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 Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
Nov. 18, 2025 WI SB 498 Expands State Requirements Relating to Freedom of Speech at University of Wisconsin System Institutions and Establishes Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
Sept. 10, 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 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
Sept. 9, 2025 CA AB 1400 Authorizes Select Community Colleges to Offer Baccalaureate Degree Programs in Nursing Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Sept. 8, 2025 CA AB 648 Exempts Community College Housing from Local Zoning Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
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 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
July 29, 2025 NC SB 558 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Public Higher Education Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
June 30, 2025 NJ A 5309 Authorizes up to Three Credits of Continuing Medical Education on Menopause to be Used by Advanced Practice Nurses and Physicians for License Renewal Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
June 28, 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 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
June 27, 2025 CA AB 313 Authorizes the Student Aid Commission to Grant a Postponement of an Application Deadline Without Submission of a Formal Request if they Find that there was a Delay in the Opening of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
June 26, 2025 PA HB 865 Specifies Guidelines for Military Family Educational Program Grant Eligibility for Pennsylvania National Guard Members Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
June 18, 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 - Senate (18 - 14)
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 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 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 790 Authorizes the Governor to Enter Into Interstate Reciprocity Agreements for Online College Standards Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
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 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)
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 28, 2025 OK HB 1727 Extends Eligibility for the Oklahoma's Promise Scholarship Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 10)
May 28, 2025 NE LB 89 Defines "Male" and "Female" in State Law Targeted for K-12 or Collegiate Bathrooms, Sports Teams and Locker Rooms Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
May 28, 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 - Senate (37 - 0)
May 14, 2025 NE LB 89 Defines "Male" and "Female" in State Law Targeted for K-12 or Collegiate Bathrooms, Sports Teams and Locker Rooms Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
May 13, 2025 OK SB 105 Repeals Prior Public School Enrollment Requirements for the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 9)
May 1, 2025 MO HB 419 Repeals the University of Missouri System's Exclusive Authority to Grant Research Doctorates and certain Professional Degrees Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
April 22, 2025 TN HB 622 Prohibits Local Governments and Public Colleges From Hiring Based on Diversity, Equity, or Inclusion Initiatives Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
April 22, 2025 NE LB 89 Defines "Male" and "Female" in State Law Targeted for K-12 or Collegiate Bathrooms, Sports Teams and Locker Rooms Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
April 22, 2025 TN SB 1084 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Offices or Initiatives in State and Local Governments or Public Colleges Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
April 17, 2025 IA HF 295 Prohibits Accrediting Agencies from Penalizing an Institution for Refusing to Violate State Law Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
April 15, 2025 IA HF 437 Establishes a Center for Intellectual Freedom at the University of Iowa Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
April 14, 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 - Senate (34 - 11)
April 10, 2025 ND HB 1600 Establishes an Immigration-Focused Law Clinic at the University of North Dakota Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
April 9, 2025 NC SB 558 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Public Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18)
April 4, 2025 ID S 1198 Prohibits Certain DEI-Based Practices in Higher Education Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
March 27, 2025 KY HB 4 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs at Public Colleges and Universities in Kentucky Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
March 27, 2025 KY HB 424 Requires Post-Tenure Reviews at the State's Public Universities and Colleges Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
March 26, 2025 OH SB 1 Prohibits Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives at State Public Universities and Community Colleges Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
March 21, 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 - Senate (27 - 11)
March 18, 2025 WI AB 95 Authorizes the Collective Bargaining Contract Between the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Wisconsin State Building Trades Negotiating Committee for the 2024-2025 Fiscal Year Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 1)
March 18, 2025 WI AB 96 Authorizes the Collective Bargaining Contract Between the University of Wisconsin System and the Wisconsin State Building Trades Negotiating Committee for the 2024-2025 Fiscal Year Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 1)
March 14, 2025 CO HB 25-1041 Authorizes Public Universities to Pay Student Athletes for Their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
March 13, 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 - Senate (16 - 8)
March 12, 2025 KY HB 4 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs at Public Colleges and Universities in Kentucky Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
March 11, 2025 OK SB 105 Repeals Prior Public School Enrollment Requirements for the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 10)
March 4, 2025 KY SB 3 Authorizes Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Usage by Student Athletes Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
March 4, 2025 UT SB 334 Amends College General Education Courses Statewide Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
March 4, 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 - Senate (16 - 11)
Feb. 25, 2025 NJ S 3052 Authorizes Final Grades for Individuals Unable to Complete a Course of Higher Education Due to Military Obligation Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
Feb. 20, 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 - Senate (23 - 10)
Feb. 19, 2025 MT SB 271 Authorizes Colleges or Universities to Compensate Student Athletes Using Their Name, Image, or Likeness (NIL) Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
Feb. 18, 2025 VA HB 1621 Requires Each University's Governing Board to Include 2 Nonvoting Faculty and Staff Representatives Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 12, 2025 SD SB 100 Authorizes Concealed Carry Permit Holders to Carry on State University and Technical College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 2)
Feb. 12, 2025 OH SB 1 Prohibits Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives at State Public Universities and Community Colleges Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
Jan. 28, 2025 VA SB 1182 Authorizes Public Universities to Ban Firearms and Explosive Materials in Their Buildings Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
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 Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
11/18 SB 498 Expands State Requirements Relating to Freedom of Speech at University of Wisconsin System Institutions and Establishes Penalties Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
9/10 SB 640 Establishes a Direct Admission Program for In-State High School Students to be Admitted to a Designated California State University Campus Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
9/09 AB 1400 Authorizes Select Community Colleges to Offer Baccalaureate Degree Programs in Nursing Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
9/08 AB 648 Exempts Community College Housing from Local Zoning Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
9/02 SB 98 Requires School Districts and Certain Universities to Notify Students, Faculty, and Other Campus Members When Federal Immigration Enforcement is Present Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
7/29 SB 558 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Public Higher Education Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
6/30 A 5309 Authorizes up to Three Credits of Continuing Medical Education on Menopause to be Used by Advanced Practice Nurses and Physicians for License Renewal Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
6/28 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 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
6/27 AB 313 Authorizes the Student Aid Commission to Grant a Postponement of an Application Deadline Without Submission of a Formal Request if they Find that there was a Delay in the Opening of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
6/26 HB 865 Specifies Guidelines for Military Family Educational Program Grant Eligibility for Pennsylvania National Guard Members Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
6/18 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 - Senate (18 - 14)
6/05 S 7616 Authorizes Stony Brook University to Build Additional Housing on its Campus Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 0)
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)
6/02 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 790 Authorizes the Governor to Enter Into Interstate Reciprocity Agreements for Online College Standards Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
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)
6/01 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)
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)
5/28 HB 1727 Extends Eligibility for the Oklahoma's Promise Scholarship Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 10)
5/28 LB 89 Defines "Male" and "Female" in State Law Targeted for K-12 or Collegiate Bathrooms, Sports Teams and Locker Rooms Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
5/28 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 - Senate (37 - 0)
5/14 LB 89 Defines "Male" and "Female" in State Law Targeted for K-12 or Collegiate Bathrooms, Sports Teams and Locker Rooms Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
5/13 SB 105 Repeals Prior Public School Enrollment Requirements for the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 9)
5/01 HB 419 Repeals the University of Missouri System's Exclusive Authority to Grant Research Doctorates and certain Professional Degrees Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
4/22 HB 622 Prohibits Local Governments and Public Colleges From Hiring Based on Diversity, Equity, or Inclusion Initiatives Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
4/22 LB 89 Defines "Male" and "Female" in State Law Targeted for K-12 or Collegiate Bathrooms, Sports Teams and Locker Rooms Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
4/22 SB 1084 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Offices or Initiatives in State and Local Governments or Public Colleges Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
4/17 HF 295 Prohibits Accrediting Agencies from Penalizing an Institution for Refusing to Violate State Law Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
4/15 HF 437 Establishes a Center for Intellectual Freedom at the University of Iowa Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
4/14 HF 516 Requires 80% of Students Admitted to the University of Iowa's Medical and Dentistry Colleges to be Iowa Residents Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 11)
4/10 HB 1600 Establishes an Immigration-Focused Law Clinic at the University of North Dakota Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
4/09 SB 558 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Public Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18)
4/04 S 1198 Prohibits Certain DEI-Based Practices in Higher Education Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
3/27 HB 4 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs at Public Colleges and Universities in Kentucky Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
3/27 HB 424 Requires Post-Tenure Reviews at the State's Public Universities and Colleges Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
3/26 SB 1 Prohibits Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives at State Public Universities and Community Colleges Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
3/21 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 - Senate (27 - 11)
3/18 AB 95 Authorizes the Collective Bargaining Contract Between the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Wisconsin State Building Trades Negotiating Committee for the 2024-2025 Fiscal Year Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 1)
3/18 AB 96 Authorizes the Collective Bargaining Contract Between the University of Wisconsin System and the Wisconsin State Building Trades Negotiating Committee for the 2024-2025 Fiscal Year Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 1)
3/14 HB 25-1041 Authorizes Public Universities to Pay Student Athletes for Their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
3/13 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 - Senate (16 - 8)
3/12 HB 4 Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs at Public Colleges and Universities in Kentucky Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
3/11 SB 105 Repeals Prior Public School Enrollment Requirements for the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 10)
3/04 SB 3 Authorizes Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Usage by Student Athletes Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
3/04 SB 334 Amends College General Education Courses Statewide Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
3/04 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 - Senate (16 - 11)
2/25 S 3052 Authorizes Final Grades for Individuals Unable to Complete a Course of Higher Education Due to Military Obligation Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
2/20 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 - Senate (23 - 10)
2/19 SB 271 Authorizes Colleges or Universities to Compensate Student Athletes Using Their Name, Image, or Likeness (NIL) Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
2/18 HB 1621 Requires Each University's Governing Board to Include 2 Nonvoting Faculty and Staff Representatives Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/12 SB 100 Authorizes Concealed Carry Permit Holders to Carry on State University and Technical College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 2)
2/12 SB 1 Prohibits Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives at State Public Universities and Community Colleges Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
1/28 SB 1182 Authorizes Public Universities to Ban Firearms and Explosive Materials in Their Buildings Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)

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