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
Aug. 26, 2024 CA AB 1186 Exempts Youth Restitution Charges Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
Aug. 26, 2024 CA AB 1815 Prohibts Discrimination on Hair Texture and Hair Style Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
Aug. 20, 2024 NE LB 3 Appropriates $22 Million for Cash Fund Transfers and Increased Fees Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 9)
Aug. 19, 2024 CA AB 1810 Requires that Individuals have Easy Access to Menstrual Products While Incarcertated Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
Aug. 12, 2024 CA AB 2867 Authorizes Expropriation of Artwork Recovered by Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2016 Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
Aug. 12, 2024 CA AB 1863 Amends the California Emergency Services Act Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
July 18, 2024 MA H 4885 Amends Various State Gun Reform Measures Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 5)
July 9, 2024 PA HB 1466 Increases Pennsylvanians' Freedom of Speech and Those Subject to Frivolous Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
July 9, 2024 PA HB 1466 Increases Pennsylvanians' Freedom of Speech and Those Subject to Frivolous Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
July 3, 2024 PA SB 67 Repeals Provisions that Prohibited Hunting on Sundays Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
June 30, 2024 DE HB 342 Establishes a Voluntary Firearms Do-Not-Sell Registry Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 1)
June 30, 2024 DE HB 342 Establishes a Voluntary Firearms Do-Not-Sell Registry Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 1)
June 28, 2024 DE HB 270 Establishes Penalty for Displaying Ammunition that is Accessible to Customer Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
June 28, 2024 NJ S 3006 Amends and Increases Penalties for Home Invasions Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1)
June 27, 2024 DE HB 70 Repeals the Death Penalty in Delaware Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
June 27, 2024 DE HB 70 Repeals the Death Penalty in Delaware Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
June 26, 2024 MI SB 670 Expands Coverage of Freedom of Information Requests Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
June 25, 2024 DE HB 355 Establishes Legal Protections for Financial Institutions for Providing Services to Cannabis Companies Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
June 24, 2024 NC HB 563 Establishes Regulations for Medical Marijuana and Other Drugs Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
June 20, 2024 NC HB 971 Specifies Changes to Human Trafficking Laws Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 0)
June 20, 2024 MI HB 4718 Prohibits the Use of the "Gay Panic Defense" to Justify Assault Crimes Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
June 18, 2024 DE HCR 155 Establishes June 2024 as Pride Month In the State of Delaware Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 4)
June 17, 2024 VT H 121 Authorizes Various Data Privacy Reforms and Protections Veto Override Failed - Senate (14 - 15)
June 17, 2024 VT H 72 Establishes and Appropriates Funding for Overdose Prevention Centers in the State Veto Override Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
June 15, 2024 AZ HCR 2038 Defines "Drug Cartels" as Terrorist Organizations Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (15 - 14)
June 13, 2024 NH HB 318 Amends Protocol for Bail Procedures and the Obligations of Bail Commissioners Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 0)
June 13, 2024 RI S 2262 Prohibits the State from Cooperating with Out-of-State Abortion and Gender Affirming Care Lawsuits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
June 13, 2024 MA H 4744 Classifies Coercive Control as a Form of Domestic Violence Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 0)
June 13, 2024 RI S 2704 Authorizes the Legal Sale of Kratom Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
June 13, 2024 RI S 2704 Authorizes the Legal Sale of Kratom Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
June 12, 2024 PA SB 1236 Establishes Landlord and Homeowner Protections from Squatters Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
June 11, 2024 RI H 8155 Amends and Simplifies Name Change Process Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 1)
June 10, 2024 PA SB 1213 Prohibits Artificially Generated Sexual Depictions (Deep-Fakes) Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
June 6, 2024 RI S 2202 Requires Firearms to be Safely Stored in a Container That Contains a Trigger Lock Function Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
June 6, 2024 RI S 2202 Requires Firearms to be Safely Stored in a Container That Contains a Trigger Lock Function Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
June 6, 2024 RI H 7373 Requires Firearms Not in Use be Kept in Locked Containers or Equipped with Tamper-Resistant Locks Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
June 6, 2024 NY S 9672 Amends the Membership, Powers, Duties and Procedures of the Commission on Forensic Science Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 2)
June 6, 2024 NY S 7132 Amends Correction Law in Relation to Incarcerated Parents Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 20)
June 6, 2024 NY S 9839 Amends Family Court Act and Increases the Number of Judges in Certain Courts Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 8)
June 5, 2024 NY A 9232 Amends the Types of Damages that May be Awarded in Wrongful Death Suits Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 8)
June 5, 2024 NY A 9232 Amends the Types of Damages that May be Awarded in Wrongful Death Suits Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 8)
June 4, 2024 NY A 7555 Authorizes New Restrictions Banning Firearm Marketing and Usage Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 18)
June 4, 2024 NY S 4818 Establishes a 10 Day Waiting Period for the Purchase of Any Firearm Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 19)
June 4, 2024 NY S 7506 Prohibits Child Removal Based on Receiving of Gender-Affirming Care Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 18)
June 4, 2024 MI SB 841 Classifies Necrophilia as a Felony Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
June 4, 2024 MI SB 599 Increases Parole Eligibility for Medically Frail Inmates Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
June 4, 2024 RI S 2059 Authorizes Police and Firefighters with Documented PTSD to Retire, at Any Age, with Tax Free 2/3 Pay Pensions for Life Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3)
June 4, 2024 RI S 2481 Requires the Division of Motor Vehicles Create a Blue Envelope for Drivers to Inform Law Enforcement They are on the Autism Spectrum Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
June 3, 2024 NY S 9760 Establishes Educational Programs Regarding Safe Storage for Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 7)
June 2, 2024 LA SB 371 Authorizes Surgical Castration Option for Individuals Guilty of Sex Crimes Against Minors Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
May 30, 2024 OK HB 1792 Establishes the Oklahoma Crime Reclassification Act of 2023 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 6)
May 30, 2024 OK HB 2914 Establishes the Oklahoma Sheriff's Office Funding Assistance Grant Program Act of 2024 Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 1)
May 29, 2024 OK SB 1424 Exempts Poultry Producers from Civil Suits if They are Following State Approved Waste Disposal Plans Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
May 29, 2024 NY S 138 Amends Firearms Training Certification Rules Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 19)
May 28, 2024 LA SB 84 Specifies that if Final Amount Obtained by Plaintiff or Defendant is 25% in Favor of the Offering Party the Offering Party Must Pay Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
May 28, 2024 NY S 6649 Requires Firearms Dealers to Post and Provide Written Warnings Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 18)
May 26, 2024 IL SB 3649 Prohibits Forced Partiicpation in Employer Mandated Religious or Political Meetings Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 18)
May 24, 2024 IL SB 3137 Requires Prompt notification of Deaths in Drug Rehabilitation Facilities Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (59 - 0)
May 24, 2024 IL SB 3137 Requires Prompt notification of Deaths in Drug Rehabilitation Facilities Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (59 - 0)
May 24, 2024 IL HB 4592 Authorizes the Secretary of State to Issue Digital Identification Bill Passed - Senate (58 - 0)
May 23, 2024 OK SB 1994 Authorizes Property Owners to Ask Sheriffs to Remove Individuals Who are Unlawfully Occupying Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 7)
May 23, 2024 LA SB 276 Amends Classification of Abortion Drugs Misoprostol and Mifepristone as Controlled Substances Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
May 23, 2024 IL HB 5239 Expands Abortion Shield Laws so State and Local Authorities are Prohibited from Providing Information for Out-of-State Investigations Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 19)
May 23, 2024 IL HB 5028 Authorizes the State to Provide Opioid Antagonists at State Agencies and Shields Employees from Liability Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 0)
May 23, 2024 National S 4361 Border Act of 2024 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (43 - 50)
May 23, 2024 RI S 2378 Authorizes the Rhode Island Department of Health to Allow a Patients Medicine to be Transferred to Different Pharmacies Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
May 22, 2024 AZ SB 1336 Prohibits Sharing Artificial Intelligence (AI) Deep Fake Porn and Establishes it as Felony Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 9)
May 22, 2024 NY S 5801 Amends Previous FOIL Laws to Award Attorney Fees to a Successful Petitioner in a FOIL Case Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 3)
May 22, 2024 CA SB 1128 Establishes Sex Offender Registration and Prohibits Sexual Intercourse with Minors Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3)
May 22, 2024 OH SB 63 Requires Individuals that Have Been Exposed to Asbestos to File Specific Types of Disclosures Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
May 22, 2024 CA SB 1144 Prohibits the Sale of Stolen Goods on Online Marketplaces Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
May 22, 2024 CA SB 1372 Prohibits Public Airports from Contracting with a Private Third Party to Provide Expedited Security Checkpoints Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
May 21, 2024 LA HB 423 Limits the Amount Awarded Over Medical Expenses to the Injured Party in a Car Accident Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
May 21, 2024 CA SB 1403 Exempts the California American Freedmen Affairs Agency from Certain Prohibitions Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
May 21, 2024 CA SB 1022 Amend Sections Regarding the Enforcement of Civil Rights Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
Date No. Title Outcome
8/26 AB 1186 Exempts Youth Restitution Charges Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
8/26 AB 1815 Prohibts Discrimination on Hair Texture and Hair Style Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
8/20 LB 3 Appropriates $22 Million for Cash Fund Transfers and Increased Fees Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 9)
8/19 AB 1810 Requires that Individuals have Easy Access to Menstrual Products While Incarcertated Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
8/12 AB 2867 Authorizes Expropriation of Artwork Recovered by Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2016 Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
8/12 AB 1863 Amends the California Emergency Services Act Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
7/18 H 4885 Amends Various State Gun Reform Measures Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 5)
7/09 HB 1466 Increases Pennsylvanians' Freedom of Speech and Those Subject to Frivolous Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
7/09 HB 1466 Increases Pennsylvanians' Freedom of Speech and Those Subject to Frivolous Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
7/03 SB 67 Repeals Provisions that Prohibited Hunting on Sundays Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
6/30 HB 342 Establishes a Voluntary Firearms Do-Not-Sell Registry Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 1)
6/30 HB 342 Establishes a Voluntary Firearms Do-Not-Sell Registry Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 1)
6/28 HB 270 Establishes Penalty for Displaying Ammunition that is Accessible to Customer Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
6/28 S 3006 Amends and Increases Penalties for Home Invasions Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1)
6/27 HB 70 Repeals the Death Penalty in Delaware Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
6/27 HB 70 Repeals the Death Penalty in Delaware Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
6/26 SB 670 Expands Coverage of Freedom of Information Requests Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
6/25 HB 355 Establishes Legal Protections for Financial Institutions for Providing Services to Cannabis Companies Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
6/24 HB 563 Establishes Regulations for Medical Marijuana and Other Drugs Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
6/20 HB 971 Specifies Changes to Human Trafficking Laws Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 0)
6/20 HB 4718 Prohibits the Use of the "Gay Panic Defense" to Justify Assault Crimes Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
6/18 HCR 155 Establishes June 2024 as Pride Month In the State of Delaware Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 4)
6/17 H 121 Authorizes Various Data Privacy Reforms and Protections Veto Override Failed - Senate (14 - 15)
6/17 H 72 Establishes and Appropriates Funding for Overdose Prevention Centers in the State Veto Override Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
6/15 HCR 2038 Defines "Drug Cartels" as Terrorist Organizations Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (15 - 14)
6/13 HB 318 Amends Protocol for Bail Procedures and the Obligations of Bail Commissioners Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 0)
6/13 S 2262 Prohibits the State from Cooperating with Out-of-State Abortion and Gender Affirming Care Lawsuits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
6/13 H 4744 Classifies Coercive Control as a Form of Domestic Violence Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 0)
6/13 S 2704 Authorizes the Legal Sale of Kratom Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
6/13 S 2704 Authorizes the Legal Sale of Kratom Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
6/12 SB 1236 Establishes Landlord and Homeowner Protections from Squatters Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
6/11 H 8155 Amends and Simplifies Name Change Process Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 1)
6/10 SB 1213 Prohibits Artificially Generated Sexual Depictions (Deep-Fakes) Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
6/06 S 2202 Requires Firearms to be Safely Stored in a Container That Contains a Trigger Lock Function Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
6/06 S 2202 Requires Firearms to be Safely Stored in a Container That Contains a Trigger Lock Function Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
6/06 H 7373 Requires Firearms Not in Use be Kept in Locked Containers or Equipped with Tamper-Resistant Locks Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
6/06 S 9672 Amends the Membership, Powers, Duties and Procedures of the Commission on Forensic Science Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 2)
6/06 S 7132 Amends Correction Law in Relation to Incarcerated Parents Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 20)
6/06 S 9839 Amends Family Court Act and Increases the Number of Judges in Certain Courts Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 8)
6/05 A 9232 Amends the Types of Damages that May be Awarded in Wrongful Death Suits Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 8)
6/05 A 9232 Amends the Types of Damages that May be Awarded in Wrongful Death Suits Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 8)
6/04 A 7555 Authorizes New Restrictions Banning Firearm Marketing and Usage Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 18)
6/04 S 4818 Establishes a 10 Day Waiting Period for the Purchase of Any Firearm Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 19)
6/04 S 7506 Prohibits Child Removal Based on Receiving of Gender-Affirming Care Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 18)
6/04 SB 841 Classifies Necrophilia as a Felony Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
6/04 SB 599 Increases Parole Eligibility for Medically Frail Inmates Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
6/04 S 2059 Authorizes Police and Firefighters with Documented PTSD to Retire, at Any Age, with Tax Free 2/3 Pay Pensions for Life Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3)
6/04 S 2481 Requires the Division of Motor Vehicles Create a Blue Envelope for Drivers to Inform Law Enforcement They are on the Autism Spectrum Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
6/03 S 9760 Establishes Educational Programs Regarding Safe Storage for Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 7)
6/02 SB 371 Authorizes Surgical Castration Option for Individuals Guilty of Sex Crimes Against Minors Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
5/30 HB 1792 Establishes the Oklahoma Crime Reclassification Act of 2023 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 6)
5/30 HB 2914 Establishes the Oklahoma Sheriff's Office Funding Assistance Grant Program Act of 2024 Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 1)
5/29 SB 1424 Exempts Poultry Producers from Civil Suits if They are Following State Approved Waste Disposal Plans Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
5/29 S 138 Amends Firearms Training Certification Rules Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 19)
5/28 SB 84 Specifies that if Final Amount Obtained by Plaintiff or Defendant is 25% in Favor of the Offering Party the Offering Party Must Pay Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
5/28 S 6649 Requires Firearms Dealers to Post and Provide Written Warnings Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 18)
5/26 SB 3649 Prohibits Forced Partiicpation in Employer Mandated Religious or Political Meetings Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 18)
5/24 SB 3137 Requires Prompt notification of Deaths in Drug Rehabilitation Facilities Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (59 - 0)
5/24 SB 3137 Requires Prompt notification of Deaths in Drug Rehabilitation Facilities Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (59 - 0)
5/24 HB 4592 Authorizes the Secretary of State to Issue Digital Identification Bill Passed - Senate (58 - 0)
5/23 SB 1994 Authorizes Property Owners to Ask Sheriffs to Remove Individuals Who are Unlawfully Occupying Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 7)
5/23 SB 276 Amends Classification of Abortion Drugs Misoprostol and Mifepristone as Controlled Substances Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
5/23 HB 5239 Expands Abortion Shield Laws so State and Local Authorities are Prohibited from Providing Information for Out-of-State Investigations Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 19)
5/23 HB 5028 Authorizes the State to Provide Opioid Antagonists at State Agencies and Shields Employees from Liability Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 0)
5/23 S 4361 Border Act of 2024 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (43 - 50)
5/23 S 2378 Authorizes the Rhode Island Department of Health to Allow a Patients Medicine to be Transferred to Different Pharmacies Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
5/22 SB 1336 Prohibits Sharing Artificial Intelligence (AI) Deep Fake Porn and Establishes it as Felony Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 9)
5/22 S 5801 Amends Previous FOIL Laws to Award Attorney Fees to a Successful Petitioner in a FOIL Case Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 3)
5/22 SB 1128 Establishes Sex Offender Registration and Prohibits Sexual Intercourse with Minors Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3)
5/22 SB 63 Requires Individuals that Have Been Exposed to Asbestos to File Specific Types of Disclosures Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
5/22 SB 1144 Prohibits the Sale of Stolen Goods on Online Marketplaces Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
5/22 SB 1372 Prohibits Public Airports from Contracting with a Private Third Party to Provide Expedited Security Checkpoints Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
5/21 HB 423 Limits the Amount Awarded Over Medical Expenses to the Injured Party in a Car Accident Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
5/21 SB 1403 Exempts the California American Freedmen Affairs Agency from Certain Prohibitions Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
5/21 SB 1022 Amend Sections Regarding the Enforcement of Civil Rights Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)

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