Key Votes

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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:

  1. The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member stands on a particular issue
  2. The vote should be clear for any person to understand
  3. The vote has received media attention
  4. The vote was passed or defeated by a very close margin
  5. 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
June 15, 2011 NY A 8446 Extension of Rent Control Laws Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 43)
June 13, 2011 OR HB 2541 Amends Inheritance Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
June 9, 2011 NJ S 805 Senior Tenants' Rent Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
May 5, 2011 VT H 436 Tax Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 10)
May 4, 2011 FL HJR 381 Homestead and Property Assessment Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
April 25, 2011 NV SB 368 Prohibits Discrimination in Housing Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
April 20, 2011 MT HB 198 Eminent Domain Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
April 20, 2011 WA SB 5622 Recreation Access on State Lands Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
Feb. 28, 2011 UT SB 270 Modifications to Sales and Use Tax Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
Feb. 22, 2011 MT SB 254 Eminent Domain Over Federal Property Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
Jan. 26, 2011 AZ HB 2534 Annexation of Land by Cities and Towns Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 10)
Jan. 11, 2011 IL SB 2505 Amends Property Tax Code Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 29)
July 15, 2010 National HR 4173 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (60 - 39)
July 8, 2010 NJ S 29 Reducing the property tax levy cap Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 3)
July 7, 2010 NC SB 1015 Homeowner and Homebuyer Protection Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
June 28, 2010 NJ S 29 Reducing the property tax levy cap Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
May 12, 2010 VT H 485 Property Tax and Land Use Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
May 12, 2010 National S Amdt 3962 Home Loan Regulation Modifications Amendment Adopted - Senate (63 - 36)
May 12, 2010 National S Amdt 3955 Establishing New Mortgage Underwriting Requirements and Eliminating a Risk Retention Requirement Amendment Rejected - Senate (42 - 57)
May 11, 2010 National S Amdt 3839 Termination of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Conservatorships Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 56)
May 4, 2010 IL HB 2360 Homeowner's Emergency Assistance Plan Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
May 3, 2010 CO HB 1141 Requirement for Mortgage Companies to have License and Registration Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
April 23, 2010 CO SB 190 Suspension of Tax Exemption for Seniors Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
March 25, 2010 CO HB 1288 Authorizing Real Estate Brokers to File Liens for Unpaid Commissions Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
March 22, 2010 CO HB 1188 Navigation Rights for River Outfitters Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
March 11, 2010 CA SBx8 32 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
Feb. 10, 2010 SC H 3272 Property Tax Law Amendments Bill Failed - Senate (28 - 13)
Jan. 19, 2010 IA HF 2030 School District Budget Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
Jan. 12, 2010 IN SJR 1 Constitutional Property Tax Cap Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
Aug. 12, 2009 AZ HB 2010 Budget Reconciliation (Criminal Justice) Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 8)
July 24, 2009 CA ABX4 14 2009-2010 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
July 24, 2009 CA ABX4 15 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Implementing Prop 1A Suspension Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
June 25, 2009 NJ S 702 Promoting Purchase of Energy-Efficient Homes Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
June 25, 2009 NJ A 4048 2009 Economic Package Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
June 22, 2009 LA HB 877 Bluebonnet-Perkins Conference Hotel Taxing District Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 17)
June 5, 2009 ME LD 1088 Income and Sales Tax Reform Bill Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
May 31, 2009 NV AB 543 Property Tax Reappropriation Veto Override Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
May 27, 2009 LA Amendment # 1874 Video Draw Poker Device Location Restriction Amendment Adopted - Senate (18 - 16)
May 6, 2009 CO HB 1366 Capital Gains Income Tax Reduction Modification Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
May 6, 2009 NY S 1363 Tenants' Protection In Foreclosure Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 24)
May 1, 2009 FL HB 1495 Property Insurance Law Modifications Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
May 1, 2009 FL SB 360 Growth Management Deregulation Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
April 2, 2009 MI HB 4454 Written Foreclosure Notice Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
April 2, 2009 MI HB 4453 Holds in Foreclosure Proceedings Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
March 16, 2009 NJ S 2577 Age-Restricted Housing Exemptions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
March 13, 2009 WV SB 238 Ban on Sexual Orientation Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
March 12, 2009 SD HB 1197 Tax Changes Relating to Single Family Dwellings Under Construction Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
March 11, 2009 WA SB 5895 Housing Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24)
March 11, 2009 UT HB 179 Authorizing Land Swap for Development of UTA Rail Station Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
Feb. 26, 2009 OR HB 2436 Real Estate Fees to Fund Housing Programs Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
Feb. 24, 2009 VA HB 1671 "Derelict Building" Plan Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 3)
Feb. 20, 2009 CO HB 1091 Carbon Monoxide Detector Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
Feb. 9, 2009 IN SJR 1 Constitutional Property Tax Cap Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
Feb. 6, 2009 GA HB 143 Property Tax Grant Appropriation Authorization Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 24)
Feb. 6, 2009 GA SB 83 Expanding Homestead Property Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 14)
Jan. 26, 2009 MT SB 131 Wildland-Urban Interface Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
Dec. 15, 2008 NJ S 1599 Mortgage and Housing Assistance Programs Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
Nov. 24, 2008 NJ A 3459 Foreclosure Assistance Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
Oct. 1, 2008 National HR 1424 Financial Asset Purchase Authority and Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 25)
Aug. 30, 2008 CA SB 375 Global Warming and Land Use Policy Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
Aug. 19, 2008 IL HB 4201 Property Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (27 - 11)
Aug. 8, 2008 NY S 8736 School District Property Tax Cap Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 20)
July 26, 2008 National HR 3221 Housing Bill with Energy Tax Credit Extensions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (72 - 13)
July 17, 2008 NC HB 2499 Water Management During Droughts Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 9)
July 10, 2008 NC HB 822 Swine Farm Rebuilding Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 8)
July 7, 2008 CA AB 2949 Retrieving Abandoned Pets Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
June 25, 2008 National S Amdt 4983 Housing Foreclosure Assistance Programs Amendment Adopted - Senate (79 - 16)
June 11, 2008 CT SB 1001 Real Estate Conveyance Tax Extension Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
June 4, 2008 NY S 6823 Long Island Affordable Housing Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 9)
May 28, 2008 LA SB 292 Public Fishing in Overflow Waters Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 19)
May 7, 2008 National S Amdt 4719 Optional Wind Damage Insurance Amendment Rejected - Senate (19 - 74)
May 5, 2008 CO SB 200 Sexual Orientation Nondiscrimination Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
April 28, 2008 CA SB 1137 Residential Property Foreclosures Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
April 22, 2008 MI SB 1078 Township Annexation Requirements Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 20)
April 17, 2008 IL SB 2063 South Suburban Airport Authority Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 7)
April 10, 2008 National HR 3221 Housing Bill with Energy Tax Credit Extensions Bill Passed - Senate (84 - 12)
March 31, 2008 CO HB 1270 Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
March 31, 2008 GA HB 1158 Motor Vehicle Trauma Care Fee Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
March 28, 2008 GA HR 1246 Property Tax Assessment Freeze Resolution Passed - Senate (46 - 7)
March 27, 2008 CO HB 1280 Extending Water Rights Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
March 24, 2008 MD SB 597 Property Transfer Tax Exemptions for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
March 14, 2008 IN SJR 1 Constitutional Property Tax Cap Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 7)
March 14, 2008 IN HB 1001 Property Tax Reduction Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 6)
March 6, 2008 GA SB 449 Limiting Agritourism Liability Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 14)
March 5, 2008 WY HB 137 Deadly Force in Self Defense Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 1)
March 3, 2008 ID S 1400 Real Estate Sales Price Disclosure Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
Feb. 26, 2008 IN HB 1001 Property Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
Feb. 25, 2008 VA HB 11 Property Tax Exemptions Motion Agreed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 25, 2008 IN Amnd. 19 Referendum on Township Assessors Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 20)
Feb. 25, 2008 IN Amnd. 17 Elimination of Township Assessors Amendment Rejected - Senate (23 - 23)
Feb. 13, 2008 SD SB 174 Railroad Eminent Domain Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
Feb. 12, 2008 GA SR 686 Property Tax Assessment Freeze Resolution Passed - Senate (53 - 3)
Feb. 12, 2008 GA SR 796 Property Tax Assessment Cap Resolution Passed - Senate (48 - 7)
Feb. 10, 2008 NM HB 661 Affordable Housing Tax Relief Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
Feb. 7, 2008 National HR 5140 Economic Stimulus Plan Bill Passed - Senate (81 - 16)
Feb. 6, 2008 WA SB 6452 Yield Spread Premium Disclosure Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17)
Feb. 6, 2008 WA SB 6381 Good Faith Duties of Mortgage Brokers Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
Jan. 30, 2008 CA SB 926 Mortgage Lender Requirements Bill Failed - Senate (26 - 14)
Jan. 29, 2008 IN SJR 1 Constitutional Property Tax Cap Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (41 - 7)
Jan. 29, 2008 IN SB 143 Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 13)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/15 A 8446 Extension of Rent Control Laws Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 43)
6/13 HB 2541 Amends Inheritance Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
6/09 S 805 Senior Tenants' Rent Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
5/05 H 436 Tax Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 10)
5/04 HJR 381 Homestead and Property Assessment Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
4/25 SB 368 Prohibits Discrimination in Housing Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
4/20 HB 198 Eminent Domain Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
4/20 SB 5622 Recreation Access on State Lands Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
2/28 SB 270 Modifications to Sales and Use Tax Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
2/22 SB 254 Eminent Domain Over Federal Property Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
1/26 HB 2534 Annexation of Land by Cities and Towns Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 10)
1/11 SB 2505 Amends Property Tax Code Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 29)
7/15 HR 4173 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (60 - 39)
7/08 S 29 Reducing the property tax levy cap Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 3)
7/07 SB 1015 Homeowner and Homebuyer Protection Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
6/28 S 29 Reducing the property tax levy cap Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
5/12 H 485 Property Tax and Land Use Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
5/12 S Amdt 3962 Home Loan Regulation Modifications Amendment Adopted - Senate (63 - 36)
5/12 S Amdt 3955 Establishing New Mortgage Underwriting Requirements and Eliminating a Risk Retention Requirement Amendment Rejected - Senate (42 - 57)
5/11 S Amdt 3839 Termination of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Conservatorships Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 56)
5/04 HB 2360 Homeowner's Emergency Assistance Plan Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
5/03 HB 1141 Requirement for Mortgage Companies to have License and Registration Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
4/23 SB 190 Suspension of Tax Exemption for Seniors Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
3/25 HB 1288 Authorizing Real Estate Brokers to File Liens for Unpaid Commissions Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
3/22 HB 1188 Navigation Rights for River Outfitters Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
3/11 SBx8 32 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
2/10 H 3272 Property Tax Law Amendments Bill Failed - Senate (28 - 13)
1/19 HF 2030 School District Budget Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
1/12 SJR 1 Constitutional Property Tax Cap Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
8/12 HB 2010 Budget Reconciliation (Criminal Justice) Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 8)
7/24 ABX4 14 2009-2010 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
7/24 ABX4 15 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Implementing Prop 1A Suspension Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
6/25 S 702 Promoting Purchase of Energy-Efficient Homes Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
6/25 A 4048 2009 Economic Package Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
6/22 HB 877 Bluebonnet-Perkins Conference Hotel Taxing District Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 17)
6/05 LD 1088 Income and Sales Tax Reform Bill Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
5/31 AB 543 Property Tax Reappropriation Veto Override Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
5/27 Amendment # 1874 Video Draw Poker Device Location Restriction Amendment Adopted - Senate (18 - 16)
5/06 HB 1366 Capital Gains Income Tax Reduction Modification Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
5/06 S 1363 Tenants' Protection In Foreclosure Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 24)
5/01 HB 1495 Property Insurance Law Modifications Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
5/01 SB 360 Growth Management Deregulation Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
4/02 HB 4454 Written Foreclosure Notice Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
4/02 HB 4453 Holds in Foreclosure Proceedings Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
3/16 S 2577 Age-Restricted Housing Exemptions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
3/13 SB 238 Ban on Sexual Orientation Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
3/12 HB 1197 Tax Changes Relating to Single Family Dwellings Under Construction Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
3/11 SB 5895 Housing Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24)
3/11 HB 179 Authorizing Land Swap for Development of UTA Rail Station Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
2/26 HB 2436 Real Estate Fees to Fund Housing Programs Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
2/24 HB 1671 "Derelict Building" Plan Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 3)
2/20 HB 1091 Carbon Monoxide Detector Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
2/09 SJR 1 Constitutional Property Tax Cap Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
2/06 HB 143 Property Tax Grant Appropriation Authorization Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 24)
2/06 SB 83 Expanding Homestead Property Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 14)
1/26 SB 131 Wildland-Urban Interface Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
12/15 S 1599 Mortgage and Housing Assistance Programs Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
11/24 A 3459 Foreclosure Assistance Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
10/01 HR 1424 Financial Asset Purchase Authority and Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 25)
8/30 SB 375 Global Warming and Land Use Policy Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
8/19 HB 4201 Property Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (27 - 11)
8/08 S 8736 School District Property Tax Cap Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 20)
7/26 HR 3221 Housing Bill with Energy Tax Credit Extensions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (72 - 13)
7/17 HB 2499 Water Management During Droughts Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 9)
7/10 HB 822 Swine Farm Rebuilding Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 8)
7/07 AB 2949 Retrieving Abandoned Pets Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
6/25 S Amdt 4983 Housing Foreclosure Assistance Programs Amendment Adopted - Senate (79 - 16)
6/11 SB 1001 Real Estate Conveyance Tax Extension Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
6/04 S 6823 Long Island Affordable Housing Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 9)
5/28 SB 292 Public Fishing in Overflow Waters Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 19)
5/07 S Amdt 4719 Optional Wind Damage Insurance Amendment Rejected - Senate (19 - 74)
5/05 SB 200 Sexual Orientation Nondiscrimination Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
4/28 SB 1137 Residential Property Foreclosures Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
4/22 SB 1078 Township Annexation Requirements Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 20)
4/17 SB 2063 South Suburban Airport Authority Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 7)
4/10 HR 3221 Housing Bill with Energy Tax Credit Extensions Bill Passed - Senate (84 - 12)
3/31 HB 1270 Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
3/31 HB 1158 Motor Vehicle Trauma Care Fee Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
3/28 HR 1246 Property Tax Assessment Freeze Resolution Passed - Senate (46 - 7)
3/27 HB 1280 Extending Water Rights Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
3/24 SB 597 Property Transfer Tax Exemptions for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
3/14 SJR 1 Constitutional Property Tax Cap Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 7)
3/14 HB 1001 Property Tax Reduction Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 6)
3/06 SB 449 Limiting Agritourism Liability Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 14)
3/05 HB 137 Deadly Force in Self Defense Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 1)
3/03 S 1400 Real Estate Sales Price Disclosure Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
2/26 HB 1001 Property Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
2/25 HB 11 Property Tax Exemptions Motion Agreed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/25 Amnd. 19 Referendum on Township Assessors Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 20)
2/25 Amnd. 17 Elimination of Township Assessors Amendment Rejected - Senate (23 - 23)
2/13 SB 174 Railroad Eminent Domain Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
2/12 SR 686 Property Tax Assessment Freeze Resolution Passed - Senate (53 - 3)
2/12 SR 796 Property Tax Assessment Cap Resolution Passed - Senate (48 - 7)
2/10 HB 661 Affordable Housing Tax Relief Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
2/07 HR 5140 Economic Stimulus Plan Bill Passed - Senate (81 - 16)
2/06 SB 6452 Yield Spread Premium Disclosure Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17)
2/06 SB 6381 Good Faith Duties of Mortgage Brokers Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
1/30 SB 926 Mortgage Lender Requirements Bill Failed - Senate (26 - 14)
1/29 SJR 1 Constitutional Property Tax Cap Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (41 - 7)
1/29 SB 143 Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 13)

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