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 24, 2023 CA SB 447 Authorizes State and Public University Employees to Resume Travel to Previously Restricted States Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
May 24, 2023 CA SB 735 Establishes Extra Occupational Safety Measures on Motion Picture Sets Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
May 24, 2023 NE LB 753 Establishes Tax Credits and Matching Funds for Private School Scholarships Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11)
May 22, 2023 MN SF 1384 Requires Safety Protections for Healthcare Workers Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 26)
May 22, 2023 CA SB 674 Requires Community Air Monitoring Systems be Installed Near Petroleum Refineries Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
May 21, 2023 MN HF 2369 Increases Worker Protections Ride Sharing Companies Must Require Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 32)
May 19, 2023 OK SB 212 Prohibits Non-Citizens from Owning Certain Property Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 6)
May 19, 2023 OK SB 513 Requires Medicaid and Private Insurance Groups Cover Biomarker Testing Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 3)
May 19, 2023 IL SB 76 Repeals the Moratorium on New Nuclear Power Plant Construction Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
May 19, 2023 IL SB 1665 Exempts Unconditional Subsidies from Medical Financial Assistance Considerations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 18)
May 19, 2023 IL SB 1476 Restructures the State Housing Appeals Board and Affordable Housing Plan Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 17)
May 18, 2023 RI H 5006 Requires All State Employee's and Individuals Receiving Medicaid Continue to Receive Abortion Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
May 18, 2023 DE SB 103 Requires All New Home Construction Have Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
May 18, 2023 DE SB 103 Requires All New Home Construction Have Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
May 17, 2023 IL HB 3892 Authorizes the Development of Urban Gardening at Affordable Housing Projects Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 11)
May 17, 2023 IL HB 2531 Establishes a South Suburban Airport in Peotone Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 20)
May 17, 2023 IL HB 3892 Authorizes the Development of Urban Gardening at Affordable Housing Projects Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 11)
May 17, 2023 DE SB 99 Prohibits Municipalities from Requiring Landlords Evict Tenants Based on Their Involvement in the Justice System Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 4)
May 17, 2023 OH SB 83 Establishes New Rules Concerning Diversity Training, Classroom Bias, and Faculty Strikes Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
May 16, 2023 TX HB 2127 Prohibits Cities From Passing any Heat-Related Ordinances Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
May 16, 2023 ME LD 1389 Establishes a Mobile Learning Lab Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
May 16, 2023 RI S 71 Appropriates State Funds to Provide for Free School Breakfast and Lunch in All K-12 Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
May 13, 2023 AK SB 99 Establishes Financial Literacy Classes in Alaska Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 0)
May 12, 2023 AK SB 140 Increases Funding for Rural School Internet Access Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 0)
May 11, 2023 IL HB 2222 Amends the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act and Requires That the Attorney General Receive Notice of all Covered Transactions Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 19)
May 11, 2023 AK SB 52 Requires the Department of Education and Early Development to Provide Information Relating to Public Schools on an Internet Website and other requirements Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 3)
May 11, 2023 AK SB 75 Authorizes Joining the Audiology and Speech-Language Interstate Compact Bill Passed - Senate
May 11, 2023 AK SB 74 Authorizes Joining the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 7)
May 10, 2023 MO SB 40 Requires Background Checks for Students 18 and Older Reenrolling in High School Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
May 10, 2023 MO SB 398 Prohibits Hand Held Cell Phone Use While Driving Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
May 10, 2023 TX HB 591 Authorizes Tax Exemptions for Companies that Use Otherwise Wasted Gas Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
May 10, 2023 MI HB 4251 Repeals Individual Commercial Driver's Licenses for Distracted Drivers Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
May 10, 2023 MI HB 4252 Requires Legislative Reporting of Distracted Driving Fine Amounts and Statistics Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
May 10, 2023 MI HB 4250 Increases Penalties for Distracted Driving Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
May 10, 2023 SC H 3728 Prohibits Certain Topics From Being Discussed in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
May 10, 2023 AK SB 45 Authorizes Health Care Providers to Enter Into Direct Health Care Agreements with Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 2)
May 9, 2023 VT S 5 Establishes State Clean Energy Heat Standards Veto Override Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
May 9, 2023 MN HF 2335 Appropriates $1 Billion in Omnibus Housing Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 32)
May 9, 2023 MO SB 75 Authorizes K-12 Schools to Hire more Retired Teachers for Longer Contracts Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 4)
May 8, 2023 CO SB 23-291 Limits Utility Companies from Charging Ratepayers for Certain Lobbying and Marketing Costs Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
May 8, 2023 CA SB 385 Authorizes Physician Assistants to Receive Training for First-Trimester Abortions via Vacuum Aspiration Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
May 8, 2023 AK SB 67 Prohibits Certain Firefighting Substances Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 0)
May 7, 2023 CO HB 23-1190 Authorizes Local Governments the Right of First Refusal on Multifamily Properties Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
May 7, 2023 CO HB 23-1200 Establishes Behavioral Health Crisis Vouchers to Fund Treatment Plans Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
May 6, 2023 CO HB 23-1120 Requires Landlords go Through Mediation Before Evicting a Renter Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
May 6, 2023 CO HB 23-1253 Establish a Task Force to Study Corporate Housing Ownership Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
May 5, 2023 MO SB 45 Amends Various Provisions Relating to Health Care Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 7)
May 5, 2023 MO SB 106 Requires Patient Approval before Doctors Give Prostate, Anal, or Pelvic Exams to Unconscious Individuals Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
May 5, 2023 AK SB 13 Requires the State University System List Costs of Course Materials in its Course Catalog Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 1)
May 4, 2023 CO HB 23-1002 Appropriates Funds for Epipens and Auto-Injectors Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 8)
May 4, 2023 CO HB 23-1255 Prohibits Local Growth Caps Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
May 4, 2023 CO HB 23-1304 Amends Various Affordable Housing Rules and Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
May 4, 2023 CO HB 23-1215 Prohibits Hospitals from Charging Facility Fees for Preventive Care Services Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
May 4, 2023 IL HB 2231 Requires Ride Share Companies like Uber and Lyft be Liable for Accidents Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 18)
May 4, 2023 MN HF 717 Amends the Name of Highway 7 in Chanhassen and Eden Praire to Prince Rogers Nelson Memorial Highway Bill Passed - Senate (55 - 5)
May 4, 2023 MN HF 717 Amends the Name of Highway 7 in Chanhassen and Eden Praire to Prince Rogers Nelson Memorial Highway Bill Passed - Senate (55 - 5)
May 4, 2023 HI SB 945 Establishes a Crypto Currency Regulation Program within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Division of Financial Institutions Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 2)
May 3, 2023 IL HB 2789 Prohibits Librarians From Banning Books Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 19)
May 3, 2023 National H J Res 39 Disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of Commerce relating to "Procedures Covering Suspension of Liquidation, Duties and Estimated Duties in Accord with Presidential Proclamation 10414" Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (56 - 41)
May 3, 2023 IA HF 605 Establishes Energy Benchmark Requirements for Private Properties Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
May 3, 2023 IA SF 560 Appropriates Funding for State Department of Education Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
May 3, 2023 CT SB 228 Requires Employees Keep Healthcare Coverage after a Labor Dispute Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
May 3, 2023 IA SF 578 Amends Various State Finance Laws and Authorizes Appropriations for Spending Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
May 2, 2023 MT HB 819 Establishes the Montana Community Reinvestment Act to Fund Workforce Housing Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 23)
May 2, 2023 MT SB 518 Increases Parental Rights and Involvement in School Curriculum Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
May 2, 2023 VT H 230 Establishes New Restrictions on Firearm Purchase to Prevent Suicide Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
May 2, 2023 OR HB 2982 Requires Insurers to Offer Expanded Coverage in Case of Major Disaster Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
May 2, 2023 FL HB 931 Prohibits Public Institutions from Requiring Students, Faculty, or Staff Take Political Loyalty Tests Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
May 2, 2023 TX SB 258 Establishes a 1% State Energy Savings Goal by 2030 Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
May 2, 2023 PA SB 140 Authorizes the State Attorney General to Appoint a Special Prosecutor for South Eastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) Crimes Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
May 1, 2023 CO HB 23-1181 Restructures Regulation of Guaranteed Asset Protection Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
May 1, 2023 FL HB 949 Requires Individuals Under 18 have a Learner's Permit or Driver's License to Operate a Golf Cart on Public Roads Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
April 28, 2023 IN HB 1591 Amends Laws Regarding Retention of Records in Public Schools Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 10)
April 28, 2023 KS SB 113 Appropriates Funds for the State K-12 Education Budget for 2024-2027 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 16)
April 28, 2023 ND SB 2284 Appropriates $6 Million to Provide Low-Income K-12 Students Free School Meals Conference Report Adopted - Senate (42 - 4)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/24 SB 447 Authorizes State and Public University Employees to Resume Travel to Previously Restricted States Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
5/24 SB 735 Establishes Extra Occupational Safety Measures on Motion Picture Sets Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
5/24 LB 753 Establishes Tax Credits and Matching Funds for Private School Scholarships Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11)
5/22 SF 1384 Requires Safety Protections for Healthcare Workers Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 26)
5/22 SB 674 Requires Community Air Monitoring Systems be Installed Near Petroleum Refineries Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
5/21 HF 2369 Increases Worker Protections Ride Sharing Companies Must Require Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 32)
5/19 SB 212 Prohibits Non-Citizens from Owning Certain Property Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 6)
5/19 SB 513 Requires Medicaid and Private Insurance Groups Cover Biomarker Testing Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 3)
5/19 SB 76 Repeals the Moratorium on New Nuclear Power Plant Construction Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
5/19 SB 1665 Exempts Unconditional Subsidies from Medical Financial Assistance Considerations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 18)
5/19 SB 1476 Restructures the State Housing Appeals Board and Affordable Housing Plan Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 17)
5/18 H 5006 Requires All State Employee's and Individuals Receiving Medicaid Continue to Receive Abortion Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
5/18 SB 103 Requires All New Home Construction Have Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
5/18 SB 103 Requires All New Home Construction Have Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
5/17 HB 3892 Authorizes the Development of Urban Gardening at Affordable Housing Projects Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 11)
5/17 HB 2531 Establishes a South Suburban Airport in Peotone Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 20)
5/17 HB 3892 Authorizes the Development of Urban Gardening at Affordable Housing Projects Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 11)
5/17 SB 99 Prohibits Municipalities from Requiring Landlords Evict Tenants Based on Their Involvement in the Justice System Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 4)
5/17 SB 83 Establishes New Rules Concerning Diversity Training, Classroom Bias, and Faculty Strikes Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
5/16 HB 2127 Prohibits Cities From Passing any Heat-Related Ordinances Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
5/16 LD 1389 Establishes a Mobile Learning Lab Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
5/16 S 71 Appropriates State Funds to Provide for Free School Breakfast and Lunch in All K-12 Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
5/13 SB 99 Establishes Financial Literacy Classes in Alaska Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 0)
5/12 SB 140 Increases Funding for Rural School Internet Access Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 0)
5/11 HB 2222 Amends the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act and Requires That the Attorney General Receive Notice of all Covered Transactions Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 19)
5/11 SB 52 Requires the Department of Education and Early Development to Provide Information Relating to Public Schools on an Internet Website and other requirements Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 3)
5/11 SB 75 Authorizes Joining the Audiology and Speech-Language Interstate Compact Bill Passed - Senate
5/11 SB 74 Authorizes Joining the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 7)
5/10 SB 40 Requires Background Checks for Students 18 and Older Reenrolling in High School Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
5/10 SB 398 Prohibits Hand Held Cell Phone Use While Driving Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
5/10 HB 591 Authorizes Tax Exemptions for Companies that Use Otherwise Wasted Gas Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
5/10 HB 4251 Repeals Individual Commercial Driver's Licenses for Distracted Drivers Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
5/10 HB 4252 Requires Legislative Reporting of Distracted Driving Fine Amounts and Statistics Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
5/10 HB 4250 Increases Penalties for Distracted Driving Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
5/10 H 3728 Prohibits Certain Topics From Being Discussed in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
5/10 SB 45 Authorizes Health Care Providers to Enter Into Direct Health Care Agreements with Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 2)
5/09 S 5 Establishes State Clean Energy Heat Standards Veto Override Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
5/09 HF 2335 Appropriates $1 Billion in Omnibus Housing Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 32)
5/09 SB 75 Authorizes K-12 Schools to Hire more Retired Teachers for Longer Contracts Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 4)
5/08 SB 23-291 Limits Utility Companies from Charging Ratepayers for Certain Lobbying and Marketing Costs Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
5/08 SB 385 Authorizes Physician Assistants to Receive Training for First-Trimester Abortions via Vacuum Aspiration Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
5/08 SB 67 Prohibits Certain Firefighting Substances Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 0)
5/07 HB 23-1190 Authorizes Local Governments the Right of First Refusal on Multifamily Properties Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
5/07 HB 23-1200 Establishes Behavioral Health Crisis Vouchers to Fund Treatment Plans Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
5/06 HB 23-1120 Requires Landlords go Through Mediation Before Evicting a Renter Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
5/06 HB 23-1253 Establish a Task Force to Study Corporate Housing Ownership Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
5/05 SB 45 Amends Various Provisions Relating to Health Care Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 7)
5/05 SB 106 Requires Patient Approval before Doctors Give Prostate, Anal, or Pelvic Exams to Unconscious Individuals Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
5/05 SB 13 Requires the State University System List Costs of Course Materials in its Course Catalog Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 1)
5/04 HB 23-1002 Appropriates Funds for Epipens and Auto-Injectors Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 8)
5/04 HB 23-1255 Prohibits Local Growth Caps Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
5/04 HB 23-1304 Amends Various Affordable Housing Rules and Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
5/04 HB 23-1215 Prohibits Hospitals from Charging Facility Fees for Preventive Care Services Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
5/04 HB 2231 Requires Ride Share Companies like Uber and Lyft be Liable for Accidents Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 18)
5/04 HF 717 Amends the Name of Highway 7 in Chanhassen and Eden Praire to Prince Rogers Nelson Memorial Highway Bill Passed - Senate (55 - 5)
5/04 HF 717 Amends the Name of Highway 7 in Chanhassen and Eden Praire to Prince Rogers Nelson Memorial Highway Bill Passed - Senate (55 - 5)
5/04 SB 945 Establishes a Crypto Currency Regulation Program within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Division of Financial Institutions Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 2)
5/03 HB 2789 Prohibits Librarians From Banning Books Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 19)
5/03 H J Res 39 Disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of Commerce relating to "Procedures Covering Suspension of Liquidation, Duties and Estimated Duties in Accord with Presidential Proclamation 10414" Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (56 - 41)
5/03 HF 605 Establishes Energy Benchmark Requirements for Private Properties Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
5/03 SF 560 Appropriates Funding for State Department of Education Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
5/03 SB 228 Requires Employees Keep Healthcare Coverage after a Labor Dispute Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
5/03 SF 578 Amends Various State Finance Laws and Authorizes Appropriations for Spending Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
5/02 HB 819 Establishes the Montana Community Reinvestment Act to Fund Workforce Housing Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 23)
5/02 SB 518 Increases Parental Rights and Involvement in School Curriculum Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
5/02 H 230 Establishes New Restrictions on Firearm Purchase to Prevent Suicide Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
5/02 HB 2982 Requires Insurers to Offer Expanded Coverage in Case of Major Disaster Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
5/02 HB 931 Prohibits Public Institutions from Requiring Students, Faculty, or Staff Take Political Loyalty Tests Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
5/02 SB 258 Establishes a 1% State Energy Savings Goal by 2030 Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
5/02 SB 140 Authorizes the State Attorney General to Appoint a Special Prosecutor for South Eastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) Crimes Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
5/01 HB 23-1181 Restructures Regulation of Guaranteed Asset Protection Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
5/01 HB 949 Requires Individuals Under 18 have a Learner's Permit or Driver's License to Operate a Golf Cart on Public Roads Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
4/28 HB 1591 Amends Laws Regarding Retention of Records in Public Schools Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 10)
4/28 SB 113 Appropriates Funds for the State K-12 Education Budget for 2024-2027 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 16)
4/28 SB 2284 Appropriates $6 Million to Provide Low-Income K-12 Students Free School Meals Conference Report Adopted - Senate (42 - 4)

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