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 6, 2025 OK HB 1727 Extends Eligibility for the Oklahoma's Promise Scholarship Bill Passed - House (71 - 20)
March 5, 2025 UT SB 334 Amends College General Education Courses Statewide Bill Passed - House (68 - 3)
March 1, 2025 NM HB 89 Amends the Graduate Scholarship Act to Prioritize New Mexico Residents who are Students with the Greatest Financial Need and from Groups Underrepresented in Graduate Education Bill Passed - House (40 - 25)
Feb. 24, 2025 ND HB 1600 Establishes an Immigration-Focused Law Clinic at the University of North Dakota Bill Passed - House (67 - 25)
Feb. 22, 2025 NM HB 24 Amends the Community Governance Attorney and Conditional Tuition Waiver Program in New Mexico Bill Passed - House (61 - 1)
Feb. 18, 2025 AL HB 188 Establishes Scholarship for Dependents of Alabama Law Enforcement Bill Passed - House (101 - 0)
Feb. 18, 2025 CO HB 25-1041 Authorizes Public Universities to Pay Student Athletes for Their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Bill Passed - House (59 - 5)
Feb. 18, 2025 SD HB 1193 Rescinds the South Dakota Board of Regents' Requirement for First and Second-Year Students to Live on Campus and Purchase a Meal Plan Bill Failed - House (28 - 42)
Feb. 12, 2025 VA SB 1182 Authorizes Public Universities to Ban Firearms and Explosive Materials in Their Buildings Bill Passed - House (50 - 46)
Jan. 30, 2025 IA HF 118 Amends the Monetary Limits of the National Guard Service Scholarship Program Bill Passed - House (99 - 0)
Jan. 30, 2025 VA HB 1621 Requires Each University's Governing Board to Include 2 Nonvoting Faculty and Staff Representatives Bill Passed - House (51 - 45)
Jan. 30, 2025 IA HF 117 Establishes National Guard Scholarship Opportunities Bill Passed - House (99 - 0)
Nov. 15, 2024 National HR 8932 FAFSA Deadline Act Bill Passed - House (381 - 1)
Sept. 30, 2024 WV HB 206 Amends Appropriations to West Virginia University General Administrative Fund Bill Passed - House (88 - 3)
Sept. 25, 2024 MI SB 568 Increases Standards on Teacher Education Programs Bill Passed - House (99 - 10)
Sept. 19, 2024 National HR 3724 Accreditation for College Excellence Act of 2023 Bill Passed - House (213 - 201)
Aug. 28, 2024 CA SB 1348 Establishes Designation of Black-Serving Institutions Bill Passed - House (69 - 0)
July 11, 2024 PA SB 1154 Amends the Public School Code of 1949 for Higher Education Institutions and Establishes Performance Based Funding Council Bill Passed - House (188 - 14)
July 11, 2024 PA HB 897 Expands Programs Related to Higher Education Institutions and Outlines Protocol for Credits Needed when a Student is Transferring Into the Institution Concurrence Vote Passed - House (187 - 15)
June 26, 2024 OH SB 94 Establishes the CAMPUS Act Bill Passed - House (80 - 14)
June 26, 2024 OH SB 168 Amends Education Reform Law Bill Passed - House (85 - 11)
June 26, 2024 OH SB 104 Prohibits K-12 Schools and Colleges From Allowing Transgender Individuals To Use Bathrooms That Align With Their Gender Identity Bill Passed - House (60 - 31)
June 26, 2024 OH SB 117 Establishes "Intellectual Diversity' Centers on All College Campuses Bill Passed - House (85 - 12)
June 7, 2024 NY S 8596 Expands Eligibility Under the Veterans Tuition Awards Program to All New York Residents Bill Passed - House (140 - 0)
May 30, 2024 OK SB 1193 Establishes the Workforce Development Revolving Fund for the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Bill Passed - House (85 - 9)
May 23, 2024 IL SB 461 Requires Public Universities Charge In-State Tuition for Illinois Residents Who Attended a State High School for At Least 2 Years or Graduated Bill Passed - House (73 - 40)
May 22, 2024 IL SB 3771 Authorizes Exonerated Individuals to Pass State Benefits Covering Higher Education Costs on to Dependents Bill Passed - House (71 - 38)
May 22, 2024 IL SB 2690 Requires Public Universities to Pay or Reimburse Refugee Transcript Evaluation Fees Bill Passed - House (87 - 22)
May 21, 2024 MI SB 753 Appropriates Funding for the State Community Colleges Bill Passed - House (56 - 51)
May 21, 2024 CA AB 2925 Amends Education Codes by Prohibiting Discrimination in Higher Education Bill Passed - House (73 - 0)
May 20, 2024 WV SB 1007 Appropriates Over 80 Million Dollars of Funds to Higher Education Institutions and Their Programs Bill Passed - House (71 - 16)
May 20, 2024 WV SB 1003 Appropriates $50 Million for a New Agriculture Lab at West Virginia State University Bill Passed - House (87 - 7)
May 15, 2024 AK HB 148 Increases the Amount of the State's Merit-Based Scholarship Program Concurrence Vote Passed - House (39 - 1)
May 9, 2024 MI HB 5522 Authorizes the Director of the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLeap) be Added as a Nonvoting Member of Michigan's Delegation to the Midwest Higher Education Compact Bill Passed - House (69 - 38)
May 7, 2024 CT HB 5523 Appropriates Funding for the State Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - House (103 - 48)
May 7, 2024 MN HF 5299 Increases Funding Levels for State Higher Education Budgets Bill Passed - House (69 - 58)
May 3, 2024 MS SB 3006 Appropriates Resources for the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning Conference Report Adopted - House (114 - 4)
March 28, 2024 SC H 4289 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Hiring at Public Universities Bill Passed - House (77 - 30)
March 15, 2024 KY SB 6 Limits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training at Public Colleges and Universities Bill Passed - House (68 - 18)
March 9, 2024 WV SB 146 Establishes a State Task Force on Adult Education Concurrence Vote Passed - House (92 - 4)
March 8, 2024 WV HB 4305 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Students who Relocate to the State Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 7)
March 7, 2024 AL SB 129 Prohibits State Funding for Public University Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Offices, Programs, and Initiatives Bill Passed - House (75 - 28)
March 7, 2024 MO HB 1518 Prohibits Higher Education Institutions from Discriminating Against Religious Student Associations Bill Passed - House (100 - 46)
March 1, 2024 FL HB 1291 Prohibits Higher Education Courses on Identity Politics Bill Passed - House (81 - 31)
Feb. 29, 2024 WA SB 5670 Authorizes College Credit Courses for High School Students Bill Passed - House (92 - 1)
Feb. 29, 2024 IA HF 2558 Establishes Provisions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policies in Higher Education Bill Passed - House (56 - 39)
Feb. 28, 2024 AZ HB 2735 Limits Faculty Participation in Decision Making Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
Feb. 27, 2024 IN SB 202 Amends State University Tenure, Promotion and Diversity Policies Bill Passed - House (66 - 31)
Feb. 22, 2024 KS HB 2567 Establishes the Kansas National Guard Educational Master's for Enhanced Readiness and Global Excellence (EMERGE) program Bill Passed - House (114 - 5)
Feb. 22, 2024 WI AB 610 Requires Colleges Provide Waivers for Vaccination Requirements Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
Feb. 4, 2024 NM HB 151 Requires Public Colleges and Universities Include Material on Affirmative Consent in Orientation Bill Passed - House (44 - 17)
Dec. 13, 2023 National H Res 927 Condemning antisemitism on University campuses and the testimony of University Presidents in the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. Resolution Passed - House (303 - 126)
Dec. 6, 2023 National HR 5933 DETERRENT Act Bill Passed - House (246 - 170)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI SB 185 Authorizes Graduate Student Research Assistants and Independent University Contractors to Unionize Bill Passed - House (56 - 51)
Nov. 7, 2023 WI AB 370 Requires Guaranteed Admission for Applicants Ranked in the Top 5% of Their High School Class Bill Passed - House (63 - 34)
Nov. 7, 2023 WI AB 554 Amends Several of Wisconsin's Higher Education Requirements and Programs Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
Nov. 7, 2023 WI AB 553 Establishes Certain Free Speech and Academic Standards at Higher Institutions Bill Passed - House (62 - 36)
Nov. 2, 2023 National H Res 798 Condemning the support of Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist organizations at institutions of higher education, which may lead to the creation of a hostile environment for Jewish students, faculty, and staff. Resolution Passed - House (396 - 23)
June 1, 2023 CT SB 1108 Increases Access to Reproductive Healthcare at Public Higher Education Institutions Bill Passed - House (114 - 34)
June 1, 2023 CA AB 252 Require Certain Universities Share Sports Revenue with Student Athletes Bill Passed - House (42 - 15)
May 28, 2023 TX SB 17 Repeals Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Trainings and Initiatives at State Universities Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 61)
May 24, 2023 OH HB 27 Requires Higher Education Organizations to Provide Financial Cost and Aid Disclosure Forms Bill Passed - House (88 - 1)
May 12, 2023 MO SB 157 Establishes a Loan Forgiveness Program for Mental Health and Public Health Professionals Conference Report Adopted - House (99 - 51)
May 11, 2023 MO SB 186 Establishes a Loan Forgiveness Fund for Police Officers who take Required Training and Work in the State for a Year Conference Report Adopted - House (127 - 5)
May 10, 2023 MO SB 138 Increases Eligibility of the Loan Forgiveness Program for Large Animal Veterinary Students Bill Passed - House (107 - 40)
May 9, 2023 MN HF 2073 Appropriates State Funding for Free College Tuition and Automatic Admission Conference Report Adopted - House (69 - 62)
May 9, 2023 MO HB 417 Amends Rules for Student-Athlete Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Deals Concurrence Vote Passed - House (120 - 31)
May 3, 2023 FL SB 266 Prohibits Higher Education Institutions from Spending Federal or State Funds on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training Bill Passed - House (81 - 34)
May 3, 2023 CT HB 6689 Establishes Student Loan Subsidies for Certain Health Care Professionals Bill Passed - House (121 - 23)
April 26, 2023 ND HB 1003 Authorizes a 2-Year Tuition Freeze for State Public Colleges and Universities Conference Report Adopted - House (69 - 23)
April 24, 2023 CO SB 23-149 Authorizes Higher Education Financial Aid for Youth Mentors Bill Passed - House (47 - 16)
April 20, 2023 WA HB 1559 Appropriates Funding for Student Basic Needs Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 40)
April 12, 2023 WA SB 5593 Authorizes Institutions of Higher Education Access to K-12 Student Data Bill Passed - House (89 - 8)
April 10, 2023 MD SB 551 Establishes a Service-Year Option for Recent High School Graduates Bill Passed - House (117 - 21)
April 6, 2023 MD SB 341 Requires Institutions of Higher Education Develop a Reproductive Health Services Plan in Consultation with Students Bill Passed - House (98 - 38)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/06 HB 1727 Extends Eligibility for the Oklahoma's Promise Scholarship Bill Passed - House (71 - 20)
3/05 SB 334 Amends College General Education Courses Statewide Bill Passed - House (68 - 3)
3/01 HB 89 Amends the Graduate Scholarship Act to Prioritize New Mexico Residents who are Students with the Greatest Financial Need and from Groups Underrepresented in Graduate Education Bill Passed - House (40 - 25)
2/24 HB 1600 Establishes an Immigration-Focused Law Clinic at the University of North Dakota Bill Passed - House (67 - 25)
2/22 HB 24 Amends the Community Governance Attorney and Conditional Tuition Waiver Program in New Mexico Bill Passed - House (61 - 1)
2/18 HB 188 Establishes Scholarship for Dependents of Alabama Law Enforcement Bill Passed - House (101 - 0)
2/18 HB 25-1041 Authorizes Public Universities to Pay Student Athletes for Their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Bill Passed - House (59 - 5)
2/18 HB 1193 Rescinds the South Dakota Board of Regents' Requirement for First and Second-Year Students to Live on Campus and Purchase a Meal Plan Bill Failed - House (28 - 42)
2/12 SB 1182 Authorizes Public Universities to Ban Firearms and Explosive Materials in Their Buildings Bill Passed - House (50 - 46)
1/30 HF 118 Amends the Monetary Limits of the National Guard Service Scholarship Program Bill Passed - House (99 - 0)
1/30 HB 1621 Requires Each University's Governing Board to Include 2 Nonvoting Faculty and Staff Representatives Bill Passed - House (51 - 45)
1/30 HF 117 Establishes National Guard Scholarship Opportunities Bill Passed - House (99 - 0)
11/15 HR 8932 FAFSA Deadline Act Bill Passed - House (381 - 1)
9/30 HB 206 Amends Appropriations to West Virginia University General Administrative Fund Bill Passed - House (88 - 3)
9/25 SB 568 Increases Standards on Teacher Education Programs Bill Passed - House (99 - 10)
9/19 HR 3724 Accreditation for College Excellence Act of 2023 Bill Passed - House (213 - 201)
8/28 SB 1348 Establishes Designation of Black-Serving Institutions Bill Passed - House (69 - 0)
7/11 SB 1154 Amends the Public School Code of 1949 for Higher Education Institutions and Establishes Performance Based Funding Council Bill Passed - House (188 - 14)
7/11 HB 897 Expands Programs Related to Higher Education Institutions and Outlines Protocol for Credits Needed when a Student is Transferring Into the Institution Concurrence Vote Passed - House (187 - 15)
6/26 SB 94 Establishes the CAMPUS Act Bill Passed - House (80 - 14)
6/26 SB 168 Amends Education Reform Law Bill Passed - House (85 - 11)
6/26 SB 104 Prohibits K-12 Schools and Colleges From Allowing Transgender Individuals To Use Bathrooms That Align With Their Gender Identity Bill Passed - House (60 - 31)
6/26 SB 117 Establishes "Intellectual Diversity' Centers on All College Campuses Bill Passed - House (85 - 12)
6/07 S 8596 Expands Eligibility Under the Veterans Tuition Awards Program to All New York Residents Bill Passed - House (140 - 0)
5/30 SB 1193 Establishes the Workforce Development Revolving Fund for the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Bill Passed - House (85 - 9)
5/23 SB 461 Requires Public Universities Charge In-State Tuition for Illinois Residents Who Attended a State High School for At Least 2 Years or Graduated Bill Passed - House (73 - 40)
5/22 SB 3771 Authorizes Exonerated Individuals to Pass State Benefits Covering Higher Education Costs on to Dependents Bill Passed - House (71 - 38)
5/22 SB 2690 Requires Public Universities to Pay or Reimburse Refugee Transcript Evaluation Fees Bill Passed - House (87 - 22)
5/21 SB 753 Appropriates Funding for the State Community Colleges Bill Passed - House (56 - 51)
5/21 AB 2925 Amends Education Codes by Prohibiting Discrimination in Higher Education Bill Passed - House (73 - 0)
5/20 SB 1007 Appropriates Over 80 Million Dollars of Funds to Higher Education Institutions and Their Programs Bill Passed - House (71 - 16)
5/20 SB 1003 Appropriates $50 Million for a New Agriculture Lab at West Virginia State University Bill Passed - House (87 - 7)
5/15 HB 148 Increases the Amount of the State's Merit-Based Scholarship Program Concurrence Vote Passed - House (39 - 1)
5/09 HB 5522 Authorizes the Director of the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLeap) be Added as a Nonvoting Member of Michigan's Delegation to the Midwest Higher Education Compact Bill Passed - House (69 - 38)
5/07 HB 5523 Appropriates Funding for the State Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - House (103 - 48)
5/07 HF 5299 Increases Funding Levels for State Higher Education Budgets Bill Passed - House (69 - 58)
5/03 SB 3006 Appropriates Resources for the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning Conference Report Adopted - House (114 - 4)
3/28 H 4289 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Hiring at Public Universities Bill Passed - House (77 - 30)
3/15 SB 6 Limits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training at Public Colleges and Universities Bill Passed - House (68 - 18)
3/09 SB 146 Establishes a State Task Force on Adult Education Concurrence Vote Passed - House (92 - 4)
3/08 HB 4305 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Students who Relocate to the State Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 7)
3/07 SB 129 Prohibits State Funding for Public University Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Offices, Programs, and Initiatives Bill Passed - House (75 - 28)
3/07 HB 1518 Prohibits Higher Education Institutions from Discriminating Against Religious Student Associations Bill Passed - House (100 - 46)
3/01 HB 1291 Prohibits Higher Education Courses on Identity Politics Bill Passed - House (81 - 31)
2/29 SB 5670 Authorizes College Credit Courses for High School Students Bill Passed - House (92 - 1)
2/29 HF 2558 Establishes Provisions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policies in Higher Education Bill Passed - House (56 - 39)
2/28 HB 2735 Limits Faculty Participation in Decision Making Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
2/27 SB 202 Amends State University Tenure, Promotion and Diversity Policies Bill Passed - House (66 - 31)
2/22 HB 2567 Establishes the Kansas National Guard Educational Master's for Enhanced Readiness and Global Excellence (EMERGE) program Bill Passed - House (114 - 5)
2/22 AB 610 Requires Colleges Provide Waivers for Vaccination Requirements Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
2/04 HB 151 Requires Public Colleges and Universities Include Material on Affirmative Consent in Orientation Bill Passed - House (44 - 17)
12/13 H Res 927 Condemning antisemitism on University campuses and the testimony of University Presidents in the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. Resolution Passed - House (303 - 126)
12/06 HR 5933 DETERRENT Act Bill Passed - House (246 - 170)
11/09 SB 185 Authorizes Graduate Student Research Assistants and Independent University Contractors to Unionize Bill Passed - House (56 - 51)
11/07 AB 370 Requires Guaranteed Admission for Applicants Ranked in the Top 5% of Their High School Class Bill Passed - House (63 - 34)
11/07 AB 554 Amends Several of Wisconsin's Higher Education Requirements and Programs Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
11/07 AB 553 Establishes Certain Free Speech and Academic Standards at Higher Institutions Bill Passed - House (62 - 36)
11/02 H Res 798 Condemning the support of Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist organizations at institutions of higher education, which may lead to the creation of a hostile environment for Jewish students, faculty, and staff. Resolution Passed - House (396 - 23)
6/01 SB 1108 Increases Access to Reproductive Healthcare at Public Higher Education Institutions Bill Passed - House (114 - 34)
6/01 AB 252 Require Certain Universities Share Sports Revenue with Student Athletes Bill Passed - House (42 - 15)
5/28 SB 17 Repeals Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Trainings and Initiatives at State Universities Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 61)
5/24 HB 27 Requires Higher Education Organizations to Provide Financial Cost and Aid Disclosure Forms Bill Passed - House (88 - 1)
5/12 SB 157 Establishes a Loan Forgiveness Program for Mental Health and Public Health Professionals Conference Report Adopted - House (99 - 51)
5/11 SB 186 Establishes a Loan Forgiveness Fund for Police Officers who take Required Training and Work in the State for a Year Conference Report Adopted - House (127 - 5)
5/10 SB 138 Increases Eligibility of the Loan Forgiveness Program for Large Animal Veterinary Students Bill Passed - House (107 - 40)
5/09 HF 2073 Appropriates State Funding for Free College Tuition and Automatic Admission Conference Report Adopted - House (69 - 62)
5/09 HB 417 Amends Rules for Student-Athlete Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Deals Concurrence Vote Passed - House (120 - 31)
5/03 SB 266 Prohibits Higher Education Institutions from Spending Federal or State Funds on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training Bill Passed - House (81 - 34)
5/03 HB 6689 Establishes Student Loan Subsidies for Certain Health Care Professionals Bill Passed - House (121 - 23)
4/26 HB 1003 Authorizes a 2-Year Tuition Freeze for State Public Colleges and Universities Conference Report Adopted - House (69 - 23)
4/24 SB 23-149 Authorizes Higher Education Financial Aid for Youth Mentors Bill Passed - House (47 - 16)
4/20 HB 1559 Appropriates Funding for Student Basic Needs Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 40)
4/12 SB 5593 Authorizes Institutions of Higher Education Access to K-12 Student Data Bill Passed - House (89 - 8)
4/10 SB 551 Establishes a Service-Year Option for Recent High School Graduates Bill Passed - House (117 - 21)
4/06 SB 341 Requires Institutions of Higher Education Develop a Reproductive Health Services Plan in Consultation with Students Bill Passed - House (98 - 38)

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