Key Votes

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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:

  1. The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member stands on a particular issue
  2. The vote should be clear for any person to understand
  3. The vote has received media attention
  4. The vote was passed or defeated by a very close margin
  5. Occasionally, if a specific bill is consistently inquired about on the Voter's Research Hotline, the vote will be added

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.


results per page:
Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
May 27, 2009 AZ HB 2001 Scholarships for Disabled or Displaced Students Bill Passed - House (35 - 25)
May 27, 2009 LA HB 689 Louisiana Statewide Education Facilities Fund Bill Passed - House (60 - 24)
May 26, 2009 TX SB 175 Capping Automatic College Admissions Bill Passed - House (123 - 20)
May 26, 2009 MI HB 4377 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (73 - 31)
May 20, 2009 NY S 1290 Anti-Shackling Bill Bill Passed - House (119 - 21)
May 20, 2009 NY S 1290 Anti-Shackling Bill Bill Passed - House (119 - 21)
May 20, 2009 CT HB 6582 Healthcare Partnership Bill Passed - House (109 - 36)
May 20, 2009 RI H 5359 Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - House (63 - 5)
May 20, 2009 CT HB 6600 SustiNet Health Insurance Plan Bill Passed - House (107 - 35)
May 20, 2009 OH HB 3 Moratorium on Foreclosures Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
May 20, 2009 MI HB 4836 Hate Crimes Bill Passed - House (66 - 43)
May 19, 2009 LA HB 504 Jefferson Parish School Board Elections Bill Passed - House (63 - 26)
May 19, 2009 LA HB 517 Health Care Protection Bill Passed - House (82 - 13)
May 18, 2009 MN SF 97 Legalizing Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - House (70 - 64)
May 18, 2009 MN SF 971 School Anti-Bullying Policy Requirements Bill Passed - House (95 - 39)
May 17, 2009 MN HF 1362 Health Budget Veto Override Failed - House (87 - 47)
May 15, 2009 OR HB 2726 Nutrition Labeling on Menus Bill Passed - House (43 - 15)
May 15, 2009 TX HB 2962 Childrens' Health Care Bill Passed - House (87 - 55)
May 14, 2009 TX HB 1657 Contractor Worker's Compensation Bill Passed - House (73 - 71)
May 14, 2009 MO SB 291 Education Provision Modifications Bill Passed - House (110 - 46)
May 13, 2009 ME LD 290 Out-of-State Health Insurance "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (82 - 63)
May 13, 2009 WI SB 181 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (61 - 38)
May 13, 2009 AZ HB 2028 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (33 - 25)
May 12, 2009 MO SB 306 State Health Care Expansion Bill Passed - House (83 - 77)
May 12, 2009 RI H 5143 E-Verify Bill Bill Passed - House (38 - 33)
May 11, 2009 MN HF 1362 Health Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 51)
May 8, 2009 FL SB 788 Gambling Expansion Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 35)
May 7, 2009 TN SB 433 Homeschool Diplomas Bill Passed - House (61 - 27)
May 7, 2009 ID H 374 Allowing Diversion of Funds to Virtual Education Bill Passed - House (49 - 15)
May 6, 2009 CO HB 1366 Capital Gains Income Tax Reduction Modification Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 28)
May 6, 2009 MI HB 4785 Job Training Program Benefits and Security Bill Passed - House (68 - 39)
May 6, 2009 OH HB 9 Tenants' Protection During Foreclosure Bill Passed - House (53 - 42)
May 6, 2009 CO SB 241 DNA Sampling Upon Felony Arrest Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 12)
May 4, 2009 CO SB 244 Requiring Health Insurance Plans to Cover Autism Treatments Bill Passed - House (45 - 20)
May 4, 2009 ND SB 2003 2009-2011 Biennuim Higher Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 24)
May 4, 2009 CO HB 1057 Mandatory Unpaid Parental Work Leave for Education Activities Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 26)
May 1, 2009 FL SB 360 Growth Management Deregulation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (78 - 37)
May 1, 2009 FL HB 1495 Property Insurance Law Modifications Concurrence Vote Passed - House (80 - 35)
April 30, 2009 MO SB 71 Income Tax Rate Reduction and Additional Tax Credt Bill Passed - House (86 - 66)
April 29, 2009 OH HB 1 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (53 - 45)
April 29, 2009 National HR 1913 Hate Crimes Expansion Bill Passed - House (249 - 175)
April 28, 2009 WI AB 100 Restricting Health Insurance Companies' Ability to Exclude Individuals. Bill Passed - House (61 - 38)
April 28, 2009 CO SB 88 Extending Health Benefits to Domestic Partners of State Employees Bill Passed - House (34 - 30)
April 24, 2009 ND HB 1478 Children's Health Insurance Program Eligibility Expansion Conference Report Rejected - House (41 - 47)
April 23, 2009 FL Amdt 168357 Extended Citizens Property Insurance Corporation Premium Rate Freeze Amendment Rejected - House (40 - 76)
April 23, 2009 AL HB 533 Hate Crime Law Expansion Bill Passed - House (46 - 41)
April 23, 2009 WI SB 27 Requires Insurance Coverage for Children's Hearing Aid Treatments Bill Passed - House (80 - 16)
April 23, 2009 FL HB 1293 Changes in High School Graduation Standards Bill Passed - House (75 - 42)
April 22, 2009 NC SB 287 State Health Plan Changes and Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 56)
April 22, 2009 WA HB 1517 Expediting the Restoration of Felons' Voting Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 44)
April 22, 2009 WA HB 2344 Allowing Tuition Increases Bill Passed - House (50 - 47)
April 22, 2009 OR HB 2672 Increasing Moist Snuff Tobacco Tax and Regulations Bill Passed - House (40 - 18)
April 21, 2009 WA SB 5288 Probation Time Reductions Bill Passed - House (51 - 45)
April 20, 2009 WA HB 2261 Education Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 31)
April 20, 2009 NV AB 495 Removing Medical Malpractice Award Cap Bill Passed - House (26 - 15)
April 20, 2009 TX HB 681 Warning Signs Regarding Mercury Levels in Fish Bill Passed - House (95 - 50)
April 16, 2009 NC HB 88 Parental Choice Between Abstinence-Only or Comprehensive Sex Education Bill Passed - House (62 - 52)
April 16, 2009 MO HJR 32 Bonds to Fund Higher Education Joint Resolution Passed - House (131 - 28)
April 16, 2009 MO HB 668 Firearm Regulation Amendments Bill Passed - House (105 - 50)
April 15, 2009 OK SB 834 Increased Local School Board Control Bill Passed - House (60 - 39)
April 15, 2009 IN SB 89 Health Care Amendments Bill Passed - House (73 - 20)
April 15, 2009 NV AJR 7 Allowing for State Lottery Joint Resolution Passed - House (31 - 11)
April 15, 2009 OR HB 2794 Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage Bill Passed - House (48 - 12)
April 14, 2009 HI SB 777 Requiring Comprehensive Sex Education When Using State Funds Bill Passed - House (44 - 3)
April 14, 2009 HI SB 777 Requiring Comprehensive Sex Education When Using State Funds Bill Passed - House (44 - 3)
April 14, 2009 ID H 303 Online Public Education Bill Passed - House (51 - 19)
April 13, 2009 MD HB 387 "Lawful Status" Requirements for ID Cards, Vehicle Licenses and Permits Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 60)
April 11, 2009 WV SB 373 PROMISE Scholarship Amendments Bill Passed - House (86 - 14)
April 10, 2009 ND HB 1171 Home School Deregulation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 38)
April 10, 2009 MD SB 277 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - House (94 - 41)
April 9, 2009 MT HB 228 Amending Concealed Weapons and Self-Defense Statutes Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 14)
April 6, 2009 OK SB 553 Health Insurance Coverage Amendments Bill Passed - House (77 - 22)
April 3, 2009 GA HB 2 Citizenship Status Verification of Government Assistance Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - House (121 - 47)
April 3, 2009 GA SB 86 Requiring Proof of Citizenship for Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (140 - 67)
April 2, 2009 NC HB 2 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (72 - 45)
April 2, 2009 DE HB 107 Manufactured Housing Rental Regulations Bill Passed - House (22 - 16)
April 1, 2009 NC Amdt 2 to HB 2 Exempting 18+ Establishments from Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (70 - 46)
April 1, 2009 ND SB 2070 Ban on Smoking in Cars with Children Passengers Bill Failed - House (31 - 58)
March 30, 2009 ID H 216 Allowing Pharmacists to Refuse Prescriptions Bill Passed - House (48 - 21)
March 30, 2009 GA SB 67 English Only Requirement for Driver's License Examinations Bill Passed - House (104 - 58)
March 26, 2009 MO HB 2 2009-10 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (92 - 64)
March 26, 2009 MI HB 4317 Extending Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Liability Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
March 26, 2009 MO HB 10 2009-10 Health Budget Bill Passed - House (88 - 66)
March 26, 2009 ID H 262 Teacher Compensation Adjustments Bill Passed - House (49 - 20)
March 25, 2009 OR HB 2599 Expanding School Bullying Law Bill Passed - House (50 - 9)
March 25, 2009 GA SB 83 Expanding Homestead Property Tax Exemption Bill Failed - House (109 - 63)
March 25, 2009 NH HB 648 Medical Marijuana Legalization Bill Passed - House (234 - 138)
March 23, 2009 GA HB 233 Two-Year Property Tax Assessment Freeze Concurrence Vote Passed - House (114 - 55)
March 18, 2009 IL HB 442 Expanding Red-Light Traffic Camera Enforcement Bill Passed - House (68 - 47)
March 17, 2009 MD HB 359 Handgun Permit Eligibility for Domestic Abuse Victims Bill Failed - House (51 - 86)
March 17, 2009 MD HB 302 Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects Bill Passed - House (92 - 45)
March 16, 2009 NJ S 2577 Age-Restricted Housing Exemptions Bill Passed - House (42 - 28)
March 13, 2009 NM HB 346 Increasing Gross Receipts Tax and Compensating Tax to Fund Education Bill Passed - House (37 - 31)
March 13, 2009 AR SB 239 Authorization for Unlicensed Assistants to Perform Simple Medical Procedures Bill Passed - House (59 - 29)
March 12, 2009 UT HB 2 2009-2010 Education Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 27)
March 12, 2009 WA HB 2261 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (71 - 26)
March 12, 2009 GA HB 243 Ending New Enrollment in Bonus Program for Teachers' National Certification Bill Passed - House (92 - 79)
March 11, 2009 SD HB 1197 Tax Changes Relating to Single Family Dwellings Under Construction Veto Override Passed - House (60 - 10)
March 11, 2009 UT SB 48 Amending Requirements for Obtaining Teaching Licenses Bill Failed - House (17 - 49)
March 11, 2009 OR HB 2509 Sexual Education Bill Passed - House (41 - 19)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/27 HB 2001 Scholarships for Disabled or Displaced Students Bill Passed - House (35 - 25)
5/27 HB 689 Louisiana Statewide Education Facilities Fund Bill Passed - House (60 - 24)
5/26 SB 175 Capping Automatic College Admissions Bill Passed - House (123 - 20)
5/26 HB 4377 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (73 - 31)
5/20 S 1290 Anti-Shackling Bill Bill Passed - House (119 - 21)
5/20 S 1290 Anti-Shackling Bill Bill Passed - House (119 - 21)
5/20 HB 6582 Healthcare Partnership Bill Passed - House (109 - 36)
5/20 H 5359 Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - House (63 - 5)
5/20 HB 6600 SustiNet Health Insurance Plan Bill Passed - House (107 - 35)
5/20 HB 3 Moratorium on Foreclosures Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
5/20 HB 4836 Hate Crimes Bill Passed - House (66 - 43)
5/19 HB 504 Jefferson Parish School Board Elections Bill Passed - House (63 - 26)
5/19 HB 517 Health Care Protection Bill Passed - House (82 - 13)
5/18 SF 97 Legalizing Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - House (70 - 64)
5/18 SF 971 School Anti-Bullying Policy Requirements Bill Passed - House (95 - 39)
5/17 HF 1362 Health Budget Veto Override Failed - House (87 - 47)
5/15 HB 2726 Nutrition Labeling on Menus Bill Passed - House (43 - 15)
5/15 HB 2962 Childrens' Health Care Bill Passed - House (87 - 55)
5/14 HB 1657 Contractor Worker's Compensation Bill Passed - House (73 - 71)
5/14 SB 291 Education Provision Modifications Bill Passed - House (110 - 46)
5/13 LD 290 Out-of-State Health Insurance "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (82 - 63)
5/13 SB 181 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (61 - 38)
5/13 HB 2028 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (33 - 25)
5/12 SB 306 State Health Care Expansion Bill Passed - House (83 - 77)
5/12 H 5143 E-Verify Bill Bill Passed - House (38 - 33)
5/11 HF 1362 Health Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 51)
5/08 SB 788 Gambling Expansion Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 35)
5/07 SB 433 Homeschool Diplomas Bill Passed - House (61 - 27)
5/07 H 374 Allowing Diversion of Funds to Virtual Education Bill Passed - House (49 - 15)
5/06 HB 1366 Capital Gains Income Tax Reduction Modification Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 28)
5/06 HB 4785 Job Training Program Benefits and Security Bill Passed - House (68 - 39)
5/06 HB 9 Tenants' Protection During Foreclosure Bill Passed - House (53 - 42)
5/06 SB 241 DNA Sampling Upon Felony Arrest Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 12)
5/04 SB 244 Requiring Health Insurance Plans to Cover Autism Treatments Bill Passed - House (45 - 20)
5/04 SB 2003 2009-2011 Biennuim Higher Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 24)
5/04 HB 1057 Mandatory Unpaid Parental Work Leave for Education Activities Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 26)
5/01 SB 360 Growth Management Deregulation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (78 - 37)
5/01 HB 1495 Property Insurance Law Modifications Concurrence Vote Passed - House (80 - 35)
4/30 SB 71 Income Tax Rate Reduction and Additional Tax Credt Bill Passed - House (86 - 66)
4/29 HB 1 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (53 - 45)
4/29 HR 1913 Hate Crimes Expansion Bill Passed - House (249 - 175)
4/28 AB 100 Restricting Health Insurance Companies' Ability to Exclude Individuals. Bill Passed - House (61 - 38)
4/28 SB 88 Extending Health Benefits to Domestic Partners of State Employees Bill Passed - House (34 - 30)
4/24 HB 1478 Children's Health Insurance Program Eligibility Expansion Conference Report Rejected - House (41 - 47)
4/23 Amdt 168357 Extended Citizens Property Insurance Corporation Premium Rate Freeze Amendment Rejected - House (40 - 76)
4/23 HB 533 Hate Crime Law Expansion Bill Passed - House (46 - 41)
4/23 SB 27 Requires Insurance Coverage for Children's Hearing Aid Treatments Bill Passed - House (80 - 16)
4/23 HB 1293 Changes in High School Graduation Standards Bill Passed - House (75 - 42)
4/22 SB 287 State Health Plan Changes and Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 56)
4/22 HB 1517 Expediting the Restoration of Felons' Voting Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 44)
4/22 HB 2344 Allowing Tuition Increases Bill Passed - House (50 - 47)
4/22 HB 2672 Increasing Moist Snuff Tobacco Tax and Regulations Bill Passed - House (40 - 18)
4/21 SB 5288 Probation Time Reductions Bill Passed - House (51 - 45)
4/20 HB 2261 Education Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 31)
4/20 AB 495 Removing Medical Malpractice Award Cap Bill Passed - House (26 - 15)
4/20 HB 681 Warning Signs Regarding Mercury Levels in Fish Bill Passed - House (95 - 50)
4/16 HB 88 Parental Choice Between Abstinence-Only or Comprehensive Sex Education Bill Passed - House (62 - 52)
4/16 HJR 32 Bonds to Fund Higher Education Joint Resolution Passed - House (131 - 28)
4/16 HB 668 Firearm Regulation Amendments Bill Passed - House (105 - 50)
4/15 SB 834 Increased Local School Board Control Bill Passed - House (60 - 39)
4/15 SB 89 Health Care Amendments Bill Passed - House (73 - 20)
4/15 AJR 7 Allowing for State Lottery Joint Resolution Passed - House (31 - 11)
4/15 HB 2794 Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage Bill Passed - House (48 - 12)
4/14 SB 777 Requiring Comprehensive Sex Education When Using State Funds Bill Passed - House (44 - 3)
4/14 SB 777 Requiring Comprehensive Sex Education When Using State Funds Bill Passed - House (44 - 3)
4/14 H 303 Online Public Education Bill Passed - House (51 - 19)
4/13 HB 387 "Lawful Status" Requirements for ID Cards, Vehicle Licenses and Permits Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 60)
4/11 SB 373 PROMISE Scholarship Amendments Bill Passed - House (86 - 14)
4/10 HB 1171 Home School Deregulation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 38)
4/10 SB 277 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - House (94 - 41)
4/09 HB 228 Amending Concealed Weapons and Self-Defense Statutes Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 14)
4/06 SB 553 Health Insurance Coverage Amendments Bill Passed - House (77 - 22)
4/03 HB 2 Citizenship Status Verification of Government Assistance Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - House (121 - 47)
4/03 SB 86 Requiring Proof of Citizenship for Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (140 - 67)
4/02 HB 2 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (72 - 45)
4/02 HB 107 Manufactured Housing Rental Regulations Bill Passed - House (22 - 16)
4/01 Amdt 2 to HB 2 Exempting 18+ Establishments from Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (70 - 46)
4/01 SB 2070 Ban on Smoking in Cars with Children Passengers Bill Failed - House (31 - 58)
3/30 H 216 Allowing Pharmacists to Refuse Prescriptions Bill Passed - House (48 - 21)
3/30 SB 67 English Only Requirement for Driver's License Examinations Bill Passed - House (104 - 58)
3/26 HB 2 2009-10 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (92 - 64)
3/26 HB 4317 Extending Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Liability Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
3/26 HB 10 2009-10 Health Budget Bill Passed - House (88 - 66)
3/26 H 262 Teacher Compensation Adjustments Bill Passed - House (49 - 20)
3/25 HB 2599 Expanding School Bullying Law Bill Passed - House (50 - 9)
3/25 SB 83 Expanding Homestead Property Tax Exemption Bill Failed - House (109 - 63)
3/25 HB 648 Medical Marijuana Legalization Bill Passed - House (234 - 138)
3/23 HB 233 Two-Year Property Tax Assessment Freeze Concurrence Vote Passed - House (114 - 55)
3/18 HB 442 Expanding Red-Light Traffic Camera Enforcement Bill Passed - House (68 - 47)
3/17 HB 359 Handgun Permit Eligibility for Domestic Abuse Victims Bill Failed - House (51 - 86)
3/17 HB 302 Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects Bill Passed - House (92 - 45)
3/16 S 2577 Age-Restricted Housing Exemptions Bill Passed - House (42 - 28)
3/13 HB 346 Increasing Gross Receipts Tax and Compensating Tax to Fund Education Bill Passed - House (37 - 31)
3/13 SB 239 Authorization for Unlicensed Assistants to Perform Simple Medical Procedures Bill Passed - House (59 - 29)
3/12 HB 2 2009-2010 Education Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 27)
3/12 HB 2261 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (71 - 26)
3/12 HB 243 Ending New Enrollment in Bonus Program for Teachers' National Certification Bill Passed - House (92 - 79)
3/11 HB 1197 Tax Changes Relating to Single Family Dwellings Under Construction Veto Override Passed - House (60 - 10)
3/11 SB 48 Amending Requirements for Obtaining Teaching Licenses Bill Failed - House (17 - 49)
3/11 HB 2509 Sexual Education Bill Passed - House (41 - 19)

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