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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 27, 2009 | OR | HB 2599 | Expanding School Bullying Law | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 2) |
| May 26, 2009 | TX | SB 175 | Capping Automatic College Admissions | Bill Passed - House (123 - 20) |
| May 26, 2009 | CA | SB 219 | Extending Whistle-Blower Protection to UC Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| May 19, 2009 | LA | HB 504 | Jefferson Parish School Board Elections | Bill Passed - House (63 - 26) |
| May 18, 2009 | OR | HB 2509 | Sexual Education | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9) |
| May 18, 2009 | MN | SF 971 | School Anti-Bullying Policy Requirements | Bill Passed - House (95 - 39) |
| May 14, 2009 | MO | SB 291 | Education Provision Modifications | Bill Passed - House (110 - 46) |
| May 14, 2009 | CA | SB 572 | Harvey Milk Day | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| May 13, 2009 | AZ | HB 2028 | 2008-2009 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 8) |
| May 13, 2009 | AZ | HB 2028 | 2008-2009 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - House (33 - 25) |
| May 8, 2009 | FL | SB 788 | Gambling Expansion | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 9) |
| May 8, 2009 | FL | SB 788 | Gambling Expansion | Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 35) |
| May 8, 2009 | ID | H 374 | Allowing Diversion of Funds to Virtual Education | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9) |
| May 7, 2009 | TN | SB 433 | Homeschool Diplomas | Bill Passed - House (61 - 27) |
| May 7, 2009 | TN | SB 2133 | Charter School Access Expansion | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7) |
| May 7, 2009 | ID | H 374 | Allowing Diversion of Funds to Virtual Education | Bill Passed - House (49 - 15) |
| May 6, 2009 | MI | HB 4785 | Job Training Program Benefits and Security | Bill Passed - House (68 - 39) |
| May 6, 2009 | NC | SB 526 | Prevention of Bullying and Violence in Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22) |
| May 4, 2009 | ND | SB 2003 | 2009-2011 Biennuim Higher Education Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 24) |
| May 4, 2009 | CO | HB 1057 | Mandatory Unpaid Parental Work Leave for Education Activities | Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 26) |
| April 29, 2009 | National | S Con Res 13 | 2010 Concurrent Budget Resolution | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (53 - 43) |
| April 29, 2009 | National | S Con Res 13 | 2010 Concurrent Budget Resolution | Conference Report Adopted - House (233 - 193) |
| April 29, 2009 | OK | SB 834 | Increased Local School Board Control | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 22) |
| April 29, 2009 | OH | HB 1 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - House (53 - 45) |
| April 27, 2009 | FL | SB 762 | Allowing Universities to Levy "Tuition Differential" Charges | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7) |
| April 27, 2009 | CO | HB 1057 | Mandatory Unpaid Parental Work Leave for Education Activities | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 13) |
| April 25, 2009 | WA | HB 2344 | Allowing Tuition Increases | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20) |
| April 23, 2009 | FL | HB 1293 | Changes in High School Graduation Standards | Bill Passed - House (75 - 42) |
| April 22, 2009 | WA | HB 2344 | Allowing Tuition Increases | Bill Passed - House (50 - 47) |
| April 21, 2009 | ID | H 262 | Teacher Compensation Adjustments | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
| April 20, 2009 | WA | HB 2261 | Education Law Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 31) |
| April 17, 2009 | MN | SF 2083 | 2009-2011 Biennium Higher Education Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 23) |
| April 17, 2009 | MN | SF 971 | School Anti-Bullying Policy Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22) |
| April 17, 2009 | MN | Limit of 3 Percent on Tuition Increases | Amendment Rejected - Senate (32 - 33) | |
| April 16, 2009 | MN | Limmer Amdt | Homosexuality in Education | Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 37) |
| April 16, 2009 | WA | HB 2261 | Education Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23) |
| April 16, 2009 | MO | HB 668 | Firearm Regulation Amendments | Bill Passed - House (105 - 50) |
| April 16, 2009 | NC | HB 88 | Parental Choice Between Abstinence-Only or Comprehensive Sex Education | Bill Passed - House (62 - 52) |
| April 16, 2009 | MO | HJR 32 | Bonds to Fund Higher Education | Joint Resolution Passed - House (131 - 28) |
| April 15, 2009 | OK | SB 834 | Increased Local School Board Control | Bill Passed - House (60 - 39) |
| April 15, 2009 | NV | AJR 7 | Allowing for State Lottery | Joint Resolution Passed - House (31 - 11) |
| April 14, 2009 | HI | SB 777 | Requiring Comprehensive Sex Education When Using State Funds | Bill Passed - House (44 - 3) |
| April 14, 2009 | ID | H 303 | Online Public Education | Bill Passed - House (51 - 19) |
| April 11, 2009 | WV | SB 373 | PROMISE Scholarship Amendments | Bill Passed - House (86 - 14) |
| April 10, 2009 | ND | HB 1171 | Home School Deregulation | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 38) |
| April 7, 2009 | MN | SF 1328 | 2009-2011 Biennium Education Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 29) |
| April 6, 2009 | CO | SB 170 | Expanding In-State Tuition Eligibility | Motion Rejected - Senate (16 - 18) |
| April 6, 2009 | ND | HB 1171 | Home School Deregulation | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20) |
| April 6, 2009 | MN | SF 10 | Sharing Services For Schools Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 33) |
| April 3, 2009 | GA | HB 243 | Ending New Enrollment in Bonus Program for Teachers' National Certification | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17) |
| March 26, 2009 | MO | HB 2 | 2009-10 Education Budget | Bill Passed - House (92 - 64) |
| March 26, 2009 | ID | H 262 | Teacher Compensation Adjustments | Bill Passed - House (49 - 20) |
| March 25, 2009 | OR | HB 2599 | Expanding School Bullying Law | Bill Passed - House (50 - 9) |
| March 25, 2009 | TX | SB 175 | Capping Automatic College Admissions | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7) |
| March 13, 2009 | NM | HB 346 | Increasing Gross Receipts Tax and Compensating Tax to Fund Education | Bill Passed - House (37 - 31) |
| March 12, 2009 | UT | HB 2 | 2009-2010 Education Budget | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 27) |
| March 12, 2009 | WA | HB 2261 | Education Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (71 - 26) |
| March 12, 2009 | GA | HB 243 | Ending New Enrollment in Bonus Program for Teachers' National Certification | Bill Passed - House (92 - 79) |
| March 11, 2009 | UT | HB 2 | 2009-2010 Education Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 9) |
| March 11, 2009 | UT | SB 48 | Amending Requirements for Obtaining Teaching Licenses | Bill Failed - House (17 - 49) |
| March 11, 2009 | OR | HB 2509 | Sexual Education | Bill Passed - House (41 - 19) |
| March 10, 2009 | NV | IP 1 | Lodging Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5) |
| March 10, 2009 | OK | SB 834 | Increased Local School Board Control | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21) |
| March 9, 2009 | UT | SB 241 | Instructional Spending Requirements for School Districts | Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 17) |
| March 6, 2009 | UT | HB 100 | Prison Education and Medical Financing Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7) |
| March 5, 2009 | OR | SB 581 | 2007-2008, 2008-2009, and 2009-2010 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - House (37 - 22) |
| March 5, 2009 | OR | SB 5552 | 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - House (37 - 22) |
| March 4, 2009 | OK | SB 748 | Independent Performance Audit of State Department of Education | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20) |
| March 4, 2009 | UT | SB 61 | Allowing Home-Schooled Students to Participate in Extracurricular Activities | Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 16) |
| March 4, 2009 | MI | HB 4132 | School Attendance Amendments | Bill Passed - House (71 - 37) |
| March 3, 2009 | OR | SB 5552 | 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
| March 3, 2009 | OR | SB 581 | 2007-2008, 2008-2009, and 2009-2010 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
| March 2, 2009 | UT | HB 66 | Tax Law and Education Funding Amendments | Bill Failed - House (33 - 42) |
| Feb. 26, 2009 | MO | HB 242 | Authorizing Four-Day School Weeks | Bill Passed - House (101 - 60) |
| Feb. 26, 2009 | IA | SF 218 | Growth Percentage for State School Foundation Program | Bill Passed - House (53 - 44) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/27 | HB 2599 | Expanding School Bullying Law | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 2) |
| 5/26 | SB 175 | Capping Automatic College Admissions | Bill Passed - House (123 - 20) |
| 5/26 | SB 219 | Extending Whistle-Blower Protection to UC Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| 5/19 | HB 504 | Jefferson Parish School Board Elections | Bill Passed - House (63 - 26) |
| 5/18 | HB 2509 | Sexual Education | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9) |
| 5/18 | SF 971 | School Anti-Bullying Policy Requirements | Bill Passed - House (95 - 39) |
| 5/14 | SB 291 | Education Provision Modifications | Bill Passed - House (110 - 46) |
| 5/14 | SB 572 | Harvey Milk Day | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| 5/13 | HB 2028 | 2008-2009 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 8) |
| 5/13 | HB 2028 | 2008-2009 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - House (33 - 25) |
| 5/08 | SB 788 | Gambling Expansion | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 9) |
| 5/08 | SB 788 | Gambling Expansion | Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 35) |
| 5/08 | H 374 | Allowing Diversion of Funds to Virtual Education | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9) |
| 5/07 | SB 433 | Homeschool Diplomas | Bill Passed - House (61 - 27) |
| 5/07 | SB 2133 | Charter School Access Expansion | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7) |
| 5/07 | H 374 | Allowing Diversion of Funds to Virtual Education | Bill Passed - House (49 - 15) |
| 5/06 | HB 4785 | Job Training Program Benefits and Security | Bill Passed - House (68 - 39) |
| 5/06 | SB 526 | Prevention of Bullying and Violence in Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22) |
| 5/04 | SB 2003 | 2009-2011 Biennuim Higher Education Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 24) |
| 5/04 | HB 1057 | Mandatory Unpaid Parental Work Leave for Education Activities | Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 26) |
| 4/29 | S Con Res 13 | 2010 Concurrent Budget Resolution | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (53 - 43) |
| 4/29 | S Con Res 13 | 2010 Concurrent Budget Resolution | Conference Report Adopted - House (233 - 193) |
| 4/29 | SB 834 | Increased Local School Board Control | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 22) |
| 4/29 | HB 1 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - House (53 - 45) |
| 4/27 | SB 762 | Allowing Universities to Levy "Tuition Differential" Charges | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7) |
| 4/27 | HB 1057 | Mandatory Unpaid Parental Work Leave for Education Activities | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 13) |
| 4/25 | HB 2344 | Allowing Tuition Increases | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20) |
| 4/23 | HB 1293 | Changes in High School Graduation Standards | Bill Passed - House (75 - 42) |
| 4/22 | HB 2344 | Allowing Tuition Increases | Bill Passed - House (50 - 47) |
| 4/21 | H 262 | Teacher Compensation Adjustments | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
| 4/20 | HB 2261 | Education Law Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 31) |
| 4/17 | SF 2083 | 2009-2011 Biennium Higher Education Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 23) |
| 4/17 | SF 971 | School Anti-Bullying Policy Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22) |
| 4/17 | Limit of 3 Percent on Tuition Increases | Amendment Rejected - Senate (32 - 33) | |
| 4/16 | Limmer Amdt | Homosexuality in Education | Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 37) |
| 4/16 | HB 2261 | Education Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23) |
| 4/16 | HB 668 | Firearm Regulation Amendments | Bill Passed - House (105 - 50) |
| 4/16 | HB 88 | Parental Choice Between Abstinence-Only or Comprehensive Sex Education | Bill Passed - House (62 - 52) |
| 4/16 | HJR 32 | Bonds to Fund Higher Education | Joint Resolution Passed - House (131 - 28) |
| 4/15 | SB 834 | Increased Local School Board Control | Bill Passed - House (60 - 39) |
| 4/15 | AJR 7 | Allowing for State Lottery | Joint Resolution Passed - House (31 - 11) |
| 4/14 | SB 777 | Requiring Comprehensive Sex Education When Using State Funds | Bill Passed - House (44 - 3) |
| 4/14 | H 303 | Online Public Education | Bill Passed - House (51 - 19) |
| 4/11 | SB 373 | PROMISE Scholarship Amendments | Bill Passed - House (86 - 14) |
| 4/10 | HB 1171 | Home School Deregulation | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 38) |
| 4/07 | SF 1328 | 2009-2011 Biennium Education Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 29) |
| 4/06 | SB 170 | Expanding In-State Tuition Eligibility | Motion Rejected - Senate (16 - 18) |
| 4/06 | HB 1171 | Home School Deregulation | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20) |
| 4/06 | SF 10 | Sharing Services For Schools Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 33) |
| 4/03 | HB 243 | Ending New Enrollment in Bonus Program for Teachers' National Certification | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17) |
| 3/26 | HB 2 | 2009-10 Education Budget | Bill Passed - House (92 - 64) |
| 3/26 | H 262 | Teacher Compensation Adjustments | Bill Passed - House (49 - 20) |
| 3/25 | HB 2599 | Expanding School Bullying Law | Bill Passed - House (50 - 9) |
| 3/25 | SB 175 | Capping Automatic College Admissions | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7) |
| 3/13 | HB 346 | Increasing Gross Receipts Tax and Compensating Tax to Fund Education | Bill Passed - House (37 - 31) |
| 3/12 | HB 2 | 2009-2010 Education Budget | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 27) |
| 3/12 | HB 2261 | Education Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (71 - 26) |
| 3/12 | HB 243 | Ending New Enrollment in Bonus Program for Teachers' National Certification | Bill Passed - House (92 - 79) |
| 3/11 | HB 2 | 2009-2010 Education Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 9) |
| 3/11 | SB 48 | Amending Requirements for Obtaining Teaching Licenses | Bill Failed - House (17 - 49) |
| 3/11 | HB 2509 | Sexual Education | Bill Passed - House (41 - 19) |
| 3/10 | IP 1 | Lodging Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5) |
| 3/10 | SB 834 | Increased Local School Board Control | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21) |
| 3/09 | SB 241 | Instructional Spending Requirements for School Districts | Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 17) |
| 3/06 | HB 100 | Prison Education and Medical Financing Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7) |
| 3/05 | SB 581 | 2007-2008, 2008-2009, and 2009-2010 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - House (37 - 22) |
| 3/05 | SB 5552 | 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - House (37 - 22) |
| 3/04 | SB 748 | Independent Performance Audit of State Department of Education | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20) |
| 3/04 | SB 61 | Allowing Home-Schooled Students to Participate in Extracurricular Activities | Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 16) |
| 3/04 | HB 4132 | School Attendance Amendments | Bill Passed - House (71 - 37) |
| 3/03 | SB 5552 | 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
| 3/03 | SB 581 | 2007-2008, 2008-2009, and 2009-2010 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
| 3/02 | HB 66 | Tax Law and Education Funding Amendments | Bill Failed - House (33 - 42) |
| 2/26 | HB 242 | Authorizing Four-Day School Weeks | Bill Passed - House (101 - 60) |
| 2/26 | SF 218 | Growth Percentage for State School Foundation Program | Bill Passed - House (53 - 44) |