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 11, 2023 CO HB 23-1011 Authorizes Individuals Right to Repair Agriculture Equipment Conference Report Adopted - House (44 - 16)
April 11, 2023 ND HB 1230 Establishes Penalties for the Intentional Submission of Petitions with Fraudulent Signatures Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 38)
April 11, 2023 WA SB 5280 Requires Clergy Members in the State be Designated as Mandatory Reporters Bill Passed - House (75 - 20)
April 11, 2023 WA HB 1470 Establishes New Regulations Concerning Private Prisons Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
April 11, 2023 WA SB 5280 Requires Clergy Members in the State be Designated as Mandatory Reporters Bill Passed - House (75 - 20)
April 11, 2023 IA HF 651 Prohibits the Banning of Certain Breeds of Dogs Bill Passed - House (82 - 16)
April 11, 2023 IA HF 651 Prohibits the Banning of Certain Breeds of Dogs Bill Passed - House (82 - 16)
April 10, 2023 MD SB 1 Prohibits Open Carry in the State and Restricts Places Where Firearms can be Carried Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
April 10, 2023 WA SB 5231 Amends Legal Process for Emergency No Contact Orders Bill Passed - House (63 - 33)
April 10, 2023 WA SB 5231 Amends Legal Process for Emergency No Contact Orders Bill Passed - House (63 - 33)
April 10, 2023 ND SB 2168 Amends and Updates State Speeding Penalities Bill Passed - House (66 - 24)
April 10, 2023 MD SB 1 Prohibits Open Carry in the State and Restricts Places Where Firearms can be Carried Bill Passed - House (93 - 42)
April 10, 2023 WA SB 5352 Expands Police Chase Protections for Law Enforcement Bill Passed - House (57 - 40)
April 10, 2023 ND HB 1230 Establishes Penalties for the Intentional Submission of Petitions with Fraudulent Signatures Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 6)
April 10, 2023 MD SB 720 Establishes State Horse Thoroughbred Racing Commission Bill Passed - House (137 - 3)
April 10, 2023 MD SB 720 Establishes State Horse Thoroughbred Racing Commission Bill Passed - House (137 - 3)
April 10, 2023 MD HB 1071 Prohibits the Smell of Cannabis as Reasonable Suspicion or Probable Cause for Police Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
April 10, 2023 WA HB 1394 Establishes a Developmentally Appropriate Response to Youth Who Commit Sexual Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
April 10, 2023 OR HB 2281 Requires School Districts Hire a Civil Rights Coordinator Bill Passed - House (35 - 18)
April 10, 2023 MD HB 1071 Prohibits the Smell of Cannabis as Reasonable Suspicion or Probable Cause for Police Bill Passed - House (101 - 36)
April 8, 2023 MD HB 824 Prohibits Certain Individuals on Probation from Receiving a Concealed Carry Permit Concurrence Vote Passed - House (98 - 40)
April 8, 2023 MD HB 824 Prohibits Certain Individuals on Probation from Receiving a Concealed Carry Permit Concurrence Vote Passed - House (98 - 40)
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 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 SB 37 Reduces the Time Period to Apply for Criminal Record Expungement for Certain Offenses Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 13)
April 7, 2023 MD HB 283 Requires State Medicaid Cover Gender Affirming Care Concurrence Vote Passed - House (97 - 39)
April 7, 2023 MD SB 341 Requires Institutions of Higher Education Develop a Reproductive Health Services Plan in Consultation with Students Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 11)
April 7, 2023 MT HB 361 Specifies Incorrect Use of Pronouns by Another Student is Not Discrimination Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
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 WA SB 5112 Amends the Voter Registration Process Bill Passed - House (57 - 40)
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 MD SB 859 Prohibits Requiring an Individual Give Testimony or Statements in Another State Regarding Their "Legally Protected Healthcare" Bill Passed - House (98 - 38)
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 - House (86 - 37)
April 6, 2023 KS HB 2138 Prohibits Transgender Students Access to Overnight Accommodations Consistent with Their Gender Identity Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 10)
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 KS SB 228 Prohibits Transgender Inmates Access to Overnight Accommodations Consistent with Their Gender Identity Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 3)
April 6, 2023 KS SB 26 Prohibits Gender-Affirming Medical Care for Minors Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 12)
April 6, 2023 KS HB 2138 Prohibits Transgender Students Access to Overnight Accommodations Consistent with Their Gender Identity Conference Report Adopted - House (84 - 39)
April 6, 2023 KS SB 26 Prohibits Gender-Affirming Medical Care for Minors Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 52)
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 ND SB 2142 Establishes a State Immigration Office to Help Companies Recruit and Retain Foreign Workers Bill Passed - House (64 - 28)
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 341 Requires Institutions of Higher Education Develop a Reproductive Health Services Plan in Consultation with Students Bill Passed - House (98 - 38)
April 6, 2023 MD SB 858 Defines Requirements Around Safe Storage of Firearms Bill Passed - House (100 - 37)
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 450 Prohibits Landlords from Limiting or Evicting Tenants for Repeatedly Calling Law Enforcement or Emergency Services Bill Passed - House (99 - 37)
April 6, 2023 MD SB 293 Amends Definition of "Prison Inmates" as Incarcerated Individuals Bill Passed - House (102 - 35)
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 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 DE SB 52 Amends Delaware Statutes Regarding the Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Program Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
April 6, 2023 TN HR 64 Requires Rep. Gloria Johnson be Expelled from the State House of Representatives Resolution Failed - House (65 - 29)
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 TN HR 65 Requires Rep. Justin Jones be Expelled from the State House of Representatives Resolution Passed - House (72 - 23)
April 6, 2023 TN SB 466 Specifies that Teachers and Peers Do Not Have to Use a Student's Preferred Pronouns Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
April 6, 2023 OR SB 615 Establishes New Penalties for Street Racing and Gang Activity Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 7)
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 5, 2023 AR HB 1468 Requires Parental Consent for Teachers to Address Transgender Students the Way They Identify Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 5)
April 4, 2023 CO SB 23-188 Establishes State Protections For Accessing Reproductive Health Care Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
April 4, 2023 CO SB 23-189 Increases State Access to Reproductive Healthcare Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
April 4, 2023 KS SB 180 Amends State Law to Codify Narrower Definitions of Gender Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
April 4, 2023 AR SB 270 Prohibits Individuals of the Opposite Sex from Using the Same Restroom with a Child Present Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
April 4, 2023 IN SB 314 Amends the Confidentiality Laws Regarding Abuse Victims Bill Passed - House (71 - 26)
April 4, 2023 MD SB 54 Repeals Crimes of "Unnatural" or "Perverted" Sex Practices Bill Passed - House (115 - 13)
April 4, 2023 MD SB 786 Requires Maryland Health Care Commission Ensure the Confidentiality of Data of Patients who have Obtained "Legally Protected Healthcare" Bill Passed - House (99 - 39)
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)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/11 HB 23-1011 Authorizes Individuals Right to Repair Agriculture Equipment Conference Report Adopted - House (44 - 16)
4/11 HB 1230 Establishes Penalties for the Intentional Submission of Petitions with Fraudulent Signatures Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 38)
4/11 SB 5280 Requires Clergy Members in the State be Designated as Mandatory Reporters Bill Passed - House (75 - 20)
4/11 HB 1470 Establishes New Regulations Concerning Private Prisons Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
4/11 SB 5280 Requires Clergy Members in the State be Designated as Mandatory Reporters Bill Passed - House (75 - 20)
4/11 HF 651 Prohibits the Banning of Certain Breeds of Dogs Bill Passed - House (82 - 16)
4/11 HF 651 Prohibits the Banning of Certain Breeds of Dogs Bill Passed - House (82 - 16)
4/10 SB 1 Prohibits Open Carry in the State and Restricts Places Where Firearms can be Carried Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
4/10 SB 5231 Amends Legal Process for Emergency No Contact Orders Bill Passed - House (63 - 33)
4/10 SB 5231 Amends Legal Process for Emergency No Contact Orders Bill Passed - House (63 - 33)
4/10 SB 2168 Amends and Updates State Speeding Penalities Bill Passed - House (66 - 24)
4/10 SB 1 Prohibits Open Carry in the State and Restricts Places Where Firearms can be Carried Bill Passed - House (93 - 42)
4/10 SB 5352 Expands Police Chase Protections for Law Enforcement Bill Passed - House (57 - 40)
4/10 HB 1230 Establishes Penalties for the Intentional Submission of Petitions with Fraudulent Signatures Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 6)
4/10 SB 720 Establishes State Horse Thoroughbred Racing Commission Bill Passed - House (137 - 3)
4/10 SB 720 Establishes State Horse Thoroughbred Racing Commission Bill Passed - House (137 - 3)
4/10 HB 1071 Prohibits the Smell of Cannabis as Reasonable Suspicion or Probable Cause for Police Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
4/10 HB 1394 Establishes a Developmentally Appropriate Response to Youth Who Commit Sexual Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
4/10 HB 2281 Requires School Districts Hire a Civil Rights Coordinator Bill Passed - House (35 - 18)
4/10 HB 1071 Prohibits the Smell of Cannabis as Reasonable Suspicion or Probable Cause for Police Bill Passed - House (101 - 36)
4/08 HB 824 Prohibits Certain Individuals on Probation from Receiving a Concealed Carry Permit Concurrence Vote Passed - House (98 - 40)
4/08 HB 824 Prohibits Certain Individuals on Probation from Receiving a Concealed Carry Permit Concurrence Vote Passed - House (98 - 40)
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 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 SB 37 Reduces the Time Period to Apply for Criminal Record Expungement for Certain Offenses Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 13)
4/07 HB 283 Requires State Medicaid Cover Gender Affirming Care Concurrence Vote Passed - House (97 - 39)
4/07 SB 341 Requires Institutions of Higher Education Develop a Reproductive Health Services Plan in Consultation with Students Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 11)
4/07 HB 361 Specifies Incorrect Use of Pronouns by Another Student is Not Discrimination Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
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 SB 5112 Amends the Voter Registration Process Bill Passed - House (57 - 40)
4/07 HB 824 Prohibits Certain Individuals on Probation from Receiving a Concealed Carry Permit Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 13)
4/07 SB 859 Prohibits Requiring an Individual Give Testimony or Statements in Another State Regarding Their "Legally Protected Healthcare" Bill Passed - House (98 - 38)
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 - House (86 - 37)
4/06 HB 2138 Prohibits Transgender Students Access to Overnight Accommodations Consistent with Their Gender Identity Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 10)
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 228 Prohibits Transgender Inmates Access to Overnight Accommodations Consistent with Their Gender Identity Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 3)
4/06 SB 26 Prohibits Gender-Affirming Medical Care for Minors Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 12)
4/06 HB 2138 Prohibits Transgender Students Access to Overnight Accommodations Consistent with Their Gender Identity Conference Report Adopted - House (84 - 39)
4/06 SB 26 Prohibits Gender-Affirming Medical Care for Minors Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 52)
4/06 SB 37 Reduces the Time Period to Apply for Criminal Record Expungement for Certain Offenses Bill Passed - House (99 - 38)
4/06 SB 2142 Establishes a State Immigration Office to Help Companies Recruit and Retain Foreign Workers Bill Passed - House (64 - 28)
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 341 Requires Institutions of Higher Education Develop a Reproductive Health Services Plan in Consultation with Students Bill Passed - House (98 - 38)
4/06 SB 858 Defines Requirements Around Safe Storage of Firearms Bill Passed - House (100 - 37)
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 450 Prohibits Landlords from Limiting or Evicting Tenants for Repeatedly Calling Law Enforcement or Emergency Services Bill Passed - House (99 - 37)
4/06 SB 293 Amends Definition of "Prison Inmates" as Incarcerated Individuals Bill Passed - House (102 - 35)
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 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 52 Amends Delaware Statutes Regarding the Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Program Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
4/06 HR 64 Requires Rep. Gloria Johnson be Expelled from the State House of Representatives Resolution Failed - House (65 - 29)
4/06 HR 63 Requires Rep. Justin Pearson be Expelled from the State House of Representatives Resolution Passed - House (69 - 25)
4/06 HR 65 Requires Rep. Justin Jones be Expelled from the State House of Representatives Resolution Passed - House (72 - 23)
4/06 SB 466 Specifies that Teachers and Peers Do Not Have to Use a Student's Preferred Pronouns Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
4/06 SB 615 Establishes New Penalties for Street Racing and Gang Activity Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 7)
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)
4/05 HB 1468 Requires Parental Consent for Teachers to Address Transgender Students the Way They Identify Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 5)
4/04 SB 23-188 Establishes State Protections For Accessing Reproductive Health Care Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
4/04 SB 23-189 Increases State Access to Reproductive Healthcare Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
4/04 SB 180 Amends State Law to Codify Narrower Definitions of Gender Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
4/04 SB 270 Prohibits Individuals of the Opposite Sex from Using the Same Restroom with a Child Present Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
4/04 SB 314 Amends the Confidentiality Laws Regarding Abuse Victims Bill Passed - House (71 - 26)
4/04 SB 54 Repeals Crimes of "Unnatural" or "Perverted" Sex Practices Bill Passed - House (115 - 13)
4/04 SB 786 Requires Maryland Health Care Commission Ensure the Confidentiality of Data of Patients who have Obtained "Legally Protected Healthcare" Bill Passed - House (99 - 39)
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)

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