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
Sept. 27, 2023 OH SB 158 Specifies Municipalities Must Gain Approval from Legislative Authorities to Draw Money from the Treasury Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
Sept. 13, 2023 CA AB 1633 Requires Local Government Review of State Environmental Policies Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 3)
Sept. 12, 2023 CA SB 447 Authorizes State and Public University Employees to Resume Travel to Previously Restricted States Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
Sept. 12, 2023 CA AB 1248 Requires Local Jurisdictions by 2030 Form Independent Redistricting Commissions Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
July 25, 2023 ME LD 86 Amends the State Flag Designation to Reestablish the Former Flag Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
June 22, 2023 PA SB 753 Amends the Boroughs and Incorporated Towns Code of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
June 8, 2023 NY S 7537 Establishes the Village Incorporation Commission Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 18)
June 8, 2023 NY S 7538 Authorizes the Immediate Incorporation of Villages into State Code Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 23)
June 7, 2023 WI AB 141 Prohibits Local Restrictions on Clean Energy Devices Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
June 7, 2023 WI AB 142 Prohibits Local Restrictions on Motor Vehicles Based on Energy Sources Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
June 4, 2023 LA HB 260 Requires Legislature Approval for all Election Rule-making and Funding Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
May 24, 2023 CA SB 447 Authorizes State and Public University Employees to Resume Travel to Previously Restricted States Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
May 17, 2023 TX SB 1860 Requires Legislative Approval for Cities to Amend Their Charters to Address Climate Change Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
May 16, 2023 TX HB 2127 Prohibits Cities From Passing any Heat-Related Ordinances Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
May 16, 2023 National H J Res 42 Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022. Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (56 - 43)
May 7, 2023 CO HB 23-1190 Authorizes Local Governments the Right of First Refusal on Multifamily Properties Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
May 4, 2023 CO HB 23-1255 Prohibits Local Growth Caps Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
May 4, 2023 IL HB 1596 Amends the Children Family Services Act by Removing Gender Specific Pronouns Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 19)
May 4, 2023 IA HF 716 Requires Iowa Political Parties Meet in Person to Select Their Delegates in a Presidential Election Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
May 3, 2023 FL SB 170 Amends Laws Concerning Local Ordinances and Legal Suits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
May 2, 2023 PA SB 140 Authorizes the State Attorney General to Appoint a Special Prosecutor for South Eastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) Crimes Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
April 27, 2023 TX SB 2209 Prohibits Civilian Oversight of Police Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
April 25, 2023 NV SB 391 Prohibits Local Government Use of "Sundown Sirens" Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 4)
April 18, 2023 MT HB 748 Repeals Local Governments Ability to Pass Zoning Restrictions for the Purpose of Promoting "Morals" Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 12)
April 5, 2023 ND HB 1340 Prohibits Local Governments from Enforcing Stricter Gun Laws then Passed by the State Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
March 30, 2023 VT S 17 Establishes Reforms for Sheriffs and Deputies Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
March 29, 2023 GA HB 514 Limits Local Government Ability to Stop New Residential Building Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 12)
March 29, 2023 National H J Res 27 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense and the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Revised Definition of 'Waters of the United States' " Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (53 - 43)
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 9, 2023 TN HB 48 Reduces the Number of Nashville Metro City Council Members by Half Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
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 7, 2023 NM HB 7 Establishes State Protections for Gender Affirming Care Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
March 7, 2023 IA SF 478 Increases Restrictions on Information the State Auditor's Office can Obtain During Investigations Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
March 6, 2023 ID S 1056 Repeals State Law that Prohibits Local Groups from Carrying Firearms in Public Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
March 2, 2023 MT SB 208 Prohibits Local Governments from Banning or Limiting Energy Choices Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
March 1, 2023 UT HB 131 Prohibits Public Entities from Restricting Employment Due to an Individuals Vaccination Status Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 5)
Feb. 27, 2023 GA SB 145 Prohibits Local Ordinances Against Gas Powered Leaf Blowers Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 16)
Feb. 23, 2023 MT SB 178 Establishes State Legal Protections for Cryptocurrency Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13)
Feb. 7, 2023 GA SB 1 Extends Prohibition on Certain COVID Vaccine Requirements (31 - 21)
Feb. 2, 2023 WY SF 127 Authorizes a State Digital Currency Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
Date No. Title Outcome
9/27 SB 158 Specifies Municipalities Must Gain Approval from Legislative Authorities to Draw Money from the Treasury Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
9/13 AB 1633 Requires Local Government Review of State Environmental Policies Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 3)
9/12 SB 447 Authorizes State and Public University Employees to Resume Travel to Previously Restricted States Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
9/12 AB 1248 Requires Local Jurisdictions by 2030 Form Independent Redistricting Commissions Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
7/25 LD 86 Amends the State Flag Designation to Reestablish the Former Flag Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
6/22 SB 753 Amends the Boroughs and Incorporated Towns Code of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
6/08 S 7537 Establishes the Village Incorporation Commission Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 18)
6/08 S 7538 Authorizes the Immediate Incorporation of Villages into State Code Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 23)
6/07 AB 141 Prohibits Local Restrictions on Clean Energy Devices Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
6/07 AB 142 Prohibits Local Restrictions on Motor Vehicles Based on Energy Sources Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
6/04 HB 260 Requires Legislature Approval for all Election Rule-making and Funding Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
5/24 SB 447 Authorizes State and Public University Employees to Resume Travel to Previously Restricted States Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
5/17 SB 1860 Requires Legislative Approval for Cities to Amend Their Charters to Address Climate Change Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
5/16 HB 2127 Prohibits Cities From Passing any Heat-Related Ordinances Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
5/16 H J Res 42 Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022. Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (56 - 43)
5/07 HB 23-1190 Authorizes Local Governments the Right of First Refusal on Multifamily Properties Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
5/04 HB 23-1255 Prohibits Local Growth Caps Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
5/04 HB 1596 Amends the Children Family Services Act by Removing Gender Specific Pronouns Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 19)
5/04 HF 716 Requires Iowa Political Parties Meet in Person to Select Their Delegates in a Presidential Election Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
5/03 SB 170 Amends Laws Concerning Local Ordinances and Legal Suits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
5/02 SB 140 Authorizes the State Attorney General to Appoint a Special Prosecutor for South Eastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) Crimes Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
4/27 SB 2209 Prohibits Civilian Oversight of Police Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
4/25 SB 391 Prohibits Local Government Use of "Sundown Sirens" Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 4)
4/18 HB 748 Repeals Local Governments Ability to Pass Zoning Restrictions for the Purpose of Promoting "Morals" Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 12)
4/05 HB 1340 Prohibits Local Governments from Enforcing Stricter Gun Laws then Passed by the State Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
3/30 S 17 Establishes Reforms for Sheriffs and Deputies Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
3/29 HB 514 Limits Local Government Ability to Stop New Residential Building Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 12)
3/29 H J Res 27 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense and the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Revised Definition of 'Waters of the United States' " Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (53 - 43)
3/15 HB 153 Prohibits Any Federal Ban or Regulation on Firearms Enacted in 2021 or After Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
3/09 HB 48 Reduces the Number of Nashville Metro City Council Members by Half Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
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)
3/07 HB 7 Establishes State Protections for Gender Affirming Care Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
3/07 SF 478 Increases Restrictions on Information the State Auditor's Office can Obtain During Investigations Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
3/06 S 1056 Repeals State Law that Prohibits Local Groups from Carrying Firearms in Public Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
3/02 SB 208 Prohibits Local Governments from Banning or Limiting Energy Choices Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
3/01 HB 131 Prohibits Public Entities from Restricting Employment Due to an Individuals Vaccination Status Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 5)
2/27 SB 145 Prohibits Local Ordinances Against Gas Powered Leaf Blowers Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 16)
2/23 SB 178 Establishes State Legal Protections for Cryptocurrency Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13)
2/07 SB 1 Extends Prohibition on Certain COVID Vaccine Requirements (31 - 21)
2/02 SF 127 Authorizes a State Digital Currency Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)

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