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 10, 2024 ID H 538 Prohibits Governmental Entities From Compelling Employees to Use Certain Pronouns or Titles Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
April 10, 2024 ID H 538 Prohibits Governmental Entities From Compelling Employees to Use Certain Pronouns or Titles Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
April 9, 2024 HI HB 2526 Increases the Penalty for a Third or Subsequent Offense Involving Unauthorized Motor Vehicle Use to a Class C Felony Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 1)
April 9, 2024 HI HB 1595 Establishes a State Pilot Program to Expunge Non-Conviction Arrest Records Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 1)
April 9, 2024 MS HB 774 Authorizes Online Sports Betting Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 15)
April 9, 2024 IL SB 2849 Amends Illinois Aeronautics Act Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 3)
April 9, 2024 TN SB 1325 Authorizes Teachers and Staff to Carry Concealed Firearms in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
April 8, 2024 MD SB 949 Prohibits the Self-Administering Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kits to be Used in Court Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 2)
April 8, 2024 LA SB 388 Establishes Illegal Immigration as a State Crime Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
April 8, 2024 LA SB 388 Establishes Illegal Immigration as a State Crime Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
April 5, 2024 NE LB 575 Requires Students Use Restrooms that Align with Their Biological Sex and Prohibits Transgender Students from Playing on Female Sports Teams Bill Failed - Senate (31 - 15)
April 4, 2024 MO SB 900 Requires Jails to Provide Inmates with Reasonable Access to Phone Services Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
April 3, 2024 ID S 1354 Establish Provisions for Electroconvulsive Treatment for Children Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
April 3, 2024 NY A 4714 Repeals the Crime of Adultery Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 4)
April 3, 2024 ME LD 779 Establishes a Separate Department of Child and Family Services "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 8)
April 2, 2024 MD HB 832 Defines "Damages" or "Losses" in Statutory Causes of Action to Protect Civil Rights Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 11)
March 31, 2024 AZ SCR 1007 Prohibits Discrimination of Certain Firearm Producing Entities Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
March 28, 2024 KY SB 299 Requires the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission be an Independent Organization Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
March 28, 2024 GA SB 429 Establishes a Commission to Study Allocating Payments for Wrongful Conviction and Imprisonment Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 20)
March 28, 2024 GA HB 1170 Prohibits Puberty Delaying Medications for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 19)
March 28, 2024 DE SB 194 Authorizes Pharmacies to Prescribe Prophylaxis Treatment and Prevention Drugs Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
March 28, 2024 VT S 195 Amends Defendants Release Conditions Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 1)
March 28, 2024 DE SB 198 Amends Animal Cruelty Laws to Include Individuals who Knowingly Possess or Manufacture Animal Fighting Paraphernalia Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 1)
March 28, 2024 ID SCR 135 Establishes Opposition to Racism and Hate Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
March 27, 2024 KS SB 233 Prohibits Gender-Affirming Medical Care for Minors Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 13)
March 27, 2024 ME LD 2246 Establishes a Minimum Value Threshold for Repeat Theft Offenders "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 15)
March 27, 2024 KY HB 278 Requires Age Verification for Porn Sites and Authorizes Parental Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
March 27, 2024 VT S 285 Requires and Compels Police Departments Adopt Preventative Policies that Prohibit Use of Deception During Interrogations Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
March 27, 2024 VT S 220 Requires Public LIbraries to Adopt Policies governing the Selection and Reconsideration of Library Materials Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
March 26, 2024 GA HB 1104 Amends Various LGBTQ Regulations and Standards in State K-12 Schools Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 21)
March 26, 2024 DE SB 211 Establishes the Javelin as an Event in High School Track and Field Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
March 26, 2024 NE LB 1413 Transfers Funds and the Amends Distribution in Relation to Game Hunting Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 8)
March 26, 2024 NE LB 1413 Transfers Funds and the Amends Distribution in Relation to Game Hunting Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 8)
March 25, 2024 TN HB 2124 Requires Local Law Enforcement Cooperation with Federal Immigration Authorities Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
March 25, 2024 ID H 620 Prohibits Local Regulation of the Carrying of Knives Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
March 25, 2024 ID H 620 Prohibits Local Regulation of the Carrying of Knives Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
March 22, 2024 ID H 668 Prohibits Public Funding for Gender Transition Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
March 22, 2024 VT S 258 Amends State Management of Fish and Wildlife Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
March 21, 2024 VT S 18 Prohibits Flavored Tobacco Products and E-Liquids Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
March 21, 2024 GA HB 1105 Establishes Penalties for Sheriff's that Refuse to Follow Federal Immigration Orders Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 19)
March 21, 2024 GA HB 301 Limits Law Enforcement Funding for Local Governments with Reduced Immigration Policies Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 18)
March 21, 2024 GA HB 301 Limits Law Enforcement Funding for Local Governments with Reduced Immigration Policies Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 18)
March 21, 2024 VT S 58 Amends Criminal Justice Laws and Statutes for the State of Vermont Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
March 21, 2024 DE SB 166 Authorizes Alcoholic Liquor Delivery Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 3)
March 20, 2024 GA HB 1201 Authorizes Victims of Human Trafficking to Petition Courts to Vacate Their Sentences Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 0)
March 19, 2024 MI HB 5208 Establishes Birth Certificates for Children whose Parentage is Determined Under the Assisted Reproduction and Surrogacy Parentage Act Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
March 19, 2024 MI HB 5211 Establishes Legal Protections for Children Born Through Surrogacy and Assisted Reproductive Methods like IVF Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
March 19, 2024 MI HB 5210 Establishes that Children Born Through Surrogacy or Assisted Reproduction are Legal Children for the Purposes of Inheritance Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
March 19, 2024 MI HB 5210 Establishes that Children Born Through Surrogacy or Assisted Reproduction are Legal Children for the Purposes of Inheritance Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
March 19, 2024 MI HB 5209 Establishes Sentencing Guidelines for Surrogate Parentage Contracts involving Minors or Intellectually Disabled Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
March 19, 2024 MI HB 5212 Repeals Determination of Parentage for Children Born via Assisted Reproduction or Surrogacy from the Revocation of Paternity Act Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
March 19, 2024 MI HB 5213 Establishes Procedures for Determining Paternity and Support of State Departments and Agencies Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
March 19, 2024 MI HB 5209 Establishes Sentencing Guidelines for Surrogate Parentage Contracts involving Minors or Intellectually Disabled Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
March 19, 2024 MI HB 5207 Establishes and Authorizes Assisted Reproduction Including Surrogacy Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
March 19, 2024 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 - Senate (22 - 15)
March 19, 2024 MI HB 5207 Establishes and Authorizes Assisted Reproduction Including Surrogacy Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
March 19, 2024 MI HB 5215 Amends Genetic DNA Testing Requirements for Certain Parental Cases Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
March 18, 2024 NJ S 1313 Establishes a State Certification Process for LGBTQ+ Businesses Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
March 18, 2024 CA SR 70 Establishes a Transgender Day of Visibility Resolution Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
March 15, 2024 KY HB 5 Increases Penalties for Violent Crimes and Camping on Public Property Without Permission Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
March 14, 2024 MN HF 3489 Establishes Minimum Training Requirements for School Resource Officers Conference Report Adopted - Senate (61 - 3)
March 14, 2024 TN HB 1931 Repeals Local Police Policies Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
March 14, 2024 ID H 578 Prohibits Religious Discrimination in Adoption and Foster Care Cases Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
March 14, 2024 AZ SB 1186 Authorizes Specific THC Products Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 9)
March 14, 2024 ID S 1413 Prohibits the False Reporting of Violence or Emergency in Public or Private Places Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
March 14, 2024 OK SB 1100 Prohibits Threatening, Harassing, or Inflicting Physical or Emotional Distress on Another Individual Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 8)
March 13, 2024 ID H 441 Repeals Classification of Fentanyl Test Strips as Drug Paraphernalia Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 2)
March 13, 2024 DE SB 203 Expands Codes Related to Official Misconduct Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 2)
March 12, 2024 WI SB 822 Increases Various Election Security Protections Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 1)
March 12, 2024 WI AJR 109 Prohibits Governments from Giving Preferential Treatment to Staff on the Basis of Race, Sex, or National Origin Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
March 12, 2024 WI AB 377 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
March 12, 2024 MS SB 2022 Establishes Alternative Sentencing Options For Juvenile Offenders In Compliance With United States Supreme Court Holdings Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 13)
March 12, 2024 OK SB 1658 Repeals and Eliminates the Statute of Limitations for Rape Cases Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
March 12, 2024 AZ SB 1361 Establishes New Regulations on Sober Living Homes Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8)
March 11, 2024 ID S 1374 Establishes Provisions Regarding Concealed Weapons on Certain Property Owned by the State of Idaho. Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/10 H 538 Prohibits Governmental Entities From Compelling Employees to Use Certain Pronouns or Titles Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
4/10 H 538 Prohibits Governmental Entities From Compelling Employees to Use Certain Pronouns or Titles Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
4/09 HB 2526 Increases the Penalty for a Third or Subsequent Offense Involving Unauthorized Motor Vehicle Use to a Class C Felony Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 1)
4/09 HB 1595 Establishes a State Pilot Program to Expunge Non-Conviction Arrest Records Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 1)
4/09 HB 774 Authorizes Online Sports Betting Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 15)
4/09 SB 2849 Amends Illinois Aeronautics Act Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 3)
4/09 SB 1325 Authorizes Teachers and Staff to Carry Concealed Firearms in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
4/08 SB 949 Prohibits the Self-Administering Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kits to be Used in Court Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 2)
4/08 SB 388 Establishes Illegal Immigration as a State Crime Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
4/08 SB 388 Establishes Illegal Immigration as a State Crime Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
4/05 LB 575 Requires Students Use Restrooms that Align with Their Biological Sex and Prohibits Transgender Students from Playing on Female Sports Teams Bill Failed - Senate (31 - 15)
4/04 SB 900 Requires Jails to Provide Inmates with Reasonable Access to Phone Services Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
4/03 S 1354 Establish Provisions for Electroconvulsive Treatment for Children Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
4/03 A 4714 Repeals the Crime of Adultery Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 4)
4/03 LD 779 Establishes a Separate Department of Child and Family Services "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 8)
4/02 HB 832 Defines "Damages" or "Losses" in Statutory Causes of Action to Protect Civil Rights Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 11)
3/31 SCR 1007 Prohibits Discrimination of Certain Firearm Producing Entities Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
3/28 SB 299 Requires the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission be an Independent Organization Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
3/28 SB 429 Establishes a Commission to Study Allocating Payments for Wrongful Conviction and Imprisonment Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 20)
3/28 HB 1170 Prohibits Puberty Delaying Medications for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 19)
3/28 SB 194 Authorizes Pharmacies to Prescribe Prophylaxis Treatment and Prevention Drugs Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
3/28 S 195 Amends Defendants Release Conditions Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 1)
3/28 SB 198 Amends Animal Cruelty Laws to Include Individuals who Knowingly Possess or Manufacture Animal Fighting Paraphernalia Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 1)
3/28 SCR 135 Establishes Opposition to Racism and Hate Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
3/27 SB 233 Prohibits Gender-Affirming Medical Care for Minors Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 13)
3/27 LD 2246 Establishes a Minimum Value Threshold for Repeat Theft Offenders "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 15)
3/27 HB 278 Requires Age Verification for Porn Sites and Authorizes Parental Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
3/27 S 285 Requires and Compels Police Departments Adopt Preventative Policies that Prohibit Use of Deception During Interrogations Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
3/27 S 220 Requires Public LIbraries to Adopt Policies governing the Selection and Reconsideration of Library Materials Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
3/26 HB 1104 Amends Various LGBTQ Regulations and Standards in State K-12 Schools Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 21)
3/26 SB 211 Establishes the Javelin as an Event in High School Track and Field Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
3/26 LB 1413 Transfers Funds and the Amends Distribution in Relation to Game Hunting Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 8)
3/26 LB 1413 Transfers Funds and the Amends Distribution in Relation to Game Hunting Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 8)
3/25 HB 2124 Requires Local Law Enforcement Cooperation with Federal Immigration Authorities Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
3/25 H 620 Prohibits Local Regulation of the Carrying of Knives Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
3/25 H 620 Prohibits Local Regulation of the Carrying of Knives Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
3/22 H 668 Prohibits Public Funding for Gender Transition Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
3/22 S 258 Amends State Management of Fish and Wildlife Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
3/21 S 18 Prohibits Flavored Tobacco Products and E-Liquids Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
3/21 HB 1105 Establishes Penalties for Sheriff's that Refuse to Follow Federal Immigration Orders Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 19)
3/21 HB 301 Limits Law Enforcement Funding for Local Governments with Reduced Immigration Policies Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 18)
3/21 HB 301 Limits Law Enforcement Funding for Local Governments with Reduced Immigration Policies Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 18)
3/21 S 58 Amends Criminal Justice Laws and Statutes for the State of Vermont Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
3/21 SB 166 Authorizes Alcoholic Liquor Delivery Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 3)
3/20 HB 1201 Authorizes Victims of Human Trafficking to Petition Courts to Vacate Their Sentences Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 0)
3/19 HB 5208 Establishes Birth Certificates for Children whose Parentage is Determined Under the Assisted Reproduction and Surrogacy Parentage Act Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
3/19 HB 5211 Establishes Legal Protections for Children Born Through Surrogacy and Assisted Reproductive Methods like IVF Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
3/19 HB 5210 Establishes that Children Born Through Surrogacy or Assisted Reproduction are Legal Children for the Purposes of Inheritance Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
3/19 HB 5210 Establishes that Children Born Through Surrogacy or Assisted Reproduction are Legal Children for the Purposes of Inheritance Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
3/19 HB 5209 Establishes Sentencing Guidelines for Surrogate Parentage Contracts involving Minors or Intellectually Disabled Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
3/19 HB 5212 Repeals Determination of Parentage for Children Born via Assisted Reproduction or Surrogacy from the Revocation of Paternity Act Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
3/19 HB 5213 Establishes Procedures for Determining Paternity and Support of State Departments and Agencies Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
3/19 HB 5209 Establishes Sentencing Guidelines for Surrogate Parentage Contracts involving Minors or Intellectually Disabled Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
3/19 HB 5207 Establishes and Authorizes Assisted Reproduction Including Surrogacy Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
3/19 HB 5214 Authorizes Alleged or Intended Parents of Children Born via Assisted Reproduction or Surrogacy to Sign Legally Binding Acknowledgements of Parentage Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
3/19 HB 5207 Establishes and Authorizes Assisted Reproduction Including Surrogacy Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
3/19 HB 5215 Amends Genetic DNA Testing Requirements for Certain Parental Cases Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
3/18 S 1313 Establishes a State Certification Process for LGBTQ+ Businesses Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
3/18 SR 70 Establishes a Transgender Day of Visibility Resolution Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
3/15 HB 5 Increases Penalties for Violent Crimes and Camping on Public Property Without Permission Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
3/14 HF 3489 Establishes Minimum Training Requirements for School Resource Officers Conference Report Adopted - Senate (61 - 3)
3/14 HB 1931 Repeals Local Police Policies Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
3/14 H 578 Prohibits Religious Discrimination in Adoption and Foster Care Cases Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
3/14 SB 1186 Authorizes Specific THC Products Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 9)
3/14 S 1413 Prohibits the False Reporting of Violence or Emergency in Public or Private Places Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
3/14 SB 1100 Prohibits Threatening, Harassing, or Inflicting Physical or Emotional Distress on Another Individual Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 8)
3/13 H 441 Repeals Classification of Fentanyl Test Strips as Drug Paraphernalia Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 2)
3/13 SB 203 Expands Codes Related to Official Misconduct Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 2)
3/12 SB 822 Increases Various Election Security Protections Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 1)
3/12 AJR 109 Prohibits Governments from Giving Preferential Treatment to Staff on the Basis of Race, Sex, or National Origin Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
3/12 AB 377 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
3/12 SB 2022 Establishes Alternative Sentencing Options For Juvenile Offenders In Compliance With United States Supreme Court Holdings Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 13)
3/12 SB 1658 Repeals and Eliminates the Statute of Limitations for Rape Cases Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
3/12 SB 1361 Establishes New Regulations on Sober Living Homes Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8)
3/11 S 1374 Establishes Provisions Regarding Concealed Weapons on Certain Property Owned by the State of Idaho. Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)

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