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 28, 2022 SD SB 151 Requires Automatic Expungement of Marijuana Convictions Veto Override Failed - Senate (17 - 17)
March 27, 2022 MS SB 2437 Establishes Pilot Work Initiative for Prisoners Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 0)
March 25, 2022 MS SB 2273 Authorizes Employers to Sponsor Parolees and Offenders on Probation Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 0)
March 25, 2022 KY HB 269 Prohibits Execution of Persons with Serious Mental Illness Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
March 25, 2022 CO SB 22-055 Authorizes Increased Alcohol Monitoring for Impaired Driving Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
March 24, 2022 ID H 782 Amends Existing Law Regarding Members of the Judicial Council Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
March 24, 2022 VT S 254 Authorizes an Independent Report on Police Misconduct, Qualified Immunity Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
March 23, 2022 OK SB 186 Prohibits Certain Firearm Carry for Persons Serving Probation (44 - 1)
March 23, 2022 OK SB 186 Prohibits Certain Firearm Carry for Persons Serving Probation (44 - 1)
March 22, 2022 MD HB 1 Authorizes the Use and Possession of Cannabis Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
March 22, 2022 IA SF 2363 Amends Requirements of Sex Offender Registry Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
March 22, 2022 IA SF 2363 Amends Requirements of Sex Offender Registry Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
March 21, 2022 TN HB 2670 Prohibits Teaching of Certain Concepts Relating to Race, Sex, or Religion Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
March 21, 2022 AZ HB 2659 Prohibits Organ Donor Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
March 18, 2022 KY SB 90 Establishes a Behavioral Health Conditional Dismissal Pilot Program to Provide Alternatives to Treatment Instead of Incarceration Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
March 16, 2022 MD SB 387 Prohibits the Sale of Ghost Guns Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11)
March 15, 2022 AL HB 17 Authorizes Deploying Wiretaps for Drug Related Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 1)
March 15, 2022 AL HB 17 Authorizes Deploying Wiretaps for Drug Related Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 1)
March 15, 2022 GA SB 171 Requires a Permit to Assemble and Increases Penalties for Unlawful Protest Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 21)
March 15, 2022 National S J Res 37 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention relating to "Requirement for Persons To Wear Masks While on Conveyances and at Transportation Hubs". Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (57 - 40)
March 14, 2022 OK SB 1708 Authorizes 16 and 17 Year Old Employees to Sell Mixed Beverages Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11)
March 12, 2022 WV HB 4848 Amends Alcohol Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
March 11, 2022 NE LB 773 Authorizes the Concealed Carry of Handguns Without a Permit Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 9)
March 11, 2022 GA SB 377 Prohibits Teaching "Divisive Concepts" Such as Systematic Racism Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 20)
March 10, 2022 SD SB 53 Authorizes Community Work Center for Inmates Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 2)
March 10, 2022 WY HB 91 Amends Specified County Officer Salary Levels Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7)
March 10, 2022 FL HB 7 Limits Protected Speech in Specific Workplaces Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
March 10, 2022 MO SB 799 Amends the Offense of Escaping from Custody (26 - 4)
March 9, 2022 SD SB 24 Limits Cultivation of Cannabis Plants Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 11)
March 9, 2022 KS HB 2279 Authorizes Prescribing of Drugs without Supervising Physician (30 - 7)
March 9, 2022 AK SB 182 Establishes the Crime of Interference with Emergency Communications Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 0)
March 8, 2022 SD SB 144 Establishes The Incarceration Construction Fund Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
March 8, 2022 AR HB 1034 Increases Prison Spending Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 3)
March 8, 2022 VA HB 1197 Establishes a Study Regarding Transferring the Department of Juvenile Justice to the Secretariat of Health and Human Resources Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
March 8, 2022 IN HB 1296 Repeals License Requirement to Carry a Handgun Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
March 8, 2022 AK SB 7 Requires Policies Relating to the Conduct of Law Enforcement Officers to be Made Public Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 6)
March 7, 2022 AR HB 1026 Appropriates Funds for Law Enforcement Budgets and Spending Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
March 7, 2022 FL HB 1571 Increases Protesting on Private Property to a Second Degree Misdemeanor Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
March 7, 2022 FL HB 1571 Increases Protesting on Private Property to a Second Degree Misdemeanor Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
March 7, 2022 National HR 55 Emmett Till Antilynching Act Bill Passed - Senate (100 - 0)
March 7, 2022 TN SB 2012 Specifies Penalties for Littering Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
March 4, 2022 FL HB 1435 Specifies Police Ability to Impound Vehicles Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 3)
March 4, 2022 UT HB 406 Authorizes Law Enforcement to Distribute Jail Photos as Unprotected Records Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 0)
March 3, 2022 UT SB 176 Amends Alcoholic Beverage Control Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 8)
March 3, 2022 WA HB 1795 Limits Non-Disclosure Agreements and Non-Disparagement Provisions in Employment and Independent Contractor Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
March 3, 2022 OR HB 4008 Repeals Restrictions on Police Use of Tear Gas Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 3)
March 3, 2022 AL HB 272 Authorizes Permitless Carry of Handguns Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
March 3, 2022 AZ SB 1311 Increases Prevention Measures and Penalties for Healthcare Workers Assault Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 4)
March 3, 2022 National S J Res 38 A joint resolution relating to a national emergency declared by the President on March 13, 2020 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (48 - 47)
March 3, 2022 FL SB 1798 Increases the Monetary Damages an Individual May Receive as a Result of Violations Relating to Sexual Cyberharassment Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/28 SB 151 Requires Automatic Expungement of Marijuana Convictions Veto Override Failed - Senate (17 - 17)
3/27 SB 2437 Establishes Pilot Work Initiative for Prisoners Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 0)
3/25 SB 2273 Authorizes Employers to Sponsor Parolees and Offenders on Probation Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 0)
3/25 HB 269 Prohibits Execution of Persons with Serious Mental Illness Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
3/25 SB 22-055 Authorizes Increased Alcohol Monitoring for Impaired Driving Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
3/24 H 782 Amends Existing Law Regarding Members of the Judicial Council Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
3/24 S 254 Authorizes an Independent Report on Police Misconduct, Qualified Immunity Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
3/23 SB 186 Prohibits Certain Firearm Carry for Persons Serving Probation (44 - 1)
3/23 SB 186 Prohibits Certain Firearm Carry for Persons Serving Probation (44 - 1)
3/22 HB 1 Authorizes the Use and Possession of Cannabis Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
3/22 SF 2363 Amends Requirements of Sex Offender Registry Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
3/22 SF 2363 Amends Requirements of Sex Offender Registry Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
3/21 HB 2670 Prohibits Teaching of Certain Concepts Relating to Race, Sex, or Religion Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
3/21 HB 2659 Prohibits Organ Donor Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
3/18 SB 90 Establishes a Behavioral Health Conditional Dismissal Pilot Program to Provide Alternatives to Treatment Instead of Incarceration Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
3/16 SB 387 Prohibits the Sale of Ghost Guns Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11)
3/15 HB 17 Authorizes Deploying Wiretaps for Drug Related Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 1)
3/15 HB 17 Authorizes Deploying Wiretaps for Drug Related Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 1)
3/15 SB 171 Requires a Permit to Assemble and Increases Penalties for Unlawful Protest Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 21)
3/15 S J Res 37 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention relating to "Requirement for Persons To Wear Masks While on Conveyances and at Transportation Hubs". Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (57 - 40)
3/14 SB 1708 Authorizes 16 and 17 Year Old Employees to Sell Mixed Beverages Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11)
3/12 HB 4848 Amends Alcohol Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
3/11 LB 773 Authorizes the Concealed Carry of Handguns Without a Permit Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 9)
3/11 SB 377 Prohibits Teaching "Divisive Concepts" Such as Systematic Racism Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 20)
3/10 SB 53 Authorizes Community Work Center for Inmates Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 2)
3/10 HB 91 Amends Specified County Officer Salary Levels Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7)
3/10 HB 7 Limits Protected Speech in Specific Workplaces Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
3/10 SB 799 Amends the Offense of Escaping from Custody (26 - 4)
3/09 SB 24 Limits Cultivation of Cannabis Plants Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 11)
3/09 HB 2279 Authorizes Prescribing of Drugs without Supervising Physician (30 - 7)
3/09 SB 182 Establishes the Crime of Interference with Emergency Communications Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 0)
3/08 SB 144 Establishes The Incarceration Construction Fund Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
3/08 HB 1034 Increases Prison Spending Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 3)
3/08 HB 1197 Establishes a Study Regarding Transferring the Department of Juvenile Justice to the Secretariat of Health and Human Resources Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
3/08 HB 1296 Repeals License Requirement to Carry a Handgun Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
3/08 SB 7 Requires Policies Relating to the Conduct of Law Enforcement Officers to be Made Public Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 6)
3/07 HB 1026 Appropriates Funds for Law Enforcement Budgets and Spending Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
3/07 HB 1571 Increases Protesting on Private Property to a Second Degree Misdemeanor Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
3/07 HB 1571 Increases Protesting on Private Property to a Second Degree Misdemeanor Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
3/07 HR 55 Emmett Till Antilynching Act Bill Passed - Senate (100 - 0)
3/07 SB 2012 Specifies Penalties for Littering Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
3/04 HB 1435 Specifies Police Ability to Impound Vehicles Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 3)
3/04 HB 406 Authorizes Law Enforcement to Distribute Jail Photos as Unprotected Records Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 0)
3/03 SB 176 Amends Alcoholic Beverage Control Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 8)
3/03 HB 1795 Limits Non-Disclosure Agreements and Non-Disparagement Provisions in Employment and Independent Contractor Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
3/03 HB 4008 Repeals Restrictions on Police Use of Tear Gas Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 3)
3/03 HB 272 Authorizes Permitless Carry of Handguns Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
3/03 SB 1311 Increases Prevention Measures and Penalties for Healthcare Workers Assault Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 4)
3/03 S J Res 38 A joint resolution relating to a national emergency declared by the President on March 13, 2020 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (48 - 47)
3/03 SB 1798 Increases the Monetary Damages an Individual May Receive as a Result of Violations Relating to Sexual Cyberharassment Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)

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