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
April 18, 2013 TN HB 702 Increases the Appeal Time Period for Establishing Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (62 - 30)
April 17, 2013 MT SB 175 Increases Public Education Funding Bill Passed - House (58 - 41)
April 17, 2013 IL HB 2675 Expands Sex Education Curriculum Bill Passed - House (66 - 52)
April 15, 2013 WA SB 5329 Requires Superintendent to Take Action in Certain Schools Bill Passed - House (68 - 29)
April 10, 2013 IN HB 1357 Amends Licensing Requirements for Superintendents Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 25)
April 10, 2013 IN HB 1003 Expands School Scholarship Program Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
April 10, 2013 OR SB 215 Authorizes Schools to Use Native American Mascots Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
April 6, 2013 MD HB 1107 Amends Prince George's County School System Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 47)
April 4, 2013 AK HB 162 Amends Teacher Tenure Policy Bill Passed - House (28 - 10)
April 4, 2013 FL HB 867 Authorizes Parent Involvement in School Turnaround Decisions Bill Passed - House (68 - 51)
April 3, 2013 MS SB 2659 Establishes a Grant for School Resource Officers in Schools Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 36)
April 3, 2013 ID H 221 Amends Public Charter School Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 22)
April 3, 2013 AR HB 1938 Prohibits the Closure of Schools Based on Student Enrollment for 2 Years Bill Failed - House (46 - 26)
April 2, 2013 MS SB 2199 Requires Appointed Superintendents Conference Report Rejected - House (52 - 66)
March 28, 2013 ID H 221 Amends Public Charter School Laws Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
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 18, 2013 CO HB 1081 Expands Sexual Education Curriculum Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
March 14, 2013 OK HB 1940 Authorizes Students to Express Religious Viewpoints in Schools Bill Passed - House (79 - 13)
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 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)
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 34 Authorizes School Districts To Opt Out of Prevailing Wage Requirement Bill Passed - House (89 - 59)
Feb. 28, 2013 MO HB 388 Requires School Ratings Based on Student Performance Bill Passed - House (128 - 23)
Feb. 27, 2013 SD HB 1087 Authorizes School Sentinel Programs Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
Feb. 27, 2013 MT HB 384 Authorizes Students to Bring Firearms to School Bill Failed - House (45 - 53)
Feb. 26, 2013 ID S 1089 Amends Early Teacher Retirement Program Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
Feb. 25, 2013 ND HB 1215 Authorizes Concealed Weapons in Schools Bill Passed - House (60 - 33)
Feb. 23, 2013 MT SB 175 Increases Public Education Funding Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
Feb. 22, 2013 NM HB 300 Authorizes Extended School Absences for Pregnant Teens Bill Passed - House (56 - 12)
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 NH HB 370 Repeals the Education Tax Credit Program Bill Passed - House (188 - 151)
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. 16, 2013 MT SB 81 Establishes Tax Deductions for Donations to Educational Charities Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20)
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. 7, 2013 MT HB 239 Requires Parental Consent for Sex Education Bill Passed - House (56 - 41)
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. 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 WY HB 130 Authorizes Public Schools to Offer Elective Bible Study Classes Bill Passed - House (44 - 15)
Jan. 31, 2013 VA HB 1442 Authorizes Home-Schooled Students To Participate In Interscholastic Programs Bill Passed - House (56 - 43)
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. 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 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 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 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)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/18 HB 702 Increases the Appeal Time Period for Establishing Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (62 - 30)
4/17 SB 175 Increases Public Education Funding Bill Passed - House (58 - 41)
4/17 HB 2675 Expands Sex Education Curriculum Bill Passed - House (66 - 52)
4/15 SB 5329 Requires Superintendent to Take Action in Certain Schools Bill Passed - House (68 - 29)
4/10 HB 1357 Amends Licensing Requirements for Superintendents Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 25)
4/10 HB 1003 Expands School Scholarship Program Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
4/10 SB 215 Authorizes Schools to Use Native American Mascots Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
4/06 HB 1107 Amends Prince George's County School System Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 47)
4/04 HB 162 Amends Teacher Tenure Policy Bill Passed - House (28 - 10)
4/04 HB 867 Authorizes Parent Involvement in School Turnaround Decisions Bill Passed - House (68 - 51)
4/03 SB 2659 Establishes a Grant for School Resource Officers in Schools Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 36)
4/03 H 221 Amends Public Charter School Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 22)
4/03 HB 1938 Prohibits the Closure of Schools Based on Student Enrollment for 2 Years Bill Failed - House (46 - 26)
4/02 SB 2199 Requires Appointed Superintendents Conference Report Rejected - House (52 - 66)
3/28 H 221 Amends Public Charter School Laws Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
3/26 SF 423 Amends Education Provisions Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
3/22 HB 860 Authorizes Construction and Renovation of Public Schools Bill Passed - House (107 - 30)
3/18 HB 1081 Expands Sexual Education Curriculum Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
3/14 HB 1940 Authorizes Students to Express Religious Viewpoints in Schools Bill Passed - House (79 - 13)
3/13 HB 1817 Authorizes Undocumented Students to Apply for State Financial Aid Bill Passed - House (77 - 20)
3/12 HB 1062 Authorizes School Employees to Carry Handguns on School Property Bill Passed - House (68 - 23)
3/08 HB 1283 Amends School Age Requirements Bill Passed - House (74 - 23)
3/06 SB 1001 Authorizes Parents to Petition for Certain School Actions Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 12)
3/06 SB 5328 Establishes a Grading System for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
3/05 HB 206 Appropriates Funding for Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (42 - 27)
3/05 SB 176 Authorizes Low-Achieving Schools to Become Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
3/04 HB 1087 Authorizes School Sentinel Programs Concurrence Vote Passed - House (40 - 19)
2/28 HB 84 Authorizes Schools to Apply for Waivers from State Laws Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 11)
2/28 HB 34 Authorizes School Districts To Opt Out of Prevailing Wage Requirement Bill Passed - House (89 - 59)
2/28 HB 388 Requires School Ratings Based on Student Performance Bill Passed - House (128 - 23)
2/27 HB 1087 Authorizes School Sentinel Programs Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
2/27 HB 384 Authorizes Students to Bring Firearms to School Bill Failed - House (45 - 53)
2/26 S 1089 Amends Early Teacher Retirement Program Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
2/25 HB 1215 Authorizes Concealed Weapons in Schools Bill Passed - House (60 - 33)
2/23 SB 175 Increases Public Education Funding Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
2/22 HB 300 Authorizes Extended School Absences for Pregnant Teens Bill Passed - House (56 - 12)
2/21 HB 1003 Expands School Scholarship Program Bill Passed - House (57 - 36)
2/21 HB 1081 Expands Sexual Education Curriculum Bill Passed - House (37 - 28)
2/20 SB 1324 Establishes Education Institution and Board Bill Passed - House (64 - 34)
2/20 HB 370 Repeals the Education Tax Credit Program Bill Passed - House (188 - 151)
2/20 SB 2267 Appropriates Funding for School Safety Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
2/20 H 265 Amends Education Property Tax Rates for Fiscal Year 2014 Bill Passed - House (96 - 45)
2/16 SB 81 Establishes Tax Deductions for Donations to Educational Charities Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20)
2/14 HB 84 Authorizes Schools to Apply for Waivers from State Laws Bill Passed - House (65 - 37)
2/14 SF 161 Establishes the School Budget Growth for Fiscal Year 2014-2015 Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
2/07 HB 239 Requires Parental Consent for Sex Education Bill Passed - House (56 - 41)
2/05 SB 1324 Establishes Education Institution and Board Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
2/05 HB 1357 Amends Licensing Requirements for Superintendents Bill Passed - House (57 - 41)
2/04 HB 1999 Requires the Development of a School Grading System Bill Passed - House (54 - 40)
2/01 HB 105 Authorizes the Carrying of Firearms on School Property Bill Passed - House (46 - 13)
1/31 HB 130 Authorizes Public Schools to Offer Elective Bible Study Classes Bill Passed - House (44 - 15)
1/31 HB 1442 Authorizes Home-Schooled Students To Participate In Interscholastic Programs Bill Passed - House (56 - 43)
1/29 HB 1087 Authorizes School Sentinel Programs Bill Passed - House (42 - 27)
1/25 SF 104 Establishes the Director Position in the Department of Education Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
1/25 SF 104 Establishes the Director Position in the Department of Education Bill Passed - House (39 - 20)
1/16 SB 2189 Expands Charter School Authorization Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17)
12/13 SB 865 Authorizes Local Officials to Solve Fiscal Crisis Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
12/12 SB 865 Authorizes Local Officials to Solve Fiscal Crisis Bill Passed - House (64 - 45)
10/16 SB 1115 Amends Charter School Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
8/15 SB 1040 Amends Teacher Pension Plans Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 48)
8/15 SB 1040 Amends Teacher Pension Plans Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
7/18 SB 1040 Amends Teacher Pension Plans Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (16 - 22)
6/30 SB 1115 Amends Charter School Laws Bill Passed - House (120 - 77)
6/28 HB 1307 Authorizes State Control of Financially Distressed Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (106 - 95)
6/26 H 4497 Authorizes Information On and Access to the HPV Vaccine Veto Override Failed - House (54 - 47)
6/21 S 7722A Authorizes Special Education Tuition Reimbursement Bill Passed - House (93 - 50)
6/21 S 7722A Authorizes Special Education Tuition Reimbursement Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 13)
6/19 HB 1307 Authorizes State Control of Financially Distressed Schools Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
6/19 S Amdt 2156 Increases Funding for the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Amendment Rejected - Senate (33 - 66)
6/14 SB 1040 Amends Teacher Pension Plans Bill Passed - House (57 - 47)
6/13 SB 316 Amends Education Provisions Bill Passed - House (56 - 35)
6/06 SB 620 Authorizes the Conversion of Certain Schools Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
6/05 HB 5372 School Aid Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17)
6/04 SCR 99 Funding for Public and Private Schools Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 49)
6/04 SB 795 Amends Teacher Tenure System Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17)

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