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
April 9, 2025 ND HB 1470 Increases the Price for Hunting and Fishing Licenses Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 32)
April 8, 2025 NY S 3629 Prohibits the Use of Certain Animals in Traveling Animal Acts Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 10)
April 8, 2025 NY S 5014 Prohibits the Importation, Transportation, and Possession of Certain African Wildlife Species and Products Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 8)
April 8, 2025 NY S 3026 Prohibits Surgical Devocalization Procedures on Dogs and Cats Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 0)
April 8, 2025 NY S 252 Establishes an Exotic Animal Sale and Ownership Ban Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 6)
April 8, 2025 NY S 3158 Establishes Animal Fighting as a Criminal Act Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 1)
April 8, 2025 NY S 197 Establishes Tucker's Law and Authorizes Certain Sentencing for Aggravated Animal Cruelty Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 1)
April 8, 2025 NY S 364 Prohibits Insurance Policy Restrictions Based on Owning Specific Dog Breeds Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 1)
April 2, 2025 ND HB 1470 Increases the Price for Hunting and Fishing Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 3)
March 31, 2025 OR HB 2978 Establishes an Advisory Group under the Oregon Department of Transportation and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to Guide the Development of Critical Wildlife Crossings Bill Passed - House (53 - 3)
March 27, 2025 KY SB 245 Authorizes Fish and Wildlife Resources Commission Appointments Veto Override Passed - House (77 - 15)
March 27, 2025 KY SB 245 Authorizes Fish and Wildlife Resources Commission Appointments Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
March 27, 2025 KS HB 2028 Authorizes Reduced and Discounted Hunting and Fishing Licenses for Individuals 65 and Older Conference Report Adopted - House (65 - 59)
March 25, 2025 OR SB 777 Increases Compensation to Ranchers for Wolf Kills Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 1)
March 22, 2025 NM HB 113 Establishes the Animal Welfare Program and Trust Fund in New Mexico Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 1)
March 11, 2025 SC S 345 Prohibits the Hunting, Taking, or Attempt of Hunting or Taking of Turkey on Baited Area Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 0)
March 11, 2025 CO HB 25-1180 Prohibits Selling a Pet or Offering One for Adoption on the Side of the Road, in a Parking Lot, or at a Public Market Bill Passed - House (44 - 15)
March 10, 2025 MS SB 2280 Requires Both In-State and Out-of-State Hunters Purchase Turkey Hunting Stamps Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
March 6, 2025 MS SB 2280 Requires Both In-State and Out-of-State Hunters Purchase Turkey Hunting Stamps Bill Passed - House (100 - 13)
March 4, 2025 AZ HB 2552 Authorizes the Use of Dogs for Hunting Small Game, Predatory Animals, and Fur-Bearing Animals Bill Failed - House (30 - 28)
Feb. 27, 2025 SC H 3872 Prohibits the Department of Natural Resources From Making Decisions That Result in Any Net Loss of Available Land for Hunting Bill Passed - House (110 - 0)
Feb. 26, 2025 WY HB 275 Amends the Crime of and Penalty for Cruelty to Animals Concerning Wildlife Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 2)
Feb. 26, 2025 SD HB 1236 Extends the Safety Zone from 660 Feet to One-Quarter Mile Bill Failed - Senate (5 - 29)
Feb. 26, 2025 WY HB 211 Authorizes the Hunting of Wildlife from a Vehicle if the Wildlife does not Require a License or Permit to Take Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
Feb. 20, 2025 MO SB 105 Amends and Modifies Provisions Relating to Invasive Plants Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
Feb. 19, 2025 KS SB 89 Authorizes the Kansas Department of Agriculture to Assess a Participant Fee for Poultry Producers Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 2)
Feb. 19, 2025 SD HB 1236 Extends the Safety Zone from 660 Feet to One-Quarter Mile Bill Passed - House (51 - 19)
Feb. 18, 2025 WY HB 45 Repeals and Removes Otters from the List of Protected Animals for Hunting Purposes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 7)
Feb. 18, 2025 WY HB 45 Repeals and Removes Otters from the List of Protected Animals for Hunting Purposes Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
Feb. 18, 2025 ND HB 1470 Increases the Price for Hunting and Fishing Licenses Bill Passed - House (64 - 25)
Feb. 12, 2025 NV AB 171 Repeals a 2021 Law that Required All Eggs Sold in the State Come from Cageless Hens Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 0)
Feb. 11, 2025 WY HB 211 Authorizes the Hunting of Wildlife from a Vehicle if the Wildlife does not Require a License or Permit to Take Bill Passed - House (59 - 2)
Feb. 6, 2025 WY HB 275 Amends the Crime of and Penalty for Cruelty to Animals Concerning Wildlife Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
Feb. 5, 2025 PA HB 324 Authorizes Licensing of Poultry Technicians to be Done by the Secretary of Agriculture Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4)
Feb. 4, 2025 National HR 776 Nutria Eradication and Control Reauthorization Act Bill Passed - House (361 - 56)
Feb. 3, 2025 PA HB 324 Authorizes Licensing of Poultry Technicians to be Done by the Secretary of Agriculture Bill Passed - House (161 - 41)
Jan. 29, 2025 ND SB 2137 Authorizes Hunters to Bait Deer on Private Property Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15)
Jan. 28, 2025 MS HB 553 Establishes a State Stamp or Permit to Hunt Wild Turkeys Bill Passed - House (103 - 12)
Jan. 28, 2025 MS HB 816 Requires Mandatory Harvest Reporting of Deer Bill Passed - House (79 - 29)
Jan. 23, 2025 National HR 375 Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response Act Bill Passed - House (359 - 62)
Dec. 18, 2024 National HR 5009 Wildlife Innovation and Longevity Driver (WILD) Reauthorization Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (85 - 14)
Dec. 16, 2024 National HR 5009 Wildlife Innovation and Longevity Driver (WILD) Reauthorization Act Cloture Invoked - Senate (83 - 12)
Dec. 11, 2024 National HR 5009 Wildlife Innovation and Longevity Driver (WILD) Reauthorization Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (281 - 140)
Dec. 3, 2024 National S 3791 America's Conservation Enhancement Reauthorization Act of 2024 Bill Passed - House (366 - 21)
Nov. 13, 2024 PA HB 1210 Authorizes Animals to be Included in Protection from Abuse Orders Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 1)
Oct. 22, 2024 PA HB 1409 Expands the Fish and Boat Commission's Authority to Set License, Permit and Issuing Agent Fees Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 3)
Sept. 27, 2024 PA HB 1409 Expands the Fish and Boat Commission's Authority to Set License, Permit and Issuing Agent Fees Bill Passed - House (154 - 48)
Sept. 25, 2024 MI SB 817 Appropriates Funding for Outdoor Recreation from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Bill Passed - House (99 - 10)
July 3, 2024 PA SB 67 Repeals Provisions that Prohibited Hunting on Sundays Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
June 30, 2024 DE HB 124 Establishes Restrictions on Barking Dogs Concurrence Vote Passed - House (38 - 2)
June 27, 2024 DE HB 124 Establishes Restrictions on Barking Dogs Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
June 27, 2024 PA HB 2108 Amends Provisions of the Pennsylvania Game Commission Bill Passed - House (132 - 70)
June 27, 2024 PA HB 2106 Authorizes Hunting on Sundays Bill Passed - House (129 - 73)
June 27, 2024 PA HB 2107 Authorizes Hunting for Mitigation of Deer Population Damage Bill Passed - House (164 - 38)
June 26, 2024 DE HB 190 Amends Current Laws Regarding Spay-Neuter Fund Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
June 26, 2024 OH HB 599 Establishes Walleye as the Official State Fish Bill Passed - House (94 - 4)
June 18, 2024 DE HB 124 Establishes Restrictions on Barking Dogs Bill Passed - House (35 - 4)
June 13, 2024 RI H 7946 Extends the Deadline for Rhode Island to Require Cage-Free Chickens Farms by 4 Years Bill Passed - House (42 - 15)
June 13, 2024 RI H 7946 Extends the Deadline for Rhode Island to Require Cage-Free Chickens Farms by 4 Years Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
June 12, 2024 OH HB 503 Authorizes Wild Boar Hunting and Prohibits Public Feeding of Feral Pigs (Wild Boars) Bill Passed - House (90 - 0)
June 7, 2024 NY A 10140 Prohibits Removing Horseshoe Crabs for Commercial or Biomedical Purposes Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 7)
June 7, 2024 NY A 10140 Prohibits Removing Horseshoe Crabs for Commercial or Biomedical Purposes Bill Passed - House (102 - 39)
May 30, 2024 OK SB 1424 Exempts Poultry Producers from Civil Suits if They are Following State Approved Waste Disposal Plans Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 27)
May 29, 2024 OK SB 1424 Exempts Poultry Producers from Civil Suits if They are Following State Approved Waste Disposal Plans Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
May 17, 2024 MO SB 754 Amends Various Public Safety Policies Bill Passed - House (107 - 41)
May 15, 2024 AK HB 125 Amends Statutes Relating to Trapping Cabins and Highways Concurrence Vote Passed - House (39 - 1)
May 15, 2024 AK SB 189 Establishes a Big Game Guide Concession Area Permit Program on Land in the State Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 3)
May 15, 2024 AZ HB 2325 Prohibits Cities from Banning Backyard Chickens at a Single-Family Home Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 20)
May 15, 2024 AK SB 189 Establishes a Big Game Guide Concession Area Permit Program on Land in the State Bill Passed - House (33 - 7)
May 14, 2024 WI SB 139 Establishes a Statewide Wolf Population Goal Veto Override Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
May 11, 2024 AK SCR 10 Establishes a Joint Legislature Seafood Industry Task Force Bill Passed - House (39 - 1)
May 3, 2024 CO SB 24-171 Authorizes the Reintroduction of Wolverines Into the State Bill Passed - House (51 - 13)
May 1, 2024 HI HB 2619 Appropriates $20 Million to Establish Measures to Combat Invasive Species for Biosecurity Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 0)
May 1, 2024 AZ HB 2325 Prohibits Cities from Banning Backyard Chickens at a Single-Family Home Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
April 30, 2024 National HR 615 Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act of 2023 Bill Passed - House (214 - 201)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/09 HB 1470 Increases the Price for Hunting and Fishing Licenses Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 32)
4/08 S 3629 Prohibits the Use of Certain Animals in Traveling Animal Acts Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 10)
4/08 S 5014 Prohibits the Importation, Transportation, and Possession of Certain African Wildlife Species and Products Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 8)
4/08 S 3026 Prohibits Surgical Devocalization Procedures on Dogs and Cats Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 0)
4/08 S 252 Establishes an Exotic Animal Sale and Ownership Ban Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 6)
4/08 S 3158 Establishes Animal Fighting as a Criminal Act Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 1)
4/08 S 197 Establishes Tucker's Law and Authorizes Certain Sentencing for Aggravated Animal Cruelty Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 1)
4/08 S 364 Prohibits Insurance Policy Restrictions Based on Owning Specific Dog Breeds Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 1)
4/02 HB 1470 Increases the Price for Hunting and Fishing Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 3)
3/31 HB 2978 Establishes an Advisory Group under the Oregon Department of Transportation and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to Guide the Development of Critical Wildlife Crossings Bill Passed - House (53 - 3)
3/27 SB 245 Authorizes Fish and Wildlife Resources Commission Appointments Veto Override Passed - House (77 - 15)
3/27 SB 245 Authorizes Fish and Wildlife Resources Commission Appointments Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
3/27 HB 2028 Authorizes Reduced and Discounted Hunting and Fishing Licenses for Individuals 65 and Older Conference Report Adopted - House (65 - 59)
3/25 SB 777 Increases Compensation to Ranchers for Wolf Kills Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 1)
3/22 HB 113 Establishes the Animal Welfare Program and Trust Fund in New Mexico Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 1)
3/11 S 345 Prohibits the Hunting, Taking, or Attempt of Hunting or Taking of Turkey on Baited Area Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 0)
3/11 HB 25-1180 Prohibits Selling a Pet or Offering One for Adoption on the Side of the Road, in a Parking Lot, or at a Public Market Bill Passed - House (44 - 15)
3/10 SB 2280 Requires Both In-State and Out-of-State Hunters Purchase Turkey Hunting Stamps Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
3/06 SB 2280 Requires Both In-State and Out-of-State Hunters Purchase Turkey Hunting Stamps Bill Passed - House (100 - 13)
3/04 HB 2552 Authorizes the Use of Dogs for Hunting Small Game, Predatory Animals, and Fur-Bearing Animals Bill Failed - House (30 - 28)
2/27 H 3872 Prohibits the Department of Natural Resources From Making Decisions That Result in Any Net Loss of Available Land for Hunting Bill Passed - House (110 - 0)
2/26 HB 275 Amends the Crime of and Penalty for Cruelty to Animals Concerning Wildlife Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 2)
2/26 HB 1236 Extends the Safety Zone from 660 Feet to One-Quarter Mile Bill Failed - Senate (5 - 29)
2/26 HB 211 Authorizes the Hunting of Wildlife from a Vehicle if the Wildlife does not Require a License or Permit to Take Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
2/20 SB 105 Amends and Modifies Provisions Relating to Invasive Plants Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
2/19 SB 89 Authorizes the Kansas Department of Agriculture to Assess a Participant Fee for Poultry Producers Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 2)
2/19 HB 1236 Extends the Safety Zone from 660 Feet to One-Quarter Mile Bill Passed - House (51 - 19)
2/18 HB 45 Repeals and Removes Otters from the List of Protected Animals for Hunting Purposes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 7)
2/18 HB 45 Repeals and Removes Otters from the List of Protected Animals for Hunting Purposes Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
2/18 HB 1470 Increases the Price for Hunting and Fishing Licenses Bill Passed - House (64 - 25)
2/12 AB 171 Repeals a 2021 Law that Required All Eggs Sold in the State Come from Cageless Hens Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 0)
2/11 HB 211 Authorizes the Hunting of Wildlife from a Vehicle if the Wildlife does not Require a License or Permit to Take Bill Passed - House (59 - 2)
2/06 HB 275 Amends the Crime of and Penalty for Cruelty to Animals Concerning Wildlife Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
2/05 HB 324 Authorizes Licensing of Poultry Technicians to be Done by the Secretary of Agriculture Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4)
2/04 HR 776 Nutria Eradication and Control Reauthorization Act Bill Passed - House (361 - 56)
2/03 HB 324 Authorizes Licensing of Poultry Technicians to be Done by the Secretary of Agriculture Bill Passed - House (161 - 41)
1/29 SB 2137 Authorizes Hunters to Bait Deer on Private Property Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15)
1/28 HB 553 Establishes a State Stamp or Permit to Hunt Wild Turkeys Bill Passed - House (103 - 12)
1/28 HB 816 Requires Mandatory Harvest Reporting of Deer Bill Passed - House (79 - 29)
1/23 HR 375 Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response Act Bill Passed - House (359 - 62)
12/18 HR 5009 Wildlife Innovation and Longevity Driver (WILD) Reauthorization Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (85 - 14)
12/16 HR 5009 Wildlife Innovation and Longevity Driver (WILD) Reauthorization Act Cloture Invoked - Senate (83 - 12)
12/11 HR 5009 Wildlife Innovation and Longevity Driver (WILD) Reauthorization Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (281 - 140)
12/03 S 3791 America's Conservation Enhancement Reauthorization Act of 2024 Bill Passed - House (366 - 21)
11/13 HB 1210 Authorizes Animals to be Included in Protection from Abuse Orders Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 1)
10/22 HB 1409 Expands the Fish and Boat Commission's Authority to Set License, Permit and Issuing Agent Fees Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 3)
9/27 HB 1409 Expands the Fish and Boat Commission's Authority to Set License, Permit and Issuing Agent Fees Bill Passed - House (154 - 48)
9/25 SB 817 Appropriates Funding for Outdoor Recreation from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Bill Passed - House (99 - 10)
7/03 SB 67 Repeals Provisions that Prohibited Hunting on Sundays Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
6/30 HB 124 Establishes Restrictions on Barking Dogs Concurrence Vote Passed - House (38 - 2)
6/27 HB 124 Establishes Restrictions on Barking Dogs Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
6/27 HB 2108 Amends Provisions of the Pennsylvania Game Commission Bill Passed - House (132 - 70)
6/27 HB 2106 Authorizes Hunting on Sundays Bill Passed - House (129 - 73)
6/27 HB 2107 Authorizes Hunting for Mitigation of Deer Population Damage Bill Passed - House (164 - 38)
6/26 HB 190 Amends Current Laws Regarding Spay-Neuter Fund Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
6/26 HB 599 Establishes Walleye as the Official State Fish Bill Passed - House (94 - 4)
6/18 HB 124 Establishes Restrictions on Barking Dogs Bill Passed - House (35 - 4)
6/13 H 7946 Extends the Deadline for Rhode Island to Require Cage-Free Chickens Farms by 4 Years Bill Passed - House (42 - 15)
6/13 H 7946 Extends the Deadline for Rhode Island to Require Cage-Free Chickens Farms by 4 Years Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
6/12 HB 503 Authorizes Wild Boar Hunting and Prohibits Public Feeding of Feral Pigs (Wild Boars) Bill Passed - House (90 - 0)
6/07 A 10140 Prohibits Removing Horseshoe Crabs for Commercial or Biomedical Purposes Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 7)
6/07 A 10140 Prohibits Removing Horseshoe Crabs for Commercial or Biomedical Purposes Bill Passed - House (102 - 39)
5/30 SB 1424 Exempts Poultry Producers from Civil Suits if They are Following State Approved Waste Disposal Plans Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 27)
5/29 SB 1424 Exempts Poultry Producers from Civil Suits if They are Following State Approved Waste Disposal Plans Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
5/17 SB 754 Amends Various Public Safety Policies Bill Passed - House (107 - 41)
5/15 HB 125 Amends Statutes Relating to Trapping Cabins and Highways Concurrence Vote Passed - House (39 - 1)
5/15 SB 189 Establishes a Big Game Guide Concession Area Permit Program on Land in the State Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 3)
5/15 HB 2325 Prohibits Cities from Banning Backyard Chickens at a Single-Family Home Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 20)
5/15 SB 189 Establishes a Big Game Guide Concession Area Permit Program on Land in the State Bill Passed - House (33 - 7)
5/14 SB 139 Establishes a Statewide Wolf Population Goal Veto Override Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
5/11 SCR 10 Establishes a Joint Legislature Seafood Industry Task Force Bill Passed - House (39 - 1)
5/03 SB 24-171 Authorizes the Reintroduction of Wolverines Into the State Bill Passed - House (51 - 13)
5/01 HB 2619 Appropriates $20 Million to Establish Measures to Combat Invasive Species for Biosecurity Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 0)
5/01 HB 2325 Prohibits Cities from Banning Backyard Chickens at a Single-Family Home Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
4/30 HR 615 Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act of 2023 Bill Passed - House (214 - 201)

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