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 16, 2008 | MO | SA 1 to HB 2007 | Mega-Project Fund Appropriation | Amendment Rejected - Senate (11 - 22) |
| April 16, 2008 | IL | SB 2052 | Taxes for Levee Repair | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 15) |
| April 16, 2008 | IA | SF 2420 | Increasing Vehicle Registration Fees | Bill Passed - House (53 - 47) |
| April 16, 2008 | NH | SB 502 | Expanding Unemployment Compensation Eligibility | Bill Passed - House (219 - 113) |
| April 15, 2008 | IA | S 5355 to SF 2420 | State Funding of Road Projects | Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 32) |
| April 15, 2008 | OK | SB 1819 | Tax Rebates for Sports Franchises | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 21) |
| April 15, 2008 | MS | SB 2497 | Increasing Unemployment Compensation | Conference Report Adopted - House (112 - 10) |
| April 15, 2008 | ME | LD 2247 | Alcohol and Soda Tax for Health Care Funding | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 64) |
| April 15, 2008 | ME | LD 2247 | Alcohol and Soda Tax for Health Care Funding | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| April 15, 2008 | National | HR 5719 | Amending Tax Code Provisions and IRS Practices | Bill Passed - House (238 - 179) |
| April 15, 2008 | IA | SF 2420 | Increasing Vehicle Registration Fees | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 14) |
| April 15, 2008 | AL | HB 274 | Food Sales Tax Repeal | Bill Passed - House (63 - 38) |
| April 13, 2008 | AK | SB 221 | 2008-2009 Capital Budget | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (15 - 5) |
| April 12, 2008 | AK | SB 221 | 2008-2009 Capital Budget | Bill Passed - House (33 - 6) |
| April 10, 2008 | National | S Amdt 4419 to S Amdt 4387 | Energy Tax Credits Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (88 - 8) |
| April 10, 2008 | NE | LB 1082 | Expanding Workers' Compensation Benefits | Motion Rejected - Senate (22 - 18) |
| April 10, 2008 | CO | HB 1375 | 2008-2009 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 23) |
| April 10, 2008 | CO | HB 1375 | 2008-2009 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 14) |
| April 10, 2008 | AZ | SB 1096 | English Language Education Funding | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 14) |
| April 10, 2008 | National | HR 3221 | Housing Bill with Energy Tax Credit Extensions | Bill Passed - Senate (84 - 12) |
| April 10, 2008 | IA | SJR 2002 | Natural Resources Trust Fund | Joint Resolution Passed - House (88 - 10) |
| April 10, 2008 | MA | Garry and D'Amico Amendment: Removal of Cigarette Tax Increase | Bill Failed - House (49 - 105) | |
| April 10, 2008 | MA | H 4645 | Cigarette Tax Increase | Bill Passed - House (131 - 23) |
| April 10, 2008 | MN | HF 3569 | Workers' Lung Health Study | Bill Passed - House (88 - 45) |
| April 10, 2008 | MO | HJR 70 | State Spending Limit | Joint Resolution Passed - House (84 - 65) |
| April 10, 2008 | FL | HB 5001 | 2008-2009 Budget | Bill Passed - House (72 - 41) |
| April 9, 2008 | AZ | SB 1096 | English Language Education Funding | Bill Passed - House (37 - 23) |
| April 9, 2008 | IA | HF 2663 | Statewide Sales Tax Increase for School Infrastructure Funding | Bill Passed - House (59 - 41) |
| April 9, 2008 | NY | S 6807 | Budget Financing | Bill Passed - House (107 - 41) |
| April 9, 2008 | SC | H 4673 | Cost-of-Living Pension Increases for Retired Legislators and State Workers | Bill Passed - House (58 - 51) |
| April 9, 2008 | SC | H 4549 | Funding Road Repair and Maintenance | Bill Passed - House (91 - 9) |
| April 9, 2008 | FL | SB 2900 | 2008-2009 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
| April 9, 2008 | NY | S 6801 | 2008-2009 Legislative and Judiciary Budget | Bill Passed - House (110 - 37) |
| April 8, 2008 | CO | HB 1001 | Expanding Bioscience Research Funding | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
| April 8, 2008 | AZ | HB 2220 | Repealing the State Equalization Property Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13) |
| April 8, 2008 | CO | SB 128 | Eliminating Sales and Use Tax Cap | Bill Passed - House (38 - 26) |
| April 8, 2008 | MI | SB 120 | Issuing Food Stamps Twice Monthly | Bill Passed - House (87 - 19) |
| April 7, 2008 | NE | LB 959 | Gas Tax Veto Override | Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 15) |
| April 7, 2008 | ME | LD 1932 | School Consolidation | Veto Override Failed - Senate (12 - 23) |
| April 7, 2008 | ME | LD 1932 | School Consolidation | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 14) |
| April 7, 2008 | MD | SB 268 | Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 16) |
| April 7, 2008 | IA | HF 2539 | Health Care Expansion Plan | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 6) |
| April 7, 2008 | MD | SB 268 | Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program | Bill Passed - House (113 - 25) |
| April 5, 2008 | MD | SB 90 | 2008-2009 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 7) |
| April 5, 2008 | MD | SB 90 | 2008-2009 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (109 - 31) |
| April 5, 2008 | MD | SB 46 | Computer Services Sales Tax Repeal and Other Tax Adjustments | Bill Passed - House (93 - 44) |
| April 4, 2008 | GA | SR 845 | Regional Transportation Sales Tax | Conference Report Adopted - House (134 - 34) |
| April 4, 2008 | ME | LD 1932 | School Consolidation | Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 47) |
| April 4, 2008 | GA | SR 845 | Regional Transportation Sales Tax | Conference Report Rejected - Senate (35 - 18) |
| April 4, 2008 | MD | SB 597 | Property Transfer Tax Exemptions for Domestic Partners | Bill Passed - House (86 - 47) |
| April 3, 2008 | AZ | SB 1167 | Off-Highway Vehicle Regulations | Bill Passed - House (42 - 13) |
| April 3, 2008 | MD | SB 46 | Computer Services Sales Tax Repeal and Other Tax Adjustments | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17) |
| April 3, 2008 | MO | HJR 41 | Prohibiting Judges from Imposing Taxes | Joint Resolution Passed - House (82 - 68) |
| April 2, 2008 | MN | Marty Amnd. | Removing Funding for Stadium Study | Amendment Adopted - Senate (41 - 22) |
| April 2, 2008 | MN | Hann Amnd. | Prohibiting Funding for Cities that Prevent Immigration Status Checks | Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 33) |
| April 2, 2008 | SC | AM 1 | Expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit | Amendment Rejected - House (40 - 73) |
| April 2, 2008 | ME | LD 1932 | School Consolidation | Conference Report Rejected - House (97 - 46) |
| April 2, 2008 | KY | HB 406 | 2008-2010 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 21) |
| April 2, 2008 | KY | HB 406 | 2008-2010 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3) |
| April 2, 2008 | AR | HB 1004 | Natural Gas Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1) |
| April 2, 2008 | SC | H 4550 | Marriage Tax Cut | Bill Passed - House (100 - 14) |
| April 2, 2008 | AK | SB 221 | 2008-2009 Capital Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5) |
| April 2, 2008 | AR | SB 1 | Natural Gas Tax | Bill Passed - House (82 - 17) |
| April 2, 2008 | GA | HB 881 | Georgia Charter Schools Commission | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18) |
| April 1, 2008 | MN | Buesgens Amnd. | Amendment Prohibiting Grants for Groups Involved in Political Activity | Amendment Rejected - House (60 - 69) |
| April 1, 2008 | MN | Seifert Amendment: Prohibiting Grants for Groups Associated with Abortion Providers | Amendment Rejected - House (64 - 66) | |
| April 1, 2008 | GA | HB 1244 | State Income Tax Reductions | Bill Passed - House (154 - 18) |
| April 1, 2008 | GA | HB 1244 | State Income Tax Reductions | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10) |
| April 1, 2008 | GA | HR 1246 | Property Tax Assessment Freeze | Resolution Passed - House (166 - 7) |
| April 1, 2008 | AR | HB 1004 | Natural Gas Tax | Bill Passed - House (81 - 16) |
| April 1, 2008 | AR | SB 1 | Natural Gas Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3) |
| April 1, 2008 | MO | HJR 43 | Constitutional Amendment Limiting Property Taxes | Amendment Adopted - House (133 - 19) |
| April 1, 2008 | GA | HB 1133 | Tax Credits for Nonprofit Donations | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 20) |
| April 1, 2008 | ID | SJR 107 | City, County, and Public Hospital Debt Financing | Bill Failed - House (36 - 33) |
| April 1, 2008 | MD | SB 268 | Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program | Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 25) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4/16 | SA 1 to HB 2007 | Mega-Project Fund Appropriation | Amendment Rejected - Senate (11 - 22) |
| 4/16 | SB 2052 | Taxes for Levee Repair | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 15) |
| 4/16 | SF 2420 | Increasing Vehicle Registration Fees | Bill Passed - House (53 - 47) |
| 4/16 | SB 502 | Expanding Unemployment Compensation Eligibility | Bill Passed - House (219 - 113) |
| 4/15 | S 5355 to SF 2420 | State Funding of Road Projects | Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 32) |
| 4/15 | SB 1819 | Tax Rebates for Sports Franchises | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 21) |
| 4/15 | SB 2497 | Increasing Unemployment Compensation | Conference Report Adopted - House (112 - 10) |
| 4/15 | LD 2247 | Alcohol and Soda Tax for Health Care Funding | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 64) |
| 4/15 | LD 2247 | Alcohol and Soda Tax for Health Care Funding | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| 4/15 | HR 5719 | Amending Tax Code Provisions and IRS Practices | Bill Passed - House (238 - 179) |
| 4/15 | SF 2420 | Increasing Vehicle Registration Fees | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 14) |
| 4/15 | HB 274 | Food Sales Tax Repeal | Bill Passed - House (63 - 38) |
| 4/13 | SB 221 | 2008-2009 Capital Budget | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (15 - 5) |
| 4/12 | SB 221 | 2008-2009 Capital Budget | Bill Passed - House (33 - 6) |
| 4/10 | S Amdt 4419 to S Amdt 4387 | Energy Tax Credits Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (88 - 8) |
| 4/10 | LB 1082 | Expanding Workers' Compensation Benefits | Motion Rejected - Senate (22 - 18) |
| 4/10 | HB 1375 | 2008-2009 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 23) |
| 4/10 | HB 1375 | 2008-2009 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 14) |
| 4/10 | SB 1096 | English Language Education Funding | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 14) |
| 4/10 | HR 3221 | Housing Bill with Energy Tax Credit Extensions | Bill Passed - Senate (84 - 12) |
| 4/10 | SJR 2002 | Natural Resources Trust Fund | Joint Resolution Passed - House (88 - 10) |
| 4/10 | Garry and D'Amico Amendment: Removal of Cigarette Tax Increase | Bill Failed - House (49 - 105) | |
| 4/10 | H 4645 | Cigarette Tax Increase | Bill Passed - House (131 - 23) |
| 4/10 | HF 3569 | Workers' Lung Health Study | Bill Passed - House (88 - 45) |
| 4/10 | HJR 70 | State Spending Limit | Joint Resolution Passed - House (84 - 65) |
| 4/10 | HB 5001 | 2008-2009 Budget | Bill Passed - House (72 - 41) |
| 4/09 | SB 1096 | English Language Education Funding | Bill Passed - House (37 - 23) |
| 4/09 | HF 2663 | Statewide Sales Tax Increase for School Infrastructure Funding | Bill Passed - House (59 - 41) |
| 4/09 | S 6807 | Budget Financing | Bill Passed - House (107 - 41) |
| 4/09 | H 4673 | Cost-of-Living Pension Increases for Retired Legislators and State Workers | Bill Passed - House (58 - 51) |
| 4/09 | H 4549 | Funding Road Repair and Maintenance | Bill Passed - House (91 - 9) |
| 4/09 | SB 2900 | 2008-2009 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
| 4/09 | S 6801 | 2008-2009 Legislative and Judiciary Budget | Bill Passed - House (110 - 37) |
| 4/08 | HB 1001 | Expanding Bioscience Research Funding | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
| 4/08 | HB 2220 | Repealing the State Equalization Property Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13) |
| 4/08 | SB 128 | Eliminating Sales and Use Tax Cap | Bill Passed - House (38 - 26) |
| 4/08 | SB 120 | Issuing Food Stamps Twice Monthly | Bill Passed - House (87 - 19) |
| 4/07 | LB 959 | Gas Tax Veto Override | Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 15) |
| 4/07 | LD 1932 | School Consolidation | Veto Override Failed - Senate (12 - 23) |
| 4/07 | LD 1932 | School Consolidation | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 14) |
| 4/07 | SB 268 | Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 16) |
| 4/07 | HF 2539 | Health Care Expansion Plan | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 6) |
| 4/07 | SB 268 | Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program | Bill Passed - House (113 - 25) |
| 4/05 | SB 90 | 2008-2009 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 7) |
| 4/05 | SB 90 | 2008-2009 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (109 - 31) |
| 4/05 | SB 46 | Computer Services Sales Tax Repeal and Other Tax Adjustments | Bill Passed - House (93 - 44) |
| 4/04 | SR 845 | Regional Transportation Sales Tax | Conference Report Adopted - House (134 - 34) |
| 4/04 | LD 1932 | School Consolidation | Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 47) |
| 4/04 | SR 845 | Regional Transportation Sales Tax | Conference Report Rejected - Senate (35 - 18) |
| 4/04 | SB 597 | Property Transfer Tax Exemptions for Domestic Partners | Bill Passed - House (86 - 47) |
| 4/03 | SB 1167 | Off-Highway Vehicle Regulations | Bill Passed - House (42 - 13) |
| 4/03 | SB 46 | Computer Services Sales Tax Repeal and Other Tax Adjustments | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17) |
| 4/03 | HJR 41 | Prohibiting Judges from Imposing Taxes | Joint Resolution Passed - House (82 - 68) |
| 4/02 | Marty Amnd. | Removing Funding for Stadium Study | Amendment Adopted - Senate (41 - 22) |
| 4/02 | Hann Amnd. | Prohibiting Funding for Cities that Prevent Immigration Status Checks | Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 33) |
| 4/02 | AM 1 | Expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit | Amendment Rejected - House (40 - 73) |
| 4/02 | LD 1932 | School Consolidation | Conference Report Rejected - House (97 - 46) |
| 4/02 | HB 406 | 2008-2010 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 21) |
| 4/02 | HB 406 | 2008-2010 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3) |
| 4/02 | HB 1004 | Natural Gas Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1) |
| 4/02 | H 4550 | Marriage Tax Cut | Bill Passed - House (100 - 14) |
| 4/02 | SB 221 | 2008-2009 Capital Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5) |
| 4/02 | SB 1 | Natural Gas Tax | Bill Passed - House (82 - 17) |
| 4/02 | HB 881 | Georgia Charter Schools Commission | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18) |
| 4/01 | Buesgens Amnd. | Amendment Prohibiting Grants for Groups Involved in Political Activity | Amendment Rejected - House (60 - 69) |
| 4/01 | Seifert Amendment: Prohibiting Grants for Groups Associated with Abortion Providers | Amendment Rejected - House (64 - 66) | |
| 4/01 | HB 1244 | State Income Tax Reductions | Bill Passed - House (154 - 18) |
| 4/01 | HB 1244 | State Income Tax Reductions | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10) |
| 4/01 | HR 1246 | Property Tax Assessment Freeze | Resolution Passed - House (166 - 7) |
| 4/01 | HB 1004 | Natural Gas Tax | Bill Passed - House (81 - 16) |
| 4/01 | SB 1 | Natural Gas Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3) |
| 4/01 | HJR 43 | Constitutional Amendment Limiting Property Taxes | Amendment Adopted - House (133 - 19) |
| 4/01 | HB 1133 | Tax Credits for Nonprofit Donations | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 20) |
| 4/01 | SJR 107 | City, County, and Public Hospital Debt Financing | Bill Failed - House (36 - 33) |
| 4/01 | SB 268 | Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program | Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 25) |