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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Dec. 18, 2008 | CA | ABx1 5 | Modifying Transportation Project Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10) |
Dec. 18, 2008 | CA | ABx1 2 | Tax Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
Oct. 1, 2008 | National | HR 2095 | Amtrak Reauthorization | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (74 - 24) |
Aug. 31, 2008 | CA | SB 60 | Expanding Driver's License Eligibility | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
Aug. 30, 2008 | CA | SB 375 | Global Warming and Land Use Policy | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 14) |
Aug. 29, 2008 | CA | AB 2321 | Metro Sales Tax Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
Aug. 21, 2008 | CA | SB 28 | Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 14) |
Aug. 20, 2008 | CA | AB 2233 | Ban on Holding Pets While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
Aug. 7, 2008 | CA | AB 3034 | High-Speed Rail Bond Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10) |
July 17, 2008 | NC | HB 2340 | Prohibiting Children from Riding in Pickup Truck Beds | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20) |
July 16, 2008 | NC | SB 1695 | Tractor Trailer Length | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 1) |
June 25, 2008 | VA | SB 6009 | Transportation Taxes | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16) |
June 23, 2008 | AZ | SB 1167 | Off-Highway Vehicle Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 7) |
June 23, 2008 | AZ | HB 2156 | Reviews for Potential Railroad Sites | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 6) |
June 17, 2008 | LA | HB 852 | Banning Cell Phones While Driving | Bill Failed - Senate (6 - 27) |
June 17, 2008 | RI | S 2706 | Red Light Cameras | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 2) |
May 27, 2008 | IL | HB 5288 | Expand Use of Red Light Cameras | Bill Failed - Senate (26 - 24) |
May 13, 2008 | MN | HF 3807 | Real ID Prohibition | Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 16) |
May 13, 2008 | WI | AB 1 | Budget Repair Plan | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 16) |
May 7, 2008 | NY | S 7594 | Gasoline Tax Holiday | Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 15) |
May 6, 2008 | LA | SB 137 | Young Drivers Using Cell Phones While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
April 29, 2008 | TN | SB 3042 | Open Container Law | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7) |
April 21, 2008 | MN | HF 1351 | Transportation Policy Reform | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 11) |
April 21, 2008 | AZ | HB 2395 | Driving and Boating Under the Influence | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6) |
April 17, 2008 | IL | SB 2063 | South Suburban Airport Authority | Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 7) |
April 15, 2008 | IA | S 5355 to SF 2420 | State Funding of Road Projects | Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 32) |
April 15, 2008 | IA | SF 2420 | Increasing Vehicle Registration Fees | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 14) |
April 7, 2008 | NE | LB 959 | Gas Tax Veto Override | Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 15) |
April 4, 2008 | GA | SR 845 | Regional Transportation Sales Tax | Conference Report Rejected - Senate (35 - 18) |
April 4, 2008 | GA | HB 978 | Vehicle Seizures for Unlicensed Drivers | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18) |
April 2, 2008 | KY | HB 406 | 2008-2010 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3) |
April 2, 2008 | GA | HB 257 | Limiting Concealed Weapon Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17) |
April 2, 2008 | AR | HB 1004 | Natural Gas Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1) |
April 1, 2008 | AR | SB 1 | Natural Gas Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3) |
March 31, 2008 | GA | HB 1158 | Motor Vehicle Trauma Care Fee | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7) |
March 28, 2008 | NE | LB 959 | 2007-2009 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9) |
March 27, 2008 | ME | LD 2012 | Prohibiting Smoking in Vehicles with Children | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
March 25, 2008 | WI | AB 1 | Budget Repair Plan | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14) |
March 24, 2008 | KY | HB 406 | 2008-2010 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2) |
March 20, 2008 | AZ | SB 1420 | Public Highway Authorities | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9) |
March 20, 2008 | MD | SB 2 | Banning Cell Phones While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21) |
March 20, 2008 | AZ | SB 1465 | Public-Private Transportation Projects | Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 15) |
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 | KY | SB 120 | Booster Seat Requirement | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5) |
March 6, 2008 | GA | SB 276 | Expanding Automotive Insurance Coverage | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 10) |
March 6, 2008 | MN | HF 380 | Capital Improvements Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 9) |
March 5, 2008 | WA | HB 2815 | Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19) |
March 4, 2008 | UT | HB 359 | Tax Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 3) |
March 3, 2008 | WY | HB 73 | Increasing DUI Penalties | Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 16) |
Feb. 28, 2008 | MN | GN Molnau | Confirmation of Carol Molnau as Department of Transportation Commissioner | Nomination Rejected - Senate (22 - 44) |
Feb. 27, 2008 | CO | HB 1069 | Prohibiting Motor Vehicles on Public Lands | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8) |
Feb. 27, 2008 | WV | SB 248 | Non-Participation in the Real ID Act | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3) |
Feb. 27, 2008 | MS | SB 2206 | Radar Speed Detection | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19) |
Feb. 25, 2008 | MN | HF 2800 | 2009-2010 Transportation Budget | Veto Override Passed - Senate (47 - 20) |
Feb. 21, 2008 | MN | HF 2800 | 2009-2010 Transportation Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 20) |
Feb. 20, 2008 | GA | SR 845 | Regional Transportation Sales Tax | Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 4) |
Feb. 14, 2008 | UT | SB 149 | Expanding Minimum Automotive Insurance Coverage | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13) |
Feb. 11, 2008 | OR | SB 1080 | Driver's License Residency Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7) |
Feb. 7, 2008 | GA | SB 350 | Increasing Penalties for Driving Without a License | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 13) |
Feb. 6, 2008 | MI | SB 962 | Prohibiting Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9) |
Feb. 6, 2008 | WA | SB 6794 | New Ferry Vessels | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 8) |
Jan. 17, 2008 | IL | HB 656 | Providing Free Public Transportation for Senior Citizens | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 19) |
Jan. 15, 2008 | NE | LB 253 | Repealing Motorcycle Helmet Law | Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 25) |
Jan. 10, 2008 | IL | HB 656 | Transportation Act | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 25) |
Jan. 7, 2008 | NJ | A 4314 | Traffic Control Signal Monitoring | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11) |
Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|
12/18 | ABx1 5 | Modifying Transportation Project Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10) |
12/18 | ABx1 2 | Tax Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
10/01 | HR 2095 | Amtrak Reauthorization | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (74 - 24) |
8/31 | SB 60 | Expanding Driver's License Eligibility | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
8/30 | SB 375 | Global Warming and Land Use Policy | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 14) |
8/29 | AB 2321 | Metro Sales Tax Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
8/21 | SB 28 | Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 14) |
8/20 | AB 2233 | Ban on Holding Pets While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
8/07 | AB 3034 | High-Speed Rail Bond Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10) |
7/17 | HB 2340 | Prohibiting Children from Riding in Pickup Truck Beds | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20) |
7/16 | SB 1695 | Tractor Trailer Length | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 1) |
6/25 | SB 6009 | Transportation Taxes | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16) |
6/23 | SB 1167 | Off-Highway Vehicle Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 7) |
6/23 | HB 2156 | Reviews for Potential Railroad Sites | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 6) |
6/17 | HB 852 | Banning Cell Phones While Driving | Bill Failed - Senate (6 - 27) |
6/17 | S 2706 | Red Light Cameras | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 2) |
5/27 | HB 5288 | Expand Use of Red Light Cameras | Bill Failed - Senate (26 - 24) |
5/13 | HF 3807 | Real ID Prohibition | Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 16) |
5/13 | AB 1 | Budget Repair Plan | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 16) |
5/07 | S 7594 | Gasoline Tax Holiday | Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 15) |
5/06 | SB 137 | Young Drivers Using Cell Phones While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
4/29 | SB 3042 | Open Container Law | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7) |
4/21 | HF 1351 | Transportation Policy Reform | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 11) |
4/21 | HB 2395 | Driving and Boating Under the Influence | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6) |
4/17 | SB 2063 | South Suburban Airport Authority | Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 7) |
4/15 | S 5355 to SF 2420 | State Funding of Road Projects | Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 32) |
4/15 | SF 2420 | Increasing Vehicle Registration Fees | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 14) |
4/07 | LB 959 | Gas Tax Veto Override | Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 15) |
4/04 | SR 845 | Regional Transportation Sales Tax | Conference Report Rejected - Senate (35 - 18) |
4/04 | HB 978 | Vehicle Seizures for Unlicensed Drivers | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18) |
4/02 | HB 406 | 2008-2010 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3) |
4/02 | HB 257 | Limiting Concealed Weapon Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17) |
4/02 | HB 1004 | Natural Gas Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1) |
4/01 | SB 1 | Natural Gas Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3) |
3/31 | HB 1158 | Motor Vehicle Trauma Care Fee | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7) |
3/28 | LB 959 | 2007-2009 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9) |
3/27 | LD 2012 | Prohibiting Smoking in Vehicles with Children | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
3/25 | AB 1 | Budget Repair Plan | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14) |
3/24 | HB 406 | 2008-2010 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2) |
3/20 | SB 1420 | Public Highway Authorities | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9) |
3/20 | SB 2 | Banning Cell Phones While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21) |
3/20 | SB 1465 | Public-Private Transportation Projects | Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 15) |
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 120 | Booster Seat Requirement | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5) |
3/06 | SB 276 | Expanding Automotive Insurance Coverage | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 10) |
3/06 | HF 380 | Capital Improvements Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 9) |
3/05 | HB 2815 | Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19) |
3/04 | HB 359 | Tax Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 3) |
3/03 | HB 73 | Increasing DUI Penalties | Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 16) |
2/28 | GN Molnau | Confirmation of Carol Molnau as Department of Transportation Commissioner | Nomination Rejected - Senate (22 - 44) |
2/27 | HB 1069 | Prohibiting Motor Vehicles on Public Lands | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8) |
2/27 | SB 248 | Non-Participation in the Real ID Act | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3) |
2/27 | SB 2206 | Radar Speed Detection | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19) |
2/25 | HF 2800 | 2009-2010 Transportation Budget | Veto Override Passed - Senate (47 - 20) |
2/21 | HF 2800 | 2009-2010 Transportation Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 20) |
2/20 | SR 845 | Regional Transportation Sales Tax | Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 4) |
2/14 | SB 149 | Expanding Minimum Automotive Insurance Coverage | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13) |
2/11 | SB 1080 | Driver's License Residency Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7) |
2/07 | SB 350 | Increasing Penalties for Driving Without a License | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 13) |
2/06 | SB 962 | Prohibiting Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9) |
2/06 | SB 6794 | New Ferry Vessels | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 8) |
1/17 | HB 656 | Providing Free Public Transportation for Senior Citizens | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 19) |
1/15 | LB 253 | Repealing Motorcycle Helmet Law | Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 25) |
1/10 | HB 656 | Transportation Act | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 25) |
1/07 | A 4314 | Traffic Control Signal Monitoring | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11) |