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:
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.
| Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 28, 2013 | ID | H 221 | Amends Public Charter School Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7) |
| March 26, 2013 | KS | SB 199 | Establishes the Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center | Bill Passed - House (90 - 32) |
| March 26, 2013 | IA | SF 423 | Amends Education Provisions | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23) |
| March 22, 2013 | MD | HB 860 | Authorizes Construction and Renovation of Public Schools | Bill Passed - House (107 - 30) |
| March 21, 2013 | OR | HB 2787 | Authorizes In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11) |
| March 21, 2013 | MI | HB 4369 | Expands the Education Achievement Authority | Bill Passed - House (57 - 53) |
| March 18, 2013 | CO | HB 1081 | Expands Sexual Education Curriculum | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| March 18, 2013 | TN | HB 534 | Authorizes University Student Organizations to Limit Membership Based on Religion | Bill Passed - House (75 - 21) |
| March 14, 2013 | OK | HB 1940 | Authorizes Students to Express Religious Viewpoints in Schools | Bill Passed - House (79 - 13) |
| March 14, 2013 | TN | SB 514 | Prohibits Universities from Disciplining Students Who Refuse to Treat Someone Based on Religious Beliefs | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 4) |
| March 13, 2013 | WA | HB 1817 | Authorizes Undocumented Students to Apply for State Financial Aid | Bill Passed - House (77 - 20) |
| March 13, 2013 | WA | HB 1817 | Authorizes Undocumented Students to Apply for State Financial Aid | Bill Passed - House (77 - 20) |
| March 12, 2013 | OK | HB 1062 | Authorizes School Employees to Carry Handguns on School Property | Bill Passed - House (68 - 23) |
| March 8, 2013 | WA | HB 1283 | Amends School Age Requirements | Bill Passed - House (74 - 23) |
| March 8, 2013 | CO | SB 33 | Authorizes In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (40 - 21) |
| March 6, 2013 | OK | SB 1001 | Authorizes Parents to Petition for Certain School Actions | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 12) |
| March 6, 2013 | WA | SB 5328 | Establishes a Grading System for Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23) |
| March 5, 2013 | ID | HB 206 | Appropriates Funding for Charter Schools | Bill Passed - House (42 - 27) |
| March 5, 2013 | KY | SB 176 | Authorizes Low-Achieving Schools to Become Charter Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
| March 4, 2013 | SD | HB 1087 | Authorizes School Sentinel Programs | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (40 - 19) |
| March 4, 2013 | OK | HB 1721 | Reduces the Income Cap for the Oklahoma Promise Scholarship | Bill Passed - House (56 - 37) |
| Feb. 28, 2013 | AL | HB 84 | Authorizes Schools to Apply for Waivers from State Laws | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 11) |
| Feb. 28, 2013 | MO | HB 388 | Requires School Ratings Based on Student Performance | Bill Passed - House (128 - 23) |
| Feb. 28, 2013 | NM | HJR 10 | Extends Education Disbursements from the Land Grant Fund | Joint Resolution Passed - House (36 - 33) |
| Feb. 28, 2013 | MO | HB 34 | Authorizes School Districts To Opt Out of Prevailing Wage Requirement | Bill Passed - House (89 - 59) |
| Feb. 27, 2013 | SD | HB 1087 | Authorizes School Sentinel Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| Feb. 27, 2013 | NM | HB 64 | Amends Educational Employee Pension Funds and Policies | Bill Passed - House (50 - 17) |
| Feb. 27, 2013 | MT | HB 384 | Authorizes Students to Bring Firearms to School | Bill Failed - House (45 - 53) |
| Feb. 26, 2013 | IN | SB 207 | Authorizes Certain Undocumented Students to Receive In-State Tuition | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15) |
| Feb. 26, 2013 | ID | S 1089 | Amends Early Teacher Retirement Program | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6) |
| Feb. 25, 2013 | AR | HB 1243 | Authorizes University Staff to Carry a Concealed Handgun | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4) |
| Feb. 25, 2013 | ND | HB 1215 | Authorizes Concealed Weapons in Schools | Bill Passed - House (60 - 33) |
| Feb. 25, 2013 | CO | SB 33 | Authorizes In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| Feb. 23, 2013 | MT | SB 175 | Increases Public Education Funding | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17) |
| Feb. 23, 2013 | MT | HB 240 | Authorizes Firearms on College Campuses | Bill Passed - House (58 - 41) |
| Feb. 22, 2013 | NM | HB 300 | Authorizes Extended School Absences for Pregnant Teens | Bill Passed - House (56 - 12) |
| Feb. 22, 2013 | OR | HB 2787 | Authorizes In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (38 - 18) |
| Feb. 21, 2013 | IN | HB 1003 | Expands School Scholarship Program | Bill Passed - House (57 - 36) |
| Feb. 21, 2013 | CO | HB 1081 | Expands Sexual Education Curriculum | Bill Passed - House (37 - 28) |
| Feb. 20, 2013 | VA | SB 1324 | Establishes Education Institution and Board | Bill Passed - House (64 - 34) |
| Feb. 20, 2013 | ND | SB 2267 | Appropriates Funding for School Safety | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17) |
| Feb. 20, 2013 | VT | H 265 | Amends Education Property Tax Rates for Fiscal Year 2014 | Bill Passed - House (96 - 45) |
| Feb. 20, 2013 | NH | HB 370 | Repeals the Education Tax Credit Program | Bill Passed - House (188 - 151) |
| Feb. 20, 2013 | KS | SCR 1608 | Authorizes the Legislature To Have Sole Authority on School Funding | Amendment Adopted - Senate (27 - 13) |
| Feb. 19, 2013 | IA | HF 215 | Appropriates Education Funding and Establishes New Programs | Bill Passed - House (52 - 44) |
| Feb. 18, 2013 | AR | HB 1295 | Establishes Tiered System for Lottery Scholarships | Bill Passed - House (69 - 21) |
| Feb. 18, 2013 | CO | HB 1226 | Prohibits the Possession of Concealed Handguns on College Campuses | Bill Passed - House (34 - 31) |
| Feb. 16, 2013 | MT | SB 81 | Establishes Tax Deductions for Donations to Educational Charities | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20) |
| Feb. 15, 2013 | AR | HB 1243 | Authorizes University Staff to Carry a Concealed Handgun | Bill Passed - House (70 - 11) |
| Feb. 14, 2013 | KY | HB 131 | Authorizes Immigrants to Remain Enrolled in High School up to Age 23 | Bill Passed - House (71 - 26) |
| Feb. 14, 2013 | AL | HB 84 | Authorizes Schools to Apply for Waivers from State Laws | Bill Passed - House (65 - 37) |
| Feb. 14, 2013 | IA | SF 161 | Establishes the School Budget Growth for Fiscal Year 2014-2015 | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22) |
| Feb. 14, 2013 | IA | SF 162 | Establishes the School Budget Growth for Fiscal Year 2014-2015 | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22) |
| Feb. 12, 2013 | MT | HB 315 | Establishes Public Charter Schools | Bill Failed - House (49 - 50) |
| Feb. 11, 2013 | VA | HB 1617 | Authorizes Student Organizations to Limit Membership | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18) |
| Feb. 7, 2013 | MT | HB 239 | Requires Parental Consent for Sex Education | Bill Passed - House (56 - 41) |
| Feb. 7, 2013 | IN | HB 1005 | Changes Eligibility for College Financial Aid | Bill Passed - House (86 - 13) |
| Feb. 5, 2013 | VA | SB 1324 | Establishes Education Institution and Board | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20) |
| Feb. 5, 2013 | IN | HB 1357 | Amends Licensing Requirements for Superintendents | Bill Passed - House (57 - 41) |
| Feb. 5, 2013 | WY | HB 230 | Appropriates Funds for Schools to Hire School Resource Officers | Bill Passed - House (38 - 22) |
| Feb. 4, 2013 | VA | HB 1999 | Requires the Development of a School Grading System | Bill Passed - House (54 - 40) |
| Feb. 1, 2013 | WY | HB 105 | Authorizes the Carrying of Firearms on School Property | Bill Passed - House (46 - 13) |
| Jan. 31, 2013 | VA | HB 1617 | Authorizes Student Organizations to Limit Membership | Bill Passed - House (80 - 19) |
| Jan. 31, 2013 | VA | HB 1442 | Authorizes Home-Schooled Students To Participate In Interscholastic Programs | Bill Passed - House (56 - 43) |
| Jan. 31, 2013 | WY | HB 130 | Authorizes Public Schools to Offer Elective Bible Study Classes | Bill Passed - House (44 - 15) |
| Jan. 30, 2013 | IA | SF 52 | Establishes the School Budget Growth for Fiscal Year 2013-2014 | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23) |
| Jan. 29, 2013 | SD | HB 1087 | Authorizes School Sentinel Programs | Bill Passed - House (42 - 27) |
| Jan. 25, 2013 | WY | SF 104 | Establishes the Director Position in the Department of Education | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| Jan. 25, 2013 | WY | SF 104 | Establishes the Director Position in the Department of Education | Bill Passed - House (39 - 20) |
| Jan. 16, 2013 | MS | SB 2189 | Expands Charter School Authorization | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17) |
| Dec. 13, 2012 | MI | SB 865 | Authorizes Local Officials to Solve Fiscal Crisis | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| Dec. 12, 2012 | MI | SB 865 | Authorizes Local Officials to Solve Fiscal Crisis | Bill Passed - House (64 - 45) |
| Oct. 16, 2012 | PA | SB 1115 | Amends Charter School Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 16) |
| Aug. 29, 2012 | CA | AB 2132 | Encourages State Universities to Include Public Service in Tenure Policy | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 27) |
| Aug. 28, 2012 | CA | AB 2132 | Encourages State Universities to Include Public Service in Tenure Policy | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| Aug. 15, 2012 | MI | SB 1040 | Amends Teacher Pension Plans | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 48) |
| Aug. 15, 2012 | MI | SB 1040 | Amends Teacher Pension Plans | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 16) |
| July 18, 2012 | MI | SB 1040 | Amends Teacher Pension Plans | Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (16 - 22) |
| June 30, 2012 | PA | SB 1115 | Amends Charter School Laws | Bill Passed - House (120 - 77) |
| June 28, 2012 | PA | HB 1307 | Authorizes State Control of Financially Distressed Schools | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (106 - 95) |
| June 26, 2012 | SC | H 4497 | Authorizes Information On and Access to the HPV Vaccine | Veto Override Failed - House (54 - 47) |
| June 21, 2012 | NY | S 7722A | Authorizes Special Education Tuition Reimbursement | Bill Passed - House (93 - 50) |
| June 21, 2012 | NY | S 7722A | Authorizes Special Education Tuition Reimbursement | Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 13) |
| June 19, 2012 | PA | HB 1307 | Authorizes State Control of Financially Distressed Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21) |
| June 19, 2012 | National | S Amdt 2156 | Increases Funding for the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program | Amendment Rejected - Senate (33 - 66) |
| June 18, 2012 | NC | HB 7 | Authorizes Community Colleges to Opt Out of Federal Loan Program | Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 16) |
| June 14, 2012 | NC | HB 7 | Authorizes Community Colleges to Opt Out of Federal Loan Program | Veto Override Passed - House (71 - 46) |
| June 14, 2012 | MI | SB 1040 | Amends Teacher Pension Plans | Bill Passed - House (57 - 47) |
| June 13, 2012 | OH | SB 316 | Amends Education Provisions | Bill Passed - House (56 - 35) |
| June 6, 2012 | NH | CACR 12 | Legislative Authority of Education Requirements | Conference Report Rejected - House (224 - 144) |
| June 6, 2012 | NH | CACR 12 | Legislative Authority of Education Requirements | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 6) |
| June 6, 2012 | MI | SB 620 | Authorizes the Conversion of Certain Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18) |
| June 5, 2012 | MI | HB 5372 | School Aid Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17) |
| June 5, 2012 | MI | HB 5372 | School Aid Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17) |
| June 4, 2012 | LA | SCR 99 | Funding for Public and Private Schools | Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 49) |
| June 4, 2012 | NC | SB 795 | Amends Teacher Tenure System | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17) |
| June 3, 2012 | LA | SCR 99 | Funding for Public and Private Schools | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 15) |
| June 1, 2012 | MI | HB 5372 | School Aid Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (58 - 51) |
| June 1, 2012 | MI | HB 5372 | School Aid Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (58 - 51) |
| May 31, 2012 | IL | HB 5440 | Establishes a 5 Percent Fee on Satellite TV Companies | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 27) |