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
April 11, 2025 CO HB 25-1135 Requires Colorado School Districts to Establish and Publish Policies Regarding Students' Use of Cellphones Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 16)
April 11, 2025 AK HB 69 Authorizes Open Enrollment for Students in Alaska Concurrence Vote Passed - House (21 - 16)
April 11, 2025 AK HB 69 Authorizes Open Enrollment for Students in Alaska Concurrence Vote Passed - House (21 - 16)
April 11, 2025 CO HB 25-1230 Authorizes School Districts to Install Bus Cameras to Enforce Illegal Passing Violations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 8)
April 11, 2025 MT HB 400 Prohibits Discipline Against Students who Refuse to Use Peers' Preferred Names or Pronouns Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 20)
April 11, 2025 WA HB 1296 Requires the State to Promote a Safe and Supportive Public Education System Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
April 11, 2025 WA HB 1296 Requires the State to Promote a Safe and Supportive Public Education System Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
April 11, 2025 WV SB 154 Prohibits Sexual Orientation Instruction in Schools Bill Passed - House (82 - 17)
April 11, 2025 AK HB 69 Authorizes Open Enrollment for Students in Alaska Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9)
April 11, 2025 AK HB 69 Authorizes Open Enrollment for Students in Alaska Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9)
April 11, 2025 VT H 454 Amends and Modifies Provisions Related to Education Governance, Quality, and Finance Systems Bill Passed - House (87 - 55)
April 10, 2025 KS HB 2382 Requires School Districts Show a Video of a Developing Fetus to Students at Any Grade Level During a Course that Deals with Human Growth, Development and Sexuality Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
April 10, 2025 KS HB 2382 Requires School Districts Show a Video of a Developing Fetus to Students at Any Grade Level During a Course that Deals with Human Growth, Development and Sexuality Veto Override Passed - House (84 - 41)
April 10, 2025 WV HB 2402 Requires a Parent/Guardian, Foster Parent or Kinship Placement Have Access to Their Child's Medical Records Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
April 10, 2025 WV HB 2755 Authorizes West Virginia Board of Education to Submit Rules to the Legislature for Review Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
April 10, 2025 ND HB 1600 Establishes an Immigration-Focused Law Clinic at the University of North Dakota Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
April 10, 2025 NH HB 71 Prohibits the Use of Public School Facilities to Provide Shelter to Undocumented Immigrants "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (209 - 162)
April 10, 2025 AR SB 640 Authorizes State Library Board Overhaul Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 4)
April 10, 2025 TN SB 836 Authorizes Schools to Charge Undocumented Students Tuition Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
April 9, 2025 AR HB 1866 Requires All Public Schools to Install an Audio Recording Device in Locker Rooms and Dressing Rooms of Public-School Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
April 9, 2025 AR HB 1866 Requires All Public Schools to Install an Audio Recording Device in Locker Rooms and Dressing Rooms of Public-School Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
April 9, 2025 WV HB 2003 Limits the Use of Cell Phones in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
April 9, 2025 IA HF 392 Authorizes School Districts to Submit Year-Round School Calendars for 9th-12th Grade Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
April 9, 2025 IA HF 785 Authorizes No More Than One Board Member to Reside Outside of Iowa Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
April 9, 2025 IA HF 785 Authorizes No More Than One Board Member to Reside Outside of Iowa Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
April 9, 2025 IA HF 392 Authorizes School Districts to Submit Year-Round School Calendars for 9th-12th Grade Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
April 9, 2025 IL SB 2427 Prohibits Phone Usage for Students While at School Bill Passed - Senate (55 - 0)
April 9, 2025 NC SB 558 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Public Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18)
April 9, 2025 AL SB 92 Prohibits the Use of Cell Phones in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
April 9, 2025 IL SB 1519 Prohibits Public School Students From Being Subject to Municipal Fines, Fees, Tickets, or Citations as a Form of School-Based Discipline Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17)
April 8, 2025 IN SB 143 Establishes an Educational Parental Bill of Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 4)
April 8, 2025 IA HF 782 Requires that K-12 School Districts Enact Policies Prohibiting the Use of Cellphones During Instructional Hours Concurrence Vote Passed - House (92 - 4)
April 8, 2025 IN SB 143 Establishes an Educational Parental Bill of Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 4)
April 8, 2025 ND SB 2241 Authorizes the Establishment of Public Charter Schools in North Dakota Bill Passed - House (64 - 29)
April 8, 2025 ND SB 2241 Authorizes the Establishment of Public Charter Schools in North Dakota Bill Passed - House (64 - 29)
April 8, 2025 IL HB 3527 Prohibit Schools from Using a Name, Logo, or Mascot that is Derogatory or Representative of a Disabled Individual or Group Bill Passed - House (71 - 38)
April 8, 2025 IL HB 3527 Prohibit Schools from Using a Name, Logo, or Mascot that is Derogatory or Representative of a Disabled Individual or Group Bill Passed - House (71 - 38)
April 8, 2025 RI SJR 177 Establishes the Universal Right to Education that is Equitable, Adequate, and Meaningful for Each Child Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
April 7, 2025 IN SB 10 Prohibits Use of School IDs for Voter Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
April 7, 2025 ND HB 1160 Prohibits Student Cellphone Use in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 4)
April 7, 2025 ND SB 2354 Requires All Public and Private Schools to Follow the Statewide Student Cellphone Ban Bill Passed - House (61 - 29)
April 7, 2025 TN SB 471 Requires Schools to Teach Students the Positive Outcomes of Following a Normal Life Path or "Success Sequence" Bill Passed - House (73 - 20)
April 7, 2025 IA HF 784 Amends Provisions Related to Mathematics Instruction to Require Testing Three Times Annually Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 1)
April 7, 2025 IL HB 1859 Prohibits the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) As an Instructional Tool Bill Passed - House (87 - 17)
April 7, 2025 TN HB 134 Prohibits Schools From Selling Food Containing Red 40 Dyes Bill Passed - House (88 - 5)
April 7, 2025 TN SB 16 Amends and Modifies Regulations Related to Interscholastic Athletics Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
April 5, 2025 MD HB 161 Establishes Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity as its Own Section in the Family Life and Human Sexuality Category Concurrence Vote Passed - House (97 - 38)
April 4, 2025 ID S 1198 Prohibits Certain DEI-Based Practices in Higher Education Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
April 3, 2025 WV SB 199 Establishes a Behavioral Plan for Students that Exhibit Violent, Threatening, or Intimidating Behavior Concurrence Vote Passed - House (94 - 3)
April 3, 2025 WV SB 199 Establishes a Behavioral Plan for Students that Exhibit Violent, Threatening, or Intimidating Behavior Concurrence Vote Passed - House (94 - 3)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/11 HB 25-1135 Requires Colorado School Districts to Establish and Publish Policies Regarding Students' Use of Cellphones Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 16)
4/11 HB 69 Authorizes Open Enrollment for Students in Alaska Concurrence Vote Passed - House (21 - 16)
4/11 HB 69 Authorizes Open Enrollment for Students in Alaska Concurrence Vote Passed - House (21 - 16)
4/11 HB 25-1230 Authorizes School Districts to Install Bus Cameras to Enforce Illegal Passing Violations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 8)
4/11 HB 400 Prohibits Discipline Against Students who Refuse to Use Peers' Preferred Names or Pronouns Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 20)
4/11 HB 1296 Requires the State to Promote a Safe and Supportive Public Education System Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
4/11 HB 1296 Requires the State to Promote a Safe and Supportive Public Education System Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
4/11 SB 154 Prohibits Sexual Orientation Instruction in Schools Bill Passed - House (82 - 17)
4/11 HB 69 Authorizes Open Enrollment for Students in Alaska Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9)
4/11 HB 69 Authorizes Open Enrollment for Students in Alaska Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9)
4/11 H 454 Amends and Modifies Provisions Related to Education Governance, Quality, and Finance Systems Bill Passed - House (87 - 55)
4/10 HB 2382 Requires School Districts Show a Video of a Developing Fetus to Students at Any Grade Level During a Course that Deals with Human Growth, Development and Sexuality Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
4/10 HB 2382 Requires School Districts Show a Video of a Developing Fetus to Students at Any Grade Level During a Course that Deals with Human Growth, Development and Sexuality Veto Override Passed - House (84 - 41)
4/10 HB 2402 Requires a Parent/Guardian, Foster Parent or Kinship Placement Have Access to Their Child's Medical Records Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
4/10 HB 2755 Authorizes West Virginia Board of Education to Submit Rules to the Legislature for Review Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
4/10 HB 1600 Establishes an Immigration-Focused Law Clinic at the University of North Dakota Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
4/10 HB 71 Prohibits the Use of Public School Facilities to Provide Shelter to Undocumented Immigrants "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (209 - 162)
4/10 SB 640 Authorizes State Library Board Overhaul Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 4)
4/10 SB 836 Authorizes Schools to Charge Undocumented Students Tuition Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
4/09 HB 1866 Requires All Public Schools to Install an Audio Recording Device in Locker Rooms and Dressing Rooms of Public-School Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
4/09 HB 1866 Requires All Public Schools to Install an Audio Recording Device in Locker Rooms and Dressing Rooms of Public-School Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
4/09 HB 2003 Limits the Use of Cell Phones in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
4/09 HF 392 Authorizes School Districts to Submit Year-Round School Calendars for 9th-12th Grade Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
4/09 HF 785 Authorizes No More Than One Board Member to Reside Outside of Iowa Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
4/09 HF 785 Authorizes No More Than One Board Member to Reside Outside of Iowa Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
4/09 HF 392 Authorizes School Districts to Submit Year-Round School Calendars for 9th-12th Grade Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 0)
4/09 SB 2427 Prohibits Phone Usage for Students While at School Bill Passed - Senate (55 - 0)
4/09 SB 558 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Public Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18)
4/09 SB 92 Prohibits the Use of Cell Phones in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
4/09 SB 1519 Prohibits Public School Students From Being Subject to Municipal Fines, Fees, Tickets, or Citations as a Form of School-Based Discipline Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17)
4/08 SB 143 Establishes an Educational Parental Bill of Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 4)
4/08 HF 782 Requires that K-12 School Districts Enact Policies Prohibiting the Use of Cellphones During Instructional Hours Concurrence Vote Passed - House (92 - 4)
4/08 SB 143 Establishes an Educational Parental Bill of Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 4)
4/08 SB 2241 Authorizes the Establishment of Public Charter Schools in North Dakota Bill Passed - House (64 - 29)
4/08 SB 2241 Authorizes the Establishment of Public Charter Schools in North Dakota Bill Passed - House (64 - 29)
4/08 HB 3527 Prohibit Schools from Using a Name, Logo, or Mascot that is Derogatory or Representative of a Disabled Individual or Group Bill Passed - House (71 - 38)
4/08 HB 3527 Prohibit Schools from Using a Name, Logo, or Mascot that is Derogatory or Representative of a Disabled Individual or Group Bill Passed - House (71 - 38)
4/08 SJR 177 Establishes the Universal Right to Education that is Equitable, Adequate, and Meaningful for Each Child Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
4/07 SB 10 Prohibits Use of School IDs for Voter Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
4/07 HB 1160 Prohibits Student Cellphone Use in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 4)
4/07 SB 2354 Requires All Public and Private Schools to Follow the Statewide Student Cellphone Ban Bill Passed - House (61 - 29)
4/07 SB 471 Requires Schools to Teach Students the Positive Outcomes of Following a Normal Life Path or "Success Sequence" Bill Passed - House (73 - 20)
4/07 HF 784 Amends Provisions Related to Mathematics Instruction to Require Testing Three Times Annually Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 1)
4/07 HB 1859 Prohibits the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) As an Instructional Tool Bill Passed - House (87 - 17)
4/07 HB 134 Prohibits Schools From Selling Food Containing Red 40 Dyes Bill Passed - House (88 - 5)
4/07 SB 16 Amends and Modifies Regulations Related to Interscholastic Athletics Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
4/05 HB 161 Establishes Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity as its Own Section in the Family Life and Human Sexuality Category Concurrence Vote Passed - House (97 - 38)
4/04 S 1198 Prohibits Certain DEI-Based Practices in Higher Education Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
4/03 SB 199 Establishes a Behavioral Plan for Students that Exhibit Violent, Threatening, or Intimidating Behavior Concurrence Vote Passed - House (94 - 3)
4/03 SB 199 Establishes a Behavioral Plan for Students that Exhibit Violent, Threatening, or Intimidating Behavior Concurrence Vote Passed - House (94 - 3)

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