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
Dec. 8, 2010 National HR 6495 Mine Safety Act Bill Failed - House (214 - 193)
Nov. 29, 2010 NY S 8129B Suspending Hydraulic Fracturing for the Extraction of Natural Gas Bill Passed - House (93 - 43)
Oct. 18, 2010 NJ S 2381 Establishing pilot program to promote construction of electric generation facilities
Sept. 29, 2010 PA SB 1155 Establishing a Natural Gas Severance Tax Bill Passed - House (104 - 94)
Sept. 23, 2010 National HR 4823 Establishing Sedona-Red Rock National Scenic Area Bill Failed - House (258 - 160)
Sept. 23, 2010 National HR 5110 Expanding Casa Grande Ruins National Monument Bill Failed - House (244 - 174)
Sept. 16, 2010 National HR 4785 Authorizing Loans for Energy Efficiency Purposes Bill Passed - House (240 - 172)
Aug. 31, 2010 CA AB 1998 Ban of Single-Use Carryout Bags in Certain Stores Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 21)
Aug. 30, 2010 CA AB 234 Marine Oil Shipping Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 28)
Aug. 23, 2010 CA AB 234 Marine Oil Shipping Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
Aug. 3, 2010 NY S 8129B Suspending Hydraulic Fracturing for the Extraction of Natural Gas Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 9)
July 30, 2010 National HR 3534 Offshore Drilling Regulations and Other Energy Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (209 - 193)
July 30, 2010 National HR 3534 Offshore Drilling Regulations and Other Energy Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (209 - 193)
July 10, 2010 NC HB 1829 Renewable Energy Incentives Conference Report Adopted - House (84 - 19)
July 2, 2010 PA HB 2601 Environmentally Beneficial and Energy Efficient Technologies Bill Passed - House (125 - 71)
July 1, 2010 CA SB 1121 Overtime Wages for Agricultural Workers Bill Passed - House (47 - 28)
June 29, 2010 NJ S 2036 Offshore Wind Economic Development Act Bill Passed - House (71 - 6)
June 28, 2010 NJ S 2036 Offshore Wind Economic Development Act Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
June 21, 2010 LA SB 65 Coastal Zone Expansion Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 17)
June 21, 2010 NY A 9709 Omnibus Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
June 20, 2010 LA SB 381 Establishing "Crime Against Nature by Solicitation" Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
June 18, 2010 LA SB 381 Establishing "Crime Against Nature by Solicitation" Bill Passed - House (80 - 10)
June 18, 2010 NY A 9709 Omnibus Appropriations Bill Passed - House (79 - 52)
June 16, 2010 MI SR 158 Oil Spill Prevention Plans for Dairy Farmers Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
June 16, 2010 MI SR 158 Oil Spill Prevention Plans for Dairy Farmers Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
June 15, 2010 PA HB 708 Recycling Program for Electronic Materials Bill Passed - House (169 - 30)
June 10, 2010 National S J Res 26 Statement of Opposition to EPA Greenhouse Gas Rule Motion Rejected - Senate (47 - 53)
June 8, 2010 LA SB 432 Oil and Gas Processing Tax Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (6 - 31)
June 3, 2010 CA AB 2514 Energy Storage Targets Amendment Adopted - House (41 - 28)
June 3, 2010 CA SB 1121 Overtime Wages for Agricultural Workers Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
June 2, 2010 CA AB 1998 Ban of Single-Use Carryout Bags in Certain Stores Bill Passed - House (42 - 27)
June 1, 2010 CA AB 2411 Pet Insurance Guidelines Bill Passed - House (52 - 22)
May 28, 2010 National HR 5116 Science and Technology Funding Bill Passed - House (262 - 150)
May 28, 2010 NY A 11308 Emergency State Parks Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 27)
May 28, 2010 NY A 11308 Emergency State Parks Appropriations Bill Passed - House (86 - 47)
May 26, 2010 LA SB 38 Criminalization of Participation in Cockfighting Bill Passed - House (73 - 13)
May 12, 2010 VT H 485 Property Tax and Land Use Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
May 11, 2010 CO HB 1358 Authorizing Home Buyers to Purchase Water Efficiency Devices Up Front Concurrence Vote Passed - House (38 - 27)
May 11, 2010 CO HB 1238 Increasing Fines for Moving Traffic Violations in Wildlife Crossing Zones Concurrence Vote Passed - House (34 - 29)
May 11, 2010 DE SB 234 Universal Recycling and Beverage Containers Bill Passed - House (26 - 12)
May 10, 2010 CO HB 1238 Increasing Fines for Moving Traffic Violations in Wildlife Crossing Zones Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
May 10, 2010 LA HB 219 Illegal Dog Restraining Bill Failed - House (46 - 40)
May 7, 2010 CO HB 1358 Authorizing Home Buyers to Purchase Water Efficiency Devices Up Front Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
May 4, 2010 CT SB 493 Increasing Use of Renewable Energy Bill Passed - House (81 - 40)
May 4, 2010 LA HCR 144 Response to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Rig Motion Agreed - House (60 - 32)
May 4, 2010 CT SB 493 Increasing Use of Renewable Energy Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
May 4, 2010 CT HB 5423 Classroom Experiments and Dissections on Animals Bill Passed - House (81 - 67)
April 29, 2010 AZ SB 1307 Treatment of Human Embryos Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
April 28, 2010 CO HB 1348 Regulations on Radioactive Material Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
April 28, 2010 AZ SB 1307 Treatment of Human Embryos Bill Passed - House (35 - 24)
April 28, 2010 CO HB 1348 Regulations on Radioactive Material Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
April 28, 2010 CT SB 168 Workers Compensation Benefits for Police Officers Facing Injury From Interaction with Mammal Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
April 28, 2010 LA SB 38 Criminalization of Participation in Cockfighting Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
April 27, 2010 HI HB 2583 Shark Feeding Penalty Increase Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 2)
April 22, 2010 WI SB 434 Legalizing Sale of Unpasteurized Milk Bill Passed - House (60 - 35)
April 20, 2010 LA SB 368 Notification Requirements for Iguana Sales Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
April 15, 2010 CA SB 4 Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
April 15, 2010 WI SB 434 Legalizing Sale of Unpasteurized Milk Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
April 14, 2010 HI HB 2421 Petroleum Tax ("Barrel Tax") Increase Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 7)
April 14, 2010 HI HB 2421 Petroleum Tax ("Barrel Tax") Increase Conference Report Adopted - House (37 - 11)
April 12, 2010 MD SB 277 Modifies the Solar Energy Portfolio Standard Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 15)
April 10, 2010 MD SB 277 Modifies the Solar Energy Portfolio Standard Bill Passed - House (109 - 31)
April 5, 2010 CA AB 1656 Requiring Fur Product Labeling Bill Passed - House (59 - 11)
April 1, 2010 MO HB 1747 Authorizing Horse Slaughterhouses Bill Passed - House (91 - 61)
March 31, 2010 CO HB 1365 Utility Emission Reduction Plan Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 12)
March 31, 2010 CO HB 1365 Utility Emission Reduction Plan Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
March 29, 2010 SD HB 1060 Wind Energy Facility Tax Refunds Veto Override Passed - House (49 - 19)
March 22, 2010 CA SB 4 Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches Bill Passed - House (42 - 27)
March 17, 2010 ME LD 821 Prescription Drug Disposal Program Bill Passed - House (91 - 51)
March 11, 2010 CA SBx8 32 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
March 11, 2010 UT SB 47 Energy Management Program Bill Passed - House (53 - 19)
March 9, 2010 UT SB 47 Energy Management Program Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
March 8, 2010 CO HB 1001 Increasing Renewable Energy Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 26)
March 8, 2010 CA SBx8 32 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (47 - 29)
March 8, 2010 UT HB 286 Prohibiting Retirement System Investment in Iranian Petroleum Bill Passed - House (39 - 34)
March 5, 2010 CO HB 1001 Increases Renewable Energy Standards Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
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)
March 3, 2010 AZ HB 2337 Incandescent Light Bulb Regulation Amendments Bill Passed - House (33 - 27)
March 1, 2010 SD HCR 1009 Urges Changes to the Public School Environmental Curriculum Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 33)
March 1, 2010 OK HB 2745 Pet Sales Licensing Process Bill Passed - House (63 - 30)
Feb. 26, 2010 WY HB 101 Wind-Generated Electricity Tax Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 1)
Feb. 25, 2010 IN SB 313 Allowing Renewable Energy Generation Credits Bill Passed - House (68 - 31)
Feb. 25, 2010 IN SB 313 Allowing Renewable Energy Generation Credits Bill Passed - House (68 - 31)
Feb. 24, 2010 SD HCR 1009 Urges Changes to the Public School Environmental Curriculum Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
Feb. 24, 2010 VT S 289 Authorizing Nuclear Power Plant Operation Until 2032 Bill Failed - Senate (4 - 26)
Feb. 24, 2010 VT S 289 Authorizing Nuclear Power Plant Operation Until 2032 Bill Failed - Senate (4 - 26)
Feb. 22, 2010 VA HB 756 Allocating Offshore Drilling Royalties Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 22, 2010 VA HB 756 Allocating Offshore Drilling Royalties Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 18, 2010 WY HB 101 Wind-Generated Electricity Tax Bill Passed - House (40 - 18)
Feb. 17, 2010 SD HCR 1009 Urges Changes to the Public School Environmental Curriculum Resolution Passed - House (36 - 30)
Feb. 17, 2010 CA AB 1998 Ban of Single-Use Carryout Bags in Certain Stores
Feb. 17, 2010 IA Amdt 8140 Animal Abuse and Neglect Penalties Amendment Rejected - House (44 - 52)
Feb. 17, 2010 IA Amdt 8145 Animal Facility Regulations Amendment Rejected - House (42 - 53)
Feb. 16, 2010 NM Holguin Nomination Neri Holguin, Environmental Improvement Board (17 - 25)
Feb. 16, 2010 CO HB 1190 Suspending Sales Tax Exemption Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 30)
Feb. 16, 2010 CO HB 1195 Suspending Sales Tax Exemption Concurrence Vote Passed - House (34 - 31)
Feb. 15, 2010 CO SB 100 Multi-County Local Improvement Districts Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
Feb. 15, 2010 CO SB 100 Multi-County Local Improvement Districts Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
Feb. 11, 2010 AZ SB 1125 Statewide Prohibition of Roadside Animal Sales Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/08 HR 6495 Mine Safety Act Bill Failed - House (214 - 193)
11/29 S 8129B Suspending Hydraulic Fracturing for the Extraction of Natural Gas Bill Passed - House (93 - 43)
10/18 S 2381 Establishing pilot program to promote construction of electric generation facilities
9/29 SB 1155 Establishing a Natural Gas Severance Tax Bill Passed - House (104 - 94)
9/23 HR 4823 Establishing Sedona-Red Rock National Scenic Area Bill Failed - House (258 - 160)
9/23 HR 5110 Expanding Casa Grande Ruins National Monument Bill Failed - House (244 - 174)
9/16 HR 4785 Authorizing Loans for Energy Efficiency Purposes Bill Passed - House (240 - 172)
8/31 AB 1998 Ban of Single-Use Carryout Bags in Certain Stores Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 21)
8/30 AB 234 Marine Oil Shipping Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 28)
8/23 AB 234 Marine Oil Shipping Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
8/03 S 8129B Suspending Hydraulic Fracturing for the Extraction of Natural Gas Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 9)
7/30 HR 3534 Offshore Drilling Regulations and Other Energy Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (209 - 193)
7/30 HR 3534 Offshore Drilling Regulations and Other Energy Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (209 - 193)
7/10 HB 1829 Renewable Energy Incentives Conference Report Adopted - House (84 - 19)
7/02 HB 2601 Environmentally Beneficial and Energy Efficient Technologies Bill Passed - House (125 - 71)
7/01 SB 1121 Overtime Wages for Agricultural Workers Bill Passed - House (47 - 28)
6/29 S 2036 Offshore Wind Economic Development Act Bill Passed - House (71 - 6)
6/28 S 2036 Offshore Wind Economic Development Act Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
6/21 SB 65 Coastal Zone Expansion Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 17)
6/21 A 9709 Omnibus Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
6/20 SB 381 Establishing "Crime Against Nature by Solicitation" Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
6/18 SB 381 Establishing "Crime Against Nature by Solicitation" Bill Passed - House (80 - 10)
6/18 A 9709 Omnibus Appropriations Bill Passed - House (79 - 52)
6/16 SR 158 Oil Spill Prevention Plans for Dairy Farmers Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
6/16 SR 158 Oil Spill Prevention Plans for Dairy Farmers Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
6/15 HB 708 Recycling Program for Electronic Materials Bill Passed - House (169 - 30)
6/10 S J Res 26 Statement of Opposition to EPA Greenhouse Gas Rule Motion Rejected - Senate (47 - 53)
6/08 SB 432 Oil and Gas Processing Tax Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (6 - 31)
6/03 AB 2514 Energy Storage Targets Amendment Adopted - House (41 - 28)
6/03 SB 1121 Overtime Wages for Agricultural Workers Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
6/02 AB 1998 Ban of Single-Use Carryout Bags in Certain Stores Bill Passed - House (42 - 27)
6/01 AB 2411 Pet Insurance Guidelines Bill Passed - House (52 - 22)
5/28 HR 5116 Science and Technology Funding Bill Passed - House (262 - 150)
5/28 A 11308 Emergency State Parks Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 27)
5/28 A 11308 Emergency State Parks Appropriations Bill Passed - House (86 - 47)
5/26 SB 38 Criminalization of Participation in Cockfighting Bill Passed - House (73 - 13)
5/12 H 485 Property Tax and Land Use Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
5/11 HB 1358 Authorizing Home Buyers to Purchase Water Efficiency Devices Up Front Concurrence Vote Passed - House (38 - 27)
5/11 HB 1238 Increasing Fines for Moving Traffic Violations in Wildlife Crossing Zones Concurrence Vote Passed - House (34 - 29)
5/11 SB 234 Universal Recycling and Beverage Containers Bill Passed - House (26 - 12)
5/10 HB 1238 Increasing Fines for Moving Traffic Violations in Wildlife Crossing Zones Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
5/10 HB 219 Illegal Dog Restraining Bill Failed - House (46 - 40)
5/07 HB 1358 Authorizing Home Buyers to Purchase Water Efficiency Devices Up Front Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
5/04 SB 493 Increasing Use of Renewable Energy Bill Passed - House (81 - 40)
5/04 HCR 144 Response to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Rig Motion Agreed - House (60 - 32)
5/04 SB 493 Increasing Use of Renewable Energy Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
5/04 HB 5423 Classroom Experiments and Dissections on Animals Bill Passed - House (81 - 67)
4/29 SB 1307 Treatment of Human Embryos Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
4/28 HB 1348 Regulations on Radioactive Material Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
4/28 SB 1307 Treatment of Human Embryos Bill Passed - House (35 - 24)
4/28 HB 1348 Regulations on Radioactive Material Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
4/28 SB 168 Workers Compensation Benefits for Police Officers Facing Injury From Interaction with Mammal Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
4/28 SB 38 Criminalization of Participation in Cockfighting Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
4/27 HB 2583 Shark Feeding Penalty Increase Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 2)
4/22 SB 434 Legalizing Sale of Unpasteurized Milk Bill Passed - House (60 - 35)
4/20 SB 368 Notification Requirements for Iguana Sales Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
4/15 SB 4 Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
4/15 SB 434 Legalizing Sale of Unpasteurized Milk Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
4/14 HB 2421 Petroleum Tax ("Barrel Tax") Increase Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 7)
4/14 HB 2421 Petroleum Tax ("Barrel Tax") Increase Conference Report Adopted - House (37 - 11)
4/12 SB 277 Modifies the Solar Energy Portfolio Standard Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 15)
4/10 SB 277 Modifies the Solar Energy Portfolio Standard Bill Passed - House (109 - 31)
4/05 AB 1656 Requiring Fur Product Labeling Bill Passed - House (59 - 11)
4/01 HB 1747 Authorizing Horse Slaughterhouses Bill Passed - House (91 - 61)
3/31 HB 1365 Utility Emission Reduction Plan Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 12)
3/31 HB 1365 Utility Emission Reduction Plan Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
3/29 HB 1060 Wind Energy Facility Tax Refunds Veto Override Passed - House (49 - 19)
3/22 SB 4 Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches Bill Passed - House (42 - 27)
3/17 LD 821 Prescription Drug Disposal Program Bill Passed - House (91 - 51)
3/11 SBx8 32 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
3/11 SB 47 Energy Management Program Bill Passed - House (53 - 19)
3/09 SB 47 Energy Management Program Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
3/08 HB 1001 Increasing Renewable Energy Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 26)
3/08 SBx8 32 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (47 - 29)
3/08 HB 286 Prohibiting Retirement System Investment in Iranian Petroleum Bill Passed - House (39 - 34)
3/05 HB 1001 Increases Renewable Energy Standards Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
3/04 Cooper Nomination John L. Cooper, Game, Fish and Parks Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (22 - 12)
3/04 Cooper Nomination John L. Cooper, Game, Fish and Parks Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (22 - 12)
3/03 HB 2337 Incandescent Light Bulb Regulation Amendments Bill Passed - House (33 - 27)
3/01 HCR 1009 Urges Changes to the Public School Environmental Curriculum Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 33)
3/01 HB 2745 Pet Sales Licensing Process Bill Passed - House (63 - 30)
2/26 HB 101 Wind-Generated Electricity Tax Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 1)
2/25 SB 313 Allowing Renewable Energy Generation Credits Bill Passed - House (68 - 31)
2/25 SB 313 Allowing Renewable Energy Generation Credits Bill Passed - House (68 - 31)
2/24 HCR 1009 Urges Changes to the Public School Environmental Curriculum Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
2/24 S 289 Authorizing Nuclear Power Plant Operation Until 2032 Bill Failed - Senate (4 - 26)
2/24 S 289 Authorizing Nuclear Power Plant Operation Until 2032 Bill Failed - Senate (4 - 26)
2/22 HB 756 Allocating Offshore Drilling Royalties Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/22 HB 756 Allocating Offshore Drilling Royalties Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/18 HB 101 Wind-Generated Electricity Tax Bill Passed - House (40 - 18)
2/17 HCR 1009 Urges Changes to the Public School Environmental Curriculum Resolution Passed - House (36 - 30)
2/17 AB 1998 Ban of Single-Use Carryout Bags in Certain Stores
2/17 Amdt 8140 Animal Abuse and Neglect Penalties Amendment Rejected - House (44 - 52)
2/17 Amdt 8145 Animal Facility Regulations Amendment Rejected - House (42 - 53)
2/16 Holguin Nomination Neri Holguin, Environmental Improvement Board (17 - 25)
2/16 HB 1190 Suspending Sales Tax Exemption Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 30)
2/16 HB 1195 Suspending Sales Tax Exemption Concurrence Vote Passed - House (34 - 31)
2/15 SB 100 Multi-County Local Improvement Districts Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
2/15 SB 100 Multi-County Local Improvement Districts Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
2/11 SB 1125 Statewide Prohibition of Roadside Animal Sales Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)

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