Key Votes
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About the Selection and Descriptions of Key Votes
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:
- The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member stands on a particular issue
- The vote should be clear for any person to understand
- The vote has received media attention
- The vote was passed or defeated by a very close margin
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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) |
| Nov. 16, 2020 | NJ | A 1897 | Reduces Criminal Penalty for Marijuana Possession | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4) |
| Dec. 17, 2020 | NJ | A 21 | Rescinds the Classification of Marijuana as a Schedule I Drug. | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17) |
| Dec. 10, 2009 | NJ | A 2762 | Authorizing Reduction of Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Drug Offenses in School Zones | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| Feb. 27, 2023 | NJ | A 3946 | Amends Tax Provisions Relating to Cannabis | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3) |
| June 20, 2023 | NJ | A 4151 | Amends Certain Restrictions on Cannabis Establishment Owners | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
| Aug. 1, 2016 | NJ | A 457 | Authorizes Medical Marijuana Treatment for PTSD | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9) |
| 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) |
| 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) |
| Aug. 22, 2018 | CA | AB 1793 | Amends Marijuana Convictions | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
| Aug. 30, 2006 | CA | AB 2076 | Needle Exchange Program | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| Aug. 20, 2008 | CA | AB 2279 | Prohibiting Employment Discrimination Against Medical Marijuana Patients | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15) |
| June 5, 2023 | NV | AB 232 | Establishes New Rules Regarding Premium Tobacco Products | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 3) |
| May 26, 2023 | NV | AB 250 | Reduces Prescription Drug Costs by Expanding Policies Under the Federal Inflation Reduction Act | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 7) |
| Sept. 12, 2023 | CA | AB 33 | Establishes a Fentanyl Misuse and Overdose Prevention Task Force | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0) |
| June 23, 2021 | WI | AB 374 | Establishes Guidelines for Potential Opioid Settlement Disbursement to State Counties | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11) |
| Aug. 22, 2012 | CA | AB 472 | Authorizes Immunity for Reporting Drug Overdoses | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16) |
| 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) |
| 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) |
| March 18, 2019 | ID | H 180 | Authorizes Syringe and Needle Exchange Program | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11) |
| 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) |
| 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) |
| July 1, 2021 | RI | H 5245 | Establishes Harm Reduction Centers | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7) |
| Jan. 3, 2006 | RI | H 6052 Sub. A | Medical Marijuana Bill | Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 5) |
| March 16, 2018 | ID | H 649 | Amends Drug Use Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1) |
| 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) |
| June 21, 2018 | RI | H 7715 | Classifies Delivery a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death as a Crime | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
| March 22, 2022 | MD | HB 1 | Authorizes the Use and Possession of Cannabis | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17) |
| May 17, 2013 | IL | HB 1 | Authorizes the Use of Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 21) |
| March 28, 2023 | DE | HB 1 | Authorizes Recreational Cannabis Use for Adults 21 and Older | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 4) |
| April 20, 2012 | KY | HB 1 | Requires Use of Prescription Monitoring System by Physicians | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
| April 26, 2013 | IN | HB 1006 | Amends the Criminal Code | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 15) |
| March 30, 2022 | GA | HB 1013 | Establishes the Mental Health Parity Act | (54 - 0) |
| June 6, 2013 | LA | HB 103 | Reduces Penalties for Marijuana Possession | Motion Rejected - Senate (24 - 11) |
| March 2, 2022 | FL | HB 105 | Establishes New Regulations on Smoking and Vaping | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7) |
| May 2, 2008 | CO | HB 1082 | Sealing Criminal Records | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
| May 24, 2016 | OH | HB 110 | Authorizes Immunity for Individuals Reporting Drug Overdose | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| April 8, 2022 | MD | HB 1116 | Establishes Regulations for the Issuance of Alcoholic Beverage Licenses in Charles County | Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0) |
| Feb. 26, 2024 | SD | HB 1125 | Prohibits Hemp-Derived "Diet Weed" Products such as Delta 8 and Delta 9 | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 1) |
| Feb. 27, 2023 | SD | HB 1135 | Establishes Transparency in the Pricing of Prescription Drugs | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0) |
| March 12, 2019 | SD | HB 1191 | Authorizes the Cultivation of Industrial Hemp | Veto Override Failed - Senate (20 - 13) |
| March 9, 2012 | FL | HB 1205 | Authorizes Random Drug Tests of State Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14) |
| May 6, 2010 | CO | HB 1284 | Increasing Medical Marijuana Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
| May 8, 2013 | CO | HB 1317 | Establishes Regulations for the Retail Marijuana Industry | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6) |
| May 8, 2013 | CO | HB 1318 | Establishes Sales Taxes for Retail Marijuana | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
| March 13, 2014 | IN | HB 1351 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Conference Report Rejected - Senate (24 - 24) |
| March 4, 2014 | IN | HB 1351 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14) |
| May 10, 2010 | CO | HB 1352 | Concerning Charges to Crimes Involving Controlled Substances | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5) |
| Feb. 27, 2018 | IN | HB 1359 | Increases Penalties for Drug Dealers Connected to Overdose Deaths | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 9) |
| May 1, 2023 | FL | HB 1359 | Increases Penalties for Fentanyl Dealers and Manufacturers | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0) |
| Oct. 26, 2022 | PA | HB 1393 | Defines Testing of Fentanyl Test Strips and Other Compounds in Relation to Controlled Substances | Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0) |
| April 6, 2017 | IN | HB 1438 | Authorizes Counties or Municipalities to Approve Syringe Exchange Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16) |
| May 29, 2019 | IL | HB 1438 | Authorizes Sale and Use of Recreational Cannabis | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 17) |
| April 6, 2021 | WA | HB 1443 | Expands the Duties of the Task Force on Social Equity in Cannabis | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16) |
| April 10, 2013 | IN | HB 1483 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 12) |
| June 3, 2015 | LA | HB 149 | Amends Penalties for Marijuana Possesion | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13) |
| April 17, 2014 | TN | HB 1574 | Limits Amount of Pseudoephedrine an Individual Can Purchase | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 7) |
| April 9, 2024 | HI | HB 1595 | Establishes a State Pilot Program to Expunge Non-Conviction Arrest Records | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 1) |
| March 15, 2016 | KY | HB 160 | Establishes 1-for-1 Syringe Exchange Program | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
| April 1, 2011 | MT | HB 161 | Repeals Montana Medical Marijuana Law | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22) |
| April 21, 2016 | NH | HB 1631 | Amends Penalty for Possession of Marijuana | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Failed - Senate (14 - 10) |
| April 25, 2022 | MO | HB 1667 | Establishes the Kratom Consumer Protection Act | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 2) |
| March 15, 2022 | AL | HB 17 | Authorizes Deploying Wiretaps for Drug Related Offenses | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 1) |
| March 27, 2017 | TN | HB 173 | Prohibits Local Government from Enacting Drug-Related Sanctions | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5) |
| March 27, 2017 | TN | HB 173 | Prohibits Local Government from Enacting Drug-Related Sanctions | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5) |
| April 29, 2019 | FL | HB 19 | Authorizes the Importation of Prescription Drugs from Canada | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13) |
| April 5, 2011 | DE | HB 19 | Reduce Punishment for Drug Possession | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 4) |
| May 1, 2019 | CO | HB 19-1230 | Authorizes Marijuana Consumption on the Premises of Hospitality Establishments | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| May 1, 2019 | CO | HB 19-1234 | Authorizes the Delivery of Marijuana | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14) |
| May 3, 2019 | CO | HB 19-1263 | Amends Criminal Classification of Certain Drug Possessions | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| March 28, 2023 | DE | HB 2 | Establishes State Regulations and Taxes for Recreational Cannabis | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5) |
| June 11, 2020 | CO | HB 20-1017 | Expands Substance Use Disorder Treatment in the Criminal Justice System | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
| June 11, 2020 | CO | HB 20-1065 | Authorizes Pharmacists to Sell Nonprescription Syringes | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| March 10, 2020 | CO | HB 20-1080 | Repeals State Residency Requirement for Medical Marijuana Business Licenses | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9) |
| Feb. 14, 2006 | NM | HB 211 | Pseudoephedrine as a Controlled Substance | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8) |
| April 5, 2022 | MO | HB 2162 | Amends Provisions Relating to Opioid Addiction Treatment and Recovery Fund | (30 - 0) |
| May 20, 2022 | OK | HB 2179 | Expands Medical Marijuana Licensing and Fees | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 7) |
| May 21, 2015 | IL | HB 218 | Classifies Marijuana Possession as a Civil Violation | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 19) |
| March 21, 2022 | CO | HB 22-1037 | Authorizes Dual Marijuana Businesses | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5) |
| May 11, 2022 | CO | HB 22-1326 | Increases Penalties for Distribution and Manufacturing of Fentanyl | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 8) |
| March 9, 2022 | KS | HB 2279 | Authorizes Prescribing of Drugs without Supervising Physician | (30 - 7) |
| May 22, 2019 | OR | HB 2303 | Repeals Pseudoephedrine and Ephedrine as Class 3 Controlled Substances | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10) |
| Feb. 27, 2021 | VA | HB 2312 | Authorizes the Simple Possession of Marijuana | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 19) |
| July 6, 2017 | OR | HB 2355 | Reduces Criminal Charges for Drug Possession | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9) |
| Feb. 13, 2024 | NM | HB 239 | Establishes Cannabis as Prison Contraband | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3) |
| June 24, 2023 | OR | HB 2395 | Authorizes Specified Persons to Distribute and Administer Short-Acting Opioid Reversal Drugs and Kits | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 3) |
| May 22, 2019 | TX | HB 2536 | Establishes Drug-Pricing Transparency Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4) |
| March 11, 2019 | OK | HB 2612 | Establishes State Medical Marijuana Rules and Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 5) |
| June 29, 2022 | DE | HB 276 | Authorizes Medical Marijuana Patients to Possess Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 4) |
| March 31, 2023 | MD | HB 279 | Establishes a Prescription Drug Affordability Board | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11) |