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. 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 2331 Amends and Modernizes Public Notice Requirements to Increase Government Transparency Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 9)
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 SD SB 191 Requires Parolees Attain Additional Sign-Offs from Healthcare Practitioners to get a Medical Cannabis Card Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
Feb. 20, 2024 WI SB 335 Reduces License Requirements for State School Administrators Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
Feb. 20, 2024 OR SB 1527 Requires Taxpayers to Keep Records Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
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 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. 19, 2024 IA SF 2311 Authorizes State Agencies to Outsource Their Annual Audits Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
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 WY SF 9 Specifies Procedures for Requirements for School Districts to Report Certain Information to Parents Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 2)
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. 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 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 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 NE LB 61 Amends Regulations Regarding Dark Fiber Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 2)
Feb. 15, 2024 KY SB 16 Increases Various Corporate Trespass Laws and Penalties and Limits Whistleblowing Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
Feb. 15, 2024 OK SB 1280 Increases State Criminal Penalties for Fentanyl Distribution and Manufacture Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 0)
Feb. 14, 2024 NM HB 7 Amends the Distribution of Various State Health Insurance Costs Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
Feb. 14, 2024 NM HB 33 Requires Increased Transparency in Prescription Drug Costs Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
Feb. 14, 2024 NM HB 211 Authorizes and Prioritizes Certain Water Projects in the State Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 5)
Feb. 14, 2024 FL SB 674 Requires Governmental Entities to Include a Requirement in Certain Contracts that Certain Iron or Steel Products be Produced in the United States Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 1)
Feb. 14, 2024 UT SB 211 Appropriates Funding for Construction of New State Water Infrastructure Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 1)
Feb. 14, 2024 OR SB 1515 Amends and Implements Changes to Paid Family and Medical Leave Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 2)
Feb. 14, 2024 KY SB 20 Amends Previous Law to Try Juveniles as Adults for Gun-Related Felonies Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
Feb. 14, 2024 CT SB 111 Establishes Emergency Home Energy Assistance Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
Feb. 13, 2024 National HR 815 National Security Act, 2024 Bill Passed - Senate (70 - 29)
Feb. 13, 2024 NM HB 239 Establishes Cannabis as Prison Contraband Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
Feb. 13, 2024 NM HB 151 Requires Public Colleges and Universities Include Material on Affirmative Consent in Orientation Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
Feb. 13, 2024 WI AB 480 Expands the State Home Purchase Assistance Program Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
Feb. 13, 2024 WI AB 510 Establishes Parental Bill of Rights in Their Child's Religion, Medical care, Records and Education Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
Feb. 13, 2024 WA SB 5906 Requires the Department of Health to Develop a Drug Overdose Prevention Campaign Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
Feb. 13, 2024 WI SB 874 Authorizes Counting Convictions and Findings for the PUrpose of the Sex Offender Registry Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
Feb. 13, 2024 OR SB 1508 Limits Insulin Costs for Insured Individuals to $35 Per Month and $105 Per 90 Day Supply Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
Feb. 13, 2024 KY SB 6 Limits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training at Public Colleges and Universities Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
Feb. 13, 2024 NM SB 96 Increases Criminal Penalties for Attempted Murder Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4)
Feb. 13, 2024 WI SB 367 Requires Automatic Enrollment to State Universities for All Top High School Students in the State Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
Feb. 13, 2024 WA SB 6242 Increases State Funding for Law Enforcement Training Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
Feb. 12, 2024 SD HB 1043 Establishes a Lithium Mining Tax Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
Feb. 12, 2024 NJ S 912 Increases Access to Personalized Care Plans as Part of Postpartum Support Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
Feb. 12, 2024 VA SB 422 Prohibits Landlords from Requiring Various Extra Fees from Tenants Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
Feb. 10, 2024 NM SB 241 Requires Background Checks for Employees of the State Aging and Long-Term Services Department Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
Feb. 9, 2024 NM SB 15 Requires State Review of All Healthcare Mergers, Acquisitions, and Other Material Changes Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 15)
Feb. 9, 2024 NM SB 3 Authorizes Paid Family Medical Leave Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
Feb. 8, 2024 National HR 815 National Security Act, 2024 Cloture Invoked - Senate (67 - 32)
Feb. 8, 2024 NM SB 135 Requires Doctors Ask Health Insurers to Cover Medication Costs Without Needing to Try Cheaper Versions First Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 2)
Feb. 8, 2024 WA SB 5849 Establishes Computer Science Competency as a High School Graduation Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 3)
Feb. 8, 2024 ID S 1234 Requires Health Benefit Plans to to Cover Prescription Contraception for a 6-Month Supply Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
Feb. 8, 2024 WA SB 5241 Amends and Regulates State Hospital Mergers Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
Feb. 7, 2024 National HR 815 National Security Act, 2024 Cloture Invoked - Senate (58 - 41)
Feb. 7, 2024 National HR 815 National Security Act, 2024 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (49 - 50)
Feb. 7, 2024 GA SB 36 Increases Penalty for Pimping and Pandering Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
Feb. 7, 2024 FL SB 1758 Increases Access to State Disability Services Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
Feb. 7, 2024 PA SB 228 Establishes a Process for Museums to Claim Property Rights on Abandoned, Unclaimed, or Undocumented Property Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
Feb. 7, 2024 WA SB 5427 Establishes a Statewide Hate Crimes Hotline Within the Attorney General's Office Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
Feb. 6, 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 - Senate (21 - 18)
Feb. 6, 2024 NM SB 127 Amends Previous Law to Authorize Psychiatrists to Prescribe Certain Treatments Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
Feb. 6, 2024 NE LB 829 Amends Provisions Relating to Insurance Coverage for Screening of Colon Cancer Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 6)
Feb. 6, 2024 NE LB 285 Authorizes the School Community Eligibility Provision Maximization Act Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 10)
Feb. 6, 2024 IN SB 253 Requires the Installation of Publicly Available Rescue equipment on Lake Michigan Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
Feb. 6, 2024 UT SB 150 Authorizes Religious Freedom for All Government, Business, and Corporate Employees Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
Feb. 6, 2024 VA SB 238 Requires State Health Insurance Plans Cover All F.D.A. Approved Contraception Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
Feb. 6, 2024 IN SB 128 Prohibits Schools from Using Learning Materials for Instruction on Human Sexuality Without Board Approval Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
Feb. 5, 2024 NM SB 159 Establishes the Higher Education Trust Fund and the Higher Education Program Fund Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 5)
Feb. 5, 2024 IN SB 147 Amends Property Tax Exemption for Property Used by a for-Profit of Early Child Education Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
Feb. 5, 2024 WV SB 539 Establishes a Cold Case Database of Evidence and Records in the State Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
Feb. 2, 2024 CO SB 24-058 Requires Landowners Post Warnings on Potential Dangers Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
Feb. 1, 2024 GA SB 63 Amends the List of Offenses Ineligible for No-Cash Bail Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 17)
Feb. 1, 2024 SC H 3594 Authorizes Permitless Carriage of Firearms by Eligible Adults Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 15)
Feb. 1, 2024 NM SB 153 Increases the Amount that is Annually Transferred to the Early Childhood Education and Care Program Fund Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
Date No. Title Outcome
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 2331 Amends and Modernizes Public Notice Requirements to Increase Government Transparency Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 9)
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 191 Requires Parolees Attain Additional Sign-Offs from Healthcare Practitioners to get a Medical Cannabis Card Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
2/20 SB 335 Reduces License Requirements for State School Administrators Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
2/20 SB 1527 Requires Taxpayers to Keep Records Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
2/20 SB 608 Establishes a Pathway for Paraprofessionals to Obtain a Lifetime Teaching License Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
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)
2/19 SF 2311 Authorizes State Agencies to Outsource Their Annual Audits Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
2/19 SF 2251 Extends the Length of Time Individuals can Receive Medicaid Postpartum Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
2/19 SF 9 Specifies Procedures for Requirements for School Districts to Report Certain Information to Parents Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 2)
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)
2/16 HJR 19 Establishes the Legislature's support of Sen. Mike Lee's HOUSES Act Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
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 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 LB 61 Amends Regulations Regarding Dark Fiber Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 2)
2/15 SB 16 Increases Various Corporate Trespass Laws and Penalties and Limits Whistleblowing Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
2/15 SB 1280 Increases State Criminal Penalties for Fentanyl Distribution and Manufacture Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 0)
2/14 HB 7 Amends the Distribution of Various State Health Insurance Costs Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
2/14 HB 33 Requires Increased Transparency in Prescription Drug Costs Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
2/14 HB 211 Authorizes and Prioritizes Certain Water Projects in the State Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 5)
2/14 SB 674 Requires Governmental Entities to Include a Requirement in Certain Contracts that Certain Iron or Steel Products be Produced in the United States Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 1)
2/14 SB 211 Appropriates Funding for Construction of New State Water Infrastructure Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 1)
2/14 SB 1515 Amends and Implements Changes to Paid Family and Medical Leave Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 2)
2/14 SB 20 Amends Previous Law to Try Juveniles as Adults for Gun-Related Felonies Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
2/14 SB 111 Establishes Emergency Home Energy Assistance Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
2/13 HR 815 National Security Act, 2024 Bill Passed - Senate (70 - 29)
2/13 HB 239 Establishes Cannabis as Prison Contraband Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
2/13 HB 151 Requires Public Colleges and Universities Include Material on Affirmative Consent in Orientation Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
2/13 AB 480 Expands the State Home Purchase Assistance Program Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
2/13 AB 510 Establishes Parental Bill of Rights in Their Child's Religion, Medical care, Records and Education Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
2/13 SB 5906 Requires the Department of Health to Develop a Drug Overdose Prevention Campaign Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
2/13 SB 874 Authorizes Counting Convictions and Findings for the PUrpose of the Sex Offender Registry Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
2/13 SB 1508 Limits Insulin Costs for Insured Individuals to $35 Per Month and $105 Per 90 Day Supply Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
2/13 SB 6 Limits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training at Public Colleges and Universities Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
2/13 SB 96 Increases Criminal Penalties for Attempted Murder Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4)
2/13 SB 367 Requires Automatic Enrollment to State Universities for All Top High School Students in the State Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
2/13 SB 6242 Increases State Funding for Law Enforcement Training Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
2/12 HB 1043 Establishes a Lithium Mining Tax Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
2/12 S 912 Increases Access to Personalized Care Plans as Part of Postpartum Support Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
2/12 SB 422 Prohibits Landlords from Requiring Various Extra Fees from Tenants Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
2/10 SB 241 Requires Background Checks for Employees of the State Aging and Long-Term Services Department Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
2/09 SB 15 Requires State Review of All Healthcare Mergers, Acquisitions, and Other Material Changes Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 15)
2/09 SB 3 Authorizes Paid Family Medical Leave Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
2/08 HR 815 National Security Act, 2024 Cloture Invoked - Senate (67 - 32)
2/08 SB 135 Requires Doctors Ask Health Insurers to Cover Medication Costs Without Needing to Try Cheaper Versions First Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 2)
2/08 SB 5849 Establishes Computer Science Competency as a High School Graduation Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 3)
2/08 S 1234 Requires Health Benefit Plans to to Cover Prescription Contraception for a 6-Month Supply Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
2/08 SB 5241 Amends and Regulates State Hospital Mergers Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
2/07 HR 815 National Security Act, 2024 Cloture Invoked - Senate (58 - 41)
2/07 HR 815 National Security Act, 2024 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (49 - 50)
2/07 SB 36 Increases Penalty for Pimping and Pandering Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
2/07 SB 1758 Increases Access to State Disability Services Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
2/07 SB 228 Establishes a Process for Museums to Claim Property Rights on Abandoned, Unclaimed, or Undocumented Property Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
2/07 SB 5427 Establishes a Statewide Hate Crimes Hotline Within the Attorney General's Office Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
2/06 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 - Senate (21 - 18)
2/06 SB 127 Amends Previous Law to Authorize Psychiatrists to Prescribe Certain Treatments Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
2/06 LB 829 Amends Provisions Relating to Insurance Coverage for Screening of Colon Cancer Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 6)
2/06 LB 285 Authorizes the School Community Eligibility Provision Maximization Act Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 10)
2/06 SB 253 Requires the Installation of Publicly Available Rescue equipment on Lake Michigan Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
2/06 SB 150 Authorizes Religious Freedom for All Government, Business, and Corporate Employees Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
2/06 SB 238 Requires State Health Insurance Plans Cover All F.D.A. Approved Contraception Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
2/06 SB 128 Prohibits Schools from Using Learning Materials for Instruction on Human Sexuality Without Board Approval Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
2/05 SB 159 Establishes the Higher Education Trust Fund and the Higher Education Program Fund Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 5)
2/05 SB 147 Amends Property Tax Exemption for Property Used by a for-Profit of Early Child Education Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
2/05 SB 539 Establishes a Cold Case Database of Evidence and Records in the State Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
2/02 SB 24-058 Requires Landowners Post Warnings on Potential Dangers Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
2/01 SB 63 Amends the List of Offenses Ineligible for No-Cash Bail Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 17)
2/01 H 3594 Authorizes Permitless Carriage of Firearms by Eligible Adults Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 15)
2/01 SB 153 Increases the Amount that is Annually Transferred to the Early Childhood Education and Care Program Fund Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)

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