Key Votes

Chamber

Keyword Search

Search string must be longer than 3 characters.

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
April 4, 2025 ID S 1198 Prohibits Certain DEI-Based Practices in Higher Education Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
March 27, 2025 KY HB 4 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs at Public Colleges and Universities in Kentucky Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
March 27, 2025 KY HB 424 Requires Post-Tenure Reviews at the State's Public Universities and Colleges Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
March 26, 2025 OH SB 1 Prohibits Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives at State Public Universities and Community Colleges Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
March 21, 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 - Senate (27 - 11)
March 18, 2025 WI AB 96 Authorizes the Collective Bargaining Contract Between the University of Wisconsin System and the Wisconsin State Building Trades Negotiating Committee for the 2024-2025 Fiscal Year Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 1)
March 18, 2025 WI AB 95 Authorizes the Collective Bargaining Contract Between the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Wisconsin State Building Trades Negotiating Committee for the 2024-2025 Fiscal Year Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 1)
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 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 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 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 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 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)
Feb. 25, 2025 NJ S 3052 Authorizes Final Grades for Individuals Unable to Complete a Course of Higher Education Due to Military Obligation Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
Feb. 20, 2025 CO SB 25-045 Requires the School of Public Health at the University of Colorado to Analyze Implementation of a Single-Payer Health Care System Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
Feb. 19, 2025 MT SB 271 Authorizes Colleges or Universities to Compensate Student Athletes Using Their Name, Image, or Likeness (NIL) Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
Feb. 18, 2025 VA HB 1621 Requires Each University's Governing Board to Include 2 Nonvoting Faculty and Staff Representatives Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 12, 2025 SD SB 100 Authorizes Concealed Carry Permit Holders to Carry on State University and Technical College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 2)
Feb. 12, 2025 OH SB 1 Prohibits Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives at State Public Universities and Community Colleges Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
Jan. 28, 2025 VA SB 1182 Authorizes Public Universities to Ban Firearms and Explosive Materials in Their Buildings Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Nov. 13, 2024 OH SB 104 Prohibits K-12 Schools and Colleges From Allowing Transgender Individuals To Use Bathrooms That Align With Their Gender Identity Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
Oct. 30, 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 - Senate (27 - 10)
Sept. 30, 2024 WV HB 206 Amends Appropriations to West Virginia University General Administrative Fund Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 1)
Sept. 17, 2024 MI SB 402 Establishes a Voting and Elections Database and Institute Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
Aug. 29, 2024 CA SB 1348 Establishes Designation of Black-Serving Institutions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
Aug. 27, 2024 CA AB 1780 Prohibits Legacy or Donor Preference in College Admission Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
Aug. 27, 2024 CA AB 2508 Establishes the California Kids Investment and Development Savings (KIDS) Program Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
July 11, 2024 PA SB 1150 Establishes the Grow PA Scholarship Grant Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
July 11, 2024 PA SB 1154 Amends the Public School Code of 1949 for Higher Education Institutions and Establishes Performance Based Funding Council Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
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 Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 3)
June 27, 2024 OH SB 168 Amends Education Reform Law Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
June 27, 2024 CA AB 1790 Amends Policy for Sex Discrimination in the California State University System that Classifies Sexual Harassment as a Form of Sex Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
June 12, 2024 AZ HB 2735 Limits Faculty Participation in Decision Making Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 11)
June 11, 2024 PA SB 1155 Establishes a Higher Education Task Force to Improve Higher Education and Career Preparation Programs Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
June 11, 2024 PA SB 1151 Establishes the Grow PA Merit Scholarship Program Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
June 10, 2024 PA SB 1153 Expands the Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program Nationwide Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
June 6, 2024 NY S 8596 Expands Eligibility Under the Veterans Tuition Awards Program to All New York Residents Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 0)
May 28, 2024 OK SB 1193 Establishes the Workforce Development Revolving Fund for the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
May 24, 2024 IL SB 3771 Authorizes Exonerated Individuals to Pass State Benefits Covering Higher Education Costs on to Dependents Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (45 - 11)
May 24, 2024 IL SB 3081 Requires Public Universities Provide Information About Transfer Fee Waivers to Community College Students Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (58 - 0)
May 22, 2024 CA SB 1287 Amends Education Code Relating to Public Post-Secondary Education Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 1)
May 21, 2024 CA SB 971 Exempts Certain Students from Nonresident Tuition Fee Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
May 21, 2024 DE SB 297 Requires the Department of Education to Update Regulations Using a List of Racial, Ethnic, and Cultural Groups Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
May 9, 2024 MI SB 753 Appropriates Funding for the State Community Colleges Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
May 7, 2024 CT HB 5523 Appropriates Funding for the State Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
May 3, 2024 HI SB 1511 Amends and Alters How and What the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii Studies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 0)
April 30, 2024 CT SB 203 Prohibits Legacy Admissions in Higher Education Institutions Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
April 18, 2024 NE LB 1402 Requires the State Treasurer Establish Education Scholarships Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14)
April 17, 2024 IL SB 462 Prohibits Public and Private Universities from Considering an Applicants Legacy Status During Enrollment Bill Passed - Senate (55 - 0)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/04 S 1198 Prohibits Certain DEI-Based Practices in Higher Education Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
3/27 HB 4 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs at Public Colleges and Universities in Kentucky Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
3/27 HB 424 Requires Post-Tenure Reviews at the State's Public Universities and Colleges Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
3/26 SB 1 Prohibits Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives at State Public Universities and Community Colleges Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
3/21 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 - Senate (27 - 11)
3/18 AB 96 Authorizes the Collective Bargaining Contract Between the University of Wisconsin System and the Wisconsin State Building Trades Negotiating Committee for the 2024-2025 Fiscal Year Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 1)
3/18 AB 95 Authorizes the Collective Bargaining Contract Between the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Wisconsin State Building Trades Negotiating Committee for the 2024-2025 Fiscal Year Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 1)
3/14 HB 25-1041 Authorizes Public Universities to Pay Student Athletes for Their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
3/13 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)
3/12 HB 4 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs at Public Colleges and Universities in Kentucky Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
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)
3/04 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 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)
2/25 S 3052 Authorizes Final Grades for Individuals Unable to Complete a Course of Higher Education Due to Military Obligation Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
2/20 SB 25-045 Requires the School of Public Health at the University of Colorado to Analyze Implementation of a Single-Payer Health Care System Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
2/19 SB 271 Authorizes Colleges or Universities to Compensate Student Athletes Using Their Name, Image, or Likeness (NIL) Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
2/18 HB 1621 Requires Each University's Governing Board to Include 2 Nonvoting Faculty and Staff Representatives Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/12 SB 100 Authorizes Concealed Carry Permit Holders to Carry on State University and Technical College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 2)
2/12 SB 1 Prohibits Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives at State Public Universities and Community Colleges Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
1/28 SB 1182 Authorizes Public Universities to Ban Firearms and Explosive Materials in Their Buildings Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
11/13 SB 104 Prohibits K-12 Schools and Colleges From Allowing Transgender Individuals To Use Bathrooms That Align With Their Gender Identity Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
10/30 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 - Senate (27 - 10)
9/30 HB 206 Amends Appropriations to West Virginia University General Administrative Fund Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 1)
9/17 SB 402 Establishes a Voting and Elections Database and Institute Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
8/29 SB 1348 Establishes Designation of Black-Serving Institutions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
8/27 AB 1780 Prohibits Legacy or Donor Preference in College Admission Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
8/27 AB 2508 Establishes the California Kids Investment and Development Savings (KIDS) Program Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
7/11 SB 1150 Establishes the Grow PA Scholarship Grant Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
7/11 SB 1154 Amends the Public School Code of 1949 for Higher Education Institutions and Establishes Performance Based Funding Council Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
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 Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 3)
6/27 SB 168 Amends Education Reform Law Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
6/27 AB 1790 Amends Policy for Sex Discrimination in the California State University System that Classifies Sexual Harassment as a Form of Sex Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
6/12 HB 2735 Limits Faculty Participation in Decision Making Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 11)
6/11 SB 1155 Establishes a Higher Education Task Force to Improve Higher Education and Career Preparation Programs Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
6/11 SB 1151 Establishes the Grow PA Merit Scholarship Program Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
6/10 SB 1153 Expands the Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program Nationwide Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
6/06 S 8596 Expands Eligibility Under the Veterans Tuition Awards Program to All New York Residents Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 0)
5/28 SB 1193 Establishes the Workforce Development Revolving Fund for the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
5/24 SB 3771 Authorizes Exonerated Individuals to Pass State Benefits Covering Higher Education Costs on to Dependents Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (45 - 11)
5/24 SB 3081 Requires Public Universities Provide Information About Transfer Fee Waivers to Community College Students Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (58 - 0)
5/22 SB 1287 Amends Education Code Relating to Public Post-Secondary Education Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 1)
5/21 SB 971 Exempts Certain Students from Nonresident Tuition Fee Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
5/21 SB 297 Requires the Department of Education to Update Regulations Using a List of Racial, Ethnic, and Cultural Groups Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
5/09 SB 753 Appropriates Funding for the State Community Colleges Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
5/07 HB 5523 Appropriates Funding for the State Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
5/03 SB 1511 Amends and Alters How and What the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii Studies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 0)
4/30 SB 203 Prohibits Legacy Admissions in Higher Education Institutions Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
4/18 LB 1402 Requires the State Treasurer Establish Education Scholarships Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14)
4/17 SB 462 Prohibits Public and Private Universities from Considering an Applicants Legacy Status During Enrollment Bill Passed - Senate (55 - 0)

arrow_upward