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
April 30, 2009 MN Ending Prohibition on New Nuclear Power Plant Construction Amendment Rejected - House (60 - 72)
April 2, 2009 MN Ending Prohibition on New Nuclear Power Plants Amendment Adopted - Senate (42 - 24)
Dec. 10, 2009 NJ A 2762 Authorizing Reduction of Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Drug Offenses in School Zones Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
June 25, 2009 NJ A 3901 Issuing Bonds for Conservation and Preservation Purposes Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
April 28, 2009 WI AB 100 Restricting Health Insurance Companies' Ability to Exclude Individuals. Bill Passed - House (61 - 38)
Sept. 3, 2009 CA AB 119 Prohibiting Gender-Based Health Insurance Pricing Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 28)
Sept. 1, 2009 CA AB 119 Prohibiting Gender-Based Health Insurance Pricing Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
Sept. 2, 2009 CA AB 1422 Medi-Cal and Healthy Families Program Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
Sept. 10, 2009 CA AB 2 Health Care Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 26)
Sept. 8, 2009 CA AB 2 Health Care Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
June 26, 2009 WI AB 281 Phosphorus in Cleaning Products Bill Passed - House (60 - 37)
Nov. 5, 2009 WI AB 458 Sex Education Curriculum Requirements Bill Passed - House (48 - 43)
Nov. 5, 2009 WI AB 458 Sex Education Curriculum Requirements Bill Passed - House (48 - 43)
June 3, 2009 CA AB 49 Water Conservation Requirements Bill Passed - House (43 - 30)
April 20, 2009 NV AB 495 Removing Medical Malpractice Award Cap Bill Passed - House (26 - 15)
June 1, 2009 CA AB 920 Solar Power Energy Credit Bill Passed - House (51 - 26)
Sept. 10, 2009 CA AB 98 Required Maternity Services Coverage Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 27)
Sept. 10, 2009 CA AB 98 Required Maternity Services Coverage Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 27)
Sept. 9, 2009 CA AB 98 Required Maternity Services Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
Sept. 9, 2009 CA AB 98 Required Maternity Services Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
July 24, 2009 CA ABX4 19 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: In-Home Supportive Services Fraud Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 33)
July 24, 2009 CA ABX4 19 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: In-Home Supportive Services Fraud Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
July 24, 2009 CA ABX4 23 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Oil Drilling Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
April 20, 2009 CA AJR 3 Statement of Opposition to Offshore Drilling Joint Resolution Passed - House (43 - 25)
April 28, 2009 MO Amdt 1 Allowing Pharmacists to Refuse to Provide "Abortifacients" Amendment Adopted - House (115 - 43)
Feb. 24, 2009 SC Amdt 2 Exempting Cases of Rape from Abortion Waiting Period Amendment Tabled - House (69 - 45)
Jan. 30, 2009 WY Amdt 2001 to HB 31 Exempting 21+ Establishments from Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (34 - 25)
Jan. 30, 2009 WY Amdt 2002 to HB 31 Allowing Counties and Municipalities to Opt Out of Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (41 - 18)
April 1, 2009 NC Amdt 2 to HB 2 Exempting 18+ Establishments from Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (70 - 46)
Feb. 24, 2009 SC Amdt 5 Prohibiting Employment Termination Due to Abortion Waiting Period Amendment Rejected - House (54 - 60)
April 3, 2009 ID H 173 Restricting Eligibility for State Retiree Health Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
Feb. 24, 2009 ID H 173 Restricting Eligibility for State Retiree Health Benefits Bill Passed - House (59 - 11)
March 20, 2009 ID H 214 Voluntary Death Certificates for Miscarriages Bill Failed - House (31 - 32)
March 30, 2009 ID H 216 Allowing Pharmacists to Refuse Prescriptions Bill Passed - House (48 - 21)
April 7, 2009 ID H 276 2009-2010 Department of Environmental Quality Budget Bill Passed - House (53 - 16)
Feb. 26, 2009 SC H 3245 24-Hour Waiting Period for Abortions Bill Passed - House (87 - 24)
May 7, 2009 VT H 446 Renewable Energy Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (91 - 49)
May 5, 2009 VT H 446 Renewable Energy Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 10)
April 22, 2009 VT H 446 Renewable Energy Amendments Bill Passed - House (88 - 44)
June 4, 2009 RI H 5336 Coastal Resources Management Council Bill Passed - House (60 - 8)
June 16, 2009 RI H 5359 Medical Marijuana Veto Override Passed - Senate (35 - 3)
May 20, 2009 RI H 5359 Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - House (63 - 5)
June 9, 2009 RI H 6088 Limiting Alcohol Sales Bill Passed - House (35 - 33)
Nov. 7, 2009 National H Amdt 509 Prohibiting Federally Funded Abortion Services Amendment Adopted - House (240 - 194)
Nov. 7, 2009 National H Amdt 510 Substitute Health Care and Insurance Law Amendments Amendment Rejected - House (176 - 258)
Nov. 7, 2009 National H Amdt 510 Substitute Health Care and Insurance Law Amendments Amendment Rejected - House (176 - 258)
June 29, 2009 PA HB 1 Expanding Health Insurance Bill Passed - House (104 - 96)
April 14, 2009 MO HB 10 2009-10 Health Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
March 26, 2009 MO HB 10 2009-10 Health Budget Bill Passed - House (88 - 66)
June 2, 2009 WV HB 103 Alternative and Renewable Energy Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 25)
Feb. 20, 2009 CO HB 1091 Carbon Monoxide Detector Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
Feb. 2, 2009 CO HB 1091 Carbon Monoxide Detector Requirements Bill Passed - House (43 - 21)
June 16, 2009 LA HB 11 Designating Driver's Licenses for Drug Dealers Bill Failed - House (68 - 23)
July 15, 2009 NC HB 1185 Habitual DWI Reinstatement after Ten Years Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 29)
Feb. 12, 2009 AR HB 1204 Tobacco Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
Feb. 5, 2009 AR HB 1204 Tobacco Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (75 - 24)
Feb. 25, 2009 IN HB 1207 Required Nutritional Information on Restaurant Menus Bill Passed - House (51 - 46)
Feb. 19, 2009 ND HB 1213 Prohibiting Smoking in Bars and Hotels Bill Failed - House (33 - 59)
Feb. 24, 2009 IN HB 1215 Increasing Traffic Fines to Fund Trauma Centers Bill Passed - House (53 - 42)
April 27, 2009 FL HB 1219 Permitting Offshore Drilling Bill Passed - House (70 - 43)
March 9, 2009 SD HB 1240 Smoking Ban Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 23)
March 4, 2009 SD HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
Feb. 23, 2009 SD HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
April 23, 2009 OK HB 1326 Ban on Certain Types of Stem Cell Research Veto Override Failed - Senate (26 - 19)
April 23, 2009 OK HB 1326 Ban on Certain Types of Stem Cell Research Veto Override Passed - House (68 - 26)
Jan. 30, 2009 WY HB 141 Amending DUI Statutes Bill Passed - House (49 - 10)
April 24, 2009 ND HB 1478 Children's Health Insurance Program Eligibility Expansion Conference Report Rejected - House (41 - 47)
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)
April 25, 2009 WA HB 1614 Oil Importation Fee for Storm Water Pollution Cleanup Bill Passed - House (51 - 45)
May 14, 2009 TX HB 1657 Contractor Worker's Compensation Bill Passed - House (73 - 71)
Jan. 29, 2009 UT HB 17 Allowing Doctors to Prescribe Antibiotics to Unnamed Sexual Partners Bill Passed - House (63 - 8)
Jan. 29, 2009 UT HB 17 Allowing Doctors to Prescribe Antibiotics to Unnamed Sexual Partners Bill Passed - House (63 - 8)
March 9, 2009 AR HB 1700 Expanding Eligibility for Children's Health Insurance Program Bill Passed - House (82 - 14)
March 9, 2009 UT HB 171 Extending CHIP and Medicaid Coverage to Children of Documented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (50 - 23)
Feb. 25, 2009 IN HB 1730 Exempting Energy Efficient Projects From Referendum Requirements Bill Passed - House (52 - 48)
May 11, 2009 NC HB 2 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
April 2, 2009 NC HB 2 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (72 - 45)
June 8, 2009 OR HB 2009 Establishing the Oregon Health Authority Bill Passed - House (38 - 22)
June 11, 2009 OR HB 2009 Establishing the Oregon Health Authority Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
Aug. 12, 2009 AZ HB 2013 Budget Reconciliation (Health and Welfare) Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8)
July 31, 2009 AZ HB 2013 Budget Reconciliation (Health and Welfare) Bill Passed - House (35 - 11)
March 5, 2009 KS HB 2014 Allowing Coal Power Plants Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
Feb. 27, 2009 KS HB 2014 Allowing Coal Power Plants Bill Passed - House (79 - 44)
June 8, 2009 OR HB 2116 Changing Health Care Assessment Bill Passed - House (36 - 24)
June 11, 2009 OR HB 2116 Changing Health Care Assessment Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
June 24, 2009 OR HB 2186 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
May 8, 2009 OR HB 2186 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - House (32 - 28)
March 4, 2009 KS HB 2206 Partial Birth/Late-term Abortion Reporting Requirements Bill Passed - House (82 - 40)
Feb. 3, 2009 UT HB 222 Offering Anesthetics to Women Undergoing Abortions Bill Passed - House (56 - 15)
Feb. 3, 2009 UT HB 222 Offering Anesthetics to Women Undergoing Abortions Bill Passed - House (56 - 15)
March 25, 2009 KS HB 2275 Drug Testing for Cash Assistance Recipients Bill Passed - House (99 - 26)
Feb. 12, 2009 MS HB 234 Sex Education Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (79 - 40)
Feb. 12, 2009 MS HB 234 Sex Education Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (79 - 40)
May 8, 2009 KS HB 2369 Renewable Energy Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 18)
March 11, 2009 AZ HB 2400 Specifying Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Penalty Bill Passed - House (37 - 19)
March 11, 2009 OR HB 2509 Sexual Education Bill Passed - House (41 - 19)
March 11, 2009 OR HB 2509 Sexual Education Bill Passed - House (41 - 19)
May 18, 2009 OR HB 2509 Sexual Education Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/30 Ending Prohibition on New Nuclear Power Plant Construction Amendment Rejected - House (60 - 72)
4/02 Ending Prohibition on New Nuclear Power Plants Amendment Adopted - Senate (42 - 24)
12/10 A 2762 Authorizing Reduction of Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Drug Offenses in School Zones Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
6/25 A 3901 Issuing Bonds for Conservation and Preservation Purposes Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
4/28 AB 100 Restricting Health Insurance Companies' Ability to Exclude Individuals. Bill Passed - House (61 - 38)
9/03 AB 119 Prohibiting Gender-Based Health Insurance Pricing Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 28)
9/01 AB 119 Prohibiting Gender-Based Health Insurance Pricing Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
9/02 AB 1422 Medi-Cal and Healthy Families Program Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
9/10 AB 2 Health Care Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 26)
9/08 AB 2 Health Care Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
6/26 AB 281 Phosphorus in Cleaning Products Bill Passed - House (60 - 37)
11/05 AB 458 Sex Education Curriculum Requirements Bill Passed - House (48 - 43)
11/05 AB 458 Sex Education Curriculum Requirements Bill Passed - House (48 - 43)
6/03 AB 49 Water Conservation Requirements Bill Passed - House (43 - 30)
4/20 AB 495 Removing Medical Malpractice Award Cap Bill Passed - House (26 - 15)
6/01 AB 920 Solar Power Energy Credit Bill Passed - House (51 - 26)
9/10 AB 98 Required Maternity Services Coverage Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 27)
9/10 AB 98 Required Maternity Services Coverage Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 27)
9/09 AB 98 Required Maternity Services Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
9/09 AB 98 Required Maternity Services Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
7/24 ABX4 19 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: In-Home Supportive Services Fraud Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 33)
7/24 ABX4 19 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: In-Home Supportive Services Fraud Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
7/24 ABX4 23 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Oil Drilling Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
4/20 AJR 3 Statement of Opposition to Offshore Drilling Joint Resolution Passed - House (43 - 25)
4/28 Amdt 1 Allowing Pharmacists to Refuse to Provide "Abortifacients" Amendment Adopted - House (115 - 43)
2/24 Amdt 2 Exempting Cases of Rape from Abortion Waiting Period Amendment Tabled - House (69 - 45)
1/30 Amdt 2001 to HB 31 Exempting 21+ Establishments from Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (34 - 25)
1/30 Amdt 2002 to HB 31 Allowing Counties and Municipalities to Opt Out of Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (41 - 18)
4/01 Amdt 2 to HB 2 Exempting 18+ Establishments from Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (70 - 46)
2/24 Amdt 5 Prohibiting Employment Termination Due to Abortion Waiting Period Amendment Rejected - House (54 - 60)
4/03 H 173 Restricting Eligibility for State Retiree Health Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
2/24 H 173 Restricting Eligibility for State Retiree Health Benefits Bill Passed - House (59 - 11)
3/20 H 214 Voluntary Death Certificates for Miscarriages Bill Failed - House (31 - 32)
3/30 H 216 Allowing Pharmacists to Refuse Prescriptions Bill Passed - House (48 - 21)
4/07 H 276 2009-2010 Department of Environmental Quality Budget Bill Passed - House (53 - 16)
2/26 H 3245 24-Hour Waiting Period for Abortions Bill Passed - House (87 - 24)
5/07 H 446 Renewable Energy Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (91 - 49)
5/05 H 446 Renewable Energy Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 10)
4/22 H 446 Renewable Energy Amendments Bill Passed - House (88 - 44)
6/04 H 5336 Coastal Resources Management Council Bill Passed - House (60 - 8)
6/16 H 5359 Medical Marijuana Veto Override Passed - Senate (35 - 3)
5/20 H 5359 Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - House (63 - 5)
6/09 H 6088 Limiting Alcohol Sales Bill Passed - House (35 - 33)
11/07 H Amdt 509 Prohibiting Federally Funded Abortion Services Amendment Adopted - House (240 - 194)
11/07 H Amdt 510 Substitute Health Care and Insurance Law Amendments Amendment Rejected - House (176 - 258)
11/07 H Amdt 510 Substitute Health Care and Insurance Law Amendments Amendment Rejected - House (176 - 258)
6/29 HB 1 Expanding Health Insurance Bill Passed - House (104 - 96)
4/14 HB 10 2009-10 Health Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
3/26 HB 10 2009-10 Health Budget Bill Passed - House (88 - 66)
6/02 HB 103 Alternative and Renewable Energy Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 25)
2/20 HB 1091 Carbon Monoxide Detector Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
2/02 HB 1091 Carbon Monoxide Detector Requirements Bill Passed - House (43 - 21)
6/16 HB 11 Designating Driver's Licenses for Drug Dealers Bill Failed - House (68 - 23)
7/15 HB 1185 Habitual DWI Reinstatement after Ten Years Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 29)
2/12 HB 1204 Tobacco Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
2/05 HB 1204 Tobacco Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (75 - 24)
2/25 HB 1207 Required Nutritional Information on Restaurant Menus Bill Passed - House (51 - 46)
2/19 HB 1213 Prohibiting Smoking in Bars and Hotels Bill Failed - House (33 - 59)
2/24 HB 1215 Increasing Traffic Fines to Fund Trauma Centers Bill Passed - House (53 - 42)
4/27 HB 1219 Permitting Offshore Drilling Bill Passed - House (70 - 43)
3/09 HB 1240 Smoking Ban Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 23)
3/04 HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
2/23 HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
4/23 HB 1326 Ban on Certain Types of Stem Cell Research Veto Override Failed - Senate (26 - 19)
4/23 HB 1326 Ban on Certain Types of Stem Cell Research Veto Override Passed - House (68 - 26)
1/30 HB 141 Amending DUI Statutes Bill Passed - House (49 - 10)
4/24 HB 1478 Children's Health Insurance Program Eligibility Expansion Conference Report Rejected - House (41 - 47)
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)
4/25 HB 1614 Oil Importation Fee for Storm Water Pollution Cleanup Bill Passed - House (51 - 45)
5/14 HB 1657 Contractor Worker's Compensation Bill Passed - House (73 - 71)
1/29 HB 17 Allowing Doctors to Prescribe Antibiotics to Unnamed Sexual Partners Bill Passed - House (63 - 8)
1/29 HB 17 Allowing Doctors to Prescribe Antibiotics to Unnamed Sexual Partners Bill Passed - House (63 - 8)
3/09 HB 1700 Expanding Eligibility for Children's Health Insurance Program Bill Passed - House (82 - 14)
3/09 HB 171 Extending CHIP and Medicaid Coverage to Children of Documented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (50 - 23)
2/25 HB 1730 Exempting Energy Efficient Projects From Referendum Requirements Bill Passed - House (52 - 48)
5/11 HB 2 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
4/02 HB 2 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (72 - 45)
6/08 HB 2009 Establishing the Oregon Health Authority Bill Passed - House (38 - 22)
6/11 HB 2009 Establishing the Oregon Health Authority Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
8/12 HB 2013 Budget Reconciliation (Health and Welfare) Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8)
7/31 HB 2013 Budget Reconciliation (Health and Welfare) Bill Passed - House (35 - 11)
3/05 HB 2014 Allowing Coal Power Plants Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
2/27 HB 2014 Allowing Coal Power Plants Bill Passed - House (79 - 44)
6/08 HB 2116 Changing Health Care Assessment Bill Passed - House (36 - 24)
6/11 HB 2116 Changing Health Care Assessment Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
6/24 HB 2186 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
5/08 HB 2186 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - House (32 - 28)
3/04 HB 2206 Partial Birth/Late-term Abortion Reporting Requirements Bill Passed - House (82 - 40)
2/03 HB 222 Offering Anesthetics to Women Undergoing Abortions Bill Passed - House (56 - 15)
2/03 HB 222 Offering Anesthetics to Women Undergoing Abortions Bill Passed - House (56 - 15)
3/25 HB 2275 Drug Testing for Cash Assistance Recipients Bill Passed - House (99 - 26)
2/12 HB 234 Sex Education Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (79 - 40)
2/12 HB 234 Sex Education Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (79 - 40)
5/08 HB 2369 Renewable Energy Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 18)
3/11 HB 2400 Specifying Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Penalty Bill Passed - House (37 - 19)
3/11 HB 2509 Sexual Education Bill Passed - House (41 - 19)
3/11 HB 2509 Sexual Education Bill Passed - House (41 - 19)
5/18 HB 2509 Sexual Education Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)

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