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 27, 2009 | VT | H 436 | Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Fund Amendments | Bill Passed - House (93 - 46) |
| March 26, 2009 | FL | Amdt 677495 | Amendments to Attorney Fee Cap in Workers Compensation Lawsuits | Amendment Rejected - House (45 - 69) |
| March 26, 2009 | MI | HB 4317 | Extending Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Liability | Bill Passed - House (56 - 53) |
| March 26, 2009 | ID | S 1148 | Alcohol Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| March 25, 2009 | KS | SB 160 | Increasing Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (104 - 21) |
| March 24, 2009 | IN | HB 1379 | Unemployment Benefit Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20) |
| March 23, 2009 | CO | HB 1260 | Designated Beneficiary Agreements Between Unmarried Adults | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| March 20, 2009 | MT | HB 418 | Amendments Regarding Horse Slaughterhouses | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23) |
| March 20, 2009 | KS | HB 2295 | Dairy Labeling Requirements | Bill Passed - House (75 - 44) |
| March 19, 2009 | ID | H 246 | Gasoline Tax Increase | Bill Failed - House (27 - 43) |
| March 17, 2009 | NM | SB 263 | Requiring State Contractors to Disclose Campaign Contributions | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
| March 16, 2009 | NJ | A 3569 | Stop-Work Orders and Workers' Compensation Requirements | Bill Passed - House (46 - 24) |
| March 16, 2009 | NJ | S 2577 | Age-Restricted Housing Exemptions | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 15) |
| March 16, 2009 | NJ | S 2577 | Age-Restricted Housing Exemptions | Bill Passed - House (42 - 28) |
| March 12, 2009 | WA | SB 2252 | Shifting Local Tax Revenue | Bill Passed - House (54 - 42) |
| March 12, 2009 | MI | SB 69 | Alternative Business Tax Eligibility Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| March 12, 2009 | WA | SB 6035 | Retrospective Ratings Program Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24) |
| March 12, 2009 | TN | SB 83 | "Living" Wage Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13) |
| March 11, 2009 | UT | SB 187 | Alcohol Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (65 - 5) |
| March 11, 2009 | WA | SB 5895 | Housing Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24) |
| March 11, 2009 | NH | SB 115 | Expanding Subsidized Health Care Program Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 4) |
| March 11, 2009 | MI | HB 4454 | Written Foreclosure Notice Requirement | Bill Passed - House (75 - 33) |
| March 11, 2009 | WV | HB 2719 | Increase in Maximum Alcohol Level for Beer | Bill Passed - House (79 - 17) |
| March 11, 2009 | MI | HB 4455 | Mortgage Payment Modifications | Bill Passed - House (74 - 34) |
| March 11, 2009 | MI | HB 4453 | Holds in Foreclosure Proceedings | Bill Passed - House (73 - 34) |
| March 10, 2009 | NV | IP 1 | Lodging Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5) |
| March 10, 2009 | HI | HB 952 | Amending Unionization Requirements | Bill Passed - House (37 - 9) |
| March 9, 2009 | SD | HB 1240 | Smoking Ban | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 23) |
| March 9, 2009 | WA | HB 1709 | Payday Lending Regulations | Bill Passed - House (84 - 10) |
| March 6, 2009 | UT | HJR 8 | Mandating Secret Ballots | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
| March 5, 2009 | KS | HB 2014 | Allowing Coal Power Plants | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9) |
| March 5, 2009 | ID | S 1119 | Allowing Public Utility Assistance Programs | Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 18) |
| March 5, 2009 | National | HR 1106 | Mortgage Restructuring In Bankruptcy | Bill Passed - House (234 - 191) |
| March 4, 2009 | SD | HB 1240 | Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| March 4, 2009 | OK | SB 318 | Repeal of the Grocery Sales Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 8) |
| March 4, 2009 | OK | HB 1332 | Increased Regulation of Pet Breeders | Bill Passed - House (74 - 26) |
| March 4, 2009 | NH | HB 644 | Gasoline Tax Increase | Bill Passed - House (190 - 162) |
| March 4, 2009 | WA | HB 1329 | Child Care Center Unionization | Bill Passed - House (65 - 31) |
| March 4, 2009 | UT | HJR 8 | Mandating Secret Ballots | Bill Passed - House (53 - 22) |
| March 4, 2009 | UT | SB 29 | Authorizing Corporate Water Systems to Refuse Fluoridation | Bill Passed - House (60 - 11) |
| March 3, 2009 | UT | SB 29 | Authorizing Corporate Water Systems to Refuse Fluoridation | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11) |
| March 3, 2009 | OH | SB 9 | Transferable Tax Credit for Film Production | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10) |
| March 3, 2009 | OH | HB 6 | Transferable Tax Credit for Film Production | Bill Passed - House (83 - 14) |
| March 3, 2009 | AL | HB 373 | Higher Alcohol Content Limit for Beer | Bill Passed - House (49 - 37) |
| March 2, 2009 | MD | SB 278 | Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 9) |
| Feb. 27, 2009 | UT | HB 89 | Requiring Insurance Coverage of Prosthetic Devices | Bill Passed - House (46 - 27) |
| Feb. 27, 2009 | KS | HB 2014 | Allowing Coal Power Plants | Bill Passed - House (79 - 44) |
| Feb. 26, 2009 | GA | SB 31 | Energy Rate Increases to Finance Nuclear Power Plant Construction | Bill Passed - House (107 - 66) |
| Feb. 25, 2009 | VA | SB 1035 | Allowing Guns in Alcohol-Serving Establishments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 16) |
| Feb. 25, 2009 | MT | HB 418 | Amendments Regarding Horse Slaughterhouses | Bill Passed - House (66 - 33) |
| Feb. 25, 2009 | IN | HB 1207 | Required Nutritional Information on Restaurant Menus | Bill Passed - House (51 - 46) |
| Feb. 25, 2009 | AR | HB 1464 | Minimum Wage Increase | Bill Passed - House (67 - 27) |
| Feb. 25, 2009 | CO | HB 1001 | Tax Credit for Job Creation | Bill Passed - House (52 - 13) |
| Feb. 24, 2009 | SC | Amdt 5 | Prohibiting Employment Termination Due to Abortion Waiting Period | Amendment Rejected - House (54 - 60) |
| Feb. 24, 2009 | VA | SB 1035 | Allowing Guns in Alcohol-Serving Establishments | Bill Passed - House (66 - 33) |
| Feb. 24, 2009 | IN | HB 1379 | Unemployment Benefit Amendments | Bill Passed - House (55 - 41) |
| Feb. 24, 2009 | NV | IP 1 | Lodging Tax | Bill Passed - House (35 - 7) |
| Feb. 24, 2009 | CO | HB 1260 | Designated Beneficiary Agreements Between Unmarried Adults | Bill Passed - House (41 - 24) |
| Feb. 23, 2009 | MT | HB 394 | Prohibits the Use of Individual Prescription Information for Marketing | Motion Rejected - House (50 - 50) |
| Feb. 23, 2009 | SD | HB 1240 | Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - House (43 - 27) |
| Feb. 21, 2009 | MT | SB 387 | Restrictions on Appeals for Energy Project Permits | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23) |
| Feb. 19, 2009 | VA | SB 1105 | Prohibiting Smoking in Restaurants | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 13) |
| Feb. 19, 2009 | VA | SB 1105 | Prohibiting Smoking in Restaurants | Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 39) |
| Feb. 19, 2009 | KS | SB 160 | Increasing Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 7) |
| Feb. 19, 2009 | ND | HB 1213 | Prohibiting Smoking in Bars and Hotels | Bill Failed - House (33 - 59) |
| Feb. 19, 2009 | IA | HF 333 | Wage Standards for Public Project Workers | Bill Failed - House (49 - 49) |
| Feb. 18, 2009 | WY | HB 67 | Taxing Moist Snuff Tobacco Based on Weight | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
| Feb. 18, 2009 | SC | S 351 | State Ports Authority Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14) |
| Feb. 18, 2009 | OK | HB 1602 | Attorney Fee Limits | Bill Passed - House (54 - 46) |
| Feb. 18, 2009 | NH | HB 103 | Laid Off Employees Payment Time-Frame | Bill Passed - House (194 - 164) |
| Feb. 18, 2009 | IA | HF 311 | Health Insurance Coverage for Prosthetics | Bill Passed - House (64 - 33) |
| Feb. 17, 2009 | OK | HB 1410 | State Purchasing Authority Amendments | Bill Passed - House (61 - 37) |
| Feb. 17, 2009 | ND | HB 1255 | Corporate Tax Rate Reduction | Bill Passed - House (57 - 36) |
| Feb. 17, 2009 | ND | HB 1268 | Sales Tax Exemption on Clothing Purchases | Bill Passed - House (66 - 26) |
| Feb. 17, 2009 | KS | SB 25 | Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/27 | H 436 | Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Fund Amendments | Bill Passed - House (93 - 46) |
| 3/26 | Amdt 677495 | Amendments to Attorney Fee Cap in Workers Compensation Lawsuits | Amendment Rejected - House (45 - 69) |
| 3/26 | HB 4317 | Extending Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Liability | Bill Passed - House (56 - 53) |
| 3/26 | S 1148 | Alcohol Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| 3/25 | SB 160 | Increasing Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (104 - 21) |
| 3/24 | HB 1379 | Unemployment Benefit Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20) |
| 3/23 | HB 1260 | Designated Beneficiary Agreements Between Unmarried Adults | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| 3/20 | HB 418 | Amendments Regarding Horse Slaughterhouses | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23) |
| 3/20 | HB 2295 | Dairy Labeling Requirements | Bill Passed - House (75 - 44) |
| 3/19 | H 246 | Gasoline Tax Increase | Bill Failed - House (27 - 43) |
| 3/17 | SB 263 | Requiring State Contractors to Disclose Campaign Contributions | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
| 3/16 | A 3569 | Stop-Work Orders and Workers' Compensation Requirements | Bill Passed - House (46 - 24) |
| 3/16 | S 2577 | Age-Restricted Housing Exemptions | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 15) |
| 3/16 | S 2577 | Age-Restricted Housing Exemptions | Bill Passed - House (42 - 28) |
| 3/12 | SB 2252 | Shifting Local Tax Revenue | Bill Passed - House (54 - 42) |
| 3/12 | SB 69 | Alternative Business Tax Eligibility Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| 3/12 | SB 6035 | Retrospective Ratings Program Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24) |
| 3/12 | SB 83 | "Living" Wage Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13) |
| 3/11 | SB 187 | Alcohol Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (65 - 5) |
| 3/11 | SB 5895 | Housing Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24) |
| 3/11 | SB 115 | Expanding Subsidized Health Care Program Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 4) |
| 3/11 | HB 4454 | Written Foreclosure Notice Requirement | Bill Passed - House (75 - 33) |
| 3/11 | HB 2719 | Increase in Maximum Alcohol Level for Beer | Bill Passed - House (79 - 17) |
| 3/11 | HB 4455 | Mortgage Payment Modifications | Bill Passed - House (74 - 34) |
| 3/11 | HB 4453 | Holds in Foreclosure Proceedings | Bill Passed - House (73 - 34) |
| 3/10 | IP 1 | Lodging Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5) |
| 3/10 | HB 952 | Amending Unionization Requirements | Bill Passed - House (37 - 9) |
| 3/09 | HB 1240 | Smoking Ban | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 23) |
| 3/09 | HB 1709 | Payday Lending Regulations | Bill Passed - House (84 - 10) |
| 3/06 | HJR 8 | Mandating Secret Ballots | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
| 3/05 | HB 2014 | Allowing Coal Power Plants | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9) |
| 3/05 | S 1119 | Allowing Public Utility Assistance Programs | Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 18) |
| 3/05 | HR 1106 | Mortgage Restructuring In Bankruptcy | Bill Passed - House (234 - 191) |
| 3/04 | HB 1240 | Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| 3/04 | SB 318 | Repeal of the Grocery Sales Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 8) |
| 3/04 | HB 1332 | Increased Regulation of Pet Breeders | Bill Passed - House (74 - 26) |
| 3/04 | HB 644 | Gasoline Tax Increase | Bill Passed - House (190 - 162) |
| 3/04 | HB 1329 | Child Care Center Unionization | Bill Passed - House (65 - 31) |
| 3/04 | HJR 8 | Mandating Secret Ballots | Bill Passed - House (53 - 22) |
| 3/04 | SB 29 | Authorizing Corporate Water Systems to Refuse Fluoridation | Bill Passed - House (60 - 11) |
| 3/03 | SB 29 | Authorizing Corporate Water Systems to Refuse Fluoridation | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11) |
| 3/03 | SB 9 | Transferable Tax Credit for Film Production | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10) |
| 3/03 | HB 6 | Transferable Tax Credit for Film Production | Bill Passed - House (83 - 14) |
| 3/03 | HB 373 | Higher Alcohol Content Limit for Beer | Bill Passed - House (49 - 37) |
| 3/02 | SB 278 | Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 9) |
| 2/27 | HB 89 | Requiring Insurance Coverage of Prosthetic Devices | Bill Passed - House (46 - 27) |
| 2/27 | HB 2014 | Allowing Coal Power Plants | Bill Passed - House (79 - 44) |
| 2/26 | SB 31 | Energy Rate Increases to Finance Nuclear Power Plant Construction | Bill Passed - House (107 - 66) |
| 2/25 | SB 1035 | Allowing Guns in Alcohol-Serving Establishments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 16) |
| 2/25 | HB 418 | Amendments Regarding Horse Slaughterhouses | Bill Passed - House (66 - 33) |
| 2/25 | HB 1207 | Required Nutritional Information on Restaurant Menus | Bill Passed - House (51 - 46) |
| 2/25 | HB 1464 | Minimum Wage Increase | Bill Passed - House (67 - 27) |
| 2/25 | HB 1001 | Tax Credit for Job Creation | Bill Passed - House (52 - 13) |
| 2/24 | Amdt 5 | Prohibiting Employment Termination Due to Abortion Waiting Period | Amendment Rejected - House (54 - 60) |
| 2/24 | SB 1035 | Allowing Guns in Alcohol-Serving Establishments | Bill Passed - House (66 - 33) |
| 2/24 | HB 1379 | Unemployment Benefit Amendments | Bill Passed - House (55 - 41) |
| 2/24 | IP 1 | Lodging Tax | Bill Passed - House (35 - 7) |
| 2/24 | HB 1260 | Designated Beneficiary Agreements Between Unmarried Adults | Bill Passed - House (41 - 24) |
| 2/23 | HB 394 | Prohibits the Use of Individual Prescription Information for Marketing | Motion Rejected - House (50 - 50) |
| 2/23 | HB 1240 | Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - House (43 - 27) |
| 2/21 | SB 387 | Restrictions on Appeals for Energy Project Permits | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23) |
| 2/19 | SB 1105 | Prohibiting Smoking in Restaurants | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 13) |
| 2/19 | SB 1105 | Prohibiting Smoking in Restaurants | Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 39) |
| 2/19 | SB 160 | Increasing Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 7) |
| 2/19 | HB 1213 | Prohibiting Smoking in Bars and Hotels | Bill Failed - House (33 - 59) |
| 2/19 | HF 333 | Wage Standards for Public Project Workers | Bill Failed - House (49 - 49) |
| 2/18 | HB 67 | Taxing Moist Snuff Tobacco Based on Weight | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
| 2/18 | S 351 | State Ports Authority Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14) |
| 2/18 | HB 1602 | Attorney Fee Limits | Bill Passed - House (54 - 46) |
| 2/18 | HB 103 | Laid Off Employees Payment Time-Frame | Bill Passed - House (194 - 164) |
| 2/18 | HF 311 | Health Insurance Coverage for Prosthetics | Bill Passed - House (64 - 33) |
| 2/17 | HB 1410 | State Purchasing Authority Amendments | Bill Passed - House (61 - 37) |
| 2/17 | HB 1255 | Corporate Tax Rate Reduction | Bill Passed - House (57 - 36) |
| 2/17 | HB 1268 | Sales Tax Exemption on Clothing Purchases | Bill Passed - House (66 - 26) |
| 2/17 | SB 25 | Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |