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 15, 2013 IN SB 487 Establishes Regulations for Hunting Preserves Bill Passed - House (52 - 39)
March 26, 2013 OK HB 1999 Authorizes the Slaughter of Horses Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14)
March 21, 2013 MT HB 247 Authorizes Salvage of Game Killed By Vehicles Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20)
March 19, 2013 PA SB 644 Amends the Definition of "Wild Animal" Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
March 12, 2013 MI SB 48 Authorizes Businesses to Allow Contact Between Customers and Small Bears Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
March 8, 2013 WA SB 5187 Authorizes Livestock Owners to Dispatch Gray Wolves Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 23)
March 7, 2013 MI SB 48 Authorizes Businesses to Allow Contact Between Customers and Small Bears Bill Passed - House (56 - 52)
Feb. 27, 2013 WY HB 41 Reduces Limitations on Hunting Bison Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 11)
Feb. 26, 2013 WY HB 41 Reduces Limitations on Hunting Bison Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
Feb. 26, 2013 NM HB 316 Prohibits Animal Killing Contests Bill Failed - House (30 - 38)
Feb. 25, 2013 MT HB 396 Requires County Board Approval for Bison Relocation Bill Passed - House (61 - 37)
Feb. 22, 2013 MT HB 205 Authorizes Use of Suppressors for Hunting Bill Passed - House (61 - 37)
Feb. 20, 2013 OK HB 1999 Authorizes the Slaughter of Horses Bill Passed - House (82 - 14)
Feb. 18, 2013 NM HB 63 Prohibits Breed-Specific Dog Regulations Bill Passed - House (48 - 14)
Feb. 18, 2013 NM SB 73 Amends Game and Fish License Suspension Periods Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
Feb. 14, 2013 MI SB 48 Authorizes Businesses to Allow Contact Between Customers and Small Bears Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
Feb. 13, 2013 WY SF 132 Authorizes the Use of Silencers While Hunting Bill Passed - House (44 - 14)
Feb. 13, 2013 NC HB 66 Authorizes the Use and Display of Wild Animals in Cultural Activities Bill Passed - House (98 - 20)
Feb. 11, 2013 IN SJR 7 Guarantees Right to Hunt and Fish Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
Feb. 6, 2013 MT HB 27 Authorizes the Use of Silencers While Hunting Bill Passed - House (63 - 33)
Jan. 28, 2013 WY SF 132 Authorizes the Use of Silencers While Hunting Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
Aug. 27, 2012 CA SB 1221 Prohibits the Use of Dogs to Hunt Bears or Bobcats Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
Aug. 22, 2012 CA SB 1221 Prohibits the Use of Dogs to Hunt Bears or Bobcats Bill Passed - House (46 - 30)
May 24, 2012 National S Amdt 2108 Prohibits FDA Approval of Genetically Engineered Fish Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 50)
May 21, 2012 CA SB 1221 Prohibits the Use of Dogs to Hunt Bears or Bobcats Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
April 28, 2012 MN HF 2171 Increases Hunting and Fishing Fees Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 28)
April 28, 2012 MN HF 2171 Increases Hunting and Fishing Fees Conference Report Adopted - House (68 - 62)
April 11, 2012 AZ HB 2780 Exempts Ranch Dogs from Animal Cruelty Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 15)
April 5, 2012 AZ HB 2780 Exempts Ranch Dogs from Animal Cruelty Laws Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
March 28, 2012 ID S 1256 Authorizes the Auction of Big-Game Tags Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
March 26, 2012 ID H 542 Prohibits the State from Limiting the Use of Motorized Vehicles on Public Land Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 20)
March 22, 2012 ID S 1256 Authorizes the Auction of Big-Game Tags Bill Passed - House (38 - 29)
March 15, 2012 ID H 542 Prohibits the State from Limiting the Use of Motorized Vehicles on Public Land Bill Passed - House (48 - 21)
March 5, 2012 GA HB 717 Penalties for Owners of Dogs Involved in a Second Assault Bill Failed - House (82 - 73)
Feb. 29, 2012 National HR 1837 Water Resources in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley Bill Passed - House (246 - 175)
Feb. 24, 2012 ID S 1256 Authorizes the Auction of Big-Game Tags Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
Feb. 7, 2012 OR SB 1510 Establishes Marine Reserves Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
Sept. 6, 2011 CA AB 376 Prohibiting the Sale of Shark Fins Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
July 27, 2011 National H Amdt 735 Repeals Laws that Limited Funding for the Endangered Species Act Amendment Adopted - House (224 - 202)
June 23, 2011 DE SB 129 Removes Protected Wildlife Designation from Coyotes Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 7)
April 20, 2011 OR HB 2337 Cougar Hunting Zones Bill Passed - House (45 - 14)
April 20, 2011 WA SB 5622 Recreation Access on State Lands Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
April 14, 2011 AL HB 126 Extending Forever Wild Land Trust Bill Passed - House (69 - 24)
April 13, 2011 MO SB 113 Regulating Animal Care Facilities Bill Passed - House (85 - 71)
March 23, 2011 IA SF 464 Establishment of an Open Season for Hunting Mourning Doves Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
March 22, 2011 IA SF 464 Establishment of an Open Season for Hunting Mourning Doves Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
March 10, 2011 MO SB 113 Regulating Animal Care Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
Jan. 27, 2011 WY SF 100 Cruelty to Animals Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
Jan. 19, 2011 MT SB 112 Authorizes the Use of Hand-Thrown Spears Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
June 20, 2010 LA SB 381 Establishing "Crime Against Nature by Solicitation" Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
June 18, 2010 LA SB 381 Establishing "Crime Against Nature by Solicitation" Bill Passed - House (80 - 10)
June 1, 2010 CA AB 2411 Pet Insurance Guidelines Bill Passed - House (52 - 22)
May 26, 2010 LA SB 38 Criminalization of Participation in Cockfighting Bill Passed - House (73 - 13)
May 11, 2010 CO HB 1238 Increasing Fines for Moving Traffic Violations in Wildlife Crossing Zones Concurrence Vote Passed - House (34 - 29)
May 10, 2010 CO HB 1238 Increasing Fines for Moving Traffic Violations in Wildlife Crossing Zones Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
May 10, 2010 LA HB 219 Illegal Dog Restraining Bill Failed - House (46 - 40)
May 4, 2010 CT HB 5423 Classroom Experiments and Dissections on Animals Bill Passed - House (81 - 67)
April 29, 2010 AZ SB 1307 Treatment of Human Embryos Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
April 28, 2010 AZ SB 1307 Treatment of Human Embryos Bill Passed - House (35 - 24)
April 28, 2010 CT SB 168 Workers Compensation Benefits for Police Officers Facing Injury From Interaction with Mammal Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
April 28, 2010 LA SB 38 Criminalization of Participation in Cockfighting Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
April 27, 2010 HI HB 2583 Shark Feeding Penalty Increase Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 2)
April 20, 2010 LA SB 368 Notification Requirements for Iguana Sales Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
April 5, 2010 CA AB 1656 Requiring Fur Product Labeling Bill Passed - House (59 - 11)
April 1, 2010 MO HB 1747 Authorizing Horse Slaughterhouses Bill Passed - House (91 - 61)
March 4, 2010 SD Cooper Nomination John L. Cooper, Game, Fish and Parks Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (22 - 12)
March 1, 2010 OK HB 2745 Pet Sales Licensing Process Bill Passed - House (63 - 30)
Feb. 17, 2010 IA Amdt 8145 Animal Facility Regulations Amendment Rejected - House (42 - 53)
Feb. 17, 2010 IA Amdt 8140 Animal Abuse and Neglect Penalties Amendment Rejected - House (44 - 52)
Feb. 11, 2010 AZ SB 1125 Statewide Prohibition of Roadside Animal Sales Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
Feb. 2, 2010 UT SB 36 Requesting Removal of Wolves From Endangered Species List Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
July 13, 2009 CA SB 670 Ban on Suction and Dredge Mining Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
June 25, 2009 NJ A2653 Fur Labeling Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 27)
June 22, 2009 OR SB 76 Klamath River Dams Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
June 12, 2009 OR SB 76 Klamath River Dams Bill Passed - House (34 - 24)
June 2, 2009 CA SB 250 Requiring Spaying and Neutering of Dogs and Cats Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
April 22, 2009 OK HB 1332 Increased Regulation of Pet Breeders Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
April 7, 2009 ID H 138 Allowing Lawsuits for Nonnative Species Attacks Bill Passed - House (46 - 24)
March 25, 2009 National HR 146 Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (285 - 140)
March 20, 2009 MT HB 418 Amendments Regarding Horse Slaughterhouses Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
March 19, 2009 National HR 146 Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 Bill Passed - Senate (77 - 20)
March 11, 2009 National S 22 Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 Bill Failed - House (282 - 144)
March 4, 2009 OK HB 1332 Increased Regulation of Pet Breeders Bill Passed - House (74 - 26)
March 3, 2009 UT HB 187 Restricting Access to Public Waters on Private Property Bill Failed - House (34 - 41)
Feb. 27, 2009 NE LB 5 Trapping In Rights-of-Way Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
Feb. 25, 2009 MT HB 418 Amendments Regarding Horse Slaughterhouses Bill Passed - House (66 - 33)
Feb. 11, 2009 WY HB 32 Gray Wolf Management Plan Amendments Bill Failed - House (7 - 52)
Feb. 2, 2009 SD HB 1004 Legalizing the Killing of Threatening Mountain Lions Bill Passed - House (37 - 32)
Jan. 20, 2009 MT HB 62 Mandatory Trapper Education Course Bill Passed - House (51 - 48)
Jan. 15, 2009 National S 22 Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 Bill Passed - Senate (73 - 21)
Aug. 20, 2008 CA AB 2233 Ban on Holding Pets While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
July 7, 2008 CA AB 2949 Retrieving Abandoned Pets Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
June 16, 2008 AZ HB 2485 Public Sale of Animals Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 12)
May 5, 2008 CA AB 2233 Ban on Holding Pets While Driving Bill Passed - House (44 - 20)
March 31, 2008 MS HB 1089 Legalizing Deer Baiting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 51)
March 26, 2008 AK HB 256 Relaxing Predator Control Standards Bill Passed - House (25 - 12)
March 20, 2008 KS HB 2936 Capital Improvements Funding Bill Passed - House (87 - 35)
March 19, 2008 MS HB 1089 Legalizing Deer Baiting Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24)
March 5, 2008 WV SB 373 Reclassification of Streams Bill Passed - House (67 - 32)
March 4, 2008 UT SB 297 Increasing Penalties for Animal Cruelty Bill Passed - House (62 - 6)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/15 SB 487 Establishes Regulations for Hunting Preserves Bill Passed - House (52 - 39)
3/26 HB 1999 Authorizes the Slaughter of Horses Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14)
3/21 HB 247 Authorizes Salvage of Game Killed By Vehicles Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20)
3/19 SB 644 Amends the Definition of "Wild Animal" Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
3/12 SB 48 Authorizes Businesses to Allow Contact Between Customers and Small Bears Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
3/08 SB 5187 Authorizes Livestock Owners to Dispatch Gray Wolves Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 23)
3/07 SB 48 Authorizes Businesses to Allow Contact Between Customers and Small Bears Bill Passed - House (56 - 52)
2/27 HB 41 Reduces Limitations on Hunting Bison Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 11)
2/26 HB 41 Reduces Limitations on Hunting Bison Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
2/26 HB 316 Prohibits Animal Killing Contests Bill Failed - House (30 - 38)
2/25 HB 396 Requires County Board Approval for Bison Relocation Bill Passed - House (61 - 37)
2/22 HB 205 Authorizes Use of Suppressors for Hunting Bill Passed - House (61 - 37)
2/20 HB 1999 Authorizes the Slaughter of Horses Bill Passed - House (82 - 14)
2/18 HB 63 Prohibits Breed-Specific Dog Regulations Bill Passed - House (48 - 14)
2/18 SB 73 Amends Game and Fish License Suspension Periods Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
2/14 SB 48 Authorizes Businesses to Allow Contact Between Customers and Small Bears Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
2/13 SF 132 Authorizes the Use of Silencers While Hunting Bill Passed - House (44 - 14)
2/13 HB 66 Authorizes the Use and Display of Wild Animals in Cultural Activities Bill Passed - House (98 - 20)
2/11 SJR 7 Guarantees Right to Hunt and Fish Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
2/06 HB 27 Authorizes the Use of Silencers While Hunting Bill Passed - House (63 - 33)
1/28 SF 132 Authorizes the Use of Silencers While Hunting Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
8/27 SB 1221 Prohibits the Use of Dogs to Hunt Bears or Bobcats Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
8/22 SB 1221 Prohibits the Use of Dogs to Hunt Bears or Bobcats Bill Passed - House (46 - 30)
5/24 S Amdt 2108 Prohibits FDA Approval of Genetically Engineered Fish Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 50)
5/21 SB 1221 Prohibits the Use of Dogs to Hunt Bears or Bobcats Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
4/28 HF 2171 Increases Hunting and Fishing Fees Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 28)
4/28 HF 2171 Increases Hunting and Fishing Fees Conference Report Adopted - House (68 - 62)
4/11 HB 2780 Exempts Ranch Dogs from Animal Cruelty Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 15)
4/05 HB 2780 Exempts Ranch Dogs from Animal Cruelty Laws Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
3/28 S 1256 Authorizes the Auction of Big-Game Tags Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
3/26 H 542 Prohibits the State from Limiting the Use of Motorized Vehicles on Public Land Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 20)
3/22 S 1256 Authorizes the Auction of Big-Game Tags Bill Passed - House (38 - 29)
3/15 H 542 Prohibits the State from Limiting the Use of Motorized Vehicles on Public Land Bill Passed - House (48 - 21)
3/05 HB 717 Penalties for Owners of Dogs Involved in a Second Assault Bill Failed - House (82 - 73)
2/29 HR 1837 Water Resources in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley Bill Passed - House (246 - 175)
2/24 S 1256 Authorizes the Auction of Big-Game Tags Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
2/07 SB 1510 Establishes Marine Reserves Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
9/06 AB 376 Prohibiting the Sale of Shark Fins Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
7/27 H Amdt 735 Repeals Laws that Limited Funding for the Endangered Species Act Amendment Adopted - House (224 - 202)
6/23 SB 129 Removes Protected Wildlife Designation from Coyotes Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 7)
4/20 HB 2337 Cougar Hunting Zones Bill Passed - House (45 - 14)
4/20 SB 5622 Recreation Access on State Lands Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
4/14 HB 126 Extending Forever Wild Land Trust Bill Passed - House (69 - 24)
4/13 SB 113 Regulating Animal Care Facilities Bill Passed - House (85 - 71)
3/23 SF 464 Establishment of an Open Season for Hunting Mourning Doves Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
3/22 SF 464 Establishment of an Open Season for Hunting Mourning Doves Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
3/10 SB 113 Regulating Animal Care Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
1/27 SF 100 Cruelty to Animals Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
1/19 SB 112 Authorizes the Use of Hand-Thrown Spears Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
6/20 SB 381 Establishing "Crime Against Nature by Solicitation" Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
6/18 SB 381 Establishing "Crime Against Nature by Solicitation" Bill Passed - House (80 - 10)
6/01 AB 2411 Pet Insurance Guidelines Bill Passed - House (52 - 22)
5/26 SB 38 Criminalization of Participation in Cockfighting Bill Passed - House (73 - 13)
5/11 HB 1238 Increasing Fines for Moving Traffic Violations in Wildlife Crossing Zones Concurrence Vote Passed - House (34 - 29)
5/10 HB 1238 Increasing Fines for Moving Traffic Violations in Wildlife Crossing Zones Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
5/10 HB 219 Illegal Dog Restraining Bill Failed - House (46 - 40)
5/04 HB 5423 Classroom Experiments and Dissections on Animals Bill Passed - House (81 - 67)
4/29 SB 1307 Treatment of Human Embryos Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
4/28 SB 1307 Treatment of Human Embryos Bill Passed - House (35 - 24)
4/28 SB 168 Workers Compensation Benefits for Police Officers Facing Injury From Interaction with Mammal Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
4/28 SB 38 Criminalization of Participation in Cockfighting Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
4/27 HB 2583 Shark Feeding Penalty Increase Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 2)
4/20 SB 368 Notification Requirements for Iguana Sales Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
4/05 AB 1656 Requiring Fur Product Labeling Bill Passed - House (59 - 11)
4/01 HB 1747 Authorizing Horse Slaughterhouses Bill Passed - House (91 - 61)
3/04 Cooper Nomination John L. Cooper, Game, Fish and Parks Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (22 - 12)
3/01 HB 2745 Pet Sales Licensing Process Bill Passed - House (63 - 30)
2/17 Amdt 8145 Animal Facility Regulations Amendment Rejected - House (42 - 53)
2/17 Amdt 8140 Animal Abuse and Neglect Penalties Amendment Rejected - House (44 - 52)
2/11 SB 1125 Statewide Prohibition of Roadside Animal Sales Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
2/02 SB 36 Requesting Removal of Wolves From Endangered Species List Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
7/13 SB 670 Ban on Suction and Dredge Mining Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
6/25 A2653 Fur Labeling Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 27)
6/22 SB 76 Klamath River Dams Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
6/12 SB 76 Klamath River Dams Bill Passed - House (34 - 24)
6/02 SB 250 Requiring Spaying and Neutering of Dogs and Cats Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
4/22 HB 1332 Increased Regulation of Pet Breeders Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
4/07 H 138 Allowing Lawsuits for Nonnative Species Attacks Bill Passed - House (46 - 24)
3/25 HR 146 Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (285 - 140)
3/20 HB 418 Amendments Regarding Horse Slaughterhouses Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
3/19 HR 146 Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 Bill Passed - Senate (77 - 20)
3/11 S 22 Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 Bill Failed - House (282 - 144)
3/04 HB 1332 Increased Regulation of Pet Breeders Bill Passed - House (74 - 26)
3/03 HB 187 Restricting Access to Public Waters on Private Property Bill Failed - House (34 - 41)
2/27 LB 5 Trapping In Rights-of-Way Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
2/25 HB 418 Amendments Regarding Horse Slaughterhouses Bill Passed - House (66 - 33)
2/11 HB 32 Gray Wolf Management Plan Amendments Bill Failed - House (7 - 52)
2/02 HB 1004 Legalizing the Killing of Threatening Mountain Lions Bill Passed - House (37 - 32)
1/20 HB 62 Mandatory Trapper Education Course Bill Passed - House (51 - 48)
1/15 S 22 Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 Bill Passed - Senate (73 - 21)
8/20 AB 2233 Ban on Holding Pets While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
7/07 AB 2949 Retrieving Abandoned Pets Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
6/16 HB 2485 Public Sale of Animals Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 12)
5/05 AB 2233 Ban on Holding Pets While Driving Bill Passed - House (44 - 20)
3/31 HB 1089 Legalizing Deer Baiting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 51)
3/26 HB 256 Relaxing Predator Control Standards Bill Passed - House (25 - 12)
3/20 HB 2936 Capital Improvements Funding Bill Passed - House (87 - 35)
3/19 HB 1089 Legalizing Deer Baiting Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24)
3/05 SB 373 Reclassification of Streams Bill Passed - House (67 - 32)
3/04 SB 297 Increasing Penalties for Animal Cruelty Bill Passed - House (62 - 6)

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