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
March 22, 2021 NV SB 103 Prohibits Insurance Companies from Discriminating Based on a Dog's Breed Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 3)
March 19, 2021 MT SB 315 Establishes Protections for "Infants Born Alive" After Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
March 18, 2021 NY A 2277 Limits the Use of Solitary Confinement Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 21)
March 18, 2021 TN SB 765 Authorizes Individuals 21 Years Old and Older to Either Openly Carry or Carry a Concealed Handgun Without a Permit Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
March 18, 2021 VT S 30 Establishes A Ban On Firearms In Hospitals Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
March 17, 2021 KS SB 208 Prohibits Transgender Women and Girls from Participating in Women's Sports Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
March 17, 2021 KS SB 208 Prohibits Transgender Women and Girls from Participating in Women's Sports Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
March 17, 2021 IA SF 361 Establishes Guidelines for Drug Testing Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
March 16, 2021 IN HB 1006 Increases Police Accountability Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
March 16, 2021 WI SJR 20 Establishes February 2021 as Black History Month and Honors Black Legislators Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (11 - 20)
March 16, 2021 WI SJR 20 Establishes February 2021 as Black History Month and Honors Black Legislators Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (11 - 20)
March 16, 2021 WI SJR 11 Extends Honors to Rush Limbaugh Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
March 16, 2021 WI SB 29 Amends the Process of Terminating Parental Rights to Waive the Court Appearance Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
March 12, 2021 MD SB 525 Requires the Baltimore City Centralized Booking Facility Provide a Secure Designated Ballot Drop Box Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11)
March 11, 2021 ME LD 2 Requires the State Legislature to Assess the Racial Impact of Pending Legislation Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
March 11, 2021 MD SB 10 Prohibits Individuals from Possessing a Firearm Within 100 Feet of a Polling Site Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
March 11, 2021 NC SB 101 Requires Sheriffs to Cooperate with ICE Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
March 11, 2021 NC SB 101 Requires Sheriffs to Cooperate with ICE Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
March 10, 2021 OK SB 647 Authorizes Parental Funeral and Burial Rights for First Trimester Miscarriages Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 6)
March 10, 2021 IA SF 534 Increases Penalties for Assaulting Law Enforcement and Unlawful Assembly Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17)
March 10, 2021 CO SB 21-078 Requires Gun Owners Report Stolen or Lost Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
March 10, 2021 IA SF 479 Prohibits State Funding to Cities and Towns that Reduce Law Enforcement Budgets Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 7)
March 9, 2021 SC S 571 Expands Availability of Naloxone (Narcan) Prescriptions to Patients Under Certain Circumstances Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
March 8, 2021 SD HB 1217 Prohibits Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do not Match Their Birth Sex Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
March 8, 2021 SD HB 1217 Prohibits Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do not Match Their Birth Sex Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
March 6, 2021 National S Amdt 1386 Prohibits funds made available under title II to States, local educational agencies, and institutions of higher education that permit any student whose biological sex is male to participate in an athletic program or activity designated for women or girls. Amendment Rejected - Senate (49 - 50)
March 5, 2021 GA SB 200 Authorizes Businesses and Religious Operations to Continue During the Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
March 4, 2021 SD HCR 6013 Specifies that the 2nd Amendment is Protected from Federal Overreach Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 20)
March 4, 2021 SD HCR 6013 Specifies that the 2nd Amendment is Protected from Federal Overreach Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 20)
March 4, 2021 MI SB 11 Limits Emergency Gun Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
March 3, 2021 MD SB 178 Authorizes Certain Officer Misconduct Records to be Available to the Public Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
March 3, 2021 MD SB 626 Establishes a Statewide Use of Force Policy Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 12)
March 3, 2021 AZ SB 1456 Requires Schools to Receive Parental Consent When Teaching Sex Education Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
March 3, 2021 AZ SB 1382 Classifies Gun Stores as Essential Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
March 3, 2021 AZ SB 1007 Repeals Parent-Child Relationships if There is a Legitimate Interest Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
March 3, 2021 AZ SB 1007 Repeals Parent-Child Relationships if There is a Legitimate Interest Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
March 2, 2021 MT SB 283 Specifies Response to Guns in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
March 2, 2021 AL SB 10 Prohibits Gender Change Therapy for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 4)
March 1, 2021 NC SB 43 Establishes Churches With Schools Have the Right to Bear Arms Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
March 1, 2021 NC SB 43 Establishes Churches With Schools Have the Right to Bear Arms Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
March 1, 2021 MT SB 215 Limits State and Local Governmental Authority Over a Religious Activity Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
March 1, 2021 MT SB 215 Limits State and Local Governmental Authority Over a Religious Activity Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
March 1, 2021 WA SB 5164 Authorizes Resentencing of Certain Individuals Charged With Robbery Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
March 1, 2021 TN SB 228 Requires Transgender Student Athletes Play Against Those of Their Biological Sex Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
March 1, 2021 MT SB 220 Increases Penalties for Assaulting a Peace or Judicial Officer Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
Feb. 27, 2021 VA HB 2004 Requires Releasing Records From Closed Criminal Investigations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 15)
Feb. 27, 2021 VA SJ 272 Amends the Qualifications to Vote Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17)
Feb. 27, 2021 VA HJ 555 Extends Voting Rights to Citizens on Parole Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 18)
Feb. 27, 2021 VA HB 1909 Establishes Gun-Free Zones on School Board Property Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17)
Feb. 25, 2021 WA SB 5038 Prohibits Open Carry Near the State Capitol or Public Demonstrations Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/22 SB 103 Prohibits Insurance Companies from Discriminating Based on a Dog's Breed Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 3)
3/19 SB 315 Establishes Protections for "Infants Born Alive" After Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
3/18 A 2277 Limits the Use of Solitary Confinement Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 21)
3/18 SB 765 Authorizes Individuals 21 Years Old and Older to Either Openly Carry or Carry a Concealed Handgun Without a Permit Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
3/18 S 30 Establishes A Ban On Firearms In Hospitals Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
3/17 SB 208 Prohibits Transgender Women and Girls from Participating in Women's Sports Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
3/17 SB 208 Prohibits Transgender Women and Girls from Participating in Women's Sports Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
3/17 SF 361 Establishes Guidelines for Drug Testing Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
3/16 HB 1006 Increases Police Accountability Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
3/16 SJR 20 Establishes February 2021 as Black History Month and Honors Black Legislators Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (11 - 20)
3/16 SJR 20 Establishes February 2021 as Black History Month and Honors Black Legislators Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (11 - 20)
3/16 SJR 11 Extends Honors to Rush Limbaugh Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
3/16 SB 29 Amends the Process of Terminating Parental Rights to Waive the Court Appearance Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
3/12 SB 525 Requires the Baltimore City Centralized Booking Facility Provide a Secure Designated Ballot Drop Box Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11)
3/11 LD 2 Requires the State Legislature to Assess the Racial Impact of Pending Legislation Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
3/11 SB 10 Prohibits Individuals from Possessing a Firearm Within 100 Feet of a Polling Site Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
3/11 SB 101 Requires Sheriffs to Cooperate with ICE Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
3/11 SB 101 Requires Sheriffs to Cooperate with ICE Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
3/10 SB 647 Authorizes Parental Funeral and Burial Rights for First Trimester Miscarriages Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 6)
3/10 SF 534 Increases Penalties for Assaulting Law Enforcement and Unlawful Assembly Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17)
3/10 SB 21-078 Requires Gun Owners Report Stolen or Lost Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
3/10 SF 479 Prohibits State Funding to Cities and Towns that Reduce Law Enforcement Budgets Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 7)
3/09 S 571 Expands Availability of Naloxone (Narcan) Prescriptions to Patients Under Certain Circumstances Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
3/08 HB 1217 Prohibits Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do not Match Their Birth Sex Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
3/08 HB 1217 Prohibits Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do not Match Their Birth Sex Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
3/06 S Amdt 1386 Prohibits funds made available under title II to States, local educational agencies, and institutions of higher education that permit any student whose biological sex is male to participate in an athletic program or activity designated for women or girls. Amendment Rejected - Senate (49 - 50)
3/05 SB 200 Authorizes Businesses and Religious Operations to Continue During the Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
3/04 HCR 6013 Specifies that the 2nd Amendment is Protected from Federal Overreach Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 20)
3/04 HCR 6013 Specifies that the 2nd Amendment is Protected from Federal Overreach Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 20)
3/04 SB 11 Limits Emergency Gun Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
3/03 SB 178 Authorizes Certain Officer Misconduct Records to be Available to the Public Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
3/03 SB 626 Establishes a Statewide Use of Force Policy Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 12)
3/03 SB 1456 Requires Schools to Receive Parental Consent When Teaching Sex Education Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
3/03 SB 1382 Classifies Gun Stores as Essential Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
3/03 SB 1007 Repeals Parent-Child Relationships if There is a Legitimate Interest Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
3/03 SB 1007 Repeals Parent-Child Relationships if There is a Legitimate Interest Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
3/02 SB 283 Specifies Response to Guns in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
3/02 SB 10 Prohibits Gender Change Therapy for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 4)
3/01 SB 43 Establishes Churches With Schools Have the Right to Bear Arms Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
3/01 SB 43 Establishes Churches With Schools Have the Right to Bear Arms Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
3/01 SB 215 Limits State and Local Governmental Authority Over a Religious Activity Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
3/01 SB 215 Limits State and Local Governmental Authority Over a Religious Activity Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
3/01 SB 5164 Authorizes Resentencing of Certain Individuals Charged With Robbery Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
3/01 SB 228 Requires Transgender Student Athletes Play Against Those of Their Biological Sex Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
3/01 SB 220 Increases Penalties for Assaulting a Peace or Judicial Officer Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
2/27 HB 2004 Requires Releasing Records From Closed Criminal Investigations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 15)
2/27 SJ 272 Amends the Qualifications to Vote Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17)
2/27 HJ 555 Extends Voting Rights to Citizens on Parole Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 18)
2/27 HB 1909 Establishes Gun-Free Zones on School Board Property Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17)
2/25 SB 5038 Prohibits Open Carry Near the State Capitol or Public Demonstrations Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20)

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