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:
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.
Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|---|
March 14, 2014 | MD | SB 364 | Reduces Penalties for Possession of Marijuana | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 8) |
March 7, 2014 | MD | HB 295 | Increases the Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (89 - 46) |
March 20, 2013 | MD | SB 30 | Prohibits Smoking in Vehicles Containing Children | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20) |
March 4, 2014 | MD | SB 212 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15) |
Feb. 6, 2014 | MD | SB 263 | Amends Baltimore's Needle and Syringe Exchange Program | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 6) |
Feb. 5, 2014 | MD | SB 75 | Prohibits the Sale of Alcoholic Products with Alcohol Content Above 95 Percent | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 10) |
March 27, 2013 | MD | SB 274 | Expands Medicaid Coverage | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11) |
Feb. 17, 2012 | MD | HB 438 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - House (72 - 67) |
March 30, 2011 | MD | SB 994 | Increases Sales Tax on Alcoholic Beverages | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19) |
Feb. 23, 2011 | MD | SB 116 | Civil Marriage Protection Act | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 22) |
March 23, 2010 | MD | HB 825 | Increase in Motor Vehicle Liability Payment | Bill Passed - House (97 - 36) |
April 1, 2010 | MD | SB 789 | Requires Shift Breaks for Certain Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18) |
Nov. 11, 2007 | MD | HB 5 | Sales Tax Increase | Bill Passed - House (80 - 56) |
Nov. 11, 2007 | MD | HB 2 | Tax Reform Act of 2007 | Bill Passed - House (82 - 55) |
March 8, 2011 | MD | HB 302 | Parole Approval | Bill Passed - House (74 - 66) |
May 15, 2012 | MD | SB 1301 | Amends Teacher Pension Funding | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13) |
March 24, 2010 | MD | SB 1035 | Authorizes Card Games at a Specific Facility | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13) |
March 25, 2006 | MD | HB 1674 | Restrictions on Campaign Fund-Raising Activities by Members of the Board of Regents | Bill Passed - House (87 - 47) |
March 27, 2012 | MD | SB 892 | Expands Gambling | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11) |
March 24, 2010 | MD | SB 321 | Prohibiting Hand-Held Cell Phone Use While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 23) |
March 30, 2012 | MD | HB 441 | Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act of 2012 | Bill Passed - House (88 - 47) |
Nov. 13, 2007 | MD | HB 1 | 2007-2008 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - House (103 - 36) |
March 2, 2009 | MD | SB 278 | Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 9) |
March 5, 2010 | MD | SB 248 | Increasing Civil Court Case Surcharges | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11) |
March 24, 2011 | MD | HB 70 | 2012-2013 Budget | Bill Passed - House (97 - 42) |
March 26, 2012 | MD | HB 443 | Establishes State Health Insurance Exchanges | Bill Passed - House (94 - 44) |
April 5, 2012 | MD | HB 373 | Raises the Dropout Age for Public School Students | Bill Passed - House (88 - 49) |
April 7, 2006 | MD | HB 853 | Prohibiting Dredging for Oysters & Clams in Atlantic Coastal Bays | Bill Passed - House (88 - 44) |
April 4, 2006 | MD | HB 1054 | Public Campaign Financing Act for Candidates for the General Assembly | Bill Passed - House (79 - 56) |
March 15, 2012 | MD | HB 650 | Reduces Prison Sentences for Inmates Seeking Education | Bill Passed - House (81 - 54) |
March 25, 2006 | MD | HB 1035 | Uninsured Employers' Fund -- Liability of Corporate Officers | Bill Passed - House (90 - 45) |
June 14, 2006 | MD | SB 1 | Electricity Rates | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11) |
April 6, 2006 | MD | SB 320 | Emergency Goods & Services Price Restriction Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15) |
May 15, 2012 | MD | SB 1302 | Increases Tax Rates for Certain Individuals | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19) |
March 15, 2012 | MD | SB 523 | Increases State Income Tax Rates | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20) |
March 26, 2011 | MD | HB 235 | Prohibiting Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Discrimination | Bill Passed - House (86 - 52) |
March 3, 2006 | MD | HB 1 | Maryland Stem Cell Research Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - House (85 - 54) |
March 14, 2012 | MD | SB 559 | Prohibits Smoking in a Vehicle with Children | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19) |
March 27, 2006 | MD | Amendment 3929 to SB 297 | Prohibiting Requirement of Pharmacist to Dispense Emergency Contraception Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 28) |
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 15, 2006 | MD | Amendment 503528 to SB 110 | Funding to Family Planning Programs Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (18 - 29) |
March 14, 2007 | MD | Amendment 643129/1 | 2008 Budget Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (29 - 110) |
March 21, 2007 | MD | Amendment 993627/1 | 2008 Budget Reduction Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 33) |
March 17, 2009 | MD | HB 359 | Handgun Permit Eligibility for Domestic Abuse Victims | Bill Failed - House (51 - 86) |
March 14, 2008 | MD | SB 461 | Prohibiting Cell Phone Use by Drivers Under 18 | Bill Failed - Senate (22 - 21) |
March 24, 2006 | MD | SB 257 | Little Blackwater River Golf Course Conservation Bill | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 27) |
March 16, 2007 | MD | SB 533 | Removal of Remarriage Barriers | Bill Failed - Senate (22 - 22) |
March 28, 2006 | MD | SB 297 | Pharmacists Dispensing Emergency Contraception | Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 24) |
April 1, 2008 | MD | SB 268 | Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program | Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 25) |
March 24, 2006 | MD | SB 293 | Public Charter School Program Reform Bill | Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 24) |
March 28, 2006 | MD | SB 539 | Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 25) |
March 9, 2011 | MD | Amendment 223923 | Civil Marriage Protection Act | Amendment Rejected - House (63 - 72) |
March 27, 2006 | MD | SB 539 | Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill | Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 22) |
April 9, 2022 | MD | SB 163 | Amends Laws Relating to Ballot Processing and Procedures for Absentee and Provisional Ballots | (31 - 14) |
April 8, 2022 | MD | HB 16 | Specifies When Dogs May Not Be Left Unattended Outdoors | (118 - 15) |
March 18, 2022 | MD | SB 275 | Establishes Paid Family and Medical Leave Program | (31 - 15) |
Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|
3/14 | SB 364 | Reduces Penalties for Possession of Marijuana | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 8) |
3/07 | HB 295 | Increases the Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (89 - 46) |
3/20 | SB 30 | Prohibits Smoking in Vehicles Containing Children | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20) |
3/04 | SB 212 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15) |
2/06 | SB 263 | Amends Baltimore's Needle and Syringe Exchange Program | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 6) |
2/05 | SB 75 | Prohibits the Sale of Alcoholic Products with Alcohol Content Above 95 Percent | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 10) |
3/27 | SB 274 | Expands Medicaid Coverage | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11) |
2/17 | HB 438 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - House (72 - 67) |
3/30 | SB 994 | Increases Sales Tax on Alcoholic Beverages | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19) |
2/23 | SB 116 | Civil Marriage Protection Act | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 22) |
3/23 | HB 825 | Increase in Motor Vehicle Liability Payment | Bill Passed - House (97 - 36) |
4/01 | SB 789 | Requires Shift Breaks for Certain Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18) |
11/11 | HB 5 | Sales Tax Increase | Bill Passed - House (80 - 56) |
11/11 | HB 2 | Tax Reform Act of 2007 | Bill Passed - House (82 - 55) |
3/08 | HB 302 | Parole Approval | Bill Passed - House (74 - 66) |
5/15 | SB 1301 | Amends Teacher Pension Funding | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13) |
3/24 | SB 1035 | Authorizes Card Games at a Specific Facility | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13) |
3/25 | HB 1674 | Restrictions on Campaign Fund-Raising Activities by Members of the Board of Regents | Bill Passed - House (87 - 47) |
3/27 | SB 892 | Expands Gambling | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11) |
3/24 | SB 321 | Prohibiting Hand-Held Cell Phone Use While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 23) |
3/30 | HB 441 | Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act of 2012 | Bill Passed - House (88 - 47) |
11/13 | HB 1 | 2007-2008 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - House (103 - 36) |
3/02 | SB 278 | Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 9) |
3/05 | SB 248 | Increasing Civil Court Case Surcharges | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11) |
3/24 | HB 70 | 2012-2013 Budget | Bill Passed - House (97 - 42) |
3/26 | HB 443 | Establishes State Health Insurance Exchanges | Bill Passed - House (94 - 44) |
4/05 | HB 373 | Raises the Dropout Age for Public School Students | Bill Passed - House (88 - 49) |
4/07 | HB 853 | Prohibiting Dredging for Oysters & Clams in Atlantic Coastal Bays | Bill Passed - House (88 - 44) |
4/04 | HB 1054 | Public Campaign Financing Act for Candidates for the General Assembly | Bill Passed - House (79 - 56) |
3/15 | HB 650 | Reduces Prison Sentences for Inmates Seeking Education | Bill Passed - House (81 - 54) |
3/25 | HB 1035 | Uninsured Employers' Fund -- Liability of Corporate Officers | Bill Passed - House (90 - 45) |
6/14 | SB 1 | Electricity Rates | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11) |
4/06 | SB 320 | Emergency Goods & Services Price Restriction Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15) |
5/15 | SB 1302 | Increases Tax Rates for Certain Individuals | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19) |
3/15 | SB 523 | Increases State Income Tax Rates | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20) |
3/26 | HB 235 | Prohibiting Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Discrimination | Bill Passed - House (86 - 52) |
3/03 | HB 1 | Maryland Stem Cell Research Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - House (85 - 54) |
3/14 | SB 559 | Prohibits Smoking in a Vehicle with Children | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19) |
3/27 | Amendment 3929 to SB 297 | Prohibiting Requirement of Pharmacist to Dispense Emergency Contraception Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 28) |
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) |
3/15 | Amendment 503528 to SB 110 | Funding to Family Planning Programs Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (18 - 29) |
3/14 | Amendment 643129/1 | 2008 Budget Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (29 - 110) |
3/21 | Amendment 993627/1 | 2008 Budget Reduction Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 33) |
3/17 | HB 359 | Handgun Permit Eligibility for Domestic Abuse Victims | Bill Failed - House (51 - 86) |
3/14 | SB 461 | Prohibiting Cell Phone Use by Drivers Under 18 | Bill Failed - Senate (22 - 21) |
3/24 | SB 257 | Little Blackwater River Golf Course Conservation Bill | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 27) |
3/16 | SB 533 | Removal of Remarriage Barriers | Bill Failed - Senate (22 - 22) |
3/28 | SB 297 | Pharmacists Dispensing Emergency Contraception | Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 24) |
4/01 | SB 268 | Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program | Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 25) |
3/24 | SB 293 | Public Charter School Program Reform Bill | Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 24) |
3/28 | SB 539 | Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 25) |
3/09 | Amendment 223923 | Civil Marriage Protection Act | Amendment Rejected - House (63 - 72) |
3/27 | SB 539 | Hate Crimes Against Homeless Persons Bill | Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 22) |
4/09 | SB 163 | Amends Laws Relating to Ballot Processing and Procedures for Absentee and Provisional Ballots | (31 - 14) |
4/08 | HB 16 | Specifies When Dogs May Not Be Left Unattended Outdoors | (118 - 15) |
3/18 | SB 275 | Establishes Paid Family and Medical Leave Program | (31 - 15) |