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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb. 10, 2021 | MT | HB 226 | Amends Alcohol Laws to Permit Curbside Pickup | Bill Passed - House (80 - 19) |
| Jan. 26, 2021 | NY | S 1042 | Extends Aid to Small Businesses and Restaurants | Bill Passed - House (130 - 20) |
| Sept. 22, 2020 | SC | S 1099 | Prohibits Manufactures of Alcoholic Beverages from Imposing Restrictions on Wholesaler's Conduct | Bill Passed - House (76 - 13) |
| Aug. 27, 2020 | NJ | S 2704 | Appropriates $30 Million to the EDA to Assist Food Establishments | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0) |
| June 25, 2020 | GA | SB 211 | Requires Clear Product Labeling on Plant-Based Meat Alternatives | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 8) |
| June 24, 2020 | MI | HB 5781 | Authorizes the Creation of Social Districts for Alcohol Consumption | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1) |
| June 17, 2020 | MS | HB 1087 | Rescinds the Prohibition on Alcohol Possession | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11) |
| June 10, 2020 | MI | SB 942 | Extends To-Go and Delivery Options to Cocktails | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 1) |
| June 10, 2020 | CO | SB 20-213 | Extends State Take-Out Regulations for Alcohol Sales | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 1) |
| May 31, 2020 | LA | SB 508 | Limits Liability of Restaurants During the COVID-19 Epidemic | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 0) |
| May 23, 2020 | IL | HB 2682 | Authorizes the Sale of To-Go Cocktails | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (104 - 6) |
| May 15, 2020 | OK | SB 1714 | Repeals Certain Regulations for Selling Homemade Food Items | Bill Passed - House (69 - 13) |
| May 14, 2020 | NJ | S 2437 | Limits Fees Charged to Restaurants by Third-Party Food Delivery Applications | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0) |
| March 16, 2020 | NJ | A 3865 | Limits Return Items to Retail Stores Under Certain Circumstances | Bill Passed - House (49 - 4) |
| March 11, 2020 | NH | HB 1410 | Prohibits Use of Flavors in Vaping Products | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (192 - 143) |
| Feb. 28, 2020 | National | HR 2339 | Protecting American Lungs and Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act | Bill Passed - House (213 - 195) |
| Jan. 16, 2020 | MA | H 4218 | Requires School Districts Offer Breakfast After Instruction Begins | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0) |
| Nov. 7, 2019 | MI | SB 174 | Extends Deadline for 100 Percent Cage-Free Eggs Requirement | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 3) |
| Nov. 6, 2019 | MI | SB 174 | Extends Deadline for 100 Percent Cage-Free Eggs Requirement | Bill Passed - House (74 - 36) |
| Oct. 24, 2019 | MI | SB 174 | Extends Deadline for 100 Percent Cage-Free Eggs Requirement | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
| June 27, 2019 | NJ | A 3726 | Requires Food Waste Recycling Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
| June 27, 2019 | DE | HB 79 | Requires Beverages Included in Kids' Meals to be Milk or Water | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6) |
| June 20, 2019 | DE | HB 79 | Requires Beverages Included in Kids' Meals to be Milk or Water | Bill Passed - House (28 - 11) |
| June 19, 2019 | NY | S 2000 | Establishes Regulations for PFAS Chemicals in Food Containers | Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 6) |
| June 4, 2019 | LA | SB 152 | Establishes Definitions for Meat and Beef | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 7) |
| June 3, 2019 | LA | SB 152 | Establishes Definitions for Meat and Beef | Bill Passed - House (62 - 29) |
| June 3, 2019 | ME | LD 351 | Requires Accuracy of Maine's Meat and Poultry Labeling | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (101 - 37) |
| May 21, 2019 | CA | SB 58 | Authorizes Bars to Remain Open Until 3 AM | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6) |
| April 1, 2019 | NY | A 558 | Increases Age for Tobacco Sale Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 9) |
| March 28, 2019 | MT | HB 327 | Amends Definitions for Ground Beef and Hamburger | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 21) |
| March 19, 2019 | NH | HB 558 | Prohibits Restaurant Use of Plastic Straws Unless Specifically Requested | Bill Passed - House (196 - 146) |
| March 13, 2019 | UT | SB 132 | Increases Alcohol Cap for Beer Sales | Bill Passed - House (61 - 14) |
| March 6, 2019 | NY | A 558 | Increases Age for Tobacco Sale Regulations | Bill Passed - House (120 - 26) |
| March 4, 2019 | AZ | HB 2604 | Prohibits Labeling of "Milk" or "Meat" if Product is not Animal Derived | Bill Failed - House (22 - 36) |
| Feb. 28, 2019 | UT | SB 58 | Establishes the "Kratom Consumer Protection Act" | Bill Passed - House (39 - 34) |
| Feb. 26, 2019 | UT | SB 132 | Increases Alcohol Cap for Beer Sales | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 2) |
| Feb. 13, 2019 | VA | HB 2748 | Increases Age for Tobacco Sale Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 32) |
| Feb. 12, 2019 | IN | HB 1444 | Authorizes the Taxation of Vaping Liquids | Bill Passed - House (53 - 40) |
| Feb. 7, 2019 | WV | HB 2481 | Expands Liquor Sales | Bill Passed - House (85 - 13) |
| Aug. 21, 2018 | CA | SB 1192 | Requires Beverages Included in Kids' Meals to be Milk or Water | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 9) |
| Aug. 16, 2018 | CA | SB 1192 | Requires Beverages Included in Kids' Meals to be Milk or Water | Bill Passed - House (46 - 26) |
| June 30, 2018 | DE | HB 165 | Authorizes Shipment of Wine from Out-of-State Sellers | Concurrence Vote Failed - House (19 - 21) |
| June 28, 2018 | CA | AB 1838 | Prohibits Local Grocery Taxes | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 2) |
| June 28, 2018 | MA | H 4479 | Increases Minimum Purchase Age for Tobacco Products | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3) |
| June 28, 2018 | CA | AB 1838 | Prohibits Local Grocery Taxes | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7) |
| June 27, 2018 | DE | HB 165 | Authorizes Shipment of Wine from Out-of-State Sellers | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10) |
| June 7, 2018 | DE | HB 165 | Authorizes Shipment of Wine from Out-of-State Sellers | Bill Passed - House (25 - 13) |
| May 31, 2018 | CA | SB 1138 | Requires Prisons to Provide Vegan Meal Options | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0) |
| May 30, 2018 | CA | SB 905 | Authorizes Alcohol Sales Until 4 AM | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
| May 17, 2018 | RI | H 7419 | Prohibits Advertising of Unhealthy Food and Beverages in Schools | Bill Passed - House (58 - 10) |
| 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) |