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.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
Feb. 28, 2023 IN SB 343 Amends Definitions of Machine-Guns for Increased Felony Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
Feb. 27, 2023 SD HB 1135 Establishes Transparency in the Pricing of Prescription Drugs Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
Feb. 25, 2023 VA HB 2398 Classifies Sexual Extortion as a Class 5 Felony Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 3)
Feb. 25, 2023 VA SB 1188 Classifies Fentanyl as a "Weapons of Terrorism" and a Class 4 Felony Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 5)
Feb. 25, 2023 VA SB 1188 Classifies Fentanyl as a "Weapons of Terrorism" and a Class 4 Felony Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 5)
Feb. 25, 2023 VA SB 887 Requires Individuals in Solitary Confinement Receive a Minimum of 4 Hours Out of Cell Each Day Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 2)
Feb. 24, 2023 UT HB 208 Amends Criminal Trespass Laws Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 4)
Feb. 24, 2023 SD HB 1090 Authorizes Protections for Farmers and Agricultural Operations from Frivolous Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
Feb. 24, 2023 UT HB 208 Amends Criminal Trespass Laws Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 4)
Feb. 22, 2023 NM SB 64 Prohibits Life Sentences for Juveniles Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
Feb. 22, 2023 IA SF 228 Limits Employee Liability in Commercial Vehicle Crashes Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
Feb. 22, 2023 SC S 153 Classifies the Trafficking of Fentanyl as a Felony Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 0)
Feb. 22, 2023 SC S 153 Classifies the Trafficking of Fentanyl as a Felony Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 0)
Feb. 21, 2023 MN HF 28 Expands Voting Rights to Ex-Felons Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 30)
Feb. 21, 2023 MD SB 54 Repeals Crimes of "Unnatural" or "Perverted" Sex Practices Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 11)
Feb. 21, 2023 UT SB 156 Establishes Requirements for Law Enforcement Use of Voluntary DNA Databases Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 2)
Feb. 21, 2023 AZ SB 1096 Prohibits Public Contracts of Over $100K that Do Not Include Firearm Protections Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
Feb. 16, 2023 UT HB 143 Prohibits Parents Without Visitation Rights from Interfering with the Custody of a Child Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 1)
Feb. 16, 2023 ND SB 2248 Establishes Penalty for an Individual Caught Aiding Injury or Death of Another Caused by Illegal Drug Substances Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
Feb. 16, 2023 ND SB 2248 Establishes Penalty for an Individual Caught Aiding Injury or Death of Another Caused by Illegal Drug Substances Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
Feb. 16, 2023 NC SB 41 Expands Conceal Carry Permits in School Zones Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
Feb. 15, 2023 OR SB 310 Increases Penalty for Antitrust Violations Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
Feb. 13, 2023 GA SB 44 Increases Penalties for Gang Recruitment Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 22)
Feb. 13, 2023 SD SB 207 Establishes Penalties for Appropriating Public Funds to Influence an Election Result Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
Feb. 10, 2023 UT HJR 2 Amends how State Courts can Grant Injunctions Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
Feb. 8, 2023 IA HF 161 Establishes a $1 Million Cap on Noneconomic Damages in Medical Malpractice Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
Feb. 8, 2023 FL SB 4-B Authorizes Office of Statewide Prosecution to Investigate Voting-Related Crimes Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
Feb. 7, 2023 VA SB 1515 Establishes Civil Liability for or Publishing or Distributing Material Harmful to Minors on the Internet Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 3)
Feb. 6, 2023 VA SB 1361 Amends Parole Rules in the state of Virginia Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
Feb. 1, 2023 UT SB 86 Repeals Fentanyl Testing Strips from the List of Drug Paraphernalia Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 1)
Feb. 1, 2023 UT SB 86 Repeals Fentanyl Testing Strips from the List of Drug Paraphernalia Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 1)
Feb. 1, 2023 WA SB 5028 Amends Process for Legal Name Change Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 3)
Jan. 31, 2023 VA SB 1455 Authorizes Law Enforcement to Establish a Curfew Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
Jan. 31, 2023 VA SB 1455 Authorizes Law Enforcement to Establish a Curfew Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
Jan. 26, 2023 MN HF 37 Prohibits Hair Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 19)
Jan. 25, 2023 NY S 345 Establishes 6-Year Statute of Limitations for Employment Discrimination Claims Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 6)
Jan. 25, 2023 NY S 345 Establishes 6-Year Statute of Limitations for Employment Discrimination Claims Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 6)
Jan. 24, 2023 NY A 1283 Authorizes Constitutional Referendum Prohibiting Discrimination on Basis of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Reproductive Autonomy, Etc. (43 - 20)
Jan. 24, 2023 WV SB 10 Authorizes College Campus Concealed-Carry Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
Jan. 23, 2023 VA SB 888 Prohibits the Required Imposition of Mandatory Consecutive Sentences of Imprisonment Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
Jan. 17, 2023 WI SJR 2 Requires a Defendant's Potential Risk Factors be Considered when Setting Bail Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
Jan. 9, 2023 IL HB 5471 Prohibits the Sale, Manufacture, Delivery and Purchase of Assault Weapons Across the State Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 20)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/28 SB 343 Amends Definitions of Machine-Guns for Increased Felony Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
2/27 HB 1135 Establishes Transparency in the Pricing of Prescription Drugs Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
2/25 HB 2398 Classifies Sexual Extortion as a Class 5 Felony Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 3)
2/25 SB 1188 Classifies Fentanyl as a "Weapons of Terrorism" and a Class 4 Felony Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 5)
2/25 SB 1188 Classifies Fentanyl as a "Weapons of Terrorism" and a Class 4 Felony Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 5)
2/25 SB 887 Requires Individuals in Solitary Confinement Receive a Minimum of 4 Hours Out of Cell Each Day Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 2)
2/24 HB 208 Amends Criminal Trespass Laws Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 4)
2/24 HB 1090 Authorizes Protections for Farmers and Agricultural Operations from Frivolous Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
2/24 HB 208 Amends Criminal Trespass Laws Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 4)
2/22 SB 64 Prohibits Life Sentences for Juveniles Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
2/22 SF 228 Limits Employee Liability in Commercial Vehicle Crashes Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
2/22 S 153 Classifies the Trafficking of Fentanyl as a Felony Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 0)
2/22 S 153 Classifies the Trafficking of Fentanyl as a Felony Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 0)
2/21 HF 28 Expands Voting Rights to Ex-Felons Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 30)
2/21 SB 54 Repeals Crimes of "Unnatural" or "Perverted" Sex Practices Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 11)
2/21 SB 156 Establishes Requirements for Law Enforcement Use of Voluntary DNA Databases Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 2)
2/21 SB 1096 Prohibits Public Contracts of Over $100K that Do Not Include Firearm Protections Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
2/16 HB 143 Prohibits Parents Without Visitation Rights from Interfering with the Custody of a Child Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 1)
2/16 SB 2248 Establishes Penalty for an Individual Caught Aiding Injury or Death of Another Caused by Illegal Drug Substances Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
2/16 SB 2248 Establishes Penalty for an Individual Caught Aiding Injury or Death of Another Caused by Illegal Drug Substances Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
2/16 SB 41 Expands Conceal Carry Permits in School Zones Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
2/15 SB 310 Increases Penalty for Antitrust Violations Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
2/13 SB 44 Increases Penalties for Gang Recruitment Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 22)
2/13 SB 207 Establishes Penalties for Appropriating Public Funds to Influence an Election Result Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
2/10 HJR 2 Amends how State Courts can Grant Injunctions Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
2/08 HF 161 Establishes a $1 Million Cap on Noneconomic Damages in Medical Malpractice Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
2/08 SB 4-B Authorizes Office of Statewide Prosecution to Investigate Voting-Related Crimes Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
2/07 SB 1515 Establishes Civil Liability for or Publishing or Distributing Material Harmful to Minors on the Internet Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 3)
2/06 SB 1361 Amends Parole Rules in the state of Virginia Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
2/01 SB 86 Repeals Fentanyl Testing Strips from the List of Drug Paraphernalia Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 1)
2/01 SB 86 Repeals Fentanyl Testing Strips from the List of Drug Paraphernalia Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 1)
2/01 SB 5028 Amends Process for Legal Name Change Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 3)
1/31 SB 1455 Authorizes Law Enforcement to Establish a Curfew Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
1/31 SB 1455 Authorizes Law Enforcement to Establish a Curfew Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
1/26 HF 37 Prohibits Hair Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 19)
1/25 S 345 Establishes 6-Year Statute of Limitations for Employment Discrimination Claims Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 6)
1/25 S 345 Establishes 6-Year Statute of Limitations for Employment Discrimination Claims Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 6)
1/24 A 1283 Authorizes Constitutional Referendum Prohibiting Discrimination on Basis of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Reproductive Autonomy, Etc. (43 - 20)
1/24 SB 10 Authorizes College Campus Concealed-Carry Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
1/23 SB 888 Prohibits the Required Imposition of Mandatory Consecutive Sentences of Imprisonment Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
1/17 SJR 2 Requires a Defendant's Potential Risk Factors be Considered when Setting Bail Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
1/09 HB 5471 Prohibits the Sale, Manufacture, Delivery and Purchase of Assault Weapons Across the State Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 20)

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