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.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
Dec. 20, 2021 NJ S 2834 Requires Culturally Responsive Training for Teaching Candidates Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
Dec. 15, 2021 OH HB 126 Amends the Process to Challenge Property Value Evaluations Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
Dec. 14, 2021 MI SB 771 Amends Strategic Fund Act Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
Dec. 8, 2021 National S J Res 29 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing; Emergency Temporary Standard" Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 48)
Dec. 8, 2021 National S J Res 29 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing; Emergency Temporary Standard" Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 48)
Nov. 18, 2021 OK HB 1002 Authorizes the Oklahoma Congressional Redistricting Act of 2021 Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
Nov. 17, 2021 FL HB 5 Authorizes the Development of a Plan to Create a State Occupational Safety and Health Administration Agency Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
Nov. 17, 2021 FL HB 1 Prohibits Private Employers from Imposing COVID-19 Vaccination Mandates Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
Nov. 17, 2021 FL HB 7 Prohibits the State Health Officer from Ordering the Vaccination of Individuals Upon the Declaration of Public Health Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
Nov. 17, 2021 FL HB 3 Authorizes Exemption from Public Records Requirements for Employee Complaints Alleging Private Employer's Violation of COVID-19 Vaccination Policies or Practices Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
Nov. 17, 2021 MA H 4256 Amends Congressional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
Nov. 12, 2021 ND HB 1508 Prohibits Teaching of Critical Race Theory Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
Nov. 8, 2021 WI SB 585 Requires Schools to Provide Statistics Relating to On-Campus Crime Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Nov. 8, 2021 WI SB 585 Requires Schools to Provide Statistics Relating to On-Campus Crime Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Oct. 28, 2021 IL HB 3512 Amends Criminal Justice Law Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 17)
Oct. 27, 2021 MA S 2560 Establishes Senatorial Districts Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 3)
Oct. 26, 2021 MI HB 4485 Establishes a Sunset Cap for Taxes on Cigars and Cigarettes Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
Oct. 26, 2021 MI SB 602 Prohibits the Department of Health and Human Services from Enforcing Vaccine or Mask Mandates Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
Oct. 26, 2021 PA SB 814 Increases Penalties For Fleeing the Police on Foot Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
Oct. 26, 2021 MI SB 603 Prohibits Emergency Orders that Mandate the Use of Vaccines and Face Masks Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
Oct. 26, 2021 MI SB 601 Requires Mask Waivers for School Districts with Established Mask Mandates Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
Oct. 26, 2021 PA SB 814 Classifies Fleeing an Officer Attempting to Arrest and Injuring a Police Dog as a Crime Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
Oct. 26, 2021 PA SB 705 Authorizes the Regulation of Telemedicine by Professional Licensing Boards Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 4)
Oct. 25, 2021 WI SB 125 Extends Tax Benefits to Provide Tuition Tax Breaks for Apprentices in Trade Schools Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
Oct. 25, 2021 WI SB 454 Amends State Reading Readiness Assessments Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
Oct. 19, 2021 WV HB 335 Limits Employer Discretion in Requiring Workers have the COVID-19 Vaccine Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
Oct. 19, 2021 MI SB 688 Establishes Tax Credits for Individuals who Provide Funding for Supplemental Non-Public School Scholarships Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
Oct. 7, 2021 MI HB 5007 Rescinds Fees for Obtaining or Renewing a State ID Card Starting in 2022 (20 - 16)
Oct. 7, 2021 AR SB 731 Establishes a Right of Privacy Concerning COVID-19 Vaccination Status Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
Oct. 6, 2021 AR HB 1977 Exempts Employees from Federal Mandates and Employer Mandates Related to COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
Oct. 6, 2021 NC HB 761 Establishes Police Vehicle and Equipment Protection Act Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 5)
Oct. 4, 2021 AR SB 730 Extends Unemployment Benefits to Individuals Who Have Been Terminated After Refusing the COVID-19 Vaccine Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
Oct. 4, 2021 AR SB 732 Prohibits the Process Known as "Vaccine Coercion" Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
Oct. 4, 2021 AR SB 739 Exempts Employees from Federal Vaccine Mandates Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Oct. 1, 2021 AL HB 2 Increases the Number of Inmates who Could be Released Before the End of Their Sentence Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
Sept. 28, 2021 CT SR 76 Authorizes Governor's Renewed Emergency Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
Sept. 28, 2021 WI SB 463 Requires School Boards to make Information about Learning Materials used for Pupil Instruction Public Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
Sept. 10, 2021 CA SB 586 Authorizes California's Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training to Strip an Officer's Certification Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 9)
Sept. 10, 2021 CA SB 98 Establishes Journalists Can Cover Events in Areas that Have Been Closed by Law Enforcement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
Sept. 9, 2021 CA AB 481 Requires Law Enforcement Agencies Receive Approval Before Acquiring Military-Grade Equipment Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
Sept. 9, 2021 CA AB 861 Specifies Mobile Home and Rental Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
Sept. 8, 2021 CA AB 105 Requires State Boards and Committees to be More Diverse Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
Sept. 8, 2021 CA AB 490 Prohibits Law Enforcements Agencies from Authorizing Certain Restraint Techniques Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
Sept. 8, 2021 CA SJR 1 Establishes Resolution Urging Student Debt Cancellation Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
Sept. 8, 2021 CA AB 1422 Establishes New Standards for Health Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
Sept. 8, 2021 CA AB 326 Authorizes Continuation of Consumer Participation Program Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
Sept. 7, 2021 CA AB 7 Requires Protective Body Gear and Training for Private Ambulance Employees Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
Sept. 7, 2021 KY HJR 1 Extends the Governor's Emergency Health Order Until January 15th Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (32 - 4)
Sept. 2, 2021 CA SB 16 Expands the Public's Access to Police Records Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
Sept. 2, 2021 CA SB 714 Authorizes DREAMers to Participate in County Central Committees Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
Sept. 2, 2021 CA SB 556 Limits the Ability of Local Governments to Regulate the Placement of Cell Wireless Facilities Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
Sept. 2, 2021 CA AB 48 Prohibits Police from Using Tear Gas on Protestors Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
Sept. 1, 2021 CA AB 1356 Prohibits Patients and Providers at Reproductive Healthcare Facilities from Being Recorded Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
Sept. 1, 2021 NY S 50001 Authorizes New Yorkers to Participate in State and Local Government Meetings Virtually Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 19)
Sept. 1, 2021 NY S 50001 Authorizes New Yorkers to Participate in State and Local Government Meetings Virtually Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 19)
Aug. 31, 2021 TX SB 6 Amends Cash Bail Laws For Individuals Accused of Violent Crimes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
Aug. 30, 2021 CA AB 816 Requires State and Local Governments to Develop Plans to Reduce Homelessness Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
Aug. 26, 2021 NC HB 324 Prohibits the Teaching of Certain Topics Related to Racism, Civics, and American History Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 17)
Aug. 25, 2021 NC HB 805 Increases Penalties for People Engaged in "Riots" Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 19)
Aug. 10, 2021 National HR 3684 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Bill Passed - Senate (69 - 30)
July 20, 2021 LA SB 203 Exempts Groundwater District Commissioners from Provisions of the Code of Governmental Ethics Veto Override Failed - Senate (25 - 12)
July 16, 2021 TX SB 3 Prohibits Teaching "Critical Race Theory" in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 4)
July 15, 2021 CA AB 133 Expands Medi-Cal Eligibility to Low-Income Adults Regardless of Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
July 15, 2021 CA AB 133 Expands Medi-Cal Eligibility to Low-Income Adults Regardless of Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
July 15, 2021 MI SB 529 Appropriates $1.6 Billion for Local Infrastructure Projects Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
June 30, 2021 AZ SB 1572 Establishes a Literacy Instruction Exam for Teacher Certification Applicants Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
June 30, 2021 WI SB 120 Establishes Use of Force Policies for Law Enforcement Officers Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (12 - 20)
June 30, 2021 NJ A 4463 Requires Confidentiality of Court Records for Certain Evictions Initiated During the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
June 30, 2021 AZ HB 2550 Prohibits False Complaints Against a Peace Officer Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
June 30, 2021 AZ HB 2906 Prohibits the Teaching of Critical Race Theory Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
June 30, 2021 NJ S 3319 Repeals Certain Juvenile Justice Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
June 29, 2021 RI H 5028 Requires Civics Education for Students in Grades 8-12 Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
June 28, 2021 OH HB 244 Prohibits COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements in State Public Schools and Universities Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
June 28, 2021 OH HB 244 Prohibits COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements in State Public Schools and Universities Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
June 26, 2021 OR HB 3352 Expands Insurance Eligibility to Undocumented Immigrants Not Covered by Medicaid Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/20 S 2834 Requires Culturally Responsive Training for Teaching Candidates Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
12/15 HB 126 Amends the Process to Challenge Property Value Evaluations Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
12/14 SB 771 Amends Strategic Fund Act Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
12/08 S J Res 29 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing; Emergency Temporary Standard" Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 48)
12/08 S J Res 29 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing; Emergency Temporary Standard" Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 48)
11/18 HB 1002 Authorizes the Oklahoma Congressional Redistricting Act of 2021 Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
11/17 HB 5 Authorizes the Development of a Plan to Create a State Occupational Safety and Health Administration Agency Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
11/17 HB 1 Prohibits Private Employers from Imposing COVID-19 Vaccination Mandates Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
11/17 HB 7 Prohibits the State Health Officer from Ordering the Vaccination of Individuals Upon the Declaration of Public Health Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
11/17 HB 3 Authorizes Exemption from Public Records Requirements for Employee Complaints Alleging Private Employer's Violation of COVID-19 Vaccination Policies or Practices Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
11/17 H 4256 Amends Congressional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
11/12 HB 1508 Prohibits Teaching of Critical Race Theory Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
11/08 SB 585 Requires Schools to Provide Statistics Relating to On-Campus Crime Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
11/08 SB 585 Requires Schools to Provide Statistics Relating to On-Campus Crime Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
10/28 HB 3512 Amends Criminal Justice Law Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 17)
10/27 S 2560 Establishes Senatorial Districts Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 3)
10/26 HB 4485 Establishes a Sunset Cap for Taxes on Cigars and Cigarettes Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
10/26 SB 602 Prohibits the Department of Health and Human Services from Enforcing Vaccine or Mask Mandates Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
10/26 SB 814 Increases Penalties For Fleeing the Police on Foot Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
10/26 SB 603 Prohibits Emergency Orders that Mandate the Use of Vaccines and Face Masks Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
10/26 SB 601 Requires Mask Waivers for School Districts with Established Mask Mandates Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
10/26 SB 814 Classifies Fleeing an Officer Attempting to Arrest and Injuring a Police Dog as a Crime Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
10/26 SB 705 Authorizes the Regulation of Telemedicine by Professional Licensing Boards Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 4)
10/25 SB 125 Extends Tax Benefits to Provide Tuition Tax Breaks for Apprentices in Trade Schools Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
10/25 SB 454 Amends State Reading Readiness Assessments Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
10/19 HB 335 Limits Employer Discretion in Requiring Workers have the COVID-19 Vaccine Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
10/19 SB 688 Establishes Tax Credits for Individuals who Provide Funding for Supplemental Non-Public School Scholarships Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
10/07 HB 5007 Rescinds Fees for Obtaining or Renewing a State ID Card Starting in 2022 (20 - 16)
10/07 SB 731 Establishes a Right of Privacy Concerning COVID-19 Vaccination Status Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
10/06 HB 1977 Exempts Employees from Federal Mandates and Employer Mandates Related to COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
10/06 HB 761 Establishes Police Vehicle and Equipment Protection Act Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 5)
10/04 SB 730 Extends Unemployment Benefits to Individuals Who Have Been Terminated After Refusing the COVID-19 Vaccine Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
10/04 SB 732 Prohibits the Process Known as "Vaccine Coercion" Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
10/04 SB 739 Exempts Employees from Federal Vaccine Mandates Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
10/01 HB 2 Increases the Number of Inmates who Could be Released Before the End of Their Sentence Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
9/28 SR 76 Authorizes Governor's Renewed Emergency Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
9/28 SB 463 Requires School Boards to make Information about Learning Materials used for Pupil Instruction Public Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
9/10 SB 586 Authorizes California's Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training to Strip an Officer's Certification Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 9)
9/10 SB 98 Establishes Journalists Can Cover Events in Areas that Have Been Closed by Law Enforcement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
9/09 AB 481 Requires Law Enforcement Agencies Receive Approval Before Acquiring Military-Grade Equipment Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
9/09 AB 861 Specifies Mobile Home and Rental Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
9/08 AB 105 Requires State Boards and Committees to be More Diverse Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
9/08 AB 490 Prohibits Law Enforcements Agencies from Authorizing Certain Restraint Techniques Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
9/08 SJR 1 Establishes Resolution Urging Student Debt Cancellation Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
9/08 AB 1422 Establishes New Standards for Health Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
9/08 AB 326 Authorizes Continuation of Consumer Participation Program Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
9/07 AB 7 Requires Protective Body Gear and Training for Private Ambulance Employees Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
9/07 HJR 1 Extends the Governor's Emergency Health Order Until January 15th Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (32 - 4)
9/02 SB 16 Expands the Public's Access to Police Records Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
9/02 SB 714 Authorizes DREAMers to Participate in County Central Committees Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
9/02 SB 556 Limits the Ability of Local Governments to Regulate the Placement of Cell Wireless Facilities Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
9/02 AB 48 Prohibits Police from Using Tear Gas on Protestors Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
9/01 AB 1356 Prohibits Patients and Providers at Reproductive Healthcare Facilities from Being Recorded Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
9/01 S 50001 Authorizes New Yorkers to Participate in State and Local Government Meetings Virtually Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 19)
9/01 S 50001 Authorizes New Yorkers to Participate in State and Local Government Meetings Virtually Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 19)
8/31 SB 6 Amends Cash Bail Laws For Individuals Accused of Violent Crimes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
8/30 AB 816 Requires State and Local Governments to Develop Plans to Reduce Homelessness Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
8/26 HB 324 Prohibits the Teaching of Certain Topics Related to Racism, Civics, and American History Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 17)
8/25 HB 805 Increases Penalties for People Engaged in "Riots" Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 19)
8/10 HR 3684 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Bill Passed - Senate (69 - 30)
7/20 SB 203 Exempts Groundwater District Commissioners from Provisions of the Code of Governmental Ethics Veto Override Failed - Senate (25 - 12)
7/16 SB 3 Prohibits Teaching "Critical Race Theory" in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 4)
7/15 AB 133 Expands Medi-Cal Eligibility to Low-Income Adults Regardless of Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
7/15 AB 133 Expands Medi-Cal Eligibility to Low-Income Adults Regardless of Immigration Status Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
7/15 SB 529 Appropriates $1.6 Billion for Local Infrastructure Projects Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
6/30 SB 1572 Establishes a Literacy Instruction Exam for Teacher Certification Applicants Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
6/30 SB 120 Establishes Use of Force Policies for Law Enforcement Officers Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (12 - 20)
6/30 A 4463 Requires Confidentiality of Court Records for Certain Evictions Initiated During the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
6/30 HB 2550 Prohibits False Complaints Against a Peace Officer Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
6/30 HB 2906 Prohibits the Teaching of Critical Race Theory Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
6/30 S 3319 Repeals Certain Juvenile Justice Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
6/29 H 5028 Requires Civics Education for Students in Grades 8-12 Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
6/28 HB 244 Prohibits COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements in State Public Schools and Universities Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
6/28 HB 244 Prohibits COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements in State Public Schools and Universities Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
6/26 HB 3352 Expands Insurance Eligibility to Undocumented Immigrants Not Covered by Medicaid Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)

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