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
March 3, 2009 UT HB 187 Restricting Access to Public Waters on Private Property Bill Failed - House (34 - 41)
March 3, 2009 OH HB 6 Transferable Tax Credit for Film Production Bill Passed - House (83 - 14)
March 2, 2009 UT HB 66 Tax Law and Education Funding Amendments Bill Failed - House (33 - 42)
March 2, 2009 UT HB 66 Tax Law and Education Funding Amendments Bill Failed - House (33 - 42)
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 MO HB 242 Authorizing Four-Day School Weeks Bill Passed - House (101 - 60)
Feb. 26, 2009 CO SB 108 Increasing Vehicle Fees to Fund Transportation Projects Bill Passed - House (34 - 31)
Feb. 26, 2009 GA SB 31 Energy Rate Increases to Finance Nuclear Power Plant Construction Bill Passed - House (107 - 66)
Feb. 26, 2009 IA SF 218 Growth Percentage for State School Foundation Program Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
Feb. 25, 2009 VA SB 1167 Increasing the Fees for Personalized License Plates Bill Failed - House (41 - 57)
Feb. 25, 2009 IN HB 1730 Exempting Energy Efficient Projects From Referendum Requirements Bill Passed - House (52 - 48)
Feb. 25, 2009 IN HB 1729 Gaming Facility Tax Amendments Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
Feb. 25, 2009 IN HB 1207 Required Nutritional Information on Restaurant Menus Bill Passed - House (51 - 46)
Feb. 25, 2009 IN HB 1607 West Lake Commuter Rail Project Bill Passed - House (68 - 31)
Feb. 25, 2009 AR SB 78 Seat Belt Violation as Primary Offense Bill Passed - House (60 - 31)
Feb. 24, 2009 MT HB 531 Red Light Camera Prohibition Bill Passed - House (65 - 35)
Feb. 24, 2009 NV IP 1 Lodging Tax Bill Passed - House (35 - 7)
Feb. 24, 2009 IN HB 1215 Increasing Traffic Fines to Fund Trauma Centers Bill Passed - House (53 - 42)
Feb. 24, 2009 ID H 173 Restricting Eligibility for State Retiree Health Benefits Bill Passed - House (59 - 11)
Feb. 24, 2009 IN HB 1215 Increasing Traffic Fines to Fund Trauma Centers Bill Passed - House (53 - 42)
Feb. 23, 2009 SD HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
Feb. 19, 2009 VA SB 1105 Prohibiting Smoking in Restaurants Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 39)
Feb. 19, 2009 ND HB 1400 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (78 - 16)
Feb. 19, 2009 ND HB 1213 Prohibiting Smoking in Bars and Hotels Bill Failed - House (33 - 59)
Feb. 18, 2009 IA HF 311 Health Insurance Coverage for Prosthetics Bill Passed - House (64 - 33)
Feb. 18, 2009 NH HB 383 Mandating Seat Belt Usage Bill Passed - House (197 - 155)
Feb. 18, 2009 ND HB 1348 Allowing Concealed Firearms on Campuses Bill Passed - House (48 - 46)
Feb. 17, 2009 OR HB 2436 Real Estate Fees to Fund Housing Programs Bill Passed - House (44 - 15)
Feb. 16, 2009 ND HB 1431 Increasing Fines for Certain Traffic Violations Bill Failed - House (35 - 57)
Feb. 16, 2009 ND HB 1197 Seat Belt Violation as Primary Offense Bill Failed - House (34 - 58)
Feb. 12, 2009 MS HB 234 Sex Education Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (79 - 40)
Feb. 12, 2009 MS HB 234 Sex Education Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (79 - 40)
Feb. 12, 2009 KS SB 23 2008-2009, 2009-2010, and 2010-2011Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 51)
Feb. 12, 2009 GA HB 233 Two-Year Property Tax Assessment Freeze Bill Passed - House (110 - 63)
Feb. 10, 2009 WY HB 218 Amending Hathaway Scholarship Requirements Bill Failed - House (29 - 30)
Feb. 10, 2009 IN HB 1723 2009-2010 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
Feb. 10, 2009 IN HB 1656 Shifting Federal Transportation Funding to Counties and Localities Bill Passed - House (88 - 11)
Feb. 9, 2009 VA SB 1105 Prohibiting Smoking in Restaurants Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
Feb. 9, 2009 WY HB 170 State Lottery for Scholarship Funding Bill Failed - House (25 - 35)
Feb. 9, 2009 WY HB 170 State Lottery for Scholarship Funding Bill Failed - House (25 - 35)
Feb. 9, 2009 CO HB 1057 Mandatory Unpaid Parental Work Leave for Education Activities Bill Passed - House (35 - 30)
Feb. 5, 2009 VA HB 1826 Driver's License Suspension for Unexcused School Absences Bill Passed - House (68 - 28)
Feb. 5, 2009 VA HB 1826 Driver's License Suspension for Unexcused School Absences Bill Passed - House (68 - 28)
Feb. 5, 2009 KS SB 23 2008-2009, 2009-2010, and 2010-2011 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (74 - 48)
Feb. 5, 2009 OR SB 338 Authorizing Bonds for Public-Works Projects Bill Passed - House (39 - 21)
Feb. 5, 2009 AR HB 1204 Tobacco Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (75 - 24)
Feb. 4, 2009 VA HB 1671 "Derelict Building" Plan Requirements Bill Passed - House (80 - 17)
Feb. 4, 2009 SD HB 1171 Exemptions from School District Minimum Size Requirements Bill Passed - House (36 - 34)
Feb. 3, 2009 WY HB 31 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
Feb. 3, 2009 MT HB 157 Children's Health Insurance Program Appropriations and Amendments Bill Passed - House (60 - 40)
Feb. 3, 2009 UT HB 90 Increasing Illegal Abortion Penalty Bill Passed - House (56 - 16)
Feb. 3, 2009 UT HB 222 Offering Anesthetics to Women Undergoing Abortions Bill Passed - House (56 - 15)
Feb. 2, 2009 UT SB 4 2008-2009 Education Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (57 - 17)
Feb. 2, 2009 NY A 1688 Expanding Local Control Over Rent Laws Bill Passed - House (94 - 49)
Feb. 2, 2009 WY HB 87 Property Tax Assessment Rate Reduction Bill Failed - House (24 - 36)
Feb. 2, 2009 CO HB 1091 Carbon Monoxide Detector Requirements Bill Passed - House (43 - 21)
Feb. 2, 2009 NY A 1686 Reducing the Cap on Vacated Apartment Rent Increases Bill Passed - House (100 - 43)
Feb. 2, 2009 CO HB 1091 Carbon Monoxide Detector Requirements Bill Passed - House (43 - 21)
Feb. 2, 2009 NY A 860 Increasing Income and Rent Threshold to Qualify for Rent Deregulation Bill Passed - House (86 - 58)
Feb. 2, 2009 NY A 2005 Expanding Rent Control Coverage Bill Passed - House (91 - 52)
Jan. 30, 2009 WY Amdt 2001 to HB 31 Exempting 21+ Establishments from Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (34 - 25)
Jan. 30, 2009 WY Amdt 2002 to HB 31 Allowing Counties and Municipalities to Opt Out of Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (41 - 18)
Jan. 30, 2009 WY HB 141 Amending DUI Statutes Bill Passed - House (49 - 10)
Jan. 30, 2009 GA HB 143 Property Tax Grant Appropriation Authorization Bill Passed - House (117 - 55)
Jan. 29, 2009 WY HB 190 Suspending Driver's Licenses for Nonpayment of Child Support Bill Passed - House (37 - 23)
Jan. 29, 2009 ND HB 1182 Point Reduction for Seat Belt Use Bill Passed - House (56 - 38)
Jan. 29, 2009 UT HB 17 Allowing Doctors to Prescribe Antibiotics to Unnamed Sexual Partners Bill Passed - House (63 - 8)
Jan. 29, 2009 AR HB 1013 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (78 - 12)
Jan. 28, 2009 AR HB 1119 Prohibiting Cell Phone Use While Driving for Specific Age Groups Bill Passed - House (62 - 27)
Jan. 26, 2009 CO HB 1042 Amending Minimum Traffic Speed Regulations Bill Passed - House (37 - 27)
Jan. 22, 2009 MS HB 1090 Increasing Public Utilities Staff Oversight Bill Passed - House (64 - 53)
Jan. 22, 2009 National H J Res 3 Releasing Funds for Economic Stabilization Act Joint Resolution Passed - House (270 - 155)
Jan. 21, 2009 National HR 384 Oversight of the Troubled Asset Relief Program Bill Passed - House (260 - 166)
Jan. 21, 2009 National HR 384 Oversight of the Troubled Asset Relief Program Bill Passed - House (260 - 166)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/03 HB 187 Restricting Access to Public Waters on Private Property Bill Failed - House (34 - 41)
3/03 HB 6 Transferable Tax Credit for Film Production Bill Passed - House (83 - 14)
3/02 HB 66 Tax Law and Education Funding Amendments Bill Failed - House (33 - 42)
3/02 HB 66 Tax Law and Education Funding Amendments Bill Failed - House (33 - 42)
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 HB 242 Authorizing Four-Day School Weeks Bill Passed - House (101 - 60)
2/26 SB 108 Increasing Vehicle Fees to Fund Transportation Projects Bill Passed - House (34 - 31)
2/26 SB 31 Energy Rate Increases to Finance Nuclear Power Plant Construction Bill Passed - House (107 - 66)
2/26 SF 218 Growth Percentage for State School Foundation Program Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
2/25 SB 1167 Increasing the Fees for Personalized License Plates Bill Failed - House (41 - 57)
2/25 HB 1730 Exempting Energy Efficient Projects From Referendum Requirements Bill Passed - House (52 - 48)
2/25 HB 1729 Gaming Facility Tax Amendments Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
2/25 HB 1207 Required Nutritional Information on Restaurant Menus Bill Passed - House (51 - 46)
2/25 HB 1607 West Lake Commuter Rail Project Bill Passed - House (68 - 31)
2/25 SB 78 Seat Belt Violation as Primary Offense Bill Passed - House (60 - 31)
2/24 HB 531 Red Light Camera Prohibition Bill Passed - House (65 - 35)
2/24 IP 1 Lodging Tax Bill Passed - House (35 - 7)
2/24 HB 1215 Increasing Traffic Fines to Fund Trauma Centers Bill Passed - House (53 - 42)
2/24 H 173 Restricting Eligibility for State Retiree Health Benefits Bill Passed - House (59 - 11)
2/24 HB 1215 Increasing Traffic Fines to Fund Trauma Centers Bill Passed - House (53 - 42)
2/23 HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
2/19 SB 1105 Prohibiting Smoking in Restaurants Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 39)
2/19 HB 1400 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (78 - 16)
2/19 HB 1213 Prohibiting Smoking in Bars and Hotels Bill Failed - House (33 - 59)
2/18 HF 311 Health Insurance Coverage for Prosthetics Bill Passed - House (64 - 33)
2/18 HB 383 Mandating Seat Belt Usage Bill Passed - House (197 - 155)
2/18 HB 1348 Allowing Concealed Firearms on Campuses Bill Passed - House (48 - 46)
2/17 HB 2436 Real Estate Fees to Fund Housing Programs Bill Passed - House (44 - 15)
2/16 HB 1431 Increasing Fines for Certain Traffic Violations Bill Failed - House (35 - 57)
2/16 HB 1197 Seat Belt Violation as Primary Offense Bill Failed - House (34 - 58)
2/12 HB 234 Sex Education Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (79 - 40)
2/12 HB 234 Sex Education Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (79 - 40)
2/12 SB 23 2008-2009, 2009-2010, and 2010-2011Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 51)
2/12 HB 233 Two-Year Property Tax Assessment Freeze Bill Passed - House (110 - 63)
2/10 HB 218 Amending Hathaway Scholarship Requirements Bill Failed - House (29 - 30)
2/10 HB 1723 2009-2010 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
2/10 HB 1656 Shifting Federal Transportation Funding to Counties and Localities Bill Passed - House (88 - 11)
2/09 SB 1105 Prohibiting Smoking in Restaurants Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
2/09 HB 170 State Lottery for Scholarship Funding Bill Failed - House (25 - 35)
2/09 HB 170 State Lottery for Scholarship Funding Bill Failed - House (25 - 35)
2/09 HB 1057 Mandatory Unpaid Parental Work Leave for Education Activities Bill Passed - House (35 - 30)
2/05 HB 1826 Driver's License Suspension for Unexcused School Absences Bill Passed - House (68 - 28)
2/05 HB 1826 Driver's License Suspension for Unexcused School Absences Bill Passed - House (68 - 28)
2/05 SB 23 2008-2009, 2009-2010, and 2010-2011 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (74 - 48)
2/05 SB 338 Authorizing Bonds for Public-Works Projects Bill Passed - House (39 - 21)
2/05 HB 1204 Tobacco Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (75 - 24)
2/04 HB 1671 "Derelict Building" Plan Requirements Bill Passed - House (80 - 17)
2/04 HB 1171 Exemptions from School District Minimum Size Requirements Bill Passed - House (36 - 34)
2/03 HB 31 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
2/03 HB 157 Children's Health Insurance Program Appropriations and Amendments Bill Passed - House (60 - 40)
2/03 HB 90 Increasing Illegal Abortion Penalty Bill Passed - House (56 - 16)
2/03 HB 222 Offering Anesthetics to Women Undergoing Abortions Bill Passed - House (56 - 15)
2/02 SB 4 2008-2009 Education Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (57 - 17)
2/02 A 1688 Expanding Local Control Over Rent Laws Bill Passed - House (94 - 49)
2/02 HB 87 Property Tax Assessment Rate Reduction Bill Failed - House (24 - 36)
2/02 HB 1091 Carbon Monoxide Detector Requirements Bill Passed - House (43 - 21)
2/02 A 1686 Reducing the Cap on Vacated Apartment Rent Increases Bill Passed - House (100 - 43)
2/02 HB 1091 Carbon Monoxide Detector Requirements Bill Passed - House (43 - 21)
2/02 A 860 Increasing Income and Rent Threshold to Qualify for Rent Deregulation Bill Passed - House (86 - 58)
2/02 A 2005 Expanding Rent Control Coverage Bill Passed - House (91 - 52)
1/30 Amdt 2001 to HB 31 Exempting 21+ Establishments from Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (34 - 25)
1/30 Amdt 2002 to HB 31 Allowing Counties and Municipalities to Opt Out of Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (41 - 18)
1/30 HB 141 Amending DUI Statutes Bill Passed - House (49 - 10)
1/30 HB 143 Property Tax Grant Appropriation Authorization Bill Passed - House (117 - 55)
1/29 HB 190 Suspending Driver's Licenses for Nonpayment of Child Support Bill Passed - House (37 - 23)
1/29 HB 1182 Point Reduction for Seat Belt Use Bill Passed - House (56 - 38)
1/29 HB 17 Allowing Doctors to Prescribe Antibiotics to Unnamed Sexual Partners Bill Passed - House (63 - 8)
1/29 HB 1013 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (78 - 12)
1/28 HB 1119 Prohibiting Cell Phone Use While Driving for Specific Age Groups Bill Passed - House (62 - 27)
1/26 HB 1042 Amending Minimum Traffic Speed Regulations Bill Passed - House (37 - 27)
1/22 HB 1090 Increasing Public Utilities Staff Oversight Bill Passed - House (64 - 53)
1/22 H J Res 3 Releasing Funds for Economic Stabilization Act Joint Resolution Passed - House (270 - 155)
1/21 HR 384 Oversight of the Troubled Asset Relief Program Bill Passed - House (260 - 166)
1/21 HR 384 Oversight of the Troubled Asset Relief Program Bill Passed - House (260 - 166)

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