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
April 13, 2023 FL HB 1627 Authorizes Pretrial Detention for DUI Manslaughter, Fentanyl Trafficking, and Extortion Bill Passed - House (83 - 19)
April 13, 2023 TN SB 1237 Authorizes Private School to Prohibit Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
April 13, 2023 FL HB 1297 Authorizes the Death Penalty for for People Who Commit Sexual Assault on Children Bill Passed - House (95 - 14)
April 12, 2023 VA SB 989 Establishes Greater Victims Rights in Court Concurrence Vote Passed - House (76 - 16)
April 12, 2023 VA SB 989 Establishes Greater Victims Rights in Court Concurrence Vote Passed - House (76 - 16)
April 12, 2023 VA HB 2169 Specifies Parole Board Records are no Longer Exempt from Mandatory Disclosure Requirements in the Virginia Freedom of Information Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 35)
April 12, 2023 VA HB 2169 Specifies Parole Board Records are no Longer Exempt from Mandatory Disclosure Requirements in the Virginia Freedom of Information Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 35)
April 12, 2023 VA SB 989 Establishes Greater Victims Rights in Court Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 5)
April 12, 2023 VA SB 989 Establishes Greater Victims Rights in Court Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 5)
April 12, 2023 WA SB 5599 Authorizes Discretion for Homeless Shelter Reporting of "At-Risk" Youth Seeking Healthcare Services Bill Passed - House (57 - 39)
April 12, 2023 WA HB 1020 Establishes Suciasaurus Rex as the Official State Dinosaur Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
April 12, 2023 WA HB 1477 Amends the State Working Families' Tax Credit Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 3)
April 12, 2023 AZ HB 2394 Prohibits Any County or Municipality in Arizona from Enacting New Taxes, Levies or Fees on Firearms or Ammunition Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
April 12, 2023 IA HF 654 Authorizes Firearms in Locked Vehicles on School Property Bill Passed - House (62 - 37)
April 11, 2023 CO HB 23-1011 Authorizes Individuals Right to Repair Agriculture Equipment Conference Report Adopted - House (44 - 16)
April 11, 2023 ND HB 1230 Establishes Penalties for the Intentional Submission of Petitions with Fraudulent Signatures Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 38)
April 11, 2023 WA SB 5280 Requires Clergy Members in the State be Designated as Mandatory Reporters Bill Passed - House (75 - 20)
April 11, 2023 WA HB 1470 Establishes New Regulations Concerning Private Prisons Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
April 11, 2023 WA SB 5280 Requires Clergy Members in the State be Designated as Mandatory Reporters Bill Passed - House (75 - 20)
April 11, 2023 IA HF 651 Prohibits the Banning of Certain Breeds of Dogs Bill Passed - House (82 - 16)
April 11, 2023 IA HF 651 Prohibits the Banning of Certain Breeds of Dogs Bill Passed - House (82 - 16)
April 10, 2023 MD SB 1 Prohibits Open Carry in the State and Restricts Places Where Firearms can be Carried Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
April 10, 2023 WA SB 5231 Amends Legal Process for Emergency No Contact Orders Bill Passed - House (63 - 33)
April 10, 2023 WA SB 5231 Amends Legal Process for Emergency No Contact Orders Bill Passed - House (63 - 33)
April 10, 2023 ND HB 1230 Establishes Penalties for the Intentional Submission of Petitions with Fraudulent Signatures Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 6)
April 10, 2023 ND SB 2168 Amends and Updates State Speeding Penalities Bill Passed - House (66 - 24)
April 10, 2023 MD SB 1 Prohibits Open Carry in the State and Restricts Places Where Firearms can be Carried Bill Passed - House (93 - 42)
April 10, 2023 WA SB 5352 Expands Police Chase Protections for Law Enforcement Bill Passed - House (57 - 40)
April 10, 2023 MD HB 1071 Prohibits the Smell of Cannabis as Reasonable Suspicion or Probable Cause for Police Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
April 10, 2023 MD SB 720 Establishes State Horse Thoroughbred Racing Commission Bill Passed - House (137 - 3)
April 10, 2023 MD SB 720 Establishes State Horse Thoroughbred Racing Commission Bill Passed - House (137 - 3)
April 10, 2023 WA HB 1394 Establishes a Developmentally Appropriate Response to Youth Who Commit Sexual Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
April 10, 2023 MD HB 1071 Prohibits the Smell of Cannabis as Reasonable Suspicion or Probable Cause for Police Bill Passed - House (101 - 36)
April 10, 2023 OR HB 2281 Requires School Districts Hire a Civil Rights Coordinator Bill Passed - House (35 - 18)
April 8, 2023 MD HB 824 Prohibits Certain Individuals on Probation from Receiving a Concealed Carry Permit Concurrence Vote Passed - House (98 - 40)
April 8, 2023 MD HB 824 Prohibits Certain Individuals on Probation from Receiving a Concealed Carry Permit Concurrence Vote Passed - House (98 - 40)
April 7, 2023 KS SB 174 Exempts and Decriminalizes Fentanyl Testing Strips from the List of Drug Paraphernalia Conference Report Adopted - House (113 - 9)
April 7, 2023 KS SB 174 Exempts and Decriminalizes Fentanyl Testing Strips from the List of Drug Paraphernalia Conference Report Adopted - House (113 - 9)
April 7, 2023 AR SB 495 Requires Convicted Individuals Serve Out the Majority of Their Sentences Instead of Early Release Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 4)
April 7, 2023 MD SB 341 Requires Institutions of Higher Education Develop a Reproductive Health Services Plan in Consultation with Students Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 11)
April 7, 2023 MD SB 858 Defines Requirements Around Safe Storage of Firearms Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 12)
April 7, 2023 MD HB 283 Requires State Medicaid Cover Gender Affirming Care Concurrence Vote Passed - House (97 - 39)
April 7, 2023 MD SB 37 Reduces the Time Period to Apply for Criminal Record Expungement for Certain Offenses Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 13)
April 7, 2023 MT HB 361 Specifies Incorrect Use of Pronouns by Another Student is Not Discrimination Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
April 7, 2023 MD HB 824 Prohibits Certain Individuals on Probation from Receiving a Concealed Carry Permit Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 13)
April 7, 2023 MD HB 824 Prohibits Certain Individuals on Probation from Receiving a Concealed Carry Permit Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 13)
April 7, 2023 WA HB 1564 Prohibits the Sale of Over-the-Counter Sexual Assault Kits Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
April 7, 2023 WA SB 5112 Amends the Voter Registration Process Bill Passed - House (57 - 40)
April 7, 2023 MD SB 859 Prohibits Requiring an Individual Give Testimony or Statements in Another State Regarding Their "Legally Protected Healthcare" Bill Passed - House (98 - 38)
April 6, 2023 KS SB 228 Prohibits Transgender Inmates Access to Overnight Accommodations Consistent with Their Gender Identity Conference Report Adopted - House (86 - 37)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/13 HB 1627 Authorizes Pretrial Detention for DUI Manslaughter, Fentanyl Trafficking, and Extortion Bill Passed - House (83 - 19)
4/13 SB 1237 Authorizes Private School to Prohibit Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
4/13 HB 1297 Authorizes the Death Penalty for for People Who Commit Sexual Assault on Children Bill Passed - House (95 - 14)
4/12 SB 989 Establishes Greater Victims Rights in Court Concurrence Vote Passed - House (76 - 16)
4/12 SB 989 Establishes Greater Victims Rights in Court Concurrence Vote Passed - House (76 - 16)
4/12 HB 2169 Specifies Parole Board Records are no Longer Exempt from Mandatory Disclosure Requirements in the Virginia Freedom of Information Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 35)
4/12 HB 2169 Specifies Parole Board Records are no Longer Exempt from Mandatory Disclosure Requirements in the Virginia Freedom of Information Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 35)
4/12 SB 989 Establishes Greater Victims Rights in Court Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 5)
4/12 SB 989 Establishes Greater Victims Rights in Court Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 5)
4/12 SB 5599 Authorizes Discretion for Homeless Shelter Reporting of "At-Risk" Youth Seeking Healthcare Services Bill Passed - House (57 - 39)
4/12 HB 1020 Establishes Suciasaurus Rex as the Official State Dinosaur Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
4/12 HB 1477 Amends the State Working Families' Tax Credit Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 3)
4/12 HB 2394 Prohibits Any County or Municipality in Arizona from Enacting New Taxes, Levies or Fees on Firearms or Ammunition Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
4/12 HF 654 Authorizes Firearms in Locked Vehicles on School Property Bill Passed - House (62 - 37)
4/11 HB 23-1011 Authorizes Individuals Right to Repair Agriculture Equipment Conference Report Adopted - House (44 - 16)
4/11 HB 1230 Establishes Penalties for the Intentional Submission of Petitions with Fraudulent Signatures Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 38)
4/11 SB 5280 Requires Clergy Members in the State be Designated as Mandatory Reporters Bill Passed - House (75 - 20)
4/11 HB 1470 Establishes New Regulations Concerning Private Prisons Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
4/11 SB 5280 Requires Clergy Members in the State be Designated as Mandatory Reporters Bill Passed - House (75 - 20)
4/11 HF 651 Prohibits the Banning of Certain Breeds of Dogs Bill Passed - House (82 - 16)
4/11 HF 651 Prohibits the Banning of Certain Breeds of Dogs Bill Passed - House (82 - 16)
4/10 SB 1 Prohibits Open Carry in the State and Restricts Places Where Firearms can be Carried Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
4/10 SB 5231 Amends Legal Process for Emergency No Contact Orders Bill Passed - House (63 - 33)
4/10 SB 5231 Amends Legal Process for Emergency No Contact Orders Bill Passed - House (63 - 33)
4/10 HB 1230 Establishes Penalties for the Intentional Submission of Petitions with Fraudulent Signatures Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 6)
4/10 SB 2168 Amends and Updates State Speeding Penalities Bill Passed - House (66 - 24)
4/10 SB 1 Prohibits Open Carry in the State and Restricts Places Where Firearms can be Carried Bill Passed - House (93 - 42)
4/10 SB 5352 Expands Police Chase Protections for Law Enforcement Bill Passed - House (57 - 40)
4/10 HB 1071 Prohibits the Smell of Cannabis as Reasonable Suspicion or Probable Cause for Police Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
4/10 SB 720 Establishes State Horse Thoroughbred Racing Commission Bill Passed - House (137 - 3)
4/10 SB 720 Establishes State Horse Thoroughbred Racing Commission Bill Passed - House (137 - 3)
4/10 HB 1394 Establishes a Developmentally Appropriate Response to Youth Who Commit Sexual Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
4/10 HB 1071 Prohibits the Smell of Cannabis as Reasonable Suspicion or Probable Cause for Police Bill Passed - House (101 - 36)
4/10 HB 2281 Requires School Districts Hire a Civil Rights Coordinator Bill Passed - House (35 - 18)
4/08 HB 824 Prohibits Certain Individuals on Probation from Receiving a Concealed Carry Permit Concurrence Vote Passed - House (98 - 40)
4/08 HB 824 Prohibits Certain Individuals on Probation from Receiving a Concealed Carry Permit Concurrence Vote Passed - House (98 - 40)
4/07 SB 174 Exempts and Decriminalizes Fentanyl Testing Strips from the List of Drug Paraphernalia Conference Report Adopted - House (113 - 9)
4/07 SB 174 Exempts and Decriminalizes Fentanyl Testing Strips from the List of Drug Paraphernalia Conference Report Adopted - House (113 - 9)
4/07 SB 495 Requires Convicted Individuals Serve Out the Majority of Their Sentences Instead of Early Release Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 4)
4/07 SB 341 Requires Institutions of Higher Education Develop a Reproductive Health Services Plan in Consultation with Students Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 11)
4/07 SB 858 Defines Requirements Around Safe Storage of Firearms Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 12)
4/07 HB 283 Requires State Medicaid Cover Gender Affirming Care Concurrence Vote Passed - House (97 - 39)
4/07 SB 37 Reduces the Time Period to Apply for Criminal Record Expungement for Certain Offenses Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 13)
4/07 HB 361 Specifies Incorrect Use of Pronouns by Another Student is Not Discrimination Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
4/07 HB 824 Prohibits Certain Individuals on Probation from Receiving a Concealed Carry Permit Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 13)
4/07 HB 824 Prohibits Certain Individuals on Probation from Receiving a Concealed Carry Permit Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 13)
4/07 HB 1564 Prohibits the Sale of Over-the-Counter Sexual Assault Kits Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
4/07 SB 5112 Amends the Voter Registration Process Bill Passed - House (57 - 40)
4/07 SB 859 Prohibits Requiring an Individual Give Testimony or Statements in Another State Regarding Their "Legally Protected Healthcare" Bill Passed - House (98 - 38)
4/06 SB 228 Prohibits Transgender Inmates Access to Overnight Accommodations Consistent with Their Gender Identity Conference Report Adopted - House (86 - 37)

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