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 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)
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)
May 28, 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 - House (69 - 44)
May 28, 2025 ME LD 858 Requires that Behavioral and Mental Health Services be Available to Students by Providing Grants to Schools That Contract for Those Services "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (79 - 65)
May 27, 2025 TX SB 1032 Specifies Eligibility Requirements for Postsecondary Educational Institutions to Participate in the Governor's University Research Initiative Bill Passed - House (104 - 37)
May 27, 2025 CA AB 49 Prohibits School Officials From Allowing an Immigration Authority Onto a Nonpublic School Site Without a Warrant or Court Order Bill Passed - House (62 - 9)
May 25, 2025 TX SB 10 Requires the 10 Commandments be Displayed in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (82 - 46)
May 23, 2025 TX SB 965 Authorizes Teachers the Right to Pray While Working in Texas Bill Passed - House (86 - 48)
May 23, 2025 NV SB 161 Specifies Authorized Actions for Teachers That do Not Constitute a Strike Under Existing State Law Bill Passed - House (33 - 9)
May 23, 2025 TX SB 11 Requires Schools to Provide Time for Students to Practice Prayer of Any Religion During School Hours Bill Passed - House (88 - 48)
May 22, 2025 NH SB 97 Authorizes Intra-District Public School Open Enrollment for Students "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (199 - 165)
May 22, 2025 NH SB 97 Authorizes Intra-District Public School Open Enrollment for Students "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (199 - 165)
May 22, 2025 TX SB 24 Requires Public Schools in the State to Include Lessons on Communism and its Ideologies Bill Passed - House (119 - 13)
May 22, 2025 TX SB 24 Requires Public Schools in the State to Include Lessons on Communism and its Ideologies Bill Passed - House (119 - 13)
May 22, 2025 NJ A 3424 Establishes Program Requirements for School Counselor Certification Bill Passed - House (72 - 2)
May 22, 2025 RI H 5251 Establishes a Voluntary 9/11 Moment of Silence in Schools Bill Passed - House (66 - 0)
May 22, 2025 MI HB 4066 Prohibits Schools From Allowing Transgender Girls to Participate in Girls' Sports Bill Passed - House (58 - 46)
May 22, 2025 MI HB 4469 Authorizes K-12 Schools to Base Students' Eligibility for Athletics on Their Biological Sex Bill Passed - House (59 - 45)
May 22, 2025 NJ A 3424 Establishes Program Requirements for School Counselor Certification Bill Passed - House (72 - 2)
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 NY A 5448 Requires Institutions of Higher Education to Designate a Title VI Coordinator Bill Passed - House (143 - 1)
May 21, 2025 OH HB 114 Establishes Consistent Statewide Age Requirements for Kindergarten Enrollment Bill Passed - House (96 - 0)
May 21, 2025 NV AB 416 Prohibits Public Schools and Libraries from Restricting Access to Materials Based on Content Bill Passed - House (29 - 13)
May 20, 2025 AK HB 57 Increases the Basic Input Into the State's Public School Funding Formula for the Base Student Allocation by $700 Veto Override Passed - House (29 - 11)
May 17, 2025 AK HB 174 Authorizes Rural School Fund Would be Able to Pay for Teacher Housing and Mount Edgecumbe High School in Sitka Bill Passed - House (34 - 5)
May 15, 2025 CT SB 1234 Prohibits Libraries From Agreeing To Certain Terms In Electronic Book And Digital Audiobook License Agreements Or Contracts Bill Passed - House (106 - 38)
May 15, 2025 TX SB 462 Requires Any Waiting List for Child Care Services to Give Priority to Children of Child Care Workers Bill Passed - House (124 - 18)
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 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 26)
May 14, 2025 OR SB 315 Requires the Department of Education to Review Make Recommendations and Develop Best Practices for Dealing with Student Absences Bill Passed - House (49 - 3)
May 13, 2025 IA HF 856 Prohibits Certain Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives and Offices in Private and Community Colleges Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 32)
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 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 12, 2025 MO SB 160 Reduces Hazing on College Campuses Conference Report Adopted - House (117 - 11)
May 12, 2025 MO HB 419 Repeals the University of Missouri System's Exclusive Authority to Grant Research Doctorates and certain Professional Degrees Concurrence Vote Passed - House (149 - 7)
May 12, 2025 MO HB 419 Repeals the University of Missouri System's Exclusive Authority to Grant Research Doctorates and certain Professional Degrees Concurrence Vote Passed - House (149 - 7)
May 12, 2025 OR SB 867 Expands the Department of Education's Authority to Investigate Cases of Abuse and Sexual Conduct Bill Passed - House (35 - 15)
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 25-1274 Authorizes the Colorado Secretary of State to Issue Ballot Measures to Fund the Universal School Meals Program Concurrence Vote Passed - House
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 HB 25-1320 Establishes a Temporary, Transitional Funding System for Public Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 8)
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 SB 25-154 Reduces Testing Requirements for Teaching Licenses Bill Passed - House (45 - 18)
May 7, 2025 National HR 881 DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act Bill Passed - House (266 - 153)
May 7, 2025 OH HB 57 Authorizes K-12 Schools to Store and Use Opioid Reversal Drugs (Naloxone) Bill Passed - House (96 - 0)
May 6, 2025 AZ SB 1097 Requires Arizona Schools to Close on Election Days to Serve as Polling Places Bill Passed - House (31 - 23)
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 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 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)
Date No. Title Outcome
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)
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)
5/28 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 - House (69 - 44)
5/28 LD 858 Requires that Behavioral and Mental Health Services be Available to Students by Providing Grants to Schools That Contract for Those Services "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (79 - 65)
5/27 SB 1032 Specifies Eligibility Requirements for Postsecondary Educational Institutions to Participate in the Governor's University Research Initiative Bill Passed - House (104 - 37)
5/27 AB 49 Prohibits School Officials From Allowing an Immigration Authority Onto a Nonpublic School Site Without a Warrant or Court Order Bill Passed - House (62 - 9)
5/25 SB 10 Requires the 10 Commandments be Displayed in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (82 - 46)
5/23 SB 965 Authorizes Teachers the Right to Pray While Working in Texas Bill Passed - House (86 - 48)
5/23 SB 161 Specifies Authorized Actions for Teachers That do Not Constitute a Strike Under Existing State Law Bill Passed - House (33 - 9)
5/23 SB 11 Requires Schools to Provide Time for Students to Practice Prayer of Any Religion During School Hours Bill Passed - House (88 - 48)
5/22 SB 97 Authorizes Intra-District Public School Open Enrollment for Students "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (199 - 165)
5/22 SB 97 Authorizes Intra-District Public School Open Enrollment for Students "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (199 - 165)
5/22 SB 24 Requires Public Schools in the State to Include Lessons on Communism and its Ideologies Bill Passed - House (119 - 13)
5/22 SB 24 Requires Public Schools in the State to Include Lessons on Communism and its Ideologies Bill Passed - House (119 - 13)
5/22 A 3424 Establishes Program Requirements for School Counselor Certification Bill Passed - House (72 - 2)
5/22 H 5251 Establishes a Voluntary 9/11 Moment of Silence in Schools Bill Passed - House (66 - 0)
5/22 HB 4066 Prohibits Schools From Allowing Transgender Girls to Participate in Girls' Sports Bill Passed - House (58 - 46)
5/22 HB 4469 Authorizes K-12 Schools to Base Students' Eligibility for Athletics on Their Biological Sex Bill Passed - House (59 - 45)
5/22 A 3424 Establishes Program Requirements for School Counselor Certification Bill Passed - House (72 - 2)
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 A 5448 Requires Institutions of Higher Education to Designate a Title VI Coordinator Bill Passed - House (143 - 1)
5/21 HB 114 Establishes Consistent Statewide Age Requirements for Kindergarten Enrollment Bill Passed - House (96 - 0)
5/21 AB 416 Prohibits Public Schools and Libraries from Restricting Access to Materials Based on Content Bill Passed - House (29 - 13)
5/20 HB 57 Increases the Basic Input Into the State's Public School Funding Formula for the Base Student Allocation by $700 Veto Override Passed - House (29 - 11)
5/17 HB 174 Authorizes Rural School Fund Would be Able to Pay for Teacher Housing and Mount Edgecumbe High School in Sitka Bill Passed - House (34 - 5)
5/15 SB 1234 Prohibits Libraries From Agreeing To Certain Terms In Electronic Book And Digital Audiobook License Agreements Or Contracts Bill Passed - House (106 - 38)
5/15 SB 462 Requires Any Waiting List for Child Care Services to Give Priority to Children of Child Care Workers Bill Passed - House (124 - 18)
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 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 26)
5/14 SB 315 Requires the Department of Education to Review Make Recommendations and Develop Best Practices for Dealing with Student Absences Bill Passed - House (49 - 3)
5/13 HF 856 Prohibits Certain Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives and Offices in Private and Community Colleges Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 32)
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)
5/13 HB 7009 Requires the State Board of Education to establish a Connecticut State Seal of Civics Education and Engagement Bill Passed - House (128 - 20)
5/12 SB 160 Reduces Hazing on College Campuses Conference Report Adopted - House (117 - 11)
5/12 HB 419 Repeals the University of Missouri System's Exclusive Authority to Grant Research Doctorates and certain Professional Degrees Concurrence Vote Passed - House (149 - 7)
5/12 HB 419 Repeals the University of Missouri System's Exclusive Authority to Grant Research Doctorates and certain Professional Degrees Concurrence Vote Passed - House (149 - 7)
5/12 SB 867 Expands the Department of Education's Authority to Investigate Cases of Abuse and Sexual Conduct Bill Passed - House (35 - 15)
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 25-1274 Authorizes the Colorado Secretary of State to Issue Ballot Measures to Fund the Universal School Meals Program Concurrence Vote Passed - House
5/07 HB 25-1320 Establishes a Temporary, Transitional Funding System for Public Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 8)
5/07 HB 25-1320 Establishes a Temporary, Transitional Funding System for Public Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 8)
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 SB 25-154 Reduces Testing Requirements for Teaching Licenses Bill Passed - House (45 - 18)
5/07 HR 881 DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act Bill Passed - House (266 - 153)
5/07 HB 57 Authorizes K-12 Schools to Store and Use Opioid Reversal Drugs (Naloxone) Bill Passed - House (96 - 0)
5/06 SB 1097 Requires Arizona Schools to Close on Election Days to Serve as Polling Places Bill Passed - House (31 - 23)
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)
5/06 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)
5/06 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)

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