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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 16, 2010 | IA | SF 2378 | Increase in Fees for Traffic Violations | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17) |
| March 11, 2010 | VA | HB 885 | Authorizing Concealed Firearms in Vehicles | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 28) |
| March 10, 2010 | VA | HB 885 | Authorizing Concealed Firearms in Vehicles | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
| March 10, 2010 | ID | S 1352 | Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5) |
| March 4, 2010 | National | HR 2847 | Employment, Infrastructure, and Transportation Appropriations and Tax Credits ("Senate Jobs Bill") | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (217 - 201) |
| March 4, 2010 | CA | ABx8 9 | Tax and Transportation Law Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 30) |
| March 4, 2010 | CA | ABx8 6 | Fuel Tax Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 32) |
| March 4, 2010 | CA | ABx8 6 | Fuel Tax Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10) |
| March 4, 2010 | CA | ABx8 9 | Tax and Transportation Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10) |
| March 3, 2010 | WY | SF 20 | Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving | Bill Passed - House (32 - 26) |
| March 3, 2010 | WY | SF 64 | Increasing Seat Belt Violation Fine | Bill Failed - House (17 - 41) |
| March 3, 2010 | CO | HB 1147 | Requiring Bicycle Helmets for Minors | Bill Passed - House (33 - 32) |
| March 2, 2010 | AZ | SB 1334 | Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving | Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 11) |
| Feb. 24, 2010 | National | HR 2847 | Employment, Infrastructure, and Transportation Appropriations and Tax Credits ("Senate Jobs Bill") | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (70 - 28) |
| Feb. 24, 2010 | IL | HB 4654 | Limiting Free Mass Transit for Seniors | Bill Passed - House (83 - 27) |
| Feb. 23, 2010 | IA | HF 2456 | Texting While Driving Ban | Bill Passed - House (65 - 31) |
| Feb. 22, 2010 | National | HR 2847 | Employment, Infrastructure, and Transportation Appropriations and Tax Credits ("Senate Jobs Bill") | Cloture Invoked - Senate (62 - 30) |
| Feb. 19, 2010 | SD | HB 1107 | Driver's License Renewal by Mail | Bill Failed - House (33 - 30) |
| Feb. 18, 2010 | WY | SF 64 | Increasing Seat Belt Violation Fine | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| Feb. 17, 2010 | SD | HB 1178 | Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving | Bill Failed - House (32 - 37) |
| Feb. 17, 2010 | UT | HB 113 | Child Safety Seat Law Amendments | Bill Failed - House (24 - 47) |
| Feb. 16, 2010 | VA | HB 1108 | "Trust Women/Respect Choice" License Plates | Bill Passed - House (77 - 22) |
| Feb. 15, 2010 | VA | Gilbert Amdt | "Trust Women/Respect Choice" License Plate Revenue Redistribution | Amendment Adopted - House (56 - 39) |
| Feb. 10, 2010 | CO | HB 1196 | Repealing Income Tax Credit | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| Feb. 9, 2010 | NM | HB 10 | Prohibiting Hand-Held Cell Phone Use While Driving | Bill Passed - House (35 - 30) |
| Feb. 4, 2010 | KY | HB 43 | Ban on Texting and Underage Cell Phone Use While Driving | Bill Passed - House (80 - 16) |
| Feb. 4, 2010 | MA | H 4466 | Expanding Driving Regulations | Bill Passed - House (146 - 9) |
| Feb. 3, 2010 | MS | HB 959 | Sale of State Plane | Bill Passed - House (65 - 55) |
| Feb. 1, 2010 | CO | HB 1196 | Repealing Income Tax Credit | Bill Passed - House (38 - 27) |
| Jan. 27, 2010 | VA | SB 9 | Enforcing Seat Belt Violations as Primary Offenses | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
| Jan. 20, 2010 | OH | HB 166 | Authorizing Regional Transportation Authorities | Bill Passed - House (72 - 26) |
| Dec. 16, 2009 | National | HR 2847 | Employment, Infrastructure, and Transportation Appropriations | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (217 - 212) |
| Dec. 16, 2009 | MI | HB 5634 | Auto Insurance Discrimination Prohibitions | Bill Passed - House (57 - 47) |
| Dec. 16, 2009 | MI | HB 5633 | Prohibiting Auto Insurance Discrimination For Accidents Without Substantial Fault | Bill Passed - House (61 - 43) |
| Dec. 13, 2009 | National | HR 3288 | 2009-2010 Omnibus Appropriations | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (57 - 35) |
| Dec. 10, 2009 | National | HR 3288 | 2009-2010 Omnibus Appropriations | Conference Report Adopted - House (221 - 202) |
| Sept. 24, 2009 | CT | HB 7002 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Financing | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| Sept. 24, 2009 | CT | HB 7002 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Financing | Bill Passed - House (106 - 34) |
| Aug. 10, 2009 | NC | HB 148 | Local Transportation Reforms | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 40) |
| Aug. 6, 2009 | National | HR 3435 | Supplemental Appropriations for the "Cash for Clunkers" Program | Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 37) |
| July 31, 2009 | National | HR 3435 | Supplemental Appropriations for the "Cash for Clunkers" Program | Bill Passed - House (316 - 109) |
| July 24, 2009 | CA | ABX4 30 | Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Transfer of Local Government Revenue | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| July 15, 2009 | NC | HB 1185 | Habitual DWI Reinstatement after Ten Years | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 29) |
| June 24, 2009 | OR | HB 2186 | Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14) |
| June 23, 2009 | OR | HB 2377 | Prohibiting Handheld Cell Phone Use While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13) |
| June 22, 2009 | NY | A 1039 | Albany Parking Permits | Bill Passed - House (99 - 42) |
| June 22, 2009 | AZ | SB 1440 | Smoking in Cars with Minors | Bill Failed - Senate (9 - 20) |
| June 22, 2009 | AZ | SB 1443 | Driving While Texting | Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 15) |
| June 18, 2009 | MA | S 2087 | Massachusetts Transportation Agency Consolidation | Conference Report Adopted - House (130 - 25) |
| June 18, 2009 | MA | S 2087 | Massachusetts Transportation Agency Consolidation | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 11) |
| June 17, 2009 | LA | HB 499 | Seat Belt Law | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 12) |
| June 16, 2009 | SC | S 351 | State Ports Authority Amendments | Veto Override Passed - Senate (35 - 9) |
| June 15, 2009 | LA | HB 835 | Railroad Safety Program | Bill Failed - House (50 - 45) |
| June 9, 2009 | National | HR 2751 | Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Act | Bill Passed - House (298 - 119) |
| June 3, 2009 | ME | LD 1357 | Relating to Driver's License and Identification Card Regulations | Veto Override Failed - Senate (7 - 28) |
| June 3, 2009 | ME | LD 1357 | Relating to Driver's License and Identification Card Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| June 2, 2009 | LA | HB 639 | Motorcycle Helmets | Bill Passed - House (64 - 33) |
| June 1, 2009 | CA | SB 435 | Smog Check Requirements for Motorcycles | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17) |
| June 1, 2009 | ME | LD 1357 | Relating to Driver's License and Identification Card Regulations | Bill Passed - House (81 - 56) |
| May 31, 2009 | TX | HB 537 | Increase Required Age for Seatbelts | Conference Report Adopted - House (105 - 34) |
| May 29, 2009 | OR | HB 2001 | Transit and Gas Tax Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6) |
| May 27, 2009 | LA | Amdt B-200 | Cell Phone Secondary Offense | Amendment Adopted - House (56 - 40) |
| May 27, 2009 | OR | HB 2001 | Transit and Gas Tax Increase | Bill Passed - House (38 - 22) |
| May 27, 2009 | LA | HB 146 | Cell Phones While Driving | Bill Passed - House (57 - 41) |
| May 19, 2009 | IL | HB 72 | Cell Phone Ban in School Speed Zones and Construction Zones | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16) |
| May 18, 2009 | MN | HF 108 | Primary Seat Belt Law | Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 19) |
| May 18, 2009 | MN | HF 108 | Primary Seat Belt Law | Bill Passed - House (73 - 60) |
| May 8, 2009 | OR | HB 2186 | Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Bill Passed - House (32 - 28) |
| May 8, 2009 | FL | SB 1778 | Increases Certain Transportation-Related Fees | Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 43) |
| May 8, 2009 | ID | H 376 | Transportation Funding Package | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7) |
| May 7, 2009 | ID | H 376 | Transportation Funding Package | Bill Passed - House (46 - 18) |
| May 1, 2009 | FL | SB 360 | Growth Management Deregulation | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (78 - 37) |
| May 1, 2009 | FL | SB 360 | Growth Management Deregulation | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 7) |
| April 30, 2009 | FL | Amdt 626368 | Liability Insurance Related to SunRail Commuter Line | Motion Rejected - Senate (17 - 23) |
| April 30, 2009 | CO | SB 296 | Seat Belt Violation as Primary Offense | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/16 | SF 2378 | Increase in Fees for Traffic Violations | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17) |
| 3/11 | HB 885 | Authorizing Concealed Firearms in Vehicles | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 28) |
| 3/10 | HB 885 | Authorizing Concealed Firearms in Vehicles | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
| 3/10 | S 1352 | Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5) |
| 3/04 | HR 2847 | Employment, Infrastructure, and Transportation Appropriations and Tax Credits ("Senate Jobs Bill") | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (217 - 201) |
| 3/04 | ABx8 9 | Tax and Transportation Law Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 30) |
| 3/04 | ABx8 6 | Fuel Tax Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 32) |
| 3/04 | ABx8 6 | Fuel Tax Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10) |
| 3/04 | ABx8 9 | Tax and Transportation Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10) |
| 3/03 | SF 20 | Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving | Bill Passed - House (32 - 26) |
| 3/03 | SF 64 | Increasing Seat Belt Violation Fine | Bill Failed - House (17 - 41) |
| 3/03 | HB 1147 | Requiring Bicycle Helmets for Minors | Bill Passed - House (33 - 32) |
| 3/02 | SB 1334 | Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving | Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 11) |
| 2/24 | HR 2847 | Employment, Infrastructure, and Transportation Appropriations and Tax Credits ("Senate Jobs Bill") | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (70 - 28) |
| 2/24 | HB 4654 | Limiting Free Mass Transit for Seniors | Bill Passed - House (83 - 27) |
| 2/23 | HF 2456 | Texting While Driving Ban | Bill Passed - House (65 - 31) |
| 2/22 | HR 2847 | Employment, Infrastructure, and Transportation Appropriations and Tax Credits ("Senate Jobs Bill") | Cloture Invoked - Senate (62 - 30) |
| 2/19 | HB 1107 | Driver's License Renewal by Mail | Bill Failed - House (33 - 30) |
| 2/18 | SF 64 | Increasing Seat Belt Violation Fine | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| 2/17 | HB 1178 | Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving | Bill Failed - House (32 - 37) |
| 2/17 | HB 113 | Child Safety Seat Law Amendments | Bill Failed - House (24 - 47) |
| 2/16 | HB 1108 | "Trust Women/Respect Choice" License Plates | Bill Passed - House (77 - 22) |
| 2/15 | Gilbert Amdt | "Trust Women/Respect Choice" License Plate Revenue Redistribution | Amendment Adopted - House (56 - 39) |
| 2/10 | HB 1196 | Repealing Income Tax Credit | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| 2/09 | HB 10 | Prohibiting Hand-Held Cell Phone Use While Driving | Bill Passed - House (35 - 30) |
| 2/04 | HB 43 | Ban on Texting and Underage Cell Phone Use While Driving | Bill Passed - House (80 - 16) |
| 2/04 | H 4466 | Expanding Driving Regulations | Bill Passed - House (146 - 9) |
| 2/03 | HB 959 | Sale of State Plane | Bill Passed - House (65 - 55) |
| 2/01 | HB 1196 | Repealing Income Tax Credit | Bill Passed - House (38 - 27) |
| 1/27 | SB 9 | Enforcing Seat Belt Violations as Primary Offenses | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
| 1/20 | HB 166 | Authorizing Regional Transportation Authorities | Bill Passed - House (72 - 26) |
| 12/16 | HR 2847 | Employment, Infrastructure, and Transportation Appropriations | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (217 - 212) |
| 12/16 | HB 5634 | Auto Insurance Discrimination Prohibitions | Bill Passed - House (57 - 47) |
| 12/16 | HB 5633 | Prohibiting Auto Insurance Discrimination For Accidents Without Substantial Fault | Bill Passed - House (61 - 43) |
| 12/13 | HR 3288 | 2009-2010 Omnibus Appropriations | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (57 - 35) |
| 12/10 | HR 3288 | 2009-2010 Omnibus Appropriations | Conference Report Adopted - House (221 - 202) |
| 9/24 | HB 7002 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Financing | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| 9/24 | HB 7002 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Financing | Bill Passed - House (106 - 34) |
| 8/10 | HB 148 | Local Transportation Reforms | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 40) |
| 8/06 | HR 3435 | Supplemental Appropriations for the "Cash for Clunkers" Program | Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 37) |
| 7/31 | HR 3435 | Supplemental Appropriations for the "Cash for Clunkers" Program | Bill Passed - House (316 - 109) |
| 7/24 | ABX4 30 | Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Transfer of Local Government Revenue | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| 7/15 | HB 1185 | Habitual DWI Reinstatement after Ten Years | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 29) |
| 6/24 | HB 2186 | Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14) |
| 6/23 | HB 2377 | Prohibiting Handheld Cell Phone Use While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13) |
| 6/22 | A 1039 | Albany Parking Permits | Bill Passed - House (99 - 42) |
| 6/22 | SB 1440 | Smoking in Cars with Minors | Bill Failed - Senate (9 - 20) |
| 6/22 | SB 1443 | Driving While Texting | Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 15) |
| 6/18 | S 2087 | Massachusetts Transportation Agency Consolidation | Conference Report Adopted - House (130 - 25) |
| 6/18 | S 2087 | Massachusetts Transportation Agency Consolidation | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 11) |
| 6/17 | HB 499 | Seat Belt Law | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 12) |
| 6/16 | S 351 | State Ports Authority Amendments | Veto Override Passed - Senate (35 - 9) |
| 6/15 | HB 835 | Railroad Safety Program | Bill Failed - House (50 - 45) |
| 6/09 | HR 2751 | Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Act | Bill Passed - House (298 - 119) |
| 6/03 | LD 1357 | Relating to Driver's License and Identification Card Regulations | Veto Override Failed - Senate (7 - 28) |
| 6/03 | LD 1357 | Relating to Driver's License and Identification Card Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| 6/02 | HB 639 | Motorcycle Helmets | Bill Passed - House (64 - 33) |
| 6/01 | SB 435 | Smog Check Requirements for Motorcycles | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17) |
| 6/01 | LD 1357 | Relating to Driver's License and Identification Card Regulations | Bill Passed - House (81 - 56) |
| 5/31 | HB 537 | Increase Required Age for Seatbelts | Conference Report Adopted - House (105 - 34) |
| 5/29 | HB 2001 | Transit and Gas Tax Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6) |
| 5/27 | Amdt B-200 | Cell Phone Secondary Offense | Amendment Adopted - House (56 - 40) |
| 5/27 | HB 2001 | Transit and Gas Tax Increase | Bill Passed - House (38 - 22) |
| 5/27 | HB 146 | Cell Phones While Driving | Bill Passed - House (57 - 41) |
| 5/19 | HB 72 | Cell Phone Ban in School Speed Zones and Construction Zones | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16) |
| 5/18 | HF 108 | Primary Seat Belt Law | Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 19) |
| 5/18 | HF 108 | Primary Seat Belt Law | Bill Passed - House (73 - 60) |
| 5/08 | HB 2186 | Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Bill Passed - House (32 - 28) |
| 5/08 | SB 1778 | Increases Certain Transportation-Related Fees | Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 43) |
| 5/08 | H 376 | Transportation Funding Package | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7) |
| 5/07 | H 376 | Transportation Funding Package | Bill Passed - House (46 - 18) |
| 5/01 | SB 360 | Growth Management Deregulation | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (78 - 37) |
| 5/01 | SB 360 | Growth Management Deregulation | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 7) |
| 4/30 | Amdt 626368 | Liability Insurance Related to SunRail Commuter Line | Motion Rejected - Senate (17 - 23) |
| 4/30 | SB 296 | Seat Belt Violation as Primary Offense | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |