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
Feb. 28, 2024 LA SB 4 Increases Penalties and Amends Sentencing Guidelines for Certain Juveniles Bill Passed - House (75 - 28)
Feb. 28, 2024 LA SB 3 Amends Juvenile Justice Laws to Treat 17-Year-Olds as Adults Bill Passed - House (74 - 26)
Feb. 27, 2024 IN SB 1 Requires Third Graders Who Fail Certain Reading Standards be Held Back Bill Passed - House (68 - 28)
Feb. 27, 2024 SD SB 168 Appropriates $5 Million to the Office of the Attorney General to Organizations Assisting Children Who Have Been Abused or Neglected Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3)
Feb. 26, 2024 VA HB 571 Amends Educational Curriculum Parental Consent Standards Regarding Sexually Explicit Material Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Feb. 23, 2024 WA HB 1455 Prohibits Child Marriage in the State Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
Feb. 23, 2024 WA HB 1455 Prohibits Child Marriage in the State Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
Feb. 23, 2024 KS SB 96 Establishes Childcare Licensing Requirements Related to License Capacity and Staff-to-Child Ratios Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
Feb. 22, 2024 FL HB 1 Prohibits Minors 16 and Under from Having Social Media Accounts Concurrence Vote Passed - House (108 - 7)
Feb. 22, 2024 FL HB 1 Prohibits Minors 16 and Under from Having Social Media Accounts Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
Feb. 22, 2024 KY HB 255 Repeals the Limit on Minors Working No More than 6 Hours a day and 30 Hours a Week During School Weeks Bill Passed - House (60 - 36)
Feb. 22, 2024 AL HB 113 Authorizes Children Who have Completed Kindergarten and Turn 6 Years Old Before December 31 to Enroll in 1st Grade Bill Passed - House (90 - 9)
Feb. 22, 2024 LA SB 3 Amends Juvenile Justice Laws to Treat 17-Year-Olds as Adults Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
Feb. 22, 2024 LA SB 4 Increases Penalties and Amends Sentencing Guidelines for Certain Juveniles Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
Feb. 21, 2024 VA SB 101 Requires Marriage License Approval for All Consenting Parties Bill Passed - House (58 - 42)
Feb. 21, 2024 WI AB 1026 Authorizes State Public Schools to Hold Students Back for Truancy Bill Passed - House (63 - 35)
Feb. 20, 2024 IN SB 6 Requires Department of Education Identify Students in Grades 4-8 Who Did Not Pass IREAD-3 Program and are Not Reading Proficiently Bill Passed - House (92 - 1)
Feb. 20, 2024 WV HB 5159 Repeals Youth Work Permit Requirements for 14 and 15 Year Olds Bill Passed - House (83 - 16)
Feb. 20, 2024 OR HB 4160 Prohibits Student Teacher Relationships for a Year After a Students Graduation Bill Passed - House (58 - 0)
Feb. 16, 2024 WV HB 4654 Authorizes Schools, Libraries, and Museums to be Criminally Liable for Distribution of Obscene Materials to Minors Bill Passed - House (85 - 12)
Feb. 16, 2024 UT HB 272 Increases Protections for Minors in Child Custody Judicial Proceedings Bill Passed - House (59 - 8)
Feb. 15, 2024 NM HB 303 Appropriates Temporary Assistance for Needy Family's (TANF) Funds for a Workforce Development Pilot Program Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 14)
Feb. 14, 2024 NM SB 3 Authorizes Paid Family Medical Leave Bill Failed - House (34 - 36)
Feb. 14, 2024 KY SB 20 Amends Previous Law to Try Juveniles as Adults for Gun-Related Felonies Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
Feb. 13, 2024 WI AB 510 Establishes Parental Bill of Rights in Their Child's Religion, Medical care, Records and Education Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
Feb. 13, 2024 VA SB 101 Requires Marriage License Approval for All Consenting Parties Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
Feb. 13, 2024 ID H 515 Amends Penalties for Lewd Conduct with a Minor Bill Passed - House (57 - 11)
Feb. 13, 2024 VA HB 571 Amends Educational Curriculum Parental Consent Standards Regarding Sexually Explicit Material Bill Passed - House (55 - 40)
Feb. 13, 2024 NM HB 303 Appropriates Temporary Assistance for Needy Family's (TANF) Funds for a Workforce Development Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (41 - 12)
Feb. 12, 2024 TN HB 878 Authorizes Marriage Clerks to Refuse to Perform a Marriage Ceremony Against Their Beliefs Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
Feb. 9, 2024 CO HB 24-1017 Establishes a Foster Care Bill of Rights Bill Passed - House (43 - 19)
Feb. 9, 2024 NM SB 3 Authorizes Paid Family Medical Leave Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
Feb. 8, 2024 MO HB 1488 Establishes State Child Care Tax Credits for Families Bill Passed - House (113 - 39)
Feb. 8, 2024 MO HB 1488 Establishes State Child Care Tax Credits for Families Bill Passed - House (113 - 39)
Feb. 7, 2024 WA SB 6298 Requires Clergy Members to be Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse or Neglect Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 5)
Feb. 5, 2024 IN HB 1019 Prohibits the Sale of Beverages on Private Property Bill Passed - House (98 - 0)
Feb. 1, 2024 IN SB 1 Requires Third Graders Who Fail Certain Reading Standards be Held Back Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
Feb. 1, 2024 FL HB 49 Establishes Employment Restrictions for Minors Bill Passed - House (80 - 35)
Jan. 31, 2024 WV HB 4776 Increases Student Discipline Policies for State Educators Bill Passed - House (92 - 4)
Jan. 31, 2024 National HR 7024 Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 Bill Passed - House (357 - 70)
Jan. 31, 2024 WV SB 474 Establishes a Critical Incident Review Team in the Department of Human Services to Review Cases that Result in Death Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
Jan. 26, 2024 UT HB 257 Requires Students Use the Same Restroom that Aligns with Their Sex at Birth Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 8)
Jan. 26, 2024 UT HB 257 Requires Students Use the Same Restroom that Aligns with Their Sex at Birth Conference Report Adopted - House (58 - 16)
Jan. 24, 2024 OH HB 68 Prohibits Gender Affirming Care for Minors Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
Jan. 24, 2024 FL HB 3 Requires Age-Verification Restrictions on Pornographic Websites in the State Bill Passed - House (119 - 0)
Jan. 24, 2024 FL HB 1 Prohibits Minors 16 and Under from Having Social Media Accounts Bill Passed - House (106 - 13)
Jan. 23, 2024 IN HB 1001 Expands Work-Based Learning Programs Bill Passed - House (80 - 17)
Jan. 18, 2024 WI AB 510 Establishes Parental Bill of Rights in Their Child's Religion, Medical care, Records and Education Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
Jan. 18, 2024 UT SB 89 Requires Parental Consent for Minor Social Media Access Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 2)
Jan. 18, 2024 National HR 6918 Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act Bill Passed - House (214 - 208)
Jan. 10, 2024 OH HB 68 Prohibits Gender Affirming Care for Minors Veto Override Passed - House (65 - 28)
Jan. 10, 2024 OH HB 258 Increases Penalties for Repeatedly Selling Tobacco Products to Minors Bill Passed - House (83 - 8)
Jan. 8, 2024 WA HB 1455 Prohibits Child Marriage in the State Bill Passed - House (98 - 0)
Jan. 8, 2024 WA HB 1455 Prohibits Child Marriage in the State Bill Passed - House (98 - 0)
Jan. 4, 2024 NH HB 368 Authorizes Gender Affirming Care for Minors "Ought to Pass" Report Not Adopted - House (186 - 188)
Jan. 4, 2024 NH HB 619 Prohibits Gender Affirming Care Until a Minor Turns 18 "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (199 - 175)
Dec. 21, 2023 NJ A 3690 Authorizes Minors to Vote in a State Primary Election if They Turn 18 Prior to the General Election Date Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 19)
Dec. 21, 2023 NJ A 3690 Authorizes Minors to Vote in a State Primary Election if They Turn 18 Prior to the General Election Date Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
Dec. 13, 2023 OH HB 68 Prohibits Gender Affirming Care for Minors Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 27)
Dec. 13, 2023 OH HB 68 Prohibits Gender Affirming Care for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
Nov. 29, 2023 OH HB 161 Repeals the Marital Loophole in Rape Cases Bill Passed - House (75 - 1)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI HB 5207 Establishes and Authorizes Assisted Reproduction Including Surrogacy Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI HB 5215 Amends Genetic DNA Testing Requirements for Certain Parental Cases Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI HB 5208 Establishes Birth Certificates for Children whose Parentage is Determined Under the Assisted Reproduction and Surrogacy Parentage Act Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI HB 5213 Establishes Procedures for Determining Paternity and Support of State Departments and Agencies Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI HB 5212 Repeals Determination of Parentage for Children Born via Assisted Reproduction or Surrogacy from the Revocation of Paternity Act Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI HB 5212 Repeals Determination of Parentage for Children Born via Assisted Reproduction or Surrogacy from the Revocation of Paternity Act Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI HB 5211 Establishes Legal Protections for Children Born Through Surrogacy and Assisted Reproductive Methods like IVF Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI HB 5211 Establishes Legal Protections for Children Born Through Surrogacy and Assisted Reproductive Methods like IVF Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI HB 5210 Establishes that Children Born Through Surrogacy or Assisted Reproduction are Legal Children for the Purposes of Inheritance Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI HB 5213 Establishes Procedures for Determining Paternity and Support of State Departments and Agencies Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI HB 5210 Establishes that Children Born Through Surrogacy or Assisted Reproduction are Legal Children for the Purposes of Inheritance Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI HB 5214 Authorizes Alleged or Intended Parents of Children Born via Assisted Reproduction or Surrogacy to Sign Legally Binding Acknowledgements of Parentage Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI HB 5209 Establishes Sentencing Guidelines for Surrogate Parentage Contracts involving Minors or Intellectually Disabled Individuals Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI HB 5209 Establishes Sentencing Guidelines for Surrogate Parentage Contracts involving Minors or Intellectually Disabled Individuals Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/28 SB 4 Increases Penalties and Amends Sentencing Guidelines for Certain Juveniles Bill Passed - House (75 - 28)
2/28 SB 3 Amends Juvenile Justice Laws to Treat 17-Year-Olds as Adults Bill Passed - House (74 - 26)
2/27 SB 1 Requires Third Graders Who Fail Certain Reading Standards be Held Back Bill Passed - House (68 - 28)
2/27 SB 168 Appropriates $5 Million to the Office of the Attorney General to Organizations Assisting Children Who Have Been Abused or Neglected Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3)
2/26 HB 571 Amends Educational Curriculum Parental Consent Standards Regarding Sexually Explicit Material Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
2/23 HB 1455 Prohibits Child Marriage in the State Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
2/23 HB 1455 Prohibits Child Marriage in the State Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
2/23 SB 96 Establishes Childcare Licensing Requirements Related to License Capacity and Staff-to-Child Ratios Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
2/22 HB 1 Prohibits Minors 16 and Under from Having Social Media Accounts Concurrence Vote Passed - House (108 - 7)
2/22 HB 1 Prohibits Minors 16 and Under from Having Social Media Accounts Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
2/22 HB 255 Repeals the Limit on Minors Working No More than 6 Hours a day and 30 Hours a Week During School Weeks Bill Passed - House (60 - 36)
2/22 HB 113 Authorizes Children Who have Completed Kindergarten and Turn 6 Years Old Before December 31 to Enroll in 1st Grade Bill Passed - House (90 - 9)
2/22 SB 3 Amends Juvenile Justice Laws to Treat 17-Year-Olds as Adults Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
2/22 SB 4 Increases Penalties and Amends Sentencing Guidelines for Certain Juveniles Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
2/21 SB 101 Requires Marriage License Approval for All Consenting Parties Bill Passed - House (58 - 42)
2/21 AB 1026 Authorizes State Public Schools to Hold Students Back for Truancy Bill Passed - House (63 - 35)
2/20 SB 6 Requires Department of Education Identify Students in Grades 4-8 Who Did Not Pass IREAD-3 Program and are Not Reading Proficiently Bill Passed - House (92 - 1)
2/20 HB 5159 Repeals Youth Work Permit Requirements for 14 and 15 Year Olds Bill Passed - House (83 - 16)
2/20 HB 4160 Prohibits Student Teacher Relationships for a Year After a Students Graduation Bill Passed - House (58 - 0)
2/16 HB 4654 Authorizes Schools, Libraries, and Museums to be Criminally Liable for Distribution of Obscene Materials to Minors Bill Passed - House (85 - 12)
2/16 HB 272 Increases Protections for Minors in Child Custody Judicial Proceedings Bill Passed - House (59 - 8)
2/15 HB 303 Appropriates Temporary Assistance for Needy Family's (TANF) Funds for a Workforce Development Pilot Program Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 14)
2/14 SB 3 Authorizes Paid Family Medical Leave Bill Failed - House (34 - 36)
2/14 SB 20 Amends Previous Law to Try Juveniles as Adults for Gun-Related Felonies Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
2/13 AB 510 Establishes Parental Bill of Rights in Their Child's Religion, Medical care, Records and Education Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
2/13 SB 101 Requires Marriage License Approval for All Consenting Parties Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
2/13 H 515 Amends Penalties for Lewd Conduct with a Minor Bill Passed - House (57 - 11)
2/13 HB 571 Amends Educational Curriculum Parental Consent Standards Regarding Sexually Explicit Material Bill Passed - House (55 - 40)
2/13 HB 303 Appropriates Temporary Assistance for Needy Family's (TANF) Funds for a Workforce Development Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (41 - 12)
2/12 HB 878 Authorizes Marriage Clerks to Refuse to Perform a Marriage Ceremony Against Their Beliefs Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
2/09 HB 24-1017 Establishes a Foster Care Bill of Rights Bill Passed - House (43 - 19)
2/09 SB 3 Authorizes Paid Family Medical Leave Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
2/08 HB 1488 Establishes State Child Care Tax Credits for Families Bill Passed - House (113 - 39)
2/08 HB 1488 Establishes State Child Care Tax Credits for Families Bill Passed - House (113 - 39)
2/07 SB 6298 Requires Clergy Members to be Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse or Neglect Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 5)
2/05 HB 1019 Prohibits the Sale of Beverages on Private Property Bill Passed - House (98 - 0)
2/01 SB 1 Requires Third Graders Who Fail Certain Reading Standards be Held Back Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
2/01 HB 49 Establishes Employment Restrictions for Minors Bill Passed - House (80 - 35)
1/31 HB 4776 Increases Student Discipline Policies for State Educators Bill Passed - House (92 - 4)
1/31 HR 7024 Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 Bill Passed - House (357 - 70)
1/31 SB 474 Establishes a Critical Incident Review Team in the Department of Human Services to Review Cases that Result in Death Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
1/26 HB 257 Requires Students Use the Same Restroom that Aligns with Their Sex at Birth Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 8)
1/26 HB 257 Requires Students Use the Same Restroom that Aligns with Their Sex at Birth Conference Report Adopted - House (58 - 16)
1/24 HB 68 Prohibits Gender Affirming Care for Minors Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
1/24 HB 3 Requires Age-Verification Restrictions on Pornographic Websites in the State Bill Passed - House (119 - 0)
1/24 HB 1 Prohibits Minors 16 and Under from Having Social Media Accounts Bill Passed - House (106 - 13)
1/23 HB 1001 Expands Work-Based Learning Programs Bill Passed - House (80 - 17)
1/18 AB 510 Establishes Parental Bill of Rights in Their Child's Religion, Medical care, Records and Education Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
1/18 SB 89 Requires Parental Consent for Minor Social Media Access Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 2)
1/18 HR 6918 Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act Bill Passed - House (214 - 208)
1/10 HB 68 Prohibits Gender Affirming Care for Minors Veto Override Passed - House (65 - 28)
1/10 HB 258 Increases Penalties for Repeatedly Selling Tobacco Products to Minors Bill Passed - House (83 - 8)
1/08 HB 1455 Prohibits Child Marriage in the State Bill Passed - House (98 - 0)
1/08 HB 1455 Prohibits Child Marriage in the State Bill Passed - House (98 - 0)
1/04 HB 368 Authorizes Gender Affirming Care for Minors "Ought to Pass" Report Not Adopted - House (186 - 188)
1/04 HB 619 Prohibits Gender Affirming Care Until a Minor Turns 18 "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (199 - 175)
12/21 A 3690 Authorizes Minors to Vote in a State Primary Election if They Turn 18 Prior to the General Election Date Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 19)
12/21 A 3690 Authorizes Minors to Vote in a State Primary Election if They Turn 18 Prior to the General Election Date Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
12/13 HB 68 Prohibits Gender Affirming Care for Minors Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 27)
12/13 HB 68 Prohibits Gender Affirming Care for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
11/29 HB 161 Repeals the Marital Loophole in Rape Cases Bill Passed - House (75 - 1)
11/09 HB 5207 Establishes and Authorizes Assisted Reproduction Including Surrogacy Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
11/09 HB 5215 Amends Genetic DNA Testing Requirements for Certain Parental Cases Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
11/09 HB 5208 Establishes Birth Certificates for Children whose Parentage is Determined Under the Assisted Reproduction and Surrogacy Parentage Act Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
11/09 HB 5213 Establishes Procedures for Determining Paternity and Support of State Departments and Agencies Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
11/09 HB 5212 Repeals Determination of Parentage for Children Born via Assisted Reproduction or Surrogacy from the Revocation of Paternity Act Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
11/09 HB 5212 Repeals Determination of Parentage for Children Born via Assisted Reproduction or Surrogacy from the Revocation of Paternity Act Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
11/09 HB 5211 Establishes Legal Protections for Children Born Through Surrogacy and Assisted Reproductive Methods like IVF Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
11/09 HB 5211 Establishes Legal Protections for Children Born Through Surrogacy and Assisted Reproductive Methods like IVF Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
11/09 HB 5210 Establishes that Children Born Through Surrogacy or Assisted Reproduction are Legal Children for the Purposes of Inheritance Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
11/09 HB 5213 Establishes Procedures for Determining Paternity and Support of State Departments and Agencies Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
11/09 HB 5210 Establishes that Children Born Through Surrogacy or Assisted Reproduction are Legal Children for the Purposes of Inheritance Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
11/09 HB 5214 Authorizes Alleged or Intended Parents of Children Born via Assisted Reproduction or Surrogacy to Sign Legally Binding Acknowledgements of Parentage Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
11/09 HB 5209 Establishes Sentencing Guidelines for Surrogate Parentage Contracts involving Minors or Intellectually Disabled Individuals Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
11/09 HB 5209 Establishes Sentencing Guidelines for Surrogate Parentage Contracts involving Minors or Intellectually Disabled Individuals Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)

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