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, 2008 | MD | SB 566 | Hospital Visitation/Decision-Making Rights for Domestic Partners | Bill Passed - House (88 - 46) |
| April 4, 2008 | GA | HB 978 | Vehicle Seizures for Unlicensed Drivers | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18) |
| April 3, 2008 | MD | Amnd. 663027/2 | Power Plant Regulation | Amendment Adopted - Senate (27 - 18) |
| April 3, 2008 | AZ | SB 1167 | Off-Highway Vehicle Regulations | Bill Passed - House (42 - 13) |
| April 3, 2008 | MO | SB 858 | Restrictions on Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
| April 2, 2008 | MN | Marty Amnd. | Removing Funding for Stadium Study | Amendment Adopted - Senate (41 - 22) |
| April 2, 2008 | ME | LD 1932 | School Consolidation | Conference Report Rejected - House (97 - 46) |
| April 2, 2008 | KY | HB 406 | 2008-2010 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 21) |
| April 2, 2008 | KY | HB 406 | 2008-2010 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 21) |
| April 2, 2008 | KY | HB 406 | 2008-2010 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 21) |
| April 2, 2008 | KY | HB 406 | 2008-2010 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 21) |
| April 2, 2008 | KY | HB 406 | 2008-2010 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3) |
| April 2, 2008 | KY | HB 406 | 2008-2010 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3) |
| April 2, 2008 | KY | HB 406 | 2008-2010 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3) |
| April 2, 2008 | KY | HB 406 | 2008-2010 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3) |
| April 2, 2008 | KY | HB 552 | Mortgage Reform | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (86 - 7) |
| April 2, 2008 | GA | HB 257 | Limiting Concealed Weapon Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17) |
| April 2, 2008 | GA | SB 174 | Physical Fitness Standards for State Employees | Bill Failed - House (55 - 107) |
| April 2, 2008 | National | HR 5501 | Funding to Combat AIDS, Malaria, and Tuberculosis | Bill Passed - House (308 - 116) |
| April 2, 2008 | GA | HB 881 | Georgia Charter Schools Commission | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18) |
| April 2, 2008 | KY | SB 120 | Booster Seat Requirement | Bill Passed - House (88 - 8) |
| April 2, 2008 | OK | SB 1878 | Abortion Regulations | Bill Passed - House (80 - 12) |
| April 2, 2008 | AR | SB 1 | Natural Gas Tax | Bill Passed - House (82 - 17) |
| April 2, 2008 | AR | HB 1004 | Natural Gas Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1) |
| April 2, 2008 | AR | SB 1 | Natural Gas Tax | Bill Passed - House (82 - 17) |
| April 1, 2008 | NE | AM 2319 to LB 1174 | Farm and Ranch Ownership Requirements | Amendment Rejected - Senate (20 - 27) |
| April 1, 2008 | CO | HB 1280 | Extending Water Rights | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 8) |
| April 1, 2008 | CO | HB 1228 | Insurance Company Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 23) |
| April 1, 2008 | CO | HB 1280 | Extending Water Rights | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 8) |
| April 1, 2008 | CO | SB 129 | Restricting Beverage Sales at Schools | Bill Passed - House (37 - 27) |
| April 1, 2008 | GA | HR 1246 | Property Tax Assessment Freeze | Resolution Passed - House (166 - 7) |
| April 1, 2008 | MN | SF 2369 | Background Checks for Coaches | Bill Passed - House (118 - 11) |
| April 1, 2008 | CO | SB 129 | Restricting Beverage Sales at Schools | Bill Passed - House (37 - 27) |
| April 1, 2008 | MO | HJR 43 | Constitutional Amendment Limiting Property Taxes | Amendment Adopted - House (133 - 19) |
| April 1, 2008 | ID | SJR 107 | City, County, and Public Hospital Debt Financing | Bill Failed - House (36 - 33) |
| April 1, 2008 | GA | HB 1133 | Tax Credits for Nonprofit Donations | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 20) |
| April 1, 2008 | AR | SB 1 | Natural Gas Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3) |
| April 1, 2008 | AR | SB 1 | Natural Gas Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3) |
| April 1, 2008 | MD | SB 268 | Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program | Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 25) |
| April 1, 2008 | AR | HB 1004 | Natural Gas Tax | Bill Passed - House (81 - 16) |
| April 1, 2008 | IL | HB 4232 | State Board of Education Selection Process | Bill Passed - House (86 - 21) |
| April 1, 2008 | AZ | HB 2392 | Opting Out of No Child Left Behind Act | Bill Passed - House (46 - 11) |
| April 1, 2008 | IL | SB 1997 | Interscholastic Event Image Release | Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 5) |
| March 31, 2008 | ME | LD 2289 | 2008-2009 Budget | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 55) |
| March 31, 2008 | CO | HB 1270 | Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| March 31, 2008 | CO | HB 1270 | Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| March 31, 2008 | MD | SB 269 | Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems | Bill Passed - House (89 - 47) |
| March 31, 2008 | ME | LD 2289 | 2008-2009 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| March 31, 2008 | IA | HF 2145 | Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 8) |
| March 31, 2008 | GA | HB 1158 | Motor Vehicle Trauma Care Fee | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7) |
| March 31, 2008 | GA | HB 1158 | Motor Vehicle Trauma Care Fee | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7) |
| March 31, 2008 | GA | HB 1158 | Motor Vehicle Trauma Care Fee | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7) |
| March 31, 2008 | MN | SF 3099 | Health Improvement Program | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 23) |
| March 31, 2008 | CO | HB 1161 | Mining Regulation | Bill Passed - House (49 - 16) |
| March 28, 2008 | KS | SB 586 | Incentives to Develop Nuclear Power Facilities | Bill Passed - House (104 - 19) |
| March 28, 2008 | GA | HR 1246 | Property Tax Assessment Freeze | Resolution Passed - Senate (46 - 7) |
| March 28, 2008 | ID | H 655 | Tax Rebate for Road Projects | Bill Passed - House (40 - 25) |
| March 28, 2008 | NE | LB 959 | 2007-2009 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9) |
| March 28, 2008 | NE | LB 959 | 2007-2009 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9) |
| March 27, 2008 | MN | Marty Amnd. | Health Improvement Program Amendments | Amendment Rejected - Senate (32 - 33) |
| March 27, 2008 | KS | Rhoades Amnd. | Repealing In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants | Amendment Rejected - House (51 - 70) |
| March 27, 2008 | CO | HB 1228 | Insurance Company Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
| March 27, 2008 | CO | HB 1280 | Extending Water Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2) |
| March 27, 2008 | CO | HB 1186 | Amending Public School Performance Ratings | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14) |
| March 27, 2008 | CO | HB 1280 | Extending Water Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2) |
| March 27, 2008 | ID | H 680 | Community Infrastructure Districts | Bill Passed - House (50 - 18) |
| March 27, 2008 | ME | LD 2012 | Prohibiting Smoking in Vehicles with Children | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| March 27, 2008 | ME | LD 2012 | Prohibiting Smoking in Vehicles with Children | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| March 27, 2008 | MO | HB 2002 | 2008-2009 Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Budget | Bill Passed - House (90 - 66) |
| March 27, 2008 | GA | SR 845 | Regional Transportation Sales Tax | Resolution Passed - House (136 - 35) |
| March 27, 2008 | MO | HB 2003 | 2008-2009 Department of Higher Education Budget | Bill Passed - House (90 - 66) |
| March 27, 2008 | MO | HB 2010 | 2008-2009 Department of Mental Health and Department of Health and Senior Services Budget | Bill Passed - House (87 - 66) |
| March 27, 2008 | MO | HB 2011 | 2008-2009 Department of Social Services Budget | Bill Passed - House (87 - 62) |
| March 26, 2008 | KS | Journey Amnd. 2 | Repealing In-State Tuition for Immigrants | Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 25) |
| March 26, 2008 | MS | SB 2199 | Gaming Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (114 - 7) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4/04 | SB 566 | Hospital Visitation/Decision-Making Rights for Domestic Partners | Bill Passed - House (88 - 46) |
| 4/04 | HB 978 | Vehicle Seizures for Unlicensed Drivers | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18) |
| 4/03 | Amnd. 663027/2 | Power Plant Regulation | Amendment Adopted - Senate (27 - 18) |
| 4/03 | SB 1167 | Off-Highway Vehicle Regulations | Bill Passed - House (42 - 13) |
| 4/03 | SB 858 | Restrictions on Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
| 4/02 | Marty Amnd. | Removing Funding for Stadium Study | Amendment Adopted - Senate (41 - 22) |
| 4/02 | LD 1932 | School Consolidation | Conference Report Rejected - House (97 - 46) |
| 4/02 | HB 406 | 2008-2010 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 21) |
| 4/02 | HB 406 | 2008-2010 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 21) |
| 4/02 | HB 406 | 2008-2010 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 21) |
| 4/02 | HB 406 | 2008-2010 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 21) |
| 4/02 | HB 406 | 2008-2010 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3) |
| 4/02 | HB 406 | 2008-2010 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3) |
| 4/02 | HB 406 | 2008-2010 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3) |
| 4/02 | HB 406 | 2008-2010 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3) |
| 4/02 | HB 552 | Mortgage Reform | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (86 - 7) |
| 4/02 | HB 257 | Limiting Concealed Weapon Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17) |
| 4/02 | SB 174 | Physical Fitness Standards for State Employees | Bill Failed - House (55 - 107) |
| 4/02 | HR 5501 | Funding to Combat AIDS, Malaria, and Tuberculosis | Bill Passed - House (308 - 116) |
| 4/02 | HB 881 | Georgia Charter Schools Commission | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18) |
| 4/02 | SB 120 | Booster Seat Requirement | Bill Passed - House (88 - 8) |
| 4/02 | SB 1878 | Abortion Regulations | Bill Passed - House (80 - 12) |
| 4/02 | SB 1 | Natural Gas Tax | Bill Passed - House (82 - 17) |
| 4/02 | HB 1004 | Natural Gas Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1) |
| 4/02 | SB 1 | Natural Gas Tax | Bill Passed - House (82 - 17) |
| 4/01 | AM 2319 to LB 1174 | Farm and Ranch Ownership Requirements | Amendment Rejected - Senate (20 - 27) |
| 4/01 | HB 1280 | Extending Water Rights | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 8) |
| 4/01 | HB 1228 | Insurance Company Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 23) |
| 4/01 | HB 1280 | Extending Water Rights | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 8) |
| 4/01 | SB 129 | Restricting Beverage Sales at Schools | Bill Passed - House (37 - 27) |
| 4/01 | HR 1246 | Property Tax Assessment Freeze | Resolution Passed - House (166 - 7) |
| 4/01 | SF 2369 | Background Checks for Coaches | Bill Passed - House (118 - 11) |
| 4/01 | SB 129 | Restricting Beverage Sales at Schools | Bill Passed - House (37 - 27) |
| 4/01 | HJR 43 | Constitutional Amendment Limiting Property Taxes | Amendment Adopted - House (133 - 19) |
| 4/01 | SJR 107 | City, County, and Public Hospital Debt Financing | Bill Failed - House (36 - 33) |
| 4/01 | HB 1133 | Tax Credits for Nonprofit Donations | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 20) |
| 4/01 | SB 1 | Natural Gas Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3) |
| 4/01 | SB 1 | Natural Gas Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3) |
| 4/01 | SB 268 | Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program | Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 25) |
| 4/01 | HB 1004 | Natural Gas Tax | Bill Passed - House (81 - 16) |
| 4/01 | HB 4232 | State Board of Education Selection Process | Bill Passed - House (86 - 21) |
| 4/01 | HB 2392 | Opting Out of No Child Left Behind Act | Bill Passed - House (46 - 11) |
| 4/01 | SB 1997 | Interscholastic Event Image Release | Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 5) |
| 3/31 | LD 2289 | 2008-2009 Budget | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 55) |
| 3/31 | HB 1270 | Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| 3/31 | HB 1270 | Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| 3/31 | SB 269 | Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems | Bill Passed - House (89 - 47) |
| 3/31 | LD 2289 | 2008-2009 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| 3/31 | HF 2145 | Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 8) |
| 3/31 | HB 1158 | Motor Vehicle Trauma Care Fee | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7) |
| 3/31 | HB 1158 | Motor Vehicle Trauma Care Fee | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7) |
| 3/31 | HB 1158 | Motor Vehicle Trauma Care Fee | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7) |
| 3/31 | SF 3099 | Health Improvement Program | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 23) |
| 3/31 | HB 1161 | Mining Regulation | Bill Passed - House (49 - 16) |
| 3/28 | SB 586 | Incentives to Develop Nuclear Power Facilities | Bill Passed - House (104 - 19) |
| 3/28 | HR 1246 | Property Tax Assessment Freeze | Resolution Passed - Senate (46 - 7) |
| 3/28 | H 655 | Tax Rebate for Road Projects | Bill Passed - House (40 - 25) |
| 3/28 | LB 959 | 2007-2009 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9) |
| 3/28 | LB 959 | 2007-2009 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9) |
| 3/27 | Marty Amnd. | Health Improvement Program Amendments | Amendment Rejected - Senate (32 - 33) |
| 3/27 | Rhoades Amnd. | Repealing In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants | Amendment Rejected - House (51 - 70) |
| 3/27 | HB 1228 | Insurance Company Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
| 3/27 | HB 1280 | Extending Water Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2) |
| 3/27 | HB 1186 | Amending Public School Performance Ratings | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14) |
| 3/27 | HB 1280 | Extending Water Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2) |
| 3/27 | H 680 | Community Infrastructure Districts | Bill Passed - House (50 - 18) |
| 3/27 | LD 2012 | Prohibiting Smoking in Vehicles with Children | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| 3/27 | LD 2012 | Prohibiting Smoking in Vehicles with Children | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| 3/27 | HB 2002 | 2008-2009 Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Budget | Bill Passed - House (90 - 66) |
| 3/27 | SR 845 | Regional Transportation Sales Tax | Resolution Passed - House (136 - 35) |
| 3/27 | HB 2003 | 2008-2009 Department of Higher Education Budget | Bill Passed - House (90 - 66) |
| 3/27 | HB 2010 | 2008-2009 Department of Mental Health and Department of Health and Senior Services Budget | Bill Passed - House (87 - 66) |
| 3/27 | HB 2011 | 2008-2009 Department of Social Services Budget | Bill Passed - House (87 - 62) |
| 3/26 | Journey Amnd. 2 | Repealing In-State Tuition for Immigrants | Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 25) |
| 3/26 | SB 2199 | Gaming Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (114 - 7) |