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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 4, 2019 | ME | LD 289 | Prohibits Use of Foam Containers | Bill Passed - House (87 - 51) |
| April 3, 2019 | CO | SB 19-181 | Amends Local Environmental Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| April 3, 2019 | IL | HB 2988 | Prohibits Townships from Regulating Wind Farms Outside of City Zoning Areas | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7) |
| April 3, 2019 | IL | HB 2988 | Prohibits Townships from Regulating Wind Farms Outside of City Zoning Areas | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7) |
| April 2, 2019 | MD | SB 516 | Establishes Renewable Energy Standards and Plan | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 15) |
| April 2, 2019 | MD | SB 516 | Establishes Renewable Energy Standards and Plan | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 15) |
| April 1, 2019 | MD | SB 516 | Establishes Renewable Energy Standards and Plan | Bill Passed - House (95 - 41) |
| April 1, 2019 | MD | SB 516 | Establishes Renewable Energy Standards and Plan | Bill Passed - House (95 - 41) |
| March 31, 2019 | NY | S 1508 | Prohibits Retail Stores from Using Plastic Bags | Bill Passed - House (103 - 45) |
| March 31, 2019 | NY | S 1508 | Prohibits Retail Stores from Using Plastic Bags | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 22) |
| March 29, 2019 | MT | SB 331 | Restructures Electric Utility Cost Recovery for Certain Coal-Fired Power Plants | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22) |
| March 28, 2019 | MT | HB 327 | Amends Definitions for Ground Beef and Hamburger | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 21) |
| March 28, 2019 | NH | SB 168 | Authorizes Solar Energy Projects | Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10) |
| March 27, 2019 | IL | HB 2988 | Prohibits Townships from Regulating Wind Farms Outside of City Zoning Areas | Bill Passed - House (95 - 12) |
| March 27, 2019 | IL | HB 2988 | Prohibits Townships from Regulating Wind Farms Outside of City Zoning Areas | Bill Passed - House (95 - 12) |
| March 26, 2019 | MD | HB 298 | Establishes Oyster Sanctuaries | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14) |
| March 26, 2019 | MD | HB 298 | Establishes Oyster Sanctuaries | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14) |
| March 26, 2019 | National | S J Res 8 | A joint resolution recognizing the duty of the Federal Government to create a Green New Deal | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (0 - 57) |
| March 26, 2019 | National | S J Res 8 | A joint resolution recognizing the duty of the Federal Government to create a Green New Deal | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (0 - 57) |
| March 25, 2019 | ND | SB 2044 | Increases Penalties for Pipeline Protesting | Bill Passed - House (76 - 14) |
| March 25, 2019 | TN | HB 1021 | Prohibits Local Governments from Regulating, Restricting, or Banning Auxiliary Containers | Bill Passed - House (69 - 21) |
| March 25, 2019 | National | HR 1616 | European Energy Security and Diversification Act of 2019 | Bill Passed - House (391 - 24) |
| March 21, 2019 | VT | S 55 | Establishes Regulations for Toxic Substances and Hazardous Materials | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5) |
| March 20, 2019 | IA | SF 548 | Amends Land Purchase Regulations for Water Quality Testing | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17) |
| March 19, 2019 | NH | HB 605 | Increases Penalties for Possessing or Manufacturing Animal Fighting Paraphernalia | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (215 - 124) |
| March 19, 2019 | NH | HB 558 | Prohibits Restaurant Use of Plastic Straws Unless Specifically Requested | Bill Passed - House (196 - 146) |
| March 19, 2019 | NH | HB 560 | Prohibits Single-Use Plastic Bags | Bill Passed - House (201 - 145) |
| March 14, 2019 | KY | SB 100 | Requires Net Metering for Solar Power | Bill Passed - House (55 - 36) |
| March 13, 2019 | UT | HB 353 | Establishes the "Reduction of Single Occupancy Vehicle Trips Pilot Program" | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 30) |
| March 13, 2019 | CO | SB 19-181 | Amends Local Environmental Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15) |
| March 12, 2019 | SD | HB 1191 | Authorizes the Cultivation of Industrial Hemp | Veto Override Failed - Senate (20 - 13) |
| March 12, 2019 | IA | SF 519 | Establishes Trespass Charges for Undercover Investigators at Certain Agricultural Facilities | Bill Passed - House (65 - 32) |
| March 12, 2019 | NM | SB 489 | Authorizes State Investment in Renewable Energies | Bill Passed - House (43 - 22) |
| March 12, 2019 | NM | SB 489 | Authorizes State Investment in Renewable Energies | Bill Passed - House (43 - 22) |
| March 12, 2019 | IA | SF 519 | Establishes Trespass Charges for Undercover Investigators at Certain Agricultural Facilities | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 8) |
| March 8, 2019 | WV | HB 3142 | Reduces Severance Tax on Steam Coal | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12) |
| March 7, 2019 | GA | HB 545 | Reduces Statute of Limitations for Certain Nuisance Lawsuits | Bill Passed - House (107 - 58) |
| March 6, 2019 | NM | SB 489 | Authorizes State Investment in Renewable Energies | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 9) |
| March 6, 2019 | NM | SB 489 | Authorizes State Investment in Renewable Energies | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 9) |
| March 5, 2019 | MD | SB 285 | Prohibits Use of Foam Containers | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13) |
| March 5, 2019 | HI | SB 522 | Prohibits Certain Plastics | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 1) |
| March 5, 2019 | HI | HB 808 | Prohibits Hunting of Sharks and Rays | Bill Passed - House (51 - 0) |
| March 4, 2019 | AZ | HB 2604 | Prohibits Labeling of "Milk" or "Meat" if Product is not Animal Derived | Bill Failed - House (22 - 36) |
| March 1, 2019 | WA | SB 5116 | Increases State Clean Energy Efforts to be 100 Percent Carbon Free by 2045 | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19) |
| March 1, 2019 | WA | SB 5116 | Increases State Clean Energy Efforts to be 100 Percent Carbon Free by 2045 | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19) |
| Feb. 28, 2019 | National | PN 22 | Nomination of Andrew Wheeler to be Administrator of Environmental Protection Agency | (52 - 47) |
| Feb. 27, 2019 | National | PN 22 | Nomination of Andrew Wheeler to be Administrator of Environmental Protection Agency | Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 46) |
| Feb. 25, 2019 | IN | SB 553 | Authorizes Public Use of Shore of Lake Michigan | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16) |
| Feb. 22, 2019 | UT | HB 220 | Authorizes the Disposal of Certain Types of Radioactive Waste in Utah | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 20) |
| Feb. 20, 2019 | KS | SB 32 | Authorizes The Farm Bureau To Offer Coverage | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11) |
| Feb. 19, 2019 | OR | SB 256 | Prohibits Oil and Gas Exploration In Coastal Waters | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6) |
| Feb. 19, 2019 | ND | SB 2315 | Establishes Hunters Access Advisory Group | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18) |
| Feb. 14, 2019 | IN | HB 1615 | Increases Penalties for Animal Abuse | Bill Passed - House (81 - 13) |
| Feb. 13, 2019 | KY | SB 100 | Requires Net Metering for Solar Power | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| Feb. 12, 2019 | National | S 47 | Natural Resources Management Act | Bill Passed - Senate (92 - 8) |
| Feb. 12, 2019 | National | S 47 | Natural Resources Management Act | Bill Passed - Senate (92 - 8) |
| Jan. 11, 2019 | National | HR 266 | Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2019 | Bill Passed - House (240 - 179) |
| Jan. 11, 2019 | National | HR 266 | Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2019 | Bill Passed - House (240 - 179) |
| Dec. 11, 2018 | National | HR 2 | Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (87 - 13) |
| Dec. 5, 2018 | MI | SB 1197 | Establishes Mackinac Straits Corridor Authority | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
| Nov. 16, 2018 | National | HR 6784 | Manage our Wolves Act | Bill Passed - House (196 - 180) |
| Nov. 14, 2018 | National | H Res 1142 | Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 6784) to provide for removal of the gray wolf in the contiguous 48 States from the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife published under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and providing for proceedings during the period from November 19, 2018, through November 26, 2018. | Bill Passed - House (201 - 187) |
| Oct. 29, 2018 | NJ | S 678 | Prohibits Disposal of Fracking Waste | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5) |
| Oct. 29, 2018 | NJ | S 678 | Prohibits Disposal of Fracking Waste | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5) |
| Oct. 3, 2018 | MI | HB 6200 | Prohibit Ship Operators from Dropping Anchor in the Straits of Mackinac | Bill Passed - House (106 - 1) |
| Oct. 3, 2018 | MI | HB 6201 | Amends Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act | (105 - 2) |
| Aug. 31, 2018 | CA | SB 901 | Requires Utilities to File Wildfire Mitigation Plans | Conference Report Adopted - House (49 - 14) |
| Aug. 28, 2018 | CA | SB 100 | Increases the State Renewable Energy Target | Bill Passed - House (44 - 33) |
| Aug. 28, 2018 | CA | SB 100 | Increases the State Renewable Energy Target | Bill Passed - House (44 - 33) |
| Aug. 1, 2018 | National | HR 6147 | Interior, Environment, Financial Services, and General Government Appropriations Act, 2019 | Bill Passed - Senate (92 - 6) |
| Aug. 1, 2018 | National | HR 6147 | Interior, Environment, Financial Services, and General Government Appropriations Act, 2019 | Bill Passed - Senate (92 - 6) |
| July 31, 2018 | MA | H 4857 | Increases State Clean Energy Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0) |
| July 30, 2018 | MA | H 4835 | Authorizes Funds for Climate Change Adaptation and Environmental Protection | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 0) |
| July 19, 2018 | National | HR 6147 | Interior, Environment, Financial Services, and General Government Appropriations Act, 2019 | Bill Passed - House (217 - 199) |
| July 19, 2018 | National | H Con Res 119 | Expressing the sense of Congress that a carbon tax would be detrimental to the United States economy. | Bill Passed - House (229 - 180) |
| July 19, 2018 | National | HR 6147 | Interior, Environment, Financial Services, and General Government Appropriations Act, 2019 | Bill Passed - House (217 - 199) |
| July 12, 2018 | National | HR 3281 | Reclamation Title Transfer and Non-Federal Infrastructure Incentivization Act | Bill Passed - House (233 - 184) |
| July 11, 2018 | National | HR 200 | Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act | Bill Passed - House (222 - 193) |
| July 11, 2018 | National | HR 200 | Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act | Bill Passed - House (222 - 193) |
| June 28, 2018 | National | HR 2 | Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 | Bill Passed - Senate (86 - 11) |
| June 27, 2018 | NC | HB 374 | Limits Nuisance Damages Against Livestock Farmers | Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 11) |
| June 27, 2018 | NC | HB 374 | Limits Nuisance Damages Against Livestock Farmers | Veto Override Passed - House (75 - 44) |
| June 27, 2018 | NC | SB 711 | Limits Nuisance Damages Against Livestock Farmers | Veto Override Passed - House (74 - 45) |
| June 27, 2018 | OH | HB 349 | Establishes Criminal Penalties for Mistreatment of Search and Rescue Animals | Bill Passed - House (78 - 15) |
| June 26, 2018 | NC | SB 711 | Limits Nuisance Damages Against Livestock Farmers | Veto Override Passed - Senate (37 - 9) |
| June 26, 2018 | National | HR 2083 | Endangered Salmon and Fisheries Predation Prevention Act | Bill Passed - House (288 - 116) |
| June 26, 2018 | National | HR 2083 | Endangered Salmon and Fisheries Predation Prevention Act | Bill Passed - House (288 - 116) |
| June 22, 2018 | PA | HB 2468 | Requires Court Order for Eminent Domain on Conserved Lands | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (177 - 15) |
| June 22, 2018 | PA | HB 2468 | Requires Court Order for Eminent Domain on Conserved Lands | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12) |
| June 21, 2018 | National | HR 2 | Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 | Bill Passed - House (213 - 211) |
| June 20, 2018 | ME | LD 1584 | Expands Local Food Economy by Promoting Local Foods Procurement | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 11) |
| June 20, 2018 | OH | HB 552 | Prohibits Use of Gas Chambers for Animal Euthanasia | Bill Passed - House (89 - 4) |
| June 12, 2018 | MI | SB 542 | Establishes Pesticide Notification Registry | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 12) |
| June 12, 2018 | MI | SB 652 | Establishes 11-Member Stakeholder Committee to Review and Amend Environmental Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate |
| June 12, 2018 | MI | SB 653 | Establishes a New Environmental Rules Committee | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| June 12, 2018 | MI | SB 654 | Establishes an Environmental Science Review Board | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| June 12, 2018 | MI | SB 542 | Establishes Pesticide Notification Registry | Bill Passed - House (66 - 42) |
| June 12, 2018 | RI | H 7477 | Prohibits Pet Shops from Selling Non-Rescue Animals | Bill Passed - House (65 - 3) |
| June 6, 2018 | OH | HB 506 | Amends Laws Related to High-Volume Dog Breeding | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1) |
| June 6, 2018 | NY | S 7415 | Prohibits Leasing Plans for Pets | Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 0) |