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 7, 2008 | SC | H 3567 | Cigarette Tax Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11) |
| May 7, 2008 | NY | S 7594 | Gasoline Tax Holiday | Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 15) |
| May 7, 2008 | OH | SB 57 | Disability Scholarship Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15) |
| May 6, 2008 | SC | S Amdt P-1 | Cigarette Tax Increase for Medicaid | Amendment Tabled - Senate (31 - 13) |
| May 6, 2008 | CO | HB 1388 | Increasing Education Funding | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 13) |
| May 6, 2008 | MA | H 4645 | Cigarette Tax Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6) |
| May 6, 2008 | CT | HB 5536 | Health Insurance Pool | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12) |
| May 3, 2008 | KS | SB 81 | Health Care Reform | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 1) |
| May 2, 2008 | FL | HB 5001 | 2008-2009 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 8) |
| May 1, 2008 | HI | SB 2423 | Turtle Bay Acquisition | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 11) |
| May 1, 2008 | MO | HB 2393 | Mega-Project Tax Credits | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8) |
| May 1, 2008 | RI | H 7204 | 2007-2008 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| April 30, 2008 | MN | HF 3195 | Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap and Trade Program Report | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 21) |
| April 29, 2008 | LA | S Amdt 2096 | Gradual Income Tax Deduction | Amendment Adopted - Senate (19 - 18) |
| April 24, 2008 | IA | SF 2432 | 2008-2009 Prison and Infrastructure Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 13) |
| April 22, 2008 | IA | S 5408 | Changes to School Infrastructure Sales Tax | Amendment Rejected - Senate (20 - 30) |
| April 22, 2008 | IA | HF 2663 | Statewide Sales Tax Increase for School Infrastructure Funding | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 11) |
| April 22, 2008 | MI | SB 1198 | Changes to Michigan Business Tax Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| April 17, 2008 | IA | S 5377 to SF 2425 | Pregnancy Counseling and Support Services | Amendment Rejected - Senate (22 - 27) |
| April 17, 2008 | IA | SF 2425 | 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16) |
| April 16, 2008 | MO | SA 1 to HB 2007 | Mega-Project Fund Appropriation | Amendment Rejected - Senate (11 - 22) |
| April 16, 2008 | IL | SB 2052 | Taxes for Levee Repair | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 15) |
| April 15, 2008 | IA | S 5355 to SF 2420 | State Funding of Road Projects | Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 32) |
| April 15, 2008 | OK | SB 1819 | Tax Rebates for Sports Franchises | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 21) |
| April 15, 2008 | ME | LD 2247 | Alcohol and Soda Tax for Health Care Funding | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| April 15, 2008 | IA | SF 2420 | Increasing Vehicle Registration Fees | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 14) |
| April 13, 2008 | AK | SB 221 | 2008-2009 Capital Budget | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (15 - 5) |
| April 10, 2008 | NE | LB 1082 | Expanding Workers' Compensation Benefits | Motion Rejected - Senate (22 - 18) |
| April 10, 2008 | CO | HB 1375 | 2008-2009 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 14) |
| April 10, 2008 | AZ | SB 1096 | English Language Education Funding | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 14) |
| April 9, 2008 | FL | SB 2900 | 2008-2009 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
| April 8, 2008 | CO | HB 1001 | Expanding Bioscience Research Funding | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
| April 8, 2008 | AZ | HB 2220 | Repealing the State Equalization Property Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13) |
| April 7, 2008 | NE | LB 959 | Gas Tax Veto Override | Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 15) |
| April 7, 2008 | ME | LD 1932 | School Consolidation | Veto Override Failed - Senate (12 - 23) |
| April 7, 2008 | ME | LD 1932 | School Consolidation | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 14) |
| April 7, 2008 | MD | SB 268 | Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 16) |
| April 7, 2008 | IA | HF 2539 | Health Care Expansion Plan | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 6) |
| April 5, 2008 | MD | SB 90 | 2008-2009 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 7) |
| April 4, 2008 | GA | SR 845 | Regional Transportation Sales Tax | Conference Report Rejected - Senate (35 - 18) |
| April 3, 2008 | MD | SB 46 | Computer Services Sales Tax Repeal and Other Tax Adjustments | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17) |
| April 2, 2008 | MN | Marty Amnd. | Removing Funding for Stadium Study | Amendment Adopted - Senate (41 - 22) |
| April 2, 2008 | MN | Hann Amnd. | Prohibiting Funding for Cities that Prevent Immigration Status Checks | Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 33) |
| April 2, 2008 | KY | HB 406 | 2008-2010 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3) |
| April 2, 2008 | AR | HB 1004 | Natural Gas Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1) |
| April 2, 2008 | AK | SB 221 | 2008-2009 Capital Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5) |
| April 2, 2008 | GA | HB 881 | Georgia Charter Schools Commission | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18) |
| April 1, 2008 | GA | HB 1244 | State Income Tax Reductions | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10) |
| April 1, 2008 | MD | SB 268 | Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program | Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 25) |
| April 1, 2008 | AR | SB 1 | Natural Gas Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3) |
| April 1, 2008 | GA | HB 1133 | Tax Credits for Nonprofit Donations | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 20) |
| March 31, 2008 | ME | LD 2289 | 2008-2009 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| March 31, 2008 | GA | HB 1158 | Motor Vehicle Trauma Care Fee | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7) |
| March 28, 2008 | MD | HB 362 | Department of Information Technology | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14) |
| March 28, 2008 | GA | HB 1244 | State Income Tax Reductions | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 6) |
| March 28, 2008 | GA | HR 1246 | Property Tax Assessment Freeze | Resolution Passed - Senate (46 - 7) |
| March 28, 2008 | NE | LB 959 | 2007-2009 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9) |
| March 26, 2008 | MD | SB 373 | Tax Credit for Educational Donations | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17) |
| March 25, 2008 | MI | SB 1094 | 2008-2009 Department of Community Health Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18) |
| March 25, 2008 | WI | AB 1 | Budget Repair Plan | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14) |
| March 25, 2008 | ID | H 592 | Film and Television Production Rebate | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
| March 24, 2008 | KY | HB 406 | 2008-2010 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2) |
| March 24, 2008 | MS | HB 859 | Salary Adjustments for State Officials | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 3) |
| March 24, 2008 | AK | HB 310 | 2008-2009 Operating Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 4) |
| March 24, 2008 | MD | SB 597 | Property Transfer Tax Exemptions for Domestic Partners | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21) |
| March 24, 2008 | IA | HF 2645 | Public Employee Collective Bargaining and Teacher Termination Policy | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23) |
| March 20, 2008 | ME | LD 1932 | School Consolidation | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 8) |
| March 20, 2008 | AZ | SB 1420 | Public Highway Authorities | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9) |
| March 20, 2008 | AZ | SB 1450 | Theme Park Funding | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11) |
| March 20, 2008 | AZ | SB 1465 | Public-Private Transportation Projects | Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 15) |
| March 20, 2008 | NH | SB 502 | Expanding Unemployment Compensation Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8) |
| March 20, 2008 | NH | SB 539 | Education Funding Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10) |
| March 19, 2008 | ID | S 1447 | Capping Medical Benefits for State Government Retirees | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| March 19, 2008 | KS | SB 541 | Expanding Children's Health Coverage | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8) |
| March 19, 2008 | IA | SJR 2002 | Natural Resources Trust Fund | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (47 - 2) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/07 | H 3567 | Cigarette Tax Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11) |
| 5/07 | S 7594 | Gasoline Tax Holiday | Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 15) |
| 5/07 | SB 57 | Disability Scholarship Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15) |
| 5/06 | S Amdt P-1 | Cigarette Tax Increase for Medicaid | Amendment Tabled - Senate (31 - 13) |
| 5/06 | HB 1388 | Increasing Education Funding | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 13) |
| 5/06 | H 4645 | Cigarette Tax Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6) |
| 5/06 | HB 5536 | Health Insurance Pool | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12) |
| 5/03 | SB 81 | Health Care Reform | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 1) |
| 5/02 | HB 5001 | 2008-2009 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 8) |
| 5/01 | SB 2423 | Turtle Bay Acquisition | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 11) |
| 5/01 | HB 2393 | Mega-Project Tax Credits | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8) |
| 5/01 | H 7204 | 2007-2008 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| 4/30 | HF 3195 | Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap and Trade Program Report | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 21) |
| 4/29 | S Amdt 2096 | Gradual Income Tax Deduction | Amendment Adopted - Senate (19 - 18) |
| 4/24 | SF 2432 | 2008-2009 Prison and Infrastructure Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 13) |
| 4/22 | S 5408 | Changes to School Infrastructure Sales Tax | Amendment Rejected - Senate (20 - 30) |
| 4/22 | HF 2663 | Statewide Sales Tax Increase for School Infrastructure Funding | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 11) |
| 4/22 | SB 1198 | Changes to Michigan Business Tax Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| 4/17 | S 5377 to SF 2425 | Pregnancy Counseling and Support Services | Amendment Rejected - Senate (22 - 27) |
| 4/17 | SF 2425 | 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16) |
| 4/16 | SA 1 to HB 2007 | Mega-Project Fund Appropriation | Amendment Rejected - Senate (11 - 22) |
| 4/16 | SB 2052 | Taxes for Levee Repair | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 15) |
| 4/15 | S 5355 to SF 2420 | State Funding of Road Projects | Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 32) |
| 4/15 | SB 1819 | Tax Rebates for Sports Franchises | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 21) |
| 4/15 | LD 2247 | Alcohol and Soda Tax for Health Care Funding | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| 4/15 | SF 2420 | Increasing Vehicle Registration Fees | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 14) |
| 4/13 | SB 221 | 2008-2009 Capital Budget | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (15 - 5) |
| 4/10 | LB 1082 | Expanding Workers' Compensation Benefits | Motion Rejected - Senate (22 - 18) |
| 4/10 | HB 1375 | 2008-2009 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 14) |
| 4/10 | SB 1096 | English Language Education Funding | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 14) |
| 4/09 | SB 2900 | 2008-2009 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
| 4/08 | HB 1001 | Expanding Bioscience Research Funding | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
| 4/08 | HB 2220 | Repealing the State Equalization Property Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13) |
| 4/07 | LB 959 | Gas Tax Veto Override | Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 15) |
| 4/07 | LD 1932 | School Consolidation | Veto Override Failed - Senate (12 - 23) |
| 4/07 | LD 1932 | School Consolidation | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 14) |
| 4/07 | SB 268 | Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 16) |
| 4/07 | HF 2539 | Health Care Expansion Plan | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 6) |
| 4/05 | SB 90 | 2008-2009 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 7) |
| 4/04 | SR 845 | Regional Transportation Sales Tax | Conference Report Rejected - Senate (35 - 18) |
| 4/03 | SB 46 | Computer Services Sales Tax Repeal and Other Tax Adjustments | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17) |
| 4/02 | Marty Amnd. | Removing Funding for Stadium Study | Amendment Adopted - Senate (41 - 22) |
| 4/02 | Hann Amnd. | Prohibiting Funding for Cities that Prevent Immigration Status Checks | Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 33) |
| 4/02 | HB 406 | 2008-2010 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3) |
| 4/02 | HB 1004 | Natural Gas Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1) |
| 4/02 | SB 221 | 2008-2009 Capital Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5) |
| 4/02 | HB 881 | Georgia Charter Schools Commission | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18) |
| 4/01 | HB 1244 | State Income Tax Reductions | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10) |
| 4/01 | SB 268 | Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program | Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 25) |
| 4/01 | SB 1 | Natural Gas Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3) |
| 4/01 | HB 1133 | Tax Credits for Nonprofit Donations | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 20) |
| 3/31 | LD 2289 | 2008-2009 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| 3/31 | HB 1158 | Motor Vehicle Trauma Care Fee | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7) |
| 3/28 | HB 362 | Department of Information Technology | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14) |
| 3/28 | HB 1244 | State Income Tax Reductions | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 6) |
| 3/28 | HR 1246 | Property Tax Assessment Freeze | Resolution Passed - Senate (46 - 7) |
| 3/28 | LB 959 | 2007-2009 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9) |
| 3/26 | SB 373 | Tax Credit for Educational Donations | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17) |
| 3/25 | SB 1094 | 2008-2009 Department of Community Health Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18) |
| 3/25 | AB 1 | Budget Repair Plan | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14) |
| 3/25 | H 592 | Film and Television Production Rebate | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
| 3/24 | HB 406 | 2008-2010 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2) |
| 3/24 | HB 859 | Salary Adjustments for State Officials | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 3) |
| 3/24 | HB 310 | 2008-2009 Operating Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 4) |
| 3/24 | SB 597 | Property Transfer Tax Exemptions for Domestic Partners | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21) |
| 3/24 | HF 2645 | Public Employee Collective Bargaining and Teacher Termination Policy | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23) |
| 3/20 | LD 1932 | School Consolidation | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 8) |
| 3/20 | SB 1420 | Public Highway Authorities | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9) |
| 3/20 | SB 1450 | Theme Park Funding | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11) |
| 3/20 | SB 1465 | Public-Private Transportation Projects | Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 15) |
| 3/20 | SB 502 | Expanding Unemployment Compensation Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8) |
| 3/20 | SB 539 | Education Funding Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10) |
| 3/19 | S 1447 | Capping Medical Benefits for State Government Retirees | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| 3/19 | SB 541 | Expanding Children's Health Coverage | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8) |
| 3/19 | SJR 2002 | Natural Resources Trust Fund | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (47 - 2) |