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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.

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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
April 4, 2023 MD SB 248 Prohibits Higher Education Institutions from Withholding Transcripts Because of Student Debt Bill Passed - House (126 - 24)
March 30, 2023 ID S 1167 Limits the Scope of the Post-Secondary Career Initiatives Plan Bill Passed - House (51 - 16)
March 30, 2023 ID S 1212 Appropriates $5 Million for the Postsecondary Career Initiatives Plan for Fiscal Year 2024 Bill Passed - House (37 - 30)
March 27, 2023 ND SB 2247 Prohibits Discipline Against Students and Staff that Refuse to Learn or Teach "Specified Concepts" Bill Passed - House (51 - 40)
March 21, 2023 ME LD 5 Increases Maximum Income Threshold to Qualify for the Higher Opportunity for Pathways to Employment Program Bill Passed - House (81 - 58)
March 15, 2023 KY SB 9 Increases Anti-Hazing Laws Bill Passed - House (96 - 3)
March 9, 2023 MD HB 50 Requires Private Education Lenders and Loan Collectors to Posses Documentation for Student Loan Borrowers Bill Passed - House (103 - 32)
March 8, 2023 CO SB 23-084 Extends Federal Student Loan Forgiveness Eligibility to Adjunct Professors Bill Passed - House (44 - 18)
Feb. 15, 2023 ND HB 1489 Prohibits Collegiate Transgender Athletes from Competing with the Gender They Identify As Bill Passed - House (75 - 18)
Feb. 6, 2023 ID H 24 Appropriates Funding for a State Post-Secondary Career Initiatives Plan Bill Passed - House (36 - 34)
June 29, 2022 NJ A 3733 Authorizes Students in Higher Education to Earn Graduation Credits for Serving as a Poll Worker Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 3)
June 8, 2022 NC SB 256 Limits Appointment Powers of Governor Bill Passed - House (61 - 40)
May 26, 2022 CA AB 1746 Expands Grant Programs to Reduce College Debt Bill Passed - House (75 - 0)
May 12, 2022 MO SB 718 Establishes a "Historically Black College and University Week" and Amends Provisions for Higher Learning Bill Passed - House (148 - 1)
May 11, 2022 NY S 3448 Amends Education Law to Prevent Opioid Overdoses on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (143 - 1)
May 11, 2022 LA HB 185 Prohibits Post-Secondary Schools from Limiting Expressive Activities on Campus Bill Passed - House (70 - 21)
May 9, 2022 ME LD 1820 Establishes a Stronger Governance of the University of Maine System Bill Failed - House (46 - 67)
April 25, 2022 TN SB 2153 Limits College Sports Participation on Basis of Sex Assigned at Birth Bill Passed - House (70 - 14)
April 5, 2022 GA HB 1435 Amends the Financial Aid Program to Include Students with a Financial Aid Gap Concurrence Vote Passed - House (154 - 4)
March 29, 2022 IL SB 3032 Prohibits School Transcripts from being Denied to a Student for Unpaid Debt Bill Passed - House (74 - 33)
March 25, 2022 CO SB 22-003 Expands Community College Nursing Programs Bill Passed - House (61 - 0)
March 14, 2022 KY HB 290 Establishes Requirements for Student Discipline (71 - 19)
March 14, 2022 MN HF 2353 Expands Student Privacy Rights Bill Passed - House (75 - 57)
March 10, 2022 WA HB 1736 Establishes a State Student Loan Program Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 40)
March 9, 2022 OK HB 3543 Requires Toleration of Free Speech on College Campuses (66 - 27)
March 4, 2022 FL SB 520 Exempts University President Applicants from Public Records Requirements Bill Passed - House (86 - 26)
March 3, 2022 OR SB 1545 Expands Workforce Development and Diversity Initiatives Bill Passed - House (48 - 10)
March 3, 2022 OR SB 1522 Amends Provisions Relating to College Tuition Bill Passed - House (38 - 20)
Feb. 22, 2022 WI AB 884 Classifies Courses on U.S. Constitution as Diversity, Ethnic Studies Bill Passed - House (60 - 34)
Feb. 16, 2022 NM SB 41 Amends the University Research Park and Economic Development Act Bill Passed - House (36 - 32)
Feb. 15, 2022 SD HB 1012 Prohibits Teaching "Divisive" Topics at Public Universities Bill Passed - House (54 - 14)
Feb. 3, 2022 MS HB 1418 Establishes Second Amendment Preservation Act (83 - 35)
Feb. 1, 2022 VA HB 203 Specifies Definition of Student Loan Servicing Bill Passed - House (52 - 47)
Aug. 30, 2021 CA SJR 1 Establishes Resolution Urging Student Debt Cancellation Bill Passed - House (55 - 13)
June 25, 2021 PA SB 381 Authorizes College Athletes to Profit Off Their Name, Image, and Likeness Bill Passed - House (154 - 47)
June 24, 2021 OH SB 187 Prohibits Transgender Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do Not Match their Birth Gender Bill Passed - House (58 - 36)
June 15, 2021 RI H 5082 Authorizes College Athletes to Profit from the Use of their Image Bill Passed - House (68 - 1)
June 9, 2021 ME LD 1640 Expands Protections for Campus Free Speech "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (78 - 53)
June 2, 2021 CA AB 1550 Establishes New Rules Regarding Higher Education Labor Relations Bill Passed - House (61 - 16)
June 1, 2021 CT HB 6402 Authorizes Student-Athletes to Receive Compensation for the Use of their Likeness Bill Passed - House (136 - 11)
May 28, 2021 CO SB 21-029 Expands In-State Tuition to Native American Students Bill Passed - House (49 - 11)
May 13, 2021 National HR 2547 Comprehensive Debt Collection Improvement Act Bill Passed - House (215 - 207)
May 12, 2021 MI HB 4400 Appropriations Funds for Fiscal Year 2022, Including Provisions for Higher Education Bill Passed - House (57 - 50)
May 6, 2021 MO SB 330 Authorizes College Athletes to Receive Compensation for the Use of their Likeness Bill Passed - House (141 - 6)
May 3, 2021 CA AB 1278 Requires Public Universities to Include Information About Public Service Programs Online Bill Passed - House (54 - 9)
April 28, 2021 NC SB 115 Authorizes Outdoor College Football Stadiums to Open to 100% Capacity Bill Passed - House (77 - 42)
April 22, 2021 ID H 377 Prohibits Teaching the Topic Known as "Critical Race Theory" Bill Passed - House (57 - 12)
April 8, 2021 NH HB 319 Requires College Students Pass the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Naturalization Test "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (188 - 187)
April 7, 2021 ND SB 2030 Appropriates Funds for Higher Education on Condition Schools Do Not Sponsor, Promote, or Partner with Pro-Choice Organizations Bill Passed - House (66 - 25)
April 7, 2021 ID S 1179 Appropriates Funds for the Higher Education Budget Bill Failed - House (13 - 57)
April 7, 2021 AR SB 494 Extends Qualified Immunity to Law Enforcement who Patrol Higher Education Institutions Bill Passed - House (76 - 10)
March 29, 2021 KY HB 563 Establishes a 25 Million Dollar Scholarship through Tax Credits for Private Schools Veto Override Failed - House (51 - 42)
March 18, 2021 FL HB 233 Requires Florida's Public Universities to Conduct Assessments on Intellectual Freedom Bill Passed - House (77 - 42)
March 17, 2021 AR HB 1371 Establishes Scholarships and Grants for Private School Students Bill Failed - House (44 - 52)
March 15, 2021 OR HB 2090 Establishes Parameters to Alter Boundaries of Community College Districts Bill Passed - House (49 - 7)
March 10, 2021 ID H 299 Prohibits Colleges and Universities from Providing Extra Credit for Voting Bill Passed - House (63 - 6)
March 2, 2021 KS HB 2264 Authorizes College Athletes to Receive Compensation for the Use of their Likeness Bill Passed - House (95 - 29)
Feb. 25, 2021 CA AB 132 Rescinds the Eliminating Age and Time-Out-of-High-School Requirements for the California Comeback Plan Bill Passed - House (56 - 18)
Feb. 25, 2021 MO HB 349 Establishes the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Program Bill Passed - House (82 - 71)
Feb. 24, 2021 ND HB 1375 Appropriates 5 Million Dollars in Scholarships for High School Students Bill Passed - House (48 - 45)
Feb. 19, 2021 MT HB 218 Prohibits "Free Speech Zones" on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (96 - 3)
Feb. 15, 2021 VA SB 1387 Expands Financial Aid for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (58 - 42)
Feb. 12, 2021 MD HB 1 Appropriates Funding for HBCUs Bill Passed - House (115 - 14)
Feb. 11, 2021 MS HB 1030 Requires Paying Student Athletes if Their Likeness is Used in Advertising Bill Passed - House (93 - 19)
Jan. 28, 2021 VA HB 1930 Prohibits Public Institutions of Higher Education from Asking About an Individual's Criminal Record During the Application Process and From Denying Admission Based on Criminal History. Bill Passed - House (58 - 42)
Jan. 26, 2021 NY A 2574 Establishes the State University of New York as an Automatic Voter Registration Location Bill Passed - House (99 - 51)
Dec. 2, 2020 OH SB 40 Prohibits State Universities from Enacting Limitations on Campus Free Speech Bill Passed - House (66 - 27)
Nov. 20, 2020 National HR 8294 National Apprenticeship Act of 2020 Bill Passed - House (246 - 140)
Nov. 16, 2020 NJ A 4410 Establishes the Community College Opportunity Grant Program Bill Passed - House (52 - 18)
Sept. 23, 2020 MI SB 927 Authorizes an Increase in Funding for Education Conference Report Adopted - House (103 - 2)
Aug. 30, 2020 CA AB 376 Establishes Protections for Student Loan Borrowers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 15)
July 30, 2020 NJ S 971 Authorizes Compensation for College Athletes Bill Passed - House (56 - 16)
July 22, 2020 MI HB 5911 Expands Access to Virtual Classes at Parental Request Due to Health Concerns Bill Passed - House (57 - 47)
June 26, 2020 National H J Res 76 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to "Borrower Defense Institutional Accountability" Veto Override Failed - House (238 - 173)
June 3, 2020 TN HB 1839 Prohibits Universities from Contracting with a Foreign Nation Bill Passed - House (80 - 10)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/04 SB 248 Prohibits Higher Education Institutions from Withholding Transcripts Because of Student Debt Bill Passed - House (126 - 24)
3/30 S 1167 Limits the Scope of the Post-Secondary Career Initiatives Plan Bill Passed - House (51 - 16)
3/30 S 1212 Appropriates $5 Million for the Postsecondary Career Initiatives Plan for Fiscal Year 2024 Bill Passed - House (37 - 30)
3/27 SB 2247 Prohibits Discipline Against Students and Staff that Refuse to Learn or Teach "Specified Concepts" Bill Passed - House (51 - 40)
3/21 LD 5 Increases Maximum Income Threshold to Qualify for the Higher Opportunity for Pathways to Employment Program Bill Passed - House (81 - 58)
3/15 SB 9 Increases Anti-Hazing Laws Bill Passed - House (96 - 3)
3/09 HB 50 Requires Private Education Lenders and Loan Collectors to Posses Documentation for Student Loan Borrowers Bill Passed - House (103 - 32)
3/08 SB 23-084 Extends Federal Student Loan Forgiveness Eligibility to Adjunct Professors Bill Passed - House (44 - 18)
2/15 HB 1489 Prohibits Collegiate Transgender Athletes from Competing with the Gender They Identify As Bill Passed - House (75 - 18)
2/06 H 24 Appropriates Funding for a State Post-Secondary Career Initiatives Plan Bill Passed - House (36 - 34)
6/29 A 3733 Authorizes Students in Higher Education to Earn Graduation Credits for Serving as a Poll Worker Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 3)
6/08 SB 256 Limits Appointment Powers of Governor Bill Passed - House (61 - 40)
5/26 AB 1746 Expands Grant Programs to Reduce College Debt Bill Passed - House (75 - 0)
5/12 SB 718 Establishes a "Historically Black College and University Week" and Amends Provisions for Higher Learning Bill Passed - House (148 - 1)
5/11 S 3448 Amends Education Law to Prevent Opioid Overdoses on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (143 - 1)
5/11 HB 185 Prohibits Post-Secondary Schools from Limiting Expressive Activities on Campus Bill Passed - House (70 - 21)
5/09 LD 1820 Establishes a Stronger Governance of the University of Maine System Bill Failed - House (46 - 67)
4/25 SB 2153 Limits College Sports Participation on Basis of Sex Assigned at Birth Bill Passed - House (70 - 14)
4/05 HB 1435 Amends the Financial Aid Program to Include Students with a Financial Aid Gap Concurrence Vote Passed - House (154 - 4)
3/29 SB 3032 Prohibits School Transcripts from being Denied to a Student for Unpaid Debt Bill Passed - House (74 - 33)
3/25 SB 22-003 Expands Community College Nursing Programs Bill Passed - House (61 - 0)
3/14 HB 290 Establishes Requirements for Student Discipline (71 - 19)
3/14 HF 2353 Expands Student Privacy Rights Bill Passed - House (75 - 57)
3/10 HB 1736 Establishes a State Student Loan Program Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 40)
3/09 HB 3543 Requires Toleration of Free Speech on College Campuses (66 - 27)
3/04 SB 520 Exempts University President Applicants from Public Records Requirements Bill Passed - House (86 - 26)
3/03 SB 1545 Expands Workforce Development and Diversity Initiatives Bill Passed - House (48 - 10)
3/03 SB 1522 Amends Provisions Relating to College Tuition Bill Passed - House (38 - 20)
2/22 AB 884 Classifies Courses on U.S. Constitution as Diversity, Ethnic Studies Bill Passed - House (60 - 34)
2/16 SB 41 Amends the University Research Park and Economic Development Act Bill Passed - House (36 - 32)
2/15 HB 1012 Prohibits Teaching "Divisive" Topics at Public Universities Bill Passed - House (54 - 14)
2/03 HB 1418 Establishes Second Amendment Preservation Act (83 - 35)
2/01 HB 203 Specifies Definition of Student Loan Servicing Bill Passed - House (52 - 47)
8/30 SJR 1 Establishes Resolution Urging Student Debt Cancellation Bill Passed - House (55 - 13)
6/25 SB 381 Authorizes College Athletes to Profit Off Their Name, Image, and Likeness Bill Passed - House (154 - 47)
6/24 SB 187 Prohibits Transgender Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do Not Match their Birth Gender Bill Passed - House (58 - 36)
6/15 H 5082 Authorizes College Athletes to Profit from the Use of their Image Bill Passed - House (68 - 1)
6/09 LD 1640 Expands Protections for Campus Free Speech "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (78 - 53)
6/02 AB 1550 Establishes New Rules Regarding Higher Education Labor Relations Bill Passed - House (61 - 16)
6/01 HB 6402 Authorizes Student-Athletes to Receive Compensation for the Use of their Likeness Bill Passed - House (136 - 11)
5/28 SB 21-029 Expands In-State Tuition to Native American Students Bill Passed - House (49 - 11)
5/13 HR 2547 Comprehensive Debt Collection Improvement Act Bill Passed - House (215 - 207)
5/12 HB 4400 Appropriations Funds for Fiscal Year 2022, Including Provisions for Higher Education Bill Passed - House (57 - 50)
5/06 SB 330 Authorizes College Athletes to Receive Compensation for the Use of their Likeness Bill Passed - House (141 - 6)
5/03 AB 1278 Requires Public Universities to Include Information About Public Service Programs Online Bill Passed - House (54 - 9)
4/28 SB 115 Authorizes Outdoor College Football Stadiums to Open to 100% Capacity Bill Passed - House (77 - 42)
4/22 H 377 Prohibits Teaching the Topic Known as "Critical Race Theory" Bill Passed - House (57 - 12)
4/08 HB 319 Requires College Students Pass the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Naturalization Test "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (188 - 187)
4/07 SB 2030 Appropriates Funds for Higher Education on Condition Schools Do Not Sponsor, Promote, or Partner with Pro-Choice Organizations Bill Passed - House (66 - 25)
4/07 S 1179 Appropriates Funds for the Higher Education Budget Bill Failed - House (13 - 57)
4/07 SB 494 Extends Qualified Immunity to Law Enforcement who Patrol Higher Education Institutions Bill Passed - House (76 - 10)
3/29 HB 563 Establishes a 25 Million Dollar Scholarship through Tax Credits for Private Schools Veto Override Failed - House (51 - 42)
3/18 HB 233 Requires Florida's Public Universities to Conduct Assessments on Intellectual Freedom Bill Passed - House (77 - 42)
3/17 HB 1371 Establishes Scholarships and Grants for Private School Students Bill Failed - House (44 - 52)
3/15 HB 2090 Establishes Parameters to Alter Boundaries of Community College Districts Bill Passed - House (49 - 7)
3/10 H 299 Prohibits Colleges and Universities from Providing Extra Credit for Voting Bill Passed - House (63 - 6)
3/02 HB 2264 Authorizes College Athletes to Receive Compensation for the Use of their Likeness Bill Passed - House (95 - 29)
2/25 AB 132 Rescinds the Eliminating Age and Time-Out-of-High-School Requirements for the California Comeback Plan Bill Passed - House (56 - 18)
2/25 HB 349 Establishes the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Program Bill Passed - House (82 - 71)
2/24 HB 1375 Appropriates 5 Million Dollars in Scholarships for High School Students Bill Passed - House (48 - 45)
2/19 HB 218 Prohibits "Free Speech Zones" on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (96 - 3)
2/15 SB 1387 Expands Financial Aid for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (58 - 42)
2/12 HB 1 Appropriates Funding for HBCUs Bill Passed - House (115 - 14)
2/11 HB 1030 Requires Paying Student Athletes if Their Likeness is Used in Advertising Bill Passed - House (93 - 19)
1/28 HB 1930 Prohibits Public Institutions of Higher Education from Asking About an Individual's Criminal Record During the Application Process and From Denying Admission Based on Criminal History. Bill Passed - House (58 - 42)
1/26 A 2574 Establishes the State University of New York as an Automatic Voter Registration Location Bill Passed - House (99 - 51)
12/02 SB 40 Prohibits State Universities from Enacting Limitations on Campus Free Speech Bill Passed - House (66 - 27)
11/20 HR 8294 National Apprenticeship Act of 2020 Bill Passed - House (246 - 140)
11/16 A 4410 Establishes the Community College Opportunity Grant Program Bill Passed - House (52 - 18)
9/23 SB 927 Authorizes an Increase in Funding for Education Conference Report Adopted - House (103 - 2)
8/30 AB 376 Establishes Protections for Student Loan Borrowers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 15)
7/30 S 971 Authorizes Compensation for College Athletes Bill Passed - House (56 - 16)
7/22 HB 5911 Expands Access to Virtual Classes at Parental Request Due to Health Concerns Bill Passed - House (57 - 47)
6/26 H J Res 76 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to "Borrower Defense Institutional Accountability" Veto Override Failed - House (238 - 173)
6/03 HB 1839 Prohibits Universities from Contracting with a Foreign Nation Bill Passed - House (80 - 10)
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