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
Sept. 2, 2020 PA HB 2787 Authorizes Individual School Districts to Make Decisions Surrounding Activities and COVID-19 Bill Passed - House (155 - 47)
Feb. 7, 2024 PA SB 228 Establishes a Process for Museums to Claim Property Rights on Abandoned, Unclaimed, or Undocumented Property Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
May 19, 2009 RI H 5769 Boxing Rule Changes Bill Passed - House (53 - 13)
June 15, 2021 RI H 5082 Authorizes College Athletes to Profit from the Use of their Image Bill Passed - House (68 - 1)
March 3, 2020 RI S 2326 Establishes Film Production Tax Credits Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 3)
May 10, 2022 SC H 4608 Limits Participation in Women's Sports on Basis of Sex Assigned at Birth Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 33)
May 20, 2019 SC H 4243 Authorizes Tax Incentives for Carolina Panthers Training Facilities Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 17)
May 4, 2022 SC H 4608 Limits Participation in Women's Sports on Basis of Sex Assigned at Birth Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
May 10, 2023 SC S 284 Authorizes Tourist Tax Revenue to be Used for Certain Developments and Workforce Housing Bill Passed - House (80 - 29)
July 9, 2015 SC S 897 Requires Removal of Confederate Flag from Capitol Grounds Bill Passed - House (94 - 20)
May 9, 2019 SC S 11 Authorizes Year-Round Daylight Savings Time Bill Passed - House (97 - 10)
March 26, 2019 SC H 4243 Authorizes Tax Incentives for Carolina Panthers Training Facilities Bill Passed - House (90 - 25)
April 8, 2021 SC S 685 Authorizes College Athletes to be Paid for the Use of their Likeness Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 21)
March 29, 2021 SD HB 1217 Prohibits Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do not Match Their Birth Sex Veto Override Failed - House (45 - 24)
March 8, 2021 SD HB 1217 Prohibits Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do not Match Their Birth Sex Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
Feb. 23, 2023 TN SB 3 Prohibits Minors from Viewing "Prurient" Drag Performances Bill Passed - House (74 - 19)
April 23, 2018 TN HB 2381 Authorizes 'Monument to the Unborn' Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 3)
April 4, 2018 TN SB 1631 Prohibits Renting Hotel Rooms for Less than 7 Hours Bill Failed - House (38 - 45)
April 9, 2018 TN SJR 141 Authorizes Relocation of President James K. Polk's Body Bill Passed - House (51 - 37)
April 25, 2022 TN SB 2153 Limits College Sports Participation on Basis of Sex Assigned at Birth Bill Passed - House (70 - 14)
Feb. 9, 2023 TN SB 3 Prohibits Minors from Viewing "Prurient" Drag Performances Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
April 11, 2022 TN SB 2153 Limits College Sports Participation on Basis of Sex Assigned at Birth Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
April 19, 2018 TN HB 2381 Authorizes 'Monument to the Unborn' Bill Passed - House (63 - 15)
Feb. 18, 2016 TN HB 2129 Requires Historical Commission Approval to Alter Monuments Bill Passed - House (71 - 23)
March 27, 2017 TN SJR 141 Authorizes Relocation of President James K. Polk's Body Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
May 28, 2021 TX HB 547 Authorizes Homeschooled Students to Participate in University Interscholastic League Activities Concurrence Vote Passed - House (80 - 63)
May 26, 2021 TX HB 2497 Requires Patriotic Texas History Materials be Distributed through the DMV Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
May 22, 2021 TX HB 547 Authorizes Homeschooled Students to Participate in University Interscholastic League Activities Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
April 15, 2021 TX SB 29 Prohibits Transgender Student's from Playing on Sports Teams That do Not Match their Birth Sex Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
April 8, 2021 TX SB 4 Requires the National Anthem be Played at All Sporting Events Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 2)
April 1, 2011 TX H Amdt 6 Appropriations for the Department of Aging and Disability Services Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 61)
March 25, 2022 UT HB 11 Establishes Limits on Participation in Female Sports Veto Override Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
March 25, 2022 UT HB 11 Establishes Limits on Participation in Female Sports Veto Override Passed - House (56 - 18)
March 2, 2023 UT SB 31 Establishes a New State Flag Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
March 4, 2022 UT SB 49 Establishes Incentives for Filming in Rural Areas Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 7)
March 2, 2023 UT SB 31 Establishes a New State Flag Bill Passed - House (40 - 35)
March 6, 2020 UT HB 243 Requires Warning Labels on Pornography Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
March 4, 2022 UT SB 49 Establishes Incentives for Filming in Rural Areas Bill Passed - House (50 - 22)
March 3, 2023 UT HB 92 Establishes Porcini as the State Mushroom Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 4)
Feb. 18, 2020 UT HB 243 Requires Warning Labels on Pornography Bill Passed - House (60 - 12)
Feb. 2, 2022 UT SB 58 Establishes a Day of Remembrance for the Incarceration of Japanese Americans During World War II Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 0)
Feb. 17, 2023 UT HB 92 Establishes Porcini as the State Mushroom Bill Passed - House (58 - 12)
April 22, 2020 VA SB 384 Amends Sports Betting Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 29)
April 22, 2020 VA SB 384 Amends Sports Betting Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
March 8, 2020 VA SB 183 Authorizes Localities to Remove, Relocate, or Alter Monuments Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 44)
March 7, 2020 VA SB 183 Authorizes Localities to Remove, Relocate, or Alter Monuments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 16)
Sept. 25, 2020 VA HB 5052 Establishes Juneteenth Day as a Legal Holiday Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
Feb. 29, 2016 VA HB 587 Prohibits Removal of War Monuments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
Jan. 30, 2014 VA HB 63 Authorizes Home-Schooled Students to Participate in Public School Interscholastic Programs Bill Passed - House (60 - 39)
Jan. 24, 2017 VA HB 1578 Authorizes Home-schooled Students to Participate in Public School Sports Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
Feb. 6, 2020 VA HB 108 Establishes Election Day as a State Holiday Bill Passed - House (55 - 42)
Jan. 22, 2020 VA SB 318 Reduces Number of Balloons that Can be Released per Hour Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
Jan. 31, 2013 VA HB 1442 Authorizes Home-Schooled Students To Participate In Interscholastic Programs Bill Passed - House (56 - 43)
Feb. 8, 2012 VA HB 947 Authorizes Home-Schooled Students to Participate in Interscholastic Programs Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
March 31, 2021 VT JRH 2 Extends an Apology to Individual Vermonters and Their Families Harmed as a Result of State Sanctioned Eugenic Policies and Practices Joint Resolution Passed - House (146 - 0)
March 23, 2017 VT S 96 Establishes Protections For Journalists Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 0)
June 19, 2020 VT HR 21 Alleges Donald Trump's Tweets are "Racist" and Recognizes Juneteenth Bill Passed - House (128 - 17)
March 27, 2024 VT S 220 Requires Public LIbraries to Adopt Policies governing the Selection and Reconsideration of Library Materials Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
March 12, 2009 WA SB 2252 Shifting Local Tax Revenue Bill Passed - House (54 - 42)
April 17, 2023 WA HB 1020 Establishes Suciasaurus Rex as the Official State Dinosaur Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 9)
April 19, 2019 WA SB 5001 Authorizes Composting of Human Remains Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
April 12, 2023 WA HB 1020 Establishes Suciasaurus Rex as the Official State Dinosaur Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
April 12, 2013 WA HB 1001 Establishes a Liquor License for Small Theaters Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
March 1, 2022 WA HB 2068 Establishes the Imagination Library of Washington Program Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
March 1, 2023 WA SB 5614 Amends Safety Measures and Prohibits Unfair Contract Terminations for Exotic Dancers Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 8)
Jan. 31, 2024 WA SB 5913 Authorizes Name, Image, and Likeness Usage by Student Athletes Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 1)
Feb. 15, 2022 WA HB 2068 Establishes the Imagination Library of Washington Program Bill Passed - House (89 - 7)
April 20, 2011 WA SB 5622 Recreation Access on State Lands Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
July 28, 2015 WI SB 209 Appropriates Funds for New Sports and Entertainment Arena Bill Passed - House (52 - 34)
Nov. 7, 2017 WI AB 455 Authorizes Children of Any Age to Hunt with Adult Supervision Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
June 16, 2021 WI AB 196 Prohibits Transgender Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do not Match their Birth Gender Bill Passed - House (59 - 38)
Nov. 12, 2019 WI AJR 106 Amends the State Capital Holiday Tree Name to the Christmas Tree Bill Passed - House (64 - 30)
Feb. 20, 2020 WI AB 869 Extends Bar Hours During Democratic National Convention Bill Passed - House (84 - 13)
June 22, 2021 WI AB 391 Requires Reopening Historic Sites Using American Rescue Plan Act Funds Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
May 11, 2021 WI AB 226 Requires the National Anthem to be Played at Sports Stadiums Bill Passed - House (74 - 22)
Nov. 2, 2017 WI AB 455 Authorizes Children of Any Age to Hunt with Adult Supervision Bill Passed - House (57 - 32)
March 16, 2021 WI SJR 20 Establishes February 2021 as Black History Month and Honors Black Legislators Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (11 - 20)
March 16, 2021 WI SJR 11 Extends Honors to Rush Limbaugh Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
July 15, 2015 WI SB 209 Appropriates Funds for New Sports and Entertainment Arena Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
March 9, 2018 WV HB 4006 Repeals Department of Education and Arts Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
Jan. 31, 2018 WV HB 4006 Repeals Department of Education and Arts Bill Passed - House (60 - 36)
March 1, 2016 WV HB 4625 Requires Greyhound Racing Funds to be Redirected to State Road Fund Bill Passed - House (61 - 36)
Feb. 11, 2020 WV SB 131 Establishes the Tim Tebow Act Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
Feb. 4, 2011 WV HB 2562 Legalizing Mixed Martial Arts Bill Passed - House (55 - 37)
March 12, 2020 WY HB 44 Requires the Observation of Mountain Daylight Time Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 13)
March 12, 2020 WY SF 134 Authorizes Liquor Licenses for Events Conducted at Rodeo Arenas Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 8)
March 11, 2020 WY SF 134 Authorizes Liquor Licenses for Events Conducted at Rodeo Arenas Bill Passed - House (34 - 25)
March 11, 2020 WY HB 44 Requires the Observation of Mountain Daylight Time Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
Date No. Title Outcome
9/02 HB 2787 Authorizes Individual School Districts to Make Decisions Surrounding Activities and COVID-19 Bill Passed - House (155 - 47)
2/07 SB 228 Establishes a Process for Museums to Claim Property Rights on Abandoned, Unclaimed, or Undocumented Property Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
5/19 H 5769 Boxing Rule Changes Bill Passed - House (53 - 13)
6/15 H 5082 Authorizes College Athletes to Profit from the Use of their Image Bill Passed - House (68 - 1)
3/03 S 2326 Establishes Film Production Tax Credits Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 3)
5/10 H 4608 Limits Participation in Women's Sports on Basis of Sex Assigned at Birth Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 33)
5/20 H 4243 Authorizes Tax Incentives for Carolina Panthers Training Facilities Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 17)
5/04 H 4608 Limits Participation in Women's Sports on Basis of Sex Assigned at Birth Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
5/10 S 284 Authorizes Tourist Tax Revenue to be Used for Certain Developments and Workforce Housing Bill Passed - House (80 - 29)
7/09 S 897 Requires Removal of Confederate Flag from Capitol Grounds Bill Passed - House (94 - 20)
5/09 S 11 Authorizes Year-Round Daylight Savings Time Bill Passed - House (97 - 10)
3/26 H 4243 Authorizes Tax Incentives for Carolina Panthers Training Facilities Bill Passed - House (90 - 25)
4/08 S 685 Authorizes College Athletes to be Paid for the Use of their Likeness Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 21)
3/29 HB 1217 Prohibits Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do not Match Their Birth Sex Veto Override Failed - House (45 - 24)
3/08 HB 1217 Prohibits Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do not Match Their Birth Sex Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
2/23 SB 3 Prohibits Minors from Viewing "Prurient" Drag Performances Bill Passed - House (74 - 19)
4/23 HB 2381 Authorizes 'Monument to the Unborn' Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 3)
4/04 SB 1631 Prohibits Renting Hotel Rooms for Less than 7 Hours Bill Failed - House (38 - 45)
4/09 SJR 141 Authorizes Relocation of President James K. Polk's Body Bill Passed - House (51 - 37)
4/25 SB 2153 Limits College Sports Participation on Basis of Sex Assigned at Birth Bill Passed - House (70 - 14)
2/09 SB 3 Prohibits Minors from Viewing "Prurient" Drag Performances Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
4/11 SB 2153 Limits College Sports Participation on Basis of Sex Assigned at Birth Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
4/19 HB 2381 Authorizes 'Monument to the Unborn' Bill Passed - House (63 - 15)
2/18 HB 2129 Requires Historical Commission Approval to Alter Monuments Bill Passed - House (71 - 23)
3/27 SJR 141 Authorizes Relocation of President James K. Polk's Body Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
5/28 HB 547 Authorizes Homeschooled Students to Participate in University Interscholastic League Activities Concurrence Vote Passed - House (80 - 63)
5/26 HB 2497 Requires Patriotic Texas History Materials be Distributed through the DMV Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
5/22 HB 547 Authorizes Homeschooled Students to Participate in University Interscholastic League Activities Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
4/15 SB 29 Prohibits Transgender Student's from Playing on Sports Teams That do Not Match their Birth Sex Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
4/08 SB 4 Requires the National Anthem be Played at All Sporting Events Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 2)
4/01 H Amdt 6 Appropriations for the Department of Aging and Disability Services Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 61)
3/25 HB 11 Establishes Limits on Participation in Female Sports Veto Override Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
3/25 HB 11 Establishes Limits on Participation in Female Sports Veto Override Passed - House (56 - 18)
3/02 SB 31 Establishes a New State Flag Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
3/04 SB 49 Establishes Incentives for Filming in Rural Areas Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 7)
3/02 SB 31 Establishes a New State Flag Bill Passed - House (40 - 35)
3/06 HB 243 Requires Warning Labels on Pornography Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
3/04 SB 49 Establishes Incentives for Filming in Rural Areas Bill Passed - House (50 - 22)
3/03 HB 92 Establishes Porcini as the State Mushroom Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 4)
2/18 HB 243 Requires Warning Labels on Pornography Bill Passed - House (60 - 12)
2/02 SB 58 Establishes a Day of Remembrance for the Incarceration of Japanese Americans During World War II Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 0)
2/17 HB 92 Establishes Porcini as the State Mushroom Bill Passed - House (58 - 12)
4/22 SB 384 Amends Sports Betting Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 29)
4/22 SB 384 Amends Sports Betting Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
3/08 SB 183 Authorizes Localities to Remove, Relocate, or Alter Monuments Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 44)
3/07 SB 183 Authorizes Localities to Remove, Relocate, or Alter Monuments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 16)
9/25 HB 5052 Establishes Juneteenth Day as a Legal Holiday Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
2/29 HB 587 Prohibits Removal of War Monuments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
1/30 HB 63 Authorizes Home-Schooled Students to Participate in Public School Interscholastic Programs Bill Passed - House (60 - 39)
1/24 HB 1578 Authorizes Home-schooled Students to Participate in Public School Sports Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
2/06 HB 108 Establishes Election Day as a State Holiday Bill Passed - House (55 - 42)
1/22 SB 318 Reduces Number of Balloons that Can be Released per Hour Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
1/31 HB 1442 Authorizes Home-Schooled Students To Participate In Interscholastic Programs Bill Passed - House (56 - 43)
2/08 HB 947 Authorizes Home-Schooled Students to Participate in Interscholastic Programs Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
3/31 JRH 2 Extends an Apology to Individual Vermonters and Their Families Harmed as a Result of State Sanctioned Eugenic Policies and Practices Joint Resolution Passed - House (146 - 0)
3/23 S 96 Establishes Protections For Journalists Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 0)
6/19 HR 21 Alleges Donald Trump's Tweets are "Racist" and Recognizes Juneteenth Bill Passed - House (128 - 17)
3/27 S 220 Requires Public LIbraries to Adopt Policies governing the Selection and Reconsideration of Library Materials Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
3/12 SB 2252 Shifting Local Tax Revenue Bill Passed - House (54 - 42)
4/17 HB 1020 Establishes Suciasaurus Rex as the Official State Dinosaur Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 9)
4/19 SB 5001 Authorizes Composting of Human Remains Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
4/12 HB 1020 Establishes Suciasaurus Rex as the Official State Dinosaur Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
4/12 HB 1001 Establishes a Liquor License for Small Theaters Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
3/01 HB 2068 Establishes the Imagination Library of Washington Program Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
3/01 SB 5614 Amends Safety Measures and Prohibits Unfair Contract Terminations for Exotic Dancers Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 8)
1/31 SB 5913 Authorizes Name, Image, and Likeness Usage by Student Athletes Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 1)
2/15 HB 2068 Establishes the Imagination Library of Washington Program Bill Passed - House (89 - 7)
4/20 SB 5622 Recreation Access on State Lands Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
7/28 SB 209 Appropriates Funds for New Sports and Entertainment Arena Bill Passed - House (52 - 34)
11/07 AB 455 Authorizes Children of Any Age to Hunt with Adult Supervision Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
6/16 AB 196 Prohibits Transgender Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do not Match their Birth Gender Bill Passed - House (59 - 38)
11/12 AJR 106 Amends the State Capital Holiday Tree Name to the Christmas Tree Bill Passed - House (64 - 30)
2/20 AB 869 Extends Bar Hours During Democratic National Convention Bill Passed - House (84 - 13)
6/22 AB 391 Requires Reopening Historic Sites Using American Rescue Plan Act Funds Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
5/11 AB 226 Requires the National Anthem to be Played at Sports Stadiums Bill Passed - House (74 - 22)
11/02 AB 455 Authorizes Children of Any Age to Hunt with Adult Supervision Bill Passed - House (57 - 32)
3/16 SJR 20 Establishes February 2021 as Black History Month and Honors Black Legislators Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (11 - 20)
3/16 SJR 11 Extends Honors to Rush Limbaugh Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
7/15 SB 209 Appropriates Funds for New Sports and Entertainment Arena Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
3/09 HB 4006 Repeals Department of Education and Arts Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
1/31 HB 4006 Repeals Department of Education and Arts Bill Passed - House (60 - 36)
3/01 HB 4625 Requires Greyhound Racing Funds to be Redirected to State Road Fund Bill Passed - House (61 - 36)
2/11 SB 131 Establishes the Tim Tebow Act Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
2/04 HB 2562 Legalizing Mixed Martial Arts Bill Passed - House (55 - 37)
3/12 HB 44 Requires the Observation of Mountain Daylight Time Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 13)
3/12 SF 134 Authorizes Liquor Licenses for Events Conducted at Rodeo Arenas Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 8)
3/11 SF 134 Authorizes Liquor Licenses for Events Conducted at Rodeo Arenas Bill Passed - House (34 - 25)
3/11 HB 44 Requires the Observation of Mountain Daylight Time Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)

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