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 25, 2012 NJ A 763 Increases Fees to Fund the E-Court Information System Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 30)
June 21, 2012 NJ S 1599 Amends Surrogacy Laws Bill Passed - House (41 - 33)
June 11, 2012 RI H 7909 Requires State Health Laws to Comply with the Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - House (56 - 9)
June 6, 2012 NH SB 406 Authorizes Early Offer Alternative to Medical Injury Claims Conference Report Adopted - House (220 - 141)
May 31, 2012 IL HB 1907 Illinois Street Gang and Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (93 - 18)
May 16, 2012 National HR 4970 Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2012 Bill Passed - House (222 - 205)
May 15, 2012 CO HB 1005 Establishes Limits for Driving Under the Influence of Marijuana Bill Passed - House (38 - 24)
May 1, 2012 MS HB 211 Authorizes Certian Officials to Hire Their Own Lawyers Conference Report Adopted - House (63 - 56)
April 26, 2012 TN SJR 710 Amends Judicial Appointment Process Joint Resolution Passed - House (70 - 27)
April 26, 2012 MO HB 1540 Prohibits Employees from Suing Co-Workers for Job Injuries Bill Passed - House (99 - 47)
April 11, 2012 ME LD 1810 Regulatory Takings Bill Passed - House (74 - 72)
April 9, 2012 AZ HB 2199 Authorizes Confidential Environmental Audits by Businesses Concurrence Vote Passed - House (39 - 15)
March 28, 2012 ID H 660 Amends the Judicial Retirement Fund Bill Passed - House (46 - 22)
March 26, 2012 ID H 695 Establishes a Legislative Legal Defense Fund Bill Passed - House (53 - 16)
March 21, 2012 IL HB 3944 Authorizing the Recording of Police Bill Failed - House (45 - 59)
March 19, 2012 CO HB 1271 Repeals Direct Filing of Juveniles by Prosecutors Bill Passed - House (45 - 20)
March 7, 2012 MO SB 572 Amends Worker's Compensation Bill Passed - House (87 - 68)
March 1, 2012 FL HB 1209 Prohibits Courts from Basing Decisions on Foreign Laws Bill Passed - House (92 - 24)
Feb. 29, 2012 FL HB 609 Prohibits Unpaid Wage Collection Ordinances Bill Passed - House (77 - 38)
Feb. 28, 2012 UT HB 316 Extends Waiting Period for Divorce Bill Passed - House (43 - 26)
Feb. 24, 2012 FL HB 971 Amends Process of Judiciary Appointment Bill Passed - House (77 - 35)
Feb. 23, 2012 FL HB 549 Amends Alimony Provisions Bill Passed - House (83 - 30)
Feb. 15, 2012 MS HB 211 Amends the Rules Regarding Hiring Outside Counsel Bill Passed - House (59 - 56)
Feb. 9, 2012 National S 2038 Prohibits Insider Trading by Government Officials Bill Passed - House (417 - 2)
Feb. 9, 2012 MO HB 1219 Workplace Discrimination Amendments Bill Passed - House (89 - 68)
Jan. 30, 2012 CA AB 327 Amends Three Strikes Law Bill Failed - House (33 - 35)
Nov. 1, 2011 WI AB 69 Use of Deadly Force in Self-Defense Bill Passed - House (71 - 24)
Nov. 1, 2011 WI AB 147 Inadmissibility of Apology Statements by Health Care Providers Bill Passed - House (62 - 33)
Oct. 27, 2011 IL SB 1701 Legal Immunity for Individuals Seeking Treatment for Drug Overdose Bill Passed - House (61 - 53)
June 27, 2011 PA SB 1131 Tort Amendments Bill Passed - House (116 - 83)
June 23, 2011 National HR 1249 Patent Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (304 - 117)
April 28, 2011 MI HB 4484 State Tax on Retirement Distributions for Judges and State Officials Bill Passed - House (57 - 52)
April 20, 2011 NC SB 33 Medical Malpractice Amendments Bill Passed - House (91 - 27)
April 15, 2011 FL HJR 7111 Amends the Division of the Florida Supreme Court Amendment Adopted - House (79 - 38)
April 11, 2011 PA HB 1 Comparative Negligence Provisions Bill Passed - House (112 - 88)
April 11, 2011 AZ HB 2191 Punitive Damage Awards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 17)
April 8, 2011 MD HB 302 Parole Approval Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 65)
March 23, 2011 KS SB 83 Amends Judicial Appointment Process Bill Passed - House (66 - 57)
March 15, 2011 NH HB 89 State Lawsuit against the Federal Health Care Law Bill Passed - House (259 - 107)
March 8, 2011 MD HB 302 Parole Approval Bill Passed - House (74 - 66)
March 3, 2011 MT HB 521 Referendum to Revise Judicial Election Laws Bill Failed - House (45 - 54)
March 2, 2011 WV HB 2732 Increased Fees for Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (65 - 35)
March 2, 2011 WV HB 2732 Increased Fees for Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (65 - 35)
Feb. 28, 2011 GA HB 24 Amending Rules of Evidence Bill Passed - House (162 - 5)
Feb. 17, 2011 SD HB 1171 Fetus Protection Bill Bill Tabled - House (61 - 4)
Feb. 7, 2011 WY HB 198 Admissibility of Evidence in Sex Offense Cases Bill Failed - House (29 - 30)
Jan. 20, 2011 WI SB 1 Tort Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (57 - 36)
Dec. 17, 2010 National HR 5510 Aiding Those Facing Foreclosure Act Bill Failed - House (210 - 145)
Nov. 17, 2010 National HR 3808 Interstate Recognition of Notarizations Act of 2010 2 Veto Override Failed - House (185 - 235)
Aug. 24, 2010 CA SB 399 Authorizing Youth Offenders to Appeal a Sentence of Life Without Parole Bill Failed - House (34 - 38)
July 30, 2010 National HR 5851 "Whistleblower Protection" for Offshore Oil Workers Bill Passed - House (315 - 93)
July 21, 2010 National HR 725 Tribal Law Enforcement Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (326 - 92)
May 18, 2010 OK HJR 1056 Prohibits Use of International and Sharia Law in State Courts Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 10)
May 12, 2010 CO HB 1360 Parole Violation Punishment Reduction Concurrence Vote Passed - House (43 - 18)
May 11, 2010 MN SF 341 Domestic Partner Death Rights Bill Passed - House (78 - 55)
May 5, 2010 CT HJ 106 Nomination of Laura Flynn Baldini to Judge of the Superior Court Nomination Confirmed - House (110 - 40)
April 30, 2010 CO HB 1408 Criteria for Judicial Determinations of Congressional Districts Bill Passed - House (35 - 28)
April 8, 2010 AZ HB 2650 Authorizing Extension of Divorce Waiting Period Bill Failed - House (27 - 28)
March 30, 2010 KS HB 2115 Late-Term/Partial Birth Abortion Reporting Requirements Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 36)
March 17, 2010 GA HB 982 Amending Wage Garnishment Procedures for Late Taxpayers Bill Passed - House (95 - 68)
Feb. 24, 2010 WV HB 4292 Changes in Required Magistrate Qualifications Bill Passed - House (61 - 37)
Feb. 16, 2010 NM SB 216 Repeal "Guilty but Mentally Ill" Plea Bill Passed - House (40 - 21)
Feb. 9, 2010 VA HB 629 Asbestos Lawsuit Restrictions Bill Passed - House (49 - 48)
Feb. 3, 2010 VA HB 502 Expanding Death Penalty Eligibility to Accomplices Bill Passed - House (74 - 24)
Nov. 7, 2009 National H Amdt 510 Substitute Health Care and Insurance Law Amendments Amendment Rejected - House (176 - 258)
Sept. 10, 2009 CA AB 2 Health Care Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 26)
Sept. 3, 2009 CA SB 54 Recognizing Out-of-State Same-Sex Marriages Bill Passed - House (47 - 29)
Aug. 31, 2009 CA SBx3 18 Correctional Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (41 - 37)
July 23, 2009 NC HB 524 Changing Local Annexation Laws Bill Passed - House (83 - 31)
July 6, 2009 NC SB 870 Making General Statutes Gender Neutral Motion Agreed - House (79 - 33)
June 12, 2009 OR SB 284 Extension of Statute of Ultimate Repose Bill Passed - House (34 - 24)
June 9, 2009 LA HB 866 Publishing Legal Records Bill Passed - House (53 - 40)
May 12, 2009 LA HB 60 Birth Certificates for Adoption Bill Passed - House (78 - 17)
May 4, 2009 VT Transportation Amendment to S 67 Selective Service Registration by Drivers License Amendment Rejected - House (60 - 68)
April 29, 2009 IN HB 1491 St. Joseph Superior Court Judges Conference Report Adopted - House (68 - 22)
April 20, 2009 NV AB 495 Removing Medical Malpractice Award Cap Bill Passed - House (26 - 15)
April 7, 2009 ID H 138 Allowing Lawsuits for Nonnative Species Attacks Bill Passed - House (46 - 24)
April 6, 2009 OR SB 311 Changes in Liability Limits Bill Passed - House (50 - 8)
March 31, 2009 FL HB 903 Capping Attorney Fees in Workers' Compensation Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (84 - 35)
March 26, 2009 FL Amdt 677495 Amendments to Attorney Fee Cap in Workers Compensation Lawsuits Amendment Rejected - House (45 - 69)
March 26, 2009 MI HB 4317 Extending Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Liability Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
March 26, 2009 MD SB 279 Capital Punishment Restrictions Bill Passed - House (87 - 52)
March 20, 2009 ID H 214 Voluntary Death Certificates for Miscarriages Bill Failed - House (31 - 32)
March 11, 2009 UT SB 208 Posting Public Notices Online Bill Passed - House (38 - 32)
March 10, 2009 UT SB 53 Prohibiting the Awarding of Legal Fees to Plaintiffs in Public Interest Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (42 - 30)
March 10, 2009 UT SB 79 Elevating Standard of Proof for Specific Medical Malpractice Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (53 - 18)
March 9, 2009 UT HB 379 Environmental Lawsuit Delay Bond Bill Passed - House (52 - 22)
March 5, 2009 OR SB 5552 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (37 - 22)
March 5, 2009 OR SB 581 2007-2008, 2008-2009, and 2009-2010 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (37 - 22)
March 4, 2009 KS HB 2206 Partial Birth/Late-term Abortion Reporting Requirements Bill Passed - House (82 - 40)
March 4, 2009 OK HB 1603 Tort Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (61 - 39)
March 3, 2009 UT HB 187 Restricting Access to Public Waters on Private Property Bill Failed - House (34 - 41)
Feb. 25, 2009 VA SB 961 Expanding Death Penalty Eligibility to Accomplices Bill Passed - House (74 - 26)
Feb. 25, 2009 NM HB 28 Increasing Penalties for Intimidation of Judges Bill Passed - House (43 - 21)
Feb. 24, 2009 CO HB 1260 Designated Beneficiary Agreements Between Unmarried Adults Bill Passed - House (41 - 24)
Feb. 18, 2009 UT HB 122 Restricting Access to Government Litigation Records Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
Feb. 18, 2009 OK HB 1602 Attorney Fee Limits Bill Passed - House (54 - 46)
Feb. 17, 2009 ND HB 1572 Legislative Intent With Regards to the Legal Definition of Life Bill Passed - House (51 - 41)
Feb. 11, 2009 OK HB 1601 Regulating Attorney Election Contributions Bill Passed - House (62 - 36)
Feb. 4, 2009 VA HB 1671 "Derelict Building" Plan Requirements Bill Passed - House (80 - 17)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/25 A 763 Increases Fees to Fund the E-Court Information System Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 30)
6/21 S 1599 Amends Surrogacy Laws Bill Passed - House (41 - 33)
6/11 H 7909 Requires State Health Laws to Comply with the Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - House (56 - 9)
6/06 SB 406 Authorizes Early Offer Alternative to Medical Injury Claims Conference Report Adopted - House (220 - 141)
5/31 HB 1907 Illinois Street Gang and Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (93 - 18)
5/16 HR 4970 Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2012 Bill Passed - House (222 - 205)
5/15 HB 1005 Establishes Limits for Driving Under the Influence of Marijuana Bill Passed - House (38 - 24)
5/01 HB 211 Authorizes Certian Officials to Hire Their Own Lawyers Conference Report Adopted - House (63 - 56)
4/26 SJR 710 Amends Judicial Appointment Process Joint Resolution Passed - House (70 - 27)
4/26 HB 1540 Prohibits Employees from Suing Co-Workers for Job Injuries Bill Passed - House (99 - 47)
4/11 LD 1810 Regulatory Takings Bill Passed - House (74 - 72)
4/09 HB 2199 Authorizes Confidential Environmental Audits by Businesses Concurrence Vote Passed - House (39 - 15)
3/28 H 660 Amends the Judicial Retirement Fund Bill Passed - House (46 - 22)
3/26 H 695 Establishes a Legislative Legal Defense Fund Bill Passed - House (53 - 16)
3/21 HB 3944 Authorizing the Recording of Police Bill Failed - House (45 - 59)
3/19 HB 1271 Repeals Direct Filing of Juveniles by Prosecutors Bill Passed - House (45 - 20)
3/07 SB 572 Amends Worker's Compensation Bill Passed - House (87 - 68)
3/01 HB 1209 Prohibits Courts from Basing Decisions on Foreign Laws Bill Passed - House (92 - 24)
2/29 HB 609 Prohibits Unpaid Wage Collection Ordinances Bill Passed - House (77 - 38)
2/28 HB 316 Extends Waiting Period for Divorce Bill Passed - House (43 - 26)
2/24 HB 971 Amends Process of Judiciary Appointment Bill Passed - House (77 - 35)
2/23 HB 549 Amends Alimony Provisions Bill Passed - House (83 - 30)
2/15 HB 211 Amends the Rules Regarding Hiring Outside Counsel Bill Passed - House (59 - 56)
2/09 S 2038 Prohibits Insider Trading by Government Officials Bill Passed - House (417 - 2)
2/09 HB 1219 Workplace Discrimination Amendments Bill Passed - House (89 - 68)
1/30 AB 327 Amends Three Strikes Law Bill Failed - House (33 - 35)
11/01 AB 69 Use of Deadly Force in Self-Defense Bill Passed - House (71 - 24)
11/01 AB 147 Inadmissibility of Apology Statements by Health Care Providers Bill Passed - House (62 - 33)
10/27 SB 1701 Legal Immunity for Individuals Seeking Treatment for Drug Overdose Bill Passed - House (61 - 53)
6/27 SB 1131 Tort Amendments Bill Passed - House (116 - 83)
6/23 HR 1249 Patent Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (304 - 117)
4/28 HB 4484 State Tax on Retirement Distributions for Judges and State Officials Bill Passed - House (57 - 52)
4/20 SB 33 Medical Malpractice Amendments Bill Passed - House (91 - 27)
4/15 HJR 7111 Amends the Division of the Florida Supreme Court Amendment Adopted - House (79 - 38)
4/11 HB 1 Comparative Negligence Provisions Bill Passed - House (112 - 88)
4/11 HB 2191 Punitive Damage Awards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 17)
4/08 HB 302 Parole Approval Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 65)
3/23 SB 83 Amends Judicial Appointment Process Bill Passed - House (66 - 57)
3/15 HB 89 State Lawsuit against the Federal Health Care Law Bill Passed - House (259 - 107)
3/08 HB 302 Parole Approval Bill Passed - House (74 - 66)
3/03 HB 521 Referendum to Revise Judicial Election Laws Bill Failed - House (45 - 54)
3/02 HB 2732 Increased Fees for Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (65 - 35)
3/02 HB 2732 Increased Fees for Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (65 - 35)
2/28 HB 24 Amending Rules of Evidence Bill Passed - House (162 - 5)
2/17 HB 1171 Fetus Protection Bill Bill Tabled - House (61 - 4)
2/07 HB 198 Admissibility of Evidence in Sex Offense Cases Bill Failed - House (29 - 30)
1/20 SB 1 Tort Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (57 - 36)
12/17 HR 5510 Aiding Those Facing Foreclosure Act Bill Failed - House (210 - 145)
11/17 HR 3808 Interstate Recognition of Notarizations Act of 2010 2 Veto Override Failed - House (185 - 235)
8/24 SB 399 Authorizing Youth Offenders to Appeal a Sentence of Life Without Parole Bill Failed - House (34 - 38)
7/30 HR 5851 "Whistleblower Protection" for Offshore Oil Workers Bill Passed - House (315 - 93)
7/21 HR 725 Tribal Law Enforcement Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (326 - 92)
5/18 HJR 1056 Prohibits Use of International and Sharia Law in State Courts Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 10)
5/12 HB 1360 Parole Violation Punishment Reduction Concurrence Vote Passed - House (43 - 18)
5/11 SF 341 Domestic Partner Death Rights Bill Passed - House (78 - 55)
5/05 HJ 106 Nomination of Laura Flynn Baldini to Judge of the Superior Court Nomination Confirmed - House (110 - 40)
4/30 HB 1408 Criteria for Judicial Determinations of Congressional Districts Bill Passed - House (35 - 28)
4/08 HB 2650 Authorizing Extension of Divorce Waiting Period Bill Failed - House (27 - 28)
3/30 HB 2115 Late-Term/Partial Birth Abortion Reporting Requirements Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 36)
3/17 HB 982 Amending Wage Garnishment Procedures for Late Taxpayers Bill Passed - House (95 - 68)
2/24 HB 4292 Changes in Required Magistrate Qualifications Bill Passed - House (61 - 37)
2/16 SB 216 Repeal "Guilty but Mentally Ill" Plea Bill Passed - House (40 - 21)
2/09 HB 629 Asbestos Lawsuit Restrictions Bill Passed - House (49 - 48)
2/03 HB 502 Expanding Death Penalty Eligibility to Accomplices Bill Passed - House (74 - 24)
11/07 H Amdt 510 Substitute Health Care and Insurance Law Amendments Amendment Rejected - House (176 - 258)
9/10 AB 2 Health Care Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 26)
9/03 SB 54 Recognizing Out-of-State Same-Sex Marriages Bill Passed - House (47 - 29)
8/31 SBx3 18 Correctional Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (41 - 37)
7/23 HB 524 Changing Local Annexation Laws Bill Passed - House (83 - 31)
7/06 SB 870 Making General Statutes Gender Neutral Motion Agreed - House (79 - 33)
6/12 SB 284 Extension of Statute of Ultimate Repose Bill Passed - House (34 - 24)
6/09 HB 866 Publishing Legal Records Bill Passed - House (53 - 40)
5/12 HB 60 Birth Certificates for Adoption Bill Passed - House (78 - 17)
5/04 Transportation Amendment to S 67 Selective Service Registration by Drivers License Amendment Rejected - House (60 - 68)
4/29 HB 1491 St. Joseph Superior Court Judges Conference Report Adopted - House (68 - 22)
4/20 AB 495 Removing Medical Malpractice Award Cap Bill Passed - House (26 - 15)
4/07 H 138 Allowing Lawsuits for Nonnative Species Attacks Bill Passed - House (46 - 24)
4/06 SB 311 Changes in Liability Limits Bill Passed - House (50 - 8)
3/31 HB 903 Capping Attorney Fees in Workers' Compensation Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (84 - 35)
3/26 Amdt 677495 Amendments to Attorney Fee Cap in Workers Compensation Lawsuits Amendment Rejected - House (45 - 69)
3/26 HB 4317 Extending Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Liability Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
3/26 SB 279 Capital Punishment Restrictions Bill Passed - House (87 - 52)
3/20 H 214 Voluntary Death Certificates for Miscarriages Bill Failed - House (31 - 32)
3/11 SB 208 Posting Public Notices Online Bill Passed - House (38 - 32)
3/10 SB 53 Prohibiting the Awarding of Legal Fees to Plaintiffs in Public Interest Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (42 - 30)
3/10 SB 79 Elevating Standard of Proof for Specific Medical Malpractice Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (53 - 18)
3/09 HB 379 Environmental Lawsuit Delay Bond Bill Passed - House (52 - 22)
3/05 SB 5552 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (37 - 22)
3/05 SB 581 2007-2008, 2008-2009, and 2009-2010 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (37 - 22)
3/04 HB 2206 Partial Birth/Late-term Abortion Reporting Requirements Bill Passed - House (82 - 40)
3/04 HB 1603 Tort Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (61 - 39)
3/03 HB 187 Restricting Access to Public Waters on Private Property Bill Failed - House (34 - 41)
2/25 SB 961 Expanding Death Penalty Eligibility to Accomplices Bill Passed - House (74 - 26)
2/25 HB 28 Increasing Penalties for Intimidation of Judges Bill Passed - House (43 - 21)
2/24 HB 1260 Designated Beneficiary Agreements Between Unmarried Adults Bill Passed - House (41 - 24)
2/18 HB 122 Restricting Access to Government Litigation Records Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
2/18 HB 1602 Attorney Fee Limits Bill Passed - House (54 - 46)
2/17 HB 1572 Legislative Intent With Regards to the Legal Definition of Life Bill Passed - House (51 - 41)
2/11 HB 1601 Regulating Attorney Election Contributions Bill Passed - House (62 - 36)
2/04 HB 1671 "Derelict Building" Plan Requirements Bill Passed - House (80 - 17)

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