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
May 9, 2025 IA HF 856 Prohibits Certain Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives and Offices in Private and Community Colleges Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
May 9, 2025 TX HB 353 Establishes Criminal Penalty for Trespassing Near Schools or Day-Care Centers Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
May 8, 2025 National S J Res 7 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission relating to "Addressing the Homework Gap Through the E-Rate Program". Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (50 - 38)
May 8, 2025 LA SB 234 Establishes and Provides for the St. George Community School System Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
May 8, 2025 LA SB 234 Establishes and Provides for the St. George Community School System Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
May 8, 2025 CT SB 1234 Prohibits Libraries From Agreeing To Certain Terms In Electronic Book And Digital Audiobook License Agreements Or Contracts Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 1)
May 7, 2025 NC SB 280 Authorizes School Administrators to Give Consent to Employees and Volunteers to Possess Handguns and Stun Guns on School Grounds Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
May 7, 2025 AL HB 166 Prohibits Students from Using Cell Phones During Classes Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 2)
May 6, 2025 CO HB 25-1192 Amends the Colorado Revised Statutes to Include New Financial Literacy Standards as a High School Graduation Requirement (26 - 9)
May 6, 2025 CO HB 25-1274 Authorizes the Colorado Secretary of State to Issue Ballot Measures to Fund the Universal School Meals Program Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
May 6, 2025 CO HB 25-1192 Amends the Colorado Revised Statutes to Include New Financial Literacy Standards as a High School Graduation Requirement (26 - 9)
May 6, 2025 National S J Res 7 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission relating to "Addressing the Homework Gap Through the E-Rate Program". Motion Agreed - Senate (53 - 47)
May 6, 2025 PA SB 9 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Participating on Female Sports Teams in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
May 2, 2025 FL HB 1427 Requires Nursing Schools with Passage Rates 10% Below the National Average be Placed on Probation Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
May 1, 2025 AL SB 140 Requires the Alabama Department of Public Health to Enforce the Coach Safely Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
May 1, 2025 MO HB 419 Repeals the University of Missouri System's Exclusive Authority to Grant Research Doctorates and certain Professional Degrees Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
May 1, 2025 MO HB 419 Repeals the University of Missouri System's Exclusive Authority to Grant Research Doctorates and certain Professional Degrees Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
April 30, 2025 AK HB 57 Increases the Basic Input Into the State's Public School Funding Formula for the Base Student Allocation by $700 Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 3)
April 30, 2025 IL SB 191 Requires All School Buses in K-12 Schools To Have Seat Belts On Them Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 13)
April 30, 2025 NC SB 754 Authorizes Flexibility within School Calendars, and Hold School District Officials Accountable for Breaking the Law Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 7)
April 30, 2025 NC SB 754 Authorizes Flexibility within School Calendars, and Hold School District Officials Accountable for Breaking the Law Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 7)
April 29, 2025 ND SB 2354 Requires All Public and Private Schools to Follow the Statewide Student Cellphone Ban Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (45 - 2)
April 29, 2025 SC S 62 Establishes a State Education Scholarship Trust Fund to Authorize Private School Tuition Payments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 11)
April 29, 2025 SC S 62 Establishes a State Education Scholarship Trust Fund to Authorize Private School Tuition Payments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 11)
April 29, 2025 IA HF 865 Amends Provisions Related to School Bullying Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
April 29, 2025 MO HB 17 Appropriates Funding for the State K-12 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
April 29, 2025 IA HF 299 Requires All Schools Using the Tuition Grant Program to Include Information on Vaccine Requirement Exemptions Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
April 29, 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 - Senate (21 - 11)
April 29, 2025 MO HB 17 Appropriates Funding for the State K-12 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
April 28, 2025 OK HB 1256 Extends the Construction Industries Board's Ability to Collaborate with Educational Institutions and Trade Programs Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 6)
April 28, 2025 OK HB 1256 Extends the Construction Industries Board's Ability to Collaborate with Educational Institutions and Trade Programs Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 6)
April 24, 2025 IN SB 287 Amends School Board Elections to be Partisan Races Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
April 24, 2025 IN SB 289 Prohibits Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Programs in Schools and State Government Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 16)
April 23, 2025 IN SB 442 Requires Any Materials Used to Teach "Human Sexuality" for Grades 4-12 be Approved by a School Board and Posted Online Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 12)
April 23, 2025 IA SF 445 Expands Access to High-Quality Preschool and Early Childhood Care Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
April 22, 2025 AK HB 69 Authorizes Open Enrollment for Students in Alaska Veto Override Failed - Senate (12 - 8)
April 22, 2025 AK HB 69 Authorizes Open Enrollment for Students in Alaska Veto Override Failed - Senate (12 - 8)
April 22, 2025 MT HB 252 Appropriates $100 Million to Raise Starting Teacher Pay Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
April 22, 2025 MT HB 252 Appropriates $100 Million to Raise Starting Teacher Pay Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
April 22, 2025 TN HB 622 Prohibits Local Governments and Public Colleges From Hiring Based on Diversity, Equity, or Inclusion Initiatives Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
April 22, 2025 TN SB 1084 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Offices or Initiatives in State and Local Governments or Public Colleges Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
April 22, 2025 NE LB 89 Defines "Male" and "Female" in State Law Targeted for K-12 or Collegiate Bathrooms, Sports Teams and Locker Rooms Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
April 22, 2025 AL SB 278 Requires All Local School Boards to Create Policies to Allow Students to Leave Campus During School Hours for Off-Site Religious Instruction Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
April 22, 2025 NE LB 89 Defines "Male" and "Female" in State Law Targeted for K-12 or Collegiate Bathrooms, Sports Teams and Locker Rooms Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
April 21, 2025 TN HB 134 Prohibits Schools From Selling Food Containing Red 40 Dyes Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
April 17, 2025 ND HB 1540 Appropriates Funding from the State's General Budget for Education Savings Account Programs Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
April 17, 2025 OR HB 2007 Specifies Which Programs are Eligible for Summer Grants Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
April 17, 2025 OR HB 5047 Appropriates $35 Million for Summer Learning for 2025 and 2026 and $17 Million for 2027 Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
April 17, 2025 IA HF 295 Prohibits Accrediting Agencies from Penalizing an Institution for Refusing to Violate State Law Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
April 17, 2025 AL SB 13 Establishes a Constitutional Amendments that Requires "The Star-Spangled Banner" to be Broadcast a Minimum of Once Per Week During School Hours in K-12 Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/09 HF 856 Prohibits Certain Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives and Offices in Private and Community Colleges Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
5/09 HB 353 Establishes Criminal Penalty for Trespassing Near Schools or Day-Care Centers Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
5/08 S J Res 7 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission relating to "Addressing the Homework Gap Through the E-Rate Program". Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (50 - 38)
5/08 SB 234 Establishes and Provides for the St. George Community School System Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
5/08 SB 234 Establishes and Provides for the St. George Community School System Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
5/08 SB 1234 Prohibits Libraries From Agreeing To Certain Terms In Electronic Book And Digital Audiobook License Agreements Or Contracts Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 1)
5/07 SB 280 Authorizes School Administrators to Give Consent to Employees and Volunteers to Possess Handguns and Stun Guns on School Grounds Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
5/07 HB 166 Prohibits Students from Using Cell Phones During Classes Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 2)
5/06 HB 25-1192 Amends the Colorado Revised Statutes to Include New Financial Literacy Standards as a High School Graduation Requirement (26 - 9)
5/06 HB 25-1274 Authorizes the Colorado Secretary of State to Issue Ballot Measures to Fund the Universal School Meals Program Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
5/06 HB 25-1192 Amends the Colorado Revised Statutes to Include New Financial Literacy Standards as a High School Graduation Requirement (26 - 9)
5/06 S J Res 7 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission relating to "Addressing the Homework Gap Through the E-Rate Program". Motion Agreed - Senate (53 - 47)
5/06 SB 9 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Participating on Female Sports Teams in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
5/02 HB 1427 Requires Nursing Schools with Passage Rates 10% Below the National Average be Placed on Probation Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
5/01 SB 140 Requires the Alabama Department of Public Health to Enforce the Coach Safely Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
5/01 HB 419 Repeals the University of Missouri System's Exclusive Authority to Grant Research Doctorates and certain Professional Degrees Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
5/01 HB 419 Repeals the University of Missouri System's Exclusive Authority to Grant Research Doctorates and certain Professional Degrees Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
4/30 HB 57 Increases the Basic Input Into the State's Public School Funding Formula for the Base Student Allocation by $700 Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 3)
4/30 SB 191 Requires All School Buses in K-12 Schools To Have Seat Belts On Them Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 13)
4/30 SB 754 Authorizes Flexibility within School Calendars, and Hold School District Officials Accountable for Breaking the Law Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 7)
4/30 SB 754 Authorizes Flexibility within School Calendars, and Hold School District Officials Accountable for Breaking the Law Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 7)
4/29 SB 2354 Requires All Public and Private Schools to Follow the Statewide Student Cellphone Ban Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (45 - 2)
4/29 S 62 Establishes a State Education Scholarship Trust Fund to Authorize Private School Tuition Payments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 11)
4/29 S 62 Establishes a State Education Scholarship Trust Fund to Authorize Private School Tuition Payments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 11)
4/29 HF 865 Amends Provisions Related to School Bullying Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
4/29 HB 17 Appropriates Funding for the State K-12 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
4/29 HF 299 Requires All Schools Using the Tuition Grant Program to Include Information on Vaccine Requirement Exemptions Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
4/29 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 - Senate (21 - 11)
4/29 HB 17 Appropriates Funding for the State K-12 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
4/28 HB 1256 Extends the Construction Industries Board's Ability to Collaborate with Educational Institutions and Trade Programs Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 6)
4/28 HB 1256 Extends the Construction Industries Board's Ability to Collaborate with Educational Institutions and Trade Programs Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 6)
4/24 SB 287 Amends School Board Elections to be Partisan Races Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
4/24 SB 289 Prohibits Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Programs in Schools and State Government Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 16)
4/23 SB 442 Requires Any Materials Used to Teach "Human Sexuality" for Grades 4-12 be Approved by a School Board and Posted Online Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 12)
4/23 SF 445 Expands Access to High-Quality Preschool and Early Childhood Care Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
4/22 HB 69 Authorizes Open Enrollment for Students in Alaska Veto Override Failed - Senate (12 - 8)
4/22 HB 69 Authorizes Open Enrollment for Students in Alaska Veto Override Failed - Senate (12 - 8)
4/22 HB 252 Appropriates $100 Million to Raise Starting Teacher Pay Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
4/22 HB 252 Appropriates $100 Million to Raise Starting Teacher Pay Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
4/22 HB 622 Prohibits Local Governments and Public Colleges From Hiring Based on Diversity, Equity, or Inclusion Initiatives Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
4/22 SB 1084 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Offices or Initiatives in State and Local Governments or Public Colleges Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
4/22 LB 89 Defines "Male" and "Female" in State Law Targeted for K-12 or Collegiate Bathrooms, Sports Teams and Locker Rooms Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
4/22 SB 278 Requires All Local School Boards to Create Policies to Allow Students to Leave Campus During School Hours for Off-Site Religious Instruction Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
4/22 LB 89 Defines "Male" and "Female" in State Law Targeted for K-12 or Collegiate Bathrooms, Sports Teams and Locker Rooms Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
4/21 HB 134 Prohibits Schools From Selling Food Containing Red 40 Dyes Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
4/17 HB 1540 Appropriates Funding from the State's General Budget for Education Savings Account Programs Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
4/17 HB 2007 Specifies Which Programs are Eligible for Summer Grants Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
4/17 HB 5047 Appropriates $35 Million for Summer Learning for 2025 and 2026 and $17 Million for 2027 Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
4/17 HF 295 Prohibits Accrediting Agencies from Penalizing an Institution for Refusing to Violate State Law Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
4/17 SB 13 Establishes a Constitutional Amendments that Requires "The Star-Spangled Banner" to be Broadcast a Minimum of Once Per Week During School Hours in K-12 Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)

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