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
May 31, 2022 NY S 9079 Expands Legal Protections for Abortion Providers Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 17)
May 23, 2022 NY S 6363 Reduces Judicial Discretion in Certain Firearm Cases Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 15)
May 9, 2022 AZ HB 2130 Limits Property Owner Liability Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 11)
May 4, 2022 CO SB 22-179 Authorizes Measures to Address Tampering with a Motor Vehicle's Emission Control System Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
April 27, 2022 AK HB 106 Authorizes Specific Police Reporting in Relation to Missing Persons Under 21 Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 0)
April 21, 2022 TN SB 2248 Limits Early Release Eligibility for Incarcerated Persons Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
April 12, 2022 NE LB 1178 Requires That Judges' Residential Addresses Be Confidential Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 0)
April 7, 2022 National PN 1783 Nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court of the United States Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 47)
April 6, 2022 AL HB 54 Amends Criteria for Termination of Alimony Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
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 23, 2022 OK SB 186 Prohibits Certain Firearm Carry for Persons Serving Probation (44 - 1)
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)
Feb. 14, 2022 LA SB 15 Amends Supreme Court District Boundaries Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
Jan. 31, 2022 NY S 7734 Amends Freedom of Information Law Regarding Police Investigations Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 10)
Jan. 5, 2022 NH HB 293 Amends Child Adoption Process "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 5)
Jan. 5, 2022 IL HB 3138 Amends Judicial Circuits and Subcircuits Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 16)
June 25, 2021 PA SB 255 Appropriates Funds for Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Departments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
June 10, 2021 NY S 661 Establishes a Claims Filing Opportunity for Widows and Dependents of Workers Who Died as a Result of Cancer Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 14)
June 8, 2021 NY S 7196 Authorizes the State to Sue Gun Manufactures for Damages Caused by Guns Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
June 7, 2021 NY S 933 Establishes new Anti-Trust Enforcement Mechanisms Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
May 27, 2021 LA HB 168 Authorizes a District Attorney to Decide Which Evidence Can be Presented for Objections to a Candidacy for Elective Office Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 4)
May 20, 2021 NV AB 115 Authorizes Children to Have More Than Two Legal Parents Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
April 29, 2021 NE LB 320 Establishes District and County Courts Have Jurisdiction Over Complaints of Forcible Entry Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 3)
April 27, 2021 NC SB 360 Prohibits Any State Agency from Settling Certain Lawsuits Without the Approval of the General Assembly Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
April 21, 2021 OH SB 80 Requires Party Affiliations of Judicial Candidates to be Listed on Election Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
April 21, 2021 NY S 5321 Increases the Maximum Civil Penalty to $1,000 for Mortgagee Violations Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 14)
April 20, 2021 MO SCR 6 Establishes Disapproval of SCOTUS Expansion (20 - 10)
April 19, 2021 NV SB 6 Authorizes Seizure of Firearms from "High-Risk" Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
April 7, 2021 NE LB 17 Increases Court Fees to Pay for Judges' Retirement Plans Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
March 25, 2021 IL SB 72 Authorizes Victims in Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Cases to Collect Interest Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 17)
March 25, 2021 KS HB 2126 Exempts Various Industries from Legal Liability Related to COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
March 22, 2021 IA HF 621 Establishes Which Legal Actions can be Brought Against Firearm Manufacturers and Distributors Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17)
March 18, 2021 FL SB 72 Specifies Requirements for COVID-Related Civil Actions Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
March 18, 2021 FL SB 72 Specifies Requirements for COVID-Related Civil Actions Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
March 17, 2021 GA HB 112 Establishes COVID-19 Liability Protections for Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 17)
March 17, 2021 MI SB 209 Rescinds the Physician from Civil Liability for Providing Medical Exemptions for Seat Belts Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
March 11, 2021 KY SB 211 Establishes Penalties for Individuals Convicted of Certain Crimes Committed During a Riot Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
March 11, 2021 MI SR 26 Authorizes the Senate Majority Leader to Sue the Governor Resolution Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
March 10, 2021 National PN 78-7 Nomination of Merrick Garland as Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (70 - 30)
Feb. 25, 2021 SC S 147 Establishes COVID-19 Liability Protections for Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 3)
Feb. 23, 2021 MO SB 51 Establishes Protections for Various Organizations from COVID-19 Related Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
Feb. 23, 2021 IN SB 200 Authorizes the State Attorney General to Appoint a Special Prosecutor for Crimes County Prosecutors Decide not to Charge Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
Feb. 19, 2021 WV SB 277 Establishes Liability Protections for the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
Feb. 15, 2021 IN SB 1 Exempts Healthcare Providers from Legal Liability if They Fail to Provide Non-Emergency Procedures Due to COVID-19 Patient Overflow Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 7)
Feb. 2, 2021 KY HB 3 Amends State Government Lawsuit Jurisdiction Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
Jan. 28, 2021 ID S 1022 Transfers $4 Million from the General Fund to the Legislative Legal Defense Fund Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
Jan. 14, 2021 KS SB 14 Extends the COVID-19 Liability Shield for Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 1)
Jan. 11, 2021 IL HB 3360 Authorizes Prejudgment Interest to be Charged in Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 17)
Dec. 21, 2020 OR HB 4402 Establishes Liability Immunity from COVID-19 Related Lawsuits for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 4)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/31 S 9079 Expands Legal Protections for Abortion Providers Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 17)
5/23 S 6363 Reduces Judicial Discretion in Certain Firearm Cases Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 15)
5/09 HB 2130 Limits Property Owner Liability Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 11)
5/04 SB 22-179 Authorizes Measures to Address Tampering with a Motor Vehicle's Emission Control System Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
4/27 HB 106 Authorizes Specific Police Reporting in Relation to Missing Persons Under 21 Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 0)
4/21 SB 2248 Limits Early Release Eligibility for Incarcerated Persons Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
4/12 LB 1178 Requires That Judges' Residential Addresses Be Confidential Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 0)
4/07 PN 1783 Nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court of the United States Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 47)
4/06 HB 54 Amends Criteria for Termination of Alimony Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
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)
3/23 SB 186 Prohibits Certain Firearm Carry for Persons Serving Probation (44 - 1)
3/03 HB 1795 Limits Non-Disclosure Agreements and Non-Disparagement Provisions in Employment and Independent Contractor Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
2/14 SB 15 Amends Supreme Court District Boundaries Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
1/31 S 7734 Amends Freedom of Information Law Regarding Police Investigations Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 10)
1/05 HB 293 Amends Child Adoption Process "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 5)
1/05 HB 3138 Amends Judicial Circuits and Subcircuits Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 16)
6/25 SB 255 Appropriates Funds for Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Departments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
6/10 S 661 Establishes a Claims Filing Opportunity for Widows and Dependents of Workers Who Died as a Result of Cancer Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 14)
6/08 S 7196 Authorizes the State to Sue Gun Manufactures for Damages Caused by Guns Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
6/07 S 933 Establishes new Anti-Trust Enforcement Mechanisms Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
5/27 HB 168 Authorizes a District Attorney to Decide Which Evidence Can be Presented for Objections to a Candidacy for Elective Office Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 4)
5/20 AB 115 Authorizes Children to Have More Than Two Legal Parents Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
4/29 LB 320 Establishes District and County Courts Have Jurisdiction Over Complaints of Forcible Entry Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 3)
4/27 SB 360 Prohibits Any State Agency from Settling Certain Lawsuits Without the Approval of the General Assembly Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
4/21 SB 80 Requires Party Affiliations of Judicial Candidates to be Listed on Election Ballots Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
4/21 S 5321 Increases the Maximum Civil Penalty to $1,000 for Mortgagee Violations Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 14)
4/20 SCR 6 Establishes Disapproval of SCOTUS Expansion (20 - 10)
4/19 SB 6 Authorizes Seizure of Firearms from "High-Risk" Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
4/07 LB 17 Increases Court Fees to Pay for Judges' Retirement Plans Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
3/25 SB 72 Authorizes Victims in Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Cases to Collect Interest Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 17)
3/25 HB 2126 Exempts Various Industries from Legal Liability Related to COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
3/22 HF 621 Establishes Which Legal Actions can be Brought Against Firearm Manufacturers and Distributors Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17)
3/18 SB 72 Specifies Requirements for COVID-Related Civil Actions Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
3/18 SB 72 Specifies Requirements for COVID-Related Civil Actions Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
3/17 HB 112 Establishes COVID-19 Liability Protections for Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 17)
3/17 SB 209 Rescinds the Physician from Civil Liability for Providing Medical Exemptions for Seat Belts Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
3/11 SB 211 Establishes Penalties for Individuals Convicted of Certain Crimes Committed During a Riot Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
3/11 SR 26 Authorizes the Senate Majority Leader to Sue the Governor Resolution Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
3/10 PN 78-7 Nomination of Merrick Garland as Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (70 - 30)
2/25 S 147 Establishes COVID-19 Liability Protections for Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 3)
2/23 SB 51 Establishes Protections for Various Organizations from COVID-19 Related Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
2/23 SB 200 Authorizes the State Attorney General to Appoint a Special Prosecutor for Crimes County Prosecutors Decide not to Charge Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
2/19 SB 277 Establishes Liability Protections for the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
2/15 SB 1 Exempts Healthcare Providers from Legal Liability if They Fail to Provide Non-Emergency Procedures Due to COVID-19 Patient Overflow Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 7)
2/02 HB 3 Amends State Government Lawsuit Jurisdiction Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
1/28 S 1022 Transfers $4 Million from the General Fund to the Legislative Legal Defense Fund Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
1/14 SB 14 Extends the COVID-19 Liability Shield for Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 1)
1/11 HB 3360 Authorizes Prejudgment Interest to be Charged in Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 17)
12/21 HB 4402 Establishes Liability Immunity from COVID-19 Related Lawsuits for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 4)

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