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 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 AR HB 1646 Requires Certain Materials to be Stored in Locked Compartments within a Designated Area Bill Passed - House (75 - 14)
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 SB 1 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Bill Passed - House (100 - 64)
March 31, 2025 IN SB 287 Amends School Board Elections to be Partisan Races Bill Passed - House (54 - 40)
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 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 - House (74 - 17)
March 27, 2025 KY HB 4 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs at Public Colleges and Universities in Kentucky Veto Override Passed - House (79 - 19)
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 - House (74 - 17)
March 27, 2025 KY SB 207 Establishes a Waiver Process for Public School Districts to Request Exemptions from Certain State Laws or Regulations Veto Override Passed - House (78 - 16)
March 27, 2025 KY SB 207 Establishes a Waiver Process for Public School Districts to Request Exemptions from Certain State Laws or Regulations Veto Override Passed - House (78 - 16)
March 27, 2025 KY HB 424 Requires Post-Tenure Reviews at the State's Public Universities and Colleges Veto Override Passed - House (80 - 20)
March 27, 2025 KS SB 35 Repeals State Property Tax Levies for the Kansas Educational Building Fund and Transfers Appropriations From the General Fund Conference Report Adopted - House (96 - 26)
March 27, 2025 KS SB 24 Amends and Broadens the Scope of the Kansas Promise Scholarship Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 48)
March 27, 2025 KS SB 24 Amends and Broadens the Scope of the Kansas Promise Scholarship Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 48)
March 27, 2025 NH HB 361 Prohibits Public Schools in the State from Requiring Students to Wear Masks in School "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (203 - 164)
March 27, 2025 NH HB 361 Prohibits Public Schools in the State from Requiring Students to Wear Masks in School "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (203 - 164)
March 27, 2025 National HR 1048 Defending Education Transparency and Ending Rogue Regimes Engaging in Nefarious Transactions (DETERRENT) Act Bill Passed - House (241 - 169)
March 27, 2025 NH HB 749 Requires Schools to Teach About the "Nature and History" of Communism Bill Passed - House (200 - 173)
March 27, 2025 NH HB 749 Requires Schools to Teach About the "Nature and History" of Communism Bill Passed - House (200 - 173)
March 26, 2025 ID H 239 Requires Parents Give Permission for Their Children to Receive Education on Human Sexuality Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 10)
March 26, 2025 NH HB 324 Amends the Process for Banning Books in New Hampshire Schools by Creating a Procedure for Removal and Cause of Action "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (183 - 148)
March 26, 2025 NH HB 324 Amends the Process for Banning Books in New Hampshire Schools by Creating a Procedure for Removal and Cause of Action "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (183 - 148)
March 26, 2025 IA HF 785 Authorizes No More Than One Board Member to Reside Outside of Iowa Bill Passed - House (60 - 36)
March 26, 2025 IA HF 785 Authorizes No More Than One Board Member to Reside Outside of Iowa Bill Passed - House (60 - 36)
March 26, 2025 IA HF 972 Requires the Iowa Health and Human Services Department (HHS) to Use No More than $150 Million Federal Funds to Create 115 New Medical Residency Slots at State Teaching Hospitals Bill Passed - House (95 - 1)
March 26, 2025 IA HF 884 Authorizes Employment of School Chaplains Bill Passed - House (57 - 39)
March 25, 2025 GA SB 123 Prohibits the Expulsion of Students Due to Chronic Absenteeism Bill Passed - House (160 - 1)
March 24, 2025 WV SB 460 Authorizes Religious and Philosophical Exemptions for School Vaccinations Bill Failed - House (42 - 56)
March 20, 2025 NM SB 480 Require the Public Education Department Track All School-Aged Individuals who Haven't Graduated High School within 4 Years of Entering 9th Grade Bill Passed - House (63 - 1)
March 20, 2025 NM SB 480 Require the Public Education Department Track All School-Aged Individuals who Haven't Graduated High School within 4 Years of Entering 9th Grade Bill Passed - House (63 - 1)
March 20, 2025 NH HB 148 Requires Students Use the Same Restroom that Aligns with Their Sex at Birth "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (201 - 166)
March 20, 2025 WI AB 103 Prohibits Schools from Using a Students' Preferred Name and Pronouns Without Parental Approval Bill Passed - House (50 - 43)
March 20, 2025 WI AB 102 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams at Any Institution of Higher Education Bill Passed - House (50 - 43)
March 20, 2025 WI AB 103 Requires School Boards to Adopt Student Pronoun Policies Bill Passed - House (50 - 43)
March 20, 2025 WI AB 100 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on K-12 Female Sports Teams Bill Passed - House (51 - 43)
March 20, 2025 ID H 410 Authorizes School Districts or Charter Schools to Hire a Chaplain, or Bring in a Volunteer Chaplain Bill Passed - House (52 - 18)
March 20, 2025 MI HB 4147 Authorizes School Districts to Partner with Nearby Schools to Share Services Bill Passed - House (97 - 8)
March 20, 2025 MI HB 4147 Authorizes School Districts to Partner with Nearby Schools to Share Services Bill Passed - House (97 - 8)
March 20, 2025 MI HB 4154 Establishes Trade School Credits for High School Students Bill Passed - House (92 - 13)
March 20, 2025 MI HB 4154 Establishes Trade School Credits for High School Students Bill Passed - House (92 - 13)
March 20, 2025 MI HB 4154 Establishes Trade School Credits for High School Students Bill Passed - House (92 - 13)
March 20, 2025 MI HB 4149 Requires Providing Parents With More Information About Their Child's Education Bill Passed - House (86 - 19)
March 19, 2025 ID H 243 Authorizes Child Care Facilities to Determine Their Own Child-to-Staff Ratio Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 7)
March 19, 2025 OH SB 1 Prohibits Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives at State Public Universities and Community Colleges Bill Passed - House (59 - 34)
March 19, 2025 ID S 1023 Establishes the Medical Freedom Act Bill Passed - House (47 - 23)
March 19, 2025 IA HF 851 Requires the Department of Education to Apply for a Waiver Under the Federal National School Lunch Act of 1966 Bill Passed - House (60 - 36)
March 19, 2025 CO HB 25-1250 Requires Schools to Provide Gun Violence Prevention Materials to Parents at the Beginning of Each Academic Year and Also Post Them on Their Website Bill Passed - House (43 - 21)
March 19, 2025 IA HF 851 Requires the Department of Education to Apply for a Waiver Under the Federal National School Lunch Act of 1966 Bill Passed - House (60 - 36)
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 MI HB 4185 Amends the Distribution of Sales Tax Revenue Bill Passed - House (64 - 44)
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 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 IA HF 269 Prohibits Requirements Related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Subjects in Higher Education Bill Passed - House (63 - 34)
March 18, 2025 IA HF 865 Amends Provisions Related to School Bullying Bill Passed - House (64 - 33)
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 ID H 396 Increases Reimbursements for Vehicles Used to Transport Students to Off-Site Activities Bill Passed - House (62 - 6)
March 18, 2025 MI HB 4065 Authorizes Macomb Community College to Sell Alcohol on Campus Bill Passed - House (101 - 7)
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)
Date No. Title Outcome
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 HB 1646 Requires Certain Materials to be Stored in Locked Compartments within a Designated Area Bill Passed - House (75 - 14)
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 SB 1 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Bill Passed - House (100 - 64)
3/31 SB 287 Amends School Board Elections to be Partisan Races Bill Passed - House (54 - 40)
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 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 - House (74 - 17)
3/27 HB 4 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs at Public Colleges and Universities in Kentucky Veto Override Passed - House (79 - 19)
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 - House (74 - 17)
3/27 SB 207 Establishes a Waiver Process for Public School Districts to Request Exemptions from Certain State Laws or Regulations Veto Override Passed - House (78 - 16)
3/27 SB 207 Establishes a Waiver Process for Public School Districts to Request Exemptions from Certain State Laws or Regulations Veto Override Passed - House (78 - 16)
3/27 HB 424 Requires Post-Tenure Reviews at the State's Public Universities and Colleges Veto Override Passed - House (80 - 20)
3/27 SB 35 Repeals State Property Tax Levies for the Kansas Educational Building Fund and Transfers Appropriations From the General Fund Conference Report Adopted - House (96 - 26)
3/27 SB 24 Amends and Broadens the Scope of the Kansas Promise Scholarship Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 48)
3/27 SB 24 Amends and Broadens the Scope of the Kansas Promise Scholarship Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 48)
3/27 HB 361 Prohibits Public Schools in the State from Requiring Students to Wear Masks in School "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (203 - 164)
3/27 HB 361 Prohibits Public Schools in the State from Requiring Students to Wear Masks in School "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (203 - 164)
3/27 HR 1048 Defending Education Transparency and Ending Rogue Regimes Engaging in Nefarious Transactions (DETERRENT) Act Bill Passed - House (241 - 169)
3/27 HB 749 Requires Schools to Teach About the "Nature and History" of Communism Bill Passed - House (200 - 173)
3/27 HB 749 Requires Schools to Teach About the "Nature and History" of Communism Bill Passed - House (200 - 173)
3/26 H 239 Requires Parents Give Permission for Their Children to Receive Education on Human Sexuality Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 10)
3/26 HB 324 Amends the Process for Banning Books in New Hampshire Schools by Creating a Procedure for Removal and Cause of Action "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (183 - 148)
3/26 HB 324 Amends the Process for Banning Books in New Hampshire Schools by Creating a Procedure for Removal and Cause of Action "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (183 - 148)
3/26 HF 785 Authorizes No More Than One Board Member to Reside Outside of Iowa Bill Passed - House (60 - 36)
3/26 HF 785 Authorizes No More Than One Board Member to Reside Outside of Iowa Bill Passed - House (60 - 36)
3/26 HF 972 Requires the Iowa Health and Human Services Department (HHS) to Use No More than $150 Million Federal Funds to Create 115 New Medical Residency Slots at State Teaching Hospitals Bill Passed - House (95 - 1)
3/26 HF 884 Authorizes Employment of School Chaplains Bill Passed - House (57 - 39)
3/25 SB 123 Prohibits the Expulsion of Students Due to Chronic Absenteeism Bill Passed - House (160 - 1)
3/24 SB 460 Authorizes Religious and Philosophical Exemptions for School Vaccinations Bill Failed - House (42 - 56)
3/20 SB 480 Require the Public Education Department Track All School-Aged Individuals who Haven't Graduated High School within 4 Years of Entering 9th Grade Bill Passed - House (63 - 1)
3/20 SB 480 Require the Public Education Department Track All School-Aged Individuals who Haven't Graduated High School within 4 Years of Entering 9th Grade Bill Passed - House (63 - 1)
3/20 HB 148 Requires Students Use the Same Restroom that Aligns with Their Sex at Birth "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (201 - 166)
3/20 AB 103 Prohibits Schools from Using a Students' Preferred Name and Pronouns Without Parental Approval Bill Passed - House (50 - 43)
3/20 AB 102 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams at Any Institution of Higher Education Bill Passed - House (50 - 43)
3/20 AB 103 Requires School Boards to Adopt Student Pronoun Policies Bill Passed - House (50 - 43)
3/20 AB 100 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on K-12 Female Sports Teams Bill Passed - House (51 - 43)
3/20 H 410 Authorizes School Districts or Charter Schools to Hire a Chaplain, or Bring in a Volunteer Chaplain Bill Passed - House (52 - 18)
3/20 HB 4147 Authorizes School Districts to Partner with Nearby Schools to Share Services Bill Passed - House (97 - 8)
3/20 HB 4147 Authorizes School Districts to Partner with Nearby Schools to Share Services Bill Passed - House (97 - 8)
3/20 HB 4154 Establishes Trade School Credits for High School Students Bill Passed - House (92 - 13)
3/20 HB 4154 Establishes Trade School Credits for High School Students Bill Passed - House (92 - 13)
3/20 HB 4154 Establishes Trade School Credits for High School Students Bill Passed - House (92 - 13)
3/20 HB 4149 Requires Providing Parents With More Information About Their Child's Education Bill Passed - House (86 - 19)
3/19 H 243 Authorizes Child Care Facilities to Determine Their Own Child-to-Staff Ratio Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 7)
3/19 SB 1 Prohibits Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives at State Public Universities and Community Colleges Bill Passed - House (59 - 34)
3/19 S 1023 Establishes the Medical Freedom Act Bill Passed - House (47 - 23)
3/19 HF 851 Requires the Department of Education to Apply for a Waiver Under the Federal National School Lunch Act of 1966 Bill Passed - House (60 - 36)
3/19 HB 25-1250 Requires Schools to Provide Gun Violence Prevention Materials to Parents at the Beginning of Each Academic Year and Also Post Them on Their Website Bill Passed - House (43 - 21)
3/19 HF 851 Requires the Department of Education to Apply for a Waiver Under the Federal National School Lunch Act of 1966 Bill Passed - House (60 - 36)
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 HB 4185 Amends the Distribution of Sales Tax Revenue Bill Passed - House (64 - 44)
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)
3/18 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 HF 269 Prohibits Requirements Related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Subjects in Higher Education Bill Passed - House (63 - 34)
3/18 HF 865 Amends Provisions Related to School Bullying Bill Passed - House (64 - 33)
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 H 396 Increases Reimbursements for Vehicles Used to Transport Students to Off-Site Activities Bill Passed - House (62 - 6)
3/18 HB 4065 Authorizes Macomb Community College to Sell Alcohol on Campus Bill Passed - House (101 - 7)
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)

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