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 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 NH HB 307 Establishes Pre-Emptive Measures Against Second Amendment Violations Bill Passed - House (191 - 162)
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 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 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 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 5, 2021 MD SB 600 Requires Independent Investigation of Police Use of Force Incidents that Result in Death Bill Passed - House (98 - 39)
April 2, 2021 MD SB 71 Requires Police to Wear Body Cameras Bill Passed - House (92 - 38)
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 KS HB 2412 Establishes a Grant Program to Reduce the Effects of Substance Abuse Bill Passed - House (81 - 43)
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 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 FL HB 1 Increases Criminal Penalties for Assaulting Law Enforcement Officials Bill Passed - House (76 - 39)
March 26, 2021 FL HB 259 Authorizes Individuals to Carry Concealed Weapons on Church Property Bill Passed - House (76 - 37)
March 26, 2021 AK HB 76 Extends the Governor's Disaster Declaration Bill Passed - House (22 - 15)
March 25, 2021 IN HB 1068 Authorizes the Creation of Local Justice Reinvestment Advisory Councils Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 18)
March 25, 2021 GA SB 28 Authorizes Reform of Juvenile Justice System (123 - 46)
March 25, 2021 TN SB 1286 Authorizes a Child to be Detained in a Secure Facility Bill Passed - House (70 - 20)
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 24, 2021 PA HB 63 Increases Suburban County Authority for COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Bill Passed - House (135 - 66)
March 23, 2021 WI SB 183 Increases Legislative Oversight Over Governor Spending of Pandemic Relief Funds Bill Passed - House (59 - 36)
March 23, 2021 WI AB 24 Prohibits Closing Places of Worship Due to COVID-19 Bill Passed - House (61 - 33)
March 23, 2021 WI AB 25 Prohibits Private Employers from Mandating COVID-19 Vaccinations Bill Passed - House (59 - 35)
March 23, 2021 WI AB 23 Prohibits Mandating COVID-19 Vaccinations Bill Passed - House (60 - 33)
March 22, 2021 MD HB 222 Expands Voting Access for Incarcerated Individuals Bill Passed - House (95 - 39)
March 22, 2021 MN HF 844 Prohibits Price Gouging Bill Passed - House (71 - 62)
March 18, 2021 IL SB 72 Authorizes Victims in Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Cases to Collect Interest Bill Passed - House (67 - 40)
March 18, 2021 ID S 1022 Transfers $4 Million from the General Fund to the Legislative Legal Defense Fund Bill Passed - House (57 - 11)
March 18, 2021 IL HB 2877 Establishes the COVID-19 Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program Act Bill Passed - House (73 - 31)
March 18, 2021 IL HB 158 Reduces Racial Disparities in Medical Care Bill Passed - House (72 - 41)
March 18, 2021 SC H 3094 Authorizes Individuals with Concealed Carry Permits to Open Carry Firearms Bill Passed - House (73 - 26)
March 17, 2021 National HR 1620 Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (244 - 172)
March 17, 2021 National H J Res 17 Removing the deadline for the ratification of the equal rights amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (222 - 204)
March 17, 2021 IA HF 621 Establishes Which Legal Actions can be Brought Against Firearm Manufacturers and Distributors Bill Passed - House (60 - 37)
March 17, 2021 IA HF 621 Establishes Which Legal Actions can be Brought Against Firearm Manufacturers and Distributors Bill Passed - House (60 - 37)
March 17, 2021 IA HF 756 Specifies Guidelines for Acquisition and Possession of Firearms Bill Passed - House (60 - 37)
March 16, 2021 NY A 2277 Limits the Use of Solitary Confinement Bill Passed - House (101 - 49)
March 16, 2021 IA HF 802 Limits the Types of Diversity Training Schools and Governments May Offer Bill Passed - House (59 - 38)
March 16, 2021 PA HB 103 Increases the Penalty for Spitting on a Police Officer to a First Degree Misdemeanor Bill Passed - House (146 - 56)
March 15, 2021 AR SB 289 Authorizes Denial of Healthcare on the Basis of Religious Principles Bill Passed - House (72 - 20)
March 12, 2021 VT H 133 Establishes that a Judge Issuing an Emergency Protection Order has the Authority to Require the Firearm Bill Passed - House (102 - 44)
March 11, 2021 KY SB 3 Amends Laws Related to Declaring an Emergency Related to the Agricultural Industry Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 21)
March 11, 2021 MD HB 670 Repeals the Law Enforcement Officer's Bill of Rights and Replaces it With a Multistep System Bill Passed - House (96 - 40)
March 11, 2021 National HR 8 Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (227 - 203)
March 11, 2021 ID H 122 Authorizes School Employees to Have Guns in Schools Bill Passed - House (52 - 18)
March 11, 2021 National HR 1446 Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (219 - 210)
March 11, 2021 VT H 128 Prohibits the "Gay Panic" Murder Defense Bill Passed - House (144 - 1)
March 11, 2021 NC HB 134 Authorizes Possession of Firearms on School Grounds Bill Passed - House (72 - 44)
March 10, 2021 National HR 1319 American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (220 - 211)
March 10, 2021 WV SB 277 Establishes Liability Protections for the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - House (76 - 24)
March 10, 2021 WV SB 277 Establishes Liability Protections for the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - House (76 - 24)
March 10, 2021 OH SB 22 Authorizes the General Assembly to Repeal the Governor's Emergency Declarations Bill Passed - House (57 - 38)
March 10, 2021 MI HB 4219 Authorizes Drivers with a Conviction for DUI to Remove it from the Record Books Bill Passed - House (93 - 17)
March 10, 2021 MI HB 4220 Authorizes First-Time DUI Offenders to Apply for Expungement from a Judge Bill Passed - House (93 - 17)
March 10, 2021 NC HB 49 Repeals Concealed Carry Firearms Safety Training Requirement in Some Cases Bill Passed - House (79 - 41)
March 9, 2021 HI HB 891 Establishes Regulations for the Use and Sale of Electric Guns and Cartridges Bill Passed - House (45 - 6)
March 9, 2021 OK HB 1643 Authorizes Law Enforcement and Other Officials to Make Certain Personal Information Confidential Bill Passed - House (82 - 17)
March 9, 2021 OK HB 1674 Establishes Protections for Drivers that Hit Protesters Bill Passed - House (79 - 18)
March 9, 2021 CO HB 21-1106 Requires Gun Owners to Securely Store their Firearms Bill Passed - House (40 - 25)
March 8, 2021 MS SB 2107 Prohibits Cities and Counties from Creating Rental Agreements that Restrict Firearm Access Bill Passed - House (82 - 34)
March 8, 2021 MO HB 52 Establishes That Those With Concealed Carry Permits May Bring Their Guns On Public Transportation Bill Passed - House (124 - 32)
Date No. Title Outcome
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 307 Establishes Pre-Emptive Measures Against Second Amendment Violations Bill Passed - House (191 - 162)
4/07 HB 951 Expands the Window for Underage Victims to Sue for Sexual Abuse Bill Passed - House (149 - 52)
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 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)
4/06 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)
4/05 SB 600 Requires Independent Investigation of Police Use of Force Incidents that Result in Death Bill Passed - House (98 - 39)
4/02 SB 71 Requires Police to Wear Body Cameras Bill Passed - House (92 - 38)
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 HB 2412 Establishes a Grant Program to Reduce the Effects of Substance Abuse Bill Passed - House (81 - 43)
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 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 1 Increases Criminal Penalties for Assaulting Law Enforcement Officials Bill Passed - House (76 - 39)
3/26 HB 259 Authorizes Individuals to Carry Concealed Weapons on Church Property Bill Passed - House (76 - 37)
3/26 HB 76 Extends the Governor's Disaster Declaration Bill Passed - House (22 - 15)
3/25 HB 1068 Authorizes the Creation of Local Justice Reinvestment Advisory Councils Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 18)
3/25 SB 28 Authorizes Reform of Juvenile Justice System (123 - 46)
3/25 SB 1286 Authorizes a Child to be Detained in a Secure Facility Bill Passed - House (70 - 20)
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)
3/24 HB 63 Increases Suburban County Authority for COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Bill Passed - House (135 - 66)
3/23 SB 183 Increases Legislative Oversight Over Governor Spending of Pandemic Relief Funds Bill Passed - House (59 - 36)
3/23 AB 24 Prohibits Closing Places of Worship Due to COVID-19 Bill Passed - House (61 - 33)
3/23 AB 25 Prohibits Private Employers from Mandating COVID-19 Vaccinations Bill Passed - House (59 - 35)
3/23 AB 23 Prohibits Mandating COVID-19 Vaccinations Bill Passed - House (60 - 33)
3/22 HB 222 Expands Voting Access for Incarcerated Individuals Bill Passed - House (95 - 39)
3/22 HF 844 Prohibits Price Gouging Bill Passed - House (71 - 62)
3/18 SB 72 Authorizes Victims in Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Cases to Collect Interest Bill Passed - House (67 - 40)
3/18 S 1022 Transfers $4 Million from the General Fund to the Legislative Legal Defense Fund Bill Passed - House (57 - 11)
3/18 HB 2877 Establishes the COVID-19 Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program Act Bill Passed - House (73 - 31)
3/18 HB 158 Reduces Racial Disparities in Medical Care Bill Passed - House (72 - 41)
3/18 H 3094 Authorizes Individuals with Concealed Carry Permits to Open Carry Firearms Bill Passed - House (73 - 26)
3/17 HR 1620 Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (244 - 172)
3/17 H J Res 17 Removing the deadline for the ratification of the equal rights amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (222 - 204)
3/17 HF 621 Establishes Which Legal Actions can be Brought Against Firearm Manufacturers and Distributors Bill Passed - House (60 - 37)
3/17 HF 621 Establishes Which Legal Actions can be Brought Against Firearm Manufacturers and Distributors Bill Passed - House (60 - 37)
3/17 HF 756 Specifies Guidelines for Acquisition and Possession of Firearms Bill Passed - House (60 - 37)
3/16 A 2277 Limits the Use of Solitary Confinement Bill Passed - House (101 - 49)
3/16 HF 802 Limits the Types of Diversity Training Schools and Governments May Offer Bill Passed - House (59 - 38)
3/16 HB 103 Increases the Penalty for Spitting on a Police Officer to a First Degree Misdemeanor Bill Passed - House (146 - 56)
3/15 SB 289 Authorizes Denial of Healthcare on the Basis of Religious Principles Bill Passed - House (72 - 20)
3/12 H 133 Establishes that a Judge Issuing an Emergency Protection Order has the Authority to Require the Firearm Bill Passed - House (102 - 44)
3/11 SB 3 Amends Laws Related to Declaring an Emergency Related to the Agricultural Industry Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 21)
3/11 HB 670 Repeals the Law Enforcement Officer's Bill of Rights and Replaces it With a Multistep System Bill Passed - House (96 - 40)
3/11 HR 8 Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (227 - 203)
3/11 H 122 Authorizes School Employees to Have Guns in Schools Bill Passed - House (52 - 18)
3/11 HR 1446 Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (219 - 210)
3/11 H 128 Prohibits the "Gay Panic" Murder Defense Bill Passed - House (144 - 1)
3/11 HB 134 Authorizes Possession of Firearms on School Grounds Bill Passed - House (72 - 44)
3/10 HR 1319 American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (220 - 211)
3/10 SB 277 Establishes Liability Protections for the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - House (76 - 24)
3/10 SB 277 Establishes Liability Protections for the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - House (76 - 24)
3/10 SB 22 Authorizes the General Assembly to Repeal the Governor's Emergency Declarations Bill Passed - House (57 - 38)
3/10 HB 4219 Authorizes Drivers with a Conviction for DUI to Remove it from the Record Books Bill Passed - House (93 - 17)
3/10 HB 4220 Authorizes First-Time DUI Offenders to Apply for Expungement from a Judge Bill Passed - House (93 - 17)
3/10 HB 49 Repeals Concealed Carry Firearms Safety Training Requirement in Some Cases Bill Passed - House (79 - 41)
3/09 HB 891 Establishes Regulations for the Use and Sale of Electric Guns and Cartridges Bill Passed - House (45 - 6)
3/09 HB 1643 Authorizes Law Enforcement and Other Officials to Make Certain Personal Information Confidential Bill Passed - House (82 - 17)
3/09 HB 1674 Establishes Protections for Drivers that Hit Protesters Bill Passed - House (79 - 18)
3/09 HB 21-1106 Requires Gun Owners to Securely Store their Firearms Bill Passed - House (40 - 25)
3/08 SB 2107 Prohibits Cities and Counties from Creating Rental Agreements that Restrict Firearm Access Bill Passed - House (82 - 34)
3/08 HB 52 Establishes That Those With Concealed Carry Permits May Bring Their Guns On Public Transportation Bill Passed - House (124 - 32)

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