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 23, 2013 OK HB 1358 Amends Public School Grading System Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
April 23, 2013 OK HB 1658 Amends Public School Grading System Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
April 23, 2013 MN HF 630 2013-2015 Biennium K-12 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (83 - 50)
April 23, 2013 NV AB 230 Amends State Sex Education Curriculum Bill Passed - House (26 - 15)
April 22, 2013 IN HB 1357 Amends Licensing Requirements for Superintendents Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 40)
April 22, 2013 IN SB 207 Authorizes Certain Undocumented Students to Receive In-State Tuition Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
April 22, 2013 ND HCR 3047 Establishes a Commission of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 21)
April 22, 2013 OR HB 3014 Requires Allotted Time for the Pledge of Allegiance in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (42 - 16)
April 18, 2013 TN HB 702 Increases the Appeal Time Period for Establishing Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (62 - 30)
April 18, 2013 IA HF 604 2013-2014 Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
April 18, 2013 CT HB 6648 Authorizes University Board of Regents to Appoint President of the Board Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
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 17, 2013 MN SF 1236 Increases Funds for Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 18)
April 15, 2013 IN SB 207 Authorizes Certain Undocumented Students to Receive In-State Tuition Bill Passed - House (70 - 23)
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 9, 2013 IN HB 1001 2013-2015 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 12)
April 8, 2013 MD SB 422 Requires Public School Teachers to Pay Labor Union Fees Bill Passed - House (99 - 41)
April 6, 2013 MD HB 1107 Amends Prince George's County School System Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 47)
April 5, 2013 KS SB 199 Establishes the Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 8)
April 5, 2013 KS SB 199 Establishes the Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center Conference Report Adopted - House (90 - 30)
April 4, 2013 MD SB 422 Requires Public School Teachers to Pay Labor Union Fees Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
April 4, 2013 FL HB 867 Authorizes Parent Involvement in School Turnaround Decisions Bill Passed - House (68 - 51)
April 4, 2013 AK HB 162 Amends Teacher Tenure Policy Bill Passed - House (28 - 10)
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 CT SB 1160 Establishes Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Bill Passed - House (105 - 44)
April 3, 2013 CT SB 1160 Establishes Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
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)
April 1, 2013 IA SF 429 2013-14 Community Colleges Budget Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
April 1, 2013 NV SJR 15 Removes the Separate Tax Rate on Mining Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 4)
March 28, 2013 ID H 221 Amends Public Charter School Laws Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
March 26, 2013 KS SB 199 Establishes the Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center Bill Passed - House (90 - 32)
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 21, 2013 OR HB 2787 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
March 21, 2013 MI HB 4369 Expands the Education Achievement Authority Bill Passed - House (57 - 53)
March 18, 2013 CO HB 1081 Expands Sexual Education Curriculum Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
March 18, 2013 TN HB 534 Authorizes University Student Organizations to Limit Membership Based on Religion Bill Passed - House (75 - 21)
March 14, 2013 OK HB 1940 Authorizes Students to Express Religious Viewpoints in Schools Bill Passed - House (79 - 13)
March 14, 2013 TN SB 514 Prohibits Universities from Disciplining Students Who Refuse to Treat Someone Based on Religious Beliefs Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 4)
March 13, 2013 WA HB 1817 Authorizes Undocumented Students to Apply for State Financial Aid Bill Passed - House (77 - 20)
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 8, 2013 CO SB 33 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (40 - 21)
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)
March 4, 2013 OK HB 1721 Reduces the Income Cap for the Oklahoma Promise Scholarship Bill Passed - House (56 - 37)
Feb. 28, 2013 AL HB 84 Authorizes Schools to Apply for Waivers from State Laws Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 11)
Feb. 28, 2013 NM HJR 10 Extends Education Disbursements from the Land Grant Fund Joint Resolution Passed - House (36 - 33)
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. 27, 2013 NM HB 64 Amends Educational Employee Pension Funds and Policies Bill Passed - House (50 - 17)
Feb. 26, 2013 ID S 1089 Amends Early Teacher Retirement Program Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
Feb. 26, 2013 IN SB 207 Authorizes Certain Undocumented Students to Receive In-State Tuition Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
Feb. 25, 2013 AR HB 1243 Authorizes University Staff to Carry a Concealed Handgun Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
Feb. 25, 2013 CO SB 33 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Feb. 25, 2013 ND HB 1215 Authorizes Concealed Weapons in Schools Bill Passed - House (60 - 33)
Feb. 23, 2013 MT HB 240 Authorizes Firearms on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (58 - 41)
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. 22, 2013 OR HB 2787 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (38 - 18)
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)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/23 HB 1358 Amends Public School Grading System Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
4/23 HB 1658 Amends Public School Grading System Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
4/23 HF 630 2013-2015 Biennium K-12 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (83 - 50)
4/23 AB 230 Amends State Sex Education Curriculum Bill Passed - House (26 - 15)
4/22 HB 1357 Amends Licensing Requirements for Superintendents Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 40)
4/22 SB 207 Authorizes Certain Undocumented Students to Receive In-State Tuition Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
4/22 HCR 3047 Establishes a Commission of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 21)
4/22 HB 3014 Requires Allotted Time for the Pledge of Allegiance in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (42 - 16)
4/18 HB 702 Increases the Appeal Time Period for Establishing Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (62 - 30)
4/18 HF 604 2013-2014 Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
4/18 HB 6648 Authorizes University Board of Regents to Appoint President of the Board Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
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)
4/17 SF 1236 Increases Funds for Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 18)
4/15 SB 207 Authorizes Certain Undocumented Students to Receive In-State Tuition Bill Passed - House (70 - 23)
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)
4/09 HB 1001 2013-2015 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 12)
4/08 SB 422 Requires Public School Teachers to Pay Labor Union Fees Bill Passed - House (99 - 41)
4/06 HB 1107 Amends Prince George's County School System Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 47)
4/05 SB 199 Establishes the Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 8)
4/05 SB 199 Establishes the Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center Conference Report Adopted - House (90 - 30)
4/04 SB 422 Requires Public School Teachers to Pay Labor Union Fees Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
4/04 HB 867 Authorizes Parent Involvement in School Turnaround Decisions Bill Passed - House (68 - 51)
4/04 HB 162 Amends Teacher Tenure Policy Bill Passed - House (28 - 10)
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 SB 1160 Establishes Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Bill Passed - House (105 - 44)
4/03 SB 1160 Establishes Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
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)
4/01 SF 429 2013-14 Community Colleges Budget Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
4/01 SJR 15 Removes the Separate Tax Rate on Mining Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (17 - 4)
3/28 H 221 Amends Public Charter School Laws Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
3/26 SB 199 Establishes the Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center Bill Passed - House (90 - 32)
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)
3/21 HB 2787 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
3/21 HB 4369 Expands the Education Achievement Authority Bill Passed - House (57 - 53)
3/18 HB 1081 Expands Sexual Education Curriculum Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
3/18 HB 534 Authorizes University Student Organizations to Limit Membership Based on Religion Bill Passed - House (75 - 21)
3/14 HB 1940 Authorizes Students to Express Religious Viewpoints in Schools Bill Passed - House (79 - 13)
3/14 SB 514 Prohibits Universities from Disciplining Students Who Refuse to Treat Someone Based on Religious Beliefs Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 4)
3/13 HB 1817 Authorizes Undocumented Students to Apply for State Financial Aid Bill Passed - House (77 - 20)
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)
3/08 SB 33 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (40 - 21)
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)
3/04 HB 1721 Reduces the Income Cap for the Oklahoma Promise Scholarship Bill Passed - House (56 - 37)
2/28 HB 84 Authorizes Schools to Apply for Waivers from State Laws Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 11)
2/28 HJR 10 Extends Education Disbursements from the Land Grant Fund Joint Resolution Passed - House (36 - 33)
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)
2/27 HB 64 Amends Educational Employee Pension Funds and Policies Bill Passed - House (50 - 17)
2/26 S 1089 Amends Early Teacher Retirement Program Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
2/26 SB 207 Authorizes Certain Undocumented Students to Receive In-State Tuition Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
2/25 HB 1243 Authorizes University Staff to Carry a Concealed Handgun Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
2/25 SB 33 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
2/25 HB 1215 Authorizes Concealed Weapons in Schools Bill Passed - House (60 - 33)
2/23 HB 240 Authorizes Firearms on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (58 - 41)
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)
2/22 HB 2787 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (38 - 18)
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)

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