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 12, 2018 | MD | SB 122 | Amends Criminal Law | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 8) |
March 8, 2018 | MD | HB 532 | Establishes Election Day Voter Registration and Same-Day Voting | Bill Passed - House (91 - 46) |
March 21, 2016 | MD | HB 1016 | Amends Certain Law Enforcement Procedures | Bill Passed - House (92 - 44) |
March 12, 2016 | MD | HB 1002 | Prohibits Firearms on College Campuses | Bill Passed - House (81 - 54) |
Jan. 21, 2016 | MD | SB 528 | Amends Asset Forfeiture Regulations | Veto Override Passed - House (89 - 52) |
Jan. 21, 2016 | MD | SB 517 | Authorizes Marijuana Paraphernalia | Veto Override Passed - House (86 - 55) |
Jan. 21, 2016 | MD | SB 528 | Amends Asset Forfeiture Regulations | Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 14) |
Jan. 21, 2016 | MD | SB 517 | Authorizes Marijuana Paraphernalia | Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 17) |
March 23, 2015 | MD | HB 121 | Amends Mandatory Sentences for Certain Drug Offenses | Bill Passed - House (85 - 55) |
March 23, 2015 | MD | HB 121 | Amends Mandatory Sentences for Certain Drug Offenses | Bill Passed - House (85 - 55) |
March 19, 2015 | MD | HB 124 | Authorizes Expungement of Certain Crimes | Bill Passed - House (93 - 46) |
March 19, 2015 | MD | HB 124 | Authorizes Expungement of Certain Crimes | Bill Passed - House (93 - 46) |
March 16, 2015 | MD | SB 340 | Expands Voting Rights of Convicted Felons | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18) |
March 16, 2015 | MD | SB 340 | Expands Voting Rights of Convicted Felons | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18) |
March 31, 2014 | MD | SB 973 | Establishes an Automated Assessment System for Pretrial Releases | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 9) |
March 7, 2014 | MD | HB 354 | Amends the Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Program | Bill Passed - House (84 - 51) |
Feb. 6, 2014 | MD | SB 263 | Amends Baltimore's Needle and Syringe Exchange Program | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 6) |
April 4, 2013 | MD | SB 281 | Amends Firearms Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 19) |
April 4, 2013 | MD | SB 281 | Amends Firearms Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 19) |
April 4, 2013 | MD | SB 281 | Amends Firearms Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 19) |
April 3, 2013 | MD | SB 281 | Amends Firearms Regulations | Bill Passed - House (78 - 61) |
April 3, 2013 | MD | SB 281 | Amends Firearms Regulations | Bill Passed - House (78 - 61) |
April 3, 2013 | MD | SB 281 | Amends Firearms Regulations | Bill Passed - House (78 - 61) |
March 25, 2013 | MD | SB 339 | Classifies Using a Cell Phone While Driving As a Primary Offense | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6) |
March 21, 2013 | MD | HB 753 | Classifies Cell Phone Use While Driving as a Primary Offense | Bill Passed - House (106 - 29) |
March 20, 2013 | MD | SB 30 | Prohibits Smoking in Vehicles Containing Children | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20) |
March 15, 2013 | MD | SB 276 | Repeals the Death Penalty | Bill Passed - House (82 - 56) |
March 15, 2013 | MD | SB 276 | Repeals the Death Penalty | Bill Passed - House (82 - 56) |
March 6, 2013 | MD | SB 276 | Repeals the Death Penalty | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20) |
March 6, 2013 | MD | SB 276 | Repeals the Death Penalty | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20) |
Feb. 28, 2013 | MD | SB 281 | Amends Firearms Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19) |
Feb. 28, 2013 | MD | SB 281 | Amends Firearms Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19) |
Feb. 28, 2013 | MD | SB 281 | Amends Firearms Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19) |
Feb. 8, 2013 | MD | SB 74 | Prohibits Operating a Vessel Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 8) |
March 15, 2012 | MD | HB 650 | Reduces Prison Sentences for Inmates Seeking Education | Bill Passed - House (81 - 54) |
April 8, 2011 | MD | HB 302 | Parole Approval | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 65) |
April 5, 2011 | MD | HB 302 | Parole Approval | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15) |
March 8, 2011 | MD | HB 302 | Parole Approval | Bill Passed - House (74 - 66) |
April 10, 2010 | MD | SB 627 | Establishes Medical Marijuana Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 12) |
April 9, 2010 | MD | SB 321 | Prohibiting Hand-Held Cell Phone Use While Driving | Bill Passed - House (125 - 14) |
March 24, 2010 | MD | SB 321 | Prohibiting Hand-Held Cell Phone Use While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 23) |
April 13, 2009 | MD | HB 387 | "Lawful Status" Requirements for ID Cards, Vehicle Licenses and Permits | Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 60) |
April 10, 2009 | MD | SB 277 | Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems | Bill Passed - House (94 - 41) |
April 10, 2009 | MD | SB 277 | Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems | Bill Passed - House (94 - 41) |
April 6, 2009 | MD | HB 302 | Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15) |
April 6, 2009 | MD | HB 302 | Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15) |
April 2, 2009 | MD | SB 277 | Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20) |
April 2, 2009 | MD | SB 277 | Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20) |
March 26, 2009 | MD | SB 279 | Capital Punishment Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (87 - 52) |
March 17, 2009 | MD | HB 302 | Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects | Bill Passed - House (92 - 45) |
March 17, 2009 | MD | HB 359 | Handgun Permit Eligibility for Domestic Abuse Victims | Bill Failed - House (51 - 86) |
March 17, 2009 | MD | HB 359 | Handgun Permit Eligibility for Domestic Abuse Victims | Bill Failed - House (51 - 86) |
March 17, 2009 | MD | HB 302 | Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects | Bill Passed - House (92 - 45) |
March 5, 2009 | MD | SB 279 | Capital Punishment Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13) |
March 31, 2008 | MD | SB 269 | Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems | Bill Passed - House (89 - 47) |
March 31, 2008 | MD | SB 269 | Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems | Bill Passed - House (89 - 47) |
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) |
March 18, 2008 | MD | SB 269 | Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21) |
March 14, 2008 | MD | SB 461 | Prohibiting Cell Phone Use by Drivers Under 18 | Bill Failed - Senate (22 - 21) |
March 12, 2008 | MD | SB 42 | Temporary Confiscation of Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17) |
March 12, 2008 | MD | SB 42 | Temporary Confiscation of Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17) |
Feb. 22, 2008 | MD | SB 243 | Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 10) |
Feb. 21, 2008 | MD | SB 111 | Expanding Hate Crimes Classification to Homeless | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 4) |
April 9, 2007 | MD | HB 992 | Parole for Drug Offenders | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18) |
April 9, 2007 | MD | HB 992 | Parole for Drug Offenders | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18) |
April 5, 2007 | MD | HB 359 | Indoor Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
April 3, 2007 | MD | SB 91 | Indoor Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - House (99 - 39) |
March 26, 2007 | MD | SB 488 | Felon Voting Rights | Bill Passed - House (78 - 60) |
March 26, 2007 | MD | HB 992 | Parole for Drug Offenders | Bill Passed - House (71 - 66) |
March 26, 2007 | MD | HB 992 | Parole for Drug Offenders | Bill Passed - House (71 - 66) |
March 26, 2007 | MD | SB 91 | Indoor Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13) |
March 26, 2007 | MD | SB 488 | Felon Voting Rights | Bill Passed - House (78 - 60) |
March 24, 2007 | MD | HB 359 | Indoor Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - House (98 - 40) |
March 23, 2007 | MD | SB 488 | Felon Voting Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19) |
Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|
3/12 | SB 122 | Amends Criminal Law | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 8) |
3/08 | HB 532 | Establishes Election Day Voter Registration and Same-Day Voting | Bill Passed - House (91 - 46) |
3/21 | HB 1016 | Amends Certain Law Enforcement Procedures | Bill Passed - House (92 - 44) |
3/12 | HB 1002 | Prohibits Firearms on College Campuses | Bill Passed - House (81 - 54) |
1/21 | SB 528 | Amends Asset Forfeiture Regulations | Veto Override Passed - House (89 - 52) |
1/21 | SB 517 | Authorizes Marijuana Paraphernalia | Veto Override Passed - House (86 - 55) |
1/21 | SB 528 | Amends Asset Forfeiture Regulations | Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 14) |
1/21 | SB 517 | Authorizes Marijuana Paraphernalia | Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 17) |
3/23 | HB 121 | Amends Mandatory Sentences for Certain Drug Offenses | Bill Passed - House (85 - 55) |
3/23 | HB 121 | Amends Mandatory Sentences for Certain Drug Offenses | Bill Passed - House (85 - 55) |
3/19 | HB 124 | Authorizes Expungement of Certain Crimes | Bill Passed - House (93 - 46) |
3/19 | HB 124 | Authorizes Expungement of Certain Crimes | Bill Passed - House (93 - 46) |
3/16 | SB 340 | Expands Voting Rights of Convicted Felons | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18) |
3/16 | SB 340 | Expands Voting Rights of Convicted Felons | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18) |
3/31 | SB 973 | Establishes an Automated Assessment System for Pretrial Releases | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 9) |
3/07 | HB 354 | Amends the Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Program | Bill Passed - House (84 - 51) |
2/06 | SB 263 | Amends Baltimore's Needle and Syringe Exchange Program | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 6) |
4/04 | SB 281 | Amends Firearms Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 19) |
4/04 | SB 281 | Amends Firearms Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 19) |
4/04 | SB 281 | Amends Firearms Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 19) |
4/03 | SB 281 | Amends Firearms Regulations | Bill Passed - House (78 - 61) |
4/03 | SB 281 | Amends Firearms Regulations | Bill Passed - House (78 - 61) |
4/03 | SB 281 | Amends Firearms Regulations | Bill Passed - House (78 - 61) |
3/25 | SB 339 | Classifies Using a Cell Phone While Driving As a Primary Offense | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6) |
3/21 | HB 753 | Classifies Cell Phone Use While Driving as a Primary Offense | Bill Passed - House (106 - 29) |
3/20 | SB 30 | Prohibits Smoking in Vehicles Containing Children | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20) |
3/15 | SB 276 | Repeals the Death Penalty | Bill Passed - House (82 - 56) |
3/15 | SB 276 | Repeals the Death Penalty | Bill Passed - House (82 - 56) |
3/06 | SB 276 | Repeals the Death Penalty | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20) |
3/06 | SB 276 | Repeals the Death Penalty | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20) |
2/28 | SB 281 | Amends Firearms Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19) |
2/28 | SB 281 | Amends Firearms Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19) |
2/28 | SB 281 | Amends Firearms Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19) |
2/08 | SB 74 | Prohibits Operating a Vessel Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 8) |
3/15 | HB 650 | Reduces Prison Sentences for Inmates Seeking Education | Bill Passed - House (81 - 54) |
4/08 | HB 302 | Parole Approval | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 65) |
4/05 | HB 302 | Parole Approval | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15) |
3/08 | HB 302 | Parole Approval | Bill Passed - House (74 - 66) |
4/10 | SB 627 | Establishes Medical Marijuana Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 12) |
4/09 | SB 321 | Prohibiting Hand-Held Cell Phone Use While Driving | Bill Passed - House (125 - 14) |
3/24 | SB 321 | Prohibiting Hand-Held Cell Phone Use While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 23) |
4/13 | HB 387 | "Lawful Status" Requirements for ID Cards, Vehicle Licenses and Permits | Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 60) |
4/10 | SB 277 | Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems | Bill Passed - House (94 - 41) |
4/10 | SB 277 | Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems | Bill Passed - House (94 - 41) |
4/06 | HB 302 | Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15) |
4/06 | HB 302 | Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15) |
4/02 | SB 277 | Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20) |
4/02 | SB 277 | Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20) |
3/26 | SB 279 | Capital Punishment Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (87 - 52) |
3/17 | HB 302 | Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects | Bill Passed - House (92 - 45) |
3/17 | HB 359 | Handgun Permit Eligibility for Domestic Abuse Victims | Bill Failed - House (51 - 86) |
3/17 | HB 359 | Handgun Permit Eligibility for Domestic Abuse Victims | Bill Failed - House (51 - 86) |
3/17 | HB 302 | Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects | Bill Passed - House (92 - 45) |
3/05 | SB 279 | Capital Punishment Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13) |
3/31 | SB 269 | Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems | Bill Passed - House (89 - 47) |
3/31 | SB 269 | Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems | Bill Passed - House (89 - 47) |
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) |
3/18 | SB 269 | Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21) |
3/14 | SB 461 | Prohibiting Cell Phone Use by Drivers Under 18 | Bill Failed - Senate (22 - 21) |
3/12 | SB 42 | Temporary Confiscation of Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17) |
3/12 | SB 42 | Temporary Confiscation of Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17) |
2/22 | SB 243 | Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 10) |
2/21 | SB 111 | Expanding Hate Crimes Classification to Homeless | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 4) |
4/09 | HB 992 | Parole for Drug Offenders | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18) |
4/09 | HB 992 | Parole for Drug Offenders | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18) |
4/05 | HB 359 | Indoor Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
4/03 | SB 91 | Indoor Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - House (99 - 39) |
3/26 | SB 488 | Felon Voting Rights | Bill Passed - House (78 - 60) |
3/26 | HB 992 | Parole for Drug Offenders | Bill Passed - House (71 - 66) |
3/26 | HB 992 | Parole for Drug Offenders | Bill Passed - House (71 - 66) |
3/26 | SB 91 | Indoor Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13) |
3/26 | SB 488 | Felon Voting Rights | Bill Passed - House (78 - 60) |
3/24 | HB 359 | Indoor Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - House (98 - 40) |
3/23 | SB 488 | Felon Voting Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19) |