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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
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 14, 2024 | AZ | SB 1186 | Authorizes Specific THC Products | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 9) |
March 9, 2024 | WV | HB 4793 | Authorizes Individuals 21 and Older to Manufacture Moonshine for Personal or Family Use | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14) |
March 7, 2024 | IN | HB 1086 | Authorizes Bars and Restaraunts to Prepare, Sell, and Deliver Alcoholic Beverages for Carry-out Customers | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 9) |
March 5, 2024 | NY | S 4270 | Establishes a Carbon Tax Credit for Farmers | Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 0) |
Feb. 29, 2024 | GA | SB 420 | Prohibits Foreign Governments from Buying Agricultural Land in Georgia | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 11) |
Feb. 27, 2024 | IA | SF 2391 | Prohibits Misbranding of Certain Food Products | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0) |
Feb. 27, 2024 | IA | SF 2391 | Prohibits Misbranding of Certain Food Products | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0) |
Feb. 16, 2024 | UT | HB 363 | Establishes Livestock Grazing as a Constitutional Right | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 0) |
Feb. 15, 2024 | KY | SB 16 | Increases Various Corporate Trespass Laws and Penalties and Limits Whistleblowing | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 6) |
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) |
Nov. 14, 2023 | WI | AB 133 | Amends Farmland Preservation Rules | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 2) |
Sept. 11, 2023 | CA | AB 418 | Prohibits Certain Chemicals Found in Candies such as Skittles and Hot Tamales | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3) |
June 13, 2023 | AZ | SB 1432 | Establishes Updated Water Regulations for Arizona | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 8) |
June 5, 2023 | LA | HB 537 | Prohibits the Chinese Government and its Citizens from Purchasing Agricultural Land in the State | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
May 17, 2023 | IL | HB 3892 | Authorizes the Development of Urban Gardening at Affordable Housing Projects | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 11) |
April 24, 2023 | ND | HB 1371 | Amends State Anti-Corporate Farming Laws to Increase Animal Agriculture | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 5) |
April 20, 2023 | ND | HB 1515 | Authorizes Direct-to-Consumer Sales of Raw Milk | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 14) |
April 20, 2023 | ND | HB 1515 | Authorizes Direct-to-Consumer Sales of Raw Milk | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 14) |
April 11, 2023 | WA | HB 1238 | Expands Washington's Free School Lunch Program | Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 5) |
April 5, 2023 | AZ | HB 2509 | Authorizes the Individual Sale of "Cottage Foods" or Home Baked Goods | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4) |
April 5, 2023 | AZ | HB 2509 | Authorizes the Individual Sale of "Cottage Foods" or Home Baked Goods | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4) |
March 30, 2023 | CO | HB 23-1011 | Authorizes Individuals Right to Repair Agriculture Equipment | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 10) |
March 30, 2023 | ID | H 173 | Prohibits Foreign Governments from Buying Agricultural Land in Idaho | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9) |
March 23, 2023 | SC | S 576 | Prohibits Citizens of "Foreign Adversary" Nations from Buying Property in the State | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5) |
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) |
March 14, 2023 | MN | HF 5 | Expands Access to Free School Lunches | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 26) |
March 6, 2023 | SD | HB 1094 | Reduces Tax Rates on Food and Repeals Conditional Reduction of Certain Gross Receipts Tax Rates | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
Feb. 24, 2023 | SD | HB 1090 | Authorizes Protections for Farmers and Agricultural Operations from Frivolous Lawsuits | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8) |
Sept. 20, 2022 | PA | SB 431 | Amends Hunting and Furtaking Licenses | Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 5) |
Aug. 30, 2022 | CA | SB 222 | Establishes a State Water Rate Assistance Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 8) |
Aug. 29, 2022 | CA | AB 2183 | Authorizes Farm Workers to Unionize by Mail | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10) |
Aug. 23, 2022 | CA | AB 1341 | Prohibits the Sale of Weight Loss and Over-the-Counter Dietary Pills to Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6) |
May 23, 2022 | IA | SF 2374 | Establishes Regulations for Retail Alcohol Licenses, Food Delivery Services | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (44 - 1) |
May 22, 2022 | MN | HF 3420 | Appropriates Moneys for Drought Relief | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (66 - 1) |
May 20, 2022 | OK | SB 169 | Authorizes To-Go Cocktails | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 14) |
May 9, 2022 | ME | LD 1942 | Specifies New Hemp Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5) |
May 5, 2022 | HI | SB 2218 | Establishes a 5-Year Food Hub Pilot Program | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 0) |
May 5, 2022 | HI | SB 2218 | Establishes a 5-Year Food Hub Pilot Program | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 0) |
April 27, 2022 | MN | HF 4366 | Expands Assistance for Agricultural Industry | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 26) |
April 14, 2022 | ME | LD 1911 | Establishes Procedures and Requirements to Prevent PFAS contamination in Waters and Soil | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 4) |
April 6, 2022 | IL | HB 5201 | Establishes Agriculture Equity Commission | Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 2) |
April 4, 2022 | NE | LB 1014 | Appropriates Federal COVID-19 Funds for the Various State Costs and Projects | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 4) |
March 15, 2022 | National | S 623 | Sunshine Protection Act of 2021 | Bill Passed - Senate (100 - 0) |
March 14, 2022 | OK | SB 1708 | Authorizes 16 and 17 Year Old Employees to Sell Mixed Beverages | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11) |
March 12, 2022 | WV | HB 4848 | Amends Alcohol Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 10) |
March 8, 2022 | WY | SF 9 | Establishes Bonds for Agricultural Processing Endeavors | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 13) |
March 8, 2022 | SD | SB 117 | Repeals Sales Tax on Food | Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 9) |
March 8, 2022 | SD | SB 117 | Repeals Sales Tax on Food | Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 9) |
March 3, 2022 | OR | HB 4002 | Requires Overtime Pay for Farm Workers | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 10) |
Feb. 14, 2022 | National | PN 1593 | Nomination of Robert Califf as Commissioner of Food and Drugs, Department of Health and Human Services | Cloture Invoked - Senate (49 - 45) |
Jan. 18, 2022 | MI | HB 4031 | Amends Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Act | (29 - 9) |
Sept. 9, 2021 | CA | SB 343 | Establishes Additional Labeling Requirements for Recyclable Materials | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 7) |
Aug. 26, 2021 | CA | AB 616 | Authorizes "Card Check" for Farm Workers Unions | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
July 19, 2021 | ME | LD 151 | Authorizes Farm Workers to Bargain Collectively | (18 - 17) |
June 24, 2021 | National | S 1251 | Growing Climate Solutions Act of 2021 | Bill Passed - Senate (92 - 8) |
June 16, 2021 | PA | HB 1154 | Authorizes Certain Stores to Sell Mixed Alcoholic Beverages To-Go | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24) |
June 1, 2021 | CA | SB 464 | Authorizes Food Assistance Benefits for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9) |
May 19, 2021 | NE | LB 324 | Amends Nebraska Meat and Poultry Inspection Law | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0) |
May 19, 2021 | NE | LB 2 | Reduces the Valuation of Agricultural Land to Decrease Taxation | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 6) |
May 13, 2021 | AZ | HB 2773 | Authorizes Restaurants to Sell To-Go Cocktails | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8) |
May 6, 2021 | NH | HB 183 | Prohibits Municipalities from Requiring a License for a Soft Drink Stand | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (13 - 10) |
May 5, 2021 | MI | SB 354 | Extends Waivers for Licensing Fees for Certain Food Establishments | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16) |
April 28, 2021 | PA | SB 434 | Authorizes Milk Processors More Leniency With Milk Date Coding | Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0) |
April 15, 2021 | AR | SB 248 | Exempts Certain Producers of Homemade Food or Drink Products from Inspection | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 4) |
April 8, 2021 | AR | SB 339 | Authorizes To-Go Alcohol Sales | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 11) |
March 31, 2021 | GA | SB 195 | Amends Hemp Farming Laws | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (43 - 9) |
March 25, 2021 | MI | SB 250 | Establishes Opening Rules for Restaurants | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
March 11, 2021 | KY | SB 3 | Amends Laws Related to Declaring an Emergency Related to the Agricultural Industry | Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 5) |
Feb. 23, 2021 | National | PN 78-22 | Nomination of Thomas J. Vilsack as Secretary of Agriculture | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (92 - 7) |
Feb. 23, 2021 | IA | SF 356 | Establishes Liability Protections for Agritourism Businesses | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18) |
Feb. 11, 2021 | AL | SB 126 | Authorizes Alcohol Home Delivery | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4) |
Aug. 30, 2020 | CA | AB 826 | Establishes a Disaster Food Assistance Program | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9) |
Aug. 27, 2020 | NJ | S 2704 | Appropriates $30 Million to the EDA to Assist Food Establishments | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0) |
July 22, 2020 | NY | S 8247 | Authorizes Online Grocery Purchases for SNAP Recipients | Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 1) |
June 25, 2020 | GA | SB 211 | Requires Clear Product Labeling on Plant-Based Meat Alternatives | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 8) |
June 25, 2020 | GA | SB 211 | Requires Clear Product Labeling on Plant-Based Meat Alternatives | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 8) |
June 24, 2020 | MI | HB 5781 | Authorizes the Creation of Social Districts for Alcohol Consumption | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1) |
June 23, 2020 | GA | HB 879 | Authorizes Retailers to Deliver Alcohol to Residents | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 9) |
June 18, 2020 | GA | HB 545 | Reduces Statute of Limitations for Certain Nuisance Lawsuits | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21) |
June 17, 2020 | MS | HB 1087 | Rescinds the Prohibition on Alcohol Possession | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11) |
June 10, 2020 | CO | HB 20-1343 | Requires Colorado Eggs to be Cage-Free by 2025 | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
June 10, 2020 | MI | SB 942 | Extends To-Go and Delivery Options to Cocktails | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 1) |
June 10, 2020 | CO | SB 20-213 | Extends State Take-Out Regulations for Alcohol Sales | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 1) |
June 5, 2020 | IA | SF 2413 | Increases Penalties for Trespassing on Animal Food Operations | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 11) |
May 31, 2020 | LA | SB 508 | Limits Liability of Restaurants During the COVID-19 Epidemic | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 0) |
May 14, 2020 | NJ | S 2437 | Limits Fees Charged to Restaurants by Third-Party Food Delivery Applications | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0) |
March 17, 2020 | MD | HB 732 | Increases Tobacco Tax and Establishes Vaping Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 16) |
March 10, 2020 | WA | SB 5947 | Establishes the Sustainable Farms and Fields Grant Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 6) |
March 5, 2020 | NJ | A 2371 | Requires Recycling of Food Waste | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17) |
March 3, 2020 | MD | SB 300 | Prohibits Use of Chlorpyrifos | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14) |
Feb. 27, 2020 | VA | HB 119 | Requires Milk be Defined as the Lacteal Secretion Obtained by the Complete Milking of a Hooved Animal | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
Feb. 18, 2020 | WA | SB 6261 | Expands Farm Labor Contractor System | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16) |
Jan. 16, 2020 | MA | H 4218 | Requires School Districts Offer Breakfast After Instruction Begins | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0) |
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) |
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 27, 2019 | NJ | A 3726 | Requires Food Waste Recycling Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
June 27, 2019 | DE | HB 79 | Requires Beverages Included in Kids' Meals to be Milk or Water | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6) |