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 28, 2025 TX HB 1106 Specifies that Abuse Does Not Include the Refusal by a Parent or Guardian to Affirm a Child's Preferred Gender Identity, Name, or Sexual Orientation Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
May 28, 2025 NE LB 504 Establishes the Age-Appropriate Online Design Code Act Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
May 27, 2025 CT HB 7213 Authorizes Minors Access to Contraception Without Parental Consent Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
May 21, 2025 NV AB 245 Prohibits Individuals 21 and Under from Owning Semi-Automatic Weapons Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 8)
May 21, 2025 NE LB 298 Increases Legislative Supervision Over Divisions Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 3)
May 20, 2025 MI SB 259 Exempts Claims for Damages Resulting from Criminal Sexual Conduct from the Statute of Limitations on Claims Made Against the State Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
May 20, 2025 MI SB 258 Expands the Statute of Limitations for Civil Actions against Criminal Sexual Conduct Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
May 20, 2025 MI SB 257 Expands the Statute of Limitations for Civil Action Against Criminal Sexual Conduct Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
May 20, 2025 MI SB 260 Specifies that Public Universities, Colleges, and School Districts May be Held Liable for Criminal Sexual Conduct of an Employee or Agent Committed During the Course of Employment or Service Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
May 20, 2025 MI SB 261 Exempts Claims for Damages Resulting from Criminal Sexual Conduct from the Statute of Limitations on Claims Made Against the State of Michigan Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
May 19, 2025 NV AB 48 Requires Schools to Investigate Race-Based Bullying Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 0)
May 14, 2025 IA HF 889 Establishes Paid Parental Leave for State Employees in Iowa Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 1)
May 14, 2025 NE LB 140 Prohibits Student Cell Phone Use in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
May 14, 2025 OH SB 158 Prohibits Cell-Phone Use by Students During the School Day Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 2)
May 13, 2025 NY A 2123 Authorizes Additional Credits for the Children and Siblings of Deceased Sanitation Workers Related to the 9/11 Terror Attacks Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 0)
May 13, 2025 RI S 771 Requires Each Public School to have a Policy Regarding the Use of Personal Electronic Devices on School Grounds and During School-Sponsored Activities Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
May 13, 2025 CT SB 6 Requires Municipal Camps to be Licensed by the State Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
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 SC S 29 Amends Laws on Sexual Exploitation of Minors Conference Report Adopted - Senate (45 - 0)
May 7, 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 - Senate (32 - 13)
May 7, 2025 AL HB 166 Prohibits Students from Using Cell Phones During Classes Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 2)
May 6, 2025 AZ HB 2112 Requires Commercial Pornography Websites to Verify a User's Age Before Granting Access Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
May 6, 2025 AL HB 8 Increases Regulations on Tobacco and Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 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)
April 29, 2025 MO HB 737 Amends State Foster Care System Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 1)
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 25, 2025 CO SB 25-086 Establishes Minor Social Media Protections Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
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 18, 2025 NV SB 183 Limits the Number of Children that Can be Assigned to Child Welfare Caseworkers Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 0)
April 17, 2025 AL SB 186 Requires Using a Filter on Certain Internet-Enabled Devices in Alabama if the User is a Minor Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
April 17, 2025 AL SB 187 Requires App Stores to Verify Users' Ages and Require Minors' Accounts to be Affiliated with a Parent Account Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
April 15, 2025 OR SB 315 Requires the Department of Education to Review Make Recommendations and Develop Best Practices for Dealing with Student Absences Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
April 14, 2025 IA HF 306 Establishes New Penalties for the Distribution of Obscene Material to a Minor in Iowa Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 0)
April 14, 2025 OR SB 1016 Requires the Department of Human Services to Procure and Distribute an Inventory of Appropriate Carriers for Transporting the Belongings of Foster Children Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 3)
April 12, 2025 WV HB 2880 Requires that Parent Resource Navigators be Included in Key Meetings About the Child's Case Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 1)
April 11, 2025 KS HB 2045 Establishes the Office of Early Childhood Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 10)
April 10, 2025 KS HB 2062 Require Child Support Payments to be Calculated from the Point of Conception Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
April 9, 2025 TN HB 1025 Authorizes Suspending Driving for Minors Convicted of Cyberbullying Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 0)
April 9, 2025 OH SB 50 Authorizes 14 and 15-Year-Olds to Work Until 9 p.m. Year-Round Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
April 9, 2025 IL SB 1519 Prohibits Public School Students From Being Subject to Municipal Fines, Fees, Tickets, or Citations as a Form of School-Based Discipline Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17)
April 9, 2025 IL SB 2427 Prohibits Phone Usage for Students While at School Bill Passed - Senate (55 - 0)
April 8, 2025 RI SJR 177 Establishes the Universal Right to Education that is Equitable, Adequate, and Meaningful for Each Child Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
April 7, 2025 IA SF 304 Establishes an Exemption to a Minor's Legal Capacity to Consent to Vaccinations Without Their Parent's Permission Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
April 3, 2025 TX SB 27 Authorizes Teachers to Immediately Remove from Class a Student Who is Bullying Others or is Verbally Abusive Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
March 27, 2025 KY HB 495 Repeals and Overturns the Governors Executive Order that Prohibited the Practice of Conversion Therapy Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
March 27, 2025 KS HB 2062 Require Child Support Payments to be Calculated from the Point of Conception Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 9)
March 27, 2025 OK SB 870 Increases Accountability and Reporting Mechanisms for Incidents of Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Juveniles in State-Run Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
March 26, 2025 TX SB 990 Authorizes the Death Penalty for Individuals Convicted of Killing Children Aged 10-15 Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
March 25, 2025 GA HB 340 Prohibits Student Cellphone Use in Schools from Kindergarten Through 8th Grade Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 2)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/28 HB 1106 Specifies that Abuse Does Not Include the Refusal by a Parent or Guardian to Affirm a Child's Preferred Gender Identity, Name, or Sexual Orientation Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
5/28 LB 504 Establishes the Age-Appropriate Online Design Code Act Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
5/27 HB 7213 Authorizes Minors Access to Contraception Without Parental Consent Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
5/21 AB 245 Prohibits Individuals 21 and Under from Owning Semi-Automatic Weapons Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 8)
5/21 LB 298 Increases Legislative Supervision Over Divisions Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 3)
5/20 SB 259 Exempts Claims for Damages Resulting from Criminal Sexual Conduct from the Statute of Limitations on Claims Made Against the State Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
5/20 SB 258 Expands the Statute of Limitations for Civil Actions against Criminal Sexual Conduct Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
5/20 SB 257 Expands the Statute of Limitations for Civil Action Against Criminal Sexual Conduct Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
5/20 SB 260 Specifies that Public Universities, Colleges, and School Districts May be Held Liable for Criminal Sexual Conduct of an Employee or Agent Committed During the Course of Employment or Service Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
5/20 SB 261 Exempts Claims for Damages Resulting from Criminal Sexual Conduct from the Statute of Limitations on Claims Made Against the State of Michigan Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
5/19 AB 48 Requires Schools to Investigate Race-Based Bullying Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 0)
5/14 HF 889 Establishes Paid Parental Leave for State Employees in Iowa Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 1)
5/14 LB 140 Prohibits Student Cell Phone Use in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
5/14 SB 158 Prohibits Cell-Phone Use by Students During the School Day Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 2)
5/13 A 2123 Authorizes Additional Credits for the Children and Siblings of Deceased Sanitation Workers Related to the 9/11 Terror Attacks Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 0)
5/13 S 771 Requires Each Public School to have a Policy Regarding the Use of Personal Electronic Devices on School Grounds and During School-Sponsored Activities Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
5/13 SB 6 Requires Municipal Camps to be Licensed by the State Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
5/09 HB 353 Establishes Criminal Penalty for Trespassing Near Schools or Day-Care Centers Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
5/08 S 29 Amends Laws on Sexual Exploitation of Minors Conference Report Adopted - Senate (45 - 0)
5/07 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 - Senate (32 - 13)
5/07 HB 166 Prohibits Students from Using Cell Phones During Classes Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 2)
5/06 HB 2112 Requires Commercial Pornography Websites to Verify a User's Age Before Granting Access Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
5/06 HB 8 Increases Regulations on Tobacco and Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
5/01 SB 140 Requires the Alabama Department of Public Health to Enforce the Coach Safely Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
4/29 HB 737 Amends State Foster Care System Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 1)
4/29 SB 2354 Requires All Public and Private Schools to Follow the Statewide Student Cellphone Ban Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (45 - 2)
4/25 SB 25-086 Establishes Minor Social Media Protections Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
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)
4/18 SB 183 Limits the Number of Children that Can be Assigned to Child Welfare Caseworkers Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 0)
4/17 SB 186 Requires Using a Filter on Certain Internet-Enabled Devices in Alabama if the User is a Minor Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
4/17 SB 187 Requires App Stores to Verify Users' Ages and Require Minors' Accounts to be Affiliated with a Parent Account Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
4/15 SB 315 Requires the Department of Education to Review Make Recommendations and Develop Best Practices for Dealing with Student Absences Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
4/14 HF 306 Establishes New Penalties for the Distribution of Obscene Material to a Minor in Iowa Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 0)
4/14 SB 1016 Requires the Department of Human Services to Procure and Distribute an Inventory of Appropriate Carriers for Transporting the Belongings of Foster Children Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 3)
4/12 HB 2880 Requires that Parent Resource Navigators be Included in Key Meetings About the Child's Case Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 1)
4/11 HB 2045 Establishes the Office of Early Childhood Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 10)
4/10 HB 2062 Require Child Support Payments to be Calculated from the Point of Conception Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
4/09 HB 1025 Authorizes Suspending Driving for Minors Convicted of Cyberbullying Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 0)
4/09 SB 50 Authorizes 14 and 15-Year-Olds to Work Until 9 p.m. Year-Round Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
4/09 SB 1519 Prohibits Public School Students From Being Subject to Municipal Fines, Fees, Tickets, or Citations as a Form of School-Based Discipline Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17)
4/09 SB 2427 Prohibits Phone Usage for Students While at School Bill Passed - Senate (55 - 0)
4/08 SJR 177 Establishes the Universal Right to Education that is Equitable, Adequate, and Meaningful for Each Child Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
4/07 SF 304 Establishes an Exemption to a Minor's Legal Capacity to Consent to Vaccinations Without Their Parent's Permission Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
4/03 SB 27 Authorizes Teachers to Immediately Remove from Class a Student Who is Bullying Others or is Verbally Abusive Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
3/27 HB 495 Repeals and Overturns the Governors Executive Order that Prohibited the Practice of Conversion Therapy Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
3/27 HB 2062 Require Child Support Payments to be Calculated from the Point of Conception Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 9)
3/27 SB 870 Increases Accountability and Reporting Mechanisms for Incidents of Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Juveniles in State-Run Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0)
3/26 SB 990 Authorizes the Death Penalty for Individuals Convicted of Killing Children Aged 10-15 Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
3/25 HB 340 Prohibits Student Cellphone Use in Schools from Kindergarten Through 8th Grade Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 2)

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