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
June 24, 2021 PA SB 618 Prohibits Vaccine Passports and Limits Powers of the Secretary of Health Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
June 24, 2021 NJ A 5580 Restructures the Urban Enterprise Zone Program Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
June 24, 2021 OR HB 2433 Increases the Total Amount of Outstanding Affordable Housing Tax Credits to $35 Million Through 2025 Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
June 24, 2021 NJ A 5207 Prohibits State, Local Entities, and Private Detention Facilities from Signing Contracts to Detain Non-Citizens Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
June 24, 2021 NJ A 5207 Prohibits State, Local Entities, and Private Detention Facilities from Signing Contracts to Detain Non-Citizens Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
June 24, 2021 NJ A 5864 Authorizes Police to View Body Camera Footage Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
June 24, 2021 NJ A 5864 Authorizes Police to View Body Camera Footage Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
June 24, 2021 OH HB 201 Prohibits Local Governments from limiting use of Natural Gas Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
June 24, 2021 RI S 190 Authorizes DMV to Issue Driving Privileges to Undocumented Residents Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
June 24, 2021 AZ SB 1847 Expands the Usage of Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
June 24, 2021 NJ S 3691 Authorizes Financial Relief to Certain Landlords and Tenants in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
June 23, 2021 NC SB 116 Establishes the North Carolina Back to Work Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
June 23, 2021 OH HB 82 Repeals ACT and SAT Requirements for High School Graduation Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
June 23, 2021 OR HB 3265 Expands and Strengthens the State's Sanctuary Law Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
June 23, 2021 OR HB 3021 Requires the Secretary of State Make Available a list of the 5 Most Common Spoken Languages Other than English by State Residents in Each County Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
June 21, 2021 NJ S 2924 Appropriates $8.4 Million for a "Restorative and Transformative Justice for Youths and Communities" Pilot Program Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
June 17, 2021 CT SB 1202 Extends Convicted Felons' Voting Rights if They are Committed to Confinement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
June 16, 2021 ME LD 1592 Establishes Decriminalization of Prostitution and Strengthens Laws Against Sexual Exploitation Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
June 16, 2021 OH SB 126 Expands Criminal Penalties for Hazing and Implements Education and Prevention Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
June 15, 2021 DE HB 124 Prohibits Abusive Individuals from Bearing Arms Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
June 15, 2021 RI S 834 Prohibits the Marital Sexual Assault Exception in Certain Cases Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
June 15, 2021 NC HB 642 Prohibits Organ Transplant Discrimination on the Basis of Down Syndrome Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
June 10, 2021 LA HB 38 Requires that School Board Information be Made Accessible On the Louisiana Fiscal Transparency Website Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 14)
June 10, 2021 NY A 7667 Requires Owners to Provide Essential Services and Habitability for Interim Multiple Dwelling Units Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 19)
June 10, 2021 NY A 7637 Authorizes Additional Supervision and Regulation of Limited-Profit Housing Companies Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 19)
June 10, 2021 NY A 2573A Prohibits the Ban on Individuals Convicted of a Felony That Prevent Them From Being Appointed Fiduciary of an Estate Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
June 10, 2021 NY A 2573A Prohibits the Ban on Individuals Convicted of a Felony That Prevent Them From Being Appointed Fiduciary of an Estate Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
June 10, 2021 NY A 2633 Authorizes Towns in the Peconic Bay Region to Establish a Community Housing Fund Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 14)
June 10, 2021 NY S 1144A Amends the Standard of Evidence Needed to Revoke the Community Supervision of a Person Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 25)
June 10, 2021 DE SB 148 Expands the Division of Civil Rights and Public Trusts Responsibility to Review Deadly Use of Force Incidents Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
June 10, 2021 NY S 7228 Expands the Number of Eligible Crimes Committed by Individuals with a Substance Use Disorder Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 13)
June 9, 2021 OR HB 3115 Amends Homeless Laws to Allow Homeless Communities to Seek Shelter on Public Property Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
June 9, 2021 ME LD 1640 Expands Protections for Campus Free Speech "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 11)
June 9, 2021 NY S 2630 Relates to certificates of relief from disabilities and certificates of good conduct upon discharge. Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 18)
June 9, 2021 WI SB 119 Increases State Funding for Communities that Increase Police Budget Spending Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
June 8, 2021 OR SB 8 Requires Local Governments to Allow Affordable Housing on Lands Not Zoned for Residential Purposes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
June 8, 2021 OR HB 3124 Extends the Local Government Timeline for Homeless Campers to Remove Belongings by 2 Days Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
June 8, 2021 NY A 3149 Establishes Requirements for Healthcare Practitioners Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 13)
June 8, 2021 CT HB 6665 Prohibits 'Whites Only' Covenants Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
June 7, 2021 OR HB 3284 Prohibits a Covered Organization from Collecting Personal Health Data Without Consent Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
June 7, 2021 CT HB 6441 Authorizes Climate Change Adaptation for Shoreline and Inland Communities Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
June 7, 2021 CO SB 21-293 Reduces Property Assessment Rates in the 2022 and 2023 Taxation Years Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
June 7, 2021 NY S 6498 Prohibits the Use of Restrains on Children Under the Age of 21 Appearing Before Family Court Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 15)
June 4, 2021 CT SB 1059 Limits the Use of Solitary Confinement Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
June 3, 2021 NY A 3412A Classifies Threats Against an Individual's Immigration Status as Extortion or Coercion Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 15)
June 3, 2021 NJ ACR 195 Alleges Dr. Anthony Fauci Should be Honored for His Public Service Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
June 3, 2021 NJ A 3352 Requires Solar Panels on All New Warehouses Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
June 3, 2021 NY A 3412A Classifies Threats Against an Individual's Immigration Status as Extortion or Coercion Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 15)
June 2, 2021 ME LD 604 Requires a Separate Line Item in the State Budget for Charter School Funding "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 15)
June 2, 2021 LA HB 438 Requires a Requester of a Public Record to Provide Sufficient Proof of Identity Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
June 2, 2021 CA SB 10 Authorizes Cities to Rezone Certain Lands for Low-Income Housing Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
June 2, 2021 CA SB 742 Prohibits Interfering with People in Connection with Any Vaccination Services Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
June 1, 2021 CA SB 464 Authorizes Food Assistance Benefits for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
June 1, 2021 CA SB 519 Authorizes the Decriminalization of Psychedelic Drugs for Veterans Suffering from PTSD Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
June 1, 2021 CA SB 523 Requires University Health Plans to Include Coverage of Over-the-counter Birth Control and Contraceptives Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
May 28, 2021 TX SB 19 Prohibits Contracts with Companies That Discriminate Against Gun Industry Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
May 28, 2021 IL SB 667 Prohibits Cities and Counties from Entering Into Contracts With ICE Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 19)
May 28, 2021 IL SB 667 Prohibits Cities and Counties from Entering Into Contracts With ICE Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 19)
May 27, 2021 TX HB 4545 Establishes Requirements for Accelerated Instruction for Students who Fail to Pass State Assessments Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
May 27, 2021 LA HB 430 Amends the Police Officer's Bill of Rights Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
May 27, 2021 CT HB 6107 Amends Zoning Regulations to Address Long-Standing Housing Inequities Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
May 26, 2021 TX HB 2497 Requires Patriotic Texas History Materials be Distributed through the DMV Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
May 26, 2021 CA SB 2 Prohibits the Transfer of Police Officers to Other Departments Following Misconduct Convictions Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
May 26, 2021 CA SB 771 Repeals Limit on the Number of Prenatal Tests State Programs May Provide Per Patient Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 4)
May 26, 2021 CA SB 9 Authorizes the Development of Up to Two Duplexes Without Local Reviews or Hearings Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
May 25, 2021 NY A 459 Establishes Proceedings to Vacate Convictions for Offenses Resulting from Sex Trafficking, Labor Trafficking and Compelling Prostitution Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
May 25, 2021 PA SB 442 Requires the Department of General Service to Determine Where to Install Cell Towers and Other Infrastructure Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
May 25, 2021 MI SB 457 Prohibits Local Public Health Directors from Issuing an Emergency Order to Mandate COVID-19 Vaccinations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
May 24, 2021 TX HB 1900 Establishes Penalties for Municipalities that Reduce Police Funding Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 3)
May 24, 2021 CO HB 21-1164 Authorizes School Districts to Raise their Mill-Levy Rates Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
May 24, 2021 NV SB 420 Establishes a State Public Option Health Care Plan Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
May 24, 2021 OR SB 418 Prohibits Police From Lying to Youth Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
May 22, 2021 TX HB 9 Increases the Criminal Penalty for Knowingly Blocking an Emergency Vehicle or Hospital Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
May 22, 2021 TX HB 9 Increases the Criminal Penalty for Knowingly Blocking an Emergency Vehicle or Hospital Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
May 22, 2021 TX HB 3979 Prohibits the Teaching of "Critical Race Theory" in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/24 SB 618 Prohibits Vaccine Passports and Limits Powers of the Secretary of Health Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
6/24 A 5580 Restructures the Urban Enterprise Zone Program Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
6/24 HB 2433 Increases the Total Amount of Outstanding Affordable Housing Tax Credits to $35 Million Through 2025 Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
6/24 A 5207 Prohibits State, Local Entities, and Private Detention Facilities from Signing Contracts to Detain Non-Citizens Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
6/24 A 5207 Prohibits State, Local Entities, and Private Detention Facilities from Signing Contracts to Detain Non-Citizens Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
6/24 A 5864 Authorizes Police to View Body Camera Footage Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
6/24 A 5864 Authorizes Police to View Body Camera Footage Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
6/24 HB 201 Prohibits Local Governments from limiting use of Natural Gas Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
6/24 S 190 Authorizes DMV to Issue Driving Privileges to Undocumented Residents Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
6/24 SB 1847 Expands the Usage of Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
6/24 S 3691 Authorizes Financial Relief to Certain Landlords and Tenants in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
6/23 SB 116 Establishes the North Carolina Back to Work Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
6/23 HB 82 Repeals ACT and SAT Requirements for High School Graduation Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
6/23 HB 3265 Expands and Strengthens the State's Sanctuary Law Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
6/23 HB 3021 Requires the Secretary of State Make Available a list of the 5 Most Common Spoken Languages Other than English by State Residents in Each County Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
6/21 S 2924 Appropriates $8.4 Million for a "Restorative and Transformative Justice for Youths and Communities" Pilot Program Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
6/17 SB 1202 Extends Convicted Felons' Voting Rights if They are Committed to Confinement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
6/16 LD 1592 Establishes Decriminalization of Prostitution and Strengthens Laws Against Sexual Exploitation Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
6/16 SB 126 Expands Criminal Penalties for Hazing and Implements Education and Prevention Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
6/15 HB 124 Prohibits Abusive Individuals from Bearing Arms Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
6/15 S 834 Prohibits the Marital Sexual Assault Exception in Certain Cases Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
6/15 HB 642 Prohibits Organ Transplant Discrimination on the Basis of Down Syndrome Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
6/10 HB 38 Requires that School Board Information be Made Accessible On the Louisiana Fiscal Transparency Website Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 14)
6/10 A 7667 Requires Owners to Provide Essential Services and Habitability for Interim Multiple Dwelling Units Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 19)
6/10 A 7637 Authorizes Additional Supervision and Regulation of Limited-Profit Housing Companies Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 19)
6/10 A 2573A Prohibits the Ban on Individuals Convicted of a Felony That Prevent Them From Being Appointed Fiduciary of an Estate Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
6/10 A 2573A Prohibits the Ban on Individuals Convicted of a Felony That Prevent Them From Being Appointed Fiduciary of an Estate Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
6/10 A 2633 Authorizes Towns in the Peconic Bay Region to Establish a Community Housing Fund Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 14)
6/10 S 1144A Amends the Standard of Evidence Needed to Revoke the Community Supervision of a Person Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 25)
6/10 SB 148 Expands the Division of Civil Rights and Public Trusts Responsibility to Review Deadly Use of Force Incidents Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
6/10 S 7228 Expands the Number of Eligible Crimes Committed by Individuals with a Substance Use Disorder Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 13)
6/09 HB 3115 Amends Homeless Laws to Allow Homeless Communities to Seek Shelter on Public Property Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
6/09 LD 1640 Expands Protections for Campus Free Speech "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 11)
6/09 S 2630 Relates to certificates of relief from disabilities and certificates of good conduct upon discharge. Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 18)
6/09 SB 119 Increases State Funding for Communities that Increase Police Budget Spending Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
6/08 SB 8 Requires Local Governments to Allow Affordable Housing on Lands Not Zoned for Residential Purposes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
6/08 HB 3124 Extends the Local Government Timeline for Homeless Campers to Remove Belongings by 2 Days Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
6/08 A 3149 Establishes Requirements for Healthcare Practitioners Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 13)
6/08 HB 6665 Prohibits 'Whites Only' Covenants Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
6/07 HB 3284 Prohibits a Covered Organization from Collecting Personal Health Data Without Consent Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
6/07 HB 6441 Authorizes Climate Change Adaptation for Shoreline and Inland Communities Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
6/07 SB 21-293 Reduces Property Assessment Rates in the 2022 and 2023 Taxation Years Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
6/07 S 6498 Prohibits the Use of Restrains on Children Under the Age of 21 Appearing Before Family Court Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 15)
6/04 SB 1059 Limits the Use of Solitary Confinement Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
6/03 A 3412A Classifies Threats Against an Individual's Immigration Status as Extortion or Coercion Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 15)
6/03 ACR 195 Alleges Dr. Anthony Fauci Should be Honored for His Public Service Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
6/03 A 3352 Requires Solar Panels on All New Warehouses Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
6/03 A 3412A Classifies Threats Against an Individual's Immigration Status as Extortion or Coercion Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 15)
6/02 LD 604 Requires a Separate Line Item in the State Budget for Charter School Funding "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 15)
6/02 HB 438 Requires a Requester of a Public Record to Provide Sufficient Proof of Identity Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
6/02 SB 10 Authorizes Cities to Rezone Certain Lands for Low-Income Housing Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
6/02 SB 742 Prohibits Interfering with People in Connection with Any Vaccination Services Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
6/01 SB 464 Authorizes Food Assistance Benefits for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
6/01 SB 519 Authorizes the Decriminalization of Psychedelic Drugs for Veterans Suffering from PTSD Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
6/01 SB 523 Requires University Health Plans to Include Coverage of Over-the-counter Birth Control and Contraceptives Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
5/28 SB 19 Prohibits Contracts with Companies That Discriminate Against Gun Industry Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
5/28 SB 667 Prohibits Cities and Counties from Entering Into Contracts With ICE Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 19)
5/28 SB 667 Prohibits Cities and Counties from Entering Into Contracts With ICE Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 19)
5/27 HB 4545 Establishes Requirements for Accelerated Instruction for Students who Fail to Pass State Assessments Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
5/27 HB 430 Amends the Police Officer's Bill of Rights Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
5/27 HB 6107 Amends Zoning Regulations to Address Long-Standing Housing Inequities Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
5/26 HB 2497 Requires Patriotic Texas History Materials be Distributed through the DMV Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
5/26 SB 2 Prohibits the Transfer of Police Officers to Other Departments Following Misconduct Convictions Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
5/26 SB 771 Repeals Limit on the Number of Prenatal Tests State Programs May Provide Per Patient Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 4)
5/26 SB 9 Authorizes the Development of Up to Two Duplexes Without Local Reviews or Hearings Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
5/25 A 459 Establishes Proceedings to Vacate Convictions for Offenses Resulting from Sex Trafficking, Labor Trafficking and Compelling Prostitution Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
5/25 SB 442 Requires the Department of General Service to Determine Where to Install Cell Towers and Other Infrastructure Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
5/25 SB 457 Prohibits Local Public Health Directors from Issuing an Emergency Order to Mandate COVID-19 Vaccinations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
5/24 HB 1900 Establishes Penalties for Municipalities that Reduce Police Funding Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 3)
5/24 HB 21-1164 Authorizes School Districts to Raise their Mill-Levy Rates Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
5/24 SB 420 Establishes a State Public Option Health Care Plan Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
5/24 SB 418 Prohibits Police From Lying to Youth Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
5/22 HB 9 Increases the Criminal Penalty for Knowingly Blocking an Emergency Vehicle or Hospital Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
5/22 HB 9 Increases the Criminal Penalty for Knowingly Blocking an Emergency Vehicle or Hospital Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
5/22 HB 3979 Prohibits the Teaching of "Critical Race Theory" in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)

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