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 26, 2021 ID H 377 Prohibits Teaching the Topic Known as "Critical Race Theory" Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
April 21, 2021 TN HB 1233 Authorizes Refusal to Share Bathrooms and Locker Rooms with Transgender Persons Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
April 19, 2021 AR HB 1592 Prohibits Charter Schools from Engaging in Transactions with Entities that Provide Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
April 15, 2021 AL HB 391 Prohibits Transgender Athletes from Playing on Sports Teams that do not Match their Birth Sex Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
April 15, 2021 TX SB 29 Prohibits Transgender Student's from Playing on Sports Teams That do Not Match their Birth Sex Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
April 13, 2021 AL SB 94 Extends the Deadline for 3rd Graders to Reach Their Required Reading Level Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
April 9, 2021 KS SB 55 Prohibits Transgender Student Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do Not Match their Birth Sex Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 11)
April 8, 2021 KS HB 2089 Restructures Firearm Safety Education Training Programs for School Districts Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
April 5, 2021 TN SB 1229 Requires Schools to Notify Parents When Teaching About Sexual or Gender Orientation Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
April 3, 2021 WA HB 1214 Establishes the Category of Safety and Security Staff for K-12 Schools Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
March 16, 2021 WI SB 39 Requires School Boards to Allow Students in Charter Schools to Participate in Extracurricular Activities Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
March 5, 2021 ID S 1046 Authorizes Teaching of an Alternative Curriculum for K-12 Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
March 4, 2021 SC H 3609 Increases Teacher Salaries Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 0)
March 3, 2021 AZ SB 1456 Requires Schools to Receive Parental Consent When Teaching Sex Education Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
March 1, 2021 NC SB 37 Requires in Person Learning for K-12 Schools Veto Override Failed - Senate (29 - 20)
March 1, 2021 WV HB 2012 Increases the Number of Public Charter Schools in the State from 3 to 10 Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
Feb. 23, 2021 MT SB 99 Establishes Parameters for K-12 Sexual Education Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
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 IN SB 2 Amends the Definition of What Constitutes "Virtual Instruction" Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
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)
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)
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. 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)
Aug. 27, 2020 NJ A 4006 Authorizes a Postponement of NJQSAC for Certain School Districts Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
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)
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 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 29, 2020 NJ S 2273 Amends Teacher Health Benefits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
June 29, 2020 CA SB 98 Establishes Distance Education Guidance and Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
June 26, 2020 NC SB 681 Requires Credit in the Arts in Order to Graduate Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 9)
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 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)
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 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 17, 2020 KS SB 142 Authorizes Waiver for School Hour Requirement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/26 H 377 Prohibits Teaching the Topic Known as "Critical Race Theory" Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
4/21 HB 1233 Authorizes Refusal to Share Bathrooms and Locker Rooms with Transgender Persons Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
4/19 HB 1592 Prohibits Charter Schools from Engaging in Transactions with Entities that Provide Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
4/15 HB 391 Prohibits Transgender Athletes from Playing on Sports Teams that do not Match their Birth Sex Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
4/15 SB 29 Prohibits Transgender Student's from Playing on Sports Teams That do Not Match their Birth Sex Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
4/13 SB 94 Extends the Deadline for 3rd Graders to Reach Their Required Reading Level Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
4/09 SB 55 Prohibits Transgender Student Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do Not Match their Birth Sex Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 11)
4/08 HB 2089 Restructures Firearm Safety Education Training Programs for School Districts Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
4/05 SB 1229 Requires Schools to Notify Parents When Teaching About Sexual or Gender Orientation Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
4/03 HB 1214 Establishes the Category of Safety and Security Staff for K-12 Schools Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
3/16 SB 39 Requires School Boards to Allow Students in Charter Schools to Participate in Extracurricular Activities Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
3/05 S 1046 Authorizes Teaching of an Alternative Curriculum for K-12 Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
3/04 H 3609 Increases Teacher Salaries Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 0)
3/03 SB 1456 Requires Schools to Receive Parental Consent When Teaching Sex Education Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
3/01 SB 37 Requires in Person Learning for K-12 Schools Veto Override Failed - Senate (29 - 20)
3/01 HB 2012 Increases the Number of Public Charter Schools in the State from 3 to 10 Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
2/23 SB 99 Establishes Parameters for K-12 Sexual Education Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
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 SB 2 Amends the Definition of What Constitutes "Virtual Instruction" Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
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)
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)
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)
9/09 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)
8/27 A 4006 Authorizes a Postponement of NJQSAC for Certain School Districts Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
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)
8/13 LB 515 Authorizes Suspended or Expelled Students to Complete Their Coursework Out of School Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
8/10 HB 1806 Increases Funding to the Department of Education Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
7/21 S 6648 Requires Instruction Regarding Symbols of Hate for Grades 6-12 Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 1)
7/15 SB 1216 Authorizes the Issuance of Temporary Teaching Certificates Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
6/29 S 2273 Amends Teacher Health Benefits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
6/29 SB 98 Establishes Distance Education Guidance and Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
6/26 SB 681 Requires Credit in the Arts in Order to Graduate Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 9)
6/16 HB 1454 Authorizes Credit for Alternative Learning and Work Programs "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (15 - 9)
6/15 SB 818 Authorizes Bonuses for Public School Teachers During the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
6/13 SF 2310 Establishes Educational Instructional Requirements for Online Learning Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
6/10 HB 164 Authorizes Religious Expression in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
5/13 HB 2741 Reduces Contributions to Teachers' Retirement System Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 12)
3/25 SB 751 Authorizes Financial Assistance for Schools Amid COVID-19-Related Shutdown Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
3/25 HB 197 Establishes Relief Provisions in Response to the COVID-19 Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 0)
3/24 HB 106 Extends School Bond Debt Reimbursement Moratorium for 5 years Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 6)
3/17 SB 142 Authorizes Waiver for School Hour Requirement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 4)

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