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
Jan. 25, 2024 MI SB 516 Authorizes Evidence of a Defendant's Prior Commission of Commercial Sexual Activity, Human Trafficking, or Prostitution be Admissible in Court Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
Jan. 25, 2024 MI SB 515 Authorizes a Statement Concerning Prostitution or Human Trafficking to be Admissible as Evidence Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
Jan. 25, 2024 RI S 2096 Amends the Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights (LEOBOR) Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
Jan. 23, 2024 SD SB 57 Prohibits Professional Agencies from Denying Convicted Felons from Obtaining Trade Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
Jan. 22, 2024 SD SB 71 Repeals Prohibition on Law Enforcement Ability to Inspect, Search, Seize, and Prosecute Cannabis Dispensaries Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
Jan. 19, 2024 LA HB 17 Authorizes Certain Offices to Conduct Closed Party Primary Elections and Amends Election Codes Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
Jan. 18, 2024 DE SB 276 Amends Penalties for Possession of a Weapon in a Safe School and Recreation Zone Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
Jan. 18, 2024 MA S 2551 Repeals Certain Language in Several State Laws Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Jan. 16, 2024 WI SB 466 Prohibits Credit Card Companies from Requiring a Merchant Category Code that Identifies Firearms Retailers Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
Jan. 16, 2024 WI SB 789 Authorizes Law Enforcement and Corrections Agencies to Charge a Requester a Fee for the Actual, Necessary, and Direct Cost for Redacting Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
Jan. 8, 2024 NJ S 723 Establishes a Domestic Bill of Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
Nov. 9, 2023 TX SB 4 Amends State Criminal Code to Establish Illegal Entry Across the Border as a Class B Misdemeanor Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
Nov. 7, 2023 MI HB 4951 Repeals Previously Established Felony Criminal Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
Nov. 7, 2023 MI HB 4956 Repeals and Expunges Individual Criminal Records Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
Oct. 18, 2023 MI SB 351 Prohibits Discriminatory Practices in Public Places Against Breastfeeding or Breast Pumping Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
Oct. 12, 2023 TX SB 4 Increases Criminal Penalties for Immigrant Smuggling or Operating a Stash House Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
Sept. 13, 2023 CA AB 352 Requires Information on Fertility and Menstrual Tracking Apps Be Subject to Medical Privacy Laws Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
Sept. 13, 2023 CA AB 280 Limits the Use of Solitary Confinement in California State Prisons Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Sept. 13, 2023 CA AB 280 Limits the Use of Solitary Confinement in California State Prisons Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Sept. 12, 2023 CA SB 2 Amends Penal Code Related to Firearms Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
Sept. 12, 2023 CA AB 33 Establishes a Fentanyl Misuse and Overdose Prevention Task Force Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
Sept. 7, 2023 CA SB 58 Amends Laws and Statutes Concerning the Decriminalization of Certain Hallucinogens Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
Sept. 7, 2023 CA SB 58 Amends Laws and Statutes Concerning the Decriminalization of Certain Hallucinogens Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
Sept. 7, 2023 CA AB 1078 Prohibits School Book Bans Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
Sept. 7, 2023 CA AB 28 Establishes an 11% Tax on Firearm and Ammunition Purchases in California Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
Sept. 6, 2023 CA AB 1089 Prohibits 3-D Printed Firearms or "Ghost Guns" Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
Sept. 6, 2023 CA SJR 7 Establishes Various State Gun Control Measures Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
Sept. 5, 2023 CA AB 1104 Amends Correction and Rehabilitation Statutes in California Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
Aug. 30, 2023 PA HB 1300 Authorizes Funding for Home Repair Subsidies, Adult Mental Health Services, and Public Defenders Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
Aug. 29, 2023 TN SB 7086 Reduces the Time Period for the Tennessee Bureau of Information to be Notified of Criminal Proceedings from 30 Days to 72 Hours Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 6)
July 25, 2023 ME LD 279 Prohibits Public Entities from Discriminating Against Individuals "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 13)
July 25, 2023 ME LD 582 Expands Penalties for Possession of Firearms by Prohibited Persons Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 5)
July 25, 2023 ME LD 582 Expands Penalties for Possession of Firearms by Prohibited Persons Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 5)
July 6, 2023 ME LD 1756 Expands Employee's Freedom of Association and Speech in the Workplace "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 9)
July 6, 2023 ME LD 1436 Establishes Remedies for Survivors of Commercial Sexual Exploitation Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
June 30, 2023 DE HB 155 Classifies Unsafe Storage of a Firearm in a Vehicle Class A Misdemeanor Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
June 30, 2023 NJ S 3929 Authorizes Hospitals With a Temporary Court Order to Involuntarily Detain Someone for Up To 6 Days Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1)
June 30, 2023 NJ S 1615 Establishes an Independent Board of Experts to Guide the State on Prescription Drug Policy Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
June 30, 2023 NJ S 524 Establishes a Statewide Mental Health Diversion Program Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
June 30, 2023 NJ S 3772 Extends Public Defender Representation to Those Seeking Parole Revocation Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
June 30, 2023 NJ S 3771 Repeals Fees for Public Defenders Services Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
June 30, 2023 NJ S 3772 Extends Public Defender Representation to Those Seeking Parole Revocation Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
June 27, 2023 PA SB 838 Amends the State Probation Program to Make it Easier for Individuals that Meet Educational or Employment Goals Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4)
June 24, 2023 OR HB 2395 Authorizes Specified Persons to Distribute and Administer Short-Acting Opioid Reversal Drugs and Kits Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 3)
June 23, 2023 OR HB 2929 Authorizes the Water Resources Department to Seek Injunctive Relief Against Violators or Attempted Violators of State Water Laws Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 7)
June 22, 2023 OR HB 3242 Authorizes Policyholders to Recover Actual Damages from Unfair Claim Settlement Practices Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 7)
June 22, 2023 OR HB 2054 Establishes that Deputy District Attorneys Qualify as Police Officers in the Retirement System Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 3)
June 22, 2023 DE SB 184 Prohibits Discrimination Based On Non-Pending Arrests in Insurance Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 1)
June 21, 2023 OR HB 2281 Requires School Districts Hire a Civil Rights Coordinator Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
June 21, 2023 ME LD 1215 Prohibits Flavored Tobacco "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 16)
Date No. Title Outcome
1/25 SB 516 Authorizes Evidence of a Defendant's Prior Commission of Commercial Sexual Activity, Human Trafficking, or Prostitution be Admissible in Court Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
1/25 SB 515 Authorizes a Statement Concerning Prostitution or Human Trafficking to be Admissible as Evidence Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
1/25 S 2096 Amends the Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights (LEOBOR) Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
1/23 SB 57 Prohibits Professional Agencies from Denying Convicted Felons from Obtaining Trade Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
1/22 SB 71 Repeals Prohibition on Law Enforcement Ability to Inspect, Search, Seize, and Prosecute Cannabis Dispensaries Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
1/19 HB 17 Authorizes Certain Offices to Conduct Closed Party Primary Elections and Amends Election Codes Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
1/18 SB 276 Amends Penalties for Possession of a Weapon in a Safe School and Recreation Zone Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
1/18 S 2551 Repeals Certain Language in Several State Laws Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
1/16 SB 466 Prohibits Credit Card Companies from Requiring a Merchant Category Code that Identifies Firearms Retailers Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
1/16 SB 789 Authorizes Law Enforcement and Corrections Agencies to Charge a Requester a Fee for the Actual, Necessary, and Direct Cost for Redacting Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
1/08 S 723 Establishes a Domestic Bill of Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
11/09 SB 4 Amends State Criminal Code to Establish Illegal Entry Across the Border as a Class B Misdemeanor Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
11/07 HB 4951 Repeals Previously Established Felony Criminal Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
11/07 HB 4956 Repeals and Expunges Individual Criminal Records Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
10/18 SB 351 Prohibits Discriminatory Practices in Public Places Against Breastfeeding or Breast Pumping Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
10/12 SB 4 Increases Criminal Penalties for Immigrant Smuggling or Operating a Stash House Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
9/13 AB 352 Requires Information on Fertility and Menstrual Tracking Apps Be Subject to Medical Privacy Laws Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
9/13 AB 280 Limits the Use of Solitary Confinement in California State Prisons Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
9/13 AB 280 Limits the Use of Solitary Confinement in California State Prisons Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
9/12 SB 2 Amends Penal Code Related to Firearms Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
9/12 AB 33 Establishes a Fentanyl Misuse and Overdose Prevention Task Force Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
9/07 SB 58 Amends Laws and Statutes Concerning the Decriminalization of Certain Hallucinogens Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
9/07 SB 58 Amends Laws and Statutes Concerning the Decriminalization of Certain Hallucinogens Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
9/07 AB 1078 Prohibits School Book Bans Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
9/07 AB 28 Establishes an 11% Tax on Firearm and Ammunition Purchases in California Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
9/06 AB 1089 Prohibits 3-D Printed Firearms or "Ghost Guns" Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
9/06 SJR 7 Establishes Various State Gun Control Measures Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
9/05 AB 1104 Amends Correction and Rehabilitation Statutes in California Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
8/30 HB 1300 Authorizes Funding for Home Repair Subsidies, Adult Mental Health Services, and Public Defenders Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
8/29 SB 7086 Reduces the Time Period for the Tennessee Bureau of Information to be Notified of Criminal Proceedings from 30 Days to 72 Hours Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 6)
7/25 LD 279 Prohibits Public Entities from Discriminating Against Individuals "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 13)
7/25 LD 582 Expands Penalties for Possession of Firearms by Prohibited Persons Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 5)
7/25 LD 582 Expands Penalties for Possession of Firearms by Prohibited Persons Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 5)
7/06 LD 1756 Expands Employee's Freedom of Association and Speech in the Workplace "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 9)
7/06 LD 1436 Establishes Remedies for Survivors of Commercial Sexual Exploitation Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
6/30 HB 155 Classifies Unsafe Storage of a Firearm in a Vehicle Class A Misdemeanor Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
6/30 S 3929 Authorizes Hospitals With a Temporary Court Order to Involuntarily Detain Someone for Up To 6 Days Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1)
6/30 S 1615 Establishes an Independent Board of Experts to Guide the State on Prescription Drug Policy Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
6/30 S 524 Establishes a Statewide Mental Health Diversion Program Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
6/30 S 3772 Extends Public Defender Representation to Those Seeking Parole Revocation Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
6/30 S 3771 Repeals Fees for Public Defenders Services Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
6/30 S 3772 Extends Public Defender Representation to Those Seeking Parole Revocation Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
6/27 SB 838 Amends the State Probation Program to Make it Easier for Individuals that Meet Educational or Employment Goals Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4)
6/24 HB 2395 Authorizes Specified Persons to Distribute and Administer Short-Acting Opioid Reversal Drugs and Kits Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 3)
6/23 HB 2929 Authorizes the Water Resources Department to Seek Injunctive Relief Against Violators or Attempted Violators of State Water Laws Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 7)
6/22 HB 3242 Authorizes Policyholders to Recover Actual Damages from Unfair Claim Settlement Practices Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 7)
6/22 HB 2054 Establishes that Deputy District Attorneys Qualify as Police Officers in the Retirement System Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 3)
6/22 SB 184 Prohibits Discrimination Based On Non-Pending Arrests in Insurance Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 1)
6/21 HB 2281 Requires School Districts Hire a Civil Rights Coordinator Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
6/21 LD 1215 Prohibits Flavored Tobacco "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 16)

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