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
March 1, 2021 NC SB 43 Establishes Churches With Schools Have the Right to Bear Arms Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
Feb. 27, 2021 VA HB 1909 Establishes Gun-Free Zones on School Board Property Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17)
Feb. 25, 2021 ID H 67 Prohibits Public Health Districts from Closing Schools or Programs Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
Feb. 25, 2021 ID H 68 Establishes Public Safety Guidelines for Institutions of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
Feb. 23, 2021 MT SB 99 Establishes Parameters for K-12 Sexual Education Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
Feb. 23, 2021 IN SB 69 Increases Penalties for School Bus Stop Arm Violations Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
Feb. 22, 2021 CA SB 130 Appropriates Funds for Education Related Expenses Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
Feb. 22, 2021 CA SB 132 Requires the University of California to Place all Construction Funds Into an Account With the State Controller Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
Feb. 19, 2021 NJ S 3033 Establishes the School & Small Business Energy Efficiency Stimulus Program Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
Feb. 18, 2021 MN SF 2 Rescinds the Governor's Ability to Close Schools During a Peacetime Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 27)
Feb. 16, 2021 ID S 1045 Expands the Advanced Opportunities Program to Nonpublic School Students Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
Feb. 15, 2021 AZ SB 1452 Expands Empowerment Scholarship Accounts for Public and Private Schools Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
Feb. 10, 2021 OK SB 239 Increases Regulatory Requirements for Groups Seeking to Launch Public Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
Feb. 9, 2021 IA SF 269 Appropriates Funds for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
Feb. 9, 2021 NC SB 37 Requires in Person Learning for K-12 Schools Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 15)
Feb. 3, 2021 ND SB 2308 Authorizes Public Schools to Display the 10 Commandments in Classrooms Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
Feb. 2, 2021 NY A 2574 Establishes the State University of New York as an Automatic Voter Registration Location Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
Feb. 2, 2021 IN SB 2 Amends the Definition of What Constitutes "Virtual Instruction" Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
Feb. 1, 2021 VA SB 1387 Expands Financial Aid for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Jan. 28, 2021 IA SF 160 Requires Schools Provide a 100 Percent In-Person Learning Option Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
Jan. 28, 2021 IA SF 159 Authorizes Publicly Funded School Voucher Credits for Students to Attend Private Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
Jan. 28, 2021 IA SF 159 Authorizes Publicly Funded School Voucher Credits for Students to Attend Private Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
Jan. 28, 2021 IA SF 160 Requires Schools Provide a 100 Percent In-Person Learning Option Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
Jan. 27, 2021 WA SB 5044 Requires Anti-Racism and Equity Training in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
Jan. 21, 2021 TN SB 7001 Rescinds Teacher Accountability Measures Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
Jan. 21, 2021 CA SB 86 Appropriates $6.5 Billion for In Person Learning Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 1)
Jan. 11, 2021 IL HB 2170 Amends Public School Curriculum to Emphasize Black and Minority Group Contributions Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 18)
Jan. 11, 2021 IL HB 2275 Repeals Section 4.5 of Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 16)
Jan. 9, 2021 KY HB 1 Authorizes Businesses, Organizations, and Schools to Remain Open if they are Following CDC Guidelines Regardless of Governor Mandate Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
Dec. 21, 2020 OR HB 4402 Establishes Liability Immunity from COVID-19 Related Lawsuits for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 4)
Dec. 18, 2020 MI HB 4223 Requires Dental Screenings for Children Attending Public School Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
Dec. 17, 2020 NJ A 4454 Requires School Districts to Include Instruction on Diversity and Inclusion as Part of New Education Standards Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
Nov. 18, 2020 PA SB 1216 Authorizes the Issuance of Temporary Teaching Certificates Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
Nov. 18, 2020 OH SB 89 Authorizes EdChoice Expansion in School Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 8)
Nov. 18, 2020 OH SB 317 Authorizes Teachers to Carry Firearms on School Grounds if Approved by the School Board Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
Oct. 12, 2020 LA SB 31 Prohibits the Use of Statewide Assessments to Evaluate Teacher Performance or Student Placement in the 2020-2021 School Year Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
Oct. 12, 2020 LA SB 31 Prohibits the Use of Statewide Assessments to Evaluate Teacher Performance or Student Placement in the 2020-2021 School Year Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
Sept. 23, 2020 MI SB 927 Authorizes an Increase in Funding for Education Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 1)
Sept. 23, 2020 MI SB 927 Authorizes an Increase in Funding for Education Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 1)
Sept. 9, 2020 PA HB 2787 Authorizes Individual School Districts to Make Decisions Surrounding Activities and COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
Sept. 2, 2020 NC HB 1105 Appropriates COVID Relief Checks to Parents Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 5)
Sept. 2, 2020 NC HB 1105 Appropriates COVID Relief Checks to Parents Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 5)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA SB 493 Requires State-Funded Colleges to Clarify Sexual Assault Allegation Procedures Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
Aug. 28, 2020 CA AB 376 Establishes Protections for Student Loan Borrowers Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
Aug. 27, 2020 NJ A 4006 Authorizes a Postponement of NJQSAC for Certain School Districts Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Aug. 27, 2020 NJ A 4006 Authorizes a Postponement of NJQSAC for Certain School Districts Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Aug. 26, 2020 ID H 6 Establishes Liability Protections for Businesses, Schools, and Cities during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
Aug. 24, 2020 CA AB 901 Limits a School District's Ability to Refer Students to Probation Officers Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
Aug. 24, 2020 CA AB 901 Limits a School District's Ability to Refer Students to Probation Officers Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
Aug. 15, 2020 MI HB 5913 Requires School Districts to Administer Math and Reading Exams During E-Learning Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/01 SB 43 Establishes Churches With Schools Have the Right to Bear Arms Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
2/27 HB 1909 Establishes Gun-Free Zones on School Board Property Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17)
2/25 H 67 Prohibits Public Health Districts from Closing Schools or Programs Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
2/25 H 68 Establishes Public Safety Guidelines for Institutions of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
2/23 SB 99 Establishes Parameters for K-12 Sexual Education Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
2/23 SB 69 Increases Penalties for School Bus Stop Arm Violations Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
2/22 SB 130 Appropriates Funds for Education Related Expenses Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
2/22 SB 132 Requires the University of California to Place all Construction Funds Into an Account With the State Controller Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
2/19 S 3033 Establishes the School & Small Business Energy Efficiency Stimulus Program Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
2/18 SF 2 Rescinds the Governor's Ability to Close Schools During a Peacetime Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 27)
2/16 S 1045 Expands the Advanced Opportunities Program to Nonpublic School Students Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
2/15 SB 1452 Expands Empowerment Scholarship Accounts for Public and Private Schools Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
2/10 SB 239 Increases Regulatory Requirements for Groups Seeking to Launch Public Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
2/09 SF 269 Appropriates Funds for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
2/09 SB 37 Requires in Person Learning for K-12 Schools Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 15)
2/03 SB 2308 Authorizes Public Schools to Display the 10 Commandments in Classrooms Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
2/02 A 2574 Establishes the State University of New York as an Automatic Voter Registration Location Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
2/02 SB 2 Amends the Definition of What Constitutes "Virtual Instruction" Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
2/01 SB 1387 Expands Financial Aid for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
1/28 SF 160 Requires Schools Provide a 100 Percent In-Person Learning Option Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
1/28 SF 159 Authorizes Publicly Funded School Voucher Credits for Students to Attend Private Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
1/28 SF 159 Authorizes Publicly Funded School Voucher Credits for Students to Attend Private Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
1/28 SF 160 Requires Schools Provide a 100 Percent In-Person Learning Option Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
1/27 SB 5044 Requires Anti-Racism and Equity Training in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
1/21 SB 7001 Rescinds Teacher Accountability Measures Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
1/21 SB 86 Appropriates $6.5 Billion for In Person Learning Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 1)
1/11 HB 2170 Amends Public School Curriculum to Emphasize Black and Minority Group Contributions Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 18)
1/11 HB 2275 Repeals Section 4.5 of Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 16)
1/09 HB 1 Authorizes Businesses, Organizations, and Schools to Remain Open if they are Following CDC Guidelines Regardless of Governor Mandate Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
12/21 HB 4402 Establishes Liability Immunity from COVID-19 Related Lawsuits for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 4)
12/18 HB 4223 Requires Dental Screenings for Children Attending Public School Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
12/17 A 4454 Requires School Districts to Include Instruction on Diversity and Inclusion as Part of New Education Standards Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
11/18 SB 1216 Authorizes the Issuance of Temporary Teaching Certificates Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
11/18 SB 89 Authorizes EdChoice Expansion in School Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 8)
11/18 SB 317 Authorizes Teachers to Carry Firearms on School Grounds if Approved by the School Board Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
10/12 SB 31 Prohibits the Use of Statewide Assessments to Evaluate Teacher Performance or Student Placement in the 2020-2021 School Year Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
10/12 SB 31 Prohibits the Use of Statewide Assessments to Evaluate Teacher Performance or Student Placement in the 2020-2021 School Year Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
9/23 SB 927 Authorizes an Increase in Funding for Education Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 1)
9/23 SB 927 Authorizes an Increase in Funding for Education Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 1)
9/09 HB 2787 Authorizes Individual School Districts to Make Decisions Surrounding Activities and COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
9/02 HB 1105 Appropriates COVID Relief Checks to Parents Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 5)
9/02 HB 1105 Appropriates COVID Relief Checks to Parents Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 5)
8/31 SB 493 Requires State-Funded Colleges to Clarify Sexual Assault Allegation Procedures Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
8/28 AB 376 Establishes Protections for Student Loan Borrowers Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
8/27 A 4006 Authorizes a Postponement of NJQSAC for Certain School Districts Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
8/27 A 4006 Authorizes a Postponement of NJQSAC for Certain School Districts Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
8/26 H 6 Establishes Liability Protections for Businesses, Schools, and Cities during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
8/24 AB 901 Limits a School District's Ability to Refer Students to Probation Officers Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
8/24 AB 901 Limits a School District's Ability to Refer Students to Probation Officers Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
8/15 HB 5913 Requires School Districts to Administer Math and Reading Exams During E-Learning Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)

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