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.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
May 18, 2006 MA H 229 Primary Seat Belt Bill Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
Jan. 19, 2006 MA H 229 Primary Seat Belt Bill Bill Passed - House (76 - 74)
May 23, 2006 MA H 229 Primary Seat Belt Bill Bill Failed - House (76 - 80)
Feb. 21, 2006 IN HB 1006 Allocation of School Resources for Homeless Students Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
Feb. 2, 2006 IN HB 1006 Allocation of School Resources for Homeless Students Bill Passed - House (56 - 40)
Jan. 31, 2006 IN SB 145 Vehicle Seizure and Driving While Intoxicated Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
March 28, 2006 DE HB 37 Bans Open Containers of Alcoholic Beverages in Motor Vehicles Bill Failed - House (24 - 13)
April 4, 2006 DE HB 37 Bans Open Containers of Alcoholic Beverages in Motor Vehicles Bill Passed - House (22 - 12)
April 6, 2006 IL SB 3053 Bond Authorization Bill Failed - Senate (32 - 26)
March 28, 2006 MI HB 5638 Midwest interstate Passenger Rail Compact Bill Passed - House (56 - 51)
March 8, 2006 WY SF 36 Open Containers of Alcohol in Vehicles Bill Failed - House (30 - 29)
Feb. 22, 2006 WY SF 36 Open Containers of Alcohol in Vehicles Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
Jan. 12, 2006 MS HB 409 Seat Belt Law Bill Passed - House (95 - 25)
Jan. 27, 2006 MS HB 409 Seat Belt Law Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 4)
March 9, 2006 WI ASA 3 Ethanol Bill Motion Agreed - Senate (17 - 15)
Feb. 22, 2006 ID H 582 Breathalyzer Refusal Penalty Bill Passed - House (47 - 19)
May 2, 2006 TX SCS HCS HB 4 Motor Vehicle Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
April 6, 2006 MO HB 994 Motorcycle Helmet Requirements Bill Passed - House (95 - 59)
April 20, 2006 MN SF 1070 Seat Belt Law Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 20)
May 3, 2006 CO HB 1125 Seat Belt Enforcement Bill Bill Failed - House (32 - 32)
Feb. 15, 2006 CO HB 1125 Seat Belt Enforcement Bill Bill Passed - House (33 - 32)
March 10, 2006 CO HB 1125 Seat Belt Enforcement Bill Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
March 2, 2006 ID H 610 Highway Distribution Account Bill Failed - House (27 - 41)
May 2, 2006 IL SB 2872 Local Government Facility Lease Act Bill Passed - House (65 - 46)
Feb. 27, 2006 ID H 609 Motor Vehicle Special License Plate Program Bill Passed - House (42 - 25)
March 16, 2006 ID H 609 Motor Vehicle Special License Plate Program Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 18)
Feb. 23, 2006 KS HB 2732 Unattended and Unsupervised Children in Motor Vehicle Safety Act Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
May 2, 2006 HI HB 3115 Gasoline Industry Controls Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 3)
May 4, 2006 CA SB 1266 Highway Safety, Traffic Reduction, Air Quality, and Port Security Bond Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (61 - 10)
May 4, 2006 CA SB 1266 Highway Safety, Traffic Reduction, Air Quality, and Port Security Bond Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 1)
March 20, 2006 NJ A 2813 New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
March 16, 2006 NJ A 2813 New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Bill Passed - House (48 - 28)
Jan. 24, 2006 IN SB 88 Seat Belt Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
March 20, 2006 ID S 1393 Biodegradable Fuel Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 23)
March 7, 2006 HI HB 3115 Gasoline Industry Controls Bill Passed - House (49 - 1)
Feb. 8, 2006 CO Amendment Transportation Funding Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (29 - 36)
Feb. 13, 2006 CO HB 1036 Auto Insurance Bill Bill Failed - House (32 - 33)
April 25, 2006 MI Sub H-1 Self Defense Bill/ Deadly Force Bill Bill Passed - House (90 - 16)
April 19, 2006 TN SB 303 Driver's License Examination English Language Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
March 8, 2006 OK SB 1420 Oklahoma Mandatory Seat Belt Use Act Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 20)
March 31, 2006 KS SCS SB 253 Highway Advertising Regulation & Fees Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 3)
Feb. 10, 2006 WA Sub HB 2738 Minimum Renewable Fuel Content Requirements Bill Passed - House (70 - 28)
Jan. 26, 2006 RI H 6700 Sub A Driver Refusal of Chemical Tests Bill Passed - House (64 - 6)
April 19, 2006 VA HB 673 Commonwealth Transportation Board Veto Override Failed - House (58 - 40)
April 27, 2006 VA SB 5013 Transportation Funding Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
May 6, 2006 AK CSHB 471 Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority Concurrence Vote Passed - House (26 - 14)
April 24, 2006 AK CSHB 471 Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 8)
April 5, 2006 AK CSHB 471 Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority Bill Passed - House (28 - 7)
Feb. 8, 2006 AK SB 85 Off-Road Vehicle Use Near Dalton Highway Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9)
April 24, 2006 TX CSHB 4 Motor Vehicle Sales Tax Bill Passed - House (80 - 67)
March 16, 2006 KY SB 56 Open Wine Container Bill Bill Passed - House (60 - 36)
Feb. 16, 2006 KY HB 86 Primary Seat Belt Bill Bill Failed - House (49 - 48)
March 8, 2006 KY HB 334 Helmet Requirement for ATV Drivers Under 16 Bill Passed - House (56 - 34)
Feb. 15, 2006 KY HB 394 School Traffic Signal Bill Bill Passed - House (68 - 29)
May 8, 2006 TX HB 4 Motor Vehicle Sales Tax Conference Report Adopted - House (86 - 47)
April 28, 2006 ME LD 1974 Supplemental Transportation Budget Bill Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
June 8, 2006 DE HB 191 Young Drivers’ Time Restrictions Bill Failed - House (10 - 26)
June 16, 2006 LA SB 158 Speed Limit Bill Bill Failed - House (51 - 42)
June 8, 2006 NC SB 1289 Cell Phone Use by Drivers Under 18 Prohibited Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 8)
July 12, 2006 NC SB 1289 Cell Phone Use by Drivers Under 18 Prohibited Bill Passed - House (89 - 22)
July 8, 2006 NJ A 4707 Luxury and Fuel Inefficient Automobiles Bill Passed - House (43 - 36)
July 8, 2006 NJ A 4707 Luxury and Fuel Inefficient Automobiles Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Aug. 24, 2006 CA AB 2108 Child Booster and Seat Belt Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 28)
Aug. 22, 2006 CA AB 2108 Child Booster and Seat Belt Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
May 25, 2006 CA AB 2108 Child Booster and Seat Belt Requirements Bill Passed - House (44 - 30)
June 14, 2006 LA SB 284 Driver License Requirements for Minors Bill Failed - House (42 - 48)
July 6, 2006 NC SB 774 Seat Belt Requirements Bill Passed - House (61 - 44)
June 1, 2006 CA SB 1160 Driver’s Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Aug. 31, 2006 CA SB 1675 Renewable Diesel Fuel Requirements Bill Failed - House (33 - 40)
June 1, 2006 CA SB 1675 Renewable Diesel Fuel Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
Aug. 31, 2006 CA SB 1613 Prohibition on Wireless Phone Use While Driving Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
Aug. 29, 2006 CA SB 1613 Prohibition on Wireless Phone Use While Driving Bill Passed - House (50 - 28)
Jan. 17, 2006 SC H 3702 School Transportation Bill Passed - House (58 - 47)
June 14, 2006 SC H 3726 ATV Use Regulations Veto Override Failed - Senate (19 - 22)
June 14, 2006 SC H 3726 ATV Use Regulations Veto Override Passed - House (74 - 31)
March 14, 2006 IN HB 1008 Indiana Toll Road Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 19)
March 14, 2006 IN HB 1008 Indiana Toll Road Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 48)
June 14, 2006 MD SB 52 Maryland Transportation Authority Veto Override Passed - House (94 - 42)
June 14, 2006 MD SB 52 Maryland Transportation Authority Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
June 28, 2006 PA HB 804 Handheld Cell Phone Ban While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
Feb. 15, 2006 PA SB 1025 PA Clean Vehicles Program Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
March 17, 2006 MI Sub for SB 297 Motorcycle Helmets Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
June 7, 2006 MI Sub for SB 297 Motorcycle Helmets Bill Passed - House (66 - 37)
May 30, 2006 MI HB 6085 Disclosure of Citizenship on Driver's License Bill Passed - House (76 - 27)
May 24, 2006 UT 2SHB 3001 2006-2007 Transportation Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (40 - 20)
May 24, 2006 UT 2SHB 3001 2006-2007 Transportation Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 10)
March 6, 2006 OK SB 1792 Achieving Classroom Excellence Steering Committee Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
April 5, 2006 OK SB 1792 Achieving Classroom Excellence Steering Committee Bill Passed - House (54 - 42)
May 24, 2006 OK SB 1337 Cities and Towns, Modifying Provisions For Clean Up of Agricultural Property. Bill Passed - House (60 - 41)
Sept. 21, 2001 National HR 2926 Airline Industry Financial Assistance bill Bill Passed - House (356 - 54)
Oct. 30, 2003 National HR 2115 Aviation Administration FY2004-2006 Authorization bill Conference Report Adopted - House (211 - 207)
April 28, 2005 National H Con Res 95 Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution Conference Report Adopted - House (214 - 211)
April 28, 2005 National H Con Res 95 Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 47)
Dec. 4, 2001 National HR 2299 Department of Transportation Appropriations Act, 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (97 - 2)
Nov. 30, 2001 National HR 2299 Department of Transportation Appropriations Act, 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (371 - 11)
Sept. 27, 1996 National HR 3539 Federal Aviation Authorization Act of 1996 Conference Report Adopted - House (218 - 198)
Oct. 3, 1996 National HR 3539 Federal Aviation Authorization Act of 1996 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 2)
Nov. 16, 2001 National S 1447 Federalize Aviation Security bill Conference Report Adopted - House (410 - 9)
July 26, 2007 National HR 1 Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (85 - 8)
July 27, 2007 National HR 1 Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act Conference Report Adopted - House (371 - 40)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/18 H 229 Primary Seat Belt Bill Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
1/19 H 229 Primary Seat Belt Bill Bill Passed - House (76 - 74)
5/23 H 229 Primary Seat Belt Bill Bill Failed - House (76 - 80)
2/21 HB 1006 Allocation of School Resources for Homeless Students Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
2/02 HB 1006 Allocation of School Resources for Homeless Students Bill Passed - House (56 - 40)
1/31 SB 145 Vehicle Seizure and Driving While Intoxicated Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
3/28 HB 37 Bans Open Containers of Alcoholic Beverages in Motor Vehicles Bill Failed - House (24 - 13)
4/04 HB 37 Bans Open Containers of Alcoholic Beverages in Motor Vehicles Bill Passed - House (22 - 12)
4/06 SB 3053 Bond Authorization Bill Failed - Senate (32 - 26)
3/28 HB 5638 Midwest interstate Passenger Rail Compact Bill Passed - House (56 - 51)
3/08 SF 36 Open Containers of Alcohol in Vehicles Bill Failed - House (30 - 29)
2/22 SF 36 Open Containers of Alcohol in Vehicles Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
1/12 HB 409 Seat Belt Law Bill Passed - House (95 - 25)
1/27 HB 409 Seat Belt Law Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 4)
3/09 ASA 3 Ethanol Bill Motion Agreed - Senate (17 - 15)
2/22 H 582 Breathalyzer Refusal Penalty Bill Passed - House (47 - 19)
5/02 SCS HCS HB 4 Motor Vehicle Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
4/06 HB 994 Motorcycle Helmet Requirements Bill Passed - House (95 - 59)
4/20 SF 1070 Seat Belt Law Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 20)
5/03 HB 1125 Seat Belt Enforcement Bill Bill Failed - House (32 - 32)
2/15 HB 1125 Seat Belt Enforcement Bill Bill Passed - House (33 - 32)
3/10 HB 1125 Seat Belt Enforcement Bill Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
3/02 H 610 Highway Distribution Account Bill Failed - House (27 - 41)
5/02 SB 2872 Local Government Facility Lease Act Bill Passed - House (65 - 46)
2/27 H 609 Motor Vehicle Special License Plate Program Bill Passed - House (42 - 25)
3/16 H 609 Motor Vehicle Special License Plate Program Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 18)
2/23 HB 2732 Unattended and Unsupervised Children in Motor Vehicle Safety Act Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
5/02 HB 3115 Gasoline Industry Controls Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 3)
5/04 SB 1266 Highway Safety, Traffic Reduction, Air Quality, and Port Security Bond Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (61 - 10)
5/04 SB 1266 Highway Safety, Traffic Reduction, Air Quality, and Port Security Bond Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 1)
3/20 A 2813 New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
3/16 A 2813 New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Bill Passed - House (48 - 28)
1/24 SB 88 Seat Belt Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
3/20 S 1393 Biodegradable Fuel Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 23)
3/07 HB 3115 Gasoline Industry Controls Bill Passed - House (49 - 1)
2/08 Amendment Transportation Funding Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (29 - 36)
2/13 HB 1036 Auto Insurance Bill Bill Failed - House (32 - 33)
4/25 Sub H-1 Self Defense Bill/ Deadly Force Bill Bill Passed - House (90 - 16)
4/19 SB 303 Driver's License Examination English Language Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
3/08 SB 1420 Oklahoma Mandatory Seat Belt Use Act Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 20)
3/31 SCS SB 253 Highway Advertising Regulation & Fees Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 3)
2/10 Sub HB 2738 Minimum Renewable Fuel Content Requirements Bill Passed - House (70 - 28)
1/26 H 6700 Sub A Driver Refusal of Chemical Tests Bill Passed - House (64 - 6)
4/19 HB 673 Commonwealth Transportation Board Veto Override Failed - House (58 - 40)
4/27 SB 5013 Transportation Funding Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
5/06 CSHB 471 Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority Concurrence Vote Passed - House (26 - 14)
4/24 CSHB 471 Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 8)
4/05 CSHB 471 Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority Bill Passed - House (28 - 7)
2/08 SB 85 Off-Road Vehicle Use Near Dalton Highway Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9)
4/24 CSHB 4 Motor Vehicle Sales Tax Bill Passed - House (80 - 67)
3/16 SB 56 Open Wine Container Bill Bill Passed - House (60 - 36)
2/16 HB 86 Primary Seat Belt Bill Bill Failed - House (49 - 48)
3/08 HB 334 Helmet Requirement for ATV Drivers Under 16 Bill Passed - House (56 - 34)
2/15 HB 394 School Traffic Signal Bill Bill Passed - House (68 - 29)
5/08 HB 4 Motor Vehicle Sales Tax Conference Report Adopted - House (86 - 47)
4/28 LD 1974 Supplemental Transportation Budget Bill Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
6/08 HB 191 Young Drivers’ Time Restrictions Bill Failed - House (10 - 26)
6/16 SB 158 Speed Limit Bill Bill Failed - House (51 - 42)
6/08 SB 1289 Cell Phone Use by Drivers Under 18 Prohibited Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 8)
7/12 SB 1289 Cell Phone Use by Drivers Under 18 Prohibited Bill Passed - House (89 - 22)
7/08 A 4707 Luxury and Fuel Inefficient Automobiles Bill Passed - House (43 - 36)
7/08 A 4707 Luxury and Fuel Inefficient Automobiles Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
8/24 AB 2108 Child Booster and Seat Belt Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 28)
8/22 AB 2108 Child Booster and Seat Belt Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
5/25 AB 2108 Child Booster and Seat Belt Requirements Bill Passed - House (44 - 30)
6/14 SB 284 Driver License Requirements for Minors Bill Failed - House (42 - 48)
7/06 SB 774 Seat Belt Requirements Bill Passed - House (61 - 44)
6/01 SB 1160 Driver’s Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
8/31 SB 1675 Renewable Diesel Fuel Requirements Bill Failed - House (33 - 40)
6/01 SB 1675 Renewable Diesel Fuel Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
8/31 SB 1613 Prohibition on Wireless Phone Use While Driving Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
8/29 SB 1613 Prohibition on Wireless Phone Use While Driving Bill Passed - House (50 - 28)
1/17 H 3702 School Transportation Bill Passed - House (58 - 47)
6/14 H 3726 ATV Use Regulations Veto Override Failed - Senate (19 - 22)
6/14 H 3726 ATV Use Regulations Veto Override Passed - House (74 - 31)
3/14 HB 1008 Indiana Toll Road Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 19)
3/14 HB 1008 Indiana Toll Road Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 48)
6/14 SB 52 Maryland Transportation Authority Veto Override Passed - House (94 - 42)
6/14 SB 52 Maryland Transportation Authority Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
6/28 HB 804 Handheld Cell Phone Ban While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
2/15 SB 1025 PA Clean Vehicles Program Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
3/17 Sub for SB 297 Motorcycle Helmets Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
6/07 Sub for SB 297 Motorcycle Helmets Bill Passed - House (66 - 37)
5/30 HB 6085 Disclosure of Citizenship on Driver's License Bill Passed - House (76 - 27)
5/24 2SHB 3001 2006-2007 Transportation Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (40 - 20)
5/24 2SHB 3001 2006-2007 Transportation Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 10)
3/06 SB 1792 Achieving Classroom Excellence Steering Committee Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
4/05 SB 1792 Achieving Classroom Excellence Steering Committee Bill Passed - House (54 - 42)
5/24 SB 1337 Cities and Towns, Modifying Provisions For Clean Up of Agricultural Property. Bill Passed - House (60 - 41)
9/21 HR 2926 Airline Industry Financial Assistance bill Bill Passed - House (356 - 54)
10/30 HR 2115 Aviation Administration FY2004-2006 Authorization bill Conference Report Adopted - House (211 - 207)
4/28 H Con Res 95 Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution Conference Report Adopted - House (214 - 211)
4/28 H Con Res 95 Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 47)
12/04 HR 2299 Department of Transportation Appropriations Act, 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (97 - 2)
11/30 HR 2299 Department of Transportation Appropriations Act, 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (371 - 11)
9/27 HR 3539 Federal Aviation Authorization Act of 1996 Conference Report Adopted - House (218 - 198)
10/03 HR 3539 Federal Aviation Authorization Act of 1996 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 2)
11/16 S 1447 Federalize Aviation Security bill Conference Report Adopted - House (410 - 9)
7/26 HR 1 Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (85 - 8)
7/27 HR 1 Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act Conference Report Adopted - House (371 - 40)

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