Key Votes

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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:

  1. The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member stands on a particular issue
  2. The vote should be clear for any person to understand
  3. The vote has received media attention
  4. The vote was passed or defeated by a very close margin
  5. 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.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
Sept. 10, 2019 NC SB 553 Establishes the Regulatory Reform Act of 2019 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 14)
May 26, 2019 TX HB 3557 Increases Penalties for Pipeline Protesting Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 12)
June 27, 2019 NH HB 582 Establishes a Greenhouse Gas Rebate Program Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
June 27, 2019 NH HB 582 Establishes a Greenhouse Gas Rebate Program Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
April 3, 2019 CO SB 19-181 Amends Local Environmental Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
April 2, 2019 MD SB 516 Establishes Renewable Energy Standards and Plan Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 15)
April 19, 2019 WA SB 5001 Authorizes Composting of Human Remains Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
Nov. 7, 2019 MI SB 174 Extends Deadline for 100 Percent Cage-Free Eggs Requirement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 3)
Nov. 7, 2019 MI SB 174 Extends Deadline for 100 Percent Cage-Free Eggs Requirement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 3)
Sept. 11, 2019 CA SB 8 Prohibits Smoking at Public Parks and Beaches Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
April 2, 2019 MD SB 516 Establishes Renewable Energy Standards and Plan Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 15)
April 5, 2019 MD SB 285 Prohibits Use of Foam Containers Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
Dec. 2, 2019 National PN 1268 Nomination of Dan Brouillette as the Secretary of Energy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (70 - 15)
April 11, 2019 National PN 503 Nomination of David Bernhardt as the Secretary of the Interior (56 - 41)
Feb. 28, 2019 National PN 22 Nomination of Andrew Wheeler to be Administrator of Environmental Protection Agency (52 - 47)
June 27, 2019 NH HB 326 Expands Protections for Wetlands Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
June 27, 2019 NH HB 326 Expands Protections for Wetlands Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
April 22, 2019 WA SB 5135 Authorizes the Department of Ecology to Ban Certain Chemicals in Consumer Products Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
March 8, 2019 WV HB 3142 Reduces Severance Tax on Steam Coal Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
May 29, 2019 OR HB 2623 Establishes Temporary Ban on Fracking Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
April 10, 2019 WA HB 1579 Increases Catch Limits for Bass, Walleye, and Catfish Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20)
April 12, 2019 WA HB 1578 Requires Tug Boat Escorts for Certain Oil Barges Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13)
June 10, 2019 ME LD 1282 Establishes a "Green New Deal" Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
June 27, 2019 NJ A 3726 Requires Food Waste Recycling Programs Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
July 8, 2019 CA AB 1054 Establishes Wildfire Victim Compensation Fund Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
July 17, 2019 OH HB 6 Amends Clean Energy Standards Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
July 17, 2019 OH HB 6 Amends Clean Energy Standards Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
Sept. 5, 2019 CA AB 1162 Prohibits Single-Use Plastics for Personal Care Products at Lodging Establishments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
Sept. 9, 2019 CA AB 1254 Prohibits Hunting of Bobcats Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
Sept. 10, 2019 CA AB 44 Prohibits the Sale and Manufacturing of Fur Products Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
Sept. 11, 2019 CA AB 936 Amends Environmental Protections Relating to Heavy Crude Oils Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
Sept. 13, 2019 CA AB 792 Increases Recycled Plastics Percentages Used in Plastic Beverage Bottles Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
Nov. 13, 2019 MI HB 4687 Repeals Prohibition of Deer-Baiting Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
May 1, 2019 CO HB 19-1261 Authorizes Regulations on Greenhouse Gases Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
May 3, 2019 CO HB 19-1298 Prohibits Drivers of Fossil Fuel-Powered Cars and Non-Charging Electric Vehicles to Park in Front of Charging Stations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
Sept. 3, 2019 CA AB 454 Establishes Protections for Migratory Birds Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
April 3, 2019 IL HB 2988 Prohibits Townships from Regulating Wind Farms Outside of City Zoning Areas Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
June 6, 2019 DE HB 130 Prohibits Plastic Bags Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
March 26, 2019 MD HB 298 Establishes Oyster Sanctuaries Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14)
June 4, 2019 ME LD 1532 Prohibits Single-Use Plastic Bags Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
March 26, 2019 MD HB 298 Establishes Oyster Sanctuaries Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14)
April 27, 2019 WA HB 1652 Establishes a Paint Stewardship Program Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
April 3, 2019 IL HB 2988 Prohibits Townships from Regulating Wind Farms Outside of City Zoning Areas Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
Aug. 12, 2019 CA AB 273 Prohibits Recreational and Commercial Fur Trapping Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
May 27, 2019 AZ HB 2753 Authorizes Environmental State Budget for Fiscal Year 2020 Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
April 25, 2019 ME LD 289 Prohibits Use of Foam Containers Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
June 14, 2019 ME LD 1426 Increases Protections for Land Installment Contracts Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
June 11, 2019 OR HB 2509 Prohibits Single-Use Plastic Checkout Bags Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
June 30, 2019 OR HB 2007 Reduces Number of Diesel Trucks Allowed in Specified Counties Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
April 10, 2019 MT HB 291 Establishes a Voluntary Wolf Mitigation Account Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
April 30, 2019 FL HB 771 Prohibits Municipal Governments from Prohibiting Plastic Straws Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
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 29, 2019 CA SB 54 Requires Single-Use Plastics be made from Recyclable Materials Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
Feb. 12, 2019 National S 47 Natural Resources Management Act Bill Passed - Senate (92 - 8)
Feb. 13, 2019 KY SB 100 Requires Net Metering for Solar Power Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Feb. 19, 2019 OR SB 256 Prohibits Oil and Gas Exploration In Coastal Waters Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
Feb. 19, 2019 ND SB 2315 Establishes Hunters Access Advisory Group Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18)
Feb. 20, 2019 KS SB 32 Authorizes The Farm Bureau To Offer Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
Feb. 25, 2019 IN SB 553 Authorizes Public Use of Shore of Lake Michigan Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
March 1, 2019 WA SB 5116 Increases State Clean Energy Efforts to be 100 Percent Carbon Free by 2045 Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19)
March 1, 2019 WA SB 5116 Increases State Clean Energy Efforts to be 100 Percent Carbon Free by 2045 Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19)
March 5, 2019 MD SB 285 Prohibits Use of Foam Containers Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
March 5, 2019 HI SB 522 Prohibits Certain Plastics Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 1)
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)
March 12, 2019 IA SF 519 Establishes Trespass Charges for Undercover Investigators at Certain Agricultural Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 8)
March 13, 2019 CO SB 19-181 Amends Local Environmental Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
March 20, 2019 IA SF 548 Amends Land Purchase Regulations for Water Quality Testing Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
March 21, 2019 VT S 55 Establishes Regulations for Toxic Substances and Hazardous Materials Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
March 28, 2019 NH SB 168 Authorizes Solar Energy Projects Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
March 29, 2019 MT SB 331 Restructures Electric Utility Cost Recovery for Certain Coal-Fired Power Plants Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
March 31, 2019 NY S 1508 Prohibits Retail Stores from Using Plastic Bags Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 22)
April 11, 2019 OR SB 90 Prohibits Single-Use Plastic Straws at Restaurants Unless Asked For Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
April 25, 2019 WA SB 5993 Increases the State Hazardous Substance Tax Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
Date No. Title Outcome
9/10 SB 553 Establishes the Regulatory Reform Act of 2019 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 14)
5/26 HB 3557 Increases Penalties for Pipeline Protesting Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 12)
6/27 HB 582 Establishes a Greenhouse Gas Rebate Program Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
6/27 HB 582 Establishes a Greenhouse Gas Rebate Program Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
4/03 SB 19-181 Amends Local Environmental Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
4/02 SB 516 Establishes Renewable Energy Standards and Plan Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 15)
4/19 SB 5001 Authorizes Composting of Human Remains Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
11/07 SB 174 Extends Deadline for 100 Percent Cage-Free Eggs Requirement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 3)
11/07 SB 174 Extends Deadline for 100 Percent Cage-Free Eggs Requirement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 3)
9/11 SB 8 Prohibits Smoking at Public Parks and Beaches Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
4/02 SB 516 Establishes Renewable Energy Standards and Plan Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 15)
4/05 SB 285 Prohibits Use of Foam Containers Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
12/02 PN 1268 Nomination of Dan Brouillette as the Secretary of Energy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (70 - 15)
4/11 PN 503 Nomination of David Bernhardt as the Secretary of the Interior (56 - 41)
2/28 PN 22 Nomination of Andrew Wheeler to be Administrator of Environmental Protection Agency (52 - 47)
6/27 HB 326 Expands Protections for Wetlands Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
6/27 HB 326 Expands Protections for Wetlands Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
4/22 SB 5135 Authorizes the Department of Ecology to Ban Certain Chemicals in Consumer Products Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
3/08 HB 3142 Reduces Severance Tax on Steam Coal Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
5/29 HB 2623 Establishes Temporary Ban on Fracking Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
4/10 HB 1579 Increases Catch Limits for Bass, Walleye, and Catfish Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20)
4/12 HB 1578 Requires Tug Boat Escorts for Certain Oil Barges Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13)
6/10 LD 1282 Establishes a "Green New Deal" Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
6/27 A 3726 Requires Food Waste Recycling Programs Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
7/08 AB 1054 Establishes Wildfire Victim Compensation Fund Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
7/17 HB 6 Amends Clean Energy Standards Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
7/17 HB 6 Amends Clean Energy Standards Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
9/05 AB 1162 Prohibits Single-Use Plastics for Personal Care Products at Lodging Establishments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
9/09 AB 1254 Prohibits Hunting of Bobcats Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
9/10 AB 44 Prohibits the Sale and Manufacturing of Fur Products Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
9/11 AB 936 Amends Environmental Protections Relating to Heavy Crude Oils Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
9/13 AB 792 Increases Recycled Plastics Percentages Used in Plastic Beverage Bottles Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
11/13 HB 4687 Repeals Prohibition of Deer-Baiting Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
5/01 HB 19-1261 Authorizes Regulations on Greenhouse Gases Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
5/03 HB 19-1298 Prohibits Drivers of Fossil Fuel-Powered Cars and Non-Charging Electric Vehicles to Park in Front of Charging Stations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
9/03 AB 454 Establishes Protections for Migratory Birds Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
4/03 HB 2988 Prohibits Townships from Regulating Wind Farms Outside of City Zoning Areas Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
6/06 HB 130 Prohibits Plastic Bags Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
3/26 HB 298 Establishes Oyster Sanctuaries Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14)
6/04 LD 1532 Prohibits Single-Use Plastic Bags Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
3/26 HB 298 Establishes Oyster Sanctuaries Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14)
4/27 HB 1652 Establishes a Paint Stewardship Program Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
4/03 HB 2988 Prohibits Townships from Regulating Wind Farms Outside of City Zoning Areas Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
8/12 AB 273 Prohibits Recreational and Commercial Fur Trapping Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
5/27 HB 2753 Authorizes Environmental State Budget for Fiscal Year 2020 Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
4/25 LD 289 Prohibits Use of Foam Containers Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
6/14 LD 1426 Increases Protections for Land Installment Contracts Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
6/11 HB 2509 Prohibits Single-Use Plastic Checkout Bags Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
6/30 HB 2007 Reduces Number of Diesel Trucks Allowed in Specified Counties Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
4/10 HB 291 Establishes a Voluntary Wolf Mitigation Account Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
4/30 HB 771 Prohibits Municipal Governments from Prohibiting Plastic Straws Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
11/21 PN 1268 Nomination of Dan Brouillette as the Secretary of Energy Cloture Invoked - Senate (74 - 18)
2/27 PN 22 Nomination of Andrew Wheeler to be Administrator of Environmental Protection Agency Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 46)
5/29 SB 54 Requires Single-Use Plastics be made from Recyclable Materials Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
2/12 S 47 Natural Resources Management Act Bill Passed - Senate (92 - 8)
2/13 SB 100 Requires Net Metering for Solar Power Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
2/19 SB 256 Prohibits Oil and Gas Exploration In Coastal Waters Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
2/19 SB 2315 Establishes Hunters Access Advisory Group Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18)
2/20 SB 32 Authorizes The Farm Bureau To Offer Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
2/25 SB 553 Authorizes Public Use of Shore of Lake Michigan Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
3/01 SB 5116 Increases State Clean Energy Efforts to be 100 Percent Carbon Free by 2045 Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19)
3/01 SB 5116 Increases State Clean Energy Efforts to be 100 Percent Carbon Free by 2045 Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19)
3/05 SB 285 Prohibits Use of Foam Containers Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
3/05 SB 522 Prohibits Certain Plastics Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 1)
3/06 SB 489 Authorizes State Investment in Renewable Energies Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 9)
3/06 SB 489 Authorizes State Investment in Renewable Energies Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 9)
3/12 SF 519 Establishes Trespass Charges for Undercover Investigators at Certain Agricultural Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 8)
3/13 SB 19-181 Amends Local Environmental Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
3/20 SF 548 Amends Land Purchase Regulations for Water Quality Testing Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
3/21 S 55 Establishes Regulations for Toxic Substances and Hazardous Materials Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
3/28 SB 168 Authorizes Solar Energy Projects Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
3/29 SB 331 Restructures Electric Utility Cost Recovery for Certain Coal-Fired Power Plants Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
3/31 S 1508 Prohibits Retail Stores from Using Plastic Bags Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 22)
4/11 SB 90 Prohibits Single-Use Plastic Straws at Restaurants Unless Asked For Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
4/25 SB 5993 Increases the State Hazardous Substance Tax Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)

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