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 2, 2015 | NM | SB 503 | Authorizes Beer and Wine Delivery Licenses | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 10) |
| Feb. 26, 2015 | PA | HB 466 | Authorizes Private Alcohol Sales | Bill Passed - House (114 - 87) |
| Feb. 24, 2015 | WY | SF 106 | Prohibits Powdered Alcohol | Bill Failed - House (30 - 29) |
| Feb. 24, 2015 | IN | SJR 12 | Authorizes the Use of Diverse Farming and Ranching Practices | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (22 - 28) |
| Feb. 20, 2015 | WV | SB 30 | Authorizes the Consumption of Raw Milk | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16) |
| Feb. 17, 2015 | ND | HB 1238 | Increases Fee on Cattle Sales | Bill Passed - House (69 - 22) |
| Feb. 13, 2015 | KY | HB 145 | Prohibits Smoking in Public Places | Bill Passed - House (51 - 46) |
| Feb. 12, 2015 | AZ | HB 2359 | Increases Number of Parties Required to Protest New Liquor Licenses | Bill Passed - House (33 - 25) |
| Feb. 4, 2015 | MO | HB 259 | Amends Dairy Industry Laws | Bill Passed - House (110 - 49) |
| Feb. 2, 2015 | CO | HB 1031 | Prohibits the Sale of Powdered Alcohol | Bill Passed - House (46 - 17) |
| Jan. 28, 2015 | WY | SF 106 | Prohibits Powdered Alcohol | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7) |
| Dec. 4, 2014 | MI | SB 247 | Authorizes the Sale of Alcohol until 4 a.m. | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14) |
| Nov. 19, 2014 | OH | HB 490 | Limits Use of Manure and Fertilizers | Bill Passed - House (73 - 20) |
| Nov. 13, 2014 | NJ | A 2811 | Prohibits Higher Education Institutions from Requiring Meal Plans for Students | Bill Passed - House (54 - 16) |
| Oct. 16, 2014 | NJ | S 998 | Prohibits Confinement of Pregnant Pigs in Certain Enclosures | Bill Passed - House (53 - 13) |
| Oct. 15, 2014 | PA | HB 1750 | Prohibits Pigeon Shoots | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 12) |
| 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 Passed - Senate (24 - 7) |
| May 29, 2014 | CA | SB 1000 | Requires Health Warning Labels on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| May 7, 2014 | NH | SB 329 | Repeals the Prohibition on Alcoholic Beverages Billboard Advertisements | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (193 - 164) |
| April 29, 2014 | FL | SB 1714 | Amends Brewery Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10) |
| April 23, 2014 | VT | H 112 | Requires Labeling of Genetically Engineered Food | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (114 - 30) |
| April 11, 2014 | AK | HB 309 | Authorizes Distilleries to Sell Alcohol Directly to Individuals | Bill Passed - House (29 - 5) |
| April 10, 2014 | CT | SB 443 | Prohibits the Sale of Genetically Modified Seed | Bill Failed - House (37 - 103) |
| April 9, 2014 | LA | HB 72 | Authorizes the Concealed Carry of Weapons in Restaurants That Serve Alcohol | Bill Passed - House (79 - 19) |
| April 9, 2014 | CT | SB 443 | Prohibits the Sale of Genetically Modified Seed | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| March 28, 2014 | KY | HB 222 | Prohibits Recording of Agricultural Operations | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6) |
| March 27, 2014 | NH | SB 329 | Repeals the Prohibition on Alcoholic Beverage Billboard Advertisements | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (13 - 11) |
| March 4, 2014 | SD | HB 1123 | Extends the Alcoholic Beverage Service Hours of Certain Hotels | Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 20) |
| March 3, 2014 | TN | SB 837 | Authorizes the Sale of Wine in Grocery Stores | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 4) |
| Feb. 26, 2014 | ID | S 1337 | Prohibits Recording of Agricultural Operations | Bill Passed - House (56 - 14) |
| Feb. 25, 2014 | IN | SB 339 | Authorizes the Sale of Alcohol at the Indiana State Fair | Bill Passed - House (75 - 20) |
| Feb. 21, 2014 | ID | HB 470 | Establishes the Idaho Wolf Depredation Control Board | Bill Passed - House (49 - 16) |
| Feb. 20, 2014 | TN | SB 837 | Authorizes the Sale of Wine in Grocery Stores | Bill Passed - House (71 - 15) |
| Feb. 19, 2014 | SD | HB 1097 | Amends Criteria for Classifying Property as Agricultural Land | Bill Passed - House (37 - 33) |
| Feb. 18, 2014 | NM | SB 347 | Appropriates Funds to the Lottery Tuition Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 11) |
| Feb. 18, 2014 | GA | HB 875 | Authorizes Individuals to Carry Weapons in Previously Prohibited Locations | Bill Passed - House (119 - 56) |
| Feb. 17, 2014 | GA | SB 318 | Authorizes Bars to Sell Alcohol on Certain Holiday Weekends | Bill Failed - Senate (28 - 20) |
| Feb. 16, 2014 | NM | SB 263 | Increases the Liquor Excise Tax Rate | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 14) |
| Feb. 14, 2014 | ID | S 1337 | Prohibits Recording of Agricultural Operations | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| Feb. 6, 2014 | SD | HB 1123 | Extends the Alcoholic Beverage Service Hours of Certain Hotels | Bill Passed - House (36 - 33) |
| Feb. 5, 2014 | MD | SB 75 | Prohibits the Sale of Alcoholic Products with Alcohol Content Above 95 Percent | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 10) |
| Feb. 4, 2014 | National | HR 2642 | Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (68 - 32) |
| Jan. 30, 2014 | IN | SB 339 | Authorizes the Sale of Alcohol at the Indiana State Fair | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13) |
| Jan. 30, 2014 | TN | SB 837 | Authorizes the Sale of Wine in Grocery Stores | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 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 | ME | LD 1254 | Requires State Institutions to Purchase Foods Produced in Maine | Veto Override Failed - Senate (20 - 13) |
| Jan. 23, 2014 | SC | SB 308 | Authorizes Carrying Concealed Weapons into Businesses that Serve Alcohol | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (90 - 18) |
| Jan. 14, 2014 | ME | LD 1254 | Requires State Institutions to Purchase Foods Produced in Maine | Veto Override Passed - House (94 - 46) |
| Oct. 7, 2013 | National | H J Res 77 | Food and Drug Administration Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 | Joint Resolution Passed - House (235 - 162) |
| Sept. 11, 2013 | MO | SB 9 | Amends Animal Abuse and Neglect Laws | Veto Override Passed - House (111 - 50) |
| Sept. 11, 2013 | MO | SB 9 | Amends Animal Abuse and Neglect Laws | Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| July 11, 2013 | National | HR 2642 | Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 | Bill Passed - House (216 - 208) |
| June 20, 2013 | National | H Amdt 227 | Amends the Federal Sugar Program | Amendment Rejected - House (206 - 221) |
| June 20, 2013 | National | HR 1947 | Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 | Bill Failed - House (195 - 234) |
| June 20, 2013 | National | HR 1947 | Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 | Bill Failed - House (195 - 234) |
| June 10, 2013 | National | S 954 | Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2013 | Bill Passed - Senate (66 - 27) |
| June 10, 2013 | National | S 954 | Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2013 | Bill Passed - Senate (66 - 27) |
| May 30, 2013 | KS | SB 84 | Reduces State Income Tax Rates | Conference Report Rejected - House (18 - 94) |
| May 23, 2013 | ME | LD 1546 | Expands Medicaid and Authorizes Liquor Operation Bonds | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| May 23, 2013 | National | S Amdt 923 | Prohibits the Payment of the Premium for an Insurance Policy For Tobacco | Amendment Rejected - Senate (44 - 52) |
| May 23, 2013 | National | S Amdt 953 | Limits Subsidy Payments for Individuals with Incomes More Than $750,000 | Amendment Adopted - Senate (59 - 33) |
| May 22, 2013 | ME | LD 1546 | Expands Medicaid and Authorizes Liquor Operation Bonds | Bill Passed - House (87 - 56) |
| May 20, 2013 | MN | HF 677 | Amends State Taxes | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 30) |
| May 19, 2013 | MN | HF 677 | Amends State Taxes | Conference Report Adopted - House (69 - 65) |
| May 13, 2013 | NY | A 1792 | Extends Worker's Benefits to Farm Laborers | Bill Passed - House (83 - 53) |
| May 9, 2013 | TX | SB 376 | Establishes a Free Breakfast Program for Students | Bill Passed - House (73 - 58) |
| May 8, 2013 | MO | SB 114 | Amends Homebrewed Beer and Liquor Distributor Regulations | Bill Passed - House (110 - 48) |
| May 7, 2013 | AL | HB 9 | Authorizes Home Brewing | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7) |
| May 7, 2013 | NC | HB 610 | Expands the Sale of Alcohol in Seating Areas of Certain Stadiums and Ballparks | Bill Passed - House (73 - 45) |
| April 30, 2013 | MI | SB 197 | Requires the State Prison Food Service To Seek Competitive Bids From Private Entities | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
| April 26, 2013 | IN | SB 373 | Prohibits Unauthorized Entry on Industrial or Agricultural Property | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 21) |
| April 18, 2013 | NV | AB 126 | Requires Restaurant Chains to Disclose Calorie Counts | Bill Passed - House (25 - 14) |
| April 17, 2013 | TN | SB 1248 | Requires Disclosure of Photographic Evidence of Animal Abuse | Bill Passed - House (50 - 43) |
| April 16, 2013 | TN | SB 1248 | Requires Disclosure of Photographic Evidence of Animal Abuse | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9) |
| April 16, 2013 | WI | AB 82 | Prohibits the Unauthorized Transfer of Food Stamps | Bill Passed - House (73 - 24) |
| April 15, 2013 | IN | SB 373 | Prohibits Unauthorized Entry On Industrial Or Agricultural Property | Bill Passed - House (65 - 25) |
| April 12, 2013 | WA | HB 1001 | Establishes a Liquor License for Small Theaters | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21) |
| April 10, 2013 | AR | HB 1536 | Authorizes Sale of Unpasteurized Whole Milk | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11) |
| April 6, 2013 | AR | HB 1536 | Authorizes Sale of Unpasteurized Whole Milk | Bill Passed - House (60 - 19) |
| April 2, 2013 | AL | HB 9 | Authorizes Home Brewing | Bill Passed - House (58 - 33) |
| March 26, 2013 | IN | HB 1293 | Establishes Micro-Distiller Permits | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9) |
| March 25, 2013 | SD | SB 115 | Increases Commercial Fertilizer Inspection Fee | Veto Override Failed - Senate (22 - 13) |
| March 21, 2013 | KS | SB 84 | Reduces State Income Tax Rates | Bill Passed - House (82 - 39) |
| March 21, 2013 | PA | HB 790 | Requires the State to Privatize Alcohol Sales | Bill Passed - House (105 - 90) |
| March 14, 2013 | UT | HB 228 | Amends Liquor Licensing Laws | Conference Report Adopted - House (57 - 16) |
| March 6, 2013 | MS | SB 2687 | Prohibits Local Government Management of Nutrition Labeling | Bill Passed - House (92 - 26) |
| Feb. 28, 2013 | MO | HJR 11 | Establishes the Constitutional Right to Farm | Joint Resolution Passed - House (110 - 41) |
| Feb. 25, 2013 | MS | HB 844 | Exempts Certain Sales Taxes for Agricultural Businesses | Bill Passed - House (75 - 43) |
| Feb. 20, 2013 | OK | SB 375 | Authorizes the International Sale of Horse Meat for Human Consumption | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 6) |
| Feb. 14, 2013 | KY | SB 50 | Authorizes Industrial Hemp Farming | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6) |
| Feb. 11, 2013 | IN | SJR 7 | Guarantees Right to Hunt and Fish | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (38 - 10) |
| Feb. 4, 2013 | NM | HJM 16 | Authorizes a Feasibility Study of Horse Slaughter Plants | Joint Resolution Failed - House (28 - 36) |
| Aug. 31, 2012 | CA | AB 1313 | Requires Overtime Wages for Agricultural Workers | Concurrence Vote Failed - House (35 - 33) |
| Aug. 30, 2012 | CA | ACR 161 | Establishes September as "Food Literacy Awareness Month" | Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 13) |
| Aug. 22, 2012 | CA | ACR 161 | Establishes September as "Food Literacy Awareness Month" | Resolution Passed - House (53 - 21) |
| Aug. 20, 2012 | CA | AB 1313 | Requires Overtime Wages for Agricultural Workers | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
| Aug. 2, 2012 | National | HR 6233 | Agricultural Disaster Assistance Act of 2012 | Bill Passed - House (223 - 197) |
| June 21, 2012 | National | S Amdt 2372 | Prohibits the EPA from Conducting Aerial Surveillance of Agricultural Operations | Amendment Rejected - Senate (56 - 43) |
| June 21, 2012 | National | S Amdt 2310 | Requires Labels on Foods with Genetically Modified Ingredients | Amendment Rejected - Senate (26 - 73) |