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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 10, 2024 | ID | H 421 | Amends Existing Law to Define Terms and Revise Definitions for "Sex"and "Gender" | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
| April 10, 2024 | ID | H 421 | Amends Existing Law to Define Terms and Revise Definitions for "Sex"and "Gender" | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
| April 10, 2024 | ID | H 538 | Prohibits Governmental Entities From Compelling Employees to Use Certain Pronouns or Titles | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9) |
| April 10, 2024 | ID | H 538 | Prohibits Governmental Entities From Compelling Employees to Use Certain Pronouns or Titles | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9) |
| April 3, 2024 | ID | S 1354 | Establish Provisions for Electroconvulsive Treatment for Children | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| March 28, 2024 | ID | SCR 135 | Establishes Opposition to Racism and Hate | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (33 - 1) |
| March 25, 2024 | ID | H 620 | Prohibits Local Regulation of the Carrying of Knives | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7) |
| March 25, 2024 | ID | H 620 | Prohibits Local Regulation of the Carrying of Knives | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7) |
| March 7, 2024 | ID | S 1379 | Establishes Additional Requirements for Child Care Placements | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0) |
| Feb. 28, 2024 | ID | S 1352 | Establishes Religious Protections for Councilors and Therapists | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
| Feb. 8, 2024 | ID | S 1234 | Requires Health Benefit Plans to to Cover Prescription Contraception for a 6-Month Supply | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| March 27, 2023 | ID | H 71 | Prohibits Gender Affirming Care for Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12) |
| March 24, 2023 | ID | H 182 | Establishes Provisions Regarding Prayer | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
| March 6, 2023 | ID | S 1056 | Repeals State Law that Prohibits Local Groups from Carrying Firearms in Public | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
| Feb. 8, 2023 | ID | S 1016 | Prohibits Local Governments from Requiring Unisex Multiple-Occupancy Restrooms | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7) |
| March 23, 2022 | ID | H 720 | Prohibits Non-Human Entities From Being Granted Personhood | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5) |
| Feb. 10, 2022 | ID | S 1262 | Expands Firearm Protections During Declared Disaster Emergencies | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5) |
| April 26, 2021 | ID | H 377 | Prohibits Teaching the Topic Known as "Critical Race Theory" | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
| April 21, 2021 | ID | S 1211 | Authorizes Removal of 90 Percent of the Wolf Population | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
| April 20, 2021 | ID | S 1205 | Prohibits Cooperating with Enforcement of Federal Gun Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7) |
| March 18, 2020 | ID | H 516 | Amends Constitutional Carry Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5) |
| March 17, 2020 | ID | H 509 | Prohibits Gender Change on Birth Certificates | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6) |
| March 16, 2020 | ID | H 500 | Prohibits Transgender Female Students from Sports designated for Females | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| Feb. 21, 2020 | ID | S 1318 | Prohibits Employment Discrimination Based On Criminal History Background | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| March 18, 2019 | ID | H 180 | Authorizes Syringe and Needle Exchange Program | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11) |
| March 21, 2018 | ID | H 658 | Amends Trespassing Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6) |
| March 16, 2018 | ID | H 665 | Increases Penalties for Threats Against Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1) |
| March 16, 2018 | ID | H 649 | Amends Drug Use Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1) |
| March 16, 2018 | ID | H 649 | Amends Drug Use Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1) |
| March 12, 2018 | ID | H 448 | Amends Indecent Exposure Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0) |
| March 2, 2018 | ID | S 1313 | Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6) |
| Feb. 20, 2018 | ID | S 1243 | Requires Public Information Regarding Abortion Interventions | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6) |
| March 16, 2016 | ID | S 1389 | Authorizes Concealed Carry Without Permit | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
| Feb. 26, 2016 | ID | S 1276 | Expands List of Crimes that Prohibit an Individual from Possessing Firearm | Bill Failed - Senate (6 - 29) |
| Feb. 26, 2016 | ID | S 1276 | Expands List of Crimes that Prohibit an Individual from Possessing Firearm | Bill Failed - Senate (6 - 29) |
| April 6, 2015 | ID | S 1011 | Repeals Authorization of Gambling on Past Horse Races | Veto Override Failed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| March 17, 2015 | ID | S 1095 | Establishes 5-Tier Sexual Offender Registry | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14) |
| March 16, 2015 | ID | S 1092 | Prohibits Local Knife Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
| Feb. 17, 2015 | ID | S 1011 | Repeals Authorization of Gambling on Past Horse Races | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9) |
| Feb. 18, 2014 | ID | S 1254 | Authorizes the Concealed Carry of Firearms on College or University Campuses | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
| Feb. 14, 2014 | ID | S 1337 | Prohibits Recording of Agricultural Operations | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| Feb. 14, 2014 | ID | S 1337 | Prohibits Recording of Agricultural Operations | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| March 28, 2012 | ID | S 1256 | Authorizes the Auction of Big-Game Tags | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| March 26, 2012 | ID | H 542 | Prohibits the State from Limiting the Use of Motorized Vehicles on Public Land | Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 20) |
| March 15, 2012 | ID | S 1358 | Amends Bullying Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8) |
| Feb. 24, 2012 | ID | S 1256 | Authorizes the Auction of Big-Game Tags | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16) |
| Feb. 14, 2012 | ID | H 404 | Prohibits Camping on Capitol Mall Property | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
| March 29, 2010 | ID | H 729 | Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4) |
| March 24, 2010 | ID | H 496 | Requiring Photo Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6) |
| March 10, 2010 | ID | S 1352 | Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5) |
| Feb. 26, 2010 | ID | S 1353 | Authorizing Health Care Professionals to Refuse Specific Health Care Services | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| March 16, 2009 | ID | S 1089 | Eliminating Child Safety Seat Exemptions | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15) |
| March 25, 2008 | ID | H 592 | Film and Television Production Rebate | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
| March 19, 2008 | ID | S 1484 | Disclosing Fiscal Impacts of Citizens Initiatives | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9) |
| March 17, 2008 | ID | H 348 | Legalizing Alcohol Sales on Election Day | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16) |
| March 28, 2007 | ID | H 121 | Smoking Ban in Bowling Alleys | Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 6) |
| March 13, 2007 | ID | H 121 | Smoking Ban in Bowling Alleys | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4) |
| March 7, 2007 | ID | S 1172 | English as the Official Language | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| March 28, 2006 | ID | H 630 | School Grounds - Violence | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4) |
| March 28, 2006 | ID | H 630 | School Grounds - Violence | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4) |
| March 1, 2006 | ID | SJR 106 | Right to Hunt, Fish and Trap | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (18 - 16) |
| March 1, 2006 | ID | SJR 106 | Right to Hunt, Fish and Trap | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (18 - 16) |
| Feb. 28, 2006 | ID | S 1337 | Controlled Substances Relating to Pregnant Women & Children Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16) |
| Feb. 28, 2006 | ID | S 1337 | Controlled Substances Relating to Pregnant Women & Children Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16) |
| Feb. 28, 2006 | ID | S 1337 | Controlled Substances Relating to Pregnant Women & Children Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16) |
| Feb. 15, 2006 | ID | HJR 2 | Marriage Amendment Ballot Question | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
| Feb. 15, 2006 | ID | HJR 2 | Marriage Amendment Ballot Question | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
| Feb. 15, 2006 | ID | HJR 2 | Marriage Amendment Ballot Question | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
| Feb. 14, 2006 | ID | S 1327 | Background Checks for Adults Who Work With Children | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| Feb. 14, 2006 | ID | S 1327 | Background Checks for Adults Who Work With Children | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |