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.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
Aug. 19, 2026 NH HB 1422 Authorizes Additional Time to Petition for a New Trial in Certain Circumstances Veto Override Passed - House (314 - 7)
June 10, 2026 National HR 8312 Fraud Prevention and Accountability Act Bill Passed - House (240 - 181)
June 8, 2026 RI H 7200 Authorizes Expired Civil Claims of Sexual Abuse to be Brought to Court Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 4)
June 3, 2026 OH HB 639 Establishes a Legal Defense for Racetracks Against Nuisance Claims Bill Passed - House (88 - 1)
April 22, 2026 AK HB 262 Expands the Number of Superior Court Judges in the Third Judicial District Bill Passed - House (37 - 0)
April 20, 2026 OK SB 1439 Prohibits Certain Climate-Related Lawsuits Against Oil and Gas Companies Bill Passed - House (74 - 16)
April 10, 2026 MD SB 933 Repeals and Amends the Proposed Constitutional Amendment Related to Temporary Appointments to the Commission on Judicial Disabilities Bill Passed - House (134 - 0)
March 30, 2026 TN HB 1971 Repeals Individuals' Ability to Sue the State for Claims of Unconstitutional Laws in Certain Circumstances Bill Passed - House (56 - 38)
March 23, 2026 KS HB 2444 Amends Certain Provisions Related to Criminal Sentencing and Release Concurrence Vote Passed - House (85 - 37)
March 17, 2026 OK HB 4227 Repeals Statute Of Limitations and Prohibits Non-Disclosure Agreements in Child Sexual Abuse Cases Bill Passed - House (80 - 0)
March 12, 2026 VT H 849 Authorizes Citizens to Sue Federal Officials for Constitutional Rights Violations Bill Passed - House (97 - 39)
Feb. 26, 2026 IA HF 2527 Limits the Liability of Defendants for Damages Caused by Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - House (66 - 24)
Feb. 19, 2026 KS HB 2593 Limits Local Governments' Authority to Contract Legal Services Bill Passed - House (77 - 45)
Feb. 18, 2026 KS HB 2444 Amends Certain Provisions Related to Criminal Sentencing and Release Bill Passed - House (88 - 36)
Feb. 12, 2026 WI SB 276 Requires Attorney Fees to be Awarded to Those Who Successfully Challenge State Regulations Bill Passed - House (53 - 45)
Feb. 12, 2026 SC H 4755 Authorizes the Governor to Appoint All Members of the Judicial Merit Selection Commission Bill Passed - House (71 - 10)
Jan. 30, 2026 UT SB 134 Increases the Number of Utah Supreme Court Justices and Judges of Lower Courts Bill Passed - House (57 - 18)
Jan. 15, 2026 FL HB 6003 Repeals Certain Restrictions on Lawsuits for Medical Negligence Resulting in Death Bill Passed - House (88 - 17)
Nov. 19, 2025 National HR 6019 To repeal certain provisions relating to notification to Senate offices regarding legal process on disclosure of Senate data, and for other purposes. Bill Passed - House (426 - 0)
Nov. 19, 2025 WI AB 614 Establishes Legal Authorization for Teachers to Take Certain Actions to Maintain Order in Their Classroom Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
Sept. 29, 2025 PA HB 97 Establishes Regulations Regarding Pets in Division of Property Proceedings Bill Passed - House (121 - 82)
Sept. 17, 2025 National HR 5125 District of Columbia Judicial Nominations Reform Act Bill Passed - House (218 - 211)
Sept. 16, 2025 MI HB 4715 Authorizes for Analysis, Recommendations, or Comparison of Fraud Statistics and Strategies Between States Bill Passed - House (101 - 2)
Sept. 12, 2025 CA SB 245 Requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to Certify that a Defendant Successfully Participated in Certain Programs Prior to their Release Bill Passed - House (65 - 5)
Sept. 11, 2025 CA AB 406 Prohibits Employers from Taking Action Against an Employee who is the Victim of Certain Crimes Taking Time off for Judicial Proceedings Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 0)
Sept. 10, 2025 CA AB 250 Establishes a 2-Year Window to Revive Civil Claims for Sexual Assault Even if the Statute of Limitations has Expired Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 5)
Sept. 10, 2025 CA AB 260 Establishes Protections for Pharmacists, Doctors and Hospitals from Penalties for Dispensing the Abortion Pill Mifepristone to Out-of-State Patients, and Removes the Names of Patients and Providers from Abortion Medication Prescriptions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 12)
Sept. 9, 2025 MI HB 4602 Prohibits the Secretary of State From Restricting Local Election Clerks From Using Any Lawful Source for Testing Voting Machines Bill Passed - House (63 - 41)
Sept. 8, 2025 CA SB 642 Establishes the State Statute of Limitations for Civil Actions Brought Under Section 1197.5 of the California Labor Code at 3 Years Bill Passed - House (58 - 15)
Sept. 8, 2025 CA SB 312 Requires Dog Importers to Submit Health Certifications to the CDFA Bill Passed - House (78 - 0)
Sept. 4, 2025 MI HB 4517 Amends and Modifies the Amber Alert Activation Criteria and Distribution Processes Bill Passed - House (104 - 1)
Aug. 28, 2025 TX HB 7 Increases Restrictions on Abortion Pills Bill Passed - House (84 - 46)
Aug. 28, 2025 TX HB 7 Increases Restrictions on Abortion Pills Bill Passed - House (82 - 48)
Aug. 26, 2025 TX SB 11 (2nd Special Session) Establishes Legal Protections to Victims of Human Trafficking Who Were Forced to Commit Crimes Bill Passed - House (137 - 1)
Aug. 19, 2025 MI HB 4047 Authorizes Civil Action Against Certain AI Deepfakes in Michigan Concurrence Vote Passed - House (97 - 5)
July 23, 2025 National HR 3357 Enhancing Multi-Class Share Disclosures Act Bill Passed - House (381 - 31)
June 30, 2025 NJ A 5447 Prohibits Sweepstakes Model of Wagering Bill Passed - House (69 - 10)
June 27, 2025 OR SB 1173 Prohibits Lawsuits Against Hospitals for Injury Caused by Drugs That the Hospital Did Not Design, Manufacture, or Sell Commercially Bill Passed - House (39 - 12)
June 26, 2025 OR SB 875 Expands Protections for Oregon's Foster Youth Veto Override Passed - House (50 - 3)
June 26, 2025 PA SB 518 Amends Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Bill Passed - House (199 - 3)
June 25, 2025 ME LD 1126 Prohibits the Manufacture, Possession, Importation, Sale, or Transfer of Undetectable Firearms in the State (73 - 67)
June 25, 2025 DE HB 96 Requires the Division of Civil Rights and Public Trust of the Department of Justice to Submit a Quarterly Report Detailing any Request from a Federal Agency or Entity for Assistance form any State Law Enforcement Agency Bill Passed - House (21 - 14)
June 24, 2025 DE HB 182 Prohibits Law-Enforcement Agencies from Entering into Agreements with Federal Immigration Authorities to Enforce Immigration Violations or Share Related Data Bill Passed - House (28 - 12)
June 18, 2025 OH HB 168 Repeals Loopholes in Child Enticement Laws Bill Passed - House (97 - 0)
June 17, 2025 NY S 3967 Authorizes Legal Immunity for Sex Workers Bill Passed - House (138 - 0)
June 17, 2025 ME LD 1189 Authorizes an Attorney for the State to Determine Whether to Charge Certain Class E Crimes as Civil Violations "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (77 - 70)
June 17, 2025 DE HB 142 Prohibits Private Individuals from Arresting Someone Accused of a Felony by Another State Without a Warrant Bill Passed - House (24 - 12)
June 11, 2025 LA HB 63 Authorizes a Constitutional Amendment to Raise the Mandatory Retirement Age For Judges Conference Report Adopted - House (95 - 1)
June 11, 2025 OR SB 1121 Prohibits Publicly Sharing Information to Encourage Harassment, Injury, or Stalking of Victims Bill Passed - House (54 - 2)
June 11, 2025 NY S 4906 Authorizes Certain Victim Statements to be Taken at Their Workplace Instead of the Police Department Bill Passed - House (105 - 41)
June 10, 2025 LA HB 496 Establishes Protections for Policyholders Against Any Rate Increases Tied to a Lapse in Auto Coverage Concurrence Vote Passed - House (96 - 1)
June 10, 2025 ME LD 259 Establishes the Criminal Records Review Commission "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (78 - 68)
June 3, 2025 OR SB 874 Amends the Name in Oregon Medical Practice Act to be "Traditional Eastern Medicine" Instead of "Oriental Medicine" Bill Passed - House (47 - 4)
May 31, 2025 IL SB 328 Specifies that the Transaction of any Business Within the State Submits any Person to the Jurisdiction of the Courts of Illinois Bill Passed - House (77 - 40)
May 27, 2025 LA HB 431 Limits the Ability for Individuals to Recover Damages for Injuries Sustained in Accidents for Which They Are Mostly at Fault Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 22)
May 27, 2025 LA HB 436 Prohibits Unauthorized Immigrants from Receiving General Damages Stemming from Auto Accidents Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 24)
May 22, 2025 OK HB 1460 Authorizes Removal of Certain Criminal Justice Fees and Court Waivers Bill Passed - House (84 - 3)
May 21, 2025 TX SB 648 Amends Recording Requirements for Certain Instruments Concerning Real Property Bill Passed - House (140 - 1)
May 20, 2025 TX SB 9 Amends Bail Programs and the Release of Defendants to Require Notification of Victims Bill Passed - House (118 - 25)
May 20, 2025 IL SB 19 Amends and Reforms the State Prisoner Review Board Bill Passed - House (74 - 37)
May 20, 2025 OR SB 1191 Authorizes Individuals to Inform Others of Their Rights Bill Passed - House (32 - 19)
May 20, 2025 DE HB 154 Authorizes Immunity to Nonprofit Organizations Who Distribute New Secure Gun Storage and Safety Devices Bill Passed - House (31 - 7)
May 15, 2025 MO SB 3 Increases Certain Service Fees at License Offices Bill Passed - House (131 - 18)
May 14, 2025 AL HB 202 Extends Immunity for Law Enforcement Officers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 28)
May 14, 2025 National HR 2243 Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act (LEOSA) Reform Act Bill Passed - House (229 - 193)
May 13, 2025 VT S 125 Authorizes Supervisors in Vermont's Judiciary System to Form a Union Bill Passed - House (81 - 51)
May 7, 2025 PA HB 1200 Authorizes Recreational Cannabis Use for Adults Ages 21 and Older Bill Passed - House (102 - 101)
May 6, 2025 AZ HB 2611 Establishes a Class 4 Felony for Assaults which Include 2 or More Accomplices Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 19)
May 6, 2025 CO HB 25-1312 Establishes Penalties for "Dead-Naming" or "Misgendering" as Discriminatory Actions and Requires Courts to Include Such Claims in Custody Cases Concurrence Vote Passed - House (39 - 24)
May 6, 2025 CO SB 25-304 Establishes the Colorado Sexual Assault Forensic Medical Evidence Review Board Bill Passed - House (61 - 4)
May 6, 2025 CO SB 25-288 Defines AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Materials to be Included in State Child Pornography Laws Bill Passed - House (43 - 22)
May 2, 2025 TX SB 29 Establishes Specialty Courts to Handle Business Disputes Bill Passed - House (109 - 7)
May 1, 2025 AZ HB 2824 Authorizes State Legislators the Power to Hold an Individual in Contempt Concurrence Vote Passed - House (31 - 26)
May 1, 2025 CA AB 406 Prohibits Employers from Taking Action Against an Employee who is the Victim of Certain Crimes Taking Time off for Judicial Proceedings Bill Passed - House (76 - 3)
May 1, 2025 MI HB 4339 Prohibits Sanctuary City Policies and Requires Local-Federal Immigration Enforcement Cooperation Bill Passed - House (58 - 48)
Date No. Title Outcome
8/19 HB 1422 Authorizes Additional Time to Petition for a New Trial in Certain Circumstances Veto Override Passed - House (314 - 7)
6/10 HR 8312 Fraud Prevention and Accountability Act Bill Passed - House (240 - 181)
6/08 H 7200 Authorizes Expired Civil Claims of Sexual Abuse to be Brought to Court Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 4)
6/03 HB 639 Establishes a Legal Defense for Racetracks Against Nuisance Claims Bill Passed - House (88 - 1)
4/22 HB 262 Expands the Number of Superior Court Judges in the Third Judicial District Bill Passed - House (37 - 0)
4/20 SB 1439 Prohibits Certain Climate-Related Lawsuits Against Oil and Gas Companies Bill Passed - House (74 - 16)
4/10 SB 933 Repeals and Amends the Proposed Constitutional Amendment Related to Temporary Appointments to the Commission on Judicial Disabilities Bill Passed - House (134 - 0)
3/30 HB 1971 Repeals Individuals' Ability to Sue the State for Claims of Unconstitutional Laws in Certain Circumstances Bill Passed - House (56 - 38)
3/23 HB 2444 Amends Certain Provisions Related to Criminal Sentencing and Release Concurrence Vote Passed - House (85 - 37)
3/17 HB 4227 Repeals Statute Of Limitations and Prohibits Non-Disclosure Agreements in Child Sexual Abuse Cases Bill Passed - House (80 - 0)
3/12 H 849 Authorizes Citizens to Sue Federal Officials for Constitutional Rights Violations Bill Passed - House (97 - 39)
2/26 HF 2527 Limits the Liability of Defendants for Damages Caused by Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - House (66 - 24)
2/19 HB 2593 Limits Local Governments' Authority to Contract Legal Services Bill Passed - House (77 - 45)
2/18 HB 2444 Amends Certain Provisions Related to Criminal Sentencing and Release Bill Passed - House (88 - 36)
2/12 SB 276 Requires Attorney Fees to be Awarded to Those Who Successfully Challenge State Regulations Bill Passed - House (53 - 45)
2/12 H 4755 Authorizes the Governor to Appoint All Members of the Judicial Merit Selection Commission Bill Passed - House (71 - 10)
1/30 SB 134 Increases the Number of Utah Supreme Court Justices and Judges of Lower Courts Bill Passed - House (57 - 18)
1/15 HB 6003 Repeals Certain Restrictions on Lawsuits for Medical Negligence Resulting in Death Bill Passed - House (88 - 17)
11/19 HR 6019 To repeal certain provisions relating to notification to Senate offices regarding legal process on disclosure of Senate data, and for other purposes. Bill Passed - House (426 - 0)
11/19 AB 614 Establishes Legal Authorization for Teachers to Take Certain Actions to Maintain Order in Their Classroom Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
9/29 HB 97 Establishes Regulations Regarding Pets in Division of Property Proceedings Bill Passed - House (121 - 82)
9/17 HR 5125 District of Columbia Judicial Nominations Reform Act Bill Passed - House (218 - 211)
9/16 HB 4715 Authorizes for Analysis, Recommendations, or Comparison of Fraud Statistics and Strategies Between States Bill Passed - House (101 - 2)
9/12 SB 245 Requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to Certify that a Defendant Successfully Participated in Certain Programs Prior to their Release Bill Passed - House (65 - 5)
9/11 AB 406 Prohibits Employers from Taking Action Against an Employee who is the Victim of Certain Crimes Taking Time off for Judicial Proceedings Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 0)
9/10 AB 250 Establishes a 2-Year Window to Revive Civil Claims for Sexual Assault Even if the Statute of Limitations has Expired Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 5)
9/10 AB 260 Establishes Protections for Pharmacists, Doctors and Hospitals from Penalties for Dispensing the Abortion Pill Mifepristone to Out-of-State Patients, and Removes the Names of Patients and Providers from Abortion Medication Prescriptions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 12)
9/09 HB 4602 Prohibits the Secretary of State From Restricting Local Election Clerks From Using Any Lawful Source for Testing Voting Machines Bill Passed - House (63 - 41)
9/08 SB 642 Establishes the State Statute of Limitations for Civil Actions Brought Under Section 1197.5 of the California Labor Code at 3 Years Bill Passed - House (58 - 15)
9/08 SB 312 Requires Dog Importers to Submit Health Certifications to the CDFA Bill Passed - House (78 - 0)
9/04 HB 4517 Amends and Modifies the Amber Alert Activation Criteria and Distribution Processes Bill Passed - House (104 - 1)
8/28 HB 7 Increases Restrictions on Abortion Pills Bill Passed - House (84 - 46)
8/28 HB 7 Increases Restrictions on Abortion Pills Bill Passed - House (82 - 48)
8/26 SB 11 (2nd Special Session) Establishes Legal Protections to Victims of Human Trafficking Who Were Forced to Commit Crimes Bill Passed - House (137 - 1)
8/19 HB 4047 Authorizes Civil Action Against Certain AI Deepfakes in Michigan Concurrence Vote Passed - House (97 - 5)
7/23 HR 3357 Enhancing Multi-Class Share Disclosures Act Bill Passed - House (381 - 31)
6/30 A 5447 Prohibits Sweepstakes Model of Wagering Bill Passed - House (69 - 10)
6/27 SB 1173 Prohibits Lawsuits Against Hospitals for Injury Caused by Drugs That the Hospital Did Not Design, Manufacture, or Sell Commercially Bill Passed - House (39 - 12)
6/26 SB 875 Expands Protections for Oregon's Foster Youth Veto Override Passed - House (50 - 3)
6/26 SB 518 Amends Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Bill Passed - House (199 - 3)
6/25 LD 1126 Prohibits the Manufacture, Possession, Importation, Sale, or Transfer of Undetectable Firearms in the State (73 - 67)
6/25 HB 96 Requires the Division of Civil Rights and Public Trust of the Department of Justice to Submit a Quarterly Report Detailing any Request from a Federal Agency or Entity for Assistance form any State Law Enforcement Agency Bill Passed - House (21 - 14)
6/24 HB 182 Prohibits Law-Enforcement Agencies from Entering into Agreements with Federal Immigration Authorities to Enforce Immigration Violations or Share Related Data Bill Passed - House (28 - 12)
6/18 HB 168 Repeals Loopholes in Child Enticement Laws Bill Passed - House (97 - 0)
6/17 S 3967 Authorizes Legal Immunity for Sex Workers Bill Passed - House (138 - 0)
6/17 LD 1189 Authorizes an Attorney for the State to Determine Whether to Charge Certain Class E Crimes as Civil Violations "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (77 - 70)
6/17 HB 142 Prohibits Private Individuals from Arresting Someone Accused of a Felony by Another State Without a Warrant Bill Passed - House (24 - 12)
6/11 HB 63 Authorizes a Constitutional Amendment to Raise the Mandatory Retirement Age For Judges Conference Report Adopted - House (95 - 1)
6/11 SB 1121 Prohibits Publicly Sharing Information to Encourage Harassment, Injury, or Stalking of Victims Bill Passed - House (54 - 2)
6/11 S 4906 Authorizes Certain Victim Statements to be Taken at Their Workplace Instead of the Police Department Bill Passed - House (105 - 41)
6/10 HB 496 Establishes Protections for Policyholders Against Any Rate Increases Tied to a Lapse in Auto Coverage Concurrence Vote Passed - House (96 - 1)
6/10 LD 259 Establishes the Criminal Records Review Commission "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (78 - 68)
6/03 SB 874 Amends the Name in Oregon Medical Practice Act to be "Traditional Eastern Medicine" Instead of "Oriental Medicine" Bill Passed - House (47 - 4)
5/31 SB 328 Specifies that the Transaction of any Business Within the State Submits any Person to the Jurisdiction of the Courts of Illinois Bill Passed - House (77 - 40)
5/27 HB 431 Limits the Ability for Individuals to Recover Damages for Injuries Sustained in Accidents for Which They Are Mostly at Fault Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 22)
5/27 HB 436 Prohibits Unauthorized Immigrants from Receiving General Damages Stemming from Auto Accidents Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 24)
5/22 HB 1460 Authorizes Removal of Certain Criminal Justice Fees and Court Waivers Bill Passed - House (84 - 3)
5/21 SB 648 Amends Recording Requirements for Certain Instruments Concerning Real Property Bill Passed - House (140 - 1)
5/20 SB 9 Amends Bail Programs and the Release of Defendants to Require Notification of Victims Bill Passed - House (118 - 25)
5/20 SB 19 Amends and Reforms the State Prisoner Review Board Bill Passed - House (74 - 37)
5/20 SB 1191 Authorizes Individuals to Inform Others of Their Rights Bill Passed - House (32 - 19)
5/20 HB 154 Authorizes Immunity to Nonprofit Organizations Who Distribute New Secure Gun Storage and Safety Devices Bill Passed - House (31 - 7)
5/15 SB 3 Increases Certain Service Fees at License Offices Bill Passed - House (131 - 18)
5/14 HB 202 Extends Immunity for Law Enforcement Officers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 28)
5/14 HR 2243 Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act (LEOSA) Reform Act Bill Passed - House (229 - 193)
5/13 S 125 Authorizes Supervisors in Vermont's Judiciary System to Form a Union Bill Passed - House (81 - 51)
5/07 HB 1200 Authorizes Recreational Cannabis Use for Adults Ages 21 and Older Bill Passed - House (102 - 101)
5/06 HB 2611 Establishes a Class 4 Felony for Assaults which Include 2 or More Accomplices Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 19)
5/06 HB 25-1312 Establishes Penalties for "Dead-Naming" or "Misgendering" as Discriminatory Actions and Requires Courts to Include Such Claims in Custody Cases Concurrence Vote Passed - House (39 - 24)
5/06 SB 25-304 Establishes the Colorado Sexual Assault Forensic Medical Evidence Review Board Bill Passed - House (61 - 4)
5/06 SB 25-288 Defines AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Materials to be Included in State Child Pornography Laws Bill Passed - House (43 - 22)
5/02 SB 29 Establishes Specialty Courts to Handle Business Disputes Bill Passed - House (109 - 7)
5/01 HB 2824 Authorizes State Legislators the Power to Hold an Individual in Contempt Concurrence Vote Passed - House (31 - 26)
5/01 AB 406 Prohibits Employers from Taking Action Against an Employee who is the Victim of Certain Crimes Taking Time off for Judicial Proceedings Bill Passed - House (76 - 3)
5/01 HB 4339 Prohibits Sanctuary City Policies and Requires Local-Federal Immigration Enforcement Cooperation Bill Passed - House (58 - 48)

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