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 29, 2023 IL SB 67 Requires the Department of Public Health to Provide Newborns with Screening Tests for the Presence of Metachromatic Leukodystrophy Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 11)
March 29, 2023 OR SB 4 Authorizes the Oregon Business Development Department to Develop a Grant and Loan Program to Support Businesses Applying for Financial Assistance Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
March 29, 2023 TX SB 15 Requires Transgender Student Athletes Play Against Those of Their Biological Sex Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
March 28, 2023 MS SB 2101 Amends and Increases Criminal Penalties for Carjacking Conference Report Adopted - Senate (44 - 8)
March 28, 2023 AR SB 81 Authorizes Parental Review and Challenge of School Library Books and Curriculum Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
March 28, 2023 ID H 350 Appropriates Funding for the Department of Health and Welfare for the Division of Behavioral Services Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
March 28, 2023 VT S 4 Reduces Crimes of Violence Associated with Juveniles and Dangerous Weapons Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 2)
March 28, 2023 KS SB 291 Prohibits State Investment of Public Funds for ESG Investments Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
March 28, 2023 OR SB 644 Amends Requirements Relating to Wildfire Hazard Mitigation and Accessory Dwelling Units on Land Zoned for Rural Residential Use Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 2)
March 27, 2023 SD SB 129 Amends Rules Prohibiting Assault Against Teachers Veto Override Failed - Senate (20 - 15)
March 27, 2023 SD SB 129 Amends Rules Prohibiting Assault Against Teachers Veto Override Failed - Senate (20 - 15)
March 27, 2023 MS SB 2079 Authorizes School Employees to Concealed Carry Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 14)
March 27, 2023 GA HB 557 Authorizes Certain Physicians to Prescribe Schedule 2 Controlled Subtances (53 - 1)
March 27, 2023 ID H 71 Prohibits Gender Affirming Care for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
March 27, 2023 GA HB 538 Amends State Education Standards to Improve Reading Proficiency Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
March 24, 2023 IL SB 2243 Requires Completion of a Statewide Comprehensive Literacy Plan Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 0)
March 24, 2023 IL SB 724 Establishes the Interagency Children's Behavioral Health Services Act Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 0)
March 23, 2023 ME LD 5 Increases Maximum Income Threshold to Qualify for the Higher Opportunity for Pathways to Employment Program Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
March 23, 2023 FL HB 1 Establishes a State Private School Vouchers Program Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
March 23, 2023 OK SB 704 Amends Membership of the Oklahoma State University Medical Authority Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 2)
March 23, 2023 OK SB 36 Authorizes Schools to Employ Volunteer Chaplains Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 0)
March 23, 2023 MI SB 80 Increases Penalties for Crimes With Weapons Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
March 23, 2023 SC S 576 Prohibits Citizens of "Foreign Adversary" Nations from Buying Property in the State Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
March 23, 2023 MO SB 39 Requires Transgender Student Athletes Play Against Those of Their Biological Sex Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
March 22, 2023 IA SF 494 Establishes New Eligibility Requirements for Families to Receive SNAP Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
March 22, 2023 IA SF 496 Establishes New Educational Standards and "Parental Rights" Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
March 22, 2023 IA SF 547 Increases Distracted Driving Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 3)
March 22, 2023 CO SB 23-190 Prohibits Deceptive Advertisements at Anit-Abortion Centers Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
March 22, 2023 WI SB 76 Increases Penalties for Carjacking Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
March 22, 2023 WI SB 101 Increases Penalties for Providing or Selling Drugs that Result in an Individual's Death Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
March 22, 2023 WI SB 75 Establishes Cash Bail in the State Constitution Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
March 21, 2023 AZ SB 1017 Expands Coverage of Cochlear Implants to Adults Through Arizona's Medicaid Program Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
March 21, 2023 OK SB 482 Increases Annual Teacher Pay Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 1)
March 20, 2023 NJ A 4772 Specifies Circumstances in Which an Individual May Receive Unemployment Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
March 20, 2023 MD SB 786 Requires Maryland Health Care Commission Ensure the Confidentiality of Data of Patients who have Obtained "Legally Protected Healthcare" Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 12)
March 20, 2023 NJ S 3333 Prohibits Water Utility from Taking Certain Action if Utility Doesn't Sign Up for Low Income Household Water Assistance Program. Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
March 17, 2023 MD SB 859 Prohibits Requiring an Individual Give Testimony or Statements in Another State Regarding Their "Legally Protected Healthcare" Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11)
March 16, 2023 KY SB 9 Increases Anti-Hazing Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
March 16, 2023 KY HB 538 Authorizes K-12 Schools to Establish Policies on When Disruptive Students can be Removed Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3)
March 16, 2023 NM HB 400 Establishes a Study on Whether a State Based Healthcare Option is Viable Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
March 16, 2023 NM HB 306 Prohibits Purchasing a Firearm for Someone Who is Not Allowed or Intends to Use it in a Crime Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
March 16, 2023 KY HB 262 Amends State Statute Laws to Add the Crime of Vehicular Homicide Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
March 16, 2023 NH SB 272 Establishes a Parents Bill of Right's for Students in Public and Private Schools "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
March 16, 2023 National S 316 A bill to repeal the authorizations for use of military force against Iraq. Cloture Invoked - Senate (68 - 27)
March 16, 2023 AZ SB 1221 Amends Biometric Laws Regarding Fingerprinting Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 4)
March 16, 2023 MI SB 85 Increases Penalties for False Statements in Support of Extreme Risk Protection Rrders Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
March 16, 2023 MI SB 78 Amends Sentencing Guidelines for Weapons Charges Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
March 16, 2023 RI S 72 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Protect the Right to an Adequate Education Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
March 16, 2023 KY HB 547 Prohibits School Districts from Punishing an Employee for Private Religious Expression Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
March 16, 2023 AZ SB 1221 Amends Biometric Laws Regarding Fingerprinting Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 4)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/29 SB 67 Requires the Department of Public Health to Provide Newborns with Screening Tests for the Presence of Metachromatic Leukodystrophy Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 11)
3/29 SB 4 Authorizes the Oregon Business Development Department to Develop a Grant and Loan Program to Support Businesses Applying for Financial Assistance Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
3/29 SB 15 Requires Transgender Student Athletes Play Against Those of Their Biological Sex Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
3/28 SB 2101 Amends and Increases Criminal Penalties for Carjacking Conference Report Adopted - Senate (44 - 8)
3/28 SB 81 Authorizes Parental Review and Challenge of School Library Books and Curriculum Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
3/28 H 350 Appropriates Funding for the Department of Health and Welfare for the Division of Behavioral Services Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
3/28 S 4 Reduces Crimes of Violence Associated with Juveniles and Dangerous Weapons Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 2)
3/28 SB 291 Prohibits State Investment of Public Funds for ESG Investments Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
3/28 SB 644 Amends Requirements Relating to Wildfire Hazard Mitigation and Accessory Dwelling Units on Land Zoned for Rural Residential Use Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 2)
3/27 SB 129 Amends Rules Prohibiting Assault Against Teachers Veto Override Failed - Senate (20 - 15)
3/27 SB 129 Amends Rules Prohibiting Assault Against Teachers Veto Override Failed - Senate (20 - 15)
3/27 SB 2079 Authorizes School Employees to Concealed Carry Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 14)
3/27 HB 557 Authorizes Certain Physicians to Prescribe Schedule 2 Controlled Subtances (53 - 1)
3/27 H 71 Prohibits Gender Affirming Care for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
3/27 HB 538 Amends State Education Standards to Improve Reading Proficiency Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
3/24 SB 2243 Requires Completion of a Statewide Comprehensive Literacy Plan Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 0)
3/24 SB 724 Establishes the Interagency Children's Behavioral Health Services Act Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 0)
3/23 LD 5 Increases Maximum Income Threshold to Qualify for the Higher Opportunity for Pathways to Employment Program Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
3/23 HB 1 Establishes a State Private School Vouchers Program Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
3/23 SB 704 Amends Membership of the Oklahoma State University Medical Authority Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 2)
3/23 SB 36 Authorizes Schools to Employ Volunteer Chaplains Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 0)
3/23 SB 80 Increases Penalties for Crimes With Weapons Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
3/23 S 576 Prohibits Citizens of "Foreign Adversary" Nations from Buying Property in the State Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
3/23 SB 39 Requires Transgender Student Athletes Play Against Those of Their Biological Sex Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
3/22 SF 494 Establishes New Eligibility Requirements for Families to Receive SNAP Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
3/22 SF 496 Establishes New Educational Standards and "Parental Rights" Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
3/22 SF 547 Increases Distracted Driving Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 3)
3/22 SB 23-190 Prohibits Deceptive Advertisements at Anit-Abortion Centers Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
3/22 SB 76 Increases Penalties for Carjacking Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
3/22 SB 101 Increases Penalties for Providing or Selling Drugs that Result in an Individual's Death Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
3/22 SB 75 Establishes Cash Bail in the State Constitution Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
3/21 SB 1017 Expands Coverage of Cochlear Implants to Adults Through Arizona's Medicaid Program Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
3/21 SB 482 Increases Annual Teacher Pay Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 1)
3/20 A 4772 Specifies Circumstances in Which an Individual May Receive Unemployment Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
3/20 SB 786 Requires Maryland Health Care Commission Ensure the Confidentiality of Data of Patients who have Obtained "Legally Protected Healthcare" Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 12)
3/20 S 3333 Prohibits Water Utility from Taking Certain Action if Utility Doesn't Sign Up for Low Income Household Water Assistance Program. Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
3/17 SB 859 Prohibits Requiring an Individual Give Testimony or Statements in Another State Regarding Their "Legally Protected Healthcare" Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11)
3/16 SB 9 Increases Anti-Hazing Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
3/16 HB 538 Authorizes K-12 Schools to Establish Policies on When Disruptive Students can be Removed Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 3)
3/16 HB 400 Establishes a Study on Whether a State Based Healthcare Option is Viable Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
3/16 HB 306 Prohibits Purchasing a Firearm for Someone Who is Not Allowed or Intends to Use it in a Crime Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
3/16 HB 262 Amends State Statute Laws to Add the Crime of Vehicular Homicide Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
3/16 SB 272 Establishes a Parents Bill of Right's for Students in Public and Private Schools "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
3/16 S 316 A bill to repeal the authorizations for use of military force against Iraq. Cloture Invoked - Senate (68 - 27)
3/16 SB 1221 Amends Biometric Laws Regarding Fingerprinting Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 4)
3/16 SB 85 Increases Penalties for False Statements in Support of Extreme Risk Protection Rrders Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
3/16 SB 78 Amends Sentencing Guidelines for Weapons Charges Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
3/16 S 72 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Protect the Right to an Adequate Education Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
3/16 HB 547 Prohibits School Districts from Punishing an Employee for Private Religious Expression Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
3/16 SB 1221 Amends Biometric Laws Regarding Fingerprinting Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 4)

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