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
May 21, 2025 IL SB 191 Requires All School Buses in K-12 Schools To Have Seat Belts On Them Bill Passed - House (83 - 27)
May 21, 2025 NV SB 500 Appropriates Funding for K-12 Public Education for the 2025-2027 Biennium Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
May 21, 2025 OH HB 114 Establishes Consistent Statewide Age Requirements for Kindergarten Enrollment Bill Passed - House (96 - 0)
May 20, 2025 OR HB 2948 Prohibits School Administrators From Directing School Nurses in the Practice of Nursing Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 0)
May 20, 2025 NY S 1099 Requires the Commissioner of Education to Develop Policies to Ensure That School Libraries Have Access to the Widest Selection of Materials Available Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 15)
May 20, 2025 CT SB 1371 Requires "Just Cause" When Firing Teachers Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
May 19, 2025 NV AB 48 Requires Schools to Investigate Race-Based Bullying Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 0)
May 15, 2025 NH HB 324 Amends the Process for Banning Books in New Hampshire Schools by Creating a Procedure for Removal and Cause of Action "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (15 - 8)
May 14, 2025 IA HF 189 Establishes Requirements for Public School Districts with Nonpublic School Students Wishing to Participate in Extracurricular Athletics Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 26)
May 14, 2025 IA HF 189 Establishes Requirements for Public School Districts with Nonpublic School Students Wishing to Participate in Extracurricular Athletics Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
May 14, 2025 NE LB 89 Defines "Male" and "Female" in State Law Targeted for K-12 or Collegiate Bathrooms, Sports Teams and Locker Rooms Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
May 13, 2025 MO SB 68 Require School Districts to Ban Cellphone Use During the School Day Bill Passed - House (132 - 20)
May 13, 2025 CT HB 7009 Requires the State Board of Education to establish a Connecticut State Seal of Civics Education and Engagement Bill Passed - House (128 - 20)
May 8, 2025 LA SB 234 Establishes and Provides for the St. George Community School System Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
May 7, 2025 CO HB 25-1192 Amends the Colorado Revised Statutes to Include New Financial Literacy Standards as a High School Graduation Requirement Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 10)
May 7, 2025 CO HB 25-1320 Establishes a Temporary, Transitional Funding System for Public Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 8)
May 7, 2025 CO SB 25-154 Reduces Testing Requirements for Teaching Licenses Bill Passed - House (45 - 18)
May 7, 2025 OH HB 57 Authorizes K-12 Schools to Store and Use Opioid Reversal Drugs (Naloxone) Bill Passed - House (96 - 0)
May 7, 2025 AL HB 166 Prohibits Students from Using Cell Phones During Classes Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 2)
May 6, 2025 CO HB 25-1192 Amends the Colorado Revised Statutes to Include New Financial Literacy Standards as a High School Graduation Requirement (26 - 9)
May 6, 2025 AL SB 196 Establishes the Move on When Ready Program for High School Juniors and Seniors to Earn College Credit Before Graduation Bill Passed - House (100 - 2)
May 1, 2025 ND SB 2354 Requires All Public and Private Schools to Follow the Statewide Student Cellphone Ban Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 17)
May 1, 2025 SC S 62 Establishes a State Education Scholarship Trust Fund to Authorize Private School Tuition Payments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 32)
May 1, 2025 AL SB 140 Requires the Alabama Department of Public Health to Enforce the Coach Safely Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
May 1, 2025 AZ SB 1508 Requires School District Boards to Define Bullying and Cyberbullying Bill Failed - House (21 - 37)
May 1, 2025 AZ SB 1002 Requires School Workers Refer to Individuals Based on Their Gender at Birth Unless Parental Consent is Given Bill Passed - House (31 - 27)
May 1, 2025 AZ SB 1003 Prohibits Individuals from Using Locker Rooms or Bathrooms that Do Not Match Their Biological Sex Bill Passed - House (31 - 27)
April 30, 2025 IL SB 191 Requires All School Buses in K-12 Schools To Have Seat Belts On Them Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 13)
April 30, 2025 NC SB 754 Authorizes Flexibility within School Calendars, and Hold School District Officials Accountable for Breaking the Law Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 7)
April 29, 2025 ND SB 2354 Requires All Public and Private Schools to Follow the Statewide Student Cellphone Ban Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (45 - 2)
April 29, 2025 SC S 62 Establishes a State Education Scholarship Trust Fund to Authorize Private School Tuition Payments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 11)
April 29, 2025 OK SB 235 Establishes the Grow Your Own Educator Program Bill Passed - House (77 - 10)
April 29, 2025 OK SB 758 Limits Virtual Days in Schools to No More than 2 Per School Year Bill Passed - House (55 - 28)
April 29, 2025 OK SB 139 Requires School District Boards of Education to Adopt a "Bell-to-Bell" Cell Phone Ban in Schools Bill Passed - House (51 - 39)
April 29, 2025 MO HB 17 Appropriates Funding for the State K-12 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
April 29, 2025 OK SB 215 Establishes the Oklahoma Math Achievement and Proficiency Act Bill Passed - House (62 - 19)
April 29, 2025 OK SB 245 Establishes the Oklahoma High Dosage Tutoring Program Bill Passed - House (75 - 12)
April 28, 2025 AZ SB 1472 Requires School Districts Appropriate Funding for the Next 3 State Fiscal Years Instead of One Year Bill Passed - House (32 - 24)
April 28, 2025 OK HB 1256 Extends the Construction Industries Board's Ability to Collaborate with Educational Institutions and Trade Programs Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 6)
April 24, 2025 WA HB 1296 Requires the State to Promote a Safe and Supportive Public Education System Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 39)
April 24, 2025 TX HB 1481 Prohibits Personal Communication Devices from Being Used on School Premises Bill Passed - House (128 - 17)
April 23, 2025 IN SB 442 Requires Any Materials Used to Teach "Human Sexuality" for Grades 4-12 be Approved by a School Board and Posted Online Conference Report Adopted - House (72 - 20)
April 23, 2025 IN SB 442 Requires Any Materials Used to Teach "Human Sexuality" for Grades 4-12 be Approved by a School Board and Posted Online Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 12)
April 22, 2025 AK HB 69 Authorizes Open Enrollment for Students in Alaska Veto Override Failed - Senate (12 - 8)
April 22, 2025 AK HB 69 Authorizes Open Enrollment for Students in Alaska Veto Override Failed - House (21 - 19)
April 22, 2025 MT HB 252 Appropriates $100 Million to Raise Starting Teacher Pay Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
April 22, 2025 NE LB 89 Defines "Male" and "Female" in State Law Targeted for K-12 or Collegiate Bathrooms, Sports Teams and Locker Rooms Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
April 21, 2025 TN HB 134 Prohibits Schools From Selling Food Containing Red 40 Dyes Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
April 17, 2025 OR HB 5047 Appropriates $35 Million for Summer Learning for 2025 and 2026 and $17 Million for 2027 Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
April 17, 2025 OR HB 2007 Specifies Which Programs are Eligible for Summer Grants Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/21 SB 191 Requires All School Buses in K-12 Schools To Have Seat Belts On Them Bill Passed - House (83 - 27)
5/21 SB 500 Appropriates Funding for K-12 Public Education for the 2025-2027 Biennium Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
5/21 HB 114 Establishes Consistent Statewide Age Requirements for Kindergarten Enrollment Bill Passed - House (96 - 0)
5/20 HB 2948 Prohibits School Administrators From Directing School Nurses in the Practice of Nursing Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 0)
5/20 S 1099 Requires the Commissioner of Education to Develop Policies to Ensure That School Libraries Have Access to the Widest Selection of Materials Available Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 15)
5/20 SB 1371 Requires "Just Cause" When Firing Teachers Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
5/19 AB 48 Requires Schools to Investigate Race-Based Bullying Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 0)
5/15 HB 324 Amends the Process for Banning Books in New Hampshire Schools by Creating a Procedure for Removal and Cause of Action "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (15 - 8)
5/14 HF 189 Establishes Requirements for Public School Districts with Nonpublic School Students Wishing to Participate in Extracurricular Athletics Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 26)
5/14 HF 189 Establishes Requirements for Public School Districts with Nonpublic School Students Wishing to Participate in Extracurricular Athletics Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
5/14 LB 89 Defines "Male" and "Female" in State Law Targeted for K-12 or Collegiate Bathrooms, Sports Teams and Locker Rooms Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
5/13 SB 68 Require School Districts to Ban Cellphone Use During the School Day Bill Passed - House (132 - 20)
5/13 HB 7009 Requires the State Board of Education to establish a Connecticut State Seal of Civics Education and Engagement Bill Passed - House (128 - 20)
5/08 SB 234 Establishes and Provides for the St. George Community School System Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
5/07 HB 25-1192 Amends the Colorado Revised Statutes to Include New Financial Literacy Standards as a High School Graduation Requirement Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 10)
5/07 HB 25-1320 Establishes a Temporary, Transitional Funding System for Public Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 8)
5/07 SB 25-154 Reduces Testing Requirements for Teaching Licenses Bill Passed - House (45 - 18)
5/07 HB 57 Authorizes K-12 Schools to Store and Use Opioid Reversal Drugs (Naloxone) Bill Passed - House (96 - 0)
5/07 HB 166 Prohibits Students from Using Cell Phones During Classes Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 2)
5/06 HB 25-1192 Amends the Colorado Revised Statutes to Include New Financial Literacy Standards as a High School Graduation Requirement (26 - 9)
5/06 SB 196 Establishes the Move on When Ready Program for High School Juniors and Seniors to Earn College Credit Before Graduation Bill Passed - House (100 - 2)
5/01 SB 2354 Requires All Public and Private Schools to Follow the Statewide Student Cellphone Ban Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 17)
5/01 S 62 Establishes a State Education Scholarship Trust Fund to Authorize Private School Tuition Payments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 32)
5/01 SB 140 Requires the Alabama Department of Public Health to Enforce the Coach Safely Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
5/01 SB 1508 Requires School District Boards to Define Bullying and Cyberbullying Bill Failed - House (21 - 37)
5/01 SB 1002 Requires School Workers Refer to Individuals Based on Their Gender at Birth Unless Parental Consent is Given Bill Passed - House (31 - 27)
5/01 SB 1003 Prohibits Individuals from Using Locker Rooms or Bathrooms that Do Not Match Their Biological Sex Bill Passed - House (31 - 27)
4/30 SB 191 Requires All School Buses in K-12 Schools To Have Seat Belts On Them Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 13)
4/30 SB 754 Authorizes Flexibility within School Calendars, and Hold School District Officials Accountable for Breaking the Law Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 7)
4/29 SB 2354 Requires All Public and Private Schools to Follow the Statewide Student Cellphone Ban Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (45 - 2)
4/29 S 62 Establishes a State Education Scholarship Trust Fund to Authorize Private School Tuition Payments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 11)
4/29 SB 235 Establishes the Grow Your Own Educator Program Bill Passed - House (77 - 10)
4/29 SB 758 Limits Virtual Days in Schools to No More than 2 Per School Year Bill Passed - House (55 - 28)
4/29 SB 139 Requires School District Boards of Education to Adopt a "Bell-to-Bell" Cell Phone Ban in Schools Bill Passed - House (51 - 39)
4/29 HB 17 Appropriates Funding for the State K-12 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
4/29 SB 215 Establishes the Oklahoma Math Achievement and Proficiency Act Bill Passed - House (62 - 19)
4/29 SB 245 Establishes the Oklahoma High Dosage Tutoring Program Bill Passed - House (75 - 12)
4/28 SB 1472 Requires School Districts Appropriate Funding for the Next 3 State Fiscal Years Instead of One Year Bill Passed - House (32 - 24)
4/28 HB 1256 Extends the Construction Industries Board's Ability to Collaborate with Educational Institutions and Trade Programs Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 6)
4/24 HB 1296 Requires the State to Promote a Safe and Supportive Public Education System Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 39)
4/24 HB 1481 Prohibits Personal Communication Devices from Being Used on School Premises Bill Passed - House (128 - 17)
4/23 SB 442 Requires Any Materials Used to Teach "Human Sexuality" for Grades 4-12 be Approved by a School Board and Posted Online Conference Report Adopted - House (72 - 20)
4/23 SB 442 Requires Any Materials Used to Teach "Human Sexuality" for Grades 4-12 be Approved by a School Board and Posted Online Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 12)
4/22 HB 69 Authorizes Open Enrollment for Students in Alaska Veto Override Failed - Senate (12 - 8)
4/22 HB 69 Authorizes Open Enrollment for Students in Alaska Veto Override Failed - House (21 - 19)
4/22 HB 252 Appropriates $100 Million to Raise Starting Teacher Pay Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
4/22 LB 89 Defines "Male" and "Female" in State Law Targeted for K-12 or Collegiate Bathrooms, Sports Teams and Locker Rooms Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
4/21 HB 134 Prohibits Schools From Selling Food Containing Red 40 Dyes Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
4/17 HB 5047 Appropriates $35 Million for Summer Learning for 2025 and 2026 and $17 Million for 2027 Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
4/17 HB 2007 Specifies Which Programs are Eligible for Summer Grants Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4)

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