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
April 27, 2009 CO HB 1057 Mandatory Unpaid Parental Work Leave for Education Activities Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 13)
April 25, 2009 WA HB 2344 Allowing Tuition Increases Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
April 25, 2009 WA HB 1614 Oil Importation Fee for Storm Water Pollution Cleanup Bill Passed - House (51 - 45)
April 24, 2009 ND HB 1478 Children's Health Insurance Program Eligibility Expansion Conference Report Rejected - House (41 - 47)
April 24, 2009 WA SB 5768 Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Project Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
April 23, 2009 FL Amdt 168357 Extended Citizens Property Insurance Corporation Premium Rate Freeze Amendment Rejected - House (40 - 76)
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 23, 2009 CA SB 789 Amending Unionization Requirements for Agricultural Employees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
April 22, 2009 PA A771 Requiring Hands Free Devices for Cell Phones in Cars Amendment Rejected - House (95 - 100)
April 22, 2009 NC SB 287 State Health Plan Changes and Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 56)
April 22, 2009 NC SB 287 State Health Plan Changes and Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 19)
April 22, 2009 WA SB 5768 Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Project Bill Passed - House (53 - 43)
April 22, 2009 WA HB 2344 Allowing Tuition Increases Bill Passed - House (50 - 47)
April 22, 2009 VT H 446 Renewable Energy Amendments Bill Passed - House (88 - 44)
April 22, 2009 OR HB 2672 Increasing Moist Snuff Tobacco Tax and Regulations Bill Passed - House (40 - 18)
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 WA HB 2261 Education Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 31)
April 20, 2009 TX HB 681 Warning Signs Regarding Mercury Levels in Fish Bill Passed - House (95 - 50)
April 20, 2009 NV AB 495 Removing Medical Malpractice Award Cap Bill Passed - House (26 - 15)
April 20, 2009 CA AJR 3 Statement of Opposition to Offshore Drilling Joint Resolution Passed - House (43 - 25)
April 17, 2009 MN Limit of 3 Percent on Tuition Increases Amendment Rejected - Senate (32 - 33)
April 17, 2009 NV SB 372 Smoking Ban Exceptions Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
April 17, 2009 MN SF 971 School Anti-Bullying Policy Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22)
April 17, 2009 MN SF 2083 2009-2011 Biennium Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 23)
April 17, 2009 MN SF 2083 2009-2011 Biennium Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 23)
April 16, 2009 MN Limmer Amdt Homosexuality in Education Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 37)
April 16, 2009 WA HB 2261 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
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 16, 2009 MO SB 306 State Health Care Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
April 16, 2009 NC HB 88 Parental Choice Between Abstinence-Only or Comprehensive Sex Education Bill Passed - House (62 - 52)
April 15, 2009 OK SB 834 Increased Local School Board Control Bill Passed - House (60 - 39)
April 15, 2009 IN HB 1607 West Lake Commuter Rail Project Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
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 VT H 147 Primary Seat Belt Enforcement Bill Passed - House (104 - 40)
April 15, 2009 NV AJR 7 Allowing for State Lottery Joint Resolution Passed - House (31 - 11)
April 15, 2009 TX SB 1049 Increasing Age Restriction on Tobacco Purchases Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
April 15, 2009 OR HB 2794 Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage Bill Passed - House (48 - 12)
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 TX SB 855 Authorizing County Taxes and Fees to Fund Transportation Projects Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
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 SB 278 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 9)
April 13, 2009 MD SB 278 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan Bill Passed - House (107 - 30)
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 10, 2009 ID S 1186 Highway Project Financing Bill Passed - House (39 - 29)
April 9, 2009 ID H 135 Fuel Tax for Highway Maintenance Bill Failed - House (32 - 37)
April 8, 2009 ME LD 67 Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
April 7, 2009 ID H 138 Allowing Lawsuits for Nonnative Species Attacks Bill Passed - House (46 - 24)
April 7, 2009 MN SF 1328 2009-2011 Biennium Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 29)
April 7, 2009 MA S 2024 Massachusetts Transportation Agency Consolidation Bill Passed - House (147 - 7)
April 7, 2009 ID S 1186 Highway Project Financing Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
April 6, 2009 CO SB 170 Expanding In-State Tuition Eligibility Motion Rejected - Senate (16 - 18)
April 6, 2009 ND HB 1171 Home School Deregulation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
April 6, 2009 OK SB 553 Health Insurance Coverage Amendments Bill Passed - House (77 - 22)
April 6, 2009 MN SF 10 Sharing Services For Schools Districts Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 33)
April 3, 2009 GA HB 243 Ending New Enrollment in Bonus Program for Teachers' National Certification Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
April 3, 2009 ID H 173 Restricting Eligibility for State Retiree Health Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
April 2, 2009 MN Ending Prohibition on New Nuclear Power Plants Amendment Adopted - Senate (42 - 24)
April 2, 2009 MI HB 4454 Written Foreclosure Notice Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
April 2, 2009 MT HB 531 Red Light Camera Prohibition Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
April 2, 2009 MD SB 277 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
April 2, 2009 NC HB 2 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (72 - 45)
April 2, 2009 MI HB 4453 Holds in Foreclosure Proceedings Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
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 IL HB 72 Cell Phone Ban in School Speed Zones and Construction Zones Bill Passed - House (90 - 24)
April 1, 2009 VT H 438 Gas Tax Increase to Fund Transportation Construction Bonds Bill Passed - House (108 - 35)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/27 HB 1057 Mandatory Unpaid Parental Work Leave for Education Activities Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 13)
4/25 HB 2344 Allowing Tuition Increases Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
4/25 HB 1614 Oil Importation Fee for Storm Water Pollution Cleanup Bill Passed - House (51 - 45)
4/24 HB 1478 Children's Health Insurance Program Eligibility Expansion Conference Report Rejected - House (41 - 47)
4/24 SB 5768 Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Project Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
4/23 Amdt 168357 Extended Citizens Property Insurance Corporation Premium Rate Freeze Amendment Rejected - House (40 - 76)
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)
4/23 SB 789 Amending Unionization Requirements for Agricultural Employees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
4/22 A771 Requiring Hands Free Devices for Cell Phones in Cars Amendment Rejected - House (95 - 100)
4/22 SB 287 State Health Plan Changes and Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 56)
4/22 SB 287 State Health Plan Changes and Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 19)
4/22 SB 5768 Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Project Bill Passed - House (53 - 43)
4/22 HB 2344 Allowing Tuition Increases Bill Passed - House (50 - 47)
4/22 H 446 Renewable Energy Amendments Bill Passed - House (88 - 44)
4/22 HB 2672 Increasing Moist Snuff Tobacco Tax and Regulations Bill Passed - House (40 - 18)
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 HB 2261 Education Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 31)
4/20 HB 681 Warning Signs Regarding Mercury Levels in Fish Bill Passed - House (95 - 50)
4/20 AB 495 Removing Medical Malpractice Award Cap Bill Passed - House (26 - 15)
4/20 AJR 3 Statement of Opposition to Offshore Drilling Joint Resolution Passed - House (43 - 25)
4/17 Limit of 3 Percent on Tuition Increases Amendment Rejected - Senate (32 - 33)
4/17 SB 372 Smoking Ban Exceptions Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
4/17 SF 971 School Anti-Bullying Policy Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22)
4/17 SF 2083 2009-2011 Biennium Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 23)
4/17 SF 2083 2009-2011 Biennium Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 23)
4/16 Limmer Amdt Homosexuality in Education Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 37)
4/16 HB 2261 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
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)
4/16 SB 306 State Health Care Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
4/16 HB 88 Parental Choice Between Abstinence-Only or Comprehensive Sex Education Bill Passed - House (62 - 52)
4/15 SB 834 Increased Local School Board Control Bill Passed - House (60 - 39)
4/15 HB 1607 West Lake Commuter Rail Project Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
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 H 147 Primary Seat Belt Enforcement Bill Passed - House (104 - 40)
4/15 AJR 7 Allowing for State Lottery Joint Resolution Passed - House (31 - 11)
4/15 SB 1049 Increasing Age Restriction on Tobacco Purchases Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
4/15 HB 2794 Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage Bill Passed - House (48 - 12)
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 SB 855 Authorizing County Taxes and Fees to Fund Transportation Projects Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
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 SB 278 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 9)
4/13 SB 278 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan Bill Passed - House (107 - 30)
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)
4/10 S 1186 Highway Project Financing Bill Passed - House (39 - 29)
4/09 H 135 Fuel Tax for Highway Maintenance Bill Failed - House (32 - 37)
4/08 LD 67 Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
4/07 H 138 Allowing Lawsuits for Nonnative Species Attacks Bill Passed - House (46 - 24)
4/07 SF 1328 2009-2011 Biennium Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 29)
4/07 S 2024 Massachusetts Transportation Agency Consolidation Bill Passed - House (147 - 7)
4/07 S 1186 Highway Project Financing Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
4/06 SB 170 Expanding In-State Tuition Eligibility Motion Rejected - Senate (16 - 18)
4/06 HB 1171 Home School Deregulation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
4/06 SB 553 Health Insurance Coverage Amendments Bill Passed - House (77 - 22)
4/06 SF 10 Sharing Services For Schools Districts Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 33)
4/03 HB 243 Ending New Enrollment in Bonus Program for Teachers' National Certification Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
4/03 H 173 Restricting Eligibility for State Retiree Health Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
4/02 Ending Prohibition on New Nuclear Power Plants Amendment Adopted - Senate (42 - 24)
4/02 HB 4454 Written Foreclosure Notice Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
4/02 HB 531 Red Light Camera Prohibition Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
4/02 SB 277 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
4/02 HB 2 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (72 - 45)
4/02 HB 4453 Holds in Foreclosure Proceedings Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
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 HB 72 Cell Phone Ban in School Speed Zones and Construction Zones Bill Passed - House (90 - 24)
4/01 H 438 Gas Tax Increase to Fund Transportation Construction Bonds Bill Passed - House (108 - 35)

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