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
April 7, 2023 KS SB 174 Exempts and Decriminalizes Fentanyl Testing Strips from the List of Drug Paraphernalia Conference Report Adopted - House (113 - 9)
April 7, 2023 KS SB 174 Exempts and Decriminalizes Fentanyl Testing Strips from the List of Drug Paraphernalia Conference Report Adopted - House (113 - 9)
April 7, 2023 MD SB 37 Reduces the Time Period to Apply for Criminal Record Expungement for Certain Offenses Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 13)
April 7, 2023 AR SB 495 Requires Convicted Individuals Serve Out the Majority of Their Sentences Instead of Early Release Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 4)
April 7, 2023 MD SB 858 Defines Requirements Around Safe Storage of Firearms Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 12)
April 7, 2023 MD HB 824 Prohibits Certain Individuals on Probation from Receiving a Concealed Carry Permit Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 13)
April 7, 2023 WA HB 1564 Prohibits the Sale of Over-the-Counter Sexual Assault Kits Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
April 7, 2023 MD HB 824 Prohibits Certain Individuals on Probation from Receiving a Concealed Carry Permit Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 13)
April 6, 2023 KS SB 228 Prohibits Transgender Inmates Access to Overnight Accommodations Consistent with Their Gender Identity Conference Report Adopted - House (86 - 37)
April 6, 2023 KS SB 228 Prohibits Transgender Inmates Access to Overnight Accommodations Consistent with Their Gender Identity Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 3)
April 6, 2023 MD SB 37 Reduces the Time Period to Apply for Criminal Record Expungement for Certain Offenses Bill Passed - House (99 - 38)
April 6, 2023 WA HB 1340 Prohibits Medical Licensing Boards from Retaliating Against Clinicians for Providing Reproductive Health Services and Gender-Affirming Care Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19)
April 6, 2023 MD SB 2 Requires Maryland Department of Human Services to Restore Benefits Lost Through Theft of EBT Cards Bill Passed - House (127 - 10)
April 6, 2023 MD SB 858 Defines Requirements Around Safe Storage of Firearms Bill Passed - House (100 - 37)
April 6, 2023 AR SB 495 Requires Convicted Individuals Serve Out the Majority of Their Sentences Instead of Early Release Bill Passed - House (82 - 14)
April 6, 2023 MD SB 290 Authorizes the State Attorney General to Prosecute Law Enforcement Officers Involved in Incidents Resulting in Death Bill Passed - House (99 - 37)
April 6, 2023 MD SB 290 Authorizes the State Attorney General to Prosecute Law Enforcement Officers Involved in Incidents Resulting in Death Bill Passed - House (99 - 37)
April 6, 2023 MD SB 5 Authorizes Victims of Hate Crimes to Bring Civil Lawsuits Against Those Who Committed the Act Bill Passed - House (106 - 31)
April 6, 2023 MD SB 5 Authorizes Victims of Hate Crimes to Bring Civil Lawsuits Against Those Who Committed the Act Bill Passed - House (106 - 31)
April 6, 2023 MD SB 293 Amends Definition of "Prison Inmates" as Incarcerated Individuals Bill Passed - House (102 - 35)
April 6, 2023 MD SB 450 Prohibits Landlords from Limiting or Evicting Tenants for Repeatedly Calling Law Enforcement or Emergency Services Bill Passed - House (99 - 37)
April 6, 2023 TN HR 65 Requires Rep. Justin Jones be Expelled from the State House of Representatives Resolution Passed - House (72 - 23)
April 6, 2023 TN HR 63 Requires Rep. Justin Pearson be Expelled from the State House of Representatives Resolution Passed - House (69 - 25)
April 6, 2023 DE SB 52 Amends Delaware Statutes Regarding the Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Program Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
April 6, 2023 OR SB 615 Establishes New Penalties for Street Racing and Gang Activity Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 7)
April 6, 2023 TN HR 64 Requires Rep. Gloria Johnson be Expelled from the State House of Representatives Resolution Failed - House (65 - 29)
April 5, 2023 AZ SB 1021 Requires the Arizona Attorney General Defend the Constitutionality of Any Bill Signed into Law Bill Passed - House (31 - 27)
April 5, 2023 ND HB 1340 Prohibits Local Governments from Enforcing Stricter Gun Laws then Passed by the State Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
April 5, 2023 ND HB 1340 Prohibits Local Governments from Enforcing Stricter Gun Laws then Passed by the State Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
April 5, 2023 ND HB 1350 Establishes Places That a Person Can Carry a Concealed Weapon and Penalties for Armed Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 2)
April 5, 2023 ND HB 1350 Establishes Places That a Person Can Carry a Concealed Weapon and Penalties for Armed Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 2)
April 5, 2023 ND HB 1339 Authorizes Citizens to Conceal Carry in North Dakota With a State Issued ID Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 2)
April 4, 2023 IN SB 314 Amends the Confidentiality Laws Regarding Abuse Victims Bill Passed - House (71 - 26)
April 4, 2023 MD SB 185 Requires Maryland State Police Gun Center Track All Firearms Surrendered Through Final Protective Orders Bill Passed - House (112 - 20)
April 4, 2023 MD SB 185 Requires Maryland State Police Gun Center Track All Firearms Surrendered Through Final Protective Orders Bill Passed - House (112 - 20)
April 4, 2023 MD SB 54 Repeals Crimes of "Unnatural" or "Perverted" Sex Practices Bill Passed - House (115 - 13)
April 4, 2023 OR HB 3243 Authorizes Auto Repair Facilities to Sue on Behalf of Their Customers Bill Passed - House (36 - 23)
April 3, 2023 ND HB 1473 Requires Designated Male and Female Restrooms, Lockers, and Showers in Correctional Facilities and Dormitories Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 5)
April 3, 2023 HI SB 926 Authorizes Jaywalking if No Danger to Pedestrians Bill Passed - House (37 - 13)
April 3, 2023 ND HB 1489 Prohibits Collegiate Transgender Athletes from Competing with the Gender They Identify As Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 7)
April 3, 2023 ND HB 1249 Requires Classification of Student Athletes Based on "Biological Sex" Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
April 3, 2023 OR HB 3242 Authorizes Policyholders to Recover Actual Damages from Unfair Claim Settlement Practices Bill Passed - House (34 - 25)
April 3, 2023 OR SB 238 Establishes a Curriculum to Teach about the Danger of Fentanyl and Opioids Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 1)
March 31, 2023 MD HB 279 Establishes a Prescription Drug Affordability Board Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11)
March 31, 2023 FL HB 319 Increases Protest Penalties Bill Passed - House (109 - 3)
March 31, 2023 FL HB 319 Increases Protest Penalties Bill Passed - House (109 - 3)
March 30, 2023 CO HB 23-1011 Authorizes Individuals Right to Repair Agriculture Equipment Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 10)
March 30, 2023 KY SB 199 Prohibits Tracking Devices on Motor Vehicles Without Consent Bill Passed - House (86 - 10)
March 30, 2023 FL HB 543 Authorizes Conceal Carry Without a Permit Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
March 30, 2023 ID H 374 Amends Existing Laws to Specify the Definition of Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/07 SB 174 Exempts and Decriminalizes Fentanyl Testing Strips from the List of Drug Paraphernalia Conference Report Adopted - House (113 - 9)
4/07 SB 174 Exempts and Decriminalizes Fentanyl Testing Strips from the List of Drug Paraphernalia Conference Report Adopted - House (113 - 9)
4/07 SB 37 Reduces the Time Period to Apply for Criminal Record Expungement for Certain Offenses Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 13)
4/07 SB 495 Requires Convicted Individuals Serve Out the Majority of Their Sentences Instead of Early Release Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 4)
4/07 SB 858 Defines Requirements Around Safe Storage of Firearms Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 12)
4/07 HB 824 Prohibits Certain Individuals on Probation from Receiving a Concealed Carry Permit Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 13)
4/07 HB 1564 Prohibits the Sale of Over-the-Counter Sexual Assault Kits Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
4/07 HB 824 Prohibits Certain Individuals on Probation from Receiving a Concealed Carry Permit Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 13)
4/06 SB 228 Prohibits Transgender Inmates Access to Overnight Accommodations Consistent with Their Gender Identity Conference Report Adopted - House (86 - 37)
4/06 SB 228 Prohibits Transgender Inmates Access to Overnight Accommodations Consistent with Their Gender Identity Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 3)
4/06 SB 37 Reduces the Time Period to Apply for Criminal Record Expungement for Certain Offenses Bill Passed - House (99 - 38)
4/06 HB 1340 Prohibits Medical Licensing Boards from Retaliating Against Clinicians for Providing Reproductive Health Services and Gender-Affirming Care Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19)
4/06 SB 2 Requires Maryland Department of Human Services to Restore Benefits Lost Through Theft of EBT Cards Bill Passed - House (127 - 10)
4/06 SB 858 Defines Requirements Around Safe Storage of Firearms Bill Passed - House (100 - 37)
4/06 SB 495 Requires Convicted Individuals Serve Out the Majority of Their Sentences Instead of Early Release Bill Passed - House (82 - 14)
4/06 SB 290 Authorizes the State Attorney General to Prosecute Law Enforcement Officers Involved in Incidents Resulting in Death Bill Passed - House (99 - 37)
4/06 SB 290 Authorizes the State Attorney General to Prosecute Law Enforcement Officers Involved in Incidents Resulting in Death Bill Passed - House (99 - 37)
4/06 SB 5 Authorizes Victims of Hate Crimes to Bring Civil Lawsuits Against Those Who Committed the Act Bill Passed - House (106 - 31)
4/06 SB 5 Authorizes Victims of Hate Crimes to Bring Civil Lawsuits Against Those Who Committed the Act Bill Passed - House (106 - 31)
4/06 SB 293 Amends Definition of "Prison Inmates" as Incarcerated Individuals Bill Passed - House (102 - 35)
4/06 SB 450 Prohibits Landlords from Limiting or Evicting Tenants for Repeatedly Calling Law Enforcement or Emergency Services Bill Passed - House (99 - 37)
4/06 HR 65 Requires Rep. Justin Jones be Expelled from the State House of Representatives Resolution Passed - House (72 - 23)
4/06 HR 63 Requires Rep. Justin Pearson be Expelled from the State House of Representatives Resolution Passed - House (69 - 25)
4/06 SB 52 Amends Delaware Statutes Regarding the Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Program Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
4/06 SB 615 Establishes New Penalties for Street Racing and Gang Activity Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 7)
4/06 HR 64 Requires Rep. Gloria Johnson be Expelled from the State House of Representatives Resolution Failed - House (65 - 29)
4/05 SB 1021 Requires the Arizona Attorney General Defend the Constitutionality of Any Bill Signed into Law Bill Passed - House (31 - 27)
4/05 HB 1340 Prohibits Local Governments from Enforcing Stricter Gun Laws then Passed by the State Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
4/05 HB 1340 Prohibits Local Governments from Enforcing Stricter Gun Laws then Passed by the State Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
4/05 HB 1350 Establishes Places That a Person Can Carry a Concealed Weapon and Penalties for Armed Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 2)
4/05 HB 1350 Establishes Places That a Person Can Carry a Concealed Weapon and Penalties for Armed Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 2)
4/05 HB 1339 Authorizes Citizens to Conceal Carry in North Dakota With a State Issued ID Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 2)
4/04 SB 314 Amends the Confidentiality Laws Regarding Abuse Victims Bill Passed - House (71 - 26)
4/04 SB 185 Requires Maryland State Police Gun Center Track All Firearms Surrendered Through Final Protective Orders Bill Passed - House (112 - 20)
4/04 SB 185 Requires Maryland State Police Gun Center Track All Firearms Surrendered Through Final Protective Orders Bill Passed - House (112 - 20)
4/04 SB 54 Repeals Crimes of "Unnatural" or "Perverted" Sex Practices Bill Passed - House (115 - 13)
4/04 HB 3243 Authorizes Auto Repair Facilities to Sue on Behalf of Their Customers Bill Passed - House (36 - 23)
4/03 HB 1473 Requires Designated Male and Female Restrooms, Lockers, and Showers in Correctional Facilities and Dormitories Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 5)
4/03 SB 926 Authorizes Jaywalking if No Danger to Pedestrians Bill Passed - House (37 - 13)
4/03 HB 1489 Prohibits Collegiate Transgender Athletes from Competing with the Gender They Identify As Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 7)
4/03 HB 1249 Requires Classification of Student Athletes Based on "Biological Sex" Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
4/03 HB 3242 Authorizes Policyholders to Recover Actual Damages from Unfair Claim Settlement Practices Bill Passed - House (34 - 25)
4/03 SB 238 Establishes a Curriculum to Teach about the Danger of Fentanyl and Opioids Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 1)
3/31 HB 279 Establishes a Prescription Drug Affordability Board Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11)
3/31 HB 319 Increases Protest Penalties Bill Passed - House (109 - 3)
3/31 HB 319 Increases Protest Penalties Bill Passed - House (109 - 3)
3/30 HB 23-1011 Authorizes Individuals Right to Repair Agriculture Equipment Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 10)
3/30 SB 199 Prohibits Tracking Devices on Motor Vehicles Without Consent Bill Passed - House (86 - 10)
3/30 HB 543 Authorizes Conceal Carry Without a Permit Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
3/30 H 374 Amends Existing Laws to Specify the Definition of Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)

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