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
Feb. 29, 2016 AZ HB 2338 Authorizes Concealed Carry near Schools Bill Passed - House (35 - 24)
Feb. 22, 2016 GA HB 859 Authorizes Concealed Carry at Postsecondary Education Institutions Bill Passed - House (113 - 59)
Jan. 28, 2016 IL SB 2043 Appropriates Funds for Higher Education Bill Passed - House (67 - 42)
Sept. 1, 2015 CA SB 707 Prohibits Concealed Firearms on School Grounds Bill Passed - House (54 - 24)
July 9, 2015 IL HB 3593 Limits Community College Severance Packages Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 34)
July 8, 2015 WI SB 21 2015-2017 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
July 2, 2015 OR SB 932 Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - House (34 - 25)
June 23, 2015 IL HB 3593 Limits Community College Severance Packages Concurrence Vote Failed - House (51 - 44)
June 23, 2015 PA HB 805 Requires Schools to Use Teacher Performance Evaluations Bill Passed - House (100 - 91)
June 2, 2015 LA SB 48 Amends the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students Bill Passed - House (65 - 33)
May 27, 2015 TX SB 11 Authorizes Concealed Carry of Firearms on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (102 - 44)
May 19, 2015 CT HB 6844 Amends Eligibility Requirements for In-State Tuition Bill Passed - House (78 - 70)
April 29, 2015 MI HB 4115 2015-2016 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (60 - 50)
April 22, 2015 TN SB 612 Exempts Certain Students from Out-of-State Tuition Bill Failed - House (49 - 47)
April 6, 2015 NV AB 148 Authorizes Concealed Carry on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (24 - 15)
April 3, 2015 NV AB 111 Increases College Credits Required for Millennium Scholarship Bill Passed - House (31 - 10)
March 19, 2015 MO HB 104 Prohibits Universities From Denying Benefits to a Religious Student Association Bill Passed - House (117 - 38)
March 13, 2015 KS SB 7 Appropriates Funds to the Department of Education Bill Passed - House (64 - 57)
March 13, 2015 AR HB 1722 Prohibits The Use of Electronic Cigarettes on Publicly Funded Colleges and Universities Bill Passed - House (58 - 18)
March 11, 2015 MO HB 187 Prohibits Undocumented Immigrants from Receiving Student Financial Aid Bill Passed - House (111 - 41)
Feb. 2, 2015 WY HB 114 Authorizes Concealed Carry in Certain Public Buildings Bill Passed - House (42 - 17)
Dec. 9, 2014 MI HB 6074 Prohibits Student Athletes from Collective Bargaining Bill Passed - House (59 - 50)
Nov. 13, 2014 NJ A 2811 Prohibits Higher Education Institutions from Requiring Meal Plans for Students Bill Passed - House (54 - 16)
Oct. 16, 2014 NJ A 2805 Establishes a Higher Education Common Core Course Numbering System Bill Passed - House (52 - 21)
Oct. 16, 2014 NJ A 2807 Prohibits Increase in Undergraduate Tuition Bill Passed - House (48 - 21)
Oct. 16, 2014 NJ A 2814 Requires Certain Graduation Rates from For-Profit Colleges Bill Passed - House (47 - 14)
Oct. 16, 2014 NJ A 2801 Establishes Certain Credit Hour Requirements for Baccalaureate and Associate Degree Programs Bill Passed - House (48 - 26)
May 30, 2014 IL HB 105 Authorizes Election Day Voter Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 41)
May 2, 2014 FL HB 851 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Non-Citizen Individuals Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 32)
April 7, 2014 TN SB 2115 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Certain Students Bill Passed - House (63 - 27)
April 2, 2014 IL SB 2202 Prohibits Smoking on State-Funded University and Community College Campuses Bill Passed - House (67 - 44)
March 20, 2014 FL HB 851 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Non-Citizen Individuals Bill Passed - House (81 - 33)
March 6, 2014 ID S 1254 Authorizes the Concealed Carry of Firearms on College or University Campuses Bill Passed - House (50 - 19)
Feb. 18, 2014 WA SB 6523 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Non-Citizen Individuals Bill Passed - House (75 - 22)
Jan. 14, 2014 ME LD 1254 Requires State Institutions to Purchase Foods Produced in Maine Veto Override Passed - House (94 - 46)
July 23, 2013 NC HB 937 Amends Firearm Laws Conference Report Adopted - House (73 - 41)
May 28, 2013 ME LD 468 Prohibits Smoking on College Campuses Veto Override Failed - House (85 - 54)
May 28, 2013 MI HB 4228 2013-2014 Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (65 - 43)
May 23, 2013 National HR 1911 Smarter Solutions for Students Act Bill Passed - House (221 - 198)
May 17, 2013 MN SF 1236 Increases Funds for Higher Education Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 56)
May 7, 2013 NC HB 937 Amends Firearm Laws Bill Passed - House (78 - 42)
May 6, 2013 TX HB 972 Authorizes Concealed Handguns on Higher Education Campuses Bill Passed - House (102 - 41)
April 25, 2013 MN SF 1236 Increases Funds for Higher Education Bill Passed - House (86 - 44)
April 23, 2013 ND HCR 3047 Establishes a Commission of Higher Education Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 34)
April 5, 2013 KS SB 199 Establishes the Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center Conference Report Adopted - House (90 - 30)
March 26, 2013 KS SB 199 Establishes the Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center Bill Passed - House (90 - 32)
March 18, 2013 TN HB 534 Authorizes University Student Organizations to Limit Membership Based on Religion Bill Passed - House (75 - 21)
March 13, 2013 WA HB 1817 Authorizes Undocumented Students to Apply for State Financial Aid Bill Passed - House (77 - 20)
March 8, 2013 CO SB 33 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (40 - 21)
March 4, 2013 OK HB 1721 Reduces the Income Cap for the Oklahoma Promise Scholarship Bill Passed - House (56 - 37)
Feb. 23, 2013 MT HB 240 Authorizes Firearms on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (58 - 41)
Feb. 22, 2013 OR HB 2787 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (38 - 18)
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. 15, 2013 AR HB 1243 Authorizes University Staff to Carry a Concealed Handgun Bill Passed - House (70 - 11)
Feb. 7, 2013 IN HB 1005 Changes Eligibility for College Financial Aid Bill Passed - House (86 - 13)
Jan. 31, 2013 VA HB 1617 Authorizes Student Organizations to Limit Membership Bill Passed - House (80 - 19)
Aug. 29, 2012 CA AB 2132 Encourages State Universities to Include Public Service in Tenure Policy Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 27)
June 14, 2012 NC HB 7 Authorizes Community Colleges to Opt Out of Federal Loan Program Veto Override Passed - House (71 - 46)
June 1, 2012 MI HB 5372 School Aid Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (58 - 51)
May 16, 2012 AL HB 658 Amends Immigration Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 37)
April 30, 2012 TN SB 3597 Prohibits Discrimination Against Religious Student Groups at Public Universities Bill Passed - House (61 - 22)
April 27, 2012 National HR 4628 Extending Student Loan Interest Rates Bill Passed - House (215 - 195)
April 19, 2012 AL HB 658 Amends Immigration Regulations Bill Passed - House (64 - 34)
March 29, 2012 IL HB 5531 Limits Tuition Waivers for State University Employees Bill Failed - House (26 - 75)
March 29, 2012 NH HB 1607 Establishes a Tax Credit for Businesses that Donate to Certain Scholarship Funds Bill Passed - House (173 - 127)
March 23, 2012 ID H 426 Establishes a Program for High School Students to Obtain an Associate's Degree Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 6)
March 21, 2012 IL HB 3810 Eliminates General Assembly Scholarships Bill Passed - House (79 - 25)
March 13, 2012 IA HF 2380 Amends Education Provisions Bill Passed - House (53 - 46)
March 9, 2012 FL HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 37)
Feb. 29, 2012 SD HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 33)
Feb. 28, 2012 National HR 2117 Repeals Department of Education Regulations Bill Passed - House (303 - 114)
Feb. 13, 2012 SD HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Bill Passed - House (41 - 28)
Feb. 9, 2012 FL HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - House (79 - 38)
Feb. 1, 2012 NH HB 1383 Prohibits In-State Tuition for Non-US Residents Bill Passed - House (250 - 88)
Nov. 9, 2011 ND SB 2370 Authorizes Changing the Nickname and Logo of the University of North Dakota Bill Passed - House (63 - 31)
Aug. 29, 2011 CA SB 185 Considering Race, Ethnicity and Gender in College Admissions Bill Passed - House (49 - 28)
July 19, 2011 MN HF 4 Higher Education Appropriations Bill Passed - House (71 - 57)
June 8, 2011 CT SB 1152 Funding for Construction at the University of Connecticut Health Center Bill Passed - House (97 - 45)
May 30, 2011 IL SB 2185 Establishes the DREAM Fund Commission Bill Passed - House (61 - 53)
May 12, 2011 CT HB 6390 Access to Postsecondary Education Bill Passed - House (77 - 63)
May 5, 2011 CA AB 130 Authorizes Student Financial Aid for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (51 - 22)
April 11, 2011 MD SB 167 In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 65)
April 1, 2011 AZ SB 1618 2011-2012 Budget Reconciliation for Higher Education Bill Passed - House (38 - 21)
April 1, 2011 TX Amdt 143 Requiring Public Colleges and Universities to Fund Student Centers for Family and Traditional Values Amendment Adopted - House (110 - 24)
March 31, 2011 ID S 1181 Post-Secondary Education Appropriations Bill Passed - House (47 - 21)
March 27, 2011 MS SB 3100 Issuance of State Bonds for Improvements in Higher Learning Institutions Conference Report Adopted - House (91 - 27)
March 16, 2011 ID H 222 Authorizes Guns on Campus Bill Passed - House (41 - 28)
March 1, 2011 GA HB 326 Amends the HOPE Scholarship Program Bill Passed - House (152 - 22)
Feb. 28, 2011 UT HB 191 Nonresident Tuition Waiver Amendments Bill Passed - House (44 - 28)
Feb. 22, 2011 KS HB 2006 Prohibiting Undocumented Immigrants from Receiving In-State Tuition Rates Bill Passed - House (72 - 50)
Feb. 21, 2011 ND HB 1263 Athletic Nickname and Logo of the University of North Dakota Bill Passed - House (65 - 28)
Feb. 18, 2011 National H Amdt 94 Prohibits Funds for the Gainful Employment Rule Amendment Adopted - House (289 - 136)
Feb. 17, 2011 ND HB 1385 Senior Citizens Attending Institutions of Higher Education Bill Passed - House (65 - 29)
Feb. 16, 2011 UT HB 75 Guns On School Premises Bill Passed - House (58 - 15)
Feb. 11, 2011 ND HB 1470 Higher Education Tuition Bill Failed - House (41 - 51)
Feb. 8, 2011 VA HB 2314 Education Improvement Scholarships Bill Passed - House (54 - 45)
Feb. 8, 2011 VA HB 1465 Excludes Undocumented Immigrants from Public Universities Bill Passed - House (75 - 24)
Dec. 8, 2010 National HR 5281 DREAM Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (216 - 198)
Aug. 23, 2010 CA SB 970 College Vote-by-Mail Drop-Off Locations Bill Passed - House (48 - 28)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/29 HB 2338 Authorizes Concealed Carry near Schools Bill Passed - House (35 - 24)
2/22 HB 859 Authorizes Concealed Carry at Postsecondary Education Institutions Bill Passed - House (113 - 59)
1/28 SB 2043 Appropriates Funds for Higher Education Bill Passed - House (67 - 42)
9/01 SB 707 Prohibits Concealed Firearms on School Grounds Bill Passed - House (54 - 24)
7/09 HB 3593 Limits Community College Severance Packages Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 34)
7/08 SB 21 2015-2017 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
7/02 SB 932 Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - House (34 - 25)
6/23 HB 3593 Limits Community College Severance Packages Concurrence Vote Failed - House (51 - 44)
6/23 HB 805 Requires Schools to Use Teacher Performance Evaluations Bill Passed - House (100 - 91)
6/02 SB 48 Amends the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students Bill Passed - House (65 - 33)
5/27 SB 11 Authorizes Concealed Carry of Firearms on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (102 - 44)
5/19 HB 6844 Amends Eligibility Requirements for In-State Tuition Bill Passed - House (78 - 70)
4/29 HB 4115 2015-2016 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (60 - 50)
4/22 SB 612 Exempts Certain Students from Out-of-State Tuition Bill Failed - House (49 - 47)
4/06 AB 148 Authorizes Concealed Carry on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (24 - 15)
4/03 AB 111 Increases College Credits Required for Millennium Scholarship Bill Passed - House (31 - 10)
3/19 HB 104 Prohibits Universities From Denying Benefits to a Religious Student Association Bill Passed - House (117 - 38)
3/13 SB 7 Appropriates Funds to the Department of Education Bill Passed - House (64 - 57)
3/13 HB 1722 Prohibits The Use of Electronic Cigarettes on Publicly Funded Colleges and Universities Bill Passed - House (58 - 18)
3/11 HB 187 Prohibits Undocumented Immigrants from Receiving Student Financial Aid Bill Passed - House (111 - 41)
2/02 HB 114 Authorizes Concealed Carry in Certain Public Buildings Bill Passed - House (42 - 17)
12/09 HB 6074 Prohibits Student Athletes from Collective Bargaining Bill Passed - House (59 - 50)
11/13 A 2811 Prohibits Higher Education Institutions from Requiring Meal Plans for Students Bill Passed - House (54 - 16)
10/16 A 2805 Establishes a Higher Education Common Core Course Numbering System Bill Passed - House (52 - 21)
10/16 A 2807 Prohibits Increase in Undergraduate Tuition Bill Passed - House (48 - 21)
10/16 A 2814 Requires Certain Graduation Rates from For-Profit Colleges Bill Passed - House (47 - 14)
10/16 A 2801 Establishes Certain Credit Hour Requirements for Baccalaureate and Associate Degree Programs Bill Passed - House (48 - 26)
5/30 HB 105 Authorizes Election Day Voter Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 41)
5/02 HB 851 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Non-Citizen Individuals Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 32)
4/07 SB 2115 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Certain Students Bill Passed - House (63 - 27)
4/02 SB 2202 Prohibits Smoking on State-Funded University and Community College Campuses Bill Passed - House (67 - 44)
3/20 HB 851 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Non-Citizen Individuals Bill Passed - House (81 - 33)
3/06 S 1254 Authorizes the Concealed Carry of Firearms on College or University Campuses Bill Passed - House (50 - 19)
2/18 SB 6523 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Non-Citizen Individuals Bill Passed - House (75 - 22)
1/14 LD 1254 Requires State Institutions to Purchase Foods Produced in Maine Veto Override Passed - House (94 - 46)
7/23 HB 937 Amends Firearm Laws Conference Report Adopted - House (73 - 41)
5/28 LD 468 Prohibits Smoking on College Campuses Veto Override Failed - House (85 - 54)
5/28 HB 4228 2013-2014 Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (65 - 43)
5/23 HR 1911 Smarter Solutions for Students Act Bill Passed - House (221 - 198)
5/17 SF 1236 Increases Funds for Higher Education Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 56)
5/07 HB 937 Amends Firearm Laws Bill Passed - House (78 - 42)
5/06 HB 972 Authorizes Concealed Handguns on Higher Education Campuses Bill Passed - House (102 - 41)
4/25 SF 1236 Increases Funds for Higher Education Bill Passed - House (86 - 44)
4/23 HCR 3047 Establishes a Commission of Higher Education Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 34)
4/05 SB 199 Establishes the Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center Conference Report Adopted - House (90 - 30)
3/26 SB 199 Establishes the Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center Bill Passed - House (90 - 32)
3/18 HB 534 Authorizes University Student Organizations to Limit Membership Based on Religion Bill Passed - House (75 - 21)
3/13 HB 1817 Authorizes Undocumented Students to Apply for State Financial Aid Bill Passed - House (77 - 20)
3/08 SB 33 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (40 - 21)
3/04 HB 1721 Reduces the Income Cap for the Oklahoma Promise Scholarship Bill Passed - House (56 - 37)
2/23 HB 240 Authorizes Firearms on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (58 - 41)
2/22 HB 2787 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (38 - 18)
2/18 HB 1295 Establishes Tiered System for Lottery Scholarships Bill Passed - House (69 - 21)
2/18 HB 1226 Prohibits the Possession of Concealed Handguns on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (34 - 31)
2/15 HB 1243 Authorizes University Staff to Carry a Concealed Handgun Bill Passed - House (70 - 11)
2/07 HB 1005 Changes Eligibility for College Financial Aid Bill Passed - House (86 - 13)
1/31 HB 1617 Authorizes Student Organizations to Limit Membership Bill Passed - House (80 - 19)
8/29 AB 2132 Encourages State Universities to Include Public Service in Tenure Policy Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 27)
6/14 HB 7 Authorizes Community Colleges to Opt Out of Federal Loan Program Veto Override Passed - House (71 - 46)
6/01 HB 5372 School Aid Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (58 - 51)
5/16 HB 658 Amends Immigration Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 37)
4/30 SB 3597 Prohibits Discrimination Against Religious Student Groups at Public Universities Bill Passed - House (61 - 22)
4/27 HR 4628 Extending Student Loan Interest Rates Bill Passed - House (215 - 195)
4/19 HB 658 Amends Immigration Regulations Bill Passed - House (64 - 34)
3/29 HB 5531 Limits Tuition Waivers for State University Employees Bill Failed - House (26 - 75)
3/29 HB 1607 Establishes a Tax Credit for Businesses that Donate to Certain Scholarship Funds Bill Passed - House (173 - 127)
3/23 H 426 Establishes a Program for High School Students to Obtain an Associate's Degree Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 6)
3/21 HB 3810 Eliminates General Assembly Scholarships Bill Passed - House (79 - 25)
3/13 HF 2380 Amends Education Provisions Bill Passed - House (53 - 46)
3/09 HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 37)
2/29 HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 33)
2/28 HR 2117 Repeals Department of Education Regulations Bill Passed - House (303 - 114)
2/13 HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Bill Passed - House (41 - 28)
2/09 HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - House (79 - 38)
2/01 HB 1383 Prohibits In-State Tuition for Non-US Residents Bill Passed - House (250 - 88)
11/09 SB 2370 Authorizes Changing the Nickname and Logo of the University of North Dakota Bill Passed - House (63 - 31)
8/29 SB 185 Considering Race, Ethnicity and Gender in College Admissions Bill Passed - House (49 - 28)
7/19 HF 4 Higher Education Appropriations Bill Passed - House (71 - 57)
6/08 SB 1152 Funding for Construction at the University of Connecticut Health Center Bill Passed - House (97 - 45)
5/30 SB 2185 Establishes the DREAM Fund Commission Bill Passed - House (61 - 53)
5/12 HB 6390 Access to Postsecondary Education Bill Passed - House (77 - 63)
5/05 AB 130 Authorizes Student Financial Aid for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (51 - 22)
4/11 SB 167 In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 65)
4/01 SB 1618 2011-2012 Budget Reconciliation for Higher Education Bill Passed - House (38 - 21)
4/01 Amdt 143 Requiring Public Colleges and Universities to Fund Student Centers for Family and Traditional Values Amendment Adopted - House (110 - 24)
3/31 S 1181 Post-Secondary Education Appropriations Bill Passed - House (47 - 21)
3/27 SB 3100 Issuance of State Bonds for Improvements in Higher Learning Institutions Conference Report Adopted - House (91 - 27)
3/16 H 222 Authorizes Guns on Campus Bill Passed - House (41 - 28)
3/01 HB 326 Amends the HOPE Scholarship Program Bill Passed - House (152 - 22)
2/28 HB 191 Nonresident Tuition Waiver Amendments Bill Passed - House (44 - 28)
2/22 HB 2006 Prohibiting Undocumented Immigrants from Receiving In-State Tuition Rates Bill Passed - House (72 - 50)
2/21 HB 1263 Athletic Nickname and Logo of the University of North Dakota Bill Passed - House (65 - 28)
2/18 H Amdt 94 Prohibits Funds for the Gainful Employment Rule Amendment Adopted - House (289 - 136)
2/17 HB 1385 Senior Citizens Attending Institutions of Higher Education Bill Passed - House (65 - 29)
2/16 HB 75 Guns On School Premises Bill Passed - House (58 - 15)
2/11 HB 1470 Higher Education Tuition Bill Failed - House (41 - 51)
2/08 HB 2314 Education Improvement Scholarships Bill Passed - House (54 - 45)
2/08 HB 1465 Excludes Undocumented Immigrants from Public Universities Bill Passed - House (75 - 24)
12/08 HR 5281 DREAM Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (216 - 198)
8/23 SB 970 College Vote-by-Mail Drop-Off Locations Bill Passed - House (48 - 28)

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