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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 15, 2020 | MI | HB 5913 | Requires School Districts to Administer Math and Reading Exams During E-Learning | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| Aug. 13, 2020 | NE | LB 515 | Authorizes Suspended or Expelled Students to Complete Their Coursework Out of School | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
| Aug. 10, 2020 | MS | HB 1806 | Increases Funding to the Department of Education | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12) |
| July 22, 2020 | MI | HB 5910 | Authorizes School Districts to Adopt Programs for E-Learning Days | (56 - 48) |
| July 22, 2020 | MI | HB 5913 | Requires School Districts to Administer Math and Reading Exams During E-Learning | Bill Passed - House (55 - 49) |
| July 22, 2020 | MI | HB 5911 | Expands Access to Virtual Classes at Parental Request Due to Health Concerns | Bill Passed - House (57 - 47) |
| July 22, 2020 | MI | HB 5912 | Requires Districts to Have at Least 75 Percent Attendance to Avoid Prorated Funding | Bill Passed - House (57 - 47) |
| July 21, 2020 | NY | S 6648 | Requires Instruction Regarding Symbols of Hate for Grades 6-12 | Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 1) |
| July 15, 2020 | PA | SB 1216 | Authorizes the Issuance of Temporary Teaching Certificates | Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0) |
| June 30, 2020 | NH | HB 1558 | Amends School Disciplinary Policies to Address Behavioral Needs | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (201 - 129) |
| June 29, 2020 | CA | SB 98 | Establishes Distance Education Guidance and Standards | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 10) |
| June 29, 2020 | NJ | S 2273 | Amends Teacher Health Benefits | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 0) |
| June 26, 2020 | NC | SB 681 | Requires Credit in the Arts in Order to Graduate | Conference Report Adopted - House (87 - 21) |
| June 26, 2020 | CA | SB 98 | Establishes Distance Education Guidance and Standards | Bill Passed - House (57 - 17) |
| June 26, 2020 | NC | SB 681 | Requires Credit in the Arts in Order to Graduate | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 9) |
| June 17, 2020 | NC | SB 818 | Authorizes Bonuses for Public School Teachers During the COVID-19 Pandemic | Bill Passed - House (84 - 35) |
| June 16, 2020 | NH | HB 1454 | Authorizes Credit for Alternative Learning and Work Programs | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (15 - 9) |
| June 15, 2020 | NC | SB 818 | Authorizes Bonuses for Public School Teachers During the COVID-19 Pandemic | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16) |
| June 13, 2020 | IA | SF 2310 | Establishes Educational Instructional Requirements for Online Learning | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0) |
| June 11, 2020 | OH | HB 164 | Authorizes Religious Expression in Public Schools | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (90 - 3) |
| June 10, 2020 | OH | HB 164 | Authorizes Religious Expression in Public Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0) |
| May 13, 2020 | OK | HB 2741 | Reduces Contributions to Teachers' Retirement System | Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 12) |
| May 8, 2020 | MO | HB 2002 | Appropriates Education Funding for Fiscal Year 2021 | Conference Report Adopted - House (120 - 28) |
| March 25, 2020 | PA | SB 751 | Authorizes Financial Assistance for Schools Amid COVID-19-Related Shutdown | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (50 - 0) |
| March 25, 2020 | OH | HB 197 | Establishes Relief Provisions in Response to the COVID-19 Emergency | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (92 - 0) |
| March 25, 2020 | OH | HB 197 | Establishes Relief Provisions in Response to the COVID-19 Emergency | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 0) |
| March 24, 2020 | AK | HB 106 | Extends School Bond Debt Reimbursement Moratorium for 5 years | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 6) |
| March 18, 2020 | AK | SB 74 | Increases Minimum Internet Speed for K-12 Schools | Bill Passed - House (32 - 3) |
| March 17, 2020 | KS | SB 142 | Authorizes Waiver for School Hour Requirement | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 4) |
| March 16, 2020 | CA | SB 117 | Appropriates Funds to Public Schools Amid COVID-19 Emergency Shut-Down | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 0) |
| March 16, 2020 | ID | H 500 | Prohibits Transgender Female Students from Sports designated for Females | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| March 12, 2020 | UT | HB 222 | Expands School Breakfast Programs | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 17) |
| March 12, 2020 | NH | HB 1285 | Prohibits Firearms on School Property | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (182 - 141) |
| March 12, 2020 | NH | HB 1251 | Prohibits Transgender Students from Playing on a Female Sports Team | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (184 - 131) |
| March 11, 2020 | IN | HB 1065 | Authorizes School Districts To Use Tax Dollars For Charter Schools | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 18) |
| March 11, 2020 | IN | HB 1065 | Authorizes School Districts To Use Tax Dollars For Charter Schools | Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 40) |
| March 11, 2020 | NY | S 5073 | Establishes a School Voter Registration Access Program | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 18) |
| March 11, 2020 | FL | HB 1213 | Requires Adding Ocoee Riots to School Curriculum | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0) |
| March 10, 2020 | FL | SB 70 | Establishes Alert Systems in Public Schools | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 0) |
| March 10, 2020 | UT | HB 99 | Expands Enhanced Kindergarten Early Intervention Programs | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 23) |
| March 10, 2020 | AL | HB 235 | Repeals Ban on Yoga Classes in Public Schools | Bill Passed - House (84 - 17) |
| March 9, 2020 | WY | HB 119 | Establishes Medicaid Billing Process for School-Based Services | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 14) |
| March 9, 2020 | WY | HB 174 | Amends Kindergarten Minimum Age Start Date | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12) |
| March 4, 2020 | WA | SB 5395 | Establishes K-12 Sexual Health Education Programs in Public Schools | Bill Passed - House (56 - 40) |
| March 4, 2020 | OK | HB 2804 | Requires Dyslexia Screening for All K-3rd Grade Students Not Reading at Grade Level | Bill Passed - House (92 - 1) |
| March 3, 2020 | VA | HB 837 | Establishes the "Dress Code Equity Act" | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15) |
| March 3, 2020 | AZ | HB 2706 | Prohibits Transgender Female Students from Sports Designated for Females | Bill Passed - House (31 - 29) |
| Feb. 26, 2020 | ID | H 500 | Prohibits Transgender Female Students from Sports designated for Females | Bill Passed - House (52 - 17) |
| Feb. 24, 2020 | SD | HB 1175 | Defines Dyslexia for Special Education and Other Related Services | Bill Passed - House (58 - 10) |
| Feb. 20, 2020 | VA | SB 161 | Requires Schools to Create Policies Transgender-Friendly Student Policies | (58 - 40) |
| Feb. 20, 2020 | NH | HB 1454 | Authorizes Credit for Alternative Learning and Work Programs | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (202 - 142) |
| Feb. 13, 2020 | KY | HB 37 | Requires Visual and Performing Arts Courses be Taught in Elementary and Middle Schools | Bill Passed - House (73 - 16) |
| Feb. 12, 2020 | OK | HB 2336 | Authorizes Handguns on the Premises of Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 7) |
| Feb. 12, 2020 | WA | SB 6262 | Requires Schools to Incorporate Curriculum on Local Indian Tribes | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13) |
| Feb. 12, 2020 | UT | HB 99 | Expands Enhanced Kindergarten Early Intervention Programs | Bill Passed - House (48 - 21) |
| Feb. 11, 2020 | WV | HB 4069 | Prohibits Religious Discrimination in Public Schools | Bill Passed - House (76 - 22) |
| Feb. 11, 2020 | WV | SB 131 | Establishes the Tim Tebow Act | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
| Feb. 7, 2020 | VA | HB 837 | Establishes the "Dress Code Equity Act" | Bill Passed - House (81 - 17) |
| Feb. 7, 2020 | KY | HB 22 | Prohibits Corporal Punishment in Schools | Bill Passed - House (65 - 17) |
| Jan. 30, 2020 | DE | HB 285 | Requires Schools to Provide Free Feminine Hygiene Products | Bill Passed - House (33 - 6) |
| Jan. 28, 2020 | GA | HB 444 | Limits State Funding for Dual Enrollment | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 18) |
| Jan. 21, 2020 | VA | SB 161 | Requires Schools to Create Policies Transgender-Friendly Student Policies | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16) |
| Jan. 16, 2020 | MA | H 4218 | Requires School Districts Offer Breakfast After Instruction Begins | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0) |
| Jan. 14, 2020 | IN | SB 69 | Authorizes Firearms on School Grounds | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7) |
| Jan. 9, 2020 | MS | HB 1 | Increases State Teacher Pay | Bill Passed - House (121 - 1) |
| Nov. 21, 2019 | PA | HB 49 | Authorizes School Police to Make Arrests | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 14) |
| Nov. 19, 2019 | PA | HB 49 | Authorizes School Police to Make Arrests | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (161 - 37) |
| Nov. 13, 2019 | OH | HB 164 | Authorizes Religious Expression in Public Schools | Bill Passed - House (61 - 31) |
| Oct. 31, 2019 | NC | SB 354 | Increases Pay for Public School Teachers and Personnel | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 21) |
| Oct. 31, 2019 | NC | SB 354 | Increases Pay for Public School Teachers and Personnel | Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 46) |
| Oct. 30, 2019 | NC | HB 377 | Increases State Teacher Pay | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 49) |
| Oct. 29, 2019 | NC | SB 522 | Amends the Innovative School District (ISD) Program | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 16) |
| Oct. 29, 2019 | NC | SB 522 | Amends the Innovative School District (ISD) Program | Conference Report Adopted - House (64 - 48) |
| Oct. 29, 2019 | IL | SB 1970 | Authorizes Student Absences for Voting | Bill Passed - House (74 - 40) |
| Oct. 24, 2019 | NC | HB 377 | Increases State Teacher Pay | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20) |
| Oct. 23, 2019 | OH | SB 26 | Repeals the Tax on Feminine Hygiene Products | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 1) |
| Oct. 23, 2019 | PA | HB 49 | Authorizes School Police to Make Arrests | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20) |
| Oct. 2, 2019 | OH | HB 123 | Requires Annual Suicide Prevention Classes for Public Middle and High Schools | Bill Passed - House (85 - 7) |
| Sept. 19, 2019 | MI | HB 4242 | Establishes K-12 Education Budget for Fiscal Year 2019-2020 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17) |
| Sept. 14, 2019 | CA | SB 328 | Requires Later Start Times for Middle and High Schools | Bill Passed - House (44 - 20) |
| Sept. 9, 2019 | CA | AB 1505 | Establishes Public Oversight for Charter Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
| Sept. 5, 2019 | CA | AB 197 | Requires Schools To Offer A Full-day Kindergarten Program | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9) |
| Sept. 3, 2019 | CA | AB 624 | Requires Listing a Sexual Assault Hotline and Reproductive Health Care Telephone Numbers on Student Identification Cards | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11) |
| Aug. 30, 2019 | CA | SB 223 | Authorizes Medical Cannabis on K-12 Campuses | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 7) |
| Aug. 26, 2019 | CA | SB 223 | Authorizes Medical Cannabis on K-12 Campuses | Bill Passed - House (43 - 22) |
| Aug. 12, 2019 | CA | AB 711 | Authorizes High School Document Name Changes Regarding Gender Identity | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0) |
| June 28, 2019 | PA | HB 1615 | Expands Tax Credit Education Scholarships | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (160 - 39) |
| June 27, 2019 | PA | HB 1615 | Expands Tax Credit Education Scholarships | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13) |
| June 27, 2019 | PA | SB 621 | Authorizes Schools to Arm Security Guards | Bill Passed - House (116 - 83) |
| June 27, 2019 | NJ | S 692 | Prohibits the Department of Education from Establishing Maximum Salaries for Superintendents | Bill Passed - House (48 - 21) |
| June 24, 2019 | WV | HB 206 | Authorizes the Creation of Charter Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16) |
| June 20, 2019 | NY | A 6787 | Prohibits Use of Biometric Identifying Technology in Schools | Bill Passed - House (128 - 19) |
| June 19, 2019 | WV | HB 206 | Authorizes the Creation of Charter Schools | Bill Passed - House (51 - 47) |
| June 18, 2019 | WI | AB 110 | Requires State Published Dyslexia Guidebooks in Public Schools | Bill Passed - House (76 - 21) |
| June 13, 2019 | NY | A 2371 | Prohibits Exemption from Vaccinations Based on Religious Beliefs | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 26) |
| June 13, 2019 | ME | LD 1820 | Amends School Investigation Regulations | Bill Passed - House (91 - 50) |
| June 11, 2019 | PA | HB 800 | Increases Amount of Tax Credits Available for Students to Attend the School of Their Choice | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21) |
| June 11, 2019 | PA | SB 621 | Authorizes Schools to Arm Security Guards | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17) |
| June 5, 2019 | NH | SB 263 | Prohibits Discrimination in Public Schools | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (211 - 141) |
| May 31, 2019 | AL | HB 77 | Expands Retirement Benefits for Public School Teachers | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4) |