Key Votes
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About the Selection and Descriptions of Key Votes
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:
- The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member stands on a particular issue
- The vote should be clear for any person to understand
- The vote has received media attention
- The vote was passed or defeated by a very close margin
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov. 19, 2007 | MD | HB 1 | 2007-2008 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13) |
| April 5, 2012 | AZ | HB 2780 | Exempts Ranch Dogs from Animal Cruelty Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13) |
| Feb. 28, 2012 | IA | HF 589 | Prohibits Obtaining Employment at Agriculture Facilities Under False Pretenses | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 10) |
| May 6, 2011 | CO | HB 1005 | Repeals Taxes on Agricultural Products | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5) |
| Feb. 10, 2010 | CO | HB 1195 | Suspending Sales Tax Exemption | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| March 7, 2012 | UT | HB 187 | Prohibits Recording of Agricultural Operations | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5) |
| Dec. 7, 2011 | PA | HB 242 | Permitting the On-Site Sale of Alcohol at Distilleries | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 9) |
| Feb. 27, 2012 | SD | HB 1206 | Repeals the South Dakota Sales Tax on Food Refund Program | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
| April 16, 2013 | TN | SB 1248 | Requires Disclosure of Photographic Evidence of Animal Abuse | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9) |
| Feb. 20, 2019 | KS | SB 32 | Authorizes The Farm Bureau To Offer Coverage | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11) |
| Feb. 26, 2019 | UT | SB 132 | Increases Alcohol Cap for Beer Sales | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 2) |
| March 12, 2019 | IA | SF 519 | Establishes Trespass Charges for Undercover Investigators at Certain Agricultural Facilities | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 8) |
| May 2, 2019 | MO | SB 391 | Prohibits Local Officials from Regulating Industrial Farms | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
| May 7, 2019 | PA | SB 588 | Exempts Milk Haulers from Travel Bans Imposed During Emergency Disasters | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15) |
| May 7, 2019 | PA | SB 453 | Authorizes Annual Farming Construction Code Building Exemptions | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20) |
| June 17, 2019 | NC | SB 315 | Establishes Regulations on Hemp and Other Farming Industries | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14) |
| Aug. 30, 2012 | CA | ACR 161 | Establishes September as "Food Literacy Awareness Month" | Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 13) |
| March 14, 2024 | AZ | SB 1186 | Authorizes Specific THC Products | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 9) |
| May 21, 2019 | CA | SB 58 | Authorizes Bars to Remain Open Until 3 AM | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6) |
| Oct. 24, 2019 | MI | SB 174 | Extends Deadline for 100 Percent Cage-Free Eggs Requirement | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
| Oct. 24, 2019 | MI | SB 174 | Extends Deadline for 100 Percent Cage-Free Eggs Requirement | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
| June 19, 2019 | NY | S 2000 | Establishes Regulations for PFAS Chemicals in Food Containers | Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 6) |
| March 21, 2024 | National | S J Res 62 | A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service relating to "Importation of Fresh Beef From Paraguay". | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (70 - 25) |
| March 3, 2020 | MD | SB 300 | Prohibits Use of Chlorpyrifos | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14) |
| Feb. 18, 2020 | WA | SB 6261 | Expands Farm Labor Contractor System | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16) |
| Feb. 15, 2024 | KY | SB 16 | Increases Various Corporate Trespass Laws and Penalties and Limits Whistleblowing | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 6) |
| June 5, 2020 | IA | SF 2413 | Increases Penalties for Trespassing on Animal Food Operations | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 11) |
| June 10, 2020 | CO | SB 20-213 | Extends State Take-Out Regulations for Alcohol Sales | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 1) |
| June 10, 2020 | MI | SB 942 | Extends To-Go and Delivery Options to Cocktails | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 1) |
| May 14, 2020 | NJ | S 2437 | Limits Fees Charged to Restaurants by Third-Party Food Delivery Applications | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0) |
| July 22, 2020 | NY | S 8247 | Authorizes Online Grocery Purchases for SNAP Recipients | Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 1) |
| Feb. 29, 2024 | GA | SB 420 | Prohibits Foreign Governments from Buying Agricultural Land in Georgia | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 11) |
| March 5, 2024 | NY | S 4270 | Establishes a Carbon Tax Credit for Farmers | Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 0) |
| Aug. 27, 2020 | NJ | S 2704 | Appropriates $30 Million to the EDA to Assist Food Establishments | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0) |
| Feb. 11, 2021 | AL | SB 126 | Authorizes Alcohol Home Delivery | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4) |
| Feb. 23, 2021 | IA | SF 356 | Establishes Liability Protections for Agritourism Businesses | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18) |
| March 25, 2021 | MI | SB 250 | Establishes Opening Rules for Restaurants | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| May 5, 2021 | MI | SB 354 | Extends Waivers for Licensing Fees for Certain Food Establishments | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16) |
| May 19, 2021 | NE | LB 2 | Reduces the Valuation of Agricultural Land to Decrease Taxation | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 6) |
| June 24, 2021 | National | S 1251 | Growing Climate Solutions Act of 2021 | Bill Passed - Senate (92 - 8) |
| April 28, 2021 | PA | SB 434 | Authorizes Milk Processors More Leniency With Milk Date Coding | Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0) |
| Feb. 20, 2024 | OK | SB 1510 | Expands Enforcement of the Energy Discrimination Elimination Act of 2022 to Agriculture, Timber, and Mining Companies | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 1) |
| April 15, 2021 | AR | SB 248 | Exempts Certain Producers of Homemade Food or Drink Products from Inspection | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 4) |
| June 11, 2024 | DE | SB 254 | Establishes the Delaware Grocery Initiative to Expand Healthy Food Access | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 0) |
| June 1, 2021 | CA | SB 464 | Authorizes Food Assistance Benefits for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9) |
| June 28, 2024 | NJ | S 3235 | Establishes Regulations Regarding the Distribution and Sale of Hemp Products | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 5) |
| April 9, 2014 | CT | SB 443 | Prohibits the Sale of Genetically Modified Seed | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| Aug. 27, 2015 | CA | SB 7 | Increases Smoking Age to 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| March 5, 2015 | GA | SB 103 | Authorizes the Sale of Alcoholic Beverages 1 Sunday Each Year | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 19) |
| Jan. 14, 2016 | KY | SB 200 | Amends Alcohol Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8) |
| Feb. 18, 2014 | NM | SB 347 | Appropriates Funds to the Lottery Tuition Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 11) |
| Feb. 25, 2016 | IA | SF 2289 | Expands Criminal Offenses for Animal Mistreatment | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16) |
| Feb. 16, 2014 | NM | SB 263 | Increases the Liquor Excise Tax Rate | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 14) |
| March 3, 2016 | MO | SB 919 | Authorizes Breweries to Lease Coolers to Stores | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14) |
| March 30, 2016 | AK | SB 1 | Prohibits Smoking in Public | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5) |
| March 1, 2016 | OK | SJR 68 | Authorizes the Public to Vote on Beer and Wine Sales | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (28 - 16) |
| April 18, 2016 | LA | SB 29 | Authorizes the Sale of Raw Milk | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| April 18, 2016 | LA | SB 29 | Authorizes the Sale of Raw Milk | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| May 31, 2016 | CA | SB 1333 | Prohibits Smoking on State Beaches and Parks | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11) |
| Jan. 30, 2014 | TN | SB 837 | Authorizes the Sale of Wine in Grocery Stores | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8) |
| May 18, 2016 | IL | SB 3011 | Increases Smoking Age to 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 22) |
| May 26, 2016 | NJ | S 359 | Increases Smoking Age to 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| April 28, 2016 | MA | S 2269 | Increases Smoking Age to 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2) |
| Feb. 6, 2024 | NM | SB 37 | Requires All Meat Plants to be Inspected by State Before Federal Approval to Open | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0) |
| Jan. 30, 2014 | IN | SB 339 | Authorizes the Sale of Alcohol at the Indiana State Fair | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13) |
| Feb. 5, 2014 | MD | SB 75 | Prohibits the Sale of Alcoholic Products with Alcohol Content Above 95 Percent | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 10) |
| Feb. 27, 2024 | IA | SF 2391 | Prohibits Misbranding of Certain Food Products | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0) |
| March 14, 2017 | IA | SF 447 | Limits Nuisance Damages Against Livestock Farmers | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18) |
| Feb. 22, 2018 | KS | SB 405 | Authorizes Confined Feeding Facilities Within City Limits | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10) |
| Feb. 5, 2018 | MS | SB 2588 | Authorizes Localities to Designate Open Container Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 9) |
| Feb. 27, 2024 | IA | SF 2391 | Prohibits Misbranding of Certain Food Products | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0) |
| May 2, 2018 | RI | S 2350 | Prohibits Advertising Unhealthy Food in Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1) |
| Feb. 14, 2014 | ID | S 1337 | Prohibits Recording of Agricultural Operations | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| May 30, 2018 | CA | SB 905 | Authorizes Alcohol Sales Until 4 AM | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
| May 31, 2018 | CA | SB 1138 | Requires Prisons to Provide Vegan Meal Options | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0) |
| Feb. 14, 2013 | KY | SB 50 | Authorizes Industrial Hemp Farming | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6) |
| Feb. 11, 2013 | IN | SJR 7 | Guarantees Right to Hunt and Fish | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (38 - 10) |
| March 15, 2022 | National | S 623 | Sunshine Protection Act of 2021 | Bill Passed - Senate (100 - 0) |
| April 4, 2022 | NE | LB 1014 | Appropriates Federal COVID-19 Funds for the Various State Costs and Projects | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 4) |
| Jan. 28, 2015 | WY | SF 106 | Prohibits Powdered Alcohol | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7) |
| Feb. 20, 2015 | WV | SB 30 | Authorizes the Consumption of Raw Milk | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16) |
| June 11, 2024 | DE | SB 254 | Establishes the Delaware Grocery Initiative to Expand Healthy Food Access | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 0) |
| May 19, 2021 | NE | LB 324 | Amends Nebraska Meat and Poultry Inspection Law | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0) |
| April 30, 2013 | MI | SB 197 | Requires the State Prison Food Service To Seek Competitive Bids From Private Entities | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
| Sept. 20, 2022 | PA | SB 431 | Amends Hunting and Furtaking Licenses | Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 5) |
| March 15, 2024 | CO | SB 24-020 | Authorizes Restaurants to Serve To-Go Alcohol Permanently | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 2) |
| March 23, 2023 | SC | S 576 | Prohibits Citizens of "Foreign Adversary" Nations from Buying Property in the State | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5) |
| Aug. 27, 2015 | CA | SB 5 | Amends Regulations for E-Cigarettes | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
| May 22, 2024 | CA | SB 1299 | Amends Section of Labor Code Regarding Workers' Compensation | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9) |
| May 19, 2024 | WV | SB 1004 | Appropriates $10 Million for the Posey Perry Emergency Food Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4) |
| March 15, 2023 | OR | SB 545 | Requires the Oregon Health Authority to Adopt Rules Allowing Restaurants to Allow Consumers to Use Their Own Takeout Containers | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 8) |
| June 10, 2013 | National | S 954 | Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2013 | Bill Passed - Senate (66 - 27) |
| June 10, 2013 | National | S 954 | Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2013 | Bill Passed - Senate (66 - 27) |
| Feb. 20, 2013 | OK | SB 375 | Authorizes the International Sale of Horse Meat for Human Consumption | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 6) |
| March 2, 2015 | NM | SB 94 | Authorizes Industrial Hemp Research | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 8) |
| May 1, 2012 | CT | HB 5021 | Authorizes the Sale of Alcohol on Sundays and Certain Holidays | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6) |
| March 2, 2015 | NM | SB 503 | Authorizes Beer and Wine Delivery Licenses | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 10) |
| March 19, 2015 | NM | SB 433 | Prohibits Sale of E-Cigarettes to Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10) |
| March 10, 2015 | HI | SB 1030 | Prohibits Sale of Tobacco Products to Individuals Under 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 5) |
| June 2, 2015 | CA | SB 140 | Prohibits Smoking Electronic Cigarettes in Certain Indoor Areas | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |