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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 4, 2006 | CA | SB 1266 | Highway Safety, Traffic Reduction, Air Quality, and Port Security Bond Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - House (61 - 10) |
| May 4, 2006 | CA | SB 1266 | Highway Safety, Traffic Reduction, Air Quality, and Port Security Bond Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 1) |
| May 4, 2006 | CA | AB 140 | Disaster Preparedness and Flood Prevention Bond Act | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1) |
| May 4, 2006 | CA | AB 140 | Disaster Preparedness and Flood Prevention Bond Act | Bill Passed - House (62 - 9) |
| May 4, 2006 | CA | SB 1689 | Housing and Emergency Shelter Trust Fund Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
| May 4, 2006 | CO | SB 138 | Ethanol Requirement Act | Bill Passed - House (42 - 22) |
| May 3, 2006 | National | S Amdt 3688 | Influenza Vaccine Injury Compensation Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (53 - 46) |
| May 3, 2006 | IA | HF 2540 | 2006-2007 Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 2) |
| May 3, 2006 | KS | SB 528 | Abortion and Live Birth Reporting | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 15) |
| May 3, 2006 | IA | HF 2540 | 2006-2007 Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 32) |
| May 3, 2006 | IA | HF 2540 | 2006-2007 Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 32) |
| May 3, 2006 | KS | SB 528 | Abortion and Live Birth Reporting | Conference Report Adopted - House (89 - 34) |
| May 3, 2006 | IA | HF 2540 | 2006-2007 Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 2) |
| May 3, 2006 | OK | HCS SB 806 | Tattoo Legalization and Changing Body Piercing Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 15) |
| May 3, 2006 | IA | SF 2377 | Confinement Feeding Operations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 11) |
| May 3, 2006 | WI | AB 414 | Smoking Ban Expansion | Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 14) |
| May 3, 2006 | CO | HB 1125 | Seat Belt Enforcement Bill | Bill Failed - House (32 - 32) |
| May 3, 2006 | IA | SF 2377 | Confinement Feeding Operations | Bill Passed - House (66 - 25) |
| May 2, 2006 | National | S Amdt 3617 | Sugarcane Growers Funding Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (40 - 59) |
| May 2, 2006 | PA | HB 39 | Property Taxes (Special Session) | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 9) |
| May 2, 2006 | HI | HB 3115 | Gasoline Industry Controls | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 3) |
| May 2, 2006 | HI | SB 3262 | Smoking Ban Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (47 - 3) |
| May 2, 2006 | PA | HB 39 | Property Taxes (Special Session) | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 9) |
| May 2, 2006 | HI | HB 3115 | Gasoline Industry Controls | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 3) |
| May 2, 2006 | VT | S 18 | Genetically Modified Seed Liability Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 8) |
| May 2, 2006 | HI | SB 3262 | Smoking Ban Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 3) |
| May 2, 2006 | TX | SCS HCS HB 4 | Motor Vehicle Taxes | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10) |
| May 2, 2006 | LA | HB 685 | Minimum Ethanol and Bio-Diesel Standards | Bill Passed - House (59 - 41) |
| May 2, 2006 | IL | SB 2872 | Local Government Facility Lease Act | Bill Passed - House (65 - 46) |
| May 2, 2006 | FL | HJR 447 | Classroom Size Requirements and 65 Percent of School Funding for Classroom Instruction | Amendment Adopted - House (74 - 40) |
| May 2, 2006 | MN | HF 4142 | Property Tax - Rebate Checks | Bill Passed - House (86 - 47) |
| May 2, 2006 | CO | HB 1100 | Prescription Drug Discount Program | Bill Failed - House (30 - 35) |
| May 1, 2006 | CO | SB 227 | Healthcare Disclosure Act | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| May 1, 2006 | FL | CS for CS for CS for SJR 2170 | School Vouchers Constitutional Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (23 - 16) |
| May 1, 2006 | MO | SCS HCS HB 1022 | State College and University Appropriations | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10) |
| May 1, 2006 | LA | SB 693 | Insurance Rate Increases Approval | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15) |
| May 1, 2006 | LA | HB 1164 | Eminent Domain | Bill Passed - House (53 - 42) |
| April 30, 2006 | CT | LCO # 5227 | Estate/Death and Gift Taxes Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (49 - 98) |
| April 30, 2006 | CT | LCO # 5212 | Death/Estate Tax Exemption Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (60 - 87) |
| April 30, 2006 | CT | LCO # 5219 | Repeal of Estate/Death Tax for Primary Residence & Working Farm Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (63 - 84) |
| April 30, 2006 | CT | LCO # 5219 | Repeal of Estate/Death Tax for Primary Residence & Working Farm Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (63 - 84) |
| April 28, 2006 | ME | LD 1381 | Teacher Minimum Salary Increase | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 16) |
| April 28, 2006 | ME | LD 1974 | Supplemental Transportation Budget Bill | Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| April 28, 2006 | FL | CS for SJR 1150 | 65 Percent Funding, Class Size, Classroom Instruction | Amendment Rejected - Senate (20 - 20) |
| April 28, 2006 | CO | HB 1283 | Required School Expenditures Act | Bill Passed - House (34 - 31) |
| April 28, 2006 | ME | SCA A to LD 1935 | Dirigo Health Insurance | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| April 28, 2006 | ME | LD 1381 | Teacher Minimum Salary Increase | Bill Passed - House (76 - 68) |
| April 27, 2006 | MA | C Amdt "H" | Local Education Funding Amendments | Amendment Adopted - House (144 - 13) |
| April 27, 2006 | CT | Sub SB 373 | Healthy Food and Beverages In Schools | Bill Passed - House (76 - 71) |
| April 27, 2006 | CT | Sub SB 373 | Healthy Food and Beverages In Schools | Bill Passed - House (76 - 71) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/04 | SB 1266 | Highway Safety, Traffic Reduction, Air Quality, and Port Security Bond Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - House (61 - 10) |
| 5/04 | SB 1266 | Highway Safety, Traffic Reduction, Air Quality, and Port Security Bond Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 1) |
| 5/04 | AB 140 | Disaster Preparedness and Flood Prevention Bond Act | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1) |
| 5/04 | AB 140 | Disaster Preparedness and Flood Prevention Bond Act | Bill Passed - House (62 - 9) |
| 5/04 | SB 1689 | Housing and Emergency Shelter Trust Fund Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
| 5/04 | SB 138 | Ethanol Requirement Act | Bill Passed - House (42 - 22) |
| 5/03 | S Amdt 3688 | Influenza Vaccine Injury Compensation Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (53 - 46) |
| 5/03 | HF 2540 | 2006-2007 Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 2) |
| 5/03 | SB 528 | Abortion and Live Birth Reporting | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 15) |
| 5/03 | HF 2540 | 2006-2007 Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 32) |
| 5/03 | HF 2540 | 2006-2007 Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 32) |
| 5/03 | SB 528 | Abortion and Live Birth Reporting | Conference Report Adopted - House (89 - 34) |
| 5/03 | HF 2540 | 2006-2007 Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 2) |
| 5/03 | HCS SB 806 | Tattoo Legalization and Changing Body Piercing Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 15) |
| 5/03 | SF 2377 | Confinement Feeding Operations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 11) |
| 5/03 | AB 414 | Smoking Ban Expansion | Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 14) |
| 5/03 | HB 1125 | Seat Belt Enforcement Bill | Bill Failed - House (32 - 32) |
| 5/03 | SF 2377 | Confinement Feeding Operations | Bill Passed - House (66 - 25) |
| 5/02 | S Amdt 3617 | Sugarcane Growers Funding Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (40 - 59) |
| 5/02 | HB 39 | Property Taxes (Special Session) | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 9) |
| 5/02 | HB 3115 | Gasoline Industry Controls | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 3) |
| 5/02 | SB 3262 | Smoking Ban Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (47 - 3) |
| 5/02 | HB 39 | Property Taxes (Special Session) | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 9) |
| 5/02 | HB 3115 | Gasoline Industry Controls | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 3) |
| 5/02 | S 18 | Genetically Modified Seed Liability Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 8) |
| 5/02 | SB 3262 | Smoking Ban Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 3) |
| 5/02 | SCS HCS HB 4 | Motor Vehicle Taxes | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10) |
| 5/02 | HB 685 | Minimum Ethanol and Bio-Diesel Standards | Bill Passed - House (59 - 41) |
| 5/02 | SB 2872 | Local Government Facility Lease Act | Bill Passed - House (65 - 46) |
| 5/02 | HJR 447 | Classroom Size Requirements and 65 Percent of School Funding for Classroom Instruction | Amendment Adopted - House (74 - 40) |
| 5/02 | HF 4142 | Property Tax - Rebate Checks | Bill Passed - House (86 - 47) |
| 5/02 | HB 1100 | Prescription Drug Discount Program | Bill Failed - House (30 - 35) |
| 5/01 | SB 227 | Healthcare Disclosure Act | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| 5/01 | CS for CS for CS for SJR 2170 | School Vouchers Constitutional Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (23 - 16) |
| 5/01 | SCS HCS HB 1022 | State College and University Appropriations | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10) |
| 5/01 | SB 693 | Insurance Rate Increases Approval | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15) |
| 5/01 | HB 1164 | Eminent Domain | Bill Passed - House (53 - 42) |
| 4/30 | LCO # 5227 | Estate/Death and Gift Taxes Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (49 - 98) |
| 4/30 | LCO # 5212 | Death/Estate Tax Exemption Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (60 - 87) |
| 4/30 | LCO # 5219 | Repeal of Estate/Death Tax for Primary Residence & Working Farm Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (63 - 84) |
| 4/30 | LCO # 5219 | Repeal of Estate/Death Tax for Primary Residence & Working Farm Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (63 - 84) |
| 4/28 | LD 1381 | Teacher Minimum Salary Increase | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 16) |
| 4/28 | LD 1974 | Supplemental Transportation Budget Bill | Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| 4/28 | CS for SJR 1150 | 65 Percent Funding, Class Size, Classroom Instruction | Amendment Rejected - Senate (20 - 20) |
| 4/28 | HB 1283 | Required School Expenditures Act | Bill Passed - House (34 - 31) |
| 4/28 | SCA A to LD 1935 | Dirigo Health Insurance | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| 4/28 | LD 1381 | Teacher Minimum Salary Increase | Bill Passed - House (76 - 68) |
| 4/27 | C Amdt "H" | Local Education Funding Amendments | Amendment Adopted - House (144 - 13) |
| 4/27 | Sub SB 373 | Healthy Food and Beverages In Schools | Bill Passed - House (76 - 71) |
| 4/27 | Sub SB 373 | Healthy Food and Beverages In Schools | Bill Passed - House (76 - 71) |