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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 24, 2022 | CA | AB 2658 | Prohibits Excessive Electronic Monitoring of Minors in Home Detention | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
| Aug. 22, 2022 | CA | SB 951 | Amends the Unemployment Insurance Code for New Benefits and Paid Family Leave | Bill Passed - House (61 - 9) |
| Aug. 5, 2022 | IN | SB 2 | Appropriates Funds for Pregnancy and Child Care | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 9) |
| Aug. 5, 2022 | IN | SB 2 | Appropriates Funds for Pregnancy and Child Care | Bill Passed - House (93 - 7) |
| July 15, 2022 | National | HR 8351 | Formula Act | Bill Passed - House (421 - 2) |
| July 7, 2022 | MA | S 2973 | Expands Access to Childcare | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0) |
| July 1, 2022 | DE | HB 432 | Amends Delaware Code to Prohibit Minors from Executing Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0) |
| June 30, 2022 | NC | HB 823 | Establishes Law Regarding Child Advocacy Centers | Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 2) |
| June 30, 2022 | MI | HB 4195 | Amends Divorce Filing Law | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 3) |
| June 30, 2022 | MI | HB 4195 | Amends Divorce Filing Law | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 3) |
| June 30, 2022 | CA | AB 2571 | Prohibits Marketing of Firearms to Minors; Authorizes Lawsuits | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 15) |
| June 30, 2022 | MA | S 2987 | Prohibits Juvenile Diversion Under Certain Circumstances | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8) |
| June 29, 2022 | NJ | A 2368 | Requires Schools Provide Free School Breakfast and Lunch to Working and Middle Class Families | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 5) |
| June 29, 2022 | CA | AB 2571 | Prohibits Marketing of Firearms to Minors; Authorizes Lawsuits | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7) |
| June 23, 2022 | MI | HB 6108 | Prohibits Sale of Tobacco, Vapor Products to Persons Under 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9) |
| June 21, 2022 | RI | H 8230 | Expands the Definition of Third Degree Sexual Assault | Bill Passed - House (64 - 4) |
| June 21, 2022 | MI | HB 4699 | Amends Statute Relating to Criminal Sexual Conduct | Bill Passed - House (105 - 0) |
| June 15, 2022 | MI | HB 6108 | Prohibits Sale of Tobacco, Vapor Products to Persons Under 21 | Bill Passed - House (79 - 26) |
| June 8, 2022 | MI | HB 5044 | Establishes Guidelines for New Child Care Provider Contracts | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5) |
| June 8, 2022 | National | HR 7910 | Protecting Our Kids Act | Bill Passed - House (223 - 204) |
| June 7, 2022 | MI | HB 4232 | Authorizes 17-Year-Olds to Serve Alcohol | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (78 - 29) |
| June 7, 2022 | RI | S 2316 | Limits Minors' Access to Dietary Supplements | (33 - 4) |
| June 7, 2022 | RI | S 2613 | Limits Minors' Access to Diet Pills | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4) |
| June 6, 2022 | LA | HB 746 | Limits Solitary Confinement of Children | Conference Report Adopted - House (84 - 11) |
| June 3, 2022 | LA | HB 450 | Authorizes Access to Original Birth Certificates For Adoptees Over 24 | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5) |
| June 3, 2022 | NY | S 74 | Expands Recoverable Damages to Include Emotional and Pecuniary Costs | Bill Passed - House (147 - 2) |
| June 3, 2022 | NY | S 9460 | Limits Class Sizes | Bill Passed - House (147 - 2) |
| June 2, 2022 | NY | S 74 | Expands Recoverable Damages to Include Emotional and Pecuniary Costs | Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 6) |
| June 2, 2022 | NY | S 9460 | Limits Class Sizes | Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 4) |
| June 1, 2022 | NC | HB 755 | Prohibits K-3 Classroom Instruction of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity | (28 - 18) |
| May 26, 2022 | NH | HB 1431 | Establishes Parental Bill of Rights | Conference Report Rejected - House (171 - 176) |
| May 26, 2022 | NH | HB 1431 | Establishes Parental Bill of Rights | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10) |
| May 26, 2022 | NJ | ACR 109 | Establishes Resolution Urging Passage of Universal School Meals Program Act | Bill Passed - House (47 - 26) |
| May 26, 2022 | CA | AB 2273 | Establishes New Data Privacy Protections for Children | Bill Passed - House (72 - 0) |
| May 26, 2022 | CA | SB 1273 | Provides Protection to Pupils Enrolled in the School from Existing Law | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
| May 26, 2022 | NJ | A 2368 | Requires Schools Provide Free School Breakfast and Lunch to Working and Middle Class Families | Bill Passed - House (75 - 3) |
| May 23, 2022 | IA | SF 529 | Prohibits Fraud in Assisted Reproduction | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (83 - 1) |
| May 23, 2022 | IA | SF 529 | Prohibits Fraud in Assisted Reproduction | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (83 - 1) |
| May 23, 2022 | CA | AB 2408 | Authorizes Lawsuits Against Addictive Social Media Platforms | Bill Passed - House (51 - 0) |
| May 22, 2022 | MN | HF 2725 | Expands Mental Health Funding and Amends Competency Procedures for Standing Trial | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 60) |
| May 19, 2022 | MI | HB 4232 | Authorizes 17-Year-Olds to Serve Alcohol | (25 - 11) |
| May 18, 2022 | AK | SB 45 | Increases Minimum Age for Tobacco Use | Bill Passed - House (31 - 9) |
| May 18, 2022 | National | HR 7791 | Access to Baby Formula Act | Bill Passed - House (414 - 9) |
| May 18, 2022 | National | HR 7790 | Infant Formula Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022 | Bill Passed - House (231 - 192) |
| May 17, 2022 | AK | HB 184 | Authorizes the Alaskan State Government to Provide Child Welfare Services to Tribes | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 2) |
| May 17, 2022 | AK | HB 184 | Authorizes the Alaskan State Government to Provide Child Welfare Services to Tribes | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 2) |
| May 17, 2022 | RI | S 2681 | Expands Childcare Assistance | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5) |
| May 12, 2022 | VT | H 510 | Establishes Child Tax Credit | Conference Report Adopted - House (141 - 4) |
| May 10, 2022 | VT | JRS 53 | Establishes Resolution Supporting Care for Transgender Youth | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (134 - 5) |
| May 9, 2022 | NY | S 5024 | Expands Policy Regarding Child Exposure to Lead | Bill Passed - House |
| May 5, 2022 | HI | HB 2424 | Expands Department of Human Services Protections for Children in Foster Care | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 0) |
| May 5, 2022 | NH | HB 1431 | Establishes Parental Bill of Rights | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (13 - 11) |
| May 4, 2022 | NH | SB 381 | Establishes Office of Advocate for Special Education | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (170 - 155) |
| May 4, 2022 | CT | HB 5417 | Authorizes Access to Juvenile Records | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 1) |
| May 3, 2022 | HI | SB 3235 | Expands Assistance for Homeless Youth | Conference Report Adopted - House (50 - 1) |
| May 3, 2022 | CT | SB 5 | Establishes Online Requirements for Dating Apps, Training for Domestic Violence, and a Grant for Online Abuse | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 0) |
| May 3, 2022 | CT | SB 2 | Expands Preschool, Mental, and Behavioral Services for Children | Bill Passed - House (129 - 17) |
| May 3, 2022 | SC | H 3006 | Prohibits Debt Agencies from Collecting School Lunch or Breakfast Debt | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0) |
| April 28, 2022 | KS | SB 58 | Establishes a Parents Bill of Rights for Students in Elementary and Secondary Schools | Veto Override Failed - House (72 - 50) |
| April 28, 2022 | OK | SB 615 | Requires Transgender Students to Use Restroom of Sex Assigned at Birth | (75 - 10) |
| April 28, 2022 | CT | HB 5417 | Authorizes Access to Juvenile Records | Bill Passed - House (129 - 17) |
| April 27, 2022 | TN | SB 2219 | Authorizes Smoking Bans | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
| April 26, 2022 | KS | SB 58 | Establishes a Parents Bill of Rights for Students in Elementary and Secondary Schools | Veto Override Passed - Senate (27 - 12) |
| April 26, 2022 | IA | HF 2198 | Amends Minimum Age Requirements for Childcare Center Staff | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 42) |
| April 25, 2022 | AZ | HB 2696 | Expands Prohibition on Human Smuggling | Bill Passed - House (37 - 20) |
| April 25, 2022 | TN | SB 2219 | Authorizes Smoking Bans | Bill Passed - House (56 - 33) |
| April 22, 2022 | CT | SB 2 | Expands Preschool, Mental, and Behavioral Services for Children | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1) |
| April 20, 2022 | AZ | HB 2696 | Expands Prohibition on Human Smuggling | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11) |
| April 18, 2022 | CO | HB 22-1295 | Establishes a Free Universal Pre-K Childcare Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 17) |
| April 18, 2022 | IA | HF 2198 | Amends Minimum Age Requirements for Childcare Center Staff | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18) |
| April 18, 2022 | AZ | SB 1211 | Requires Increased Transparency from Public Schools | Bill Failed - House (28 - 30) |
| April 14, 2022 | CO | HB 22-1295 | Establishes a Free Universal Pre-K Childcare Program | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| April 14, 2022 | KY | HB 344 | Establishes that Minors Under 16 Can Receive a Hunting License Without Parental Approval | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7) |
| April 11, 2022 | AK | HB 53 | Expands School Accommodations for Military Children | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 0) |
| April 8, 2022 | IL | HB 1571 | Establishes the Off-Hours Child Care Act | Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 0) |
| April 8, 2022 | MD | SB 420 | Requires the Commissioner of Labor and Industry to Release Information of Working Minors | Bill Passed - House (102 - 35) |
| April 7, 2022 | AL | HB 123 | Requires Mental Health Service Coordinators in Schools | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 0) |
| April 7, 2022 | AL | SB 184 | Establishes that Providing Gender Affirming Therapy to Children is a Felony | Bill Passed - House (66 - 28) |
| April 7, 2022 | AL | HB 434 | Authorizes Video Depositions for Individuals Involved in Human Trafficking Cases Regardless of Age | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 0) |
| April 7, 2022 | LA | HB 274 | Requires High Schools to Instruct That Adoption Preferable to Abortion | Bill Passed - House (58 - 23) |
| April 6, 2022 | AL | HB 54 | Amends Criteria for Termination of Alimony | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0) |
| April 4, 2022 | AK | SB 80 | Expands Requirements as to K-12 Mental Health Education | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 1) |
| April 1, 2022 | GA | HB 1178 | Establishes Parents' Bill of Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 22) |
| March 31, 2022 | SC | S 11 | Authorizes Paid Parental Leave for State Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 0) |
| March 31, 2022 | ME | LD 1652 | Establishes Early Childhood Educators Workforce Support Programs | Bill Passed - House (130 - 0) |
| March 30, 2022 | GA | SB 226 | Requires Schools to Adopt Policies Regarding Material "Harmful to Minors" | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 21) |
| March 28, 2022 | SD | HB 1223 | Authorizes Prenatal Care to Minors Without Parental Consent | Veto Override Failed - House (23 - 47) |
| March 28, 2022 | LA | HB 450 | Authorizes Access to Original Birth Certificates For Adoptees Over 24 | Bill Passed - House (76 - 21) |
| March 28, 2022 | LA | HB 568 | Specifies Adoption Regulations | Bill Passed - House (64 - 36) |
| March 25, 2022 | GA | SB 226 | Requires Schools to Adopt Policies Regarding Material "Harmful to Minors" | (97 - 61) |
| March 24, 2022 | AZ | SB 1138 | Prohibits Irreversible Gender Reassignment Surgery for Minors | Bill Passed - House (31 - 26) |
| March 22, 2022 | KS | SB 484 | Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12) |
| March 21, 2022 | KY | HB 252 | Authorizes 18-19 Year Olds to Sell Alcohol | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| March 16, 2022 | AK | HB 62 | Repeals Child Marriage Laws | Bill Passed - House (27 - 13) |
| March 16, 2022 | AK | HB 62 | Repeals Child Marriage Laws | Bill Passed - House (27 - 13) |
| March 15, 2022 | NH | HB 1431 | Establishes Parental Bill of Rights | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (181 - 157) |
| March 14, 2022 | AZ | SB 1211 | Requires Increased Transparency from Public Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13) |
| March 12, 2022 | VA | SB 348 | Amends Child and Spousal Support Orders | Conference Report Adopted - House (73 - 19) |
| March 12, 2022 | WV | SB 463 | Specifies Procedures for Determining Child Custody | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (82 - 14) |
| March 12, 2022 | WV | SB 463 | Specifies Procedures for Determining Child Custody | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (82 - 14) |