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 15, 2021 AL SB 358 Prohibits State and Local Governments from Enforcing Any Federal Firearms Act Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)
April 15, 2021 AL SB 358 Prohibits State and Local Governments from Enforcing Any Federal Firearms Act Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)
April 15, 2021 TX SB 29 Prohibits Transgender Student's from Playing on Sports Teams That do Not Match their Birth Sex Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
April 15, 2021 NV SB 109 Requires Local Governments Collect Demographic Information on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
April 15, 2021 TX SB 29 Prohibits Transgender Student's from Playing on Sports Teams That do Not Match their Birth Sex Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
April 15, 2021 ND SCR 4016 Alleges Opposition to Implementation of COVID-19 Passports Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
April 14, 2021 OK HB 1643 Authorizes Law Enforcement and Other Officials to Make Certain Personal Information Confidential Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 8)
April 14, 2021 NV SB 212 Prohibits Police Officers from Using Deadly Force Before De-escalation Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
April 14, 2021 NV SB 212 Prohibits Police Officers from Using Deadly Force Before De-escalation Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
April 14, 2021 TX SB 20 Requires Hotels to Permit Guests to Carry Firearms to Private Rooms Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
April 14, 2021 OR SB 704 Prohibits the Use of the "Gay Panic" Murder Defense Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 1)
April 14, 2021 OR SB 704 Prohibits the Use of the "Gay Panic" Murder Defense Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 1)
April 13, 2021 NV SB 237 Establishes Protections for LGBTQ Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 7)
April 13, 2021 AL SB 319 Authorizes Voting to Expand Casino Gambling Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
April 12, 2021 CO SB 21-188 Authorizes a Voter with a Disability to Print the Ballot or Return the Ballot by Electronic Transmission Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
April 11, 2021 WA HB 1140 Requires Law Enforcement Provide Attorney Access to Juveniles Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
April 10, 2021 WA HB 1411 Prohibits the Automatic Disqualification of Individuals with Criminal Records from Providing Care to Vulnerable Adults or Children Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
April 10, 2021 WA HB 1320 Amends Protection Order Laws to include Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking, Anti-Harassment, Vulnerable Adult, and Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
April 9, 2021 KS SB 55 Prohibits Transgender Student Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do Not Match their Birth Sex Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 11)
April 9, 2021 KS SB 55 Prohibits Transgender Student Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do Not Match their Birth Sex Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 11)
April 9, 2021 WA HB 1267 Establishes the Office of Independent Investigations within the Governor's Office to Investigate Deadly Use of Force Incidents Involving Police Officers Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 2)
April 8, 2021 KS HB 2089 Restructures Firearm Safety Education Training Programs for School Districts Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
April 8, 2021 WV HB 3293 Requires Transgender Student Athletes Play Against Those of Their Biological Sex Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
April 8, 2021 ND HB 1498 Expands "Stand Your Ground" Laws Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 10)
April 8, 2021 TX SB 4 Requires the National Anthem be Played at All Sporting Events Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 2)
April 8, 2021 SC S 685 Authorizes College Athletes to be Paid for the Use of their Likeness Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 21)
April 8, 2021 AL SB 267 Prohibits Implementation of COVID-19 Vaccine Passports Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
April 7, 2021 VA HB 2113 Authorizes Criminal Records Expungement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
April 7, 2021 MD SB 600 Requires Independent Investigation of Police Use of Force Incidents that Result in Death Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
April 7, 2021 MD SB 71 Requires Police to Wear Body Cameras Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
April 7, 2021 OR SB 204 Expands Criminal Justice Agencies to Include Citizen Review Boards Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8)
April 5, 2021 TN SB 1229 Requires Schools to Notify Parents When Teaching About Sexual or Gender Orientation Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
April 3, 2021 WA HB 1214 Establishes the Category of Safety and Security Staff for K-12 Schools Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
April 1, 2021 AL HB 103 Prohibits the Government Selecting Which Entities Can Remain Open During COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
April 1, 2021 MD HB 670 Repeals the Law Enforcement Officer's Bill of Rights and Replaces it With a Multistep System Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
April 1, 2021 NH SB 141 Rescinds the State Police "Gun Line" "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
April 1, 2021 AL SB 308 Authorizes Residents to Purchase Lifetime Concealed Carry Permits Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
April 1, 2021 DE SB 3 Establishes that People Must Complete Firearm Training and Acquire a Permit Before Purchasing Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
April 1, 2021 DE SB 6 Prohibits the Sale of Magazines that Hold More than 17 Rounds Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
April 1, 2021 OR SB 398 Establishes the Presence of a Noose as a Hate Crime Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 1)
April 1, 2021 OR SB 398 Establishes the Presence of a Noose as a Hate Crime Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 1)
March 30, 2021 DE SB 72 Classifies Discrimination Against Any Person Because of their Religion as Illegal Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
March 30, 2021 RI S 128 Repeals Law that Only Allowed Officers to Issue Verbal Warnings to Adults Who Leave Children in Cars Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
March 30, 2021 DE SB 72 Classifies Discrimination Against Any Person Because of their Religion as Illegal Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
March 29, 2021 GA HB 218 Requires the State to Recognize Gun Carry Permits from Other States Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 18)
March 29, 2021 AR HB 1570 Prohibits Gender Transition-Related Medical Care for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
March 29, 2021 MO SB 53 Prohibits Law Enforcement Officers from Using Chokeholds Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
March 29, 2021 AR SB 346 Authorizes Law Enforcement to Charge $15 for Audiovisual Records Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
March 25, 2021 GA HB 286 Prohibits Local Police Departments from Reducing Annual Police Budgets Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 15)
March 25, 2021 WY HB 49 Increases 5 State Agency Fees and Establishes a $25 Per Month Fee to Parolees to Appropriate $1.4 Million to General Fund Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/15 SB 358 Prohibits State and Local Governments from Enforcing Any Federal Firearms Act Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)
4/15 SB 358 Prohibits State and Local Governments from Enforcing Any Federal Firearms Act Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)
4/15 SB 29 Prohibits Transgender Student's from Playing on Sports Teams That do Not Match their Birth Sex Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
4/15 SB 109 Requires Local Governments Collect Demographic Information on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
4/15 SB 29 Prohibits Transgender Student's from Playing on Sports Teams That do Not Match their Birth Sex Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
4/15 SCR 4016 Alleges Opposition to Implementation of COVID-19 Passports Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
4/14 HB 1643 Authorizes Law Enforcement and Other Officials to Make Certain Personal Information Confidential Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 8)
4/14 SB 212 Prohibits Police Officers from Using Deadly Force Before De-escalation Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
4/14 SB 212 Prohibits Police Officers from Using Deadly Force Before De-escalation Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
4/14 SB 20 Requires Hotels to Permit Guests to Carry Firearms to Private Rooms Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
4/14 SB 704 Prohibits the Use of the "Gay Panic" Murder Defense Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 1)
4/14 SB 704 Prohibits the Use of the "Gay Panic" Murder Defense Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 1)
4/13 SB 237 Establishes Protections for LGBTQ Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 7)
4/13 SB 319 Authorizes Voting to Expand Casino Gambling Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
4/12 SB 21-188 Authorizes a Voter with a Disability to Print the Ballot or Return the Ballot by Electronic Transmission Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
4/11 HB 1140 Requires Law Enforcement Provide Attorney Access to Juveniles Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
4/10 HB 1411 Prohibits the Automatic Disqualification of Individuals with Criminal Records from Providing Care to Vulnerable Adults or Children Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
4/10 HB 1320 Amends Protection Order Laws to include Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking, Anti-Harassment, Vulnerable Adult, and Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
4/09 SB 55 Prohibits Transgender Student Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do Not Match their Birth Sex Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 11)
4/09 SB 55 Prohibits Transgender Student Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do Not Match their Birth Sex Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 11)
4/09 HB 1267 Establishes the Office of Independent Investigations within the Governor's Office to Investigate Deadly Use of Force Incidents Involving Police Officers Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 2)
4/08 HB 2089 Restructures Firearm Safety Education Training Programs for School Districts Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
4/08 HB 3293 Requires Transgender Student Athletes Play Against Those of Their Biological Sex Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
4/08 HB 1498 Expands "Stand Your Ground" Laws Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 10)
4/08 SB 4 Requires the National Anthem be Played at All Sporting Events Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 2)
4/08 S 685 Authorizes College Athletes to be Paid for the Use of their Likeness Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 21)
4/08 SB 267 Prohibits Implementation of COVID-19 Vaccine Passports Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
4/07 HB 2113 Authorizes Criminal Records Expungement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
4/07 SB 600 Requires Independent Investigation of Police Use of Force Incidents that Result in Death Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
4/07 SB 71 Requires Police to Wear Body Cameras Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
4/07 SB 204 Expands Criminal Justice Agencies to Include Citizen Review Boards Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8)
4/05 SB 1229 Requires Schools to Notify Parents When Teaching About Sexual or Gender Orientation Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
4/03 HB 1214 Establishes the Category of Safety and Security Staff for K-12 Schools Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
4/01 HB 103 Prohibits the Government Selecting Which Entities Can Remain Open During COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
4/01 HB 670 Repeals the Law Enforcement Officer's Bill of Rights and Replaces it With a Multistep System Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
4/01 SB 141 Rescinds the State Police "Gun Line" "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
4/01 SB 308 Authorizes Residents to Purchase Lifetime Concealed Carry Permits Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
4/01 SB 3 Establishes that People Must Complete Firearm Training and Acquire a Permit Before Purchasing Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
4/01 SB 6 Prohibits the Sale of Magazines that Hold More than 17 Rounds Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
4/01 SB 398 Establishes the Presence of a Noose as a Hate Crime Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 1)
4/01 SB 398 Establishes the Presence of a Noose as a Hate Crime Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 1)
3/30 SB 72 Classifies Discrimination Against Any Person Because of their Religion as Illegal Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
3/30 S 128 Repeals Law that Only Allowed Officers to Issue Verbal Warnings to Adults Who Leave Children in Cars Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
3/30 SB 72 Classifies Discrimination Against Any Person Because of their Religion as Illegal Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
3/29 HB 218 Requires the State to Recognize Gun Carry Permits from Other States Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 18)
3/29 HB 1570 Prohibits Gender Transition-Related Medical Care for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
3/29 SB 53 Prohibits Law Enforcement Officers from Using Chokeholds Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
3/29 SB 346 Authorizes Law Enforcement to Charge $15 for Audiovisual Records Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
3/25 HB 286 Prohibits Local Police Departments from Reducing Annual Police Budgets Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 15)
3/25 HB 49 Increases 5 State Agency Fees and Establishes a $25 Per Month Fee to Parolees to Appropriate $1.4 Million to General Fund Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)

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