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
March 17, 2025 AR HB 1512 Establishes the Arkansas ACCESS Act Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
March 14, 2025 ID H 243 Authorizes Child Care Facilities to Determine Their Own Child-to-Staff Ratio Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
March 14, 2025 CO HB 25-1027 Amends Colorado's Vaccination Requirements for Children Attending Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
March 14, 2025 KY HB 208 Requires School Districts to Develop Policies Prohibiting Cell Phone Use in Class Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
March 14, 2025 CO HB 25-1041 Authorizes Public Universities to Pay Student Athletes for Their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
March 14, 2025 CO SB 25-143 Authorizes Facial Recognition Technology for School Security Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
March 13, 2025 KY HB 241 Authorizes 5 Disaster Relief School Attendance Days Using Non-Traditional Instruction Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
March 13, 2025 KY HB 241 Authorizes 5 Disaster Relief School Attendance Days Using Non-Traditional Instruction Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
March 13, 2025 NH SB 295 Repeals Income Limits for Education Freedom Accounts Immediately but Includes a 12,250-Student Cap on the Program "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
March 13, 2025 NH SB 295 Repeals Income Limits for Education Freedom Accounts Immediately but Includes a 12,250-Student Cap on the Program "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
March 13, 2025 NH SB 33 Restricts Learning Materials Authorized for Use by Students in Public School Districts "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
March 13, 2025 NH SB 33 Restricts Learning Materials Authorized for Use by Students in Public School Districts "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
March 13, 2025 AR SB 246 Amends Provisions for Education in the State of Arkansas Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
March 13, 2025 AZ SB 1472 Requires School Districts Appropriate Funding for the Next 3 State Fiscal Years Instead of One Year Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
March 13, 2025 AR SB 352 Prohibits Antisemitic Discrimination in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
March 13, 2025 OK SB 139 Requires School District Boards of Education to Adopt a "Bell-to-Bell" Cell Phone Ban in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 8)
March 12, 2025 KY HB 4 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs at Public Colleges and Universities in Kentucky Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
March 12, 2025 WA SB 5263 Repeals the State Special Education Funding Cap Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
March 11, 2025 NC SB 227 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Instruction in K-12 Education Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18)
March 11, 2025 OK SB 105 Repeals Prior Public School Enrollment Requirements for the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 10)
March 11, 2025 OK SB 105 Repeals Prior Public School Enrollment Requirements for the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 10)
March 11, 2025 CO SB 25-154 Reduces Testing Requirements for Teaching Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
March 10, 2025 SD HB 1239 Repeals an Exemption Shielding Libraries, Schools, Universities, Museums and Their Employees from Prosecution Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
March 10, 2025 SD HB 1259 Prohibits Unauthorized Access to Certain Multi-Occupancy Restrooms Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
March 10, 2025 MS HB 1193 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in K-12 and Institutions of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
March 10, 2025 SD HB 1130 Amends the Date for School Board and Municipal Elections Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
March 10, 2025 WV SB 199 Establishes a Behavioral Plan for Students that Exhibit Violent, Threatening, or Intimidating Behavior Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
March 10, 2025 WV SB 199 Establishes a Behavioral Plan for Students that Exhibit Violent, Threatening, or Intimidating Behavior Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
March 8, 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 - Senate (36 - 0)
March 8, 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 - Senate (36 - 0)
March 7, 2025 ND HB 1178 Requires School Districts Allow Time for Students to Vote in Elections Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 23)
March 6, 2025 UT HB 77 Authorizes a Select Few Flags to be Displayed Inside of Public Classrooms Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
March 6, 2025 GA SB 179 Requires Academic and Disciplinary Records for Each Transferring Student be Given to the New School Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 1)
March 6, 2025 GA SB 17 Requires Panic Buttons in Every Public and Private School Bill Passed - Senate (55 - 0)
March 6, 2025 MO SB 160 Reduces Hazing on College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
March 5, 2025 ID H 41 Prohibits Flags in Public Schools that Represent a Political Viewpoint Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
March 5, 2025 ID H 41 Prohibits Flags in Public Schools that Represent a Political Viewpoint Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
March 5, 2025 CT HB 7163 Appropriates and Restores $40 Million for Special Education Funding Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
March 5, 2025 AZ SB 1508 Requires School District Boards to Define Bullying and Cyberbullying Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
March 5, 2025 AZ SB 1097 Requires Arizona Schools to Close on Election Days to Serve as Polling Places Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
March 4, 2025 SD HB 1222 Authorizes Concealed Carry Permit Holders to Keep Their Firearm Inside a Motor Vehicle While on School Property Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
March 4, 2025 SD HB 1132 Establishes Eligibility for Child Care Employees in the Child Care Assistance Program Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
March 4, 2025 UT SB 334 Amends College General Education Courses Statewide Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
March 4, 2025 UT SB 334 Amends College General Education Courses Statewide Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
March 4, 2025 KY SB 3 Authorizes Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Usage by Student Athletes Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
March 4, 2025 OR SB 802 Extends the Period of Time That a Teacher May Work Prior to the Approval of Their License Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 1)
March 4, 2025 OR SB 867 Expands the Department of Education's Authority to Investigate Cases of Abuse and Sexual Conduct Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 2)
March 4, 2025 AZ SB 1694 Exempts Community Colleges and Public Universities in Arizona from Receiving State Funding if they Offered Courses on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 11)
March 3, 2025 National PN 11-10 Nomination of Linda McMahon to be Secretary of Education Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 45)
March 3, 2025 WY HJ 3 Appropriates Funding for Rural School Support Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/17 HB 1512 Establishes the Arkansas ACCESS Act Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
3/14 H 243 Authorizes Child Care Facilities to Determine Their Own Child-to-Staff Ratio Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
3/14 HB 25-1027 Amends Colorado's Vaccination Requirements for Children Attending Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
3/14 HB 208 Requires School Districts to Develop Policies Prohibiting Cell Phone Use in Class Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
3/14 HB 25-1041 Authorizes Public Universities to Pay Student Athletes for Their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
3/14 SB 25-143 Authorizes Facial Recognition Technology for School Security Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
3/13 HB 241 Authorizes 5 Disaster Relief School Attendance Days Using Non-Traditional Instruction Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
3/13 HB 241 Authorizes 5 Disaster Relief School Attendance Days Using Non-Traditional Instruction Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
3/13 SB 295 Repeals Income Limits for Education Freedom Accounts Immediately but Includes a 12,250-Student Cap on the Program "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
3/13 SB 295 Repeals Income Limits for Education Freedom Accounts Immediately but Includes a 12,250-Student Cap on the Program "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
3/13 SB 33 Restricts Learning Materials Authorized for Use by Students in Public School Districts "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
3/13 SB 33 Restricts Learning Materials Authorized for Use by Students in Public School Districts "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
3/13 SB 246 Amends Provisions for Education in the State of Arkansas Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
3/13 SB 1472 Requires School Districts Appropriate Funding for the Next 3 State Fiscal Years Instead of One Year Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
3/13 SB 352 Prohibits Antisemitic Discrimination in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
3/13 SB 139 Requires School District Boards of Education to Adopt a "Bell-to-Bell" Cell Phone Ban in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 8)
3/12 HB 4 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs at Public Colleges and Universities in Kentucky Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
3/12 SB 5263 Repeals the State Special Education Funding Cap Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
3/11 SB 227 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Instruction in K-12 Education Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18)
3/11 SB 105 Repeals Prior Public School Enrollment Requirements for the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 10)
3/11 SB 105 Repeals Prior Public School Enrollment Requirements for the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 10)
3/11 SB 25-154 Reduces Testing Requirements for Teaching Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
3/10 HB 1239 Repeals an Exemption Shielding Libraries, Schools, Universities, Museums and Their Employees from Prosecution Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
3/10 HB 1259 Prohibits Unauthorized Access to Certain Multi-Occupancy Restrooms Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
3/10 HB 1193 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in K-12 and Institutions of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
3/10 HB 1130 Amends the Date for School Board and Municipal Elections Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
3/10 SB 199 Establishes a Behavioral Plan for Students that Exhibit Violent, Threatening, or Intimidating Behavior Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
3/10 SB 199 Establishes a Behavioral Plan for Students that Exhibit Violent, Threatening, or Intimidating Behavior Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
3/08 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 - Senate (36 - 0)
3/08 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 - Senate (36 - 0)
3/07 HB 1178 Requires School Districts Allow Time for Students to Vote in Elections Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 23)
3/06 HB 77 Authorizes a Select Few Flags to be Displayed Inside of Public Classrooms Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
3/06 SB 179 Requires Academic and Disciplinary Records for Each Transferring Student be Given to the New School Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 1)
3/06 SB 17 Requires Panic Buttons in Every Public and Private School Bill Passed - Senate (55 - 0)
3/06 SB 160 Reduces Hazing on College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
3/05 H 41 Prohibits Flags in Public Schools that Represent a Political Viewpoint Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
3/05 H 41 Prohibits Flags in Public Schools that Represent a Political Viewpoint Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
3/05 HB 7163 Appropriates and Restores $40 Million for Special Education Funding Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
3/05 SB 1508 Requires School District Boards to Define Bullying and Cyberbullying Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
3/05 SB 1097 Requires Arizona Schools to Close on Election Days to Serve as Polling Places Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
3/04 HB 1222 Authorizes Concealed Carry Permit Holders to Keep Their Firearm Inside a Motor Vehicle While on School Property Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
3/04 HB 1132 Establishes Eligibility for Child Care Employees in the Child Care Assistance Program Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
3/04 SB 334 Amends College General Education Courses Statewide Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
3/04 SB 334 Amends College General Education Courses Statewide Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
3/04 SB 3 Authorizes Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Usage by Student Athletes Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
3/04 SB 802 Extends the Period of Time That a Teacher May Work Prior to the Approval of Their License Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 1)
3/04 SB 867 Expands the Department of Education's Authority to Investigate Cases of Abuse and Sexual Conduct Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 2)
3/04 SB 1694 Exempts Community Colleges and Public Universities in Arizona from Receiving State Funding if they Offered Courses on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 11)
3/03 PN 11-10 Nomination of Linda McMahon to be Secretary of Education Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 45)
3/03 HJ 3 Appropriates Funding for Rural School Support Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)

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