Key Votes
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About the Selection and Descriptions of Key Votes
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:
- The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member stands on a particular issue
- The vote should be clear for any person to understand
- The vote has received media attention
- The vote was passed or defeated by a very close margin
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 9, 2011 | MD | Amendment 223923 | Civil Marriage Protection Act | Amendment Rejected - House (63 - 72) |
| March 27, 2006 | MD | Amendment 3929 to SB 297 | Prohibiting Requirement of Pharmacist to Dispense Emergency Contraception Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 28) |
| March 15, 2006 | MD | Amendment 503528 to SB 110 | Funding to Family Planning Programs Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (18 - 29) |
| March 15, 2006 | MD | Amendment 553220 | Needle Exchange Funding Prohibition Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 32) |
| March 14, 2007 | MD | Amendment 643129/1 | 2008 Budget Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (29 - 110) |
| March 23, 2006 | MD | Amendment 953927 | Stem Cell Funding Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (46 - 93) |
| March 21, 2007 | MD | Amendment 993627/1 | 2008 Budget Reduction Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 33) |
| April 3, 2008 | MD | Amnd. 663027/2 | Power Plant Regulation | Amendment Adopted - Senate (27 - 18) |
| Dec. 9, 2021 | MD | HB 1 | Amends State Congressional Districts | Veto Override Passed - House (96 - 42) |
| April 5, 2017 | MD | HB 1 | Requires Certain Employers to Provide Paid Sick Leave | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 53) |
| March 26, 2022 | MD | HB 1 | Authorizes the Use and Possession of Cannabis | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (94 - 39) |
| Nov. 19, 2007 | MD | HB 1 | 2007-2008 Budget Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (100 - 33) |
| March 22, 2022 | MD | HB 1 | Authorizes the Use and Possession of Cannabis | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17) |
| April 3, 2017 | MD | HB 1 | Requires Certain Employers to Provide Paid Sick Leave | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18) |
| Nov. 19, 2007 | MD | HB 1 | 2007-2008 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13) |
| Feb. 12, 2021 | MD | HB 1 | Appropriates Funding for HBCUs | Bill Passed - House (115 - 14) |
| Nov. 13, 2007 | MD | HB 1 | 2007-2008 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - House (103 - 36) |
| March 3, 2006 | MD | HB 1 | Maryland Stem Cell Research Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - House (85 - 54) |
| March 15, 2013 | MD | HB 100 | 2013-2014 Budget | Bill Passed - House (101 - 36) |
| March 12, 2016 | MD | HB 1002 | Prohibits Firearms on College Campuses | Bill Passed - House (81 - 54) |
| April 9, 2016 | MD | HB 1003 | Prohibits Wage Discrimination on Basis of Gender Identity | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 33) |
| April 7, 2016 | MD | HB 1003 | Prohibits Wage Discrimination on Basis of Gender Identity | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13) |
| March 21, 2016 | MD | HB 1007 | Establishes Electronic Voter Registration | Bill Passed - House (93 - 43) |
| April 8, 2016 | MD | HB 1013 | Establishes Transportation Project Scoring System | Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 17) |
| April 7, 2016 | MD | HB 1013 | Establishes Transportation Project Scoring System | Veto Override Passed - House (88 - 52) |
| March 19, 2016 | MD | HB 1013 | Establishes Transportation Project Scoring System | Bill Passed - House (84 - 51) |
| March 21, 2016 | MD | HB 1016 | Amends Certain Law Enforcement Procedures | Bill Passed - House (92 - 44) |
| March 22, 2018 | MD | HB 1017 | Requires Equal Access to Collective Bargaining New Employee Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
| April 10, 2006 | MD | HB 1035 | Uninsured Employers' Fund -- Liability of Corporate Officers | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18) |
| March 25, 2006 | MD | HB 1035 | Uninsured Employers' Fund -- Liability of Corporate Officers | Bill Passed - House (90 - 45) |
| March 20, 2021 | MD | HB 1047 | Expands Access to Mail-In Voting | Bill Passed - House (95 - 38) |
| 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 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 4, 2006 | MD | HB 1054 | Public Campaign Financing Act for Candidates for the General Assembly | Bill Passed - House (79 - 56) |
| April 10, 2023 | MD | HB 1071 | Prohibits the Smell of Cannabis as Reasonable Suspicion or Probable Cause for Police | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20) |
| April 10, 2023 | MD | HB 1071 | Prohibits the Smell of Cannabis as Reasonable Suspicion or Probable Cause for Police | Bill Passed - House (101 - 36) |
| March 31, 2022 | MD | HB 1082 | Amends Consumer Health Information Language and Appropriates Funds for Resources | Bill Passed - House (93 - 40) |
| March 8, 2018 | MD | HB 109 | Establishes a Community Development Program Act | Bill Passed - House (88 - 48) |
| March 25, 2013 | MD | HB 1101 | Authorizes Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (108 - 28) |
| Feb. 2, 2017 | MD | HB 1106 | Increases Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards | Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 13) |
| Jan. 31, 2017 | MD | HB 1106 | Increases Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards | Veto Override Passed - House (88 - 51) |
| March 21, 2016 | MD | HB 1106 | Increases Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards | Bill Passed - House (92 - 43) |
| April 6, 2013 | MD | HB 1107 | Amends Prince George's County School System Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 47) |
| April 8, 2022 | MD | HB 1116 | Establishes Regulations for the Issuance of Alcoholic Beverage Licenses in Charles County | Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0) |
| March 30, 2022 | MD | HB 1163 | Requires the State Department of Education to Establish Virtual Education Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 13) |
| March 14, 2022 | MD | HB 1163 | Requires the State Department of Education to Establish Virtual Education Programs | Bill Passed - House (89 - 40) |
| April 5, 2014 | MD | HB 1168 | Prohibits the Construction of a Wind-Powered Generating Station | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (100 - 24) |
| April 5, 2014 | MD | HB 1168 | Prohibits the Construction of a Wind-Powered Generating Station | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16) |
| April 3, 2019 | MD | HB 1169 | Prohibits Smoking Under the Age of 21 | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (101 - 35) |
| April 2, 2019 | MD | HB 1169 | Prohibits Smoking Under the Age of 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13) |
| April 10, 2023 | MD | HB 1200 | Requires Election Judges be Paid at Least $250 Per Day | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (129 - 10) |
| March 23, 2015 | MD | HB 121 | Amends Mandatory Sentences for Certain Drug Offenses | Bill Passed - House (85 - 55) |
| April 10, 2006 | MD | HB 1215 | School Closure Regulations | Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 17) |
| April 8, 2006 | MD | HB 1215 | School Closure Regulations | Veto Override Passed - House (97 - 42) |
| March 24, 2007 | MD | HB 1220 | Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Green Fund | Bill Passed - House (96 - 41) |
| April 10, 2023 | MD | HB 123 | Authorizes Electric Vehicles to Use HOV Lanes Regardless of How Many Passengers are in the Vehicle | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (104 - 35) |
| March 16, 2020 | MD | HB 123 | Prohibits Employers from Asking About Wage History | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14) |
| March 13, 2020 | MD | HB 123 | Prohibits Employers from Asking About Wage History | Bill Passed - House (98 - 36) |
| March 19, 2015 | MD | HB 124 | Authorizes Expungement of Certain Crimes | Bill Passed - House (93 - 46) |
| April 2, 2018 | MD | HB 1243 | Authorizes Workers to Sue for Unpaid Wages | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12) |
| Feb. 17, 2022 | MD | HB 126 | Establishes Year-Round Daylight Saving Time | Bill Passed - House (108 - 24) |
| March 17, 2020 | MD | HB 1300 | Establishes the "Blueprint for Maryland's Future" | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (96 - 38) |
| April 3, 2018 | MD | HB 1302 | Authorizes Extreme Risk Protective Order | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (93 - 46) |
| April 4, 2007 | MD | HB 131 | Maryland Clean Cars Act of 2007 | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9) |
| Feb. 20, 2007 | MD | HB 131 | Maryland Clean Cars Act of 2007 | Bill Passed - House (122 - 16) |
| March 27, 2017 | MD | HB 1325 | Prohibits Fracking | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10) |
| April 1, 2021 | MD | HB 1328 | Extends Broadband Access to Individuals in Underserved Areas | Bill Passed - House (107 - 28) |
| March 18, 2020 | MD | HB 1336 | Authorizes Expungement of Some Misdemeanor Criminal Convictions | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (100 - 31) |
| April 8, 2006 | MD | HB 1368 | Election Changes | Veto Override Passed - House (93 - 45) |
| April 10, 2006 | MD | HB 1368 | Election Changes | Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 17) |
| March 17, 2020 | MD | HB 14 | Prohibits Employers From Retaliating Against Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14) |
| Feb. 28, 2020 | MD | HB 14 | Prohibits Employers From Retaliating Against Employees | Bill Passed - House (99 - 37) |
| March 16, 2020 | MD | HB 1444 | Prohibits Race-Based Hairstyle Discrimination | Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0) |
| April 1, 2022 | MD | HB 1468 | Authorizes Tax Credit for Senior Citizens | Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0) |
| April 2, 2007 | MD | HB 148 | Presidential Election by Popular Vote | Bill Passed - House (85 - 54) |
| April 9, 2007 | MD | HB 148 | Presidential Election by Popular Vote | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17) |
| March 18, 2022 | MD | HB 1486 | Authorizes a Suspension of the Gas Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0) |
| March 29, 2013 | MD | HB 1515 | Increases the Gas Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20) |
| March 22, 2013 | MD | HB 1515 | Increases the Gas Tax | Bill Passed - House (76 - 63) |
| April 10, 2023 | MD | HB 153 | Expands Voting Power for Student Members of Baltimore City School Board of Commissioners | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (115 - 24) |
| April 2, 2018 | MD | HB 1539 | Establishes General Contractor Liability for Unpaid Wages | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13) |
| 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 9, 2018 | MD | HB 16 | Establishes Communication Campaign for Near Completers | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (90 - 48) |
| April 8, 2022 | MD | HB 16 | Specifies When Dogs May Not Be Left Unattended Outdoors | (118 - 15) |
| April 5, 2024 | MD | HB 16 | Requires Property Tax Bills to Include Inserts that describe the Homeowner Protection Program | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 12) |
| Feb. 22, 2024 | MD | HB 16 | Requires Property Tax Bills to Include Inserts that describe the Homeowner Protection Program | Bill Passed - House (104 - 34) |
| April 4, 2008 | MD | HB 1626 | Public Utilitiy Regulation | Bill Passed - House (98 - 41) |
| March 28, 2019 | MD | HB 166 | Increases State Minimum Wage | Veto Override Passed - House (96 - 43) |
| March 14, 2019 | MD | HB 166 | Increases State Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15) |
| March 1, 2019 | MD | HB 166 | Increases State Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - House (96 - 44) |
| March 18, 2020 | MD | HB 1663 | Establishes the "COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Protection Act of 2020" | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (131 - 3) |
| 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) |
| 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) |
| March 31, 2006 | MD | HB 1674 | Restrictions on Campaign Fund-Raising Activities by Members of the Board of Regents | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 17) |
| March 25, 2006 | MD | HB 1674 | Restrictions on Campaign Fund-Raising Activities by Members of the Board of Regents | Bill Passed - House (87 - 47) |
| April 7, 2016 | MD | HB 172 | Amends School Board Nominating Commission | Veto Override Passed - House (90 - 50) |
| April 11, 2022 | MD | HB 172 | Authorizes Tax Deductions for Union Dues | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (96 - 37) |
| April 7, 2022 | MD | HB 172 | Authorizes Tax Deductions for Union Dues | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13) |
| March 20, 2023 | MD | HB 175 | Expands Voting Rights for Student Members of Baltimore County Board of Education | Bill Passed - House (98 - 33) |
| April 5, 2018 | MD | HB 1782 | Establishes Individual Market Stabilization within Healthcare | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (89 - 48) |