Key Votes

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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:

  1. The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member stands on a particular issue
  2. The vote should be clear for any person to understand
  3. The vote has received media attention
  4. The vote was passed or defeated by a very close margin
  5. Occasionally, if a specific bill is consistently inquired about on the Voter's Research Hotline, the vote will be added

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.


results per page:
Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
June 8, 2020 CA AB 3030 Requires Protection for 30 Percent of State's Land and Waters by 2030 Bill Passed - House (45 - 19)
June 5, 2020 CO HB 20-1143 Increases Maximum Fines for Air and Water Quality Violations Bill Passed - House (40 - 24)
May 27, 2020 OH HB 242 Prohibits Local Government from Enacting Fees on Plastic Bags in Stores Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
May 27, 2020 PA SB 790 Repeals Certain Oil and Gas Regulations Bill Passed - House (109 - 93)
May 20, 2020 LA SB 440 Limits Environmental Lawsuits Against Oil and Gas Companies Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
May 19, 2020 VT S 337 Establishes New Programs to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 2)
May 11, 2020 MN HF 4502 Increases the Minnesota Conservation Program's Energy Savings Goal Bill Passed - House (79 - 55)
April 22, 2020 VA SB 883 Establishes the Virginia Council on Environmental Justice Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 44)
April 22, 2020 VA SB 883 Establishes the Virginia Council on Environmental Justice Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
March 23, 2020 AK HB 232 Authorizes Local Governments to Create Property Tax Credits to Increase Efficiency and Local Air Quality Bill Passed - House (31 - 4)
March 11, 2020 WY HB 200 Establishes Low-Carbon Energy Standards and Subsidizes Carbon Capture Projects Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 18)
March 10, 2020 WY HB 200 Establishes Low-Carbon Energy Standards and Subsidizes Carbon Capture Projects Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 10)
March 10, 2020 FL SB 172 Prohibits Local Governments from Prohibiting Certain Drugs and Cosmetics Bill Passed - House (68 - 47)
March 9, 2020 WA SB 5323 Establishes Standards for the Use of Plastic Bags at Retail Establishments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
March 8, 2020 VA SB 710 Expands Renewable Energy Tax Credits Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 12)
March 8, 2020 VA SB 710 Expands Renewable Energy Tax Credits Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 31)
March 7, 2020 WA SB 5323 Establishes Standards for the Use of Plastic Bags at Retail Establishments Bill Passed - House (67 - 29)
March 7, 2020 WV HB 4615 Increases Penalties for Critical Infrastructure Protesting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 33)
March 7, 2020 WV HB 4615 Increases Penalties for Critical Infrastructure Protesting Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
March 5, 2020 NJ A 2371 Requires Recycling of Food Waste Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
March 5, 2020 WA HB 2311 Requires State Greenhouse Gas Emissions be Reduced to Zero by 2050 Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
March 5, 2020 NJ S 864 Prohibits Single-Use Plastic Bags and Styrofoam Containers Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
March 3, 2020 IN SB 229 Removes State Oversight of Certain Drains Near Wetlands Bill Passed - House (58 - 37)
Feb. 24, 2020 NJ A 2371 Requires Recycling of Food Waste Bill Passed - House (49 - 28)
Feb. 20, 2020 OH HR 247 Rescinds the E-Check Program Resolution Passed - House (62 - 29)
Feb. 18, 2020 NM SB 2 Establishes an Electric Vehicle Tax Credit Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 18)
Feb. 16, 2020 WA HB 2311 Requires State Greenhouse Gas Emissions be Reduced to Zero by 2050 Bill Passed - House (55 - 41)
Feb. 12, 2020 NY A 8349 Increases Protections of Certain Streams and Protected Waterways Bill Passed - House (113 - 31)
Feb. 3, 2020 IN SB 438 Establishes Regulations for Pesticides Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
Jan. 29, 2020 WA HB 1110 Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Transportation Fuels Bill Passed - House (52 - 44)
Jan. 29, 2020 FL SB 172 Prohibits Local Governments from Prohibiting Certain Drugs and Cosmetics Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
Jan. 22, 2020 VA SB 318 Reduces Number of Balloons that Can be Released per Hour Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
Jan. 10, 2020 National HR 535 PFAS Action Act Bill Passed - House (247 - 159)
Jan. 9, 2020 NH HB 102 Authorizes Municipalities to Regulate Single-Use Bags "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (215 - 151)
Dec. 11, 2019 OH HB 242 Prohibits Local Government from Enacting Fees on Plastic Bags in Stores Bill Passed - House (58 - 35)
Oct. 31, 2019 National HR 823 Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy Act Bill Passed - House (227 - 182)
Oct. 30, 2019 IL HB 3888 Prohibits the Use of Ethylene Oxide by 2023 Bill Passed - House (60 - 47)
Oct. 17, 2019 National S J Res 53 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Repeal of the Clean Power Plan; Emission Guidelines for Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Existing Electric Utility Generating Units; Revisions to Emission Guidelines Implementing Regulations" Bill Failed - Senate (41 - 53)
Sept. 25, 2019 PA HB 1410 Authorizes Funds to Remove PFAS from Drinking Water Bill Passed - House (144 - 54)
Sept. 18, 2019 NH HB 582 Establishes a Greenhouse Gas Rebate Program Veto Override Failed - House (221 - 157)
Sept. 13, 2019 CA SB 1 Rescinds Federal Freeze of Environmental Deregulations Bill Passed - House (48 - 22)
Sept. 13, 2019 CA AB 792 Increases Recycled Plastics Percentages Used in Plastic Beverage Bottles Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
Sept. 12, 2019 National HR 1146 Arctic Cultural and Coastal Plain Protection Act Bill Passed - House (225 - 193)
Sept. 11, 2019 CA SB 8 Prohibits Smoking at Public Parks and Beaches Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
Sept. 11, 2019 CA AB 936 Amends Environmental Protections Relating to Heavy Crude Oils Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
Sept. 11, 2019 National HR 1941 Coastal and Marine Economies Protection Act Bill Passed - House (238 - 189)
Sept. 10, 2019 NC SB 553 Establishes the Regulatory Reform Act of 2019 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 14)
Sept. 10, 2019 CA SB 210 Establishes a Smog-Check Program for Diesel Trucks Bill Passed - House (51 - 19)
Sept. 5, 2019 CA AB 1162 Prohibits Single-Use Plastics for Personal Care Products at Lodging Establishments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
Aug. 29, 2019 NC SB 553 Establishes the Regulatory Reform Act of 2019 Conference Report Adopted - House (78 - 31)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/08 AB 3030 Requires Protection for 30 Percent of State's Land and Waters by 2030 Bill Passed - House (45 - 19)
6/05 HB 20-1143 Increases Maximum Fines for Air and Water Quality Violations Bill Passed - House (40 - 24)
5/27 HB 242 Prohibits Local Government from Enacting Fees on Plastic Bags in Stores Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
5/27 SB 790 Repeals Certain Oil and Gas Regulations Bill Passed - House (109 - 93)
5/20 SB 440 Limits Environmental Lawsuits Against Oil and Gas Companies Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
5/19 S 337 Establishes New Programs to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 2)
5/11 HF 4502 Increases the Minnesota Conservation Program's Energy Savings Goal Bill Passed - House (79 - 55)
4/22 SB 883 Establishes the Virginia Council on Environmental Justice Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 44)
4/22 SB 883 Establishes the Virginia Council on Environmental Justice Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
3/23 HB 232 Authorizes Local Governments to Create Property Tax Credits to Increase Efficiency and Local Air Quality Bill Passed - House (31 - 4)
3/11 HB 200 Establishes Low-Carbon Energy Standards and Subsidizes Carbon Capture Projects Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 18)
3/10 HB 200 Establishes Low-Carbon Energy Standards and Subsidizes Carbon Capture Projects Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 10)
3/10 SB 172 Prohibits Local Governments from Prohibiting Certain Drugs and Cosmetics Bill Passed - House (68 - 47)
3/09 SB 5323 Establishes Standards for the Use of Plastic Bags at Retail Establishments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
3/08 SB 710 Expands Renewable Energy Tax Credits Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 12)
3/08 SB 710 Expands Renewable Energy Tax Credits Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 31)
3/07 SB 5323 Establishes Standards for the Use of Plastic Bags at Retail Establishments Bill Passed - House (67 - 29)
3/07 HB 4615 Increases Penalties for Critical Infrastructure Protesting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 33)
3/07 HB 4615 Increases Penalties for Critical Infrastructure Protesting Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
3/05 A 2371 Requires Recycling of Food Waste Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
3/05 HB 2311 Requires State Greenhouse Gas Emissions be Reduced to Zero by 2050 Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
3/05 S 864 Prohibits Single-Use Plastic Bags and Styrofoam Containers Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
3/03 SB 229 Removes State Oversight of Certain Drains Near Wetlands Bill Passed - House (58 - 37)
2/24 A 2371 Requires Recycling of Food Waste Bill Passed - House (49 - 28)
2/20 HR 247 Rescinds the E-Check Program Resolution Passed - House (62 - 29)
2/18 SB 2 Establishes an Electric Vehicle Tax Credit Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 18)
2/16 HB 2311 Requires State Greenhouse Gas Emissions be Reduced to Zero by 2050 Bill Passed - House (55 - 41)
2/12 A 8349 Increases Protections of Certain Streams and Protected Waterways Bill Passed - House (113 - 31)
2/03 SB 438 Establishes Regulations for Pesticides Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
1/29 HB 1110 Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Transportation Fuels Bill Passed - House (52 - 44)
1/29 SB 172 Prohibits Local Governments from Prohibiting Certain Drugs and Cosmetics Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
1/22 SB 318 Reduces Number of Balloons that Can be Released per Hour Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
1/10 HR 535 PFAS Action Act Bill Passed - House (247 - 159)
1/09 HB 102 Authorizes Municipalities to Regulate Single-Use Bags "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (215 - 151)
12/11 HB 242 Prohibits Local Government from Enacting Fees on Plastic Bags in Stores Bill Passed - House (58 - 35)
10/31 HR 823 Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy Act Bill Passed - House (227 - 182)
10/30 HB 3888 Prohibits the Use of Ethylene Oxide by 2023 Bill Passed - House (60 - 47)
10/17 S J Res 53 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Repeal of the Clean Power Plan; Emission Guidelines for Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Existing Electric Utility Generating Units; Revisions to Emission Guidelines Implementing Regulations" Bill Failed - Senate (41 - 53)
9/25 HB 1410 Authorizes Funds to Remove PFAS from Drinking Water Bill Passed - House (144 - 54)
9/18 HB 582 Establishes a Greenhouse Gas Rebate Program Veto Override Failed - House (221 - 157)
9/13 SB 1 Rescinds Federal Freeze of Environmental Deregulations Bill Passed - House (48 - 22)
9/13 AB 792 Increases Recycled Plastics Percentages Used in Plastic Beverage Bottles Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
9/12 HR 1146 Arctic Cultural and Coastal Plain Protection Act Bill Passed - House (225 - 193)
9/11 SB 8 Prohibits Smoking at Public Parks and Beaches Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
9/11 AB 936 Amends Environmental Protections Relating to Heavy Crude Oils Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
9/11 HR 1941 Coastal and Marine Economies Protection Act Bill Passed - House (238 - 189)
9/10 SB 553 Establishes the Regulatory Reform Act of 2019 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 14)
9/10 SB 210 Establishes a Smog-Check Program for Diesel Trucks Bill Passed - House (51 - 19)
9/05 AB 1162 Prohibits Single-Use Plastics for Personal Care Products at Lodging Establishments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
8/29 SB 553 Establishes the Regulatory Reform Act of 2019 Conference Report Adopted - House (78 - 31)

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