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
Feb. 14, 2008 NE AM 1736 Eliminating Opt-Out Provision of Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - Senate (33 - 13)
April 28, 2008 MN Walker Amdt to SF 3001 Sex Education in Schools Amendment Adopted - House (79 - 53)
May 16, 2008 MO HB 1549, 1771, 1395, 2366 Undocumented Immigrants Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 7)
April 4, 2008 GA SR 845 Regional Transportation Sales Tax Conference Report Adopted - House (134 - 34)
June 4, 2008 PA SB 246 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (163 - 38)
April 14, 2008 MN HF 1351 Transportation Policy Reform Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 44)
April 21, 2008 MN HF 1351 Transportation Policy Reform Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 11)
May 16, 2008 MO HB 1549, 1771, 1395, 2366 Undocumented Immigrants Conference Report Adopted - House (136 - 12)
June 10, 2008 PA SB 246 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 9)
April 15, 2008 CO HB 1270 Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 10)
May 13, 2008 MN HF 3807 Real ID Prohibition Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 30)
Dec. 18, 2008 CA ABx1 12 Extending Tax Withholding Requirements to Payments to Independent Contractors Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 28)
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 6, 2008 AZ HB 2677 Real ID Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
March 31, 2008 CO HB 1270 Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
May 13, 2008 MO SB 711 Property Tax Regulations Bill Passed - House (147 - 6)
April 29, 2008 AZ HB 2557 Fine Arts and Physical Education in School Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 4)
April 1, 2008 GA HB 1281 Restricting Local Outdoor Water Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 13)
June 10, 2008 LA SB 807 Cable Deregulation Bill Bill Passed - House (94 - 9)
June 23, 2008 CA SB 606 'No Child Left Behind' Implementation Bill Passed - House (54 - 24)
May 13, 2008 MN HF 3807 Real ID Prohibition Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 16)
April 14, 2008 IA SF 2216 State-Mandated Curriculum for Schools Bill Passed - House (97 - 3)
April 23, 2008 AZ HB 2711 State Control of Mismanaged Schools Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 3)
March 21, 2008 ID HJR 4 Local Tax Authority Joint Resolution Passed - House (51 - 19)
March 27, 2008 GA SR 845 Regional Transportation Sales Tax Resolution Passed - House (136 - 35)
April 1, 2008 AZ HB 2392 Opting Out of No Child Left Behind Act Bill Passed - House (46 - 11)
April 3, 2008 MN SF 960 Modification of the Definition of Dependents for Local Government Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 22)
April 7, 2008 NE LB 1157 Uniform School Testing Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
April 8, 2008 CO SB 128 Eliminating Sales and Use Tax Cap Bill Passed - House (38 - 26)
April 8, 2008 MI SB 120 Issuing Food Stamps Twice Monthly Bill Passed - House (87 - 19)
April 9, 2008 IA HF 2663 Statewide Sales Tax Increase for School Infrastructure Funding Bill Passed - House (59 - 41)
April 22, 2008 IA HF 2663 Statewide Sales Tax Increase for School Infrastructure Funding Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
April 23, 2008 AZ HB 2359 County Sheriff and Border Patrol Collaboration Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
Jan. 15, 2008 WI AB 363 Limiting the Scope of Citizen-Proposed Ordinances Bill Passed - House (48 - 44)
April 29, 2008 TN SB 3042 Open Container Law Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
May 1, 2008 RI H 7204 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
May 13, 2008 LA HB 25 Verification of Citizenship or Immigration Status Bill Passed - House (83 - 11)
April 25, 2008 RI H 7204 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (60 - 12)
Jan. 29, 2008 IN SB 16 Change in Township Assessment Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
Feb. 5, 2008 VA SB 202 Local Regulation of Smoking in Restaurants Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
Feb. 6, 2008 MA H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - House (135 - 19)
Feb. 7, 2008 GA SB 340 Prohibiting Sanctuary Policies Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 8)
Feb. 7, 2008 MA H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
Feb. 12, 2008 GA SR 822 Reassessing Georgia's Northern Border Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 0)
Feb. 15, 2008 LA Amnd. 423 to SB 1 Persons Restricted from Doing Business with the State Amendment Adopted - Senate (21 - 16)
Feb. 20, 2008 GA SR 845 Regional Transportation Sales Tax Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 4)
Feb. 20, 2008 GA HR 1206 Reassessing Georgia's Northern Border Resolution Passed - House (136 - 26)
Feb. 27, 2008 CO HB 1270 Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures Bill Passed - House (45 - 20)
Feb. 27, 2008 CO SB 128 Eliminating Sales and Use Tax Cap Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
Feb. 27, 2008 WV SB 248 Non-Participation in the Real ID Act Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3)
Feb. 28, 2008 UT SB 162 State Discretion Over Federal Education Programs Bill Passed - House (38 - 33)
March 3, 2008 AZ HB 2359 County Sheriff and Border Patrol Collaboration Bill Passed - House (33 - 27)
March 4, 2008 GA HB 1281 Restricting Local Outdoor Water Regulations Bill Passed - House (124 - 38)
March 4, 2008 KY HB 186 Dental Health Certificate Requirement for School Enrollment Bill Passed - House (91 - 4)
March 4, 2008 GA HB 1245 Public Defender Funding Amendments Bill Passed - House (141 - 21)
March 6, 2008 WI SB 523 Great Lakes Water Resources Compact Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
March 11, 2008 GA HB 1216 Regional Commissions Bill Passed - House (134 - 30)
March 11, 2008 WI AB 482 Prohibiting Teacher Residency Requirements Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
March 12, 2008 MI SB 120 Issuing Food Stamps Twice Monthly Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
March 12, 2008 AZ HB 2711 State Control of Mismanaged Schools Bill Passed - House (52 - 7)
March 19, 2008 AZ HB 2677 Real ID Bill Passed - House (51 - 8)
May 15, 2008 MN SF 960 Modification of the Definition of Dependents for Local Government Benefits Bill Passed - House (83 - 50)
May 22, 2008 IL HB 2310 Truancy, Information Sharing, and Fines Bill Passed - House (85 - 25)
May 28, 2008 CA AB 1991 Development on Half Moon Bay Bill Passed - House (46 - 18)
May 29, 2008 CA SB 1764 Certification of Local Fire Agencies Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
June 11, 2008 CT SB 1001 Real Estate Conveyance Tax Extension Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
June 11, 2008 CT SB 1001 Real Estate Conveyance Tax Extension Bill Passed - House (82 - 51)
June 24, 2008 NY A 11258 Mandatory Cigarette Taxation Bill Passed - House (141 - 3)
July 8, 2008 NC HB 2690 Durham County Meals Tax Bill Passed - House (60 - 59)
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)
July 17, 2008 NC HB 2690 Durham County Meals Tax Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 22)
Aug. 8, 2008 NY A 11258 Mandatory Cigarette Taxation Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 4)
March 19, 2008 ID S 1441 Prohibiting Local Gun Ordinances Bill Passed - House (60 - 9)
March 21, 2008 ID H 599 Eliminating the Personal Property Tax Bill Passed - House (39 - 31)
May 13, 2008 AZ HB 2807 Local Enforcement of Immigration Laws Veto Override Failed - House (30 - 25)
March 26, 2008 KS Journey Amnd. 1 Journey Amendment 1 Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 24)
April 22, 2008 IA S 5408 Changes to School Infrastructure Sales Tax Amendment Rejected - Senate (20 - 30)
March 3, 2008 MN Seifert Amendment: Restriction of State Aid Based on Compliance with Immigration Laws Amendment Rejected - House (66 - 67)
Feb. 25, 2008 IN Amnd. 19 Referendum on Township Assessors Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 20)
May 28, 2008 MI Anderson Amendment: Increase Revenue Sharing Grants Amendment Rejected - Senate (19 - 18)
Feb. 25, 2008 IN Amnd. 17 Elimination of Township Assessors Amendment Rejected - Senate (23 - 23)
June 4, 2008 PA SB 246 Smoking Ban Conference Report Rejected - Senate (19 - 31)
April 4, 2008 GA SR 845 Regional Transportation Sales Tax Conference Report Rejected - Senate (35 - 18)
June 9, 2008 CA SB 606 'No Child Left Behind' Implementation Bill Failed - House (49 - 26)
June 25, 2008 PA A 7738 Real ID Biometric Data Bill Failed - House (92 - 108)
March 5, 2008 GA SR 796 Property Tax Assessment Cap Resolution Failed - House (110 - 62)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/14 AM 1736 Eliminating Opt-Out Provision of Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - Senate (33 - 13)
4/28 Walker Amdt to SF 3001 Sex Education in Schools Amendment Adopted - House (79 - 53)
5/16 HB 1549, 1771, 1395, 2366 Undocumented Immigrants Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 7)
4/04 SR 845 Regional Transportation Sales Tax Conference Report Adopted - House (134 - 34)
6/04 SB 246 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (163 - 38)
4/14 HF 1351 Transportation Policy Reform Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 44)
4/21 HF 1351 Transportation Policy Reform Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 11)
5/16 HB 1549, 1771, 1395, 2366 Undocumented Immigrants Conference Report Adopted - House (136 - 12)
6/10 SB 246 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 9)
4/15 HB 1270 Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 10)
5/13 HF 3807 Real ID Prohibition Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 30)
12/18 ABx1 12 Extending Tax Withholding Requirements to Payments to Independent Contractors Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 28)
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)
5/06 HB 2677 Real ID Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
3/31 HB 1270 Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
5/13 SB 711 Property Tax Regulations Bill Passed - House (147 - 6)
4/29 HB 2557 Fine Arts and Physical Education in School Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 4)
4/01 HB 1281 Restricting Local Outdoor Water Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 13)
6/10 SB 807 Cable Deregulation Bill Bill Passed - House (94 - 9)
6/23 SB 606 'No Child Left Behind' Implementation Bill Passed - House (54 - 24)
5/13 HF 3807 Real ID Prohibition Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 16)
4/14 SF 2216 State-Mandated Curriculum for Schools Bill Passed - House (97 - 3)
4/23 HB 2711 State Control of Mismanaged Schools Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 3)
3/21 HJR 4 Local Tax Authority Joint Resolution Passed - House (51 - 19)
3/27 SR 845 Regional Transportation Sales Tax Resolution Passed - House (136 - 35)
4/01 HB 2392 Opting Out of No Child Left Behind Act Bill Passed - House (46 - 11)
4/03 SF 960 Modification of the Definition of Dependents for Local Government Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 22)
4/07 LB 1157 Uniform School Testing Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
4/08 SB 128 Eliminating Sales and Use Tax Cap Bill Passed - House (38 - 26)
4/08 SB 120 Issuing Food Stamps Twice Monthly Bill Passed - House (87 - 19)
4/09 HF 2663 Statewide Sales Tax Increase for School Infrastructure Funding Bill Passed - House (59 - 41)
4/22 HF 2663 Statewide Sales Tax Increase for School Infrastructure Funding Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
4/23 HB 2359 County Sheriff and Border Patrol Collaboration Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
1/15 AB 363 Limiting the Scope of Citizen-Proposed Ordinances Bill Passed - House (48 - 44)
4/29 SB 3042 Open Container Law Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
5/01 H 7204 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
5/13 HB 25 Verification of Citizenship or Immigration Status Bill Passed - House (83 - 11)
4/25 H 7204 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (60 - 12)
1/29 SB 16 Change in Township Assessment Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
2/05 SB 202 Local Regulation of Smoking in Restaurants Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
2/06 H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - House (135 - 19)
2/07 SB 340 Prohibiting Sanctuary Policies Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 8)
2/07 H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
2/12 SR 822 Reassessing Georgia's Northern Border Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 0)
2/15 Amnd. 423 to SB 1 Persons Restricted from Doing Business with the State Amendment Adopted - Senate (21 - 16)
2/20 SR 845 Regional Transportation Sales Tax Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 4)
2/20 HR 1206 Reassessing Georgia's Northern Border Resolution Passed - House (136 - 26)
2/27 HB 1270 Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures Bill Passed - House (45 - 20)
2/27 SB 128 Eliminating Sales and Use Tax Cap Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
2/27 SB 248 Non-Participation in the Real ID Act Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3)
2/28 SB 162 State Discretion Over Federal Education Programs Bill Passed - House (38 - 33)
3/03 HB 2359 County Sheriff and Border Patrol Collaboration Bill Passed - House (33 - 27)
3/04 HB 1281 Restricting Local Outdoor Water Regulations Bill Passed - House (124 - 38)
3/04 HB 186 Dental Health Certificate Requirement for School Enrollment Bill Passed - House (91 - 4)
3/04 HB 1245 Public Defender Funding Amendments Bill Passed - House (141 - 21)
3/06 SB 523 Great Lakes Water Resources Compact Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
3/11 HB 1216 Regional Commissions Bill Passed - House (134 - 30)
3/11 AB 482 Prohibiting Teacher Residency Requirements Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
3/12 SB 120 Issuing Food Stamps Twice Monthly Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
3/12 HB 2711 State Control of Mismanaged Schools Bill Passed - House (52 - 7)
3/19 HB 2677 Real ID Bill Passed - House (51 - 8)
5/15 SF 960 Modification of the Definition of Dependents for Local Government Benefits Bill Passed - House (83 - 50)
5/22 HB 2310 Truancy, Information Sharing, and Fines Bill Passed - House (85 - 25)
5/28 AB 1991 Development on Half Moon Bay Bill Passed - House (46 - 18)
5/29 SB 1764 Certification of Local Fire Agencies Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
6/11 SB 1001 Real Estate Conveyance Tax Extension Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
6/11 SB 1001 Real Estate Conveyance Tax Extension Bill Passed - House (82 - 51)
6/24 A 11258 Mandatory Cigarette Taxation Bill Passed - House (141 - 3)
7/08 HB 2690 Durham County Meals Tax Bill Passed - House (60 - 59)
7/16 HR 415 Adding Parts of the Taunton River to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System Bill Passed - House (242 - 175)
7/17 HB 2690 Durham County Meals Tax Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 22)
8/08 A 11258 Mandatory Cigarette Taxation Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 4)
3/19 S 1441 Prohibiting Local Gun Ordinances Bill Passed - House (60 - 9)
3/21 H 599 Eliminating the Personal Property Tax Bill Passed - House (39 - 31)
5/13 HB 2807 Local Enforcement of Immigration Laws Veto Override Failed - House (30 - 25)
3/26 Journey Amnd. 1 Journey Amendment 1 Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 24)
4/22 S 5408 Changes to School Infrastructure Sales Tax Amendment Rejected - Senate (20 - 30)
3/03 Seifert Amendment: Restriction of State Aid Based on Compliance with Immigration Laws Amendment Rejected - House (66 - 67)
2/25 Amnd. 19 Referendum on Township Assessors Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 20)
5/28 Anderson Amendment: Increase Revenue Sharing Grants Amendment Rejected - Senate (19 - 18)
2/25 Amnd. 17 Elimination of Township Assessors Amendment Rejected - Senate (23 - 23)
6/04 SB 246 Smoking Ban Conference Report Rejected - Senate (19 - 31)
4/04 SR 845 Regional Transportation Sales Tax Conference Report Rejected - Senate (35 - 18)
6/09 SB 606 'No Child Left Behind' Implementation Bill Failed - House (49 - 26)
6/25 A 7738 Real ID Biometric Data Bill Failed - House (92 - 108)
3/05 SR 796 Property Tax Assessment Cap Resolution Failed - House (110 - 62)

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