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. 13, 2013 | WY | SF 132 | Authorizes the Use of Silencers While Hunting | Bill Passed - House (44 - 14) |
Jan. 28, 2013 | WY | SF 132 | Authorizes the Use of Silencers While Hunting | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7) |
Feb. 19, 2013 | AK | HB 80 | Amends Cruise Ship Wastewater Discharge Permits | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5) |
Feb. 19, 2013 | AK | HB 80 | Amends Cruise Ship Wastewater Discharge Permits | Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6) |
Feb. 6, 2013 | AK | HB 80 | Amends Cruise Ship Wastewater Discharge Permits | Bill Passed - House (27 - 10) |
Feb. 11, 2013 | IN | SJR 7 | Guarantees Right to Hunt and Fish | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (38 - 10) |
Feb. 11, 2013 | IN | SJR 7 | Guarantees Right to Hunt and Fish | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (38 - 10) |
Feb. 14, 2013 | KY | SB 50 | Authorizes Industrial Hemp Farming | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6) |
March 12, 2013 | MI | SB 48 | Authorizes Businesses to Allow Contact Between Customers and Small Bears | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
March 7, 2013 | MI | SB 48 | Authorizes Businesses to Allow Contact Between Customers and Small Bears | Bill Passed - House (56 - 52) |
Feb. 14, 2013 | MI | SB 48 | Authorizes Businesses to Allow Contact Between Customers and Small Bears | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
Feb. 18, 2013 | NM | HB 63 | Prohibits Breed-Specific Dog Regulations | Bill Passed - House (48 - 14) |
Feb. 18, 2013 | NM | SB 73 | Amends Game and Fish License Suspension Periods | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
Feb. 20, 2013 | OK | SB 375 | Authorizes the International Sale of Horse Meat for Human Consumption | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 6) |
Feb. 19, 2013 | SD | SB 195 | Establishes Incentives for Wind Energy Facilities | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
March 18, 2013 | MD | HB 226 | Establishes Offshore Wind Renewable Energy Credits | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 48) |
March 8, 2013 | MD | HB 226 | Establishes Offshore Wind Renewable Energy Credits | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 15) |
Feb. 22, 2013 | MD | HB 226 | Establishes Offshore Wind Renewable Energy Credits | Bill Passed - House (86 - 48) |
Feb. 25, 2013 | MT | HB 396 | Requires County Board Approval for Bison Relocation | Bill Passed - House (61 - 37) |
Feb. 26, 2013 | NM | HB 316 | Prohibits Animal Killing Contests | Bill Failed - House (30 - 38) |
Feb. 6, 2013 | MT | HB 27 | Authorizes the Use of Silencers While Hunting | Bill Passed - House (63 - 33) |
Feb. 22, 2013 | MT | HB 205 | Authorizes Use of Suppressors for Hunting | Bill Passed - House (61 - 37) |
Feb. 28, 2013 | KS | SB 82 | Extends Renewable Energy Requirements for Utilities | Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 23) |
Feb. 26, 2013 | UT | SB 109 | Authorizes the State Engineer to Manage Water Usage | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9) |
March 4, 2013 | AK | HB 77 | Authorizes Natural Resources Commissioner to Issue General Permits | Bill Passed - House (31 - 6) |
March 5, 2013 | MI | SB 78 | Removes Biodiversity and Restoration as Forest Management Goals for Department of Natural Resources | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
March 7, 2013 | WI | SB 1 | Amends Wisconsin's Iron-Ore Mining Regulations | Bill Passed - House (58 - 39) |
March 7, 2013 | WI | SB 1 | Amends Wisconsin's Iron-Ore Mining Regulations | Bill Passed - House (58 - 39) |
Feb. 27, 2013 | WI | SB 1 | Amends Wisconsin's Iron-Ore Mining Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16) |
Feb. 27, 2013 | WI | SB 1 | Amends Wisconsin's Iron-Ore Mining Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16) |
Feb. 27, 2013 | WY | HB 41 | Reduces Limitations on Hunting Bison | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 11) |
Feb. 26, 2013 | WY | HB 41 | Reduces Limitations on Hunting Bison | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14) |
Feb. 25, 2013 | MS | HB 844 | Exempts Certain Sales Taxes for Agricultural Businesses | Bill Passed - House (75 - 43) |
Feb. 25, 2013 | MS | HB 844 | Exempts Certain Sales Taxes for Agricultural Businesses | Bill Passed - House (75 - 43) |
March 8, 2013 | WA | SB 5187 | Authorizes Livestock Owners to Dispatch Gray Wolves | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 23) |
March 26, 2013 | OK | HB 1999 | Authorizes the Slaughter of Horses | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14) |
Feb. 20, 2013 | OK | HB 1999 | Authorizes the Slaughter of Horses | Bill Passed - House (82 - 14) |
March 13, 2013 | UT | HB 96 | Extends Tax Credits for Certain Vehicles | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 12) |
March 21, 2013 | MT | HB 247 | Authorizes Salvage of Game Killed By Vehicles | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20) |
March 25, 2013 | SD | SB 115 | Increases Commercial Fertilizer Inspection Fee | Veto Override Failed - Senate (22 - 13) |
March 19, 2013 | PA | SB 644 | Amends the Definition of "Wild Animal" | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18) |
March 13, 2013 | OK | HB 1412 | Prohibits Compliance with United Nations Agenda 21/Sustainable Development | Bill Passed - House (67 - 17) |
March 27, 2013 | NH | HB 617 | Increases Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Tax | Bill Passed - House (206 - 158) |
Feb. 28, 2013 | MO | HJR 11 | Establishes the Constitutional Right to Farm | Joint Resolution Passed - House (110 - 41) |
April 17, 2013 | MT | SB 143 | Amends Bison Management Laws | Bill Failed - House (50 - 50) |
March 25, 2013 | WA | SB 5802 | Authorizes a Carbon Emissions Reduction Study | Bill Passed - House (61 - 32) |
March 13, 2013 | WA | SB 5802 | Authorizes a Carbon Emissions Reduction Study | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12) |
April 16, 2013 | OR | SB 835 | Prohibits Horse Tripping in Rodeos | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6) |
April 15, 2013 | IN | SB 487 | Establishes Regulations for Hunting Preserves | Bill Passed - House (52 - 39) |
April 23, 2013 | OR | HB 2624 | Exempts Counties from Hunting Dog Prohibitions if Approved by County Voters | Bill Passed - House (40 - 19) |
April 25, 2013 | MI | SB 288 | Authorizes the Natural Resources Commission to Designate Huntable Game Species | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
May 22, 2013 | IL | SB 9 | Increases Utility Rates | Veto Override Passed - House (71 - 41) |
May 21, 2013 | IL | SB 9 | Increases Utility Rates | Veto Override Passed - Senate (44 - 11) |
March 21, 2013 | IL | SB 9 | Increases Utility Rates | Bill Passed - House (86 - 28) |
March 14, 2013 | IL | SB 9 | Increases Utility Rates | Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 9) |
April 23, 2013 | MT | SB 256 | Requires the Fish, Wildlife and Parks Organization to be Liable for Damage Caused by Wild Buffalo | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 20) |
April 22, 2013 | MT | SB 256 | Requires the Fish, Wildlife and Parks Organization to be Liable for Damage Caused by Wild Buffalo | Conference Report Adopted - House (61 - 39) |
May 13, 2013 | NY | A 1792 | Extends Worker's Benefits to Farm Laborers | Bill Passed - House (83 - 53) |
May 27, 2013 | IL | SB 1639 | Requires Reimbursement for the Sale of Unhealthy Pets | Bill Passed - House (67 - 49) |
May 1, 2013 | IL | SB 1639 | Requires Reimbursement for the Sale of Unhealthy Pets | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18) |
May 1, 2013 | CT | SB 1138 | Amends Renewable Energy Source Standards | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6) |
May 8, 2013 | MO | SB 265 | Prohibits Compliance with United Nations Agenda 21 | Bill Passed - House (118 - 37) |
April 4, 2013 | MO | SB 265 | Prohibits Compliance with United Nations Agenda 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
April 15, 2013 | IN | SB 373 | Prohibits Unauthorized Entry On Industrial Or Agricultural Property | Bill Passed - House (65 - 25) |
May 4, 2013 | TX | HB 852 | Prohibits the Sale of Shark Fins | Bill Passed - House (87 - 42) |
June 4, 2013 | OR | SB 692 | Requires Certain Electronics to Meet Energy Efficiency Standards | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
May 30, 2013 | OR | SB 692 | Requires Certain Electronics to Meet Energy Efficiency Standards | Bill Passed - House (40 - 19) |
June 10, 2013 | National | S 954 | Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2013 | Bill Passed - Senate (66 - 27) |
May 23, 2013 | National | S Amdt 953 | Limits Subsidy Payments for Individuals with Incomes More Than $750,000 | Amendment Adopted - Senate (59 - 33) |
April 25, 2013 | NC | SB 201 | Authorizes the Use of Silencers While Hunting | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 16) |
April 25, 2013 | MI | SJR S | Establishes a Constitutional Authorization for Individuals to Hunt and Fish | Amendment Adopted - Senate (25 - 11) |
May 23, 2013 | National | S Amdt 923 | Prohibits the Payment of the Premium for an Insurance Policy For Tobacco | Amendment Rejected - Senate (44 - 52) |
May 13, 2013 | OR | SB 602 | Prohibits Motorized Boats and Seaplanes on Waldo Lake | Bill Passed - House (37 - 20) |
March 25, 2013 | OR | SB 602 | Prohibits Motorized Boats and Seaplanes on Waldo Lake | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
May 13, 2013 | NC | HB 628 | Requires Promotion of State Lumber in Building Projects | Bill Passed - House (70 - 43) |
May 1, 2013 | TX | HB 489 | Expands Access to Service Dogs for Veterans with PTSD | Bill Passed - House (120 - 21) |
May 2, 2013 | NC | SB 612 | Amends Environmental Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11) |
June 20, 2013 | National | HR 1947 | Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 | Bill Failed - House (195 - 234) |
May 7, 2013 | MN | HF 956 | Amends Solar Energy Requirements | Bill Passed - House (70 - 63) |
May 15, 2013 | MO | HB 650 | Limits Punitive Awards for Lead Exposure from Certain Mines | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (94 - 63) |
April 26, 2013 | IN | SB 373 | Prohibits Unauthorized Entry on Industrial or Agricultural Property | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 21) |
June 11, 2013 | ME | LD 1286 | Prohibits Slaughter of Horses for Human Consumption | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (94 - 49) |
July 6, 2013 | OR | SB 6 | Amends Animal Welfare Regulations | Bill Passed - House (38 - 21) |
July 1, 2013 | OR | SB 6 | Amends Animal Welfare Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12) |
July 7, 2013 | OR | SB 838 | Prohibits Motorized Mining | Bill Passed - House (33 - 27) |
July 3, 2013 | OR | SB 838 | Prohibits Motorized Mining | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13) |
June 28, 2013 | National | HR 2231 | Offshore Energy and Jobs Act | Bill Passed - House (235 - 186) |
July 11, 2013 | National | HR 2642 | Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 | Bill Passed - House (216 - 208) |
June 20, 2013 | National | H Amdt 227 | Amends the Federal Sugar Program | Amendment Rejected - House (206 - 221) |
Sept. 11, 2013 | MO | SB 9 | Amends Animal Abuse and Neglect Laws | Veto Override Passed - House (111 - 50) |
Sept. 11, 2013 | MO | SB 9 | Amends Animal Abuse and Neglect Laws | Veto Override Passed - House (111 - 50) |
Sept. 11, 2013 | MO | SB 9 | Amends Animal Abuse and Neglect Laws | Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
Sept. 11, 2013 | MO | SB 9 | Amends Animal Abuse and Neglect Laws | Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
Aug. 1, 2013 | National | HR 1582 | Energy Consumers Relief Act of 2013 | Bill Passed - House (232 - 181) |
July 25, 2013 | National | HR 2218 | Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act of 2013 | Bill Passed - House (265 - 155) |
Aug. 2, 2013 | National | H Amdt 448 | Requires Congressional Approval Prior to Establishing a Tax on Carbon Emissions | Amendment Adopted - House (237 - 176) |
July 25, 2013 | NC | HB 938 | Amends Wetland Permit Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 15) |
Feb. 13, 2013 | NC | HB 66 | Authorizes the Use and Display of Wild Animals in Cultural Activities | Bill Passed - House (98 - 20) |
Sept. 10, 2013 | CA | AB 711 | Prohibits Lead Ammunition for Hunting | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 29) |
Sept. 9, 2013 | CA | AB 711 | Prohibits Lead Ammunition for Hunting | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |