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
June 5, 2025 NH SB 295 Repeals Income Limits for Education Freedom Accounts Immediately but Includes a 12,250-Student Cap on the Program "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (190 - 178)
June 5, 2025 NH SB 295 Repeals Income Limits for Education Freedom Accounts Immediately but Includes a 12,250-Student Cap on the Program "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (190 - 178)
June 5, 2025 ME LD 587 Requires School Boards to Adopt a Policy on Automated External Defibrillator Access at School- sponsored Athletic Events "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 5)
June 5, 2025 ME LD 470 Requires All Public Schools to Implement Teacher Mentoring Programs by 2026 "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 13)
June 5, 2025 ME LD 470 Requires All Public Schools to Implement Teacher Mentoring Programs by 2026 "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 13)
June 5, 2025 OR SB 141 Establishes a Statewide Education Accountability System Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
June 5, 2025 CA AB 84 Amends Processes for Authorizing Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (43 - 25)
June 5, 2025 CA AB 84 Amends Processes for Authorizing Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (43 - 25)
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 1454 Establishes Missing Links to California's Comprehensive Early Literacy Reforms Bill Passed - House (78 - 0)
June 5, 2025 NY S 7616 Authorizes Stony Brook University to Build Additional Housing on its Campus Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 0)
June 4, 2025 LA SB 234 Establishes and Provides for the St. George Community School System Bill Passed - House (60 - 26)
June 4, 2025 LA SB 234 Establishes and Provides for the St. George Community School System Bill Passed - House (60 - 26)
June 4, 2025 CT HB 7288 Appropriates Funds for Connecticut's FY 2027 Budget and Amends Various Laws Relating to Bonds and Grants Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 1)
June 4, 2025 ME LD 1012 Establishes the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Tick Laboratory Operations Fund and directs the State Liquor and Lottery Commission to Develop and Initiate a $4 Instant Lottery Game to Raise Funds "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 14)
June 4, 2025 CT HB 7288 Appropriates Funds for Connecticut's FY 2027 Budget and Amends Various Laws Relating to Bonds and Grants Bill Passed - House (144 - 4)
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 LA SB 14 Prohibits Harmful Food Ingredients and Expand Nutrition Transparency Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
June 3, 2025 LA SB 101 Authorizes Individuals Legally Permitted to Carry a Firearm to Do So Up to a School's Property line Bill Passed - House (74 - 23)
June 3, 2025 ME LD 396 Requires Public High Schools to Start No Earlier Than 8:30 A.M. Beginning in the 2026-2027 School Year "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 13)
June 3, 2025 ME LD 396 Requires Public High Schools to Start No Earlier Than 8:30 A.M. Beginning in the 2026-2027 School Year "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 13)
June 3, 2025 CA AB 477 Increases School Grants and Funding Amounts for Teacher Pay Bill Passed - House (72 - 1)
June 3, 2025 CA AB 477 Increases School Grants and Funding Amounts for Teacher Pay Bill Passed - House (72 - 1)
June 3, 2025 CA AB 1400 Authorizes Select Community Colleges to Offer Baccalaureate Degree Programs in Nursing Bill Passed - House (74 - 0)
June 2, 2025 NJ S 3961 Requires No-Fee Options for Parents to Make School Lunch and Other Payments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
June 2, 2025 NV AB 416 Prohibits Public Schools and Libraries from Restricting Access to Materials Based on Content Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
June 2, 2025 NV SB 460 Amends Various Laws Relating to Education in Nevada Bill Passed - House (38 - 4)
June 2, 2025 ME LD 324 Increases Reading and Mathematics Proficiency in Public School "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (77 - 64)
June 2, 2025 CA SB 414 Expands School Accountability Through Financial and Performance Audits Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 1)
June 2, 2025 CA SB 414 Expands School Accountability Through Financial and Performance Audits Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 1)
June 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 - Senate (29 - 8)
June 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 - Senate (29 - 8)
June 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 - Senate (29 - 8)
June 2, 2025 CA SB 323 Requires an Amendment to the California Dream Act Application That Clarifies That it May Be Used by Any Student Eligible for State Financial Aid Programs Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 1)
June 2, 2025 CA SB 323 Requires an Amendment to the California Dream Act Application That Clarifies That it May Be Used by Any Student Eligible for State Financial Aid Programs Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 1)
June 2, 2025 CA SB 790 Authorizes the Governor to Enter Into Interstate Reciprocity Agreements for Online College Standards Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
June 2, 2025 CA AB 1348 Expands the List of Reasons a School May Request Average Daily Attendance Credits to Include Immigration Enforcement Actions Bill Passed - House (62 - 13)
June 1, 2025 TX SB 2972 Requires the Governing Boards of Institutions of Higher Education to Designate Areas on Campus for Public Forum and Prohibits Certain Activities During Student Demonstrations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 9)
June 1, 2025 TX SB 2972 Requires the Governing Boards of Institutions of Higher Education to Designate Areas on Campus for Public Forum and Prohibits Certain Activities During Student Demonstrations Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 39)
June 1, 2025 TX HB 705 Establishes Participation in the Cosmetology Licensure Compact Conference Report Adopted - House (127 - 10)
May 31, 2025 TX SB 37 Authorizes Political Appointees to Review and Approve or Reject Courses and the Hiring of a Provost or Chief Academic Officer Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 47)
May 31, 2025 TX SB 37 Authorizes Political Appointees to Review and Approve or Reject Courses and the Hiring of a Provost or Chief Academic Officer Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 11)
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 - Senate (20 - 11)
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 - Senate (23 - 8)
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 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 CT SB 1 Appropriates $300 Million for a Child Care Trust Bill Passed - House (101 - 45)
May 31, 2025 CT HB 5003 Establishes Requirements for New Programs of the Office of Early Childhood Bill Passed - House (133 - 10)
May 30, 2025 IL HB 3522 Requires Each Public University in the Direct Admission Program to Identify its Grade Point Average Standards for First Time Admission and Transfer Students Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 10)
May 30, 2025 IL HB 1859 Prohibits the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) As an Instructional Tool Concurrence Vote Passed - House (93 - 22)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/05 SB 295 Repeals Income Limits for Education Freedom Accounts Immediately but Includes a 12,250-Student Cap on the Program "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (190 - 178)
6/05 SB 295 Repeals Income Limits for Education Freedom Accounts Immediately but Includes a 12,250-Student Cap on the Program "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (190 - 178)
6/05 LD 587 Requires School Boards to Adopt a Policy on Automated External Defibrillator Access at School- sponsored Athletic Events "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 5)
6/05 LD 470 Requires All Public Schools to Implement Teacher Mentoring Programs by 2026 "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 13)
6/05 LD 470 Requires All Public Schools to Implement Teacher Mentoring Programs by 2026 "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 13)
6/05 SB 141 Establishes a Statewide Education Accountability System Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
6/05 AB 84 Amends Processes for Authorizing Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (43 - 25)
6/05 AB 84 Amends Processes for Authorizing Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (43 - 25)
6/05 AB 1454 Establishes Missing Links to California's Comprehensive Early Literacy Reforms Bill Passed - House (78 - 0)
6/05 AB 1454 Establishes Missing Links to California's Comprehensive Early Literacy Reforms Bill Passed - House (78 - 0)
6/05 S 7616 Authorizes Stony Brook University to Build Additional Housing on its Campus Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 0)
6/04 SB 234 Establishes and Provides for the St. George Community School System Bill Passed - House (60 - 26)
6/04 SB 234 Establishes and Provides for the St. George Community School System Bill Passed - House (60 - 26)
6/04 HB 7288 Appropriates Funds for Connecticut's FY 2027 Budget and Amends Various Laws Relating to Bonds and Grants Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 1)
6/04 LD 1012 Establishes the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Tick Laboratory Operations Fund and directs the State Liquor and Lottery Commission to Develop and Initiate a $4 Instant Lottery Game to Raise Funds "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 14)
6/04 HB 7288 Appropriates Funds for Connecticut's FY 2027 Budget and Amends Various Laws Relating to Bonds and Grants Bill Passed - House (144 - 4)
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 SB 14 Prohibits Harmful Food Ingredients and Expand Nutrition Transparency Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
6/03 SB 101 Authorizes Individuals Legally Permitted to Carry a Firearm to Do So Up to a School's Property line Bill Passed - House (74 - 23)
6/03 LD 396 Requires Public High Schools to Start No Earlier Than 8:30 A.M. Beginning in the 2026-2027 School Year "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 13)
6/03 LD 396 Requires Public High Schools to Start No Earlier Than 8:30 A.M. Beginning in the 2026-2027 School Year "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 13)
6/03 AB 477 Increases School Grants and Funding Amounts for Teacher Pay Bill Passed - House (72 - 1)
6/03 AB 477 Increases School Grants and Funding Amounts for Teacher Pay Bill Passed - House (72 - 1)
6/03 AB 1400 Authorizes Select Community Colleges to Offer Baccalaureate Degree Programs in Nursing Bill Passed - House (74 - 0)
6/02 S 3961 Requires No-Fee Options for Parents to Make School Lunch and Other Payments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
6/02 AB 416 Prohibits Public Schools and Libraries from Restricting Access to Materials Based on Content Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
6/02 SB 460 Amends Various Laws Relating to Education in Nevada Bill Passed - House (38 - 4)
6/02 LD 324 Increases Reading and Mathematics Proficiency in Public School "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (77 - 64)
6/02 SB 414 Expands School Accountability Through Financial and Performance Audits Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 1)
6/02 SB 414 Expands School Accountability Through Financial and Performance Audits Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 1)
6/02 SB 98 Requires School Districts and Certain Universities to Notify Students, Faculty, and Other Campus Members When Federal Immigration Enforcement is Present Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
6/02 SB 98 Requires School Districts and Certain Universities to Notify Students, Faculty, and Other Campus Members When Federal Immigration Enforcement is Present Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
6/02 SB 98 Requires School Districts and Certain Universities to Notify Students, Faculty, and Other Campus Members When Federal Immigration Enforcement is Present Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
6/02 SB 323 Requires an Amendment to the California Dream Act Application That Clarifies That it May Be Used by Any Student Eligible for State Financial Aid Programs Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 1)
6/02 SB 323 Requires an Amendment to the California Dream Act Application That Clarifies That it May Be Used by Any Student Eligible for State Financial Aid Programs Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 1)
6/02 SB 790 Authorizes the Governor to Enter Into Interstate Reciprocity Agreements for Online College Standards Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
6/02 AB 1348 Expands the List of Reasons a School May Request Average Daily Attendance Credits to Include Immigration Enforcement Actions Bill Passed - House (62 - 13)
6/01 SB 2972 Requires the Governing Boards of Institutions of Higher Education to Designate Areas on Campus for Public Forum and Prohibits Certain Activities During Student Demonstrations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 9)
6/01 SB 2972 Requires the Governing Boards of Institutions of Higher Education to Designate Areas on Campus for Public Forum and Prohibits Certain Activities During Student Demonstrations Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 39)
6/01 HB 705 Establishes Participation in the Cosmetology Licensure Compact Conference Report Adopted - House (127 - 10)
5/31 SB 37 Authorizes Political Appointees to Review and Approve or Reject Courses and the Hiring of a Provost or Chief Academic Officer Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 47)
5/31 SB 37 Authorizes Political Appointees to Review and Approve or Reject Courses and the Hiring of a Provost or Chief Academic Officer Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 11)
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 - Senate (20 - 11)
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 - Senate (23 - 8)
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)
5/31 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 1 Appropriates $300 Million for a Child Care Trust Bill Passed - House (101 - 45)
5/31 HB 5003 Establishes Requirements for New Programs of the Office of Early Childhood Bill Passed - House (133 - 10)
5/30 HB 3522 Requires Each Public University in the Direct Admission Program to Identify its Grade Point Average Standards for First Time Admission and Transfer Students Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 10)
5/30 HB 1859 Prohibits the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) As an Instructional Tool Concurrence Vote Passed - House (93 - 22)

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