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
April 12, 2021 MD HB 206 Increases the Hours Early Voting Centers are Mandated to be Open for Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - House (111 - 24)
April 12, 2021 MD SB 525 Requires the Baltimore City Centralized Booking Facility Provide a Secure Designated Ballot Drop Box Bill Passed - House (95 - 43)
April 10, 2021 MD HB 156 Authorizes a Military or Overseas Voter to Submit a Federal Post Card Application to Vote Concurrence Vote Passed - House (108 - 25)
April 10, 2021 MD HB 18 Establishes When The State Must Provide Tenants With A Right To Counsel In Eviction Cases Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 15)
April 8, 2021 MD HB 1048 Requires the Local Board of Elections Consider Certain Factors when Determining Ballot Drop Box Locations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (97 - 42)
April 7, 2021 MD SB 600 Requires Independent Investigation of Police Use of Force Incidents that Result in Death Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
April 7, 2021 MD SB 71 Requires Police to Wear Body Cameras Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
April 6, 2021 MD HB 1048 Requires the Local Board of Elections Consider Certain Factors when Determining Ballot Drop Box Locations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
April 6, 2021 MD SB 178 Authorizes Certain Officer Misconduct Records to be Available to the Public Bill Passed - House (88 - 46)
April 5, 2021 MD SB 600 Requires Independent Investigation of Police Use of Force Incidents that Result in Death Bill Passed - House (98 - 39)
April 2, 2021 MD SB 683 Authorizes Individuals to Request Permanent Absentee Voting Status Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
April 2, 2021 MD SB 71 Requires Police to Wear Body Cameras Bill Passed - House (92 - 38)
April 1, 2021 MD SB 683 Authorizes Individuals to Request Permanent Absentee Voting Status Bill Passed - House (95 - 40)
April 1, 2021 MD HB 670 Repeals the Law Enforcement Officer's Bill of Rights and Replaces it With a Multistep System Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
April 1, 2021 MD HB 1328 Extends Broadband Access to Individuals in Underserved Areas Bill Passed - House (107 - 28)
March 31, 2021 MD HB 745 Increases the Number of Early Voting Centers in Certain Counties Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
March 22, 2021 MD HB 222 Expands Voting Access for Incarcerated Individuals Bill Passed - House (95 - 39)
March 20, 2021 MD HB 1047 Expands Access to Mail-In Voting Bill Passed - House (95 - 38)
March 18, 2021 MD SB 780 Specifies That Companies Must Provide Notice Prior to Employee Layoffs Bill Passed - House (91 - 39)
March 18, 2021 MD HB 18 Establishes When The State Must Provide Tenants With A Right To Counsel In Eviction Cases Bill Passed - House (95 - 42)
March 16, 2021 MD HB 745 Increases the Number of Early Voting Centers in Certain Counties Bill Passed - House (100 - 36)
March 12, 2021 MD SB 414 Requires the State to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions to a Lower Level Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 11)
March 12, 2021 MD SB 525 Requires the Baltimore City Centralized Booking Facility Provide a Secure Designated Ballot Drop Box Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11)
March 11, 2021 MD HB 670 Repeals the Law Enforcement Officer's Bill of Rights and Replaces it With a Multistep System Bill Passed - House (96 - 40)
March 11, 2021 MD SB 10 Prohibits Individuals from Possessing a Firearm Within 100 Feet of a Polling Site Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
March 3, 2021 MD SB 626 Establishes a Statewide Use of Force Policy Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 12)
March 3, 2021 MD SB 178 Authorizes Certain Officer Misconduct Records to be Available to the Public Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
Feb. 26, 2021 MD SB 218 Extends the Earned Income Tax Credit to Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (91 - 44)
Feb. 19, 2021 MD SB 218 Extends the Earned Income Tax Credit to Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
Feb. 16, 2021 MD HB 391 Prohibits the Release of Celebratory Balloons Bill Passed - House (94 - 34)
Feb. 12, 2021 MD HB 1 Appropriates Funding for HBCUs Bill Passed - House (115 - 14)
March 18, 2020 MD HB 1336 Authorizes Expungement of Some Misdemeanor Criminal Convictions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (100 - 31)
March 18, 2020 MD SB 4 Establishes Referendum to Authorize Sports and Event Wagering Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (45 - 0)
March 18, 2020 MD HB 732 Increases Tobacco Tax and Establishes Vaping Tax Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 47)
March 18, 2020 MD HB 1663 Establishes the "COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Protection Act of 2020" Concurrence Vote Passed - House (131 - 3)
March 18, 2020 MD SB 1006 Reduces the Amount of Time Child Support May be Suspended While Parent is Incarcerated Bill Passed - House (102 - 32)
March 18, 2020 MD SB 1028 Establishes Constitutional Amendment to Authorize Legislature More Power Over State Budget Bill Passed - House (95 - 39)
March 18, 2020 MD SB 300 Prohibits Use of Chlorpyrifos Bill Passed - House (94 - 37)
March 18, 2020 MD SB 708 Appropriates $10 Million to the Maryland Violence Intervention and Prevention Fund Bill Passed - House (104 - 28)
March 17, 2020 MD HB 1300 Establishes the "Blueprint for Maryland's Future" Concurrence Vote Passed - House (96 - 38)
March 17, 2020 MD HB 448 Authorizes Telehealth Practices Concurrence Vote Passed - House (131 - 2)
March 17, 2020 MD HB 732 Increases Tobacco Tax and Establishes Vaping Tax Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 16)
March 17, 2020 MD HB 14 Prohibits Employers From Retaliating Against Employees Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
March 17, 2020 MD SB 1065 Appropriates Funds to the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Bill Passed - House (103 - 29)
March 17, 2020 MD SB 1028 Establishes Constitutional Amendment to Authorize Legislature More Power Over State Budget Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 15)
March 16, 2020 MD HB 280 Prohibits Suspension of Driver's License for Unpaid Fines Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
March 16, 2020 MD HB 1444 Prohibits Race-Based Hairstyle Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
March 16, 2020 MD HB 959 Establishes Permanence of Certain Consumer Protections Under the Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
March 16, 2020 MD HB 123 Prohibits Employers from Asking About Wage History Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
March 15, 2020 MD HB 932 Requires the Distribution of Sales and Use Tax Revenue from Certain Digital Products to the Blueprint for Maryland's Future Fund Concurrence Vote Passed - House (89 - 45)
March 15, 2020 MD SB 684 Establishes a Prerelease Unit for Women Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
March 13, 2020 MD HB 932 Requires the Distribution of Sales and Use Tax Revenue from Certain Digital Products to the Blueprint for Maryland's Future Fund Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 15)
March 13, 2020 MD HB 123 Prohibits Employers from Asking About Wage History Bill Passed - House (98 - 36)
March 11, 2020 MD HB 550 Expands Marijuana Decriminalization Policies Bill Passed - House (93 - 44)
March 11, 2020 MD HB 231 Establishes the "Housing Opportunities Made Equal Act" Bill Passed - House (95 - 42)
March 11, 2020 MD SB 390 Prohibits a Defeated Primary Candidate from Running as a Write-In Candidate for the General Election Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 6)
March 10, 2020 MD SB 35 Amends Various Gun Laws Including Making Theft of a Firearm a Felony Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 4)
March 9, 2020 MD HB 4 Requires Background Checks for Private Sales of Long Guns Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
March 3, 2020 MD SB 300 Prohibits Use of Chlorpyrifos Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
Feb. 28, 2020 MD HB 14 Prohibits Employers From Retaliating Against Employees Bill Passed - House (99 - 37)
Feb. 7, 2020 MD SB 147 Prohibits the Purchase, Distribution, or Sale of Kratom Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11)
Feb. 4, 2020 MD HB 4 Requires Background Checks for Private Sales of Long Guns Bill Passed - House (87 - 47)
April 8, 2019 MD HB 814 Establishes the Maryland Easy Enrollment Health Insurance Program Concurrence Vote Passed - House (123 - 15)
April 8, 2019 MD SB 737 Amends Long Gun License Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14)
April 5, 2019 MD HB 298 Establishes Oyster Sanctuaries Veto Override Passed - House (96 - 43)
April 5, 2019 MD SB 285 Prohibits Use of Foam Containers Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
April 3, 2019 MD HB 1169 Prohibits Smoking Under the Age of 21 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (101 - 35)
April 2, 2019 MD SB 516 Establishes Renewable Energy Standards and Plan Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 15)
April 2, 2019 MD HB 1169 Prohibits Smoking Under the Age of 21 Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13)
April 1, 2019 MD SB 516 Establishes Renewable Energy Standards and Plan Bill Passed - House (95 - 41)
March 31, 2019 MD HB 994 Prohibits Employment Discrimination Based On an Applicants Criminal History Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 14)
March 31, 2019 MD HB 994 Prohibits Employment Discrimination Based On an Applicants Criminal History Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 40)
March 29, 2019 MD SB 128 Authorizes Regulation of School Calendars Veto Override Passed - House (93 - 43)
March 28, 2019 MD HB 166 Increases State Minimum Wage Veto Override Passed - House (96 - 43)
March 28, 2019 MD SB 128 Authorizes Regulation of School Calendars Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/12 HB 206 Increases the Hours Early Voting Centers are Mandated to be Open for Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - House (111 - 24)
4/12 SB 525 Requires the Baltimore City Centralized Booking Facility Provide a Secure Designated Ballot Drop Box Bill Passed - House (95 - 43)
4/10 HB 156 Authorizes a Military or Overseas Voter to Submit a Federal Post Card Application to Vote Concurrence Vote Passed - House (108 - 25)
4/10 HB 18 Establishes When The State Must Provide Tenants With A Right To Counsel In Eviction Cases Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 15)
4/08 HB 1048 Requires the Local Board of Elections Consider Certain Factors when Determining Ballot Drop Box Locations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (97 - 42)
4/07 SB 600 Requires Independent Investigation of Police Use of Force Incidents that Result in Death Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
4/07 SB 71 Requires Police to Wear Body Cameras Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
4/06 HB 1048 Requires the Local Board of Elections Consider Certain Factors when Determining Ballot Drop Box Locations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
4/06 SB 178 Authorizes Certain Officer Misconduct Records to be Available to the Public Bill Passed - House (88 - 46)
4/05 SB 600 Requires Independent Investigation of Police Use of Force Incidents that Result in Death Bill Passed - House (98 - 39)
4/02 SB 683 Authorizes Individuals to Request Permanent Absentee Voting Status Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
4/02 SB 71 Requires Police to Wear Body Cameras Bill Passed - House (92 - 38)
4/01 SB 683 Authorizes Individuals to Request Permanent Absentee Voting Status Bill Passed - House (95 - 40)
4/01 HB 670 Repeals the Law Enforcement Officer's Bill of Rights and Replaces it With a Multistep System Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
4/01 HB 1328 Extends Broadband Access to Individuals in Underserved Areas Bill Passed - House (107 - 28)
3/31 HB 745 Increases the Number of Early Voting Centers in Certain Counties Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
3/22 HB 222 Expands Voting Access for Incarcerated Individuals Bill Passed - House (95 - 39)
3/20 HB 1047 Expands Access to Mail-In Voting Bill Passed - House (95 - 38)
3/18 SB 780 Specifies That Companies Must Provide Notice Prior to Employee Layoffs Bill Passed - House (91 - 39)
3/18 HB 18 Establishes When The State Must Provide Tenants With A Right To Counsel In Eviction Cases Bill Passed - House (95 - 42)
3/16 HB 745 Increases the Number of Early Voting Centers in Certain Counties Bill Passed - House (100 - 36)
3/12 SB 414 Requires the State to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions to a Lower Level Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 11)
3/12 SB 525 Requires the Baltimore City Centralized Booking Facility Provide a Secure Designated Ballot Drop Box Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11)
3/11 HB 670 Repeals the Law Enforcement Officer's Bill of Rights and Replaces it With a Multistep System Bill Passed - House (96 - 40)
3/11 SB 10 Prohibits Individuals from Possessing a Firearm Within 100 Feet of a Polling Site Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
3/03 SB 626 Establishes a Statewide Use of Force Policy Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 12)
3/03 SB 178 Authorizes Certain Officer Misconduct Records to be Available to the Public Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
2/26 SB 218 Extends the Earned Income Tax Credit to Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (91 - 44)
2/19 SB 218 Extends the Earned Income Tax Credit to Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
2/16 HB 391 Prohibits the Release of Celebratory Balloons Bill Passed - House (94 - 34)
2/12 HB 1 Appropriates Funding for HBCUs Bill Passed - House (115 - 14)
3/18 HB 1336 Authorizes Expungement of Some Misdemeanor Criminal Convictions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (100 - 31)
3/18 SB 4 Establishes Referendum to Authorize Sports and Event Wagering Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (45 - 0)
3/18 HB 732 Increases Tobacco Tax and Establishes Vaping Tax Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 47)
3/18 HB 1663 Establishes the "COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Protection Act of 2020" Concurrence Vote Passed - House (131 - 3)
3/18 SB 1006 Reduces the Amount of Time Child Support May be Suspended While Parent is Incarcerated Bill Passed - House (102 - 32)
3/18 SB 1028 Establishes Constitutional Amendment to Authorize Legislature More Power Over State Budget Bill Passed - House (95 - 39)
3/18 SB 300 Prohibits Use of Chlorpyrifos Bill Passed - House (94 - 37)
3/18 SB 708 Appropriates $10 Million to the Maryland Violence Intervention and Prevention Fund Bill Passed - House (104 - 28)
3/17 HB 1300 Establishes the "Blueprint for Maryland's Future" Concurrence Vote Passed - House (96 - 38)
3/17 HB 448 Authorizes Telehealth Practices Concurrence Vote Passed - House (131 - 2)
3/17 HB 732 Increases Tobacco Tax and Establishes Vaping Tax Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 16)
3/17 HB 14 Prohibits Employers From Retaliating Against Employees Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
3/17 SB 1065 Appropriates Funds to the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Bill Passed - House (103 - 29)
3/17 SB 1028 Establishes Constitutional Amendment to Authorize Legislature More Power Over State Budget Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 15)
3/16 HB 280 Prohibits Suspension of Driver's License for Unpaid Fines Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
3/16 HB 1444 Prohibits Race-Based Hairstyle Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
3/16 HB 959 Establishes Permanence of Certain Consumer Protections Under the Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
3/16 HB 123 Prohibits Employers from Asking About Wage History Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
3/15 HB 932 Requires the Distribution of Sales and Use Tax Revenue from Certain Digital Products to the Blueprint for Maryland's Future Fund Concurrence Vote Passed - House (89 - 45)
3/15 SB 684 Establishes a Prerelease Unit for Women Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
3/13 HB 932 Requires the Distribution of Sales and Use Tax Revenue from Certain Digital Products to the Blueprint for Maryland's Future Fund Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 15)
3/13 HB 123 Prohibits Employers from Asking About Wage History Bill Passed - House (98 - 36)
3/11 HB 550 Expands Marijuana Decriminalization Policies Bill Passed - House (93 - 44)
3/11 HB 231 Establishes the "Housing Opportunities Made Equal Act" Bill Passed - House (95 - 42)
3/11 SB 390 Prohibits a Defeated Primary Candidate from Running as a Write-In Candidate for the General Election Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 6)
3/10 SB 35 Amends Various Gun Laws Including Making Theft of a Firearm a Felony Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 4)
3/09 HB 4 Requires Background Checks for Private Sales of Long Guns Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
3/03 SB 300 Prohibits Use of Chlorpyrifos Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
2/28 HB 14 Prohibits Employers From Retaliating Against Employees Bill Passed - House (99 - 37)
2/07 SB 147 Prohibits the Purchase, Distribution, or Sale of Kratom Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11)
2/04 HB 4 Requires Background Checks for Private Sales of Long Guns Bill Passed - House (87 - 47)
4/08 HB 814 Establishes the Maryland Easy Enrollment Health Insurance Program Concurrence Vote Passed - House (123 - 15)
4/08 SB 737 Amends Long Gun License Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14)
4/05 HB 298 Establishes Oyster Sanctuaries Veto Override Passed - House (96 - 43)
4/05 SB 285 Prohibits Use of Foam Containers Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
4/03 HB 1169 Prohibits Smoking Under the Age of 21 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (101 - 35)
4/02 SB 516 Establishes Renewable Energy Standards and Plan Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 15)
4/02 HB 1169 Prohibits Smoking Under the Age of 21 Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13)
4/01 SB 516 Establishes Renewable Energy Standards and Plan Bill Passed - House (95 - 41)
3/31 HB 994 Prohibits Employment Discrimination Based On an Applicants Criminal History Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 14)
3/31 HB 994 Prohibits Employment Discrimination Based On an Applicants Criminal History Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 40)
3/29 SB 128 Authorizes Regulation of School Calendars Veto Override Passed - House (93 - 43)
3/28 HB 166 Increases State Minimum Wage Veto Override Passed - House (96 - 43)
3/28 SB 128 Authorizes Regulation of School Calendars Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 15)

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