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. 28, 2024 AZ HCR 2038 Defines "Drug Cartels" as Terrorist Organizations Joint Resolution Passed - House (31 - 28)
Feb. 28, 2024 IA HF 2586 Authorizes School Employees to be Issued Permits to Carry Weapons Bill Passed - House (61 - 34)
Feb. 27, 2024 WA SB 5985 Amends Firearms Background Check Program Bill Passed - House (63 - 33)
Feb. 27, 2024 WA SB 5444 Prohibits Open Carrying of Guns in Zoos, Libraries and Transit Centers Bill Passed - House (58 - 36)
Feb. 27, 2024 IN SB 202 Amends State University Tenure, Promotion and Diversity Policies Bill Passed - House (66 - 31)
Feb. 27, 2024 SD SB 170 Appropriates $5.75 Million to the Department of Corrections to Expand Health Care Services at the Pierre Women's Prison Bill Passed - House (66 - 4)
Feb. 27, 2024 SD SB 203 Authorizes Concealed Carry Permit Holders to Carry a Concealed Weapon on School Grounds with Permission Bill Passed - House (62 - 8)
Feb. 27, 2024 SD SB 6 Increases Prison Sentences for Drug Dealers Who Sell Fentanyl to an Individual Who Dies of an Overdose Bill Passed - House (67 - 3)
Feb. 27, 2024 SD SB 6 Increases Prison Sentences for Drug Dealers Who Sell Fentanyl to an Individual Who Dies of an Overdose Bill Passed - House (67 - 3)
Feb. 27, 2024 WY HB 125 Repeals Gun-Free Zones in Wyoming Bill Passed - House (54 - 7)
Feb. 26, 2024 SD SB 43 Establishes Procedures for the Imposition of Fines and Probation Against Medical Cannabis Establishments Bill Passed - House (59 - 10)
Feb. 23, 2024 WY HB 77 Amends Simple Assault to Include Menacing or Threatening Behavior Bill Passed - House (35 - 27)
Feb. 23, 2024 WY HB 29 Amends Cold Case Database and Investigation Provisions Bill Passed - House (53 - 9)
Feb. 23, 2024 WY HB 58 Establishes a Forensic Genetic Genealogy Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (49 - 13)
Feb. 22, 2024 NH HB 1050 Establishes a Second List of Individuals Prohibited from Buying Guns "Ought to Pass" Report Not Adopted - House (179 - 200)
Feb. 22, 2024 NH HB 1186 Prohibits Firearm Dealers from Tracking Individual Gun or Ammunition Purchases "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (203 - 174)
Feb. 22, 2024 AZ HB 2843 Authorizes Individuals to Shoot Trespassers on Their Property Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
Feb. 22, 2024 AZ HB 2843 Authorizes Individuals to Shoot Trespassers on Their Property Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
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 AL HB 161 Amends State Privacy Violation Laws Bill Passed - House (100 - 0)
Feb. 22, 2024 LA HB 8 Increases Penalties for Distributing Drugs Containing Fentanyl Bill Passed - House (92 - 13)
Feb. 22, 2024 LA HB 8 Increases Penalties for Distributing Drugs Containing Fentanyl Bill Passed - House (92 - 13)
Feb. 21, 2024 WV HB 4299 Authorizes Teachers to Conceal Carry Bill Passed - House (89 - 11)
Feb. 20, 2024 SD HB 1098 Repeals the Fee for Homeless Individuals to Obtain a Copy of Their Birth Certificate Bill Passed - House (53 - 15)
Feb. 16, 2024 UT HB 272 Increases Protections for Minors in Child Custody Judicial Proceedings Bill Passed - House (59 - 8)
Feb. 16, 2024 UT HB 30 Establishes Road Rage as a Criminal Offense Bill Passed - House (51 - 17)
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. 14, 2024 NM SB 5 Prohibits Fireams at State Drop Boxes and Polling Places Bill Passed - House (35 - 34)
Feb. 14, 2024 NM SB 96 Increases Criminal Penalties for Attempted Murder Bill Passed - House (49 - 18)
Feb. 14, 2024 NM SB 271 Requires the Court To Hold a Person for a Violation of Condition of Release Bill Passed - House (57 - 10)
Feb. 14, 2024 NY S 8058 Defines Gender-Affirming Care Bill Passed - House (97 - 48)
Feb. 13, 2024 ID H 515 Amends Penalties for Lewd Conduct with a Minor Bill Passed - House (57 - 11)
Feb. 13, 2024 ID H 515 Amends Penalties for Lewd Conduct with a Minor Bill Passed - House (57 - 11)
Feb. 12, 2024 NM HB 239 Establishes Cannabis as Prison Contraband Bill Passed - House (57 - 4)
Feb. 12, 2024 CO HB 24-1093 Authorizes Provisional Peace Officer Certification for Former Military Members Bill Passed - House (59 - 5)
Feb. 9, 2024 CO HB 24-1017 Establishes a Foster Care Bill of Rights Bill Passed - House (43 - 19)
Feb. 9, 2024 CO HB 24-1058 Expands Colorado Privacy Act to Include Biological and Neural Data as Sensitive Bill Passed - House (59 - 3)
Feb. 8, 2024 WV HB 4851 Authorizes Armed School Security Bill Passed - House (89 - 11)
Feb. 8, 2024 SD HB 1203 Requires Entities Using Eminent Domain to Cover Certain Legal Costs for Landowners Bill Passed - House (61 - 3)
Feb. 8, 2024 MS HB 295 Authorizes Electronic Search Warrant Applications and Signatures Bill Passed - House (83 - 35)
Feb. 8, 2024 SD HB 1057 Establishes a Statewide Public Defender Office Bill Passed - House (60 - 4)
Feb. 7, 2024 WA HB 1958 Prohibits Nonconsensual Removal or Tampering of a Condom or Other Sexually Protective Device Bill Passed - House (64 - 33)
Feb. 6, 2024 GA SB 63 Amends the List of Offenses Ineligible for No-Cash Bail Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 69)
Feb. 6, 2024 WA HB 1579 Establishes State Prosecution Office with the Authority to Charge Police for Deadly Use of Force Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
Feb. 6, 2024 WA HB 1579 Establishes State Prosecution Office with the Authority to Charge Police for Deadly Use of Force Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
Feb. 6, 2024 OR HB 4104 Requires Alerting Health Care Providers if a Patient Overdoses Bill Passed - House (52 - 2)
Feb. 5, 2024 SD SB 57 Prohibits Professional Agencies from Denying Convicted Felons from Obtaining Trade Licenses Bill Passed - House (62 - 3)
Feb. 2, 2024 NM HB 129 Establishes a Waiting Period for Firearm Purchases Bill Passed - House (37 - 33)
Jan. 31, 2024 National HR 6678 Consequences for Social Security Fraud Act Bill Passed - House (272 - 155)
Jan. 31, 2024 ID H 415 Authorizes Firearms in Schools Bill Passed - House (53 - 16)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/28 HCR 2038 Defines "Drug Cartels" as Terrorist Organizations Joint Resolution Passed - House (31 - 28)
2/28 HF 2586 Authorizes School Employees to be Issued Permits to Carry Weapons Bill Passed - House (61 - 34)
2/27 SB 5985 Amends Firearms Background Check Program Bill Passed - House (63 - 33)
2/27 SB 5444 Prohibits Open Carrying of Guns in Zoos, Libraries and Transit Centers Bill Passed - House (58 - 36)
2/27 SB 202 Amends State University Tenure, Promotion and Diversity Policies Bill Passed - House (66 - 31)
2/27 SB 170 Appropriates $5.75 Million to the Department of Corrections to Expand Health Care Services at the Pierre Women's Prison Bill Passed - House (66 - 4)
2/27 SB 203 Authorizes Concealed Carry Permit Holders to Carry a Concealed Weapon on School Grounds with Permission Bill Passed - House (62 - 8)
2/27 SB 6 Increases Prison Sentences for Drug Dealers Who Sell Fentanyl to an Individual Who Dies of an Overdose Bill Passed - House (67 - 3)
2/27 SB 6 Increases Prison Sentences for Drug Dealers Who Sell Fentanyl to an Individual Who Dies of an Overdose Bill Passed - House (67 - 3)
2/27 HB 125 Repeals Gun-Free Zones in Wyoming Bill Passed - House (54 - 7)
2/26 SB 43 Establishes Procedures for the Imposition of Fines and Probation Against Medical Cannabis Establishments Bill Passed - House (59 - 10)
2/23 HB 77 Amends Simple Assault to Include Menacing or Threatening Behavior Bill Passed - House (35 - 27)
2/23 HB 29 Amends Cold Case Database and Investigation Provisions Bill Passed - House (53 - 9)
2/23 HB 58 Establishes a Forensic Genetic Genealogy Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (49 - 13)
2/22 HB 1050 Establishes a Second List of Individuals Prohibited from Buying Guns "Ought to Pass" Report Not Adopted - House (179 - 200)
2/22 HB 1186 Prohibits Firearm Dealers from Tracking Individual Gun or Ammunition Purchases "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (203 - 174)
2/22 HB 2843 Authorizes Individuals to Shoot Trespassers on Their Property Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
2/22 HB 2843 Authorizes Individuals to Shoot Trespassers on Their Property Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
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 161 Amends State Privacy Violation Laws Bill Passed - House (100 - 0)
2/22 HB 8 Increases Penalties for Distributing Drugs Containing Fentanyl Bill Passed - House (92 - 13)
2/22 HB 8 Increases Penalties for Distributing Drugs Containing Fentanyl Bill Passed - House (92 - 13)
2/21 HB 4299 Authorizes Teachers to Conceal Carry Bill Passed - House (89 - 11)
2/20 HB 1098 Repeals the Fee for Homeless Individuals to Obtain a Copy of Their Birth Certificate Bill Passed - House (53 - 15)
2/16 HB 272 Increases Protections for Minors in Child Custody Judicial Proceedings Bill Passed - House (59 - 8)
2/16 HB 30 Establishes Road Rage as a Criminal Offense Bill Passed - House (51 - 17)
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)
2/14 SB 5 Prohibits Fireams at State Drop Boxes and Polling Places Bill Passed - House (35 - 34)
2/14 SB 96 Increases Criminal Penalties for Attempted Murder Bill Passed - House (49 - 18)
2/14 SB 271 Requires the Court To Hold a Person for a Violation of Condition of Release Bill Passed - House (57 - 10)
2/14 S 8058 Defines Gender-Affirming Care Bill Passed - House (97 - 48)
2/13 H 515 Amends Penalties for Lewd Conduct with a Minor Bill Passed - House (57 - 11)
2/13 H 515 Amends Penalties for Lewd Conduct with a Minor Bill Passed - House (57 - 11)
2/12 HB 239 Establishes Cannabis as Prison Contraband Bill Passed - House (57 - 4)
2/12 HB 24-1093 Authorizes Provisional Peace Officer Certification for Former Military Members Bill Passed - House (59 - 5)
2/09 HB 24-1017 Establishes a Foster Care Bill of Rights Bill Passed - House (43 - 19)
2/09 HB 24-1058 Expands Colorado Privacy Act to Include Biological and Neural Data as Sensitive Bill Passed - House (59 - 3)
2/08 HB 4851 Authorizes Armed School Security Bill Passed - House (89 - 11)
2/08 HB 1203 Requires Entities Using Eminent Domain to Cover Certain Legal Costs for Landowners Bill Passed - House (61 - 3)
2/08 HB 295 Authorizes Electronic Search Warrant Applications and Signatures Bill Passed - House (83 - 35)
2/08 HB 1057 Establishes a Statewide Public Defender Office Bill Passed - House (60 - 4)
2/07 HB 1958 Prohibits Nonconsensual Removal or Tampering of a Condom or Other Sexually Protective Device Bill Passed - House (64 - 33)
2/06 SB 63 Amends the List of Offenses Ineligible for No-Cash Bail Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 69)
2/06 HB 1579 Establishes State Prosecution Office with the Authority to Charge Police for Deadly Use of Force Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
2/06 HB 1579 Establishes State Prosecution Office with the Authority to Charge Police for Deadly Use of Force Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
2/06 HB 4104 Requires Alerting Health Care Providers if a Patient Overdoses Bill Passed - House (52 - 2)
2/05 SB 57 Prohibits Professional Agencies from Denying Convicted Felons from Obtaining Trade Licenses Bill Passed - House (62 - 3)
2/02 HB 129 Establishes a Waiting Period for Firearm Purchases Bill Passed - House (37 - 33)
1/31 HR 6678 Consequences for Social Security Fraud Act Bill Passed - House (272 - 155)
1/31 H 415 Authorizes Firearms in Schools Bill Passed - House (53 - 16)

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