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
Dec. 4, 2025 National HR 1069 Promoting Responsible Oversight To Eliminate Communist Teachings (PROTECT) Our Kids Act Bill Passed - House (247 - 164)
Dec. 1, 2025 National HR 5348 Social Security Child Protection Act of 2025 Bill Passed - House (386 - 0)
Nov. 19, 2025 PA SB 1050 Requires Mandatory Reporters to Report All Instances of Child Pornography Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
Nov. 18, 2025 WI AB 265 Establishes a Mandatory Minimum Sentence of 10 Years for Human Trafficking, and 15 Years if the Victim is a Child Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
Nov. 18, 2025 WI SB 389 Repeals the Per Pupil Adjustment in the School District Revenue Limit Formula Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
Nov. 5, 2025 OH SB 50 Authorizes 14 and 15-Year-Olds to Work Until 9 p.m. Year-Round Bill Passed - House (62 - 30)
Oct. 22, 2025 MA H 4644 Amends Reporting Requirements for the Department of Children and Families and Requires it to Establish a 5-Year Plan Bill Passed - House (159 - 1)
Oct. 7, 2025 PA HB 414 Establishes Protections for Service Members Against Child Custody Changes Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
Sept. 16, 2025 National HR 5140 To lower the age at which a minor may be tried as an adult for certain criminal offenses in the District of Columbia to 14 years of age. Bill Passed - House (225 - 203)
Sept. 13, 2025 CA SB 848 Establishes Protections for Students Against School Employee Misconduct Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
Sept. 12, 2025 CA SB 848 Establishes Protections for Students Against School Employee Misconduct Bill Passed - House (71 - 0)
Sept. 11, 2025 CA AB 1064 Prohibits Individuals or Businesses from Providing "Companion Chatbots" Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 8)
Sept. 11, 2025 CA SB 243 Requires the Operator of an Artificial Intelligence Chatbot to Disclose that the Chatbot is Artificial Intelligence to Any User that is a Minor and to Maintain a Protocol for Preventing the Production of Suicidal Ideation, Suicide, or Self-Harm Content Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 3)
Sept. 10, 2025 CA AB 752 Requires Daycare Centers to be Considered a Residential Use of Property When Colocated with Multifamily Housing Concurrence Vote Passed - House (78 - 1)
Sept. 10, 2025 CA SB 243 Requires the Operator of an Artificial Intelligence Chatbot to Disclose that the Chatbot is Artificial Intelligence to Any User that is a Minor and to Maintain a Protocol for Preventing the Production of Suicidal Ideation, Suicide, or Self-Harm Content Bill Passed - House (59 - 1)
Sept. 10, 2025 CA AB 1064 Prohibits Individuals or Businesses from Providing "Companion Chatbots" Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
Sept. 9, 2025 CA AB 752 Requires Daycare Centers to be Considered a Residential Use of Property When Colocated with Multifamily Housing Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
Sept. 4, 2025 MI HB 4517 Amends and Modifies the Amber Alert Activation Criteria and Distribution Processes Bill Passed - House (104 - 1)
Sept. 4, 2025 MI HB 4518 Expands Activation Requirements Under the Michigan Amber Alert Act Bill Passed - House (104 - 1)
Aug. 21, 2025 TX HB 1 (2nd Special Session) Requires Youth Camps to Submit Disaster Emergency Preparedness Plans Bill Passed - House (135 - 1)
Aug. 12, 2025 TX SB 8 (Special Session) Repeals the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) Assessment Program Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
July 17, 2025 MA S 2550 Amends Various Laws Relating to Child Custody in Massachusetts Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
July 14, 2025 CA AB 379 Increases Penalties for Prostitution Violations Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 2)
July 9, 2025 PA HB 1576 Requires the State to Compensate Counties for Certain Expenses Incurred While Children are in Their Care Bill Passed - House (106 - 97)
July 9, 2025 PA HB 1577 Requires Institutions to Use Safe and Humane Restraints on Children Bill Passed - House (108 - 95)
June 27, 2025 CA SB 120 Appropriates Funds for Early Childhood Education and Childcare Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
June 27, 2025 OR SB 690 Authorizes Delays in Civil Nonpayment Actions Against Parents Who Meet Certain Criteria of Social Need Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 0)
June 27, 2025 CA SB 120 Appropriates Funds for Early Childhood Education and Childcare Bill Passed - House (69 - 1)
June 26, 2025 OR SB 875 Expands Protections for Oregon's Foster Youth Veto Override Passed - House (50 - 3)
June 26, 2025 NH HB 377 Prohibits Puberty Blockers for Transgender Youth Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
June 26, 2025 NH HB 712 Limits Breast Surgeries for Minors to Procedures Needed to Treat Malignancy, Injury, Infection, or Malformation and Those Needed to Reconstruct the Breasts After Such Procedures Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
June 26, 2025 NH HB 712 Limits Breast Surgeries for Minors to Procedures Needed to Treat Malignancy, Injury, Infection, or Malformation and Those Needed to Reconstruct the Breasts After Such Procedures Conference Report Adopted - House (191 - 163)
June 26, 2025 NH HB 273 Requires Public Libraries to Make Minor's Borrowing Histories Available to Their Parents or Legal Guardians Upon Request Conference Report Adopted - House (201 - 165)
June 26, 2025 NH HB 377 Prohibits Puberty Blockers for Transgender Youth Conference Report Adopted - House (202 - 161)
June 26, 2025 NC SB 429 Amends Domestic Violence, Drug Trafficking and Exposing Children to Controlled Substances Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 7)
June 25, 2025 OR SB 875 Expands Protections for Oregon's Foster Youth Veto Override Passed - Senate (21 - 6)
June 25, 2025 NC SB 429 Amends Domestic Violence, Drug Trafficking and Exposing Children to Controlled Substances Bill Passed - House (108 - 6)
June 23, 2025 NC SB 442 Amends Child Abuse and Neglect Statutes to Exempt Conduct Described as Raising a Child "Consistent with the Juvenile's Biological Sex" and Prohibits Adoptive Parents from Being Screened Based on Whether They Would Deny Their Child Gender-Affirming Care Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 19)
June 18, 2025 NC SB 442 Amends Child Abuse and Neglect Statutes to Exempt Conduct Described as Raising a Child "Consistent with the Juvenile's Biological Sex" and Prohibits Adoptive Parents from Being Screened Based on Whether They Would Deny Their Child Gender-Affirming Care Bill Passed - House (74 - 36)
June 18, 2025 OH HB 168 Repeals Loopholes in Child Enticement Laws Bill Passed - House (97 - 0)
June 18, 2025 WI SB 111 Requires Counties That Approve Emergency Detention for a Minor to Transport the Minor to the Detention Facility Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
June 18, 2025 WI SB 108 Requires the Department of Health Services to Develop a Portal to Facilitate Sharing of Safety Plans for a Minor in Crisis Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
June 18, 2025 WI SB 232 Requires the Department of Justice to Provide Grants for Responding to Suspected Child Maltreatment Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
June 18, 2025 WI SB 106 Authorizes the Establishment of Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities (PRFTs) for Individuals Under Age 21 Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
June 17, 2025 NC HB 612 Requires Counties and Cities to have Criminal History Record Checks for Applicants Offered a Position that Requires the Applicant to Work with Children in Any Capacity Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
June 12, 2025 NY S 4505 Requires Social Media Companies to Add a Label that Warns Users of Negative Mental Health Effects When Those Apps are Used Excessively Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 0)
June 12, 2025 NY S 4544 Prohibits Harassment, Bullying, and Cyberbullying of Students on School Property Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 3)
June 11, 2025 OH HB 3 Establishes the School Bus Safety Act Bill Passed - House (90 - 0)
June 9, 2025 PA HB 462 Authorizes Victims of Childhood Sexual Abuse to File Lawsuits Beyond the Statute of Limitations Bill Passed - House (122 - 80)
June 8, 2025 LA SB 244 Amends the Organization of the Department of Energy and Natural Resources and the Department of Conservation Bill Passed - House (77 - 19)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/04 HR 1069 Promoting Responsible Oversight To Eliminate Communist Teachings (PROTECT) Our Kids Act Bill Passed - House (247 - 164)
12/01 HR 5348 Social Security Child Protection Act of 2025 Bill Passed - House (386 - 0)
11/19 SB 1050 Requires Mandatory Reporters to Report All Instances of Child Pornography Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
11/18 AB 265 Establishes a Mandatory Minimum Sentence of 10 Years for Human Trafficking, and 15 Years if the Victim is a Child Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
11/18 SB 389 Repeals the Per Pupil Adjustment in the School District Revenue Limit Formula Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
11/05 SB 50 Authorizes 14 and 15-Year-Olds to Work Until 9 p.m. Year-Round Bill Passed - House (62 - 30)
10/22 H 4644 Amends Reporting Requirements for the Department of Children and Families and Requires it to Establish a 5-Year Plan Bill Passed - House (159 - 1)
10/07 HB 414 Establishes Protections for Service Members Against Child Custody Changes Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
9/16 HR 5140 To lower the age at which a minor may be tried as an adult for certain criminal offenses in the District of Columbia to 14 years of age. Bill Passed - House (225 - 203)
9/13 SB 848 Establishes Protections for Students Against School Employee Misconduct Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
9/12 SB 848 Establishes Protections for Students Against School Employee Misconduct Bill Passed - House (71 - 0)
9/11 AB 1064 Prohibits Individuals or Businesses from Providing "Companion Chatbots" Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 8)
9/11 SB 243 Requires the Operator of an Artificial Intelligence Chatbot to Disclose that the Chatbot is Artificial Intelligence to Any User that is a Minor and to Maintain a Protocol for Preventing the Production of Suicidal Ideation, Suicide, or Self-Harm Content Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 3)
9/10 AB 752 Requires Daycare Centers to be Considered a Residential Use of Property When Colocated with Multifamily Housing Concurrence Vote Passed - House (78 - 1)
9/10 SB 243 Requires the Operator of an Artificial Intelligence Chatbot to Disclose that the Chatbot is Artificial Intelligence to Any User that is a Minor and to Maintain a Protocol for Preventing the Production of Suicidal Ideation, Suicide, or Self-Harm Content Bill Passed - House (59 - 1)
9/10 AB 1064 Prohibits Individuals or Businesses from Providing "Companion Chatbots" Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
9/09 AB 752 Requires Daycare Centers to be Considered a Residential Use of Property When Colocated with Multifamily Housing Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
9/04 HB 4517 Amends and Modifies the Amber Alert Activation Criteria and Distribution Processes Bill Passed - House (104 - 1)
9/04 HB 4518 Expands Activation Requirements Under the Michigan Amber Alert Act Bill Passed - House (104 - 1)
8/21 HB 1 (2nd Special Session) Requires Youth Camps to Submit Disaster Emergency Preparedness Plans Bill Passed - House (135 - 1)
8/12 SB 8 (Special Session) Repeals the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) Assessment Program Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
7/17 S 2550 Amends Various Laws Relating to Child Custody in Massachusetts Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
7/14 AB 379 Increases Penalties for Prostitution Violations Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 2)
7/09 HB 1576 Requires the State to Compensate Counties for Certain Expenses Incurred While Children are in Their Care Bill Passed - House (106 - 97)
7/09 HB 1577 Requires Institutions to Use Safe and Humane Restraints on Children Bill Passed - House (108 - 95)
6/27 SB 120 Appropriates Funds for Early Childhood Education and Childcare Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
6/27 SB 690 Authorizes Delays in Civil Nonpayment Actions Against Parents Who Meet Certain Criteria of Social Need Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 0)
6/27 SB 120 Appropriates Funds for Early Childhood Education and Childcare Bill Passed - House (69 - 1)
6/26 SB 875 Expands Protections for Oregon's Foster Youth Veto Override Passed - House (50 - 3)
6/26 HB 377 Prohibits Puberty Blockers for Transgender Youth Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
6/26 HB 712 Limits Breast Surgeries for Minors to Procedures Needed to Treat Malignancy, Injury, Infection, or Malformation and Those Needed to Reconstruct the Breasts After Such Procedures Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
6/26 HB 712 Limits Breast Surgeries for Minors to Procedures Needed to Treat Malignancy, Injury, Infection, or Malformation and Those Needed to Reconstruct the Breasts After Such Procedures Conference Report Adopted - House (191 - 163)
6/26 HB 273 Requires Public Libraries to Make Minor's Borrowing Histories Available to Their Parents or Legal Guardians Upon Request Conference Report Adopted - House (201 - 165)
6/26 HB 377 Prohibits Puberty Blockers for Transgender Youth Conference Report Adopted - House (202 - 161)
6/26 SB 429 Amends Domestic Violence, Drug Trafficking and Exposing Children to Controlled Substances Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 7)
6/25 SB 875 Expands Protections for Oregon's Foster Youth Veto Override Passed - Senate (21 - 6)
6/25 SB 429 Amends Domestic Violence, Drug Trafficking and Exposing Children to Controlled Substances Bill Passed - House (108 - 6)
6/23 SB 442 Amends Child Abuse and Neglect Statutes to Exempt Conduct Described as Raising a Child "Consistent with the Juvenile's Biological Sex" and Prohibits Adoptive Parents from Being Screened Based on Whether They Would Deny Their Child Gender-Affirming Care Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 19)
6/18 SB 442 Amends Child Abuse and Neglect Statutes to Exempt Conduct Described as Raising a Child "Consistent with the Juvenile's Biological Sex" and Prohibits Adoptive Parents from Being Screened Based on Whether They Would Deny Their Child Gender-Affirming Care Bill Passed - House (74 - 36)
6/18 HB 168 Repeals Loopholes in Child Enticement Laws Bill Passed - House (97 - 0)
6/18 SB 111 Requires Counties That Approve Emergency Detention for a Minor to Transport the Minor to the Detention Facility Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
6/18 SB 108 Requires the Department of Health Services to Develop a Portal to Facilitate Sharing of Safety Plans for a Minor in Crisis Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
6/18 SB 232 Requires the Department of Justice to Provide Grants for Responding to Suspected Child Maltreatment Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
6/18 SB 106 Authorizes the Establishment of Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities (PRFTs) for Individuals Under Age 21 Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
6/17 HB 612 Requires Counties and Cities to have Criminal History Record Checks for Applicants Offered a Position that Requires the Applicant to Work with Children in Any Capacity Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
6/12 S 4505 Requires Social Media Companies to Add a Label that Warns Users of Negative Mental Health Effects When Those Apps are Used Excessively Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 0)
6/12 S 4544 Prohibits Harassment, Bullying, and Cyberbullying of Students on School Property Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 3)
6/11 HB 3 Establishes the School Bus Safety Act Bill Passed - House (90 - 0)
6/09 HB 462 Authorizes Victims of Childhood Sexual Abuse to File Lawsuits Beyond the Statute of Limitations Bill Passed - House (122 - 80)
6/08 SB 244 Amends the Organization of the Department of Energy and Natural Resources and the Department of Conservation Bill Passed - House (77 - 19)

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