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, 2009 | ID | H 303 | Online Public Education | Bill Passed - House (51 - 19) |
| April 13, 2009 | MD | SB 785 | Inheritance Tax Exemption for Domestic Partners | Bill Passed - House (94 - 38) |
| April 11, 2009 | WV | SB 246 | Temporary Unemployment Compensation Tax Increase for Employers | Bill Passed - House (71 - 29) |
| April 11, 2009 | WV | SB 373 | PROMISE Scholarship Amendments | Bill Passed - House (86 - 14) |
| April 10, 2009 | ID | S 1186 | Highway Project Financing | Bill Passed - House (39 - 29) |
| April 9, 2009 | NH | HB 2 | Tax Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (182 - 165) |
| April 9, 2009 | ID | H 135 | Fuel Tax for Highway Maintenance | Bill Failed - House (32 - 37) |
| April 8, 2009 | NH | HB 1 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - House (193 - 174) |
| April 7, 2009 | ID | H 138 | Allowing Lawsuits for Nonnative Species Attacks | Bill Passed - House (46 - 24) |
| April 7, 2009 | MA | S 2024 | Massachusetts Transportation Agency Consolidation | Bill Passed - House (147 - 7) |
| April 7, 2009 | ID | H 276 | 2009-2010 Department of Environmental Quality Budget | Bill Passed - House (53 - 16) |
| April 6, 2009 | OR | SB 311 | Changes in Liability Limits | Bill Passed - House (50 - 8) |
| April 6, 2009 | OR | SB 311 | Changes in Liability Limits | Bill Passed - House (50 - 8) |
| April 6, 2009 | OR | SB 311 | Changes in Liability Limits | Bill Passed - House (50 - 8) |
| April 3, 2009 | GA | HB 119 | 2009-2010 State Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (137 - 41) |
| April 3, 2009 | GA | HB 2 | Citizenship Status Verification of Government Assistance Recipients | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (121 - 47) |
| April 3, 2009 | VT | H 441 | 2009-2010 Budget | Bill Passed - House (94 - 52) |
| April 3, 2009 | GA | SB 86 | Requiring Proof of Citizenship for Voter Registration | Bill Passed - House (140 - 67) |
| April 2, 2009 | MO | HB 681 | Special Elections for Statewide Office Vacancies | Bill Passed - House (94 - 63) |
| April 2, 2009 | MO | HB 681 | Special Elections for Statewide Office Vacancies | Bill Passed - House (94 - 63) |
| April 1, 2009 | VT | H 438 | Gas Tax Increase to Fund Transportation Construction Bonds | Bill Passed - House (108 - 35) |
| April 1, 2009 | RI | H 5019 | 2008-2009 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - House (58 - 16) |
| April 1, 2009 | OK | SB 4 | Voter Identification | Bill Passed - House (71 - 27) |
| April 1, 2009 | GA | SB 200 | Reorganization of the Department of Transportation | Bill Passed - House (90 - 84) |
| April 1, 2009 | GA | SB 200 | Reorganization of the Department of Transportation | Bill Passed - House (90 - 84) |
| April 1, 2009 | GA | SB 200 | Reorganization of the Department of Transportation | Bill Passed - House (90 - 84) |
| April 1, 2009 | OH | HB 2 | 2009-2011 Biennium Transportation Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 29) |
| March 31, 2009 | KS | HB 2354 | 2009-2010 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 53) |
| March 31, 2009 | NY | A 157-B | Budget Financing | Bill Passed - House (85 - 61) |
| March 31, 2009 | NY | A 159-B | Budget Financing | Bill Passed - House (86 - 59) |
| March 31, 2009 | NY | A 156-B | Budget Financing | Bill Passed - House (91 - 56) |
| March 31, 2009 | FL | HB 903 | Capping Attorney Fees in Workers' Compensation Lawsuits | Bill Passed - House (84 - 35) |
| March 31, 2009 | NY | A 158-B | Budget Financing | Bill Passed - House (88 - 59) |
| March 26, 2009 | FL | Amdt 677495 | Amendments to Attorney Fee Cap in Workers Compensation Lawsuits | Amendment Rejected - House (45 - 69) |
| March 26, 2009 | MD | HB 310 | Extending Unemployment Benefits to Part-Time Employees | Bill Passed - House (94 - 43) |
| March 26, 2009 | MO | HB 2 | 2009-10 Education Budget | Bill Passed - House (92 - 64) |
| March 26, 2009 | MO | HB 10 | 2009-10 Health Budget | Bill Passed - House (88 - 66) |
| March 26, 2009 | MI | HB 4317 | Extending Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Liability | Bill Passed - House (56 - 53) |
| March 26, 2009 | MN | HF 1797 | Federal Stimulus Transportation Funding | Bill Passed - House (113 - 19) |
| March 26, 2009 | MD | SB 279 | Capital Punishment Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (87 - 52) |
| March 26, 2009 | MO | HB 11 | 2009-2010 Social Services Budget | Bill Passed - House (88 - 66) |
| March 26, 2009 | ID | H 262 | Teacher Compensation Adjustments | Bill Passed - House (49 - 20) |
| March 25, 2009 | KS | HB 2275 | Drug Testing for Cash Assistance Recipients | Bill Passed - House (99 - 26) |
| March 25, 2009 | GA | SB 83 | Expanding Homestead Property Tax Exemption | Bill Failed - House (109 - 63) |
| March 24, 2009 | WI | SB 37 | Allowing Drivers To Keep Licenses While Paying Fines | Bill Passed - House (53 - 45) |
| March 24, 2009 | KS | HB 2373 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - House (70 - 54) |
| March 23, 2009 | GA | HB 233 | Two-Year Property Tax Assessment Freeze | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (114 - 55) |
| March 21, 2009 | NM | SB 116 | Campaign Contribution Limits | Bill Passed - House (49 - 17) |
| March 20, 2009 | ID | H 214 | Voluntary Death Certificates for Miscarriages | Bill Failed - House (31 - 32) |
| March 19, 2009 | ID | H 246 | Gasoline Tax Increase | Bill Failed - House (27 - 43) |
| March 19, 2009 | NM | HB 154 | Capital Improvement Appropriations | Bill Passed - House (37 - 28) |
| March 17, 2009 | MT | HB 2 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - House (65 - 35) |
| March 17, 2009 | IA | HF 670 | Early Absentee Vote Counting | Bill Passed - House (76 - 22) |
| March 17, 2009 | CO | HB 1299 | National Popular Vote Act | Bill Passed - House (34 - 29) |
| March 16, 2009 | NJ | S 21 | Local Government PERS/PFRS Contribution Deferral | Bill Passed - House (42 - 36) |
| March 16, 2009 | NJ | S 21 | Local Government PERS/PFRS Contribution Deferral | Bill Passed - House (42 - 36) |
| March 13, 2009 | NM | HB 346 | Increasing Gross Receipts Tax and Compensating Tax to Fund Education | Bill Passed - House (37 - 31) |
| March 13, 2009 | SD | HB 1300 | 2009-2010 Budget | Bill Passed - House (42 - 28) |
| March 13, 2009 | SD | HB | Fiscal Year 2009-2010 State Budget | Bill Passed - House (42 - 28) |
| March 13, 2009 | AK | HB 81 | 2009-2010 Operating Budget | Bill Passed - House (29 - 9) |
| March 12, 2009 | UT | HB 2 | 2009-2010 Education Budget | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 27) |
| March 12, 2009 | WA | SB 2252 | Shifting Local Tax Revenue | Bill Passed - House (54 - 42) |
| March 12, 2009 | OR | HB 2588 | National Popular Vote Act | Bill Passed - House (39 - 19) |
| March 12, 2009 | WA | HB 2261 | Education Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (71 - 26) |
| March 12, 2009 | WA | SB 2252 | Shifting Local Tax Revenue | Bill Passed - House (54 - 42) |
| March 12, 2009 | GA | HB 480 | Car Tax Amendments | Bill Passed - House (133 - 39) |
| March 12, 2009 | MO | HJR 23 | Constitutional State Spending Cap | Joint Resolution Passed - House (82 - 78) |
| March 12, 2009 | KS | HB 2320 | State Spending Limitations and Savings Accounts | Bill Passed - House (89 - 33) |
| March 12, 2009 | KS | HB 2320 | State Spending Limitations and Savings Accounts | Bill Passed - House (89 - 33) |
| March 12, 2009 | KS | HB 2320 | State Spending Limitations and Savings Accounts | Bill Passed - House (89 - 33) |
| March 12, 2009 | GA | HB 243 | Ending New Enrollment in Bonus Program for Teachers' National Certification | Bill Passed - House (92 - 79) |
| March 11, 2009 | SD | HB 1197 | Tax Changes Relating to Single Family Dwellings Under Construction | Veto Override Passed - House (60 - 10) |
| March 11, 2009 | SC | H 3560 | 2009-2010 Budget | Motion Agreed - House (71 - 43) |
| March 11, 2009 | UT | SB 208 | Posting Public Notices Online | Bill Passed - House (38 - 32) |
| March 11, 2009 | OK | HB 1037 | Voter Identification | Bill Passed - House (59 - 39) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4/14 | H 303 | Online Public Education | Bill Passed - House (51 - 19) |
| 4/13 | SB 785 | Inheritance Tax Exemption for Domestic Partners | Bill Passed - House (94 - 38) |
| 4/11 | SB 246 | Temporary Unemployment Compensation Tax Increase for Employers | Bill Passed - House (71 - 29) |
| 4/11 | SB 373 | PROMISE Scholarship Amendments | Bill Passed - House (86 - 14) |
| 4/10 | S 1186 | Highway Project Financing | Bill Passed - House (39 - 29) |
| 4/09 | HB 2 | Tax Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (182 - 165) |
| 4/09 | H 135 | Fuel Tax for Highway Maintenance | Bill Failed - House (32 - 37) |
| 4/08 | HB 1 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - House (193 - 174) |
| 4/07 | H 138 | Allowing Lawsuits for Nonnative Species Attacks | Bill Passed - House (46 - 24) |
| 4/07 | S 2024 | Massachusetts Transportation Agency Consolidation | Bill Passed - House (147 - 7) |
| 4/07 | H 276 | 2009-2010 Department of Environmental Quality Budget | Bill Passed - House (53 - 16) |
| 4/06 | SB 311 | Changes in Liability Limits | Bill Passed - House (50 - 8) |
| 4/06 | SB 311 | Changes in Liability Limits | Bill Passed - House (50 - 8) |
| 4/06 | SB 311 | Changes in Liability Limits | Bill Passed - House (50 - 8) |
| 4/03 | HB 119 | 2009-2010 State Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (137 - 41) |
| 4/03 | HB 2 | Citizenship Status Verification of Government Assistance Recipients | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (121 - 47) |
| 4/03 | H 441 | 2009-2010 Budget | Bill Passed - House (94 - 52) |
| 4/03 | SB 86 | Requiring Proof of Citizenship for Voter Registration | Bill Passed - House (140 - 67) |
| 4/02 | HB 681 | Special Elections for Statewide Office Vacancies | Bill Passed - House (94 - 63) |
| 4/02 | HB 681 | Special Elections for Statewide Office Vacancies | Bill Passed - House (94 - 63) |
| 4/01 | H 438 | Gas Tax Increase to Fund Transportation Construction Bonds | Bill Passed - House (108 - 35) |
| 4/01 | H 5019 | 2008-2009 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - House (58 - 16) |
| 4/01 | SB 4 | Voter Identification | Bill Passed - House (71 - 27) |
| 4/01 | SB 200 | Reorganization of the Department of Transportation | Bill Passed - House (90 - 84) |
| 4/01 | SB 200 | Reorganization of the Department of Transportation | Bill Passed - House (90 - 84) |
| 4/01 | SB 200 | Reorganization of the Department of Transportation | Bill Passed - House (90 - 84) |
| 4/01 | HB 2 | 2009-2011 Biennium Transportation Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 29) |
| 3/31 | HB 2354 | 2009-2010 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 53) |
| 3/31 | A 157-B | Budget Financing | Bill Passed - House (85 - 61) |
| 3/31 | A 159-B | Budget Financing | Bill Passed - House (86 - 59) |
| 3/31 | A 156-B | Budget Financing | Bill Passed - House (91 - 56) |
| 3/31 | HB 903 | Capping Attorney Fees in Workers' Compensation Lawsuits | Bill Passed - House (84 - 35) |
| 3/31 | A 158-B | Budget Financing | Bill Passed - House (88 - 59) |
| 3/26 | Amdt 677495 | Amendments to Attorney Fee Cap in Workers Compensation Lawsuits | Amendment Rejected - House (45 - 69) |
| 3/26 | HB 310 | Extending Unemployment Benefits to Part-Time Employees | Bill Passed - House (94 - 43) |
| 3/26 | HB 2 | 2009-10 Education Budget | Bill Passed - House (92 - 64) |
| 3/26 | HB 10 | 2009-10 Health Budget | Bill Passed - House (88 - 66) |
| 3/26 | HB 4317 | Extending Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Liability | Bill Passed - House (56 - 53) |
| 3/26 | HF 1797 | Federal Stimulus Transportation Funding | Bill Passed - House (113 - 19) |
| 3/26 | SB 279 | Capital Punishment Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (87 - 52) |
| 3/26 | HB 11 | 2009-2010 Social Services Budget | Bill Passed - House (88 - 66) |
| 3/26 | H 262 | Teacher Compensation Adjustments | Bill Passed - House (49 - 20) |
| 3/25 | HB 2275 | Drug Testing for Cash Assistance Recipients | Bill Passed - House (99 - 26) |
| 3/25 | SB 83 | Expanding Homestead Property Tax Exemption | Bill Failed - House (109 - 63) |
| 3/24 | SB 37 | Allowing Drivers To Keep Licenses While Paying Fines | Bill Passed - House (53 - 45) |
| 3/24 | HB 2373 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - House (70 - 54) |
| 3/23 | HB 233 | Two-Year Property Tax Assessment Freeze | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (114 - 55) |
| 3/21 | SB 116 | Campaign Contribution Limits | Bill Passed - House (49 - 17) |
| 3/20 | H 214 | Voluntary Death Certificates for Miscarriages | Bill Failed - House (31 - 32) |
| 3/19 | H 246 | Gasoline Tax Increase | Bill Failed - House (27 - 43) |
| 3/19 | HB 154 | Capital Improvement Appropriations | Bill Passed - House (37 - 28) |
| 3/17 | HB 2 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - House (65 - 35) |
| 3/17 | HF 670 | Early Absentee Vote Counting | Bill Passed - House (76 - 22) |
| 3/17 | HB 1299 | National Popular Vote Act | Bill Passed - House (34 - 29) |
| 3/16 | S 21 | Local Government PERS/PFRS Contribution Deferral | Bill Passed - House (42 - 36) |
| 3/16 | S 21 | Local Government PERS/PFRS Contribution Deferral | Bill Passed - House (42 - 36) |
| 3/13 | HB 346 | Increasing Gross Receipts Tax and Compensating Tax to Fund Education | Bill Passed - House (37 - 31) |
| 3/13 | HB 1300 | 2009-2010 Budget | Bill Passed - House (42 - 28) |
| 3/13 | HB | Fiscal Year 2009-2010 State Budget | Bill Passed - House (42 - 28) |
| 3/13 | HB 81 | 2009-2010 Operating Budget | Bill Passed - House (29 - 9) |
| 3/12 | HB 2 | 2009-2010 Education Budget | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 27) |
| 3/12 | SB 2252 | Shifting Local Tax Revenue | Bill Passed - House (54 - 42) |
| 3/12 | HB 2588 | National Popular Vote Act | Bill Passed - House (39 - 19) |
| 3/12 | HB 2261 | Education Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (71 - 26) |
| 3/12 | SB 2252 | Shifting Local Tax Revenue | Bill Passed - House (54 - 42) |
| 3/12 | HB 480 | Car Tax Amendments | Bill Passed - House (133 - 39) |
| 3/12 | HJR 23 | Constitutional State Spending Cap | Joint Resolution Passed - House (82 - 78) |
| 3/12 | HB 2320 | State Spending Limitations and Savings Accounts | Bill Passed - House (89 - 33) |
| 3/12 | HB 2320 | State Spending Limitations and Savings Accounts | Bill Passed - House (89 - 33) |
| 3/12 | HB 2320 | State Spending Limitations and Savings Accounts | Bill Passed - House (89 - 33) |
| 3/12 | HB 243 | Ending New Enrollment in Bonus Program for Teachers' National Certification | Bill Passed - House (92 - 79) |
| 3/11 | HB 1197 | Tax Changes Relating to Single Family Dwellings Under Construction | Veto Override Passed - House (60 - 10) |
| 3/11 | H 3560 | 2009-2010 Budget | Motion Agreed - House (71 - 43) |
| 3/11 | SB 208 | Posting Public Notices Online | Bill Passed - House (38 - 32) |
| 3/11 | HB 1037 | Voter Identification | Bill Passed - House (59 - 39) |