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 10, 2012 HI SB 2115 Amends Charter School System Bill Passed - House (40 - 11)
April 10, 2012 CO SB 68 Prohibits Food with Trans Fat in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
April 9, 2012 IA SF 2284 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
April 9, 2012 CO SB 15 College Tuition Rates for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
April 5, 2012 LA HB 974 Amends Teacher Tenure Policy Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 43)
April 5, 2012 LA HB 976 Amends School Voucher Program Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 43)
April 5, 2012 MD HB 373 Raises the Dropout Age for Public School Students Bill Passed - House (88 - 49)
April 4, 2012 LA HB 976 Amends School Voucher Program Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
April 4, 2012 LA HB 974 Amends Teacher Tenure Policy Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
April 2, 2012 MN HF 2083 Requires State Reserve Funds to be Used to Reduce School Debt Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 28)
April 2, 2012 MN HF 2083 Requires State Reserve Funds to be Used to Reduce School Debt Conference Report Adopted - House (75 - 56)
March 29, 2012 GA HB 797 Establishes a State Charter School Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - House (117 - 55)
March 29, 2012 GA SB 410 Requires Numerical School Ratings Based on Student Performance Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 16)
March 29, 2012 GA SB 410 Requires Numerical School Ratings Based on Student Performance Bill Passed - House (94 - 67)
March 29, 2012 SC H 4894 Authorizes Income Tax Credit for Tuition Payments Bill Passed - House (62 - 38)
March 29, 2012 NH HB 1607 Establishes a Tax Credit for Businesses that Donate to Certain Scholarship Funds Bill Passed - House (173 - 127)
March 29, 2012 IL HB 5531 Limits Tuition Waivers for State University Employees Bill Failed - House (26 - 75)
March 28, 2012 IL HB 5290 Requires Schools to Establish Bullying Policies Bill Passed - House (61 - 49)
March 28, 2012 AK SB 9 Extends Cumpulsory School Attendance Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 7)
March 27, 2012 LA HB 969 Establishes Tax Deductions for Donating to Scholarship Programs Bill Passed - House (66 - 37)
March 26, 2012 TN HB 368 Scientific Theories in the Classroom Concurrence Vote Passed - House (72 - 23)
March 26, 2012 GA HB 797 Establishes a State Charter School Commission Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 14)
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 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 23, 2012 LA HB 974 Amends Teacher Tenure Policy Bill Passed - House (64 - 40)
March 22, 2012 LA HB 976 Amends School Voucher Program Bill Passed - House (62 - 43)
March 21, 2012 IL HB 3810 Eliminates General Assembly Scholarships Bill Passed - House (79 - 25)
March 20, 2012 KY SB 9 Authorizes Student Enrollment in Neighborhood Schools Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
March 19, 2012 GA HR 1162 Authorizes the State to Approve Charter Schools Amendment Adopted - Senate (40 - 16)
March 19, 2012 ID H 426 Establishes a Program for High School Students to Obtain an Associate's Degree Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
March 19, 2012 ID H 426 Establishes a Program for High School Students to Obtain an Associate's Degree Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
March 19, 2012 TN HB 368 Scientific Theories in the Classroom Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
March 15, 2012 ID H 481 Repeals Limit on Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
March 15, 2012 OK HB 1551 Authorizes the Instruction of Various Scientific Theories Bill Passed - House (56 - 12)
March 15, 2012 MN HF 2083 Requires State Reserve Funds to be Used to Reduce School Debt Bill Passed - House (74 - 59)
March 15, 2012 MD HB 650 Reduces Prison Sentences for Inmates Seeking Education Bill Passed - House (81 - 54)
March 15, 2012 ID S 1358 Amends Bullying Laws Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
March 14, 2012 MS HB 638 Authorizes Prayer in Schools Bill Passed - House (93 - 24)
March 13, 2012 WI SB 237 Amending Sexual Education Guidelines Bill Passed - House (60 - 34)
March 13, 2012 IA HF 2380 Amends Education Provisions Bill Passed - House (53 - 46)
March 13, 2012 IA HF 2380 Amends Education Provisions Bill Passed - House (53 - 46)
March 13, 2012 IA HF 2385 Authorizes Professionals to Teach Certain High School Courses Bill Passed - House (61 - 36)
March 9, 2012 FL HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 8)
March 9, 2012 FL HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 8)
March 9, 2012 FL HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 37)
March 9, 2012 FL HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 37)
March 9, 2012 FL HB 859 School Voucher Program Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
March 9, 2012 FL SB 1718 Authorizes Parent Involvement in School Turnaround Decisions Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 20)
March 8, 2012 NH HB 1654 Reduces Sentences of Prisoners Pursuing Degrees Bill Failed - House (152 - 171)
March 8, 2012 AZ SB 1462 Expands Penalties for Bullying Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
March 7, 2012 MI HB 4929 Prohibits Union Dues Deductions from School Employee Paychecks Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 54)
March 7, 2012 MI HB 4929 Prohibits Union Dues Deductions from School Employee Paychecks Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
March 7, 2012 FL HB 859 School Voucher Program Bill Passed - House (92 - 24)
March 7, 2012 NH HB 1146 Requires Students to Stand for the Pledge of Allegiance Bill Failed - House (155 - 170)
March 7, 2012 GA SB 312 Require Development Activities for Certain Public Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 14)
March 6, 2012 UT HB 363 Requires Abstinence-Only Sexual Education in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
March 6, 2012 UT SB 223 Requires Public School Students to Recite Pledge of Allegiance Bill Passed - House (48 - 25)
March 5, 2012 GA SB 410 Requires Numerical School Ratings Based on Student Performance Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 13)
March 5, 2012 GA SB 458 Repeals Certain Public Benefits for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 19)
March 1, 2012 FL SB 98 Authorizes Student-Led Prayer in School Bill Passed - House (88 - 27)
March 1, 2012 VT S 199 Repeals Philosophical Exemption to Immunization Motion Agreed - Senate (25 - 4)
March 1, 2012 OR SB 1594 Prohibits weapons on school grounds Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 15)
Feb. 29, 2012 SD HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 33)
Feb. 29, 2012 SD HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 33)
Feb. 29, 2012 WA SB 5895 Authorizes the Use of Student Test Scores in Teacher Evaluations Bill Passed - House (82 - 16)
Feb. 28, 2012 National HR 2117 Repeals Department of Education Regulations Bill Passed - House (303 - 114)
Feb. 28, 2012 AZ SB 1202 Prohibits Partisan Instruction in Classrooms Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 16)
Feb. 28, 2012 AZ SB 1205 Requires Public School Teachers to Adhere to FCC Regulations Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 16)
Feb. 27, 2012 MN HF 1870 Authorizes School Districts to Dismiss Teachers Based on Performance Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 26)
Feb. 27, 2012 SD HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
Feb. 27, 2012 SD HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
Feb. 27, 2012 AZ SB 1204 Authorizes Parents to Vote to Close Schools Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
Feb. 27, 2012 ID H 481 Repeals Limit on Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (49 - 19)
Feb. 27, 2012 WY SF 57 Amending Wyoming Accountability in Education Act Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
Feb. 24, 2012 UT SB 44 Providing Tuition Assistance for Military Veterans Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 14)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/10 SB 2115 Amends Charter School System Bill Passed - House (40 - 11)
4/10 SB 68 Prohibits Food with Trans Fat in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
4/09 SF 2284 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
4/09 SB 15 College Tuition Rates for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
4/05 HB 974 Amends Teacher Tenure Policy Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 43)
4/05 HB 976 Amends School Voucher Program Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 43)
4/05 HB 373 Raises the Dropout Age for Public School Students Bill Passed - House (88 - 49)
4/04 HB 976 Amends School Voucher Program Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
4/04 HB 974 Amends Teacher Tenure Policy Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
4/02 HF 2083 Requires State Reserve Funds to be Used to Reduce School Debt Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 28)
4/02 HF 2083 Requires State Reserve Funds to be Used to Reduce School Debt Conference Report Adopted - House (75 - 56)
3/29 HB 797 Establishes a State Charter School Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - House (117 - 55)
3/29 SB 410 Requires Numerical School Ratings Based on Student Performance Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 16)
3/29 SB 410 Requires Numerical School Ratings Based on Student Performance Bill Passed - House (94 - 67)
3/29 H 4894 Authorizes Income Tax Credit for Tuition Payments Bill Passed - House (62 - 38)
3/29 HB 1607 Establishes a Tax Credit for Businesses that Donate to Certain Scholarship Funds Bill Passed - House (173 - 127)
3/29 HB 5531 Limits Tuition Waivers for State University Employees Bill Failed - House (26 - 75)
3/28 HB 5290 Requires Schools to Establish Bullying Policies Bill Passed - House (61 - 49)
3/28 SB 9 Extends Cumpulsory School Attendance Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 7)
3/27 HB 969 Establishes Tax Deductions for Donating to Scholarship Programs Bill Passed - House (66 - 37)
3/26 HB 368 Scientific Theories in the Classroom Concurrence Vote Passed - House (72 - 23)
3/26 HB 797 Establishes a State Charter School Commission Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 14)
3/23 H 426 Establishes a Program for High School Students to Obtain an Associate's Degree Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 6)
3/23 H 426 Establishes a Program for High School Students to Obtain an Associate's Degree Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 6)
3/23 HB 974 Amends Teacher Tenure Policy Bill Passed - House (64 - 40)
3/22 HB 976 Amends School Voucher Program Bill Passed - House (62 - 43)
3/21 HB 3810 Eliminates General Assembly Scholarships Bill Passed - House (79 - 25)
3/20 SB 9 Authorizes Student Enrollment in Neighborhood Schools Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
3/19 HR 1162 Authorizes the State to Approve Charter Schools Amendment Adopted - Senate (40 - 16)
3/19 H 426 Establishes a Program for High School Students to Obtain an Associate's Degree Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
3/19 H 426 Establishes a Program for High School Students to Obtain an Associate's Degree Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
3/19 HB 368 Scientific Theories in the Classroom Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
3/15 H 481 Repeals Limit on Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
3/15 HB 1551 Authorizes the Instruction of Various Scientific Theories Bill Passed - House (56 - 12)
3/15 HF 2083 Requires State Reserve Funds to be Used to Reduce School Debt Bill Passed - House (74 - 59)
3/15 HB 650 Reduces Prison Sentences for Inmates Seeking Education Bill Passed - House (81 - 54)
3/15 S 1358 Amends Bullying Laws Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
3/14 HB 638 Authorizes Prayer in Schools Bill Passed - House (93 - 24)
3/13 SB 237 Amending Sexual Education Guidelines Bill Passed - House (60 - 34)
3/13 HF 2380 Amends Education Provisions Bill Passed - House (53 - 46)
3/13 HF 2380 Amends Education Provisions Bill Passed - House (53 - 46)
3/13 HF 2385 Authorizes Professionals to Teach Certain High School Courses Bill Passed - House (61 - 36)
3/09 HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 8)
3/09 HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 8)
3/09 HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 37)
3/09 HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 37)
3/09 HB 859 School Voucher Program Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
3/09 SB 1718 Authorizes Parent Involvement in School Turnaround Decisions Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 20)
3/08 HB 1654 Reduces Sentences of Prisoners Pursuing Degrees Bill Failed - House (152 - 171)
3/08 SB 1462 Expands Penalties for Bullying Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
3/07 HB 4929 Prohibits Union Dues Deductions from School Employee Paychecks Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 54)
3/07 HB 4929 Prohibits Union Dues Deductions from School Employee Paychecks Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
3/07 HB 859 School Voucher Program Bill Passed - House (92 - 24)
3/07 HB 1146 Requires Students to Stand for the Pledge of Allegiance Bill Failed - House (155 - 170)
3/07 SB 312 Require Development Activities for Certain Public Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 14)
3/06 HB 363 Requires Abstinence-Only Sexual Education in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
3/06 SB 223 Requires Public School Students to Recite Pledge of Allegiance Bill Passed - House (48 - 25)
3/05 SB 410 Requires Numerical School Ratings Based on Student Performance Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 13)
3/05 SB 458 Repeals Certain Public Benefits for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 19)
3/01 SB 98 Authorizes Student-Led Prayer in School Bill Passed - House (88 - 27)
3/01 S 199 Repeals Philosophical Exemption to Immunization Motion Agreed - Senate (25 - 4)
3/01 SB 1594 Prohibits weapons on school grounds Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 15)
2/29 HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 33)
2/29 HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 33)
2/29 SB 5895 Authorizes the Use of Student Test Scores in Teacher Evaluations Bill Passed - House (82 - 16)
2/28 HR 2117 Repeals Department of Education Regulations Bill Passed - House (303 - 114)
2/28 SB 1202 Prohibits Partisan Instruction in Classrooms Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 16)
2/28 SB 1205 Requires Public School Teachers to Adhere to FCC Regulations Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 16)
2/27 HF 1870 Authorizes School Districts to Dismiss Teachers Based on Performance Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 26)
2/27 HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
2/27 HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
2/27 SB 1204 Authorizes Parents to Vote to Close Schools Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
2/27 H 481 Repeals Limit on Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (49 - 19)
2/27 SF 57 Amending Wyoming Accountability in Education Act Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
2/24 SB 44 Providing Tuition Assistance for Military Veterans Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 14)

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