Key Votes

Chamber

Keyword Search

Search string must be longer than 3 characters.

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 21, 2023 MT SB 359 Prohibits the Tracking of Firearms Sales by Financial Institutions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 13)
April 20, 2023 CO HB 23-1100 Prohibits Government Participation in Civil Immigration Detention Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
April 20, 2023 OR SB 1060 Expands Crime of Criminal Mistreatment and Defines Physical Trauma Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 2)
April 20, 2023 NV SB 171 Prohibits Individuals Convicted of Committing or Attempting to Commit a Hate Crime from Owning a Firearm Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
April 20, 2023 NV SB 171 Prohibits Individuals Convicted of Committing or Attempting to Commit a Hate Crime from Owning a Firearm Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
April 19, 2023 MT HB 808 Increases Insurance Requirements for Bail Bondsmen Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17)
April 19, 2023 CO HB 23-1186 Authorizes Remote Participation in County Court Residential Eviction Filings Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
April 19, 2023 NE LB 77 Authorizes Legal Gun Owners to Conceal Carry Without a Permit Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
April 19, 2023 NV SB 239 Authorizes Medical Aid-In-Dying for Terminally Ill Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10)
April 19, 2023 NV SB 131 Prohibits Arrest of Any Individual Charged in Another State for Receiving Reproductive Healthcare Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
April 18, 2023 TN HB 1189 Establishes Legal Protections for Gun Dealers, Manufacturers and Sellers Against Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
April 18, 2023 FL HB 1297 Authorizes the Death Penalty for for People Who Commit Sexual Assault on Children Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 5)
April 17, 2023 WA SB 5352 Expands Police Chase Protections for Law Enforcement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
April 17, 2023 CO SB 23-254 Amends Statutes Regarding Search Warrants by Police Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
April 17, 2023 CO SB 23-1196 Authorizes Individuals to Seek Legal Remedies for Breaches of the Colorado Youth Employment Opportunity Act of 1971 Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
April 17, 2023 NV SB 153 Requires the Nevada Department of Corrections Regulate the Security, Supervision, Medical, and Mental Health Treatment of Transgender Inmates Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
April 14, 2023 WA SB 5231 Amends Legal Process for Emergency No Contact Orders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 13)
April 14, 2023 WA SB 5231 Amends Legal Process for Emergency No Contact Orders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 13)
April 14, 2023 MN SF 2909 Appropriates Funding for the State Public Safety Omnibus Bill Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 33)
April 14, 2023 WA SB 5768 Authorizes the Department of Corrections to Acquire and Dispense Abortion Medications Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18)
April 13, 2023 WA SB 5006 Amends Firearm Waiver Rights for At-Risk Individuals Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
April 13, 2023 WA SB 5006 Amends Firearm Waiver Rights for At-Risk Individuals Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
April 13, 2023 MT HB 693 Prohibits State Agencies from Denying Individual Records Request Due To Ongoing Litigation Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 2)
April 12, 2023 AZ SB 1021 Requires the Arizona Attorney General Defend the Constitutionality of Any Bill Signed into Law Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
April 12, 2023 VA SB 989 Establishes Greater Victims Rights in Court Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 5)
April 12, 2023 VA SB 989 Establishes Greater Victims Rights in Court Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 5)
April 12, 2023 AZ HB 2474 Prohibits Schools from Requiring Students Receive Vaccines Approved via Emergency Authorization Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
April 12, 2023 AZ HB 2394 Prohibits Any County or Municipality in Arizona from Enacting New Taxes, Levies or Fees on Firearms or Ammunition Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
April 11, 2023 WA HB 1470 Establishes New Regulations Concerning Private Prisons Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
April 10, 2023 MD SB 1 Prohibits Open Carry in the State and Restricts Places Where Firearms can be Carried Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
April 10, 2023 ND HB 1230 Establishes Penalties for the Intentional Submission of Petitions with Fraudulent Signatures Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 6)
April 10, 2023 MD HB 1071 Prohibits the Smell of Cannabis as Reasonable Suspicion or Probable Cause for Police Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
April 10, 2023 WA HB 1469 Prohibits the State from Cooperating with Out-of-State Abortion and Gender Affirming Care Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
April 10, 2023 WA HB 1394 Establishes a Developmentally Appropriate Response to Youth Who Commit Sexual Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
April 7, 2023 AR SB 495 Requires Convicted Individuals Serve Out the Majority of Their Sentences Instead of Early Release Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 4)
April 7, 2023 MD SB 37 Reduces the Time Period to Apply for Criminal Record Expungement for Certain Offenses Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 13)
April 7, 2023 MD SB 858 Defines Requirements Around Safe Storage of Firearms Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 12)
April 7, 2023 MD HB 824 Prohibits Certain Individuals on Probation from Receiving a Concealed Carry Permit Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 13)
April 7, 2023 MD HB 824 Prohibits Certain Individuals on Probation from Receiving a Concealed Carry Permit Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 13)
April 7, 2023 WA HB 1564 Prohibits the Sale of Over-the-Counter Sexual Assault Kits Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
April 6, 2023 KS SB 228 Prohibits Transgender Inmates Access to Overnight Accommodations Consistent with Their Gender Identity Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 3)
April 6, 2023 WA HB 1340 Prohibits Medical Licensing Boards from Retaliating Against Clinicians for Providing Reproductive Health Services and Gender-Affirming Care Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19)
April 6, 2023 DE SB 52 Amends Delaware Statutes Regarding the Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Program Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
April 6, 2023 OR SB 615 Establishes New Penalties for Street Racing and Gang Activity Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 7)
April 5, 2023 ND HB 1340 Prohibits Local Governments from Enforcing Stricter Gun Laws then Passed by the State Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
April 5, 2023 ND HB 1339 Authorizes Citizens to Conceal Carry in North Dakota With a State Issued ID Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 2)
April 5, 2023 ND HB 1340 Prohibits Local Governments from Enforcing Stricter Gun Laws then Passed by the State Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
April 5, 2023 ND HB 1350 Establishes Places That a Person Can Carry a Concealed Weapon and Penalties for Armed Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 2)
April 5, 2023 ND HB 1350 Establishes Places That a Person Can Carry a Concealed Weapon and Penalties for Armed Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 2)
April 3, 2023 ND HB 1473 Requires Designated Male and Female Restrooms, Lockers, and Showers in Correctional Facilities and Dormitories Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 5)
April 3, 2023 ND HB 1489 Prohibits Collegiate Transgender Athletes from Competing with the Gender They Identify As Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 7)
April 3, 2023 ND HB 1249 Requires Classification of Student Athletes Based on "Biological Sex" Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
April 3, 2023 OR SB 238 Establishes a Curriculum to Teach about the Danger of Fentanyl and Opioids Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 1)
March 31, 2023 MD HB 279 Establishes a Prescription Drug Affordability Board Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11)
March 30, 2023 CO HB 23-1011 Authorizes Individuals Right to Repair Agriculture Equipment Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 10)
March 30, 2023 FL HB 543 Authorizes Conceal Carry Without a Permit Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
March 30, 2023 ID H 374 Amends Existing Laws to Specify the Definition of Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
March 30, 2023 IL SB 754 Prohibits Purchase of Explosive Devices Without a Firearm Identification Card Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 16)
March 30, 2023 FL SB 450 Reduces Amount of Jurors Needed for Agreement on Death Sentences Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
March 30, 2023 FL SB 450 Reduces Amount of Jurors Needed for Agreement on Death Sentences Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
March 29, 2023 GA SB 44 Increases Penalties for Gang Recruitment Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
March 29, 2023 National H J Res 7 Relating to a national emergency declared by the President on March 13, 2020 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (68 - 23)
March 28, 2023 NC SB 41 Expands Conceal Carry Permits in School Zones Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
March 28, 2023 MS SB 2101 Amends and Increases Criminal Penalties for Carjacking Conference Report Adopted - Senate (44 - 8)
March 28, 2023 VT S 4 Reduces Crimes of Violence Associated with Juveniles and Dangerous Weapons Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 2)
March 27, 2023 SD SB 129 Amends Rules Prohibiting Assault Against Teachers Veto Override Failed - Senate (20 - 15)
March 27, 2023 MS SB 2079 Authorizes School Employees to Concealed Carry Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 14)
March 27, 2023 GA HB 557 Authorizes Certain Physicians to Prescribe Schedule 2 Controlled Subtances (53 - 1)
March 23, 2023 MI SB 79 Establishes Penalties for Improper Firearm Storage Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
March 23, 2023 MI SB 80 Increases Penalties for Crimes With Weapons Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
March 23, 2023 SC S 576 Prohibits Citizens of "Foreign Adversary" Nations from Buying Property in the State Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
March 23, 2023 MI SB 80 Increases Penalties for Crimes With Weapons Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
March 22, 2023 WI SB 101 Increases Penalties for Providing or Selling Drugs that Result in an Individual's Death Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
March 22, 2023 WI SB 101 Increases Penalties for Providing or Selling Drugs that Result in an Individual's Death Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
March 22, 2023 WI SB 76 Increases Penalties for Carjacking Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/21 SB 359 Prohibits the Tracking of Firearms Sales by Financial Institutions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 13)
4/20 HB 23-1100 Prohibits Government Participation in Civil Immigration Detention Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
4/20 SB 1060 Expands Crime of Criminal Mistreatment and Defines Physical Trauma Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 2)
4/20 SB 171 Prohibits Individuals Convicted of Committing or Attempting to Commit a Hate Crime from Owning a Firearm Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
4/20 SB 171 Prohibits Individuals Convicted of Committing or Attempting to Commit a Hate Crime from Owning a Firearm Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
4/19 HB 808 Increases Insurance Requirements for Bail Bondsmen Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17)
4/19 HB 23-1186 Authorizes Remote Participation in County Court Residential Eviction Filings Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
4/19 LB 77 Authorizes Legal Gun Owners to Conceal Carry Without a Permit Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
4/19 SB 239 Authorizes Medical Aid-In-Dying for Terminally Ill Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10)
4/19 SB 131 Prohibits Arrest of Any Individual Charged in Another State for Receiving Reproductive Healthcare Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
4/18 HB 1189 Establishes Legal Protections for Gun Dealers, Manufacturers and Sellers Against Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
4/18 HB 1297 Authorizes the Death Penalty for for People Who Commit Sexual Assault on Children Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 5)
4/17 SB 5352 Expands Police Chase Protections for Law Enforcement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
4/17 SB 23-254 Amends Statutes Regarding Search Warrants by Police Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
4/17 SB 23-1196 Authorizes Individuals to Seek Legal Remedies for Breaches of the Colorado Youth Employment Opportunity Act of 1971 Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
4/17 SB 153 Requires the Nevada Department of Corrections Regulate the Security, Supervision, Medical, and Mental Health Treatment of Transgender Inmates Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
4/14 SB 5231 Amends Legal Process for Emergency No Contact Orders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 13)
4/14 SB 5231 Amends Legal Process for Emergency No Contact Orders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 13)
4/14 SF 2909 Appropriates Funding for the State Public Safety Omnibus Bill Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 33)
4/14 SB 5768 Authorizes the Department of Corrections to Acquire and Dispense Abortion Medications Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18)
4/13 SB 5006 Amends Firearm Waiver Rights for At-Risk Individuals Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
4/13 SB 5006 Amends Firearm Waiver Rights for At-Risk Individuals Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
4/13 HB 693 Prohibits State Agencies from Denying Individual Records Request Due To Ongoing Litigation Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 2)
4/12 SB 1021 Requires the Arizona Attorney General Defend the Constitutionality of Any Bill Signed into Law Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
4/12 SB 989 Establishes Greater Victims Rights in Court Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 5)
4/12 SB 989 Establishes Greater Victims Rights in Court Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 5)
4/12 HB 2474 Prohibits Schools from Requiring Students Receive Vaccines Approved via Emergency Authorization Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
4/12 HB 2394 Prohibits Any County or Municipality in Arizona from Enacting New Taxes, Levies or Fees on Firearms or Ammunition Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
4/11 HB 1470 Establishes New Regulations Concerning Private Prisons Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
4/10 SB 1 Prohibits Open Carry in the State and Restricts Places Where Firearms can be Carried Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
4/10 HB 1230 Establishes Penalties for the Intentional Submission of Petitions with Fraudulent Signatures Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 6)
4/10 HB 1071 Prohibits the Smell of Cannabis as Reasonable Suspicion or Probable Cause for Police Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
4/10 HB 1469 Prohibits the State from Cooperating with Out-of-State Abortion and Gender Affirming Care Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
4/10 HB 1394 Establishes a Developmentally Appropriate Response to Youth Who Commit Sexual Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
4/07 SB 495 Requires Convicted Individuals Serve Out the Majority of Their Sentences Instead of Early Release Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 4)
4/07 SB 37 Reduces the Time Period to Apply for Criminal Record Expungement for Certain Offenses Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 13)
4/07 SB 858 Defines Requirements Around Safe Storage of Firearms Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 12)
4/07 HB 824 Prohibits Certain Individuals on Probation from Receiving a Concealed Carry Permit Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 13)
4/07 HB 824 Prohibits Certain Individuals on Probation from Receiving a Concealed Carry Permit Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 13)
4/07 HB 1564 Prohibits the Sale of Over-the-Counter Sexual Assault Kits Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
4/06 SB 228 Prohibits Transgender Inmates Access to Overnight Accommodations Consistent with Their Gender Identity Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 3)
4/06 HB 1340 Prohibits Medical Licensing Boards from Retaliating Against Clinicians for Providing Reproductive Health Services and Gender-Affirming Care Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19)
4/06 SB 52 Amends Delaware Statutes Regarding the Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Program Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
4/06 SB 615 Establishes New Penalties for Street Racing and Gang Activity Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 7)
4/05 HB 1340 Prohibits Local Governments from Enforcing Stricter Gun Laws then Passed by the State Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
4/05 HB 1339 Authorizes Citizens to Conceal Carry in North Dakota With a State Issued ID Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 2)
4/05 HB 1340 Prohibits Local Governments from Enforcing Stricter Gun Laws then Passed by the State Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
4/05 HB 1350 Establishes Places That a Person Can Carry a Concealed Weapon and Penalties for Armed Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 2)
4/05 HB 1350 Establishes Places That a Person Can Carry a Concealed Weapon and Penalties for Armed Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 2)
4/03 HB 1473 Requires Designated Male and Female Restrooms, Lockers, and Showers in Correctional Facilities and Dormitories Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 5)
4/03 HB 1489 Prohibits Collegiate Transgender Athletes from Competing with the Gender They Identify As Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 7)
4/03 HB 1249 Requires Classification of Student Athletes Based on "Biological Sex" Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
4/03 SB 238 Establishes a Curriculum to Teach about the Danger of Fentanyl and Opioids Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 1)
3/31 HB 279 Establishes a Prescription Drug Affordability Board Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11)
3/30 HB 23-1011 Authorizes Individuals Right to Repair Agriculture Equipment Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 10)
3/30 HB 543 Authorizes Conceal Carry Without a Permit Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
3/30 H 374 Amends Existing Laws to Specify the Definition of Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
3/30 SB 754 Prohibits Purchase of Explosive Devices Without a Firearm Identification Card Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 16)
3/30 SB 450 Reduces Amount of Jurors Needed for Agreement on Death Sentences Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
3/30 SB 450 Reduces Amount of Jurors Needed for Agreement on Death Sentences Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
3/29 SB 44 Increases Penalties for Gang Recruitment Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
3/29 H J Res 7 Relating to a national emergency declared by the President on March 13, 2020 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (68 - 23)
3/28 SB 41 Expands Conceal Carry Permits in School Zones Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
3/28 SB 2101 Amends and Increases Criminal Penalties for Carjacking Conference Report Adopted - Senate (44 - 8)
3/28 S 4 Reduces Crimes of Violence Associated with Juveniles and Dangerous Weapons Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 2)
3/27 SB 129 Amends Rules Prohibiting Assault Against Teachers Veto Override Failed - Senate (20 - 15)
3/27 SB 2079 Authorizes School Employees to Concealed Carry Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 14)
3/27 HB 557 Authorizes Certain Physicians to Prescribe Schedule 2 Controlled Subtances (53 - 1)
3/23 SB 79 Establishes Penalties for Improper Firearm Storage Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
3/23 SB 80 Increases Penalties for Crimes With Weapons Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
3/23 S 576 Prohibits Citizens of "Foreign Adversary" Nations from Buying Property in the State Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
3/23 SB 80 Increases Penalties for Crimes With Weapons Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
3/22 SB 101 Increases Penalties for Providing or Selling Drugs that Result in an Individual's Death Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
3/22 SB 101 Increases Penalties for Providing or Selling Drugs that Result in an Individual's Death Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
3/22 SB 76 Increases Penalties for Carjacking Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)

arrow_upward