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 10, 2006 MD HB 1674 Restrictions on Campaign Fund-Raising Activities by Members of the Board of Regents Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
June 14, 2006 MD SB 52 Maryland Transportation Authority Veto Override Passed - House (94 - 42)
June 23, 2006 MD SB 1 Electricity Rates Veto Override Passed - House (87 - 37)
April 10, 2006 MD HB 1368 Election Changes Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
Jan. 12, 2006 MD SB 790 Health Care for Large Companies Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
April 8, 2006 MD HB 1674 Restrictions on Campaign Fund-Raising Activities by Members of the Board of Regents Veto Override Passed - House (88 - 49)
Jan. 12, 2006 MD SB 790 Health Care for Large Companies Veto Override Passed - House (88 - 50)
April 8, 2006 MD HB 1368 Election Changes Veto Override Passed - House (93 - 45)
June 14, 2006 MD SB 52 Maryland Transportation Authority Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
April 3, 2008 MD Amnd. 663027/2 Power Plant Regulation Amendment Adopted - Senate (27 - 18)
March 14, 2007 MD Amendment 643129/1 2008 Budget Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (29 - 110)
March 15, 2006 MD Amendment 503528 to SB 110 Funding to Family Planning Programs Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (18 - 29)
March 23, 2006 MD Amendment 953927 Stem Cell Funding Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (46 - 93)
March 15, 2006 MD Amendment 553220 Needle Exchange Funding Prohibition Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 32)
March 27, 2006 MD Amendment 3929 to SB 297 Prohibiting Requirement of Pharmacist to Dispense Emergency Contraception Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 28)
March 21, 2007 MD Amendment 993627/1 2008 Budget Reduction Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 33)
April 13, 2009 MD HB 387 "Lawful Status" Requirements for ID Cards, Vehicle Licenses and Permits Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 60)
April 5, 2008 MD SB 90 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (109 - 31)
April 5, 2008 MD SB 90 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 7)
April 11, 2022 MD HB 862 Amends Ballot Counting Process Concurrence Vote Passed - House (92 - 41)
April 13, 2009 MD SB 785 Inheritance Tax Exemption for Domestic Partners Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
April 7, 2008 MD SB 268 Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
April 9, 2007 MD HB 430 State Living Wage Concurrence Vote Passed - House (91 - 49)
March 20, 2008 MD SB 90 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - House (105 - 34)
April 7, 2008 MD SB 268 Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program Bill Passed - House (113 - 25)
April 3, 2007 MD SB 91 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (99 - 39)
April 4, 2007 MD HB 131 Maryland Clean Cars Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
April 5, 2007 MD HB 359 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
March 31, 2008 MD SB 269 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - House (89 - 47)
March 28, 2008 MD HB 362 Department of Information Technology Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
April 9, 2007 MD HB 430 State Living Wage Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
April 4, 2008 MD SB 597 Property Transfer Tax Exemptions for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - House (86 - 47)
April 13, 2009 MD SB 785 Inheritance Tax Exemption for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - House (94 - 38)
April 5, 2007 MD SB 103 Maryland Clean Cars Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (123 - 17)
March 26, 2007 MD SB 488 Felon Voting Rights Bill Passed - House (78 - 60)
April 6, 2007 MD SB 1 Early Voting Bill Passed - House (107 - 32)
April 4, 2008 MD SB 566 Hospital Visitation/Decision-Making Rights for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - House (88 - 46)
March 26, 2007 MD HB 992 Parole for Drug Offenders Bill Passed - House (71 - 66)
March 28, 2007 MD SB 634 Presidential Election by Popular Vote Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
April 9, 2007 MD HB 148 Presidential Election by Popular Vote Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
March 16, 2007 MD SB 533 Removal of Remarriage Barriers Bill Failed - Senate (22 - 22)
April 9, 2007 MD HB 992 Parole for Drug Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
March 26, 2007 MD SB 91 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
Feb. 26, 2007 MD SB 103 Maryland Clean Cars Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
March 4, 2008 MD HB 362 Department of Information Technology Bill Passed - House (105 - 31)
March 14, 2008 MD SB 461 Prohibiting Cell Phone Use by Drivers Under 18 Bill Failed - Senate (22 - 21)
Feb. 16, 2007 MD HB 201 Early Voting Bill Passed - House (101 - 31)
March 18, 2008 MD SB 566 Hospital Visitation/Decision-Making Rights for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
March 23, 2007 MD SB 488 Felon Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19)
March 6, 2007 MD SB 160 Discrimination Against the Homeless Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
March 5, 2009 MD SB 279 Capital Punishment Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
Feb. 27, 2007 MD SB 61 Evidence in Sexual Misconduct Trials Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
April 5, 2008 MD SB 646 Allowing For-Profit Entities to Provide Credit Counseling Bill Passed - House (124 - 12)
April 1, 2008 MD SB 268 Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 25)
Feb. 20, 2007 MD HB 131 Maryland Clean Cars Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (122 - 16)
March 12, 2008 MD SB 42 Temporary Confiscation of Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
March 24, 2007 MD HB 359 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (98 - 40)
March 17, 2009 MD HB 302 Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects Bill Passed - House (92 - 45)
April 4, 2008 MD HB 1626 Public Utilitiy Regulation Bill Passed - House (98 - 41)
March 23, 2010 MD SB 279 Prohibits False Claims Against State Health Plans and Programs Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 8)
March 17, 2009 MD HB 359 Handgun Permit Eligibility for Domestic Abuse Victims Bill Failed - House (51 - 86)
March 20, 2008 MD SB 2 Banning Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
March 18, 2008 MD SB 269 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
April 3, 2008 MD SB 46 Computer Services Sales Tax Repeal and Other Tax Adjustments Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
March 6, 2008 MD SB 646 Allowing For-Profit Entities to Provide Credit Counseling Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 5)
April 2, 2007 MD HB 148 Presidential Election by Popular Vote Bill Passed - House (85 - 54)
March 24, 2008 MD SB 597 Property Transfer Tax Exemptions for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
April 10, 2009 MD HB 310 Extending Unemployment Benefits to Part-Time Employees Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
March 24, 2010 MD SB 778 Prohibits Public Schools from Sending Vocational Test Scores to Military Recruiters Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 23)
March 24, 2006 MD SB 1075 Governor Cabinet Appointments Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
April 10, 2010 MD SB 627 Establishes Medical Marijuana Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 12)
March 24, 2006 MD SB 293 Public Charter School Program Reform Bill Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 24)
March 14, 2008 MD SB 90 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 7)
April 10, 2010 MD SB 778 Prohibits Public Schools from Sending Vocational Test Scores to Military Recruiters Bill Passed - House (95 - 42)
March 28, 2006 MD SB 297 Pharmacists Dispensing Emergency Contraception Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 24)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/10 HB 1674 Restrictions on Campaign Fund-Raising Activities by Members of the Board of Regents Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
6/14 SB 52 Maryland Transportation Authority Veto Override Passed - House (94 - 42)
6/23 SB 1 Electricity Rates Veto Override Passed - House (87 - 37)
4/10 HB 1368 Election Changes Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
1/12 SB 790 Health Care for Large Companies Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
4/08 HB 1674 Restrictions on Campaign Fund-Raising Activities by Members of the Board of Regents Veto Override Passed - House (88 - 49)
1/12 SB 790 Health Care for Large Companies Veto Override Passed - House (88 - 50)
4/08 HB 1368 Election Changes Veto Override Passed - House (93 - 45)
6/14 SB 52 Maryland Transportation Authority Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
4/03 Amnd. 663027/2 Power Plant Regulation Amendment Adopted - Senate (27 - 18)
3/14 Amendment 643129/1 2008 Budget Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (29 - 110)
3/15 Amendment 503528 to SB 110 Funding to Family Planning Programs Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (18 - 29)
3/23 Amendment 953927 Stem Cell Funding Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (46 - 93)
3/15 Amendment 553220 Needle Exchange Funding Prohibition Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 32)
3/27 Amendment 3929 to SB 297 Prohibiting Requirement of Pharmacist to Dispense Emergency Contraception Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 28)
3/21 Amendment 993627/1 2008 Budget Reduction Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 33)
4/13 HB 387 "Lawful Status" Requirements for ID Cards, Vehicle Licenses and Permits Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 60)
4/05 SB 90 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (109 - 31)
4/05 SB 90 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 7)
4/11 HB 862 Amends Ballot Counting Process Concurrence Vote Passed - House (92 - 41)
4/13 SB 785 Inheritance Tax Exemption for Domestic Partners Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
4/07 SB 268 Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
4/09 HB 430 State Living Wage Concurrence Vote Passed - House (91 - 49)
3/20 SB 90 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - House (105 - 34)
4/07 SB 268 Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program Bill Passed - House (113 - 25)
4/03 SB 91 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (99 - 39)
4/04 HB 131 Maryland Clean Cars Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
4/05 HB 359 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
3/31 SB 269 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - House (89 - 47)
3/28 HB 362 Department of Information Technology Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
4/09 HB 430 State Living Wage Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
4/04 SB 597 Property Transfer Tax Exemptions for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - House (86 - 47)
4/13 SB 785 Inheritance Tax Exemption for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - House (94 - 38)
4/05 SB 103 Maryland Clean Cars Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (123 - 17)
3/26 SB 488 Felon Voting Rights Bill Passed - House (78 - 60)
4/06 SB 1 Early Voting Bill Passed - House (107 - 32)
4/04 SB 566 Hospital Visitation/Decision-Making Rights for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - House (88 - 46)
3/26 HB 992 Parole for Drug Offenders Bill Passed - House (71 - 66)
3/28 SB 634 Presidential Election by Popular Vote Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
4/09 HB 148 Presidential Election by Popular Vote Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
3/16 SB 533 Removal of Remarriage Barriers Bill Failed - Senate (22 - 22)
4/09 HB 992 Parole for Drug Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
3/26 SB 91 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
2/26 SB 103 Maryland Clean Cars Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
3/04 HB 362 Department of Information Technology Bill Passed - House (105 - 31)
3/14 SB 461 Prohibiting Cell Phone Use by Drivers Under 18 Bill Failed - Senate (22 - 21)
2/16 HB 201 Early Voting Bill Passed - House (101 - 31)
3/18 SB 566 Hospital Visitation/Decision-Making Rights for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
3/23 SB 488 Felon Voting Rights Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19)
3/06 SB 160 Discrimination Against the Homeless Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
3/05 SB 279 Capital Punishment Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
2/27 SB 61 Evidence in Sexual Misconduct Trials Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
4/05 SB 646 Allowing For-Profit Entities to Provide Credit Counseling Bill Passed - House (124 - 12)
4/01 SB 268 Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 25)
2/20 HB 131 Maryland Clean Cars Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (122 - 16)
3/12 SB 42 Temporary Confiscation of Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
3/24 HB 359 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (98 - 40)
3/17 HB 302 Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects Bill Passed - House (92 - 45)
4/04 HB 1626 Public Utilitiy Regulation Bill Passed - House (98 - 41)
3/23 SB 279 Prohibits False Claims Against State Health Plans and Programs Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 8)
3/17 HB 359 Handgun Permit Eligibility for Domestic Abuse Victims Bill Failed - House (51 - 86)
3/20 SB 2 Banning Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
3/18 SB 269 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
4/03 SB 46 Computer Services Sales Tax Repeal and Other Tax Adjustments Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
3/06 SB 646 Allowing For-Profit Entities to Provide Credit Counseling Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 5)
4/02 HB 148 Presidential Election by Popular Vote Bill Passed - House (85 - 54)
3/24 SB 597 Property Transfer Tax Exemptions for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
4/10 HB 310 Extending Unemployment Benefits to Part-Time Employees Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
3/24 SB 778 Prohibits Public Schools from Sending Vocational Test Scores to Military Recruiters Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 23)
3/24 SB 1075 Governor Cabinet Appointments Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
4/10 SB 627 Establishes Medical Marijuana Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 12)
3/24 SB 293 Public Charter School Program Reform Bill Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 24)
3/14 SB 90 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 7)
4/10 SB 778 Prohibits Public Schools from Sending Vocational Test Scores to Military Recruiters Bill Passed - House (95 - 42)
3/28 SB 297 Pharmacists Dispensing Emergency Contraception Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 24)

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