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
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)
April 11, 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 - Senate (42 - 16)
April 10, 2024 IL SB 2690 Requires Public Universities to Pay or Reimburse Refugee Transcript Evaluation Fees Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 1)
March 26, 2024 GA SB 469 Increases the Maximum Amount of Allocations Allowed Per Beneficiary Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (50 - 1)
March 13, 2024 MS SB 2715 Establishes Additional Responsibilities for the Board of Trustees at State Institutions of Higher Learning Bill Failed - Senate (25 - 27)
March 12, 2024 WI AB 610 Requires Colleges Provide Waivers for Vaccination Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
March 6, 2024 FL HB 1291 Prohibits Higher Education Courses on Identity Politics Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
March 6, 2024 GA SB 237 Authorizes Student Loan Repayment for Peace Officers Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 1)
March 5, 2024 OR HB 4164 Amends Sexual Misconduct Rules on College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 3)
March 5, 2024 DE SCR 119 Establishes Student Behavior and School Climate Task Forces Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (14 - 3)
March 5, 2024 AZ SB 1305 Requires Reporting of Course Requirements for Public Universities Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
March 5, 2024 AZ SB 1306 Establishes New Administrative Powers for the Arizona Board of Regents Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
Feb. 29, 2024 IN SB 202 Amends State University Tenure, Promotion and Diversity Policies Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 12)
Feb. 22, 2024 AL SB 129 Prohibits State Funding for Public University Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Offices, Programs, and Initiatives Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
Feb. 22, 2024 AZ SB 1477 Authorizes Students to Allege Political Bias Against Professors Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
Feb. 19, 2024 WV SB 292 Establishes the Hunger Free Campus Act Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
Feb. 13, 2024 NM HB 151 Requires Public Colleges and Universities Include Material on Affirmative Consent in Orientation Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
Feb. 13, 2024 WI SB 367 Requires Automatic Enrollment to State Universities for All Top High School Students in the State Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
Feb. 13, 2024 KY SB 6 Limits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training at Public Colleges and Universities Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
Jan. 26, 2024 KY SB 80 Prohibits College ID's as Valid Voter Identification Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
Jan. 9, 2024 DE SB 187 Requires that Education Professionals Receive Credit for Post-Secondary Degrees Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
Sept. 11, 2023 CA SB 4 Authorizes Religious Institutions and Nonprofit Colleges to Build Affordable Housing on Their Property Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
June 28, 2023 OH SB 117 Establishes "Intellectual Diversity' Centers on All College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
June 28, 2023 PA SB 750 Requires High School Seniors to Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 4)
June 14, 2023 ME LD 1718 Increases Support for Maines Essential Workers by Increasing Higher Education Program Funding "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 13)
May 25, 2023 CT SB 1108 Increases Access to Reproductive Healthcare at Public Higher Education Institutions Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 2)
May 17, 2023 OH SB 83 Establishes New Rules Concerning Diversity Training, Classroom Bias, and Faculty Strikes Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
May 15, 2023 LA SB 194 Prohibits Underage Bar Entry Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
May 10, 2023 MN HF 2073 Appropriates State Funding for Free College Tuition and Automatic Admission Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 30)
May 10, 2023 MO SB 138 Increases Eligibility of the Loan Forgiveness Program for Large Animal Veterinary Students Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
May 10, 2023 IL HB 2528 Requires the Board of Higher Education to Establish a Hunger-Free Campus Grant Program Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 6)
May 5, 2023 MO HB 417 Amends Rules for Student-Athlete Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Deals Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
May 5, 2023 AK SB 13 Requires the State University System List Costs of Course Materials in its Course Catalog Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 1)
April 28, 2023 FL SB 266 Prohibits Higher Education Institutions from Spending Federal or State Funds on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
April 27, 2023 CO SB 23-281 Requires notice of Limited Transferability of College Credits from Some Non-Accredited Institutions Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
April 26, 2023 ND HB 1003 Authorizes a 2-Year Tuition Freeze for State Public Colleges and Universities Conference Report Adopted - Senate (45 - 2)
April 26, 2023 CO SB 23-149 Authorizes Higher Education Financial Aid for Youth Mentors Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
April 26, 2023 MI SB 185 Authorizes Graduate Student Research Assistants and Independent University Contractors to Unionize Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
April 20, 2023 WA HB 1559 Appropriates Funding for Student Basic Needs Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20)
April 19, 2023 WA SB 5593 Authorizes Institutions of Higher Education Access to K-12 Student Data Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (41 - 8)
April 19, 2023 TX SB 17 Repeals Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Trainings and Initiatives at State Universities Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
April 10, 2023 MD SB 551 Establishes a Service-Year Option for Recent High School Graduates Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 8)
April 7, 2023 MD SB 341 Requires Institutions of Higher Education Develop a Reproductive Health Services Plan in Consultation with Students Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 11)
April 3, 2023 ND HB 1489 Prohibits Collegiate Transgender Athletes from Competing with the Gender They Identify As Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 7)
March 28, 2023 ID S 1212 Appropriates $5 Million for the Postsecondary Career Initiatives Plan for Fiscal Year 2024 Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
March 23, 2023 ME LD 5 Increases Maximum Income Threshold to Qualify for the Higher Opportunity for Pathways to Employment Program Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
March 22, 2023 ID H 24 Appropriates Funding for a State Post-Secondary Career Initiatives Plan Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
March 22, 2023 ID S 1167 Limits the Scope of the Post-Secondary Career Initiatives Plan Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
March 16, 2023 KY SB 9 Increases Anti-Hazing Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
March 13, 2023 OR HB 2325 Amends Rules Regarding the Election of a President of the Oregon State Bar (16 - 13)
March 9, 2023 AR SB 71 Prohibits Affirmative Action Policies in the State Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
Date No. Title Outcome
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)
4/11 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 - Senate (42 - 16)
4/10 SB 2690 Requires Public Universities to Pay or Reimburse Refugee Transcript Evaluation Fees Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 1)
3/26 SB 469 Increases the Maximum Amount of Allocations Allowed Per Beneficiary Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (50 - 1)
3/13 SB 2715 Establishes Additional Responsibilities for the Board of Trustees at State Institutions of Higher Learning Bill Failed - Senate (25 - 27)
3/12 AB 610 Requires Colleges Provide Waivers for Vaccination Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
3/06 HB 1291 Prohibits Higher Education Courses on Identity Politics Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
3/06 SB 237 Authorizes Student Loan Repayment for Peace Officers Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 1)
3/05 HB 4164 Amends Sexual Misconduct Rules on College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 3)
3/05 SCR 119 Establishes Student Behavior and School Climate Task Forces Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (14 - 3)
3/05 SB 1305 Requires Reporting of Course Requirements for Public Universities Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
3/05 SB 1306 Establishes New Administrative Powers for the Arizona Board of Regents Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
2/29 SB 202 Amends State University Tenure, Promotion and Diversity Policies Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 12)
2/22 SB 129 Prohibits State Funding for Public University Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Offices, Programs, and Initiatives Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
2/22 SB 1477 Authorizes Students to Allege Political Bias Against Professors Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
2/19 SB 292 Establishes the Hunger Free Campus Act Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
2/13 HB 151 Requires Public Colleges and Universities Include Material on Affirmative Consent in Orientation Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
2/13 SB 367 Requires Automatic Enrollment to State Universities for All Top High School Students in the State Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
2/13 SB 6 Limits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training at Public Colleges and Universities Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
1/26 SB 80 Prohibits College ID's as Valid Voter Identification Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
1/09 SB 187 Requires that Education Professionals Receive Credit for Post-Secondary Degrees Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
9/11 SB 4 Authorizes Religious Institutions and Nonprofit Colleges to Build Affordable Housing on Their Property Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
6/28 SB 117 Establishes "Intellectual Diversity' Centers on All College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
6/28 SB 750 Requires High School Seniors to Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 4)
6/14 LD 1718 Increases Support for Maines Essential Workers by Increasing Higher Education Program Funding "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 13)
5/25 SB 1108 Increases Access to Reproductive Healthcare at Public Higher Education Institutions Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 2)
5/17 SB 83 Establishes New Rules Concerning Diversity Training, Classroom Bias, and Faculty Strikes Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
5/15 SB 194 Prohibits Underage Bar Entry Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
5/10 HF 2073 Appropriates State Funding for Free College Tuition and Automatic Admission Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 30)
5/10 SB 138 Increases Eligibility of the Loan Forgiveness Program for Large Animal Veterinary Students Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
5/10 HB 2528 Requires the Board of Higher Education to Establish a Hunger-Free Campus Grant Program Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 6)
5/05 HB 417 Amends Rules for Student-Athlete Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Deals Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
5/05 SB 13 Requires the State University System List Costs of Course Materials in its Course Catalog Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 1)
4/28 SB 266 Prohibits Higher Education Institutions from Spending Federal or State Funds on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
4/27 SB 23-281 Requires notice of Limited Transferability of College Credits from Some Non-Accredited Institutions Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
4/26 HB 1003 Authorizes a 2-Year Tuition Freeze for State Public Colleges and Universities Conference Report Adopted - Senate (45 - 2)
4/26 SB 23-149 Authorizes Higher Education Financial Aid for Youth Mentors Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
4/26 SB 185 Authorizes Graduate Student Research Assistants and Independent University Contractors to Unionize Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
4/20 HB 1559 Appropriates Funding for Student Basic Needs Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20)
4/19 SB 5593 Authorizes Institutions of Higher Education Access to K-12 Student Data Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (41 - 8)
4/19 SB 17 Repeals Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Trainings and Initiatives at State Universities Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
4/10 SB 551 Establishes a Service-Year Option for Recent High School Graduates Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 8)
4/07 SB 341 Requires Institutions of Higher Education Develop a Reproductive Health Services Plan in Consultation with Students Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 11)
4/03 HB 1489 Prohibits Collegiate Transgender Athletes from Competing with the Gender They Identify As Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 7)
3/28 S 1212 Appropriates $5 Million for the Postsecondary Career Initiatives Plan for Fiscal Year 2024 Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
3/23 LD 5 Increases Maximum Income Threshold to Qualify for the Higher Opportunity for Pathways to Employment Program Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
3/22 H 24 Appropriates Funding for a State Post-Secondary Career Initiatives Plan Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
3/22 S 1167 Limits the Scope of the Post-Secondary Career Initiatives Plan Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
3/16 SB 9 Increases Anti-Hazing Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
3/13 HB 2325 Amends Rules Regarding the Election of a President of the Oregon State Bar (16 - 13)
3/09 SB 71 Prohibits Affirmative Action Policies in the State Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)

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