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.


results per page:
Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
May 10, 2023 AZ HB 2482 Expands Arizona Criminal Justice Commission's Automated Crime Victim Notification System Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
March 1, 2023 UT HB 297 Requires Law Enforcement Compile Data on Sexual Assault Reports Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 6)
Jan. 26, 2023 MN HF 37 Prohibits Hair Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 19)
Feb. 8, 2023 IA HF 161 Establishes a $1 Million Cap on Noneconomic Damages in Medical Malpractice Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
Feb. 16, 2023 UT HB 143 Prohibits Parents Without Visitation Rights from Interfering with the Custody of a Child Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 1)
Feb. 21, 2023 MN HF 28 Expands Voting Rights to Ex-Felons Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 30)
Feb. 27, 2023 SD HB 1135 Establishes Transparency in the Pricing of Prescription Drugs Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
March 1, 2023 UT HB 107 Repeals Fees for Conceal Carry Permits for School Employees Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
March 3, 2023 UT HB 374 Repeals and Dissolves the Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake by 2025 Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)
March 3, 2023 NM HB 9 Establishes Negligently Leaving a Firearm Accessible for a Minor as a Crime Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
March 3, 2023 UT HB 219 Establishes Utah as a Second Amendment Sanctuary State Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
March 7, 2023 MS HB 1020 Establishes a Court System of Unelected Judges and Prosecutors for the City of Jackson, Mississippi Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
March 8, 2023 NM HB 4 Expands Various Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 14)
March 8, 2023 National H J Res 26 Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Revised Criminal Code Act Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (81 - 14)
March 13, 2023 GA HB 147 Requires All Schools Submit School Safety Plans and Active Shooter Drills Annually Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 3)
March 13, 2023 AR HB 1307 Requires the State Divest from Financial Companies that Follow Certain Sociopolitical Guidelines Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
March 14, 2023 NM HB 207 Prohibits Discrimination on the Basis of Sex, Sexual Orientation, or Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
March 15, 2023 KY HB 153 Prohibits Any Federal Ban or Regulation on Firearms Enacted in 2021 or After Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
March 16, 2023 NM HB 306 Prohibits Purchasing a Firearm for Someone Who is Not Allowed or Intends to Use it in a Crime Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
March 16, 2023 NM HB 306 Prohibits Purchasing a Firearm for Someone Who is Not Allowed or Intends to Use it in a Crime Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
March 16, 2023 KY HB 262 Amends State Statute Laws to Add the Crime of Vehicular Homicide Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
March 20, 2023 IN HB 1365 Prohibits and Criminalizes "Machine-Gun Conversion" Devices Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4)
March 20, 2023 ID H 186 Authorizes Execution by Firing Squad Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
March 29, 2023 National H J Res 7 Relating to a national emergency declared by the President on March 13, 2020 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (68 - 23)
March 30, 2023 FL HB 543 Authorizes Conceal Carry Without a Permit Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
March 30, 2023 ID H 374 Amends Existing Laws to Specify the Definition of Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
March 31, 2023 MD HB 279 Establishes a Prescription Drug Affordability Board Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11)
April 3, 2023 ND HB 1249 Requires Classification of Student Athletes Based on "Biological Sex" Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
April 3, 2023 ND HB 1489 Prohibits Collegiate Transgender Athletes from Competing with the Gender They Identify As Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 7)
April 5, 2023 ND HB 1339 Authorizes Citizens to Conceal Carry in North Dakota With a State Issued ID Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 2)
April 5, 2023 ND HB 1340 Prohibits Local Governments from Enforcing Stricter Gun Laws then Passed by the State Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
April 5, 2023 ND HB 1340 Prohibits Local Governments from Enforcing Stricter Gun Laws then Passed by the State Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
April 5, 2023 ND HB 1350 Establishes Places That a Person Can Carry a Concealed Weapon and Penalties for Armed Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 2)
April 5, 2023 ND HB 1350 Establishes Places That a Person Can Carry a Concealed Weapon and Penalties for Armed Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 2)
April 10, 2023 WA HB 1394 Establishes a Developmentally Appropriate Response to Youth Who Commit Sexual Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
April 10, 2023 MD HB 1071 Prohibits the Smell of Cannabis as Reasonable Suspicion or Probable Cause for Police Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
April 10, 2023 WA HB 1469 Prohibits the State from Cooperating with Out-of-State Abortion and Gender Affirming Care Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
April 12, 2023 AZ HB 2474 Prohibits Schools from Requiring Students Receive Vaccines Approved via Emergency Authorization Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
April 12, 2023 AZ HB 2394 Prohibits Any County or Municipality in Arizona from Enacting New Taxes, Levies or Fees on Firearms or Ammunition Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
April 13, 2023 MT HB 693 Prohibits State Agencies from Denying Individual Records Request Due To Ongoing Litigation Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 2)
April 17, 2023 CO SB 23-1196 Authorizes Individuals to Seek Legal Remedies for Breaches of the Colorado Youth Employment Opportunity Act of 1971 Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
April 17, 2023 CO SB 23-254 Amends Statutes Regarding Search Warrants by Police Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
April 18, 2023 TN HB 1189 Establishes Legal Protections for Gun Dealers, Manufacturers and Sellers Against Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
April 18, 2023 FL HB 1297 Authorizes the Death Penalty for for People Who Commit Sexual Assault on Children Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 5)
April 19, 2023 CO HB 23-1186 Authorizes Remote Participation in County Court Residential Eviction Filings Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
April 20, 2023 CO HB 23-1100 Prohibits Government Participation in Civil Immigration Detention Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
April 26, 2023 FL HB 1627 Authorizes Pretrial Detention for DUI Manslaughter, Fentanyl Trafficking, and Extortion Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 3)
May 1, 2023 FL HB 1359 Increases Penalties for Fentanyl Dealers and Manufacturers Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
May 1, 2023 FL HB 1359 Increases Penalties for Fentanyl Dealers and Manufacturers Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
May 1, 2023 OR HB 3076 Extends Safe Surrender Period for Anonymously Leaving Infant at Authorized Facility to 60 days Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 13)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/10 HB 2482 Expands Arizona Criminal Justice Commission's Automated Crime Victim Notification System Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
3/01 HB 297 Requires Law Enforcement Compile Data on Sexual Assault Reports Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 6)
1/26 HF 37 Prohibits Hair Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 19)
2/08 HF 161 Establishes a $1 Million Cap on Noneconomic Damages in Medical Malpractice Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
2/16 HB 143 Prohibits Parents Without Visitation Rights from Interfering with the Custody of a Child Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 1)
2/21 HF 28 Expands Voting Rights to Ex-Felons Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 30)
2/27 HB 1135 Establishes Transparency in the Pricing of Prescription Drugs Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
3/01 HB 107 Repeals Fees for Conceal Carry Permits for School Employees Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
3/03 HB 374 Repeals and Dissolves the Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake by 2025 Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)
3/03 HB 9 Establishes Negligently Leaving a Firearm Accessible for a Minor as a Crime Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
3/03 HB 219 Establishes Utah as a Second Amendment Sanctuary State Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
3/07 HB 1020 Establishes a Court System of Unelected Judges and Prosecutors for the City of Jackson, Mississippi Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
3/08 HB 4 Expands Various Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 14)
3/08 H J Res 26 Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Revised Criminal Code Act Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (81 - 14)
3/13 HB 147 Requires All Schools Submit School Safety Plans and Active Shooter Drills Annually Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 3)
3/13 HB 1307 Requires the State Divest from Financial Companies that Follow Certain Sociopolitical Guidelines Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
3/14 HB 207 Prohibits Discrimination on the Basis of Sex, Sexual Orientation, or Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
3/15 HB 153 Prohibits Any Federal Ban or Regulation on Firearms Enacted in 2021 or After Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
3/16 HB 306 Prohibits Purchasing a Firearm for Someone Who is Not Allowed or Intends to Use it in a Crime Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
3/16 HB 306 Prohibits Purchasing a Firearm for Someone Who is Not Allowed or Intends to Use it in a Crime Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
3/16 HB 262 Amends State Statute Laws to Add the Crime of Vehicular Homicide Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
3/20 HB 1365 Prohibits and Criminalizes "Machine-Gun Conversion" Devices Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4)
3/20 H 186 Authorizes Execution by Firing Squad Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
3/29 H J Res 7 Relating to a national emergency declared by the President on March 13, 2020 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (68 - 23)
3/30 HB 543 Authorizes Conceal Carry Without a Permit Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
3/30 H 374 Amends Existing Laws to Specify the Definition of Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
3/31 HB 279 Establishes a Prescription Drug Affordability Board Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11)
4/03 HB 1249 Requires Classification of Student Athletes Based on "Biological Sex" Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
4/03 HB 1489 Prohibits Collegiate Transgender Athletes from Competing with the Gender They Identify As Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 7)
4/05 HB 1339 Authorizes Citizens to Conceal Carry in North Dakota With a State Issued ID Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 2)
4/05 HB 1340 Prohibits Local Governments from Enforcing Stricter Gun Laws then Passed by the State Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
4/05 HB 1340 Prohibits Local Governments from Enforcing Stricter Gun Laws then Passed by the State Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
4/05 HB 1350 Establishes Places That a Person Can Carry a Concealed Weapon and Penalties for Armed Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 2)
4/05 HB 1350 Establishes Places That a Person Can Carry a Concealed Weapon and Penalties for Armed Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 2)
4/10 HB 1394 Establishes a Developmentally Appropriate Response to Youth Who Commit Sexual Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
4/10 HB 1071 Prohibits the Smell of Cannabis as Reasonable Suspicion or Probable Cause for Police Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
4/10 HB 1469 Prohibits the State from Cooperating with Out-of-State Abortion and Gender Affirming Care Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
4/12 HB 2474 Prohibits Schools from Requiring Students Receive Vaccines Approved via Emergency Authorization Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
4/12 HB 2394 Prohibits Any County or Municipality in Arizona from Enacting New Taxes, Levies or Fees on Firearms or Ammunition Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
4/13 HB 693 Prohibits State Agencies from Denying Individual Records Request Due To Ongoing Litigation Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 2)
4/17 SB 23-1196 Authorizes Individuals to Seek Legal Remedies for Breaches of the Colorado Youth Employment Opportunity Act of 1971 Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
4/17 SB 23-254 Amends Statutes Regarding Search Warrants by Police Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
4/18 HB 1189 Establishes Legal Protections for Gun Dealers, Manufacturers and Sellers Against Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
4/18 HB 1297 Authorizes the Death Penalty for for People Who Commit Sexual Assault on Children Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 5)
4/19 HB 23-1186 Authorizes Remote Participation in County Court Residential Eviction Filings Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
4/20 HB 23-1100 Prohibits Government Participation in Civil Immigration Detention Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
4/26 HB 1627 Authorizes Pretrial Detention for DUI Manslaughter, Fentanyl Trafficking, and Extortion Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 3)
5/01 HB 1359 Increases Penalties for Fentanyl Dealers and Manufacturers Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
5/01 HB 1359 Increases Penalties for Fentanyl Dealers and Manufacturers Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
5/01 HB 3076 Extends Safe Surrender Period for Anonymously Leaving Infant at Authorized Facility to 60 days Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 13)

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