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 Passed - Senate (16 - 8)
Aug. 7, 2026 National HR 5334 Supporting Early-childhood Educators' Deductions (SEED) Act of 2025 Bill Passed - Senate (86 - 11)
July 29, 2026 National HR 5334 Supporting Early-childhood Educators' Deductions (SEED) Act of 2025 Motion Agreed - Senate (84 - 12)
July 28, 2026 National HR 5334 Supporting Early-childhood Educators' Deductions (SEED) Act of 2025 Cloture Invoked - Senate (86 - 12)
July 2, 2026 CA AB 2324 Establishes a Youth Caregiver Career Pathway Within the Technical Education System Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
July 2, 2026 CA AB 2003 Establishes Statewide Online Training for K-12 Pupil Suicide Prevention Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
May 12, 2026 CO SB 26-135 Establishes a Ballot Initiative to Approve a Funding Increase for K-12 Education Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
May 4, 2026 OK SB 201 Increases the Minimum Salary Schedule For Teachers Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
April 27, 2026 OK HB 3151 Requires an Increase in the Minimum Number of School Days Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
April 22, 2026 TN SB 714 Authorizes the State to Oversee Underperforming School Districts Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 6)
April 20, 2026 OK SB 1778 Establishes a Multi-Tiered Support Framework for Literacy Instruction Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 2)
April 10, 2026 AK SB 41 Authorizes the Alaska Board of Education to Develop Mental Health Guidelines Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 1)
March 31, 2026 LA SB 82 Prohibits School Districts from Establishing Four-Day School Weeks Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 1)
March 23, 2026 GA HB 1009 Prohibits Students in Grades 9-12 From Accessing Their Cellphones During School Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 0)
March 13, 2026 ID S 1227 Establishes Provisions on Generative Artificial Intelligence in Public Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
March 13, 2026 KS SB 515 Expands No-Sports Days for Kansas Schools Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
Feb. 24, 2026 AL SB 201 Requires Public Schools to Offer JROTC Programs to Private and Home School Students Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
Feb. 19, 2026 FL SB 178 Authorizes K-12 Athletic Coaches to Use Some Personal Funds for Student Welfare Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
Feb. 3, 2026 PA HB 17 Requires Instruction of Cursive Handwriting in Elementary Schools Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 5)
Feb. 3, 2026 UT SB 69 Prohibits Phone Usage During School Hours Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 1)
Feb. 2, 2026 ID S 1227 Establishes Provisions on Generative Artificial Intelligence in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
Jan. 29, 2026 IN SB 88 Requires Public Schools to Incorporate Certain Personal Values into Instruction Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
Jan. 29, 2026 NM SB 37 Requires Evidence-Based Learning Practices for Dual Language Programs Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Jan. 29, 2026 NM SB 29 Establishes Requirements for a Statewide Mathematics Instruction Framework Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
Jan. 26, 2026 SD SB 85 Requires Electorate Approval for a School District to Exceed Property Tax Limits Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
Jan. 22, 2026 MI SB 495 Requires Schools to Establish Protocols for Authorized Cellphone Use During Emergencies Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 1)
Jan. 7, 2026 MS SB 2002 Repeals the Requirement for Public School Students' Home Districts to Approve a Transfer to a New District Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 19)
Nov. 19, 2025 OH HB 114 Establishes Consistent Statewide Age Requirements for Kindergarten Enrollment Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
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 16 Expands Open Records and Open Meetings Laws to Cover the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
Nov. 18, 2025 WI SB 389 Repeals the Per Pupil Adjustment in the School District Revenue Limit Formula Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
Nov. 12, 2025 PA SB 160 Appropriates Funds for the General Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 9)
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. 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 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. 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)
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. 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 - 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 29, 2025 NC SB 227 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Instruction in K-12 Education Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
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 - Senate (26 - 20)
Date No. Title Outcome
8/19 SB 434 Requires Local School Boards to Adopt Policies to Address Complaints About School Materials Veto Override Passed - Senate (16 - 8)
8/07 HR 5334 Supporting Early-childhood Educators' Deductions (SEED) Act of 2025 Bill Passed - Senate (86 - 11)
7/29 HR 5334 Supporting Early-childhood Educators' Deductions (SEED) Act of 2025 Motion Agreed - Senate (84 - 12)
7/28 HR 5334 Supporting Early-childhood Educators' Deductions (SEED) Act of 2025 Cloture Invoked - Senate (86 - 12)
7/02 AB 2324 Establishes a Youth Caregiver Career Pathway Within the Technical Education System Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
7/02 AB 2003 Establishes Statewide Online Training for K-12 Pupil Suicide Prevention Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
5/12 SB 26-135 Establishes a Ballot Initiative to Approve a Funding Increase for K-12 Education Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
5/04 SB 201 Increases the Minimum Salary Schedule For Teachers Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
4/27 HB 3151 Requires an Increase in the Minimum Number of School Days Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
4/22 SB 714 Authorizes the State to Oversee Underperforming School Districts Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 6)
4/20 SB 1778 Establishes a Multi-Tiered Support Framework for Literacy Instruction Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 2)
4/10 SB 41 Authorizes the Alaska Board of Education to Develop Mental Health Guidelines Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 1)
3/31 SB 82 Prohibits School Districts from Establishing Four-Day School Weeks Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 1)
3/23 HB 1009 Prohibits Students in Grades 9-12 From Accessing Their Cellphones During School Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 0)
3/13 S 1227 Establishes Provisions on Generative Artificial Intelligence in Public Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
3/13 SB 515 Expands No-Sports Days for Kansas Schools Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
2/24 SB 201 Requires Public Schools to Offer JROTC Programs to Private and Home School Students Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
2/19 SB 178 Authorizes K-12 Athletic Coaches to Use Some Personal Funds for Student Welfare Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
2/03 HB 17 Requires Instruction of Cursive Handwriting in Elementary Schools Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 5)
2/03 SB 69 Prohibits Phone Usage During School Hours Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 1)
2/02 S 1227 Establishes Provisions on Generative Artificial Intelligence in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
1/29 SB 88 Requires Public Schools to Incorporate Certain Personal Values into Instruction Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
1/29 SB 37 Requires Evidence-Based Learning Practices for Dual Language Programs Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
1/29 SB 29 Establishes Requirements for a Statewide Mathematics Instruction Framework Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
1/26 SB 85 Requires Electorate Approval for a School District to Exceed Property Tax Limits Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
1/22 SB 495 Requires Schools to Establish Protocols for Authorized Cellphone Use During Emergencies Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 1)
1/07 SB 2002 Repeals the Requirement for Public School Students' Home Districts to Approve a Transfer to a New District Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 19)
11/19 HB 114 Establishes Consistent Statewide Age Requirements for Kindergarten Enrollment Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
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 16 Expands Open Records and Open Meetings Laws to Cover the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
11/18 SB 389 Repeals the Per Pupil Adjustment in the School District Revenue Limit Formula Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
11/12 SB 160 Appropriates Funds for the General Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 9)
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)
10/07 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 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)
9/02 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)
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)
8/12 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 - Senate (30 - 19)
7/29 SB 227 Prohibits the Teaching of "Divisive Concepts" in Public Schools 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)
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 - Senate (26 - 20)

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