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
June 9, 2021 ME LD 1640 Expands Protections for Campus Free Speech "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 11)
June 3, 2021 NC SB 116 Establishes the North Carolina Back to Work Act Bill Passed - House (71 - 36)
June 3, 2021 OR SB 5 Requires Compensating College Athletes for the Use of their Likeness Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
June 2, 2021 ME LD 604 Requires a Separate Line Item in the State Budget for Charter School Funding "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 15)
June 2, 2021 CA AB 14 Authorizes Local Educational Agencies to Report Their Pupils' Needs for At-Home Learning Bill Passed - House (62 - 7)
June 2, 2021 CA AB 1550 Establishes New Rules Regarding Higher Education Labor Relations Bill Passed - House (61 - 16)
June 1, 2021 CT HB 6402 Authorizes Student-Athletes to Receive Compensation for the Use of their Likeness Bill Passed - House (136 - 11)
June 1, 2021 CA SB 523 Requires University Health Plans to Include Coverage of Over-the-counter Birth Control and Contraceptives Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
May 30, 2021 IL SB 817 Prohibits School Discrimination Against Certain Hairstyles Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (41 - 12)
May 28, 2021 TX HB 4545 Establishes Requirements for Accelerated Instruction for Students who Fail to Pass State Assessments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (104 - 41)
May 28, 2021 TX HB 547 Authorizes Homeschooled Students to Participate in University Interscholastic League Activities Concurrence Vote Passed - House (80 - 63)
May 28, 2021 CO SB 21-029 Expands In-State Tuition to Native American Students Bill Passed - House (49 - 11)
May 27, 2021 IL SB 817 Prohibits School Discrimination Against Certain Hairstyles Bill Passed - House (89 - 22)
May 27, 2021 TX HB 4545 Establishes Requirements for Accelerated Instruction for Students who Fail to Pass State Assessments Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
May 26, 2021 TX HB 2497 Requires Patriotic Texas History Materials be Distributed through the DMV Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
May 25, 2021 RI H 5830 Prohibits the Use of a School District's Listserv to Distribute Any Political Advertisements Bill Passed - House (74 - 0)
May 24, 2021 CO HB 21-1164 Authorizes School Districts to Raise their Mill-Levy Rates Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
May 22, 2021 TX HB 547 Authorizes Homeschooled Students to Participate in University Interscholastic League Activities Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
May 22, 2021 TX HB 3979 Prohibits the Teaching of "Critical Race Theory" in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
May 21, 2021 NV AB 261 Expands School Curriculum to Tell a Broader Range of Children Stories Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
May 20, 2021 DE HB 198 Requires Schools to Provide Curricula on Black History Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
May 20, 2021 OR HB 2542 Requires Oregon Public Colleges to Publicize Information on Student Fees Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 1)
May 20, 2021 NV AB 88 Requires Schools to Change Any Identifier that is "Racially Discriminatory" Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 8)
May 20, 2021 IL HB 156 Requires All Schools to Provide Menstrual Products in Bathrooms Bill Passed - House (68 - 43)
May 19, 2021 IA HF 847 Repeals Mask Mandates for Public School Students Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
May 19, 2021 IA HF 847 Repeals Mask Mandates for Public School Students Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 35)
May 19, 2021 MI HB 4400 Appropriations Funds for Fiscal Year 2022, Including Provisions for Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
May 19, 2021 MI HB 4407 Appropriates Funding for K-12 School Aid and Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
May 19, 2021 MI HB 4407 Appropriates Funding for K-12 School Aid and Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
May 19, 2021 ME LD 52 Authorizes Additional Educational Policies to be Subjects of Collective Bargaining Negotiations Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
May 19, 2021 ME LD 604 Requires a Separate Line Item in the State Budget for Charter School Funding "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (81 - 65)
May 19, 2021 NE LB 2 Reduces the Valuation of Agricultural Land to Decrease Taxation Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 6)
May 18, 2021 RI S 89 Prohibits the Use of a School District's Listserv to Distribute Any Political Advertisements Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
May 17, 2021 AL SB 94 Extends the Deadline for 3rd Graders to Reach Their Required Reading Level Bill Passed - House (68 - 27)
May 14, 2021 MO SB 86 Prohibits Any Public Funds from Being Used by School Districts for Supporting or Opposing Ballot Measures or Candidates Conference Report Adopted - House (100 - 35)
May 14, 2021 TX HB 3889 Prohibits the State Education Agency from Requiring Fee Payment from Educational Disadvantaged Students if they Establish a Broadband Internet Access Plan for Public School Students Bill Passed - House (104 - 39)
May 14, 2021 TX HB 3889 Prohibits the State Education Agency from Requiring Fee Payment from Educational Disadvantaged Students if they Establish a Broadband Internet Access Plan for Public School Students Bill Passed - House (104 - 39)
May 13, 2021 NH HB 388 Authorizes School Transfers Due to Educational Hardship "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
May 13, 2021 DE SB 78 Requires Any School Board Member Charged with a Violent Felony to be Suspended Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 1)
May 13, 2021 National HR 2547 Comprehensive Debt Collection Improvement Act Bill Passed - House (215 - 207)
May 12, 2021 MO HB 297 Repeals the Cap on Tuition Increases for Universities and Colleges Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
May 12, 2021 NC HB 729 Amends the State's Charter School Law Bill Passed - House (63 - 52)
May 12, 2021 MI HB 4400 Appropriations Funds for Fiscal Year 2022, Including Provisions for Higher Education Bill Passed - House (57 - 50)
May 11, 2021 MO HB 557 Increases Oversight Over Unlicensed Religious Boarding Schools Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
May 11, 2021 TX HB 3485 Amends Law Regarding Corporal Punishment in Schools Bill Passed - House (86 - 60)
May 11, 2021 WI AB 59 Expands the State Taxpayer Funded Private School Voucher Program to Families with Higher Incomes Bill Passed - House (60 - 36)
May 11, 2021 TX HB 3979 Prohibits the Teaching of "Critical Race Theory" in Schools Bill Passed - House (79 - 65)
May 6, 2021 AL HB 246 Authorizes Public Schools to Teach Yoga Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
May 6, 2021 MO SB 330 Authorizes College Athletes to Receive Compensation for the Use of their Likeness Bill Passed - House (141 - 6)
May 5, 2021 TN SB 623 Prohibits Teaching "Critical Race Theory" in K-12 Schools Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 7)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/09 LD 1640 Expands Protections for Campus Free Speech "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 11)
6/03 SB 116 Establishes the North Carolina Back to Work Act Bill Passed - House (71 - 36)
6/03 SB 5 Requires Compensating College Athletes for the Use of their Likeness Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
6/02 LD 604 Requires a Separate Line Item in the State Budget for Charter School Funding "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 15)
6/02 AB 14 Authorizes Local Educational Agencies to Report Their Pupils' Needs for At-Home Learning Bill Passed - House (62 - 7)
6/02 AB 1550 Establishes New Rules Regarding Higher Education Labor Relations Bill Passed - House (61 - 16)
6/01 HB 6402 Authorizes Student-Athletes to Receive Compensation for the Use of their Likeness Bill Passed - House (136 - 11)
6/01 SB 523 Requires University Health Plans to Include Coverage of Over-the-counter Birth Control and Contraceptives Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
5/30 SB 817 Prohibits School Discrimination Against Certain Hairstyles Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (41 - 12)
5/28 HB 4545 Establishes Requirements for Accelerated Instruction for Students who Fail to Pass State Assessments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (104 - 41)
5/28 HB 547 Authorizes Homeschooled Students to Participate in University Interscholastic League Activities Concurrence Vote Passed - House (80 - 63)
5/28 SB 21-029 Expands In-State Tuition to Native American Students Bill Passed - House (49 - 11)
5/27 SB 817 Prohibits School Discrimination Against Certain Hairstyles Bill Passed - House (89 - 22)
5/27 HB 4545 Establishes Requirements for Accelerated Instruction for Students who Fail to Pass State Assessments Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
5/26 HB 2497 Requires Patriotic Texas History Materials be Distributed through the DMV Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
5/25 H 5830 Prohibits the Use of a School District's Listserv to Distribute Any Political Advertisements Bill Passed - House (74 - 0)
5/24 HB 21-1164 Authorizes School Districts to Raise their Mill-Levy Rates Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
5/22 HB 547 Authorizes Homeschooled Students to Participate in University Interscholastic League Activities Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
5/22 HB 3979 Prohibits the Teaching of "Critical Race Theory" in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
5/21 AB 261 Expands School Curriculum to Tell a Broader Range of Children Stories Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
5/20 HB 198 Requires Schools to Provide Curricula on Black History Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
5/20 HB 2542 Requires Oregon Public Colleges to Publicize Information on Student Fees Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 1)
5/20 AB 88 Requires Schools to Change Any Identifier that is "Racially Discriminatory" Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 8)
5/20 HB 156 Requires All Schools to Provide Menstrual Products in Bathrooms Bill Passed - House (68 - 43)
5/19 HF 847 Repeals Mask Mandates for Public School Students Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
5/19 HF 847 Repeals Mask Mandates for Public School Students Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 35)
5/19 HB 4400 Appropriations Funds for Fiscal Year 2022, Including Provisions for Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
5/19 HB 4407 Appropriates Funding for K-12 School Aid and Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
5/19 HB 4407 Appropriates Funding for K-12 School Aid and Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
5/19 LD 52 Authorizes Additional Educational Policies to be Subjects of Collective Bargaining Negotiations Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
5/19 LD 604 Requires a Separate Line Item in the State Budget for Charter School Funding "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (81 - 65)
5/19 LB 2 Reduces the Valuation of Agricultural Land to Decrease Taxation Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 6)
5/18 S 89 Prohibits the Use of a School District's Listserv to Distribute Any Political Advertisements Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
5/17 SB 94 Extends the Deadline for 3rd Graders to Reach Their Required Reading Level Bill Passed - House (68 - 27)
5/14 SB 86 Prohibits Any Public Funds from Being Used by School Districts for Supporting or Opposing Ballot Measures or Candidates Conference Report Adopted - House (100 - 35)
5/14 HB 3889 Prohibits the State Education Agency from Requiring Fee Payment from Educational Disadvantaged Students if they Establish a Broadband Internet Access Plan for Public School Students Bill Passed - House (104 - 39)
5/14 HB 3889 Prohibits the State Education Agency from Requiring Fee Payment from Educational Disadvantaged Students if they Establish a Broadband Internet Access Plan for Public School Students Bill Passed - House (104 - 39)
5/13 HB 388 Authorizes School Transfers Due to Educational Hardship "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
5/13 SB 78 Requires Any School Board Member Charged with a Violent Felony to be Suspended Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 1)
5/13 HR 2547 Comprehensive Debt Collection Improvement Act Bill Passed - House (215 - 207)
5/12 HB 297 Repeals the Cap on Tuition Increases for Universities and Colleges Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
5/12 HB 729 Amends the State's Charter School Law Bill Passed - House (63 - 52)
5/12 HB 4400 Appropriations Funds for Fiscal Year 2022, Including Provisions for Higher Education Bill Passed - House (57 - 50)
5/11 HB 557 Increases Oversight Over Unlicensed Religious Boarding Schools Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
5/11 HB 3485 Amends Law Regarding Corporal Punishment in Schools Bill Passed - House (86 - 60)
5/11 AB 59 Expands the State Taxpayer Funded Private School Voucher Program to Families with Higher Incomes Bill Passed - House (60 - 36)
5/11 HB 3979 Prohibits the Teaching of "Critical Race Theory" in Schools Bill Passed - House (79 - 65)
5/06 HB 246 Authorizes Public Schools to Teach Yoga Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
5/06 SB 330 Authorizes College Athletes to Receive Compensation for the Use of their Likeness Bill Passed - House (141 - 6)
5/05 SB 623 Prohibits Teaching "Critical Race Theory" in K-12 Schools Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 7)

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