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. 14, 2021 National S 1605 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 Cloture Invoked - Senate (86 - 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. 9, 2021 PA SB 448 Authorizes Municipalities and Counties to be Sued for Gun Ordinances Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
Nov. 9, 2021 PA SB 565 Expands Concealed Carry Laws Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
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. 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 PA SB 814 Classifies Fleeing an Officer Attempting to Arrest and Injuring a Police Dog as a Crime Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
Oct. 20, 2021 OH SB 185 Prohibits Local Governments from Confiscating Firearms During Declared Emergencies Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
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 732 Prohibits the Process Known as "Vaccine Coercion" Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
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. 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 715 Extends Restrictions on Gun Control Loopholes by Requiring Verification on Hunting Licenses Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 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. 10, 2021 CA SB 510 Requires Health Insurers to Cover the Cost of COVID-19 Testing Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
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 173 Requires the California DOJ to Supply Information to the California Firearm Violence Research Center Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
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. 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 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 MI HB 4061 Prohibits Using the Public Threat Alert System for Executive Orders Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
Aug. 31, 2021 TX SB 6 Amends Cash Bail Laws For Individuals Accused of Violent Crimes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
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. 18, 2021 NC HB 398 Repeals Previous State Handgun Buying Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
July 20, 2021 LA SB 118 Amends Laws Related to Concealed Carrying of Firearms Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
July 16, 2021 TX SB 3 Prohibits Teaching "Critical Race Theory" in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 4)
July 1, 2021 RI H 5245 Establishes Harm Reduction Centers Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
June 30, 2021 WI SB 120 Establishes Use of Force Policies for Law Enforcement Officers Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (12 - 20)
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 28, 2021 OH HB 244 Prohibits COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements in State Public Schools and Universities Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
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 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 23, 2021 WI AB 374 Establishes Guidelines for Potential Opioid Settlement Disbursement to State Counties Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
June 22, 2021 National S 2093 For the People Act of 2021 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 50)
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 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 1675 Amends Various State Drug Laws Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
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 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 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 S 7228 Expands the Number of Eligible Crimes Committed by Individuals with a Substance Use Disorder Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 13)
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 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 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 DE SB 7 Requires Bond and Weapons Seizure for Those Facing Violent Crime Charges Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 2)
June 9, 2021 NY A 6522 Amends the Definition of "Disguised Gun" Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 16)
June 9, 2021 WI SB 119 Increases State Funding for Communities that Increase Police Budget Spending Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
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 8, 2021 CT HB 6665 Prohibits 'Whites Only' Covenants Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
June 8, 2021 NY S 7196 Authorizes the State to Sue Gun Manufactures for Damages Caused by Guns Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
June 8, 2021 NY S 7196 Authorizes the State to Sue Gun Manufactures for Damages Caused by Guns Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
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 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 7, 2021 NY S 2523 Amends Existing Law to Decriminalize Possession and Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 21)
June 7, 2021 NY S 933 Establishes new Anti-Trust Enforcement Mechanisms Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
June 4, 2021 CT SB 1059 Limits the Use of Solitary Confinement Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/20 S 2834 Requires Culturally Responsive Training for Teaching Candidates Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
12/14 S 1605 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 Cloture Invoked - Senate (86 - 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)
11/09 SB 448 Authorizes Municipalities and Counties to be Sued for Gun Ordinances Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
11/09 SB 565 Expands Concealed Carry Laws Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
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)
10/26 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 814 Classifies Fleeing an Officer Attempting to Arrest and Injuring a Police Dog as a Crime Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
10/20 SB 185 Prohibits Local Governments from Confiscating Firearms During Declared Emergencies Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
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 732 Prohibits the Process Known as "Vaccine Coercion" Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
10/01 HB 2 Increases the Number of Inmates who Could be Released Before the End of Their Sentence Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
9/10 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 715 Extends Restrictions on Gun Control Loopholes by Requiring Verification on Hunting Licenses Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 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)
9/10 SB 510 Requires Health Insurers to Cover the Cost of COVID-19 Testing Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
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 173 Requires the California DOJ to Supply Information to the California Firearm Violence Research Center Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
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)
9/07 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 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 HB 4061 Prohibits Using the Public Threat Alert System for Executive Orders Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
8/31 SB 6 Amends Cash Bail Laws For Individuals Accused of Violent Crimes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
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)
8/18 HB 398 Repeals Previous State Handgun Buying Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
7/20 SB 118 Amends Laws Related to Concealed Carrying of Firearms Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
7/16 SB 3 Prohibits Teaching "Critical Race Theory" in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 4)
7/01 H 5245 Establishes Harm Reduction Centers Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
6/30 SB 120 Establishes Use of Force Policies for Law Enforcement Officers Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (12 - 20)
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)
6/28 HB 244 Prohibits COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements in State Public Schools and Universities Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
6/24 SB 618 Prohibits Vaccine Passports and Limits Powers of the Secretary of Health Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
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)
6/23 AB 374 Establishes Guidelines for Potential Opioid Settlement Disbursement to State Counties Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
6/22 S 2093 For the People Act of 2021 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 50)
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)
6/17 SB 1202 Extends Convicted Felons' Voting Rights if They are Committed to Confinement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
6/16 LD 1675 Amends Various State Drug Laws Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
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 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)
6/10 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 S 7228 Expands the Number of Eligible Crimes Committed by Individuals with a Substance Use Disorder Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 13)
6/10 S 7228 Expands the Number of Eligible Crimes Committed by Individuals with a Substance Use Disorder Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 13)
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 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 SB 7 Requires Bond and Weapons Seizure for Those Facing Violent Crime Charges Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 2)
6/09 A 6522 Amends the Definition of "Disguised Gun" Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 16)
6/09 SB 119 Increases State Funding for Communities that Increase Police Budget Spending Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
6/09 S 2630 Relates to certificates of relief from disabilities and certificates of good conduct upon discharge. Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 18)
6/08 HB 6665 Prohibits 'Whites Only' Covenants Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
6/08 S 7196 Authorizes the State to Sue Gun Manufactures for Damages Caused by Guns Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
6/08 S 7196 Authorizes the State to Sue Gun Manufactures for Damages Caused by Guns Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
6/07 HB 3284 Prohibits a Covered Organization from Collecting Personal Health Data Without Consent Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
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)
6/07 S 2523 Amends Existing Law to Decriminalize Possession and Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 21)
6/07 S 933 Establishes new Anti-Trust Enforcement Mechanisms Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
6/04 SB 1059 Limits the Use of Solitary Confinement Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)

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