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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Jan. 31, 2006 | IN | SB 145 | Vehicle Seizure and Driving While Intoxicated | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16) |
March 23, 2006 | ID | H 421 | Property Tax-Homestead Exemption | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7) |
Feb. 22, 2006 | SC | H 3381 | Outdoor Advertising | Veto Override Passed - Senate (28 - 13) |
May 30, 2006 | CA | SB 1796 | Overhaul Flood and Levee Board | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
March 21, 2006 | KS | SCS SB 323 | Eminent Domain | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13) |
March 24, 2006 | MD | SB 257 | Little Blackwater River Golf Course Conservation Bill | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 27) |
April 6, 2006 | MD | SB 320 | Emergency Goods & Services Price Restriction Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15) |
March 28, 2006 | MD | SB 539 | Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 25) |
March 27, 2006 | MD | SB 539 | Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill | Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 22) |
May 1, 2006 | LA | SB 693 | Insurance Rate Increases Approval | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15) |
Feb. 8, 2006 | ID | S 1276 | Thermal Generation Power Plant Notification | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
April 20, 2006 | MI | SB 1111 | Industrial Development Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16) |
Jan. 30, 2006 | IN | SB 354 | Forestry Classifications | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20) |
March 30, 2006 | IL | HB 5284 | Carbon Monoxide Detector Act | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 22) |
May 4, 2006 | CA | AB 140 | Disaster Preparedness and Flood Prevention Bond Act | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1) |
April 19, 2006 | OK | HCS HB 2807 | Semipublic Community Act | Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 21) |
Feb. 15, 2006 | LA | SB 49 | Louisiana Housing and Land Trust | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11) |
May 9, 2006 | TX | CSHB 2 | Property Tax Reduction | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
March 29, 2006 | AL | SB 446 | Eminent Domain | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7) |
May 4, 2006 | CA | SB 1689 | Housing and Emergency Shelter Trust Fund Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
March 1, 2006 | ID | SJR 106 | Right to Hunt, Fish and Trap | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (18 - 16) |
July 18, 2006 | NC | HB 2873 | Drinking Water From Private Wells Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19) |
May 30, 2006 | CA | SB 1576 | Transitional Housing Services for Foster Youth | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
Aug. 29, 2006 | CA | AB 1953 | Amount of Lead in Plumbing Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18) |
May 31, 2006 | SC | H 4449 | Sales and Property Taxes | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 11) |
July 14, 2006 | IA | HF 2351 | Eminent Domain | Veto Override Passed - Senate (41 - 8) |
May 24, 2006 | OH | Am Sub SB 185 | Mortgage Lending Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 3) |
May 2, 2006 | PA | HB 39 | Property Taxes (Special Session) | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 9) |
Oct. 8, 1998 | National | HR 4194 | FY 1999 VA-HUD Appropriations | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (96 - 1) |
Oct. 13, 1999 | National | HR 1906 | FY 2000 Agriculture Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (74 - 26) |
Dec. 6, 1995 | National | HR 660 | Housing for Older Persons Act of 1995 | Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 3) |
Nov. 8, 2001 | National | HR 2620 | Veterans Affairs and HUD Appropriations Act of 2002 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (87 - 7) |
Oct. 15, 1999 | National | HR 2684 | Veterans Affairs and HUD Appropriations bill, FY 2000 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (93 - 5) |
Feb. 5, 2007 | NJ | A 1 | Property Tax Relief and Appropriations | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
March 10, 2005 | National | S 256 | Bankruptcy Reform Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 25) |
April 6, 2007 | ND | HB 1051 | Property Tax Relief | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 27) |
Jan. 17, 2008 | GA | HB 89 | Concealed Weapons in Motor Vehicles | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 15) |
April 12, 2007 | NH | SB 176 | Children's Lead Poisoning Level | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8) |
April 25, 2007 | IA | SF 604 | Commercial Residential Property Tax Reduction | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22) |
April 11, 2007 | IN | HB 1478 | Property Tax Reduction | Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 5) |
May 1, 2007 | CO | SB 199 | Education Funding and Property Tax Freeze | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 15) |
April 30, 2007 | TX | CSSB 987 | Complex Loan Counseling | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5) |
May 31, 2007 | CT | Sub SB 167 | Restricting Eminent Domain | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3) |
May 16, 2007 | NE | LB 367 | Tax Credits and Reductions | Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 2) |
June 4, 2007 | OR | HB 2760 | Annexation of Unincorporated Land | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4) |
June 14, 2007 | FL | SJR 4B | Property Tax Amendments | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
June 21, 2007 | ME | LD 1925 | Tax Cuts | Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (7 - 28) |
June 21, 2007 | NJ | S 3000 | 2007-2008 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
June 25, 2007 | LA | HB 678 | Insurance Funds Program | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13) |
Oct. 12, 2007 | IL | HB 664 | Homeowner Tax Exemption | Veto Override Passed - Senate (55 - 1) |
Nov. 29, 2007 | WA | Sub SB 6178 | Property Tax Deferral | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21) |
Nov. 29, 2007 | WA | HB 2416 | Adjusting the Property Tax Cap | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9) |
Feb. 7, 2008 | National | HR 5140 | Economic Stimulus Plan | Bill Passed - Senate (81 - 16) |
Jan. 29, 2008 | IN | SJR 1 | Constitutional Property Tax Cap | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (41 - 7) |
Jan. 22, 2008 | IN | SB 18 | Allowing Referendum on Public Construction Projects | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16) |
Feb. 6, 2008 | WA | SB 6452 | Yield Spread Premium Disclosure | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17) |
Jan. 30, 2008 | CA | SB 926 | Mortgage Lender Requirements | Bill Failed - Senate (26 - 14) |
Feb. 6, 2008 | WA | SB 6381 | Good Faith Duties of Mortgage Brokers | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19) |
Feb. 10, 2008 | NM | HB 661 | Affordable Housing Tax Relief | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12) |
Feb. 12, 2008 | GA | SR 686 | Property Tax Assessment Freeze | Resolution Passed - Senate (53 - 3) |
Feb. 12, 2008 | GA | SR 796 | Property Tax Assessment Cap | Resolution Passed - Senate (48 - 7) |
Feb. 25, 2008 | VA | HB 11 | Property Tax Exemptions | Motion Agreed - Senate (21 - 19) |
Feb. 13, 2008 | SD | SB 174 | Railroad Eminent Domain | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13) |
March 14, 2008 | IN | HB 1001 | Property Tax Reduction | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 6) |
Feb. 26, 2008 | IN | HB 1001 | Property Tax Reduction | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
March 14, 2008 | IN | SJR 1 | Constitutional Property Tax Cap | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 7) |
Feb. 25, 2008 | IN | Amnd. 17 | Elimination of Township Assessors | Amendment Rejected - Senate (23 - 23) |
March 27, 2008 | CO | HB 1280 | Extending Water Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2) |
March 5, 2008 | WY | HB 137 | Deadly Force in Self Defense | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 1) |
March 3, 2008 | ID | S 1400 | Real Estate Sales Price Disclosure | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15) |
Feb. 25, 2008 | IN | Amnd. 19 | Referendum on Township Assessors | Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 20) |
Jan. 29, 2008 | IN | SB 143 | Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 13) |
March 24, 2008 | MD | SB 597 | Property Transfer Tax Exemptions for Domestic Partners | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21) |
March 6, 2008 | GA | SB 449 | Limiting Agritourism Liability | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 14) |
March 31, 2008 | GA | HB 1158 | Motor Vehicle Trauma Care Fee | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7) |
Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|
1/31 | SB 145 | Vehicle Seizure and Driving While Intoxicated | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16) |
3/23 | H 421 | Property Tax-Homestead Exemption | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7) |
2/22 | H 3381 | Outdoor Advertising | Veto Override Passed - Senate (28 - 13) |
5/30 | SB 1796 | Overhaul Flood and Levee Board | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
3/21 | SCS SB 323 | Eminent Domain | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13) |
3/24 | SB 257 | Little Blackwater River Golf Course Conservation Bill | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 27) |
4/06 | SB 320 | Emergency Goods & Services Price Restriction Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15) |
3/28 | SB 539 | Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 25) |
3/27 | SB 539 | Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill | Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 22) |
5/01 | SB 693 | Insurance Rate Increases Approval | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15) |
2/08 | S 1276 | Thermal Generation Power Plant Notification | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
4/20 | SB 1111 | Industrial Development Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16) |
1/30 | SB 354 | Forestry Classifications | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20) |
3/30 | HB 5284 | Carbon Monoxide Detector Act | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 22) |
5/04 | AB 140 | Disaster Preparedness and Flood Prevention Bond Act | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1) |
4/19 | HCS HB 2807 | Semipublic Community Act | Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 21) |
2/15 | SB 49 | Louisiana Housing and Land Trust | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11) |
5/09 | CSHB 2 | Property Tax Reduction | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
3/29 | SB 446 | Eminent Domain | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7) |
5/04 | SB 1689 | Housing and Emergency Shelter Trust Fund Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
3/01 | SJR 106 | Right to Hunt, Fish and Trap | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (18 - 16) |
7/18 | HB 2873 | Drinking Water From Private Wells Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19) |
5/30 | SB 1576 | Transitional Housing Services for Foster Youth | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
8/29 | AB 1953 | Amount of Lead in Plumbing Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18) |
5/31 | H 4449 | Sales and Property Taxes | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 11) |
7/14 | HF 2351 | Eminent Domain | Veto Override Passed - Senate (41 - 8) |
5/24 | Am Sub SB 185 | Mortgage Lending Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 3) |
5/02 | HB 39 | Property Taxes (Special Session) | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 9) |
10/08 | HR 4194 | FY 1999 VA-HUD Appropriations | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (96 - 1) |
10/13 | HR 1906 | FY 2000 Agriculture Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (74 - 26) |
12/06 | HR 660 | Housing for Older Persons Act of 1995 | Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 3) |
11/08 | HR 2620 | Veterans Affairs and HUD Appropriations Act of 2002 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (87 - 7) |
10/15 | HR 2684 | Veterans Affairs and HUD Appropriations bill, FY 2000 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (93 - 5) |
2/05 | A 1 | Property Tax Relief and Appropriations | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
3/10 | S 256 | Bankruptcy Reform Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 25) |
4/06 | HB 1051 | Property Tax Relief | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 27) |
1/17 | HB 89 | Concealed Weapons in Motor Vehicles | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 15) |
4/12 | SB 176 | Children's Lead Poisoning Level | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8) |
4/25 | SF 604 | Commercial Residential Property Tax Reduction | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22) |
4/11 | HB 1478 | Property Tax Reduction | Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 5) |
5/01 | SB 199 | Education Funding and Property Tax Freeze | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 15) |
4/30 | CSSB 987 | Complex Loan Counseling | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5) |
5/31 | Sub SB 167 | Restricting Eminent Domain | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3) |
5/16 | LB 367 | Tax Credits and Reductions | Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 2) |
6/04 | HB 2760 | Annexation of Unincorporated Land | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4) |
6/14 | SJR 4B | Property Tax Amendments | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
6/21 | LD 1925 | Tax Cuts | Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (7 - 28) |
6/21 | S 3000 | 2007-2008 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
6/25 | HB 678 | Insurance Funds Program | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13) |
10/12 | HB 664 | Homeowner Tax Exemption | Veto Override Passed - Senate (55 - 1) |
11/29 | Sub SB 6178 | Property Tax Deferral | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21) |
11/29 | HB 2416 | Adjusting the Property Tax Cap | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9) |
2/07 | HR 5140 | Economic Stimulus Plan | Bill Passed - Senate (81 - 16) |
1/29 | SJR 1 | Constitutional Property Tax Cap | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (41 - 7) |
1/22 | SB 18 | Allowing Referendum on Public Construction Projects | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16) |
2/06 | SB 6452 | Yield Spread Premium Disclosure | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17) |
1/30 | SB 926 | Mortgage Lender Requirements | Bill Failed - Senate (26 - 14) |
2/06 | SB 6381 | Good Faith Duties of Mortgage Brokers | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19) |
2/10 | HB 661 | Affordable Housing Tax Relief | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12) |
2/12 | SR 686 | Property Tax Assessment Freeze | Resolution Passed - Senate (53 - 3) |
2/12 | SR 796 | Property Tax Assessment Cap | Resolution Passed - Senate (48 - 7) |
2/25 | HB 11 | Property Tax Exemptions | Motion Agreed - Senate (21 - 19) |
2/13 | SB 174 | Railroad Eminent Domain | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13) |
3/14 | HB 1001 | Property Tax Reduction | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 6) |
2/26 | HB 1001 | Property Tax Reduction | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
3/14 | SJR 1 | Constitutional Property Tax Cap | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 7) |
2/25 | Amnd. 17 | Elimination of Township Assessors | Amendment Rejected - Senate (23 - 23) |
3/27 | HB 1280 | Extending Water Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2) |
3/05 | HB 137 | Deadly Force in Self Defense | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 1) |
3/03 | S 1400 | Real Estate Sales Price Disclosure | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15) |
2/25 | Amnd. 19 | Referendum on Township Assessors | Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 20) |
1/29 | SB 143 | Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 13) |
3/24 | SB 597 | Property Transfer Tax Exemptions for Domestic Partners | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21) |
3/06 | SB 449 | Limiting Agritourism Liability | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 14) |
3/31 | HB 1158 | Motor Vehicle Trauma Care Fee | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7) |