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 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 HB 391 Minimum Wage Increase Veto Override Passed - House (91 - 48)
April 7, 2006 MD HB 853 Prohibiting Dredging for Oysters & Clams in Atlantic Coastal Bays Bill Passed - House (88 - 44)
Jan. 12, 2006 MD SB 790 Health Care for Large Companies Veto Override Passed - House (88 - 50)
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 3, 2006 MD HB 1 Maryland Stem Cell Research Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (85 - 54)
June 23, 2006 MD SB 1 Electricity Rates Veto Override Passed - House (87 - 37)
June 15, 2006 MD SB 1 Electricity Rates Bill Passed - House (109 - 26)
March 23, 2006 MD Amendment 953927 Stem Cell Funding Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (46 - 93)
April 8, 2006 MD HB 1215 School Closure Regulations Veto Override Passed - House (97 - 42)
March 31, 2006 MD SB 1075 Governor Cabinet Appointments Bill Passed - House (89 - 48)
June 14, 2006 MD SB 52 Maryland Transportation Authority Veto Override Passed - House (94 - 42)
April 8, 2006 MD HB 1368 Election Changes Veto Override Passed - House (93 - 45)
April 4, 2006 MD HB 1054 Public Campaign Financing Act for Candidates for the General Assembly Bill Passed - House (79 - 56)
April 5, 2007 MD SB 103 Maryland Clean Cars Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (123 - 17)
Feb. 16, 2007 MD HB 201 Early Voting Bill Passed - House (101 - 31)
April 6, 2007 MD SB 1 Early Voting Bill Passed - House (107 - 32)
Feb. 20, 2007 MD HB 131 Maryland Clean Cars Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (122 - 16)
March 24, 2007 MD HB 1220 Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Green Fund Bill Passed - House (96 - 41)
April 6, 2007 MD SB 634 Presidential Election by Popular Vote Bill Passed - House (84 - 54)
March 26, 2007 MD HB 992 Parole for Drug Offenders Bill Passed - House (71 - 66)
March 23, 2007 MD HB 6 Resident Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (81 - 57)
March 24, 2007 MD HB 359 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (98 - 40)
March 26, 2007 MD SB 488 Felon Voting Rights Bill Passed - House (78 - 60)
April 3, 2007 MD SB 91 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (99 - 39)
March 16, 2007 MD HB 754 Tobacco Tax to Fund Health Care Bill Passed - House (102 - 37)
April 9, 2007 MD HB 430 State Living Wage Concurrence Vote Passed - House (91 - 49)
April 6, 2007 MD HB 430 State Living Wage Bill Passed - House (88 - 50)
April 2, 2007 MD HB 148 Presidential Election by Popular Vote Bill Passed - House (85 - 54)
Nov. 19, 2007 MD HB 5 Sales Tax Increase Concurrence Vote Passed - House (81 - 52)
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 4, 2008 MD HB 362 Department of Information Technology Bill Passed - House (105 - 31)
April 5, 2008 MD SB 646 Allowing For-Profit Entities to Provide Credit Counseling Bill Passed - House (124 - 12)
April 4, 2008 MD SB 566 Hospital Visitation/Decision-Making Rights for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - House (88 - 46)
April 4, 2008 MD SB 597 Property Transfer Tax Exemptions for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - House (86 - 47)
March 31, 2008 MD SB 269 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - House (89 - 47)
April 5, 2008 MD SB 46 Computer Services Sales Tax Repeal and Other Tax Adjustments Bill Passed - House (93 - 44)
April 7, 2008 MD SB 1013 Regulation of Power Plants Bill Passed - House (102 - 38)
April 4, 2008 MD HB 1626 Public Utilitiy Regulation Bill Passed - House (98 - 41)
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 5, 2008 MD SB 90 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (109 - 31)
April 7, 2008 MD HB 374 Energy Efficiency Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (101 - 33)
April 7, 2008 MD HB 375 Increasing Renewable Energy Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 24)
March 31, 2006 MD SB 154 Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and Additional Emission Caps Bill Passed - House (107 - 27)
April 13, 2009 MD SB 278 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan Bill Passed - House (107 - 30)
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 26, 2009 MD SB 279 Capital Punishment Restrictions Bill Passed - House (87 - 52)
March 26, 2009 MD HB 310 Extending Unemployment Benefits to Part-Time Employees Bill Passed - House (94 - 43)
April 10, 2009 MD SB 277 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - House (94 - 41)
April 13, 2009 MD SB 785 Inheritance Tax Exemption for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - House (94 - 38)
April 13, 2009 MD HB 387 "Lawful Status" Requirements for ID Cards, Vehicle Licenses and Permits Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 60)
April 9, 2010 MD SB 321 Prohibiting Hand-Held Cell Phone Use While Driving Bill Passed - House (125 - 14)
March 23, 2010 MD HB 825 Increase in Motor Vehicle Liability Payment Bill Passed - House (97 - 36)
April 9, 2010 MD SB 590 Establishes a Public School Labor Relations Board Bill Passed - House (103 - 35)
April 10, 2010 MD SB 277 Modifies the Solar Energy Portfolio Standard Bill Passed - House (109 - 31)
April 12, 2010 MD SB 789 Requires Shift Breaks for Certain Employees Bill Passed - House (94 - 45)
April 12, 2010 MD HB 465 Establishes Collective Bargaining Procedures for Certain Child Care Providers Conference Report Adopted - House (100 - 39)
April 9, 2010 MD SB 279 Prohibits False Claims Against State Health Plans and Programs Bill Passed - House (105 - 33)
March 14, 2007 MD Amendment 643129/1 2008 Budget Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (29 - 110)
Nov. 19, 2007 MD HB 1 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (100 - 33)
Nov. 13, 2007 MD HB 1 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (103 - 36)
April 10, 2010 MD SB 778 Prohibits Public Schools from Sending Vocational Test Scores to Military Recruiters Bill Passed - House (95 - 42)
March 25, 2006 MD HB 1035 Uninsured Employers' Fund -- Liability of Corporate Officers Bill Passed - House (90 - 45)
March 9, 2011 MD Amendment 223923 Civil Marriage Protection Act Amendment Rejected - House (63 - 72)
March 24, 2011 MD HB 70 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - House (97 - 42)
March 26, 2011 MD HB 235 Prohibiting Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Discrimination Bill Passed - House (86 - 52)
March 8, 2011 MD HB 302 Parole Approval Bill Passed - House (74 - 66)
April 11, 2011 MD SB 994 Increases Sales Tax on Alcoholic Beverages Bill Passed - House (76 - 63)
April 11, 2011 MD SB 167 In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 65)
April 9, 2011 MD SB 690 Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard Amendments Bill Passed - House (74 - 60)
April 8, 2011 MD HB 302 Parole Approval Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 65)
Oct. 18, 2011 MD SB 1 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (91 - 46)
Feb. 17, 2012 MD HB 438 Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (72 - 67)
March 15, 2012 MD HB 650 Reduces Prison Sentences for Inmates Seeking Education Bill Passed - House (81 - 54)
April 6, 2012 MD SB 236 Septic System Installation Requirements Bill Passed - House (93 - 45)
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 6, 2012 MD SB 433 Prohibits Employers from Asking for Private Passwords Bill Passed - House (128 - 10)
March 30, 2012 MD HB 441 Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act of 2012 Bill Passed - House (88 - 47)
May 16, 2012 MD SB 1302 Increases Tax Rates for Certain Individuals Bill Passed - House (77 - 60)
May 16, 2012 MD SB 1301 Amends Teacher Pension Funding Bill Passed - House (86 - 51)
Aug. 14, 2012 MD SB 1 Expands Gambling Bill Passed - House (71 - 59)
March 18, 2013 MD HB 226 Establishes Offshore Wind Renewable Energy Credits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 48)
Feb. 22, 2013 MD HB 226 Establishes Offshore Wind Renewable Energy Credits Bill Passed - House (86 - 48)
April 3, 2013 MD SB 281 Amends Firearms Regulations Bill Passed - House (78 - 61)
March 15, 2013 MD SB 276 Repeals the Death Penalty Bill Passed - House (82 - 56)
March 15, 2013 MD HB 100 2013-2014 Budget Bill Passed - House (101 - 36)
March 22, 2013 MD HB 1515 Increases the Gas Tax Bill Passed - House (76 - 63)
April 5, 2013 MD SB 715 Amends Driver's License Requirements for Undocumented Individuals Bill Passed - House (82 - 55)
March 25, 2013 MD HB 1101 Authorizes Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - House (108 - 28)
March 21, 2013 MD HB 753 Classifies Cell Phone Use While Driving as a Primary Offense Bill Passed - House (106 - 29)
March 25, 2013 MD HB 228 Amends the State Health Benefits Exchange and Medicaid Program Bill Passed - House (93 - 43)
March 22, 2013 MD HB 860 Authorizes Construction and Renovation of Public Schools Bill Passed - House (107 - 30)
April 1, 2013 MD SB 580 Expands Affirmative Defense to include a Caregiver Providing Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - House (95 - 37)
April 2, 2013 MD SB 183 Authorizes Tax Credits for Certain Film Production Activities Bill Passed - House (108 - 31)
April 6, 2013 MD HB 1107 Amends Prince George's County School System Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 47)
April 8, 2013 MD HB 224 Amends Voting Procedures Concurrence Vote Passed - House (99 - 40)
Date No. Title Outcome
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 HB 391 Minimum Wage Increase Veto Override Passed - House (91 - 48)
4/07 HB 853 Prohibiting Dredging for Oysters & Clams in Atlantic Coastal Bays Bill Passed - House (88 - 44)
1/12 SB 790 Health Care for Large Companies Veto Override Passed - House (88 - 50)
3/25 HB 1674 Restrictions on Campaign Fund-Raising Activities by Members of the Board of Regents Bill Passed - House (87 - 47)
3/03 HB 1 Maryland Stem Cell Research Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (85 - 54)
6/23 SB 1 Electricity Rates Veto Override Passed - House (87 - 37)
6/15 SB 1 Electricity Rates Bill Passed - House (109 - 26)
3/23 Amendment 953927 Stem Cell Funding Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (46 - 93)
4/08 HB 1215 School Closure Regulations Veto Override Passed - House (97 - 42)
3/31 SB 1075 Governor Cabinet Appointments Bill Passed - House (89 - 48)
6/14 SB 52 Maryland Transportation Authority Veto Override Passed - House (94 - 42)
4/08 HB 1368 Election Changes Veto Override Passed - House (93 - 45)
4/04 HB 1054 Public Campaign Financing Act for Candidates for the General Assembly Bill Passed - House (79 - 56)
4/05 SB 103 Maryland Clean Cars Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (123 - 17)
2/16 HB 201 Early Voting Bill Passed - House (101 - 31)
4/06 SB 1 Early Voting Bill Passed - House (107 - 32)
2/20 HB 131 Maryland Clean Cars Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (122 - 16)
3/24 HB 1220 Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Green Fund Bill Passed - House (96 - 41)
4/06 SB 634 Presidential Election by Popular Vote Bill Passed - House (84 - 54)
3/26 HB 992 Parole for Drug Offenders Bill Passed - House (71 - 66)
3/23 HB 6 Resident Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (81 - 57)
3/24 HB 359 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (98 - 40)
3/26 SB 488 Felon Voting Rights Bill Passed - House (78 - 60)
4/03 SB 91 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (99 - 39)
3/16 HB 754 Tobacco Tax to Fund Health Care Bill Passed - House (102 - 37)
4/09 HB 430 State Living Wage Concurrence Vote Passed - House (91 - 49)
4/06 HB 430 State Living Wage Bill Passed - House (88 - 50)
4/02 HB 148 Presidential Election by Popular Vote Bill Passed - House (85 - 54)
11/19 HB 5 Sales Tax Increase Concurrence Vote Passed - House (81 - 52)
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)
3/04 HB 362 Department of Information Technology Bill Passed - House (105 - 31)
4/05 SB 646 Allowing For-Profit Entities to Provide Credit Counseling Bill Passed - House (124 - 12)
4/04 SB 566 Hospital Visitation/Decision-Making Rights for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - House (88 - 46)
4/04 SB 597 Property Transfer Tax Exemptions for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - House (86 - 47)
3/31 SB 269 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - House (89 - 47)
4/05 SB 46 Computer Services Sales Tax Repeal and Other Tax Adjustments Bill Passed - House (93 - 44)
4/07 SB 1013 Regulation of Power Plants Bill Passed - House (102 - 38)
4/04 HB 1626 Public Utilitiy Regulation Bill Passed - House (98 - 41)
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)
4/05 SB 90 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (109 - 31)
4/07 HB 374 Energy Efficiency Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (101 - 33)
4/07 HB 375 Increasing Renewable Energy Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 24)
3/31 SB 154 Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and Additional Emission Caps Bill Passed - House (107 - 27)
4/13 SB 278 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan Bill Passed - House (107 - 30)
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)
3/26 SB 279 Capital Punishment Restrictions Bill Passed - House (87 - 52)
3/26 HB 310 Extending Unemployment Benefits to Part-Time Employees Bill Passed - House (94 - 43)
4/10 SB 277 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - House (94 - 41)
4/13 SB 785 Inheritance Tax Exemption for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - House (94 - 38)
4/13 HB 387 "Lawful Status" Requirements for ID Cards, Vehicle Licenses and Permits Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 60)
4/09 SB 321 Prohibiting Hand-Held Cell Phone Use While Driving Bill Passed - House (125 - 14)
3/23 HB 825 Increase in Motor Vehicle Liability Payment Bill Passed - House (97 - 36)
4/09 SB 590 Establishes a Public School Labor Relations Board Bill Passed - House (103 - 35)
4/10 SB 277 Modifies the Solar Energy Portfolio Standard Bill Passed - House (109 - 31)
4/12 SB 789 Requires Shift Breaks for Certain Employees Bill Passed - House (94 - 45)
4/12 HB 465 Establishes Collective Bargaining Procedures for Certain Child Care Providers Conference Report Adopted - House (100 - 39)
4/09 SB 279 Prohibits False Claims Against State Health Plans and Programs Bill Passed - House (105 - 33)
3/14 Amendment 643129/1 2008 Budget Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (29 - 110)
11/19 HB 1 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (100 - 33)
11/13 HB 1 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (103 - 36)
4/10 SB 778 Prohibits Public Schools from Sending Vocational Test Scores to Military Recruiters Bill Passed - House (95 - 42)
3/25 HB 1035 Uninsured Employers' Fund -- Liability of Corporate Officers Bill Passed - House (90 - 45)
3/09 Amendment 223923 Civil Marriage Protection Act Amendment Rejected - House (63 - 72)
3/24 HB 70 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - House (97 - 42)
3/26 HB 235 Prohibiting Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Discrimination Bill Passed - House (86 - 52)
3/08 HB 302 Parole Approval Bill Passed - House (74 - 66)
4/11 SB 994 Increases Sales Tax on Alcoholic Beverages Bill Passed - House (76 - 63)
4/11 SB 167 In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 65)
4/09 SB 690 Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard Amendments Bill Passed - House (74 - 60)
4/08 HB 302 Parole Approval Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 65)
10/18 SB 1 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (91 - 46)
2/17 HB 438 Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (72 - 67)
3/15 HB 650 Reduces Prison Sentences for Inmates Seeking Education Bill Passed - House (81 - 54)
4/06 SB 236 Septic System Installation Requirements Bill Passed - House (93 - 45)
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)
4/06 SB 433 Prohibits Employers from Asking for Private Passwords Bill Passed - House (128 - 10)
3/30 HB 441 Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act of 2012 Bill Passed - House (88 - 47)
5/16 SB 1302 Increases Tax Rates for Certain Individuals Bill Passed - House (77 - 60)
5/16 SB 1301 Amends Teacher Pension Funding Bill Passed - House (86 - 51)
8/14 SB 1 Expands Gambling Bill Passed - House (71 - 59)
3/18 HB 226 Establishes Offshore Wind Renewable Energy Credits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 48)
2/22 HB 226 Establishes Offshore Wind Renewable Energy Credits Bill Passed - House (86 - 48)
4/03 SB 281 Amends Firearms Regulations Bill Passed - House (78 - 61)
3/15 SB 276 Repeals the Death Penalty Bill Passed - House (82 - 56)
3/15 HB 100 2013-2014 Budget Bill Passed - House (101 - 36)
3/22 HB 1515 Increases the Gas Tax Bill Passed - House (76 - 63)
4/05 SB 715 Amends Driver's License Requirements for Undocumented Individuals Bill Passed - House (82 - 55)
3/25 HB 1101 Authorizes Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - House (108 - 28)
3/21 HB 753 Classifies Cell Phone Use While Driving as a Primary Offense Bill Passed - House (106 - 29)
3/25 HB 228 Amends the State Health Benefits Exchange and Medicaid Program Bill Passed - House (93 - 43)
3/22 HB 860 Authorizes Construction and Renovation of Public Schools Bill Passed - House (107 - 30)
4/01 SB 580 Expands Affirmative Defense to include a Caregiver Providing Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - House (95 - 37)
4/02 SB 183 Authorizes Tax Credits for Certain Film Production Activities Bill Passed - House (108 - 31)
4/06 HB 1107 Amends Prince George's County School System Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 47)
4/08 HB 224 Amends Voting Procedures Concurrence Vote Passed - House (99 - 40)

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