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
Aug. 24, 2023 TN HB 7027 Requires Court Pay for the Cost of Court-Ordered Mental Health Evaluations Bill Passed - House (89 - 1)
Aug. 16, 2023 NC HB 186 Amends Various Juvenile Criminal Statutes Conference Report Adopted - House (96 - 23)
Aug. 16, 2023 NC SB 579 Prohibits Showing Adult Entertainment to a Minor Bill Passed - House (118 - 1)
July 18, 2023 LA HB 188 Prohibits Parole for "Dangerous Offenders" Veto Override Failed - House (57 - 29)
July 18, 2023 LA HB 309 Amends State Fortified Home and Commercial Standards Veto Override Failed - House (66 - 29)
July 18, 2023 LA HB 125 Prohibits Chinese Nationals and Other Foreign Adversaries from Owning Land in the State Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 25)
July 18, 2023 LA HB 182 Prohibits Public and Private Schools from Requiring the COVID-19 Vaccine Veto Override Failed - House (69 - 28)
July 7, 2023 PA HB 1394 Prohibits Hair Discrimination Bill Passed - House (182 - 21)
July 6, 2023 ME LD 1756 Expands Employee's Freedom of Association and Speech in the Workplace (76 - 52)
July 6, 2023 PA HB 1210 Authorizes Animals to be Included in Protection from Abuse Orders Bill Passed - House (130 - 73)
June 30, 2023 DE HB 118 Prohibits Smoking In Vehicles When A Minor Is In The Vehicle. Bill Passed - House (35 - 5)
June 30, 2023 NJ S 524 Establishes a Statewide Mental Health Diversion Program Bill Passed - House (45 - 28)
June 30, 2023 NJ S 3772 Extends Public Defender Representation to Those Seeking Parole Revocation Bill Passed - House (45 - 31)
June 30, 2023 NJ S 3772 Extends Public Defender Representation to Those Seeking Parole Revocation Bill Passed - House (45 - 31)
June 30, 2023 NJ S 3771 Repeals Fees for Public Defenders Services Bill Passed - House (46 - 29)
June 30, 2023 NJ S 1615 Establishes an Independent Board of Experts to Guide the State on Prescription Drug Policy Bill Passed - House (55 - 20)
June 27, 2023 ME LD 1436 Establishes Remedies for Survivors of Commercial Sexual Exploitation Bill Passed - House (99 - 43)
June 27, 2023 DE HB 155 Classifies Unsafe Storage of a Firearm in a Vehicle Class A Misdemeanor Bill Passed - House (24 - 13)
June 24, 2023 OR HB 2395 Authorizes Specified Persons to Distribute and Administer Short-Acting Opioid Reversal Drugs and Kits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 3)
June 22, 2023 ME LD 1119 Classifies Assault on a Medical Professional as a Felony Bill Passed - House (105 - 38)
June 21, 2023 OR SB 337 Establishes the Oregon Public Defense Commission within Judicial Branch Bill Passed - House (34 - 16)
June 21, 2023 OR SB 337 Establishes the Oregon Public Defense Commission within Judicial Branch Bill Passed - House (34 - 16)
June 21, 2023 OH HB 122 Establishes Increased Protections for Guardian ad Litems and Court Appointed Special Advocates Bill Passed - House (64 - 28)
June 21, 2023 WI AB 322 Authorizes Ratification of a Collective Bargaining Agreement Between the State and Law Enforcement Association Bill Passed - House (91 - 2)
June 20, 2023 NY S 7548 Establishes a Streamlined System for Individuals to Overturn Certain Wrongful Convictions Bill Passed - House (94 - 53)
June 20, 2023 MI HB 4476 Specifies what Constitutes Institutional Desecration Bill Passed - House (83 - 26)
June 20, 2023 MI HB 4474 Specifies what Constitutes a Hate Crime Bill Passed - House (59 - 50)
June 20, 2023 MI HB 4475 Establishes Additional Code of Criminal Procedures Bill Passed - House (59 - 50)
June 20, 2023 MI HB 4477 Establishes Additional Code of Criminal Procedures for Institutional Desecration Bill Passed - House (82 - 27)
June 20, 2023 DE HB 186 Amends Rules Concerning Placement on the Sex Offender Registry Bill Passed - House (27 - 10)
June 15, 2023 RI S 912 Authorizes Residential Eviction Court Files to be Sealed Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 18)
June 15, 2023 DE HB 142 Prohibits LGBTQ+ Panic Defense Bill Passed - House (27 - 10)
June 15, 2023 ME LD 1001 Amends the Maine Human Rights Act Regarding Right-to-sue Letters Bill Passed - House (88 - 54)
June 14, 2023 SC H 3532 Amends and Reforms the State Bail Bond System Conference Report Adopted - House (89 - 16)
June 14, 2023 NC HB 140 Authorizes Civilian Traffic Investigators Concurrence Vote Passed - House (100 - 6)
June 14, 2023 OH SB 21 Restructures Where Individuals can Contest State Agency Orders Bill Passed - House (68 - 27)
June 14, 2023 MI HB 4173 Establishes the "Michigan Sentencing Commission" in the Legislative Council Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
June 14, 2023 PA HB 1305 Establishes Resources for Mental Health Behavioral Crisis Intervention Bill Passed - House (113 - 90)
June 14, 2023 RI H 5902 Increases Criminal Penalties for Wage Theft by Employers from a Misdemeanor to a Felony Bill Passed - House (70 - 2)
June 13, 2023 ME LD 279 Prohibits Public Entities from Discriminating Against Individuals "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (77 - 64)
June 13, 2023 ME LD 52 Authorizes Certain Employees to Carry Firearms on School Property "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (76 - 67)
June 12, 2023 AZ SB 1588 Establishes a criminal Justice Data Collection System Bill Passed - House (39 - 21)
June 12, 2023 PA HB 1085 Appropriates Funding for the State Public Defenders Office Bill Passed - House (132 - 71)
June 9, 2023 NY A 1029 Requires Automatic Sealing of Certain Convictions Records After Specified Periods of Time Bill Passed - House (97 - 51)
June 8, 2023 LA SB 159 Amends Previous Law to Automatically Classify 17-Year-Old Defendants as Adults Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 34)
June 8, 2023 LA SB 159 Amends Previous Law to Automatically Classify 17-Year-Old Defendants as Adults Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 34)
June 8, 2023 LA HB 90 Increases Penalties for Drug Distribution Resulting in Death to Life in Prison Conference Report Adopted - House (78 - 19)
June 8, 2023 LA HB 90 Increases Penalties for Drug Distribution Resulting in Death to Life in Prison Conference Report Adopted - House (78 - 19)
June 8, 2023 DE HB 141 Requires a Criminal History Background Checks For Candidates For State And County Public Office Bill Passed - House (25 - 7)
June 8, 2023 OR HB 2772 Classifies Domestic Terrorism as a Felony Bill Passed - House (49 - 5)
Date No. Title Outcome
8/24 HB 7027 Requires Court Pay for the Cost of Court-Ordered Mental Health Evaluations Bill Passed - House (89 - 1)
8/16 HB 186 Amends Various Juvenile Criminal Statutes Conference Report Adopted - House (96 - 23)
8/16 SB 579 Prohibits Showing Adult Entertainment to a Minor Bill Passed - House (118 - 1)
7/18 HB 188 Prohibits Parole for "Dangerous Offenders" Veto Override Failed - House (57 - 29)
7/18 HB 309 Amends State Fortified Home and Commercial Standards Veto Override Failed - House (66 - 29)
7/18 HB 125 Prohibits Chinese Nationals and Other Foreign Adversaries from Owning Land in the State Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 25)
7/18 HB 182 Prohibits Public and Private Schools from Requiring the COVID-19 Vaccine Veto Override Failed - House (69 - 28)
7/07 HB 1394 Prohibits Hair Discrimination Bill Passed - House (182 - 21)
7/06 LD 1756 Expands Employee's Freedom of Association and Speech in the Workplace (76 - 52)
7/06 HB 1210 Authorizes Animals to be Included in Protection from Abuse Orders Bill Passed - House (130 - 73)
6/30 HB 118 Prohibits Smoking In Vehicles When A Minor Is In The Vehicle. Bill Passed - House (35 - 5)
6/30 S 524 Establishes a Statewide Mental Health Diversion Program Bill Passed - House (45 - 28)
6/30 S 3772 Extends Public Defender Representation to Those Seeking Parole Revocation Bill Passed - House (45 - 31)
6/30 S 3772 Extends Public Defender Representation to Those Seeking Parole Revocation Bill Passed - House (45 - 31)
6/30 S 3771 Repeals Fees for Public Defenders Services Bill Passed - House (46 - 29)
6/30 S 1615 Establishes an Independent Board of Experts to Guide the State on Prescription Drug Policy Bill Passed - House (55 - 20)
6/27 LD 1436 Establishes Remedies for Survivors of Commercial Sexual Exploitation Bill Passed - House (99 - 43)
6/27 HB 155 Classifies Unsafe Storage of a Firearm in a Vehicle Class A Misdemeanor Bill Passed - House (24 - 13)
6/24 HB 2395 Authorizes Specified Persons to Distribute and Administer Short-Acting Opioid Reversal Drugs and Kits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 3)
6/22 LD 1119 Classifies Assault on a Medical Professional as a Felony Bill Passed - House (105 - 38)
6/21 SB 337 Establishes the Oregon Public Defense Commission within Judicial Branch Bill Passed - House (34 - 16)
6/21 SB 337 Establishes the Oregon Public Defense Commission within Judicial Branch Bill Passed - House (34 - 16)
6/21 HB 122 Establishes Increased Protections for Guardian ad Litems and Court Appointed Special Advocates Bill Passed - House (64 - 28)
6/21 AB 322 Authorizes Ratification of a Collective Bargaining Agreement Between the State and Law Enforcement Association Bill Passed - House (91 - 2)
6/20 S 7548 Establishes a Streamlined System for Individuals to Overturn Certain Wrongful Convictions Bill Passed - House (94 - 53)
6/20 HB 4476 Specifies what Constitutes Institutional Desecration Bill Passed - House (83 - 26)
6/20 HB 4474 Specifies what Constitutes a Hate Crime Bill Passed - House (59 - 50)
6/20 HB 4475 Establishes Additional Code of Criminal Procedures Bill Passed - House (59 - 50)
6/20 HB 4477 Establishes Additional Code of Criminal Procedures for Institutional Desecration Bill Passed - House (82 - 27)
6/20 HB 186 Amends Rules Concerning Placement on the Sex Offender Registry Bill Passed - House (27 - 10)
6/15 S 912 Authorizes Residential Eviction Court Files to be Sealed Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 18)
6/15 HB 142 Prohibits LGBTQ+ Panic Defense Bill Passed - House (27 - 10)
6/15 LD 1001 Amends the Maine Human Rights Act Regarding Right-to-sue Letters Bill Passed - House (88 - 54)
6/14 H 3532 Amends and Reforms the State Bail Bond System Conference Report Adopted - House (89 - 16)
6/14 HB 140 Authorizes Civilian Traffic Investigators Concurrence Vote Passed - House (100 - 6)
6/14 SB 21 Restructures Where Individuals can Contest State Agency Orders Bill Passed - House (68 - 27)
6/14 HB 4173 Establishes the "Michigan Sentencing Commission" in the Legislative Council Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
6/14 HB 1305 Establishes Resources for Mental Health Behavioral Crisis Intervention Bill Passed - House (113 - 90)
6/14 H 5902 Increases Criminal Penalties for Wage Theft by Employers from a Misdemeanor to a Felony Bill Passed - House (70 - 2)
6/13 LD 279 Prohibits Public Entities from Discriminating Against Individuals "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (77 - 64)
6/13 LD 52 Authorizes Certain Employees to Carry Firearms on School Property "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (76 - 67)
6/12 SB 1588 Establishes a criminal Justice Data Collection System Bill Passed - House (39 - 21)
6/12 HB 1085 Appropriates Funding for the State Public Defenders Office Bill Passed - House (132 - 71)
6/09 A 1029 Requires Automatic Sealing of Certain Convictions Records After Specified Periods of Time Bill Passed - House (97 - 51)
6/08 SB 159 Amends Previous Law to Automatically Classify 17-Year-Old Defendants as Adults Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 34)
6/08 SB 159 Amends Previous Law to Automatically Classify 17-Year-Old Defendants as Adults Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 34)
6/08 HB 90 Increases Penalties for Drug Distribution Resulting in Death to Life in Prison Conference Report Adopted - House (78 - 19)
6/08 HB 90 Increases Penalties for Drug Distribution Resulting in Death to Life in Prison Conference Report Adopted - House (78 - 19)
6/08 HB 141 Requires a Criminal History Background Checks For Candidates For State And County Public Office Bill Passed - House (25 - 7)
6/08 HB 2772 Classifies Domestic Terrorism as a Felony Bill Passed - House (49 - 5)

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