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 4, 2023 AR HB 1738 Establishes a Parents Bill of Rights Bill Passed - House (80 - 11)
April 4, 2023 AR HB 1738 Establishes a Parents Bill of Rights Bill Passed - House (80 - 11)
April 4, 2023 NC HB 253 Requires "Character" Education be Taught in All Grade Levels to Reduce Bullying Bill Passed - House (115 - 0)
April 3, 2023 FL HB 733 Amends Middle and High School Hours of Operation Bill Passed - House (92 - 20)
April 3, 2023 FL HB 733 Amends Middle and High School Hours of Operation Bill Passed - House (92 - 20)
March 31, 2023 ID H 314 Prohibits School Libraries from Distributing Any Material "Harmful to Minors" Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 26)
March 31, 2023 ID S 1202 Appropriates $41.3 Million for the State Department of Education Bill Passed - House (33 - 29)
March 30, 2023 ID S 1212 Appropriates $5 Million for the Postsecondary Career Initiatives Plan for Fiscal Year 2024 Bill Passed - House (37 - 30)
March 30, 2023 ID S 1167 Limits the Scope of the Post-Secondary Career Initiatives Plan Bill Passed - House (51 - 16)
March 29, 2023 KY SB 150 Prohibits Gender Affirming Care for Minors and Human Sexuality Education in Elementary School Veto Override Passed - House (76 - 23)
March 29, 2023 GA SB 233 Establishes School Vouchers for Parents to Remove Their Students from Bottom 25% Performing Schools Bill Passed - House (98 - 73)
March 27, 2023 MS SB 2079 Authorizes School Employees to Concealed Carry Conference Report Adopted - House (79 - 32)
March 27, 2023 MS HB 1315 Requires Vendors Providing Online Resources or Databases to K-12 Schools Block Access to Pornography Concurrence Vote Passed - House (83 - 15)
March 27, 2023 ND SB 2247 Prohibits Discipline Against Students and Staff that Refuse to Learn or Teach "Specified Concepts" Bill Passed - House (51 - 40)
March 27, 2023 ND SB 2247 Prohibits Discipline Against Students and Staff that Refuse to Learn or Teach "Specified Concepts" Bill Passed - House (51 - 40)
March 24, 2023 National HR 5 Parents Bill of Rights Act Bill Passed - House (213 - 208)
March 24, 2023 IL HB 3600 Requires Schools Send Notice to Families if a Student with a Disability is Removed from Class Bill Passed - House (86 - 16)
March 24, 2023 IL HB 3600 Requires Schools Send Notice to Families if a Student with a Disability is Removed from Class Bill Passed - House (86 - 16)
March 24, 2023 IL HB 3713 Requires Clean Air in Classrooms and Schools Bill Passed - House (68 - 35)
March 23, 2023 IL HB 2396 Establishes Full Day Kindergarten for All School Districts Bill Passed - House (87 - 23)
March 23, 2023 IL HB 1633 Requires Schools Teach Native American History in Any Social Studies Course Related to American History Bill Passed - House (75 - 32)
March 22, 2023 NC HB 187 Prohibits Certain Topics from Being Taught in Public School Bill Passed - House (68 - 49)
March 22, 2023 NC HB 187 Prohibits Certain Topics from Being Taught in Public School Bill Passed - House (68 - 49)
March 21, 2023 OK HB 2546 Prohibits Instruction on Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation in Public School Bill Passed - House (79 - 19)
March 21, 2023 OK HB 1934 Establishes Parental Rights in School Plans Bill Passed - House (70 - 1)
March 21, 2023 ME LD 5 Increases Maximum Income Threshold to Qualify for the Higher Opportunity for Pathways to Employment Program Bill Passed - House (81 - 58)
March 21, 2023 ME LD 5 Increases Maximum Income Threshold to Qualify for the Higher Opportunity for Pathways to Employment Program Bill Passed - House (81 - 58)
March 21, 2023 OK HB 1934 Establishes Parental Rights in School Plans Bill Passed - House (70 - 1)
March 20, 2023 MD HB 175 Expands Voting Rights for Student Members of Baltimore County Board of Education Bill Passed - House (98 - 33)
March 20, 2023 OR HB 3383 Expands the State Board of Education to Include a Representative for Classified Staff Bill Passed - House (45 - 12)
March 17, 2023 FL HB 1 Establishes a State Private School Vouchers Program Bill Passed - House (83 - 27)
March 16, 2023 KY HB 538 Authorizes K-12 Schools to Establish Policies on When Disruptive Students can be Removed Concurrence Vote Passed - House (85 - 11)
March 15, 2023 KY SB 9 Increases Anti-Hazing Laws Bill Passed - House (96 - 3)
March 15, 2023 AR SB 81 Authorizes Parental Review and Challenge of School Library Books and Curriculum Bill Passed - House (56 - 25)
March 15, 2023 KY SB 5 Requires School Boards Create a Systems to Respond to Complaints Over Sexually Explicit Materials in Public Schools. Bill Passed - House (80 - 18)
March 15, 2023 KY SB 5 Requires School Boards Create a Systems to Respond to Complaints Over Sexually Explicit Materials in Public Schools. Bill Passed - House (80 - 18)
March 15, 2023 KS SB 83 Expands Eligibility for Low-Income Student Scholarships Bill Passed - House (64 - 61)
March 14, 2023 WI AB 53 Require Schools Report to Law Enforcement Data on Crimes and Incidents that Occur on Their Property Bill Passed - House (61 - 35)
March 14, 2023 WI AB 69 Requires Armed School Resource Officers (SRO) in Schools with 25 Percent Incident Arrest Rates Bill Passed - House (59 - 36)
March 9, 2023 IA SF 391 Reduces Student Second Language Requirements and Authorizes Teachers to Teach Multiple Subjects Bill Passed - House (62 - 34)
March 9, 2023 IA HF 614 Authorizes Out-of-State Teachers to be Licensed in Iowa Bill Passed - House (96 - 0)
March 9, 2023 MD HB 50 Requires Private Education Lenders and Loan Collectors to Posses Documentation for Student Loan Borrowers Bill Passed - House (103 - 32)
March 9, 2023 MD HB 50 Requires Private Education Lenders and Loan Collectors to Posses Documentation for Student Loan Borrowers Bill Passed - House (103 - 32)
March 9, 2023 KY HB 547 Prohibits School Districts from Punishing an Employee for Private Religious Expression Bill Passed - House (81 - 12)
March 9, 2023 KY HB 547 Prohibits School Districts from Punishing an Employee for Private Religious Expression Bill Passed - House (81 - 12)
March 8, 2023 CO SB 23-084 Extends Federal Student Loan Forgiveness Eligibility to Adjunct Professors Bill Passed - House (44 - 18)
March 8, 2023 MO HB 253 Establishes a State School Choice Voucher Program Bill Passed - House (85 - 69)
March 8, 2023 MO HB 253 Establishes a State School Choice Voucher Program Bill Passed - House (85 - 69)
March 8, 2023 IA HF 348 Prohibits Instruction on Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation in Grades K-6 Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
March 8, 2023 ID H 219 Amends Laws Regarding Eligibility for Armed Forces and Police Officer Scholarships Bill Passed - House (65 - 5)
March 8, 2023 OK HB 2673 Increases State ACT Student Testing Options and Career Readiness Programs Bill Passed - House (88 - 6)
March 7, 2023 OR SB 271 Amends the Creation of Public School Districts (49 - 10)
March 7, 2023 OR SB 271 Amends the Creation of Public School Districts (49 - 10)
March 7, 2023 WA HB 1479 Prohibits Restraint or Isolation of Students in Public Schools and Educational Programs Bill Passed - House (63 - 31)
March 7, 2023 RI H 5305 Specifies that Public Elementary and Secondary Schools will be Closed on Election Day Bill Passed - House (71 - 0)
March 6, 2023 OR HB 2708 Defines and Codifies Broader Support for Classified School Staff Bill Passed - House (51 - 6)
March 6, 2023 NM HB 134 Requires Menstrual Products in Public School Products Bill Passed - House (42 - 20)
March 3, 2023 UT HB 427 Authorizes Religious Protections in School Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 18)
March 3, 2023 NM HB 207 Prohibits Discrimination on the Basis of Sex, Sexual Orientation, or Gender Identity Bill Passed - House (47 - 20)
March 2, 2023 UT SB 257 Amends the State Board of Education Bill Passed - House (57 - 17)
March 2, 2023 UT SB 257 Amends the State Board of Education Bill Passed - House (57 - 17)
March 2, 2023 AR SB 294 Establishes the LEARNS Act Bill Passed - House (78 - 21)
March 2, 2023 AR SB 294 Establishes the LEARNS Act Bill Passed - House (78 - 21)
March 2, 2023 WA HB 1565 Establishes a Teacher State Residency Program Bill Passed - House (59 - 37)
Feb. 28, 2023 SD SB 129 Amends Rules Prohibiting Assault Against Teachers Bill Passed - House (40 - 30)
Feb. 28, 2023 SC H 3591 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Repeal the State "Blaine Amendment" Resolution Passed - House (83 - 27)
Feb. 27, 2023 GA HB 147 Requires All Schools Submit School Safety Plans and Active Shooter Drills Annually Bill Passed - House (148 - 20)
Feb. 23, 2023 KS HB 2236 Establishes a Parents Bill of Right's for Students in Public and Private Schools Bill Passed - House (75 - 47)
Feb. 23, 2023 KS HB 2238 Requires Transgender Student Athletes Play Against Those of Their Biological Sex Bill Passed - House (82 - 40)
Feb. 23, 2023 MD HB 185 Prohibits Corporal Punishment in Private Schools Bill Passed - House (132 - 5)
Feb. 23, 2023 UT HB 477 Appropriates State Funding for Full Day Kindergarten Bill Passed - House (51 - 14)
Feb. 22, 2023 OK HB 1935 Establishes a Parental Choice State Tax Credit Bill Passed - House (75 - 25)
Feb. 22, 2023 IN HB 1407 Establishes Parental Bill of Rights in Education, Health and Mental Healthcare Bill Passed - House (58 - 34)
Feb. 22, 2023 OK HB 2775 Appropriates Monies for Education; Increases Teacher Pay Bill Passed - House (78 - 20)
Feb. 21, 2023 AZ HB 2523 Requires Students 17 and Younger to Recite the Pledge of Allegiance in School Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/04 HB 1738 Establishes a Parents Bill of Rights Bill Passed - House (80 - 11)
4/04 HB 1738 Establishes a Parents Bill of Rights Bill Passed - House (80 - 11)
4/04 HB 253 Requires "Character" Education be Taught in All Grade Levels to Reduce Bullying Bill Passed - House (115 - 0)
4/03 HB 733 Amends Middle and High School Hours of Operation Bill Passed - House (92 - 20)
4/03 HB 733 Amends Middle and High School Hours of Operation Bill Passed - House (92 - 20)
3/31 H 314 Prohibits School Libraries from Distributing Any Material "Harmful to Minors" Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 26)
3/31 S 1202 Appropriates $41.3 Million for the State Department of Education Bill Passed - House (33 - 29)
3/30 S 1212 Appropriates $5 Million for the Postsecondary Career Initiatives Plan for Fiscal Year 2024 Bill Passed - House (37 - 30)
3/30 S 1167 Limits the Scope of the Post-Secondary Career Initiatives Plan Bill Passed - House (51 - 16)
3/29 SB 150 Prohibits Gender Affirming Care for Minors and Human Sexuality Education in Elementary School Veto Override Passed - House (76 - 23)
3/29 SB 233 Establishes School Vouchers for Parents to Remove Their Students from Bottom 25% Performing Schools Bill Passed - House (98 - 73)
3/27 SB 2079 Authorizes School Employees to Concealed Carry Conference Report Adopted - House (79 - 32)
3/27 HB 1315 Requires Vendors Providing Online Resources or Databases to K-12 Schools Block Access to Pornography Concurrence Vote Passed - House (83 - 15)
3/27 SB 2247 Prohibits Discipline Against Students and Staff that Refuse to Learn or Teach "Specified Concepts" Bill Passed - House (51 - 40)
3/27 SB 2247 Prohibits Discipline Against Students and Staff that Refuse to Learn or Teach "Specified Concepts" Bill Passed - House (51 - 40)
3/24 HR 5 Parents Bill of Rights Act Bill Passed - House (213 - 208)
3/24 HB 3600 Requires Schools Send Notice to Families if a Student with a Disability is Removed from Class Bill Passed - House (86 - 16)
3/24 HB 3600 Requires Schools Send Notice to Families if a Student with a Disability is Removed from Class Bill Passed - House (86 - 16)
3/24 HB 3713 Requires Clean Air in Classrooms and Schools Bill Passed - House (68 - 35)
3/23 HB 2396 Establishes Full Day Kindergarten for All School Districts Bill Passed - House (87 - 23)
3/23 HB 1633 Requires Schools Teach Native American History in Any Social Studies Course Related to American History Bill Passed - House (75 - 32)
3/22 HB 187 Prohibits Certain Topics from Being Taught in Public School Bill Passed - House (68 - 49)
3/22 HB 187 Prohibits Certain Topics from Being Taught in Public School Bill Passed - House (68 - 49)
3/21 HB 2546 Prohibits Instruction on Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation in Public School Bill Passed - House (79 - 19)
3/21 HB 1934 Establishes Parental Rights in School Plans Bill Passed - House (70 - 1)
3/21 LD 5 Increases Maximum Income Threshold to Qualify for the Higher Opportunity for Pathways to Employment Program Bill Passed - House (81 - 58)
3/21 LD 5 Increases Maximum Income Threshold to Qualify for the Higher Opportunity for Pathways to Employment Program Bill Passed - House (81 - 58)
3/21 HB 1934 Establishes Parental Rights in School Plans Bill Passed - House (70 - 1)
3/20 HB 175 Expands Voting Rights for Student Members of Baltimore County Board of Education Bill Passed - House (98 - 33)
3/20 HB 3383 Expands the State Board of Education to Include a Representative for Classified Staff Bill Passed - House (45 - 12)
3/17 HB 1 Establishes a State Private School Vouchers Program Bill Passed - House (83 - 27)
3/16 HB 538 Authorizes K-12 Schools to Establish Policies on When Disruptive Students can be Removed Concurrence Vote Passed - House (85 - 11)
3/15 SB 9 Increases Anti-Hazing Laws Bill Passed - House (96 - 3)
3/15 SB 81 Authorizes Parental Review and Challenge of School Library Books and Curriculum Bill Passed - House (56 - 25)
3/15 SB 5 Requires School Boards Create a Systems to Respond to Complaints Over Sexually Explicit Materials in Public Schools. Bill Passed - House (80 - 18)
3/15 SB 5 Requires School Boards Create a Systems to Respond to Complaints Over Sexually Explicit Materials in Public Schools. Bill Passed - House (80 - 18)
3/15 SB 83 Expands Eligibility for Low-Income Student Scholarships Bill Passed - House (64 - 61)
3/14 AB 53 Require Schools Report to Law Enforcement Data on Crimes and Incidents that Occur on Their Property Bill Passed - House (61 - 35)
3/14 AB 69 Requires Armed School Resource Officers (SRO) in Schools with 25 Percent Incident Arrest Rates Bill Passed - House (59 - 36)
3/09 SF 391 Reduces Student Second Language Requirements and Authorizes Teachers to Teach Multiple Subjects Bill Passed - House (62 - 34)
3/09 HF 614 Authorizes Out-of-State Teachers to be Licensed in Iowa Bill Passed - House (96 - 0)
3/09 HB 50 Requires Private Education Lenders and Loan Collectors to Posses Documentation for Student Loan Borrowers Bill Passed - House (103 - 32)
3/09 HB 50 Requires Private Education Lenders and Loan Collectors to Posses Documentation for Student Loan Borrowers Bill Passed - House (103 - 32)
3/09 HB 547 Prohibits School Districts from Punishing an Employee for Private Religious Expression Bill Passed - House (81 - 12)
3/09 HB 547 Prohibits School Districts from Punishing an Employee for Private Religious Expression Bill Passed - House (81 - 12)
3/08 SB 23-084 Extends Federal Student Loan Forgiveness Eligibility to Adjunct Professors Bill Passed - House (44 - 18)
3/08 HB 253 Establishes a State School Choice Voucher Program Bill Passed - House (85 - 69)
3/08 HB 253 Establishes a State School Choice Voucher Program Bill Passed - House (85 - 69)
3/08 HF 348 Prohibits Instruction on Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation in Grades K-6 Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
3/08 H 219 Amends Laws Regarding Eligibility for Armed Forces and Police Officer Scholarships Bill Passed - House (65 - 5)
3/08 HB 2673 Increases State ACT Student Testing Options and Career Readiness Programs Bill Passed - House (88 - 6)
3/07 SB 271 Amends the Creation of Public School Districts (49 - 10)
3/07 SB 271 Amends the Creation of Public School Districts (49 - 10)
3/07 HB 1479 Prohibits Restraint or Isolation of Students in Public Schools and Educational Programs Bill Passed - House (63 - 31)
3/07 H 5305 Specifies that Public Elementary and Secondary Schools will be Closed on Election Day Bill Passed - House (71 - 0)
3/06 HB 2708 Defines and Codifies Broader Support for Classified School Staff Bill Passed - House (51 - 6)
3/06 HB 134 Requires Menstrual Products in Public School Products Bill Passed - House (42 - 20)
3/03 HB 427 Authorizes Religious Protections in School Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 18)
3/03 HB 207 Prohibits Discrimination on the Basis of Sex, Sexual Orientation, or Gender Identity Bill Passed - House (47 - 20)
3/02 SB 257 Amends the State Board of Education Bill Passed - House (57 - 17)
3/02 SB 257 Amends the State Board of Education Bill Passed - House (57 - 17)
3/02 SB 294 Establishes the LEARNS Act Bill Passed - House (78 - 21)
3/02 SB 294 Establishes the LEARNS Act Bill Passed - House (78 - 21)
3/02 HB 1565 Establishes a Teacher State Residency Program Bill Passed - House (59 - 37)
2/28 SB 129 Amends Rules Prohibiting Assault Against Teachers Bill Passed - House (40 - 30)
2/28 H 3591 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Repeal the State "Blaine Amendment" Resolution Passed - House (83 - 27)
2/27 HB 147 Requires All Schools Submit School Safety Plans and Active Shooter Drills Annually Bill Passed - House (148 - 20)
2/23 HB 2236 Establishes a Parents Bill of Right's for Students in Public and Private Schools Bill Passed - House (75 - 47)
2/23 HB 2238 Requires Transgender Student Athletes Play Against Those of Their Biological Sex Bill Passed - House (82 - 40)
2/23 HB 185 Prohibits Corporal Punishment in Private Schools Bill Passed - House (132 - 5)
2/23 HB 477 Appropriates State Funding for Full Day Kindergarten Bill Passed - House (51 - 14)
2/22 HB 1935 Establishes a Parental Choice State Tax Credit Bill Passed - House (75 - 25)
2/22 HB 1407 Establishes Parental Bill of Rights in Education, Health and Mental Healthcare Bill Passed - House (58 - 34)
2/22 HB 2775 Appropriates Monies for Education; Increases Teacher Pay Bill Passed - House (78 - 20)
2/21 HB 2523 Requires Students 17 and Younger to Recite the Pledge of Allegiance in School Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)

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