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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 12, 2021 | MD | HB 206 | Increases the Hours Early Voting Centers are Mandated to be Open for Elections | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (111 - 24) |
| April 12, 2021 | MD | SB 525 | Requires the Baltimore City Centralized Booking Facility Provide a Secure Designated Ballot Drop Box | Bill Passed - House (95 - 43) |
| April 10, 2021 | MD | HB 156 | Authorizes a Military or Overseas Voter to Submit a Federal Post Card Application to Vote | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (108 - 25) |
| April 8, 2021 | MD | HB 1048 | Requires the Local Board of Elections Consider Certain Factors when Determining Ballot Drop Box Locations | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (97 - 42) |
| April 6, 2021 | MD | SB 178 | Authorizes Certain Officer Misconduct Records to be Available to the Public | Bill Passed - House (88 - 46) |
| April 5, 2021 | MD | SB 600 | Requires Independent Investigation of Police Use of Force Incidents that Result in Death | Bill Passed - House (98 - 39) |
| April 2, 2021 | MD | SB 71 | Requires Police to Wear Body Cameras | Bill Passed - House (92 - 38) |
| April 1, 2021 | MD | SB 683 | Authorizes Individuals to Request Permanent Absentee Voting Status | Bill Passed - House (95 - 40) |
| April 1, 2021 | MD | HB 1328 | Extends Broadband Access to Individuals in Underserved Areas | Bill Passed - House (107 - 28) |
| March 22, 2021 | MD | HB 222 | Expands Voting Access for Incarcerated Individuals | Bill Passed - House (95 - 39) |
| March 20, 2021 | MD | HB 1047 | Expands Access to Mail-In Voting | Bill Passed - House (95 - 38) |
| March 18, 2021 | MD | SB 780 | Specifies That Companies Must Provide Notice Prior to Employee Layoffs | Bill Passed - House (91 - 39) |
| March 18, 2021 | MD | HB 18 | Establishes When The State Must Provide Tenants With A Right To Counsel In Eviction Cases | Bill Passed - House (95 - 42) |
| March 16, 2021 | MD | HB 745 | Increases the Number of Early Voting Centers in Certain Counties | Bill Passed - House (100 - 36) |
| March 11, 2021 | MD | HB 670 | Repeals the Law Enforcement Officer's Bill of Rights and Replaces it With a Multistep System | Bill Passed - House (96 - 40) |
| Feb. 26, 2021 | MD | SB 218 | Extends the Earned Income Tax Credit to Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (91 - 44) |
| Feb. 16, 2021 | MD | HB 391 | Prohibits the Release of Celebratory Balloons | Bill Passed - House (94 - 34) |
| Feb. 12, 2021 | MD | HB 1 | Appropriates Funding for HBCUs | Bill Passed - House (115 - 14) |
| March 18, 2020 | MD | HB 1336 | Authorizes Expungement of Some Misdemeanor Criminal Convictions | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (100 - 31) |
| March 18, 2020 | MD | HB 1663 | Establishes the "COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Protection Act of 2020" | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (131 - 3) |
| March 18, 2020 | MD | HB 732 | Increases Tobacco Tax and Establishes Vaping Tax | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 47) |
| March 18, 2020 | MD | SB 1006 | Reduces the Amount of Time Child Support May be Suspended While Parent is Incarcerated | Bill Passed - House (102 - 32) |
| March 18, 2020 | MD | SB 300 | Prohibits Use of Chlorpyrifos | Bill Passed - House (94 - 37) |
| March 18, 2020 | MD | SB 1028 | Establishes Constitutional Amendment to Authorize Legislature More Power Over State Budget | Bill Passed - House (95 - 39) |
| March 18, 2020 | MD | SB 708 | Appropriates $10 Million to the Maryland Violence Intervention and Prevention Fund | Bill Passed - House (104 - 28) |
| March 17, 2020 | MD | HB 448 | Authorizes Telehealth Practices | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (131 - 2) |
| March 17, 2020 | MD | HB 1300 | Establishes the "Blueprint for Maryland's Future" | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (96 - 38) |
| March 17, 2020 | MD | SB 1065 | Appropriates Funds to the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra | Bill Passed - House (103 - 29) |
| March 15, 2020 | MD | HB 932 | Requires the Distribution of Sales and Use Tax Revenue from Certain Digital Products to the Blueprint for Maryland's Future Fund | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (89 - 45) |
| March 13, 2020 | MD | HB 123 | Prohibits Employers from Asking About Wage History | Bill Passed - House (98 - 36) |
| March 11, 2020 | MD | HB 550 | Expands Marijuana Decriminalization Policies | Bill Passed - House (93 - 44) |
| March 11, 2020 | MD | HB 231 | Establishes the "Housing Opportunities Made Equal Act" | Bill Passed - House (95 - 42) |
| Feb. 28, 2020 | MD | HB 14 | Prohibits Employers From Retaliating Against Employees | Bill Passed - House (99 - 37) |
| Feb. 4, 2020 | MD | HB 4 | Requires Background Checks for Private Sales of Long Guns | Bill Passed - House (87 - 47) |
| April 8, 2019 | MD | HB 814 | Establishes the Maryland Easy Enrollment Health Insurance Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (123 - 15) |
| April 5, 2019 | MD | HB 298 | Establishes Oyster Sanctuaries | Veto Override Passed - House (96 - 43) |
| April 3, 2019 | MD | HB 1169 | Prohibits Smoking Under the Age of 21 | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (101 - 35) |
| April 1, 2019 | MD | SB 516 | Establishes Renewable Energy Standards and Plan | Bill Passed - House (95 - 41) |
| March 31, 2019 | MD | HB 994 | Prohibits Employment Discrimination Based On an Applicants Criminal History | Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 40) |
| March 29, 2019 | MD | SB 128 | Authorizes Regulation of School Calendars | Veto Override Passed - House (93 - 43) |
| March 28, 2019 | MD | HB 166 | Increases State Minimum Wage | Veto Override Passed - House (96 - 43) |
| March 28, 2019 | MD | SB 793 | Establishes a University Police Department at Johns Hopkins University | Bill Passed - House (94 - 42) |
| March 27, 2019 | MD | SB 1030 | Appropriates Funds for Public Schools | Bill Passed - House (114 - 20) |
| March 18, 2019 | MD | HB 786 | Amends Hunting Rifle and Shotgun Regulations | Bill Passed - House (90 - 49) |
| March 13, 2019 | MD | SB 196 | Authorizes Designation for Unspecified Gender on Licenses and ID Cards | Bill Passed - House (89 - 49) |
| March 7, 2019 | MD | HB 399 | Establishes End of Life Option Act | Bill Passed - House (74 - 66) |
| March 1, 2019 | MD | HB 166 | Increases State Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (96 - 44) |
| April 9, 2018 | MD | HB 16 | Establishes Communication Campaign for Near Completers | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (90 - 48) |
| April 7, 2018 | MD | HB 993 | Requires Risk Management in the Investment of System Assets | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (92 - 44) |
| April 5, 2018 | MD | SB 639 | Establishes Disciplinary Hearing Procedures for Public School Employees | Veto Override Passed - House (89 - 49) |
| April 5, 2018 | MD | HB 819 | Amends Handgun Permit Rules and Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (98 - 31) |
| April 5, 2018 | MD | HB 1782 | Establishes Individual Market Stabilization within Healthcare | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (89 - 48) |
| April 3, 2018 | MD | HB 1302 | Authorizes Extreme Risk Protective Order | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (93 - 46) |
| March 30, 2018 | MD | SB 654 | Requires Extension of Union Contracts | Bill Passed - House (89 - 47) |
| March 28, 2018 | MD | SB 1048 | Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration | Bill Passed - House (93 - 46) |
| March 28, 2018 | MD | SB 900 | Amends Rules and Regulations to the Gaming Industry | Bill Passed - House (87 - 45) |
| March 26, 2018 | MD | SB 859 | Establishes State Parental Leave | Bill Passed - House (96 - 41) |
| March 21, 2018 | MD | SB 646 | Establishes a Maryland Estate Tax | Bill Passed - House (90 - 49) |
| March 15, 2018 | MD | HB 908 | Requires Insurance Companies to Cover Fertility Treatments for Cancer Patients | Bill Passed - House (133 - 2) |
| March 15, 2018 | MD | HB 888 | Prohibits Certain Firearms Accessories | Bill Passed - House (128 - 7) |
| March 12, 2018 | MD | HB 811 | Authorizes Collective Bargaining New Employee Processing | Bill Passed - House (84 - 49) |
| March 8, 2018 | MD | HB 532 | Establishes Election Day Voter Registration and Same-Day Voting | Bill Passed - House (91 - 46) |
| March 8, 2018 | MD | HB 109 | Establishes a Community Development Program Act | Bill Passed - House (88 - 48) |
| April 6, 2017 | MD | HB 978 | Requires Improvement and Accountability Programs for Public Schools | Veto Override Passed - House (90 - 50) |
| April 5, 2017 | MD | HB 1 | Requires Certain Employers to Provide Paid Sick Leave | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 53) |
| March 10, 2017 | MD | HB 978 | Requires Improvement and Accountability Programs for Public Schools | Bill Passed - House (91 - 46) |
| Jan. 31, 2017 | MD | HB 1106 | Increases Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards | Veto Override Passed - House (88 - 51) |
| April 11, 2016 | MD | SB 1112 | Establishes Tax Credit for Certain Aerospace Businesses | Bill Passed - House (76 - 57) |
| April 9, 2016 | MD | HB 1003 | Prohibits Wage Discrimination on Basis of Gender Identity | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 33) |
| April 7, 2016 | MD | HB 1013 | Establishes Transportation Project Scoring System | Veto Override Passed - House (88 - 52) |
| April 7, 2016 | MD | HB 172 | Amends School Board Nominating Commission | Veto Override Passed - House (90 - 50) |
| April 5, 2016 | MD | HB 580 | Requires Employers to Provide Paid Sick Leave | Bill Passed - House (84 - 54) |
| March 30, 2016 | MD | SB 1052 | Establishes Consolidated University of Maryland | Bill Passed - House (92 - 44) |
| March 30, 2016 | MD | SB 323 | Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Bill Passed - House (97 - 39) |
| March 23, 2016 | MD | SB 1159 | Amends Baltimore Board of Liquor License Commissioners Appointment Regulations | Bill Passed - House (90 - 46) |
| March 21, 2016 | MD | HB 1016 | Amends Certain Law Enforcement Procedures | Bill Passed - House (92 - 44) |
| March 21, 2016 | MD | HB 1007 | Establishes Electronic Voter Registration | Bill Passed - House (93 - 43) |
| March 21, 2016 | MD | HB 1106 | Increases Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards | Bill Passed - House (92 - 43) |
| March 19, 2016 | MD | HB 1013 | Establishes Transportation Project Scoring System | Bill Passed - House (84 - 51) |
| March 12, 2016 | MD | HB 1002 | Prohibits Firearms on College Campuses | Bill Passed - House (81 - 54) |
| March 3, 2016 | MD | HB 274 | Repeals Witness Requirement for Uncontested Divorces | Bill Passed - House (94 - 45) |
| Jan. 21, 2016 | MD | SB 528 | Amends Asset Forfeiture Regulations | Veto Override Passed - House (89 - 52) |
| Jan. 21, 2016 | MD | SB 517 | Authorizes Marijuana Paraphernalia | Veto Override Passed - House (86 - 55) |
| Jan. 21, 2016 | MD | SB 190 | Amends Taxable Price for Sale or Use of Accommodations | Veto Override Passed - House (89 - 52) |
| Jan. 20, 2016 | MD | HB 980 | Authorizes Felons to Vote While on Parole | Veto Override Passed - House (85 - 56) |
| April 13, 2015 | MD | HB 70 | 2015-2016 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (90 - 49) |
| April 13, 2015 | MD | SB 183 | Amends Funding for the Geographic Cost of Education Index | Bill Passed - House (88 - 51) |
| April 8, 2015 | MD | SB 190 | Amends Taxable Price for Sale or Use of Accommodations | Bill Passed - House (84 - 56) |
| April 8, 2015 | MD | SB 743 | Authorizes New Birth Certificates for Sex Changes | Bill Passed - House (91 - 49) |
| March 23, 2015 | MD | HB 121 | Amends Mandatory Sentences for Certain Drug Offenses | Bill Passed - House (85 - 55) |
| March 19, 2015 | MD | HB 124 | Authorizes Expungement of Certain Crimes | Bill Passed - House (93 - 46) |
| April 7, 2014 | MD | HB 295 | Increases the Minimum Wage | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 47) |
| April 5, 2014 | MD | SB 170 | 2014-2015 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (98 - 37) |
| April 5, 2014 | MD | SB 172 | Authorizes Eminent Domain Against Certain Film Production Entitites | Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 38) |
| April 5, 2014 | MD | HB 1168 | Prohibits the Construction of a Wind-Powered Generating Station | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (100 - 24) |
| April 5, 2014 | MD | SB 364 | Reduces Penalties for Possession of Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (78 - 55) |
| April 1, 2014 | MD | SB 336 | Establishes Certain Areas as State Wildlands | Bill Passed - House (106 - 29) |
| March 27, 2014 | MD | SB 212 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity | Bill Passed - House (82 - 57) |
| March 27, 2014 | MD | SB 172 | Authorizes Eminent Domain Against Certain Film Production Entities | Bill Passed - House (96 - 42) |
| March 17, 2014 | MD | HB 727 | Expands Prevailing Wage Requirements for Certain School Projects | Bill Passed - House (90 - 46) |