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 30, 2009 MN Ending Prohibition on New Nuclear Power Plant Construction Amendment Rejected - House (60 - 72)
April 20, 2009 MN Permitting Slot Machines at Race Tracks Amendment Rejected - Senate (25 - 41)
May 21, 2009 NJ A 1645 Requiring Qualified Purchasing Agents Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 26)
Feb. 2, 2009 NY A 1686 Reducing the Cap on Vacated Apartment Rent Increases Bill Passed - House (100 - 43)
Feb. 2, 2009 NY A 2005 Expanding Rent Control Coverage Bill Passed - House (91 - 52)
June 25, 2009 NJ A2653 Fur Labeling Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 27)
May 21, 2009 NJ A 3372 Wages in Board of Public Utilities Construction Projects Bill Passed - House (54 - 22)
June 25, 2009 NJ A 3372 Wages in Board of Public Utilities Construction Projects Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
March 16, 2009 NJ A 3569 Stop-Work Orders and Workers' Compensation Requirements Bill Passed - House (46 - 24)
Feb. 2, 2009 NY A 860 Increasing Income and Rent Threshold to Qualify for Rent Deregulation Bill Passed - House (86 - 58)
Jan. 27, 2009 WI AB 1 Wisconsin-Based Products and Services Purchasing Goals Bill Passed - House (77 - 22)
Jan. 27, 2009 WI AB 1 Wisconsin-Based Products and Services Purchasing Goals Bill Passed - House (77 - 22)
April 28, 2009 WI AB 100 Restricting Health Insurance Companies' Ability to Exclude Individuals. Bill Passed - House (61 - 38)
Sept. 3, 2009 CA AB 119 Prohibiting Gender-Based Health Insurance Pricing Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 28)
Sept. 1, 2009 CA AB 119 Prohibiting Gender-Based Health Insurance Pricing Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
Sept. 22, 2009 WI AB 119 Requiring Kindergarten for First Grade Enrollment Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15)
Sept. 16, 2009 WI AB 119 Requiring Kindergarten for First Grade Enrollment Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
Jan. 27, 2009 WI AB 2 Mandatory State Contracting with Domestic Companies Bill Passed - House (69 - 30)
Jan. 27, 2009 WI AB 2 Mandatory State Contracting with Domestic Companies Bill Passed - House (69 - 30)
Sept. 10, 2009 CA AB 2 Health Care Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 26)
Sept. 8, 2009 CA AB 2 Health Care Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
June 26, 2009 WI AB 281 Phosphorus in Cleaning Products Bill Passed - House (60 - 37)
April 20, 2009 NV AB 495 Removing Medical Malpractice Award Cap Bill Passed - House (26 - 15)
Sept. 10, 2009 CA AB 524 Privacy Law Expansion Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 20)
Sept. 8, 2009 CA AB 524 Privacy Law Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
June 1, 2009 CA AB 920 Solar Power Energy Credit Bill Passed - House (51 - 26)
Sept. 10, 2009 CA AB 98 Required Maternity Services Coverage Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 27)
Sept. 9, 2009 CA AB 98 Required Maternity Services Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
July 24, 2009 CA ABX4 23 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Oil Drilling Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
April 28, 2009 MO Amdt 1 Allowing Pharmacists to Refuse to Provide "Abortifacients" Amendment Adopted - House (115 - 43)
April 23, 2009 FL Amdt 168357 Extended Citizens Property Insurance Corporation Premium Rate Freeze Amendment Rejected - House (40 - 76)
Jan. 30, 2009 WY Amdt 2001 to HB 31 Exempting 21+ Establishments from Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (34 - 25)
Jan. 30, 2009 WY Amdt 2002 to HB 31 Allowing Counties and Municipalities to Opt Out of Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (41 - 18)
April 1, 2009 NC Amdt 2 to HB 2 Exempting 18+ Establishments from Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (70 - 46)
Feb. 24, 2009 SC Amdt 5 Prohibiting Employment Termination Due to Abortion Waiting Period Amendment Rejected - House (54 - 60)
April 30, 2009 FL Amdt 626368 Liability Insurance Related to SunRail Commuter Line Motion Rejected - Senate (17 - 23)
March 26, 2009 FL Amdt 677495 Amendments to Attorney Fee Cap in Workers Compensation Lawsuits Amendment Rejected - House (45 - 69)
March 19, 2009 ID H 246 Gasoline Tax Increase Bill Failed - House (27 - 43)
Feb. 12, 2009 SC H 3301 Payday Lending Regulations Motion Agreed - House (93 - 16)
May 6, 2009 VT H 436 Nuclear Plant Decommisioning Fund Concurrence Vote Passed - House (85 - 52)
May 1, 2009 VT H 436 Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Fund Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 4)
March 27, 2009 VT H 436 Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Fund Amendments Bill Passed - House (93 - 46)
April 1, 2009 VT H 438 Gas Tax Increase to Fund Transportation Construction Bonds Bill Passed - House (108 - 35)
May 7, 2009 VT H 446 Renewable Energy Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (91 - 49)
May 5, 2009 VT H 446 Renewable Energy Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 10)
April 22, 2009 VT H 446 Renewable Energy Amendments Bill Passed - House (88 - 44)
May 12, 2009 RI H 5143 E-Verify Bill Bill Passed - House (38 - 33)
June 4, 2009 RI H 5336 Coastal Resources Management Council Bill Passed - House (60 - 8)
May 19, 2009 RI H 5769 Boxing Rule Changes Bill Passed - House (53 - 13)
June 9, 2009 RI H 6088 Limiting Alcohol Sales Bill Passed - House (35 - 33)
Feb. 25, 2009 CO HB 1001 Tax Credit for Job Creation Bill Passed - House (52 - 13)
Feb. 18, 2009 NH HB 103 Laid Off Employees Payment Time-Frame Bill Passed - House (194 - 164)
Jan. 13, 2009 ND HB 1036 Workforce Safety and Insurance Premium Rate Regulation Bill Passed - House (62 - 32)
June 2, 2009 WV HB 105 Liquor License Bidding Bill Passed - House (71 - 27)
May 4, 2009 CO HB 1057 Mandatory Unpaid Parental Work Leave for Education Activities Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 26)
April 27, 2009 CO HB 1057 Mandatory Unpaid Parental Work Leave for Education Activities Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 13)
Feb. 9, 2009 CO HB 1057 Mandatory Unpaid Parental Work Leave for Education Activities Bill Passed - House (35 - 30)
April 2, 2009 DE HB 107 Manufactured Housing Rental Regulations Bill Passed - House (22 - 16)
May 5, 2009 CO HB 1170 Allowing Locked-Out Employees to Collect Unemployment Benefits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 29)
April 28, 2009 CO HB 1170 Allowing Locked-Out Employees to Collect Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
Feb. 12, 2009 AR HB 1204 Tobacco Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
Feb. 5, 2009 AR HB 1204 Tobacco Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (75 - 24)
Feb. 25, 2009 IN HB 1207 Required Nutritional Information on Restaurant Menus Bill Passed - House (51 - 46)
Feb. 19, 2009 ND HB 1213 Prohibiting Smoking in Bars and Hotels Bill Failed - House (33 - 59)
Feb. 17, 2009 IN HB 1213 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (70 - 26)
April 27, 2009 FL HB 1219 Permitting Offshore Drilling Bill Passed - House (70 - 43)
March 9, 2009 SD HB 1240 Smoking Ban Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 23)
March 4, 2009 SD HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
Feb. 23, 2009 SD HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
Feb. 17, 2009 ND HB 1255 Corporate Tax Rate Reduction Bill Passed - House (57 - 36)
March 23, 2009 CO HB 1260 Designated Beneficiary Agreements Between Unmarried Adults Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
Feb. 24, 2009 CO HB 1260 Designated Beneficiary Agreements Between Unmarried Adults Bill Passed - House (41 - 24)
Feb. 17, 2009 ND HB 1268 Sales Tax Exemption on Clothing Purchases Bill Passed - House (66 - 26)
July 20, 2009 NC HB 1289 Lottery Sales Ban at Check Cashing Sites Motion Rejected - Senate (20 - 23)
May 12, 2009 NC HB 1289 Lottery Sales Ban at Check Cashing Sites Bill Passed - House (84 - 29)
Aug. 6, 2009 NC HB 1305 Beach Plan Changes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (92 - 19)
July 15, 2009 NC HB 1305 Beach Plan Changes Bill Passed - House (93 - 23)
March 4, 2009 WA HB 1329 Child Care Center Unionization Bill Passed - House (65 - 31)
April 22, 2009 OK HB 1332 Increased Regulation of Pet Breeders Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
March 4, 2009 OK HB 1332 Increased Regulation of Pet Breeders Bill Passed - House (74 - 26)
May 6, 2009 CO HB 1366 Capital Gains Income Tax Reduction Modification Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 28)
May 6, 2009 CO HB 1366 Capital Gains Income Tax Reduction Modification Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
April 29, 2009 IN HB 1379 Unemployment Benefit Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 47)
March 24, 2009 IN HB 1379 Unemployment Benefit Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
Feb. 24, 2009 IN HB 1379 Unemployment Benefit Amendments Bill Passed - House (55 - 41)
Feb. 17, 2009 OK HB 1410 State Purchasing Authority Amendments Bill Passed - House (61 - 37)
Feb. 13, 2009 KY HB 144 Alcohol and Tobacco Sales Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
Feb. 11, 2009 KY HB 144 Alcohol and Tobacco Sales Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (66 - 34)
Feb. 13, 2009 ND HB 1440 Changes in Pharmacy Operation Requirements Bill Failed - House (35 - 57)
Feb. 12, 2009 ND HB 1453 Wheelchair Accessibility in Businesses Bill Failed - House (19 - 72)
Feb. 25, 2009 AR HB 1464 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - House (67 - 27)
May 1, 2009 FL HB 1495 Property Insurance Law Modifications Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
May 1, 2009 FL HB 1495 Property Insurance Law Modifications Concurrence Vote Passed - House (80 - 35)
Feb. 2, 2009 ND HB 1539 Sales Tax Exemption for Purchase of "Big-Three" Cars Bill Failed - House (29 - 64)
July 22, 2009 NC HB 1595 Malt Beverage Special Permit Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 28)
July 15, 2009 NC HB 1595 Malt Beverage Special Permit Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11)
Feb. 18, 2009 OK HB 1602 Attorney Fee Limits Bill Passed - House (54 - 46)
April 22, 2009 OK HB 1602 Attorney Fee Limits Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 23)
April 14, 2009 HI HB 1605 Allowing Counties to Impose Retail Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 4)
April 25, 2009 WA HB 1614 Oil Importation Fee for Storm Water Pollution Cleanup Bill Passed - House (51 - 45)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/30 Ending Prohibition on New Nuclear Power Plant Construction Amendment Rejected - House (60 - 72)
4/20 Permitting Slot Machines at Race Tracks Amendment Rejected - Senate (25 - 41)
5/21 A 1645 Requiring Qualified Purchasing Agents Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 26)
2/02 A 1686 Reducing the Cap on Vacated Apartment Rent Increases Bill Passed - House (100 - 43)
2/02 A 2005 Expanding Rent Control Coverage Bill Passed - House (91 - 52)
6/25 A2653 Fur Labeling Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 27)
5/21 A 3372 Wages in Board of Public Utilities Construction Projects Bill Passed - House (54 - 22)
6/25 A 3372 Wages in Board of Public Utilities Construction Projects Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
3/16 A 3569 Stop-Work Orders and Workers' Compensation Requirements Bill Passed - House (46 - 24)
2/02 A 860 Increasing Income and Rent Threshold to Qualify for Rent Deregulation Bill Passed - House (86 - 58)
1/27 AB 1 Wisconsin-Based Products and Services Purchasing Goals Bill Passed - House (77 - 22)
1/27 AB 1 Wisconsin-Based Products and Services Purchasing Goals Bill Passed - House (77 - 22)
4/28 AB 100 Restricting Health Insurance Companies' Ability to Exclude Individuals. Bill Passed - House (61 - 38)
9/03 AB 119 Prohibiting Gender-Based Health Insurance Pricing Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 28)
9/01 AB 119 Prohibiting Gender-Based Health Insurance Pricing Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
9/22 AB 119 Requiring Kindergarten for First Grade Enrollment Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15)
9/16 AB 119 Requiring Kindergarten for First Grade Enrollment Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
1/27 AB 2 Mandatory State Contracting with Domestic Companies Bill Passed - House (69 - 30)
1/27 AB 2 Mandatory State Contracting with Domestic Companies Bill Passed - House (69 - 30)
9/10 AB 2 Health Care Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 26)
9/08 AB 2 Health Care Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
6/26 AB 281 Phosphorus in Cleaning Products Bill Passed - House (60 - 37)
4/20 AB 495 Removing Medical Malpractice Award Cap Bill Passed - House (26 - 15)
9/10 AB 524 Privacy Law Expansion Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 20)
9/08 AB 524 Privacy Law Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
6/01 AB 920 Solar Power Energy Credit Bill Passed - House (51 - 26)
9/10 AB 98 Required Maternity Services Coverage Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 27)
9/09 AB 98 Required Maternity Services Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
7/24 ABX4 23 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Oil Drilling Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
4/28 Amdt 1 Allowing Pharmacists to Refuse to Provide "Abortifacients" Amendment Adopted - House (115 - 43)
4/23 Amdt 168357 Extended Citizens Property Insurance Corporation Premium Rate Freeze Amendment Rejected - House (40 - 76)
1/30 Amdt 2001 to HB 31 Exempting 21+ Establishments from Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (34 - 25)
1/30 Amdt 2002 to HB 31 Allowing Counties and Municipalities to Opt Out of Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (41 - 18)
4/01 Amdt 2 to HB 2 Exempting 18+ Establishments from Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (70 - 46)
2/24 Amdt 5 Prohibiting Employment Termination Due to Abortion Waiting Period Amendment Rejected - House (54 - 60)
4/30 Amdt 626368 Liability Insurance Related to SunRail Commuter Line Motion Rejected - Senate (17 - 23)
3/26 Amdt 677495 Amendments to Attorney Fee Cap in Workers Compensation Lawsuits Amendment Rejected - House (45 - 69)
3/19 H 246 Gasoline Tax Increase Bill Failed - House (27 - 43)
2/12 H 3301 Payday Lending Regulations Motion Agreed - House (93 - 16)
5/06 H 436 Nuclear Plant Decommisioning Fund Concurrence Vote Passed - House (85 - 52)
5/01 H 436 Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Fund Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 4)
3/27 H 436 Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Fund Amendments Bill Passed - House (93 - 46)
4/01 H 438 Gas Tax Increase to Fund Transportation Construction Bonds Bill Passed - House (108 - 35)
5/07 H 446 Renewable Energy Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (91 - 49)
5/05 H 446 Renewable Energy Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 10)
4/22 H 446 Renewable Energy Amendments Bill Passed - House (88 - 44)
5/12 H 5143 E-Verify Bill Bill Passed - House (38 - 33)
6/04 H 5336 Coastal Resources Management Council Bill Passed - House (60 - 8)
5/19 H 5769 Boxing Rule Changes Bill Passed - House (53 - 13)
6/09 H 6088 Limiting Alcohol Sales Bill Passed - House (35 - 33)
2/25 HB 1001 Tax Credit for Job Creation Bill Passed - House (52 - 13)
2/18 HB 103 Laid Off Employees Payment Time-Frame Bill Passed - House (194 - 164)
1/13 HB 1036 Workforce Safety and Insurance Premium Rate Regulation Bill Passed - House (62 - 32)
6/02 HB 105 Liquor License Bidding Bill Passed - House (71 - 27)
5/04 HB 1057 Mandatory Unpaid Parental Work Leave for Education Activities Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 26)
4/27 HB 1057 Mandatory Unpaid Parental Work Leave for Education Activities Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 13)
2/09 HB 1057 Mandatory Unpaid Parental Work Leave for Education Activities Bill Passed - House (35 - 30)
4/02 HB 107 Manufactured Housing Rental Regulations Bill Passed - House (22 - 16)
5/05 HB 1170 Allowing Locked-Out Employees to Collect Unemployment Benefits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 29)
4/28 HB 1170 Allowing Locked-Out Employees to Collect Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
2/12 HB 1204 Tobacco Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
2/05 HB 1204 Tobacco Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (75 - 24)
2/25 HB 1207 Required Nutritional Information on Restaurant Menus Bill Passed - House (51 - 46)
2/19 HB 1213 Prohibiting Smoking in Bars and Hotels Bill Failed - House (33 - 59)
2/17 HB 1213 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (70 - 26)
4/27 HB 1219 Permitting Offshore Drilling Bill Passed - House (70 - 43)
3/09 HB 1240 Smoking Ban Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 23)
3/04 HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
2/23 HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
2/17 HB 1255 Corporate Tax Rate Reduction Bill Passed - House (57 - 36)
3/23 HB 1260 Designated Beneficiary Agreements Between Unmarried Adults Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
2/24 HB 1260 Designated Beneficiary Agreements Between Unmarried Adults Bill Passed - House (41 - 24)
2/17 HB 1268 Sales Tax Exemption on Clothing Purchases Bill Passed - House (66 - 26)
7/20 HB 1289 Lottery Sales Ban at Check Cashing Sites Motion Rejected - Senate (20 - 23)
5/12 HB 1289 Lottery Sales Ban at Check Cashing Sites Bill Passed - House (84 - 29)
8/06 HB 1305 Beach Plan Changes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (92 - 19)
7/15 HB 1305 Beach Plan Changes Bill Passed - House (93 - 23)
3/04 HB 1329 Child Care Center Unionization Bill Passed - House (65 - 31)
4/22 HB 1332 Increased Regulation of Pet Breeders Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
3/04 HB 1332 Increased Regulation of Pet Breeders Bill Passed - House (74 - 26)
5/06 HB 1366 Capital Gains Income Tax Reduction Modification Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 28)
5/06 HB 1366 Capital Gains Income Tax Reduction Modification Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
4/29 HB 1379 Unemployment Benefit Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 47)
3/24 HB 1379 Unemployment Benefit Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
2/24 HB 1379 Unemployment Benefit Amendments Bill Passed - House (55 - 41)
2/17 HB 1410 State Purchasing Authority Amendments Bill Passed - House (61 - 37)
2/13 HB 144 Alcohol and Tobacco Sales Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
2/11 HB 144 Alcohol and Tobacco Sales Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (66 - 34)
2/13 HB 1440 Changes in Pharmacy Operation Requirements Bill Failed - House (35 - 57)
2/12 HB 1453 Wheelchair Accessibility in Businesses Bill Failed - House (19 - 72)
2/25 HB 1464 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - House (67 - 27)
5/01 HB 1495 Property Insurance Law Modifications Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
5/01 HB 1495 Property Insurance Law Modifications Concurrence Vote Passed - House (80 - 35)
2/02 HB 1539 Sales Tax Exemption for Purchase of "Big-Three" Cars Bill Failed - House (29 - 64)
7/22 HB 1595 Malt Beverage Special Permit Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 28)
7/15 HB 1595 Malt Beverage Special Permit Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11)
2/18 HB 1602 Attorney Fee Limits Bill Passed - House (54 - 46)
4/22 HB 1602 Attorney Fee Limits Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 23)
4/14 HB 1605 Allowing Counties to Impose Retail Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 4)
4/25 HB 1614 Oil Importation Fee for Storm Water Pollution Cleanup Bill Passed - House (51 - 45)

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