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 7, 2008 | ID | H 586 | State Administered Vehicle Emissions Testing | Bill Passed - House (42 - 26) |
| March 6, 2008 | KS | SB 327 | Expansion of Coal-Fired Power Plants | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 7) |
| March 6, 2008 | KS | SB 327 | Expansion of Coal-Fired Power Plants | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 7) |
| March 6, 2008 | CO | HB 1025 | Governor's Energy Office | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13) |
| March 6, 2008 | CO | HB 1025 | Governor's Energy Office | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13) |
| March 6, 2008 | MN | HF 380 | Capital Improvements Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 9) |
| March 6, 2008 | WI | SB 523 | Great Lakes Water Resources Compact | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6) |
| March 6, 2008 | MN | HF 380 | Capital Improvements Budget | Bill Passed - House (99 - 34) |
| March 5, 2008 | KS | SB 327 | Expansion of Coal-Fired Power Plants | Conference Report Adopted - House (75 - 47) |
| March 5, 2008 | KS | SB 327 | Expansion of Coal-Fired Power Plants | Conference Report Adopted - House (75 - 47) |
| March 5, 2008 | WV | SB 373 | Reclassification of Streams | Bill Passed - House (67 - 32) |
| March 5, 2008 | WV | SB 373 | Reclassification of Streams | Bill Passed - House (67 - 32) |
| March 5, 2008 | ID | H 562 | Tax Exemption for New Capital Investments | Bill Passed - House (41 - 27) |
| March 5, 2008 | ID | H 562 | Tax Exemption for New Capital Investments | Bill Passed - House (41 - 27) |
| March 5, 2008 | WI | AB 346 | Nuclear Power Plant Construction | Bill Passed - House (57 - 38) |
| March 5, 2008 | WI | AB 346 | Nuclear Power Plant Construction | Bill Passed - House (57 - 38) |
| March 5, 2008 | ID | H 561 | Tax Exemptions for the Processing of Fuel for Energy Production | Bill Passed - House (60 - 10) |
| March 5, 2008 | WA | HB 2815 | Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19) |
| March 5, 2008 | ID | H 561 | Tax Exemptions for the Processing of Fuel for Energy Production | Bill Passed - House (60 - 10) |
| March 5, 2008 | WA | HB 2815 | Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19) |
| March 4, 2008 | GA | HB 1281 | Restricting Local Outdoor Water Regulations | Bill Passed - House (124 - 38) |
| March 4, 2008 | WA | HB 2438 | Permitting Dogs in Cougar Hunting | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18) |
| March 4, 2008 | UT | SB 297 | Increasing Penalties for Animal Cruelty | Bill Passed - House (62 - 6) |
| Feb. 28, 2008 | KS | SB 586 | Incentives to Develop Nuclear Power Facilities | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8) |
| Feb. 28, 2008 | KS | SB 586 | Incentives to Develop Nuclear Power Facilities | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8) |
| Feb. 27, 2008 | CO | HB 1069 | Prohibiting Motor Vehicles on Public Lands | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8) |
| Feb. 27, 2008 | CO | HB 1270 | Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures | Bill Passed - House (45 - 20) |
| Feb. 27, 2008 | CO | HB 1270 | Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures | Bill Passed - House (45 - 20) |
| Feb. 27, 2008 | CO | HB 1280 | Extending Water Rights | Bill Passed - House (59 - 6) |
| Feb. 27, 2008 | CO | HB 1280 | Extending Water Rights | Bill Passed - House (59 - 6) |
| Feb. 27, 2008 | CO | HB 1107 | Energy Efficiency Requirements | Bill Passed - House (33 - 32) |
| Feb. 27, 2008 | CO | HB 1107 | Energy Efficiency Requirements | Bill Passed - House (33 - 32) |
| Feb. 27, 2008 | National | HR 5351 | Energy Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (236 - 182) |
| Feb. 27, 2008 | UT | SB 297 | Increasing Penalties for Animal Cruelty | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 6) |
| Feb. 25, 2008 | WY | SF 46 | Water Discharge from Methane Gas Wells | Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 15) |
| Feb. 25, 2008 | SD | SB 173 | Eliminating Restrictions on Corporate Dairy Farms | Bill Passed - House (63 - 6) |
| Feb. 21, 2008 | MS | HB 1089 | Legalizing Deer Baiting | Bill Passed - House (74 - 47) |
| Feb. 21, 2008 | WY | HB 46 | Animal Abuse and Cruelty | Bill Passed - House (56 - 2) |
| Feb. 21, 2008 | MS | SB 2793 | Utility Rate Increases During Planning or Construction of Plants | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11) |
| Feb. 19, 2008 | KS | SB 327 | Expansion of Coal-Fired Power Plants | Bill Passed - House (77 - 45) |
| Feb. 19, 2008 | KS | SB 327 | Expansion of Coal-Fired Power Plants | Bill Passed - House (77 - 45) |
| Feb. 19, 2008 | WA | HB 2815 | Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Bill Passed - House (64 - 31) |
| Feb. 19, 2008 | WA | HB 2438 | Permitting Dogs in Cougar Hunting | Bill Passed - House (66 - 29) |
| Feb. 19, 2008 | WA | HB 2815 | Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Bill Passed - House (64 - 31) |
| Feb. 18, 2008 | WA | SB 6777 | Halting Mining on Maury Island | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 23) |
| 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. 14, 2008 | NM | SB 487 | Uranium Cleanup Fund | Bill Passed - House (45 - 23) |
| Feb. 14, 2008 | NM | SB 487 | Uranium Cleanup Fund | Bill Passed - House (45 - 23) |
| Feb. 14, 2008 | KS | HB 2066 | Restricting the Secretary of Health and Environment's Enforcement Powers | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 7) |
| Feb. 14, 2008 | KS | HB 2066 | Restricting the Secretary of Health and Environment's Enforcement Powers | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 7) |
| Feb. 14, 2008 | UT | SB 117 | Increasing Penalties for Animal Cruelty | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 14) |
| Feb. 13, 2008 | KS | Steineger Amnd. | Limiting Carbon Dioxide Emissions | Amendment Rejected - Senate (3 - 32) |
| Feb. 13, 2008 | KS | Steineger Amnd. | Limiting Carbon Dioxide Emissions | Amendment Rejected - Senate (3 - 32) |
| Feb. 12, 2008 | UT | HB 137 | Water Conservation Program | Bill Failed - House (31 - 40) |
| Feb. 12, 2008 | IN | SB 45 | Great Lakes Compact | Bill Passed - House (91 - 8) |
| Feb. 12, 2008 | NM | HB 305 | Energy Efficiency Requirements for Public Utilities | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
| Feb. 12, 2008 | NM | HB 305 | Energy Efficiency Requirements for Public Utilities | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
| Feb. 11, 2008 | SD | HB 1171 | Hunting Mountain Lions | Bill Failed - House (26 - 42) |
| Feb. 10, 2008 | NM | SB 487 | Uranium Cleanup Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
| Feb. 10, 2008 | NM | SB 487 | Uranium Cleanup Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
| Feb. 8, 2008 | NM | HB 342 | Uranium Cleanup Fund | Bill Passed - House (55 - 11) |
| Feb. 8, 2008 | NM | HB 342 | Uranium Cleanup Fund | Bill Passed - House (55 - 11) |
| Jan. 31, 2008 | SD | SB 173 | Eliminating Restrictions on Corporate Dairy Farms | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
| Jan. 30, 2008 | IN | HB 1090 | Climate Registry Act | Bill Passed - House (53 - 44) |
| Jan. 30, 2008 | CO | HB 1025 | Governor's Energy Office | Bill Passed - House (59 - 5) |
| Jan. 30, 2008 | CO | HB 1025 | Governor's Energy Office | Bill Passed - House (59 - 5) |
| Jan. 30, 2008 | CA | SB 908 | Global Warming Education in Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
| Jan. 30, 2008 | CO | HB 1069 | Prohibiting Motor Vehicles on Public Lands | Bill Passed - House (43 - 22) |
| Jan. 28, 2008 | GA | HB 301 | Increasing Dogfighting Penalties | Bill Passed - House (165 - 6) |
| Jan. 24, 2008 | CO | GN Baker | Matt Baker to the Public Utilities Commission | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| Jan. 24, 2008 | CO | GN Baker | Matt Baker to the Public Utilities Commission | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| Jan. 18, 2008 | GA | HR 1022 | State-Wide Water Management Plan | Bill Passed - House (131 - 37) |
| Jan. 18, 2008 | GA | SR 701 | State-Wide Water Management Plan | Resolution Passed - Senate (39 - 12) |
| Jan. 16, 2008 | National | HR 2768 | S-MINER Act | Bill Passed - House (214 - 199) |
| Jan. 7, 2008 | NJ | A 4559 | Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Bill Passed - House (43 - 31) |
| Jan. 7, 2008 | NJ | A 4559 | Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Bill Passed - House (43 - 31) |
| Jan. 7, 2008 | NJ | A 4559 | Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16) |
| Jan. 7, 2008 | NJ | A 4559 | Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/07 | H 586 | State Administered Vehicle Emissions Testing | Bill Passed - House (42 - 26) |
| 3/06 | SB 327 | Expansion of Coal-Fired Power Plants | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 7) |
| 3/06 | SB 327 | Expansion of Coal-Fired Power Plants | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 7) |
| 3/06 | HB 1025 | Governor's Energy Office | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13) |
| 3/06 | HB 1025 | Governor's Energy Office | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13) |
| 3/06 | HF 380 | Capital Improvements Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 9) |
| 3/06 | SB 523 | Great Lakes Water Resources Compact | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6) |
| 3/06 | HF 380 | Capital Improvements Budget | Bill Passed - House (99 - 34) |
| 3/05 | SB 327 | Expansion of Coal-Fired Power Plants | Conference Report Adopted - House (75 - 47) |
| 3/05 | SB 327 | Expansion of Coal-Fired Power Plants | Conference Report Adopted - House (75 - 47) |
| 3/05 | SB 373 | Reclassification of Streams | Bill Passed - House (67 - 32) |
| 3/05 | SB 373 | Reclassification of Streams | Bill Passed - House (67 - 32) |
| 3/05 | H 562 | Tax Exemption for New Capital Investments | Bill Passed - House (41 - 27) |
| 3/05 | H 562 | Tax Exemption for New Capital Investments | Bill Passed - House (41 - 27) |
| 3/05 | AB 346 | Nuclear Power Plant Construction | Bill Passed - House (57 - 38) |
| 3/05 | AB 346 | Nuclear Power Plant Construction | Bill Passed - House (57 - 38) |
| 3/05 | H 561 | Tax Exemptions for the Processing of Fuel for Energy Production | Bill Passed - House (60 - 10) |
| 3/05 | HB 2815 | Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19) |
| 3/05 | H 561 | Tax Exemptions for the Processing of Fuel for Energy Production | Bill Passed - House (60 - 10) |
| 3/05 | HB 2815 | Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19) |
| 3/04 | HB 1281 | Restricting Local Outdoor Water Regulations | Bill Passed - House (124 - 38) |
| 3/04 | HB 2438 | Permitting Dogs in Cougar Hunting | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18) |
| 3/04 | SB 297 | Increasing Penalties for Animal Cruelty | Bill Passed - House (62 - 6) |
| 2/28 | SB 586 | Incentives to Develop Nuclear Power Facilities | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8) |
| 2/28 | SB 586 | Incentives to Develop Nuclear Power Facilities | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8) |
| 2/27 | HB 1069 | Prohibiting Motor Vehicles on Public Lands | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8) |
| 2/27 | HB 1270 | Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures | Bill Passed - House (45 - 20) |
| 2/27 | HB 1270 | Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures | Bill Passed - House (45 - 20) |
| 2/27 | HB 1280 | Extending Water Rights | Bill Passed - House (59 - 6) |
| 2/27 | HB 1280 | Extending Water Rights | Bill Passed - House (59 - 6) |
| 2/27 | HB 1107 | Energy Efficiency Requirements | Bill Passed - House (33 - 32) |
| 2/27 | HB 1107 | Energy Efficiency Requirements | Bill Passed - House (33 - 32) |
| 2/27 | HR 5351 | Energy Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (236 - 182) |
| 2/27 | SB 297 | Increasing Penalties for Animal Cruelty | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 6) |
| 2/25 | SF 46 | Water Discharge from Methane Gas Wells | Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 15) |
| 2/25 | SB 173 | Eliminating Restrictions on Corporate Dairy Farms | Bill Passed - House (63 - 6) |
| 2/21 | HB 1089 | Legalizing Deer Baiting | Bill Passed - House (74 - 47) |
| 2/21 | HB 46 | Animal Abuse and Cruelty | Bill Passed - House (56 - 2) |
| 2/21 | SB 2793 | Utility Rate Increases During Planning or Construction of Plants | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11) |
| 2/19 | SB 327 | Expansion of Coal-Fired Power Plants | Bill Passed - House (77 - 45) |
| 2/19 | SB 327 | Expansion of Coal-Fired Power Plants | Bill Passed - House (77 - 45) |
| 2/19 | HB 2815 | Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Bill Passed - House (64 - 31) |
| 2/19 | HB 2438 | Permitting Dogs in Cougar Hunting | Bill Passed - House (66 - 29) |
| 2/19 | HB 2815 | Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Bill Passed - House (64 - 31) |
| 2/18 | SB 6777 | Halting Mining on Maury Island | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 23) |
| 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) |
| 2/14 | SB 487 | Uranium Cleanup Fund | Bill Passed - House (45 - 23) |
| 2/14 | SB 487 | Uranium Cleanup Fund | Bill Passed - House (45 - 23) |
| 2/14 | HB 2066 | Restricting the Secretary of Health and Environment's Enforcement Powers | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 7) |
| 2/14 | HB 2066 | Restricting the Secretary of Health and Environment's Enforcement Powers | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 7) |
| 2/14 | SB 117 | Increasing Penalties for Animal Cruelty | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 14) |
| 2/13 | Steineger Amnd. | Limiting Carbon Dioxide Emissions | Amendment Rejected - Senate (3 - 32) |
| 2/13 | Steineger Amnd. | Limiting Carbon Dioxide Emissions | Amendment Rejected - Senate (3 - 32) |
| 2/12 | HB 137 | Water Conservation Program | Bill Failed - House (31 - 40) |
| 2/12 | SB 45 | Great Lakes Compact | Bill Passed - House (91 - 8) |
| 2/12 | HB 305 | Energy Efficiency Requirements for Public Utilities | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
| 2/12 | HB 305 | Energy Efficiency Requirements for Public Utilities | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
| 2/11 | HB 1171 | Hunting Mountain Lions | Bill Failed - House (26 - 42) |
| 2/10 | SB 487 | Uranium Cleanup Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
| 2/10 | SB 487 | Uranium Cleanup Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
| 2/08 | HB 342 | Uranium Cleanup Fund | Bill Passed - House (55 - 11) |
| 2/08 | HB 342 | Uranium Cleanup Fund | Bill Passed - House (55 - 11) |
| 1/31 | SB 173 | Eliminating Restrictions on Corporate Dairy Farms | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
| 1/30 | HB 1090 | Climate Registry Act | Bill Passed - House (53 - 44) |
| 1/30 | HB 1025 | Governor's Energy Office | Bill Passed - House (59 - 5) |
| 1/30 | HB 1025 | Governor's Energy Office | Bill Passed - House (59 - 5) |
| 1/30 | SB 908 | Global Warming Education in Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
| 1/30 | HB 1069 | Prohibiting Motor Vehicles on Public Lands | Bill Passed - House (43 - 22) |
| 1/28 | HB 301 | Increasing Dogfighting Penalties | Bill Passed - House (165 - 6) |
| 1/24 | GN Baker | Matt Baker to the Public Utilities Commission | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| 1/24 | GN Baker | Matt Baker to the Public Utilities Commission | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| 1/18 | HR 1022 | State-Wide Water Management Plan | Bill Passed - House (131 - 37) |
| 1/18 | SR 701 | State-Wide Water Management Plan | Resolution Passed - Senate (39 - 12) |
| 1/16 | HR 2768 | S-MINER Act | Bill Passed - House (214 - 199) |
| 1/07 | A 4559 | Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Bill Passed - House (43 - 31) |
| 1/07 | A 4559 | Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Bill Passed - House (43 - 31) |
| 1/07 | A 4559 | Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16) |
| 1/07 | A 4559 | Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16) |