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 24, 2010 | MD | SB 321 | Prohibiting Hand-Held Cell Phone Use While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 23) |
| April 13, 2009 | MD | HB 387 | "Lawful Status" Requirements for ID Cards, Vehicle Licenses and Permits | Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 60) |
| April 13, 2009 | MD | HB 387 | "Lawful Status" Requirements for ID Cards, Vehicle Licenses and Permits | Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 60) |
| April 13, 2009 | MD | SB 785 | Inheritance Tax Exemption for Domestic Partners | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 18) |
| April 13, 2009 | MD | SB 785 | Inheritance Tax Exemption for Domestic Partners | Bill Passed - House (94 - 38) |
| April 10, 2009 | MD | SB 277 | Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems | Bill Passed - House (94 - 41) |
| April 10, 2009 | MD | SB 277 | Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems | Bill Passed - House (94 - 41) |
| April 6, 2009 | MD | HB 302 | Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15) |
| April 6, 2009 | MD | HB 302 | Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15) |
| April 2, 2009 | MD | SB 277 | Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20) |
| April 2, 2009 | MD | SB 277 | Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20) |
| March 17, 2009 | MD | HB 302 | Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects | Bill Passed - House (92 - 45) |
| March 17, 2009 | MD | HB 359 | Handgun Permit Eligibility for Domestic Abuse Victims | Bill Failed - House (51 - 86) |
| March 17, 2009 | MD | HB 302 | Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects | Bill Passed - House (92 - 45) |
| March 17, 2009 | MD | HB 359 | Handgun Permit Eligibility for Domestic Abuse Victims | Bill Failed - House (51 - 86) |
| April 4, 2008 | MD | SB 597 | Property Transfer Tax Exemptions for Domestic Partners | Bill Passed - House (86 - 47) |
| April 4, 2008 | MD | SB 566 | Hospital Visitation/Decision-Making Rights for Domestic Partners | Bill Passed - House (88 - 46) |
| March 31, 2008 | MD | SB 269 | Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems | Bill Passed - House (89 - 47) |
| March 31, 2008 | MD | SB 269 | Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems | Bill Passed - House (89 - 47) |
| March 24, 2008 | MD | SB 597 | Property Transfer Tax Exemptions for Domestic Partners | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21) |
| March 20, 2008 | MD | SB 2 | Banning Cell Phones While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21) |
| March 18, 2008 | MD | SB 269 | Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21) |
| March 18, 2008 | MD | SB 269 | Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21) |
| March 18, 2008 | MD | SB 566 | Hospital Visitation/Decision-Making Rights for Domestic Partners | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17) |
| March 14, 2008 | MD | SB 461 | Prohibiting Cell Phone Use by Drivers Under 18 | Bill Failed - Senate (22 - 21) |
| March 14, 2008 | MD | SB 461 | Prohibiting Cell Phone Use by Drivers Under 18 | Bill Failed - Senate (22 - 21) |
| March 12, 2008 | MD | SB 42 | Temporary Confiscation of Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17) |
| March 12, 2008 | MD | SB 42 | Temporary Confiscation of Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17) |
| Feb. 22, 2008 | MD | SB 243 | Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 10) |
| Feb. 22, 2008 | MD | SB 243 | Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 10) |
| Feb. 21, 2008 | MD | SB 111 | Expanding Hate Crimes Classification to Homeless | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 4) |
| Nov. 19, 2007 | MD | HB 5 | Sales Tax Increase | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (81 - 52) |
| Nov. 19, 2007 | MD | HB 5 | Sales Tax Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 20) |
| Nov. 11, 2007 | MD | HB 5 | Sales Tax Increase | Bill Passed - House (80 - 56) |
| April 9, 2007 | MD | HB 992 | Parole for Drug Offenders | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18) |
| April 9, 2007 | MD | HB 992 | Parole for Drug Offenders | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18) |
| April 5, 2007 | MD | HB 359 | Indoor Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
| April 3, 2007 | MD | SB 91 | Indoor Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - House (99 - 39) |
| March 26, 2007 | MD | SB 488 | Felon Voting Rights | Bill Passed - House (78 - 60) |
| March 26, 2007 | MD | SB 91 | Indoor Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13) |
| March 26, 2007 | MD | HB 992 | Parole for Drug Offenders | Bill Passed - House (71 - 66) |
| March 26, 2007 | MD | HB 992 | Parole for Drug Offenders | Bill Passed - House (71 - 66) |
| March 26, 2007 | MD | SB 488 | Felon Voting Rights | Bill Passed - House (78 - 60) |
| March 24, 2007 | MD | HB 359 | Indoor Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - House (98 - 40) |
| March 23, 2007 | MD | SB 488 | Felon Voting Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19) |
| March 23, 2007 | MD | SB 488 | Felon Voting Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19) |
| March 23, 2007 | MD | HB 6 | Resident Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (81 - 57) |
| March 16, 2007 | MD | SB 533 | Removal of Remarriage Barriers | Bill Failed - Senate (22 - 22) |
| March 16, 2007 | MD | HB 754 | Tobacco Tax to Fund Health Care | Bill Passed - House (102 - 37) |
| March 16, 2007 | MD | SB 533 | Removal of Remarriage Barriers | Bill Failed - Senate (22 - 22) |
| March 6, 2007 | MD | SB 160 | Discrimination Against the Homeless | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9) |
| March 6, 2007 | MD | SB 160 | Discrimination Against the Homeless | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9) |
| Feb. 27, 2007 | MD | SB 61 | Evidence in Sexual Misconduct Trials | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20) |
| June 15, 2006 | MD | HB 2 | Mandatory Sentences and Other Penalties for Sex Offenders | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 5) |
| June 15, 2006 | MD | HB 2 | Mandatory Sentences and Other Penalties for Sex Offenders | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 5) |
| April 7, 2006 | MD | HB 853 | Prohibiting Dredging for Oysters & Clams in Atlantic Coastal Bays | Bill Passed - House (88 - 44) |
| March 28, 2006 | MD | SB 297 | Pharmacists Dispensing Emergency Contraception | Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 24) |
| March 28, 2006 | MD | SB 539 | Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 25) |
| March 28, 2006 | MD | SB 539 | Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 25) |
| March 27, 2006 | MD | Amendment 3929 to SB 297 | Prohibiting Requirement of Pharmacist to Dispense Emergency Contraception Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 28) |
| March 27, 2006 | MD | SB 539 | Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill | Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 22) |
| March 27, 2006 | MD | SB 539 | Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill | Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 22) |
| March 15, 2006 | MD | Amendment 503528 to SB 110 | Funding to Family Planning Programs Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (18 - 29) |
| March 15, 2006 | MD | Amendment 553220 | Needle Exchange Funding Prohibition Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 32) |
| March 15, 2006 | MD | Amendment 553220 | Needle Exchange Funding Prohibition Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 32) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/24 | SB 321 | Prohibiting Hand-Held Cell Phone Use While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 23) |
| 4/13 | HB 387 | "Lawful Status" Requirements for ID Cards, Vehicle Licenses and Permits | Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 60) |
| 4/13 | HB 387 | "Lawful Status" Requirements for ID Cards, Vehicle Licenses and Permits | Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 60) |
| 4/13 | SB 785 | Inheritance Tax Exemption for Domestic Partners | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 18) |
| 4/13 | SB 785 | Inheritance Tax Exemption for Domestic Partners | Bill Passed - House (94 - 38) |
| 4/10 | SB 277 | Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems | Bill Passed - House (94 - 41) |
| 4/10 | SB 277 | Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems | Bill Passed - House (94 - 41) |
| 4/06 | HB 302 | Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15) |
| 4/06 | HB 302 | Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15) |
| 4/02 | SB 277 | Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20) |
| 4/02 | SB 277 | Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20) |
| 3/17 | HB 302 | Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects | Bill Passed - House (92 - 45) |
| 3/17 | HB 359 | Handgun Permit Eligibility for Domestic Abuse Victims | Bill Failed - House (51 - 86) |
| 3/17 | HB 302 | Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects | Bill Passed - House (92 - 45) |
| 3/17 | HB 359 | Handgun Permit Eligibility for Domestic Abuse Victims | Bill Failed - House (51 - 86) |
| 4/04 | SB 597 | Property Transfer Tax Exemptions for Domestic Partners | Bill Passed - House (86 - 47) |
| 4/04 | SB 566 | Hospital Visitation/Decision-Making Rights for Domestic Partners | Bill Passed - House (88 - 46) |
| 3/31 | SB 269 | Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems | Bill Passed - House (89 - 47) |
| 3/31 | SB 269 | Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems | Bill Passed - House (89 - 47) |
| 3/24 | SB 597 | Property Transfer Tax Exemptions for Domestic Partners | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21) |
| 3/20 | SB 2 | Banning Cell Phones While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21) |
| 3/18 | SB 269 | Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21) |
| 3/18 | SB 269 | Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21) |
| 3/18 | SB 566 | Hospital Visitation/Decision-Making Rights for Domestic Partners | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17) |
| 3/14 | SB 461 | Prohibiting Cell Phone Use by Drivers Under 18 | Bill Failed - Senate (22 - 21) |
| 3/14 | SB 461 | Prohibiting Cell Phone Use by Drivers Under 18 | Bill Failed - Senate (22 - 21) |
| 3/12 | SB 42 | Temporary Confiscation of Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17) |
| 3/12 | SB 42 | Temporary Confiscation of Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17) |
| 2/22 | SB 243 | Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 10) |
| 2/22 | SB 243 | Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 10) |
| 2/21 | SB 111 | Expanding Hate Crimes Classification to Homeless | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 4) |
| 11/19 | HB 5 | Sales Tax Increase | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (81 - 52) |
| 11/19 | HB 5 | Sales Tax Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 20) |
| 11/11 | HB 5 | Sales Tax Increase | Bill Passed - House (80 - 56) |
| 4/09 | HB 992 | Parole for Drug Offenders | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18) |
| 4/09 | HB 992 | Parole for Drug Offenders | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18) |
| 4/05 | HB 359 | Indoor Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
| 4/03 | SB 91 | Indoor Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - House (99 - 39) |
| 3/26 | SB 488 | Felon Voting Rights | Bill Passed - House (78 - 60) |
| 3/26 | SB 91 | Indoor Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13) |
| 3/26 | HB 992 | Parole for Drug Offenders | Bill Passed - House (71 - 66) |
| 3/26 | HB 992 | Parole for Drug Offenders | Bill Passed - House (71 - 66) |
| 3/26 | SB 488 | Felon Voting Rights | Bill Passed - House (78 - 60) |
| 3/24 | HB 359 | Indoor Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - House (98 - 40) |
| 3/23 | SB 488 | Felon Voting Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19) |
| 3/23 | SB 488 | Felon Voting Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19) |
| 3/23 | HB 6 | Resident Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (81 - 57) |
| 3/16 | SB 533 | Removal of Remarriage Barriers | Bill Failed - Senate (22 - 22) |
| 3/16 | HB 754 | Tobacco Tax to Fund Health Care | Bill Passed - House (102 - 37) |
| 3/16 | SB 533 | Removal of Remarriage Barriers | Bill Failed - Senate (22 - 22) |
| 3/06 | SB 160 | Discrimination Against the Homeless | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9) |
| 3/06 | SB 160 | Discrimination Against the Homeless | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9) |
| 2/27 | SB 61 | Evidence in Sexual Misconduct Trials | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20) |
| 6/15 | HB 2 | Mandatory Sentences and Other Penalties for Sex Offenders | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 5) |
| 6/15 | HB 2 | Mandatory Sentences and Other Penalties for Sex Offenders | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 5) |
| 4/07 | HB 853 | Prohibiting Dredging for Oysters & Clams in Atlantic Coastal Bays | Bill Passed - House (88 - 44) |
| 3/28 | SB 297 | Pharmacists Dispensing Emergency Contraception | Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 24) |
| 3/28 | SB 539 | Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 25) |
| 3/28 | SB 539 | Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 25) |
| 3/27 | Amendment 3929 to SB 297 | Prohibiting Requirement of Pharmacist to Dispense Emergency Contraception Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 28) |
| 3/27 | SB 539 | Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill | Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 22) |
| 3/27 | SB 539 | Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill | Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 22) |
| 3/15 | Amendment 503528 to SB 110 | Funding to Family Planning Programs Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (18 - 29) |
| 3/15 | Amendment 553220 | Needle Exchange Funding Prohibition Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 32) |
| 3/15 | Amendment 553220 | Needle Exchange Funding Prohibition Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 32) |