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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 14, 2016 | MO | HB 1414 | Establishes Regulations for the Release of Certain Agricultural Data | Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 7) |
| Sept. 14, 2016 | MO | SB 641 | Establishes Income Tax Deduction for Agricultural Disaster Aid Payments | Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 6) |
| Aug. 31, 2016 | CA | SB 859 | Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emission Levels | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| Aug. 30, 2016 | CA | SB 1333 | Prohibits Smoking on State Beaches and Parks | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 10) |
| Aug. 22, 2016 | CA | AB 1066 | Requires Overtime Pay for Farmworkers | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| July 7, 2016 | National | S 764 | Establishes Labeling Standards for Genetically Modified Foods | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (63 - 30) |
| May 31, 2016 | CA | SB 1333 | Prohibits Smoking on State Beaches and Parks | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11) |
| May 26, 2016 | NJ | S 359 | Increases Smoking Age to 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| May 18, 2016 | IL | SB 3011 | Increases Smoking Age to 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 22) |
| April 28, 2016 | MA | S 2269 | Increases Smoking Age to 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2) |
| April 18, 2016 | LA | SB 29 | Authorizes the Sale of Raw Milk | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| April 18, 2016 | LA | SB 29 | Authorizes the Sale of Raw Milk | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| April 12, 2016 | HI | HB 2501 | Authorizes Extension for Water Permits | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 6) |
| March 30, 2016 | AK | SB 1 | Prohibits Smoking in Public | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5) |
| March 10, 2016 | CA | SB 7 | Increases Smoking Age to 21 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 10) |
| March 10, 2016 | CA | SB 5 | Amends Regulations for E-Cigarettes | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
| March 3, 2016 | MO | SB 919 | Authorizes Breweries to Lease Coolers to Stores | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14) |
| March 1, 2016 | IN | HB 1386 | Authorizes Liquor Licenses for State Parks | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17) |
| March 1, 2016 | OK | SJR 68 | Authorizes the Public to Vote on Beer and Wine Sales | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (28 - 16) |
| Feb. 25, 2016 | IA | SF 2289 | Expands Criminal Offenses for Animal Mistreatment | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16) |
| Feb. 5, 2016 | NE | LB 176 | Authorizes Meatpackers to Own Swine | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14) |
| Jan. 14, 2016 | KY | SB 200 | Amends Alcohol Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8) |
| Aug. 27, 2015 | CA | SB 7 | Increases Smoking Age to 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| Aug. 27, 2015 | CA | SB 5 | Amends Regulations for E-Cigarettes | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
| June 12, 2015 | MN | SF 5 | 2015-2017 Biennium Agriculture and Environment and Natural Resources Budget | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 29) |
| June 2, 2015 | CA | SB 151 | Increases Smoking Age | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9) |
| June 2, 2015 | CA | SB 140 | Prohibits Smoking Electronic Cigarettes in Certain Indoor Areas | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
| May 18, 2015 | MN | HF 846 | Requires 50 Foot Buffers around Certain Waterways | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 30) |
| May 11, 2015 | OR | HB 2546 | Prohibits Sale of Electronic Cigarettes to Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8) |
| April 28, 2015 | HI | SB 550 | Prohibits Powdered Alcohol | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 2) |
| April 24, 2015 | HI | SB 1030 | Prohibits Sale of Tobacco Products to Individuals Under 21 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 4) |
| April 7, 2015 | IN | HB 1432 | Establishes E-Liquid Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 15) |
| March 23, 2015 | AZ | HB 2150 | Amends Animal Cruelty Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12) |
| March 20, 2015 | ND | HB 1434 | Authorizes Alcohol Sales on Sunday Mornings | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18) |
| March 19, 2015 | ND | SB 2351 | Authorizes Corporate Dairy and Swine Farms | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 16) |
| March 19, 2015 | ND | HB 1434 | Authorizes Alcohol Sales on Sunday Mornings | Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 22) |
| March 19, 2015 | NM | SB 433 | Prohibits Sale of E-Cigarettes to Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10) |
| March 12, 2015 | UT | HB 48 | Prohibits Powdered Alcohol | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4) |
| March 10, 2015 | HI | SB 1030 | Prohibits Sale of Tobacco Products to Individuals Under 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 5) |
| March 5, 2015 | GA | SB 103 | Authorizes the Sale of Alcoholic Beverages 1 Sunday Each Year | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 19) |
| March 4, 2015 | KY | HB 168 | Prohibits Out-of-State Breweries from Holding Alcohol Distributors Licenses | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13) |
| March 2, 2015 | NM | SB 503 | Authorizes Beer and Wine Delivery Licenses | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 10) |
| March 2, 2015 | NM | SB 94 | Authorizes Industrial Hemp Research | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 8) |
| 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) |
| 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) |
| 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 Passed - Senate (24 - 7) |
| May 29, 2014 | CA | SB 1000 | Requires Health Warning Labels on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9/14 | HB 1414 | Establishes Regulations for the Release of Certain Agricultural Data | Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 7) |
| 9/14 | SB 641 | Establishes Income Tax Deduction for Agricultural Disaster Aid Payments | Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 6) |
| 8/31 | SB 859 | Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emission Levels | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| 8/30 | SB 1333 | Prohibits Smoking on State Beaches and Parks | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 10) |
| 8/22 | AB 1066 | Requires Overtime Pay for Farmworkers | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| 7/07 | S 764 | Establishes Labeling Standards for Genetically Modified Foods | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (63 - 30) |
| 5/31 | SB 1333 | Prohibits Smoking on State Beaches and Parks | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11) |
| 5/26 | S 359 | Increases Smoking Age to 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| 5/18 | SB 3011 | Increases Smoking Age to 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 22) |
| 4/28 | S 2269 | Increases Smoking Age to 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2) |
| 4/18 | SB 29 | Authorizes the Sale of Raw Milk | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| 4/18 | SB 29 | Authorizes the Sale of Raw Milk | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| 4/12 | HB 2501 | Authorizes Extension for Water Permits | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 6) |
| 3/30 | SB 1 | Prohibits Smoking in Public | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5) |
| 3/10 | SB 7 | Increases Smoking Age to 21 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 10) |
| 3/10 | SB 5 | Amends Regulations for E-Cigarettes | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
| 3/03 | SB 919 | Authorizes Breweries to Lease Coolers to Stores | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14) |
| 3/01 | HB 1386 | Authorizes Liquor Licenses for State Parks | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17) |
| 3/01 | SJR 68 | Authorizes the Public to Vote on Beer and Wine Sales | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (28 - 16) |
| 2/25 | SF 2289 | Expands Criminal Offenses for Animal Mistreatment | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16) |
| 2/05 | LB 176 | Authorizes Meatpackers to Own Swine | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14) |
| 1/14 | SB 200 | Amends Alcohol Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8) |
| 8/27 | SB 7 | Increases Smoking Age to 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| 8/27 | SB 5 | Amends Regulations for E-Cigarettes | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
| 6/12 | SF 5 | 2015-2017 Biennium Agriculture and Environment and Natural Resources Budget | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 29) |
| 6/02 | SB 151 | Increases Smoking Age | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9) |
| 6/02 | SB 140 | Prohibits Smoking Electronic Cigarettes in Certain Indoor Areas | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
| 5/18 | HF 846 | Requires 50 Foot Buffers around Certain Waterways | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 30) |
| 5/11 | HB 2546 | Prohibits Sale of Electronic Cigarettes to Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8) |
| 4/28 | SB 550 | Prohibits Powdered Alcohol | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 2) |
| 4/24 | SB 1030 | Prohibits Sale of Tobacco Products to Individuals Under 21 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 4) |
| 4/07 | HB 1432 | Establishes E-Liquid Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 15) |
| 3/23 | HB 2150 | Amends Animal Cruelty Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12) |
| 3/20 | HB 1434 | Authorizes Alcohol Sales on Sunday Mornings | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18) |
| 3/19 | SB 2351 | Authorizes Corporate Dairy and Swine Farms | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 16) |
| 3/19 | HB 1434 | Authorizes Alcohol Sales on Sunday Mornings | Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 22) |
| 3/19 | SB 433 | Prohibits Sale of E-Cigarettes to Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10) |
| 3/12 | HB 48 | Prohibits Powdered Alcohol | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4) |
| 3/10 | SB 1030 | Prohibits Sale of Tobacco Products to Individuals Under 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 5) |
| 3/05 | SB 103 | Authorizes the Sale of Alcoholic Beverages 1 Sunday Each Year | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 19) |
| 3/04 | HB 168 | Prohibits Out-of-State Breweries from Holding Alcohol Distributors Licenses | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13) |
| 3/02 | SB 503 | Authorizes Beer and Wine Delivery Licenses | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 10) |
| 3/02 | SB 94 | Authorizes Industrial Hemp Research | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 8) |
| 2/24 | SJR 12 | Authorizes the Use of Diverse Farming and Ranching Practices | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (22 - 28) |
| 2/20 | SB 30 | Authorizes the Consumption of Raw Milk | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16) |
| 1/28 | SF 106 | Prohibits Powdered Alcohol | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7) |
| 12/04 | SB 247 | Authorizes the Sale of Alcohol until 4 a.m. | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14) |
| 10/15 | HB 1750 | Prohibits Pigeon Shoots | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 12) |
| 9/10 | SB 506 | Expands and Establishes Certain Agricultural Programs | Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 7) |
| 5/29 | SB 1000 | Requires Health Warning Labels on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |