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 16, 2010 | IA | SF 2376 | 2010-2011 Education Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20) |
| March 16, 2010 | FL | SCR 10 | Statement of Support for a Federal Constitutional Amendment Requiring a Balanced Budget | Resolution Passed - Senate (28 - 12) |
| March 16, 2010 | CO | SB 87 | Increasing Lobbyist Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13) |
| March 16, 2010 | IA | SF 2378 | Increase in Fees for Traffic Violations | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17) |
| March 14, 2010 | VA | HB 30 | 2010-2012 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (73 - 23) |
| March 14, 2010 | VA | HB 30 | 2010-2012 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 6) |
| March 13, 2010 | WV | HB 4521 | Sales Tax Holiday for Purchases of Guns | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (93 - 4) |
| March 13, 2010 | WV | HB 4521 | Sales Tax Holiday for Purchases of Guns | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9) |
| March 11, 2010 | MN | HF 2700 | Omnibus Bonding and Budget Amendments | Conference Report Adopted - House (89 - 44) |
| March 11, 2010 | MN | HF 2700 | Omnibus Bonding and Budget Amendments | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (49 - 17) |
| March 11, 2010 | CA | SBx8 32 | Tax Law Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 15) |
| March 10, 2010 | IA | Amdt 8381 | Free Self Defense Courses for Domestic Violence Victims | Amendment Rejected - House (44 - 53) |
| March 10, 2010 | KY | HB 290 | 2009-2010, 2010-2011, and 2011-2012 Budgets | Bill Passed - House (65 - 33) |
| March 10, 2010 | WA | SB 6364 | 2009 - 2011 Biennium Capital Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16) |
| March 9, 2010 | ID | H 391 | Opposing Federal Individual Health Insurance Mandate | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10) |
| March 9, 2010 | ID | H 589 | Federal Arms Regulation Exemption | Bill Passed - House (52 - 17) |
| March 8, 2010 | CA | SBx8 32 | Tax Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (47 - 29) |
| March 5, 2010 | ID | H 616 | Local Improvement District Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (42 - 23) |
| March 5, 2010 | MD | SB 248 | Increasing Civil Court Case Surcharges | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11) |
| March 4, 2010 | CA | ABx8 6 | Fuel Tax Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 32) |
| March 4, 2010 | CA | ABx8 9 | Tax and Transportation Law Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 30) |
| March 4, 2010 | CA | ABx8 6 | Fuel Tax Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10) |
| March 4, 2010 | CA | ABx8 9 | Tax and Transportation Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10) |
| March 4, 2010 | SD | Cooper Nomination | John L. Cooper, Game, Fish and Parks Commission | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (22 - 12) |
| March 4, 2010 | KY | HB 530 | Omnibus Revenue Bill | Bill Passed - House (64 - 36) |
| March 3, 2010 | SD | SB 89 | Exempts Certain Firearms From Federal Regulation | Bill Passed - House (49 - 19) |
| March 3, 2010 | WY | HB 95 | Federal Arms Regulation Exemption | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (38 - 20) |
| March 3, 2010 | WY | SF 64 | Increasing Seat Belt Violation Fine | Bill Failed - House (17 - 41) |
| March 3, 2010 | NM | SB 10 | Tax Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (38 - 28) |
| March 3, 2010 | WV | HB 4130 | Supreme Court of Appeals Public Campaign Financing Pilot Program | Bill Passed - House (67 - 30) |
| March 3, 2010 | IL | HB 4685 | Eliminating General Assembly Scholarship Program | Bill Passed - House (80 - 36) |
| March 3, 2010 | IL | HB 4685 | Eliminating General Assembly Scholarship Program | Bill Passed - House (80 - 36) |
| March 3, 2010 | NM | HB 3 | Cigarette Tax Increase | Bill Passed - House (41 - 26) |
| March 3, 2010 | WV | HB 4130 | Supreme Court of Appeals Public Campaign Financing Pilot Program | Bill Passed - House (67 - 30) |
| March 3, 2010 | FL | SB 1158 | Prohibiting Gun Licensing Trust Fund to Budget Stabilization Fund Transfers | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9) |
| March 3, 2010 | IL | HB 2360 | Homeowner's Emergency Assistance Plan | Bill Passed - House (73 - 38) |
| March 3, 2010 | AZ | HB 2337 | Incandescent Light Bulb Regulation Amendments | Bill Passed - House (33 - 27) |
| March 2, 2010 | UT | HB 196 | Cigarette Tax Increase | Bill Passed - House (39 - 35) |
| March 2, 2010 | NM | SB 10 | Tax Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15) |
| March 1, 2010 | UT | SB 43 | Retirement System Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 8) |
| March 1, 2010 | MN | SF 2168 | General Assistance Medical Care Program Modifications | Veto Override Failed - House (86 - 47) |
| March 1, 2010 | UT | SB 63 | Retirement System Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 8) |
| March 1, 2010 | KS | HB 2538 | Business Tax Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (84 - 34) |
| March 1, 2010 | OK | HB 2745 | Pet Sales Licensing Process | Bill Passed - House (63 - 30) |
| March 1, 2010 | WV | HB 4647 | Campaign Finance Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (69 - 26) |
| March 1, 2010 | WV | HB 4646 | Campaign Finance Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (61 - 34) |
| March 1, 2010 | ID | H 496 | Requiring Photo Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - House (64 - 6) |
| March 1, 2010 | AZ | SCR 1007 | Repealing Legislative Term Limits | Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
| March 1, 2010 | AZ | SCR 1007 | Repealing Legislative Term Limits | Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
| March 1, 2010 | AZ | SCR 1009 | Repealing Public Funding of Statewide Political Campaigns | Resolution Passed - Senate (16 - 12) |
| Feb. 28, 2010 | NV | AB 6 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - House (34 - 8) |
| Feb. 27, 2010 | WA | SB 6444 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 19) |
| Feb. 26, 2010 | UT | SB 43 | Retirement System Amendments | Bill Passed - House (55 - 20) |
| Feb. 26, 2010 | UT | SB 63 | Retirement System Amendments | Bill Passed - House (46 - 26) |
| Feb. 26, 2010 | WY | SF 72 | Increasing State Employee Contribution to State Retirement System | Bill Passed - House (37 - 21) |
| Feb. 26, 2010 | WY | HB 101 | Wind-Generated Electricity Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 1) |
| Feb. 25, 2010 | MN | SF 2168 | General Assistance Medical Care Program Modifications | Veto Override Passed - Senate (45 - 21) |
| Feb. 24, 2010 | IN | SB 23 | Unemployment Tax Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (82 - 17) |
| Feb. 24, 2010 | UT | HB 227 | Lawful Presence Documentation Requirement for Business Licensing | Bill Passed - House (38 - 36) |
| Feb. 24, 2010 | WV | HB 4292 | Changes in Required Magistrate Qualifications | Bill Passed - House (61 - 37) |
| Feb. 24, 2010 | IL | HB 4654 | Limiting Free Mass Transit for Seniors | Bill Passed - House (83 - 27) |
| Feb. 24, 2010 | AZ | HB 2307 | Federal Arms Regulation Exemption | Bill Passed - House (35 - 23) |
| Feb. 23, 2010 | SD | HB 1083 | Appropriations for the Sanford Lab at Homestake | Bill Failed - House (45 - 23) |
| Feb. 23, 2010 | AL | HJR 54 | Referendum on Constitutional Convention | Motion Agreed - House (58 - 32) |
| Feb. 23, 2010 | AL | HJR 54 | Referendum on Constitutional Convention | Motion Agreed - House (58 - 32) |
| Feb. 22, 2010 | WA | SB 6130 | Initiative 960 (Tax Increase Restrictions) Suspension | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 21) |
| Feb. 22, 2010 | CA | ABx8 2 | 2010-2011 Budget Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 20) |
| Feb. 22, 2010 | VA | HB 756 | Allocating Offshore Drilling Royalties | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| Feb. 19, 2010 | SD | HB 1107 | Driver's License Renewal by Mail | Bill Failed - House (33 - 30) |
| Feb. 18, 2010 | SD | SB 89 | Exempts Certain Firearms From Federal Regulation | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4) |
| Feb. 18, 2010 | WY | SF 64 | Increasing Seat Belt Violation Fine | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| Feb. 18, 2010 | MS | SB 2688 | Restoring 2009-2010 Budget Cuts | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 22) |
| Feb. 18, 2010 | CA | ABx8 8 | Internet Sales Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| Feb. 18, 2010 | CA | ABx8 2 | 2010-2011 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| Feb. 18, 2010 | NM | SB 112 | Authorizing Severance Tax Bonds and Allocating Proceeds | Bill Passed - House (37 - 31) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/16 | SF 2376 | 2010-2011 Education Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20) |
| 3/16 | SCR 10 | Statement of Support for a Federal Constitutional Amendment Requiring a Balanced Budget | Resolution Passed - Senate (28 - 12) |
| 3/16 | SB 87 | Increasing Lobbyist Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13) |
| 3/16 | SF 2378 | Increase in Fees for Traffic Violations | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17) |
| 3/14 | HB 30 | 2010-2012 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (73 - 23) |
| 3/14 | HB 30 | 2010-2012 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 6) |
| 3/13 | HB 4521 | Sales Tax Holiday for Purchases of Guns | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (93 - 4) |
| 3/13 | HB 4521 | Sales Tax Holiday for Purchases of Guns | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9) |
| 3/11 | HF 2700 | Omnibus Bonding and Budget Amendments | Conference Report Adopted - House (89 - 44) |
| 3/11 | HF 2700 | Omnibus Bonding and Budget Amendments | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (49 - 17) |
| 3/11 | SBx8 32 | Tax Law Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 15) |
| 3/10 | Amdt 8381 | Free Self Defense Courses for Domestic Violence Victims | Amendment Rejected - House (44 - 53) |
| 3/10 | HB 290 | 2009-2010, 2010-2011, and 2011-2012 Budgets | Bill Passed - House (65 - 33) |
| 3/10 | SB 6364 | 2009 - 2011 Biennium Capital Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16) |
| 3/09 | H 391 | Opposing Federal Individual Health Insurance Mandate | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10) |
| 3/09 | H 589 | Federal Arms Regulation Exemption | Bill Passed - House (52 - 17) |
| 3/08 | SBx8 32 | Tax Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (47 - 29) |
| 3/05 | H 616 | Local Improvement District Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (42 - 23) |
| 3/05 | SB 248 | Increasing Civil Court Case Surcharges | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11) |
| 3/04 | ABx8 6 | Fuel Tax Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 32) |
| 3/04 | ABx8 9 | Tax and Transportation Law Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 30) |
| 3/04 | ABx8 6 | Fuel Tax Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10) |
| 3/04 | ABx8 9 | Tax and Transportation Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10) |
| 3/04 | Cooper Nomination | John L. Cooper, Game, Fish and Parks Commission | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (22 - 12) |
| 3/04 | HB 530 | Omnibus Revenue Bill | Bill Passed - House (64 - 36) |
| 3/03 | SB 89 | Exempts Certain Firearms From Federal Regulation | Bill Passed - House (49 - 19) |
| 3/03 | HB 95 | Federal Arms Regulation Exemption | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (38 - 20) |
| 3/03 | SF 64 | Increasing Seat Belt Violation Fine | Bill Failed - House (17 - 41) |
| 3/03 | SB 10 | Tax Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (38 - 28) |
| 3/03 | HB 4130 | Supreme Court of Appeals Public Campaign Financing Pilot Program | Bill Passed - House (67 - 30) |
| 3/03 | HB 4685 | Eliminating General Assembly Scholarship Program | Bill Passed - House (80 - 36) |
| 3/03 | HB 4685 | Eliminating General Assembly Scholarship Program | Bill Passed - House (80 - 36) |
| 3/03 | HB 3 | Cigarette Tax Increase | Bill Passed - House (41 - 26) |
| 3/03 | HB 4130 | Supreme Court of Appeals Public Campaign Financing Pilot Program | Bill Passed - House (67 - 30) |
| 3/03 | SB 1158 | Prohibiting Gun Licensing Trust Fund to Budget Stabilization Fund Transfers | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9) |
| 3/03 | HB 2360 | Homeowner's Emergency Assistance Plan | Bill Passed - House (73 - 38) |
| 3/03 | HB 2337 | Incandescent Light Bulb Regulation Amendments | Bill Passed - House (33 - 27) |
| 3/02 | HB 196 | Cigarette Tax Increase | Bill Passed - House (39 - 35) |
| 3/02 | SB 10 | Tax Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15) |
| 3/01 | SB 43 | Retirement System Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 8) |
| 3/01 | SF 2168 | General Assistance Medical Care Program Modifications | Veto Override Failed - House (86 - 47) |
| 3/01 | SB 63 | Retirement System Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 8) |
| 3/01 | HB 2538 | Business Tax Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (84 - 34) |
| 3/01 | HB 2745 | Pet Sales Licensing Process | Bill Passed - House (63 - 30) |
| 3/01 | HB 4647 | Campaign Finance Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (69 - 26) |
| 3/01 | HB 4646 | Campaign Finance Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (61 - 34) |
| 3/01 | H 496 | Requiring Photo Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - House (64 - 6) |
| 3/01 | SCR 1007 | Repealing Legislative Term Limits | Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
| 3/01 | SCR 1007 | Repealing Legislative Term Limits | Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
| 3/01 | SCR 1009 | Repealing Public Funding of Statewide Political Campaigns | Resolution Passed - Senate (16 - 12) |
| 2/28 | AB 6 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - House (34 - 8) |
| 2/27 | SB 6444 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 19) |
| 2/26 | SB 43 | Retirement System Amendments | Bill Passed - House (55 - 20) |
| 2/26 | SB 63 | Retirement System Amendments | Bill Passed - House (46 - 26) |
| 2/26 | SF 72 | Increasing State Employee Contribution to State Retirement System | Bill Passed - House (37 - 21) |
| 2/26 | HB 101 | Wind-Generated Electricity Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 1) |
| 2/25 | SF 2168 | General Assistance Medical Care Program Modifications | Veto Override Passed - Senate (45 - 21) |
| 2/24 | SB 23 | Unemployment Tax Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (82 - 17) |
| 2/24 | HB 227 | Lawful Presence Documentation Requirement for Business Licensing | Bill Passed - House (38 - 36) |
| 2/24 | HB 4292 | Changes in Required Magistrate Qualifications | Bill Passed - House (61 - 37) |
| 2/24 | HB 4654 | Limiting Free Mass Transit for Seniors | Bill Passed - House (83 - 27) |
| 2/24 | HB 2307 | Federal Arms Regulation Exemption | Bill Passed - House (35 - 23) |
| 2/23 | HB 1083 | Appropriations for the Sanford Lab at Homestake | Bill Failed - House (45 - 23) |
| 2/23 | HJR 54 | Referendum on Constitutional Convention | Motion Agreed - House (58 - 32) |
| 2/23 | HJR 54 | Referendum on Constitutional Convention | Motion Agreed - House (58 - 32) |
| 2/22 | SB 6130 | Initiative 960 (Tax Increase Restrictions) Suspension | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 21) |
| 2/22 | ABx8 2 | 2010-2011 Budget Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 20) |
| 2/22 | HB 756 | Allocating Offshore Drilling Royalties | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| 2/19 | HB 1107 | Driver's License Renewal by Mail | Bill Failed - House (33 - 30) |
| 2/18 | SB 89 | Exempts Certain Firearms From Federal Regulation | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4) |
| 2/18 | SF 64 | Increasing Seat Belt Violation Fine | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| 2/18 | SB 2688 | Restoring 2009-2010 Budget Cuts | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 22) |
| 2/18 | ABx8 8 | Internet Sales Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| 2/18 | ABx8 2 | 2010-2011 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| 2/18 | SB 112 | Authorizing Severance Tax Bonds and Allocating Proceeds | Bill Passed - House (37 - 31) |