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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 14, 2017 | RI | S 112A | Expands Renewable Energy Growth Program | Bill Passed - House (72 - 0) |
| June 14, 2017 | RI | S 112A | Expands Renewable Energy Growth Program | Bill Passed - House (72 - 0) |
| June 14, 2017 | WI | SB 68 | Amends Prohibition on Baiting and Feeding Deer | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13) |
| June 14, 2017 | WI | SB 68 | Amends Prohibition on Baiting and Feeding Deer | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13) |
| June 7, 2017 | LA | HB 598 | Increases Gas Tax | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 38) |
| May 31, 2017 | CA | SB 100 | Increases the State Renewable Energy Target | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
| May 31, 2017 | CA | SB 100 | Increases the State Renewable Energy Target | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
| May 24, 2017 | National | HR 953 | Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (256 - 165) |
| May 24, 2017 | National | HR 953 | Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (256 - 165) |
| May 16, 2017 | AK | HB 111 | Restructures Oil Tax and Credit System | Concurrence Vote Failed - House (17 - 22) |
| May 15, 2017 | MN | SF 1937 | Authorizes the Construction and Repair of Statewide Oil Pipelines | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 30) |
| May 15, 2017 | AK | HB 111 | Restructures Oil Tax and Credit System | Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5) |
| May 11, 2017 | RI | S 112A | Expands Renewable Energy Growth Program | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3) |
| May 11, 2017 | RI | S 112A | Expands Renewable Energy Growth Program | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3) |
| May 11, 2017 | RI | S 112A | Expands Renewable Energy Growth Program | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3) |
| May 9, 2017 | CO | SB 301 | Amends Funds and Regulations for Renewable Energy Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| April 27, 2017 | IN | SB 309 | Amends Payback Rate for Excess Solar Energy | Bill Passed - House (56 - 43) |
| April 24, 2017 | NC | SB 434 | Amends Local Riparian Buffer Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 31) |
| April 22, 2017 | MT | HB 473 | Increases Taxes on Gasoline and Diesel Fuels | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 43) |
| April 19, 2017 | MT | HB 193 | Authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to Approve Cost-Tracking Adjustments | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21) |
| April 13, 2017 | MT | SB 299 | Requires Public Disclosure of Fracking Chemicals | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 16) |
| April 13, 2017 | MT | SB 299 | Requires Public Disclosure of Fracking Chemicals | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 16) |
| April 13, 2017 | MT | HB 473 | Increases Taxes on Gasoline and Diesel Fuels | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22) |
| April 11, 2017 | MT | SB 299 | Requires Public Disclosure of Fracking Chemicals | Bill Passed - House (65 - 65) |
| April 11, 2017 | MT | SB 299 | Requires Public Disclosure of Fracking Chemicals | Bill Passed - House (65 - 65) |
| April 10, 2017 | IN | SB 309 | Amends Payback Rate for Excess Solar Energy | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 11) |
| April 10, 2017 | NC | H 467 | Limits Penalties for Agricultural Operations | Bill Passed - House (68 - 47) |
| April 10, 2017 | OR | SB 3 | Establishes Restrictions on Suction Mining | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| April 10, 2017 | AK | HB 111 | Restructures Oil Tax and Credit System | Bill Passed - House (21 - 19) |
| April 6, 2017 | CA | SB 1 | Increases Gas and Vehicle Taxes to Pay for Road and Bridge Repairs | Bill Passed - House (54 - 26) |
| April 6, 2017 | CA | SB 1 | Increases Gas and Vehicle Taxes to Pay for Road and Bridge Repairs | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
| April 5, 2017 | WI | SB 76 | Reduces Regulations of High-Capacity Water Wells | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13) |
| April 3, 2017 | TN | SB 0519 | Provides Certain Health Coverage for Retail Purchased Dogs | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11) |
| March 31, 2017 | MT | HB 622 | Revises Programs, Funds, and Regulations Related to Invasive Species | Bill Passed - House (100 - 0) |
| March 31, 2017 | MT | HB 622 | Revises Programs, Funds, and Regulations Related to Invasive Species | Bill Passed - House (100 - 0) |
| March 31, 2017 | MT | HB 622 | Revises Programs, Funds, and Regulations Related to Invasive Species | Bill Passed - House (100 - 0) |
| March 30, 2017 | OH | HB 114 | Revises Energy Efficiency Provisions | Bill Passed - House (65 - 31) |
| March 30, 2017 | National | HR 1431 | EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (229 - 193) |
| March 30, 2017 | OH | HB 114 | Revises Energy Efficiency Provisions | Bill Passed - House (65 - 31) |
| March 29, 2017 | National | HR 1430 | Honest and Open New EPA Science Treatment Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (228 - 194) |
| March 29, 2017 | MT | HB 473 | Increases Taxes on Gasoline and Diesel Fuels | Bill Passed - House (54 - 46) |
| March 27, 2017 | MD | HB 1325 | Prohibits Fracking | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10) |
| March 27, 2017 | MD | HB 1325 | Prohibits Fracking | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10) |
| March 22, 2017 | ID | H 274 | Establishes the Office of Administrator of Invasive Species Policy | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3) |
| March 22, 2017 | ID | H 274 | Establishes the Office of Administrator of Invasive Species Policy | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3) |
| March 22, 2017 | IA | SF 447 | Limits Nuisance Damages Against Livestock Farmers | Bill Passed - House (60 - 39) |
| March 21, 2017 | National | H J Res 69 | Providing for congressional disapproval of the final rule of the Department of the Interior relating to Non-Subsistence Take of Wildlife, and Public Participation and Closure Procedures, on National Wildlife Refuges in Alaska | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 47) |
| March 14, 2017 | IA | SF 447 | Limits Nuisance Damages Against Livestock Farmers | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18) |
| Feb. 17, 2017 | National | PN 44 | Nomination of Scott Pruitt to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 46) |
| Feb. 16, 2017 | National | PN 44 | Nomination of Scott Pruitt to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency | Cloture Invoked - Senate (54 - 46) |
| Feb. 16, 2017 | National | H J Res 69 | Providing for congressional disapproval of the final rule of the Department of the Interior relating to Non-Subsistence Take of Wildlife, and Public Participation and Closure Procedures, on National Wildlife Refuges in Alaska | Joint Resolution Passed - House (225 - 193) |
| Feb. 8, 2017 | UT | HCR 12 | Recommends Executive Action to Reduce the Boundaries of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 4) |
| Feb. 3, 2017 | UT | HCR 11 | Recommends Executive Action to Rescind Bears Ears National Monument Designation | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 6) |
| Feb. 2, 2017 | MD | HB 1106 | Increases Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards | Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 13) |
| Jan. 31, 2017 | MD | HB 1106 | Increases Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards | Veto Override Passed - House (88 - 51) |
| Jan. 31, 2017 | UT | HCR 12 | Recommends Executive Action to Reduce the Boundaries of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument | Joint Resolution Passed - House (61 - 13) |
| Jan. 31, 2017 | UT | HCR 11 | Recommends Executive Action to Rescind Bears Ears National Monument Designation | Joint Resolution Passed - House (60 - 14) |
| Jan. 17, 2017 | NY | S 362 | Prohibits Tax on Merchandise Bags | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 18) |
| Sept. 14, 2016 | MO | HB 1414 | Establishes Regulations for the Release of Certain Agricultural Data | Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 7) |
| Sept. 14, 2016 | MO | HB 1414 | Establishes Regulations for the Release of Certain Agricultural Data | Veto Override Passed - House (111 - 46) |
| Sept. 14, 2016 | MO | SB 641 | Establishes Income Tax Deduction for Agricultural Disaster Aid Payments | Veto Override Passed - House (112 - 38) |
| Sept. 14, 2016 | MO | SB 641 | Establishes Income Tax Deduction for Agricultural Disaster Aid Payments | Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 6) |
| Aug. 31, 2016 | CA | SB 859 | Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emission Levels | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| Aug. 31, 2016 | CA | SB 859 | Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emission Levels | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| Aug. 31, 2016 | CA | SB 859 | Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emission Levels | Bill Passed - House (51 - 20) |
| Aug. 31, 2016 | CA | SB 859 | Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emission Levels | Bill Passed - House (51 - 20) |
| Aug. 29, 2016 | CA | AB 1066 | Requires Overtime Pay for Farmworkers | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 32) |
| Aug. 26, 2016 | CA | SB 839 | Prohibits Orca Captivity and Breeding | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
| Aug. 24, 2016 | CA | SB 32 | Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions Levels | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
| Aug. 24, 2016 | CA | AB 197 | Establishes the Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 30) |
| Aug. 23, 2016 | CA | SB 32 | Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions Levels | Bill Passed - House (48 - 31) |
| Aug. 22, 2016 | CA | AB 1066 | Requires Overtime Pay for Farmworkers | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| Aug. 22, 2016 | CA | AB 197 | Establishes the Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13) |
| June 20, 2016 | NC | HB 763 | Prohibits Wind Farms in Certain Military Flight Zones | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
| June 16, 2016 | CA | SB 839 | Prohibits Orca Captivity and Breeding | Bill Passed - House (48 - 28) |
| June 7, 2016 | RI | H 8240 | Requires Referendum for Power Plant Tax Agreement | Bill Passed - House (64 - 7) |
| June 2, 2016 | CA | AB 2757 | Requires Overtime Pay for Farmworkers | Bill Failed - House (38 - 35) |
| May 25, 2016 | OH | SB 331 | Establishes Regulations for Dog Sales | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11) |
| May 24, 2016 | National | HR 897 | Zika Vector Control Act | Bill Passed - House (258 - 156) |
| May 4, 2016 | AZ | SB 1400 | Amends Review Process for County Water Supply | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 12) |
| May 4, 2016 | AZ | SB 1268 | Exempts Cities from Assured Water Supply Requirement | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
| April 18, 2016 | LA | SB 29 | Authorizes the Sale of Raw Milk | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| April 13, 2016 | NE | LB 824 | Amends Renewable Energy Development Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 10) |
| April 12, 2016 | HI | HB 2501 | Authorizes Extension for Water Permits | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 6) |
| April 12, 2016 | HI | HB 2501 | Authorizes Extension for Water Permits | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 6) |
| April 6, 2016 | AZ | SB 1248 | Prohibits Pet Stores from Selling Commercially Bred Animals | Bill Passed - House (36 - 23) |
| April 6, 2016 | MD | SB 921 | Increases Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14) |
| April 5, 2016 | RI | S 2185 | Extends Renewable Energy Standard Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6) |
| March 30, 2016 | MD | SB 323 | Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Bill Passed - House (97 - 39) |
| March 29, 2016 | CO | SB 157 | Requires Suspension of Clean Power Plan Implementation | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| March 21, 2016 | MD | HB 1106 | Increases Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards | Bill Passed - House (92 - 43) |
| March 14, 2016 | NJ | S 1707 | Requires Increased Use of Renewable Energy | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| March 10, 2016 | UT | SB 115 | Amends Regulations Regarding Public Electricity | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 8) |
| March 10, 2016 | UT | SB 115 | Amends Regulations Regarding Public Electricity | Bill Passed - House (46 - 26) |
| March 9, 2016 | MD | SB 198 | Prohibits Certain Pesticides | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14) |
| March 8, 2016 | HI | HB 2501 | Authorizes Extension for Water Permits | Bill Passed - House (44 - 7) |
| March 8, 2016 | HI | HB 2501 | Authorizes Extension for Water Permits | Bill Passed - House (44 - 7) |
| March 2, 2016 | OR | SB 1547 | Prohibits the Use of Coal as an Energy Supply Source | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
| March 2, 2016 | OR | HB 4040 | Authorizes Removal of Gray Wolf from Endangered Species List | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11) |
| March 2, 2016 | OR | HB 4037 | Establishes Solar Energy Incentives Program | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6) |