces Stricter Penalties from Law Enforcement for Reckless Driving Bill Passed - House (84 - 6)
Dec. 13, 2023 National H Res 927 Condemning antisemitism on University campuses and the testimony of University Presidents in the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. Resolution Passed - House (303 - 126)
Dec. 12, 2023 National HR 4531 Support for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act Bill Passed - House (386 - 37)
Dec. 5, 2023 National H Res 894 Strongly condemning and denouncing the drastic rise of antisemitism in the United States and around the world. Resolution Passed - House (311 - 14)
Nov. 30, 2023 National HR 5961 No Funds for Iranian Terrorism Act Bill Passed - House (307 - 119)
Nov. 29, 2023 OH HB 161 Repeals the Marital Loophole in Rape Cases Bill Passed - House (75 - 1)
Nov. 14, 2023 TX SB 4 Amends State Criminal Code to Establish Illegal Entry Across the Border as a Class B Misdemeanor Bill Passed - House (83 - 61)
Nov. 9, 2023 IL HB 351 Prohibits Officials Convicted of a Felony, Bribery, or Perjury While in Office from Holding Any Local or State Office in the Future Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 18)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI HB 5209 Establishes Sentencing Guidelines for Surrogate Parentage Contracts involving Minors or Intellectually Disabled Individuals Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI HB 4127 Prohibits Open Carrying at Polling Places Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI HB 4128 Prohibits Open Carrying at Ballot Drop Box Locations Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
Nov. 7, 2023 WI AB 553 Establishes Certain Free Speech and Academic Standards at Higher Institutions Bill Passed - House (62 - 36)
Nov. 2, 2023 National H Res 798 Condemning the support of Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist organizations at institutions of higher education, which may lead to the creation of a hostile environment for Jewish students, faculty, and staff. Resolution Passed - House (396 - 23)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/22 HB 2843 Authorizes Individuals to Shoot Trespassers on Their Property Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
2/22 HB 2613 Establishes the Statewide Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Program Educator Position Bill Passed - House (105 - 15)
2/22 HB 2843 Authorizes Individuals to Shoot Trespassers on Their Property Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
2/22 HB 161 Amends State Privacy Violation Laws Bill Passed - House (100 - 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)
2/21 HB 4299 Authorizes Teachers to Conceal Carry Bill Passed - House (89 - 11)
2/20 HB 1098 Repeals the Fee for Homeless Individuals to Obtain a Copy of Their Birth Certificate Bill Passed - House (53 - 15)
2/16 HB 272 Increases Protections for Minors in Child Custody Judicial Proceedings Bill Passed - House (59 - 8)
2/16 HB 30 Establishes Road Rage as a Criminal Offense Bill Passed - House (51 - 17)
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)
2/14 S 8058 Defines Gender-Affirming Care Bill Passed - House (97 - 48)
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 SB 5 Prohibits Fireams at State Drop Boxes and Polling Places Bill Passed - House (35 - 34)
2/13 H 515 Amends Penalties for Lewd Conduct with a Minor Bill Passed - House (57 - 11)
2/13 H 515 Amends Penalties for Lewd Conduct with a Minor Bill Passed - House (57 - 11)
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)
2/09 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 1203 Requires Entities Using Eminent Domain to Cover Certain Legal Costs for Landowners Bill Passed - House (61 - 3)
2/08 HB 295 Authorizes Electronic Search Warrant Applications and Signatures Bill Passed - House (83 - 35)
2/08 HB 1057 Establishes a Statewide Public Defender Office Bill Passed - House (60 - 4)
2/08 HB 4851 Authorizes Armed School Security Bill Passed - House (89 - 11)
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 HB 4104 Requires Alerting Health Care Providers if a Patient Overdoses Bill Passed - House (52 - 2)
2/05 SB 57 Prohibits Professional Agencies from Denying Convicted Felons from Obtaining Trade Licenses Bill Passed - House (62 - 3)
2/02 HB 129 Establishes a Waiting Period for Firearm Purchases Bill Passed - House (37 - 33)
1/31 HR 6678 Consequences for Social Security Fraud Act Bill Passed - House (272 - 155)
1/31 H 415 Authorizes Firearms in Schools Bill Passed - House (53 - 16)
1/30 HR 5585 Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act Bill Passed - House (271 - 154)
1/30 HB 249 Prohibits Government Entities from Granting or Recognizing Legal Personhood in Certain Categories of Nonhumans Bill Passed - House (58 - 11)
1/30 HB 249 Prohibits Government Entities from Granting or Recognizing Legal Personhood in Certain Categories of Nonhumans Bill Passed - House (58 - 11)
1/29 SB 54 Increases Criteria to Qualify for Resident Hunting and Fishing Licenses Bill Passed - House (37 - 29)
1/29 H 406 Requires Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Individuals Convicted of Trafficking Fentanyl Bill Passed - House (55 - 13)
1/29 H 406 Requires Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Individuals Convicted of Trafficking Fentanyl Bill Passed - House (55 - 13)
1/26 HB 46 Requires Individuals Named Under Protective Orders to Hand Over Firearms Bill Passed - House (51 - 44)
1/25 HB 30 Defines "Antisemitism" into State Law Concurrence Vote Passed - House (129 - 5)
1/25 HB 5 Increases Penalties for Violent Crimes and Camping on Public Property Without Permission Bill Passed - House (74 - 22)
1/25 HB 267 Prohibits Family Court From Imposing a Sentence of Incarceration or a Suspension of an Individuals License for Failure to Pay Child Support Bill Passed - House (31 - 5)
1/23 HB 91 Authorizes a New Offense for Tampering with Infastructure Concurrence Vote Passed - House (39 - 1)
1/19 HB 17 Authorizes Certain Offices to Conduct Closed Party Primary Elections and Amends Election Codes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 36)
1/18 SB 466 Prohibits Credit Card Companies from Requiring a Merchant Category Code that Identifies Firearms Retailers Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
1/18 HB 1002 Defines Antisemitism as Discrimination on the Basis of the Jewish Religion Bill Passed - House (83 - 0)
1/17 H Res 957 Denouncing the Biden administration's open-borders policies, condemning the national security and public safety crisis along the southwest border, and urging President Biden to end his administration's open-borders policies. Resolution Passed - House (225 - 187)
1/16 HB 1024 Require Applications for Medical Cannabis Licenses have Notice on the Federal Prohibition on Firearm Ownership While Using Cannabis Bill Passed - House (68 - 1)
1/16 HB 14 Increases Penalties Associated with Threatening or Falsely Reporting an Emergency at School Bill Passed - House (73 - 1)
1/16 HB 1036 Requires Cannabis Dispensary's Post Public Notice on the Federal Prohibition on Firearm Ownership While Using Cannabis Bill Passed - House (42 - 27)
1/11 SB 276 Amends Penalties for Possession of a Weapon in a Safe School and Recreation Zone Bill Passed - House (35 - 3)
1/11 H 27 Expands the Definition of Domestic Violence to Include "Coercive and Controlling Behavior" Bill Passed - House (106 - 31)
1/10 H 4241 Prohibits Revenge Porn and Increases Penalties Bill Passed - House (151 - 0)
1/10 H 72 Establishes and Appropriates Funding for Overdose Prevention Centers in the State Bill Passed - House (95 - 35)
1/08 HB 1012 Requires the Military Department Develop an Extreme Weather Response Grant Program Bill Passed - House (68 - 30)
1/08 S 723 Establishes a Domestic Bill of Rights Bill Passed - House (48 - 26)
12/13 HB 863 Reduces Physical Fitness Standards for Police Training Concurrence Vote Passed - House (118 - 85)
12/13 SB 683 Requires Fentanyl and Xylazine Screening in Many Diagnostic Urine Tests Bill Passed - House (166 - 37)
12/13 SB 683 Requires Fentanyl and Xylazine Screening in Many Diagnostic Urine Tests Bill Passed - House (166 - 37)
12/13 SB 140 Authorizes the State Attorney General to Appoint a Special Prosecutor for South Eastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) Crimes Bill Passed - House (159 - 44)
12/13 HB 56 Prohibits Various Forms of Stunt Driving and Enforces Stricter Penalties from Law Enforcement for Reckless Driving Bill Passed - House (84 - 6)
12/13 H Res 927 Condemning antisemitism on University campuses and the testimony of University Presidents in the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. Resolution Passed - House (303 - 126)
12/12 HR 4531 Support for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act Bill Passed - House (386 - 37)
12/05 H Res 894 Strongly condemning and denouncing the drastic rise of antisemitism in the United States and around the world. Resolution Passed - House (311 - 14)
11/30 HR 5961 No Funds for Iranian Terrorism Act Bill Passed - House (307 - 119)
11/29 HB 161 Repeals the Marital Loophole in Rape Cases Bill Passed - House (75 - 1)
11/14 SB 4 Amends State Criminal Code to Establish Illegal Entry Across the Border as a Class B Misdemeanor Bill Passed - House (83 - 61)
11/09 HB 351 Prohibits Officials Convicted of a Felony, Bribery, or Perjury While in Office from Holding Any Local or State Office in the Future Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 18)
11/09 HB 5209 Establishes Sentencing Guidelines for Surrogate Parentage Contracts involving Minors or Intellectually Disabled Individuals Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
11/09 HB 4127 Prohibits Open Carrying at Polling Places Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
11/09 HB 4128 Prohibits Open Carrying at Ballot Drop Box Locations Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
11/07 AB 553 Establishes Certain Free Speech and Academic Standards at Higher Institutions Bill Passed - House (62 - 36)
11/02 H Res 798 Condemning the support of Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist organizations at institutions of higher education, which may lead to the creation of a hostile environment for Jewish students, faculty, and staff. Resolution Passed - House (396 - 23)

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