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
April 13, 2008 AK SB 221 2008-2009 Capital Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
Aug. 7, 2008 AK SB 4002 Energy Rebate Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (11 - 5)
March 24, 2008 AK HB 310 2008-2009 Operating Budget Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 4)
March 5, 2008 AK SB 256 2008-2009 Supplemental Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 2)
Aug. 4, 2008 AK SB 4002 Energy Rebate Bill Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 3)
April 2, 2008 AK SB 221 2008-2009 Capital Budget Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
Aug. 1, 2008 AK HB 3001 Natural Gas Pipeline to Canada Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
Feb. 26, 2008 AL HB 73 Prohibiting Money Transfers Between Political Action Committees Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
May 29, 2008 AL SB 51 2008-2009 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
April 1, 2008 AR SB 1 Natural Gas Tax Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
April 2, 2008 AR HB 1004 Natural Gas Tax Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
April 10, 2008 AZ SB 1096 English Language Education Funding Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
June 23, 2008 AZ SB 1476 Reducing Probation for Good Behavior Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 4)
June 23, 2008 AZ SB 1167 Off-Highway Vehicle Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 7)
June 25, 2008 AZ SCR 1042 Parameters of Marriage Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (14 - 11)
June 27, 2008 AZ SCR 1042 Parameters of Marriage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 4)
April 23, 2008 AZ HB 2711 State Control of Mismanaged Schools Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 3)
June 26, 2008 AZ HB 2209 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 10)
May 6, 2008 AZ HB 2677 Real ID Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
April 23, 2008 AZ HB 2017 Legislative Approval for Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
April 23, 2008 AZ HB 2017 Legislative Approval for Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
June 4, 2008 AZ HB 2475 Bonds for School Computers Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 13)
April 29, 2008 AZ HB 2557 Fine Arts and Physical Education in School Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 4)
March 6, 2008 AZ HB 2043 State Government Hiring Freeze Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
March 6, 2008 AZ HB 2043 State Government Hiring Freeze Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
March 6, 2008 AZ HB 2857 State Spending Freeze Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
March 20, 2008 AZ SB 1420 Public Highway Authorities Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
March 20, 2008 AZ SB 1450 Theme Park Funding Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
March 20, 2008 AZ SB 1465 Public-Private Transportation Projects Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 15)
March 10, 2008 AZ SB 1476 Reducing Probation for Good Behavior Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
April 23, 2008 AZ HB 2359 County Sheriff and Border Patrol Collaboration Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
April 8, 2008 AZ HB 2220 Repealing the State Equalization Property Tax Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
Feb. 19, 2008 CA GN Borucki Confirmation of Joan Borucki as State Lottery Director Nomination Confirmed - Senate (32 - 3)
Feb. 19, 2008 CA GN Borucki Confirmation of Joan Borucki as State Lottery Director Nomination Confirmed - Senate (32 - 3)
Sept. 16, 2008 CA AB 1781 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 11)
Aug. 29, 2008 CA AB 1781 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Rejected - Senate (24 - 15)
Aug. 5, 2008 CA SB 974 Shipping Fee Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
Aug. 31, 2008 CA SB 1407 Financing Courthouse Construction Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
Dec. 18, 2008 CA ABx1 4 Reducing Education Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
Aug. 29, 2008 CA AB 583 Public Financing of Elections Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Aug. 29, 2008 CA AB 583 Public Financing of Elections Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Aug. 29, 2008 CA AB 2321 Metro Sales Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
Aug. 5, 2008 CA AB 2001 Whistleblower Hotline Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
Sept. 8, 2008 CA AB 1793 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 21)
Aug. 5, 2008 CA AB 2001 Whistleblower Hotline Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
Dec. 18, 2008 CA ABx1 2 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Dec. 18, 2008 CA ABx1 5 Modifying Transportation Project Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
Aug. 7, 2008 CA AB 3034 High-Speed Rail Bond Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
Aug. 7, 2008 CA AB 1946 Expanding Enforcement of Water Pollution Laws Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
Aug. 14, 2008 CA AB 1107 Drought-Related Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
Dec. 18, 2008 CA ABx1 8 Amending Sentencing, Parole, and Property Crime Statutes Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Sept. 16, 2008 CA AB 1452 Suspending Carryback and Net Operating Loss Deductions Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
May 15, 2008 CA SB 1589 Uncorroborated Jailhouse Informant Testimony Ban Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
Aug. 7, 2008 CA AB 2654 Expanding Anti-Discrimination Laws Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
May 29, 2008 CA SB 1407 Financing Courthouse Construction Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
May 29, 2008 CA SB 1764 Certification of Local Fire Agencies Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
May 29, 2008 CA CA SB 1665 Prison Health Care Facility Bonds Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 15)
May 12, 2008 CA SB 1301 Extending Student Financial Aid Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
Sept. 16, 2008 CA SCA 12 State Lottery Amendments Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
Sept. 19, 2008 CA SBx1 28 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
Jan. 24, 2008 CO GN Baker Matt Baker to the Public Utilities Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (21 - 13)
Jan. 25, 2008 CO SA Mitchell Prohibiting State Funding of Abortion Providers Amendment Rejected - Senate (13 - 20)
May 5, 2008 CO HB 1329 Voter Registration Confirmation Card Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 16)
April 10, 2008 CO HB 1375 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 14)
May 6, 2008 CO HB 1388 Increasing Education Funding Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 13)
May 5, 2008 CO HB 1378 Allowing Ranked Voting Methods Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
May 2, 2008 CO HB 1208 Limitations on Direct File Juvenile Cases Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
March 6, 2008 CO HB 1025 Governor's Energy Office Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
April 23, 2008 CO HB 1329 Voter Registration Confirmation Card Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
March 31, 2008 CO HB 1270 Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
May 2, 2008 CO HB 1082 Sealing Criminal Records Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
April 8, 2008 CO HB 1001 Expanding Bioscience Research Funding Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
March 19, 2008 CO HB 1189 State Employee Strike Prohibition Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 2)
Jan. 28, 2008 CO SB 3 Medicaid Funded Family Planning Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
Feb. 27, 2008 CO SB 128 Eliminating Sales and Use Tax Cap Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
Feb. 27, 2008 CO SB 128 Eliminating Sales and Use Tax Cap Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
March 3, 2008 CO SB 164 Increasing Caps on Medical Malpractice Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
March 31, 2008 CO HB 1233 Limited Liability Company Campaign Donation Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
March 18, 2008 CO HB 1297 Supplemental Department of Public Safety Funding Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
March 18, 2008 CO HB 1297 Supplemental Department of Public Safety Funding Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
May 6, 2008 CT HB 5536 Health Insurance Pool Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
June 11, 2008 CT SB 1001 Real Estate Conveyance Tax Extension Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
June 11, 2008 CT SB 1001 Real Estate Conveyance Tax Extension Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
July 1, 2008 DE HB 518 Alcohol Tax Increase Bill Failed - Senate (7 - 14)
March 11, 2008 DE SB 195 Election Day Alcohol Sales Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 11)
April 23, 2008 DE SB 195 Election Day Alcohol Sales Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
July 1, 2008 DE SB 300 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
May 2, 2008 FL HB 5001 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 8)
March 12, 2008 FL HB 7009 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 12)
March 6, 2008 FL SB 1852 Medicaid Reimbursement Rate Freeze Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
April 9, 2008 FL SB 2900 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
April 4, 2008 GA SR 845 Regional Transportation Sales Tax Conference Report Rejected - Senate (35 - 18)
April 4, 2008 GA SR 845 Regional Transportation Sales Tax Conference Report Rejected - Senate (35 - 18)
April 1, 2008 GA HB 1244 State Income Tax Reductions Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
April 1, 2008 GA HB 1281 Restricting Local Outdoor Water Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 13)
Feb. 12, 2008 GA SR 686 Property Tax Assessment Freeze Resolution Passed - Senate (53 - 3)
April 1, 2008 GA HB 1133 Tax Credits for Nonprofit Donations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 20)
March 31, 2008 GA HB 1158 Motor Vehicle Trauma Care Fee Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
Feb. 20, 2008 GA SR 845 Regional Transportation Sales Tax Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 4)
Feb. 20, 2008 GA SR 845 Regional Transportation Sales Tax Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 4)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/13 SB 221 2008-2009 Capital Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
8/07 SB 4002 Energy Rebate Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (11 - 5)
3/24 HB 310 2008-2009 Operating Budget Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 4)
3/05 SB 256 2008-2009 Supplemental Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 2)
8/04 SB 4002 Energy Rebate Bill Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 3)
4/02 SB 221 2008-2009 Capital Budget Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
8/01 HB 3001 Natural Gas Pipeline to Canada Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
2/26 HB 73 Prohibiting Money Transfers Between Political Action Committees Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
5/29 SB 51 2008-2009 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
4/01 SB 1 Natural Gas Tax Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
4/02 HB 1004 Natural Gas Tax Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
4/10 SB 1096 English Language Education Funding Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
6/23 SB 1476 Reducing Probation for Good Behavior Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 4)
6/23 SB 1167 Off-Highway Vehicle Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 7)
6/25 SCR 1042 Parameters of Marriage Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (14 - 11)
6/27 SCR 1042 Parameters of Marriage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 4)
4/23 HB 2711 State Control of Mismanaged Schools Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 3)
6/26 HB 2209 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 10)
5/06 HB 2677 Real ID Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
4/23 HB 2017 Legislative Approval for Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
4/23 HB 2017 Legislative Approval for Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
6/04 HB 2475 Bonds for School Computers Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 13)
4/29 HB 2557 Fine Arts and Physical Education in School Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 4)
3/06 HB 2043 State Government Hiring Freeze Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
3/06 HB 2043 State Government Hiring Freeze Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
3/06 HB 2857 State Spending Freeze Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
3/20 SB 1420 Public Highway Authorities Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
3/20 SB 1450 Theme Park Funding Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
3/20 SB 1465 Public-Private Transportation Projects Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 15)
3/10 SB 1476 Reducing Probation for Good Behavior Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
4/23 HB 2359 County Sheriff and Border Patrol Collaboration Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
4/08 HB 2220 Repealing the State Equalization Property Tax Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
2/19 GN Borucki Confirmation of Joan Borucki as State Lottery Director Nomination Confirmed - Senate (32 - 3)
2/19 GN Borucki Confirmation of Joan Borucki as State Lottery Director Nomination Confirmed - Senate (32 - 3)
9/16 AB 1781 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 11)
8/29 AB 1781 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Rejected - Senate (24 - 15)
8/05 SB 974 Shipping Fee Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
8/31 SB 1407 Financing Courthouse Construction Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
12/18 ABx1 4 Reducing Education Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
8/29 AB 583 Public Financing of Elections Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
8/29 AB 583 Public Financing of Elections Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
8/29 AB 2321 Metro Sales Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
8/05 AB 2001 Whistleblower Hotline Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
9/08 AB 1793 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 21)
8/05 AB 2001 Whistleblower Hotline Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
12/18 ABx1 2 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
12/18 ABx1 5 Modifying Transportation Project Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
8/07 AB 3034 High-Speed Rail Bond Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
8/07 AB 1946 Expanding Enforcement of Water Pollution Laws Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
8/14 AB 1107 Drought-Related Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
12/18 ABx1 8 Amending Sentencing, Parole, and Property Crime Statutes Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
9/16 AB 1452 Suspending Carryback and Net Operating Loss Deductions Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
5/15 SB 1589 Uncorroborated Jailhouse Informant Testimony Ban Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
8/07 AB 2654 Expanding Anti-Discrimination Laws Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
5/29 SB 1407 Financing Courthouse Construction Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
5/29 SB 1764 Certification of Local Fire Agencies Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
5/29 CA SB 1665 Prison Health Care Facility Bonds Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 15)
5/12 SB 1301 Extending Student Financial Aid Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
9/16 SCA 12 State Lottery Amendments Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
9/19 SBx1 28 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
1/24 GN Baker Matt Baker to the Public Utilities Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (21 - 13)
1/25 SA Mitchell Prohibiting State Funding of Abortion Providers Amendment Rejected - Senate (13 - 20)
5/05 HB 1329 Voter Registration Confirmation Card Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 16)
4/10 HB 1375 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 14)
5/06 HB 1388 Increasing Education Funding Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 13)
5/05 HB 1378 Allowing Ranked Voting Methods Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
5/02 HB 1208 Limitations on Direct File Juvenile Cases Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
3/06 HB 1025 Governor's Energy Office Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
4/23 HB 1329 Voter Registration Confirmation Card Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
3/31 HB 1270 Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
5/02 HB 1082 Sealing Criminal Records Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
4/08 HB 1001 Expanding Bioscience Research Funding Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
3/19 HB 1189 State Employee Strike Prohibition Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 2)
1/28 SB 3 Medicaid Funded Family Planning Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
2/27 SB 128 Eliminating Sales and Use Tax Cap Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
2/27 SB 128 Eliminating Sales and Use Tax Cap Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
3/03 SB 164 Increasing Caps on Medical Malpractice Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
3/31 HB 1233 Limited Liability Company Campaign Donation Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
3/18 HB 1297 Supplemental Department of Public Safety Funding Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
3/18 HB 1297 Supplemental Department of Public Safety Funding Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
5/06 HB 5536 Health Insurance Pool Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
6/11 SB 1001 Real Estate Conveyance Tax Extension Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
6/11 SB 1001 Real Estate Conveyance Tax Extension Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
7/01 HB 518 Alcohol Tax Increase Bill Failed - Senate (7 - 14)
3/11 SB 195 Election Day Alcohol Sales Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 11)
4/23 SB 195 Election Day Alcohol Sales Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
7/01 SB 300 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
5/02 HB 5001 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 8)
3/12 HB 7009 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 12)
3/06 SB 1852 Medicaid Reimbursement Rate Freeze Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
4/09 SB 2900 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
4/04 SR 845 Regional Transportation Sales Tax Conference Report Rejected - Senate (35 - 18)
4/04 SR 845 Regional Transportation Sales Tax Conference Report Rejected - Senate (35 - 18)
4/01 HB 1244 State Income Tax Reductions Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
4/01 HB 1281 Restricting Local Outdoor Water Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 13)
2/12 SR 686 Property Tax Assessment Freeze Resolution Passed - Senate (53 - 3)
4/01 HB 1133 Tax Credits for Nonprofit Donations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 20)
3/31 HB 1158 Motor Vehicle Trauma Care Fee Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
2/20 SR 845 Regional Transportation Sales Tax Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 4)
2/20 SR 845 Regional Transportation Sales Tax Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 4)

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