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 11, 2023 WA SB 5280 Requires Clergy Members in the State be Designated as Mandatory Reporters Bill Passed - House (75 - 20)
April 10, 2023 ND SB 2168 Amends and Updates State Speeding Penalities Bill Passed - House (66 - 24)
April 10, 2023 WA SB 5231 Amends Legal Process for Emergency No Contact Orders Bill Passed - House (63 - 33)
April 10, 2023 WA SB 5231 Amends Legal Process for Emergency No Contact Orders Bill Passed - House (63 - 33)
April 10, 2023 MD SB 1 Prohibits Open Carry in the State and Restricts Places Where Firearms can be Carried Bill Passed - House (93 - 42)
April 10, 2023 WA SB 5352 Expands Police Chase Protections for Law Enforcement Bill Passed - House (57 - 40)
April 10, 2023 OR HB 2281 Requires School Districts Hire a Civil Rights Coordinator Bill Passed - House (35 - 18)
April 10, 2023 MD HB 1071 Prohibits the Smell of Cannabis as Reasonable Suspicion or Probable Cause for Police Bill Passed - House (101 - 36)
April 8, 2023 MD HB 824 Prohibits Certain Individuals on Probation from Receiving a Concealed Carry Permit Concurrence Vote Passed - House (98 - 40)
April 8, 2023 MD HB 824 Prohibits Certain Individuals on Probation from Receiving a Concealed Carry Permit Concurrence Vote Passed - House (98 - 40)
April 7, 2023 KS SB 174 Exempts and Decriminalizes Fentanyl Testing Strips from the List of Drug Paraphernalia Conference Report Adopted - House (113 - 9)
April 7, 2023 KS SB 174 Exempts and Decriminalizes Fentanyl Testing Strips from the List of Drug Paraphernalia Conference Report Adopted - House (113 - 9)
April 6, 2023 KS SB 228 Prohibits Transgender Inmates Access to Overnight Accommodations Consistent with Their Gender Identity Conference Report Adopted - House (86 - 37)
April 6, 2023 MD SB 2 Requires Maryland Department of Human Services to Restore Benefits Lost Through Theft of EBT Cards Bill Passed - House (127 - 10)
April 6, 2023 AR SB 495 Requires Convicted Individuals Serve Out the Majority of Their Sentences Instead of Early Release Bill Passed - House (82 - 14)
April 6, 2023 MD SB 858 Defines Requirements Around Safe Storage of Firearms Bill Passed - House (100 - 37)
April 6, 2023 MD SB 37 Reduces the Time Period to Apply for Criminal Record Expungement for Certain Offenses Bill Passed - House (99 - 38)
April 6, 2023 MD SB 5 Authorizes Victims of Hate Crimes to Bring Civil Lawsuits Against Those Who Committed the Act Bill Passed - House (106 - 31)
April 6, 2023 MD SB 290 Authorizes the State Attorney General to Prosecute Law Enforcement Officers Involved in Incidents Resulting in Death Bill Passed - House (99 - 37)
April 6, 2023 MD SB 290 Authorizes the State Attorney General to Prosecute Law Enforcement Officers Involved in Incidents Resulting in Death Bill Passed - House (99 - 37)
April 6, 2023 MD SB 5 Authorizes Victims of Hate Crimes to Bring Civil Lawsuits Against Those Who Committed the Act Bill Passed - House (106 - 31)
April 6, 2023 MD SB 293 Amends Definition of "Prison Inmates" as Incarcerated Individuals Bill Passed - House (102 - 35)
April 6, 2023 MD SB 450 Prohibits Landlords from Limiting or Evicting Tenants for Repeatedly Calling Law Enforcement or Emergency Services Bill Passed - House (99 - 37)
April 6, 2023 TN HR 64 Requires Rep. Gloria Johnson be Expelled from the State House of Representatives Resolution Failed - House (65 - 29)
April 6, 2023 TN HR 65 Requires Rep. Justin Jones be Expelled from the State House of Representatives Resolution Passed - House (72 - 23)
April 6, 2023 TN HR 63 Requires Rep. Justin Pearson be Expelled from the State House of Representatives Resolution Passed - House (69 - 25)
April 5, 2023 AZ SB 1021 Requires the Arizona Attorney General Defend the Constitutionality of Any Bill Signed into Law Bill Passed - House (31 - 27)
April 4, 2023 IN SB 314 Amends the Confidentiality Laws Regarding Abuse Victims Bill Passed - House (71 - 26)
April 4, 2023 MD SB 185 Requires Maryland State Police Gun Center Track All Firearms Surrendered Through Final Protective Orders Bill Passed - House (112 - 20)
April 4, 2023 MD SB 54 Repeals Crimes of "Unnatural" or "Perverted" Sex Practices Bill Passed - House (115 - 13)
April 4, 2023 MD SB 185 Requires Maryland State Police Gun Center Track All Firearms Surrendered Through Final Protective Orders Bill Passed - House (112 - 20)
April 4, 2023 OR HB 3243 Authorizes Auto Repair Facilities to Sue on Behalf of Their Customers Bill Passed - House (36 - 23)
April 3, 2023 HI SB 926 Authorizes Jaywalking if No Danger to Pedestrians Bill Passed - House (37 - 13)
April 3, 2023 OR HB 3242 Authorizes Policyholders to Recover Actual Damages from Unfair Claim Settlement Practices Bill Passed - House (34 - 25)
March 31, 2023 FL HB 319 Increases Protest Penalties Bill Passed - House (109 - 3)
March 31, 2023 FL HB 319 Increases Protest Penalties Bill Passed - House (109 - 3)
March 30, 2023 KY SB 199 Prohibits Tracking Devices on Motor Vehicles Without Consent Bill Passed - House (86 - 10)
March 30, 2023 KY SB 268 Authorizes Restitution for Minors Whose Parents are Killed or Disabled by an Intoxicated Driver Bill Passed - House (84 - 12)
March 29, 2023 NC SB 41 Expands Conceal Carry Permits in School Zones Veto Override Passed - House (71 - 45)
March 29, 2023 GA HB 142 Establishes Unified Police Forces for College Campuses Conference Report Adopted - House (145 - 12)
March 29, 2023 GA HB 557 Authorizes Certain Physicians to Prescribe Schedule 2 Controlled Subtances Concurrence Vote Passed - House (173 - 2)
March 28, 2023 MS SB 2101 Amends and Increases Criminal Penalties for Carjacking Conference Report Adopted - House (79 - 38)
March 27, 2023 MS SB 2079 Authorizes School Employees to Concealed Carry Conference Report Adopted - House (79 - 32)
March 27, 2023 GA SB 92 Establishes Provisions Regarding Prosecuting Attorneys Bill Passed - House (97 - 77)
March 24, 2023 WA SB 5006 Amends Firearm Waiver Rights for At-Risk Individuals Bill Passed - House (61 - 35)
March 24, 2023 WA SB 5006 Amends Firearm Waiver Rights for At-Risk Individuals Bill Passed - House (61 - 35)
March 24, 2023 WA SB 5028 Amends Process for Legal Name Change Bill Passed - House (64 - 32)
March 24, 2023 IL HB 3762 Repeals the Death Penalty for First Degree Murder Bill Passed - House (66 - 36)
March 24, 2023 IL HB 3762 Repeals the Death Penalty for First Degree Murder Bill Passed - House (66 - 36)
March 24, 2023 FL HB 543 Authorizes Conceal Carry Without a Permit Bill Passed - House (76 - 32)
March 22, 2023 WI SB 75 Establishes Cash Bail in the State Constitution Bill Passed - House (67 - 30)
March 22, 2023 NY A 2878 Authorizes Filing Motions to Vacate Judgement for Convictions that were Subsequently Decriminalized Bill Passed - House (90 - 55)
March 22, 2023 WI AB 70 Increases Felony Penalties for Rioting Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
March 22, 2023 OK HB 1792 Establishes the Oklahoma Crime Reclassification Act of 2023 Bill Passed - House (71 - 19)
March 21, 2023 IL HB 1596 Amends the Children Family Services Act by Removing Gender Specific Pronouns Bill Passed - House (72 - 37)
March 21, 2023 IA HF 595 Increases Penalties for the Manufacture, Distribution and Possession of Drugs Containing Fentanyl Bill Passed - House (91 - 3)
March 21, 2023 IA HF 595 Increases Penalties for the Manufacture, Distribution and Possession of Drugs Containing Fentanyl Bill Passed - House (91 - 3)
March 20, 2023 GA SB 44 Increases Penalties for Gang Recruitment Bill Passed - House (99 - 74)
March 20, 2023 CO SB 23-1196 Authorizes Individuals to Seek Legal Remedies for Breaches of the Colorado Youth Employment Opportunity Act of 1971 Bill Passed - House (44 - 18)
March 20, 2023 CO HB 23-1186 Authorizes Remote Participation in County Court Residential Eviction Filings Bill Passed - House (44 - 18)
March 17, 2023 NM SB 51 Authorizes Cost-Sharing Contributions for Prescription Drug Bill Passed - House (44 - 21)
March 17, 2023 HI SB 1 Prohibits the State from Cooperating with Out-of-State Abortion Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (43 - 7)
March 16, 2023 KY SB 229 Requires Interagency Communication and Agency Corporation During Child Abuse Cases Bill Passed - House (91 - 6)
March 16, 2023 KY SB 129 Prohibits Selling Data Obtained by Automated License Plate Readers Bill Passed - House (52 - 35)
March 15, 2023 KY SB 9 Increases Anti-Hazing Laws Bill Passed - House (96 - 3)
March 15, 2023 IA SF 507 Prohibits Investment of Public Funds from Management by Firms that Account for "Environmental, Social and Governance Factors" Bill Passed - House (63 - 34)
March 14, 2023 WI AB 53 Require Schools Report to Law Enforcement Data on Crimes and Incidents that Occur on Their Property Bill Passed - House (61 - 35)
March 14, 2023 WI AB 69 Requires Armed School Resource Officers (SRO) in Schools with 25 Percent Incident Arrest Rates Bill Passed - House (59 - 36)
March 13, 2023 NM SB 64 Prohibits Life Sentences for Juveniles Bill Passed - House (37 - 25)
March 11, 2023 WV HB 2218 Increases Penalties for Distracted Driving Concurrence Vote Passed - House (89 - 8)
March 11, 2023 WV HB 3354 Authorizes Municipalities to Combine Operations with Other Municipalities Concurrence Vote Passed - House (81 - 54)
March 11, 2023 CO HB 23-1219 Establishes a 3-Day Waiting Period to Purchase Firearms Bill Passed - House (44 - 20)
March 10, 2023 WV SB 608 Amends the Definition for What is Considered a "Deadly Weapon" Bill Passed - House (92 - 3)
March 10, 2023 WV SB 608 Amends the Definition for What is Considered a "Deadly Weapon" Bill Passed - House (92 - 3)
March 10, 2023 National S 619 COVID-19 Origin Act of 2023 Bill Passed - House (419 - 0)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/11 SB 5280 Requires Clergy Members in the State be Designated as Mandatory Reporters Bill Passed - House (75 - 20)
4/10 SB 2168 Amends and Updates State Speeding Penalities Bill Passed - House (66 - 24)
4/10 SB 5231 Amends Legal Process for Emergency No Contact Orders Bill Passed - House (63 - 33)
4/10 SB 5231 Amends Legal Process for Emergency No Contact Orders Bill Passed - House (63 - 33)
4/10 SB 1 Prohibits Open Carry in the State and Restricts Places Where Firearms can be Carried Bill Passed - House (93 - 42)
4/10 SB 5352 Expands Police Chase Protections for Law Enforcement Bill Passed - House (57 - 40)
4/10 HB 2281 Requires School Districts Hire a Civil Rights Coordinator Bill Passed - House (35 - 18)
4/10 HB 1071 Prohibits the Smell of Cannabis as Reasonable Suspicion or Probable Cause for Police Bill Passed - House (101 - 36)
4/08 HB 824 Prohibits Certain Individuals on Probation from Receiving a Concealed Carry Permit Concurrence Vote Passed - House (98 - 40)
4/08 HB 824 Prohibits Certain Individuals on Probation from Receiving a Concealed Carry Permit Concurrence Vote Passed - House (98 - 40)
4/07 SB 174 Exempts and Decriminalizes Fentanyl Testing Strips from the List of Drug Paraphernalia Conference Report Adopted - House (113 - 9)
4/07 SB 174 Exempts and Decriminalizes Fentanyl Testing Strips from the List of Drug Paraphernalia Conference Report Adopted - House (113 - 9)
4/06 SB 228 Prohibits Transgender Inmates Access to Overnight Accommodations Consistent with Their Gender Identity Conference Report Adopted - House (86 - 37)
4/06 SB 2 Requires Maryland Department of Human Services to Restore Benefits Lost Through Theft of EBT Cards Bill Passed - House (127 - 10)
4/06 SB 495 Requires Convicted Individuals Serve Out the Majority of Their Sentences Instead of Early Release Bill Passed - House (82 - 14)
4/06 SB 858 Defines Requirements Around Safe Storage of Firearms Bill Passed - House (100 - 37)
4/06 SB 37 Reduces the Time Period to Apply for Criminal Record Expungement for Certain Offenses Bill Passed - House (99 - 38)
4/06 SB 5 Authorizes Victims of Hate Crimes to Bring Civil Lawsuits Against Those Who Committed the Act Bill Passed - House (106 - 31)
4/06 SB 290 Authorizes the State Attorney General to Prosecute Law Enforcement Officers Involved in Incidents Resulting in Death Bill Passed - House (99 - 37)
4/06 SB 290 Authorizes the State Attorney General to Prosecute Law Enforcement Officers Involved in Incidents Resulting in Death Bill Passed - House (99 - 37)
4/06 SB 5 Authorizes Victims of Hate Crimes to Bring Civil Lawsuits Against Those Who Committed the Act Bill Passed - House (106 - 31)
4/06 SB 293 Amends Definition of "Prison Inmates" as Incarcerated Individuals Bill Passed - House (102 - 35)
4/06 SB 450 Prohibits Landlords from Limiting or Evicting Tenants for Repeatedly Calling Law Enforcement or Emergency Services Bill Passed - House (99 - 37)
4/06 HR 64 Requires Rep. Gloria Johnson be Expelled from the State House of Representatives Resolution Failed - House (65 - 29)
4/06 HR 65 Requires Rep. Justin Jones be Expelled from the State House of Representatives Resolution Passed - House (72 - 23)
4/06 HR 63 Requires Rep. Justin Pearson be Expelled from the State House of Representatives Resolution Passed - House (69 - 25)
4/05 SB 1021 Requires the Arizona Attorney General Defend the Constitutionality of Any Bill Signed into Law Bill Passed - House (31 - 27)
4/04 SB 314 Amends the Confidentiality Laws Regarding Abuse Victims Bill Passed - House (71 - 26)
4/04 SB 185 Requires Maryland State Police Gun Center Track All Firearms Surrendered Through Final Protective Orders Bill Passed - House (112 - 20)
4/04 SB 54 Repeals Crimes of "Unnatural" or "Perverted" Sex Practices Bill Passed - House (115 - 13)
4/04 SB 185 Requires Maryland State Police Gun Center Track All Firearms Surrendered Through Final Protective Orders Bill Passed - House (112 - 20)
4/04 HB 3243 Authorizes Auto Repair Facilities to Sue on Behalf of Their Customers Bill Passed - House (36 - 23)
4/03 SB 926 Authorizes Jaywalking if No Danger to Pedestrians Bill Passed - House (37 - 13)
4/03 HB 3242 Authorizes Policyholders to Recover Actual Damages from Unfair Claim Settlement Practices Bill Passed - House (34 - 25)
3/31 HB 319 Increases Protest Penalties Bill Passed - House (109 - 3)
3/31 HB 319 Increases Protest Penalties Bill Passed - House (109 - 3)
3/30 SB 199 Prohibits Tracking Devices on Motor Vehicles Without Consent Bill Passed - House (86 - 10)
3/30 SB 268 Authorizes Restitution for Minors Whose Parents are Killed or Disabled by an Intoxicated Driver Bill Passed - House (84 - 12)
3/29 SB 41 Expands Conceal Carry Permits in School Zones Veto Override Passed - House (71 - 45)
3/29 HB 142 Establishes Unified Police Forces for College Campuses Conference Report Adopted - House (145 - 12)
3/29 HB 557 Authorizes Certain Physicians to Prescribe Schedule 2 Controlled Subtances Concurrence Vote Passed - House (173 - 2)
3/28 SB 2101 Amends and Increases Criminal Penalties for Carjacking Conference Report Adopted - House (79 - 38)
3/27 SB 2079 Authorizes School Employees to Concealed Carry Conference Report Adopted - House (79 - 32)
3/27 SB 92 Establishes Provisions Regarding Prosecuting Attorneys Bill Passed - House (97 - 77)
3/24 SB 5006 Amends Firearm Waiver Rights for At-Risk Individuals Bill Passed - House (61 - 35)
3/24 SB 5006 Amends Firearm Waiver Rights for At-Risk Individuals Bill Passed - House (61 - 35)
3/24 SB 5028 Amends Process for Legal Name Change Bill Passed - House (64 - 32)
3/24 HB 3762 Repeals the Death Penalty for First Degree Murder Bill Passed - House (66 - 36)
3/24 HB 3762 Repeals the Death Penalty for First Degree Murder Bill Passed - House (66 - 36)
3/24 HB 543 Authorizes Conceal Carry Without a Permit Bill Passed - House (76 - 32)
3/22 SB 75 Establishes Cash Bail in the State Constitution Bill Passed - House (67 - 30)
3/22 A 2878 Authorizes Filing Motions to Vacate Judgement for Convictions that were Subsequently Decriminalized Bill Passed - House (90 - 55)
3/22 AB 70 Increases Felony Penalties for Rioting Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
3/22 HB 1792 Establishes the Oklahoma Crime Reclassification Act of 2023 Bill Passed - House (71 - 19)
3/21 HB 1596 Amends the Children Family Services Act by Removing Gender Specific Pronouns Bill Passed - House (72 - 37)
3/21 HF 595 Increases Penalties for the Manufacture, Distribution and Possession of Drugs Containing Fentanyl Bill Passed - House (91 - 3)
3/21 HF 595 Increases Penalties for the Manufacture, Distribution and Possession of Drugs Containing Fentanyl Bill Passed - House (91 - 3)
3/20 SB 44 Increases Penalties for Gang Recruitment Bill Passed - House (99 - 74)
3/20 SB 23-1196 Authorizes Individuals to Seek Legal Remedies for Breaches of the Colorado Youth Employment Opportunity Act of 1971 Bill Passed - House (44 - 18)
3/20 HB 23-1186 Authorizes Remote Participation in County Court Residential Eviction Filings Bill Passed - House (44 - 18)
3/17 SB 51 Authorizes Cost-Sharing Contributions for Prescription Drug Bill Passed - House (44 - 21)
3/17 SB 1 Prohibits the State from Cooperating with Out-of-State Abortion Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (43 - 7)
3/16 SB 229 Requires Interagency Communication and Agency Corporation During Child Abuse Cases Bill Passed - House (91 - 6)
3/16 SB 129 Prohibits Selling Data Obtained by Automated License Plate Readers Bill Passed - House (52 - 35)
3/15 SB 9 Increases Anti-Hazing Laws Bill Passed - House (96 - 3)
3/15 SF 507 Prohibits Investment of Public Funds from Management by Firms that Account for "Environmental, Social and Governance Factors" Bill Passed - House (63 - 34)
3/14 AB 53 Require Schools Report to Law Enforcement Data on Crimes and Incidents that Occur on Their Property Bill Passed - House (61 - 35)
3/14 AB 69 Requires Armed School Resource Officers (SRO) in Schools with 25 Percent Incident Arrest Rates Bill Passed - House (59 - 36)
3/13 SB 64 Prohibits Life Sentences for Juveniles Bill Passed - House (37 - 25)
3/11 HB 2218 Increases Penalties for Distracted Driving Concurrence Vote Passed - House (89 - 8)
3/11 HB 3354 Authorizes Municipalities to Combine Operations with Other Municipalities Concurrence Vote Passed - House (81 - 54)
3/11 HB 23-1219 Establishes a 3-Day Waiting Period to Purchase Firearms Bill Passed - House (44 - 20)
3/10 SB 608 Amends the Definition for What is Considered a "Deadly Weapon" Bill Passed - House (92 - 3)
3/10 SB 608 Amends the Definition for What is Considered a "Deadly Weapon" Bill Passed - House (92 - 3)
3/10 S 619 COVID-19 Origin Act of 2023 Bill Passed - House (419 - 0)

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