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. 22, 2021 NJ S 3456 Rescinds Mandatory Minimum Terms of Imprisonment Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
Feb. 19, 2021 UT HB 258 Establishes High School Gun Safety Courses Bill Passed - House (47 - 21)
Feb. 19, 2021 MT HB 218 Prohibits "Free Speech Zones" on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (96 - 3)
Feb. 19, 2021 WV SB 277 Establishes Liability Protections for the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
Feb. 19, 2021 WV SB 277 Establishes Liability Protections for the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
Feb. 18, 2021 VA HB 2081 Prohibits the Possession of Firearms Within 40 Feet of a Polling Place Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Feb. 18, 2021 GA SB 46 Specifies Who is Able to Administer a COVID-19 Vaccination Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 3)
Feb. 18, 2021 ND HB 1287 Establishes Harsher Punishments for Drug Dealers Bill Passed - House (77 - 16)
Feb. 18, 2021 MN SF 2 Rescinds the Governor's Ability to Close Schools During a Peacetime Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 27)
Feb. 17, 2021 UT SB 102 Authorizes Lawful Permanent Residents to Apply to Become Peace Officers or Dispatchers Bill Passed - House (65 - 4)
Feb. 17, 2021 ND HB 1272 Prohibits the Distribution of all Guns, Accessories, and Ammunition Made in North Dakota Outside the State Bill Passed - House (69 - 23)
Feb. 17, 2021 OH SB 22 Authorizes the General Assembly to Repeal the Governor's Emergency Declarations Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
Feb. 16, 2021 CA SB 29 Authorizes the Continuation of Mail-In Ballots Bill Passed - House (55 - 15)
Feb. 16, 2021 WI SB 38 Establishes a Return to Work Plan for State Employees Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
Feb. 16, 2021 IN SB 198 Increases Penalties for Attendees of "Riots" or "Unlawful Assemblies" Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 8)
Feb. 16, 2021 ID H 135 Amends the Governor's Emergency Powers Bill Passed - House (49 - 20)
Feb. 16, 2021 UT HB 248 Appropriates $1 Million to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Resources. Bill Passed - House (61 - 11)
Feb. 16, 2021 IN SB 198 Increases Penalties for Attendees of "Riots" or "Unlawful Assemblies" Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 8)
Feb. 16, 2021 NM HB 4 Repeals Qualified Immunity for Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - House (39 - 29)
Feb. 16, 2021 NM HB 4 Repeals Qualified Immunity for Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - House (39 - 29)
Feb. 15, 2021 IN SB 1 Exempts Healthcare Providers from Legal Liability if They Fail to Provide Non-Emergency Procedures Due to COVID-19 Patient Overflow Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 7)
Feb. 15, 2021 IN SB 1 Exempts Healthcare Providers from Legal Liability if They Fail to Provide Non-Emergency Procedures Due to COVID-19 Patient Overflow Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 7)
Feb. 15, 2021 VA HB 2128 Increases the Amount of Time for the State Department to Complete Firearm Background Checks Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
Feb. 12, 2021 WA HB 1072 Repeals Restrictions on Legal Aid for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (56 - 40)
Feb. 12, 2021 AK SR 2 Alleges the Governor Should Issue a New Disaster Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 6)
Feb. 11, 2021 NC SB 37 Requires in Person Learning for K-12 Schools Bill Passed - House (74 - 44)
Feb. 11, 2021 IN SB 1 Exempts Healthcare Providers from Legal Liability if They Fail to Provide Non-Emergency Procedures Due to COVID-19 Patient Overflow Bill Passed - House (72 - 21)
Feb. 11, 2021 IN SB 1 Exempts Healthcare Providers from Legal Liability if They Fail to Provide Non-Emergency Procedures Due to COVID-19 Patient Overflow Bill Passed - House (72 - 21)
Feb. 11, 2021 MO HB 574 Limits Law Enforcement and Regulators Ability to Inspect Farm and Dog Breeding Operations Bill Passed - House (109 - 43)
Feb. 10, 2021 NY S 13 Increases Penalties and Regulations for Guns Without Serial Numbers Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
Feb. 10, 2021 KS HB 2030 Extends Terminal Medical Release to Inmates Likely to Die within 120 Days Bill Passed - House (96 - 29)
Feb. 10, 2021 AR SB 289 Authorizes Denial of Healthcare on the Basis of Religious Principles Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
Feb. 10, 2021 WA HB 1088 Amends Requirements for Law Enforcement Potential Impeachment Disclosures Bill Passed - House (61 - 37)
Feb. 10, 2021 WA HB 1089 Authorizes the State Auditor to Audit Deadly Force Investigations Bill Passed - House (80 - 18)
Feb. 9, 2021 KS SB 22 Provides Tax Cuts to Mitigate Effects of COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
Feb. 9, 2021 NC SB 37 Requires in Person Learning for K-12 Schools Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 15)
Feb. 9, 2021 GA HB 112 Establishes COVID-19 Liability Protections for Businesses Bill Passed - House (99 - 68)
Feb. 9, 2021 AL HB 17 Authorizes Deploying Wiretaps for Drug Related Offenses Bill Passed - House (80 - 14)
Feb. 9, 2021 GA HB 112 Establishes COVID-19 Liability Protections for Businesses Bill Passed - House (99 - 68)
Feb. 9, 2021 AL HB 24 Amends Sentencing Guidelines for State Prisoners Bill Passed - House (63 - 33)
Feb. 9, 2021 MS SB 2107 Prohibits Cities and Counties from Creating Rental Agreements that Restrict Firearm Access Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 16)
Feb. 8, 2021 SD HB 1046 Establishes a COVID-19 Liability Shield for Businesses and Healthcare Providers Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 3)
Feb. 5, 2021 WI AB 1 Expands State Medicaid to Ensure Coverage of COVID-19 Testing and Vaccinations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
Feb. 5, 2021 PA HB 101 Establishes Limited Liability Protections for Farmers Offering Agritourism Activities Bill Passed - House (142 - 60)
Feb. 5, 2021 VA SB 1339 Requires an Individual Petition a Court for Permission to have Their Criminal Records Sealed Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Feb. 5, 2021 VT HR 7 Rescinds the Governor's Executive Order on State-Level Public Safety and Law Enforcement Divisions Bill Passed - House (108 - 40)
Feb. 5, 2021 VA HB 2132 Repeals the "Gay Panic" Murder Defense Bill Passed - House (58 - 42)
Feb. 4, 2021 MO HB 85 Prohibits Enforcement of Federal Gun Laws Bill Passed - House (103 - 43)
Feb. 4, 2021 MI HB 4047 Appropriates Funds for the COVID-19 Recovery Bill Passed - House (60 - 49)
Feb. 4, 2021 KS SR 1707 Amends the COVID-19 Vaccine Plan to Remove Prisoners from Phase-2 Resolution Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/22 S 3456 Rescinds Mandatory Minimum Terms of Imprisonment Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
2/19 HB 258 Establishes High School Gun Safety Courses Bill Passed - House (47 - 21)
2/19 HB 218 Prohibits "Free Speech Zones" on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (96 - 3)
2/19 SB 277 Establishes Liability Protections for the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
2/19 SB 277 Establishes Liability Protections for the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
2/18 HB 2081 Prohibits the Possession of Firearms Within 40 Feet of a Polling Place Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
2/18 SB 46 Specifies Who is Able to Administer a COVID-19 Vaccination Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 3)
2/18 HB 1287 Establishes Harsher Punishments for Drug Dealers Bill Passed - House (77 - 16)
2/18 SF 2 Rescinds the Governor's Ability to Close Schools During a Peacetime Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 27)
2/17 SB 102 Authorizes Lawful Permanent Residents to Apply to Become Peace Officers or Dispatchers Bill Passed - House (65 - 4)
2/17 HB 1272 Prohibits the Distribution of all Guns, Accessories, and Ammunition Made in North Dakota Outside the State Bill Passed - House (69 - 23)
2/17 SB 22 Authorizes the General Assembly to Repeal the Governor's Emergency Declarations Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
2/16 SB 29 Authorizes the Continuation of Mail-In Ballots Bill Passed - House (55 - 15)
2/16 SB 38 Establishes a Return to Work Plan for State Employees Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
2/16 SB 198 Increases Penalties for Attendees of "Riots" or "Unlawful Assemblies" Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 8)
2/16 H 135 Amends the Governor's Emergency Powers Bill Passed - House (49 - 20)
2/16 HB 248 Appropriates $1 Million to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Resources. Bill Passed - House (61 - 11)
2/16 SB 198 Increases Penalties for Attendees of "Riots" or "Unlawful Assemblies" Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 8)
2/16 HB 4 Repeals Qualified Immunity for Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - House (39 - 29)
2/16 HB 4 Repeals Qualified Immunity for Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - House (39 - 29)
2/15 SB 1 Exempts Healthcare Providers from Legal Liability if They Fail to Provide Non-Emergency Procedures Due to COVID-19 Patient Overflow Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 7)
2/15 SB 1 Exempts Healthcare Providers from Legal Liability if They Fail to Provide Non-Emergency Procedures Due to COVID-19 Patient Overflow Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 7)
2/15 HB 2128 Increases the Amount of Time for the State Department to Complete Firearm Background Checks Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
2/12 HB 1072 Repeals Restrictions on Legal Aid for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (56 - 40)
2/12 SR 2 Alleges the Governor Should Issue a New Disaster Declaration Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 6)
2/11 SB 37 Requires in Person Learning for K-12 Schools Bill Passed - House (74 - 44)
2/11 SB 1 Exempts Healthcare Providers from Legal Liability if They Fail to Provide Non-Emergency Procedures Due to COVID-19 Patient Overflow Bill Passed - House (72 - 21)
2/11 SB 1 Exempts Healthcare Providers from Legal Liability if They Fail to Provide Non-Emergency Procedures Due to COVID-19 Patient Overflow Bill Passed - House (72 - 21)
2/11 HB 574 Limits Law Enforcement and Regulators Ability to Inspect Farm and Dog Breeding Operations Bill Passed - House (109 - 43)
2/10 S 13 Increases Penalties and Regulations for Guns Without Serial Numbers Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
2/10 HB 2030 Extends Terminal Medical Release to Inmates Likely to Die within 120 Days Bill Passed - House (96 - 29)
2/10 SB 289 Authorizes Denial of Healthcare on the Basis of Religious Principles Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
2/10 HB 1088 Amends Requirements for Law Enforcement Potential Impeachment Disclosures Bill Passed - House (61 - 37)
2/10 HB 1089 Authorizes the State Auditor to Audit Deadly Force Investigations Bill Passed - House (80 - 18)
2/09 SB 22 Provides Tax Cuts to Mitigate Effects of COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
2/09 SB 37 Requires in Person Learning for K-12 Schools Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 15)
2/09 HB 112 Establishes COVID-19 Liability Protections for Businesses Bill Passed - House (99 - 68)
2/09 HB 17 Authorizes Deploying Wiretaps for Drug Related Offenses Bill Passed - House (80 - 14)
2/09 HB 112 Establishes COVID-19 Liability Protections for Businesses Bill Passed - House (99 - 68)
2/09 HB 24 Amends Sentencing Guidelines for State Prisoners Bill Passed - House (63 - 33)
2/09 SB 2107 Prohibits Cities and Counties from Creating Rental Agreements that Restrict Firearm Access Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 16)
2/08 HB 1046 Establishes a COVID-19 Liability Shield for Businesses and Healthcare Providers Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 3)
2/05 AB 1 Expands State Medicaid to Ensure Coverage of COVID-19 Testing and Vaccinations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
2/05 HB 101 Establishes Limited Liability Protections for Farmers Offering Agritourism Activities Bill Passed - House (142 - 60)
2/05 SB 1339 Requires an Individual Petition a Court for Permission to have Their Criminal Records Sealed Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
2/05 HR 7 Rescinds the Governor's Executive Order on State-Level Public Safety and Law Enforcement Divisions Bill Passed - House (108 - 40)
2/05 HB 2132 Repeals the "Gay Panic" Murder Defense Bill Passed - House (58 - 42)
2/04 HB 85 Prohibits Enforcement of Federal Gun Laws Bill Passed - House (103 - 43)
2/04 HB 4047 Appropriates Funds for the COVID-19 Recovery Bill Passed - House (60 - 49)
2/04 SR 1707 Amends the COVID-19 Vaccine Plan to Remove Prisoners from Phase-2 Resolution Passed - Senate (28 - 8)

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