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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 18, 2015 | MN | HF 846 | Requires 50 Foot Buffers around Certain Waterways | Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 50) |
| May 18, 2015 | MN | HF 846 | Requires 50 Foot Buffers around Certain Waterways | Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 50) |
| May 15, 2015 | National | H Amdt 230 | Prohibits Listing Lesser Prairie Chicken as Endangered | Amendment Adopted - House (229 - 190) |
| May 1, 2015 | National | HR 2028 | Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016 | Bill Passed - House (240 - 177) |
| May 1, 2015 | National | HR 2028 | Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016 | Bill Passed - House (240 - 177) |
| April 23, 2015 | MO | HB 830 | Authorizes Cultivation of Industrial Hemp | Bill Passed - House (104 - 41) |
| April 15, 2015 | MT | SB 245 | Authorizes Post-Season Elk Hunting | Bill Passed - House (59 - 40) |
| April 15, 2015 | MT | SB 284 | Requires County Commissioners to Approve Bison Relocations | Bill Passed - House (59 - 40) |
| April 14, 2015 | WA | SB 5501 | Amends Animal Cruelty Regulations | Bill Passed - House (59 - 38) |
| April 7, 2015 | OK | SB 71 | Expands the Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program Act | Bill Passed - House (51 - 43) |
| March 31, 2015 | NY | S 4610 | 2015-2016 Budget | Bill Passed - House (99 - 47) |
| March 31, 2015 | AL | HB 85 | Requires Animal Shelters to Compile Monthly Reports | Bill Failed - House (28 - 67) |
| March 26, 2015 | NJ | S 2791 | Environmental Protection Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - House (43 - 30) |
| March 25, 2015 | MT | HB 245 | Authorizes the Sale of Raw Milk | Bill Passed - House (61 - 38) |
| March 23, 2015 | CO | HB 1259 | Authorizes Collection of Rooftop Precipitation | Bill Passed - House (45 - 20) |
| March 20, 2015 | NM | SB 94 | Authorizes Industrial Hemp Research | Bill Passed - House (54 - 12) |
| March 14, 2015 | WV | HB 2688 | Authorizes Petroleum Drilling Without Consent of all Property Owners | Concurrence Vote Failed - House (49 - 49) |
| March 11, 2015 | NC | HB 157 | Authorizes the Environmental Management Commission to Use Existing State and Federal Hydraulic Fracturing Air Emission Regulations | Bill Passed - House (76 - 40) |
| March 9, 2015 | UT | HB 396 | Prohibits a Seasonal Prohibition on Wood-Burning Stoves | Bill Passed - House (58 - 15) |
| March 9, 2015 | UT | HB 396 | Prohibits a Seasonal Prohibition on Wood-Burning Stoves | Bill Passed - House (58 - 15) |
| March 7, 2015 | NM | HB 235 | Requires Consent to Use Waterways that Flow Through Private Property | Bill Passed - House (34 - 28) |
| March 5, 2015 | UT | HB 104 | Authorizes Cow-Share Programs | Bill Passed - House (61 - 11) |
| March 4, 2015 | OR | SB 324 | Extends Low Carbon Fuel Standards Target Date | Bill Passed - House (31 - 29) |
| March 4, 2015 | WV | HB 2688 | Authorizes Petroleum Drilling Without Consent of all Property Owners | Bill Passed - House (60 - 40) |
| Feb. 27, 2015 | WV | SB 357 | Establishes New Coal Mining Safety Guidelines. | Bill Passed - House (73 - 25) |
| Feb. 19, 2015 | CO | HB 1144 | Prohibits Production and Sale of Products Containing Microbeads | Bill Passed - House (47 - 18) |
| Feb. 17, 2015 | ND | HB 1238 | Increases Fee on Cattle Sales | Bill Passed - House (69 - 22) |
| Feb. 5, 2015 | MT | HB 250 | Authorizes Noise Suppressors on Firearms to Hunt Non-Protected Animals | Bill Passed - House (66 - 32) |
| Feb. 4, 2015 | MO | HB 259 | Amends Dairy Industry Laws | Bill Passed - House (110 - 49) |
| Feb. 3, 2015 | MT | HB 212 | Amends Definitions of Fishing, Hunting, and Trapping | Bill Passed - House (64 - 35) |
| Dec. 10, 2014 | OH | HB 234 | Authorizes Noise Suppressors on Certain Firearms | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (72 - 21) |
| Dec. 4, 2014 | MI | HB 5205 | Defines Solid Waste as a Renewable Energy Resource | Bill Passed - House (63 - 46) |
| Nov. 19, 2014 | OH | HB 490 | Limits Use of Manure and Fertilizers | Bill Passed - House (73 - 20) |
| Nov. 19, 2014 | National | HR 4012 | Secret Science Reform Act of 2014 | Bill Passed - House (237 - 190) |
| Nov. 18, 2014 | National | HR 1422 | EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act of 2013 | Bill Passed - House (229 - 191) |
| Oct. 16, 2014 | NJ | S 998 | Prohibits Confinement of Pregnant Pigs in Certain Enclosures | Bill Passed - House (53 - 13) |
| Oct. 16, 2014 | NJ | S 998 | Prohibits Confinement of Pregnant Pigs in Certain Enclosures | Bill Passed - House (53 - 13) |
| Oct. 15, 2014 | PA | HB 1565 | Amends Buffer Zone Requirements around Certain Streams | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (118 - 79) |
| Sept. 10, 2014 | MO | SB 506 | Expands and Establishes Certain Agricultural Programs | Veto Override Failed - House (108 - 52) |
| Sept. 10, 2014 | MO | SB 506 | Expands and Establishes Certain Agricultural Programs | Veto Override Failed - House (108 - 52) |
| Sept. 10, 2014 | MO | SB 506 | Expands and Establishes Certain Agricultural Programs | Veto Override Failed - House (108 - 52) |
| Sept. 9, 2014 | National | HR 5078 | Waters of the United States Regulatory Overreach Protection Act of 2014 | Bill Passed - House (262 - 152) |
| Aug. 29, 2014 | CA | AB 1739 | Amends Groundwater Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 28) |
| Aug. 29, 2014 | CA | SB 1319 | Authorizes Groundwater Sustainability Plan for Certain Water Basins | Bill Passed - House (48 - 26) |
| Aug. 29, 2014 | CA | SB 1168 | Requires Sustainability Plans for Groundwater Usage | Bill Passed - House (47 - 27) |
| Aug. 28, 2014 | CA | SB 270 | Prohibits Retailers from Using Single-Use Carryout Bags | Bill Passed - House (45 - 31) |
| Aug. 27, 2014 | MI | Initiation of Legislation | Authorizes Natural Resources Commission to Manage the Taking of Game | Bill Passed - House (65 - 43) |
| Aug. 25, 2014 | CA | SB 270 | Prohibits Retailers from Using Single-Use Carryout Bags | Bill Failed - House (38 - 33) |
| July 10, 2014 | National | H Amdt 1040 | Prohibits Implementation of Certain Climate Assessments | Amendment Adopted - House (229 - 188) |
| July 1, 2014 | PA | HB 2354 | Requires Legislative Approval for Certain Plans from the Department of Environmental Protection | Bill Passed - House (144 - 59) |
| June 26, 2014 | National | HR 4899 | Lowering Gasoline Prices to Fuel an America That Works Act of 2014 | Bill Passed - House (229 - 185) |
| June 19, 2014 | NY | S 6617B | Requires State-Funded Projects to Consider Climate Change Effects | Bill Passed - House (119 - 16) |
| June 18, 2014 | RI | H 7904 | Establishes a Climate Change Coordinating Council | Bill Passed - House (62 - 6) |
| June 17, 2014 | RI | S 2690A | Establishes the Renewable Growth Energy Program | Bill Passed - House (63 - 7) |
| May 23, 2014 | CA | AB 1699 | Prohibits the Sale of Products Containing Microplastics | Bill Passed - House (47 - 13) |
| May 22, 2014 | National | H Amdt 671 | Prohibits Funds from Being Used for Certain Climate Change Reports | Amendment Adopted - House (231 - 192) |
| May 19, 2014 | OK | HB 3297 | Transfers Authority of Compressed Natural Gas Administration to the Department of Labor | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 19) |
| May 7, 2014 | OH | SB 310 | Amends Energy Laws | Bill Passed - House (55 - 42) |
| April 23, 2014 | VT | H 112 | Requires Labeling of Genetically Engineered Food | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (114 - 30) |
| April 22, 2014 | LA | HB 1091 | Prohibits the Transportation of Dogs in the Bed of a Pickup Truck on Interstates | Bill Passed - House (53 - 34) |
| April 10, 2014 | CT | SB 443 | Prohibits the Sale of Genetically Modified Seed | Bill Failed - House (37 - 103) |
| April 5, 2014 | MD | HB 1168 | Prohibits the Construction of a Wind-Powered Generating Station | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (100 - 24) |
| April 4, 2014 | ME | LD 1838 | Establishes The Affordable Heating From Maine's Forest Fund | "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (89 - 53) |
| April 2, 2014 | OH | HB 234 | Authorizes Noise Suppressors on Certain Firearms | Bill Passed - House (76 - 15) |
| April 1, 2014 | MD | SB 336 | Establishes Certain Areas as State Wildlands | Bill Passed - House (106 - 29) |
| March 26, 2014 | KS | HB 2014 | Repeals the Kansas Renewable Energy Standards Act | Concurrence Vote Failed - House (44 - 77) |
| March 26, 2014 | National | HR 1459 | Ensuring Public Involvement in the Creation of National Monuments Act | Bill Passed - House (222 - 201) |
| March 25, 2014 | National | HR 2824 | Preventing Government Waste and Protecting Coal Mining Jobs in America | Bill Passed - House (229 - 192) |
| March 13, 2014 | National | HR 3189 | Water Rights Protection Act | Bill Passed - House (238 - 174) |
| March 6, 2014 | National | H Amdt 585 | Prohibits the Social Cost of Carbon from Being Included in Agency Determinations | Amendment Adopted - House (222 - 188) |
| March 6, 2014 | National | H Amdt 587 | Exempts Certain Nuclear Facility Construction Projects from Environmental Review Time Frame Requirements | Amendment Rejected - House (187 - 220) |
| March 6, 2014 | National | H Amdt 587 | Exempts Certain Nuclear Facility Construction Projects from Environmental Review Time Frame Requirements | Amendment Rejected - House (187 - 220) |
| March 6, 2014 | National | H Amdt 585 | Prohibits the Social Cost of Carbon from Being Included in Agency Determinations | Amendment Adopted - House (222 - 188) |
| March 6, 2014 | National | HR 2641 | Responsibly And Professionally Invigorating Development (RAPID) Act of 2013 | Bill Passed - House (229 - 179) |
| March 6, 2014 | National | HR 3826 | Electricity Security and Affordability Act | Bill Passed - House (229 - 183) |
| Feb. 26, 2014 | IN | SB 340 | Amends Customer Participation Requirements in Certain Energy Efficiency Programs | Bill Passed - House (69 - 26) |
| Feb. 26, 2014 | ID | S 1337 | Prohibits Recording of Agricultural Operations | Bill Passed - House (56 - 14) |
| Feb. 26, 2014 | ID | S 1337 | Prohibits Recording of Agricultural Operations | Bill Passed - House (56 - 14) |
| Feb. 25, 2014 | AL | HB 141 | Authorizes Veterinarians to Work at Nonprofit Spay Neuter Clinics | Bill Passed - House (58 - 37) |
| Feb. 21, 2014 | ID | HB 470 | Establishes the Idaho Wolf Depredation Control Board | Bill Passed - House (49 - 16) |
| Feb. 21, 2014 | ID | HB 470 | Establishes the Idaho Wolf Depredation Control Board | Bill Passed - House (49 - 16) |
| Feb. 19, 2014 | SD | HB 1097 | Amends Criteria for Classifying Property as Agricultural Land | Bill Passed - House (37 - 33) |
| Feb. 6, 2014 | SD | HB 1185 | Authorizes Certain Nonresidents to Obtain Waterfowl Hunting Licenses | Bill Passed - House (36 - 32) |
| Feb. 5, 2014 | UT | HB 57 | Limits the Use of Carbon Monoxide for Animal Euthanasia | Bill Passed - House (61 - 8) |
| Jan. 29, 2014 | National | HR 2642 | Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 | Conference Report Adopted - House (251 - 166) |
| Jan. 28, 2014 | IN | HB 1143 | Prohibits State Environmental Regulations from Exceeding EPA Regulations | Bill Passed - House (68 - 28) |
| Jan. 28, 2014 | VA | HB 1237 | Authorizes Hunting on Sundays | Bill Passed - House (71 - 27) |
| Jan. 9, 2014 | National | HR 2279 | Reducing Excessive Deadline Obligations Act of 2014 | Bill Passed - House (225 - 188) |
| Nov. 20, 2013 | National | H Amdt 498 | Specifies That Certain Fees Do Not Limit the Right to Petition | Amendment Rejected - House (199 - 222) |
| Nov. 20, 2013 | National | H Amdt 507 | Specifies the Authority of the Secretary of Interior on the Regulation of Methane Emissions | Amendment Rejected - House (190 - 230) |
| Nov. 20, 2013 | National | H Amdt 504 | Appropriates $10 Million to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission | Amendment Rejected - House (195 - 226) |
| Nov. 20, 2013 | National | H Amdt 504 | Appropriates $10 Million to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission | Amendment Rejected - House (195 - 226) |
| Nov. 20, 2013 | National | H Amdt 499 | Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to Require Certain Findings for Categorical Exclusions | Amendment Rejected - House (194 - 228) |
| Nov. 20, 2013 | National | H Amdt 499 | Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to Require Certain Findings for Categorical Exclusions | Amendment Rejected - House (194 - 228) |
| Nov. 20, 2013 | National | H Amdt 498 | Specifies That Certain Fees Do Not Limit the Right to Petition | Amendment Rejected - House (199 - 222) |
| Nov. 20, 2013 | National | H Amdt 503 | Requires a Report on the Effect of Flooding on Oil and Gas Facilities | Amendment Rejected - House (202 - 221) |
| Nov. 20, 2013 | National | H Amdt 503 | Requires a Report on the Effect of Flooding on Oil and Gas Facilities | Amendment Rejected - House (202 - 221) |
| Nov. 20, 2013 | National | HR 1965 | Federal Lands Jobs and Energy Security Act | Bill Passed - House (228 - 192) |
| Nov. 20, 2013 | National | HR 2728 | Protecting States' Rights to Promote American Energy Security Act | Bill Passed - House (235 - 187) |
| Nov. 20, 2013 | National | HR 1965 | Federal Lands Jobs and Energy Security Act | Bill Passed - House (228 - 192) |