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
June 28, 2025 TX SJR 59 Establishes the Permanent Technical Institution Infrastructure Fund and the Available Workforce Education Fund as Special Funds to Fund Capital Projects and Equipment Purchases Related to Educational Programs Offered by the Texas State Technical College System Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
June 28, 2025 TX SJR 59 Establishes the Permanent Technical Institution Infrastructure Fund and the Available Workforce Education Fund as Special Funds to Fund Capital Projects and Equipment Purchases Related to Educational Programs Offered by the Texas State Technical College System Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
June 27, 2025 CA SB 120 Appropriates Funds for Early Childhood Education and Childcare Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
June 27, 2025 CA AB 121 Appropriates Funding for the State Omnibus Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
June 27, 2025 CA AB 313 Authorizes the Student Aid Commission to Grant a Postponement of an Application Deadline Without Submission of a Formal Request if they Find that there was a Delay in the Opening of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
June 27, 2025 CA AB 1216 Amends Certain Requirements Relating to K-12 Education Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
June 27, 2025 CA AB 313 Authorizes the Student Aid Commission to Grant a Postponement of an Application Deadline Without Submission of a Formal Request if they Find that there was a Delay in the Opening of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
June 27, 2025 CA AB 1216 Amends Certain Requirements Relating to K-12 Education Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
June 26, 2025 NH HB 71 Prohibits the Use of Public School Facilities to Provide Shelter to Undocumented Immigrants Conference Report Adopted - Senate (15 - 8)
June 26, 2025 PA HB 865 Specifies Guidelines for Military Family Educational Program Grant Eligibility for Pennsylvania National Guard Members Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
June 25, 2025 NC SB 254 Authorizes the Charter Schools Review Board to Propose, Recommend, and Approve Rules and Policies Regarding all Aspects of Charter School Operation Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 20)
June 25, 2025 NC SB 254 Authorizes the Charter Schools Review Board to Propose, Recommend, and Approve Rules and Policies Regarding all Aspects of Charter School Operation Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 20)
June 20, 2025 RI S 238 Establishes Protections Against the Censorship of Library Materials Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
June 19, 2025 NC HB 328 Requires Public School Districts to Prohibit Delta-8 and Delta-9 Products Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 7)
June 18, 2025 MA H 4227 Appropriates Funds for Transportation and Education for Fiscal Year 2025 Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
June 18, 2025 WI SB 182 Requires the Technical College System Board to Provide Grants to Technical Colleges That Provide Emergency Medical Services Courses for Initial Licensure Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
June 18, 2025 WI SB 41 Requires the Department of Justice to Establish a Grant Program for School Safety Improvements Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
June 16, 2025 VT H 454 Amends and Modifies Provisions Related to Education Governance, Quality, and Finance Systems Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 12)
June 16, 2025 VT H 454 Amends and Modifies Provisions Related to Education Governance, Quality, and Finance Systems Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 3)
June 13, 2025 NY S 8344 Extends Provisions and Makes Technical Corrections to School Speed Zones in NYC Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 21)
June 12, 2025 NY S 4544 Prohibits Harassment, Bullying, and Cyberbullying of Students on School Property Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 3)
June 11, 2025 LA SB 25 Establishes the St. George Community School System With the Same Authority as a Parish Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
June 10, 2025 LA SB 234 Establishes and Provides for the St. George Community School System Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
June 10, 2025 LA SB 234 Establishes and Provides for the St. George Community School System Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
June 9, 2025 LA SB 101 Authorizes Individuals Legally Permitted to Carry a Firearm to Do So Up to a School's Property line Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
June 9, 2025 LA SB 117 Prohibits the Sale and Serving of Ultra-Processed Foods in Public Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 1)
June 9, 2025 MN HF 5 Increases the Basic Education Formula Allowance Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 32)
June 5, 2025 ME LD 957 Requires that Maine School Curriculum Include Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander History "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 13)
June 5, 2025 ME LD 957 Requires that Maine School Curriculum Include Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander History "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 13)
June 5, 2025 ME LD 587 Requires School Boards to Adopt a Policy on Automated External Defibrillator Access at School- sponsored Athletic Events "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 5)
June 5, 2025 ME LD 470 Requires All Public Schools to Implement Teacher Mentoring Programs by 2026 "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 13)
June 5, 2025 ME LD 470 Requires All Public Schools to Implement Teacher Mentoring Programs by 2026 "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 13)
June 5, 2025 OR SB 141 Establishes a Statewide Education Accountability System Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
June 5, 2025 NY S 7616 Authorizes Stony Brook University to Build Additional Housing on its Campus Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 0)
June 4, 2025 CT HB 7288 Appropriates Funds for Connecticut's FY 2027 Budget and Amends Various Laws Relating to Bonds and Grants Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 1)
June 4, 2025 ME LD 1012 Establishes the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Tick Laboratory Operations Fund and directs the State Liquor and Lottery Commission to Develop and Initiate a $4 Instant Lottery Game to Raise Funds "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 14)
June 3, 2025 LA SB 14 Prohibits Harmful Food Ingredients and Expand Nutrition Transparency Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
June 3, 2025 ME LD 396 Requires Public High Schools to Start No Earlier Than 8:30 A.M. Beginning in the 2026-2027 School Year "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 13)
June 3, 2025 ME LD 396 Requires Public High Schools to Start No Earlier Than 8:30 A.M. Beginning in the 2026-2027 School Year "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 13)
June 2, 2025 NJ S 3961 Requires No-Fee Options for Parents to Make School Lunch and Other Payments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
June 2, 2025 NV AB 416 Prohibits Public Schools and Libraries from Restricting Access to Materials Based on Content Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
June 2, 2025 CA SB 98 Requires School Districts and Certain Universities to Notify Students, Faculty, and Other Campus Members When Federal Immigration Enforcement is Present Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
June 2, 2025 CA SB 98 Requires School Districts and Certain Universities to Notify Students, Faculty, and Other Campus Members When Federal Immigration Enforcement is Present Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
June 2, 2025 CA SB 414 Expands School Accountability Through Financial and Performance Audits Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 1)
June 2, 2025 CA SB 414 Expands School Accountability Through Financial and Performance Audits Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 1)
June 2, 2025 CA SB 323 Requires an Amendment to the California Dream Act Application That Clarifies That it May Be Used by Any Student Eligible for State Financial Aid Programs Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 1)
June 2, 2025 CA SB 790 Authorizes the Governor to Enter Into Interstate Reciprocity Agreements for Online College Standards Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
June 2, 2025 CA SB 323 Requires an Amendment to the California Dream Act Application That Clarifies That it May Be Used by Any Student Eligible for State Financial Aid Programs Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 1)
June 2, 2025 CA SB 98 Requires School Districts and Certain Universities to Notify Students, Faculty, and Other Campus Members When Federal Immigration Enforcement is Present Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
June 1, 2025 TX SB 2972 Requires the Governing Boards of Institutions of Higher Education to Designate Areas on Campus for Public Forum and Prohibits Certain Activities During Student Demonstrations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 9)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/28 SJR 59 Establishes the Permanent Technical Institution Infrastructure Fund and the Available Workforce Education Fund as Special Funds to Fund Capital Projects and Equipment Purchases Related to Educational Programs Offered by the Texas State Technical College System Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
6/28 SJR 59 Establishes the Permanent Technical Institution Infrastructure Fund and the Available Workforce Education Fund as Special Funds to Fund Capital Projects and Equipment Purchases Related to Educational Programs Offered by the Texas State Technical College System Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
6/27 SB 120 Appropriates Funds for Early Childhood Education and Childcare Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
6/27 AB 121 Appropriates Funding for the State Omnibus Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
6/27 AB 313 Authorizes the Student Aid Commission to Grant a Postponement of an Application Deadline Without Submission of a Formal Request if they Find that there was a Delay in the Opening of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
6/27 AB 1216 Amends Certain Requirements Relating to K-12 Education Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
6/27 AB 313 Authorizes the Student Aid Commission to Grant a Postponement of an Application Deadline Without Submission of a Formal Request if they Find that there was a Delay in the Opening of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
6/27 AB 1216 Amends Certain Requirements Relating to K-12 Education Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
6/26 HB 71 Prohibits the Use of Public School Facilities to Provide Shelter to Undocumented Immigrants Conference Report Adopted - Senate (15 - 8)
6/26 HB 865 Specifies Guidelines for Military Family Educational Program Grant Eligibility for Pennsylvania National Guard Members Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
6/25 SB 254 Authorizes the Charter Schools Review Board to Propose, Recommend, and Approve Rules and Policies Regarding all Aspects of Charter School Operation Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 20)
6/25 SB 254 Authorizes the Charter Schools Review Board to Propose, Recommend, and Approve Rules and Policies Regarding all Aspects of Charter School Operation Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 20)
6/20 S 238 Establishes Protections Against the Censorship of Library Materials Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
6/19 HB 328 Requires Public School Districts to Prohibit Delta-8 and Delta-9 Products Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 7)
6/18 H 4227 Appropriates Funds for Transportation and Education for Fiscal Year 2025 Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
6/18 SB 182 Requires the Technical College System Board to Provide Grants to Technical Colleges That Provide Emergency Medical Services Courses for Initial Licensure Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
6/18 SB 41 Requires the Department of Justice to Establish a Grant Program for School Safety Improvements Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
6/16 H 454 Amends and Modifies Provisions Related to Education Governance, Quality, and Finance Systems Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 12)
6/16 H 454 Amends and Modifies Provisions Related to Education Governance, Quality, and Finance Systems Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 3)
6/13 S 8344 Extends Provisions and Makes Technical Corrections to School Speed Zones in NYC Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 21)
6/12 S 4544 Prohibits Harassment, Bullying, and Cyberbullying of Students on School Property Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 3)
6/11 SB 25 Establishes the St. George Community School System With the Same Authority as a Parish Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
6/10 SB 234 Establishes and Provides for the St. George Community School System Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
6/10 SB 234 Establishes and Provides for the St. George Community School System Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
6/09 SB 101 Authorizes Individuals Legally Permitted to Carry a Firearm to Do So Up to a School's Property line Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
6/09 SB 117 Prohibits the Sale and Serving of Ultra-Processed Foods in Public Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 1)
6/09 HF 5 Increases the Basic Education Formula Allowance Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 32)
6/05 LD 957 Requires that Maine School Curriculum Include Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander History "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 13)
6/05 LD 957 Requires that Maine School Curriculum Include Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander History "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 13)
6/05 LD 587 Requires School Boards to Adopt a Policy on Automated External Defibrillator Access at School- sponsored Athletic Events "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 5)
6/05 LD 470 Requires All Public Schools to Implement Teacher Mentoring Programs by 2026 "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 13)
6/05 LD 470 Requires All Public Schools to Implement Teacher Mentoring Programs by 2026 "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 13)
6/05 SB 141 Establishes a Statewide Education Accountability System Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
6/05 S 7616 Authorizes Stony Brook University to Build Additional Housing on its Campus Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 0)
6/04 HB 7288 Appropriates Funds for Connecticut's FY 2027 Budget and Amends Various Laws Relating to Bonds and Grants Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 1)
6/04 LD 1012 Establishes the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Tick Laboratory Operations Fund and directs the State Liquor and Lottery Commission to Develop and Initiate a $4 Instant Lottery Game to Raise Funds "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 14)
6/03 SB 14 Prohibits Harmful Food Ingredients and Expand Nutrition Transparency Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
6/03 LD 396 Requires Public High Schools to Start No Earlier Than 8:30 A.M. Beginning in the 2026-2027 School Year "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 13)
6/03 LD 396 Requires Public High Schools to Start No Earlier Than 8:30 A.M. Beginning in the 2026-2027 School Year "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 13)
6/02 S 3961 Requires No-Fee Options for Parents to Make School Lunch and Other Payments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
6/02 AB 416 Prohibits Public Schools and Libraries from Restricting Access to Materials Based on Content Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
6/02 SB 98 Requires School Districts and Certain Universities to Notify Students, Faculty, and Other Campus Members When Federal Immigration Enforcement is Present Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
6/02 SB 98 Requires School Districts and Certain Universities to Notify Students, Faculty, and Other Campus Members When Federal Immigration Enforcement is Present Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
6/02 SB 414 Expands School Accountability Through Financial and Performance Audits Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 1)
6/02 SB 414 Expands School Accountability Through Financial and Performance Audits Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 1)
6/02 SB 323 Requires an Amendment to the California Dream Act Application That Clarifies That it May Be Used by Any Student Eligible for State Financial Aid Programs Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 1)
6/02 SB 790 Authorizes the Governor to Enter Into Interstate Reciprocity Agreements for Online College Standards Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
6/02 SB 323 Requires an Amendment to the California Dream Act Application That Clarifies That it May Be Used by Any Student Eligible for State Financial Aid Programs Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 1)
6/02 SB 98 Requires School Districts and Certain Universities to Notify Students, Faculty, and Other Campus Members When Federal Immigration Enforcement is Present Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
6/01 SB 2972 Requires the Governing Boards of Institutions of Higher Education to Designate Areas on Campus for Public Forum and Prohibits Certain Activities During Student Demonstrations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 9)

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