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
Nov. 19, 2025 OH HB 184 Establishes Limitations on Intercollegiate Athlete Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Contracts and Amends Appropriations and Regulations for the State Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (83 - 5)
Nov. 19, 2025 OH HB 486 Authorizes Public Schools and Universities to Teach the Impacts of Judeo-Christian Religion on American History Bill Passed - House (62 - 27)
Oct. 14, 2025 WI SB 182 Requires the Technical College System Board to Provide Grants to Technical Colleges That Provide Emergency Medical Services Courses for Initial Licensure Bill Passed - House (90 - 6)
Sept. 17, 2025 MI HB 4282 Authorizes the Liquor Control Commission to Issue a Liquor License to Schoolcraft College Bill Passed - House (89 - 8)
Sept. 10, 2025 CA AB 648 Exempts Community College Housing from Local Zoning Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 8)
Sept. 9, 2025 CA SB 640 Establishes a Direct Admission Program for In-State High School Students to be Admitted to a Designated California State University Campus Bill Passed - House (80 - 0)
Sept. 4, 2025 MI HB 4024 Require Public Education Institutions in Michigan to Ensure Student Privacy from Students of the Opposite Sex in Multiple-Occupancy Restrooms, Changing Areas, and Similar Facilities Bill Passed - House (58 - 46)
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 Bill Passed - House (59 - 10)
June 27, 2025 CA AB 123 Appropriates Funding for the 2025 State Higher Education budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (76 - 1)
June 27, 2025 TX SJR 59 Establishes the Permanent Technical Institution Infrastructure Fund and the Available Workforce Education Fund as Special Funds to Fund Capital Projects and Equipment Purchases Related to Educational Programs Offered by the Texas State Technical College System Bill Passed - House (110 - 16)
June 26, 2025 NC HB 694 Requires the Environmental Finance Center at UNC Chapel Hill to Study Water and Wastewater Regionalization Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 42)
June 25, 2025 ME LD 747 Appropriates Funding to Reduce Student Homelessness (89 - 51)
June 25, 2025 NC SB 558 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Public Higher Education Bill Passed - House (64 - 47)
June 12, 2025 MI HB 4579 Appropriates Funding for the State Community College Budget Bill Passed - House (56 - 41)
June 12, 2025 MI HB 4580 Reduces Operational Funding Budgets for Higher Education Institutions Bill Passed - House (56 - 41)
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 3, 2025 CA AB 1400 Authorizes Select Community Colleges to Offer Baccalaureate Degree Programs in Nursing Bill Passed - House (74 - 0)
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)
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 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 28, 2025 OK HB 1727 Extends Eligibility for the Oklahoma's Promise Scholarship Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 27)
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 21, 2025 NY A 5448 Requires Institutions of Higher Education to Designate a Title VI Coordinator Bill Passed - House (143 - 1)
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 7, 2025 National HR 881 DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act Bill Passed - House (266 - 153)
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)
April 29, 2025 OK SB 105 Repeals Prior Public School Enrollment Requirements for the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program Bill Passed - House (70 - 23)
April 28, 2025 AZ SB 1694 Exempts Community Colleges and Public Universities in Arizona from Receiving State Funding if they Offered Courses on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Bill Passed - House (32 - 23)
April 23, 2025 CO SB 25-045 Requires the School of Public Health at the University of Colorado to Analyze Implementation of a Single-Payer Health Care System Bill Passed - House (39 - 25)
April 22, 2025 IA HF 516 Requires 80% of Students Admitted to the University of Iowa's Medical and Dentistry Colleges to be Iowa Residents Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 30)
April 22, 2025 TN SB 1084 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Offices or Initiatives in State and Local Governments or Public Colleges Bill Passed - House (72 - 25)
April 22, 2025 AL HB 273 Establishes the Hunger-Free Campus Act Bill Passed - House (96 - 2)
April 21, 2025 ND HB 1600 Establishes an Immigration-Focused Law Clinic at the University of North Dakota Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 29)
April 17, 2025 TN HB 622 Prohibits Local Governments and Public Colleges From Hiring Based on Diversity, Equity, or Inclusion Initiatives Bill Passed - House (68 - 24)
April 17, 2025 MO HB 20 Appropriates Funding for the State Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - House (147 - 5)
April 16, 2025 AZ SB 1727 Requires Medical Schools at Public Universities in Arizona to Prioritize In-State Applications in the First Round of Admissions Interviews Bill Passed - House (50 - 5)
April 15, 2025 NC HB 373 Authorizes the University of North Carolina (UNC) System to Discount Tuition for Students with Military or Employer Tuition Assistance Bill Passed - House (112 - 1)
April 3, 2025 ID S 1198 Prohibits Certain DEI-Based Practices in Higher Education Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
April 3, 2025 FL HB 549 Requires All Educational Instructional and Geographical Materials be Updated to Say "Gulf of America" Bill Passed - House (78 - 29)
April 2, 2025 SC H 3927 Prohibits Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives at State Public Universities and Community Colleges Bill Passed - House (82 - 32)
March 28, 2025 KY SJR 55 Requires Kentucky Colleges and Universities to Adopt Policies for Combating Antisemitism Joint Resolution Passed - House (75 - 6)
March 27, 2025 KY HB 4 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs at Public Colleges and Universities in Kentucky Veto Override Passed - House (79 - 19)
March 27, 2025 KY HB 424 Requires Post-Tenure Reviews at the State's Public Universities and Colleges Veto Override Passed - House (80 - 20)
March 27, 2025 KS SB 24 Amends and Broadens the Scope of the Kansas Promise Scholarship Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 48)
March 20, 2025 WI AB 102 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams at Any Institution of Higher Education Bill Passed - House (50 - 43)
March 20, 2025 MI HB 4154 Establishes Trade School Credits for High School Students Bill Passed - House (92 - 13)
March 19, 2025 OH SB 1 Prohibits Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives at State Public Universities and Community Colleges Bill Passed - House (59 - 34)
March 18, 2025 MI HB 4065 Authorizes Macomb Community College to Sell Alcohol on Campus Bill Passed - House (101 - 7)
March 18, 2025 IA HF 401 Establishes New General Education Requirements for Iowa's Public Universities Bill Passed - House (61 - 36)
March 18, 2025 IA HF 437 Establishes a Center for Intellectual Freedom at the University of Iowa Bill Passed - House (60 - 37)
March 18, 2025 IA HF 295 Prohibits Accrediting Agencies from Penalizing an Institution for Refusing to Violate State Law Bill Passed - House (65 - 32)
March 18, 2025 IA HF 440 Authorizes the State Higher Education System to Study the Pros and Cons of Implementing a Tuition Freeze for First-Year Students Bill Passed - House (64 - 33)
March 17, 2025 NM SB 19 Requires Governance Training for New Mexico Public Higher Education Boards Bill Passed - House (61 - 2)
March 13, 2025 KY HB 4 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs at Public Colleges and Universities in Kentucky Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 17)
March 12, 2025 IA HF 516 Requires 80% of Students Admitted to the University of Iowa's Medical and Dentistry Colleges to be Iowa Residents Bill Passed - House (67 - 28)
March 6, 2025 SD SB 100 Authorizes Concealed Carry Permit Holders to Carry on State University and Technical College Campuses Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
March 6, 2025 OK HB 1727 Extends Eligibility for the Oklahoma's Promise Scholarship Bill Passed - House (71 - 20)
March 5, 2025 UT SB 334 Amends College General Education Courses Statewide Bill Passed - House (68 - 3)
March 1, 2025 NM HB 89 Amends the Graduate Scholarship Act to Prioritize New Mexico Residents who are Students with the Greatest Financial Need and from Groups Underrepresented in Graduate Education Bill Passed - House (40 - 25)
Feb. 24, 2025 ND HB 1600 Establishes an Immigration-Focused Law Clinic at the University of North Dakota Bill Passed - House (67 - 25)
Feb. 22, 2025 NM HB 24 Amends the Community Governance Attorney and Conditional Tuition Waiver Program in New Mexico Bill Passed - House (61 - 1)
Feb. 18, 2025 AL HB 188 Establishes Scholarship for Dependents of Alabama Law Enforcement Bill Passed - House (101 - 0)
Feb. 18, 2025 SD HB 1193 Rescinds the South Dakota Board of Regents' Requirement for First and Second-Year Students to Live on Campus and Purchase a Meal Plan Bill Failed - House (28 - 42)
Feb. 18, 2025 CO HB 25-1041 Authorizes Public Universities to Pay Student Athletes for Their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Bill Passed - House (59 - 5)
Feb. 12, 2025 VA SB 1182 Authorizes Public Universities to Ban Firearms and Explosive Materials in Their Buildings Bill Passed - House (50 - 46)
Jan. 30, 2025 IA HF 118 Amends the Monetary Limits of the National Guard Service Scholarship Program Bill Passed - House (99 - 0)
Jan. 30, 2025 VA HB 1621 Requires Each University's Governing Board to Include 2 Nonvoting Faculty and Staff Representatives Bill Passed - House (51 - 45)
Jan. 30, 2025 IA HF 117 Establishes National Guard Scholarship Opportunities Bill Passed - House (99 - 0)
Date No. Title Outcome
11/19 HB 184 Establishes Limitations on Intercollegiate Athlete Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Contracts and Amends Appropriations and Regulations for the State Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (83 - 5)
11/19 HB 486 Authorizes Public Schools and Universities to Teach the Impacts of Judeo-Christian Religion on American History Bill Passed - House (62 - 27)
10/14 SB 182 Requires the Technical College System Board to Provide Grants to Technical Colleges That Provide Emergency Medical Services Courses for Initial Licensure Bill Passed - House (90 - 6)
9/17 HB 4282 Authorizes the Liquor Control Commission to Issue a Liquor License to Schoolcraft College Bill Passed - House (89 - 8)
9/10 AB 648 Exempts Community College Housing from Local Zoning Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 8)
9/09 SB 640 Establishes a Direct Admission Program for In-State High School Students to be Admitted to a Designated California State University Campus Bill Passed - House (80 - 0)
9/04 HB 4024 Require Public Education Institutions in Michigan to Ensure Student Privacy from Students of the Opposite Sex in Multiple-Occupancy Restrooms, Changing Areas, and Similar Facilities Bill Passed - House (58 - 46)
9/02 SB 98 Requires School Districts and Certain Universities to Notify Students, Faculty, and Other Campus Members When Federal Immigration Enforcement is Present Bill Passed - House (59 - 10)
6/27 AB 123 Appropriates Funding for the 2025 State Higher Education budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (76 - 1)
6/27 SJR 59 Establishes the Permanent Technical Institution Infrastructure Fund and the Available Workforce Education Fund as Special Funds to Fund Capital Projects and Equipment Purchases Related to Educational Programs Offered by the Texas State Technical College System Bill Passed - House (110 - 16)
6/26 HB 694 Requires the Environmental Finance Center at UNC Chapel Hill to Study Water and Wastewater Regionalization Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 42)
6/25 LD 747 Appropriates Funding to Reduce Student Homelessness (89 - 51)
6/25 SB 558 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Public Higher Education Bill Passed - House (64 - 47)
6/12 HB 4579 Appropriates Funding for the State Community College Budget Bill Passed - House (56 - 41)
6/12 HB 4580 Reduces Operational Funding Budgets for Higher Education Institutions Bill Passed - House (56 - 41)
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)
6/03 AB 1400 Authorizes Select Community Colleges to Offer Baccalaureate Degree Programs in Nursing Bill Passed - House (74 - 0)
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)
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)
5/30 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)
5/28 HB 1727 Extends Eligibility for the Oklahoma's Promise Scholarship Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 27)
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)
5/21 A 5448 Requires Institutions of Higher Education to Designate a Title VI Coordinator Bill Passed - House (143 - 1)
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)
5/07 HR 881 DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act Bill Passed - House (266 - 153)
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)
4/29 SB 105 Repeals Prior Public School Enrollment Requirements for the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program Bill Passed - House (70 - 23)
4/28 SB 1694 Exempts Community Colleges and Public Universities in Arizona from Receiving State Funding if they Offered Courses on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Bill Passed - House (32 - 23)
4/23 SB 25-045 Requires the School of Public Health at the University of Colorado to Analyze Implementation of a Single-Payer Health Care System Bill Passed - House (39 - 25)
4/22 HF 516 Requires 80% of Students Admitted to the University of Iowa's Medical and Dentistry Colleges to be Iowa Residents Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 30)
4/22 SB 1084 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Offices or Initiatives in State and Local Governments or Public Colleges Bill Passed - House (72 - 25)
4/22 HB 273 Establishes the Hunger-Free Campus Act Bill Passed - House (96 - 2)
4/21 HB 1600 Establishes an Immigration-Focused Law Clinic at the University of North Dakota Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 29)
4/17 HB 622 Prohibits Local Governments and Public Colleges From Hiring Based on Diversity, Equity, or Inclusion Initiatives Bill Passed - House (68 - 24)
4/17 HB 20 Appropriates Funding for the State Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - House (147 - 5)
4/16 SB 1727 Requires Medical Schools at Public Universities in Arizona to Prioritize In-State Applications in the First Round of Admissions Interviews Bill Passed - House (50 - 5)
4/15 HB 373 Authorizes the University of North Carolina (UNC) System to Discount Tuition for Students with Military or Employer Tuition Assistance Bill Passed - House (112 - 1)
4/03 S 1198 Prohibits Certain DEI-Based Practices in Higher Education Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
4/03 HB 549 Requires All Educational Instructional and Geographical Materials be Updated to Say "Gulf of America" Bill Passed - House (78 - 29)
4/02 H 3927 Prohibits Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives at State Public Universities and Community Colleges Bill Passed - House (82 - 32)
3/28 SJR 55 Requires Kentucky Colleges and Universities to Adopt Policies for Combating Antisemitism Joint Resolution Passed - House (75 - 6)
3/27 HB 4 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs at Public Colleges and Universities in Kentucky Veto Override Passed - House (79 - 19)
3/27 HB 424 Requires Post-Tenure Reviews at the State's Public Universities and Colleges Veto Override Passed - House (80 - 20)
3/27 SB 24 Amends and Broadens the Scope of the Kansas Promise Scholarship Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 48)
3/20 AB 102 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams at Any Institution of Higher Education Bill Passed - House (50 - 43)
3/20 HB 4154 Establishes Trade School Credits for High School Students Bill Passed - House (92 - 13)
3/19 SB 1 Prohibits Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives at State Public Universities and Community Colleges Bill Passed - House (59 - 34)
3/18 HB 4065 Authorizes Macomb Community College to Sell Alcohol on Campus Bill Passed - House (101 - 7)
3/18 HF 401 Establishes New General Education Requirements for Iowa's Public Universities Bill Passed - House (61 - 36)
3/18 HF 437 Establishes a Center for Intellectual Freedom at the University of Iowa Bill Passed - House (60 - 37)
3/18 HF 295 Prohibits Accrediting Agencies from Penalizing an Institution for Refusing to Violate State Law Bill Passed - House (65 - 32)
3/18 HF 440 Authorizes the State Higher Education System to Study the Pros and Cons of Implementing a Tuition Freeze for First-Year Students Bill Passed - House (64 - 33)
3/17 SB 19 Requires Governance Training for New Mexico Public Higher Education Boards Bill Passed - House (61 - 2)
3/13 HB 4 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs at Public Colleges and Universities in Kentucky Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 17)
3/12 HF 516 Requires 80% of Students Admitted to the University of Iowa's Medical and Dentistry Colleges to be Iowa Residents Bill Passed - House (67 - 28)
3/06 SB 100 Authorizes Concealed Carry Permit Holders to Carry on State University and Technical College Campuses Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
3/06 HB 1727 Extends Eligibility for the Oklahoma's Promise Scholarship Bill Passed - House (71 - 20)
3/05 SB 334 Amends College General Education Courses Statewide Bill Passed - House (68 - 3)
3/01 HB 89 Amends the Graduate Scholarship Act to Prioritize New Mexico Residents who are Students with the Greatest Financial Need and from Groups Underrepresented in Graduate Education Bill Passed - House (40 - 25)
2/24 HB 1600 Establishes an Immigration-Focused Law Clinic at the University of North Dakota Bill Passed - House (67 - 25)
2/22 HB 24 Amends the Community Governance Attorney and Conditional Tuition Waiver Program in New Mexico Bill Passed - House (61 - 1)
2/18 HB 188 Establishes Scholarship for Dependents of Alabama Law Enforcement Bill Passed - House (101 - 0)
2/18 HB 1193 Rescinds the South Dakota Board of Regents' Requirement for First and Second-Year Students to Live on Campus and Purchase a Meal Plan Bill Failed - House (28 - 42)
2/18 HB 25-1041 Authorizes Public Universities to Pay Student Athletes for Their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Bill Passed - House (59 - 5)
2/12 SB 1182 Authorizes Public Universities to Ban Firearms and Explosive Materials in Their Buildings Bill Passed - House (50 - 46)
1/30 HF 118 Amends the Monetary Limits of the National Guard Service Scholarship Program Bill Passed - House (99 - 0)
1/30 HB 1621 Requires Each University's Governing Board to Include 2 Nonvoting Faculty and Staff Representatives Bill Passed - House (51 - 45)
1/30 HF 117 Establishes National Guard Scholarship Opportunities Bill Passed - House (99 - 0)

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