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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Jan. 30, 2012 | MN | Anderson Nomination | Confirmation of Ellen Anderson as Public Utilities Commissioner | Motion Rejected - Senate (29 - 37) |
March 9, 2006 | WI | ASA 3 | Ethanol Bill | Motion Agreed - Senate (17 - 15) |
March 9, 2006 | WI | ASA 3 | Ethanol Bill | Motion Agreed - Senate (17 - 15) |
March 9, 2006 | WI | ASA 3 | Ethanol Bill | Motion Agreed - Senate (17 - 15) |
June 8, 2006 | AK | CCS SB 2001 | Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 6) |
June 8, 2006 | AK | CCS SB 2001 | Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 6) |
May 11, 2006 | MO | CCS SCS HCS HB 1270 | Missouri Renewable Fuel Standard Act | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 4) |
Feb. 28, 2007 | WV | Com Sub for Com Sub SB 337 | Greenhouse Gas Inventory | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6) |
March 4, 2010 | SD | Cooper Nomination | John L. Cooper, Game, Fish and Parks Commission | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (22 - 12) |
March 4, 2010 | SD | Cooper Nomination | John L. Cooper, Game, Fish and Parks Commission | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (22 - 12) |
May 22, 2006 | AK | CSSB 2001 | Oil and Gas Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 4) |
May 22, 2006 | AK | CSSB 2001 | Oil and Gas Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 4) |
Jan. 24, 2008 | CO | GN Baker | Matt Baker to the Public Utilities Commission | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (21 - 13) |
Jan. 24, 2008 | CO | GN Baker | Matt Baker to the Public Utilities Commission | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (21 - 13) |
May 9, 2023 | VT | H 126 | Establishes New Protections Concerning Biodiversity | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7) |
May 10, 2023 | VT | H 158 | Expands the 5-Cent Refund to Water and Sports Drink Bottles and Authorizes a 15-Cent Deposit on Wine Bottles | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11) |
March 30, 2023 | ID | H 173 | Prohibits Foreign Governments from Buying Agricultural Land in Idaho | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9) |
March 22, 2017 | ID | H 274 | Establishes the Office of Administrator of Invasive Species Policy | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3) |
March 22, 2017 | ID | H 274 | Establishes the Office of Administrator of Invasive Species Policy | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3) |
June 17, 2024 | VT | H 289 | Establishes a Renewable Energy Standard | Veto Override Failed - Senate (21 - 8) |
June 17, 2024 | VT | H 289 | Establishes a Renewable Energy Standard | Veto Override Failed - Senate (21 - 8) |
May 1, 2009 | VT | H 436 | Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Fund Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 4) |
May 5, 2009 | VT | H 446 | Renewable Energy Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 10) |
May 5, 2009 | VT | H 446 | Renewable Energy Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 10) |
April 14, 2022 | MA | H 4524 | Expands Commonwealth Involvement in Offshore Wind, Clean Energy Industries | (37 - 3) |
Sept. 15, 2020 | SC | H 4831 | Prohibits the Release of Non-Native Species Into the Wild | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0) |
July 30, 2018 | MA | H 4835 | Authorizes Funds for Climate Change Adaptation and Environmental Protection | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 0) |
May 12, 2010 | VT | H 485 | Property Tax and Land Use Law Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 9) |
July 31, 2018 | MA | H 4857 | Increases State Clean Energy Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0) |
July 21, 2022 | MA | H 5060 | Establishes Various New Programs and Laws to Promote Growth in the Clean Energy Industry | (38 - 2) |
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 20, 2006 | ID | H 544 | Irrigation Voting Procedure | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14) |
March 20, 2006 | ID | H 544 | Irrigation Voting Procedure | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14) |
April 6, 2021 | RI | H 5445 | Establishes an Updated Outline of State Climate Goals | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9) |
Oct. 4, 2017 | NC | H 56 | Transfers Funds for Cape Fear River Cleanup | Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 9) |
March 17, 2008 | ID | H 561 | Tax Exemptions for the Processing of Fuel for Energy Production | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7) |
March 17, 2008 | ID | H 561 | Tax Exemptions for the Processing of Fuel for Energy Production | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7) |
March 17, 2008 | ID | H 562 | Tax Exemption for New Capital Investments | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
March 17, 2008 | ID | H 562 | Tax Exemption for New Capital Investments | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
Sept. 22, 2020 | VT | H 688 | Establishes the Global Warming Solutions Act | Veto Override Passed - Senate (22 - 8) |
June 26, 2020 | VT | H 688 | Establishes the Global Warming Solutions Act | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5) |
June 17, 2024 | VT | H 706 | Prohibits the Use of Neonicotinoid Pesticides | Veto Override Failed - Senate (20 - 9) |
June 17, 2024 | VT | H 706 | Prohibits the Use of Neonicotinoid Pesticides | Veto Override Failed - Senate (20 - 9) |
June 13, 2024 | RI | H 7060 | Requires 296-Acres in the Sapowet Marsh Management Area in Tiverton, Rhode Island be Designated for Outdoor Recreation | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 5) |
April 28, 2022 | VT | H 715 | Establishes Clean Heat Standard for Buildings | (23 - 7) |
April 28, 2022 | VT | H 715 | Establishes Clean Heat Standard for Buildings | (23 - 7) |
March 23, 2022 | ID | H 720 | Prohibits Non-Human Entities From Being Granted Personhood | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5) |
March 23, 2022 | ID | H 720 | Prohibits Non-Human Entities From Being Granted Personhood | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5) |
June 21, 2022 | RI | H 7277 | Establishes Renewable Energy Targets and Standards | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 4) |
June 21, 2022 | RI | H 7277 | Establishes Renewable Energy Targets and Standards | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 4) |
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) |
March 30, 2006 | ID | H 800 | Water Rights | Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 21) |
March 30, 2006 | ID | H 800 | Water Rights | Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 21) |
Nov. 19, 2007 | MD | HB 1 | 2007-2008 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13) |
Nov. 19, 2007 | MD | HB 1 | 2007-2008 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13) |
March 5, 2010 | CO | HB 1001 | Increases Renewable Energy Standards | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
May 6, 2011 | CO | HB 1005 | Repeals Taxes on Agricultural Products | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5) |
Feb. 26, 2010 | WY | HB 101 | Wind-Generated Electricity Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 1) |
April 3, 2007 | WA | HB 1024 | Prohibition of PBDEs | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 8) |
March 6, 2008 | CO | HB 1025 | Governor's Energy Office | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13) |
March 6, 2008 | CO | HB 1025 | Governor's Energy Office | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13) |
June 2, 2022 | LA | HB 1031 | Requires Annual Electric Vehicle Use Fee | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 1) |
Feb. 12, 2024 | SD | HB 1043 | Establishes a Lithium Mining Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6) |
March 10, 2022 | WY | HB 105 | Reduces State Coal Severance Tax by 0.5 Percent | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4) |
Feb. 27, 2008 | CO | HB 1069 | Prohibiting Motor Vehicles on Public Lands | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8) |
May 2, 2023 | HI | HB 1088 | Amends the Commission on Water Resource Management of the Department of Land and Natural Resources Ability to Declare an Emergency Water Shortages | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 4) |
March 19, 2008 | MS | HB 1089 | Legalizing Deer Baiting | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24) |
March 8, 2006 | MS | HB 1089 | Wildlife Feeding Regulation | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 12) |
March 8, 2006 | MS | HB 1089 | Wildlife Feeding Regulation | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 12) |
Feb. 24, 2023 | SD | HB 1090 | Authorizes Protections for Farmers and Agricultural Operations from Frivolous Lawsuits | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8) |
May 21, 2014 | LA | HB 1091 | Prohibits the Transportation of Dogs in the Bed of a Pickup Truck on Interstates | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7) |
March 10, 2022 | WA | HB 1099 | Expands Policies Regarding Climate Change | (28 - 21) |
March 10, 2022 | WA | HB 1099 | Expands Policies Regarding Climate Change | (28 - 21) |
Feb. 20, 2024 | UT | HB 11 | Limits the Use of "Nonfunctional" Grass in the Construction of New Government Buildings | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 2) |
Feb. 2, 2017 | MD | HB 1106 | Increases Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards | Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 13) |
May 15, 2017 | AK | HB 111 | Restructures Oil Tax and Credit System | Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5) |
May 2, 2008 | CO | HB 1161 | Mining Regulation | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2) |
May 2, 2008 | CO | HB 1161 | Mining Regulation | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2) |
April 5, 2014 | MD | HB 1168 | Prohibits the Construction of a Wind-Powered Generating Station | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16) |
March 26, 2024 | GA | HB 1172 | Amends State Laws on Waterway Usage for Boating, Fishing and Hunting | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 18) |
March 6, 2024 | SD | HB 1186 | Prohibits Carbon Dioxide Pipeline Easement Agreements from Exceeding 50 Years | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 10) |
March 6, 2024 | SD | HB 1186 | Prohibits Carbon Dioxide Pipeline Easement Agreements from Exceeding 50 Years | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 10) |
March 4, 2024 | SD | HB 1186 | Prohibits Carbon Dioxide Pipeline Easement Agreements from Exceeding 50 Years | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
March 4, 2024 | SD | HB 1186 | Prohibits Carbon Dioxide Pipeline Easement Agreements from Exceeding 50 Years | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
Feb. 27, 2020 | VA | HB 119 | Requires Milk be Defined as the Lacteal Secretion Obtained by the Complete Milking of a Hooved Animal | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
Feb. 27, 2020 | VA | HB 119 | Requires Milk be Defined as the Lacteal Secretion Obtained by the Complete Milking of a Hooved Animal | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
Feb. 10, 2010 | CO | HB 1190 | Suspending Sales Tax Exemption | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16) |
March 12, 2019 | SD | HB 1191 | Authorizes the Cultivation of Industrial Hemp | Veto Override Failed - Senate (20 - 13) |
April 13, 2021 | IN | HB 1191 | Prohibits a Local Government's Control Board from Banning a Fuel Source | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16) |
Feb. 10, 2010 | CO | HB 1195 | Suspending Sales Tax Exemption | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
March 2, 2022 | UT | HB 121 | Establishes Incentives to Conserve Water | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 4) |
Feb. 28, 2012 | SD | HB 1228 | Tax Credits for Alternative Energy Projects | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15) |
Feb. 18, 2014 | VA | HB 1237 | Authorizes Hunting on Sundays | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11) |
May 10, 2010 | CO | HB 1238 | Increasing Fines for Moving Traffic Violations in Wildlife Crossing Zones | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
Feb. 15, 2022 | IN | HB 1248 | Prohibits Big Cat and Bear Cub Owners from Allowing Public Interaction | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 4) |
March 9, 2012 | FL | HB 1263 | Health Inspection Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9) |
March 31, 2008 | CO | HB 1270 | Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
March 31, 2008 | CO | HB 1270 | Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
March 27, 2008 | CO | HB 1280 | Extending Water Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2) |
March 27, 2008 | CO | HB 1280 | Extending Water Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2) |