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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 8, 2019 | IL | HB 2691 | Authorizes Tuition Assistance to Transgender and Undocumented Immigrant Students | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15) |
| May 3, 2019 | CO | HB 19-1032 | Amends Sex Education Standards | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| May 1, 2019 | TN | HB 939 | Authorizes Education Savings Account Vouchers | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 14) |
| May 1, 2019 | MN | HF 2400 | Appropriates Funds for Education Finance | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 30) |
| April 30, 2019 | ME | LD 944 | Prohibits Native American Mascots | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| April 29, 2019 | CO | SB 19-007 | Establishes Standards for Sexual Misconduct Policies at Higher Education Institutions | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| April 28, 2019 | WA | HB 2158 | Establishes a Business Tax to Finance a Higher Education Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 22) |
| April 24, 2019 | MN | SF 2415 | Appropriates Funds for Higher Education | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 29) |
| April 23, 2019 | IN | HB 1003 | Establishes the Fiscal Year 2019 Public Education Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14) |
| April 23, 2019 | FL | SB 7030 | Authorizes Firearms on School Campuses | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17) |
| April 22, 2019 | IA | SF 188 | Authorizes Stun Guns on Campuses | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 11) |
| April 17, 2019 | OR | SB 859 | Exempts Graduate Students Who Qualify for Tuition Equity From Paying Nonresident Tuition | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7) |
| April 16, 2019 | IN | HB 1253 | Authorizes Firearm Training for Teachers and School Staff | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14) |
| April 16, 2019 | AL | SB 140 | Amends Sex Education Standards | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 1) |
| April 11, 2019 | AZ | SB 1346 | Authorizes HIV Prevention Education | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 10) |
| April 11, 2019 | IL | SB 10 | Increases Teacher Salaries to $40,000 | Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 11) |
| April 11, 2019 | IL | SB 2075 | Requires 5-Year-Olds to Attend Kindergarten | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 16) |
| April 10, 2019 | IL | SB 1970 | Authorizes Student Absences for Voting | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 10) |
| April 10, 2019 | IL | SB 1970 | Authorizes Student Absences for Voting | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 10) |
| April 3, 2019 | AR | HB 1684 | Authorizes In-State Tuition for DACA Students | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7) |
| March 31, 2019 | NY | A 2006 | Establishes an Education, Labor, Housing and Family Assistance Budget for FY 2019-2020 | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22) |
| March 29, 2019 | ND | HB 1346 | Amends State K-12 School Year Calendar | Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 0) |
| March 29, 2019 | ND | HB 1332 | Authorizes Schools to Develop a Plan for an Armed First Responder | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14) |
| March 28, 2019 | MD | SB 128 | Authorizes Regulation of School Calendars | Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 15) |
| March 28, 2019 | KY | HB 11 | Prohibits Tobacco Products from Public Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
| March 26, 2019 | GA | HB 83 | Requires Recess for Students in Kindergarten Through Fifth Grade | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 4) |
| March 21, 2019 | AL | SB 119 | Repeals Common Core | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7) |
| March 21, 2019 | AL | SB 119 | Repeals Common Core | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7) |
| March 12, 2019 | OR | SB 664 | Requires School Districts to Teach About the Holocaust and Genocide | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3) |
| March 12, 2019 | OR | SB 664 | Requires School Districts to Teach About the Holocaust and Genocide | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3) |
| March 11, 2019 | IA | SF 274 | Amends Free Speech Regulations on College Campuses | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11) |
| Feb. 27, 2019 | WA | SB 5395 | Establishes K-12 Sexual Health Education Programs in Public Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21) |
| Feb. 27, 2019 | WA | SB 5395 | Establishes K-12 Sexual Health Education Programs in Public Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21) |
| Feb. 26, 2019 | NJ | S 692 | Prohibits the Department of Education from Establishing Maximum Salaries for Superintendents | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15) |
| Feb. 26, 2019 | NJ | S 692 | Prohibits the Department of Education from Establishing Maximum Salaries for Superintendents | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15) |
| Feb. 21, 2019 | NJ | S 3381 | Authorizes Graduation Proficiency Tests to High School | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7) |
| Feb. 21, 2019 | NJ | S 3039 | Prohibits Financial Aid For Students Convicted Of Hazing | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0) |
| Feb. 21, 2019 | NJ | S 3381 | Authorizes Graduation Proficiency Tests to High School | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7) |
| Feb. 20, 2019 | AZ | SB 1217 | Amends Eligibility For School Tuition Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12) |
| Feb. 12, 2019 | MD | SB 128 | Authorizes Regulation of School Calendars | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 13) |
| Feb. 4, 2019 | VA | SB 1502 | Requires School Boards to Offer Classes on the Bible | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18) |
| Feb. 4, 2019 | WV | SB 451 | Amends Certain Education Laws and Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16) |
| Jan. 29, 2019 | NY | S 101 | Prohibits Firearms on School Campuses | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 22) |
| Jan. 24, 2019 | IN | SB 132 | Requires Citizenship Test Prior to High School Graduation | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17) |
| Jan. 14, 2019 | NY | S 1250 | Expands Aid For Higher Education to Undocumented Children | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 20) |
| Oct. 15, 2018 | PA | SB 1095 | Authorizes Alternatives to Graduate for Keystone Test | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0) |
| Sept. 26, 2018 | PA | SB 1098 | Establishes School Bus Safety Grant Program Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0) |
| Sept. 26, 2018 | PA | SB 1098 | Establishes School Bus Safety Grant Program Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0) |
| Sept. 25, 2018 | PA | SB 521 | Requires CPR Training in High Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0) |
| Sept. 25, 2018 | PA | SB 521 | Requires CPR Training in High Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0) |
| Aug. 27, 2018 | NJ | S 2293 | Authorizes a Ballot Measure to Issue $1 Billion in Funds for School Upgrades | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 0) |
| July 17, 2018 | National | PN 1391 | Nomination of James Blew to Assistant Secretary for Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development for the Department of Education | (50 - 49) |
| July 12, 2018 | MA | S 2595 | Establishes Commission to Study Lead in Drinking Water at Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0) |
| July 1, 2018 | NJ | A 3765 | Authorizes School Employees with Safety Experience to be Appointed as a School Safety Specialist | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0) |
| June 25, 2018 | NJ | A 4110 | Requires Seat Belts on School Buses | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0) |
| June 25, 2018 | NJ | A 542 | Requires Schools Maintain a Supply of Opioid Antidotes | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0) |
| June 25, 2018 | NJ | S 2055 | Authorizes Student Financial Aid for Incarcerated Persons | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10) |
| June 22, 2018 | PA | HB 1448 | Requires Lead Testing in School Water Systems | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (44 - 4) |
| June 22, 2018 | PA | HB 1448 | Requires Lead Testing in School Water Systems | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (44 - 4) |
| June 21, 2018 | NJ | S 2711 | Requires Child Abuse Training for Teachers | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0) |
| June 21, 2018 | NJ | S 2 | Amends School Funding Formula | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
| June 20, 2018 | NY | S 2493 | Prohibits College Funds for Organizations that Promote Boycotts of Allied Nations | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 12) |
| June 12, 2018 | MI | HB 5141 | Reduces Teacher Certification Requirements for Certain Vocational or Technical Trade Classes | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| June 12, 2018 | MI | HB 5141 | Reduces Teacher Certification Requirements for Certain Vocational or Technical Trade Classes | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| June 12, 2018 | MI | HB 4069 | Reduces College Credits Required for Substitute Teachers | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10) |
| June 4, 2018 | NC | HB 514 | Authorizes Municipalities to Form Charter Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18) |
| May 17, 2018 | IL | SB 2892 | Requires Increase in Teacher Salaries | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 16) |
| May 16, 2018 | OH | SB 246 | Limits Out-of-School Suspensions and Expulsions For Students in Kindergarten to Third Grade | (32 - 0) |
| May 16, 2018 | OH | SB 246 | Limits Out-of-School Suspensions and Expulsions For Students in Kindergarten to Third Grade | (32 - 0) |
| May 9, 2018 | CT | HB 5170 | Authorizes Schools to Search Student Cell Phones | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0) |
| May 7, 2018 | CO | SB 18-272 | Establishes School Grants for Suicide-Prevention Training | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
| May 2, 2018 | IL | SB 3249 | Requires LGBT History in Public Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 18) |
| May 2, 2018 | RI | S 2350 | Prohibits Advertising Unhealthy Food in Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1) |
| April 25, 2018 | RI | S 2353 | Requires Educators to Report Sexual Abuse | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0) |
| April 19, 2018 | IL | SB 2546 | Authorizes Graduate Research Assistant Unions | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 19) |
| April 19, 2018 | AZ | HB 2563 | Establishes Free Speech Policy for College Campuses | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 13) |
| April 18, 2018 | CT | SB 4 | Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5) |
| April 17, 2018 | CO | SB 18-083 | Establishes Educational Tax Credit System | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| April 14, 2018 | AK | HB 287 | Appropriates Funds for Education | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 4) |
| April 11, 2018 | OH | SB 82 | Requires Schools to Contact Parents for Unexcused Absences | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0) |
| April 5, 2018 | KS | SB 423 | Appropriates Funds for Department of Education and Board of Regents | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18) |
| April 5, 2018 | KS | SB 423 | Appropriates Funds for Department of Education and Board of Regents | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18) |
| April 4, 2018 | TN | SB 2260 | Reorganizes University of Tennessee Board of Trustees | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 7) |
| April 3, 2018 | IA | HF 2467 | Establishes Guidelines for Handling Students' Lunch Debt | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0) |
| March 29, 2018 | DE | SB 85 | Requires Report on School Suspensions | Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5) |
| March 28, 2018 | OK | HB 1010 | Increases Taxes to Provide More Funding for Education | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10) |
| March 27, 2018 | MD | HB 420 | Authorizes Certain In-State Students to Receive Financial Aid | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16) |
| March 26, 2018 | NJ | S 699 | Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10) |
| March 25, 2018 | MS | HB 1593 | Appropriates Funds for Educational Television | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 16) |
| March 22, 2018 | MI | SB 727 | Amends Certain Education Teaching Requirements | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 10) |
| March 22, 2018 | MI | SB 727 | Amends Certain Education Teaching Requirements | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 10) |
| March 21, 2018 | IA | SF 2117 | Amends Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2018 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 21) |
| March 21, 2018 | IA | SF 2117 | Amends Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2018 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 21) |
| March 16, 2018 | ID | H 665 | Increases Penalties for Threats Against Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1) |
| March 15, 2018 | AR | HB 1008 | Expands Tuition Savings Plan | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5) |
| Feb. 27, 2018 | SD | HB 1199 | Prohibits Collective Bargaining at Public Universities | Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 18) |
| Feb. 26, 2018 | NJ | S 414 | Requires Employment Background Checks for Teachers | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 0) |
| Feb. 9, 2018 | NC | HB 90 | Limits Public School Class Sizes | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 5) |
| Feb. 9, 2018 | National | HR 1892 | Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (71 - 28) |
| Feb. 8, 2018 | IA | SF 2117 | Amends Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2018 | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21) |