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 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) |
Feb. 27, 2024 | IA | SF 2391 | Prohibits Misbranding of Certain Food Products | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0) |
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) |
Sept. 11, 2023 | CA | AB 418 | Prohibits Certain Chemicals Found in Candies such as Skittles and Hot Tamales | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3) |
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) |
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) |
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 20, 2022 | OK | SB 169 | Authorizes To-Go Cocktails | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 14) |
May 5, 2022 | HI | SB 2218 | Establishes a 5-Year Food Hub Pilot Program | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 0) |
March 14, 2022 | OK | SB 1708 | Authorizes 16 and 17 Year Old Employees to Sell Mixed Beverages | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11) |
March 8, 2022 | SD | SB 117 | Repeals Sales Tax on Food | Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 9) |
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) |
Sept. 9, 2021 | CA | SB 343 | Establishes Additional Labeling Requirements for Recyclable Materials | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 7) |
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 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 25, 2021 | MI | SB 250 | Establishes Opening Rules for Restaurants | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
Feb. 11, 2021 | AL | SB 126 | Authorizes Alcohol Home Delivery | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4) |
Aug. 27, 2020 | NJ | S 2704 | Appropriates $30 Million to the EDA to Assist Food Establishments | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0) |
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 17, 2020 | MS | HB 1087 | Rescinds the Prohibition on Alcohol Possession | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11) |
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) |
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) |
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) |
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) |
June 19, 2019 | NY | S 2000 | Establishes Regulations for PFAS Chemicals in Food Containers | Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 6) |
June 4, 2019 | LA | SB 152 | Establishes Definitions for Meat and Beef | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 7) |
May 21, 2019 | CA | SB 58 | Authorizes Bars to Remain Open Until 3 AM | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6) |
April 1, 2019 | NY | A 558 | Increases Age for Tobacco Sale Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 9) |
Feb. 26, 2019 | UT | SB 132 | Increases Alcohol Cap for Beer Sales | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 2) |
Aug. 21, 2018 | CA | SB 1192 | Requires Beverages Included in Kids' Meals to be Milk or Water | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 9) |
June 28, 2018 | MA | H 4479 | Increases Minimum Purchase Age for Tobacco Products | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3) |
June 28, 2018 | CA | AB 1838 | Prohibits Local Grocery Taxes | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7) |
June 27, 2018 | DE | HB 165 | Authorizes Shipment of Wine from Out-of-State Sellers | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10) |
May 31, 2018 | CA | SB 1138 | Requires Prisons to Provide Vegan Meal Options | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0) |
May 30, 2018 | CA | SB 905 | Authorizes Alcohol Sales Until 4 AM | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
May 2, 2018 | RI | S 2350 | Prohibits Advertising Unhealthy Food in Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1) |
Feb. 5, 2018 | MS | SB 2588 | Authorizes Localities to Designate Open Container Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 9) |
Oct. 12, 2017 | MI | HB 4999 | Prohibits Localities from Taxing Foods and Beverages | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5) |
Sept. 5, 2017 | CA | AB 841 | Restricts Marketing of Unhealthy Foods in Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13) |
April 11, 2017 | WA | HB 1493 | Regulates Commercial Use of Biometric Data | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12) |
Aug. 30, 2016 | CA | SB 1333 | Prohibits Smoking on State Beaches and Parks | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 10) |
July 7, 2016 | National | S 764 | Establishes Labeling Standards for Genetically Modified Foods | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (63 - 30) |
May 31, 2016 | CA | SB 1333 | Prohibits Smoking on State Beaches and Parks | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11) |
May 26, 2016 | NJ | S 359 | Increases Smoking Age to 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
May 18, 2016 | IL | SB 3011 | Increases Smoking Age to 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 22) |
April 28, 2016 | MA | S 2269 | Increases Smoking Age to 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2) |
April 18, 2016 | LA | SB 29 | Authorizes the Sale of Raw Milk | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
March 30, 2016 | AK | SB 1 | Prohibits Smoking in Public | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5) |
March 10, 2016 | CA | SB 7 | Increases Smoking Age to 21 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 10) |
March 10, 2016 | CA | SB 5 | Amends Regulations for E-Cigarettes | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
March 3, 2016 | MO | SB 919 | Authorizes Breweries to Lease Coolers to Stores | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14) |
March 1, 2016 | IN | HB 1386 | Authorizes Liquor Licenses for State Parks | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17) |
March 1, 2016 | OK | SJR 68 | Authorizes the Public to Vote on Beer and Wine Sales | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (28 - 16) |
Jan. 14, 2016 | KY | SB 200 | Amends Alcohol Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8) |
Aug. 27, 2015 | CA | SB 7 | Increases Smoking Age to 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
Aug. 27, 2015 | CA | SB 5 | Amends Regulations for E-Cigarettes | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
June 2, 2015 | CA | SB 151 | Increases Smoking Age | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9) |
June 2, 2015 | CA | SB 140 | Prohibits Smoking Electronic Cigarettes in Certain Indoor Areas | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
May 11, 2015 | OR | HB 2546 | Prohibits Sale of Electronic Cigarettes to Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8) |
April 28, 2015 | HI | SB 550 | Prohibits Powdered Alcohol | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 2) |
April 24, 2015 | HI | SB 1030 | Prohibits Sale of Tobacco Products to Individuals Under 21 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 4) |
April 7, 2015 | IN | HB 1432 | Establishes E-Liquid Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 15) |
March 20, 2015 | ND | HB 1434 | Authorizes Alcohol Sales on Sunday Mornings | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18) |
March 19, 2015 | ND | HB 1434 | Authorizes Alcohol Sales on Sunday Mornings | Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 22) |
March 19, 2015 | NM | SB 433 | Prohibits Sale of E-Cigarettes to Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10) |
March 12, 2015 | UT | HB 48 | Prohibits Powdered Alcohol | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4) |
March 10, 2015 | HI | SB 1030 | Prohibits Sale of Tobacco Products to Individuals Under 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 5) |
March 5, 2015 | GA | SB 103 | Authorizes the Sale of Alcoholic Beverages 1 Sunday Each Year | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 19) |
March 4, 2015 | KY | HB 168 | Prohibits Out-of-State Breweries from Holding Alcohol Distributors Licenses | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13) |
March 2, 2015 | NM | SB 503 | Authorizes Beer and Wine Delivery Licenses | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 10) |
Feb. 20, 2015 | WV | SB 30 | Authorizes the Consumption of Raw Milk | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16) |
Jan. 28, 2015 | WY | SF 106 | Prohibits Powdered Alcohol | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7) |
Dec. 4, 2014 | MI | SB 247 | Authorizes the Sale of Alcohol until 4 a.m. | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14) |
Oct. 15, 2014 | PA | HB 1750 | Prohibits Pigeon Shoots | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 12) |
May 29, 2014 | CA | SB 1000 | Requires Health Warning Labels on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
April 29, 2014 | FL | SB 1714 | Amends Brewery Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10) |
March 27, 2014 | NH | SB 329 | Repeals the Prohibition on Alcoholic Beverage Billboard Advertisements | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (13 - 11) |
March 4, 2014 | SD | HB 1123 | Extends the Alcoholic Beverage Service Hours of Certain Hotels | Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 20) |
March 3, 2014 | TN | SB 837 | Authorizes the Sale of Wine in Grocery Stores | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 4) |
Feb. 18, 2014 | NM | SB 347 | Appropriates Funds to the Lottery Tuition Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 11) |
Feb. 17, 2014 | GA | SB 318 | Authorizes Bars to Sell Alcohol on Certain Holiday Weekends | Bill Failed - Senate (28 - 20) |
Feb. 16, 2014 | NM | SB 263 | Increases the Liquor Excise Tax Rate | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 14) |
Feb. 5, 2014 | MD | SB 75 | Prohibits the Sale of Alcoholic Products with Alcohol Content Above 95 Percent | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 10) |