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 4, 2024 CO HB 24-1216 Establishes Support for Juveniles in the Justice System to Graduate Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
May 2, 2024 MS SB 2753 Requires Individuals Use the Same Restroom that Aligns with Their Sex at Birth Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 8)
May 2, 2024 SC H 4624 Prohibits Gender Affirming Care for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
May 2, 2024 NC HB 10 Requires Sheriffs to Cooperate with ICE Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 16)
May 2, 2024 IL SB 3649 Prohibits Forced Partiicpation in Employer Mandated Religious or Political Meetings Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 18)
May 1, 2024 HI HB 2619 Appropriates $20 Million to Establish Measures to Combat Invasive Species for Biosecurity Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 0)
May 1, 2024 MS SB 2022 Establishes Alternative Sentencing Options For Juvenile Offenders In Compliance With United States Supreme Court Holdings Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 3)
May 1, 2024 HI SB 2439 Extends a 2-Year Window Beyond the Statue of Limitations for Individuals to Bring Civil Actions Against Another for Sexual Assault Claims Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 0)
May 1, 2024 HI SB 2919 Authorizes Counties to Enact Zoning Ordinances Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 3)
May 1, 2024 AZ HB 2325 Prohibits Cities from Banning Backyard Chickens at a Single-Family Home Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
May 1, 2024 MI HB 4332 Increases Penalties for Certain Blight Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
May 1, 2024 AZ HB 2394 Authorizes Public Figures who can Provide Evidence to Debunk a Deep Fake to Obtain Declaratory Relief Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 0)
April 30, 2024 AL HB 151 Authorizes a State Lottery and Certain Types of Electronic Gaming Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
April 30, 2024 CO SB 24-131 Prohibits Carrying Firearms in Sensitive Spaces Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
April 30, 2024 CO SB 24-131 Prohibits Carrying Firearms in Sensitive Spaces Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
April 30, 2024 RI S 2396 Requires Insurance Companies Cover, Diagnose, and Treat Infertility for Women Ages 25 to 42 Years Old Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
April 29, 2024 KS SB 233 Prohibits Gender-Affirming Medical Care for Minors Veto Override Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
April 29, 2024 MO SB 890 Establishes the Missign and Murdered African American Women Task Force Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
April 29, 2024 MO SB 751 Requires 340B Drugs to Be Covered by Insurance Providers Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
April 26, 2024 MS HB 903 Prohibits Usage for Machine Gun Conversion Kits Conference Report Adopted - Senate (50 - 2)
April 26, 2024 KS HB 2097 Establishes the Kansas Film and Digital Media Industry Production Development Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 5)
April 26, 2024 MS SB 2577 Prohibits the Use of Artificial Intelligence to Create "Deep Fake" Election Material 90 Days Before an Election Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 13)
April 25, 2024 TN SB 2782 Prohibits Gender Affirming Care for Minors Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 4)
April 25, 2024 OK HB 4073 Establishes Alyssa's Law Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 0)
April 25, 2024 OK HB 1734 Requrires Owneres of Medical Marijuana Dispenseries to Pass a Background Check Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 3)
April 25, 2024 MA H 4582 Appropriates Funding for Homeless Shelter Costs and Amends Stay Limits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
April 24, 2024 OK SB 1470 Authorizes Leniency for Criminal Defendants if They Can Show Abuse Contributed to Their Offense Veto Override Passed - Senate (46 - 1)
April 24, 2024 TN SB 2749 Enacts the "Families' Rights and Responsibilities Act" Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
April 24, 2024 OH SB 214 Authorizes Human Trafficking Victims to Expunge Certain Records Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
April 23, 2024 MS SB 2448 Extends the Automatic Repealer on the Mississippi Earned Parole Eligibility Act Of 2021 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 10)
April 23, 2024 OK HB 4156 Amends Various State Immigration Laws, Policies, and Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 8)
April 23, 2024 OK HB 4156 Amends Various State Immigration Laws, Policies, and Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 8)
April 23, 2024 OK HB 2102 Establishes the Hope Shaffer Act Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
April 22, 2024 CO HB 24-1348 Requires Firearms be Kept in Lock Boxes when in Vehicles Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
April 22, 2024 CO HB 24-1174 Increases Requirements for Individuals Seeking to Obtain a Concealed-Carry Permit Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
April 19, 2024 National HR 7888 Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 34)
April 18, 2024 National HR 7888 Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act Cloture Invoked - Senate (67 - 32)
April 18, 2024 NE LB 25 Authorizes Claims Involving Child Abuse or Sexual Assault of a Child Under the Political Subdivisions Act Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 17)
April 18, 2024 NE LB 1092 Requires Online Age Verification Liability Act Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 1)
April 18, 2024 TN SB 2770 Authorizes Greater Statutory Penalties for Undocumented Individuals who Commit Felonies Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
April 18, 2024 CT SB 222 Amends State Paid Family And Medical Leave Statutes Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
April 17, 2024 ME LD 2086 Amending Laws Governing the Disposition of Forefeited Firearms Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 15)
April 17, 2024 ME LD 2224 Increases Maine's Firearm Laws and Mental Health System Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
April 17, 2024 CO SB 24-171 Authorizes the Reintroduction of Wolverines Into the State Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
April 17, 2024 ME LD 2238 Requires a Waiting Period for Certain Firearm Purchases in Maine Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
April 16, 2024 AL HB 152 Establishes the Alabama Gambling Commission and Alabama Lottery Corporation Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 11)
April 12, 2024 KY HB 5 Increases Penalties for Violent Crimes and Camping on Public Property Without Permission Veto Override Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
April 12, 2024 KY SB 299 Requires the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission be an Independent Organization Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
April 12, 2024 ME LD 2119 Establish the Task Force to Study the Creation of a System to Allow for the Voluntary Waiver of Firearm Rights "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 12)
April 12, 2024 ME LD 227 Establishes State Protections for Abortion, In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF), and Gender-Affirming Health Care "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 13)
April 12, 2024 IL SB 3762 Establishes the Language and Access Act Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 8)
April 12, 2024 ME LD 2086 Amending Laws Governing the Disposition of Forefeited Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
April 12, 2024 IL SB 3779 Authorizes Social Workers to Carry and Administer Opioid Antagonists such as Naloxone Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 0)
April 12, 2024 IL SB 3779 Authorizes Social Workers to Carry and Administer Opioid Antagonists such as Naloxone Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 0)
April 11, 2024 NE LB 631 Expands the Board of Parole in Nebraska Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 4)
April 11, 2024 NE LB 631 Expands the Board of Parole in Nebraska Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 4)
April 11, 2024 IA HF 2556 Requires Enforcement Mechanisms for Firearms Regulation Compliance by Political Subdivisions Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 5)
April 11, 2024 NE LB 20 Authorizes Restoration of Felon Voting Rights Upon Sentence Completion Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 6)
April 11, 2024 NE LB 1167 Amends Provisions Relating to Individuals Arrested Without a Warrant Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 1)
April 11, 2024 IL SB 2979 Amends Liability Laws for Biometric Data Violations Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 13)
April 11, 2024 NE LB 870 Requires Law Enforcement Notify Sexual Assault Survivors at least 6 Weeks Before Destruction or Disposal Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
April 11, 2024 NE LB 253 Establishes State Alternatives to Prosecution and Incarceration for Veterans Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 0)
April 11, 2024 NE LB 910 Authorizes Emergency Medical Services and Transportation for K-9s Injured While on Duty Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
April 11, 2024 NE LB 910 Authorizes Emergency Medical Services and Transportation for K-9s Injured While on Duty Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
April 11, 2024 NE LB 1035 Establishes a Prescription Drug Donation Program Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
April 11, 2024 NE LB 1035 Establishes a Prescription Drug Donation Program Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
April 11, 2024 NE LB 1200 Requires Coordination Between 911 and the 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
April 11, 2024 MO SB 767 Prohibits Individuals Under 18 from Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 1)
April 10, 2024 IA HF 2586 Authorizes School Employees to be Issued Permits to Carry Weapons Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 14)
April 10, 2024 AZ HB 2623 Authorizes Individuals Convicted of Prostitution to Vacate the Charge if They are Victims of Sex Trafficking Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 1)
April 10, 2024 ID H 421 Amends Existing Law to Define Terms and Revise Definitions for "Sex"and "Gender" Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
April 10, 2024 ID H 421 Amends Existing Law to Define Terms and Revise Definitions for "Sex"and "Gender" Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
April 10, 2024 IL SB 2690 Requires Public Universities to Pay or Reimburse Refugee Transcript Evaluation Fees Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 1)
April 10, 2024 IL SB 3350 Establishes a State Program to Distribute Fentanyl Test Strips Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 0)
April 10, 2024 IL SB 3350 Establishes a State Program to Distribute Fentanyl Test Strips Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 0)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/04 HB 24-1216 Establishes Support for Juveniles in the Justice System to Graduate Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
5/02 SB 2753 Requires Individuals Use the Same Restroom that Aligns with Their Sex at Birth Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 8)
5/02 H 4624 Prohibits Gender Affirming Care for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
5/02 HB 10 Requires Sheriffs to Cooperate with ICE Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 16)
5/02 SB 3649 Prohibits Forced Partiicpation in Employer Mandated Religious or Political Meetings Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 18)
5/01 HB 2619 Appropriates $20 Million to Establish Measures to Combat Invasive Species for Biosecurity Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 0)
5/01 SB 2022 Establishes Alternative Sentencing Options For Juvenile Offenders In Compliance With United States Supreme Court Holdings Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 3)
5/01 SB 2439 Extends a 2-Year Window Beyond the Statue of Limitations for Individuals to Bring Civil Actions Against Another for Sexual Assault Claims Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 0)
5/01 SB 2919 Authorizes Counties to Enact Zoning Ordinances Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 3)
5/01 HB 2325 Prohibits Cities from Banning Backyard Chickens at a Single-Family Home Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
5/01 HB 4332 Increases Penalties for Certain Blight Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
5/01 HB 2394 Authorizes Public Figures who can Provide Evidence to Debunk a Deep Fake to Obtain Declaratory Relief Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 0)
4/30 HB 151 Authorizes a State Lottery and Certain Types of Electronic Gaming Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
4/30 SB 24-131 Prohibits Carrying Firearms in Sensitive Spaces Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
4/30 SB 24-131 Prohibits Carrying Firearms in Sensitive Spaces Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
4/30 S 2396 Requires Insurance Companies Cover, Diagnose, and Treat Infertility for Women Ages 25 to 42 Years Old Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
4/29 SB 233 Prohibits Gender-Affirming Medical Care for Minors Veto Override Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
4/29 SB 890 Establishes the Missign and Murdered African American Women Task Force Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
4/29 SB 751 Requires 340B Drugs to Be Covered by Insurance Providers Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
4/26 HB 903 Prohibits Usage for Machine Gun Conversion Kits Conference Report Adopted - Senate (50 - 2)
4/26 HB 2097 Establishes the Kansas Film and Digital Media Industry Production Development Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 5)
4/26 SB 2577 Prohibits the Use of Artificial Intelligence to Create "Deep Fake" Election Material 90 Days Before an Election Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 13)
4/25 SB 2782 Prohibits Gender Affirming Care for Minors Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 4)
4/25 HB 4073 Establishes Alyssa's Law Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 0)
4/25 HB 1734 Requrires Owneres of Medical Marijuana Dispenseries to Pass a Background Check Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 3)
4/25 H 4582 Appropriates Funding for Homeless Shelter Costs and Amends Stay Limits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
4/24 SB 1470 Authorizes Leniency for Criminal Defendants if They Can Show Abuse Contributed to Their Offense Veto Override Passed - Senate (46 - 1)
4/24 SB 2749 Enacts the "Families' Rights and Responsibilities Act" Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
4/24 SB 214 Authorizes Human Trafficking Victims to Expunge Certain Records Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
4/23 SB 2448 Extends the Automatic Repealer on the Mississippi Earned Parole Eligibility Act Of 2021 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 10)
4/23 HB 4156 Amends Various State Immigration Laws, Policies, and Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 8)
4/23 HB 4156 Amends Various State Immigration Laws, Policies, and Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 8)
4/23 HB 2102 Establishes the Hope Shaffer Act Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
4/22 HB 24-1348 Requires Firearms be Kept in Lock Boxes when in Vehicles Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
4/22 HB 24-1174 Increases Requirements for Individuals Seeking to Obtain a Concealed-Carry Permit Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
4/19 HR 7888 Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 34)
4/18 HR 7888 Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act Cloture Invoked - Senate (67 - 32)
4/18 LB 25 Authorizes Claims Involving Child Abuse or Sexual Assault of a Child Under the Political Subdivisions Act Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 17)
4/18 LB 1092 Requires Online Age Verification Liability Act Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 1)
4/18 SB 2770 Authorizes Greater Statutory Penalties for Undocumented Individuals who Commit Felonies Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
4/18 SB 222 Amends State Paid Family And Medical Leave Statutes Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
4/17 LD 2086 Amending Laws Governing the Disposition of Forefeited Firearms Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 15)
4/17 LD 2224 Increases Maine's Firearm Laws and Mental Health System Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
4/17 SB 24-171 Authorizes the Reintroduction of Wolverines Into the State Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
4/17 LD 2238 Requires a Waiting Period for Certain Firearm Purchases in Maine Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
4/16 HB 152 Establishes the Alabama Gambling Commission and Alabama Lottery Corporation Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 11)
4/12 HB 5 Increases Penalties for Violent Crimes and Camping on Public Property Without Permission Veto Override Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
4/12 SB 299 Requires the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission be an Independent Organization Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
4/12 LD 2119 Establish the Task Force to Study the Creation of a System to Allow for the Voluntary Waiver of Firearm Rights "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 12)
4/12 LD 227 Establishes State Protections for Abortion, In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF), and Gender-Affirming Health Care "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 13)
4/12 SB 3762 Establishes the Language and Access Act Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 8)
4/12 LD 2086 Amending Laws Governing the Disposition of Forefeited Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
4/12 SB 3779 Authorizes Social Workers to Carry and Administer Opioid Antagonists such as Naloxone Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 0)
4/12 SB 3779 Authorizes Social Workers to Carry and Administer Opioid Antagonists such as Naloxone Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 0)
4/11 LB 631 Expands the Board of Parole in Nebraska Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 4)
4/11 LB 631 Expands the Board of Parole in Nebraska Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 4)
4/11 HF 2556 Requires Enforcement Mechanisms for Firearms Regulation Compliance by Political Subdivisions Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 5)
4/11 LB 20 Authorizes Restoration of Felon Voting Rights Upon Sentence Completion Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 6)
4/11 LB 1167 Amends Provisions Relating to Individuals Arrested Without a Warrant Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 1)
4/11 SB 2979 Amends Liability Laws for Biometric Data Violations Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 13)
4/11 LB 870 Requires Law Enforcement Notify Sexual Assault Survivors at least 6 Weeks Before Destruction or Disposal Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
4/11 LB 253 Establishes State Alternatives to Prosecution and Incarceration for Veterans Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 0)
4/11 LB 910 Authorizes Emergency Medical Services and Transportation for K-9s Injured While on Duty Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
4/11 LB 910 Authorizes Emergency Medical Services and Transportation for K-9s Injured While on Duty Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
4/11 LB 1035 Establishes a Prescription Drug Donation Program Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
4/11 LB 1035 Establishes a Prescription Drug Donation Program Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
4/11 LB 1200 Requires Coordination Between 911 and the 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
4/11 SB 767 Prohibits Individuals Under 18 from Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 1)
4/10 HF 2586 Authorizes School Employees to be Issued Permits to Carry Weapons Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 14)
4/10 HB 2623 Authorizes Individuals Convicted of Prostitution to Vacate the Charge if They are Victims of Sex Trafficking Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 1)
4/10 H 421 Amends Existing Law to Define Terms and Revise Definitions for "Sex"and "Gender" Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
4/10 H 421 Amends Existing Law to Define Terms and Revise Definitions for "Sex"and "Gender" Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
4/10 SB 2690 Requires Public Universities to Pay or Reimburse Refugee Transcript Evaluation Fees Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 1)
4/10 SB 3350 Establishes a State Program to Distribute Fentanyl Test Strips Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 0)
4/10 SB 3350 Establishes a State Program to Distribute Fentanyl Test Strips Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 0)

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