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 8, 2008 | MI | SB 120 | Issuing Food Stamps Twice Monthly | Bill Passed - House (87 - 19) |
| 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 | CO | SB 128 | Eliminating Sales and Use Tax Cap | Bill Passed - House (38 - 26) |
| April 8, 2008 | IL | HJRCA 28 | Recall Elections | Joint Resolution Passed - House (75 - 33) |
| April 8, 2008 | IL | HJRCA 28 | Recall Elections | Joint Resolution Passed - House (75 - 33) |
| 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 | MN | Brod Amendment: Voter Registration Training | Amendment Rejected - House (48 - 82) | |
| April 7, 2008 | MN | Emmer Amnd. | Voter Identification Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (59 - 70) |
| 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 | MD | SB 268 | Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program | Bill Passed - House (113 - 25) |
| April 7, 2008 | IA | HF 2539 | Health Care Expansion Plan | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 6) |
| April 7, 2008 | NE | LB 1157 | Uniform School Testing | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 15) |
| 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 Rejected - Senate (35 - 18) |
| April 4, 2008 | GA | SR 845 | Regional Transportation Sales Tax | Conference Report Adopted - House (134 - 34) |
| 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 | KS | SB 148 | Electricity Generation and Conservation | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 7) |
| April 4, 2008 | KS | SB 148 | Electricity Generation and Conservation | Bill Passed - House (83 - 41) |
| 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 | MN | SF 960 | Modification of the Definition of Dependents for Local Government Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 22) |
| April 3, 2008 | MD | SB 46 | Computer Services Sales Tax Repeal and Other Tax Adjustments | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17) |
| April 3, 2008 | MN | SF 960 | Modification of the Definition of Dependents for Local Government Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 22) |
| April 3, 2008 | MO | HJR 41 | Prohibiting Judges from Imposing Taxes | Joint Resolution Passed - House (82 - 68) |
| April 3, 2008 | MO | HJR 41 | Prohibiting Judges from Imposing Taxes | Joint Resolution Passed - House (82 - 68) |
| 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 | MN | Marty Amnd. | Removing Funding for Stadium Study | Amendment Adopted - Senate (41 - 22) |
| April 2, 2008 | KY | HB 406 | 2008-2010 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 21) |
| 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 - Senate (35 - 3) |
| April 2, 2008 | GA | HB 881 | Georgia Charter Schools Commission | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18) |
| April 2, 2008 | GA | SB 174 | Physical Fitness Standards for State Employees | Bill Failed - House (55 - 107) |
| April 2, 2008 | AK | SB 221 | 2008-2009 Capital Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5) |
| April 2, 2008 | SC | H 4550 | Marriage Tax Cut | Bill Passed - House (100 - 14) |
| April 2, 2008 | AR | HB 1004 | Natural Gas Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1) |
| April 2, 2008 | AR | SB 1 | Natural Gas Tax | Bill Passed - House (82 - 17) |
| 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 | MN | Buesgens Amnd. | Amendment Prohibiting Grants for Groups Involved in Political Activity | Amendment Rejected - House (60 - 69) |
| April 1, 2008 | GA | HR 1246 | Property Tax Assessment Freeze | Resolution Passed - House (166 - 7) |
| April 1, 2008 | GA | HB 1281 | Restricting Local Outdoor Water Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 13) |
| 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 | KY | HB 70 | Restoring Voting Rights to Former Felons | Bill Passed - House (80 - 14) |
| April 1, 2008 | AR | HB 1004 | Natural Gas Tax | Bill Passed - House (81 - 16) |
| April 1, 2008 | MD | SB 268 | Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program | Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 25) |
| April 1, 2008 | ID | SJR 107 | City, County, and Public Hospital Debt Financing | Bill Failed - House (36 - 33) |
| April 1, 2008 | AZ | HB 2392 | Opting Out of No Child Left Behind Act | Bill Passed - House (46 - 11) |
| April 1, 2008 | IL | HB 4232 | State Board of Education Selection Process | Bill Passed - House (86 - 21) |
| April 1, 2008 | AR | SB 1 | Natural Gas Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3) |
| April 1, 2008 | GA | HB 1133 | Tax Credits for Nonprofit Donations | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 20) |
| April 1, 2008 | MO | HJR 43 | Constitutional Amendment Limiting Property Taxes | Amendment Adopted - House (133 - 19) |
| March 31, 2008 | ME | LD 2289 | 2008-2009 Budget | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 55) |
| March 31, 2008 | ME | LD 2289 | 2008-2009 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| March 31, 2008 | CO | HB 1270 | Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| March 31, 2008 | CO | HB 1233 | Limited Liability Company Campaign Donation Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| March 31, 2008 | CO | HB 1123 | Funeral Registration | Bill Passed - House (41 - 24) |
| March 31, 2008 | GA | HB 1158 | Motor Vehicle Trauma Care Fee | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7) |
| March 28, 2008 | MD | HB 362 | Department of Information Technology | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14) |
| March 28, 2008 | MD | HB 362 | Department of Information Technology | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14) |
| March 28, 2008 | GA | HR 1246 | Property Tax Assessment Freeze | Resolution Passed - Senate (46 - 7) |
| March 28, 2008 | GA | HB 1244 | State Income Tax Reductions | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 6) |
| March 28, 2008 | NE | LB 959 | 2007-2009 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9) |
| March 28, 2008 | ID | H 655 | Tax Rebate for Road Projects | Bill Passed - House (40 - 25) |
| March 27, 2008 | MN | Seifert Amendment: Breaches of Insurance Policy | Amendment Adopted - House (80 - 52) | |
| March 27, 2008 | MS | HB 520 | Reporting Sexual Activity of Minors | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 41) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4/08 | SB 120 | Issuing Food Stamps Twice Monthly | Bill Passed - House (87 - 19) |
| 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 128 | Eliminating Sales and Use Tax Cap | Bill Passed - House (38 - 26) |
| 4/08 | HJRCA 28 | Recall Elections | Joint Resolution Passed - House (75 - 33) |
| 4/08 | HJRCA 28 | Recall Elections | Joint Resolution Passed - House (75 - 33) |
| 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 | Brod Amendment: Voter Registration Training | Amendment Rejected - House (48 - 82) | |
| 4/07 | Emmer Amnd. | Voter Identification Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (59 - 70) |
| 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 | SB 268 | Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program | Bill Passed - House (113 - 25) |
| 4/07 | HF 2539 | Health Care Expansion Plan | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 6) |
| 4/07 | LB 1157 | Uniform School Testing | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 15) |
| 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 Rejected - Senate (35 - 18) |
| 4/04 | SR 845 | Regional Transportation Sales Tax | Conference Report Adopted - House (134 - 34) |
| 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 148 | Electricity Generation and Conservation | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 7) |
| 4/04 | SB 148 | Electricity Generation and Conservation | Bill Passed - House (83 - 41) |
| 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 | SF 960 | Modification of the Definition of Dependents for Local Government Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 22) |
| 4/03 | SB 46 | Computer Services Sales Tax Repeal and Other Tax Adjustments | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17) |
| 4/03 | SF 960 | Modification of the Definition of Dependents for Local Government Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 22) |
| 4/03 | HJR 41 | Prohibiting Judges from Imposing Taxes | Joint Resolution Passed - House (82 - 68) |
| 4/03 | HJR 41 | Prohibiting Judges from Imposing Taxes | Joint Resolution Passed - House (82 - 68) |
| 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 | Marty Amnd. | Removing Funding for Stadium Study | Amendment Adopted - Senate (41 - 22) |
| 4/02 | HB 406 | 2008-2010 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 21) |
| 4/02 | LD 1932 | School Consolidation | Conference Report Rejected - House (97 - 46) |
| 4/02 | HB 406 | 2008-2010 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3) |
| 4/02 | HB 881 | Georgia Charter Schools Commission | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18) |
| 4/02 | SB 174 | Physical Fitness Standards for State Employees | Bill Failed - House (55 - 107) |
| 4/02 | SB 221 | 2008-2009 Capital Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5) |
| 4/02 | H 4550 | Marriage Tax Cut | Bill Passed - House (100 - 14) |
| 4/02 | HB 1004 | Natural Gas Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1) |
| 4/02 | SB 1 | Natural Gas Tax | Bill Passed - House (82 - 17) |
| 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 | Buesgens Amnd. | Amendment Prohibiting Grants for Groups Involved in Political Activity | Amendment Rejected - House (60 - 69) |
| 4/01 | HR 1246 | Property Tax Assessment Freeze | Resolution Passed - House (166 - 7) |
| 4/01 | HB 1281 | Restricting Local Outdoor Water Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 13) |
| 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 | HB 70 | Restoring Voting Rights to Former Felons | Bill Passed - House (80 - 14) |
| 4/01 | HB 1004 | Natural Gas Tax | Bill Passed - House (81 - 16) |
| 4/01 | SB 268 | Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program | Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 25) |
| 4/01 | SJR 107 | City, County, and Public Hospital Debt Financing | Bill Failed - House (36 - 33) |
| 4/01 | HB 2392 | Opting Out of No Child Left Behind Act | Bill Passed - House (46 - 11) |
| 4/01 | HB 4232 | State Board of Education Selection Process | Bill Passed - House (86 - 21) |
| 4/01 | SB 1 | Natural Gas Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3) |
| 4/01 | HB 1133 | Tax Credits for Nonprofit Donations | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 20) |
| 4/01 | HJR 43 | Constitutional Amendment Limiting Property Taxes | Amendment Adopted - House (133 - 19) |
| 3/31 | LD 2289 | 2008-2009 Budget | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 55) |
| 3/31 | LD 2289 | 2008-2009 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| 3/31 | HB 1270 | Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| 3/31 | HB 1233 | Limited Liability Company Campaign Donation Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| 3/31 | HB 1123 | Funeral Registration | Bill Passed - House (41 - 24) |
| 3/31 | HB 1158 | Motor Vehicle Trauma Care Fee | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7) |
| 3/28 | HB 362 | Department of Information Technology | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14) |
| 3/28 | HB 362 | Department of Information Technology | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14) |
| 3/28 | HR 1246 | Property Tax Assessment Freeze | Resolution Passed - Senate (46 - 7) |
| 3/28 | HB 1244 | State Income Tax Reductions | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 6) |
| 3/28 | LB 959 | 2007-2009 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9) |
| 3/28 | H 655 | Tax Rebate for Road Projects | Bill Passed - House (40 - 25) |
| 3/27 | Seifert Amendment: Breaches of Insurance Policy | Amendment Adopted - House (80 - 52) | |
| 3/27 | HB 520 | Reporting Sexual Activity of Minors | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 41) |