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.


results per page:
Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
April 8, 2008 AZ HB 2220 Repealing the State Equalization Property Tax Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
April 7, 2008 MD SB 268 Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
April 7, 2008 IA HF 2539 Health Care Expansion Plan Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 6)
April 7, 2008 MD SB 1013 Regulation of Power Plants Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 11)
April 7, 2008 MD HB 375 Increasing Renewable Energy Standards Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
April 7, 2008 MD HB 374 Energy Efficiency Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
April 4, 2008 CO SB 129 Restricting Beverage Sales at Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
April 4, 2008 KS SB 148 Electricity Generation and Conservation Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
April 3, 2008 MD Amnd. 663027/2 Power Plant Regulation Amendment Adopted - Senate (27 - 18)
April 3, 2008 AZ SB 1132 Allowing Pistols in Restaurants Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
April 3, 2008 MO SB 858 Restrictions on Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
April 3, 2008 MD SB 46 Computer Services Sales Tax Repeal and Other Tax Adjustments Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
April 2, 2008 GA HB 257 Limiting Concealed Weapon Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17)
April 2, 2008 AR HB 1004 Natural Gas Tax Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
April 1, 2008 NE AM 2319 to LB 1174 Farm and Ranch Ownership Requirements Amendment Rejected - Senate (20 - 27)
April 1, 2008 AR SB 1 Natural Gas Tax Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
April 1, 2008 MD SB 268 Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 25)
April 1, 2008 IL SB 1997 Interscholastic Event Image Release Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 5)
March 31, 2008 CO HB 1270 Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
March 31, 2008 ME LD 2289 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
March 31, 2008 MN SF 3099 Health Improvement Program Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 23)
March 31, 2008 IA HF 2145 Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 8)
March 28, 2008 CO SB 122 Wage Transparency Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
March 27, 2008 MN Marty Amnd. Health Improvement Program Amendments Amendment Rejected - Senate (32 - 33)
March 27, 2008 CO HB 1228 Insurance Company Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
March 26, 2008 KS Huelskamp Amnd. 1 Employment Verification Amendment Rejected - Senate (11 - 27)
March 26, 2008 KS Barnett Amnd. Bartlett Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (12 - 27)
March 26, 2008 MD SB 373 Tax Credit for Educational Donations Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
March 25, 2008 WI AB 1 Budget Repair Plan Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
March 25, 2008 ID H 592 Film and Television Production Rebate Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
March 24, 2008 MD SB 309 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
March 24, 2008 CO HB 1276 Workplace Accommodations for Nursing Mothers Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
March 20, 2008 CO SB 82 Removing Ban on Sunday Alcohol Sales Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
March 20, 2008 AZ SB 1420 Public Highway Authorities Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
March 20, 2008 NH SB 540 Health Insurance Plan for Small Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 3)
March 20, 2008 NH SB 312 Insurance Coverage for Obesity Treatments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 3)
March 20, 2008 AZ SB 1465 Public-Private Transportation Projects Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 15)
March 20, 2008 AZ SB 1450 Theme Park Funding Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
March 19, 2008 MN SF 2822 "Good Faith" Requirement for Insurance Companies Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 15)
March 18, 2008 MN Scheid Amnd. Insurance Payouts Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (37 - 30)
March 18, 2008 AZ SB 1389 Healthcare Group Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
March 17, 2008 ID H 348 Legalizing Alcohol Sales on Election Day Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
March 17, 2008 ID H 562 Tax Exemption for New Capital Investments Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
March 17, 2008 ID H 561 Tax Exemptions for the Processing of Fuel for Energy Production Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
March 14, 2008 IN HB 1001 Property Tax Reduction Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 6)
March 13, 2008 National S Amdt 4259 Immigration Enforcement and Employer Sanctions Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (53 - 45)
March 13, 2008 IA HF 2212 Smoking Ban Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (23 - 27)
March 13, 2008 FL SB 1380 Electronic Gaming Machines Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
March 12, 2008 OK SB 1521 Mandatory Clinical Cancer Trial Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
March 12, 2008 IA SF 2355 Time Off to Attend Presidential Precinct Caucuses Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
March 12, 2008 OK SB 1407 Restricting Childhood Vaccine Mercury Levels Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 17)
March 12, 2008 KY SB 156 Nuclear Waste Disposal Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
March 11, 2008 DE SB 195 Election Day Alcohol Sales Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 11)
March 10, 2008 WA SB 5751 Beer and Wine Tasting in Grocery Stores Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
March 10, 2008 OK SB 2118 Requiring Health Insurance to Cover Autism Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
March 6, 2008 KS SB 327 Expansion of Coal-Fired Power Plants Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 7)
March 6, 2008 GA SB 276 Expanding Automotive Insurance Coverage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 10)
March 6, 2008 National HR 4040 Consumer Product Safety Commission Bill Bill Passed - Senate (79 - 13)
March 6, 2008 National HR 4040 Consumer Product Safety Commission Bill Bill Passed - Senate (79 - 13)
March 6, 2008 VA HB 12 Payday Lending Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 2)
March 6, 2008 WI SB 523 Great Lakes Water Resources Compact Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
March 6, 2008 MD SB 646 Allowing For-Profit Entities to Provide Credit Counseling Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 5)
March 6, 2008 GA SB 449 Limiting Agritourism Liability Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 14)
March 6, 2008 GA SB 404 Health Insurance Marketplace Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 12)
March 6, 2008 OK SB 2114 Requiring Health Benefit Plans to Cover Medical Necessities Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 19)
March 5, 2008 WA HB 2815 Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
March 4, 2008 UT SB 81 Expanding Immigration Enforcement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
March 4, 2008 HI SB 2423 Turtle Bay Acquisition Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 2)
March 3, 2008 CO SB 164 Increasing Caps on Medical Malpractice Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
Feb. 29, 2008 ID S 1393 Non-Compete Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
Feb. 28, 2008 KS SB 501 Kansas Tourism Corporation Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 7)
Feb. 28, 2008 CO SB 129 Restricting Beverage Sales at Schools Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Feb. 28, 2008 KS SB 586 Incentives to Develop Nuclear Power Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
Feb. 27, 2008 IA HF 2212 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
Feb. 27, 2008 CO SB 122 Wage Transparency Act Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
Feb. 27, 2008 GA SB 433 Permitting Destination Cancer Hospitals Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 23)
Feb. 27, 2008 UT SB 211 Amending Alcohol Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
Feb. 26, 2008 IN HB 1001 Property Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
Feb. 26, 2008 CO SB 139 Undocumented Immigrant Hiring Ban Notification Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
Feb. 26, 2008 GA SB 454 Permitting Public Venue Alcohol Sales on Sundays Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
Feb. 26, 2008 WI SB 178 Insurance Coverage for Autism Treatment Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
Feb. 25, 2008 WY SF 46 Water Discharge from Methane Gas Wells Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 15)
Feb. 25, 2008 CO SB 82 Removing Ban on Sunday Alcohol Sales Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
Feb. 22, 2008 NE LB 395 Statewide Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
Feb. 21, 2008 UT SB 81 Expanding Immigration Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
Feb. 21, 2008 MS SB 2793 Utility Rate Increases During Planning or Construction of Plants Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
Feb. 21, 2008 SD HB 1151 Adult-Oriented Business Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
Feb. 19, 2008 SC AM 4 to S 398 Prohibiting Payday Lending Amendment Bill Tabled - Senate (23 - 18)
Feb. 18, 2008 WA SB 6777 Halting Mining on Maury Island Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 23)
Feb. 14, 2008 NE AM 1736 Eliminating Opt-Out Provision of Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - Senate (33 - 13)
Feb. 14, 2008 NH HB 267 Small Loans Interest Limitation Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 9)
Feb. 14, 2008 UT SB 149 Expanding Minimum Automotive Insurance Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
Feb. 14, 2008 KS HB 2066 Restricting the Secretary of Health and Environment's Enforcement Powers Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 7)
Feb. 14, 2008 NM HB 24 Removing Tax Restrictions for Counties and Municipalities Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 21)
Feb. 13, 2008 KS Steineger Amnd. Limiting Carbon Dioxide Emissions Amendment Rejected - Senate (3 - 32)
Feb. 12, 2008 WA SB 5751 Beer and Wine Tasting in Grocery Stores Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
Feb. 12, 2008 NM HB 305 Energy Efficiency Requirements for Public Utilities Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
Feb. 10, 2008 NM SB 487 Uranium Cleanup Fund Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
Feb. 6, 2008 SD SB 126 Repealing Liquor License Cap Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
Feb. 6, 2008 WA SB 6381 Good Faith Duties of Mortgage Brokers Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/08 HB 2220 Repealing the State Equalization Property Tax Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
4/07 SB 268 Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
4/07 HF 2539 Health Care Expansion Plan Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 6)
4/07 SB 1013 Regulation of Power Plants Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 11)
4/07 HB 375 Increasing Renewable Energy Standards Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
4/07 HB 374 Energy Efficiency Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
4/04 SB 129 Restricting Beverage Sales at Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
4/04 SB 148 Electricity Generation and Conservation Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
4/03 Amnd. 663027/2 Power Plant Regulation Amendment Adopted - Senate (27 - 18)
4/03 SB 1132 Allowing Pistols in Restaurants Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
4/03 SB 858 Restrictions on Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
4/03 SB 46 Computer Services Sales Tax Repeal and Other Tax Adjustments Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
4/02 HB 257 Limiting Concealed Weapon Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17)
4/02 HB 1004 Natural Gas Tax Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
4/01 AM 2319 to LB 1174 Farm and Ranch Ownership Requirements Amendment Rejected - Senate (20 - 27)
4/01 SB 1 Natural Gas Tax Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
4/01 SB 268 Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 25)
4/01 SB 1997 Interscholastic Event Image Release Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 5)
3/31 HB 1270 Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
3/31 LD 2289 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
3/31 SF 3099 Health Improvement Program Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 23)
3/31 HF 2145 Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 8)
3/28 SB 122 Wage Transparency Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
3/27 Marty Amnd. Health Improvement Program Amendments Amendment Rejected - Senate (32 - 33)
3/27 HB 1228 Insurance Company Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
3/26 Huelskamp Amnd. 1 Employment Verification Amendment Rejected - Senate (11 - 27)
3/26 Barnett Amnd. Bartlett Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (12 - 27)
3/26 SB 373 Tax Credit for Educational Donations Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
3/25 AB 1 Budget Repair Plan Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
3/25 H 592 Film and Television Production Rebate Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
3/24 SB 309 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
3/24 HB 1276 Workplace Accommodations for Nursing Mothers Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
3/20 SB 82 Removing Ban on Sunday Alcohol Sales Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
3/20 SB 1420 Public Highway Authorities Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
3/20 SB 540 Health Insurance Plan for Small Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 3)
3/20 SB 312 Insurance Coverage for Obesity Treatments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 3)
3/20 SB 1465 Public-Private Transportation Projects Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 15)
3/20 SB 1450 Theme Park Funding Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
3/19 SF 2822 "Good Faith" Requirement for Insurance Companies Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 15)
3/18 Scheid Amnd. Insurance Payouts Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (37 - 30)
3/18 SB 1389 Healthcare Group Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
3/17 H 348 Legalizing Alcohol Sales on Election Day Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
3/17 H 562 Tax Exemption for New Capital Investments Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
3/17 H 561 Tax Exemptions for the Processing of Fuel for Energy Production Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
3/14 HB 1001 Property Tax Reduction Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 6)
3/13 S Amdt 4259 Immigration Enforcement and Employer Sanctions Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (53 - 45)
3/13 HF 2212 Smoking Ban Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (23 - 27)
3/13 SB 1380 Electronic Gaming Machines Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
3/12 SB 1521 Mandatory Clinical Cancer Trial Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
3/12 SF 2355 Time Off to Attend Presidential Precinct Caucuses Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
3/12 SB 1407 Restricting Childhood Vaccine Mercury Levels Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 17)
3/12 SB 156 Nuclear Waste Disposal Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
3/11 SB 195 Election Day Alcohol Sales Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 11)
3/10 SB 5751 Beer and Wine Tasting in Grocery Stores Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
3/10 SB 2118 Requiring Health Insurance to Cover Autism Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
3/06 SB 327 Expansion of Coal-Fired Power Plants Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 7)
3/06 SB 276 Expanding Automotive Insurance Coverage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 10)
3/06 HR 4040 Consumer Product Safety Commission Bill Bill Passed - Senate (79 - 13)
3/06 HR 4040 Consumer Product Safety Commission Bill Bill Passed - Senate (79 - 13)
3/06 HB 12 Payday Lending Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 2)
3/06 SB 523 Great Lakes Water Resources Compact Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
3/06 SB 646 Allowing For-Profit Entities to Provide Credit Counseling Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 5)
3/06 SB 449 Limiting Agritourism Liability Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 14)
3/06 SB 404 Health Insurance Marketplace Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 12)
3/06 SB 2114 Requiring Health Benefit Plans to Cover Medical Necessities Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 19)
3/05 HB 2815 Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
3/04 SB 81 Expanding Immigration Enforcement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
3/04 SB 2423 Turtle Bay Acquisition Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 2)
3/03 SB 164 Increasing Caps on Medical Malpractice Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
2/29 S 1393 Non-Compete Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
2/28 SB 501 Kansas Tourism Corporation Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 7)
2/28 SB 129 Restricting Beverage Sales at Schools Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
2/28 SB 586 Incentives to Develop Nuclear Power Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
2/27 HF 2212 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
2/27 SB 122 Wage Transparency Act Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
2/27 SB 433 Permitting Destination Cancer Hospitals Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 23)
2/27 SB 211 Amending Alcohol Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
2/26 HB 1001 Property Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
2/26 SB 139 Undocumented Immigrant Hiring Ban Notification Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
2/26 SB 454 Permitting Public Venue Alcohol Sales on Sundays Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
2/26 SB 178 Insurance Coverage for Autism Treatment Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
2/25 SF 46 Water Discharge from Methane Gas Wells Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 15)
2/25 SB 82 Removing Ban on Sunday Alcohol Sales Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
2/22 LB 395 Statewide Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
2/21 SB 81 Expanding Immigration Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
2/21 SB 2793 Utility Rate Increases During Planning or Construction of Plants Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
2/21 HB 1151 Adult-Oriented Business Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
2/19 AM 4 to S 398 Prohibiting Payday Lending Amendment Bill Tabled - Senate (23 - 18)
2/18 SB 6777 Halting Mining on Maury Island Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 23)
2/14 AM 1736 Eliminating Opt-Out Provision of Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - Senate (33 - 13)
2/14 HB 267 Small Loans Interest Limitation Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 9)
2/14 SB 149 Expanding Minimum Automotive Insurance Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
2/14 HB 2066 Restricting the Secretary of Health and Environment's Enforcement Powers Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 7)
2/14 HB 24 Removing Tax Restrictions for Counties and Municipalities Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 21)
2/13 Steineger Amnd. Limiting Carbon Dioxide Emissions Amendment Rejected - Senate (3 - 32)
2/12 SB 5751 Beer and Wine Tasting in Grocery Stores Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
2/12 HB 305 Energy Efficiency Requirements for Public Utilities Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
2/10 SB 487 Uranium Cleanup Fund Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
2/06 SB 126 Repealing Liquor License Cap Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
2/06 SB 6381 Good Faith Duties of Mortgage Brokers Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)

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