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
Jan. 30, 2025 TN HB 6004 Appropriates Public Funding to Provide Private School Vouchers to Students Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
Jan. 29, 2025 WY SF 62 Requires Students to Utilize Bathrooms Based on Sex at Birth Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
Jan. 28, 2025 SD SB 51 Requires Public Schools Display the 10 Commandments in Every Classroom Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
Jan. 28, 2025 VA SB 1182 Authorizes Public Universities to Ban Firearms and Explosive Materials in Their Buildings Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Jan. 27, 2025 IN SB 143 Establishes an Educational Parental Bill of Rights Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 5)
Jan. 27, 2025 IN SB 143 Establishes an Educational Parental Bill of Rights Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 5)
Jan. 14, 2025 NJ S 3695 Requires Each School District to Adopt Cell Phone and Social Media Guidelines Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
Dec. 19, 2024 MI HB 5451 Requires the Safe Firearm Storage Notice Created by MDHHS be Distributed Parents and Legal Guardians of Students Yearly Beginning October 1, 2025 Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Dec. 19, 2024 MI HB 5450 Requires that the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Create a Notice in English, Spanish and Arabic Regarding the Safe Storage of Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Dec. 18, 2024 OH HB 206 Increases School Suspension to a Year for Students that Make Online Dangerous Threats Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
Dec. 18, 2024 OH HB 8 Requires Parental Consent for Teachers to Educate on Sexuality-Related Content Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
Nov. 13, 2024 OH SB 104 Prohibits K-12 Schools and Colleges From Allowing Transgender Individuals To Use Bathrooms That Align With Their Gender Identity Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
Nov. 13, 2024 OH SB 104 Prohibits K-12 Schools and Colleges From Allowing Transgender Individuals To Use Bathrooms That Align With Their Gender Identity Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
Oct. 30, 2024 MI HB 5522 Authorizes the Director of the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLeap) be Added as a Nonvoting Member of Michigan's Delegation to the Midwest Higher Education Compact Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
Oct. 30, 2024 MI HB 5522 Authorizes the Director of the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLeap) be Added as a Nonvoting Member of Michigan's Delegation to the Midwest Higher Education Compact Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
Oct. 28, 2024 NJ A 3446 Establishes Requirements for Library Material in Public Schools and Libraries under the "Freedom to Read Act" Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
Oct. 28, 2024 NJ A 3446 Establishes Requirements for Library Material in Public Schools and Libraries under the "Freedom to Read Act" Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
Oct. 9, 2024 PA SB 1274 Amends the Sign Language Interpreter and Transliterator State Registration Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
Oct. 9, 2024 PA SB 801 Increases and Improves Early Childhood Literacy Rates Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
Oct. 8, 2024 PA HB 2383 Establishes a Program of Retired Volunteers Willing to Share Life Lessons, Experience and Hobbies with Students Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 1)
Oct. 8, 2024 WV HB 227 Amends Funding Application Procedures for Public Charter Schools in West Virginia Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 1)
Oct. 8, 2024 WV HB 227 Amends Funding Application Procedures for Public Charter Schools in West Virginia Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 1)
Oct. 6, 2024 WV SB 2031 Appropriates Funding to the School Building Authority and School Construction Fund Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 1)
Sept. 30, 2024 NJ A 4811 Appropriates $20 Million for Summer Tuition Aid Grants for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
Sept. 30, 2024 WV HB 206 Amends Appropriations to West Virginia University General Administrative Fund Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 1)
Sept. 25, 2024 MI HB 5503 Establishes a Tip Line for Students to Anonymously Report Improperly Stored Firearms Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 15)
Sept. 25, 2024 MI HB 5803 Amends State School Retirement Systems Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Sept. 17, 2024 MI SB 911 Amends the State's School Retirement System Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
Sept. 17, 2024 MI SB 402 Establishes a Voting and Elections Database and Institute Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
Aug. 29, 2024 CA SB 1348 Establishes Designation of Black-Serving Institutions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
Aug. 29, 2024 CA SB 1348 Establishes Designation of Black-Serving Institutions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
Aug. 27, 2024 CA AB 1864 Expand Pesticide Regulations Near Schools Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
Aug. 27, 2024 CA AB 1864 Expand Pesticide Regulations Near Schools Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
Aug. 27, 2024 CA AB 1780 Prohibits Legacy or Donor Preference in College Admission Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
Aug. 27, 2024 CA AB 2508 Establishes the California Kids Investment and Development Savings (KIDS) Program Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
Aug. 27, 2024 CA AB 1825 Establishes the California Freedom to Read Act Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
Aug. 20, 2024 CA AB 2876 Requires Adoption of Media Literacy Standards for California Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
July 11, 2024 PA SB 700 Appropriates Funding for Cell Phone Pouches in Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
July 11, 2024 PA SB 1150 Establishes the Grow PA Scholarship Grant Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
July 11, 2024 PA SB 1150 Establishes the Grow PA Scholarship Grant Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
July 11, 2024 PA SB 1154 Amends the Public School Code of 1949 for Higher Education Institutions and Establishes Performance Based Funding Council Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
July 11, 2024 PA HB 897 Expands Programs Related to Higher Education Institutions and Outlines Protocol for Credits Needed when a Student is Transferring Into the Institution Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 3)
July 11, 2024 PA HB 663 Establishes New Guidelines for Students, Families, and School Districts During Residency Disputes Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
July 3, 2024 PA SB 1207 Authorizes School Districts to Prohibit Student Cell Phone Use During School Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 5)
June 28, 2024 NJ A 4533 Amends Certain Sections of Law Concerning Financing Mechanisms for School Facilities Projects Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
June 27, 2024 OH SB 168 Amends Education Reform Law Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
June 27, 2024 OH SB 168 Amends Education Reform Law Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
June 27, 2024 NC SB 332 Appropriates Funding to Implement State Teacher Raises Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (44 - 0)
June 27, 2024 OH SB 168 Amends Education Reform Law Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
June 27, 2024 CA AB 1790 Amends Policy for Sex Discrimination in the California State University System that Classifies Sexual Harassment as a Form of Sex Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
Date No. Title Outcome
1/30 HB 6004 Appropriates Public Funding to Provide Private School Vouchers to Students Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
1/29 SF 62 Requires Students to Utilize Bathrooms Based on Sex at Birth Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
1/28 SB 51 Requires Public Schools Display the 10 Commandments in Every Classroom Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
1/28 SB 1182 Authorizes Public Universities to Ban Firearms and Explosive Materials in Their Buildings Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
1/27 SB 143 Establishes an Educational Parental Bill of Rights Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 5)
1/27 SB 143 Establishes an Educational Parental Bill of Rights Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 5)
1/14 S 3695 Requires Each School District to Adopt Cell Phone and Social Media Guidelines Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
12/19 HB 5451 Requires the Safe Firearm Storage Notice Created by MDHHS be Distributed Parents and Legal Guardians of Students Yearly Beginning October 1, 2025 Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
12/19 HB 5450 Requires that the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Create a Notice in English, Spanish and Arabic Regarding the Safe Storage of Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
12/18 HB 206 Increases School Suspension to a Year for Students that Make Online Dangerous Threats Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
12/18 HB 8 Requires Parental Consent for Teachers to Educate on Sexuality-Related Content Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
11/13 SB 104 Prohibits K-12 Schools and Colleges From Allowing Transgender Individuals To Use Bathrooms That Align With Their Gender Identity Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
11/13 SB 104 Prohibits K-12 Schools and Colleges From Allowing Transgender Individuals To Use Bathrooms That Align With Their Gender Identity Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
10/30 HB 5522 Authorizes the Director of the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLeap) be Added as a Nonvoting Member of Michigan's Delegation to the Midwest Higher Education Compact Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
10/30 HB 5522 Authorizes the Director of the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLeap) be Added as a Nonvoting Member of Michigan's Delegation to the Midwest Higher Education Compact Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
10/28 A 3446 Establishes Requirements for Library Material in Public Schools and Libraries under the "Freedom to Read Act" Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
10/28 A 3446 Establishes Requirements for Library Material in Public Schools and Libraries under the "Freedom to Read Act" Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
10/09 SB 1274 Amends the Sign Language Interpreter and Transliterator State Registration Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
10/09 SB 801 Increases and Improves Early Childhood Literacy Rates Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
10/08 HB 2383 Establishes a Program of Retired Volunteers Willing to Share Life Lessons, Experience and Hobbies with Students Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 1)
10/08 HB 227 Amends Funding Application Procedures for Public Charter Schools in West Virginia Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 1)
10/08 HB 227 Amends Funding Application Procedures for Public Charter Schools in West Virginia Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 1)
10/06 SB 2031 Appropriates Funding to the School Building Authority and School Construction Fund Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 1)
9/30 A 4811 Appropriates $20 Million for Summer Tuition Aid Grants for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
9/30 HB 206 Amends Appropriations to West Virginia University General Administrative Fund Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 1)
9/25 HB 5503 Establishes a Tip Line for Students to Anonymously Report Improperly Stored Firearms Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 15)
9/25 HB 5803 Amends State School Retirement Systems Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
9/17 SB 911 Amends the State's School Retirement System Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
9/17 SB 402 Establishes a Voting and Elections Database and Institute Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
8/29 SB 1348 Establishes Designation of Black-Serving Institutions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
8/29 SB 1348 Establishes Designation of Black-Serving Institutions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
8/27 AB 1864 Expand Pesticide Regulations Near Schools Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
8/27 AB 1864 Expand Pesticide Regulations Near Schools Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
8/27 AB 1780 Prohibits Legacy or Donor Preference in College Admission Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
8/27 AB 2508 Establishes the California Kids Investment and Development Savings (KIDS) Program Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
8/27 AB 1825 Establishes the California Freedom to Read Act Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
8/20 AB 2876 Requires Adoption of Media Literacy Standards for California Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
7/11 SB 700 Appropriates Funding for Cell Phone Pouches in Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
7/11 SB 1150 Establishes the Grow PA Scholarship Grant Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
7/11 SB 1150 Establishes the Grow PA Scholarship Grant Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
7/11 SB 1154 Amends the Public School Code of 1949 for Higher Education Institutions and Establishes Performance Based Funding Council Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
7/11 HB 897 Expands Programs Related to Higher Education Institutions and Outlines Protocol for Credits Needed when a Student is Transferring Into the Institution Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 3)
7/11 HB 663 Establishes New Guidelines for Students, Families, and School Districts During Residency Disputes Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
7/03 SB 1207 Authorizes School Districts to Prohibit Student Cell Phone Use During School Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 5)
6/28 A 4533 Amends Certain Sections of Law Concerning Financing Mechanisms for School Facilities Projects Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
6/27 SB 168 Amends Education Reform Law Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
6/27 SB 168 Amends Education Reform Law Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
6/27 SB 332 Appropriates Funding to Implement State Teacher Raises Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (44 - 0)
6/27 SB 168 Amends Education Reform Law Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
6/27 AB 1790 Amends Policy for Sex Discrimination in the California State University System that Classifies Sexual Harassment as a Form of Sex Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)

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