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
Aug. 7, 2008 AK SB 4002 Energy Rebate Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (11 - 5)
April 13, 2008 AK SB 221 2008-2009 Capital Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
Aug. 6, 2008 AK SB 4002 Energy Rebate Bill Bill Passed - House (30 - 7)
April 12, 2008 AK SB 221 2008-2009 Capital Budget Bill Passed - House (33 - 6)
March 24, 2008 AK HB 310 2008-2009 Operating Budget Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 4)
Aug. 7, 2008 AK SB 4002 Energy Rebate Bill Bill Passed - House (33 - 5)
July 22, 2008 AK HB 3001 Natural Gas Pipeline to Canada Bill Passed - House (24 - 16)
Aug. 4, 2008 AK SB 4002 Energy Rebate Bill Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 3)
March 5, 2008 AK SB 256 2008-2009 Supplemental Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 2)
March 4, 2008 AK HB 310 2008-2009 Operating Budget Bill Passed - House (29 - 10)
Aug. 1, 2008 AK HB 3001 Natural Gas Pipeline to Canada Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
April 2, 2008 AK SB 221 2008-2009 Capital Budget Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
May 1, 2008 AL HB 787 State Employees in Public Office Bill Passed - House (57 - 36)
April 15, 2008 AL HB 274 Food Sales Tax Repeal Bill Passed - House (63 - 38)
Feb. 26, 2008 AL HB 73 Prohibiting Money Transfers Between Political Action Committees Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
May 31, 2008 AL SB 51 2008-2009 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (98 - 4)
May 29, 2008 AL SB 51 2008-2009 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
April 1, 2008 AR HB 1004 Natural Gas Tax Bill Passed - House (81 - 16)
April 2, 2008 AR SB 1 Natural Gas Tax Bill Passed - House (82 - 17)
April 1, 2008 AR SB 1 Natural Gas Tax Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
April 2, 2008 AR HB 1004 Natural Gas Tax Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
May 13, 2008 AZ HB 2807 Local Enforcement of Immigration Laws Veto Override Failed - House (30 - 25)
June 25, 2008 AZ SCR 1042 Parameters of Marriage Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (14 - 11)
June 27, 2008 AZ SCR 1042 Parameters of Marriage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 4)
June 23, 2008 AZ SB 1476 Reducing Probation for Good Behavior Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 4)
June 26, 2008 AZ HB 2209 2008-2009 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (31 - 29)
June 23, 2008 AZ SB 1167 Off-Highway Vehicle Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 7)
April 10, 2008 AZ SB 1096 English Language Education Funding Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
April 24, 2008 AZ HB 2711 State Control of Mismanaged Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 6)
May 14, 2008 AZ HB 2557 Fine Arts and Physical Education in School Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 9)
May 12, 2008 AZ HB 2017 Legislative Approval for Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 22)
May 12, 2008 AZ HB 2017 Legislative Approval for Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 22)
June 26, 2008 AZ HB 2209 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 10)
May 19, 2008 AZ SB 1476 Reducing Probation for Good Behavior Bill Passed - House (35 - 18)
March 6, 2008 AZ HB 2043 State Government Hiring Freeze Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
March 6, 2008 AZ HB 2043 State Government Hiring Freeze Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
April 30, 2008 AZ SB 1450 Theme Park Funding Bill Passed - House (39 - 17)
June 4, 2008 AZ HB 2475 Bonds for School Computers Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 13)
April 23, 2008 AZ HB 2017 Legislative Approval for Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
April 23, 2008 AZ HB 2711 State Control of Mismanaged Schools Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 3)
May 6, 2008 AZ HB 2677 Real ID Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
April 23, 2008 AZ HB 2017 Legislative Approval for Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
April 9, 2008 AZ SB 1096 English Language Education Funding Bill Passed - House (37 - 23)
April 29, 2008 AZ HB 2557 Fine Arts and Physical Education in School Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 4)
April 3, 2008 AZ SB 1167 Off-Highway Vehicle Regulations Bill Passed - House (42 - 13)
March 6, 2008 AZ HB 2857 State Spending Freeze Bill Passed - House (33 - 24)
March 12, 2008 AZ HB 2711 State Control of Mismanaged Schools Bill Passed - House (52 - 7)
April 8, 2008 AZ HB 2220 Repealing the State Equalization Property Tax Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
March 6, 2008 AZ HB 2857 State Spending Freeze Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
March 20, 2008 AZ SB 1420 Public Highway Authorities Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
Feb. 20, 2008 AZ HB 2043 State Government Hiring Freeze Bill Passed - House (40 - 15)
April 1, 2008 AZ HB 2392 Opting Out of No Child Left Behind Act Bill Passed - House (46 - 11)
March 19, 2008 AZ HB 2677 Real ID Bill Passed - House (51 - 8)
Feb. 20, 2008 AZ HB 2043 State Government Hiring Freeze Bill Passed - House (40 - 15)
March 10, 2008 AZ SB 1476 Reducing Probation for Good Behavior Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
March 20, 2008 AZ SB 1465 Public-Private Transportation Projects Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 15)
April 23, 2008 AZ HB 2359 County Sheriff and Border Patrol Collaboration Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
March 3, 2008 AZ HB 2359 County Sheriff and Border Patrol Collaboration Bill Passed - House (33 - 27)
March 20, 2008 AZ SB 1450 Theme Park Funding Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
March 11, 2008 AZ HB 2220 State Equalization Property Tax Repeal Bill Passed - House (32 - 28)
May 12, 2008 AZ SCR 1042 Parameters of Marriage Resolution Passed - House (33 - 25)
June 27, 2008 AZ HCR 2024 Election of Superior Court Judges Resolution Failed - House (24 - 32)
June 27, 2008 AZ HCR 2024 Election of Superior Court Judges Resolution Failed - House (24 - 32)
Feb. 19, 2008 CA GN Borucki Confirmation of Joan Borucki as State Lottery Director Nomination Confirmed - Senate (32 - 3)
Feb. 19, 2008 CA GN Borucki Confirmation of Joan Borucki as State Lottery Director Nomination Confirmed - Senate (32 - 3)
Aug. 17, 2008 CA AB 1781 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Rejected - House (45 - 30)
Sept. 16, 2008 CA AB 1781 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 11)
Sept. 16, 2008 CA AB 1781 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (61 - 11)
Aug. 29, 2008 CA AB 1781 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Rejected - Senate (24 - 15)
Dec. 18, 2008 CA ABx1 12 Extending Tax Withholding Requirements to Payments to Independent Contractors Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 28)
Aug. 30, 2008 CA AB 583 Public Financing of Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 32)
Aug. 30, 2008 CA AB 583 Public Financing of Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 32)
Aug. 31, 2008 CA AB 2321 Metro Sales Tax Increase Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 25)
Aug. 12, 2008 CA AB 1946 Expanding Enforcement of Water Pollution Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 29)
Aug. 13, 2008 CA AB 3034 High-Speed Rail Bond Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (58 - 15)
Sept. 16, 2008 CA AB 1452 Suspending Carryback and Net Operating Loss Deductions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 21)
Aug. 31, 2008 CA SB 1407 Financing Courthouse Construction Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
Dec. 18, 2008 CA ABx1 12 Extending Tax Withholding Requirements to Payments to Independent Contractors Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 28)
Aug. 29, 2008 CA AB 1107 Drought-Related Unemployment Benefits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 18)
Aug. 5, 2008 CA SB 974 Shipping Fee Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
Aug. 29, 2008 CA SB 1407 Financing Courthouse Construction Bill Passed - House (45 - 20)
June 23, 2008 CA SB 606 'No Child Left Behind' Implementation Bill Passed - House (54 - 24)
Sept. 16, 2008 CA AB 1452 Suspending Carryback and Net Operating Loss Deductions Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
Aug. 5, 2008 CA AB 2001 Whistleblower Hotline Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
Aug. 5, 2008 CA AB 2001 Whistleblower Hotline Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
Aug. 7, 2008 CA AB 3034 High-Speed Rail Bond Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
Dec. 18, 2008 CA ABx1 2 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Sept. 8, 2008 CA AB 1793 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 21)
May 29, 2008 CA AB 1819 Voter Registration Age Minimum Changes Bill Passed - House (45 - 31)
Dec. 18, 2008 CA ABx1 4 Reducing Education Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
Aug. 7, 2008 CA AB 1946 Expanding Enforcement of Water Pollution Laws Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
Aug. 29, 2008 CA AB 2321 Metro Sales Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
Aug. 29, 2008 CA AB 583 Public Financing of Elections Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Dec. 18, 2008 CA ABx1 8 Amending Sentencing, Parole, and Property Crime Statutes Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Dec. 18, 2008 CA ABx1 5 Modifying Transportation Project Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
Aug. 29, 2008 CA AB 583 Public Financing of Elections Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Sept. 9, 2008 CA SB 1087 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Failed - House (27 - 45)
Aug. 14, 2008 CA AB 1107 Drought-Related Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
July 15, 2008 CA SB 974 Shipping Fee Bill Passed - House (46 - 24)
June 9, 2008 CA SB 606 'No Child Left Behind' Implementation Bill Failed - House (49 - 26)
Date No. Title Outcome
8/07 SB 4002 Energy Rebate Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (11 - 5)
4/13 SB 221 2008-2009 Capital Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
8/06 SB 4002 Energy Rebate Bill Bill Passed - House (30 - 7)
4/12 SB 221 2008-2009 Capital Budget Bill Passed - House (33 - 6)
3/24 HB 310 2008-2009 Operating Budget Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 4)
8/07 SB 4002 Energy Rebate Bill Bill Passed - House (33 - 5)
7/22 HB 3001 Natural Gas Pipeline to Canada Bill Passed - House (24 - 16)
8/04 SB 4002 Energy Rebate Bill Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 3)
3/05 SB 256 2008-2009 Supplemental Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 2)
3/04 HB 310 2008-2009 Operating Budget Bill Passed - House (29 - 10)
8/01 HB 3001 Natural Gas Pipeline to Canada Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
4/02 SB 221 2008-2009 Capital Budget Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
5/01 HB 787 State Employees in Public Office Bill Passed - House (57 - 36)
4/15 HB 274 Food Sales Tax Repeal Bill Passed - House (63 - 38)
2/26 HB 73 Prohibiting Money Transfers Between Political Action Committees Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
5/31 SB 51 2008-2009 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (98 - 4)
5/29 SB 51 2008-2009 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
4/01 HB 1004 Natural Gas Tax Bill Passed - House (81 - 16)
4/02 SB 1 Natural Gas Tax Bill Passed - House (82 - 17)
4/01 SB 1 Natural Gas Tax Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
4/02 HB 1004 Natural Gas Tax Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
5/13 HB 2807 Local Enforcement of Immigration Laws Veto Override Failed - House (30 - 25)
6/25 SCR 1042 Parameters of Marriage Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (14 - 11)
6/27 SCR 1042 Parameters of Marriage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 4)
6/23 SB 1476 Reducing Probation for Good Behavior Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 4)
6/26 HB 2209 2008-2009 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (31 - 29)
6/23 SB 1167 Off-Highway Vehicle Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 7)
4/10 SB 1096 English Language Education Funding Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
4/24 HB 2711 State Control of Mismanaged Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 6)
5/14 HB 2557 Fine Arts and Physical Education in School Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 9)
5/12 HB 2017 Legislative Approval for Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 22)
5/12 HB 2017 Legislative Approval for Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 22)
6/26 HB 2209 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 10)
5/19 SB 1476 Reducing Probation for Good Behavior Bill Passed - House (35 - 18)
3/06 HB 2043 State Government Hiring Freeze Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
3/06 HB 2043 State Government Hiring Freeze Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
4/30 SB 1450 Theme Park Funding Bill Passed - House (39 - 17)
6/04 HB 2475 Bonds for School Computers Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 13)
4/23 HB 2017 Legislative Approval for Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
4/23 HB 2711 State Control of Mismanaged Schools Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 3)
5/06 HB 2677 Real ID Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
4/23 HB 2017 Legislative Approval for Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
4/09 SB 1096 English Language Education Funding Bill Passed - House (37 - 23)
4/29 HB 2557 Fine Arts and Physical Education in School Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 4)
4/03 SB 1167 Off-Highway Vehicle Regulations Bill Passed - House (42 - 13)
3/06 HB 2857 State Spending Freeze Bill Passed - House (33 - 24)
3/12 HB 2711 State Control of Mismanaged Schools Bill Passed - House (52 - 7)
4/08 HB 2220 Repealing the State Equalization Property Tax Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
3/06 HB 2857 State Spending Freeze Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
3/20 SB 1420 Public Highway Authorities Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
2/20 HB 2043 State Government Hiring Freeze Bill Passed - House (40 - 15)
4/01 HB 2392 Opting Out of No Child Left Behind Act Bill Passed - House (46 - 11)
3/19 HB 2677 Real ID Bill Passed - House (51 - 8)
2/20 HB 2043 State Government Hiring Freeze Bill Passed - House (40 - 15)
3/10 SB 1476 Reducing Probation for Good Behavior Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
3/20 SB 1465 Public-Private Transportation Projects Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 15)
4/23 HB 2359 County Sheriff and Border Patrol Collaboration Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
3/03 HB 2359 County Sheriff and Border Patrol Collaboration Bill Passed - House (33 - 27)
3/20 SB 1450 Theme Park Funding Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
3/11 HB 2220 State Equalization Property Tax Repeal Bill Passed - House (32 - 28)
5/12 SCR 1042 Parameters of Marriage Resolution Passed - House (33 - 25)
6/27 HCR 2024 Election of Superior Court Judges Resolution Failed - House (24 - 32)
6/27 HCR 2024 Election of Superior Court Judges Resolution Failed - House (24 - 32)
2/19 GN Borucki Confirmation of Joan Borucki as State Lottery Director Nomination Confirmed - Senate (32 - 3)
2/19 GN Borucki Confirmation of Joan Borucki as State Lottery Director Nomination Confirmed - Senate (32 - 3)
8/17 AB 1781 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Rejected - House (45 - 30)
9/16 AB 1781 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 11)
9/16 AB 1781 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (61 - 11)
8/29 AB 1781 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Rejected - Senate (24 - 15)
12/18 ABx1 12 Extending Tax Withholding Requirements to Payments to Independent Contractors Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 28)
8/30 AB 583 Public Financing of Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 32)
8/30 AB 583 Public Financing of Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 32)
8/31 AB 2321 Metro Sales Tax Increase Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 25)
8/12 AB 1946 Expanding Enforcement of Water Pollution Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 29)
8/13 AB 3034 High-Speed Rail Bond Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (58 - 15)
9/16 AB 1452 Suspending Carryback and Net Operating Loss Deductions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 21)
8/31 SB 1407 Financing Courthouse Construction Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
12/18 ABx1 12 Extending Tax Withholding Requirements to Payments to Independent Contractors Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 28)
8/29 AB 1107 Drought-Related Unemployment Benefits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 18)
8/05 SB 974 Shipping Fee Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
8/29 SB 1407 Financing Courthouse Construction Bill Passed - House (45 - 20)
6/23 SB 606 'No Child Left Behind' Implementation Bill Passed - House (54 - 24)
9/16 AB 1452 Suspending Carryback and Net Operating Loss Deductions Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
8/05 AB 2001 Whistleblower Hotline Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
8/05 AB 2001 Whistleblower Hotline Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
8/07 AB 3034 High-Speed Rail Bond Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
12/18 ABx1 2 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
9/08 AB 1793 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 21)
5/29 AB 1819 Voter Registration Age Minimum Changes Bill Passed - House (45 - 31)
12/18 ABx1 4 Reducing Education Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
8/07 AB 1946 Expanding Enforcement of Water Pollution Laws Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
8/29 AB 2321 Metro Sales Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
8/29 AB 583 Public Financing of Elections Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
12/18 ABx1 8 Amending Sentencing, Parole, and Property Crime Statutes Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
12/18 ABx1 5 Modifying Transportation Project Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
8/29 AB 583 Public Financing of Elections Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
9/09 SB 1087 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Failed - House (27 - 45)
8/14 AB 1107 Drought-Related Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
7/15 SB 974 Shipping Fee Bill Passed - House (46 - 24)
6/09 SB 606 'No Child Left Behind' Implementation Bill Failed - House (49 - 26)

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