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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 4, 2006 | MA | H 4479 | Health Care Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (154 - 2) |
| April 4, 2006 | AZ | HB 2254 | Requiring Doctors to Inform Women of Fetal Pain | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13) |
| April 4, 2006 | DE | HB 37 | Bans Open Containers of Alcoholic Beverages in Motor Vehicles | Bill Passed - House (22 - 12) |
| April 3, 2006 | LA | HB 26 | Expanding the Definition of Resisting an Officer | Bill Passed - House (58 - 36) |
| March 31, 2006 | MD | SB 1075 | Governor Cabinet Appointments | Bill Passed - House (89 - 48) |
| March 31, 2006 | CO | HB 1212 | Allows Pharmacists to Prescribe Emergency Contraception | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| March 30, 2006 | ME | LD 1640 | Charter School Pilot Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 63) |
| March 30, 2006 | KS | SB 501 | School Funding | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 20) |
| March 30, 2006 | AZ | SB 1157 | Trespassing by Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (32 - 26) |
| March 30, 2006 | AZ | SB 1157 | Trespassing by Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (32 - 26) |
| March 30, 2006 | IL | HB 5284 | Carbon Monoxide Detector Act | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 22) |
| March 30, 2006 | IL | HB 5284 | Carbon Monoxide Detector Act | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 22) |
| March 30, 2006 | KS | Sub HB 2986 | School Finance | Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 25) |
| March 29, 2006 | SC | Amendment 63 | Cigarette Tax | Amendment Tabled - House (58 - 53) |
| March 29, 2006 | OH | Am Sub SB 17 | Child Abuse Reporting Requirements and Statute of Limitations Regarding Religious Figures | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 13) |
| March 29, 2006 | AL | Executive Amendment 84452-1 to HB 272 | Educational Funds Amendment | Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 38) |
| March 29, 2006 | OH | Am Sub SB 17 | Child Abuse Reporting Requirements and Statute of Limitations Regarding Religious Figures | Bill Passed - House (77 - 18) |
| March 29, 2006 | OH | Am Sub SB 265 | Air Pollution | Bill Passed - House (67 - 29) |
| March 29, 2006 | AL | SB 446 | Eminent Domain | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7) |
| March 29, 2006 | AL | SB 446 | Eminent Domain | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7) |
| March 29, 2006 | CO | HB 1249 | Authorizing Minors to Approve Perinatal Care for Their Own Pregnancy | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| March 28, 2006 | SC | Amdt 2B | Sex Offenders Penalties Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (34 - 4) |
| March 28, 2006 | GA | CCS SB 529 | Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act | Conference Report Adopted - House (119 - 49) |
| March 28, 2006 | ME | LD 1912 | Maine House of Representatives Age Requirement | Resolution Failed - House (77 - 65) |
| March 28, 2006 | DE | HB 37 | Bans Open Containers of Alcoholic Beverages in Motor Vehicles | Bill Failed - House (24 - 13) |
| March 28, 2006 | NE | LB 1060 | 2005-2007 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 7) |
| March 28, 2006 | MD | SB 297 | Pharmacists Dispensing Emergency Contraception | Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 24) |
| March 28, 2006 | OH | HB 530 | Budget Correction Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3) |
| March 28, 2006 | OH | Am Sub SB 265 | Air Pollution | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
| March 28, 2006 | ID | H 630 | School Grounds - Violence | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4) |
| March 28, 2006 | ID | H 630 | School Grounds - Violence | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4) |
| March 28, 2006 | MD | SB 539 | Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 25) |
| March 28, 2006 | MD | SB 539 | Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 25) |
| March 27, 2006 | ME | LD 1640 | Charter School Pilot Program | "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 16) |
| March 27, 2006 | MD | Amendment 3929 to SB 297 | Prohibiting Requirement of Pharmacist to Dispense Emergency Contraception Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 28) |
| March 27, 2006 | GA | CCS SB 529 | Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 16) |
| March 27, 2006 | CO | HB 1344 | Same-Sex Partnership Benefits Act | Bill Passed - House (38 - 27) |
| March 27, 2006 | MN | HF 2680 | Teacher Training Program for Qualified Professionals Provided | Bill Failed - House (62 - 70) |
| March 27, 2006 | ME | LD 1926 | Amending Work Place Smoking Laws | Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 21) |
| March 27, 2006 | MD | SB 539 | Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill | Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 22) |
| March 27, 2006 | MD | SB 539 | Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill | Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 22) |
| March 24, 2006 | KS | Sub HB 2986 | School Finance | Bill Passed - House (64 - 61) |
| March 24, 2006 | MD | SB 257 | Little Blackwater River Golf Course Conservation Bill | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 27) |
| March 24, 2006 | GA | SCS SB 396 | Use of Deadly Force | Bill Passed - House (115 - 42) |
| March 24, 2006 | CO | HB 1056 | Vending Machines Requirements for Schools Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| March 24, 2006 | CO | HB 1056 | Vending Machines Requirements for Schools Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| March 24, 2006 | MD | SB 1075 | Governor Cabinet Appointments | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18) |
| March 24, 2006 | MD | SB 293 | Public Charter School Program Reform Bill | Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 24) |
| March 23, 2006 | KS | SB 418 | Concealed Weapons Permits | Veto Override Passed - House (91 - 33) |
| March 23, 2006 | MD | Amendment 953927 | Stem Cell Funding Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (46 - 93) |
| March 23, 2006 | ID | H 421 | Property Tax-Homestead Exemption | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7) |
| March 23, 2006 | MI | HB 5606 | New Graduation Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1) |
| March 23, 2006 | ID | H 743 | School Facilities Improvement Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12) |
| March 23, 2006 | FL | HB 205 | Prohibition of Certain Financial Assistance to International Students | Bill Passed - House (96 - 23) |
| March 23, 2006 | GA | HCS SB 529 | Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act | Bill Passed - House (123 - 51) |
| March 23, 2006 | KS | HCR 5025 | Eminent Domain Constitutional Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (81 - 43) |
| March 22, 2006 | MS | SB 2310 | Food and Tobacco Taxes | Veto Override Failed - Senate (28 - 22) |
| March 22, 2006 | KS | SB 418 | Concealed Weapons Permits | Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 10) |
| March 22, 2006 | KS | HCR 5032 | Legislative Appropriations | Joint Resolution Failed - House (66 - 58) |
| March 22, 2006 | ID | H 777 | Serving Alcohol in Movie Theaters | Bill Failed - House (30 - 38) |
| March 22, 2006 | NH | SB 268 | High School Dropout Age | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 7) |
| March 21, 2006 | NH | HB 1682 | Emergency Contraceptives Requirement | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (189 - 118) |
| March 21, 2006 | NH | CACR 34 | Marriage Definition | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (207 - 125) |
| March 21, 2006 | NH | Maj AM 1172h | Smoking Ban Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (177 - 164) |
| March 21, 2006 | NH | HB 1177 | Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - House (189 - 156) |
| March 21, 2006 | OH | HCR 36 | Apportioning U.S. House Seats | Resolution Passed - House (71 - 23) |
| March 21, 2006 | OH | HCR 36 | Apportioning U.S. House Seats | Resolution Passed - House (71 - 23) |
| March 21, 2006 | ID | H 823 | State Affairs Building Code Board | Bill Failed - House (33 - 36) |
| March 21, 2006 | ID | H 823 | State Affairs Building Code Board | Bill Failed - House (33 - 36) |
| March 21, 2006 | KS | SCS SB 323 | Eminent Domain | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13) |
| March 21, 2006 | KS | SB 139 | Math and Science Academy | Bill Passed - House (76 - 48) |
| March 21, 2006 | IA | HF 2709 | School Year Minimum Hours Requirement | Bill Passed - House (55 - 44) |
| March 20, 2006 | PA | HB 213 | Ecoterrorism Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10) |
| March 20, 2006 | ID | H 768 | Public Charter Schools | Bill Failed - House (18 - 46) |
| March 17, 2006 | CO | HB 1175 | Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act | Conference Report Adopted - House (38 - 24) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4/04 | H 4479 | Health Care Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (154 - 2) |
| 4/04 | HB 2254 | Requiring Doctors to Inform Women of Fetal Pain | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13) |
| 4/04 | HB 37 | Bans Open Containers of Alcoholic Beverages in Motor Vehicles | Bill Passed - House (22 - 12) |
| 4/03 | HB 26 | Expanding the Definition of Resisting an Officer | Bill Passed - House (58 - 36) |
| 3/31 | SB 1075 | Governor Cabinet Appointments | Bill Passed - House (89 - 48) |
| 3/31 | HB 1212 | Allows Pharmacists to Prescribe Emergency Contraception | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| 3/30 | LD 1640 | Charter School Pilot Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 63) |
| 3/30 | SB 501 | School Funding | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 20) |
| 3/30 | SB 1157 | Trespassing by Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (32 - 26) |
| 3/30 | SB 1157 | Trespassing by Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (32 - 26) |
| 3/30 | HB 5284 | Carbon Monoxide Detector Act | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 22) |
| 3/30 | HB 5284 | Carbon Monoxide Detector Act | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 22) |
| 3/30 | Sub HB 2986 | School Finance | Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 25) |
| 3/29 | Amendment 63 | Cigarette Tax | Amendment Tabled - House (58 - 53) |
| 3/29 | Am Sub SB 17 | Child Abuse Reporting Requirements and Statute of Limitations Regarding Religious Figures | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 13) |
| 3/29 | Executive Amendment 84452-1 to HB 272 | Educational Funds Amendment | Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 38) |
| 3/29 | Am Sub SB 17 | Child Abuse Reporting Requirements and Statute of Limitations Regarding Religious Figures | Bill Passed - House (77 - 18) |
| 3/29 | Am Sub SB 265 | Air Pollution | Bill Passed - House (67 - 29) |
| 3/29 | SB 446 | Eminent Domain | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7) |
| 3/29 | SB 446 | Eminent Domain | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7) |
| 3/29 | HB 1249 | Authorizing Minors to Approve Perinatal Care for Their Own Pregnancy | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| 3/28 | Amdt 2B | Sex Offenders Penalties Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (34 - 4) |
| 3/28 | CCS SB 529 | Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act | Conference Report Adopted - House (119 - 49) |
| 3/28 | LD 1912 | Maine House of Representatives Age Requirement | Resolution Failed - House (77 - 65) |
| 3/28 | HB 37 | Bans Open Containers of Alcoholic Beverages in Motor Vehicles | Bill Failed - House (24 - 13) |
| 3/28 | LB 1060 | 2005-2007 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 7) |
| 3/28 | SB 297 | Pharmacists Dispensing Emergency Contraception | Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 24) |
| 3/28 | HB 530 | Budget Correction Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3) |
| 3/28 | Am Sub SB 265 | Air Pollution | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
| 3/28 | H 630 | School Grounds - Violence | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4) |
| 3/28 | H 630 | School Grounds - Violence | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4) |
| 3/28 | SB 539 | Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 25) |
| 3/28 | SB 539 | Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 25) |
| 3/27 | LD 1640 | Charter School Pilot Program | "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 16) |
| 3/27 | Amendment 3929 to SB 297 | Prohibiting Requirement of Pharmacist to Dispense Emergency Contraception Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 28) |
| 3/27 | CCS SB 529 | Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 16) |
| 3/27 | HB 1344 | Same-Sex Partnership Benefits Act | Bill Passed - House (38 - 27) |
| 3/27 | HF 2680 | Teacher Training Program for Qualified Professionals Provided | Bill Failed - House (62 - 70) |
| 3/27 | LD 1926 | Amending Work Place Smoking Laws | Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 21) |
| 3/27 | SB 539 | Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill | Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 22) |
| 3/27 | SB 539 | Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill | Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 22) |
| 3/24 | Sub HB 2986 | School Finance | Bill Passed - House (64 - 61) |
| 3/24 | SB 257 | Little Blackwater River Golf Course Conservation Bill | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 27) |
| 3/24 | SCS SB 396 | Use of Deadly Force | Bill Passed - House (115 - 42) |
| 3/24 | HB 1056 | Vending Machines Requirements for Schools Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| 3/24 | HB 1056 | Vending Machines Requirements for Schools Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| 3/24 | SB 1075 | Governor Cabinet Appointments | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18) |
| 3/24 | SB 293 | Public Charter School Program Reform Bill | Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 24) |
| 3/23 | SB 418 | Concealed Weapons Permits | Veto Override Passed - House (91 - 33) |
| 3/23 | Amendment 953927 | Stem Cell Funding Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (46 - 93) |
| 3/23 | H 421 | Property Tax-Homestead Exemption | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7) |
| 3/23 | HB 5606 | New Graduation Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1) |
| 3/23 | H 743 | School Facilities Improvement Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12) |
| 3/23 | HB 205 | Prohibition of Certain Financial Assistance to International Students | Bill Passed - House (96 - 23) |
| 3/23 | HCS SB 529 | Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act | Bill Passed - House (123 - 51) |
| 3/23 | HCR 5025 | Eminent Domain Constitutional Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (81 - 43) |
| 3/22 | SB 2310 | Food and Tobacco Taxes | Veto Override Failed - Senate (28 - 22) |
| 3/22 | SB 418 | Concealed Weapons Permits | Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 10) |
| 3/22 | HCR 5032 | Legislative Appropriations | Joint Resolution Failed - House (66 - 58) |
| 3/22 | H 777 | Serving Alcohol in Movie Theaters | Bill Failed - House (30 - 38) |
| 3/22 | SB 268 | High School Dropout Age | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 7) |
| 3/21 | HB 1682 | Emergency Contraceptives Requirement | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (189 - 118) |
| 3/21 | CACR 34 | Marriage Definition | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (207 - 125) |
| 3/21 | Maj AM 1172h | Smoking Ban Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (177 - 164) |
| 3/21 | HB 1177 | Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - House (189 - 156) |
| 3/21 | HCR 36 | Apportioning U.S. House Seats | Resolution Passed - House (71 - 23) |
| 3/21 | HCR 36 | Apportioning U.S. House Seats | Resolution Passed - House (71 - 23) |
| 3/21 | H 823 | State Affairs Building Code Board | Bill Failed - House (33 - 36) |
| 3/21 | H 823 | State Affairs Building Code Board | Bill Failed - House (33 - 36) |
| 3/21 | SCS SB 323 | Eminent Domain | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13) |
| 3/21 | SB 139 | Math and Science Academy | Bill Passed - House (76 - 48) |
| 3/21 | HF 2709 | School Year Minimum Hours Requirement | Bill Passed - House (55 - 44) |
| 3/20 | HB 213 | Ecoterrorism Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10) |
| 3/20 | H 768 | Public Charter Schools | Bill Failed - House (18 - 46) |
| 3/17 | HB 1175 | Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act | Conference Report Adopted - House (38 - 24) |