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
Feb. 28, 2024 LA HB 2 Authorizes Immunity for Law Enforcement Under Most Circumstances Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
Feb. 22, 2024 OR SB 1576 Amends Liability Laws to make Owners Immune from Liability when they Allow Recreation on Their Land Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 2)
Feb. 22, 2024 LA SB 9 Authorizes Prosecutors to Bring Rape Charges at Any Time Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Feb. 22, 2024 KS SB 190 Requires Extra Information for Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
Feb. 20, 2024 WI SB 613 Limits Non-Economic Damage Awarded in Lawsuits Involving Commercial Vehicle Accidents to $1 Million Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
Feb. 19, 2024 OR SB 1580 Prohibits Employer Falsifying of Payroll Report Records Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
Feb. 16, 2024 UT HB 272 Increases Protections for Minors in Child Custody Judicial Proceedings Bill Passed - House (59 - 8)
Feb. 8, 2024 SD HB 1203 Requires Entities Using Eminent Domain to Cover Certain Legal Costs for Landowners Bill Passed - House (61 - 3)
Feb. 8, 2024 SD HB 1057 Establishes a Statewide Public Defender Office Bill Passed - House (60 - 4)
Feb. 6, 2024 WA HB 1579 Establishes State Prosecution Office with the Authority to Charge Police for Deadly Use of Force Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
Feb. 6, 2024 GA SB 332 Establishes a Commission to Investigate Complaints Against Prosecutors Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 22)
Dec. 13, 2023 PA SB 140 Authorizes the State Attorney General to Appoint a Special Prosecutor for South Eastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) Crimes Bill Passed - House (159 - 44)
Oct. 4, 2023 PA HB 1300 Authorizes Funding for Home Repair Subsidies, Adult Mental Health Services, and Public Defenders Concurrence Vote Passed - House (121 - 82)
Oct. 4, 2023 PA HB 27 Appropriates Funding for State K-12 Public Education System Concurrence Vote Passed - House (106 - 97)
Aug. 30, 2023 PA HB 1300 Authorizes Funding for Home Repair Subsidies, Adult Mental Health Services, and Public Defenders Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
July 25, 2023 ME LD 582 Expands Penalties for Possession of Firearms by Prohibited Persons Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 5)
June 30, 2023 NJ S 3771 Repeals Fees for Public Defenders Services Bill Passed - House (46 - 29)
June 30, 2023 NJ S 3772 Extends Public Defender Representation to Those Seeking Parole Revocation Bill Passed - House (45 - 31)
June 30, 2023 NJ S 3772 Extends Public Defender Representation to Those Seeking Parole Revocation Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
June 30, 2023 NJ S 3771 Repeals Fees for Public Defenders Services Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
June 23, 2023 OR HB 2929 Authorizes the Water Resources Department to Seek Injunctive Relief Against Violators or Attempted Violators of State Water Laws Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 7)
June 22, 2023 OR HB 3242 Authorizes Policyholders to Recover Actual Damages from Unfair Claim Settlement Practices Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 7)
June 22, 2023 OR HB 2054 Establishes that Deputy District Attorneys Qualify as Police Officers in the Retirement System Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 3)
June 21, 2023 OR SB 337 Establishes the Oregon Public Defense Commission within Judicial Branch Bill Passed - House (34 - 16)
June 21, 2023 OH HB 122 Establishes Increased Protections for Guardian ad Litems and Court Appointed Special Advocates Bill Passed - House (64 - 28)
June 20, 2023 OR SB 337 Establishes the Oregon Public Defense Commission within Judicial Branch Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 8)
June 15, 2023 OH SB 21 Restructures Where Individuals can Contest State Agency Orders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
June 15, 2023 RI S 912 Authorizes Residential Eviction Court Files to be Sealed Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 18)
June 14, 2023 OH SB 21 Restructures Where Individuals can Contest State Agency Orders Bill Passed - House (68 - 27)
June 14, 2023 RI S 912 Authorizes Residential Eviction Court Files to be Sealed Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
June 12, 2023 PA HB 1085 Appropriates Funding for the State Public Defenders Office Bill Passed - House (132 - 71)
June 8, 2023 LA HB 160 Authorizes Victims and Family in Juvenile Court Proceedings to Openly Share Information Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 1)
June 8, 2023 LA SB 159 Amends Previous Law to Automatically Classify 17-Year-Old Defendants as Adults Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 34)
June 8, 2023 LA SB 159 Amends Previous Law to Automatically Classify 17-Year-Old Defendants as Adults Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 11)
June 7, 2023 SC S 96 Prohibits a Person from Operating Certain Watercraft Without Possessing a Boating Safety Certificate Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 7)
June 6, 2023 LA HB 91 Authorizes Restitution to Victims of Vehicular Homicide Concurrence Vote Passed - House (78 - 16)
June 5, 2023 NV AB 404 Authorizes Caps for Medical Malpractice Lawsuits to Increase Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
June 5, 2023 LA HB 91 Authorizes Restitution to Victims of Vehicular Homicide Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
June 4, 2023 LA SB 196 Increases Financial Transparency Requirements in Litigation Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
June 1, 2023 LA SB 196 Increases Financial Transparency Requirements in Litigation Bill Passed - House (55 - 28)
June 1, 2023 NE LB 50 Establishes Statutes Regarding Administration of Justice Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
May 26, 2023 NV AB 404 Authorizes Caps for Medical Malpractice Lawsuits to Increase Bill Passed - House (24 - 17)
May 23, 2023 NV AB 101 Requires Prosecutors Using Jailhouse Informants to Disclose Their Criminal History Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 0)
May 10, 2023 IL HB 1155 Authorizes Individuals Injured by an Impaired Minor to Sue the Individual Who Supplied the Drugs or Alcohol Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 2)
May 8, 2023 AK SB 53 Amends Statutes Regarding Competency to Stand Trial Bill Passed - Senate
May 6, 2023 CO SB 23-277 Expands Public Safety Programs and Extends Existing Appropriations Bill Passed - House (48 - 17)
May 3, 2023 FL SB 170 Amends Laws Concerning Local Ordinances and Legal Suits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
May 3, 2023 FL SB 170 Amends Laws Concerning Local Ordinances and Legal Suits Bill Passed - House (82 - 33)
May 3, 2023 IA SF 563 Appropriates Funding for State Judicial Spending and Requires Courts Obtain Consent of Non-Contract Attorneys Bill Passed - House (60 - 33)
May 3, 2023 CT HB 6639 Requires Timely Scheduling of Temporary Financial Support Hearings in Divorce Proceedings Bill Passed - House (143 - 0)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/28 HB 2 Authorizes Immunity for Law Enforcement Under Most Circumstances Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
2/22 SB 1576 Amends Liability Laws to make Owners Immune from Liability when they Allow Recreation on Their Land Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 2)
2/22 SB 9 Authorizes Prosecutors to Bring Rape Charges at Any Time Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
2/22 SB 190 Requires Extra Information for Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
2/20 SB 613 Limits Non-Economic Damage Awarded in Lawsuits Involving Commercial Vehicle Accidents to $1 Million Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
2/19 SB 1580 Prohibits Employer Falsifying of Payroll Report Records Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
2/16 HB 272 Increases Protections for Minors in Child Custody Judicial Proceedings Bill Passed - House (59 - 8)
2/08 HB 1203 Requires Entities Using Eminent Domain to Cover Certain Legal Costs for Landowners Bill Passed - House (61 - 3)
2/08 HB 1057 Establishes a Statewide Public Defender Office Bill Passed - House (60 - 4)
2/06 HB 1579 Establishes State Prosecution Office with the Authority to Charge Police for Deadly Use of Force Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
2/06 SB 332 Establishes a Commission to Investigate Complaints Against Prosecutors Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 22)
12/13 SB 140 Authorizes the State Attorney General to Appoint a Special Prosecutor for South Eastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) Crimes Bill Passed - House (159 - 44)
10/04 HB 1300 Authorizes Funding for Home Repair Subsidies, Adult Mental Health Services, and Public Defenders Concurrence Vote Passed - House (121 - 82)
10/04 HB 27 Appropriates Funding for State K-12 Public Education System Concurrence Vote Passed - House (106 - 97)
8/30 HB 1300 Authorizes Funding for Home Repair Subsidies, Adult Mental Health Services, and Public Defenders Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
7/25 LD 582 Expands Penalties for Possession of Firearms by Prohibited Persons Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 5)
6/30 S 3771 Repeals Fees for Public Defenders Services Bill Passed - House (46 - 29)
6/30 S 3772 Extends Public Defender Representation to Those Seeking Parole Revocation Bill Passed - House (45 - 31)
6/30 S 3772 Extends Public Defender Representation to Those Seeking Parole Revocation Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
6/30 S 3771 Repeals Fees for Public Defenders Services Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
6/23 HB 2929 Authorizes the Water Resources Department to Seek Injunctive Relief Against Violators or Attempted Violators of State Water Laws Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 7)
6/22 HB 3242 Authorizes Policyholders to Recover Actual Damages from Unfair Claim Settlement Practices Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 7)
6/22 HB 2054 Establishes that Deputy District Attorneys Qualify as Police Officers in the Retirement System Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 3)
6/21 SB 337 Establishes the Oregon Public Defense Commission within Judicial Branch Bill Passed - House (34 - 16)
6/21 HB 122 Establishes Increased Protections for Guardian ad Litems and Court Appointed Special Advocates Bill Passed - House (64 - 28)
6/20 SB 337 Establishes the Oregon Public Defense Commission within Judicial Branch Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 8)
6/15 SB 21 Restructures Where Individuals can Contest State Agency Orders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
6/15 S 912 Authorizes Residential Eviction Court Files to be Sealed Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 18)
6/14 SB 21 Restructures Where Individuals can Contest State Agency Orders Bill Passed - House (68 - 27)
6/14 S 912 Authorizes Residential Eviction Court Files to be Sealed Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
6/12 HB 1085 Appropriates Funding for the State Public Defenders Office Bill Passed - House (132 - 71)
6/08 HB 160 Authorizes Victims and Family in Juvenile Court Proceedings to Openly Share Information Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 1)
6/08 SB 159 Amends Previous Law to Automatically Classify 17-Year-Old Defendants as Adults Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 34)
6/08 SB 159 Amends Previous Law to Automatically Classify 17-Year-Old Defendants as Adults Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 11)
6/07 S 96 Prohibits a Person from Operating Certain Watercraft Without Possessing a Boating Safety Certificate Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 7)
6/06 HB 91 Authorizes Restitution to Victims of Vehicular Homicide Concurrence Vote Passed - House (78 - 16)
6/05 AB 404 Authorizes Caps for Medical Malpractice Lawsuits to Increase Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
6/05 HB 91 Authorizes Restitution to Victims of Vehicular Homicide Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
6/04 SB 196 Increases Financial Transparency Requirements in Litigation Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
6/01 SB 196 Increases Financial Transparency Requirements in Litigation Bill Passed - House (55 - 28)
6/01 LB 50 Establishes Statutes Regarding Administration of Justice Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
5/26 AB 404 Authorizes Caps for Medical Malpractice Lawsuits to Increase Bill Passed - House (24 - 17)
5/23 AB 101 Requires Prosecutors Using Jailhouse Informants to Disclose Their Criminal History Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 0)
5/10 HB 1155 Authorizes Individuals Injured by an Impaired Minor to Sue the Individual Who Supplied the Drugs or Alcohol Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 2)
5/08 SB 53 Amends Statutes Regarding Competency to Stand Trial Bill Passed - Senate
5/06 SB 23-277 Expands Public Safety Programs and Extends Existing Appropriations Bill Passed - House (48 - 17)
5/03 SB 170 Amends Laws Concerning Local Ordinances and Legal Suits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
5/03 SB 170 Amends Laws Concerning Local Ordinances and Legal Suits Bill Passed - House (82 - 33)
5/03 SF 563 Appropriates Funding for State Judicial Spending and Requires Courts Obtain Consent of Non-Contract Attorneys Bill Passed - House (60 - 33)
5/03 HB 6639 Requires Timely Scheduling of Temporary Financial Support Hearings in Divorce Proceedings Bill Passed - House (143 - 0)

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