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
Oct. 7, 2009 PA HB 1416 2009-2010 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (107 - 93)
July 20, 2009 PA HB 1416 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
July 17, 2009 PA HB 1416 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - House (104 - 95)
Feb. 6, 2009 GA HB 143 Property Tax Grant Appropriation Authorization Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 24)
Jan. 30, 2009 GA HB 143 Property Tax Grant Appropriation Authorization Bill Passed - House (117 - 55)
Feb. 16, 2009 ND HB 1431 Increasing Fines for Certain Traffic Violations Bill Failed - House (35 - 57)
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)
Jan. 29, 2009 MT HB 147 Revising Campaign Expenditure Reporting Requirements Bill Passed - House (63 - 36)
Aug. 10, 2009 NC HB 148 Local Transportation Reforms Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 40)
Aug. 10, 2009 NC HB 148 Local Transportation Reforms Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 40)
April 29, 2009 IN HB 1491 St. Joseph Superior Court Judges Conference Report Adopted - House (68 - 22)
April 29, 2009 IN HB 1491 St. Joseph Superior Court Judges Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 18)
April 29, 2009 IN HB 1491 St. Joseph Superior Court Judges Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 18)
April 29, 2009 IN HB 1491 St. Joseph Superior Court Judges Conference Report Adopted - House (68 - 22)
Feb. 6, 2009 ND HB 1508 State-Sponsored Children's Savings Accounts Bill Failed - House (28 - 64)
April 22, 2009 WA HB 1517 Expediting the Restoration of Felons' Voting Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 44)
April 15, 2009 WA HB 1517 Expediting the Restoration of Felons' Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
Oct. 7, 2009 PA HB 1531 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (102 - 96)
Oct. 6, 2009 PA HB 1531 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
Oct. 2, 2009 PA HB 1531 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 98)
Feb. 11, 2009 MS HB 1533 Election Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (78 - 44)
Feb. 2, 2009 ND HB 1539 Sales Tax Exemption for Purchase of "Big-Three" Cars Bill Failed - House (29 - 64)
March 19, 2009 NM HB 154 Capital Improvement Appropriations Bill Passed - House (37 - 28)
Feb. 5, 2009 ND HB 1557 Even-Numbered Year Budget Adjustment Legislative Sessions Bill Failed - House (33 - 61)
Feb. 5, 2009 ND HB 1557 Even-Numbered Year Budget Adjustment Legislative Sessions Bill Failed - House (33 - 61)
Feb. 3, 2009 MT HB 157 Children's Health Insurance Program Appropriations and Amendments Bill Passed - House (60 - 40)
April 3, 2009 ND HB 1572 Legislative Intent With Regards to the Legal Definition of Life Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 29)
Feb. 17, 2009 ND HB 1572 Legislative Intent With Regards to the Legal Definition of Life Bill Passed - House (51 - 41)
Feb. 9, 2009 ND HB 1576 Election Law Amendments Bill Failed - House (47 - 46)
March 9, 2009 GA HB 160 Speeding Fee Bill Passed - House (113 - 53)
April 8, 2009 OK HB 1601 Regulating Attorney Election Contributions Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
Feb. 11, 2009 OK HB 1601 Regulating Attorney Election Contributions Bill Passed - House (62 - 36)
Feb. 11, 2009 OK HB 1601 Regulating Attorney Election Contributions Bill Passed - House (62 - 36)
April 8, 2009 OK HB 1601 Regulating Attorney Election Contributions Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
April 22, 2009 OK HB 1602 Attorney Fee Limits Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 23)
Feb. 18, 2009 OK HB 1602 Attorney Fee Limits Bill Passed - House (54 - 46)
April 22, 2009 OK HB 1603 Tort Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19)
March 4, 2009 OK HB 1603 Tort Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (61 - 39)
April 15, 2009 IN HB 1604 Authorizing Local Tax Increases to Fund Sports and Convention Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
April 15, 2009 IN HB 1604 Authorizing Local Tax Increases to Fund Sports and Convention Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
April 14, 2009 HI HB 1605 Allowing Counties to Impose Retail Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 4)
April 14, 2009 HI HB 1605 Allowing Counties to Impose Retail Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 4)
April 15, 2009 IN HB 1607 West Lake Commuter Rail Project Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
Feb. 25, 2009 IN HB 1607 West Lake Commuter Rail Project Bill Passed - House (68 - 31)
April 25, 2009 WA HB 1614 Oil Importation Fee for Storm Water Pollution Cleanup Bill Passed - House (51 - 45)
Oct. 9, 2009 PA HB 1614 Fiscal Code Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
Oct. 9, 2009 PA HB 1614 Fiscal Code Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
Oct. 9, 2009 PA HB 1614 Fiscal Code Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (106 - 92)
Oct. 9, 2009 PA HB 1614 Fiscal Code Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (106 - 92)
Oct. 9, 2009 PA HB 1614 Fiscal Code Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (106 - 92)
Feb. 10, 2009 IN HB 1656 Shifting Federal Transportation Funding to Counties and Localities Bill Passed - House (88 - 11)
Feb. 10, 2009 IN HB 1656 Shifting Federal Transportation Funding to Counties and Localities Bill Passed - House (88 - 11)
Feb. 10, 2009 IN HB 1656 Shifting Federal Transportation Funding to Counties and Localities Bill Passed - House (88 - 11)
Aug. 5, 2009 PA HB 1663 Appropriations from State Gaming Fund Bill Passed - House (110 - 87)
Feb. 4, 2009 VA HB 1671 "Derelict Building" Plan Requirements Bill Passed - House (80 - 17)
Feb. 24, 2009 VA HB 1671 "Derelict Building" Plan Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 3)
Oct. 23, 2009 NM HB 17 2009-2010 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
Oct. 22, 2009 NM HB 17 2009-2010 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (37 - 31)
Feb. 9, 2009 WY HB 170 State Lottery for Scholarship Funding Bill Failed - House (25 - 35)
March 9, 2009 AR HB 1700 Expanding Eligibility for Children's Health Insurance Program Bill Passed - House (82 - 14)
Feb. 10, 2009 IN HB 1723 2009-2010 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
Feb. 25, 2009 IN HB 1729 Gaming Facility Tax Amendments Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
Feb. 25, 2009 IN HB 1730 Exempting Energy Efficient Projects From Referendum Requirements Bill Passed - House (52 - 48)
Feb. 25, 2009 IN HB 1730 Exempting Energy Efficient Projects From Referendum Requirements Bill Passed - House (52 - 48)
May 11, 2009 TX HB 1736 Increasing Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
May 30, 2009 IL HB 174 Income Tax Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 27)
April 14, 2009 HI HB 1744 Allowing a County Surcharge on the Transient Accommodations Tax Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 6)
April 14, 2009 HI HB 1744 Allowing a County Surcharge on the Transient Accommodations Tax Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 6)
March 10, 2009 HI HB 1744 Suspending the Distribution of Transient Accommodation Tax Revenue to Counties Bill Passed - House (33 - 17)
March 10, 2009 HI HB 1744 Suspending the Distribution of Transient Accommodation Tax Revenue to Counties Bill Passed - House (33 - 17)
April 14, 2009 HI HB 1747 Income Tax Rate Increase for Top Income Brackets Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 4)
April 30, 2009 AL HB 175 Permitting Elections in Smaller Municipalities on Allowing Alcohol Veto Override Passed - House (54 - 19)
May 14, 2009 AL HB 175 Permitting Elections in Smaller Municipalities on Allowing Alcohol Veto Override Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
April 21, 2009 AL HB 175 Permitting Elections in Smaller Municipalities on Allowing Alcohol Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 23)
April 21, 2009 AL HB 175 Permitting Elections in Smaller Municipalities on Allowing Alcohol Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 9)
Sept. 11, 2009 PA HB 1828 Municipal Pension System Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (113 - 76)
Aug. 26, 2009 PA HB 1828 Municipal Pension System Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
Aug. 5, 2009 PA HB 1828 Municipal Pension System Amendments Bill Passed - House (112 - 85)
March 3, 2009 UT HB 187 Restricting Access to Public Waters on Private Property Bill Failed - House (34 - 41)
May 15, 2009 MO HB 191 Law Changes Regarding Taxation Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
March 3, 2009 WA HB 1956 Limiting Local Regulations of Homeless Shelters Bill Passed - House (56 - 41)
June 24, 2009 DE HB 198 National Popular Vote Bill Passed - House (23 - 12)
Aug. 10, 2009 AK HB 199 Federal Funds Appropriations Veto Override Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
Aug. 10, 2009 AK HB 199 Federal Funds Appropriations Veto Override Passed - House (30 - 9)
April 28, 2009 MT HB 2 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 23)
April 28, 2009 MT HB 2 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (56 - 44)
March 12, 2009 UT HB 2 2009-2010 Education Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 27)
April 3, 2009 GA HB 2 Citizenship Status Verification of Government Assistance Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 16)
April 3, 2009 GA HB 2 Citizenship Status Verification of Government Assistance Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - House (121 - 47)
March 11, 2009 UT HB 2 2009-2010 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 9)
April 14, 2009 MT HB 2 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
March 18, 2009 OH HB 2 2009-2011 Biennium Transportation Budget Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
March 17, 2009 MT HB 2 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (65 - 35)
April 9, 2009 NH HB 2 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (182 - 165)
March 5, 2009 OH HB 2 2009-2011 Biennium Transportation Budget Bill Passed - House (53 - 45)
March 26, 2009 MO HB 2 2009-10 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (92 - 64)
April 1, 2009 OH HB 2 2009-2011 Biennium Transportation Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 29)
May 27, 2009 AZ HB 2001 Scholarships for Disabled or Displaced Students Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
May 27, 2009 AZ HB 2001 Scholarships for Disabled or Displaced Students Bill Passed - House (35 - 25)
Date No. Title Outcome
10/07 HB 1416 2009-2010 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (107 - 93)
7/20 HB 1416 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
7/17 HB 1416 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - House (104 - 95)
2/06 HB 143 Property Tax Grant Appropriation Authorization Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 24)
1/30 HB 143 Property Tax Grant Appropriation Authorization Bill Passed - House (117 - 55)
2/16 HB 1431 Increasing Fines for Certain Traffic Violations Bill Failed - House (35 - 57)
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)
1/29 HB 147 Revising Campaign Expenditure Reporting Requirements Bill Passed - House (63 - 36)
8/10 HB 148 Local Transportation Reforms Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 40)
8/10 HB 148 Local Transportation Reforms Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 40)
4/29 HB 1491 St. Joseph Superior Court Judges Conference Report Adopted - House (68 - 22)
4/29 HB 1491 St. Joseph Superior Court Judges Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 18)
4/29 HB 1491 St. Joseph Superior Court Judges Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 18)
4/29 HB 1491 St. Joseph Superior Court Judges Conference Report Adopted - House (68 - 22)
2/06 HB 1508 State-Sponsored Children's Savings Accounts Bill Failed - House (28 - 64)
4/22 HB 1517 Expediting the Restoration of Felons' Voting Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 44)
4/15 HB 1517 Expediting the Restoration of Felons' Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
10/07 HB 1531 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (102 - 96)
10/06 HB 1531 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
10/02 HB 1531 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 98)
2/11 HB 1533 Election Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (78 - 44)
2/02 HB 1539 Sales Tax Exemption for Purchase of "Big-Three" Cars Bill Failed - House (29 - 64)
3/19 HB 154 Capital Improvement Appropriations Bill Passed - House (37 - 28)
2/05 HB 1557 Even-Numbered Year Budget Adjustment Legislative Sessions Bill Failed - House (33 - 61)
2/05 HB 1557 Even-Numbered Year Budget Adjustment Legislative Sessions Bill Failed - House (33 - 61)
2/03 HB 157 Children's Health Insurance Program Appropriations and Amendments Bill Passed - House (60 - 40)
4/03 HB 1572 Legislative Intent With Regards to the Legal Definition of Life Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 29)
2/17 HB 1572 Legislative Intent With Regards to the Legal Definition of Life Bill Passed - House (51 - 41)
2/09 HB 1576 Election Law Amendments Bill Failed - House (47 - 46)
3/09 HB 160 Speeding Fee Bill Passed - House (113 - 53)
4/08 HB 1601 Regulating Attorney Election Contributions Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
2/11 HB 1601 Regulating Attorney Election Contributions Bill Passed - House (62 - 36)
2/11 HB 1601 Regulating Attorney Election Contributions Bill Passed - House (62 - 36)
4/08 HB 1601 Regulating Attorney Election Contributions Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
4/22 HB 1602 Attorney Fee Limits Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 23)
2/18 HB 1602 Attorney Fee Limits Bill Passed - House (54 - 46)
4/22 HB 1603 Tort Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19)
3/04 HB 1603 Tort Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (61 - 39)
4/15 HB 1604 Authorizing Local Tax Increases to Fund Sports and Convention Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
4/15 HB 1604 Authorizing Local Tax Increases to Fund Sports and Convention Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
4/14 HB 1605 Allowing Counties to Impose Retail Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 4)
4/14 HB 1605 Allowing Counties to Impose Retail Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 4)
4/15 HB 1607 West Lake Commuter Rail Project Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
2/25 HB 1607 West Lake Commuter Rail Project Bill Passed - House (68 - 31)
4/25 HB 1614 Oil Importation Fee for Storm Water Pollution Cleanup Bill Passed - House (51 - 45)
10/09 HB 1614 Fiscal Code Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
10/09 HB 1614 Fiscal Code Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
10/09 HB 1614 Fiscal Code Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (106 - 92)
10/09 HB 1614 Fiscal Code Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (106 - 92)
10/09 HB 1614 Fiscal Code Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (106 - 92)
2/10 HB 1656 Shifting Federal Transportation Funding to Counties and Localities Bill Passed - House (88 - 11)
2/10 HB 1656 Shifting Federal Transportation Funding to Counties and Localities Bill Passed - House (88 - 11)
2/10 HB 1656 Shifting Federal Transportation Funding to Counties and Localities Bill Passed - House (88 - 11)
8/05 HB 1663 Appropriations from State Gaming Fund Bill Passed - House (110 - 87)
2/04 HB 1671 "Derelict Building" Plan Requirements Bill Passed - House (80 - 17)
2/24 HB 1671 "Derelict Building" Plan Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 3)
10/23 HB 17 2009-2010 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
10/22 HB 17 2009-2010 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (37 - 31)
2/09 HB 170 State Lottery for Scholarship Funding Bill Failed - House (25 - 35)
3/09 HB 1700 Expanding Eligibility for Children's Health Insurance Program Bill Passed - House (82 - 14)
2/10 HB 1723 2009-2010 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
2/25 HB 1729 Gaming Facility Tax Amendments Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
2/25 HB 1730 Exempting Energy Efficient Projects From Referendum Requirements Bill Passed - House (52 - 48)
2/25 HB 1730 Exempting Energy Efficient Projects From Referendum Requirements Bill Passed - House (52 - 48)
5/11 HB 1736 Increasing Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
5/30 HB 174 Income Tax Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 27)
4/14 HB 1744 Allowing a County Surcharge on the Transient Accommodations Tax Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 6)
4/14 HB 1744 Allowing a County Surcharge on the Transient Accommodations Tax Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 6)
3/10 HB 1744 Suspending the Distribution of Transient Accommodation Tax Revenue to Counties Bill Passed - House (33 - 17)
3/10 HB 1744 Suspending the Distribution of Transient Accommodation Tax Revenue to Counties Bill Passed - House (33 - 17)
4/14 HB 1747 Income Tax Rate Increase for Top Income Brackets Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 4)
4/30 HB 175 Permitting Elections in Smaller Municipalities on Allowing Alcohol Veto Override Passed - House (54 - 19)
5/14 HB 175 Permitting Elections in Smaller Municipalities on Allowing Alcohol Veto Override Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
4/21 HB 175 Permitting Elections in Smaller Municipalities on Allowing Alcohol Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 23)
4/21 HB 175 Permitting Elections in Smaller Municipalities on Allowing Alcohol Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 9)
9/11 HB 1828 Municipal Pension System Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (113 - 76)
8/26 HB 1828 Municipal Pension System Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
8/05 HB 1828 Municipal Pension System Amendments Bill Passed - House (112 - 85)
3/03 HB 187 Restricting Access to Public Waters on Private Property Bill Failed - House (34 - 41)
5/15 HB 191 Law Changes Regarding Taxation Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
3/03 HB 1956 Limiting Local Regulations of Homeless Shelters Bill Passed - House (56 - 41)
6/24 HB 198 National Popular Vote Bill Passed - House (23 - 12)
8/10 HB 199 Federal Funds Appropriations Veto Override Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
8/10 HB 199 Federal Funds Appropriations Veto Override Passed - House (30 - 9)
4/28 HB 2 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 23)
4/28 HB 2 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (56 - 44)
3/12 HB 2 2009-2010 Education Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 27)
4/03 HB 2 Citizenship Status Verification of Government Assistance Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 16)
4/03 HB 2 Citizenship Status Verification of Government Assistance Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - House (121 - 47)
3/11 HB 2 2009-2010 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 9)
4/14 HB 2 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
3/18 HB 2 2009-2011 Biennium Transportation Budget Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
3/17 HB 2 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (65 - 35)
4/09 HB 2 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (182 - 165)
3/05 HB 2 2009-2011 Biennium Transportation Budget Bill Passed - House (53 - 45)
3/26 HB 2 2009-10 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (92 - 64)
4/01 HB 2 2009-2011 Biennium Transportation Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 29)
5/27 HB 2001 Scholarships for Disabled or Displaced Students Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
5/27 HB 2001 Scholarships for Disabled or Displaced Students Bill Passed - House (35 - 25)

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