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 4, 2008 | GA | HB 1281 | Restricting Local Outdoor Water Regulations | Bill Passed - House (124 - 38) |
| March 4, 2008 | AZ | HB 2263 | Maturity Requirement for Underage Abortions | Bill Passed - House (32 - 27) |
| March 4, 2008 | KY | HB 186 | Dental Health Certificate Requirement for School Enrollment | Bill Passed - House (91 - 4) |
| March 3, 2008 | WY | HB 73 | Increasing DUI Penalties | Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 16) |
| March 3, 2008 | AZ | HB 2769 | Increasing Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Penalties | Bill Passed - House (34 - 25) |
| March 3, 2008 | CO | SB 164 | Increasing Caps on Medical Malpractice Lawsuits | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16) |
| Feb. 29, 2008 | WA | SB 5261 | Health Insurance Rate Oversight | Bill Passed - House (68 - 26) |
| Feb. 29, 2008 | GA | SB 506 | Mandatory School Physical Fitness Testing | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13) |
| Feb. 28, 2008 | WI | A Amnd. 2 | Exemptions to Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban | Amendment Tabled - House (54 - 43) |
| Feb. 28, 2008 | WI | A Amnd. 2 | Exemptions to Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban | Amendment Tabled - House (54 - 43) |
| Feb. 28, 2008 | WI | A Amnd. 1 | Exemptions to Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban | Amendment Tabled - House (54 - 43) |
| Feb. 28, 2008 | WI | A Amnd. 1 | Exemptions to Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban | Amendment Tabled - House (54 - 43) |
| Feb. 28, 2008 | WI | AB 377 | Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6) |
| Feb. 28, 2008 | WI | AB 710 | Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban | Bill Passed - House (59 - 38) |
| Feb. 28, 2008 | IN | SB 143 | Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention | Bill Passed - House (51 - 48) |
| Feb. 28, 2008 | WI | AB 710 | Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban | Bill Passed - House (59 - 38) |
| Feb. 28, 2008 | WI | AB 377 | Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6) |
| Feb. 28, 2008 | KS | SB 586 | Incentives to Develop Nuclear Power Facilities | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8) |
| Feb. 28, 2008 | CO | SB 129 | Restricting Beverage Sales at Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
| Feb. 27, 2008 | VA | HB 30 | 2008-2010 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18) |
| Feb. 27, 2008 | CO | HB 1069 | Prohibiting Motor Vehicles on Public Lands | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8) |
| Feb. 27, 2008 | IA | HF 2212 | Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21) |
| Feb. 27, 2008 | CO | HB 1270 | Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures | Bill Passed - House (45 - 20) |
| Feb. 27, 2008 | GA | SB 433 | Permitting Destination Cancer Hospitals | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 23) |
| 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 1228 | Insurance Company Regulations | Bill Passed - House (40 - 25) |
| Feb. 27, 2008 | MS | SB 2998 | Immunity for Physicians Treating Medicaid Recipients | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18) |
| Feb. 26, 2008 | IN | Amnd. 2 | Permitting Lawsuits for Injuries Caused by Hazardous Substances | Amendment Adopted - House (52 - 45) |
| Feb. 26, 2008 | WI | SB 178 | Insurance Coverage for Autism Treatment | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8) |
| Feb. 26, 2008 | ID | H 503 | Scholarships for Drug-Free Students | Bill Passed - House (55 - 14) |
| Feb. 26, 2008 | National | S 1200 | Indian Health Care Improvement Act Amendments of 2008 | Bill Passed - Senate (83 - 10) |
| Feb. 25, 2008 | MO | HB 1406 | Establishment of Drunk Driving Memorial Sign Program | Bill Passed - House (82 - 51) |
| Feb. 25, 2008 | MS | HB 729 | Parole Eligibility for Non-Violent Offenders | Bill Passed - House (69 - 52) |
| Feb. 25, 2008 | WY | SF 46 | Water Discharge from Methane Gas Wells | Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 15) |
| Feb. 22, 2008 | NE | LB 395 | Statewide Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14) |
| Feb. 21, 2008 | MS | HB 1013 | Altering Medicaid and Medicare Eligibility and Increasing Cigarette Tax | Bill Passed - House (75 - 41) |
| Feb. 21, 2008 | VA | HB 30 | 2008-2010 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - House (93 - 5) |
| Feb. 20, 2008 | SD | SB 88 | Offering Sonograms to Women Considering Abortion | Bill Passed - House (38 - 32) |
| Feb. 20, 2008 | KY | HB 396 | HPV Vaccinations for Primary, Secondary and Preschool Students | Bill Passed - House (56 - 37) |
| Feb. 20, 2008 | SD | SB 88 | Offering Sonograms to Women Considering Abortion | Bill Passed - House (38 - 32) |
| 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 | IA | HF 2212 | Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - House (56 - 44) |
| Feb. 18, 2008 | CO | SB 3 | Medicaid Funded Family Planning | Bill Passed - House (41 - 23) |
| Feb. 18, 2008 | WA | SB 6305 | Use of Federal Sex Education Grants | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 11) |
| Feb. 18, 2008 | WA | SB 6305 | Use of Federal Sex Education Grants | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 11) |
| Feb. 18, 2008 | WA | SB 6777 | Halting Mining on Maury Island | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 23) |
| Feb. 14, 2008 | NE | AM 1736 | Eliminating Opt-Out Provision of Smoking Ban | Amendment Adopted - Senate (33 - 13) |
| Feb. 14, 2008 | MN | HF 2285 | Funding for Natural Resources and Cultural Heritage | Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 46) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/04 | HB 1281 | Restricting Local Outdoor Water Regulations | Bill Passed - House (124 - 38) |
| 3/04 | HB 2263 | Maturity Requirement for Underage Abortions | Bill Passed - House (32 - 27) |
| 3/04 | HB 186 | Dental Health Certificate Requirement for School Enrollment | Bill Passed - House (91 - 4) |
| 3/03 | HB 73 | Increasing DUI Penalties | Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 16) |
| 3/03 | HB 2769 | Increasing Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Penalties | Bill Passed - House (34 - 25) |
| 3/03 | SB 164 | Increasing Caps on Medical Malpractice Lawsuits | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16) |
| 2/29 | SB 5261 | Health Insurance Rate Oversight | Bill Passed - House (68 - 26) |
| 2/29 | SB 506 | Mandatory School Physical Fitness Testing | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13) |
| 2/28 | A Amnd. 2 | Exemptions to Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban | Amendment Tabled - House (54 - 43) |
| 2/28 | A Amnd. 2 | Exemptions to Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban | Amendment Tabled - House (54 - 43) |
| 2/28 | A Amnd. 1 | Exemptions to Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban | Amendment Tabled - House (54 - 43) |
| 2/28 | A Amnd. 1 | Exemptions to Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban | Amendment Tabled - House (54 - 43) |
| 2/28 | AB 377 | Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6) |
| 2/28 | AB 710 | Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban | Bill Passed - House (59 - 38) |
| 2/28 | SB 143 | Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention | Bill Passed - House (51 - 48) |
| 2/28 | AB 710 | Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban | Bill Passed - House (59 - 38) |
| 2/28 | AB 377 | Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6) |
| 2/28 | SB 586 | Incentives to Develop Nuclear Power Facilities | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8) |
| 2/28 | SB 129 | Restricting Beverage Sales at Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
| 2/27 | HB 30 | 2008-2010 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18) |
| 2/27 | HB 1069 | Prohibiting Motor Vehicles on Public Lands | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8) |
| 2/27 | HF 2212 | Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21) |
| 2/27 | HB 1270 | Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures | Bill Passed - House (45 - 20) |
| 2/27 | SB 433 | Permitting Destination Cancer Hospitals | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 23) |
| 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 1228 | Insurance Company Regulations | Bill Passed - House (40 - 25) |
| 2/27 | SB 2998 | Immunity for Physicians Treating Medicaid Recipients | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18) |
| 2/26 | Amnd. 2 | Permitting Lawsuits for Injuries Caused by Hazardous Substances | Amendment Adopted - House (52 - 45) |
| 2/26 | SB 178 | Insurance Coverage for Autism Treatment | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8) |
| 2/26 | H 503 | Scholarships for Drug-Free Students | Bill Passed - House (55 - 14) |
| 2/26 | S 1200 | Indian Health Care Improvement Act Amendments of 2008 | Bill Passed - Senate (83 - 10) |
| 2/25 | HB 1406 | Establishment of Drunk Driving Memorial Sign Program | Bill Passed - House (82 - 51) |
| 2/25 | HB 729 | Parole Eligibility for Non-Violent Offenders | Bill Passed - House (69 - 52) |
| 2/25 | SF 46 | Water Discharge from Methane Gas Wells | Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 15) |
| 2/22 | LB 395 | Statewide Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14) |
| 2/21 | HB 1013 | Altering Medicaid and Medicare Eligibility and Increasing Cigarette Tax | Bill Passed - House (75 - 41) |
| 2/21 | HB 30 | 2008-2010 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - House (93 - 5) |
| 2/20 | SB 88 | Offering Sonograms to Women Considering Abortion | Bill Passed - House (38 - 32) |
| 2/20 | HB 396 | HPV Vaccinations for Primary, Secondary and Preschool Students | Bill Passed - House (56 - 37) |
| 2/20 | SB 88 | Offering Sonograms to Women Considering Abortion | Bill Passed - House (38 - 32) |
| 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 | HF 2212 | Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - House (56 - 44) |
| 2/18 | SB 3 | Medicaid Funded Family Planning | Bill Passed - House (41 - 23) |
| 2/18 | SB 6305 | Use of Federal Sex Education Grants | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 11) |
| 2/18 | SB 6305 | Use of Federal Sex Education Grants | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 11) |
| 2/18 | SB 6777 | Halting Mining on Maury Island | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 23) |
| 2/14 | AM 1736 | Eliminating Opt-Out Provision of Smoking Ban | Amendment Adopted - Senate (33 - 13) |
| 2/14 | HF 2285 | Funding for Natural Resources and Cultural Heritage | Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 46) |