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
Feb. 25, 2008 MN HF 2800 2009-2010 Transportation Budget Veto Override Passed - Senate (47 - 20)
May 21, 2007 MN HF 946 Transportation Funding and Gas Tax Veto Override Failed - House (83 - 50)
Feb. 25, 2008 MN HF 2800 2009-2010 Transportation Budget Veto Override Passed - House (91 - 41)
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)
Feb. 28, 2008 MN GN Molnau Confirmation of Carol Molnau as Department of Transportation Commissioner Nomination Rejected - Senate (22 - 44)
April 1, 2008 MN Seifert Amendment: Prohibiting Grants for Groups Associated with Abortion Providers Amendment Rejected - House (64 - 66)
March 3, 2008 MN Seifert Amendment: Restriction of State Aid Based on Compliance with Immigration Laws Amendment Rejected - House (66 - 67)
April 20, 2007 MN H Amendment Prohibiting Public Funding for Abortions Amendment Rejected - House (64 - 68)
May 7, 2008 MN Dean Amendment: Stem cell research that does not destroy, injure or create human embryos Amendment Rejected - House (65 - 69)
March 27, 2008 MN Seifert Amendment: Breaches of Insurance Policy Amendment Adopted - House (80 - 52)
April 2, 2008 MN Marty Amnd. Removing Funding for Stadium Study Amendment Adopted - Senate (41 - 22)
April 7, 2008 MN Emmer Amnd. Voter Identification Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (59 - 70)
April 20, 2009 MN Permitting Slot Machines at Race Tracks Amendment Rejected - Senate (25 - 41)
April 19, 2007 MN H Amendment Resident Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Amendment Rejected - House (61 - 71)
March 18, 2008 MN Scheid Amnd. Insurance Payouts Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (37 - 30)
April 2, 2009 MN Ending Prohibition on New Nuclear Power Plants Amendment Adopted - Senate (42 - 24)
April 7, 2008 MN Voter Registration Training Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (48 - 82)
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)
April 30, 2007 MN S Amendment Domestic Partner Visitation Rights Amendment Rejected - Senate (31 - 34)
April 1, 2008 MN Buesgens Amnd. Amendment Prohibiting Grants for Groups Involved in Political Activity Amendment Rejected - House (60 - 69)
March 27, 2008 MN Marty Amnd. Health Improvement Program Amendments Amendment Rejected - Senate (32 - 33)
April 2, 2008 MN Hann Amnd. Prohibiting Funding for Cities that Prevent Immigration Status Checks Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 33)
April 26, 2006 MN H 2480A99 Referendum for Hennepin County Sales Tax Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (64 - 66)
April 28, 2008 MN Walker Amdt to SF 3001 Sex Education in Schools Amendment Adopted - House (79 - 53)
April 30, 2009 MN Ending Prohibition on New Nuclear Power Plant Construction Amendment Rejected - House (60 - 72)
April 16, 2009 MN Limmer Amdt Homosexuality in Education Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 37)
May 7, 2007 MN SF 2171 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 44)
May 1, 2008 MN SF 2369 Background Checks for Coaches Conference Report Adopted - House (112 - 15)
May 4, 2007 MN SF 1997 2008-2009 State Government Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 57)
May 13, 2008 MN HF 3195 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap and Trade Program Report Conference Report Adopted - House (96 - 36)
May 8, 2008 MN SF 3001 Modifying State Education Policies Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 49)
May 12, 2008 MN HF 3391 Health Care Reform Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (53 - 13)
May 14, 2007 MN HF 946 Transportation Funding and Gas Tax Conference Report Adopted - House (90 - 43)
May 12, 2008 MN HF 3391 Health Care Reform Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 50)
May 8, 2008 MN SF 875 Minimum Wage Increase Conference Report Adopted - House (89 - 45)
April 14, 2008 MN SF 2822 "Good Faith" Requirement for Insurance Companies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 15)
May 8, 2008 MN SF 875 Minimum Wage Increase Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 18)
May 18, 2009 MN HF 2323 Tax Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 47)
May 4, 2007 MN SF 1997 2008-2009 State Government Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (42 - 23)
May 13, 2008 MN HF 6 2008 Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (55 - 10)
May 7, 2008 MN SF 3001 Modifying State Education Policies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (45 - 20)
April 14, 2008 MN HF 1351 Transportation Policy Reform Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 44)
May 11, 2009 MN HF 1362 Health Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 18)
May 11, 2009 MN HF 1362 Health Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 51)
May 8, 2007 MN SF 1989 2008-2009 Higher Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (44 - 21)
May 8, 2007 MN SF 1989 2008-2009 Higher Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (86 - 46)
May 11, 2007 MN SF 238 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (81 - 48)
May 8, 2009 MN HF 885 Tax Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (86 - 45)
Feb. 14, 2008 MN HF 2285 Funding for Natural Resources and Cultural Heritage Conference Report Adopted - Senate (46 - 17)
May 13, 2008 MN HF 6 2008 Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 35)
Feb. 14, 2008 MN HF 2285 Funding for Natural Resources and Cultural Heritage Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 46)
May 20, 2006 MN SF 2460 University of Minnesota Football Stadium Conference Report Adopted - Senate (43 - 24)
May 20, 2006 MN SF 762 Clean Water Legacy Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 12)
May 20, 2006 MN SF 2460 University of Minnesota Football Stadium Conference Report Adopted - House (96 - 37)
May 11, 2007 MN SF 238 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - Senate (43 - 21)
April 21, 2008 MN HF 1351 Transportation Policy Reform Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 11)
May 20, 2006 MN SF 762 Clean Water Legacy Act Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 51)
May 20, 2006 MN HF 2480 Baseball Stadium Financing, Construction, and Operation Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 32)
May 14, 2007 MN HF 946 Transportation Funding and Gas Tax Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 17)
May 15, 2008 MN HF 3195 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap and Trade Program Report Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 22)
May 8, 2009 MN HF 885 Tax Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (44 - 20)
May 7, 2007 MN SF 2171 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 19)
May 20, 2006 MN HF 2480 Baseball Stadium Financing, Construction, and Operation Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 61)
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)
April 14, 2008 MN SF 2822 "Good Faith" Requirement for Insurance Companies Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 39)
May 13, 2008 MN SF 2965 Surrogate Mother Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (41 - 22)
May 13, 2008 MN HF 3807 Real ID Prohibition Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 30)
May 18, 2009 MN SF 97 Legalizing Medical Marijuana Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 28)
April 30, 2008 MN HF 3195 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap and Trade Program Report Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 21)
May 11, 2022 MN HF 3669 Reduces Various State Tax Rates Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 22)
May 18, 2009 MN SF 97 Legalizing Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - House (70 - 64)
May 13, 2008 MN HF 3807 Real ID Prohibition Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 16)
May 12, 2008 MN SF 2965 Surrogate Mother Regulations Bill Passed - House (86 - 46)
May 7, 2008 MN HF 3149 Homeowner and Property Tax Bill Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 27)
May 1, 2008 MN SF 875 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - House (82 - 45)
March 26, 2007 MN HF 946 Transportation Funding and Gas Tax Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 24)
April 26, 2007 MN SF 238 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (85 - 45)
April 1, 2008 MN SF 2369 Background Checks for Coaches Bill Passed - House (118 - 11)
May 7, 2008 MN SF 100 Public Funding for Stem Cell Research Bill Passed - House (71 - 62)
April 19, 2007 MN SF 1989 2008-2009 Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - House (95 - 37)
March 27, 2008 MN SF 2822 "Good Faith" Requirement for Insurance Companies Bill Passed - House (81 - 51)
May 19, 2007 MN HF 464 School District Health Insurance Pool Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 16)
April 19, 2007 MN SF 1997 2008-2009 State Government Budget Bill Passed - House (68 - 64)
April 20, 2007 MN SF 2171 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget Bill Passed - House (86 - 45)
March 6, 2008 MN HF 380 Capital Improvements Budget Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 9)
April 3, 2008 MN SF 960 Modification of the Definition of Dependents for Local Government Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 22)
April 17, 2009 MN SF 971 School Anti-Bullying Policy Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22)
May 4, 2009 MN SF 97 Legalizing Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 29)
March 24, 2007 MN HF 946 Transportation Funding and Gas Tax Bill Passed - House (83 - 46)
March 27, 2007 MN SF 238 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 24)
April 17, 2009 MN SF 2083 2009-2011 Biennium Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 23)
March 3, 2008 MN HF 3201 Omnibus Tax Bill Bill Passed - House (81 - 51)
May 3, 2007 MN SF 345 Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 29)
April 23, 2007 MN SF 875 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 23)
April 23, 2012 MN HF 2341 Requires Physicians to Administer Abortion Drugs In Person Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 25)
April 27, 2007 MN SF 100 Public Funding for Stem Cell Research Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 26)
March 31, 2007 MN SF 1611 Income Tax Increase and Education Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 29)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/25 HF 2800 2009-2010 Transportation Budget Veto Override Passed - Senate (47 - 20)
5/21 HF 946 Transportation Funding and Gas Tax Veto Override Failed - House (83 - 50)
2/25 HF 2800 2009-2010 Transportation Budget Veto Override Passed - House (91 - 41)
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)
2/28 GN Molnau Confirmation of Carol Molnau as Department of Transportation Commissioner Nomination Rejected - Senate (22 - 44)
4/01 Seifert Amendment: Prohibiting Grants for Groups Associated with Abortion Providers Amendment Rejected - House (64 - 66)
3/03 Seifert Amendment: Restriction of State Aid Based on Compliance with Immigration Laws Amendment Rejected - House (66 - 67)
4/20 H Amendment Prohibiting Public Funding for Abortions Amendment Rejected - House (64 - 68)
5/07 Dean Amendment: Stem cell research that does not destroy, injure or create human embryos Amendment Rejected - House (65 - 69)
3/27 Seifert Amendment: Breaches of Insurance Policy Amendment Adopted - House (80 - 52)
4/02 Marty Amnd. Removing Funding for Stadium Study Amendment Adopted - Senate (41 - 22)
4/07 Emmer Amnd. Voter Identification Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (59 - 70)
4/20 Permitting Slot Machines at Race Tracks Amendment Rejected - Senate (25 - 41)
4/19 H Amendment Resident Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Amendment Rejected - House (61 - 71)
3/18 Scheid Amnd. Insurance Payouts Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (37 - 30)
4/02 Ending Prohibition on New Nuclear Power Plants Amendment Adopted - Senate (42 - 24)
4/07 Voter Registration Training Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (48 - 82)
5/05 Howes Amendment: Gas Tax Holiday Amendment Rejected - House (28 - 102)
5/05 Severson Amendment: Income Tax Refund Amendment Adopted - House (75 - 54)
4/30 S Amendment Domestic Partner Visitation Rights Amendment Rejected - Senate (31 - 34)
4/01 Buesgens Amnd. Amendment Prohibiting Grants for Groups Involved in Political Activity Amendment Rejected - House (60 - 69)
3/27 Marty Amnd. Health Improvement Program Amendments Amendment Rejected - Senate (32 - 33)
4/02 Hann Amnd. Prohibiting Funding for Cities that Prevent Immigration Status Checks Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 33)
4/26 H 2480A99 Referendum for Hennepin County Sales Tax Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (64 - 66)
4/28 Walker Amdt to SF 3001 Sex Education in Schools Amendment Adopted - House (79 - 53)
4/30 Ending Prohibition on New Nuclear Power Plant Construction Amendment Rejected - House (60 - 72)
4/16 Limmer Amdt Homosexuality in Education Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 37)
5/07 SF 2171 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 44)
5/01 SF 2369 Background Checks for Coaches Conference Report Adopted - House (112 - 15)
5/04 SF 1997 2008-2009 State Government Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 57)
5/13 HF 3195 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap and Trade Program Report Conference Report Adopted - House (96 - 36)
5/08 SF 3001 Modifying State Education Policies Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 49)
5/12 HF 3391 Health Care Reform Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (53 - 13)
5/14 HF 946 Transportation Funding and Gas Tax Conference Report Adopted - House (90 - 43)
5/12 HF 3391 Health Care Reform Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 50)
5/08 SF 875 Minimum Wage Increase Conference Report Adopted - House (89 - 45)
4/14 SF 2822 "Good Faith" Requirement for Insurance Companies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 15)
5/08 SF 875 Minimum Wage Increase Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 18)
5/18 HF 2323 Tax Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 47)
5/04 SF 1997 2008-2009 State Government Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (42 - 23)
5/13 HF 6 2008 Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (55 - 10)
5/07 SF 3001 Modifying State Education Policies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (45 - 20)
4/14 HF 1351 Transportation Policy Reform Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 44)
5/11 HF 1362 Health Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 18)
5/11 HF 1362 Health Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 51)
5/08 SF 1989 2008-2009 Higher Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (44 - 21)
5/08 SF 1989 2008-2009 Higher Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (86 - 46)
5/11 SF 238 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (81 - 48)
5/08 HF 885 Tax Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (86 - 45)
2/14 HF 2285 Funding for Natural Resources and Cultural Heritage Conference Report Adopted - Senate (46 - 17)
5/13 HF 6 2008 Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 35)
2/14 HF 2285 Funding for Natural Resources and Cultural Heritage Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 46)
5/20 SF 2460 University of Minnesota Football Stadium Conference Report Adopted - Senate (43 - 24)
5/20 SF 762 Clean Water Legacy Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 12)
5/20 SF 2460 University of Minnesota Football Stadium Conference Report Adopted - House (96 - 37)
5/11 SF 238 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - Senate (43 - 21)
4/21 HF 1351 Transportation Policy Reform Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 11)
5/20 SF 762 Clean Water Legacy Act Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 51)
5/20 HF 2480 Baseball Stadium Financing, Construction, and Operation Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 32)
5/14 HF 946 Transportation Funding and Gas Tax Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 17)
5/15 HF 3195 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap and Trade Program Report Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 22)
5/08 HF 885 Tax Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (44 - 20)
5/07 SF 2171 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 19)
5/20 HF 2480 Baseball Stadium Financing, Construction, and Operation Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 61)
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)
4/14 SF 2822 "Good Faith" Requirement for Insurance Companies Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 39)
5/13 SF 2965 Surrogate Mother Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (41 - 22)
5/13 HF 3807 Real ID Prohibition Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 30)
5/18 SF 97 Legalizing Medical Marijuana Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 28)
4/30 HF 3195 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap and Trade Program Report Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 21)
5/11 HF 3669 Reduces Various State Tax Rates Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 22)
5/18 SF 97 Legalizing Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - House (70 - 64)
5/13 HF 3807 Real ID Prohibition Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 16)
5/12 SF 2965 Surrogate Mother Regulations Bill Passed - House (86 - 46)
5/07 HF 3149 Homeowner and Property Tax Bill Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 27)
5/01 SF 875 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - House (82 - 45)
3/26 HF 946 Transportation Funding and Gas Tax Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 24)
4/26 SF 238 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (85 - 45)
4/01 SF 2369 Background Checks for Coaches Bill Passed - House (118 - 11)
5/07 SF 100 Public Funding for Stem Cell Research Bill Passed - House (71 - 62)
4/19 SF 1989 2008-2009 Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - House (95 - 37)
3/27 SF 2822 "Good Faith" Requirement for Insurance Companies Bill Passed - House (81 - 51)
5/19 HF 464 School District Health Insurance Pool Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 16)
4/19 SF 1997 2008-2009 State Government Budget Bill Passed - House (68 - 64)
4/20 SF 2171 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget Bill Passed - House (86 - 45)
3/06 HF 380 Capital Improvements Budget Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 9)
4/03 SF 960 Modification of the Definition of Dependents for Local Government Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 22)
4/17 SF 971 School Anti-Bullying Policy Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22)
5/04 SF 97 Legalizing Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 29)
3/24 HF 946 Transportation Funding and Gas Tax Bill Passed - House (83 - 46)
3/27 SF 238 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 24)
4/17 SF 2083 2009-2011 Biennium Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 23)
3/03 HF 3201 Omnibus Tax Bill Bill Passed - House (81 - 51)
5/03 SF 345 Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 29)
4/23 SF 875 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 23)
4/23 HF 2341 Requires Physicians to Administer Abortion Drugs In Person Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 25)
4/27 SF 100 Public Funding for Stem Cell Research Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 26)
3/31 SF 1611 Income Tax Increase and Education Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 29)

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