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
March 2, 2023 MO SB 186 Establishes a Loan Forgiveness Fund for Police Officers who take Required Training and Work in the State for a Year Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
March 2, 2023 MT SB 361 Prohibits Firearm Discrimination By Any Individual or Business Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
March 2, 2023 MT SB 333 Establishes Drone Trespassing as a Crime Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 12)
March 2, 2023 GA SB 92 Establishes Provisions Regarding Prosecuting Attorneys Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 24)
March 2, 2023 MT SB 450 Authorizes Religious or Conscience Exemptions for Certain Vaccines Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
March 1, 2023 UT HB 107 Repeals Fees for Conceal Carry Permits for School Employees Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
March 1, 2023 UT HB 297 Requires Law Enforcement Compile Data on Sexual Assault Reports Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 6)
March 1, 2023 WA SB 5120 Establishes 23-Hour Mental Health and Substance Use Crisis Relief Centers Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
March 1, 2023 AZ SB 1428 Prohibits Local Municipalities from Preventing Gun Shows Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
March 1, 2023 MI SB 4 Prohibits Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
March 1, 2023 NC SB 3 Authorizes the Use of Medical Cannabis for Those Who Qualify Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
Feb. 28, 2023 IN SB 343 Amends Definitions of Machine-Guns for Increased Felony Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
Feb. 27, 2023 SD HB 1135 Establishes Transparency in the Pricing of Prescription Drugs Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
Feb. 25, 2023 VA HB 2398 Classifies Sexual Extortion as a Class 5 Felony Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 3)
Feb. 25, 2023 VA SB 1188 Classifies Fentanyl as a "Weapons of Terrorism" and a Class 4 Felony Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 5)
Feb. 25, 2023 VA SB 1188 Classifies Fentanyl as a "Weapons of Terrorism" and a Class 4 Felony Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 5)
Feb. 25, 2023 VA SB 887 Requires Individuals in Solitary Confinement Receive a Minimum of 4 Hours Out of Cell Each Day Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 2)
Feb. 24, 2023 SD HB 1090 Authorizes Protections for Farmers and Agricultural Operations from Frivolous Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
Feb. 24, 2023 UT HB 208 Amends Criminal Trespass Laws Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 4)
Feb. 24, 2023 UT HB 208 Amends Criminal Trespass Laws Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 4)
Feb. 22, 2023 SC S 153 Classifies the Trafficking of Fentanyl as a Felony Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 0)
Feb. 22, 2023 SC S 153 Classifies the Trafficking of Fentanyl as a Felony Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 0)
Feb. 22, 2023 NM SB 64 Prohibits Life Sentences for Juveniles Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
Feb. 22, 2023 IA SF 228 Limits Employee Liability in Commercial Vehicle Crashes Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
Feb. 21, 2023 MN HF 28 Expands Voting Rights to Ex-Felons Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 30)
Feb. 21, 2023 MD SB 54 Repeals Crimes of "Unnatural" or "Perverted" Sex Practices Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 11)
Feb. 21, 2023 UT SB 156 Establishes Requirements for Law Enforcement Use of Voluntary DNA Databases Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 2)
Feb. 21, 2023 AZ SB 1096 Prohibits Public Contracts of Over $100K that Do Not Include Firearm Protections Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
Feb. 16, 2023 UT HB 143 Prohibits Parents Without Visitation Rights from Interfering with the Custody of a Child Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 1)
Feb. 16, 2023 NC SB 41 Expands Conceal Carry Permits in School Zones Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
Feb. 16, 2023 ND SB 2248 Establishes Penalty for an Individual Caught Aiding Injury or Death of Another Caused by Illegal Drug Substances Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
Feb. 16, 2023 ND SB 2248 Establishes Penalty for an Individual Caught Aiding Injury or Death of Another Caused by Illegal Drug Substances Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
Feb. 15, 2023 OR SB 310 Increases Penalty for Antitrust Violations Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
Feb. 13, 2023 SD SB 207 Establishes Penalties for Appropriating Public Funds to Influence an Election Result Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
Feb. 13, 2023 GA SB 44 Increases Penalties for Gang Recruitment Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 22)
Feb. 10, 2023 UT HJR 2 Amends how State Courts can Grant Injunctions Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
Feb. 8, 2023 IA HF 161 Establishes a $1 Million Cap on Noneconomic Damages in Medical Malpractice Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
Feb. 8, 2023 FL SB 4-B Authorizes Office of Statewide Prosecution to Investigate Voting-Related Crimes Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
Feb. 7, 2023 VA SB 1515 Establishes Civil Liability for or Publishing or Distributing Material Harmful to Minors on the Internet Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 3)
Feb. 6, 2023 VA SB 1361 Amends Parole Rules in the state of Virginia Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
Feb. 1, 2023 WA SB 5028 Amends Process for Legal Name Change Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 3)
Feb. 1, 2023 UT SB 86 Repeals Fentanyl Testing Strips from the List of Drug Paraphernalia Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 1)
Feb. 1, 2023 UT SB 86 Repeals Fentanyl Testing Strips from the List of Drug Paraphernalia Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 1)
Jan. 31, 2023 VA SB 1455 Authorizes Law Enforcement to Establish a Curfew Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
Jan. 31, 2023 VA SB 1455 Authorizes Law Enforcement to Establish a Curfew Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
Jan. 26, 2023 MN HF 37 Prohibits Hair Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 19)
Jan. 25, 2023 NY S 345 Establishes 6-Year Statute of Limitations for Employment Discrimination Claims Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 6)
Jan. 25, 2023 NY S 345 Establishes 6-Year Statute of Limitations for Employment Discrimination Claims Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 6)
Jan. 24, 2023 NY A 1283 Authorizes Constitutional Referendum Prohibiting Discrimination on Basis of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Reproductive Autonomy, Etc. (43 - 20)
Jan. 24, 2023 WV SB 10 Authorizes College Campus Concealed-Carry Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/02 SB 186 Establishes a Loan Forgiveness Fund for Police Officers who take Required Training and Work in the State for a Year Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
3/02 SB 361 Prohibits Firearm Discrimination By Any Individual or Business Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
3/02 SB 333 Establishes Drone Trespassing as a Crime Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 12)
3/02 SB 92 Establishes Provisions Regarding Prosecuting Attorneys Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 24)
3/02 SB 450 Authorizes Religious or Conscience Exemptions for Certain Vaccines Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
3/01 HB 107 Repeals Fees for Conceal Carry Permits for School Employees Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
3/01 HB 297 Requires Law Enforcement Compile Data on Sexual Assault Reports Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 6)
3/01 SB 5120 Establishes 23-Hour Mental Health and Substance Use Crisis Relief Centers Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
3/01 SB 1428 Prohibits Local Municipalities from Preventing Gun Shows Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
3/01 SB 4 Prohibits Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
3/01 SB 3 Authorizes the Use of Medical Cannabis for Those Who Qualify Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
2/28 SB 343 Amends Definitions of Machine-Guns for Increased Felony Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
2/27 HB 1135 Establishes Transparency in the Pricing of Prescription Drugs Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
2/25 HB 2398 Classifies Sexual Extortion as a Class 5 Felony Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 3)
2/25 SB 1188 Classifies Fentanyl as a "Weapons of Terrorism" and a Class 4 Felony Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 5)
2/25 SB 1188 Classifies Fentanyl as a "Weapons of Terrorism" and a Class 4 Felony Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 5)
2/25 SB 887 Requires Individuals in Solitary Confinement Receive a Minimum of 4 Hours Out of Cell Each Day Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 2)
2/24 HB 1090 Authorizes Protections for Farmers and Agricultural Operations from Frivolous Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
2/24 HB 208 Amends Criminal Trespass Laws Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 4)
2/24 HB 208 Amends Criminal Trespass Laws Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 4)
2/22 S 153 Classifies the Trafficking of Fentanyl as a Felony Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 0)
2/22 S 153 Classifies the Trafficking of Fentanyl as a Felony Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 0)
2/22 SB 64 Prohibits Life Sentences for Juveniles Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
2/22 SF 228 Limits Employee Liability in Commercial Vehicle Crashes Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
2/21 HF 28 Expands Voting Rights to Ex-Felons Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 30)
2/21 SB 54 Repeals Crimes of "Unnatural" or "Perverted" Sex Practices Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 11)
2/21 SB 156 Establishes Requirements for Law Enforcement Use of Voluntary DNA Databases Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 2)
2/21 SB 1096 Prohibits Public Contracts of Over $100K that Do Not Include Firearm Protections Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
2/16 HB 143 Prohibits Parents Without Visitation Rights from Interfering with the Custody of a Child Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 1)
2/16 SB 41 Expands Conceal Carry Permits in School Zones Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
2/16 SB 2248 Establishes Penalty for an Individual Caught Aiding Injury or Death of Another Caused by Illegal Drug Substances Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
2/16 SB 2248 Establishes Penalty for an Individual Caught Aiding Injury or Death of Another Caused by Illegal Drug Substances Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
2/15 SB 310 Increases Penalty for Antitrust Violations Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
2/13 SB 207 Establishes Penalties for Appropriating Public Funds to Influence an Election Result Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
2/13 SB 44 Increases Penalties for Gang Recruitment Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 22)
2/10 HJR 2 Amends how State Courts can Grant Injunctions Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
2/08 HF 161 Establishes a $1 Million Cap on Noneconomic Damages in Medical Malpractice Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
2/08 SB 4-B Authorizes Office of Statewide Prosecution to Investigate Voting-Related Crimes Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
2/07 SB 1515 Establishes Civil Liability for or Publishing or Distributing Material Harmful to Minors on the Internet Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 3)
2/06 SB 1361 Amends Parole Rules in the state of Virginia Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
2/01 SB 5028 Amends Process for Legal Name Change Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 3)
2/01 SB 86 Repeals Fentanyl Testing Strips from the List of Drug Paraphernalia Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 1)
2/01 SB 86 Repeals Fentanyl Testing Strips from the List of Drug Paraphernalia Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 1)
1/31 SB 1455 Authorizes Law Enforcement to Establish a Curfew Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
1/31 SB 1455 Authorizes Law Enforcement to Establish a Curfew Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
1/26 HF 37 Prohibits Hair Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 19)
1/25 S 345 Establishes 6-Year Statute of Limitations for Employment Discrimination Claims Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 6)
1/25 S 345 Establishes 6-Year Statute of Limitations for Employment Discrimination Claims Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 6)
1/24 A 1283 Authorizes Constitutional Referendum Prohibiting Discrimination on Basis of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Reproductive Autonomy, Etc. (43 - 20)
1/24 SB 10 Authorizes College Campus Concealed-Carry Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)

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