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
March 30, 2023 IL SB 754 Prohibits Purchase of Explosive Devices Without a Firearm Identification Card Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 16)
March 29, 2023 KY SB 150 Prohibits Gender Affirming Care for Minors and Human Sexuality Education in Elementary School Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
March 29, 2023 GA SB 44 Increases Penalties for Gang Recruitment Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
March 29, 2023 ND HB 1205 Prohibits "Explicit Sexual Material" in Public Libraries' Children's Collections Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 7)
March 29, 2023 TX SB 15 Requires Transgender Student Athletes Play Against Those of Their Biological Sex Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
March 28, 2023 NC SB 41 Expands Conceal Carry Permits in School Zones Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
March 28, 2023 MS SB 2101 Amends and Increases Criminal Penalties for Carjacking Conference Report Adopted - Senate (44 - 8)
March 28, 2023 VT S 4 Reduces Crimes of Violence Associated with Juveniles and Dangerous Weapons Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 2)
March 27, 2023 SD SB 129 Amends Rules Prohibiting Assault Against Teachers Veto Override Failed - Senate (20 - 15)
March 27, 2023 MS SB 2079 Authorizes School Employees to Concealed Carry Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 14)
March 27, 2023 GA HB 557 Authorizes Certain Physicians to Prescribe Schedule 2 Controlled Subtances (53 - 1)
March 27, 2023 ID H 71 Prohibits Gender Affirming Care for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
March 24, 2023 ID H 182 Establishes Provisions Regarding Prayer Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
March 24, 2023 IL SB 1883 Prohibits Human Contact With Bears or Other Nonhuman Primates Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 9)
March 23, 2023 MI SB 80 Increases Penalties for Crimes With Weapons Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
March 23, 2023 MI SB 79 Establishes Penalties for Improper Firearm Storage Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
March 23, 2023 MO SB 39 Requires Transgender Student Athletes Play Against Those of Their Biological Sex Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
March 23, 2023 MO SB 49 Prohibits Gender-Affirming Medical Care for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
March 23, 2023 OK SB 36 Authorizes Schools to Employ Volunteer Chaplains Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 0)
March 23, 2023 MI SB 80 Increases Penalties for Crimes With Weapons Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
March 22, 2023 WI SB 101 Increases Penalties for Providing or Selling Drugs that Result in an Individual's Death Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
March 22, 2023 WI SB 76 Increases Penalties for Carjacking Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
March 22, 2023 WI SB 101 Increases Penalties for Providing or Selling Drugs that Result in an Individual's Death Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
March 22, 2023 WI SB 75 Establishes Cash Bail in the State Constitution Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
March 22, 2023 IA SF 547 Increases Distracted Driving Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 3)
March 21, 2023 GA SB 140 Prohibits Gender Affirming Care for Minors Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 21)
March 21, 2023 MT HB 356 Prohibits the State from Contracting with Companies that Discriminate Against Firearms Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
March 20, 2023 IN HB 1365 Prohibits and Criminalizes "Machine-Gun Conversion" Devices Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4)
March 20, 2023 MD SB 786 Requires Maryland Health Care Commission Ensure the Confidentiality of Data of Patients who have Obtained "Legally Protected Healthcare" Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 12)
March 17, 2023 MD SB 859 Prohibits Requiring an Individual Give Testimony or Statements in Another State Regarding Their "Legally Protected Healthcare" Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11)
March 16, 2023 KY SB 9 Increases Anti-Hazing Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
March 16, 2023 KY HB 262 Amends State Statute Laws to Add the Crime of Vehicular Homicide Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
March 16, 2023 NM HB 306 Prohibits Purchasing a Firearm for Someone Who is Not Allowed or Intends to Use it in a Crime Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
March 16, 2023 NM HB 306 Prohibits Purchasing a Firearm for Someone Who is Not Allowed or Intends to Use it in a Crime Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
March 16, 2023 MI SB 76 Requires Safe Firearm Storage, Background Checks on Unlicensed Gun Sales and Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
March 16, 2023 AZ SB 1221 Amends Biometric Laws Regarding Fingerprinting Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 4)
March 16, 2023 MI SB 78 Amends Sentencing Guidelines for Weapons Charges Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
March 16, 2023 MI SB 77 Amends Various State Handgun Laws Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
March 16, 2023 MI SB 78 Amends Sentencing Guidelines for Weapons Charges Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
March 16, 2023 MI SB 81 Exempts Firearm Safety Devices from the State Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
March 16, 2023 MI SB 82 Exempts Firearm Safety Devices from the State Use Tax Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
March 16, 2023 MI SB 83 Establishes State Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
March 16, 2023 MI SB 84 Prohibits Individuals with Extreme Risk Protection Orders from Purchasing Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
March 16, 2023 MI SB 85 Increases Penalties for False Statements in Support of Extreme Risk Protection Rrders Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
March 16, 2023 AZ SB 1028 Prohibits Adult Cabaret Performances in Public Locations Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
March 16, 2023 MI SB 85 Increases Penalties for False Statements in Support of Extreme Risk Protection Rrders Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
March 16, 2023 MI SB 86 Repeals Fee Requirements for Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
March 16, 2023 KY HB 547 Prohibits School Districts from Punishing an Employee for Private Religious Expression Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
March 16, 2023 AZ SB 1030 Amends Restrictions on Adult Oriented Businesses to Include "Sexually Explicit Performances" Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
March 15, 2023 KY SB 80 Prohibits Registered Sex Offenders from Loitering or Operating a Mobile Business within 1,000 ft. of Schools, Daycares, and Public Playgrounds or Swimming Pools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/30 SB 754 Prohibits Purchase of Explosive Devices Without a Firearm Identification Card Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 16)
3/29 SB 150 Prohibits Gender Affirming Care for Minors and Human Sexuality Education in Elementary School Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
3/29 SB 44 Increases Penalties for Gang Recruitment Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
3/29 HB 1205 Prohibits "Explicit Sexual Material" in Public Libraries' Children's Collections Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 7)
3/29 SB 15 Requires Transgender Student Athletes Play Against Those of Their Biological Sex Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
3/28 SB 41 Expands Conceal Carry Permits in School Zones Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
3/28 SB 2101 Amends and Increases Criminal Penalties for Carjacking Conference Report Adopted - Senate (44 - 8)
3/28 S 4 Reduces Crimes of Violence Associated with Juveniles and Dangerous Weapons Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 2)
3/27 SB 129 Amends Rules Prohibiting Assault Against Teachers Veto Override Failed - Senate (20 - 15)
3/27 SB 2079 Authorizes School Employees to Concealed Carry Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 14)
3/27 HB 557 Authorizes Certain Physicians to Prescribe Schedule 2 Controlled Subtances (53 - 1)
3/27 H 71 Prohibits Gender Affirming Care for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
3/24 H 182 Establishes Provisions Regarding Prayer Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
3/24 SB 1883 Prohibits Human Contact With Bears or Other Nonhuman Primates Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 9)
3/23 SB 80 Increases Penalties for Crimes With Weapons Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
3/23 SB 79 Establishes Penalties for Improper Firearm Storage Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
3/23 SB 39 Requires Transgender Student Athletes Play Against Those of Their Biological Sex Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
3/23 SB 49 Prohibits Gender-Affirming Medical Care for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
3/23 SB 36 Authorizes Schools to Employ Volunteer Chaplains Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 0)
3/23 SB 80 Increases Penalties for Crimes With Weapons Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
3/22 SB 101 Increases Penalties for Providing or Selling Drugs that Result in an Individual's Death Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
3/22 SB 76 Increases Penalties for Carjacking Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
3/22 SB 101 Increases Penalties for Providing or Selling Drugs that Result in an Individual's Death Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
3/22 SB 75 Establishes Cash Bail in the State Constitution Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
3/22 SF 547 Increases Distracted Driving Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 3)
3/21 SB 140 Prohibits Gender Affirming Care for Minors Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 21)
3/21 HB 356 Prohibits the State from Contracting with Companies that Discriminate Against Firearms Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
3/20 HB 1365 Prohibits and Criminalizes "Machine-Gun Conversion" Devices Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4)
3/20 SB 786 Requires Maryland Health Care Commission Ensure the Confidentiality of Data of Patients who have Obtained "Legally Protected Healthcare" Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 12)
3/17 SB 859 Prohibits Requiring an Individual Give Testimony or Statements in Another State Regarding Their "Legally Protected Healthcare" Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11)
3/16 SB 9 Increases Anti-Hazing Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
3/16 HB 262 Amends State Statute Laws to Add the Crime of Vehicular Homicide Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
3/16 HB 306 Prohibits Purchasing a Firearm for Someone Who is Not Allowed or Intends to Use it in a Crime Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
3/16 HB 306 Prohibits Purchasing a Firearm for Someone Who is Not Allowed or Intends to Use it in a Crime Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
3/16 SB 76 Requires Safe Firearm Storage, Background Checks on Unlicensed Gun Sales and Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
3/16 SB 1221 Amends Biometric Laws Regarding Fingerprinting Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 4)
3/16 SB 78 Amends Sentencing Guidelines for Weapons Charges Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
3/16 SB 77 Amends Various State Handgun Laws Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
3/16 SB 78 Amends Sentencing Guidelines for Weapons Charges Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
3/16 SB 81 Exempts Firearm Safety Devices from the State Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
3/16 SB 82 Exempts Firearm Safety Devices from the State Use Tax Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
3/16 SB 83 Establishes State Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
3/16 SB 84 Prohibits Individuals with Extreme Risk Protection Orders from Purchasing Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
3/16 SB 85 Increases Penalties for False Statements in Support of Extreme Risk Protection Rrders Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
3/16 SB 1028 Prohibits Adult Cabaret Performances in Public Locations Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
3/16 SB 85 Increases Penalties for False Statements in Support of Extreme Risk Protection Rrders Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
3/16 SB 86 Repeals Fee Requirements for Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
3/16 HB 547 Prohibits School Districts from Punishing an Employee for Private Religious Expression Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
3/16 SB 1030 Amends Restrictions on Adult Oriented Businesses to Include "Sexually Explicit Performances" Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
3/15 SB 80 Prohibits Registered Sex Offenders from Loitering or Operating a Mobile Business within 1,000 ft. of Schools, Daycares, and Public Playgrounds or Swimming Pools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 2)

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