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:
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.
| Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 14, 2025 | IA | HF 645 | Authorizes Immunity to Race Tracks Against Nuisance Claims Brought by Surrounding Property Owners | Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 0) |
| April 14, 2025 | IA | SF 369 | Requires High School Students to Pass a Civics Test Identical to the U.S. Citizenship Test to Graduate | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 7) |
| April 7, 2025 | IA | HF 924 | Reduces the Minimum Age for Possessing and Carrying a Firearm from 21 to 18 | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
| March 25, 2025 | IA | SF 473 | Establishes Protections for Religious and Moral Beliefs of Foster and Adoptive Parents | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 14) |
| March 25, 2025 | IA | SF 473 | Establishes Protections for Religious and Moral Beliefs of Foster and Adoptive Parents | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 14) |
| March 25, 2025 | IA | SF 473 | Establishes Protections for Religious and Moral Beliefs of Foster and Adoptive Parents | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 14) |
| March 18, 2025 | IA | SF 22 | Prohibits Cellphones While Driving Unless in Hands-Free or Voice-Activated Mode | Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 1) |
| March 7, 2025 | IA | SF 311 | Prohibits Police Citizen Review Boards | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 9) |
| Feb. 27, 2025 | IA | SF 418 | Prohibits the Recognition of Gender Identity as a Protected Class | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 15) |
| Feb. 27, 2025 | IA | SF 418 | Prohibits the Recognition of Gender Identity as a Protected Class | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 15) |
| Feb. 18, 2025 | IA | SF 175 | Requires Incorporating Provisions Related to Pregnancy and Fetal Development into the Human Growth and Development and Health Curricula | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 13) |
| April 11, 2024 | IA | HF 2556 | Requires Enforcement Mechanisms for Firearms Regulation Compliance by Political Subdivisions | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 5) |
| April 10, 2024 | IA | HF 2586 | Authorizes School Employees to be Issued Permits to Carry Weapons | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 14) |
| March 5, 2024 | IA | SF 2340 | Establishes Illegal Immigration as a State Crime | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16) |
| March 5, 2024 | IA | SF 2340 | Establishes Illegal Immigration as a State Crime | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16) |
| March 4, 2024 | IA | SF 2325 | Amends the City Civil Service Commissions Hiring, Testing, and Promotion Policies | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 9) |
| Feb. 20, 2024 | IA | SF 2095 | Authorizes Religious Freedom for All Government, Business, Corporate, and Foundation Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16) |
| April 24, 2023 | IA | HF 425 | Amends the Newborn Safe Haven Act | Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 2) |
| March 22, 2023 | IA | SF 547 | Increases Distracted Driving Penalties | Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 3) |
| March 14, 2023 | IA | SF 319 | Authorizes Drug Testing of Private Sector Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15) |
| March 7, 2023 | IA | SF 507 | Prohibits Investment of Public Funds from Management by Firms that Account for "Environmental, Social and Governance Factors" | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16) |
| March 7, 2023 | IA | SF 538 | Prohibits Gender Affirming Care for Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16) |
| March 7, 2023 | IA | SF 482 | Requires Students Use the Same Restroom that Aligns with Their Sex at Birth | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16) |
| March 22, 2022 | IA | SF 2363 | Amends Requirements of Sex Offender Registry | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1) |
| March 22, 2022 | IA | SF 2363 | Amends Requirements of Sex Offender Registry | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1) |
| March 2, 2022 | IA | HF 2416 | Requires Student Athletes to Join Teams Based on Sex Assigned at Birth | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17) |
| May 17, 2021 | IA | SF 342 | Increases Qualified Immunity Protections for Law Enforcement | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 18) |
| May 5, 2021 | IA | HF 889 | Prohibits the Implementation of COVID-19 Vaccine Passports | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16) |
| April 28, 2021 | IA | HF 802 | Limits the Types of Diversity Training Schools and Governments May Offer | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18) |
| March 22, 2021 | IA | HF 756 | Specifies Guidelines for Acquisition and Possession of Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17) |
| March 22, 2021 | IA | HF 621 | Establishes Which Legal Actions can be Brought Against Firearm Manufacturers and Distributors | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17) |
| March 17, 2021 | IA | SF 361 | Establishes Guidelines for Drug Testing | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17) |
| March 10, 2021 | IA | SF 479 | Prohibits State Funding to Cities and Towns that Reduce Law Enforcement Budgets | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 7) |
| March 10, 2021 | IA | SF 534 | Increases Penalties for Assaulting Law Enforcement and Unlawful Assembly | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17) |
| Jan. 28, 2021 | IA | SJR 7 | Authorizes Referendum as to Keeping and Bearing of Arms | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18) |
| June 11, 2020 | IA | HF 2647 | Amends Law Enforcement Policies and Training Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0) |
| June 10, 2020 | IA | HF 684 | Establishes Medical Amnesty for Under-Aged Individuals in Alcohol-Related Emergencies | Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 2) |
| June 5, 2020 | IA | SF 2413 | Increases Penalties for Trespassing on Animal Food Operations | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 11) |
| June 3, 2020 | IA | HF 2502 | Amends Gun Policies | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17) |
| March 3, 2020 | IA | SF 2348 | Requires Restitution Payment from Felons for Restoration of Voting Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 11) |
| March 3, 2020 | IA | SF 2348 | Requires Restitution Payment from Felons for Restoration of Voting Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 11) |
| March 2, 2020 | IA | SF 2275 | Increases Penalties for Eluding Law Enforcement | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12) |
| April 26, 2019 | IA | HF 766 | Establishes a Health and Human Services Budget for FY 2019-2020 | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19) |
| April 26, 2019 | IA | HF 766 | Establishes a Health and Human Services Budget for FY 2019-2020 | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19) |
| April 17, 2019 | IA | SF 617 | Authorizes Sports Betting | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18) |
| April 2, 2019 | IA | SF 516 | Requires Employers to Verify Employee Immigration Status | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
| March 27, 2019 | IA | SF 513 | Authorizes Women to Buy Birth Control Without Prescriptions | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 6) |
| March 26, 2019 | IA | SF 523 | Expands Penalties for Fetal Homicide | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18) |
| March 12, 2019 | IA | SF 519 | Establishes Trespass Charges for Undercover Investigators at Certain Agricultural Facilities | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 8) |
| March 11, 2019 | IA | SF 274 | Amends Free Speech Regulations on College Campuses | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11) |
| April 4, 2018 | IA | SF 481 | Requires Law Enforcement for Comply with ICE Detainer Requests | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 18) |
| April 20, 2017 | IA | HF 653 | Reduces Government Fund Allocations to Planned Parenthood | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21) |
| April 12, 2017 | IA | SF 481 | Requires Law Enforcement for Comply with ICE Detainer Requests | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15) |
| April 4, 2017 | IA | HF 517 | Authorizes Use of Deadly Force when Deemed Necessary | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17) |
| March 23, 2017 | IA | HF 516 | Requires Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21) |
| April 22, 2016 | IA | HF 2460 | Appropriates Funding for Health and Human Services | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23) |
| March 8, 2016 | IA | SF 2284 | Amends Definition of Hate Crime to Include Gender Identity or Expression | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21) |
| March 8, 2016 | IA | SF 2284 | Amends Definition of Hate Crime to Include Gender Identity or Expression | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21) |
| Feb. 25, 2016 | IA | SF 2289 | Expands Criminal Offenses for Animal Mistreatment | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16) |
| Feb. 25, 2016 | IA | SF 2289 | Expands Criminal Offenses for Animal Mistreatment | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16) |
| March 17, 2015 | IA | SF 334 | Prohibits Sexual-Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24) |
| March 12, 2015 | IA | SF 166 | Authorizes Fantasy Sports Leagues | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16) |
| Feb. 24, 2015 | IA | SF 219 | Reduces Penalties for Possession of Marijuana | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13) |
| May 1, 2014 | IA | SF 2360 | Authorizes Medical Marijuana Oil | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 8) |
| May 1, 2013 | IA | HF 527 | Requires DNA Samples from Individuals Convicted Of Aggravated Misdemeanors | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20) |
| May 1, 2013 | IA | HF 527 | Requires DNA Samples from Individuals Convicted Of Aggravated Misdemeanors | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20) |
| April 30, 2013 | IA | HF 638 | Appropriates Funds for Infrastructure Projects | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23) |
| March 13, 2012 | IA | SF 2275 | Authorizes Internet Gambling | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20) |
| March 5, 2012 | IA | SF 2304 | Requires DNA Samples from all Individuals Convicted of Certain Misdemeanors | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16) |
| Feb. 28, 2012 | IA | HF 589 | Prohibits Obtaining Employment at Agriculture Facilities Under False Pretenses | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 10) |
| April 20, 2011 | IA | SF 526 | Requires a Study to Weigh Outcomes of Authorizing Online Poker in Iowa | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 12) |
| March 22, 2011 | IA | SF 464 | Establishment of an Open Season for Hunting Mourning Doves | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18) |
| March 29, 2010 | IA | SF 2379 | Requiring County Sheriffs to Issue Concealed Weapons Permits to Qualified Applicants | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 4) |
| March 27, 2010 | IA | Amdt 5371 | Authorizing Qualified Individuals to Conceal Weapons Without a Permit | Amendment Rejected - Senate (20 - 28) |
| March 23, 2010 | IA | HF 2456 | Texting While Driving Ban | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 12) |
| March 11, 2010 | IA | SF 2357 | Prohibiting Firearm Possession by Domestic Violence Perpetrators | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 12) |
| March 11, 2010 | IA | SF 2357 | Prohibiting Firearm Possession by Domestic Violence Perpetrators | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 12) |
| March 11, 2010 | IA | SF 2357 | Prohibiting Firearm Possession by Domestic Violence Perpetrators | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 12) |
| March 8, 2010 | IA | HF 788 | Prohibiting Liquor Licensees from Permitting Criminal Activity Adjacent to Their Premises | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17) |
| March 19, 2009 | IA | SF 389 | Health Insurance Expansion | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18) |
| Feb. 16, 2009 | IA | SF 137 | Wage Discrimination Policy and Penalties | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18) |
| April 24, 2008 | IA | SF 2432 | 2008-2009 Prison and Infrastructure Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 13) |
| April 17, 2008 | IA | S 5377 to SF 2425 | Pregnancy Counseling and Support Services | Amendment Rejected - Senate (22 - 27) |
| April 8, 2008 | IA | HF 2212 | Smoking Ban | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 22) |
| April 7, 2008 | IA | HF 2539 | Health Care Expansion Plan | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 6) |
| March 31, 2008 | IA | HF 2145 | Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 8) |
| March 13, 2008 | IA | HF 2212 | Smoking Ban | Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (23 - 27) |
| March 12, 2008 | IA | SF 2355 | Time Off to Attend Presidential Precinct Caucuses | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10) |
| March 10, 2008 | IA | HF 2359 | Veterans Trust Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7) |
| Feb. 27, 2008 | IA | HF 2212 | Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21) |
| Feb. 26, 2008 | IA | SF 2216 | State-Mandated Curriculum for Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14) |
| April 25, 2007 | IA | SF 427 | Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity Discrimination | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 16) |
| April 25, 2007 | IA | SF 427 | Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity Discrimination | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 16) |
| April 18, 2007 | IA | S 3371 | Firearms for Campus Police | Amendment Rejected - Senate (25 - 25) |
| April 18, 2007 | IA | HF 877 | Statewide Preschool Program | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14) |
| April 10, 2007 | IA | HF 611 | Research-Based Sex Education | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19) |
| March 26, 2007 | IA | SF 427 | Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity Discrimination | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17) |
| March 26, 2007 | IA | SF 427 | Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity Discrimination | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17) |
| March 19, 2007 | IA | HF 5 | Maximum Title Loan Finance Charge | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16) |
| Feb. 13, 2007 | IA | SF 61 | Harassment In Schools | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 14) |