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
March 19, 2025 IA SF 273 Require Schools to Report Employee Misconduct Toward Students Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 2)
March 19, 2025 IA HF 189 Establishes Requirements for Public School Districts with Nonpublic School Students Wishing to Participate in Extracurricular Athletics Bill Passed - House (63 - 33)
March 19, 2025 IA SF 273 Require Schools to Report Employee Misconduct Toward Students Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 2)
March 18, 2025 WI AB 1 Establishes Regulations Over School Test Scores Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
March 18, 2025 WI AB 1 Establishes Regulations Over School Test Scores Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
March 18, 2025 IA HF 269 Prohibits Requirements Related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Subjects in Higher Education Bill Passed - House (63 - 34)
March 18, 2025 ID H 331 Establishes a State Credit Enhancement Program Meant to Lower Interest Rates for Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
March 18, 2025 ID S 1046 Requires Idaho Public Schools to Provide Human Growth and Fetal Development Instruction in Grades 5-12 Bill Passed - House (63 - 6)
March 18, 2025 ID S 1046 Requires Idaho Public Schools to Provide Human Growth and Fetal Development Instruction in Grades 5-12 Bill Passed - House (63 - 6)
March 18, 2025 WI AB 96 Authorizes the Collective Bargaining Contract Between the University of Wisconsin System and the Wisconsin State Building Trades Negotiating Committee for the 2024-2025 Fiscal Year Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 1)
March 18, 2025 WI AB 95 Authorizes the Collective Bargaining Contract Between the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Wisconsin State Building Trades Negotiating Committee for the 2024-2025 Fiscal Year Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 1)
March 18, 2025 IA HF 401 Establishes New General Education Requirements for Iowa's Public Universities Bill Passed - House (61 - 36)
March 18, 2025 IA HF 440 Authorizes the State Higher Education System to Study the Pros and Cons of Implementing a Tuition Freeze for First-Year Students Bill Passed - House (64 - 33)
March 18, 2025 IA HF 401 Establishes New General Education Requirements for Iowa's Public Universities Bill Passed - House (61 - 36)
March 18, 2025 WV SB 548 Establishes the Safety and Violence Education for Students Act Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
March 18, 2025 MI HB 4065 Authorizes Macomb Community College to Sell Alcohol on Campus Bill Passed - House (101 - 7)
March 18, 2025 TX SB 11 Requires Schools to Provide Time for Students to Practice Prayer of Any Religion During School Hours Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
March 18, 2025 IA HF 784 Amends Provisions Related to Mathematics Instruction to Require Testing Three Times Annually Bill Passed - House (82 - 16)
March 18, 2025 IA HF 437 Establishes a Center for Intellectual Freedom at the University of Iowa Bill Passed - House (60 - 37)
March 18, 2025 IA HF 295 Prohibits Accrediting Agencies from Penalizing an Institution for Refusing to Violate State Law Bill Passed - House (65 - 32)
March 18, 2025 IA HF 856 Prohibits Certain Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives and Offices in Private and Community Colleges Bill Passed - House (61 - 37)
March 18, 2025 IA HF 870 Exempts Student Absences When They Attend Religious Instruction During the School Day Bill Passed - House (96 - 2)
March 18, 2025 IA HF 522 Authorizes Schools to Use Therapeutic Classrooms Grant Funds for Certain Nutritional Items Bill Passed - House (66 - 32)
March 18, 2025 IA HF 865 Amends Provisions Related to School Bullying Bill Passed - House (64 - 33)
March 18, 2025 ID S 1096 Increases Funding for Schools With High-Needs Students Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
March 18, 2025 ID H 396 Increases Reimbursements for Vehicles Used to Transport Students to Off-Site Activities Bill Passed - House (62 - 6)
March 17, 2025 CO HB 25-1027 Amends Colorado's Vaccination Requirements for Children Attending Public Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (43 - 20)
March 17, 2025 NM SB 19 Requires Governance Training for New Mexico Public Higher Education Boards Bill Passed - House (61 - 2)
March 17, 2025 NM SB 19 Requires Governance Training for New Mexico Public Higher Education Boards Bill Passed - House (61 - 2)
March 17, 2025 AR SB 246 Amends Provisions for Education in the State of Arkansas Bill Passed - House (77 - 17)
March 17, 2025 AR HB 1512 Establishes the Arkansas ACCESS Act Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
March 14, 2025 ID H 243 Authorizes Child Care Facilities to Determine Their Own Child-to-Staff Ratio Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
March 14, 2025 CO HB 25-1027 Amends Colorado's Vaccination Requirements for Children Attending Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
March 14, 2025 CO HB 25-1041 Authorizes Public Universities to Pay Student Athletes for Their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
March 14, 2025 KY HB 208 Requires School Districts to Develop Policies Prohibiting Cell Phone Use in Class Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
March 14, 2025 CO SB 25-143 Authorizes Facial Recognition Technology for School Security Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
March 13, 2025 SD HB 1132 Establishes Eligibility for Child Care Employees in the Child Care Assistance Program Veto Override Failed - House (27 - 43)
March 13, 2025 KY HB 4 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs at Public Colleges and Universities in Kentucky Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 17)
March 13, 2025 KY HB 241 Authorizes 5 Disaster Relief School Attendance Days Using Non-Traditional Instruction Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
March 13, 2025 KY HB 241 Authorizes 5 Disaster Relief School Attendance Days Using Non-Traditional Instruction Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
March 13, 2025 NH HB 675 Establishes Automatic School Budget Caps "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (190 - 185)
March 13, 2025 NH SB 295 Repeals Income Limits for Education Freedom Accounts Immediately but Includes a 12,250-Student Cap on the Program "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
March 13, 2025 NH SB 295 Repeals Income Limits for Education Freedom Accounts Immediately but Includes a 12,250-Student Cap on the Program "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
March 13, 2025 NH SB 33 Restricts Learning Materials Authorized for Use by Students in Public School Districts "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
March 13, 2025 NH SB 33 Restricts Learning Materials Authorized for Use by Students in Public School Districts "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
March 13, 2025 OK SB 139 Requires School District Boards of Education to Adopt a "Bell-to-Bell" Cell Phone Ban in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 8)
March 13, 2025 AZ SB 1472 Requires School Districts Appropriate Funding for the Next 3 State Fiscal Years Instead of One Year Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
March 13, 2025 WI AB 91 Authorizes Financial Penalties for School Districts that Fail to Comply with Police Being in Schools Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
March 13, 2025 OK HB 1087 Extends the Teacher Salary Schedule Increases by 10 Years Bill Passed - House (86 - 2)
March 13, 2025 OK HB 1087 Extends the Teacher Salary Schedule Increases by 10 Years Bill Passed - House (86 - 2)
March 13, 2025 NH HB 115 Authorizes a Phased-In Repeal of Income Caps for the State's Education Freedom Accounts Program Bill Passed - House (198 - 180)
March 13, 2025 AR SB 352 Prohibits Antisemitic Discrimination in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
March 13, 2025 AR SB 246 Amends Provisions for Education in the State of Arkansas Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
March 12, 2025 KY HB 4 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs at Public Colleges and Universities in Kentucky Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
March 12, 2025 IA HF 516 Requires 80% of Students Admitted to the University of Iowa's Medical and Dentistry Colleges to be Iowa Residents Bill Passed - House (67 - 28)
March 12, 2025 IA HF 579 Authorizes the Modified Supplemental Amount Ratio School Districts to Levy for Dropout Prevention Programs to Go Up to 5% Bill Passed - House (92 - 4)
March 12, 2025 MO HB 711 Establishes Open Enrollment Policies for Missouri Schools Bill Passed - House (88 - 69)
March 12, 2025 IA HF 579 Authorizes the Modified Supplemental Amount Ratio School Districts to Levy for Dropout Prevention Programs to Go Up to 5% Bill Passed - House (92 - 4)
March 12, 2025 AR HB 1512 Establishes the Arkansas ACCESS Act Bill Passed - House (81 - 17)
March 12, 2025 OK HB 2125 Authorizes Adjunct Teachers in Early Childhood Classes Bill Passed - House (68 - 22)
March 12, 2025 OK HB 2125 Authorizes Adjunct Teachers in Early Childhood Classes Bill Passed - House (68 - 22)
March 12, 2025 MO HB 711 Establishes Open Enrollment Policies for Missouri Schools Bill Passed - House (88 - 69)
March 12, 2025 WA HB 1296 Requires the State to Promote a Safe and Supportive Public Education System Bill Passed - House (56 - 37)
March 12, 2025 WA HB 1296 Requires the State to Promote a Safe and Supportive Public Education System Bill Passed - House (56 - 37)
March 12, 2025 AK HB 69 Authorizes Open Enrollment for Students in Alaska Bill Passed - House (24 - 16)
March 12, 2025 AK HB 69 Authorizes Open Enrollment for Students in Alaska Bill Passed - House (24 - 16)
March 12, 2025 WA SB 5263 Repeals the State Special Education Funding Cap Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
March 11, 2025 SD HB 1259 Prohibits Unauthorized Access to Certain Multi-Occupancy Restrooms Concurrence Vote Passed - House (58 - 9)
March 11, 2025 ID H 41 Prohibits Flags in Public Schools that Represent a Political Viewpoint Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 10)
March 11, 2025 ID H 41 Prohibits Flags in Public Schools that Represent a Political Viewpoint Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 10)
March 11, 2025 SD HB 1239 Repeals an Exemption Shielding Libraries, Schools, Universities, Museums and Their Employees from Prosecution Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 34)
March 11, 2025 OK SB 105 Repeals Prior Public School Enrollment Requirements for the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 10)
March 11, 2025 OK SB 105 Repeals Prior Public School Enrollment Requirements for the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 10)
March 11, 2025 NC SB 227 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Instruction in K-12 Education Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18)
March 11, 2025 CO SB 25-154 Reduces Testing Requirements for Teaching Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/19 SF 273 Require Schools to Report Employee Misconduct Toward Students Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 2)
3/19 HF 189 Establishes Requirements for Public School Districts with Nonpublic School Students Wishing to Participate in Extracurricular Athletics Bill Passed - House (63 - 33)
3/19 SF 273 Require Schools to Report Employee Misconduct Toward Students Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 2)
3/18 AB 1 Establishes Regulations Over School Test Scores Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
3/18 AB 1 Establishes Regulations Over School Test Scores Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
3/18 HF 269 Prohibits Requirements Related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Subjects in Higher Education Bill Passed - House (63 - 34)
3/18 H 331 Establishes a State Credit Enhancement Program Meant to Lower Interest Rates for Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
3/18 S 1046 Requires Idaho Public Schools to Provide Human Growth and Fetal Development Instruction in Grades 5-12 Bill Passed - House (63 - 6)
3/18 S 1046 Requires Idaho Public Schools to Provide Human Growth and Fetal Development Instruction in Grades 5-12 Bill Passed - House (63 - 6)
3/18 AB 96 Authorizes the Collective Bargaining Contract Between the University of Wisconsin System and the Wisconsin State Building Trades Negotiating Committee for the 2024-2025 Fiscal Year Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 1)
3/18 AB 95 Authorizes the Collective Bargaining Contract Between the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Wisconsin State Building Trades Negotiating Committee for the 2024-2025 Fiscal Year Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 1)
3/18 HF 401 Establishes New General Education Requirements for Iowa's Public Universities Bill Passed - House (61 - 36)
3/18 HF 440 Authorizes the State Higher Education System to Study the Pros and Cons of Implementing a Tuition Freeze for First-Year Students Bill Passed - House (64 - 33)
3/18 HF 401 Establishes New General Education Requirements for Iowa's Public Universities Bill Passed - House (61 - 36)
3/18 SB 548 Establishes the Safety and Violence Education for Students Act Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
3/18 HB 4065 Authorizes Macomb Community College to Sell Alcohol on Campus Bill Passed - House (101 - 7)
3/18 SB 11 Requires Schools to Provide Time for Students to Practice Prayer of Any Religion During School Hours Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
3/18 HF 784 Amends Provisions Related to Mathematics Instruction to Require Testing Three Times Annually Bill Passed - House (82 - 16)
3/18 HF 437 Establishes a Center for Intellectual Freedom at the University of Iowa Bill Passed - House (60 - 37)
3/18 HF 295 Prohibits Accrediting Agencies from Penalizing an Institution for Refusing to Violate State Law Bill Passed - House (65 - 32)
3/18 HF 856 Prohibits Certain Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives and Offices in Private and Community Colleges Bill Passed - House (61 - 37)
3/18 HF 870 Exempts Student Absences When They Attend Religious Instruction During the School Day Bill Passed - House (96 - 2)
3/18 HF 522 Authorizes Schools to Use Therapeutic Classrooms Grant Funds for Certain Nutritional Items Bill Passed - House (66 - 32)
3/18 HF 865 Amends Provisions Related to School Bullying Bill Passed - House (64 - 33)
3/18 S 1096 Increases Funding for Schools With High-Needs Students Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
3/18 H 396 Increases Reimbursements for Vehicles Used to Transport Students to Off-Site Activities Bill Passed - House (62 - 6)
3/17 HB 25-1027 Amends Colorado's Vaccination Requirements for Children Attending Public Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (43 - 20)
3/17 SB 19 Requires Governance Training for New Mexico Public Higher Education Boards Bill Passed - House (61 - 2)
3/17 SB 19 Requires Governance Training for New Mexico Public Higher Education Boards Bill Passed - House (61 - 2)
3/17 SB 246 Amends Provisions for Education in the State of Arkansas Bill Passed - House (77 - 17)
3/17 HB 1512 Establishes the Arkansas ACCESS Act Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
3/14 H 243 Authorizes Child Care Facilities to Determine Their Own Child-to-Staff Ratio Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
3/14 HB 25-1027 Amends Colorado's Vaccination Requirements for Children Attending Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
3/14 HB 25-1041 Authorizes Public Universities to Pay Student Athletes for Their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
3/14 HB 208 Requires School Districts to Develop Policies Prohibiting Cell Phone Use in Class Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
3/14 SB 25-143 Authorizes Facial Recognition Technology for School Security Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
3/13 HB 1132 Establishes Eligibility for Child Care Employees in the Child Care Assistance Program Veto Override Failed - House (27 - 43)
3/13 HB 4 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs at Public Colleges and Universities in Kentucky Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 17)
3/13 HB 241 Authorizes 5 Disaster Relief School Attendance Days Using Non-Traditional Instruction Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
3/13 HB 241 Authorizes 5 Disaster Relief School Attendance Days Using Non-Traditional Instruction Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
3/13 HB 675 Establishes Automatic School Budget Caps "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (190 - 185)
3/13 SB 295 Repeals Income Limits for Education Freedom Accounts Immediately but Includes a 12,250-Student Cap on the Program "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
3/13 SB 295 Repeals Income Limits for Education Freedom Accounts Immediately but Includes a 12,250-Student Cap on the Program "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
3/13 SB 33 Restricts Learning Materials Authorized for Use by Students in Public School Districts "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
3/13 SB 33 Restricts Learning Materials Authorized for Use by Students in Public School Districts "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
3/13 SB 139 Requires School District Boards of Education to Adopt a "Bell-to-Bell" Cell Phone Ban in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 8)
3/13 SB 1472 Requires School Districts Appropriate Funding for the Next 3 State Fiscal Years Instead of One Year Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
3/13 AB 91 Authorizes Financial Penalties for School Districts that Fail to Comply with Police Being in Schools Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
3/13 HB 1087 Extends the Teacher Salary Schedule Increases by 10 Years Bill Passed - House (86 - 2)
3/13 HB 1087 Extends the Teacher Salary Schedule Increases by 10 Years Bill Passed - House (86 - 2)
3/13 HB 115 Authorizes a Phased-In Repeal of Income Caps for the State's Education Freedom Accounts Program Bill Passed - House (198 - 180)
3/13 SB 352 Prohibits Antisemitic Discrimination in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
3/13 SB 246 Amends Provisions for Education in the State of Arkansas Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
3/12 HB 4 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs at Public Colleges and Universities in Kentucky Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
3/12 HF 516 Requires 80% of Students Admitted to the University of Iowa's Medical and Dentistry Colleges to be Iowa Residents Bill Passed - House (67 - 28)
3/12 HF 579 Authorizes the Modified Supplemental Amount Ratio School Districts to Levy for Dropout Prevention Programs to Go Up to 5% Bill Passed - House (92 - 4)
3/12 HB 711 Establishes Open Enrollment Policies for Missouri Schools Bill Passed - House (88 - 69)
3/12 HF 579 Authorizes the Modified Supplemental Amount Ratio School Districts to Levy for Dropout Prevention Programs to Go Up to 5% Bill Passed - House (92 - 4)
3/12 HB 1512 Establishes the Arkansas ACCESS Act Bill Passed - House (81 - 17)
3/12 HB 2125 Authorizes Adjunct Teachers in Early Childhood Classes Bill Passed - House (68 - 22)
3/12 HB 2125 Authorizes Adjunct Teachers in Early Childhood Classes Bill Passed - House (68 - 22)
3/12 HB 711 Establishes Open Enrollment Policies for Missouri Schools Bill Passed - House (88 - 69)
3/12 HB 1296 Requires the State to Promote a Safe and Supportive Public Education System Bill Passed - House (56 - 37)
3/12 HB 1296 Requires the State to Promote a Safe and Supportive Public Education System Bill Passed - House (56 - 37)
3/12 HB 69 Authorizes Open Enrollment for Students in Alaska Bill Passed - House (24 - 16)
3/12 HB 69 Authorizes Open Enrollment for Students in Alaska Bill Passed - House (24 - 16)
3/12 SB 5263 Repeals the State Special Education Funding Cap Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
3/11 HB 1259 Prohibits Unauthorized Access to Certain Multi-Occupancy Restrooms Concurrence Vote Passed - House (58 - 9)
3/11 H 41 Prohibits Flags in Public Schools that Represent a Political Viewpoint Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 10)
3/11 H 41 Prohibits Flags in Public Schools that Represent a Political Viewpoint Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 10)
3/11 HB 1239 Repeals an Exemption Shielding Libraries, Schools, Universities, Museums and Their Employees from Prosecution Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 34)
3/11 SB 105 Repeals Prior Public School Enrollment Requirements for the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 10)
3/11 SB 105 Repeals Prior Public School Enrollment Requirements for the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 10)
3/11 SB 227 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Instruction in K-12 Education Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18)
3/11 SB 25-154 Reduces Testing Requirements for Teaching Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)

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