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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 9, 2018 | MA | H 4479 | Increases Minimum Purchase Age for Tobacco Products | Bill Passed - House (147 - 4) |
| May 2, 2018 | RI | S 2350 | Prohibits Advertising Unhealthy Food in Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1) |
| May 1, 2018 | KS | HB 2470 | Amends Alcoholic Beverage Laws | Conference Report Adopted - House (94 - 28) |
| April 19, 2018 | MO | HB 2155 | Authorizes State to Regulate Powdered Alcohol | Bill Passed - House (117 - 30) |
| Feb. 28, 2018 | MS | SB 2588 | Authorizes Localities to Designate Open Container Districts | Bill Passed - House (88 - 29) |
| Feb. 6, 2018 | National | HR 772 | Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (266 - 157) |
| Feb. 5, 2018 | MS | SB 2588 | Authorizes Localities to Designate Open Container Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 9) |
| Jan. 31, 2018 | MS | HB 415 | Amends Alcoholic Beverage Regulations | (86 - 26) |
| Oct. 12, 2017 | MI | HB 4999 | Prohibits Localities from Taxing Foods and Beverages | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5) |
| Sept. 5, 2017 | CA | AB 841 | Restricts Marketing of Unhealthy Foods in Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13) |
| April 26, 2017 | FL | SB 106 | Revises Provisions on the Sale of Alcoholic Beverages | Bill Passed - House (58 - 57) |
| April 11, 2017 | WA | HB 1493 | Regulates Commercial Use of Biometric Data | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12) |
| March 8, 2017 | UT | HB 442 | Amends Certain Restrictions Regarding the Sale of Alcohol | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 17) |
| March 2, 2017 | WA | HB 1493 | Regulates Commercial Use of Biometric Data | Bill Passed - House (81 - 17) |
| Feb. 27, 2017 | MT | HB 541 | Authorizes Small Breweries to Sell 60,000 Barrels of Beer per Year | Bill Passed - House (94 - 6) |
| Aug. 30, 2016 | CA | SB 1333 | Prohibits Smoking on State Beaches and Parks | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 10) |
| Aug. 25, 2016 | CA | SB 1333 | Prohibits Smoking on State Beaches and Parks | Bill Passed - House (50 - 26) |
| 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 26, 2016 | LA | HB 67 | Prohibits Minors from Possessing Alcohol on Private Property | Bill Failed - House (48 - 37) |
| 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) |
| March 31, 2016 | MO | HB 1786 | Prohibits Powdered Alcohol | Bill Passed - House (95 - 56) |
| March 30, 2016 | AK | SB 1 | Prohibits Smoking in Public | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5) |
| March 23, 2016 | MD | SB 1159 | Amends Baltimore Board of Liquor License Commissioners Appointment Regulations | Bill Passed - House (90 - 46) |
| March 10, 2016 | CA | SB 5 | Amends Regulations for E-Cigarettes | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
| March 10, 2016 | CA | SB 7 | Increases Smoking Age to 21 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 10) |
| March 7, 2016 | IN | HB 1386 | Authorizes Liquor Licenses for State Parks | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 30) |
| March 3, 2016 | CA | SB 7 | Increases Smoking Age to 21 | Bill Passed - House (49 - 25) |
| March 3, 2016 | CA | SB 5 | Amends Regulations for E-Cigarettes | Bill Passed - House (52 - 21) |
| 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. 26, 2016 | ID | H 331 | Prohibits Powdered Alcohol | Bill Passed - House (42 - 24) |
| Feb. 12, 2016 | National | HR 2017 | Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (266 - 144) |
| Feb. 2, 2016 | IN | HB 1247 | Establishes State Park Liquor Permit | Bill Passed - House (58 - 38) |
| Jan. 14, 2016 | KY | SB 200 | Amends Alcohol Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8) |
| Aug. 27, 2015 | CA | SB 5 | Amends Regulations for E-Cigarettes | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
| Aug. 27, 2015 | CA | SB 7 | Increases Smoking Age to 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| July 23, 2015 | National | HR 1599 | Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (275 - 150) |
| June 10, 2015 | National | HR 2393 | Country of Origin Labeling Amendments Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (300 - 131) |
| 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 14, 2015 | CT | HB 6283 | Prohibits E-Cigarettes in Public Spaces | Bill Passed - House (99 - 46) |
| May 13, 2015 | WI | AB 177 | Limits Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Purchases | Bill Passed - House (60 - 35) |
| 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 15, 2015 | OK | SB 383 | Amends State Liquor Laws | Bill Passed - House (68 - 21) |
| April 14, 2015 | HI | SB 1030 | Prohibits Sale of Tobacco Products to Individuals Under 21 | Bill Passed - House (45 - 7) |
| April 7, 2015 | IN | HB 1432 | Establishes E-Liquid Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 15) |
| April 6, 2015 | ND | HB 1434 | Authorizes Alcohol Sales on Sunday Mornings | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 39) |
| March 25, 2015 | MT | HB 245 | Authorizes the Sale of Raw Milk | Bill Passed - House (61 - 38) |
| March 20, 2015 | ND | HB 1434 | Authorizes Alcohol Sales on Sunday Mornings | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18) |
| March 19, 2015 | NM | SB 503 | Authorizes Beer and Wine Delivery Licenses | Bill Passed - House (48 - 18) |
| 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 13, 2015 | GA | HB 535 | Expands Sunday Sales Times for Alcohol | Bill Passed - House (121 - 47) |
| March 12, 2015 | UT | HB 48 | Prohibits Powdered Alcohol | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4) |
| March 11, 2015 | GA | SB 103 | Authorizes the Sale of Alcoholic Beverages 1 Sunday Each Year | Bill Passed - House (144 - 21) |
| March 10, 2015 | HI | SB 1030 | Prohibits Sale of Tobacco Products to Individuals Under 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 5) |
| March 5, 2015 | UT | HB 104 | Authorizes Cow-Share Programs | Bill Passed - House (61 - 11) |
| 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) |
| 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. 20, 2015 | WV | SB 30 | Authorizes the Consumption of Raw Milk | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16) |
| 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. 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. 13, 2014 | NJ | A 2811 | Prohibits Higher Education Institutions from Requiring Meal Plans for Students | Bill Passed - House (54 - 16) |
| Oct. 15, 2014 | PA | HB 1750 | Prohibits Pigeon Shoots | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 12) |
| 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 11, 2014 | AK | HB 309 | Authorizes Distilleries to Sell Alcohol Directly to Individuals | Bill Passed - House (29 - 5) |
| April 9, 2014 | LA | HB 72 | Authorizes the Concealed Carry of Weapons in Restaurants That Serve Alcohol | Bill Passed - House (79 - 19) |
| 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. 25, 2014 | IN | SB 339 | Authorizes the Sale of Alcohol at the Indiana State Fair | Bill Passed - House (75 - 20) |
| Feb. 20, 2014 | TN | SB 837 | Authorizes the Sale of Wine in Grocery Stores | Bill Passed - House (71 - 15) |
| Feb. 18, 2014 | GA | HB 875 | Authorizes Individuals to Carry Weapons in Previously Prohibited Locations | Bill Passed - House (119 - 56) |
| Feb. 18, 2014 | NM | SB 347 | Appropriates Funds to the Lottery Tuition Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 11) |
| 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. 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) |
| Jan. 30, 2014 | TN | SB 837 | Authorizes the Sale of Wine in Grocery Stores | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8) |
| Jan. 30, 2014 | IN | SB 339 | Authorizes the Sale of Alcohol at the Indiana State Fair | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13) |
| 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) |
| June 20, 2013 | National | HR 1947 | Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 | Bill Failed - House (195 - 234) |