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
April 17, 2013 MT SB 143 Amends Bison Management Laws Bill Failed - House (50 - 50)
April 15, 2013 IN SB 487 Establishes Regulations for Hunting Preserves Bill Passed - House (52 - 39)
April 12, 2013 WA HB 1001 Establishes a Liquor License for Small Theaters Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
April 2, 2013 MD SB 183 Authorizes Tax Credits for Certain Film Production Activities Bill Passed - House (108 - 31)
March 16, 2013 NM HB 641 Reduces Corporate Income Tax Rates Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 8)
March 16, 2013 NM HB 641 Reduces Corporate Income Tax Rates Bill Passed - House (35 - 28)
Feb. 19, 2013 IN SB 91 Establishes Motorsports Investment District Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
Feb. 13, 2013 NC HB 66 Authorizes the Use and Display of Wild Animals in Cultural Activities Bill Passed - House (98 - 20)
Jan. 31, 2013 VA HB 1442 Authorizes Home-Schooled Students To Participate In Interscholastic Programs Bill Passed - House (56 - 43)
May 31, 2012 CA SB 1525 Establishes a Student Athlete Bill of Rights Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
May 14, 2012 LA HB 1072 Tax Incentives for a Franchise of the NBA Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
May 10, 2012 MN HF 2958 Authorizes New Viking Stadium Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 28)
May 9, 2012 MN HF 2958 Authorizes New Viking Stadium Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 60)
May 7, 2012 MN HF 1485 Authorizes New Vikings Stadium Bill Passed - House (73 - 58)
April 30, 2012 LA HB 1072 Tax Incentives for a Franchise of the NBA Bill Passed - House (60 - 41)
April 18, 2012 NY S 1707A Authorizes Professional Mixed Martial Arts Events Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 14)
March 27, 2012 MN HF 657 Amends Ticket Sales Practices Bill Passed - House (83 - 50)
Feb. 15, 2012 FL HB 7087 Increases Certain Business Tax Credits and Sales Tax Exemptions Bill Passed - House (92 - 22)
Feb. 8, 2012 VA HB 947 Authorizes Home-Schooled Students to Participate in Interscholastic Programs Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
July 5, 2011 CA SB 48 Requires Teaching Gay History Bill Passed - House (50 - 26)
May 31, 2011 IL HB 1490 Regulates Full-Contact Martial Arts Events Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 45)
May 26, 2011 IL HB 1490 Regulates Full-Contact Martial Arts Events Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 8)
May 23, 2011 NY S 1707 Authorizes Mixed Martial Arts Events Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 18)
May 9, 2011 NJ A 3699 Prohibiting the Burial of Petty's Run Archaeological Excavation Site Bill Passed - House (45 - 29)
April 26, 2011 GA HB 234 Reduces Sales Taxes for Tourism Projects Concurrence Vote Passed - House (90 - 73)
April 20, 2011 WA SB 5622 Recreation Access on State Lands Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
April 14, 2011 CA SB 48 Requires Teaching Gay History Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
April 12, 2011 GA HB 234 Reduces Sales Taxes for Tourism Projects Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 10)
April 1, 2011 TX H Amdt 6 Appropriations for the Department of Aging and Disability Services Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 61)
March 17, 2011 National HR 1076 Prohibiting Federal Funding of National Public Radio Bill Passed - House (228 - 192)
March 2, 2011 NM HB 607 Film Production Tax Credit Bill Passed - House (53 - 17)
Feb. 18, 2011 National H Amdt 92 Prohibiting the Use of Federal Funds for NASCAR Sponsorships Amendment Rejected - House (148 - 281)
Feb. 4, 2011 WV HB 2562 Legalizing Mixed Martial Arts Bill Passed - House (55 - 37)
June 28, 2010 NJ A 3009 Professional Sports Team Specialty License Plates Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
June 28, 2010 NJ A 3009 Professional Sports Team Specialty License Plates Bill Passed - House (41 - 37)
June 16, 2010 NY S 2165B Allows Mixed Martial Arts Performances and Ultimate Fighting Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
June 1, 2010 CA AB 1652 Ski Resort Safety Requirement Modifications Bill Passed - House (44 - 30)
June 1, 2010 CA SB 880 Requiring Snow Sport Helmets for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
April 15, 2010 CO SB 94 State Funding for Works of Art in Capital Construction Projects Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
April 12, 2010 CO SB 94 State Funding for Works of Art in Capital Construction Projects Bill Passed - House (42 - 21)
April 1, 2010 CO HB 1180 Performance-Based Incentive for Film Production Activities Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 18)
March 29, 2010 CO HB 1180 Performance-Based Incentive for Film Production Activities Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
March 26, 2010 IL HB 5109 Prohibiting Public Funding of Portraits of Governors Removed From Office Bill Passed - House (85 - 23)
March 18, 2010 AZ HB 2736 Cactus League Ticket Surcharge for Stadium Costs Bill Passed - House (35 - 19)
Jan. 12, 2010 CA SB 880 Requiring Snow Sport Helmets for Minors
Aug. 7, 2009 NC SB 943 Expanding Production Company Tax Credit Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 18)
Aug. 6, 2009 NC SB 943 Expanding Production Company Tax Credit Bill Passed - House (78 - 26)
June 24, 2009 NC SB 943 Expanding Production Company Tax Credit Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 17)
May 19, 2009 RI H 5769 Boxing Rule Changes Bill Passed - House (53 - 13)
May 8, 2009 MN HF 1231 2010-2011 Cultural and Outdoor Resources Budget Bill Passed - House (78 - 51)
May 5, 2009 MN SF 2081 2010-2011 Economic Development Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 57)
May 4, 2009 MN SF 2081 2010-2011 Economic Development Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 28)
April 15, 2009 IN HB 1604 Authorizing Local Tax Increases to Fund Sports and Convention Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
March 12, 2009 WA SB 2252 Shifting Local Tax Revenue Bill Passed - House (54 - 42)
March 3, 2009 OH SB 9 Transferable Tax Credit for Film Production Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
March 3, 2009 OH HB 6 Transferable Tax Credit for Film Production Bill Passed - House (83 - 14)
Feb. 3, 2009 National S Amdt 109 Hollywood Productions Tax Credit Amendment Adopted - Senate (52 - 45)
July 17, 2008 NC HB 2690 Durham County Meals Tax Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 22)
July 8, 2008 NC HB 2690 Durham County Meals Tax Bill Passed - House (60 - 59)
May 28, 2008 LA SB 292 Public Fishing in Overflow Waters Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 19)
May 14, 2008 AZ HB 2557 Fine Arts and Physical Education in School Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 9)
May 8, 2008 MN SF 3001 Modifying State Education Policies Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 49)
May 7, 2008 MN SF 3001 Modifying State Education Policies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (45 - 20)
April 29, 2008 AZ HB 2557 Fine Arts and Physical Education in School Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 4)
April 29, 2008 National S 2739 Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 Bill Passed - House (291 - 117)
April 17, 2008 OK SB 1819 Tax Rebates for Sports Franchises Conference Report Adopted - House (67 - 32)
April 15, 2008 OK SB 1819 Tax Rebates for Sports Franchises Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 21)
April 2, 2008 MN Marty Amnd. Removing Funding for Stadium Study Amendment Adopted - Senate (41 - 22)
March 25, 2008 ID H 592 Film and Television Production Rebate Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
March 10, 2008 ID H 592 Film and Television Production Rebate Bill Passed - House (51 - 17)
March 6, 2008 MN HF 380 Capital Improvements Budget Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 9)
March 6, 2008 MN HF 380 Capital Improvements Budget Bill Passed - House (99 - 34)
Feb. 14, 2008 MN HF 2285 Funding for Natural Resources and Cultural Heritage Conference Report Adopted - Senate (46 - 17)
Feb. 14, 2008 MN HF 2285 Funding for Natural Resources and Cultural Heritage Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 46)
Feb. 10, 2008 NM HB 634 Filmmakers Production Fund Bill Passed - House (42 - 25)
Feb. 4, 2008 NM SB 34 New Mexico School for the Arts Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
Dec. 13, 2007 MI S Sub for Sub HB 4869 Extending Boxing Regulation to Mixed Martial Arts Concurrence Vote Passed - House (94 - 13)
Dec. 13, 2007 MI S Sub for Sub HB 4869 Extending Boxing Regulation to Mixed Martial Arts Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
Oct. 29, 2007 MI SB 231 2007-2008 Department of Art, History, and Library Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 2)
Oct. 29, 2007 MI SB 231 2007-2008 Department of Art, History, and Library Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (102 - 7)
July 25, 2007 MI HB 4870 Regulation of Unarmed Combat Bill Passed - House (93 - 13)
July 25, 2007 MI Sub HB 4869 Extending Boxing Regulation to Mixed Martial Arts Bill Passed - House (94 - 14)
May 30, 2007 NE LB 551 Sports Arena and Convention Center Funding Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
May 29, 2007 NY A 7526 Ticket Resale Price Cap Removal Bill Passed - House (106 - 36)
April 30, 2007 FL CS HB 1079 Funding for Professional Sports Franchise Facilities Bill Passed - House (74 - 41)
April 26, 2007 FL CS HB 323 Baseball Stadium Funding Eligibility Bill Passed - House (86 - 24)
May 11, 2006 National HR 4297 Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act of 2005 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (54 - 44)
May 10, 2006 National HR 4297 Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act of 2005 Conference Report Adopted - House (244 - 185)
April 25, 2006 MN SF 2734 Sales Tax Dedicated to the Environment and the Arts Constitutional Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (78 - 55)
April 3, 2006 MN SF 2734 Sales Tax Dedicated to the Environment and the Arts Constitutional Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (42 - 22)
Dec. 8, 2005 National HR 4297 Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act of 2005 Bill Passed - House (234 - 197)
July 29, 2005 National HR 2361 Interior Department FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (99 - 1)
July 28, 2005 National HR 2361 Interior Department FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (410 - 10)
June 29, 2005 National HR 2361 Interior Department FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 0)
June 23, 2005 National H Amdt 343 Restoring Funds for Public Broadcasting Amendment Adopted - House (284 - 140)
May 19, 2005 National HR 2361 Interior Department FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (329 - 89)
March 11, 2004 National HR 3717 FCC Indecency Penalties Bill Bill Passed - House (391 - 22)
Aug. 5, 1999 National S Amdt 1569 NEA Funding Amendment Tabled - Senate (80 - 16)
July 21, 1998 National H Amdt 753 National Endowment for the Arts Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (253 - 173)
Feb. 1, 1996 National S 652 Telecommunications Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (91 - 5)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/17 SB 143 Amends Bison Management Laws Bill Failed - House (50 - 50)
4/15 SB 487 Establishes Regulations for Hunting Preserves Bill Passed - House (52 - 39)
4/12 HB 1001 Establishes a Liquor License for Small Theaters Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
4/02 SB 183 Authorizes Tax Credits for Certain Film Production Activities Bill Passed - House (108 - 31)
3/16 HB 641 Reduces Corporate Income Tax Rates Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 8)
3/16 HB 641 Reduces Corporate Income Tax Rates Bill Passed - House (35 - 28)
2/19 SB 91 Establishes Motorsports Investment District Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
2/13 HB 66 Authorizes the Use and Display of Wild Animals in Cultural Activities Bill Passed - House (98 - 20)
1/31 HB 1442 Authorizes Home-Schooled Students To Participate In Interscholastic Programs Bill Passed - House (56 - 43)
5/31 SB 1525 Establishes a Student Athlete Bill of Rights Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
5/14 HB 1072 Tax Incentives for a Franchise of the NBA Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
5/10 HF 2958 Authorizes New Viking Stadium Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 28)
5/09 HF 2958 Authorizes New Viking Stadium Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 60)
5/07 HF 1485 Authorizes New Vikings Stadium Bill Passed - House (73 - 58)
4/30 HB 1072 Tax Incentives for a Franchise of the NBA Bill Passed - House (60 - 41)
4/18 S 1707A Authorizes Professional Mixed Martial Arts Events Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 14)
3/27 HF 657 Amends Ticket Sales Practices Bill Passed - House (83 - 50)
2/15 HB 7087 Increases Certain Business Tax Credits and Sales Tax Exemptions Bill Passed - House (92 - 22)
2/08 HB 947 Authorizes Home-Schooled Students to Participate in Interscholastic Programs Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
7/05 SB 48 Requires Teaching Gay History Bill Passed - House (50 - 26)
5/31 HB 1490 Regulates Full-Contact Martial Arts Events Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 45)
5/26 HB 1490 Regulates Full-Contact Martial Arts Events Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 8)
5/23 S 1707 Authorizes Mixed Martial Arts Events Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 18)
5/09 A 3699 Prohibiting the Burial of Petty's Run Archaeological Excavation Site Bill Passed - House (45 - 29)
4/26 HB 234 Reduces Sales Taxes for Tourism Projects Concurrence Vote Passed - House (90 - 73)
4/20 SB 5622 Recreation Access on State Lands Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
4/14 SB 48 Requires Teaching Gay History Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
4/12 HB 234 Reduces Sales Taxes for Tourism Projects Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 10)
4/01 H Amdt 6 Appropriations for the Department of Aging and Disability Services Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 61)
3/17 HR 1076 Prohibiting Federal Funding of National Public Radio Bill Passed - House (228 - 192)
3/02 HB 607 Film Production Tax Credit Bill Passed - House (53 - 17)
2/18 H Amdt 92 Prohibiting the Use of Federal Funds for NASCAR Sponsorships Amendment Rejected - House (148 - 281)
2/04 HB 2562 Legalizing Mixed Martial Arts Bill Passed - House (55 - 37)
6/28 A 3009 Professional Sports Team Specialty License Plates Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
6/28 A 3009 Professional Sports Team Specialty License Plates Bill Passed - House (41 - 37)
6/16 S 2165B Allows Mixed Martial Arts Performances and Ultimate Fighting Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
6/01 AB 1652 Ski Resort Safety Requirement Modifications Bill Passed - House (44 - 30)
6/01 SB 880 Requiring Snow Sport Helmets for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
4/15 SB 94 State Funding for Works of Art in Capital Construction Projects Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
4/12 SB 94 State Funding for Works of Art in Capital Construction Projects Bill Passed - House (42 - 21)
4/01 HB 1180 Performance-Based Incentive for Film Production Activities Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 18)
3/29 HB 1180 Performance-Based Incentive for Film Production Activities Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
3/26 HB 5109 Prohibiting Public Funding of Portraits of Governors Removed From Office Bill Passed - House (85 - 23)
3/18 HB 2736 Cactus League Ticket Surcharge for Stadium Costs Bill Passed - House (35 - 19)
1/12 SB 880 Requiring Snow Sport Helmets for Minors
8/07 SB 943 Expanding Production Company Tax Credit Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 18)
8/06 SB 943 Expanding Production Company Tax Credit Bill Passed - House (78 - 26)
6/24 SB 943 Expanding Production Company Tax Credit Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 17)
5/19 H 5769 Boxing Rule Changes Bill Passed - House (53 - 13)
5/08 HF 1231 2010-2011 Cultural and Outdoor Resources Budget Bill Passed - House (78 - 51)
5/05 SF 2081 2010-2011 Economic Development Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 57)
5/04 SF 2081 2010-2011 Economic Development Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 28)
4/15 HB 1604 Authorizing Local Tax Increases to Fund Sports and Convention Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
3/12 SB 2252 Shifting Local Tax Revenue Bill Passed - House (54 - 42)
3/03 SB 9 Transferable Tax Credit for Film Production Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
3/03 HB 6 Transferable Tax Credit for Film Production Bill Passed - House (83 - 14)
2/03 S Amdt 109 Hollywood Productions Tax Credit Amendment Adopted - Senate (52 - 45)
7/17 HB 2690 Durham County Meals Tax Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 22)
7/08 HB 2690 Durham County Meals Tax Bill Passed - House (60 - 59)
5/28 SB 292 Public Fishing in Overflow Waters Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 19)
5/14 HB 2557 Fine Arts and Physical Education in School Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 9)
5/08 SF 3001 Modifying State Education Policies Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 49)
5/07 SF 3001 Modifying State Education Policies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (45 - 20)
4/29 HB 2557 Fine Arts and Physical Education in School Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 4)
4/29 S 2739 Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 Bill Passed - House (291 - 117)
4/17 SB 1819 Tax Rebates for Sports Franchises Conference Report Adopted - House (67 - 32)
4/15 SB 1819 Tax Rebates for Sports Franchises Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 21)
4/02 Marty Amnd. Removing Funding for Stadium Study Amendment Adopted - Senate (41 - 22)
3/25 H 592 Film and Television Production Rebate Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
3/10 H 592 Film and Television Production Rebate Bill Passed - House (51 - 17)
3/06 HF 380 Capital Improvements Budget Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 9)
3/06 HF 380 Capital Improvements Budget Bill Passed - House (99 - 34)
2/14 HF 2285 Funding for Natural Resources and Cultural Heritage Conference Report Adopted - Senate (46 - 17)
2/14 HF 2285 Funding for Natural Resources and Cultural Heritage Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 46)
2/10 HB 634 Filmmakers Production Fund Bill Passed - House (42 - 25)
2/04 SB 34 New Mexico School for the Arts Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
12/13 S Sub for Sub HB 4869 Extending Boxing Regulation to Mixed Martial Arts Concurrence Vote Passed - House (94 - 13)
12/13 S Sub for Sub HB 4869 Extending Boxing Regulation to Mixed Martial Arts Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
10/29 SB 231 2007-2008 Department of Art, History, and Library Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 2)
10/29 SB 231 2007-2008 Department of Art, History, and Library Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (102 - 7)
7/25 HB 4870 Regulation of Unarmed Combat Bill Passed - House (93 - 13)
7/25 Sub HB 4869 Extending Boxing Regulation to Mixed Martial Arts Bill Passed - House (94 - 14)
5/30 LB 551 Sports Arena and Convention Center Funding Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
5/29 A 7526 Ticket Resale Price Cap Removal Bill Passed - House (106 - 36)
4/30 CS HB 1079 Funding for Professional Sports Franchise Facilities Bill Passed - House (74 - 41)
4/26 CS HB 323 Baseball Stadium Funding Eligibility Bill Passed - House (86 - 24)
5/11 HR 4297 Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act of 2005 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (54 - 44)
5/10 HR 4297 Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act of 2005 Conference Report Adopted - House (244 - 185)
4/25 SF 2734 Sales Tax Dedicated to the Environment and the Arts Constitutional Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (78 - 55)
4/03 SF 2734 Sales Tax Dedicated to the Environment and the Arts Constitutional Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (42 - 22)
12/08 HR 4297 Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act of 2005 Bill Passed - House (234 - 197)
7/29 HR 2361 Interior Department FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (99 - 1)
7/28 HR 2361 Interior Department FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (410 - 10)
6/29 HR 2361 Interior Department FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 0)
6/23 H Amdt 343 Restoring Funds for Public Broadcasting Amendment Adopted - House (284 - 140)
5/19 HR 2361 Interior Department FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (329 - 89)
3/11 HR 3717 FCC Indecency Penalties Bill Bill Passed - House (391 - 22)
8/05 S Amdt 1569 NEA Funding Amendment Tabled - Senate (80 - 16)
7/21 H Amdt 753 National Endowment for the Arts Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (253 - 173)
2/01 S 652 Telecommunications Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (91 - 5)

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