Key Votes

Chamber

Keyword Search

Search string must be longer than 3 characters.

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
May 25, 2023 CA SB 252 Requires the State's Teachers and Employee Retirement Fund Divest from Fossil Fuels Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
May 25, 2023 CT SB 1108 Increases Access to Reproductive Healthcare at Public Higher Education Institutions Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 2)
May 24, 2023 CA SB 447 Authorizes State and Public University Employees to Resume Travel to Previously Restricted States Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
May 24, 2023 NE LB 753 Establishes Tax Credits and Matching Funds for Private School Scholarships Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11)
May 17, 2023 OH SB 83 Establishes New Rules Concerning Diversity Training, Classroom Bias, and Faculty Strikes Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
May 17, 2023 OH SB 83 Establishes New Rules Concerning Diversity Training, Classroom Bias, and Faculty Strikes Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
May 16, 2023 RI S 71 Appropriates State Funds to Provide for Free School Breakfast and Lunch in All K-12 Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
May 16, 2023 ME LD 1389 Establishes a Mobile Learning Lab Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
May 15, 2023 LA SB 194 Prohibits Underage Bar Entry Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
May 13, 2023 AK SB 99 Establishes Financial Literacy Classes in Alaska Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 0)
May 13, 2023 AK SB 99 Establishes Financial Literacy Classes in Alaska Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 0)
May 12, 2023 AK SB 140 Increases Funding for Rural School Internet Access Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 0)
May 12, 2023 AK SB 140 Increases Funding for Rural School Internet Access Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 0)
May 11, 2023 AK SB 52 Requires the Department of Education and Early Development to Provide Information Relating to Public Schools on an Internet Website and other requirements Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 3)
May 11, 2023 AK SB 52 Requires the Department of Education and Early Development to Provide Information Relating to Public Schools on an Internet Website and other requirements Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 3)
May 10, 2023 MN HF 2073 Appropriates State Funding for Free College Tuition and Automatic Admission Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 30)
May 10, 2023 MO SB 40 Requires Background Checks for Students 18 and Older Reenrolling in High School Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
May 10, 2023 MO SB 138 Increases Eligibility of the Loan Forgiveness Program for Large Animal Veterinary Students Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
May 10, 2023 SC H 3728 Prohibits Certain Topics From Being Discussed in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
May 10, 2023 SC H 3728 Prohibits Certain Topics From Being Discussed in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
May 10, 2023 IL HB 2528 Requires the Board of Higher Education to Establish a Hunger-Free Campus Grant Program Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 6)
May 9, 2023 MO SB 75 Authorizes K-12 Schools to Hire more Retired Teachers for Longer Contracts Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 4)
May 8, 2023 AL HB 261 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
May 5, 2023 MO HB 417 Amends Rules for Student-Athlete Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Deals Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
May 5, 2023 AK SB 13 Requires the State University System List Costs of Course Materials in its Course Catalog Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 1)
May 5, 2023 AK SB 13 Requires the State University System List Costs of Course Materials in its Course Catalog Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 1)
May 3, 2023 IA SF 560 Appropriates Funding for State Department of Education Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
May 2, 2023 MT SB 518 Increases Parental Rights and Involvement in School Curriculum Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
May 2, 2023 FL HB 931 Prohibits Public Institutions from Requiring Students, Faculty, or Staff Take Political Loyalty Tests Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
April 28, 2023 IN HB 1591 Amends Laws Regarding Retention of Records in Public Schools Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 10)
April 28, 2023 KS SB 113 Appropriates Funds for the State K-12 Education Budget for 2024-2027 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 16)
April 28, 2023 ND SB 2284 Appropriates $6 Million to Provide Low-Income K-12 Students Free School Meals Conference Report Adopted - Senate (42 - 4)
April 28, 2023 KS SB 113 Appropriates Funds for the State K-12 Education Budget for 2024-2027 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 16)
April 28, 2023 FL SB 266 Prohibits Higher Education Institutions from Spending Federal or State Funds on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
April 27, 2023 IN HB 1638 Establishes New Rules for Retaking School Courses and Reducing Redundant Data Conference Report Adopted - Senate (42 - 8)
April 27, 2023 IN HB 1638 Establishes New Rules for Retaking School Courses and Reducing Redundant Data Conference Report Adopted - Senate (42 - 8)
April 27, 2023 IN SB 380 Requires School Corporations to Publish Records Regarding Graduation Rates and Develop Policies Regarding Inappropriate Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 10)
April 27, 2023 IN SB 380 Requires School Corporations to Publish Records Regarding Graduation Rates and Develop Policies Regarding Inappropriate Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 10)
April 27, 2023 OK HB 1934 Establishes Parental Rights in School Plans Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
April 27, 2023 OK HB 1934 Establishes Parental Rights in School Plans Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
April 27, 2023 CO SB 23-281 Requires notice of Limited Transferability of College Credits from Some Non-Accredited Institutions Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
April 26, 2023 ND HB 1003 Authorizes a 2-Year Tuition Freeze for State Public Colleges and Universities Conference Report Adopted - Senate (45 - 2)
April 26, 2023 IN HB 1177 Authorizes Teachers to Keep Firearms in Classrooms Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 8)
April 26, 2023 CO SB 23-149 Authorizes Higher Education Financial Aid for Youth Mentors Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
April 26, 2023 CO SB 23-149 Authorizes Higher Education Financial Aid for Youth Mentors Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
April 26, 2023 MI SB 185 Authorizes Graduate Student Research Assistants and Independent University Contractors to Unionize Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
April 24, 2023 OR HB 2708 Defines and Codifies Broader Support for Classified School Staff Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 3)
April 21, 2023 TN SB 102 Prohibits Schools from Requiring Implicit Bias Trainings Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
April 20, 2023 WA HB 1559 Appropriates Funding for Student Basic Needs Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20)
April 20, 2023 TX SB 1515 Requires Every School Classroom Display the 10 Commandments Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/25 SB 252 Requires the State's Teachers and Employee Retirement Fund Divest from Fossil Fuels Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
5/25 SB 1108 Increases Access to Reproductive Healthcare at Public Higher Education Institutions Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 2)
5/24 SB 447 Authorizes State and Public University Employees to Resume Travel to Previously Restricted States Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
5/24 LB 753 Establishes Tax Credits and Matching Funds for Private School Scholarships Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11)
5/17 SB 83 Establishes New Rules Concerning Diversity Training, Classroom Bias, and Faculty Strikes Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
5/17 SB 83 Establishes New Rules Concerning Diversity Training, Classroom Bias, and Faculty Strikes Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
5/16 S 71 Appropriates State Funds to Provide for Free School Breakfast and Lunch in All K-12 Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
5/16 LD 1389 Establishes a Mobile Learning Lab Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
5/15 SB 194 Prohibits Underage Bar Entry Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
5/13 SB 99 Establishes Financial Literacy Classes in Alaska Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 0)
5/13 SB 99 Establishes Financial Literacy Classes in Alaska Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 0)
5/12 SB 140 Increases Funding for Rural School Internet Access Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 0)
5/12 SB 140 Increases Funding for Rural School Internet Access Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 0)
5/11 SB 52 Requires the Department of Education and Early Development to Provide Information Relating to Public Schools on an Internet Website and other requirements Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 3)
5/11 SB 52 Requires the Department of Education and Early Development to Provide Information Relating to Public Schools on an Internet Website and other requirements Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 3)
5/10 HF 2073 Appropriates State Funding for Free College Tuition and Automatic Admission Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 30)
5/10 SB 40 Requires Background Checks for Students 18 and Older Reenrolling in High School Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
5/10 SB 138 Increases Eligibility of the Loan Forgiveness Program for Large Animal Veterinary Students Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
5/10 H 3728 Prohibits Certain Topics From Being Discussed in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
5/10 H 3728 Prohibits Certain Topics From Being Discussed in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
5/10 HB 2528 Requires the Board of Higher Education to Establish a Hunger-Free Campus Grant Program Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 6)
5/09 SB 75 Authorizes K-12 Schools to Hire more Retired Teachers for Longer Contracts Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 4)
5/08 HB 261 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
5/05 HB 417 Amends Rules for Student-Athlete Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Deals Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
5/05 SB 13 Requires the State University System List Costs of Course Materials in its Course Catalog Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 1)
5/05 SB 13 Requires the State University System List Costs of Course Materials in its Course Catalog Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 1)
5/03 SF 560 Appropriates Funding for State Department of Education Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
5/02 SB 518 Increases Parental Rights and Involvement in School Curriculum Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
5/02 HB 931 Prohibits Public Institutions from Requiring Students, Faculty, or Staff Take Political Loyalty Tests Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
4/28 HB 1591 Amends Laws Regarding Retention of Records in Public Schools Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 10)
4/28 SB 113 Appropriates Funds for the State K-12 Education Budget for 2024-2027 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 16)
4/28 SB 2284 Appropriates $6 Million to Provide Low-Income K-12 Students Free School Meals Conference Report Adopted - Senate (42 - 4)
4/28 SB 113 Appropriates Funds for the State K-12 Education Budget for 2024-2027 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 16)
4/28 SB 266 Prohibits Higher Education Institutions from Spending Federal or State Funds on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
4/27 HB 1638 Establishes New Rules for Retaking School Courses and Reducing Redundant Data Conference Report Adopted - Senate (42 - 8)
4/27 HB 1638 Establishes New Rules for Retaking School Courses and Reducing Redundant Data Conference Report Adopted - Senate (42 - 8)
4/27 SB 380 Requires School Corporations to Publish Records Regarding Graduation Rates and Develop Policies Regarding Inappropriate Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 10)
4/27 SB 380 Requires School Corporations to Publish Records Regarding Graduation Rates and Develop Policies Regarding Inappropriate Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 10)
4/27 HB 1934 Establishes Parental Rights in School Plans Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
4/27 HB 1934 Establishes Parental Rights in School Plans Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
4/27 SB 23-281 Requires notice of Limited Transferability of College Credits from Some Non-Accredited Institutions Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
4/26 HB 1003 Authorizes a 2-Year Tuition Freeze for State Public Colleges and Universities Conference Report Adopted - Senate (45 - 2)
4/26 HB 1177 Authorizes Teachers to Keep Firearms in Classrooms Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 8)
4/26 SB 23-149 Authorizes Higher Education Financial Aid for Youth Mentors Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
4/26 SB 23-149 Authorizes Higher Education Financial Aid for Youth Mentors Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
4/26 SB 185 Authorizes Graduate Student Research Assistants and Independent University Contractors to Unionize Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
4/24 HB 2708 Defines and Codifies Broader Support for Classified School Staff Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 3)
4/21 SB 102 Prohibits Schools from Requiring Implicit Bias Trainings Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
4/20 HB 1559 Appropriates Funding for Student Basic Needs Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20)
4/20 SB 1515 Requires Every School Classroom Display the 10 Commandments Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)

arrow_upward