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
Feb. 2, 2011 MN SF 4 Repealing the Ban on Construction of New Nuclear Power Plants Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 14)
Jan. 27, 2011 MN HF 130 2010-2013 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (68 - 63)
Jan. 24, 2011 MN SF 86 Repeals Carbon Dioxide Emissions Prohibition
May 17, 2010 MN HF 1 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 14)
May 17, 2010 MN HF 1 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - House (97 - 32)
May 12, 2010 MN SF 341 Domestic Partner Death Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (41 - 24)
May 11, 2010 MN SF 341 Domestic Partner Death Rights Bill Passed - House (78 - 55)
May 10, 2010 MN HF 2037 2010-2011 Budget Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (71 - 63)
May 10, 2010 MN HF 2037 2010-2011 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 33)
May 5, 2010 MN HF 2614 Health and Human Services Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 19)
May 4, 2010 MN HF 2614 Health and Human Services Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (79 - 54)
April 28, 2010 MN SF 2716 Charter School Facilities Financing Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 15)
March 29, 2010 MN HF 1671 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (44 - 23)
March 29, 2010 MN HF 1671 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 55)
March 11, 2010 MN HF 2700 Omnibus Bonding and Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (89 - 44)
March 11, 2010 MN HF 2700 Omnibus Bonding and Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (49 - 17)
March 1, 2010 MN SF 2168 General Assistance Medical Care Program Modifications Veto Override Failed - House (86 - 47)
Feb. 25, 2010 MN SF 2168 General Assistance Medical Care Program Modifications Veto Override Passed - Senate (45 - 21)
Feb. 11, 2010 MN SF 2168 General Assistance Medical Care Program Modifications Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 20)
Feb. 9, 2010 MN SF 2360 Construction Projects Authorizations and Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 14)
May 18, 2009 MN HF 2323 Tax Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 47)
May 18, 2009 MN SF 97 Legalizing Medical Marijuana Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 28)
May 18, 2009 MN SF 97 Legalizing Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - House (70 - 64)
May 18, 2009 MN SF 971 School Anti-Bullying Policy Requirements Bill Passed - House (95 - 39)
May 18, 2009 MN HF 108 Primary Seat Belt Law Bill Passed - House (73 - 60)
May 18, 2009 MN HF 108 Primary Seat Belt Law Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 19)
May 17, 2009 MN HF 885 Tax Law Amendments Veto Override Failed - House (85 - 49)
May 17, 2009 MN HF 1362 Health Budget Veto Override Failed - House (87 - 47)
May 11, 2009 MN HF 1362 Health Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 51)
May 11, 2009 MN HF 1362 Health Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 18)
May 11, 2009 MN SF 1331 Changing Early Voting and Special Election Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 27)
May 8, 2009 MN HF 885 Tax Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (44 - 20)
May 8, 2009 MN HF 885 Tax Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (86 - 45)
May 8, 2009 MN HF 1231 2010-2011 Cultural and Outdoor Resources Budget Bill Passed - House (78 - 51)
May 5, 2009 MN SF 2081 2010-2011 Economic Development Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 57)
May 4, 2009 MN SF 2081 2010-2011 Economic Development Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 28)
May 4, 2009 MN SF 97 Legalizing Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 29)
May 4, 2009 MN SF 341 Domestic Partner Death Rights Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 24)
April 30, 2009 MN Ending Prohibition on New Nuclear Power Plant Construction Amendment Rejected - House (60 - 72)
April 27, 2009 MN H Amendment Prohibits State Funding for Abortions Amendment Rejected - House (66 - 66)
April 27, 2009 MN Ban on State Funds for Abortions Amendment Rejected - Senate (26 - 39)
April 23, 2009 MN SF 2082 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - House (69 - 62)
April 20, 2009 MN Permitting Slot Machines at Race Tracks Amendment Rejected - Senate (25 - 41)
April 20, 2009 MN SF 802 2009-2011 Biennium Public Safety and Corrections Budget Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 31)
April 17, 2009 MN SF 2083 2009-2011 Biennium Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 23)
April 17, 2009 MN Limit of 3 Percent on Tuition Increases Amendment Rejected - Senate (32 - 33)
April 17, 2009 MN SF 971 School Anti-Bullying Policy Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22)
April 16, 2009 MN Limmer Amdt Homosexuality in Education Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 37)
April 7, 2009 MN SF 1328 2009-2011 Biennium Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 29)
April 6, 2009 MN SF 10 Sharing Services For Schools Districts Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 33)
April 2, 2009 MN Ending Prohibition on New Nuclear Power Plants Amendment Adopted - Senate (42 - 24)
March 26, 2009 MN HF 1797 Federal Stimulus Transportation Funding Bill Passed - House (113 - 19)
May 15, 2008 MN HF 3195 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap and Trade Program Report Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 22)
May 15, 2008 MN SF 960 Modification of the Definition of Dependents for Local Government Benefits Bill Passed - House (83 - 50)
May 13, 2008 MN HF 6 2008 Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (55 - 10)
May 13, 2008 MN HF 3195 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap and Trade Program Report Conference Report Adopted - House (96 - 36)
May 13, 2008 MN HF 6 2008 Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 35)
May 13, 2008 MN HF 3807 Real ID Prohibition Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 30)
May 13, 2008 MN SF 2965 Surrogate Mother Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (41 - 22)
May 13, 2008 MN HF 3807 Real ID Prohibition Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 16)
May 12, 2008 MN HF 3391 Health Care Reform Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (53 - 13)
May 12, 2008 MN HF 3391 Health Care Reform Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 50)
May 12, 2008 MN SF 2965 Surrogate Mother Regulations Bill Passed - House (86 - 46)
May 8, 2008 MN SF 3001 Modifying State Education Policies Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 49)
May 8, 2008 MN SF 875 Minimum Wage Increase Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 18)
May 8, 2008 MN SF 875 Minimum Wage Increase Conference Report Adopted - House (89 - 45)
May 7, 2008 MN Dean Amendment: Stem cell research that does not destroy, injure or create human embryos Amendment Rejected - House (65 - 69)
May 7, 2008 MN SF 3001 Modifying State Education Policies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (45 - 20)
May 7, 2008 MN SF 100 Public Funding for Stem Cell Research Bill Passed - House (71 - 62)
May 7, 2008 MN HF 3149 Homeowner and Property Tax Bill Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 27)
May 5, 2008 MN Howes Amendment: Gas Tax Holiday Amendment Rejected - House (28 - 102)
May 5, 2008 MN Severson Amendment: Income Tax Refund Amendment Adopted - House (75 - 54)
May 5, 2008 MN HF 3149 Homeowner and Property Tax Bill Bill Passed - House (80 - 52)
May 1, 2008 MN SF 2369 Background Checks for Coaches Conference Report Adopted - House (112 - 15)
May 1, 2008 MN SF 875 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - House (82 - 45)
April 30, 2008 MN HF 3195 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap and Trade Program Report Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 21)
April 28, 2008 MN Walker Amdt to SF 3001 Sex Education in Schools Amendment Adopted - House (79 - 53)
April 23, 2008 MN HF 3195 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap and Trade Program Report Bill Passed - House (91 - 38)
April 21, 2008 MN HF 1351 Transportation Policy Reform Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 11)
April 14, 2008 MN SF 2822 "Good Faith" Requirement for Insurance Companies Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 39)
April 14, 2008 MN SF 2822 "Good Faith" Requirement for Insurance Companies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 15)
April 14, 2008 MN HF 1351 Transportation Policy Reform Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 44)
April 10, 2008 MN HF 3569 Workers' Lung Health Study Bill Passed - House (88 - 45)
April 7, 2008 MN Voter Registration Training Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (48 - 82)
April 7, 2008 MN Emmer Amnd. Voter Identification Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (59 - 70)
April 3, 2008 MN SF 960 Modification of the Definition of Dependents for Local Government Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 22)
April 2, 2008 MN Hann Amnd. Prohibiting Funding for Cities that Prevent Immigration Status Checks Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 33)
April 2, 2008 MN Marty Amnd. Removing Funding for Stadium Study Amendment Adopted - Senate (41 - 22)
April 1, 2008 MN Buesgens Amnd. Amendment Prohibiting Grants for Groups Involved in Political Activity Amendment Rejected - House (60 - 69)
April 1, 2008 MN Seifert Amendment: Prohibiting Grants for Groups Associated with Abortion Providers Amendment Rejected - House (64 - 66)
April 1, 2008 MN SF 2369 Background Checks for Coaches Bill Passed - House (118 - 11)
March 31, 2008 MN SF 3099 Health Improvement Program Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 23)
March 27, 2008 MN Seifert Amendment: Breaches of Insurance Policy Amendment Adopted - House (80 - 52)
March 27, 2008 MN Marty Amnd. Health Improvement Program Amendments Amendment Rejected - Senate (32 - 33)
March 27, 2008 MN SF 2822 "Good Faith" Requirement for Insurance Companies Bill Passed - House (81 - 51)
March 19, 2008 MN SF 2822 "Good Faith" Requirement for Insurance Companies Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 15)
March 18, 2008 MN Scheid Amnd. Insurance Payouts Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (37 - 30)
March 6, 2008 MN HF 380 Capital Improvements Budget Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 9)
March 6, 2008 MN HF 380 Capital Improvements Budget Bill Passed - House (99 - 34)
March 3, 2008 MN Seifert Amendment: Restriction of State Aid Based on Compliance with Immigration Laws Amendment Rejected - House (66 - 67)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/02 SF 4 Repealing the Ban on Construction of New Nuclear Power Plants Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 14)
1/27 HF 130 2010-2013 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (68 - 63)
1/24 SF 86 Repeals Carbon Dioxide Emissions Prohibition
5/17 HF 1 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 14)
5/17 HF 1 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - House (97 - 32)
5/12 SF 341 Domestic Partner Death Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (41 - 24)
5/11 SF 341 Domestic Partner Death Rights Bill Passed - House (78 - 55)
5/10 HF 2037 2010-2011 Budget Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (71 - 63)
5/10 HF 2037 2010-2011 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 33)
5/05 HF 2614 Health and Human Services Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 19)
5/04 HF 2614 Health and Human Services Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (79 - 54)
4/28 SF 2716 Charter School Facilities Financing Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 15)
3/29 HF 1671 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (44 - 23)
3/29 HF 1671 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 55)
3/11 HF 2700 Omnibus Bonding and Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (89 - 44)
3/11 HF 2700 Omnibus Bonding and Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (49 - 17)
3/01 SF 2168 General Assistance Medical Care Program Modifications Veto Override Failed - House (86 - 47)
2/25 SF 2168 General Assistance Medical Care Program Modifications Veto Override Passed - Senate (45 - 21)
2/11 SF 2168 General Assistance Medical Care Program Modifications Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 20)
2/09 SF 2360 Construction Projects Authorizations and Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 14)
5/18 HF 2323 Tax Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 47)
5/18 SF 97 Legalizing Medical Marijuana Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 28)
5/18 SF 97 Legalizing Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - House (70 - 64)
5/18 SF 971 School Anti-Bullying Policy Requirements Bill Passed - House (95 - 39)
5/18 HF 108 Primary Seat Belt Law Bill Passed - House (73 - 60)
5/18 HF 108 Primary Seat Belt Law Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 19)
5/17 HF 885 Tax Law Amendments Veto Override Failed - House (85 - 49)
5/17 HF 1362 Health Budget Veto Override Failed - House (87 - 47)
5/11 HF 1362 Health Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 51)
5/11 HF 1362 Health Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 18)
5/11 SF 1331 Changing Early Voting and Special Election Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 27)
5/08 HF 885 Tax Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (44 - 20)
5/08 HF 885 Tax Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (86 - 45)
5/08 HF 1231 2010-2011 Cultural and Outdoor Resources Budget Bill Passed - House (78 - 51)
5/05 SF 2081 2010-2011 Economic Development Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 57)
5/04 SF 2081 2010-2011 Economic Development Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 28)
5/04 SF 97 Legalizing Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 29)
5/04 SF 341 Domestic Partner Death Rights Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 24)
4/30 Ending Prohibition on New Nuclear Power Plant Construction Amendment Rejected - House (60 - 72)
4/27 H Amendment Prohibits State Funding for Abortions Amendment Rejected - House (66 - 66)
4/27 Ban on State Funds for Abortions Amendment Rejected - Senate (26 - 39)
4/23 SF 2082 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - House (69 - 62)
4/20 Permitting Slot Machines at Race Tracks Amendment Rejected - Senate (25 - 41)
4/20 SF 802 2009-2011 Biennium Public Safety and Corrections Budget Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 31)
4/17 SF 2083 2009-2011 Biennium Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 23)
4/17 Limit of 3 Percent on Tuition Increases Amendment Rejected - Senate (32 - 33)
4/17 SF 971 School Anti-Bullying Policy Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22)
4/16 Limmer Amdt Homosexuality in Education Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 37)
4/07 SF 1328 2009-2011 Biennium Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 29)
4/06 SF 10 Sharing Services For Schools Districts Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 33)
4/02 Ending Prohibition on New Nuclear Power Plants Amendment Adopted - Senate (42 - 24)
3/26 HF 1797 Federal Stimulus Transportation Funding Bill Passed - House (113 - 19)
5/15 HF 3195 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap and Trade Program Report Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 22)
5/15 SF 960 Modification of the Definition of Dependents for Local Government Benefits Bill Passed - House (83 - 50)
5/13 HF 6 2008 Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (55 - 10)
5/13 HF 3195 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap and Trade Program Report Conference Report Adopted - House (96 - 36)
5/13 HF 6 2008 Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 35)
5/13 HF 3807 Real ID Prohibition Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 30)
5/13 SF 2965 Surrogate Mother Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (41 - 22)
5/13 HF 3807 Real ID Prohibition Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 16)
5/12 HF 3391 Health Care Reform Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (53 - 13)
5/12 HF 3391 Health Care Reform Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 50)
5/12 SF 2965 Surrogate Mother Regulations Bill Passed - House (86 - 46)
5/08 SF 3001 Modifying State Education Policies Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 49)
5/08 SF 875 Minimum Wage Increase Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 18)
5/08 SF 875 Minimum Wage Increase Conference Report Adopted - House (89 - 45)
5/07 Dean Amendment: Stem cell research that does not destroy, injure or create human embryos Amendment Rejected - House (65 - 69)
5/07 SF 3001 Modifying State Education Policies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (45 - 20)
5/07 SF 100 Public Funding for Stem Cell Research Bill Passed - House (71 - 62)
5/07 HF 3149 Homeowner and Property Tax Bill Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 27)
5/05 Howes Amendment: Gas Tax Holiday Amendment Rejected - House (28 - 102)
5/05 Severson Amendment: Income Tax Refund Amendment Adopted - House (75 - 54)
5/05 HF 3149 Homeowner and Property Tax Bill Bill Passed - House (80 - 52)
5/01 SF 2369 Background Checks for Coaches Conference Report Adopted - House (112 - 15)
5/01 SF 875 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - House (82 - 45)
4/30 HF 3195 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap and Trade Program Report Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 21)
4/28 Walker Amdt to SF 3001 Sex Education in Schools Amendment Adopted - House (79 - 53)
4/23 HF 3195 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap and Trade Program Report Bill Passed - House (91 - 38)
4/21 HF 1351 Transportation Policy Reform Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 11)
4/14 SF 2822 "Good Faith" Requirement for Insurance Companies Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 39)
4/14 SF 2822 "Good Faith" Requirement for Insurance Companies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 15)
4/14 HF 1351 Transportation Policy Reform Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 44)
4/10 HF 3569 Workers' Lung Health Study Bill Passed - House (88 - 45)
4/07 Voter Registration Training Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (48 - 82)
4/07 Emmer Amnd. Voter Identification Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (59 - 70)
4/03 SF 960 Modification of the Definition of Dependents for Local Government Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 22)
4/02 Hann Amnd. Prohibiting Funding for Cities that Prevent Immigration Status Checks Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 33)
4/02 Marty Amnd. Removing Funding for Stadium Study Amendment Adopted - Senate (41 - 22)
4/01 Buesgens Amnd. Amendment Prohibiting Grants for Groups Involved in Political Activity Amendment Rejected - House (60 - 69)
4/01 Seifert Amendment: Prohibiting Grants for Groups Associated with Abortion Providers Amendment Rejected - House (64 - 66)
4/01 SF 2369 Background Checks for Coaches Bill Passed - House (118 - 11)
3/31 SF 3099 Health Improvement Program Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 23)
3/27 Seifert Amendment: Breaches of Insurance Policy Amendment Adopted - House (80 - 52)
3/27 Marty Amnd. Health Improvement Program Amendments Amendment Rejected - Senate (32 - 33)
3/27 SF 2822 "Good Faith" Requirement for Insurance Companies Bill Passed - House (81 - 51)
3/19 SF 2822 "Good Faith" Requirement for Insurance Companies Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 15)
3/18 Scheid Amnd. Insurance Payouts Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (37 - 30)
3/06 HF 380 Capital Improvements Budget Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 9)
3/06 HF 380 Capital Improvements Budget Bill Passed - House (99 - 34)
3/03 Seifert Amendment: Restriction of State Aid Based on Compliance with Immigration Laws Amendment Rejected - House (66 - 67)

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