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
Oct. 27, 2008 NJ A 2550 Renewable Energy Facilities Within Industrial Districts Bill Passed - House (60 - 15)
Jan. 7, 2008 NJ A 4559 Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
Jan. 7, 2008 NJ A 4559 Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - House (43 - 31)
Aug. 12, 2008 CA AB 1946 Expanding Enforcement of Water Pollution Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 29)
Aug. 7, 2008 CA AB 1946 Expanding Enforcement of Water Pollution Laws Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
May 28, 2008 CA AB 1991 Development on Half Moon Bay Bill Passed - House (46 - 18)
May 28, 2008 CA AB 2058 Paper and Plastic Bag Tax Bill Passed - House (44 - 33)
Aug. 12, 2008 CA AB 2270 Water Softener Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 19)
Aug. 7, 2008 CA AB 2270 Water Softener Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
Aug. 22, 2008 CA AB 3025 Polystyrene Packaging Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
May 27, 2008 CA AB 3025 Polystyrene Packaging Regulations Bill Passed - House (42 - 32)
March 5, 2008 WI AB 346 Nuclear Power Plant Construction Bill Passed - House (57 - 38)
Dec. 18, 2008 CA ABx1 5 Modifying Transportation Project Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
Jan. 24, 2008 CO GN Baker Matt Baker to the Public Utilities Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (21 - 13)
March 5, 2008 ID H 561 Tax Exemptions for the Processing of Fuel for Energy Production Bill Passed - House (60 - 10)
March 17, 2008 ID H 561 Tax Exemptions for the Processing of Fuel for Energy Production Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
March 5, 2008 ID H 562 Tax Exemption for New Capital Investments Bill Passed - House (41 - 27)
March 17, 2008 ID H 562 Tax Exemption for New Capital Investments Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
March 7, 2008 ID H 586 State Administered Vehicle Emissions Testing Bill Passed - House (42 - 26)
March 11, 2008 PA HB 1 Clean Energy Program Bill Passed - House (126 - 74)
March 7, 2008 CO HB 1025 Governor's Energy Office Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 7)
March 6, 2008 CO HB 1025 Governor's Energy Office Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
Jan. 30, 2008 CO HB 1025 Governor's Energy Office Bill Passed - House (59 - 5)
Feb. 27, 2008 CO HB 1069 Prohibiting Motor Vehicles on Public Lands Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
Jan. 30, 2008 CO HB 1069 Prohibiting Motor Vehicles on Public Lands Bill Passed - House (43 - 22)
Jan. 30, 2008 IN HB 1090 Climate Registry Act Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
Feb. 27, 2008 CO HB 1107 Energy Efficiency Requirements Bill Passed - House (33 - 32)
May 5, 2008 CO HB 1161 Mining Regulation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 15)
May 2, 2008 CO HB 1161 Mining Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
March 31, 2008 CO HB 1161 Mining Regulation Bill Passed - House (49 - 16)
April 15, 2008 CO HB 1270 Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 10)
March 31, 2008 CO HB 1270 Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
Feb. 27, 2008 CO HB 1270 Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures Bill Passed - House (45 - 20)
April 1, 2008 CO HB 1280 Extending Water Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 8)
March 27, 2008 CO HB 1280 Extending Water Rights Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
Feb. 27, 2008 CO HB 1280 Extending Water Rights Bill Passed - House (59 - 6)
April 1, 2008 GA HB 1281 Restricting Local Outdoor Water Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 13)
March 4, 2008 GA HB 1281 Restricting Local Outdoor Water Regulations Bill Passed - House (124 - 38)
Feb. 12, 2008 UT HB 137 Water Conservation Program Bill Failed - House (31 - 40)
May 15, 2008 NH HB 1434 Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8)
March 19, 2008 NH HB 1434 Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Bill Passed - House (214 - 107)
May 12, 2008 AZ HB 2017 Legislative Approval for Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 22)
April 23, 2008 AZ HB 2017 Legislative Approval for Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
Feb. 14, 2008 KS HB 2066 Restricting the Secretary of Health and Environment's Enforcement Powers Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 7)
June 25, 2008 AZ HB 2156 Reviews for Potential Railroad Sites Concurrence Vote Passed - House (40 - 12)
June 23, 2008 AZ HB 2156 Reviews for Potential Railroad Sites Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 6)
May 6, 2008 KS HB 2412 Coal Plant Incentives Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 10)
May 7, 2008 KS HB 2412 Coal Plant Incentives Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 48)
March 18, 2008 AZ HB 2427 Pinal County Emissions Testing Bill Failed - House (22 - 37)
July 18, 2008 NC HB 2499 Water Management During Droughts Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 36)
July 17, 2008 NC HB 2499 Water Management During Droughts Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 9)
July 15, 2008 NC HB 2499 Water Management During Droughts Bill Passed - House (92 - 20)
March 10, 2008 AZ HB 2573 Off-Highway Vehicle Regulations Bill Passed - House (43 - 13)
March 5, 2008 WA HB 2815 Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
Feb. 19, 2008 WA HB 2815 Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - House (64 - 31)
Feb. 12, 2008 NM HB 305 Energy Efficiency Requirements for Public Utilities Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
Feb. 8, 2008 NM HB 342 Uranium Cleanup Fund Bill Passed - House (55 - 11)
April 7, 2008 MD HB 374 Energy Efficiency Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (101 - 33)
April 7, 2008 MD HB 374 Energy Efficiency Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
April 7, 2008 MD HB 375 Increasing Renewable Energy Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 24)
April 7, 2008 MD HB 375 Increasing Renewable Energy Standards Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
April 2, 2008 KY HB 406 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3)
April 2, 2008 KY HB 406 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 21)
March 24, 2008 KY HB 406 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
March 12, 2008 KY HB 406 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (84 - 14)
June 4, 2008 MI HB 5068 Great Lakes Water Management Bill Passed - House (56 - 52)
Sept. 18, 2008 MI HB 5524 Energy Utility Regulations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 11)
Sept. 18, 2008 MI HB 5524 Energy Utility Regulations Conference Report Adopted - House (78 - 29)
April 17, 2008 MI HB 5524 Energy Utility Regulations Bill Passed - House (78 - 30)
April 17, 2008 MI HB 5525 Energy Efficiency Program Bill Passed - House (81 - 18)
April 17, 2008 MI HB 5548 Renewable Energy Portfolios Bill Passed - House (86 - 21)
April 17, 2008 MI HB 5549 Renewable Energy Portfolio Exemptions Bill Passed - House (84 - 21)
July 10, 2008 NC HB 822 Swine Farm Rebuilding Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 8)
Feb. 14, 2008 MN HF 2285 Funding for Natural Resources and Cultural Heritage Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 46)
Feb. 14, 2008 MN HF 2285 Funding for Natural Resources and Cultural Heritage Conference Report Adopted - Senate (46 - 17)
May 13, 2008 MN HF 3195 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap and Trade Program Report Conference Report Adopted - House (96 - 36)
May 15, 2008 MN HF 3195 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap and Trade Program Report Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 22)
April 30, 2008 MN HF 3195 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap and Trade Program Report Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 21)
April 23, 2008 MN HF 3195 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap and Trade Program Report Bill Passed - House (91 - 38)
March 6, 2008 MN HF 380 Capital Improvements Budget Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 9)
March 6, 2008 MN HF 380 Capital Improvements Budget Bill Passed - House (99 - 34)
Jan. 18, 2008 GA HR 1022 State-Wide Water Management Plan Bill Passed - House (131 - 37)
July 16, 2008 National HR 415 Adding Parts of the Taunton River to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System Bill Passed - House (242 - 175)
March 31, 2008 ME LD 2289 2008-2009 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 55)
March 31, 2008 ME LD 2289 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
April 29, 2008 National S 2739 Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 Bill Passed - House (291 - 117)
June 6, 2008 National S Amdt 4825 Carbon Emissions Cap and Trade Plan Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (48 - 36)
June 23, 2008 AZ SB 1167 Off-Highway Vehicle Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 7)
April 3, 2008 AZ SB 1167 Off-Highway Vehicle Regulations Bill Passed - House (42 - 13)
May 1, 2008 KS SB 148 Electricity Generation and Conservation Veto Override Failed - House (80 - 45)
April 30, 2008 KS SB 148 Electricity Generation and Conservation Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
April 4, 2008 KS SB 148 Electricity Generation and Conservation Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
April 4, 2008 KS SB 148 Electricity Generation and Conservation Bill Passed - House (83 - 41)
March 12, 2008 KY SB 156 Nuclear Waste Disposal Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
April 16, 2008 IL SB 2052 Taxes for Levee Repair Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 15)
May 15, 2008 IL SB 2052 Taxes for Levee Repair Bill Passed - House (64 - 44)
Sept. 18, 2008 MI SB 213 Renewable Electricity Standards Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 24)
Sept. 18, 2008 MI SB 213 Renewable Electricity Standards Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 10)
May 5, 2008 CO SB 226 Zebra Mussels Ban Bill Passed - House (54 - 11)
June 11, 2008 DE SB 263 Greenhouse Gas Caps Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
Date No. Title Outcome
10/27 A 2550 Renewable Energy Facilities Within Industrial Districts Bill Passed - House (60 - 15)
1/07 A 4559 Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
1/07 A 4559 Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - House (43 - 31)
8/12 AB 1946 Expanding Enforcement of Water Pollution Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 29)
8/07 AB 1946 Expanding Enforcement of Water Pollution Laws Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
5/28 AB 1991 Development on Half Moon Bay Bill Passed - House (46 - 18)
5/28 AB 2058 Paper and Plastic Bag Tax Bill Passed - House (44 - 33)
8/12 AB 2270 Water Softener Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 19)
8/07 AB 2270 Water Softener Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
8/22 AB 3025 Polystyrene Packaging Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
5/27 AB 3025 Polystyrene Packaging Regulations Bill Passed - House (42 - 32)
3/05 AB 346 Nuclear Power Plant Construction Bill Passed - House (57 - 38)
12/18 ABx1 5 Modifying Transportation Project Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
1/24 GN Baker Matt Baker to the Public Utilities Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (21 - 13)
3/05 H 561 Tax Exemptions for the Processing of Fuel for Energy Production Bill Passed - House (60 - 10)
3/17 H 561 Tax Exemptions for the Processing of Fuel for Energy Production Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
3/05 H 562 Tax Exemption for New Capital Investments Bill Passed - House (41 - 27)
3/17 H 562 Tax Exemption for New Capital Investments Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
3/07 H 586 State Administered Vehicle Emissions Testing Bill Passed - House (42 - 26)
3/11 HB 1 Clean Energy Program Bill Passed - House (126 - 74)
3/07 HB 1025 Governor's Energy Office Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 7)
3/06 HB 1025 Governor's Energy Office Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
1/30 HB 1025 Governor's Energy Office Bill Passed - House (59 - 5)
2/27 HB 1069 Prohibiting Motor Vehicles on Public Lands Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
1/30 HB 1069 Prohibiting Motor Vehicles on Public Lands Bill Passed - House (43 - 22)
1/30 HB 1090 Climate Registry Act Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
2/27 HB 1107 Energy Efficiency Requirements Bill Passed - House (33 - 32)
5/05 HB 1161 Mining Regulation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 15)
5/02 HB 1161 Mining Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
3/31 HB 1161 Mining Regulation Bill Passed - House (49 - 16)
4/15 HB 1270 Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 10)
3/31 HB 1270 Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
2/27 HB 1270 Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures Bill Passed - House (45 - 20)
4/01 HB 1280 Extending Water Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 8)
3/27 HB 1280 Extending Water Rights Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
2/27 HB 1280 Extending Water Rights Bill Passed - House (59 - 6)
4/01 HB 1281 Restricting Local Outdoor Water Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 13)
3/04 HB 1281 Restricting Local Outdoor Water Regulations Bill Passed - House (124 - 38)
2/12 HB 137 Water Conservation Program Bill Failed - House (31 - 40)
5/15 HB 1434 Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8)
3/19 HB 1434 Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Bill Passed - House (214 - 107)
5/12 HB 2017 Legislative Approval for Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 22)
4/23 HB 2017 Legislative Approval for Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
2/14 HB 2066 Restricting the Secretary of Health and Environment's Enforcement Powers Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 7)
6/25 HB 2156 Reviews for Potential Railroad Sites Concurrence Vote Passed - House (40 - 12)
6/23 HB 2156 Reviews for Potential Railroad Sites Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 6)
5/06 HB 2412 Coal Plant Incentives Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 10)
5/07 HB 2412 Coal Plant Incentives Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 48)
3/18 HB 2427 Pinal County Emissions Testing Bill Failed - House (22 - 37)
7/18 HB 2499 Water Management During Droughts Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 36)
7/17 HB 2499 Water Management During Droughts Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 9)
7/15 HB 2499 Water Management During Droughts Bill Passed - House (92 - 20)
3/10 HB 2573 Off-Highway Vehicle Regulations Bill Passed - House (43 - 13)
3/05 HB 2815 Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
2/19 HB 2815 Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - House (64 - 31)
2/12 HB 305 Energy Efficiency Requirements for Public Utilities Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
2/08 HB 342 Uranium Cleanup Fund Bill Passed - House (55 - 11)
4/07 HB 374 Energy Efficiency Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (101 - 33)
4/07 HB 374 Energy Efficiency Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
4/07 HB 375 Increasing Renewable Energy Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 24)
4/07 HB 375 Increasing Renewable Energy Standards Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
4/02 HB 406 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3)
4/02 HB 406 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 21)
3/24 HB 406 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
3/12 HB 406 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (84 - 14)
6/04 HB 5068 Great Lakes Water Management Bill Passed - House (56 - 52)
9/18 HB 5524 Energy Utility Regulations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 11)
9/18 HB 5524 Energy Utility Regulations Conference Report Adopted - House (78 - 29)
4/17 HB 5524 Energy Utility Regulations Bill Passed - House (78 - 30)
4/17 HB 5525 Energy Efficiency Program Bill Passed - House (81 - 18)
4/17 HB 5548 Renewable Energy Portfolios Bill Passed - House (86 - 21)
4/17 HB 5549 Renewable Energy Portfolio Exemptions Bill Passed - House (84 - 21)
7/10 HB 822 Swine Farm Rebuilding Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 8)
2/14 HF 2285 Funding for Natural Resources and Cultural Heritage Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 46)
2/14 HF 2285 Funding for Natural Resources and Cultural Heritage Conference Report Adopted - Senate (46 - 17)
5/13 HF 3195 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap and Trade Program Report Conference Report Adopted - House (96 - 36)
5/15 HF 3195 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap and Trade Program Report Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 22)
4/30 HF 3195 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap and Trade Program Report Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 21)
4/23 HF 3195 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap and Trade Program Report Bill Passed - House (91 - 38)
3/06 HF 380 Capital Improvements Budget Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 9)
3/06 HF 380 Capital Improvements Budget Bill Passed - House (99 - 34)
1/18 HR 1022 State-Wide Water Management Plan Bill Passed - House (131 - 37)
7/16 HR 415 Adding Parts of the Taunton River to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System Bill Passed - House (242 - 175)
3/31 LD 2289 2008-2009 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 55)
3/31 LD 2289 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
4/29 S 2739 Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 Bill Passed - House (291 - 117)
6/06 S Amdt 4825 Carbon Emissions Cap and Trade Plan Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (48 - 36)
6/23 SB 1167 Off-Highway Vehicle Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 7)
4/03 SB 1167 Off-Highway Vehicle Regulations Bill Passed - House (42 - 13)
5/01 SB 148 Electricity Generation and Conservation Veto Override Failed - House (80 - 45)
4/30 SB 148 Electricity Generation and Conservation Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
4/04 SB 148 Electricity Generation and Conservation Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
4/04 SB 148 Electricity Generation and Conservation Bill Passed - House (83 - 41)
3/12 SB 156 Nuclear Waste Disposal Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
4/16 SB 2052 Taxes for Levee Repair Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 15)
5/15 SB 2052 Taxes for Levee Repair Bill Passed - House (64 - 44)
9/18 SB 213 Renewable Electricity Standards Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 24)
9/18 SB 213 Renewable Electricity Standards Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 10)
5/05 SB 226 Zebra Mussels Ban Bill Passed - House (54 - 11)
6/11 SB 263 Greenhouse Gas Caps Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)

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