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.


results per page:
Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
April 10, 2025 NH HB 71 Prohibits the Use of Public School Facilities to Provide Shelter to Undocumented Immigrants "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (209 - 162)
April 10, 2025 TN SB 836 Authorizes Schools to Charge Undocumented Students Tuition Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
April 10, 2025 AR SB 640 Authorizes State Library Board Overhaul Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 4)
April 9, 2025 WV HB 2003 Limits the Use of Cell Phones in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
April 9, 2025 AR HB 1866 Requires All Public Schools to Install an Audio Recording Device in Locker Rooms and Dressing Rooms of Public-School Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
April 9, 2025 AR HB 1866 Requires All Public Schools to Install an Audio Recording Device in Locker Rooms and Dressing Rooms of Public-School Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
April 9, 2025 IA HF 785 Authorizes No More Than One Board Member to Reside Outside of Iowa Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
April 9, 2025 IA HF 785 Authorizes No More Than One Board Member to Reside Outside of Iowa Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
April 9, 2025 IA HF 392 Authorizes School Districts to Submit Year-Round School Calendars for 9th-12th Grade Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
April 9, 2025 IA HF 392 Authorizes School Districts to Submit Year-Round School Calendars for 9th-12th Grade Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
April 9, 2025 AL SB 92 Prohibits the Use of Cell Phones in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
April 9, 2025 NC SB 558 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Public Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18)
April 9, 2025 IL SB 2427 Prohibits Phone Usage for Students While at School Bill Passed - Senate (55 - 0)
April 9, 2025 IL SB 1519 Prohibits Public School Students From Being Subject to Municipal Fines, Fees, Tickets, or Citations as a Form of School-Based Discipline Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17)
April 8, 2025 IN SB 143 Establishes an Educational Parental Bill of Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 4)
April 8, 2025 IA HF 782 Requires that K-12 School Districts Enact Policies Prohibiting the Use of Cellphones During Instructional Hours Concurrence Vote Passed - House (92 - 4)
April 8, 2025 IN SB 143 Establishes an Educational Parental Bill of Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 4)
April 8, 2025 ND SB 2241 Authorizes the Establishment of Public Charter Schools in North Dakota Bill Passed - House (64 - 29)
April 8, 2025 ND SB 2241 Authorizes the Establishment of Public Charter Schools in North Dakota Bill Passed - House (64 - 29)
April 8, 2025 IL HB 3527 Prohibit Schools from Using a Name, Logo, or Mascot that is Derogatory or Representative of a Disabled Individual or Group Bill Passed - House (71 - 38)
April 8, 2025 RI SJR 177 Establishes the Universal Right to Education that is Equitable, Adequate, and Meaningful for Each Child Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
April 8, 2025 IL HB 3527 Prohibit Schools from Using a Name, Logo, or Mascot that is Derogatory or Representative of a Disabled Individual or Group Bill Passed - House (71 - 38)
April 7, 2025 IN SB 10 Prohibits Use of School IDs for Voter Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
April 7, 2025 ND HB 1160 Prohibits Student Cellphone Use in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 4)
April 7, 2025 TN SB 471 Requires Schools to Teach Students the Positive Outcomes of Following a Normal Life Path or "Success Sequence" Bill Passed - House (73 - 20)
April 7, 2025 IA HF 784 Amends Provisions Related to Mathematics Instruction to Require Testing Three Times Annually Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 1)
April 7, 2025 ND SB 2354 Requires All Public and Private Schools to Follow the Statewide Student Cellphone Ban Bill Passed - House (61 - 29)
April 7, 2025 TN SB 16 Amends and Modifies Regulations Related to Interscholastic Athletics Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
April 7, 2025 TN HB 134 Prohibits Schools From Selling Food Containing Red 40 Dyes Bill Passed - House (88 - 5)
April 7, 2025 IL HB 1859 Prohibits the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) As an Instructional Tool Bill Passed - House (87 - 17)
April 5, 2025 MD HB 161 Establishes Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity as its Own Section in the Family Life and Human Sexuality Category Concurrence Vote Passed - House (97 - 38)
April 4, 2025 ID S 1198 Prohibits Certain DEI-Based Practices in Higher Education Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
April 3, 2025 WV SB 199 Establishes a Behavioral Plan for Students that Exhibit Violent, Threatening, or Intimidating Behavior Concurrence Vote Passed - House (94 - 3)
April 3, 2025 WV SB 199 Establishes a Behavioral Plan for Students that Exhibit Violent, Threatening, or Intimidating Behavior Concurrence Vote Passed - House (94 - 3)
April 3, 2025 ID S 1198 Prohibits Certain DEI-Based Practices in Higher Education Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
April 3, 2025 MD HB 161 Establishes Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity as its Own Section in the Family Life and Human Sexuality Category Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12)
April 3, 2025 CO SB 25-143 Authorizes Facial Recognition Technology for School Security Bill Passed - House (63 - 2)
April 3, 2025 AL HB 166 Prohibits Students from Using Cell Phones During Classes Bill Passed - House (79 - 15)
April 3, 2025 FL SB 166 Rescinds and Reduces the Requirements for Students to Graduate High School Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
April 3, 2025 MO HB 17 Appropriates Funding for the State K-12 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (150 - 5)
April 3, 2025 TX SB 27 Authorizes Teachers to Immediately Remove from Class a Student Who is Bullying Others or is Verbally Abusive Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
April 3, 2025 MO HB 17 Appropriates Funding for the State K-12 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (150 - 5)
April 3, 2025 AL SB 85 Amends Provisions Related to Obtaining Religious Exemptions From Vaccinations for Students Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
April 3, 2025 FL HB 355 Authorizes Public Schools to Purchase FDA-Approved Emergency Opioid Antagonists Bill Passed - House (107 - 0)
April 3, 2025 FL HB 549 Requires All Educational Instructional and Geographical Materials be Updated to Say "Gulf of America" Bill Passed - House (78 - 29)
April 3, 2025 FL HB 549 Requires All Educational Instructional and Geographical Materials be Updated to Say "Gulf of America" Bill Passed - House (78 - 29)
April 2, 2025 MS HB 1193 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in K-12 and Institutions of Higher Education Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 13)
April 2, 2025 GA HB 127 Prohibits Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives in Georgia's Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 21)
April 2, 2025 SC H 3927 Prohibits Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives at State Public Universities and Community Colleges Bill Passed - House (82 - 32)
April 2, 2025 AR SB 536 Repeals and Transfers The Arkansas State Library And The State Library Board Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
April 1, 2025 MS HB 1193 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in K-12 and Institutions of Higher Education Conference Report Adopted - House (73 - 40)
April 1, 2025 IN SB 143 Establishes an Educational Parental Bill of Rights Bill Passed - House (69 - 24)
April 1, 2025 IN SB 143 Establishes an Educational Parental Bill of Rights Bill Passed - House (69 - 24)
April 1, 2025 IN SB 10 Prohibits Use of School IDs for Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (66 - 26)
April 1, 2025 TX SB 965 Authorizes Teachers the Right to Pray While Working in Texas Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
April 1, 2025 AR HB 1646 Requires Certain Materials to be Stored in Locked Compartments within a Designated Area Bill Passed - House (75 - 14)
April 1, 2025 AR SB 450 Requires the Department of Education to Include a Human Fetal Growth and Development Discussion in the Relevant Standards During the Arkansas Academic Standards Revision Cycle Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
March 31, 2025 GA SB 1 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 20)
March 31, 2025 GA HB 268 Amends and Improves School Safety and Threat Management Responses Concurrence Vote Passed - House (154 - 12)
March 31, 2025 GA HB 268 Amends and Improves School Safety and Threat Management Responses Concurrence Vote Passed - House (154 - 12)
March 31, 2025 GA HB 268 Amends and Improves School Safety and Threat Management Responses Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 9)
March 31, 2025 GA HB 268 Amends and Improves School Safety and Threat Management Responses Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 9)
March 31, 2025 IN SB 287 Amends School Board Elections to be Partisan Races Bill Passed - House (54 - 40)
March 31, 2025 GA SB 1 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Bill Passed - House (100 - 64)
March 31, 2025 OR SB 1098 Prohibits Schools and Library districts from Removing Books with Stories about Religion, Disability, LGBTQ+ Issues, or Other Characteristics of a Protected Class Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
March 31, 2025 IA HF 392 Authorizes School Districts to Submit Year-Round School Calendars for 9th-12th Grade Bill Passed - House (91 - 1)
March 31, 2025 IA HF 392 Authorizes School Districts to Submit Year-Round School Calendars for 9th-12th Grade Bill Passed - House (91 - 1)
March 28, 2025 KY SB 9 Requires School Districts to Provide Teachers Up to 30 Days of Paid Maternity Leave Bill Passed - House (90 - 9)
March 28, 2025 KY SB 9 Requires School Districts to Provide Teachers Up to 30 Days of Paid Maternity Leave Bill Passed - House (90 - 9)
March 28, 2025 KY SJR 55 Requires Kentucky Colleges and Universities to Adopt Policies for Combating Antisemitism Joint Resolution Passed - House (75 - 6)
March 27, 2025 KY HB 240 Requires Schools to Administer a Reading Assessment to Kindergarten and First-Grade Students Within the Final 14 Days of the Academic Year Veto Override Passed - House (93 - 3)
March 27, 2025 KY SB 19 Requires Public Schools to Hold a Moment of Silence and Reflection for Students at the Start of Each School Day Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
March 27, 2025 KY HB 240 Requires Schools to Administer a Reading Assessment to Kindergarten and First-Grade Students Within the Final 14 Days of the Academic Year Veto Override Passed - House (93 - 3)
March 27, 2025 KY SB 19 Requires Public Schools to Hold a Moment of Silence and Reflection for Students at the Start of Each School Day Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
March 27, 2025 KY HB 4 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs at Public Colleges and Universities in Kentucky Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/10 HB 71 Prohibits the Use of Public School Facilities to Provide Shelter to Undocumented Immigrants "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (209 - 162)
4/10 SB 836 Authorizes Schools to Charge Undocumented Students Tuition Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
4/10 SB 640 Authorizes State Library Board Overhaul Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 4)
4/09 HB 2003 Limits the Use of Cell Phones in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
4/09 HB 1866 Requires All Public Schools to Install an Audio Recording Device in Locker Rooms and Dressing Rooms of Public-School Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
4/09 HB 1866 Requires All Public Schools to Install an Audio Recording Device in Locker Rooms and Dressing Rooms of Public-School Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
4/09 HF 785 Authorizes No More Than One Board Member to Reside Outside of Iowa Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
4/09 HF 785 Authorizes No More Than One Board Member to Reside Outside of Iowa Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
4/09 HF 392 Authorizes School Districts to Submit Year-Round School Calendars for 9th-12th Grade Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
4/09 HF 392 Authorizes School Districts to Submit Year-Round School Calendars for 9th-12th Grade Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
4/09 SB 92 Prohibits the Use of Cell Phones in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
4/09 SB 558 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Public Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18)
4/09 SB 2427 Prohibits Phone Usage for Students While at School Bill Passed - Senate (55 - 0)
4/09 SB 1519 Prohibits Public School Students From Being Subject to Municipal Fines, Fees, Tickets, or Citations as a Form of School-Based Discipline Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17)
4/08 SB 143 Establishes an Educational Parental Bill of Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 4)
4/08 HF 782 Requires that K-12 School Districts Enact Policies Prohibiting the Use of Cellphones During Instructional Hours Concurrence Vote Passed - House (92 - 4)
4/08 SB 143 Establishes an Educational Parental Bill of Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 4)
4/08 SB 2241 Authorizes the Establishment of Public Charter Schools in North Dakota Bill Passed - House (64 - 29)
4/08 SB 2241 Authorizes the Establishment of Public Charter Schools in North Dakota Bill Passed - House (64 - 29)
4/08 HB 3527 Prohibit Schools from Using a Name, Logo, or Mascot that is Derogatory or Representative of a Disabled Individual or Group Bill Passed - House (71 - 38)
4/08 SJR 177 Establishes the Universal Right to Education that is Equitable, Adequate, and Meaningful for Each Child Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
4/08 HB 3527 Prohibit Schools from Using a Name, Logo, or Mascot that is Derogatory or Representative of a Disabled Individual or Group Bill Passed - House (71 - 38)
4/07 SB 10 Prohibits Use of School IDs for Voter Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
4/07 HB 1160 Prohibits Student Cellphone Use in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 4)
4/07 SB 471 Requires Schools to Teach Students the Positive Outcomes of Following a Normal Life Path or "Success Sequence" Bill Passed - House (73 - 20)
4/07 HF 784 Amends Provisions Related to Mathematics Instruction to Require Testing Three Times Annually Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 1)
4/07 SB 2354 Requires All Public and Private Schools to Follow the Statewide Student Cellphone Ban Bill Passed - House (61 - 29)
4/07 SB 16 Amends and Modifies Regulations Related to Interscholastic Athletics Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
4/07 HB 134 Prohibits Schools From Selling Food Containing Red 40 Dyes Bill Passed - House (88 - 5)
4/07 HB 1859 Prohibits the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) As an Instructional Tool Bill Passed - House (87 - 17)
4/05 HB 161 Establishes Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity as its Own Section in the Family Life and Human Sexuality Category Concurrence Vote Passed - House (97 - 38)
4/04 S 1198 Prohibits Certain DEI-Based Practices in Higher Education Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
4/03 SB 199 Establishes a Behavioral Plan for Students that Exhibit Violent, Threatening, or Intimidating Behavior Concurrence Vote Passed - House (94 - 3)
4/03 SB 199 Establishes a Behavioral Plan for Students that Exhibit Violent, Threatening, or Intimidating Behavior Concurrence Vote Passed - House (94 - 3)
4/03 S 1198 Prohibits Certain DEI-Based Practices in Higher Education Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
4/03 HB 161 Establishes Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity as its Own Section in the Family Life and Human Sexuality Category Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12)
4/03 SB 25-143 Authorizes Facial Recognition Technology for School Security Bill Passed - House (63 - 2)
4/03 HB 166 Prohibits Students from Using Cell Phones During Classes Bill Passed - House (79 - 15)
4/03 SB 166 Rescinds and Reduces the Requirements for Students to Graduate High School Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
4/03 HB 17 Appropriates Funding for the State K-12 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (150 - 5)
4/03 SB 27 Authorizes Teachers to Immediately Remove from Class a Student Who is Bullying Others or is Verbally Abusive Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
4/03 HB 17 Appropriates Funding for the State K-12 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (150 - 5)
4/03 SB 85 Amends Provisions Related to Obtaining Religious Exemptions From Vaccinations for Students Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
4/03 HB 355 Authorizes Public Schools to Purchase FDA-Approved Emergency Opioid Antagonists Bill Passed - House (107 - 0)
4/03 HB 549 Requires All Educational Instructional and Geographical Materials be Updated to Say "Gulf of America" Bill Passed - House (78 - 29)
4/03 HB 549 Requires All Educational Instructional and Geographical Materials be Updated to Say "Gulf of America" Bill Passed - House (78 - 29)
4/02 HB 1193 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in K-12 and Institutions of Higher Education Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 13)
4/02 HB 127 Prohibits Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives in Georgia's Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 21)
4/02 H 3927 Prohibits Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives at State Public Universities and Community Colleges Bill Passed - House (82 - 32)
4/02 SB 536 Repeals and Transfers The Arkansas State Library And The State Library Board Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
4/01 HB 1193 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in K-12 and Institutions of Higher Education Conference Report Adopted - House (73 - 40)
4/01 SB 143 Establishes an Educational Parental Bill of Rights Bill Passed - House (69 - 24)
4/01 SB 143 Establishes an Educational Parental Bill of Rights Bill Passed - House (69 - 24)
4/01 SB 10 Prohibits Use of School IDs for Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (66 - 26)
4/01 SB 965 Authorizes Teachers the Right to Pray While Working in Texas Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
4/01 HB 1646 Requires Certain Materials to be Stored in Locked Compartments within a Designated Area Bill Passed - House (75 - 14)
4/01 SB 450 Requires the Department of Education to Include a Human Fetal Growth and Development Discussion in the Relevant Standards During the Arkansas Academic Standards Revision Cycle Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
3/31 SB 1 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 20)
3/31 HB 268 Amends and Improves School Safety and Threat Management Responses Concurrence Vote Passed - House (154 - 12)
3/31 HB 268 Amends and Improves School Safety and Threat Management Responses Concurrence Vote Passed - House (154 - 12)
3/31 HB 268 Amends and Improves School Safety and Threat Management Responses Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 9)
3/31 HB 268 Amends and Improves School Safety and Threat Management Responses Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 9)
3/31 SB 287 Amends School Board Elections to be Partisan Races Bill Passed - House (54 - 40)
3/31 SB 1 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Bill Passed - House (100 - 64)
3/31 SB 1098 Prohibits Schools and Library districts from Removing Books with Stories about Religion, Disability, LGBTQ+ Issues, or Other Characteristics of a Protected Class Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
3/31 HF 392 Authorizes School Districts to Submit Year-Round School Calendars for 9th-12th Grade Bill Passed - House (91 - 1)
3/31 HF 392 Authorizes School Districts to Submit Year-Round School Calendars for 9th-12th Grade Bill Passed - House (91 - 1)
3/28 SB 9 Requires School Districts to Provide Teachers Up to 30 Days of Paid Maternity Leave Bill Passed - House (90 - 9)
3/28 SB 9 Requires School Districts to Provide Teachers Up to 30 Days of Paid Maternity Leave Bill Passed - House (90 - 9)
3/28 SJR 55 Requires Kentucky Colleges and Universities to Adopt Policies for Combating Antisemitism Joint Resolution Passed - House (75 - 6)
3/27 HB 240 Requires Schools to Administer a Reading Assessment to Kindergarten and First-Grade Students Within the Final 14 Days of the Academic Year Veto Override Passed - House (93 - 3)
3/27 SB 19 Requires Public Schools to Hold a Moment of Silence and Reflection for Students at the Start of Each School Day Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
3/27 HB 240 Requires Schools to Administer a Reading Assessment to Kindergarten and First-Grade Students Within the Final 14 Days of the Academic Year Veto Override Passed - House (93 - 3)
3/27 SB 19 Requires Public Schools to Hold a Moment of Silence and Reflection for Students at the Start of Each School Day Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
3/27 HB 4 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs at Public Colleges and Universities in Kentucky Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 6)

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