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, 2007 CO SB 25 Sexual Orientation Workplace Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
April 11, 2007 IN HB 1510 Charity Gambling and Illegal Gambling Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
April 11, 2007 ME LD 805 Washington County Indian Casino Authorization Act Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
April 10, 2007 SC S 332 Workers' Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 7)
April 9, 2007 MD HB 430 State Living Wage Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
April 5, 2007 MD HB 359 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
April 4, 2007 MD HB 131 Maryland Clean Cars Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
April 3, 2007 WA HB 1024 Prohibition of PBDEs Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 8)
April 3, 2007 MT SB 558 Montana Electric and Gas Authority Act Bill Failed - Senate (25 - 25)
March 29, 2007 IN HB 1835 Slot Machines at Race Tracks Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
March 29, 2007 IL SB 500 Smoke Free Illinois Act Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 23)
March 28, 2007 KS SB 66 Kansas Expanded Lottery Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
March 28, 2007 MN SF 276 School District Health Insurance Pool Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 23)
March 28, 2007 ID H 121 Smoking Ban in Bowling Alleys Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
March 27, 2007 MN SF 238 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 24)
March 26, 2007 CO HB 1269 Casino Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
March 26, 2007 MD SB 91 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
March 22, 2007 AR SB 1004 Beer Tax Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
March 22, 2007 MI SB 307 Service Providers Excise Tax Act Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 22)
March 19, 2007 IA HF 5 Maximum Title Loan Finance Charge Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
March 15, 2007 OR HB 2707 Oregon Rainy Day Fund Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
March 13, 2007 OK SB 861 Sales Tax Holiday Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 5)
March 13, 2007 ID H 121 Smoking Ban in Bowling Alleys Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
March 8, 2007 IA SF 413 “Fair Share” Union Fees Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
March 7, 2007 IA SF 128 Tobacco Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
March 6, 2007 OK SCS SB 709 Pollution Ban Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 8)
Feb. 28, 2007 WV Com Sub for Com Sub SB 337 Greenhouse Gas Inventory Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
Feb. 27, 2007 IN SB 577 State Lottery Privatization Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
Feb. 22, 2007 NH SB 42 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 7)
Feb. 19, 2007 MN SF 372 Legalization of Ticket Scalping Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 15)
Feb. 15, 2007 ND SB 2397 Oil Well Tax Cut Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
Feb. 14, 2007 SD SB 196 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
Feb. 13, 2007 ND SB 2122 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 26)
Feb. 12, 2007 SD SB 207 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
Feb. 8, 2007 ND SB 2164 Public Smoking Ban Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 30)
Feb. 8, 2007 SD SB 190 Liquor License Development Districts Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 20)
Feb. 5, 2007 VA SB 1161 Virginia Smoke-Free Air Act Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
Feb. 5, 2007 VA Sub SB 1327 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
Feb. 5, 2007 CO HB 1072 Termination of All-Union Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
Feb. 2, 2007 NM SB 324 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 7)
Jan. 26, 2007 VA SB 1014 Payday Lending Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
Jan. 22, 2007 FL CS HB 1A Hurricane Insurance Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 0)
Nov. 15, 2006 IL SB 1275 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 21)
Nov. 15, 2006 IL SB 1275 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 21)
Aug. 31, 2006 CA SB 1414 Health Care Requirements for Large Companies Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
Aug. 30, 2006 CA AB 32 Greenhouse Gases Emission Limits Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
Aug. 29, 2006 CA AB 1953 Amount of Lead in Plumbing Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Aug. 29, 2006 CA AB 2496 Water Conservation: Low-Flush Water Closet Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
Aug. 23, 2006 CA AB 2536 Overtime Pay for Personal Attendants Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
Aug. 17, 2006 CA AB 2555 Wage Discrimination Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
Aug. 3, 2006 National HR 5970 Death/Estate Tax and Minimum Wage Bill Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 42)
July 14, 2006 IA HF 2351 Eminent Domain Veto Override Passed - Senate (41 - 8)
July 10, 2006 NC HB 2174 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
July 10, 2006 CO HB 1017 Employer Verification of Employee Work Status Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
July 8, 2006 NJ A 4901 Sales Tax Bill of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
July 8, 2006 NJ A 4705 Tobacco Tax Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
July 8, 2006 NJ A 4714 Fur Clothing Tax Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
July 8, 2006 CO HB 1020 Business Deductions for Employees Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
June 27, 2006 PA SB 1230 Slot Supplier Elimination Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
June 22, 2006 MA S 2258 Massage Therapist Licensing Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
June 22, 2006 PA SB 1090 Minimum Wage Bill Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
June 22, 2006 PA SB 1090 Minimum Wage Bill Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
June 21, 2006 National S Amdt 4376 Increasing Minimum Wage Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 53)
June 21, 2006 National S Amdt 4322 Minimum Wage Adjustment Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (52 - 46)
June 16, 2006 LA HB 194 Minimum Wage for State Employees Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 19)
June 16, 2006 LA HB 194 Minimum Wage for State Employees Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 18)
June 14, 2006 MD SB 1 Electricity Rates Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11)
June 1, 2006 RI LCO # 2854/19 West Warwick Casino Competative Bidding Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (16 - 17)
June 1, 2006 CA SB 1675 Renewable Diesel Fuel Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
June 1, 2006 CA SB 1162 Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
June 1, 2006 LA SB 753 Hiring of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
June 1, 2006 RI H 7935 Sub. A West Warwick Casino Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
May 31, 2006 SC H 4449 Sales and Property Taxes Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 11)
May 31, 2006 LA SB 700 Minimum Wage Bill Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
May 31, 2006 LA SB 700 Minimum Wage Bill Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/17 SB 25 Sexual Orientation Workplace Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
4/11 HB 1510 Charity Gambling and Illegal Gambling Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
4/11 LD 805 Washington County Indian Casino Authorization Act Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
4/10 S 332 Workers' Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 7)
4/09 HB 430 State Living Wage Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
4/05 HB 359 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
4/04 HB 131 Maryland Clean Cars Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
4/03 HB 1024 Prohibition of PBDEs Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 8)
4/03 SB 558 Montana Electric and Gas Authority Act Bill Failed - Senate (25 - 25)
3/29 HB 1835 Slot Machines at Race Tracks Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
3/29 SB 500 Smoke Free Illinois Act Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 23)
3/28 SB 66 Kansas Expanded Lottery Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
3/28 SF 276 School District Health Insurance Pool Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 23)
3/28 H 121 Smoking Ban in Bowling Alleys Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
3/27 SF 238 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 24)
3/26 HB 1269 Casino Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
3/26 SB 91 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
3/22 SB 1004 Beer Tax Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
3/22 SB 307 Service Providers Excise Tax Act Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 22)
3/19 HF 5 Maximum Title Loan Finance Charge Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
3/15 HB 2707 Oregon Rainy Day Fund Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
3/13 SB 861 Sales Tax Holiday Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 5)
3/13 H 121 Smoking Ban in Bowling Alleys Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
3/08 SF 413 “Fair Share” Union Fees Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
3/07 SF 128 Tobacco Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
3/06 SCS SB 709 Pollution Ban Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 8)
2/28 Com Sub for Com Sub SB 337 Greenhouse Gas Inventory Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
2/27 SB 577 State Lottery Privatization Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
2/22 SB 42 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 7)
2/19 SF 372 Legalization of Ticket Scalping Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 15)
2/15 SB 2397 Oil Well Tax Cut Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
2/14 SB 196 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
2/13 SB 2122 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 26)
2/12 SB 207 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
2/08 SB 2164 Public Smoking Ban Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 30)
2/08 SB 190 Liquor License Development Districts Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 20)
2/05 SB 1161 Virginia Smoke-Free Air Act Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
2/05 Sub SB 1327 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
2/05 HB 1072 Termination of All-Union Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
2/02 SB 324 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 7)
1/26 SB 1014 Payday Lending Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
1/22 CS HB 1A Hurricane Insurance Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 0)
11/15 SB 1275 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 21)
11/15 SB 1275 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 21)
8/31 SB 1414 Health Care Requirements for Large Companies Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
8/30 AB 32 Greenhouse Gases Emission Limits Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
8/29 AB 1953 Amount of Lead in Plumbing Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
8/29 AB 2496 Water Conservation: Low-Flush Water Closet Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
8/23 AB 2536 Overtime Pay for Personal Attendants Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
8/17 AB 2555 Wage Discrimination Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
8/03 HR 5970 Death/Estate Tax and Minimum Wage Bill Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 42)
7/14 HF 2351 Eminent Domain Veto Override Passed - Senate (41 - 8)
7/10 HB 2174 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
7/10 HB 1017 Employer Verification of Employee Work Status Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
7/08 A 4901 Sales Tax Bill of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
7/08 A 4705 Tobacco Tax Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
7/08 A 4714 Fur Clothing Tax Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
7/08 HB 1020 Business Deductions for Employees Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
6/27 SB 1230 Slot Supplier Elimination Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
6/22 S 2258 Massage Therapist Licensing Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
6/22 SB 1090 Minimum Wage Bill Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
6/22 SB 1090 Minimum Wage Bill Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 14)
6/21 S Amdt 4376 Increasing Minimum Wage Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 53)
6/21 S Amdt 4322 Minimum Wage Adjustment Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (52 - 46)
6/16 HB 194 Minimum Wage for State Employees Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 19)
6/16 HB 194 Minimum Wage for State Employees Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 18)
6/14 SB 1 Electricity Rates Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11)
6/01 LCO # 2854/19 West Warwick Casino Competative Bidding Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (16 - 17)
6/01 SB 1675 Renewable Diesel Fuel Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
6/01 SB 1162 Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
6/01 SB 753 Hiring of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
6/01 H 7935 Sub. A West Warwick Casino Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
5/31 H 4449 Sales and Property Taxes Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 11)
5/31 SB 700 Minimum Wage Bill Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
5/31 SB 700 Minimum Wage Bill Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)

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