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 20, 2023 SC S 120 Authorizes the State to Buy Lethal Injection Drugs Without Disclosing Manufacturer Company Bill Passed - House (80 - 22)
April 20, 2023 WA SB 5768 Authorizes the Department of Corrections to Acquire and Dispense Abortion Medications Bill Passed - House (55 - 40)
April 20, 2023 TN SB 807 Exempts Those Convicted of Criminal Exposure to HIV from Having to Register as a Sex Offender Bill Passed - House (77 - 12)
April 19, 2023 NV AB 452 Amends Regulations and Visitation Rights of Prisoners Bill Passed - House (28 - 14)
April 19, 2023 NV AB 452 Amends Regulations and Visitation Rights of Prisoners Bill Passed - House (28 - 14)
April 19, 2023 National H J Res 42 Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022. Joint Resolution Passed - House (229 - 189)
April 18, 2023 WI SB 76 Increases Penalties for Carjacking Concurrence Vote Passed - House (80 - 18)
April 18, 2023 MT SB 397 Amends Laws Related to Privacy and Facial Recognition Technology Concurrence Vote Passed - House (83 - 16)
April 17, 2023 MT SB 359 Prohibits the Tracking of Firearms Sales by Financial Institutions Bill Passed - House (69 - 28)
April 14, 2023 WA HB 1340 Prohibits Medical Licensing Boards from Retaliating Against Clinicians for Providing Reproductive Health Services and Gender-Affirming Care Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 39)
April 13, 2023 FL SB 450 Reduces Amount of Jurors Needed for Agreement on Death Sentences Bill Passed - House (80 - 30)
April 13, 2023 FL SB 450 Reduces Amount of Jurors Needed for Agreement on Death Sentences Bill Passed - House (80 - 30)
April 13, 2023 OR HB 2929 Authorizes the Water Resources Department to Seek Injunctive Relief Against Violators or Attempted Violators of State Water Laws Bill Passed - House (31 - 20)
April 13, 2023 FL HB 1465 Increases Penalties for Individuals that Possess or Discharge a Firearm While Involved in Human Trafficking Bill Passed - House (96 - 5)
April 13, 2023 FL HB 1627 Authorizes Pretrial Detention for DUI Manslaughter, Fentanyl Trafficking, and Extortion Bill Passed - House (83 - 19)
April 13, 2023 FL HB 1465 Increases Penalties for Individuals that Possess or Discharge a Firearm While Involved in Human Trafficking Bill Passed - House (96 - 5)
April 13, 2023 FL HB 1297 Authorizes the Death Penalty for for People Who Commit Sexual Assault on Children Bill Passed - House (95 - 14)
April 13, 2023 OR HB 2513 Requires the Oregon Health Authority Carry Out State Voter Approved Drug Decriminalization Law Bill Passed - House (49 - 3)
April 12, 2023 VA SB 989 Establishes Greater Victims Rights in Court Concurrence Vote Passed - House (76 - 16)
April 12, 2023 VA SB 989 Establishes Greater Victims Rights in Court Concurrence Vote Passed - House (76 - 16)
April 12, 2023 VA HB 2169 Specifies Parole Board Records are no Longer Exempt from Mandatory Disclosure Requirements in the Virginia Freedom of Information Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 35)
April 12, 2023 VA HB 2169 Specifies Parole Board Records are no Longer Exempt from Mandatory Disclosure Requirements in the Virginia Freedom of Information Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 35)
April 12, 2023 IA HF 654 Authorizes Firearms in Locked Vehicles on School Property Bill Passed - House (62 - 37)
April 11, 2023 CO HB 23-1011 Authorizes Individuals Right to Repair Agriculture Equipment Conference Report Adopted - House (44 - 16)
April 11, 2023 ND HB 1230 Establishes Penalties for the Intentional Submission of Petitions with Fraudulent Signatures Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 38)
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 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 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 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 37 Reduces the Time Period to Apply for Criminal Record Expungement for Certain Offenses Bill Passed - House (99 - 38)
April 6, 2023 MD SB 858 Defines Requirements Around Safe Storage of Firearms Bill Passed - House (100 - 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 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 450 Prohibits Landlords from Limiting or Evicting Tenants for Repeatedly Calling Law Enforcement or Emergency Services Bill Passed - House (99 - 37)
April 6, 2023 MD SB 293 Amends Definition of "Prison Inmates" as Incarcerated Individuals Bill Passed - House (102 - 35)
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 64 Requires Rep. Gloria Johnson be Expelled from the State House of Representatives Resolution Failed - House (65 - 29)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/20 S 120 Authorizes the State to Buy Lethal Injection Drugs Without Disclosing Manufacturer Company Bill Passed - House (80 - 22)
4/20 SB 5768 Authorizes the Department of Corrections to Acquire and Dispense Abortion Medications Bill Passed - House (55 - 40)
4/20 SB 807 Exempts Those Convicted of Criminal Exposure to HIV from Having to Register as a Sex Offender Bill Passed - House (77 - 12)
4/19 AB 452 Amends Regulations and Visitation Rights of Prisoners Bill Passed - House (28 - 14)
4/19 AB 452 Amends Regulations and Visitation Rights of Prisoners Bill Passed - House (28 - 14)
4/19 H J Res 42 Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022. Joint Resolution Passed - House (229 - 189)
4/18 SB 76 Increases Penalties for Carjacking Concurrence Vote Passed - House (80 - 18)
4/18 SB 397 Amends Laws Related to Privacy and Facial Recognition Technology Concurrence Vote Passed - House (83 - 16)
4/17 SB 359 Prohibits the Tracking of Firearms Sales by Financial Institutions Bill Passed - House (69 - 28)
4/14 HB 1340 Prohibits Medical Licensing Boards from Retaliating Against Clinicians for Providing Reproductive Health Services and Gender-Affirming Care Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 39)
4/13 SB 450 Reduces Amount of Jurors Needed for Agreement on Death Sentences Bill Passed - House (80 - 30)
4/13 SB 450 Reduces Amount of Jurors Needed for Agreement on Death Sentences Bill Passed - House (80 - 30)
4/13 HB 2929 Authorizes the Water Resources Department to Seek Injunctive Relief Against Violators or Attempted Violators of State Water Laws Bill Passed - House (31 - 20)
4/13 HB 1465 Increases Penalties for Individuals that Possess or Discharge a Firearm While Involved in Human Trafficking Bill Passed - House (96 - 5)
4/13 HB 1627 Authorizes Pretrial Detention for DUI Manslaughter, Fentanyl Trafficking, and Extortion Bill Passed - House (83 - 19)
4/13 HB 1465 Increases Penalties for Individuals that Possess or Discharge a Firearm While Involved in Human Trafficking Bill Passed - House (96 - 5)
4/13 HB 1297 Authorizes the Death Penalty for for People Who Commit Sexual Assault on Children Bill Passed - House (95 - 14)
4/13 HB 2513 Requires the Oregon Health Authority Carry Out State Voter Approved Drug Decriminalization Law Bill Passed - House (49 - 3)
4/12 SB 989 Establishes Greater Victims Rights in Court Concurrence Vote Passed - House (76 - 16)
4/12 SB 989 Establishes Greater Victims Rights in Court Concurrence Vote Passed - House (76 - 16)
4/12 HB 2169 Specifies Parole Board Records are no Longer Exempt from Mandatory Disclosure Requirements in the Virginia Freedom of Information Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 35)
4/12 HB 2169 Specifies Parole Board Records are no Longer Exempt from Mandatory Disclosure Requirements in the Virginia Freedom of Information Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 35)
4/12 HF 654 Authorizes Firearms in Locked Vehicles on School Property Bill Passed - House (62 - 37)
4/11 HB 23-1011 Authorizes Individuals Right to Repair Agriculture Equipment Conference Report Adopted - House (44 - 16)
4/11 HB 1230 Establishes Penalties for the Intentional Submission of Petitions with Fraudulent Signatures Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 38)
4/11 SB 5280 Requires Clergy Members in the State be Designated as Mandatory Reporters Bill Passed - House (75 - 20)
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 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 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 37 Reduces the Time Period to Apply for Criminal Record Expungement for Certain Offenses Bill Passed - House (99 - 38)
4/06 SB 858 Defines Requirements Around Safe Storage of Firearms Bill Passed - House (100 - 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 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 450 Prohibits Landlords from Limiting or Evicting Tenants for Repeatedly Calling Law Enforcement or Emergency Services Bill Passed - House (99 - 37)
4/06 SB 293 Amends Definition of "Prison Inmates" as Incarcerated Individuals Bill Passed - House (102 - 35)
4/06 HR 65 Requires Rep. Justin Jones be Expelled from the State House of Representatives Resolution Passed - House (72 - 23)
4/06 HR 64 Requires Rep. Gloria Johnson be Expelled from the State House of Representatives Resolution Failed - House (65 - 29)

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