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
July 1, 2024 PA HB 2180 Establishes a School Meal Debt Fund Bill Passed - House (118 - 84)
June 28, 2024 NJ A 3446 Establishes Requirements for Library Material in Public Schools and Libraries under the "Freedom to Read Act" Bill Passed - House (53 - 20)
June 13, 2024 NH HB 1665 Expands the Educational Freedom Account Voucher Program Eligibility Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
May 21, 2024 CA AB 2226 Requires Children to Attend and Complete Kindergarten as Part of California State Education Bill Passed - House (61 - 11)
May 16, 2024 RI S 2146 Requires Athletic Trainers be Available for High School Athletic Practices Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
May 9, 2024 OK HB 3278 Amends Requirements for High School Graduation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 14)
April 22, 2024 OK HB 3278 Amends Requirements for High School Graduation Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11)
April 15, 2024 IA HF 2586 Authorizes School Employees to be Issued Permits to Carry Weapons Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 36)
April 10, 2024 IA HF 2586 Authorizes School Employees to be Issued Permits to Carry Weapons Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 14)
March 27, 2024 KS SB 387 Amends Various State Educational Reforms and Regulations Bill Passed - House (65 - 58)
March 18, 2024 AK SB 140 Increases Funding for Rural School Internet Access Veto Override Failed - House (23 - 16)
March 18, 2024 AK SB 140 Increases Funding for Rural School Internet Access Veto Override Passed - Senate (16 - 4)
March 7, 2024 AL HB 129 Authorizes State Funds for Eligible Families for Private School Tuition Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
Feb. 29, 2024 IN SB 1 Requires Third Graders Who Fail Certain Reading Standards be Held Back Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 16)
Feb. 28, 2024 IA HF 2586 Authorizes School Employees to be Issued Permits to Carry Weapons Bill Passed - House (61 - 34)
Feb. 27, 2024 IN SB 1 Requires Third Graders Who Fail Certain Reading Standards be Held Back Bill Passed - House (68 - 28)
Feb. 27, 2024 AL HB 129 Authorizes State Funds for Eligible Families for Private School Tuition Bill Passed - House (69 - 34)
Feb. 26, 2024 AK SB 140 Increases Funding for Rural School Internet Access Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 1)
Feb. 22, 2024 AK SB 140 Increases Funding for Rural School Internet Access Bill Passed - House (38 - 2)
Feb. 21, 2024 KS SB 387 Amends Various State Educational Reforms and Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 3)
Feb. 13, 2024 NM SB 176 Amends and Addresses Various Athletic Competition Changes Bill Passed - House (63 - 3)
Feb. 9, 2024 NM SB 176 Amends and Addresses Various Athletic Competition Changes Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
Feb. 8, 2024 NH HB 1665 Expands the Educational Freedom Account Voucher Program Eligibility "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (190 - 189)
Feb. 7, 2024 OH SB 17 Amends Public Education Curriculum to Require Teaching of of Free Market Capitalism Bill Passed - House (66 - 26)
Feb. 6, 2024 NE LB 285 Authorizes the School Community Eligibility Provision Maximization Act Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 10)
Feb. 1, 2024 IN SB 1 Requires Third Graders Who Fail Certain Reading Standards be Held Back Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
Dec. 13, 2023 National HR 1147 Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2023 Bill Passed - House (330 - 99)
Nov. 15, 2023 OH HB 214 Requires Public Schools Adopt Policies On Expectations Related to Staff Member Professional Duties Bill Passed - House (64 - 30)
Nov. 2, 2023 MI SB 174 Appropriates Supplemental Resources for School Aid Act Conference Report Adopted - House (56 - 52)
Nov. 2, 2023 MI SB 174 Appropriates Supplemental Resources for School Aid Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 18)
Oct. 24, 2023 PA SB 7 Authorizes Parents to Review Explicit materials in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
Sept. 13, 2023 CA SB 509 Requires Mental Health Education and Training for All Certified Staff Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
July 25, 2023 ME LD 1898 Requires that Teacher who help Prevent Dangerous Behavior are Protected under collective bargaining Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 8)
July 18, 2023 LA HB 466 Prohibits Classroom Discussion of Gender and Sexual Identity in K-12 Public Schools Veto Override Passed - House (68 - 29)
July 7, 2023 PA HB 1422 Requires Public Schools Report Spending for Paid Media Advertisements Bill Passed - House (122 - 82)
June 30, 2023 DE HB 3 Extends Allowed Student Absences to Mental Health Issues Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
June 28, 2023 WI AB 321 Amends Statutes Relating to Reading Instruction and Parent Choice in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
June 24, 2023 OR SB 819 Prohibits School Districts From Placing a Student on an Abbreviated or Shortened School Day Without Parental Consent Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 6)
June 23, 2023 OR SB 819 Prohibits School Districts From Placing a Student on an Abbreviated or Shortened School Day Without Parental Consent Bill Passed - House (38 - 14)
June 23, 2023 OR HB 3144 Establishes a Statewide Education Plan for Students who are Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 4)
June 21, 2023 OR SB 3 Requires a Half Credit on Higher Education and Career Path Skills and a Half Credit on Finance Education to Earn a High School Diploma Bill Passed - House (42 - 7)
June 21, 2023 WI AB 321 Amends Statutes Relating to Reading Instruction and Parent Choice in Schools Bill Passed - House (67 - 27)
June 20, 2023 VT H 217 Appropriates Funding to Increase Access to Expanded Child Care Services Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
June 20, 2023 VT H 217 Appropriates Funding to Increase Access to Expanded Child Care Services Veto Override Passed - House (116 - 31)
June 14, 2023 SC H 4023 Amends the South Carolina Code of Laws to Renew the First Steps Program Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 0)
June 14, 2023 WI SB 330 Increases Per Pupil Payments in Parental Choice Programs and the Special Needs Scholarship Program Bill Passed - House (62 - 31)
June 14, 2023 OR HB 3144 Establishes a Statewide Education Plan for Students who are Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander Bill Passed - House (50 - 7)
June 14, 2023 WI SB 330 Increases Per Pupil Payments in Parental Choice Programs and the Special Needs Scholarship Program Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
June 5, 2023 LA HB 466 Prohibits Classroom Discussion of Gender and Sexual Identity in K-12 Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
June 5, 2023 NV AB 400 Authorizes Local Charter Schools and Appropriates Funding for Transportation Costs Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 1)
Date No. Title Outcome
7/01 HB 2180 Establishes a School Meal Debt Fund Bill Passed - House (118 - 84)
6/28 A 3446 Establishes Requirements for Library Material in Public Schools and Libraries under the "Freedom to Read Act" Bill Passed - House (53 - 20)
6/13 HB 1665 Expands the Educational Freedom Account Voucher Program Eligibility Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
5/21 AB 2226 Requires Children to Attend and Complete Kindergarten as Part of California State Education Bill Passed - House (61 - 11)
5/16 S 2146 Requires Athletic Trainers be Available for High School Athletic Practices Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
5/09 HB 3278 Amends Requirements for High School Graduation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 14)
4/22 HB 3278 Amends Requirements for High School Graduation Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11)
4/15 HF 2586 Authorizes School Employees to be Issued Permits to Carry Weapons Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 36)
4/10 HF 2586 Authorizes School Employees to be Issued Permits to Carry Weapons Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 14)
3/27 SB 387 Amends Various State Educational Reforms and Regulations Bill Passed - House (65 - 58)
3/18 SB 140 Increases Funding for Rural School Internet Access Veto Override Failed - House (23 - 16)
3/18 SB 140 Increases Funding for Rural School Internet Access Veto Override Passed - Senate (16 - 4)
3/07 HB 129 Authorizes State Funds for Eligible Families for Private School Tuition Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
2/29 SB 1 Requires Third Graders Who Fail Certain Reading Standards be Held Back Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 16)
2/28 HF 2586 Authorizes School Employees to be Issued Permits to Carry Weapons Bill Passed - House (61 - 34)
2/27 SB 1 Requires Third Graders Who Fail Certain Reading Standards be Held Back Bill Passed - House (68 - 28)
2/27 HB 129 Authorizes State Funds for Eligible Families for Private School Tuition Bill Passed - House (69 - 34)
2/26 SB 140 Increases Funding for Rural School Internet Access Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 1)
2/22 SB 140 Increases Funding for Rural School Internet Access Bill Passed - House (38 - 2)
2/21 SB 387 Amends Various State Educational Reforms and Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 3)
2/13 SB 176 Amends and Addresses Various Athletic Competition Changes Bill Passed - House (63 - 3)
2/09 SB 176 Amends and Addresses Various Athletic Competition Changes Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
2/08 HB 1665 Expands the Educational Freedom Account Voucher Program Eligibility "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (190 - 189)
2/07 SB 17 Amends Public Education Curriculum to Require Teaching of of Free Market Capitalism Bill Passed - House (66 - 26)
2/06 LB 285 Authorizes the School Community Eligibility Provision Maximization Act Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 10)
2/01 SB 1 Requires Third Graders Who Fail Certain Reading Standards be Held Back Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
12/13 HR 1147 Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2023 Bill Passed - House (330 - 99)
11/15 HB 214 Requires Public Schools Adopt Policies On Expectations Related to Staff Member Professional Duties Bill Passed - House (64 - 30)
11/02 SB 174 Appropriates Supplemental Resources for School Aid Act Conference Report Adopted - House (56 - 52)
11/02 SB 174 Appropriates Supplemental Resources for School Aid Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 18)
10/24 SB 7 Authorizes Parents to Review Explicit materials in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
9/13 SB 509 Requires Mental Health Education and Training for All Certified Staff Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
7/25 LD 1898 Requires that Teacher who help Prevent Dangerous Behavior are Protected under collective bargaining Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 8)
7/18 HB 466 Prohibits Classroom Discussion of Gender and Sexual Identity in K-12 Public Schools Veto Override Passed - House (68 - 29)
7/07 HB 1422 Requires Public Schools Report Spending for Paid Media Advertisements Bill Passed - House (122 - 82)
6/30 HB 3 Extends Allowed Student Absences to Mental Health Issues Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
6/28 AB 321 Amends Statutes Relating to Reading Instruction and Parent Choice in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
6/24 SB 819 Prohibits School Districts From Placing a Student on an Abbreviated or Shortened School Day Without Parental Consent Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 6)
6/23 SB 819 Prohibits School Districts From Placing a Student on an Abbreviated or Shortened School Day Without Parental Consent Bill Passed - House (38 - 14)
6/23 HB 3144 Establishes a Statewide Education Plan for Students who are Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 4)
6/21 SB 3 Requires a Half Credit on Higher Education and Career Path Skills and a Half Credit on Finance Education to Earn a High School Diploma Bill Passed - House (42 - 7)
6/21 AB 321 Amends Statutes Relating to Reading Instruction and Parent Choice in Schools Bill Passed - House (67 - 27)
6/20 H 217 Appropriates Funding to Increase Access to Expanded Child Care Services Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
6/20 H 217 Appropriates Funding to Increase Access to Expanded Child Care Services Veto Override Passed - House (116 - 31)
6/14 H 4023 Amends the South Carolina Code of Laws to Renew the First Steps Program Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 0)
6/14 SB 330 Increases Per Pupil Payments in Parental Choice Programs and the Special Needs Scholarship Program Bill Passed - House (62 - 31)
6/14 HB 3144 Establishes a Statewide Education Plan for Students who are Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander Bill Passed - House (50 - 7)
6/14 SB 330 Increases Per Pupil Payments in Parental Choice Programs and the Special Needs Scholarship Program Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
6/05 HB 466 Prohibits Classroom Discussion of Gender and Sexual Identity in K-12 Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
6/05 AB 400 Authorizes Local Charter Schools and Appropriates Funding for Transportation Costs Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 1)

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