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:
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.
Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|---|
May 30, 2019 | NJ | A 10 | Expands the Medical Marijuana Program | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4) |
Sept. 27, 2018 | NJ | A 1330 | Authorizes Research and Cultivation of Hemp | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 2) |
June 25, 2012 | NJ | A 1465 | Reduces Penalties for Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (44 - 31) |
Nov. 16, 2020 | NJ | A 1897 | Reduces Criminal Penalty for Marijuana Possession | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4) |
June 18, 2020 | NJ | A 1897 | Reduces Criminal Penalty for Marijuana Possession | Bill Passed - House (63 - 10) |
Dec. 17, 2020 | NJ | A 21 | Rescinds the Classification of Marijuana as a Schedule I Drug. | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17) |
Dec. 17, 2020 | NJ | A 21 | Rescinds the Classification of Marijuana as a Schedule I Drug. | Bill Passed - House (49 - 24) |
June 6, 2018 | NY | A 2142 | Requires Certain Marijuana Convictions be Sealed | Bill Passed - House (98 - 41) |
Jan. 7, 2010 | NJ | A 2762 | Authorizing Reduction of Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Drug Offenses in School Zones | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 30) |
Dec. 10, 2009 | NJ | A 2762 | Authorizing Reduction of Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Drug Offenses in School Zones | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
May 16, 2018 | NY | A 3557 | Requires Public Education about Veterans' Mental Health | Bill Passed - House (137 - 0) |
Feb. 27, 2023 | NJ | A 3946 | Amends Tax Provisions Relating to Cannabis | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3) |
Oct. 27, 2022 | NJ | A 3946 | Amends Tax Provisions Relating to Cannabis | Bill Passed - House (60 - 6) |
June 20, 2023 | NJ | A 4151 | Amends Certain Restrictions on Cannabis Establishment Owners | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
Dec. 15, 2022 | NJ | A 4151 | Amends Certain Restrictions on Cannabis Establishment Owners | Bill Passed - House (58 - 12) |
July 30, 2020 | NJ | A 4370 | Repeals Mandatory Minimum Terms of Parole Ineligibility for Nonviolent Drug Crimes | Bill Passed - House (51 - 21) |
Aug. 1, 2016 | NJ | A 457 | Authorizes Medical Marijuana Treatment for PTSD | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9) |
June 16, 2016 | NJ | A 457 | Authorizes Medical Marijuana Treatment for PTSD | Bill Passed - House (56 - 13) |
Feb. 22, 2021 | NJ | A 5342 | Specifies Penalties for Individuals Under 21 Possessing Marijuana | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 28) |
Aug. 20, 2012 | NJ | A 578 | Authorizes Temporary Immunity for Witnesses and Victims of a Drug Overdose | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10) |
June 20, 2014 | NY | A 6357E | Authorizes Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 10) |
June 19, 2014 | NY | A 6357E | Authorizes Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (117 - 13) |
May 8, 2006 | NY | A 8098 | Drug Law Reform and Drug Treatment | Bill Passed - House (81 - 59) |
June 6, 2018 | NY | A 9016 | Authorizes Medical Marijuana for Opioid-Use Disorder | Bill Passed - House (108 - 28) |
June 6, 2018 | NY | A 9016 | Authorizes Medical Marijuana for Opioid-Use Disorder | Bill Passed - House (108 - 28) |
May 29, 2019 | CA | AB 1246 | Requires Large Group Health Plans to Cover Medically Necessary Prescription Drugs | (58 - 19) |
Sept. 9, 2019 | CA | AB 1291 | Requires Cannabis Businesses to Enter Into Labor Peace Agreements | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 14) |
Sept. 5, 2019 | CA | AB 1291 | Requires Cannabis Businesses to Enter Into Labor Peace Agreements | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9) |
May 24, 2019 | NV | AB 132 | Prohibits Employment Discrimination for Positive Marijuana Drug Tests | Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 8) |
April 23, 2019 | NV | AB 132 | Prohibits Employment Discrimination for Positive Marijuana Drug Tests | Bill Passed - House (33 - 8) |
May 22, 2007 | NV | AB 150 | Methamphetamine Control Bill | Bill Failed - House (27 - 14) |
March 5, 2008 | WI | AB 151 | Financial Aid Ineligibility for Drug Offenders | Bill Passed - House (70 - 24) |
June 1, 2017 | CA | AB 1578 | Prohibits State Law Enforcement from Cooperating with Federal Marijuana Law Enforcement | Bill Passed - House (41 - 33) |
May 13, 2010 | CA | AB 1756 | Food Stamps for Drug Felons | Bill Passed - House (44 - 31) |
Aug. 22, 2018 | CA | AB 1793 | Amends Marijuana Convictions | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
May 31, 2018 | CA | AB 1793 | Amends Marijuana Convictions | Bill Passed - House (43 - 28) |
May 29, 2014 | CA | AB 1894 | Establishes a State Entity to Oversee Medical Cannabis | Bill Failed - House (26 - 33) |
May 13, 2015 | WI | AB 191 | Requires Drug Testing for Job Training Programs | Bill Passed - House (62 - 33) |
May 27, 2008 | CA | AB 1996 | Food Stamps for Convicted Drug Felons | Bill Passed - House (42 - 35) |
Aug. 30, 2006 | CA | AB 2076 | Needle Exchange Program | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
May 31, 2006 | CA | AB 2076 | Needle Exchange Program | Bill Passed - House (45 - 34) |
Aug. 20, 2008 | CA | AB 2279 | Prohibiting Employment Discrimination Against Medical Marijuana Patients | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15) |
May 28, 2008 | CA | AB 2279 | Prohibiting Employment Discrimination Against Medical Marijuana Patients | Bill Passed - House (41 - 35) |
May 31, 2012 | CA | AB 2312 | Regulations for Marijuana Dispensaries | Bill Passed - House (41 - 30) |
June 5, 2023 | NV | AB 232 | Establishes New Rules Regarding Premium Tobacco Products | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 3) |
May 31, 2023 | NV | AB 232 | Establishes New Rules Regarding Premium Tobacco Products | Bill Passed - House (35 - 7) |
May 10, 2017 | WI | AB 242 | Requires Drug Screening for Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (62 - 35) |
May 26, 2023 | NV | AB 250 | Reduces Prescription Drug Costs by Expanding Policies Under the Federal Inflation Reduction Act | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 7) |
April 25, 2023 | NV | AB 250 | Reduces Prescription Drug Costs by Expanding Policies Under the Federal Inflation Reduction Act | Bill Passed - House (27 - 15) |
June 3, 2023 | NV | AB 322 | Establishes Regulations for Kratom Usage and Possession | Bill Passed - House (30 - 12) |
Sept. 12, 2023 | CA | AB 33 | Establishes a Fentanyl Misuse and Overdose Prevention Task Force | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0) |
June 16, 2021 | WI | AB 334 | Requires Drug Tests for Law Enforcement Officers Involved in Certain Critical Incidents While on Duty | Bill Passed - House (58 - 38) |
June 23, 2021 | WI | AB 374 | Establishes Guidelines for Potential Opioid Settlement Disbursement to State Counties | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11) |
June 22, 2021 | WI | AB 374 | Establishes Guidelines for Potential Opioid Settlement Disbursement to State Counties | Bill Passed - House (60 - 38) |
April 20, 2021 | NV | AB 400 | Reduces Penalties for Drivers with Marijuana Metabolites in their Body | Bill Passed - House (26 - 16) |
May 25, 2023 | CA | AB 461 | Requires Fentanyl Test Strips and Education about Use on College Campuses | Bill Passed - House (78 - 0) |
Aug. 27, 2012 | CA | AB 472 | Authorizes Immunity for Reporting Drug Overdoses | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 24) |
Aug. 22, 2012 | CA | AB 472 | Authorizes Immunity for Reporting Drug Overdoses | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16) |
May 31, 2013 | CA | AB 473 | Establishes a State Agency to Regulate Medical Marijuana Sales | Bill Failed - House (35 - 37) |
Sept. 11, 2019 | CA | AB 545 | Authorizes the Review of Activities of the Bureau of Cannabis Control | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0) |
Aug. 26, 2013 | CA | AB 721 | Amends Transportation of Controlled Substances Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15) |
Dec. 13, 2010 | NJ | ACR 151 | Concerning Legislative Review of the NJ Medical Marijuana Program | Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 16) |
Nov. 22, 2010 | NJ | ACR 151 | Concerning Legislative Review of the NJ Medical Marijuana Program | Resolution Passed - House (48 - 22) |
March 26, 2015 | NJ | ACR 224 | Expands New Jersey's Medical Marijuana Program | Joint Resolution Passed - House (42 - 23) |
May 18, 2006 | MI | Amend | Welfare Restrictions for Drug Felonys | Amendment Adopted - House (86 - 16) |
March 15, 2006 | MD | Amendment 553220 | Needle Exchange Funding Prohibition Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 32) |
April 17, 2007 | TX | CSSB 1909 | Treatment for Drug Possession Offenders | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
April 27, 2007 | TX | CSSB 308 | Syringe Exchange Program | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8) |
May 3, 2017 | VT | H 170 | Authorizes Recreational Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (75 - 71) |
March 18, 2019 | ID | H 180 | Authorizes Syringe and Needle Exchange Program | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11) |
March 4, 2019 | ID | H 180 | Authorizes Syringe and Needle Exchange Program | Bill Passed - House (47 - 20) |
April 16, 2013 | VT | H 200 | Reduces Penalties for Small Amounts of Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (92 - 49) |
April 28, 2021 | SC | H 3623 | Repeals Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Drug Crimes | Bill Passed - House (62 - 45) |
June 21, 2017 | MA | H 3768 | Authorizes Reforms to Recreational Marijuana Laws | Bill Passed - House (126 - 28) |
June 21, 2017 | MA | H 3768 | Authorizes Reforms to Recreational Marijuana Laws | Bill Passed - House (126 - 28) |
June 22, 2017 | MA | H 3776 | Authorizes Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5) |
July 20, 2017 | MA | H 3818 | Amends Voter-Passed Marijuana Law | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6) |
Jan. 29, 2024 | ID | H 406 | Requires Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Individuals Convicted of Trafficking Fentanyl | Bill Passed - House (55 - 13) |
July 13, 2006 | MA | H 4176 | Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes | Veto Override Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
June 7, 2006 | MA | H 4176 | Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
Jan. 31, 2022 | ID | H 446 | Amends Medical Marijuana Laws and Regulations | Bill Passed - House (65 - 5) |
Feb. 26, 2008 | ID | H 503 | Scholarships for Drug-Free Students | Bill Passed - House (55 - 14) |
Jan. 4, 2018 | VT | H 511 | Authorizes Possession of 1 Ounce of Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (81 - 63) |
June 19, 2007 | RI | H 5127 | Mandatory Minimum Drug Possession Sentence Repeal | Bill Passed - House (54 - 6) |
July 1, 2021 | RI | H 5245 | Establishes Harm Reduction Centers | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7) |
June 29, 2021 | RI | H 5245 | Establishes Harm Reduction Centers | Bill Passed - House (63 - 9) |
Jan. 3, 2006 | RI | H 6052 Sub. A | Medical Marijuana Bill | Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 5) |
Jan. 3, 2006 | RI | H 6052 Sub. A | Medical Marijuana Bill | Veto Override Passed - House (59 - 13) |
March 4, 2024 | ID | H 617 | Prohibits and Repeals the Syringe Exchange Program | Bill Passed - House (53 - 13) |
March 16, 2018 | ID | H 649 | Amends Drug Use Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1) |
June 5, 2012 | RI | H 7092 | Reduces Penalties for Possession of Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (50 - 24) |
Jan. 10, 2024 | VT | H 72 | Establishes and Appropriates Funding for Overdose Prevention Centers in the State | Bill Passed - House (95 - 35) |
May 3, 2022 | VT | H 728 | Expands Policies Addressing Opioid Epidemic | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7) |
May 24, 2022 | RI | H 7593 | Authorizes Recreational Use of Marijuana | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 5) |
May 24, 2022 | RI | H 7593 | Authorizes Recreational Use of Marijuana | (55 - 16) |
June 21, 2018 | RI | H 7715 | Classifies Delivery a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death as a Crime | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
June 14, 2018 | RI | H 7715 | Classifies Delivery a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death as a Crime | Bill Passed - House (55 - 14) |
May 16, 2012 | RI | H 7888 A | Authorizes Medical Marijuana Dispensaries | Bill Passed - House (64 - 7) |
March 15, 2011 | DE | HA 1 | Reduced Punishment for Drug Possession | Amendment Adopted - House (21 - 17) |
July 16, 2014 | National | H Amdt 1086 | Prohibits States from Penalizing a Bank for Providing Financial Services to Marijuana Businesses | Amendment Adopted - House (231 - 192) |