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.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
Aug. 19, 2026 NH SB 434 Requires Local School Boards to Adopt Policies to Address Complaints About School Materials Veto Override Failed - House (165 - 140)
Aug. 19, 2026 NH HB 1358 Establishes a Commission to Study Transitioning All Public Schools to Public Charter Schools Veto Override Failed - House (150 - 166)
June 24, 2026 NC SB 227 Prohibits the Teaching of "Divisive Concepts" in Public Schools Veto Override Passed - House (71 - 47)
May 20, 2026 MI HB 5873 Repeals the State Education Tax Bill Passed - House (57 - 46)
May 20, 2026 National HR 2616 Parental Rights Over The Education and Care of Their (PROTECT) Kids Act Bill Passed - House (217 - 198)
May 9, 2026 CO SB 26-135 Establishes a Ballot Initiative to Approve a Funding Increase for K-12 Education Bill Passed - House (42 - 21)
April 28, 2026 OK SB 201 Increases the Minimum Salary Schedule For Teachers Bill Passed - House (92 - 1)
April 22, 2026 TN SB 714 Authorizes the State to Oversee Underperforming School Districts Conference Report Adopted - House (73 - 19)
April 13, 2026 OK SB 1778 Establishes a Multi-Tiered Support Framework for Literacy Instruction Bill Passed - House (87 - 5)
April 8, 2026 MA S 2581 Prohibits Students From Using Cellphones During School Bill Passed - House (129 - 25)
April 8, 2026 IL HB 4339 Requires High Schools to Offer Eligible Students the Ability to Register to Vote Bill Passed - House (77 - 24)
March 25, 2026 LA HB 137 Increases the Penalties for Threats of Violence Against a School Bill Passed - House (71 - 26)
March 12, 2026 ID S 1227 Establishes Provisions on Generative Artificial Intelligence in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (62 - 6)
March 11, 2026 OK HB 3151 Requires an Increase in the Minimum Number of School Days Bill Passed - House (62 - 28)
Feb. 25, 2026 UT SB 69 Prohibits Phone Usage During School Hours Bill Passed - House (46 - 21)
Feb. 24, 2026 GA HB 1023 Requires Weapon Detectors at Main Entrances of Schools Bill Passed - House (151 - 11)
Feb. 24, 2026 GA HB 1193 Authorizes Literacy Coaches for K-3rd Grade Bill Passed - House (170 - 2)
Feb. 24, 2026 GA HB 1009 Prohibits Students in Grades 9-12 From Accessing Their Cellphones During School Bill Passed - House (145 - 20)
Feb. 19, 2026 NH HB 1792 Prohibits the Instruction of Critical Race Theory and LGBTQ+ Issues in Schools "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (184 - 164)
Feb. 17, 2026 FL HB 1073 Authorizes School Board Members Access to All School District Documents Bill Passed - House (96 - 10)
Jan. 28, 2026 MI SB 495 Requires Schools to Establish Protocols for Authorized Cellphone Use During Emergencies Bill Passed - House (100 - 3)
Jan. 15, 2026 MS HB 2 Authorizes Money From the State Education Fund to be Used for Private School Expenses Bill Passed - House (61 - 59)
Jan. 7, 2026 NH SB 33 Restricts Learning Materials Authorized for Use by Students in Public School Districts "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (181 - 157)
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 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 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 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 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 614 Establishes Legal Authorization for Teachers to Take Certain Actions to Maintain Order in Their Classroom Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
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 - House (156 - 47)
Oct. 29, 2025 MA H 4671 Expands Student Access to the State Seal of Biliteracy Bill Passed - House (155 - 0)
Oct. 29, 2025 MA H 4670 Establishes a Personal Financial Literacy Education Fund Bill Passed - House (155 - 0)
Oct. 8, 2025 PA SB 160 Appropriates Funds for the General Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Bill Passed - House (105 - 98)
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)
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 Bill Passed - House (59 - 10)
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)
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 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 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)
June 25, 2025 NC SB 227 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Instruction in K-12 Education Bill Passed - House (67 - 48)
June 24, 2025 PA HB 17 Requires Instruction of Cursive Handwriting in Elementary Schools Bill Passed - House (195 - 8)
June 18, 2025 RI H 5421 Requires Video Monitoring Systems on All School Buses Bill Passed - House (69 - 2)
June 17, 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 - House (89 - 46)
June 11, 2025 OH HB 3 Establishes the School Bus Safety Act Bill Passed - House (90 - 0)
June 11, 2025 OH HB 10 Establishes Regulations on the Labelling and Sale of Imitation Meat and Egg Products Bill Passed - House (92 - 0)
June 9, 2025 LA SB 25 Establishes the St. George Community School System With the Same Authority as a Parish Bill Passed - House (70 - 24)
June 5, 2025 NH HB 10 Establishes a Parents' Bill of Rights Regarding their Child's Education and Prohibits Schools from Infringing on Such Rights Unless the Action is Narrowly Tailored to Address a Compelling State Interest Concurrence Vote Passed - House (210 - 160)
June 5, 2025 CA AB 1454 Establishes Missing Links to California's Comprehensive Early Literacy Reforms Bill Passed - House (78 - 0)
June 5, 2025 CA AB 84 Amends Processes for Authorizing Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (43 - 25)
June 4, 2025 LA SB 234 Establishes and Provides for the St. George Community School System Bill Passed - House (60 - 26)
June 4, 2025 MI HB 4285 Requires the Department of Education and the Department of Natural Resources to Make a Model Program of Firearm Safety Instruction for Grades 6-12 Bill Passed - House (101 - 7)
June 3, 2025 CA AB 477 Increases School Grants and Funding Amounts for Teacher Pay Bill Passed - House (72 - 1)
May 31, 2025 TX SB 13 Establishes Sanctions Within All Public Schools to Regulate the Books Available to Students and Ban Books that are Deemed Inappropriate Conference Report Adopted - House (81 - 48)
May 31, 2025 TX SB 12 Authorizes Parents the Right to Prohibit Topics Regarding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Being Taught to Their Children Conference Report Adopted - House (77 - 40)
May 29, 2025 TX HB 2 Appropriates $7.7 Billion for the State Education Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (122 - 13)
May 29, 2025 TX HB 2243 Establishes the Texas Commission on Teacher Job Satisfaction and Retention Concurrence Vote Passed - House (99 - 36)
May 29, 2025 ME LD 384 Establishes the Student Homelessness Prevention Program Within the Department of Education "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (81 - 62)
May 29, 2025 ME LD 1097 Requires De-Escalation and Behavior Intervention Training for School Staff "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (76 - 69)
May 28, 2025 OK SB 235 Establishes the Grow Your Own Educator Program Conference Report Adopted - House (79 - 13)
May 28, 2025 OK HB 1087 Extends the Teacher Salary Schedule Increases by 10 Years Conference Report Adopted - House (81 - 6)
May 28, 2025 TX HB 6 Authorizes K-12 Public Schools to Discipline Students with Out-of-School Suspensions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (114 - 19)
May 28, 2025 TX HB 120 Establishes Career, College, and Military Readiness Programs in Texas Public Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (116 - 6)
May 28, 2025 TX SB 974 Prohibits the Influence of Texas School District Trustees and Authorizes District Employees to Serve on Appraisal Review Boards Bill Passed - House (80 - 56)
Date No. Title Outcome
8/19 SB 434 Requires Local School Boards to Adopt Policies to Address Complaints About School Materials Veto Override Failed - House (165 - 140)
8/19 HB 1358 Establishes a Commission to Study Transitioning All Public Schools to Public Charter Schools Veto Override Failed - House (150 - 166)
6/24 SB 227 Prohibits the Teaching of "Divisive Concepts" in Public Schools Veto Override Passed - House (71 - 47)
5/20 HB 5873 Repeals the State Education Tax Bill Passed - House (57 - 46)
5/20 HR 2616 Parental Rights Over The Education and Care of Their (PROTECT) Kids Act Bill Passed - House (217 - 198)
5/09 SB 26-135 Establishes a Ballot Initiative to Approve a Funding Increase for K-12 Education Bill Passed - House (42 - 21)
4/28 SB 201 Increases the Minimum Salary Schedule For Teachers Bill Passed - House (92 - 1)
4/22 SB 714 Authorizes the State to Oversee Underperforming School Districts Conference Report Adopted - House (73 - 19)
4/13 SB 1778 Establishes a Multi-Tiered Support Framework for Literacy Instruction Bill Passed - House (87 - 5)
4/08 S 2581 Prohibits Students From Using Cellphones During School Bill Passed - House (129 - 25)
4/08 HB 4339 Requires High Schools to Offer Eligible Students the Ability to Register to Vote Bill Passed - House (77 - 24)
3/25 HB 137 Increases the Penalties for Threats of Violence Against a School Bill Passed - House (71 - 26)
3/12 S 1227 Establishes Provisions on Generative Artificial Intelligence in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (62 - 6)
3/11 HB 3151 Requires an Increase in the Minimum Number of School Days Bill Passed - House (62 - 28)
2/25 SB 69 Prohibits Phone Usage During School Hours Bill Passed - House (46 - 21)
2/24 HB 1023 Requires Weapon Detectors at Main Entrances of Schools Bill Passed - House (151 - 11)
2/24 HB 1193 Authorizes Literacy Coaches for K-3rd Grade Bill Passed - House (170 - 2)
2/24 HB 1009 Prohibits Students in Grades 9-12 From Accessing Their Cellphones During School Bill Passed - House (145 - 20)
2/19 HB 1792 Prohibits the Instruction of Critical Race Theory and LGBTQ+ Issues in Schools "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (184 - 164)
2/17 HB 1073 Authorizes School Board Members Access to All School District Documents Bill Passed - House (96 - 10)
1/28 SB 495 Requires Schools to Establish Protocols for Authorized Cellphone Use During Emergencies Bill Passed - House (100 - 3)
1/15 HB 2 Authorizes Money From the State Education Fund to be Used for Private School Expenses Bill Passed - House (61 - 59)
1/07 SB 33 Restricts Learning Materials Authorized for Use by Students in Public School Districts "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (181 - 157)
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 AB 613 Requires Principals to Provide Written Notification to Parents if Their Student is Removed From Class Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
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 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 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 614 Establishes Legal Authorization for Teachers to Take Certain Actions to Maintain Order in Their Classroom Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
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 - House (156 - 47)
10/29 H 4671 Expands Student Access to the State Seal of Biliteracy Bill Passed - House (155 - 0)
10/29 H 4670 Establishes a Personal Financial Literacy Education Fund Bill Passed - House (155 - 0)
10/08 SB 160 Appropriates Funds for the General Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Bill Passed - House (105 - 98)
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)
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 Bill Passed - House (59 - 10)
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)
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)
7/24 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)
6/25 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)
6/25 SB 227 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Instruction in K-12 Education Bill Passed - House (67 - 48)
6/24 HB 17 Requires Instruction of Cursive Handwriting in Elementary Schools Bill Passed - House (195 - 8)
6/18 H 5421 Requires Video Monitoring Systems on All School Buses Bill Passed - House (69 - 2)
6/17 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 - House (89 - 46)
6/11 HB 3 Establishes the School Bus Safety Act Bill Passed - House (90 - 0)
6/11 HB 10 Establishes Regulations on the Labelling and Sale of Imitation Meat and Egg Products Bill Passed - House (92 - 0)
6/09 SB 25 Establishes the St. George Community School System With the Same Authority as a Parish Bill Passed - House (70 - 24)
6/05 HB 10 Establishes a Parents' Bill of Rights Regarding their Child's Education and Prohibits Schools from Infringing on Such Rights Unless the Action is Narrowly Tailored to Address a Compelling State Interest Concurrence Vote Passed - House (210 - 160)
6/05 AB 1454 Establishes Missing Links to California's Comprehensive Early Literacy Reforms Bill Passed - House (78 - 0)
6/05 AB 84 Amends Processes for Authorizing Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (43 - 25)
6/04 SB 234 Establishes and Provides for the St. George Community School System Bill Passed - House (60 - 26)
6/04 HB 4285 Requires the Department of Education and the Department of Natural Resources to Make a Model Program of Firearm Safety Instruction for Grades 6-12 Bill Passed - House (101 - 7)
6/03 AB 477 Increases School Grants and Funding Amounts for Teacher Pay Bill Passed - House (72 - 1)
5/31 SB 13 Establishes Sanctions Within All Public Schools to Regulate the Books Available to Students and Ban Books that are Deemed Inappropriate Conference Report Adopted - House (81 - 48)
5/31 SB 12 Authorizes Parents the Right to Prohibit Topics Regarding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Being Taught to Their Children Conference Report Adopted - House (77 - 40)
5/29 HB 2 Appropriates $7.7 Billion for the State Education Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (122 - 13)
5/29 HB 2243 Establishes the Texas Commission on Teacher Job Satisfaction and Retention Concurrence Vote Passed - House (99 - 36)
5/29 LD 384 Establishes the Student Homelessness Prevention Program Within the Department of Education "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (81 - 62)
5/29 LD 1097 Requires De-Escalation and Behavior Intervention Training for School Staff "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (76 - 69)
5/28 SB 235 Establishes the Grow Your Own Educator Program Conference Report Adopted - House (79 - 13)
5/28 HB 1087 Extends the Teacher Salary Schedule Increases by 10 Years Conference Report Adopted - House (81 - 6)
5/28 HB 6 Authorizes K-12 Public Schools to Discipline Students with Out-of-School Suspensions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (114 - 19)
5/28 HB 120 Establishes Career, College, and Military Readiness Programs in Texas Public Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (116 - 6)
5/28 SB 974 Prohibits the Influence of Texas School District Trustees and Authorizes District Employees to Serve on Appraisal Review Boards Bill Passed - House (80 - 56)

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