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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 8, 2020 | VA | SB 710 | Expands Renewable Energy Tax Credits | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 12) |
| March 8, 2020 | VA | SB 710 | Expands Renewable Energy Tax Credits | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 12) |
| March 8, 2020 | VA | SB 710 | Expands Renewable Energy Tax Credits | Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 31) |
| March 8, 2020 | VA | SB 710 | Expands Renewable Energy Tax Credits | Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 31) |
| March 7, 2020 | WA | SB 5323 | Establishes Standards for the Use of Plastic Bags at Retail Establishments | Bill Passed - House (67 - 29) |
| March 7, 2020 | WV | HB 4615 | Increases Penalties for Critical Infrastructure Protesting | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 33) |
| March 7, 2020 | WV | HB 4615 | Increases Penalties for Critical Infrastructure Protesting | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| March 5, 2020 | NH | SB 159 | Increases Net Metering Capacity for Customer-Generators | Veto Override Passed - Senate (17 - 7) |
| March 5, 2020 | NJ | A 2371 | Requires Recycling of Food Waste | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17) |
| March 5, 2020 | NJ | A 2371 | Requires Recycling of Food Waste | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17) |
| March 5, 2020 | WA | HB 2311 | Requires State Greenhouse Gas Emissions be Reduced to Zero by 2050 | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21) |
| March 5, 2020 | NJ | S 864 | Prohibits Single-Use Plastic Bags and Styrofoam Containers | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14) |
| March 4, 2020 | WV | SB 739 | Authorizes the Public Service Commission to Protect Consumers of Water and Wastewater Utilities | Bill Passed - House (76 - 14) |
| March 4, 2020 | WA | SB 5947 | Establishes the Sustainable Farms and Fields Grant Program | Bill Passed - House (74 - 22) |
| March 3, 2020 | VA | SB 1030 | Prohibits Dangerous Captive Animal Exhibits | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 14) |
| March 3, 2020 | IN | SB 229 | Removes State Oversight of Certain Drains Near Wetlands | Bill Passed - House (58 - 37) |
| March 3, 2020 | WA | SB 6261 | Expands Farm Labor Contractor System | Bill Passed - House (57 - 39) |
| March 3, 2020 | MD | SB 300 | Prohibits Use of Chlorpyrifos | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14) |
| March 2, 2020 | VA | SB 1030 | Prohibits Dangerous Captive Animal Exhibits | Bill Passed - House (52 - 48) |
| Feb. 27, 2020 | VA | HB 119 | Requires Milk be Defined as the Lacteal Secretion Obtained by the Complete Milking of a Hooved Animal | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
| Feb. 27, 2020 | VA | HB 119 | Requires Milk be Defined as the Lacteal Secretion Obtained by the Complete Milking of a Hooved Animal | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
| Feb. 24, 2020 | NJ | A 2371 | Requires Recycling of Food Waste | Bill Passed - House (49 - 28) |
| Feb. 24, 2020 | NJ | A 2371 | Requires Recycling of Food Waste | Bill Passed - House (49 - 28) |
| Feb. 20, 2020 | OH | HR 247 | Rescinds the E-Check Program | Resolution Passed - House (62 - 29) |
| Feb. 19, 2020 | NM | SB 29 | Establishes a Solar Market Development Income Tax Credit | Bill Passed - House (51 - 19) |
| Feb. 19, 2020 | OR | HB 4109 | Prohibits Aerial Pesticide Applications of Chlorpyrifos | Bill Passed - House (32 - 24) |
| Feb. 18, 2020 | WA | SB 6261 | Expands Farm Labor Contractor System | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16) |
| Feb. 18, 2020 | NM | SB 2 | Establishes an Electric Vehicle Tax Credit | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 18) |
| Feb. 16, 2020 | WA | HB 2311 | Requires State Greenhouse Gas Emissions be Reduced to Zero by 2050 | Bill Passed - House (55 - 41) |
| Feb. 15, 2020 | NM | SB 29 | Establishes a Solar Market Development Income Tax Credit | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 6) |
| Feb. 14, 2020 | OR | HB 4067 | Authorizes the Public Utility Commission to Provide Assistance to Low-Income Earners | Bill Passed - House (43 - 11) |
| Feb. 13, 2020 | AZ | HB 2686 | Amends Local Government Utility Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10) |
| Feb. 12, 2020 | AZ | HB 2686 | Amends Local Government Utility Regulations | Bill Passed - House (36 - 23) |
| Feb. 12, 2020 | National | HR 2546 | Protecting Americas Wilderness Act | Bill Passed - House (231 - 183) |
| Feb. 12, 2020 | NY | A 8349 | Increases Protections of Certain Streams and Protected Waterways | Bill Passed - House (113 - 31) |
| Feb. 8, 2020 | NM | HB 50 | Authorizes Transmission Line Projects for Industrial Revenue Bonds | Bill Passed - House (48 - 21) |
| Feb. 6, 2020 | MI | HB 4567 | Amends Fishing Regulations | Bill Passed - House (72 - 32) |
| Feb. 3, 2020 | IN | HB 1414 | Requires Notification from Utility Companies Prior to Closure of Energy Plant | Bill Passed - House (52 - 41) |
| Feb. 3, 2020 | IN | SB 438 | Establishes Regulations for Pesticides | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9) |
| Jan. 29, 2020 | WA | HB 1110 | Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Transportation Fuels | Bill Passed - House (52 - 44) |
| Jan. 29, 2020 | VA | HB 119 | Requires Milk be Defined as the Lacteal Secretion Obtained by the Complete Milking of a Hooved Animal | Bill Passed - House (66 - 32) |
| Jan. 29, 2020 | VA | HB 119 | Requires Milk be Defined as the Lacteal Secretion Obtained by the Complete Milking of a Hooved Animal | Bill Passed - House (66 - 32) |
| Jan. 29, 2020 | FL | SB 172 | Prohibits Local Governments from Prohibiting Certain Drugs and Cosmetics | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14) |
| Jan. 23, 2020 | DE | SB 139 | Establishes Requirements for the Treatment of Dogs in Cold Weather | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5) |
| Jan. 22, 2020 | VA | SB 318 | Reduces Number of Balloons that Can be Released per Hour | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15) |
| Jan. 10, 2020 | National | HR 535 | PFAS Action Act | Bill Passed - House (247 - 159) |
| Jan. 9, 2020 | NH | HB 102 | Authorizes Municipalities to Regulate Single-Use Bags | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (215 - 151) |
| Dec. 11, 2019 | OH | HB 242 | Prohibits Local Government from Enacting Fees on Plastic Bags in Stores | Bill Passed - House (58 - 35) |
| Dec. 11, 2019 | National | HR 5038 | Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2019 | Bill Passed - House (260 - 165) |
| Dec. 2, 2019 | National | PN 1268 | Nomination of Dan Brouillette as the Secretary of Energy | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (70 - 15) |
| Nov. 25, 2019 | NJ | S 2905 | Prohibits Sale of Shark Fins | Bill Passed - House (54 - 19) |
| Nov. 21, 2019 | National | PN 1268 | Nomination of Dan Brouillette as the Secretary of Energy | Cloture Invoked - Senate (74 - 18) |
| Nov. 13, 2019 | MI | HB 4687 | Repeals Prohibition of Deer-Baiting | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| Nov. 7, 2019 | MI | SB 174 | Extends Deadline for 100 Percent Cage-Free Eggs Requirement | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 3) |
| Nov. 7, 2019 | MI | SB 174 | Extends Deadline for 100 Percent Cage-Free Eggs Requirement | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 3) |
| Nov. 6, 2019 | MI | SB 174 | Extends Deadline for 100 Percent Cage-Free Eggs Requirement | Bill Passed - House (74 - 36) |
| Nov. 6, 2019 | MI | SB 174 | Extends Deadline for 100 Percent Cage-Free Eggs Requirement | Bill Passed - House (74 - 36) |
| Nov. 5, 2019 | MI | HB 4687 | Repeals Prohibition of Deer-Baiting | Bill Passed - House (57 - 49) |
| Oct. 31, 2019 | National | HR 823 | Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy Act | Bill Passed - House (227 - 182) |
| Oct. 31, 2019 | National | HR 823 | Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy Act | Bill Passed - House (227 - 182) |
| Oct. 30, 2019 | IL | HB 3888 | Prohibits the Use of Ethylene Oxide by 2023 | Bill Passed - House (60 - 47) |
| Oct. 24, 2019 | MI | SB 174 | Extends Deadline for 100 Percent Cage-Free Eggs Requirement | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
| Oct. 24, 2019 | MI | SB 174 | Extends Deadline for 100 Percent Cage-Free Eggs Requirement | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
| Oct. 17, 2019 | National | S J Res 53 | A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Repeal of the Clean Power Plan; Emission Guidelines for Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Existing Electric Utility Generating Units; Revisions to Emission Guidelines Implementing Regulations" | Bill Failed - Senate (41 - 53) |
| Oct. 17, 2019 | National | S J Res 53 | A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Repeal of the Clean Power Plan; Emission Guidelines for Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Existing Electric Utility Generating Units; Revisions to Emission Guidelines Implementing Regulations" | Bill Failed - Senate (41 - 53) |
| Sept. 25, 2019 | PA | HB 1410 | Authorizes Funds to Remove PFAS from Drinking Water | Bill Passed - House (144 - 54) |
| Sept. 19, 2019 | PA | HB 1100 | Establishes an Energy and Fertilizer Manufacturing Tax Credit | Bill Passed - House (139 - 46) |
| Sept. 18, 2019 | NH | HB 582 | Establishes a Greenhouse Gas Rebate Program | Veto Override Failed - House (221 - 157) |
| Sept. 18, 2019 | NH | HB 582 | Establishes a Greenhouse Gas Rebate Program | Veto Override Failed - House (221 - 157) |
| Sept. 13, 2019 | CA | AB 792 | Increases Recycled Plastics Percentages Used in Plastic Beverage Bottles | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7) |
| Sept. 13, 2019 | CA | SB 1 | Rescinds Federal Freeze of Environmental Deregulations | Bill Passed - House (48 - 22) |
| Sept. 13, 2019 | CA | SB 1 | Rescinds Federal Freeze of Environmental Deregulations | Bill Passed - House (48 - 22) |
| Sept. 12, 2019 | National | HR 1146 | Arctic Cultural and Coastal Plain Protection Act | Bill Passed - House (225 - 193) |
| Sept. 11, 2019 | CA | SB 8 | Prohibits Smoking at Public Parks and Beaches | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 10) |
| Sept. 11, 2019 | CA | AB 936 | Amends Environmental Protections Relating to Heavy Crude Oils | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7) |
| Sept. 11, 2019 | National | HR 1941 | Coastal and Marine Economies Protection Act | Bill Passed - House (238 - 189) |
| Sept. 10, 2019 | NC | SB 553 | Establishes the Regulatory Reform Act of 2019 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 14) |
| Sept. 10, 2019 | CA | SB 210 | Establishes a Smog-Check Program for Diesel Trucks | Bill Passed - House (51 - 19) |
| Sept. 10, 2019 | CA | AB 44 | Prohibits the Sale and Manufacturing of Fur Products | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
| Sept. 9, 2019 | CA | AB 1254 | Prohibits Hunting of Bobcats | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8) |
| Sept. 5, 2019 | CA | AB 1162 | Prohibits Single-Use Plastics for Personal Care Products at Lodging Establishments | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| Sept. 3, 2019 | CA | AB 454 | Establishes Protections for Migratory Birds | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9) |
| Aug. 29, 2019 | NC | SB 553 | Establishes the Regulatory Reform Act of 2019 | Conference Report Adopted - House (78 - 31) |
| Aug. 21, 2019 | NC | SB 315 | Establishes Regulations on Hemp and Other Farming Industries | Bill Passed - House (63 - 48) |
| Aug. 12, 2019 | CA | AB 273 | Prohibits Recreational and Commercial Fur Trapping Licenses | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9) |
| July 17, 2019 | OH | HB 6 | Amends Clean Energy Standards | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12) |
| July 17, 2019 | OH | HB 6 | Amends Clean Energy Standards | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12) |
| July 11, 2019 | CA | SB 307 | Prohibits Water Transfers from Desert Groundwater Basins | Bill Passed - House (50 - 24) |
| July 11, 2019 | CA | SB 307 | Prohibits Water Transfers from Desert Groundwater Basins | Bill Passed - House (50 - 24) |
| July 8, 2019 | CA | AB 1054 | Establishes Wildfire Victim Compensation Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7) |
| June 30, 2019 | OR | HB 2007 | Reduces Number of Diesel Trucks Allowed in Specified Counties | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11) |
| June 27, 2019 | NH | HB 582 | Establishes a Greenhouse Gas Rebate Program | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10) |
| June 27, 2019 | NH | HB 582 | Establishes a Greenhouse Gas Rebate Program | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10) |
| June 27, 2019 | NH | HB 326 | Expands Protections for Wetlands | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8) |
| June 27, 2019 | NH | HB 326 | Expands Protections for Wetlands | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8) |
| June 27, 2019 | NJ | A 3726 | Requires Food Waste Recycling Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
| June 19, 2019 | NY | S 2000 | Establishes Regulations for PFAS Chemicals in Food Containers | Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 6) |
| June 18, 2019 | OR | SB 1044 | Establishes Zero-Emission Vehicle Use Goals | Bill Passed - House (39 - 20) |
| June 18, 2019 | OR | SB 1044 | Establishes Zero-Emission Vehicle Use Goals | Bill Passed - House (39 - 20) |
| June 18, 2019 | NY | S 6599 | Increases Renewable Energy Goals | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 21) |