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 14, 2015 | WV | HB 2688 | Authorizes Petroleum Drilling Without Consent of all Property Owners | Concurrence Vote Failed - House (49 - 49) |
| March 14, 2015 | WV | HB 2688 | Authorizes Petroleum Drilling Without Consent of all Property Owners | Concurrence Vote Failed - House (49 - 49) |
| March 14, 2015 | WV | HB 2688 | Authorizes Petroleum Drilling Without Consent of all Property Owners | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10) |
| March 14, 2015 | WV | HB 2688 | Authorizes Petroleum Drilling Without Consent of all Property Owners | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10) |
| March 12, 2015 | UT | HB 362 | Amends Motor Fuel Tax | Conference Report Adopted - House (44 - 29) |
| March 12, 2015 | UT | HB 362 | Amends Motor Fuel Tax | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 8) |
| March 11, 2015 | OK | SB 809 | Amends Local Municipalities' Ability to Regulate Oil and Gas Production | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 7) |
| March 11, 2015 | OK | HB 2178 | Amends Local Municipalities' Ability to Regulate Oil and Gas Production | Bill Passed - House (74 - 23) |
| 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 10, 2015 | NM | HB 366 | Authorizes State Regulation of Oil and Gas Production | Bill Passed - House (37 - 28) |
| March 9, 2015 | WA | SB 5735 | Establishes Carbon Reduction Investment as Alternative to Meeting Renewable Energy Targets | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23) |
| March 9, 2015 | UT | HB 396 | Prohibits a Seasonal Prohibition on Wood-Burning Stoves | Bill Passed - House (58 - 15) |
| March 9, 2015 | UT | HB 362 | Amends Motor Fuel Tax | Bill Passed - House (51 - 22) |
| March 4, 2015 | National | S 1 | A Bill to Approve the Keystone XL Pipeline | Veto Override Failed - Senate (62 - 37) |
| 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) |
| March 4, 2015 | WV | HB 2688 | Authorizes Petroleum Drilling Without Consent of all Property Owners | Bill Passed - House (60 - 40) |
| March 2, 2015 | WA | SB 5987 | Increases Gas Tax and Amends Transportation Funding | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22) |
| Feb. 27, 2015 | WV | SB 357 | Establishes New Coal Mining Safety Guidelines. | Bill Passed - House (73 - 25) |
| Feb. 24, 2015 | CO | SB 93 | Requires Compensation for Mineral Rights Owners | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15) |
| Feb. 17, 2015 | OR | SB 324 | Extends Low Carbon Fuel Standards Target Date | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13) |
| Feb. 16, 2015 | ND | HB 1437 | Extends Triggered Oil Extraction Tax Rate | Bill Passed - House (79 - 14) |
| Feb. 11, 2015 | National | S 1 | A Bill to Approve the Keystone XL Pipeline | Bill Passed - House (270 - 152) |
| Feb. 11, 2015 | ND | HB 1259 | Requires Performance Audits of Certain State Agencies | Bill Failed - House (22 - 67) |
| Jan. 29, 2015 | National | S 1 | A Bill to Approve the Keystone XL Pipeline | Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 36) |
| Jan. 21, 2015 | National | HR 161 | Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act | Bill Passed - House (253 - 169) |
| Jan. 9, 2015 | National | HR 3 | Keystone XL Pipeline Act | Bill Passed - House (266 - 153) |
| Dec. 19, 2014 | MI | HB 5477 | Increases Gasoline and Diesel Tax | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 15) |
| Dec. 4, 2014 | MI | HB 5205 | Defines Solid Waste as a Renewable Energy Resource | Bill Passed - House (63 - 46) |
| Nov. 18, 2014 | National | S 2280 | A Bill to Approve the Keystone XL Pipeline | Bill Failed - Senate (59 - 41) |
| Nov. 14, 2014 | National | HR 5682 | To Approve the Keystone XL Pipeline | Bill Passed - House (252 - 161) |
| Nov. 13, 2014 | MI | HB 5477 | Increases Gasoline and Diesel Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| July 29, 2014 | National | S Amdt 3584 | Transportation Empowerment Act | Amendment Rejected - Senate (28 - 69) |
| June 26, 2014 | NJ | S 1041 | Prohibits Hydraulic Fracturing Waste from Being Released Into Environment | Bill Passed - House (62 - 16) |
| June 26, 2014 | National | HR 4899 | Lowering Gasoline Prices to Fuel an America That Works Act of 2014 | Bill Passed - House (229 - 185) |
| June 26, 2014 | National | HR 4899 | Lowering Gasoline Prices to Fuel an America That Works Act of 2014 | Bill Passed - House (229 - 185) |
| June 24, 2014 | National | H Amdt 956 | Prohibits Pending Pipeline Permit Applications from Receiving Automatic Approval | Amendment Rejected - House (171 - 240) |
| June 24, 2014 | National | HR 3301 | North American Energy Infrastructure Act | Bill Passed - House (238 - 173) |
| June 17, 2014 | RI | S 2690A | Establishes the Renewable Growth Energy Program | Bill Passed - House (63 - 7) |
| June 16, 2014 | NY | A 5424B | Prohibits Hydraulic Fracturing for 3 Years | Bill Passed - House (96 - 37) |
| June 12, 2014 | MI | HB 5477 | Increases Gasoline and Diesel Tax | Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 20) |
| May 30, 2014 | LA | SB 469 | Prohibits Government Entities from Pursuing Cause of Action under the Coastal Management Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| May 29, 2014 | NC | SB 786 | Repeals the Moratorium on Hydraulic Fracturing | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 12) |
| May 29, 2014 | NC | SB 786 | Repeals the Moratorium on Hydraulic Fracturing | Bill Passed - House (64 - 50) |
| May 29, 2014 | LA | SB 469 | Prohibits Government Entities from Pursuing Cause of Action under the Coastal Management Program | Bill Passed - House (59 - 39) |
| May 29, 2014 | CA | SB 1132 | Establishes a Moratorium on Hydraulic Fracturing | Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 16) |
| May 28, 2014 | OH | SB 310 | Amends Energy Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
| May 22, 2014 | OK | HB 2562 | Restructures the Tax Rate for Oil and Gas Production | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 14) |
| May 22, 2014 | OK | HB 2562 | Restructures the Tax Rate for Oil and Gas Production | Conference Report Adopted - House (61 - 34) |
| 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 14, 2014 | OH | HB 375 | Restructures the Tax on Oil and Gas Drilling Operations | Bill Passed - House (55 - 38) |
| May 12, 2014 | LA | HB 1275 | Requires Companies to Give Public Notice of Proposed Hydraulic Fracturing | Bill Failed - House (19 - 73) |
| May 12, 2014 | NJ | S 1041 | Prohibits Hydraulic Fracturing Waste from Being Released Into Environment | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5) |
| May 7, 2014 | OH | SB 310 | Amends Energy Laws | Bill Passed - House (55 - 42) |
| April 21, 2014 | AK | HB 287 | Authorizes Tax Credits for In-State Oil Refineries | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (32 - 7) |
| April 20, 2014 | AK | SB 138 | Establishes a Liquefied Natural Gas Production Framework | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 4) |
| April 20, 2014 | AK | SB 138 | Establishes a Liquefied Natural Gas Production Framework | Bill Passed - House (36 - 4) |
| April 20, 2014 | AK | HB 287 | Authorizes Tax Credits for In-State Oil Refineries | Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6) |
| April 15, 2014 | AK | HB 383 | Authorizes the Governor to Appoint Non-Residents to the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation Board | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 7) |
| April 9, 2014 | AK | HB 383 | Authorizes the Governor to Appoint Non-Residents to the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation Board | Bill Passed - House (27 - 12) |
| April 5, 2014 | MD | HB 1168 | Prohibits the Construction of a Wind-Powered Generating Station | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (100 - 24) |
| April 5, 2014 | MD | HB 1168 | Prohibits the Construction of a Wind-Powered Generating Station | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16) |
| 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 3, 2014 | ME | LD 1838 | Establishes The Affordable Heating From Maine's Forest Fund | "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 14) |
| March 26, 2014 | KS | HB 2014 | Repeals the Kansas Renewable Energy Standards Act | Concurrence Vote Failed - House (44 - 77) |
| March 25, 2014 | KS | HB 2014 | Repeals the Kansas Renewable Energy Standards Act | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15) |
| March 25, 2014 | National | HR 2824 | Preventing Government Waste and Protecting Coal Mining Jobs in America | Bill Passed - House (229 - 192) |
| March 18, 2014 | AK | SB 138 | Establishes a Liquefied Natural Gas Production Framework | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5) |
| March 12, 2014 | KY | HB 445 | Increases the Wholesale Price of Gasoline | Bill Passed - House (53 - 44) |
| March 12, 2014 | OK | SB 1440 | Prohibits Development of Certain Wind Energy Facilities | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8) |
| 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 | HR 3826 | Electricity Security and Affordability Act | Bill Passed - House (229 - 183) |
| March 6, 2014 | National | HR 2641 | Responsibly And Professionally Invigorating Development (RAPID) Act of 2013 | Bill Passed - House (229 - 179) |
| Feb. 26, 2014 | IN | SB 340 | Amends Customer Participation Requirements in Certain Energy Efficiency Programs | Bill Passed - House (69 - 26) |
| Feb. 3, 2014 | IN | SB 340 | Amends Customer Participation Requirements in Certain Energy Efficiency Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 11) |
| Nov. 21, 2013 | National | H Amdt 513 | Removes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Permit Issuance Requirement | Amendment Rejected - House (184 - 233) |
| Nov. 21, 2013 | National | H Amdt 512 | Requires Natural Gas Pipeline Applications to Include Certain Information | Amendment Rejected - House (183 - 233) |
| Nov. 21, 2013 | National | H Amdt 515 | Prohibits the Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act from Taking Effect During the Sequester | Amendment Rejected - House (175 - 243) |
| Nov. 21, 2013 | National | HR 1900 | Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act | Bill Passed - House (252 - 165) |
| 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 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 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 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) |
| Sept. 11, 2013 | CA | SB 4 | Amends Hydraulic Fracturing Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 8) |
| Sept. 11, 2013 | CA | SB 4 | Amends Hydraulic Fracturing Laws | Bill Passed - House (54 - 20) |
| Aug. 2, 2013 | National | H Amdt 448 | Requires Congressional Approval Prior to Establishing a Tax on Carbon Emissions | Amendment Adopted - House (237 - 176) |
| Aug. 1, 2013 | National | HR 1582 | Energy Consumers Relief Act of 2013 | Bill Passed - House (232 - 181) |
| July 25, 2013 | National | HR 2218 | Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act of 2013 | Bill Passed - House (265 - 155) |