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
Dec. 9, 2025 National S 356 Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025 Bill Passed - House (399 - 5)
Dec. 4, 2025 National HR 1069 Promoting Responsible Oversight To Eliminate Communist Teachings (PROTECT) Our Kids Act Bill Passed - House (247 - 164)
Dec. 3, 2025 National HR 1005 Combating the Lies of Authoritarians in School Systems (CLASS) Act Bill Passed - House (242 - 176)
Nov. 19, 2025 OH HB 114 Establishes Consistent Statewide Age Requirements for Kindergarten Enrollment Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 0)
Nov. 19, 2025 OH HB 114 Establishes Consistent Statewide Age Requirements for Kindergarten Enrollment Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
Nov. 19, 2025 OH HB 485 Requires Schools to Show Students a Video Depicting Fetal Development From Conception Each Year Starting in Fifth Grade Bill Passed - House (59 - 27)
Nov. 19, 2025 OH HB 486 Authorizes Public Schools and Universities to Teach the Impacts of Judeo-Christian Religion on American History Bill Passed - House (62 - 27)
Nov. 19, 2025 WI AB 644 Increases State Aid for Schools that Consolidate in 2027-2029 Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
Nov. 19, 2025 WI AB 646 Requires a Study of Wisconsin's School Districts for Potential Consolidation Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
Nov. 19, 2025 WI AB 647 Establishes a Four-Year Grant Program for School Districts that Enter Into a Sharing Agreement to Educate Students at One Location Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
Nov. 19, 2025 WI AB 648 Establishes Supplemental State Aid for Consolidated School Districts to Address Differences in Levies When Districts Merge Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
Nov. 19, 2025 WI AB 649 Appropriates Funds for the School Consolidation Bill Package Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
Nov. 19, 2025 WI AB 613 Requires Principals to Provide Written Notification to Parents if Their Student is Removed From Class Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
Nov. 19, 2025 WI AB 614 Establishes Legal Authorization for Teachers to Take Certain Actions to Maintain Order in Their Classroom Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
Nov. 19, 2025 OH SB 34 Requires the Display of Certain Documents of Historical Significance in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
Nov. 18, 2025 NV AB 6 Increases Fines for Traffic Violations in School Zones Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 0)
Nov. 18, 2025 WI SB 389 Repeals the Per Pupil Adjustment in the School District Revenue Limit Formula Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
Nov. 18, 2025 WI SB 16 Expands Open Records and Open Meetings Laws to Cover the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
Nov. 16, 2025 NV AB 6 Increases Fines for Traffic Violations in School Zones Bill Passed - House (42 - 0)
Nov. 12, 2025 PA SB 160 Appropriates Funds for the General Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 9)
Nov. 12, 2025 PA SB 160 Appropriates Funds for the General Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (156 - 47)
Oct. 29, 2025 MA H 4670 Establishes a Personal Financial Literacy Education Fund Bill Passed - House (155 - 0)
Oct. 29, 2025 MA H 4671 Expands Student Access to the State Seal of Biliteracy Bill Passed - House (155 - 0)
Oct. 22, 2025 OH SB 156 Requires Teaching the Success Sequence Curriculum to Students Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
Oct. 14, 2025 WI AB 5 Requires School Districts to Comply with Requests Within 14 days Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
Oct. 8, 2025 PA SB 160 Appropriates Funds for the General Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Bill Passed - House (105 - 98)
Oct. 7, 2025 PA HB 1405 Amends the Public School Code to Provide for Career and Technical Teacher Certifications Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
Oct. 1, 2025 OH HB 57 Authorizes K-12 Schools to Store and Use Opioid Reversal Drugs (Naloxone) and Amends Authorizations for Religious Release Time Concurrence Vote Passed - House (76 - 18)
Oct. 1, 2025 OH HB 57 Authorizes K-12 Schools to Store and Use Opioid Reversal Drugs (Naloxone) and Amends Authorizations for Religious Release Time Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 4)
Sept. 12, 2025 CA AB 1454 Establishes Missing Links to California's Comprehensive Early Literacy Reforms Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
Sept. 10, 2025 MI SB 204 Requires School Districts to Establish Policies for School Building Closures Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
Sept. 4, 2025 MI HB 4024 Require Public Education Institutions in Michigan to Ensure Student Privacy from Students of the Opposite Sex in Multiple-Occupancy Restrooms, Changing Areas, and Similar Facilities Bill Passed - House (58 - 46)
Sept. 2, 2025 CA SB 98 Requires School Districts and Certain Universities to Notify Students, Faculty, and Other Campus Members When Federal Immigration Enforcement is Present Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
Sept. 2, 2025 CA SB 98 Requires School Districts and Certain Universities to Notify Students, Faculty, and Other Campus Members When Federal Immigration Enforcement is Present Bill Passed - House (59 - 10)
Aug. 27, 2025 TX HB 8 Repeals the STAAR Academic Test and Replaces it With 3 Smaller Tests Taken Throughout the Year Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 5)
Aug. 26, 2025 TX HB 8 Repeals the STAAR Academic Test and Replaces it With 3 Smaller Tests Taken Throughout the Year Bill Passed - House (82 - 56)
Aug. 12, 2025 PA SB 160 Appropriates Funds for the General Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
July 31, 2025 MA S 2561 Requires All Public School Districts to Adopt Cell Phone Bans by the Beginning of the 2026-27 School Year Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 2)
July 29, 2025 NC SB 254 Authorizes the Charter Schools Review Board to Propose, Recommend, and Approve Rules and Policies Regarding all Aspects of Charter School Operation Veto Override Passed - House (74 - 46)
July 29, 2025 NC SB 254 Authorizes the Charter Schools Review Board to Propose, Recommend, and Approve Rules and Policies Regarding all Aspects of Charter School Operation Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
July 29, 2025 NC SB 227 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Instruction in K-12 Education Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
July 29, 2025 NC SB 227 Prohibits the Teaching of "Divisive Concepts" in Public Schools Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
July 24, 2025 MI HB 4141 Requires the Board of a School District or Board of Directors of a Public School to Implement a Wireless Communications Device Policy Bill Passed - House (53 - 45)
July 1, 2025 NJ S 3910 Establishes The New Jersey Universal Preschool and Kindergarten Act Bill Passed - House (53 - 25)
June 30, 2025 PA HB 354 Establishes the "What is Your Pennsylvania Story" School Program Concurrence Vote Passed - House (199 - 4)
June 30, 2025 NJ S 2335 Requires School Districts to Provide Instruction on the History of Latinos and Hispanics as Part of Implementation of New Jersey Student Learning Standards Bill Passed - House (73 - 1)
June 30, 2025 NJ A 3424 Establishes Program Requirements for School Counselor Certification Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
June 30, 2025 NJ S 3910 Establishes The New Jersey Universal Preschool and Kindergarten Act Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
June 27, 2025 CA AB 1216 Amends Certain Requirements Relating to K-12 Education Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
June 25, 2025 NC SB 254 Authorizes the Charter Schools Review Board to Propose, Recommend, and Approve Rules and Policies Regarding all Aspects of Charter School Operation Conference Report Adopted - House (73 - 36)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/09 S 356 Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025 Bill Passed - House (399 - 5)
12/04 HR 1069 Promoting Responsible Oversight To Eliminate Communist Teachings (PROTECT) Our Kids Act Bill Passed - House (247 - 164)
12/03 HR 1005 Combating the Lies of Authoritarians in School Systems (CLASS) Act Bill Passed - House (242 - 176)
11/19 HB 114 Establishes Consistent Statewide Age Requirements for Kindergarten Enrollment Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 0)
11/19 HB 114 Establishes Consistent Statewide Age Requirements for Kindergarten Enrollment Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
11/19 HB 485 Requires Schools to Show Students a Video Depicting Fetal Development From Conception Each Year Starting in Fifth Grade Bill Passed - House (59 - 27)
11/19 HB 486 Authorizes Public Schools and Universities to Teach the Impacts of Judeo-Christian Religion on American History Bill Passed - House (62 - 27)
11/19 AB 644 Increases State Aid for Schools that Consolidate in 2027-2029 Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
11/19 AB 646 Requires a Study of Wisconsin's School Districts for Potential Consolidation Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
11/19 AB 647 Establishes a Four-Year Grant Program for School Districts that Enter Into a Sharing Agreement to Educate Students at One Location Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
11/19 AB 648 Establishes Supplemental State Aid for Consolidated School Districts to Address Differences in Levies When Districts Merge Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
11/19 AB 649 Appropriates Funds for the School Consolidation Bill Package Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
11/19 AB 613 Requires Principals to Provide Written Notification to Parents if Their Student is Removed From Class Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
11/19 AB 614 Establishes Legal Authorization for Teachers to Take Certain Actions to Maintain Order in Their Classroom Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
11/19 SB 34 Requires the Display of Certain Documents of Historical Significance in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
11/18 AB 6 Increases Fines for Traffic Violations in School Zones Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 0)
11/18 SB 389 Repeals the Per Pupil Adjustment in the School District Revenue Limit Formula Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
11/18 SB 16 Expands Open Records and Open Meetings Laws to Cover the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
11/16 AB 6 Increases Fines for Traffic Violations in School Zones Bill Passed - House (42 - 0)
11/12 SB 160 Appropriates Funds for the General Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 9)
11/12 SB 160 Appropriates Funds for the General Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (156 - 47)
10/29 H 4670 Establishes a Personal Financial Literacy Education Fund Bill Passed - House (155 - 0)
10/29 H 4671 Expands Student Access to the State Seal of Biliteracy Bill Passed - House (155 - 0)
10/22 SB 156 Requires Teaching the Success Sequence Curriculum to Students Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
10/14 AB 5 Requires School Districts to Comply with Requests Within 14 days Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
10/08 SB 160 Appropriates Funds for the General Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Bill Passed - House (105 - 98)
10/07 HB 1405 Amends the Public School Code to Provide for Career and Technical Teacher Certifications Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
10/01 HB 57 Authorizes K-12 Schools to Store and Use Opioid Reversal Drugs (Naloxone) and Amends Authorizations for Religious Release Time Concurrence Vote Passed - House (76 - 18)
10/01 HB 57 Authorizes K-12 Schools to Store and Use Opioid Reversal Drugs (Naloxone) and Amends Authorizations for Religious Release Time Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 4)
9/12 AB 1454 Establishes Missing Links to California's Comprehensive Early Literacy Reforms Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
9/10 SB 204 Requires School Districts to Establish Policies for School Building Closures Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
9/04 HB 4024 Require Public Education Institutions in Michigan to Ensure Student Privacy from Students of the Opposite Sex in Multiple-Occupancy Restrooms, Changing Areas, and Similar Facilities Bill Passed - House (58 - 46)
9/02 SB 98 Requires School Districts and Certain Universities to Notify Students, Faculty, and Other Campus Members When Federal Immigration Enforcement is Present Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
9/02 SB 98 Requires School Districts and Certain Universities to Notify Students, Faculty, and Other Campus Members When Federal Immigration Enforcement is Present Bill Passed - House (59 - 10)
8/27 HB 8 Repeals the STAAR Academic Test and Replaces it With 3 Smaller Tests Taken Throughout the Year Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 5)
8/26 HB 8 Repeals the STAAR Academic Test and Replaces it With 3 Smaller Tests Taken Throughout the Year Bill Passed - House (82 - 56)
8/12 SB 160 Appropriates Funds for the General Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
7/31 S 2561 Requires All Public School Districts to Adopt Cell Phone Bans by the Beginning of the 2026-27 School Year Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 2)
7/29 SB 254 Authorizes the Charter Schools Review Board to Propose, Recommend, and Approve Rules and Policies Regarding all Aspects of Charter School Operation Veto Override Passed - House (74 - 46)
7/29 SB 254 Authorizes the Charter Schools Review Board to Propose, Recommend, and Approve Rules and Policies Regarding all Aspects of Charter School Operation Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
7/29 SB 227 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Instruction in K-12 Education Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
7/29 SB 227 Prohibits the Teaching of "Divisive Concepts" in Public Schools Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
7/24 HB 4141 Requires the Board of a School District or Board of Directors of a Public School to Implement a Wireless Communications Device Policy Bill Passed - House (53 - 45)
7/01 S 3910 Establishes The New Jersey Universal Preschool and Kindergarten Act Bill Passed - House (53 - 25)
6/30 HB 354 Establishes the "What is Your Pennsylvania Story" School Program Concurrence Vote Passed - House (199 - 4)
6/30 S 2335 Requires School Districts to Provide Instruction on the History of Latinos and Hispanics as Part of Implementation of New Jersey Student Learning Standards Bill Passed - House (73 - 1)
6/30 A 3424 Establishes Program Requirements for School Counselor Certification Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
6/30 S 3910 Establishes The New Jersey Universal Preschool and Kindergarten Act Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
6/27 AB 1216 Amends Certain Requirements Relating to K-12 Education Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
6/25 SB 254 Authorizes the Charter Schools Review Board to Propose, Recommend, and Approve Rules and Policies Regarding all Aspects of Charter School Operation Conference Report Adopted - House (73 - 36)

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