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
Feb. 22, 2024 LA SB 4 Increases Penalties and Amends Sentencing Guidelines for Certain Juveniles Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
Feb. 22, 2024 WY SF 44 Amends Requirements Concerning Commencement of Limited Mining Operations Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
Feb. 22, 2024 AZ SB 1185 Prohibits the Possession of Detached Catalytic Converters Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
Feb. 22, 2024 CA AB 2435 Extends Healthcare Coverage Bill Passed - House (53 - 13)
Feb. 22, 2024 OR SB 1576 Amends Liability Laws to make Owners Immune from Liability when they Allow Recreation on Their Land Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 2)
Feb. 22, 2024 LA SB 10 Reduces Ability of Incarcerated Individuals Convicted in the Death of an Officer from Earning Time Off for Good Behavior Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
Feb. 22, 2024 KS SB 190 Requires Extra Information for Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
Feb. 22, 2024 KS SB 352 Establishes the No Patient Left Alone Act Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
Feb. 22, 2024 LA SB 9 Authorizes Prosecutors to Bring Rape Charges at Any Time Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Feb. 22, 2024 KS HB 2613 Establishes the Statewide Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Program Educator Position Bill Passed - House (105 - 15)
Feb. 22, 2024 KS HB 2613 Establishes the Statewide Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Program Educator Position Bill Passed - House (105 - 15)
Feb. 22, 2024 KS HB 2567 Establishes the Kansas National Guard Educational Master's for Enhanced Readiness and Global Excellence (EMERGE) program Bill Passed - House (114 - 5)
Feb. 22, 2024 KS HB 2494 Requires School Districts Establish Cardiac Emergency Response Plans Bill Passed - House (117 - 2)
Feb. 22, 2024 KS HB 2494 Requires School Districts Establish Cardiac Emergency Response Plans Bill Passed - House (117 - 2)
Feb. 22, 2024 KS HB 2547 Requires Schools Maintain Certain Emergency Medication Kits and Utilize Them in Emergencies Bill Passed - House (116 - 4)
Feb. 22, 2024 KS HB 2547 Requires Schools Maintain Certain Emergency Medication Kits and Utilize Them in Emergencies Bill Passed - House (116 - 4)
Feb. 22, 2024 WI AB 610 Requires Colleges Provide Waivers for Vaccination Requirements Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
Feb. 22, 2024 AL HB 113 Authorizes Children Who have Completed Kindergarten and Turn 6 Years Old Before December 31 to Enroll in 1st Grade Bill Passed - House (90 - 9)
Feb. 22, 2024 ID S 1289 Establishes Standards for State Library Materials Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 18)
Feb. 22, 2024 KS SB 162 Establishes New Procedures for the Removal of Nuisances in Unincorporated Areas Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 5)
Feb. 22, 2024 LA HB 8 Increases Penalties for Distributing Drugs Containing Fentanyl Bill Passed - House (92 - 13)
Feb. 21, 2024 UT HB 11 Limits the Use of "Nonfunctional" Grass in the Construction of New Government Buildings Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 12)
Feb. 21, 2024 OR SB 1502 Requires Most Public Schools and College Boards to Video Record Their Meetings Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 1)
Feb. 21, 2024 WV SB 727 Amends the Process for County Boards of Education to Hire Aides, Early Childhood Classroom Assistant Teachers, and Secretaries Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
Feb. 21, 2024 IA SF 2369 Authorizes a Patients Choice of Blood Donation Source Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
Feb. 21, 2024 AZ SB 1231 Classifies Illegal Border Crossing as a State Crime Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
Feb. 21, 2024 AZ SB 1231 Classifies Illegal Border Crossing as a State Crime Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
Feb. 21, 2024 WI AB 1026 Authorizes State Public Schools to Hold Students Back for Truancy Bill Passed - House (63 - 35)
Feb. 21, 2024 WV HB 4299 Authorizes Teachers to Conceal Carry Bill Passed - House (89 - 11)
Feb. 21, 2024 SD SB 203 Authorizes Concealed Carry Permit Holders to Carry a Concealed Weapon on School Grounds with Permission Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
Feb. 21, 2024 IA SF 2331 Amends and Modernizes Public Notice Requirements to Increase Government Transparency Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 9)
Feb. 21, 2024 SC S 915 Establishes the Executive Office of Health and Policy Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 1)
Feb. 21, 2024 SD HB 1118 Requires the State Treasurer with Permission from the Legislature Increase the Budget for Finding Unclaimed Property Owners Bill Passed - House (39 - 30)
Feb. 21, 2024 ID S 1239 Amends Existing Laws to Revise Quorum Requirements for Meetings of School District Boards Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
Feb. 21, 2024 KS SB 387 Amends Various State Educational Reforms and Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 3)
Feb. 20, 2024 WI AB 476 Repeals Governor Appointment Powers for Secretary of State, Treasurer, and Attorney General Vacancies Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
Feb. 20, 2024 UT HB 11 Limits the Use of "Nonfunctional" Grass in the Construction of New Government Buildings Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 2)
Feb. 20, 2024 KY HB 18 Prohibits Local Governments from Prohibiting Source-of-Income Discrimination in Housing Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
Feb. 20, 2024 VA SB 716 Prohibits the Board of Medicine from Taking Disciplinary Action Against a Doctor Based on an Alleged Abortion Care that is Not Prohibited Bill Passed - House (54 - 45)
Feb. 20, 2024 WI SB 335 Reduces License Requirements for State School Administrators Bill Passed - House (63 - 35)
Feb. 20, 2024 IN SB 185 Requires Schools Establish a Policy to Prohibit Cell Phone Use During Class Bill Passed - House (83 - 8)
Feb. 20, 2024 OR HB 4160 Prohibits Student Teacher Relationships for a Year After a Students Graduation Bill Passed - House (58 - 0)
Feb. 20, 2024 OR SB 1527 Requires Taxpayers to Keep Records Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
Feb. 20, 2024 WI AB 638 Authorizes School Curriculum Inspection Bill Passed - House (63 - 35)
Feb. 20, 2024 OR SB 1506 Authorizes Pharmacists to Test for COVID-19 and Administer Treatments Covered by State Health Insurance Plans Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
Feb. 20, 2024 WI SB 335 Reduces License Requirements for State School Administrators Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
Feb. 20, 2024 WI SB 608 Establishes a Pathway for Paraprofessionals to Obtain a Lifetime Teaching License Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
Feb. 20, 2024 WI AB 900 Amends Funding for State Voucher Programs Bill Passed - House (64 - 35)
Feb. 20, 2024 CO HB 24-1100 Requires Coroners be Medically Certified Bill Passed - House (43 - 14)
Feb. 20, 2024 SD SB 191 Requires Parolees Attain Additional Sign-Offs from Healthcare Practitioners to get a Medical Cannabis Card Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
Feb. 19, 2024 AZ SB 1021 Amends and Repeals Parts of the Arizona Statutes Concerning Health Professionals Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
Feb. 19, 2024 AZ SB 1021 Amends and Repeals Parts of the Arizona Statutes Concerning Health Professionals Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
Feb. 19, 2024 WY SF 9 Specifies Procedures for Requirements for School Districts to Report Certain Information to Parents Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 2)
Feb. 19, 2024 IA HF 2325 Amends the Standards for Tobacco Shop Inspections Bill Passed - House (88 - 3)
Feb. 19, 2024 IA SF 2251 Extends the Length of Time Individuals can Receive Medicaid Postpartum Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
Feb. 19, 2024 IA SF 2311 Authorizes State Agencies to Outsource Their Annual Audits Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
Feb. 19, 2024 OR HB 4147 Authorizes Usage of Stop Arm Cameras on School Buses Bill Passed - House (49 - 5)
Feb. 16, 2024 UT HJR 19 Establishes the Legislature's support of Sen. Mike Lee's HOUSES Act Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
Feb. 16, 2024 WV HB 4654 Authorizes Schools, Libraries, and Museums to be Criminally Liable for Distribution of Obscene Materials to Minors Bill Passed - House (85 - 12)
Feb. 16, 2024 UT HB 30 Establishes Road Rage as a Criminal Offense Bill Passed - House (51 - 17)
Feb. 16, 2024 HI SB 2948 Amends Zoning Rules for Residential Usage Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 0)
Feb. 15, 2024 UT HB 249 Prohibits Government Entities from Granting or Recognizing Legal Personhood in Certain Categories of Nonhumans Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 5)
Feb. 15, 2024 NM HB 270 Amends Provisions Governing the Technology Enhancement Fund Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
Feb. 15, 2024 OK SB 1280 Increases State Criminal Penalties for Fentanyl Distribution and Manufacture Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 0)
Feb. 15, 2024 WI AJR 109 Prohibits Governments from Giving Preferential Treatment to Staff on the Basis of Race, Sex, or National Origin Joint Resolution Passed - House (62 - 35)
Feb. 15, 2024 HI SB 298 Authorizes teh Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to Aquire any Real, Personal, or Mixed Property for Immediate or future Use Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 0)
Feb. 15, 2024 KY SB 16 Increases Various Corporate Trespass Laws and Penalties and Limits Whistleblowing Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
Feb. 15, 2024 OR HB 4015 Amends Regulations Governing Energy Storage Systems Bill Passed - House (44 - 13)
Feb. 15, 2024 SD HB 1142 Increases Resources for Education and Workforce Development Bill Passed - House (54 - 12)
Feb. 15, 2024 National HR 2766 Uyghur Policy Act of 2023 Bill Passed - House (414 - 6)
Feb. 15, 2024 National HR 533 Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Conflict Act Bill Passed - House (392 - 28)
Feb. 15, 2024 WI AJR 109 Prohibits Governments from Giving Preferential Treatment to Staff on the Basis of Race, Sex, or National Origin Joint Resolution Passed - House (62 - 35)
Feb. 15, 2024 NE LB 61 Amends Regulations Regarding Dark Fiber Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 2)
Feb. 15, 2024 SD HB 1142 Increases Resources for Education and Workforce Development Bill Passed - House (54 - 12)
Feb. 14, 2024 NM HB 7 Amends the Distribution of Various State Health Insurance Costs Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/22 SB 4 Increases Penalties and Amends Sentencing Guidelines for Certain Juveniles Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
2/22 SF 44 Amends Requirements Concerning Commencement of Limited Mining Operations Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
2/22 SB 1185 Prohibits the Possession of Detached Catalytic Converters Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
2/22 AB 2435 Extends Healthcare Coverage Bill Passed - House (53 - 13)
2/22 SB 1576 Amends Liability Laws to make Owners Immune from Liability when they Allow Recreation on Their Land Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 2)
2/22 SB 10 Reduces Ability of Incarcerated Individuals Convicted in the Death of an Officer from Earning Time Off for Good Behavior Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
2/22 SB 190 Requires Extra Information for Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
2/22 SB 352 Establishes the No Patient Left Alone Act Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
2/22 SB 9 Authorizes Prosecutors to Bring Rape Charges at Any Time Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
2/22 HB 2613 Establishes the Statewide Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Program Educator Position Bill Passed - House (105 - 15)
2/22 HB 2613 Establishes the Statewide Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Program Educator Position Bill Passed - House (105 - 15)
2/22 HB 2567 Establishes the Kansas National Guard Educational Master's for Enhanced Readiness and Global Excellence (EMERGE) program Bill Passed - House (114 - 5)
2/22 HB 2494 Requires School Districts Establish Cardiac Emergency Response Plans Bill Passed - House (117 - 2)
2/22 HB 2494 Requires School Districts Establish Cardiac Emergency Response Plans Bill Passed - House (117 - 2)
2/22 HB 2547 Requires Schools Maintain Certain Emergency Medication Kits and Utilize Them in Emergencies Bill Passed - House (116 - 4)
2/22 HB 2547 Requires Schools Maintain Certain Emergency Medication Kits and Utilize Them in Emergencies Bill Passed - House (116 - 4)
2/22 AB 610 Requires Colleges Provide Waivers for Vaccination Requirements Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
2/22 HB 113 Authorizes Children Who have Completed Kindergarten and Turn 6 Years Old Before December 31 to Enroll in 1st Grade Bill Passed - House (90 - 9)
2/22 S 1289 Establishes Standards for State Library Materials Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 18)
2/22 SB 162 Establishes New Procedures for the Removal of Nuisances in Unincorporated Areas Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 5)
2/22 HB 8 Increases Penalties for Distributing Drugs Containing Fentanyl Bill Passed - House (92 - 13)
2/21 HB 11 Limits the Use of "Nonfunctional" Grass in the Construction of New Government Buildings Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 12)
2/21 SB 1502 Requires Most Public Schools and College Boards to Video Record Their Meetings Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 1)
2/21 SB 727 Amends the Process for County Boards of Education to Hire Aides, Early Childhood Classroom Assistant Teachers, and Secretaries Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
2/21 SF 2369 Authorizes a Patients Choice of Blood Donation Source Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
2/21 SB 1231 Classifies Illegal Border Crossing as a State Crime Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
2/21 SB 1231 Classifies Illegal Border Crossing as a State Crime Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
2/21 AB 1026 Authorizes State Public Schools to Hold Students Back for Truancy Bill Passed - House (63 - 35)
2/21 HB 4299 Authorizes Teachers to Conceal Carry Bill Passed - House (89 - 11)
2/21 SB 203 Authorizes Concealed Carry Permit Holders to Carry a Concealed Weapon on School Grounds with Permission Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
2/21 SF 2331 Amends and Modernizes Public Notice Requirements to Increase Government Transparency Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 9)
2/21 S 915 Establishes the Executive Office of Health and Policy Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 1)
2/21 HB 1118 Requires the State Treasurer with Permission from the Legislature Increase the Budget for Finding Unclaimed Property Owners Bill Passed - House (39 - 30)
2/21 S 1239 Amends Existing Laws to Revise Quorum Requirements for Meetings of School District Boards Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
2/21 SB 387 Amends Various State Educational Reforms and Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 3)
2/20 AB 476 Repeals Governor Appointment Powers for Secretary of State, Treasurer, and Attorney General Vacancies Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
2/20 HB 11 Limits the Use of "Nonfunctional" Grass in the Construction of New Government Buildings Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 2)
2/20 HB 18 Prohibits Local Governments from Prohibiting Source-of-Income Discrimination in Housing Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
2/20 SB 716 Prohibits the Board of Medicine from Taking Disciplinary Action Against a Doctor Based on an Alleged Abortion Care that is Not Prohibited Bill Passed - House (54 - 45)
2/20 SB 335 Reduces License Requirements for State School Administrators Bill Passed - House (63 - 35)
2/20 SB 185 Requires Schools Establish a Policy to Prohibit Cell Phone Use During Class Bill Passed - House (83 - 8)
2/20 HB 4160 Prohibits Student Teacher Relationships for a Year After a Students Graduation Bill Passed - House (58 - 0)
2/20 SB 1527 Requires Taxpayers to Keep Records Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
2/20 AB 638 Authorizes School Curriculum Inspection Bill Passed - House (63 - 35)
2/20 SB 1506 Authorizes Pharmacists to Test for COVID-19 and Administer Treatments Covered by State Health Insurance Plans Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
2/20 SB 335 Reduces License Requirements for State School Administrators Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
2/20 SB 608 Establishes a Pathway for Paraprofessionals to Obtain a Lifetime Teaching License Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
2/20 AB 900 Amends Funding for State Voucher Programs Bill Passed - House (64 - 35)
2/20 HB 24-1100 Requires Coroners be Medically Certified Bill Passed - House (43 - 14)
2/20 SB 191 Requires Parolees Attain Additional Sign-Offs from Healthcare Practitioners to get a Medical Cannabis Card Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
2/19 SB 1021 Amends and Repeals Parts of the Arizona Statutes Concerning Health Professionals Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
2/19 SB 1021 Amends and Repeals Parts of the Arizona Statutes Concerning Health Professionals Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
2/19 SF 9 Specifies Procedures for Requirements for School Districts to Report Certain Information to Parents Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 2)
2/19 HF 2325 Amends the Standards for Tobacco Shop Inspections Bill Passed - House (88 - 3)
2/19 SF 2251 Extends the Length of Time Individuals can Receive Medicaid Postpartum Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
2/19 SF 2311 Authorizes State Agencies to Outsource Their Annual Audits Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
2/19 HB 4147 Authorizes Usage of Stop Arm Cameras on School Buses Bill Passed - House (49 - 5)
2/16 HJR 19 Establishes the Legislature's support of Sen. Mike Lee's HOUSES Act Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
2/16 HB 4654 Authorizes Schools, Libraries, and Museums to be Criminally Liable for Distribution of Obscene Materials to Minors Bill Passed - House (85 - 12)
2/16 HB 30 Establishes Road Rage as a Criminal Offense Bill Passed - House (51 - 17)
2/16 SB 2948 Amends Zoning Rules for Residential Usage Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 0)
2/15 HB 249 Prohibits Government Entities from Granting or Recognizing Legal Personhood in Certain Categories of Nonhumans Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 5)
2/15 HB 270 Amends Provisions Governing the Technology Enhancement Fund Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
2/15 SB 1280 Increases State Criminal Penalties for Fentanyl Distribution and Manufacture Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 0)
2/15 AJR 109 Prohibits Governments from Giving Preferential Treatment to Staff on the Basis of Race, Sex, or National Origin Joint Resolution Passed - House (62 - 35)
2/15 SB 298 Authorizes teh Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to Aquire any Real, Personal, or Mixed Property for Immediate or future Use Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 0)
2/15 SB 16 Increases Various Corporate Trespass Laws and Penalties and Limits Whistleblowing Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
2/15 HB 4015 Amends Regulations Governing Energy Storage Systems Bill Passed - House (44 - 13)
2/15 HB 1142 Increases Resources for Education and Workforce Development Bill Passed - House (54 - 12)
2/15 HR 2766 Uyghur Policy Act of 2023 Bill Passed - House (414 - 6)
2/15 HR 533 Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Conflict Act Bill Passed - House (392 - 28)
2/15 AJR 109 Prohibits Governments from Giving Preferential Treatment to Staff on the Basis of Race, Sex, or National Origin Joint Resolution Passed - House (62 - 35)
2/15 LB 61 Amends Regulations Regarding Dark Fiber Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 2)
2/15 HB 1142 Increases Resources for Education and Workforce Development Bill Passed - House (54 - 12)
2/14 HB 7 Amends the Distribution of Various State Health Insurance Costs Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)

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