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.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
July 18, 2024 MA H 4885 Amends Various State Gun Reform Measures Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 5)
June 26, 2024 MI SB 670 Expands Coverage of Freedom of Information Requests Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
June 24, 2024 NC HB 563 Establishes Regulations for Medical Marijuana and Other Drugs Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
June 20, 2024 MI HB 4718 Prohibits the Use of the "Gay Panic Defense" to Justify Assault Crimes Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
June 17, 2024 VT H 121 Authorizes Various Data Privacy Reforms and Protections Veto Override Failed - Senate (14 - 15)
June 17, 2024 VT H 72 Establishes and Appropriates Funding for Overdose Prevention Centers in the State Veto Override Failed - Senate (20 - 9)
June 13, 2024 NH HB 318 Amends Protocol for Bail Procedures and the Obligations of Bail Commissioners Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 0)
June 13, 2024 RI S 2262 Prohibits the State from Cooperating with Out-of-State Abortion and Gender Affirming Care Lawsuits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
June 13, 2024 MA H 4744 Classifies Coercive Control as a Form of Domestic Violence Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 0)
June 13, 2024 RI S 2704 Authorizes the Legal Sale of Kratom Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
June 13, 2024 RI S 2704 Authorizes the Legal Sale of Kratom Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
June 12, 2024 PA SB 1236 Establishes Landlord and Homeowner Protections from Squatters Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
June 10, 2024 PA SB 1213 Prohibits Artificially Generated Sexual Depictions (Deep-Fakes) Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
June 6, 2024 RI H 7373 Requires Firearms Not in Use be Kept in Locked Containers or Equipped with Tamper-Resistant Locks Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
June 6, 2024 NY S 7132 Amends Correction Law in Relation to Incarcerated Parents Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 20)
June 6, 2024 NY S 9672 Amends the Membership, Powers, Duties and Procedures of the Commission on Forensic Science Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 2)
June 6, 2024 NY S 9839 Amends Family Court Act and Increases the Number of Judges in Certain Courts Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 8)
June 4, 2024 RI S 2059 Authorizes Police and Firefighters with Documented PTSD to Retire, at Any Age, with Tax Free 2/3 Pay Pensions for Life Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3)
June 4, 2024 RI S 2481 Requires the Division of Motor Vehicles Create a Blue Envelope for Drivers to Inform Law Enforcement They are on the Autism Spectrum Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
June 4, 2024 MI SB 599 Increases Parole Eligibility for Medically Frail Inmates Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
June 4, 2024 NY S 4818 Establishes a 10 Day Waiting Period for the Purchase of Any Firearm Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 19)
June 4, 2024 NY S 7506 Prohibits Child Removal Based on Receiving of Gender-Affirming Care Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 18)
June 3, 2024 NY S 9760 Establishes Educational Programs Regarding Safe Storage for Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 7)
June 2, 2024 LA SB 371 Authorizes Surgical Castration Option for Individuals Guilty of Sex Crimes Against Minors Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
May 29, 2024 NY S 138 Amends Firearms Training Certification Rules Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 19)
May 28, 2024 LA SB 84 Specifies that if Final Amount Obtained by Plaintiff or Defendant is 25% in Favor of the Offering Party the Offering Party Must Pay Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
May 26, 2024 IL SB 3649 Prohibits Forced Partiicpation in Employer Mandated Religious or Political Meetings Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 18)
May 24, 2024 IL HB 4592 Authorizes the Secretary of State to Issue Digital Identification Bill Passed - Senate (58 - 0)
May 23, 2024 National S 4361 Border Act of 2024 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (43 - 50)
May 23, 2024 RI S 2378 Authorizes the Rhode Island Department of Health to Allow a Patients Medicine to be Transferred to Different Pharmacies Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
May 22, 2024 AZ SB 1336 Prohibits Sharing Artificial Intelligence (AI) Deep Fake Porn and Establishes it as Felony Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 9)
May 22, 2024 OH SB 63 Requires Individuals that Have Been Exposed to Asbestos to File Specific Types of Disclosures Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
May 22, 2024 CA SB 1144 Prohibits the Sale of Stolen Goods on Online Marketplaces Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
May 21, 2024 LA HB 423 Limits the Amount Awarded Over Medical Expenses to the Injured Party in a Car Accident Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
May 20, 2024 LA HB 737 Prohibits Anyone from Protesting in a Group Within 50 Feet of a Home Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
May 20, 2024 LA HB 383 Authorizes Liability Immunity for Drivers who Hit Protesters While Feeling Threatened Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
May 20, 2024 LA HB 737 Prohibits Anyone from Protesting in a Group Within 50 Feet of a Home Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
May 19, 2024 MN HF 5216 Appropriates Funding for Public Safety and Judiciary and Civil Law Supplemental Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 33)
May 17, 2024 IL HB 4875 Prohibits the Use of Artificial Intelligence Including Deep Fakes Bill Passed - Senate (58 - 0)
May 16, 2024 LA HB 127 Increases Penalties for Protesters Who Disrupt Traffic Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
May 16, 2024 LA HB 173 Establishes a Crime of Coming Within 25 Feet of Police Upon Command Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
May 15, 2024 IL HB 4762 Establishes Protections for Performers and other Individuals from Wrongful Use of AI Replicas Bill Passed - Senate (55 - 0)
May 15, 2024 NC HB 237 Authorizes a Health Exemption for Masking in Public and Prohibits Use of Masks During Criminal Activity Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 15)
May 15, 2024 NC HB 591 Amends and Modernizes Sex Crime Definitions in the State Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 0)
May 9, 2024 MN HF 2609 Increases the Penalty for Straw Gun Purchasing from a Gross Misdemeanor to a Felony Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 33)
May 9, 2024 MN HF 2609 Increases the Penalty for Straw Gun Purchasing from a Gross Misdemeanor to a Felony Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 33)
May 7, 2024 LA HB 337 Prohibits Insurers from Being Named Initially in Lawsuits Involving an Injured Individual in a Car Wreck Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
May 6, 2024 CO SB 24-053 Establishes an Independent Study on an Evaluation of Racial Equity for Black Coloradans Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
May 6, 2024 AK SB 28 Establishes a Streamlined Process for Employers to Address Credible Threats of Violence Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 1)
May 2, 2024 RI S 2262 Prohibits the State from Cooperating with Out-of-State Abortion and Gender Affirming Care Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
May 2, 2024 IL SB 3649 Prohibits Forced Partiicpation in Employer Mandated Religious or Political Meetings Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 18)
May 1, 2024 MS SB 2022 Establishes Alternative Sentencing Options For Juvenile Offenders In Compliance With United States Supreme Court Holdings Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 3)
May 1, 2024 AZ HB 2394 Authorizes Public Figures who can Provide Evidence to Debunk a Deep Fake to Obtain Declaratory Relief Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 0)
April 29, 2024 MO SB 751 Requires 340B Drugs to Be Covered by Insurance Providers Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
April 29, 2024 MO SB 890 Establishes the Missign and Murdered African American Women Task Force Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
April 26, 2024 MS SB 2577 Prohibits the Use of Artificial Intelligence to Create "Deep Fake" Election Material 90 Days Before an Election Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 13)
April 24, 2024 OK SB 1470 Authorizes Leniency for Criminal Defendants if They Can Show Abuse Contributed to Their Offense Veto Override Passed - Senate (46 - 1)
April 24, 2024 OH SB 214 Authorizes Human Trafficking Victims to Expunge Certain Records Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
April 23, 2024 MS SB 2448 Extends the Automatic Repealer on the Mississippi Earned Parole Eligibility Act Of 2021 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 10)
April 23, 2024 OK HB 4156 Amends Various State Immigration Laws, Policies, and Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 8)
April 22, 2024 CO HB 24-1348 Requires Firearms be Kept in Lock Boxes when in Vehicles Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
April 22, 2024 CO HB 24-1174 Increases Requirements for Individuals Seeking to Obtain a Concealed-Carry Permit Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
April 22, 2024 LA SB 430 Repeals the Use of Nitrogen Gas as a Method of Execution Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
April 19, 2024 National HR 7888 Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 34)
April 18, 2024 National HR 7888 Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act Cloture Invoked - Senate (67 - 32)
April 18, 2024 TN SB 2770 Authorizes Greater Statutory Penalties for Undocumented Individuals who Commit Felonies Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
April 18, 2024 NE LB 25 Authorizes Claims Involving Child Abuse or Sexual Assault of a Child Under the Political Subdivisions Act Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 17)
April 18, 2024 NE LB 1092 Requires Online Age Verification Liability Act Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 1)
April 17, 2024 ME LD 2086 Amending Laws Governing the Disposition of Forefeited Firearms Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 15)
April 17, 2024 ME LD 2224 Increases Maine's Firearm Laws and Mental Health System Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
April 12, 2024 ME LD 2119 Establish the Task Force to Study the Creation of a System to Allow for the Voluntary Waiver of Firearm Rights "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 12)
April 12, 2024 IL SB 3762 Establishes the Language and Access Act Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 8)
April 12, 2024 ME LD 2086 Amending Laws Governing the Disposition of Forefeited Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
April 11, 2024 NE LB 631 Expands the Board of Parole in Nebraska Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 4)
April 11, 2024 NE LB 631 Expands the Board of Parole in Nebraska Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 4)
Date No. Title Outcome
7/18 H 4885 Amends Various State Gun Reform Measures Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 5)
6/26 SB 670 Expands Coverage of Freedom of Information Requests Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
6/24 HB 563 Establishes Regulations for Medical Marijuana and Other Drugs Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
6/20 HB 4718 Prohibits the Use of the "Gay Panic Defense" to Justify Assault Crimes Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
6/17 H 121 Authorizes Various Data Privacy Reforms and Protections Veto Override Failed - Senate (14 - 15)
6/17 H 72 Establishes and Appropriates Funding for Overdose Prevention Centers in the State Veto Override Failed - Senate (20 - 9)
6/13 HB 318 Amends Protocol for Bail Procedures and the Obligations of Bail Commissioners Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 0)
6/13 S 2262 Prohibits the State from Cooperating with Out-of-State Abortion and Gender Affirming Care Lawsuits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
6/13 H 4744 Classifies Coercive Control as a Form of Domestic Violence Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 0)
6/13 S 2704 Authorizes the Legal Sale of Kratom Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
6/13 S 2704 Authorizes the Legal Sale of Kratom Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
6/12 SB 1236 Establishes Landlord and Homeowner Protections from Squatters Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
6/10 SB 1213 Prohibits Artificially Generated Sexual Depictions (Deep-Fakes) Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
6/06 H 7373 Requires Firearms Not in Use be Kept in Locked Containers or Equipped with Tamper-Resistant Locks Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
6/06 S 7132 Amends Correction Law in Relation to Incarcerated Parents Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 20)
6/06 S 9672 Amends the Membership, Powers, Duties and Procedures of the Commission on Forensic Science Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 2)
6/06 S 9839 Amends Family Court Act and Increases the Number of Judges in Certain Courts Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 8)
6/04 S 2059 Authorizes Police and Firefighters with Documented PTSD to Retire, at Any Age, with Tax Free 2/3 Pay Pensions for Life Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3)
6/04 S 2481 Requires the Division of Motor Vehicles Create a Blue Envelope for Drivers to Inform Law Enforcement They are on the Autism Spectrum Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
6/04 SB 599 Increases Parole Eligibility for Medically Frail Inmates Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
6/04 S 4818 Establishes a 10 Day Waiting Period for the Purchase of Any Firearm Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 19)
6/04 S 7506 Prohibits Child Removal Based on Receiving of Gender-Affirming Care Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 18)
6/03 S 9760 Establishes Educational Programs Regarding Safe Storage for Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 7)
6/02 SB 371 Authorizes Surgical Castration Option for Individuals Guilty of Sex Crimes Against Minors Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
5/29 S 138 Amends Firearms Training Certification Rules Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 19)
5/28 SB 84 Specifies that if Final Amount Obtained by Plaintiff or Defendant is 25% in Favor of the Offering Party the Offering Party Must Pay Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
5/26 SB 3649 Prohibits Forced Partiicpation in Employer Mandated Religious or Political Meetings Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 18)
5/24 HB 4592 Authorizes the Secretary of State to Issue Digital Identification Bill Passed - Senate (58 - 0)
5/23 S 4361 Border Act of 2024 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (43 - 50)
5/23 S 2378 Authorizes the Rhode Island Department of Health to Allow a Patients Medicine to be Transferred to Different Pharmacies Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
5/22 SB 1336 Prohibits Sharing Artificial Intelligence (AI) Deep Fake Porn and Establishes it as Felony Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 9)
5/22 SB 63 Requires Individuals that Have Been Exposed to Asbestos to File Specific Types of Disclosures Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
5/22 SB 1144 Prohibits the Sale of Stolen Goods on Online Marketplaces Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
5/21 HB 423 Limits the Amount Awarded Over Medical Expenses to the Injured Party in a Car Accident Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
5/20 HB 737 Prohibits Anyone from Protesting in a Group Within 50 Feet of a Home Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
5/20 HB 383 Authorizes Liability Immunity for Drivers who Hit Protesters While Feeling Threatened Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
5/20 HB 737 Prohibits Anyone from Protesting in a Group Within 50 Feet of a Home Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
5/19 HF 5216 Appropriates Funding for Public Safety and Judiciary and Civil Law Supplemental Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 33)
5/17 HB 4875 Prohibits the Use of Artificial Intelligence Including Deep Fakes Bill Passed - Senate (58 - 0)
5/16 HB 127 Increases Penalties for Protesters Who Disrupt Traffic Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
5/16 HB 173 Establishes a Crime of Coming Within 25 Feet of Police Upon Command Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
5/15 HB 4762 Establishes Protections for Performers and other Individuals from Wrongful Use of AI Replicas Bill Passed - Senate (55 - 0)
5/15 HB 237 Authorizes a Health Exemption for Masking in Public and Prohibits Use of Masks During Criminal Activity Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 15)
5/15 HB 591 Amends and Modernizes Sex Crime Definitions in the State Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 0)
5/09 HF 2609 Increases the Penalty for Straw Gun Purchasing from a Gross Misdemeanor to a Felony Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 33)
5/09 HF 2609 Increases the Penalty for Straw Gun Purchasing from a Gross Misdemeanor to a Felony Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 33)
5/07 HB 337 Prohibits Insurers from Being Named Initially in Lawsuits Involving an Injured Individual in a Car Wreck Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
5/06 SB 24-053 Establishes an Independent Study on an Evaluation of Racial Equity for Black Coloradans Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
5/06 SB 28 Establishes a Streamlined Process for Employers to Address Credible Threats of Violence Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 1)
5/02 S 2262 Prohibits the State from Cooperating with Out-of-State Abortion and Gender Affirming Care Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
5/02 SB 3649 Prohibits Forced Partiicpation in Employer Mandated Religious or Political Meetings Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 18)
5/01 SB 2022 Establishes Alternative Sentencing Options For Juvenile Offenders In Compliance With United States Supreme Court Holdings Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 3)
5/01 HB 2394 Authorizes Public Figures who can Provide Evidence to Debunk a Deep Fake to Obtain Declaratory Relief Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 0)
4/29 SB 751 Requires 340B Drugs to Be Covered by Insurance Providers Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
4/29 SB 890 Establishes the Missign and Murdered African American Women Task Force Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
4/26 SB 2577 Prohibits the Use of Artificial Intelligence to Create "Deep Fake" Election Material 90 Days Before an Election Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 13)
4/24 SB 1470 Authorizes Leniency for Criminal Defendants if They Can Show Abuse Contributed to Their Offense Veto Override Passed - Senate (46 - 1)
4/24 SB 214 Authorizes Human Trafficking Victims to Expunge Certain Records Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
4/23 SB 2448 Extends the Automatic Repealer on the Mississippi Earned Parole Eligibility Act Of 2021 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 10)
4/23 HB 4156 Amends Various State Immigration Laws, Policies, and Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 8)
4/22 HB 24-1348 Requires Firearms be Kept in Lock Boxes when in Vehicles Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
4/22 HB 24-1174 Increases Requirements for Individuals Seeking to Obtain a Concealed-Carry Permit Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
4/22 SB 430 Repeals the Use of Nitrogen Gas as a Method of Execution Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
4/19 HR 7888 Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 34)
4/18 HR 7888 Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act Cloture Invoked - Senate (67 - 32)
4/18 SB 2770 Authorizes Greater Statutory Penalties for Undocumented Individuals who Commit Felonies Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
4/18 LB 25 Authorizes Claims Involving Child Abuse or Sexual Assault of a Child Under the Political Subdivisions Act Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 17)
4/18 LB 1092 Requires Online Age Verification Liability Act Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 1)
4/17 LD 2086 Amending Laws Governing the Disposition of Forefeited Firearms Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 15)
4/17 LD 2224 Increases Maine's Firearm Laws and Mental Health System Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
4/12 LD 2119 Establish the Task Force to Study the Creation of a System to Allow for the Voluntary Waiver of Firearm Rights "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 12)
4/12 SB 3762 Establishes the Language and Access Act Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 8)
4/12 LD 2086 Amending Laws Governing the Disposition of Forefeited Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
4/11 LB 631 Expands the Board of Parole in Nebraska Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 4)
4/11 LB 631 Expands the Board of Parole in Nebraska Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 4)

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