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. 21, 2019 | National | PN 1268 | Nomination of Dan Brouillette as the Secretary of Energy | Cloture Invoked - Senate (74 - 18) |
| Feb. 27, 2019 | National | PN 22 | Nomination of Andrew Wheeler to be Administrator of Environmental Protection Agency | Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 46) |
| May 24, 2019 | AZ | HB 2753 | Authorizes Environmental State Budget for Fiscal Year 2020 | Bill Passed - House (31 - 29) |
| Oct. 30, 2019 | IL | HB 3888 | Prohibits the Use of Ethylene Oxide by 2023 | Bill Passed - House (60 - 47) |
| May 14, 2019 | DE | HB 130 | Prohibits Plastic Bags | Bill Passed - House (33 - 7) |
| May 15, 2019 | National | HR 312 | Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation Reaffirmation Act | Bill Passed - House (275 - 146) |
| May 21, 2019 | CA | SB 307 | Prohibits Water Transfers from Desert Groundwater Basins | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11) |
| May 21, 2019 | CA | SB 307 | Prohibits Water Transfers from Desert Groundwater Basins | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11) |
| March 29, 2019 | MT | SB 331 | Restructures Electric Utility Cost Recovery for Certain Coal-Fired Power Plants | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22) |
| May 23, 2019 | CA | AB 454 | Establishes Protections for Migratory Birds | Bill Passed - House (55 - 21) |
| May 23, 2019 | CA | AB 792 | Increases Recycled Plastics Percentages Used in Plastic Beverage Bottles | Bill Passed - House (50 - 15) |
| March 28, 2019 | NH | SB 168 | Authorizes Solar Energy Projects | Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10) |
| May 23, 2019 | CA | AB 1254 | Prohibits Hunting of Bobcats | Bill Passed - House (54 - 21) |
| May 23, 2019 | CA | AB 44 | Prohibits the Sale and Manufacturing of Fur Products | Bill Passed - House (52 - 16) |
| May 23, 2019 | CA | AB 161 | Prohibits Paper Receipts | Bill Passed - House (43 - 24) |
| May 23, 2019 | CA | SB 627 | Authorizes Prescription of Medical Cannabis for Animals | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0) |
| May 24, 2019 | CA | AB 936 | Amends Environmental Protections Relating to Heavy Crude Oils | Bill Passed - House (45 - 19) |
| March 27, 2019 | IL | HB 2988 | Prohibits Townships from Regulating Wind Farms Outside of City Zoning Areas | Bill Passed - House (95 - 12) |
| March 27, 2019 | IL | HB 2988 | Prohibits Townships from Regulating Wind Farms Outside of City Zoning Areas | Bill Passed - House (95 - 12) |
| Oct. 31, 2019 | National | HR 823 | Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy Act | Bill Passed - House (227 - 182) |
| Oct. 31, 2019 | National | HR 823 | Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy Act | Bill Passed - House (227 - 182) |
| May 28, 2019 | CT | HB 7083 | Requires Climate Change Education in School Curriculum | Bill Passed - House (102 - 44) |
| May 28, 2019 | CA | SB 43 | Establishes the Feasibility and Practicality of Assessing the Carbon Intensity of Retail Products Subject to the Sales and Use Tax Law | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10) |
| May 29, 2019 | CA | SB 1 | Rescinds Federal Freeze of Environmental Deregulations | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
| May 29, 2019 | CA | SB 1 | Rescinds Federal Freeze of Environmental Deregulations | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
| May 29, 2019 | CA | SB 210 | Establishes a Smog-Check Program for Diesel Trucks | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10) |
| May 29, 2019 | CA | AB 1046 | Increases Tax Rebates for Electric Vehicles | Bill Passed - House (55 - 21) |
| May 29, 2019 | CA | AB 1046 | Increases Tax Rebates for Electric Vehicles | Bill Passed - House (55 - 21) |
| May 29, 2019 | CA | AB 1162 | Prohibits Single-Use Plastics for Personal Care Products at Lodging Establishments | Bill Passed - House (50 - 24) |
| May 29, 2019 | CA | SB 54 | Requires Single-Use Plastics be made from Recyclable Materials | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8) |
| May 29, 2019 | CA | AB 1415 | Authorizes Penalties for Irrigation Districts Who Fail to Submit Water Management Reports | Bill Passed - House (52 - 20) |
| May 29, 2019 | OH | HB 6 | Amends Clean Energy Standards | Bill Passed - House (53 - 43) |
| May 29, 2019 | OH | HB 6 | Amends Clean Energy Standards | Bill Passed - House (53 - 43) |
| May 29, 2019 | CA | AB 134 | Establishes a Safe Drinking Water Fund | Bill Passed - House (59 - 0) |
| May 29, 2019 | CA | AB 134 | Establishes a Safe Drinking Water Fund | Bill Passed - House (59 - 0) |
| May 30, 2019 | ME | LD 1532 | Prohibits Single-Use Plastic Bags | Bill Passed - House (91 - 52) |
| May 30, 2019 | CA | AB 56 | Authorizes the California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority to Procure Energy Needs for Californians | Bill Passed - House (41 - 21) |
| Nov. 5, 2019 | MI | HB 4687 | Repeals Prohibition of Deer-Baiting | Bill Passed - House (57 - 49) |
| June 4, 2019 | NY | S 5532 | Prohibits Declawing Cats | Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 12) |
| Feb. 19, 2019 | OR | SB 256 | Prohibits Oil and Gas Exploration In Coastal Waters | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6) |
| March 25, 2019 | National | HR 1616 | European Energy Security and Diversification Act of 2019 | Bill Passed - House (391 - 24) |
| June 5, 2019 | ME | LD 1282 | Establishes a "Green New Deal" | Bill Passed - House (84 - 55) |
| June 5, 2019 | National | HR 1921 | Ocean Acidification Innovation Act of 2019 | Bill Passed - House (395 - 22) |
| March 25, 2019 | TN | HB 1021 | Prohibits Local Governments from Regulating, Restricting, or Banning Auxiliary Containers | Bill Passed - House (69 - 21) |
| Feb. 14, 2019 | IN | HB 1615 | Increases Penalties for Animal Abuse | Bill Passed - House (81 - 13) |
| March 21, 2019 | VT | S 55 | Establishes Regulations for Toxic Substances and Hazardous Materials | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5) |
| Feb. 13, 2019 | KY | SB 100 | Requires Net Metering for Solar Power | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| June 12, 2019 | NC | SB 377 | Establishes Restrictions on State Wind Energy Projects | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 19) |
| June 13, 2019 | ME | LD 1426 | Increases Protections for Land Installment Contracts | Bill Passed - House (88 - 50) |
| Feb. 12, 2019 | National | S 47 | Natural Resources Management Act | Bill Passed - Senate (92 - 8) |
| March 20, 2019 | IA | SF 548 | Amends Land Purchase Regulations for Water Quality Testing | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17) |
| June 17, 2019 | NC | SB 315 | Establishes Regulations on Hemp and Other Farming Industries | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14) |
| June 17, 2019 | OR | HB 2020 | Establishes a Cap-and-Trade Program | Bill Passed - House (36 - 24) |
| Feb. 12, 2019 | National | S 47 | Natural Resources Management Act | Bill Passed - Senate (92 - 8) |
| June 18, 2019 | NY | S 6599 | Increases Renewable Energy Goals | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 21) |
| June 18, 2019 | NY | S 6599 | Increases Renewable Energy Goals | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 21) |
| June 19, 2019 | NY | S 2000 | Establishes Regulations for PFAS Chemicals in Food Containers | Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 6) |
| May 7, 2019 | PA | SB 453 | Authorizes Annual Farming Construction Code Building Exemptions | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20) |
| May 9, 2019 | IL | SB 9 | Establishes Coal-Ash Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9) |
| Oct. 24, 2019 | MI | SB 174 | Extends Deadline for 100 Percent Cage-Free Eggs Requirement | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
| May 13, 2019 | NE | LB 155 | Amends Eminent Domain Provisions to Apply to Renewable Energy Generation Facilities | Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 0) |
| May 13, 2019 | NE | LB 155 | Amends Eminent Domain Provisions to Apply to Renewable Energy Generation Facilities | Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 0) |
| May 2, 2019 | National | HR 9 | Climate Action Now Act | Bill Passed - House (231 - 190) |
| May 2, 2019 | National | HR 9 | Climate Action Now Act | Bill Passed - House (231 - 190) |
| May 2, 2019 | MO | SB 391 | Prohibits Local Officials from Regulating Industrial Farms | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
| May 2, 2019 | NC | SB 559 | Authorizes Rate Changes to Public Electric Utilities for Storm Recovery Costs | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21) |
| April 11, 2019 | OR | SB 90 | Prohibits Single-Use Plastic Straws at Restaurants Unless Asked For | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6) |
| April 4, 2019 | ME | LD 289 | Prohibits Use of Foam Containers | Bill Passed - House (87 - 51) |
| May 7, 2019 | PA | SB 588 | Exempts Milk Haulers from Travel Bans Imposed During Emergency Disasters | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15) |
| March 31, 2019 | NY | S 1508 | Prohibits Retail Stores from Using Plastic Bags | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 22) |
| March 19, 2019 | NH | HB 560 | Prohibits Single-Use Plastic Bags | Bill Passed - House (201 - 145) |
| March 19, 2019 | NH | HB 558 | Prohibits Restaurant Use of Plastic Straws Unless Specifically Requested | Bill Passed - House (196 - 146) |
| March 13, 2019 | CO | SB 19-181 | Amends Local Environmental Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15) |
| Jan. 11, 2019 | National | HR 266 | Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2019 | Bill Passed - House (240 - 179) |
| Dec. 11, 2019 | OH | HB 242 | Prohibits Local Government from Enacting Fees on Plastic Bags in Stores | Bill Passed - House (58 - 35) |
| July 11, 2019 | CA | SB 307 | Prohibits Water Transfers from Desert Groundwater Basins | Bill Passed - House (50 - 24) |
| July 11, 2019 | CA | SB 307 | Prohibits Water Transfers from Desert Groundwater Basins | Bill Passed - House (50 - 24) |
| March 12, 2019 | IA | SF 519 | Establishes Trespass Charges for Undercover Investigators at Certain Agricultural Facilities | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 8) |
| March 7, 2019 | GA | HB 545 | Reduces Statute of Limitations for Certain Nuisance Lawsuits | Bill Passed - House (107 - 58) |
| Jan. 11, 2019 | National | HR 266 | Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2019 | Bill Passed - House (240 - 179) |
| March 6, 2019 | NM | SB 489 | Authorizes State Investment in Renewable Energies | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 9) |
| March 6, 2019 | NM | SB 489 | Authorizes State Investment in Renewable Energies | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 9) |
| Dec. 11, 2019 | National | HR 5038 | Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2019 | Bill Passed - House (260 - 165) |
| March 5, 2019 | HI | HB 808 | Prohibits Hunting of Sharks and Rays | Bill Passed - House (51 - 0) |
| March 5, 2019 | HI | SB 522 | Prohibits Certain Plastics | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 1) |
| March 5, 2019 | MD | SB 285 | Prohibits Use of Foam Containers | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13) |
| March 1, 2019 | WA | SB 5116 | Increases State Clean Energy Efforts to be 100 Percent Carbon Free by 2045 | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19) |
| Sept. 11, 2019 | National | HR 1941 | Coastal and Marine Economies Protection Act | Bill Passed - House (238 - 189) |
| March 1, 2019 | WA | SB 5116 | Increases State Clean Energy Efforts to be 100 Percent Carbon Free by 2045 | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19) |
| Sept. 12, 2019 | National | HR 1146 | Arctic Cultural and Coastal Plain Protection Act | Bill Passed - House (225 - 193) |
| Feb. 25, 2019 | IN | SB 553 | Authorizes Public Use of Shore of Lake Michigan | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16) |
| Feb. 20, 2019 | KS | SB 32 | Authorizes The Farm Bureau To Offer Coverage | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11) |
| Feb. 19, 2019 | ND | SB 2315 | Establishes Hunters Access Advisory Group | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18) |
| Sept. 19, 2019 | PA | HB 1100 | Establishes an Energy and Fertilizer Manufacturing Tax Credit | Bill Passed - House (139 - 46) |
| Sept. 25, 2019 | PA | HB 1410 | Authorizes Funds to Remove PFAS from Drinking Water | Bill Passed - House (144 - 54) |
| April 25, 2019 | WA | SB 5993 | Increases the State Hazardous Substance Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22) |
| April 25, 2019 | WA | HB 1652 | Establishes a Paint Stewardship Program | Bill Passed - House (62 - 35) |
| April 25, 2019 | FL | HB 771 | Prohibits Municipal Governments from Prohibiting Plastic Straws | Bill Passed - House (87 - 23) |
| April 16, 2019 | AK | HB 35 | Establishes Employment Regulations within the Board of Fisheries to Prevent a Conflict of Interest | Bill Passed - House (29 - 9) |
| Oct. 24, 2019 | MI | SB 174 | Extends Deadline for 100 Percent Cage-Free Eggs Requirement | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |