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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb. 14, 2022 | NY | S 7696 | Prohibits Pesticide Use at Children's Camps | Bill Passed - House (103 - 41) |
| Jan. 12, 2022 | NY | S 7696 | Prohibits Pesticide Use at Children's Camps | Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 17) |
| Jan. 26, 2022 | SD | SB 72 | Prohibits School, Organizational, or Sports Hazing | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| Feb. 2, 2022 | KY | SB 8 | Amends Child Welfare Reporting Policies | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4) |
| April 7, 2022 | AL | SB 184 | Establishes that Providing Gender Affirming Therapy to Children is a Felony | Bill Passed - House (66 - 28) |
| Feb. 23, 2022 | AL | SB 184 | Establishes that Providing Gender Affirming Therapy to Children is a Felony | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6) |
| March 8, 2022 | FL | HB 1557 | Limits Classroom Discussions of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17) |
| Feb. 24, 2022 | FL | HB 1557 | Limits Classroom Discussions of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity | Bill Passed - House (69 - 47) |
| Jan. 10, 2022 | NH | HB 254 | Specifies Criteria for Placement of Minors in Secure Settings | Bill Passed - House (264 - 87) |
| April 18, 2022 | AZ | SB 1211 | Requires Increased Transparency from Public Schools | Bill Failed - House (28 - 30) |
| 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 24, 2022 | AZ | SB 1138 | Prohibits Irreversible Gender Reassignment Surgery for Minors | Bill Passed - House (31 - 26) |
| Feb. 24, 2022 | AZ | SB 1138 | Prohibits Irreversible Gender Reassignment Surgery for Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12) |
| 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) |
| April 7, 2022 | LA | HB 274 | Requires High Schools to Instruct That Adoption Preferable to Abortion | Bill Passed - House (58 - 23) |
| March 30, 2022 | GA | SB 226 | Requires Schools to Adopt Policies Regarding Material "Harmful to Minors" | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 21) |
| March 25, 2022 | GA | SB 226 | Requires Schools to Adopt Policies Regarding Material "Harmful to Minors" | (97 - 61) |
| March 7, 2022 | ID | H 666 | Repeals Affirmative Defense for Persons Charged with "Disseminating Material Harmful to Minors" | Bill Passed - House (51 - 14) |
| April 26, 2022 | IA | HF 2198 | Amends Minimum Age Requirements for Childcare Center Staff | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 42) |
| April 18, 2022 | IA | HF 2198 | Amends Minimum Age Requirements for Childcare Center Staff | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18) |
| March 1, 2022 | WV | HB 4071 | Prohibits School Mask Mandates | Bill Passed - House (80 - 16) |
| April 28, 2022 | OK | SB 615 | Requires Transgender Students to Use Restroom of Sex Assigned at Birth | (75 - 10) |
| March 9, 2022 | OK | SB 615 | Requires Transgender Students to Use Restroom of Sex Assigned at Birth | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 7) |
| March 31, 2022 | SC | S 11 | Authorizes Paid Parental Leave for State Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 0) |
| April 18, 2022 | CO | HB 22-1295 | Establishes a Free Universal Pre-K Childcare Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 17) |
| April 14, 2022 | CO | HB 22-1295 | Establishes a Free Universal Pre-K Childcare Program | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| 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) |
| Feb. 3, 2022 | UT | HB 18 | Specifies Definition for Unlawful Distribution of Counterfeit Intimate Images | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 0) |
| May 17, 2022 | RI | S 2681 | Expands Childcare Assistance | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5) |
| April 8, 2022 | IL | HB 1571 | Establishes the Off-Hours Child Care Act | Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 0) |
| 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 5, 2022 | NH | HB 1431 | Establishes Parental Bill of Rights | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (13 - 11) |
| March 15, 2022 | NH | HB 1431 | Establishes Parental Bill of Rights | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (181 - 157) |
| May 23, 2022 | CA | AB 2408 | Authorizes Lawsuits Against Addictive Social Media Platforms | Bill Passed - House (51 - 0) |
| May 18, 2022 | AK | SB 45 | Increases Minimum Age for Tobacco Use | Bill Passed - House (31 - 9) |
| April 4, 2022 | AK | SB 80 | Expands Requirements as to K-12 Mental Health Education | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 1) |
| June 8, 2022 | National | HR 7910 | Protecting Our Kids Act | Bill Passed - House (223 - 204) |
| May 26, 2022 | NJ | ACR 109 | Establishes Resolution Urging Passage of Universal School Meals Program Act | Bill Passed - House (47 - 26) |
| June 6, 2022 | LA | HB 746 | Limits Solitary Confinement of Children | Conference Report Adopted - House (84 - 11) |
| Feb. 25, 2022 | IL | SB 3120 | Establishes Family Bereavement Leave | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11) |
| May 4, 2022 | CT | HB 5417 | Authorizes Access to Juvenile Records | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 1) |
| April 28, 2022 | CT | HB 5417 | Authorizes Access to Juvenile Records | Bill Passed - House (129 - 17) |
| Feb. 1, 2022 | IN | SB 17 | Rescinds Legal Protections for Secondary Schools Against Disseminating Harmful Material to Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15) |
| March 8, 2022 | WI | AB 963 | Specifies Rights of Parents | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 12) |
| Feb. 22, 2022 | WI | AB 963 | Specifies Rights of Parents | Bill Passed - House (60 - 34) |
| June 3, 2022 | LA | HB 450 | Authorizes Access to Original Birth Certificates For Adoptees Over 24 | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5) |
| March 28, 2022 | LA | HB 450 | Authorizes Access to Original Birth Certificates For Adoptees Over 24 | Bill Passed - House (76 - 21) |
| May 22, 2022 | MN | HF 2725 | Expands Mental Health Funding and Amends Competency Procedures for Standing Trial | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 60) |
| March 28, 2022 | LA | HB 568 | Specifies Adoption Regulations | Bill Passed - House (64 - 36) |
| May 26, 2022 | CA | SB 1273 | Provides Protection to Pupils Enrolled in the School from Existing Law | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
| March 4, 2022 | OR | SB 1547 | Establishes New Background Check and Transportation Regulations for Childcare Programs | Bill Passed - House (47 - 10) |
| June 7, 2022 | MI | HB 4232 | Authorizes 17-Year-Olds to Serve Alcohol | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (78 - 29) |
| May 19, 2022 | MI | HB 4232 | Authorizes 17-Year-Olds to Serve Alcohol | (25 - 11) |
| April 1, 2022 | GA | HB 1178 | Establishes Parents' Bill of Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 22) |
| March 4, 2022 | GA | HB 1178 | Establishes Parents' Bill of Rights | (98 - 68) |
| June 7, 2022 | RI | S 2613 | Limits Minors' Access to Diet Pills | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4) |
| July 7, 2022 | MA | S 2973 | Expands Access to Childcare | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0) |
| April 25, 2022 | AZ | HB 2696 | Expands Prohibition on Human Smuggling | Bill Passed - House (37 - 20) |
| April 20, 2022 | AZ | HB 2696 | Expands Prohibition on Human Smuggling | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11) |
| March 4, 2022 | FL | SB 1796 | Establishes New Laws Governing Alimony | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16) |
| March 9, 2022 | FL | SB 1796 | Establishes New Laws Governing Alimony | Bill Passed - House (74 - 42) |
| June 30, 2022 | MA | S 2987 | Prohibits Juvenile Diversion Under Certain Circumstances | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8) |
| July 15, 2022 | National | HR 8351 | Formula Act | Bill Passed - House (421 - 2) |
| June 8, 2022 | MI | HB 5044 | Establishes Guidelines for New Child Care Provider Contracts | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5) |
| April 27, 2022 | TN | SB 2219 | Authorizes Smoking Bans | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
| April 25, 2022 | TN | SB 2219 | Authorizes Smoking Bans | Bill Passed - House (56 - 33) |
| June 21, 2022 | RI | H 8230 | Expands the Definition of Third Degree Sexual Assault | Bill Passed - House (64 - 4) |
| April 11, 2022 | AK | HB 53 | Expands School Accommodations for Military Children | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 0) |
| March 31, 2022 | ME | LD 1652 | Establishes Early Childhood Educators Workforce Support Programs | Bill Passed - House (130 - 0) |
| June 30, 2022 | CA | AB 2571 | Prohibits Marketing of Firearms to Minors; Authorizes Lawsuits | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 15) |
| June 29, 2022 | CA | AB 2571 | Prohibits Marketing of Firearms to Minors; Authorizes Lawsuits | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7) |
| April 8, 2022 | MD | SB 420 | Requires the Commissioner of Labor and Industry to Release Information of Working Minors | Bill Passed - House (102 - 35) |
| Jan. 5, 2022 | NH | HB 293 | Amends Child Adoption Process | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 5) |
| Jan. 5, 2022 | NH | HB 293 | Amends Child Adoption Process | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 5) |
| 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) |
| March 12, 2022 | WV | SB 463 | Specifies Procedures for Determining Child Custody | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 8) |
| March 12, 2022 | WV | SB 463 | Specifies Procedures for Determining Child Custody | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 8) |
| May 26, 2022 | CA | AB 2273 | Establishes New Data Privacy Protections for Children | Bill Passed - House (72 - 0) |
| June 23, 2022 | MI | HB 6108 | Prohibits Sale of Tobacco, Vapor Products to Persons Under 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9) |
| June 15, 2022 | MI | HB 6108 | Prohibits Sale of Tobacco, Vapor Products to Persons Under 21 | Bill Passed - House (79 - 26) |
| May 3, 2022 | CT | SB 2 | Expands Preschool, Mental, and Behavioral Services for Children | Bill Passed - House (129 - 17) |
| April 22, 2022 | CT | SB 2 | Expands Preschool, Mental, and Behavioral Services for Children | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1) |
| 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) |
| 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) |
| March 21, 2022 | KY | HB 252 | Authorizes 18-19 Year Olds to Sell Alcohol | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| March 1, 2022 | KY | HB 252 | Authorizes 18-19 Year Olds to Sell Alcohol | (62 - 34) |
| Feb. 22, 2022 | UT | HB 21 | Requires Certain Water Quality Testing in Schools and Child Care Centers | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (39 - 28) |
| March 22, 2022 | KS | SB 484 | Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12) |
| June 1, 2022 | NC | HB 755 | Prohibits K-3 Classroom Instruction of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity | (28 - 18) |
| June 30, 2022 | NC | HB 823 | Establishes Law Regarding Child Advocacy Centers | Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 2) |
| May 5, 2022 | HI | HB 2424 | Expands Department of Human Services Protections for Children in Foster Care | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 0) |
| June 3, 2022 | NY | S 74 | Expands Recoverable Damages to Include Emotional and Pecuniary Costs | 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) |