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 3, 2022 NY S 6363 Reduces Judicial Discretion in Certain Firearm Cases Bill Passed - House
June 3, 2022 LA SB 304 Reduces Rate of Diminution of Sentences for People Convicted of Killing a Law Enforcement Officer Bill Passed - House (72 - 24)
June 3, 2022 LA HB 729 Limits the Release and Dissemination of Booking Photos of Arrested Persons Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
June 3, 2022 LA HB 729 Limits the Release and Dissemination of Booking Photos of Arrested Persons Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
June 3, 2022 NY S 9351 Allows NYC To Award Contracts Up to $1 Million to Minority or Women Business Enterprises (MWBE) Without a Formal Competitive Process Bill Passed - House (111 - 33)
June 3, 2022 NY S 8922 Establishes Worker Protections for Warehouse Workers Bill Passed - House (119 - 30)
June 3, 2022 NY S 7157 Requires the Release of Individuals from Utility, Phone and Television Contracts in Instances of Domestic Violence. Bill Passed - House (146 - 3)
June 2, 2022 LA HB 1059 Amends Bail Hearing Requirements for Certain Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
June 2, 2022 NY S 9465 Expands Monitoring of Social Media Activity Bill Passed - House (144 - 5)
June 2, 2022 NY S 9458 Requires License for Possession of Semi-Automatic Firearm Bill Passed - House (102 - 47)
June 2, 2022 NY S 9113 Expands Red Flag Law Relating to Potentially Violent Individuals Bill Passed - House (119 - 30)
June 2, 2022 NY S 9113 Expands Red Flag Law Relating to Potentially Violent Individuals Bill Passed - House (119 - 30)
June 2, 2022 NY S 9407 Prohibits Civilian Purchase of Bullet-Resistant Vests Bill Passed - House (105 - 44)
June 2, 2022 LA HB 629 Prohibits Use of Marijuana Odor to Justify Warrantless Searches Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
June 2, 2022 NY S 9079 Expands Legal Protections for Abortion Providers Bill Passed - House (103 - 46)
June 2, 2022 NY S 9465 Expands Monitoring of Social Media Activity Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 4)
June 2, 2022 NY S 9113 Expands Red Flag Law Relating to Potentially Violent Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 14)
June 2, 2022 NY S 9113 Expands Red Flag Law Relating to Potentially Violent Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 14)
June 2, 2022 NY S 9407 Prohibits Civilian Purchase of Bullet-Resistant Vests Bill Passed - Senate (55 - 8)
June 2, 2022 NY S 9458 Requires License for Possession of Semi-Automatic Firearm Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
June 1, 2022 OH SB 156 Expands Definition of "Right to Bear Arms" to Include Knives Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
June 1, 2022 OH SB 156 Expands Definition of "Right to Bear Arms" to Include Knives Bill Passed - House (59 - 32)
June 1, 2022 OH HB 99 Reduces Training for Armed School Employees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
June 1, 2022 LA HB 745 Increases Police Whistleblower Protections Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
June 1, 2022 NY S 1553 Authorizes Sealing of Criminal Records Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 25)
June 1, 2022 NY S 8922 Establishes Worker Protections for Warehouse Workers Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 18)
May 31, 2022 LA SB 379 Prohibits Felons Convicted of Gun-Related Offenses at 16 or 17 From Carrying a Firearm Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
May 31, 2022 LA SB 379 Prohibits Felons Convicted of Gun-Related Offenses at 16 or 17 From Carrying a Firearm Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
May 31, 2022 NY A 7748 Authorizes Certain Crime Victims to Make Voter Information Confidential Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 0)
May 31, 2022 NY S 9039 Prohibits Interference with Protected Rights Bill Passed - House (100 - 49)
May 31, 2022 NY S 9039 Prohibits Interference with Protected Rights Bill Passed - House (100 - 49)
May 31, 2022 NY S 9039 Prohibits Interference with Protected Rights Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 22)
May 31, 2022 NY S 9039 Prohibits Interference with Protected Rights Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 22)
May 31, 2022 NY S 9079 Expands Legal Protections for Abortion Providers Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 17)
May 26, 2022 CA AB 1594 Authorizes Lawsuits Against Gun Industry Bill Passed - House (50 - 20)
May 26, 2022 CA AB 1594 Authorizes Lawsuits Against Gun Industry Bill Passed - House (50 - 20)
May 25, 2022 CA AB 1769 Prohibits the Sale of Firearms by the 31st District Agricultural Association Bill Passed - House (53 - 19)
May 25, 2022 CA AB 2156 Establishes New Requirements for Firearm Manufacturer Licenses Bill Passed - House (54 - 16)
May 24, 2022 RI S 2430 Authorizes Recreational Use of Cannabis/Marijuana Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 16)
May 24, 2022 RI H 7593 Authorizes Recreational Use of Marijuana Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
May 24, 2022 RI H 7593 Authorizes Recreational Use of Marijuana (55 - 16)
May 24, 2022 RI S 2430 Authorizes Recreational Use of Cannabis/Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate
May 24, 2022 CA SB 1327 Authorizes Individuals to Sue Firearm Manufacturers Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
May 23, 2022 NY S 6363 Reduces Judicial Discretion in Certain Firearm Cases Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 15)
May 18, 2022 AK HB 291 Establishes the Alaska Criminal Justice Data Analysis Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - House (21 - 18)
May 18, 2022 AK SB 45 Increases Minimum Age for Tobacco Use Bill Passed - House (31 - 9)
May 18, 2022 AK HB 291 Establishes the Alaska Criminal Justice Data Analysis Commission Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
May 16, 2022 NY S 6202 Establishes a Vehicular Violence Driver's Training Program Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 15)
May 16, 2022 AK SB 7 Requires Policies Relating to the Conduct of Law Enforcement Officers to be Made Public Bill Passed - House (29 - 9)
May 15, 2022 AK HB 325 Amends and Modernizes the Term "Consent" for Sexual Assault Cases Bill Passed - House (35 - 2)
May 13, 2022 MO HB 1667 Establishes the Kratom Consumer Protection Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (106 - 31)
May 13, 2022 MO SB 799 Amends the Offense of Escaping from Custody Bill Passed - House (140 - 2)
May 12, 2022 SC H 3050 Specifies Actions That Constitute Unlawful Use of Force by Police Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 4)
May 12, 2022 MO HB 1606 Limits Where Homeless People May Sleep Bill Passed - House (109 - 34)
May 12, 2022 MO SB 718 Establishes a "Historically Black College and University Week" and Amends Provisions for Higher Learning Bill Passed - House (148 - 1)
May 12, 2022 MN HF 4670 Appropriates Monies for Claims Against State Bill Passed - House (83 - 43)
May 12, 2022 MN HF 4670 Appropriates Monies for Claims Against State Bill Passed - House (83 - 43)
May 11, 2022 MO HB 1606 Limits Where Homeless People May Sleep Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 2)
May 11, 2022 CO HB 22-1326 Increases Penalties for Distribution and Manufacturing of Fentanyl Conference Report Adopted - House (35 - 30)
May 11, 2022 CO HB 22-1326 Increases Penalties for Distribution and Manufacturing of Fentanyl Conference Report Adopted - House (35 - 30)
May 11, 2022 CO HB 22-1326 Increases Penalties for Distribution and Manufacturing of Fentanyl Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 8)
May 11, 2022 CO HB 22-1326 Increases Penalties for Distribution and Manufacturing of Fentanyl Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 8)
May 11, 2022 AK SB 174 Prohibits Hair Discrimination in Public Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 0)
May 11, 2022 CO SB 22-179 Authorizes Measures to Address Tampering with a Motor Vehicle's Emission Control System Bill Passed - House (40 - 23)
May 11, 2022 VT S 250 Amends Police Regulations Related to Data Collection and Interrogation Bill Passed - House (99 - 48)
May 11, 2022 NY S 3448 Amends Education Law to Prevent Opioid Overdoses on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (143 - 1)
May 11, 2022 LA HB 629 Prohibits Use of Marijuana Odor to Justify Warrantless Searches Bill Passed - House (66 - 28)
May 10, 2022 CO SB 22-150 Expands Response to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Bill Passed - House (45 - 20)
May 10, 2022 CO HB 22-1077 Increases Security at Places of Worship Bill Passed - House (49 - 16)
May 10, 2022 CO SB 22-150 Expands Response to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
May 10, 2022 AK SB 174 Prohibits Hair Discrimination in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (34 - 5)
May 10, 2022 SC S 614 Establishes an "Unorganized Militia" for Any Individual Over the Age of 17 Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 15)
May 9, 2022 ME LD 1942 Specifies New Hemp Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
May 9, 2022 ME LD 844 Limits Restrictions on Criminal Defendants and Probationers Veto Override Failed - House (54 - 64)
May 9, 2022 ME LD 1942 Specifies New Hemp Regulations Motion Rejected - House (51 - 55)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/03 S 6363 Reduces Judicial Discretion in Certain Firearm Cases Bill Passed - House
6/03 SB 304 Reduces Rate of Diminution of Sentences for People Convicted of Killing a Law Enforcement Officer Bill Passed - House (72 - 24)
6/03 HB 729 Limits the Release and Dissemination of Booking Photos of Arrested Persons Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
6/03 HB 729 Limits the Release and Dissemination of Booking Photos of Arrested Persons Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
6/03 S 9351 Allows NYC To Award Contracts Up to $1 Million to Minority or Women Business Enterprises (MWBE) Without a Formal Competitive Process Bill Passed - House (111 - 33)
6/03 S 8922 Establishes Worker Protections for Warehouse Workers Bill Passed - House (119 - 30)
6/03 S 7157 Requires the Release of Individuals from Utility, Phone and Television Contracts in Instances of Domestic Violence. Bill Passed - House (146 - 3)
6/02 HB 1059 Amends Bail Hearing Requirements for Certain Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
6/02 S 9465 Expands Monitoring of Social Media Activity Bill Passed - House (144 - 5)
6/02 S 9458 Requires License for Possession of Semi-Automatic Firearm Bill Passed - House (102 - 47)
6/02 S 9113 Expands Red Flag Law Relating to Potentially Violent Individuals Bill Passed - House (119 - 30)
6/02 S 9113 Expands Red Flag Law Relating to Potentially Violent Individuals Bill Passed - House (119 - 30)
6/02 S 9407 Prohibits Civilian Purchase of Bullet-Resistant Vests Bill Passed - House (105 - 44)
6/02 HB 629 Prohibits Use of Marijuana Odor to Justify Warrantless Searches Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
6/02 S 9079 Expands Legal Protections for Abortion Providers Bill Passed - House (103 - 46)
6/02 S 9465 Expands Monitoring of Social Media Activity Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 4)
6/02 S 9113 Expands Red Flag Law Relating to Potentially Violent Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 14)
6/02 S 9113 Expands Red Flag Law Relating to Potentially Violent Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 14)
6/02 S 9407 Prohibits Civilian Purchase of Bullet-Resistant Vests Bill Passed - Senate (55 - 8)
6/02 S 9458 Requires License for Possession of Semi-Automatic Firearm Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
6/01 SB 156 Expands Definition of "Right to Bear Arms" to Include Knives Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
6/01 SB 156 Expands Definition of "Right to Bear Arms" to Include Knives Bill Passed - House (59 - 32)
6/01 HB 99 Reduces Training for Armed School Employees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
6/01 HB 745 Increases Police Whistleblower Protections Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
6/01 S 1553 Authorizes Sealing of Criminal Records Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 25)
6/01 S 8922 Establishes Worker Protections for Warehouse Workers Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 18)
5/31 SB 379 Prohibits Felons Convicted of Gun-Related Offenses at 16 or 17 From Carrying a Firearm Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
5/31 SB 379 Prohibits Felons Convicted of Gun-Related Offenses at 16 or 17 From Carrying a Firearm Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
5/31 A 7748 Authorizes Certain Crime Victims to Make Voter Information Confidential Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 0)
5/31 S 9039 Prohibits Interference with Protected Rights Bill Passed - House (100 - 49)
5/31 S 9039 Prohibits Interference with Protected Rights Bill Passed - House (100 - 49)
5/31 S 9039 Prohibits Interference with Protected Rights Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 22)
5/31 S 9039 Prohibits Interference with Protected Rights Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 22)
5/31 S 9079 Expands Legal Protections for Abortion Providers Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 17)
5/26 AB 1594 Authorizes Lawsuits Against Gun Industry Bill Passed - House (50 - 20)
5/26 AB 1594 Authorizes Lawsuits Against Gun Industry Bill Passed - House (50 - 20)
5/25 AB 1769 Prohibits the Sale of Firearms by the 31st District Agricultural Association Bill Passed - House (53 - 19)
5/25 AB 2156 Establishes New Requirements for Firearm Manufacturer Licenses Bill Passed - House (54 - 16)
5/24 S 2430 Authorizes Recreational Use of Cannabis/Marijuana Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 16)
5/24 H 7593 Authorizes Recreational Use of Marijuana Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
5/24 H 7593 Authorizes Recreational Use of Marijuana (55 - 16)
5/24 S 2430 Authorizes Recreational Use of Cannabis/Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate
5/24 SB 1327 Authorizes Individuals to Sue Firearm Manufacturers Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
5/23 S 6363 Reduces Judicial Discretion in Certain Firearm Cases Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 15)
5/18 HB 291 Establishes the Alaska Criminal Justice Data Analysis Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - House (21 - 18)
5/18 SB 45 Increases Minimum Age for Tobacco Use Bill Passed - House (31 - 9)
5/18 HB 291 Establishes the Alaska Criminal Justice Data Analysis Commission Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
5/16 S 6202 Establishes a Vehicular Violence Driver's Training Program Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 15)
5/16 SB 7 Requires Policies Relating to the Conduct of Law Enforcement Officers to be Made Public Bill Passed - House (29 - 9)
5/15 HB 325 Amends and Modernizes the Term "Consent" for Sexual Assault Cases Bill Passed - House (35 - 2)
5/13 HB 1667 Establishes the Kratom Consumer Protection Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (106 - 31)
5/13 SB 799 Amends the Offense of Escaping from Custody Bill Passed - House (140 - 2)
5/12 H 3050 Specifies Actions That Constitute Unlawful Use of Force by Police Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 4)
5/12 HB 1606 Limits Where Homeless People May Sleep Bill Passed - House (109 - 34)
5/12 SB 718 Establishes a "Historically Black College and University Week" and Amends Provisions for Higher Learning Bill Passed - House (148 - 1)
5/12 HF 4670 Appropriates Monies for Claims Against State Bill Passed - House (83 - 43)
5/12 HF 4670 Appropriates Monies for Claims Against State Bill Passed - House (83 - 43)
5/11 HB 1606 Limits Where Homeless People May Sleep Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 2)
5/11 HB 22-1326 Increases Penalties for Distribution and Manufacturing of Fentanyl Conference Report Adopted - House (35 - 30)
5/11 HB 22-1326 Increases Penalties for Distribution and Manufacturing of Fentanyl Conference Report Adopted - House (35 - 30)
5/11 HB 22-1326 Increases Penalties for Distribution and Manufacturing of Fentanyl Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 8)
5/11 HB 22-1326 Increases Penalties for Distribution and Manufacturing of Fentanyl Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 8)
5/11 SB 174 Prohibits Hair Discrimination in Public Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 0)
5/11 SB 22-179 Authorizes Measures to Address Tampering with a Motor Vehicle's Emission Control System Bill Passed - House (40 - 23)
5/11 S 250 Amends Police Regulations Related to Data Collection and Interrogation Bill Passed - House (99 - 48)
5/11 S 3448 Amends Education Law to Prevent Opioid Overdoses on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (143 - 1)
5/11 HB 629 Prohibits Use of Marijuana Odor to Justify Warrantless Searches Bill Passed - House (66 - 28)
5/10 SB 22-150 Expands Response to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Bill Passed - House (45 - 20)
5/10 HB 22-1077 Increases Security at Places of Worship Bill Passed - House (49 - 16)
5/10 SB 22-150 Expands Response to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
5/10 SB 174 Prohibits Hair Discrimination in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (34 - 5)
5/10 S 614 Establishes an "Unorganized Militia" for Any Individual Over the Age of 17 Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 15)
5/09 LD 1942 Specifies New Hemp Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
5/09 LD 844 Limits Restrictions on Criminal Defendants and Probationers Veto Override Failed - House (54 - 64)
5/09 LD 1942 Specifies New Hemp Regulations Motion Rejected - House (51 - 55)

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