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 27, 2009 | MI | SB 585 | Cobo Convention Center | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16) |
| May 27, 2009 | CT | HB 6385 | Probate Court System | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7) |
| May 27, 2009 | MI | SB 585 | Cobo Convention Center | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16) |
| May 27, 2009 | AZ | HB 2001 | Scholarships for Disabled or Displaced Students | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11) |
| May 27, 2009 | MI | SB 587 | Cobo Convention Center | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16) |
| May 27, 2009 | MI | SB 587 | Cobo Convention Center | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16) |
| May 26, 2009 | OR | SB 284 | Extension of Statute of Ultimate Repose | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13) |
| May 22, 2009 | NV | SB 311 | Washoe County Fluoridation | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9) |
| May 21, 2009 | NJ | A 2451 | Vote by Mail | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| May 21, 2009 | CT | SB 1167 | Deficit Reduction | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| May 20, 2009 | SC | H 3560 | 2009-2010 Budget | Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 11) |
| May 20, 2009 | IL | HB 255 | Video Gambling in Various Establishments | Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 12) |
| May 15, 2009 | MO | HB 191 | Law Changes Regarding Taxation | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
| May 14, 2009 | AL | HB 175 | Permitting Elections in Smaller Municipalities on Allowing Alcohol | Veto Override Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
| May 13, 2009 | AZ | HB 2028 | 2008-2009 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 8) |
| May 11, 2009 | MN | HF 1362 | Health Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 18) |
| May 11, 2009 | TX | HB 1736 | Increasing Wrongful Conviction Compensation | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4) |
| May 11, 2009 | MN | SF 1331 | Changing Early Voting and Special Election Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 27) |
| May 8, 2009 | HI | SB 1111 | Transient Accommodations Tax Increase | Veto Override Passed - Senate (19 - 6) |
| May 8, 2009 | MN | HF 885 | Tax Law Amendments | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (44 - 20) |
| May 8, 2009 | FL | SB 788 | Gambling Expansion | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 9) |
| May 8, 2009 | FL | SB 2600 | 2009-2010 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 8) |
| May 8, 2009 | ID | H 376 | Transportation Funding Package | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7) |
| May 8, 2009 | ID | H 374 | Allowing Diversion of Funds to Virtual Education | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9) |
| May 7, 2009 | MO | HB 11 | 2009-2010 Social Services Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 7) |
| May 7, 2009 | VT | H 441 | 2009-2010 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 10) |
| May 7, 2009 | MO | HB 22 | Capital Improvements | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8) |
| May 6, 2009 | CO | HB 1366 | Capital Gains Income Tax Reduction Modification | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| May 6, 2009 | PA | SB 850 | 2009-2010 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20) |
| May 5, 2009 | KS | HB 2373 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
| May 4, 2009 | MN | SF 2081 | 2010-2011 Economic Development Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 28) |
| May 4, 2009 | MN | SF 341 | Domestic Partner Death Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 24) |
| May 1, 2009 | FL | HB 903 | Capping Attorney Fees in Workers' Compensation Lawsuits | Motion Agreed - Senate (22 - 16) |
| May 1, 2009 | FL | HB 479 | Amendments Regarding Public Employee Retirement | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
| May 1, 2009 | FL | HB 479 | Amendments Regarding Public Employee Retirement | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
| April 30, 2009 | FL | Amdt 626368 | Liability Insurance Related to SunRail Commuter Line | Motion Rejected - Senate (17 - 23) |
| April 29, 2009 | IN | HB 1491 | St. Joseph Superior Court Judges | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 18) |
| April 29, 2009 | IN | HB 1491 | St. Joseph Superior Court Judges | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 18) |
| April 29, 2009 | OK | SB 834 | Increased Local School Board Control | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 22) |
| April 29, 2009 | ND | SCR 4038 | Creating a Public Health Investment Trust Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 23) |
| April 29, 2009 | ND | SCR 4038 | Creating a Public Health Investment Trust Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 23) |
| April 28, 2009 | MT | HB 2 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 23) |
| April 27, 2009 | MN | Ban on State Funds for Abortions | Amendment Rejected - Senate (26 - 39) | |
| April 25, 2009 | IA | SF 376 | Bonds Issuance for Infrastructure Projects and the Creation of an Iowa Jobs Program, Board, and Fund. | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 18) |
| April 25, 2009 | IA | SF 477 | Appropriation Bonds | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 18) |
| April 25, 2009 | WA | HB 1244 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget and 2007-2009 Supplemental Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20) |
| April 24, 2009 | WA | SB 5768 | Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Project | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 9) |
| April 22, 2009 | NC | SB 287 | State Health Plan Changes and Appropriations | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 19) |
| April 22, 2009 | OK | HB 1603 | Tort Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19) |
| April 22, 2009 | OK | HB 1602 | Attorney Fee Limits | Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 23) |
| April 22, 2009 | CO | SB 259 | 2009-2010 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 12) |
| April 21, 2009 | AL | HB 175 | Permitting Elections in Smaller Municipalities on Allowing Alcohol | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 9) |
| April 21, 2009 | ID | H 262 | Teacher Compensation Adjustments | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
| April 20, 2009 | MN | Permitting Slot Machines at Race Tracks | Amendment Rejected - Senate (25 - 41) | |
| April 20, 2009 | MN | SF 802 | 2009-2011 Biennium Public Safety and Corrections Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 31) |
| April 20, 2009 | MN | SF 802 | 2009-2011 Biennium Public Safety and Corrections Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 31) |
| April 17, 2009 | MN | SF 2083 | 2009-2011 Biennium Higher Education Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 23) |
| April 16, 2009 | WA | HB 2261 | Education Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23) |
| April 16, 2009 | MO | SB 306 | State Health Care Expansion | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7) |
| April 16, 2009 | ID | S 1166 | Workers' Compensation Dividend Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7) |
| April 15, 2009 | WA | HB 1517 | Expediting the Restoration of Felons' Voting Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19) |
| April 15, 2009 | IN | HB 1607 | West Lake Commuter Rail Project | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7) |
| April 15, 2009 | IN | HB 1604 | Authorizing Local Tax Increases to Fund Sports and Convention Facilities | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17) |
| April 15, 2009 | IN | HB 1604 | Authorizing Local Tax Increases to Fund Sports and Convention Facilities | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17) |
| April 14, 2009 | MO | HB 10 | 2009-10 Health Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
| April 14, 2009 | MT | HB 2 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24) |
| April 14, 2009 | MO | HB 11 | 2009-2010 Social Services Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6) |
| April 14, 2009 | TX | SB 855 | Authorizing County Taxes and Fees to Fund Transportation Projects | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| April 14, 2009 | TX | SB 855 | Authorizing County Taxes and Fees to Fund Transportation Projects | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| April 14, 2009 | HI | HB 1605 | Allowing Counties to Impose Retail Sales Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 4) |
| April 14, 2009 | HI | HB 1747 | Income Tax Rate Increase for Top Income Brackets | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 4) |
| April 14, 2009 | HI | HB 1605 | Allowing Counties to Impose Retail Sales Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 4) |
| April 14, 2009 | HI | HB 1744 | Allowing a County Surcharge on the Transient Accommodations Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 6) |
| April 14, 2009 | HI | HB 1744 | Allowing a County Surcharge on the Transient Accommodations Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 6) |
| April 13, 2009 | MD | SB 785 | Inheritance Tax Exemption for Domestic Partners | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 18) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/27 | SB 585 | Cobo Convention Center | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16) |
| 5/27 | HB 6385 | Probate Court System | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7) |
| 5/27 | SB 585 | Cobo Convention Center | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16) |
| 5/27 | HB 2001 | Scholarships for Disabled or Displaced Students | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11) |
| 5/27 | SB 587 | Cobo Convention Center | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16) |
| 5/27 | SB 587 | Cobo Convention Center | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16) |
| 5/26 | SB 284 | Extension of Statute of Ultimate Repose | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13) |
| 5/22 | SB 311 | Washoe County Fluoridation | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9) |
| 5/21 | A 2451 | Vote by Mail | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| 5/21 | SB 1167 | Deficit Reduction | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| 5/20 | H 3560 | 2009-2010 Budget | Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 11) |
| 5/20 | HB 255 | Video Gambling in Various Establishments | Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 12) |
| 5/15 | HB 191 | Law Changes Regarding Taxation | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
| 5/14 | HB 175 | Permitting Elections in Smaller Municipalities on Allowing Alcohol | Veto Override Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
| 5/13 | HB 2028 | 2008-2009 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 8) |
| 5/11 | HF 1362 | Health Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 18) |
| 5/11 | HB 1736 | Increasing Wrongful Conviction Compensation | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4) |
| 5/11 | SF 1331 | Changing Early Voting and Special Election Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 27) |
| 5/08 | SB 1111 | Transient Accommodations Tax Increase | Veto Override Passed - Senate (19 - 6) |
| 5/08 | HF 885 | Tax Law Amendments | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (44 - 20) |
| 5/08 | SB 788 | Gambling Expansion | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 9) |
| 5/08 | SB 2600 | 2009-2010 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 8) |
| 5/08 | H 376 | Transportation Funding Package | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7) |
| 5/08 | H 374 | Allowing Diversion of Funds to Virtual Education | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9) |
| 5/07 | HB 11 | 2009-2010 Social Services Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 7) |
| 5/07 | H 441 | 2009-2010 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 10) |
| 5/07 | HB 22 | Capital Improvements | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8) |
| 5/06 | HB 1366 | Capital Gains Income Tax Reduction Modification | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| 5/06 | SB 850 | 2009-2010 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20) |
| 5/05 | HB 2373 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
| 5/04 | SF 2081 | 2010-2011 Economic Development Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 28) |
| 5/04 | SF 341 | Domestic Partner Death Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 24) |
| 5/01 | HB 903 | Capping Attorney Fees in Workers' Compensation Lawsuits | Motion Agreed - Senate (22 - 16) |
| 5/01 | HB 479 | Amendments Regarding Public Employee Retirement | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
| 5/01 | HB 479 | Amendments Regarding Public Employee Retirement | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
| 4/30 | Amdt 626368 | Liability Insurance Related to SunRail Commuter Line | Motion Rejected - Senate (17 - 23) |
| 4/29 | HB 1491 | St. Joseph Superior Court Judges | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 18) |
| 4/29 | HB 1491 | St. Joseph Superior Court Judges | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 18) |
| 4/29 | SB 834 | Increased Local School Board Control | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 22) |
| 4/29 | SCR 4038 | Creating a Public Health Investment Trust Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 23) |
| 4/29 | SCR 4038 | Creating a Public Health Investment Trust Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 23) |
| 4/28 | HB 2 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 23) |
| 4/27 | Ban on State Funds for Abortions | Amendment Rejected - Senate (26 - 39) | |
| 4/25 | SF 376 | Bonds Issuance for Infrastructure Projects and the Creation of an Iowa Jobs Program, Board, and Fund. | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 18) |
| 4/25 | SF 477 | Appropriation Bonds | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 18) |
| 4/25 | HB 1244 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget and 2007-2009 Supplemental Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20) |
| 4/24 | SB 5768 | Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Project | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 9) |
| 4/22 | SB 287 | State Health Plan Changes and Appropriations | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 19) |
| 4/22 | HB 1603 | Tort Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19) |
| 4/22 | HB 1602 | Attorney Fee Limits | Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 23) |
| 4/22 | SB 259 | 2009-2010 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 12) |
| 4/21 | HB 175 | Permitting Elections in Smaller Municipalities on Allowing Alcohol | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 9) |
| 4/21 | H 262 | Teacher Compensation Adjustments | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
| 4/20 | Permitting Slot Machines at Race Tracks | Amendment Rejected - Senate (25 - 41) | |
| 4/20 | SF 802 | 2009-2011 Biennium Public Safety and Corrections Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 31) |
| 4/20 | SF 802 | 2009-2011 Biennium Public Safety and Corrections Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 31) |
| 4/17 | SF 2083 | 2009-2011 Biennium Higher Education Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 23) |
| 4/16 | HB 2261 | Education Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23) |
| 4/16 | SB 306 | State Health Care Expansion | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7) |
| 4/16 | S 1166 | Workers' Compensation Dividend Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7) |
| 4/15 | HB 1517 | Expediting the Restoration of Felons' Voting Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19) |
| 4/15 | HB 1607 | West Lake Commuter Rail Project | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7) |
| 4/15 | HB 1604 | Authorizing Local Tax Increases to Fund Sports and Convention Facilities | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17) |
| 4/15 | HB 1604 | Authorizing Local Tax Increases to Fund Sports and Convention Facilities | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17) |
| 4/14 | HB 10 | 2009-10 Health Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
| 4/14 | HB 2 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24) |
| 4/14 | HB 11 | 2009-2010 Social Services Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6) |
| 4/14 | SB 855 | Authorizing County Taxes and Fees to Fund Transportation Projects | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| 4/14 | SB 855 | Authorizing County Taxes and Fees to Fund Transportation Projects | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| 4/14 | HB 1605 | Allowing Counties to Impose Retail Sales Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 4) |
| 4/14 | HB 1747 | Income Tax Rate Increase for Top Income Brackets | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 4) |
| 4/14 | HB 1605 | Allowing Counties to Impose Retail Sales Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 4) |
| 4/14 | HB 1744 | Allowing a County Surcharge on the Transient Accommodations Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 6) |
| 4/14 | HB 1744 | Allowing a County Surcharge on the Transient Accommodations Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 6) |
| 4/13 | SB 785 | Inheritance Tax Exemption for Domestic Partners | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 18) |