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 25, 2019 | FL | HB 771 | Prohibits Municipal Governments from Prohibiting Plastic Straws | Bill Passed - House (87 - 23) |
| April 19, 2019 | ND | HB 1383 | Establishes an Environmental Impact Mitigation Fund | Conference Report Adopted - House (72 - 19) |
| April 18, 2019 | WA | HB 1579 | Increases Catch Limits for Bass, Walleye, and Catfish | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 37) |
| April 18, 2019 | WA | HB 1578 | Requires Tug Boat Escorts for Certain Oil Barges | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 35) |
| April 18, 2019 | IA | SF 548 | Amends Land Purchase Regulations for Water Quality Testing | Bill Passed - House (52 - 44) |
| April 16, 2019 | AK | HB 35 | Establishes Employment Regulations within the Board of Fisheries to Prevent a Conflict of Interest | Bill Passed - House (29 - 9) |
| April 15, 2019 | WA | SB 5135 | Authorizes the Department of Ecology to Ban Certain Chemicals in Consumer Products | Bill Passed - House (60 - 37) |
| April 11, 2019 | WA | SB 5116 | Increases State Clean Energy Efforts to be 100 Percent Carbon Free by 2045 | Bill Passed - House (56 - 42) |
| April 11, 2019 | WA | SB 5116 | Increases State Clean Energy Efforts to be 100 Percent Carbon Free by 2045 | Bill Passed - House (56 - 42) |
| April 11, 2019 | IL | HB 840 | Requires Biannual Reports from Nuclear Power Plants | Bill Passed - House (73 - 40) |
| April 11, 2019 | FL | HB 521 | Authorizes Mitigation of Conservation Lands by Municipal Governments | Bill Passed - House (72 - 42) |
| April 8, 2019 | TN | SB 923 | Authorizes Recycling of Plastic Using Pyrolysis | Bill Passed - House (75 - 16) |
| April 5, 2019 | MD | HB 298 | Establishes Oyster Sanctuaries | Veto Override Passed - House (96 - 43) |
| April 5, 2019 | MD | HB 298 | Establishes Oyster Sanctuaries | Veto Override Passed - House (96 - 43) |
| April 4, 2019 | ME | LD 289 | Prohibits Use of Foam Containers | Bill Passed - House (87 - 51) |
| 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 28, 2019 | MT | HB 327 | Amends Definitions for Ground Beef and Hamburger | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 21) |
| 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 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 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 560 | Prohibits Single-Use Plastic Bags | Bill Passed - House (201 - 145) |
| March 19, 2019 | NH | HB 558 | Prohibits Restaurant Use of Plastic Straws Unless Specifically Requested | Bill Passed - House (196 - 146) |
| 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 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 - House (65 - 32) |
| March 12, 2019 | NM | SB 489 | Authorizes State Investment in Renewable Energies | Bill Passed - House (43 - 22) |
| March 7, 2019 | GA | HB 545 | Reduces Statute of Limitations for Certain Nuisance Lawsuits | Bill Passed - House (107 - 58) |
| 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) |
| Feb. 22, 2019 | UT | HB 220 | Authorizes the Disposal of Certain Types of Radioactive Waste in Utah | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 20) |
| Feb. 14, 2019 | IN | HB 1615 | Increases Penalties for Animal Abuse | Bill Passed - House (81 - 13) |
| 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) |
| 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. 3, 2018 | MI | HB 6201 | Amends Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act | (105 - 2) |
| Oct. 3, 2018 | MI | HB 6200 | Prohibit Ship Operators from Dropping Anchor in the Straits of Mackinac | Bill Passed - House (106 - 1) |
| 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) |
| 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 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 | 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 21, 2018 | National | HR 2 | Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 | Bill Passed - House (213 - 211) |
| 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 | Bill Passed - House (66 - 42) |
| June 12, 2018 | RI | H 7477 | Prohibits Pet Shops from Selling Non-Rescue Animals | Bill Passed - House (65 - 3) |
| May 22, 2018 | MI | SB 653 | Establishes a New Environmental Rules Committee | Bill Passed - House (58 - 50) |
| May 22, 2018 | MI | SB 652 | Establishes 11-Member Stakeholder Committee to Review and Amend Environmental Regulations | Bill Passed - House (57 - 51) |
| May 22, 2018 | MI | SB 654 | Establishes an Environmental Science Review Board | Bill Passed - House (59 - 49) |
| May 18, 2018 | MN | HF 3232 | Amends the State's Solar Energy Incentive Program | Conference Report Adopted - House (87 - 35) |
| May 18, 2018 | MN | HF 3232 | Amends the State's Solar Energy Incentive Program | Conference Report Adopted - House (87 - 35) |
| May 17, 2018 | CA | AB 1668 | Requires Water-Use Targets | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 26) |
| May 15, 2018 | MI | SB 839 | Amends Mining Permit Laws | Bill Passed - House (63 - 45) |
| May 15, 2018 | MI | SB 881 | Amends Certain Environmental Laws Regarding Mining and Water Pollution | Bill Passed - House (63 - 45) |
| May 10, 2018 | National | HR 3053 | Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 2018 | Bill Passed - House (340 - 72) |
| May 10, 2018 | National | HR 3053 | Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 2018 | Bill Passed - House (340 - 72) |
| May 7, 2018 | LA | SB 160 | Prohibits Tying Up Pets During Hurricanes | Bill Passed - House (67 - 25) |
| May 2, 2018 | NH | SB 569 | Amends Pet Vendor Regulations | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (222 - 111) |
| April 25, 2018 | OK | SB 888 | Repeals Wind Industry Tax Credits | Bill Passed - House (51 - 46) |
| April 25, 2018 | National | HR 3144 | To provide for operations of the Federal Columbia River Power System pursuant to a certain operation plan for a specified period of time, and for other purposes. | Bill Passed - House (225 - 189) |
| April 12, 2018 | NJ | A 839 | Prohibits Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration in New Jersey Waters | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (72 - 1) |
| April 12, 2018 | NJ | S 2313 | Establishes Zero-Emissions Certificate Program for Nuclear Power Plants | Bill Passed - House (60 - 10) |
| April 12, 2018 | NJ | S 2313 | Establishes Zero-Emissions Certificate Program for Nuclear Power Plants | Bill Passed - House (60 - 10) |
| April 12, 2018 | NJ | A 3723 | Amends Clean Energy Programs | Bill Passed - House (51 - 20) |
| April 10, 2018 | HI | SB 2571 | Prohibits Sunscreens with Ingredients that Kill Corals | Bill Passed - House (46 - 5) |
| April 10, 2018 | SC | H 4421 | Expands Use of Solar Power | Bill Failed - House (61 - 44) |
| March 21, 2018 | OH | HB 506 | Amends Laws Related to High-Volume Dog Breeding | Bill Passed - House (75 - 22) |
| March 16, 2018 | VT | H 710 | Amends State Beer Franchise Contracts | Bill Passed - House (123 - 11) |
| March 12, 2018 | KS | SB 405 | Authorizes Confined Feeding Facilities Within City Limits | Bill Passed - House (84 - 37) |
| March 12, 2018 | TN | HB 1875 | Authorizes Commissioner of Agriculture to Exempt Industrial Hemp from Regulatory Requirements | Bill Passed - House (79 - 7) |
| March 8, 2018 | National | HR 1119 | SENSE Act | Bill Passed - House (215 - 189) |
| March 8, 2018 | National | HR 1119 | SENSE Act | Bill Passed - House (215 - 189) |
| March 8, 2018 | National | HR 1119 | SENSE Act | Bill Passed - House (215 - 189) |
| March 7, 2018 | National | HR 1917 | BRICK Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (234 - 180) |
| March 7, 2018 | National | HR 1917 | BRICK Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (234 - 180) |
| Feb. 28, 2018 | MS | SB 2295 | Transfer Exclusive Jurisdiction of Utility Matters to Public Service Commission | Bill Passed - House (90 - 26) |
| Feb. 15, 2018 | NJ | S 598 | Requires New Jersey to Join US Climate Alliance | Bill Passed - House (49 - 23) |
| Feb. 15, 2018 | WV | HB 4268 | Authorizes Natural Gas Drilling in Certain Circumstances | Bill Passed - House (60 - 40) |
| Feb. 14, 2018 | WA | HB 1144 | Amends Greenhouse Gas Emissions Targets | Bill Passed - House (50 - 48) |
| Feb. 9, 2018 | National | HR 1892 | Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (240 - 186) |
| Feb. 8, 2018 | CA | AJR 29 | Expresses Opposition to Executive Offshore Drilling Proposal | Bill Passed - House (56 - 9) |
| Feb. 7, 2018 | SC | H 3529 | Prohibits Local Regulations on Plastic Bags | Bill Passed - House (73 - 41) |
| Feb. 6, 2018 | National | HR 772 | Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (266 - 157) |
| Feb. 5, 2018 | WV | HB 2662 | Prohibits the Waste of Game Animals | Bill Passed - House (56 - 39) |