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
Feb. 14, 2024 KY SB 20 Amends Previous Law to Try Juveniles as Adults for Gun-Related Felonies Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
May 28, 2024 LA SB 84 Specifies that if Final Amount Obtained by Plaintiff or Defendant is 25% in Favor of the Offering Party the Offering Party Must Pay Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
Feb. 29, 2024 LA SB 4 Increases Penalties and Amends Sentencing Guidelines for Certain Juveniles Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
Feb. 29, 2024 LA SB 2 Authorizes Immunity for Conceal Carry Permit Holders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
Feb. 29, 2024 LA SB 2 Authorizes Immunity for Conceal Carry Permit Holders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
Jan. 19, 2024 LA HB 17 Authorizes Certain Offices to Conduct Closed Party Primary Elections and Amends Election Codes Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
June 2, 2024 LA SB 371 Authorizes Surgical Castration Option for Individuals Guilty of Sex Crimes Against Minors Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
May 21, 2024 LA HB 423 Limits the Amount Awarded Over Medical Expenses to the Injured Party in a Car Accident Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
May 20, 2024 LA HB 737 Prohibits Anyone from Protesting in a Group Within 50 Feet of a Home Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
May 20, 2024 LA HB 737 Prohibits Anyone from Protesting in a Group Within 50 Feet of a Home Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
Feb. 28, 2024 LA HB 11 Authorizes Sanctions for Violation of Probation or Parole Conditions Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
Feb. 28, 2024 LA HB 2 Authorizes Immunity for Law Enforcement Under Most Circumstances Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
Feb. 28, 2024 LA HB 2 Authorizes Immunity for Law Enforcement Under Most Circumstances Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
Feb. 28, 2024 LA HB 1 Requires Publication of Minute Entries in Juvenile Justice Records Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
May 20, 2024 LA HB 383 Authorizes Liability Immunity for Drivers who Hit Protesters While Feeling Threatened Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
May 16, 2024 LA HB 127 Increases Penalties for Protesters Who Disrupt Traffic Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
Feb. 29, 2024 LA HB 4 Amends and Authorizes Changes for Post-Conviction Relief Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
Feb. 29, 2024 LA HB 6 Establishes Methods of Execution and Requires Confidentiality of Records of Information Related to the Execution of a Death Sentence Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
May 7, 2024 LA HB 337 Prohibits Insurers from Being Named Initially in Lawsuits Involving an Injured Individual in a Car Wreck Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
May 16, 2024 LA HB 173 Establishes a Crime of Coming Within 25 Feet of Police Upon Command Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
Feb. 22, 2024 LA SB 3 Amends Juvenile Justice Laws to Treat 17-Year-Olds as Adults Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
April 22, 2024 LA SB 430 Repeals the Use of Nitrogen Gas as a Method of Execution Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
Feb. 22, 2024 LA SB 1 Authorizes Carrying a Concealed Weapon Without a Permit Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
Feb. 22, 2024 LA SB 9 Authorizes Prosecutors to Bring Rape Charges at Any Time Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Feb. 22, 2024 LA SB 9 Authorizes Prosecutors to Bring Rape Charges at Any Time Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Feb. 22, 2024 LA SB 10 Reduces Ability of Incarcerated Individuals Convicted in the Death of an Officer from Earning Time Off for Good Behavior Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
April 8, 2024 LA SB 388 Establishes Illegal Immigration as a State Crime Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
Feb. 22, 2024 LA SB 5 Amends Parole Proceedings and Revocation Policies in Certain Cases Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
Feb. 22, 2024 LA SB 4 Increases Penalties and Amends Sentencing Guidelines for Certain Juveniles Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
June 13, 2024 MA H 4744 Classifies Coercive Control as a Form of Domestic Violence Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 0)
Feb. 1, 2024 MA H 4139 Amends and Updates Various State Gun Control Laws Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 3)
Jan. 18, 2024 MA S 2551 Repeals Certain Language in Several State Laws Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
July 18, 2024 MA H 4885 Amends Various State Gun Reform Measures Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 5)
April 2, 2024 MD HB 832 Defines "Damages" or "Losses" in Statutory Causes of Action to Protect Civil Rights Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 11)
April 2, 2024 MD HB 832 Defines "Damages" or "Losses" in Statutory Causes of Action to Protect Civil Rights Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 11)
April 8, 2024 MD SB 949 Prohibits the Self-Administering Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kits to be Used in Court Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 2)
April 17, 2024 ME LD 2086 Amending Laws Governing the Disposition of Forefeited Firearms Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 15)
April 17, 2024 ME LD 2224 Increases Maine's Firearm Laws and Mental Health System Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
March 27, 2024 ME LD 2246 Establishes a Minimum Value Threshold for Repeat Theft Offenders "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 15)
April 12, 2024 ME LD 2119 Establish the Task Force to Study the Creation of a System to Allow for the Voluntary Waiver of Firearm Rights "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 12)
Feb. 28, 2024 ME LD 2283 Establishes Various Red Flag Gun Purchase Provisions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
April 12, 2024 ME LD 2086 Amending Laws Governing the Disposition of Forefeited Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
Feb. 29, 2024 MI HB 4127 Prohibits Open Carrying at Polling Places Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Feb. 29, 2024 MI HB 4128 Prohibits Open Carrying at Ballot Drop Box Locations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
June 20, 2024 MI HB 4718 Prohibits the Use of the "Gay Panic Defense" to Justify Assault Crimes Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
March 19, 2024 MI HB 5209 Establishes Sentencing Guidelines for Surrogate Parentage Contracts involving Minors or Intellectually Disabled Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
Jan. 25, 2024 MI SB 516 Authorizes Evidence of a Defendant's Prior Commission of Commercial Sexual Activity, Human Trafficking, or Prostitution be Admissible in Court Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
Jan. 25, 2024 MI SB 515 Authorizes a Statement Concerning Prostitution or Human Trafficking to be Admissible as Evidence Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
Jan. 25, 2024 MI SB 517 Prohibits a Victim or Witness Necessary for Prosecution in a Human Trafficking Case from being Excused from Testifying if Evidence would Degrade or Incriminate Them Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
June 4, 2024 MI SB 841 Classifies Necrophilia as a Felony Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
June 26, 2024 MI SB 670 Expands Coverage of Freedom of Information Requests Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
June 4, 2024 MI SB 599 Increases Parole Eligibility for Medically Frail Inmates Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
March 14, 2024 MN HF 3489 Establishes Minimum Training Requirements for School Resource Officers Conference Report Adopted - Senate (61 - 3)
May 19, 2024 MN HF 5216 Appropriates Funding for Public Safety and Judiciary and Civil Law Supplemental Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 33)
May 9, 2024 MN HF 2609 Increases the Penalty for Straw Gun Purchasing from a Gross Misdemeanor to a Felony Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 33)
May 9, 2024 MN HF 2609 Increases the Penalty for Straw Gun Purchasing from a Gross Misdemeanor to a Felony Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 33)
April 29, 2024 MO SB 890 Establishes the Missign and Murdered African American Women Task Force Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
April 29, 2024 MO SB 751 Requires 340B Drugs to Be Covered by Insurance Providers Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
April 4, 2024 MO SB 900 Requires Jails to Provide Inmates with Reasonable Access to Phone Services Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
April 26, 2024 MS HB 903 Prohibits Usage for Machine Gun Conversion Kits Conference Report Adopted - Senate (50 - 2)
April 23, 2024 MS SB 2448 Extends the Automatic Repealer on the Mississippi Earned Parole Eligibility Act Of 2021 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 10)
April 26, 2024 MS SB 2577 Prohibits the Use of Artificial Intelligence to Create "Deep Fake" Election Material 90 Days Before an Election Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 13)
May 1, 2024 MS SB 2022 Establishes Alternative Sentencing Options For Juvenile Offenders In Compliance With United States Supreme Court Holdings Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 3)
March 12, 2024 MS SB 2022 Establishes Alternative Sentencing Options For Juvenile Offenders In Compliance With United States Supreme Court Holdings Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 13)
April 19, 2024 National HR 7888 Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 34)
April 18, 2024 National HR 7888 Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act Cloture Invoked - Senate (67 - 32)
May 23, 2024 National S 4361 Border Act of 2024 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (43 - 50)
June 20, 2024 NC HB 971 Specifies Changes to Human Trafficking Laws Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 0)
May 15, 2024 NC HB 237 Authorizes a Health Exemption for Masking in Public and Prohibits Use of Masks During Criminal Activity Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 15)
June 24, 2024 NC HB 563 Establishes Regulations for Medical Marijuana and Other Drugs Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
May 15, 2024 NC HB 591 Amends and Modernizes Sex Crime Definitions in the State Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 0)
April 11, 2024 NE LB 631 Expands the Board of Parole in Nebraska Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 4)
April 11, 2024 NE LB 631 Expands the Board of Parole in Nebraska Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 4)
Jan. 26, 2024 NE LB 307 Authorizes Exceptions for Penalties of Drug Paraphernalia under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 2)
April 11, 2024 NE LB 1167 Amends Provisions Relating to Individuals Arrested Without a Warrant Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 1)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/14 SB 20 Amends Previous Law to Try Juveniles as Adults for Gun-Related Felonies Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
5/28 SB 84 Specifies that if Final Amount Obtained by Plaintiff or Defendant is 25% in Favor of the Offering Party the Offering Party Must Pay Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
2/29 SB 4 Increases Penalties and Amends Sentencing Guidelines for Certain Juveniles Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
2/29 SB 2 Authorizes Immunity for Conceal Carry Permit Holders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
2/29 SB 2 Authorizes Immunity for Conceal Carry Permit Holders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
1/19 HB 17 Authorizes Certain Offices to Conduct Closed Party Primary Elections and Amends Election Codes Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
6/02 SB 371 Authorizes Surgical Castration Option for Individuals Guilty of Sex Crimes Against Minors Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
5/21 HB 423 Limits the Amount Awarded Over Medical Expenses to the Injured Party in a Car Accident Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
5/20 HB 737 Prohibits Anyone from Protesting in a Group Within 50 Feet of a Home Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
5/20 HB 737 Prohibits Anyone from Protesting in a Group Within 50 Feet of a Home Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
2/28 HB 11 Authorizes Sanctions for Violation of Probation or Parole Conditions Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
2/28 HB 2 Authorizes Immunity for Law Enforcement Under Most Circumstances Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
2/28 HB 2 Authorizes Immunity for Law Enforcement Under Most Circumstances Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
2/28 HB 1 Requires Publication of Minute Entries in Juvenile Justice Records Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
5/20 HB 383 Authorizes Liability Immunity for Drivers who Hit Protesters While Feeling Threatened Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
5/16 HB 127 Increases Penalties for Protesters Who Disrupt Traffic Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
2/29 HB 4 Amends and Authorizes Changes for Post-Conviction Relief Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
2/29 HB 6 Establishes Methods of Execution and Requires Confidentiality of Records of Information Related to the Execution of a Death Sentence Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
5/07 HB 337 Prohibits Insurers from Being Named Initially in Lawsuits Involving an Injured Individual in a Car Wreck Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
5/16 HB 173 Establishes a Crime of Coming Within 25 Feet of Police Upon Command Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
2/22 SB 3 Amends Juvenile Justice Laws to Treat 17-Year-Olds as Adults Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
4/22 SB 430 Repeals the Use of Nitrogen Gas as a Method of Execution Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
2/22 SB 1 Authorizes Carrying a Concealed Weapon Without a Permit Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
2/22 SB 9 Authorizes Prosecutors to Bring Rape Charges at Any Time Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
2/22 SB 9 Authorizes Prosecutors to Bring Rape Charges at Any Time Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
2/22 SB 10 Reduces Ability of Incarcerated Individuals Convicted in the Death of an Officer from Earning Time Off for Good Behavior Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
4/08 SB 388 Establishes Illegal Immigration as a State Crime Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
2/22 SB 5 Amends Parole Proceedings and Revocation Policies in Certain Cases Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
2/22 SB 4 Increases Penalties and Amends Sentencing Guidelines for Certain Juveniles Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
6/13 H 4744 Classifies Coercive Control as a Form of Domestic Violence Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 0)
2/01 H 4139 Amends and Updates Various State Gun Control Laws Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 3)
1/18 S 2551 Repeals Certain Language in Several State Laws Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
7/18 H 4885 Amends Various State Gun Reform Measures Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 5)
4/02 HB 832 Defines "Damages" or "Losses" in Statutory Causes of Action to Protect Civil Rights Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 11)
4/02 HB 832 Defines "Damages" or "Losses" in Statutory Causes of Action to Protect Civil Rights Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 11)
4/08 SB 949 Prohibits the Self-Administering Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kits to be Used in Court Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 2)
4/17 LD 2086 Amending Laws Governing the Disposition of Forefeited Firearms Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 15)
4/17 LD 2224 Increases Maine's Firearm Laws and Mental Health System Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
3/27 LD 2246 Establishes a Minimum Value Threshold for Repeat Theft Offenders "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 15)
4/12 LD 2119 Establish the Task Force to Study the Creation of a System to Allow for the Voluntary Waiver of Firearm Rights "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 12)
2/28 LD 2283 Establishes Various Red Flag Gun Purchase Provisions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
4/12 LD 2086 Amending Laws Governing the Disposition of Forefeited Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
2/29 HB 4127 Prohibits Open Carrying at Polling Places Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
2/29 HB 4128 Prohibits Open Carrying at Ballot Drop Box Locations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
6/20 HB 4718 Prohibits the Use of the "Gay Panic Defense" to Justify Assault Crimes Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
3/19 HB 5209 Establishes Sentencing Guidelines for Surrogate Parentage Contracts involving Minors or Intellectually Disabled Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
1/25 SB 516 Authorizes Evidence of a Defendant's Prior Commission of Commercial Sexual Activity, Human Trafficking, or Prostitution be Admissible in Court Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
1/25 SB 515 Authorizes a Statement Concerning Prostitution or Human Trafficking to be Admissible as Evidence Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
1/25 SB 517 Prohibits a Victim or Witness Necessary for Prosecution in a Human Trafficking Case from being Excused from Testifying if Evidence would Degrade or Incriminate Them Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
6/04 SB 841 Classifies Necrophilia as a Felony Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
6/26 SB 670 Expands Coverage of Freedom of Information Requests Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
6/04 SB 599 Increases Parole Eligibility for Medically Frail Inmates Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
3/14 HF 3489 Establishes Minimum Training Requirements for School Resource Officers Conference Report Adopted - Senate (61 - 3)
5/19 HF 5216 Appropriates Funding for Public Safety and Judiciary and Civil Law Supplemental Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 33)
5/09 HF 2609 Increases the Penalty for Straw Gun Purchasing from a Gross Misdemeanor to a Felony Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 33)
5/09 HF 2609 Increases the Penalty for Straw Gun Purchasing from a Gross Misdemeanor to a Felony Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 33)
4/29 SB 890 Establishes the Missign and Murdered African American Women Task Force Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
4/29 SB 751 Requires 340B Drugs to Be Covered by Insurance Providers Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
4/04 SB 900 Requires Jails to Provide Inmates with Reasonable Access to Phone Services Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
4/26 HB 903 Prohibits Usage for Machine Gun Conversion Kits Conference Report Adopted - Senate (50 - 2)
4/23 SB 2448 Extends the Automatic Repealer on the Mississippi Earned Parole Eligibility Act Of 2021 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 10)
4/26 SB 2577 Prohibits the Use of Artificial Intelligence to Create "Deep Fake" Election Material 90 Days Before an Election Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 13)
5/01 SB 2022 Establishes Alternative Sentencing Options For Juvenile Offenders In Compliance With United States Supreme Court Holdings Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 3)
3/12 SB 2022 Establishes Alternative Sentencing Options For Juvenile Offenders In Compliance With United States Supreme Court Holdings Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 13)
4/19 HR 7888 Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 34)
4/18 HR 7888 Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act Cloture Invoked - Senate (67 - 32)
5/23 S 4361 Border Act of 2024 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (43 - 50)
6/20 HB 971 Specifies Changes to Human Trafficking Laws Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 0)
5/15 HB 237 Authorizes a Health Exemption for Masking in Public and Prohibits Use of Masks During Criminal Activity Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 15)
6/24 HB 563 Establishes Regulations for Medical Marijuana and Other Drugs Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
5/15 HB 591 Amends and Modernizes Sex Crime Definitions in the State Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 0)
4/11 LB 631 Expands the Board of Parole in Nebraska Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 4)
4/11 LB 631 Expands the Board of Parole in Nebraska Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 4)
1/26 LB 307 Authorizes Exceptions for Penalties of Drug Paraphernalia under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 2)
4/11 LB 1167 Amends Provisions Relating to Individuals Arrested Without a Warrant Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 1)

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