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:
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.
Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|---|
Dec. 18, 2008 | CA | ABx1 5 | Modifying Transportation Project Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10) |
Sept. 18, 2008 | MI | HB 5524 | Energy Utility Regulations | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 11) |
Sept. 18, 2008 | MI | SB 213 | Renewable Electricity Standards | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 10) |
Aug. 30, 2008 | CA | SB 375 | Global Warming and Land Use Policy | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 14) |
Aug. 22, 2008 | CA | AB 3025 | Polystyrene Packaging Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17) |
Aug. 7, 2008 | CA | AB 1946 | Expanding Enforcement of Water Pollution Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16) |
Aug. 7, 2008 | CA | AB 2270 | Water Softener Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12) |
Aug. 5, 2008 | CA | SB 974 | Shipping Fee | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 10) |
July 17, 2008 | NC | HB 2499 | Water Management During Droughts | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 9) |
July 10, 2008 | NC | HB 822 | Swine Farm Rebuilding | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 8) |
June 23, 2008 | AZ | SB 1167 | Off-Highway Vehicle Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 7) |
June 23, 2008 | AZ | HB 2156 | Reviews for Potential Railroad Sites | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 6) |
June 11, 2008 | DE | SB 263 | Greenhouse Gas Caps | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5) |
June 6, 2008 | National | S Amdt 4825 | Carbon Emissions Cap and Trade Plan | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (48 - 36) |
May 15, 2008 | MN | HF 3195 | Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap and Trade Program Report | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 22) |
May 15, 2008 | NH | HB 1434 | Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8) |
May 15, 2008 | MI | SB 860 | Great Lakes Water Management | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
May 7, 2008 | KS | SB 586 | Incentives to Develop Nuclear Power Facilities | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 3) |
May 6, 2008 | KS | HB 2412 | Coal Plant Incentives | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 10) |
May 2, 2008 | CO | HB 1161 | Mining Regulation | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2) |
April 30, 2008 | KS | SB 148 | Electricity Generation and Conservation | Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 7) |
April 30, 2008 | MN | HF 3195 | Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap and Trade Program Report | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 21) |
April 23, 2008 | AZ | HB 2017 | Legislative Approval for Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7) |
April 16, 2008 | IL | SB 2052 | Taxes for Levee Repair | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 15) |
April 7, 2008 | MD | SB 268 | Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 16) |
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 | KS | SB 148 | Electricity Generation and Conservation | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 7) |
April 2, 2008 | KY | HB 406 | 2008-2010 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3) |
April 1, 2008 | GA | HB 1281 | Restricting Local Outdoor Water Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 13) |
April 1, 2008 | MD | SB 268 | Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program | Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 25) |
March 31, 2008 | ME | LD 2289 | 2008-2009 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
March 31, 2008 | CO | HB 1270 | Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
March 27, 2008 | CO | HB 1280 | Extending Water Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2) |
March 24, 2008 | KY | HB 406 | 2008-2010 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2) |
March 24, 2008 | MD | SB 309 | Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16) |
March 19, 2008 | IA | SJR 2002 | Natural Resources Trust Fund | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (47 - 2) |
March 17, 2008 | ID | H 561 | Tax Exemptions for the Processing of Fuel for Energy Production | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7) |
March 17, 2008 | ID | H 562 | Tax Exemption for New Capital Investments | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
March 12, 2008 | KY | SB 156 | Nuclear Waste Disposal | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
March 6, 2008 | KS | SB 327 | Expansion of Coal-Fired Power Plants | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 7) |
March 6, 2008 | MN | HF 380 | Capital Improvements Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 9) |
March 6, 2008 | CO | HB 1025 | Governor's Energy Office | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13) |
March 6, 2008 | WI | SB 523 | Great Lakes Water Resources Compact | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6) |
March 5, 2008 | WA | HB 2815 | Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19) |
Feb. 28, 2008 | KS | SB 586 | Incentives to Develop Nuclear Power Facilities | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8) |
Feb. 27, 2008 | CO | HB 1069 | Prohibiting Motor Vehicles on Public Lands | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8) |
Feb. 25, 2008 | WY | SF 46 | Water Discharge from Methane Gas Wells | Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 15) |
Feb. 18, 2008 | WA | SB 6777 | Halting Mining on Maury Island | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 23) |
Feb. 14, 2008 | MN | HF 2285 | Funding for Natural Resources and Cultural Heritage | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (46 - 17) |
Feb. 14, 2008 | KS | HB 2066 | Restricting the Secretary of Health and Environment's Enforcement Powers | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 7) |
Feb. 13, 2008 | KS | Steineger Amnd. | Limiting Carbon Dioxide Emissions | Amendment Rejected - Senate (3 - 32) |
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) |
Jan. 30, 2008 | CA | SB 908 | Global Warming Education in Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
Jan. 24, 2008 | CO | GN Baker | Matt Baker to the Public Utilities Commission | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (21 - 13) |
Jan. 18, 2008 | GA | SR 701 | State-Wide Water Management Plan | Resolution Passed - Senate (39 - 12) |
Jan. 7, 2008 | NJ | A 4559 | Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16) |
Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|
12/18 | ABx1 5 | Modifying Transportation Project Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10) |
9/18 | HB 5524 | Energy Utility Regulations | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 11) |
9/18 | SB 213 | Renewable Electricity Standards | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 10) |
8/30 | SB 375 | Global Warming and Land Use Policy | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 14) |
8/22 | AB 3025 | Polystyrene Packaging Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17) |
8/07 | AB 1946 | Expanding Enforcement of Water Pollution Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16) |
8/07 | AB 2270 | Water Softener Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12) |
8/05 | SB 974 | Shipping Fee | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 10) |
7/17 | HB 2499 | Water Management During Droughts | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 9) |
7/10 | HB 822 | Swine Farm Rebuilding | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 8) |
6/23 | SB 1167 | Off-Highway Vehicle Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 7) |
6/23 | HB 2156 | Reviews for Potential Railroad Sites | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 6) |
6/11 | SB 263 | Greenhouse Gas Caps | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5) |
6/06 | S Amdt 4825 | Carbon Emissions Cap and Trade Plan | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (48 - 36) |
5/15 | HF 3195 | Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap and Trade Program Report | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 22) |
5/15 | HB 1434 | Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8) |
5/15 | SB 860 | Great Lakes Water Management | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
5/07 | SB 586 | Incentives to Develop Nuclear Power Facilities | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 3) |
5/06 | HB 2412 | Coal Plant Incentives | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 10) |
5/02 | HB 1161 | Mining Regulation | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2) |
4/30 | SB 148 | Electricity Generation and Conservation | Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 7) |
4/30 | HF 3195 | Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap and Trade Program Report | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 21) |
4/23 | HB 2017 | Legislative Approval for Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7) |
4/16 | SB 2052 | Taxes for Levee Repair | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 15) |
4/07 | SB 268 | Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 16) |
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 148 | Electricity Generation and Conservation | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 7) |
4/02 | HB 406 | 2008-2010 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3) |
4/01 | HB 1281 | Restricting Local Outdoor Water Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 13) |
4/01 | SB 268 | Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program | Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 25) |
3/31 | LD 2289 | 2008-2009 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
3/31 | HB 1270 | Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
3/27 | HB 1280 | Extending Water Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2) |
3/24 | HB 406 | 2008-2010 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2) |
3/24 | SB 309 | Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16) |
3/19 | SJR 2002 | Natural Resources Trust Fund | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (47 - 2) |
3/17 | H 561 | Tax Exemptions for the Processing of Fuel for Energy Production | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7) |
3/17 | H 562 | Tax Exemption for New Capital Investments | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
3/12 | SB 156 | Nuclear Waste Disposal | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
3/06 | SB 327 | Expansion of Coal-Fired Power Plants | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 7) |
3/06 | HF 380 | Capital Improvements Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 9) |
3/06 | HB 1025 | Governor's Energy Office | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13) |
3/06 | SB 523 | Great Lakes Water Resources Compact | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6) |
3/05 | HB 2815 | Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19) |
2/28 | SB 586 | Incentives to Develop Nuclear Power Facilities | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8) |
2/27 | HB 1069 | Prohibiting Motor Vehicles on Public Lands | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8) |
2/25 | SF 46 | Water Discharge from Methane Gas Wells | Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 15) |
2/18 | SB 6777 | Halting Mining on Maury Island | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 23) |
2/14 | HF 2285 | Funding for Natural Resources and Cultural Heritage | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (46 - 17) |
2/14 | HB 2066 | Restricting the Secretary of Health and Environment's Enforcement Powers | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 7) |
2/13 | Steineger Amnd. | Limiting Carbon Dioxide Emissions | Amendment Rejected - Senate (3 - 32) |
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) |
1/30 | SB 908 | Global Warming Education in Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
1/24 | GN Baker | Matt Baker to the Public Utilities Commission | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (21 - 13) |
1/18 | SR 701 | State-Wide Water Management Plan | Resolution Passed - Senate (39 - 12) |
1/07 | A 4559 | Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16) |