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
Sept. 14, 2023 CA SB 407 Requires the Department of Social Services Amend the Foster Care Vetting Process to Ensure LGBTQ+ Youth are Not Placed in Hostile Homes. Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
Sept. 14, 2023 CA AB 352 Requires Information on Fertility and Menstrual Tracking Apps Be Subject to Medical Privacy Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 14)
Sept. 14, 2023 CA SJR 7 Establishes Various State Gun Control Measures Joint Resolution Passed - House (53 - 17)
Sept. 13, 2023 CA SB 407 Requires the Department of Social Services Amend the Foster Care Vetting Process to Ensure LGBTQ+ Youth are Not Placed in Hostile Homes. Bill Passed - House (61 - 14)
Sept. 13, 2023 CA AB 352 Requires Information on Fertility and Menstrual Tracking Apps Be Subject to Medical Privacy Laws Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
Sept. 13, 2023 CA AB 280 Limits the Use of Solitary Confinement in California State Prisons Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Sept. 13, 2023 CA AB 280 Limits the Use of Solitary Confinement in California State Prisons Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Sept. 12, 2023 CA SB 2 Amends Penal Code Related to Firearms Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
Sept. 12, 2023 CA SB 447 Authorizes State and Public University Employees to Resume Travel to Previously Restricted States Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
Sept. 12, 2023 CA SB 326 Authorizes Counties to Provide Substance Abuse Disorder Treatment that Emphasizes Housing Bill Passed - House (68 - 7)
Sept. 12, 2023 CA AB 33 Establishes a Fentanyl Misuse and Overdose Prevention Task Force Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
Sept. 12, 2023 CA AB 524 Prohibits Employment Discrimination for Those With Family Caregiver Status Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
Sept. 11, 2023 CA SB 4 Authorizes Religious Institutions and Nonprofit Colleges to Build Affordable Housing on Their Property Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
Sept. 11, 2023 CA SB 447 Authorizes State and Public University Employees to Resume Travel to Previously Restricted States Bill Passed - House (64 - 12)
Sept. 11, 2023 CA SB 2 Amends Penal Code Related to Firearms Bill Passed - House (54 - 23)
Sept. 8, 2023 CA AB 957 Establishes Gender Identity Acknowledgement as a Parental Custody Requirement Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 16)
Sept. 7, 2023 CA SB 58 Amends Laws and Statutes Concerning the Decriminalization of Certain Hallucinogens Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
Sept. 7, 2023 CA AB 881 Increases Juror Pay to $100 Per Day for Middle and Low Income Jurors Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 3)
Sept. 7, 2023 CA SB 345 Establishes State Protections for Health Care Providers who Prescribe an Abortion or Gender-Affirming Care from Out-of-State Legal Action Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
Sept. 7, 2023 CA AB 28 Establishes an 11% Tax on Firearm and Ammunition Purchases in California Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 17)
Sept. 7, 2023 CA AB 1104 Amends Correction and Rehabilitation Statutes in California Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 14)
Sept. 7, 2023 CA AB 1078 Prohibits School Book Bans Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 17)
Sept. 7, 2023 CA AB 1089 Prohibits 3-D Printed Firearms or "Ghost Guns" Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 9)
Sept. 7, 2023 CA SB 58 Amends Laws and Statutes Concerning the Decriminalization of Certain Hallucinogens Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
Sept. 7, 2023 CA AB 28 Establishes an 11% Tax on Firearm and Ammunition Purchases in California Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
Sept. 7, 2023 CA AB 1078 Prohibits School Book Bans Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
Sept. 6, 2023 CA SB 732 Establishes the Pallid Bat as the State Official Bat Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
Sept. 6, 2023 CA AB 957 Establishes Gender Identity Acknowledgement as a Parental Custody Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
Sept. 6, 2023 CA SB 58 Amends Laws and Statutes Concerning the Decriminalization of Certain Hallucinogens Bill Passed - House (43 - 15)
Sept. 6, 2023 CA SB 58 Amends Laws and Statutes Concerning the Decriminalization of Certain Hallucinogens Bill Passed - House (43 - 15)
Sept. 6, 2023 CA SB 345 Establishes State Protections for Health Care Providers who Prescribe an Abortion or Gender-Affirming Care from Out-of-State Legal Action Bill Passed - House (62 - 15)
Sept. 6, 2023 CA AB 1089 Prohibits 3-D Printed Firearms or "Ghost Guns" Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
Sept. 6, 2023 CA SJR 7 Establishes Various State Gun Control Measures Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
Sept. 5, 2023 CA AB 1104 Amends Correction and Rehabilitation Statutes in California Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
Aug. 29, 2023 TN SB 7086 Reduces the Time Period for the Tennessee Bureau of Information to be Notified of Criminal Proceedings from 30 Days to 72 Hours Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 6)
Aug. 28, 2023 TN SB 7085 Requires Safety Storage Training be Added to Future Firearm Training Courses Bill Passed - House (77 - 9)
Aug. 28, 2023 TN SB 7088 Requires the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Submit Annual Reports on Human Trafficking Crimes Bill Passed - House (86 - 1)
Aug. 28, 2023 TN HB 7008 Requires a Qualified Mental Health Professional to Protect an Identified Victim When Under Threat Of Bodily Harm Bill Passed - House (82 - 5)
Aug. 28, 2023 TN HB 7073 Requires a Juvenile Court Impose a Blended Sentence on Certain Adjudicated Delinquents for Certain Offenses Bill Passed - House (64 - 4)
Aug. 24, 2023 TN HB 7071 Requires the Submission of a Report on the Number of Mass Shootings in this State to the Governor Bill Passed - House (75 - 15)
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 SB 49 Establishes a Parents Bill of Right's for Students in Grades K-4 Veto Override Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
Aug. 16, 2023 NC HB 574 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Veto Override Passed - House (74 - 45)
Aug. 16, 2023 NC HB 574 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Veto Override Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
Aug. 16, 2023 NC SB 49 Establishes a Parents Bill of Right's for Students in Grades K-4 Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 47)
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 27, 2023 National S J Res 24 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service relating to "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Species Status for Northern Long-Eared Bat". Joint Resolution Passed - House (220 - 209)
July 27, 2023 National S J Res 9 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service relating to "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Lesser Prairie-Chicken; Threatened Status with Section 4(d) Rule for the Northern Distinct Population Segment and Endangered Status for the Southern Distinct Population Segment". Joint Resolution Passed - House (221 - 206)
July 25, 2023 ME LD 86 Amends the State Flag Designation to Reestablish the Former Flag Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
July 25, 2023 ME LD 279 Prohibits Public Entities from Discriminating Against Individuals "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 13)
July 25, 2023 ME LD 582 Expands Penalties for Possession of Firearms by Prohibited Persons Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 5)
July 19, 2023 National HR 3941 Schools Not Shelters Act Bill Passed - House (222 - 201)
July 18, 2023 LA HB 648 Prohibits Gender Affirming Care for Minors Veto Override Passed - House (76 - 23)
July 18, 2023 LA HB 648 Prohibits Gender Affirming Care for Minors Veto Override Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
July 18, 2023 LA HB 466 Prohibits Classroom Discussion of Gender and Sexual Identity in K-12 Public Schools Veto Override Passed - House (68 - 29)
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 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 ME LD 535 Authorizes Gender Affirming Care for Minors Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
July 6, 2023 ME LD 1756 Expands Employee's Freedom of Association and Speech in the Workplace "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 9)
July 6, 2023 ME LD 1619 Amends and Updates State Abortion and Reproductive Privacy Laws Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
July 6, 2023 ME LD 258 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2023-2025 State Budget Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
July 6, 2023 ME LD 1436 Establishes Remedies for Survivors of Commercial Sexual Exploitation Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
July 6, 2023 ME LD 258 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2023-2025 State Budget Bill Passed - House (80 - 58)
July 6, 2023 PA HB 1210 Authorizes Animals to be Included in Protection from Abuse Orders Bill Passed - House (130 - 73)
July 6, 2023 PA HB 1210 Authorizes Animals to be Included in Protection from Abuse Orders Bill Passed - House (130 - 73)
July 5, 2023 CA SB 147 Amends the Fish and Game Code to Protect Certain Species Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
June 30, 2023 NJ S 3275 Requires the State Create a Website Outlining Individual's Reproductive Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
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 3275 Requires the State Create a Website Outlining Individual's Reproductive Rights Bill Passed - House (38 - 23)
June 30, 2023 NJ S 524 Establishes a Statewide Mental Health Diversion Program Bill Passed - House (45 - 28)
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 30, 2023 NJ S 2902 Authorizes Ticket Price Increases at Sports Events to Cover Event-Related Expenses Bill Passed - House (71 - 6)
Date No. Title Outcome
9/14 SB 407 Requires the Department of Social Services Amend the Foster Care Vetting Process to Ensure LGBTQ+ Youth are Not Placed in Hostile Homes. Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
9/14 AB 352 Requires Information on Fertility and Menstrual Tracking Apps Be Subject to Medical Privacy Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 14)
9/14 SJR 7 Establishes Various State Gun Control Measures Joint Resolution Passed - House (53 - 17)
9/13 SB 407 Requires the Department of Social Services Amend the Foster Care Vetting Process to Ensure LGBTQ+ Youth are Not Placed in Hostile Homes. Bill Passed - House (61 - 14)
9/13 AB 352 Requires Information on Fertility and Menstrual Tracking Apps Be Subject to Medical Privacy Laws Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
9/13 AB 280 Limits the Use of Solitary Confinement in California State Prisons Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
9/13 AB 280 Limits the Use of Solitary Confinement in California State Prisons Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
9/12 SB 2 Amends Penal Code Related to Firearms Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
9/12 SB 447 Authorizes State and Public University Employees to Resume Travel to Previously Restricted States Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
9/12 SB 326 Authorizes Counties to Provide Substance Abuse Disorder Treatment that Emphasizes Housing Bill Passed - House (68 - 7)
9/12 AB 33 Establishes a Fentanyl Misuse and Overdose Prevention Task Force Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
9/12 AB 524 Prohibits Employment Discrimination for Those With Family Caregiver Status Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
9/11 SB 4 Authorizes Religious Institutions and Nonprofit Colleges to Build Affordable Housing on Their Property Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
9/11 SB 447 Authorizes State and Public University Employees to Resume Travel to Previously Restricted States Bill Passed - House (64 - 12)
9/11 SB 2 Amends Penal Code Related to Firearms Bill Passed - House (54 - 23)
9/08 AB 957 Establishes Gender Identity Acknowledgement as a Parental Custody Requirement Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 16)
9/07 SB 58 Amends Laws and Statutes Concerning the Decriminalization of Certain Hallucinogens Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
9/07 AB 881 Increases Juror Pay to $100 Per Day for Middle and Low Income Jurors Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 3)
9/07 SB 345 Establishes State Protections for Health Care Providers who Prescribe an Abortion or Gender-Affirming Care from Out-of-State Legal Action Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
9/07 AB 28 Establishes an 11% Tax on Firearm and Ammunition Purchases in California Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 17)
9/07 AB 1104 Amends Correction and Rehabilitation Statutes in California Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 14)
9/07 AB 1078 Prohibits School Book Bans Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 17)
9/07 AB 1089 Prohibits 3-D Printed Firearms or "Ghost Guns" Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 9)
9/07 SB 58 Amends Laws and Statutes Concerning the Decriminalization of Certain Hallucinogens Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
9/07 AB 28 Establishes an 11% Tax on Firearm and Ammunition Purchases in California Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
9/07 AB 1078 Prohibits School Book Bans Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
9/06 SB 732 Establishes the Pallid Bat as the State Official Bat Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
9/06 AB 957 Establishes Gender Identity Acknowledgement as a Parental Custody Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
9/06 SB 58 Amends Laws and Statutes Concerning the Decriminalization of Certain Hallucinogens Bill Passed - House (43 - 15)
9/06 SB 58 Amends Laws and Statutes Concerning the Decriminalization of Certain Hallucinogens Bill Passed - House (43 - 15)
9/06 SB 345 Establishes State Protections for Health Care Providers who Prescribe an Abortion or Gender-Affirming Care from Out-of-State Legal Action Bill Passed - House (62 - 15)
9/06 AB 1089 Prohibits 3-D Printed Firearms or "Ghost Guns" Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
9/06 SJR 7 Establishes Various State Gun Control Measures Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
9/05 AB 1104 Amends Correction and Rehabilitation Statutes in California Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
8/29 SB 7086 Reduces the Time Period for the Tennessee Bureau of Information to be Notified of Criminal Proceedings from 30 Days to 72 Hours Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 6)
8/28 SB 7085 Requires Safety Storage Training be Added to Future Firearm Training Courses Bill Passed - House (77 - 9)
8/28 SB 7088 Requires the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Submit Annual Reports on Human Trafficking Crimes Bill Passed - House (86 - 1)
8/28 HB 7008 Requires a Qualified Mental Health Professional to Protect an Identified Victim When Under Threat Of Bodily Harm Bill Passed - House (82 - 5)
8/28 HB 7073 Requires a Juvenile Court Impose a Blended Sentence on Certain Adjudicated Delinquents for Certain Offenses Bill Passed - House (64 - 4)
8/24 HB 7071 Requires the Submission of a Report on the Number of Mass Shootings in this State to the Governor Bill Passed - House (75 - 15)
8/24 HB 7027 Requires Court Pay for the Cost of Court-Ordered Mental Health Evaluations Bill Passed - House (89 - 1)
8/16 SB 49 Establishes a Parents Bill of Right's for Students in Grades K-4 Veto Override Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
8/16 HB 574 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Veto Override Passed - House (74 - 45)
8/16 HB 574 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Veto Override Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
8/16 SB 49 Establishes a Parents Bill of Right's for Students in Grades K-4 Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 47)
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)
7/27 S J Res 24 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service relating to "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Species Status for Northern Long-Eared Bat". Joint Resolution Passed - House (220 - 209)
7/27 S J Res 9 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service relating to "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Lesser Prairie-Chicken; Threatened Status with Section 4(d) Rule for the Northern Distinct Population Segment and Endangered Status for the Southern Distinct Population Segment". Joint Resolution Passed - House (221 - 206)
7/25 LD 86 Amends the State Flag Designation to Reestablish the Former Flag Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
7/25 LD 279 Prohibits Public Entities from Discriminating Against Individuals "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 13)
7/25 LD 582 Expands Penalties for Possession of Firearms by Prohibited Persons Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 5)
7/19 HR 3941 Schools Not Shelters Act Bill Passed - House (222 - 201)
7/18 HB 648 Prohibits Gender Affirming Care for Minors Veto Override Passed - House (76 - 23)
7/18 HB 648 Prohibits Gender Affirming Care for Minors Veto Override Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
7/18 HB 466 Prohibits Classroom Discussion of Gender and Sexual Identity in K-12 Public Schools Veto Override Passed - House (68 - 29)
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)
7/07 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 LD 535 Authorizes Gender Affirming Care for Minors Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
7/06 LD 1756 Expands Employee's Freedom of Association and Speech in the Workplace "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 9)
7/06 LD 1619 Amends and Updates State Abortion and Reproductive Privacy Laws Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
7/06 LD 258 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2023-2025 State Budget Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
7/06 LD 1436 Establishes Remedies for Survivors of Commercial Sexual Exploitation Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
7/06 LD 258 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2023-2025 State Budget Bill Passed - House (80 - 58)
7/06 HB 1210 Authorizes Animals to be Included in Protection from Abuse Orders Bill Passed - House (130 - 73)
7/06 HB 1210 Authorizes Animals to be Included in Protection from Abuse Orders Bill Passed - House (130 - 73)
7/05 SB 147 Amends the Fish and Game Code to Protect Certain Species Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
6/30 S 3275 Requires the State Create a Website Outlining Individual's Reproductive Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
6/30 HB 118 Prohibits Smoking In Vehicles When A Minor Is In The Vehicle. Bill Passed - House (35 - 5)
6/30 S 3275 Requires the State Create a Website Outlining Individual's Reproductive Rights Bill Passed - House (38 - 23)
6/30 S 524 Establishes a Statewide Mental Health Diversion Program Bill Passed - House (45 - 28)
6/30 S 1615 Establishes an Independent Board of Experts to Guide the State on Prescription Drug Policy Bill Passed - House (55 - 20)
6/30 S 2902 Authorizes Ticket Price Increases at Sports Events to Cover Event-Related Expenses Bill Passed - House (71 - 6)

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