Key Votes

Chamber

Keyword Search

Search string must be longer than 3 characters.

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 3, 2015 NV AB 111 Increases College Credits Required for Millennium Scholarship Bill Passed - House (31 - 10)
April 2, 2015 OK SB 711 Encourages School Districts to Report Alleged Criminal Actions of Teachers Bill Passed - House (61 - 29)
April 2, 2015 MO HB 499 Requires Public Schools to Recite the Pledge of Allegiance in English Bill Passed - House (118 - 30)
April 1, 2015 AZ SB 1332 Expands Empowerment Scholarship to Include Native Americans Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
April 1, 2015 AK SB 64 Amends School Bond Debt Reimbursement Bill Passed - House (23 - 15)
April 1, 2015 NV AB 165 Establishes the Nevada Educational Choice Scholarship Program Bill Passed - House (25 - 17)
March 31, 2015 NY S 2006B Establishes Annual Teacher Evaluation Program Bill Passed - House (92 - 55)
March 31, 2015 AL SB 71 Increases Cumulative Cap on Tax Credits Available for Scholarship Donations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
March 31, 2015 NY S 2006B Establishes Annual Teacher Evaluation Program Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 26)
March 31, 2015 TX SB 6 Establishes Rating System for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
March 31, 2015 MT SB 410 Authorizes Tax Credits for Donations to Certain Educational Programs and Student Scholarship Organizations Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
March 30, 2015 TN SB 999 Establishes The Tennessee Choice and Opportunity Scholarship Program Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
March 27, 2015 FL HB 7037 Appropriates Funds for Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (75 - 35)
March 26, 2015 OK HB 1749 Prohibits Payroll Deductions for Public Employee Organizations Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 16)
March 26, 2015 MI HB 4041 Requires School Attendance to Receive Assistance Funds Bill Passed - House (74 - 36)
March 26, 2015 OH HB 2 Amends Charter School Regulations Bill Passed - House (70 - 25)
March 25, 2015 IA SF 227 Amends the School Year Start Date Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
March 25, 2015 KS HB 2326 Amends Teacher Contracts Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 27)
March 25, 2015 CO SB 45 Establishes Tax Credits for Private School Tuition Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
March 20, 2015 ND HB 1195 Authorizes Concealed Firearms in Schools Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 28)
March 19, 2015 AL SB 191 Establishes the Board of Trustees of the Alabama Community College System Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
March 19, 2015 AL SB 191 Establishes the Board of Trustees of the Alabama Community College System Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
March 19, 2015 TX SB 11 Authorizes Concealed Carry of Firearms on College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
March 19, 2015 KS SB 175 Prohibits Universities from Denying Benefits to Religious Student Organizations Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
March 19, 2015 MO HB 104 Prohibits Universities From Denying Benefits to a Religious Student Association Bill Passed - House (117 - 38)
March 18, 2015 AL SB 45 Authorizes Public Charter Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
March 18, 2015 MO HB 63 Prohibits Superintendents from Serving on Certain School Boards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (110 - 45)
March 18, 2015 AL SB 45 Authorizes Public Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (58 - 41)
March 16, 2015 ID S 1096 Establishes Parental Rights in Education Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
March 14, 2015 WV HB 2005 Expands Certain Teacher Certification Programs Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 37)
March 14, 2015 WV SB 286 Amends Exemption Procedure for Compulsory Immunizations Bill Passed - House (62 - 36)
March 14, 2015 WV HB 2934 Requires a Review of State Education Standards Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
March 13, 2015 KS SB 7 Appropriates Funds to the Department of Education Bill Passed - House (64 - 57)
March 13, 2015 KS SB 7 Appropriates Funds to the Department of Education Bill Passed - House (64 - 57)
March 13, 2015 AR HB 1722 Prohibits The Use of Electronic Cigarettes on Publicly Funded Colleges and Universities Bill Passed - House (58 - 18)
March 13, 2015 AR HB 1377 Authorizes the Use of Waivers by Public School Districts Bill Passed - House (58 - 18)
March 12, 2015 MO HB 63 Prohibits Superintendents from Serving on Certain School Boards Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
March 12, 2015 AR SB 366 Authorizes Additional Compensations to Teachers Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
March 11, 2015 GA SR 80 Revises Advanced Placement Test in U.S. History Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 17)
March 11, 2015 MO HB 187 Prohibits Undocumented Immigrants from Receiving Student Financial Aid Bill Passed - House (111 - 41)
March 11, 2015 MO HB 187 Prohibits Undocumented Immigrants from Receiving Student Financial Aid Bill Passed - House (111 - 41)
March 11, 2015 WA SB 5748 Requires the Use of Test Scores in Teacher Evaluations Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
March 10, 2015 MS SB 2258 Authorizes Department of Education to Investigate Cheating Allegations Bill Passed - House (65 - 53)
March 10, 2015 AL SB 45 Authorizes Public Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
March 9, 2015 AR SB 5 Modifies Eligibility Requirements for the Academic Challenge Scholarship Program Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
March 9, 2015 AZ HB 2246 Authorizes Parents to Opt-Out of Standardized Tests for Their Children Bill Passed - House (35 - 24)
March 5, 2015 NV SB 119 Exempts Schools from Paying Prevailing Wages Bill Passed - House (23 - 19)
March 5, 2015 MN HF 2 Amends Requirements for Teacher Layoffs Bill Passed - House (70 - 63)
March 5, 2015 GA SB 133 Establishes Opportunity School District Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 17)
March 5, 2015 GA SR 287 Authorizes Residents to Vote on New School District Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 15)
March 4, 2015 PA HB 530 Amends Charter School Laws Bill Passed - House (118 - 78)
March 3, 2015 AR HB 1242 Amends Requirements for the Creation of a New School District Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
March 3, 2015 SD SB 89 Requires School Safety Plans and Lockdown Drills Bill Failed - House (30 - 37)
March 2, 2015 WV SB 14 Authorizes Public Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
Feb. 28, 2015 WV HB 2934 Repeals Common Core Standards Bill Passed - House (75 - 19)
Feb. 27, 2015 KY SB 76 Prohibits Students from Using Restrooms Designated for the Opposite Sex Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
Feb. 26, 2015 WY HB 144 Establishes a School Safety Tip Line Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
Feb. 26, 2015 MT SB 12 Authorizes School Funding for 19-Year-Old Students Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
Feb. 25, 2015 WY HB 23 Authorizes Adoption of Next Generation Science Standards Conference Report Adopted - House (43 - 12)
Feb. 25, 2015 KS SB 56 Prohibits Exposing Minors to Harmful Materials Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
Feb. 25, 2015 ND SB 2254 Amends School District Funding Calculations to Include Early Childhood Education Programs Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 31)
Feb. 25, 2015 MO HB 42 Amends School Transfer Laws Bill Passed - House (114 - 43)
Feb. 25, 2015 ND SB 2151 Appropriates Funds for Early Childhood Education Grants Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
Feb. 24, 2015 WY HB 159 Repeals Statewide Writing Assessment Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
Feb. 24, 2015 SD SB 189 Establishes Tax Credit Scholarship Program Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Feb. 24, 2015 MT SB 107 Authorizes New High School Districts Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
Feb. 24, 2015 IN HB 1001 2015-2017 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (69 - 29)
Feb. 23, 2015 AK HCR 2 Establishes Alaska School Choice Week Joint Resolution Passed - House (21 - 14)
Feb. 23, 2015 AZ SB 1172 Prohibits Schools from Releasing Student Information for Political Purposes Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
Feb. 23, 2015 AZ SB 1172 Prohibits Schools from Releasing Student Information for Political Purposes Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
Feb. 19, 2015 GA HB 100 Amends Minimum Age for Kindergarten Enrollment Bill Passed - House (110 - 53)
Feb. 17, 2015 VA HB 1626 Authorizes Home-Schooled Students to Participate in Public School Interscholastic Programs Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
Feb. 16, 2015 NV SB 119 Exempts Schools from Paying Prevailing Wages Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9)
Feb. 12, 2015 WY HB 23 Authorizes Consideration of Next Generation Science Standards Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
Feb. 12, 2015 CO SB 77 Extends Parental Rights in Education and Health Care Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/03 AB 111 Increases College Credits Required for Millennium Scholarship Bill Passed - House (31 - 10)
4/02 SB 711 Encourages School Districts to Report Alleged Criminal Actions of Teachers Bill Passed - House (61 - 29)
4/02 HB 499 Requires Public Schools to Recite the Pledge of Allegiance in English Bill Passed - House (118 - 30)
4/01 SB 1332 Expands Empowerment Scholarship to Include Native Americans Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
4/01 SB 64 Amends School Bond Debt Reimbursement Bill Passed - House (23 - 15)
4/01 AB 165 Establishes the Nevada Educational Choice Scholarship Program Bill Passed - House (25 - 17)
3/31 S 2006B Establishes Annual Teacher Evaluation Program Bill Passed - House (92 - 55)
3/31 SB 71 Increases Cumulative Cap on Tax Credits Available for Scholarship Donations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
3/31 S 2006B Establishes Annual Teacher Evaluation Program Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 26)
3/31 SB 6 Establishes Rating System for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
3/31 SB 410 Authorizes Tax Credits for Donations to Certain Educational Programs and Student Scholarship Organizations Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
3/30 SB 999 Establishes The Tennessee Choice and Opportunity Scholarship Program Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
3/27 HB 7037 Appropriates Funds for Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (75 - 35)
3/26 HB 1749 Prohibits Payroll Deductions for Public Employee Organizations Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 16)
3/26 HB 4041 Requires School Attendance to Receive Assistance Funds Bill Passed - House (74 - 36)
3/26 HB 2 Amends Charter School Regulations Bill Passed - House (70 - 25)
3/25 SF 227 Amends the School Year Start Date Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
3/25 HB 2326 Amends Teacher Contracts Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 27)
3/25 SB 45 Establishes Tax Credits for Private School Tuition Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
3/20 HB 1195 Authorizes Concealed Firearms in Schools Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 28)
3/19 SB 191 Establishes the Board of Trustees of the Alabama Community College System Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
3/19 SB 191 Establishes the Board of Trustees of the Alabama Community College System Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
3/19 SB 11 Authorizes Concealed Carry of Firearms on College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
3/19 SB 175 Prohibits Universities from Denying Benefits to Religious Student Organizations Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
3/19 HB 104 Prohibits Universities From Denying Benefits to a Religious Student Association Bill Passed - House (117 - 38)
3/18 SB 45 Authorizes Public Charter Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
3/18 HB 63 Prohibits Superintendents from Serving on Certain School Boards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (110 - 45)
3/18 SB 45 Authorizes Public Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (58 - 41)
3/16 S 1096 Establishes Parental Rights in Education Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
3/14 HB 2005 Expands Certain Teacher Certification Programs Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 37)
3/14 SB 286 Amends Exemption Procedure for Compulsory Immunizations Bill Passed - House (62 - 36)
3/14 HB 2934 Requires a Review of State Education Standards Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
3/13 SB 7 Appropriates Funds to the Department of Education Bill Passed - House (64 - 57)
3/13 SB 7 Appropriates Funds to the Department of Education Bill Passed - House (64 - 57)
3/13 HB 1722 Prohibits The Use of Electronic Cigarettes on Publicly Funded Colleges and Universities Bill Passed - House (58 - 18)
3/13 HB 1377 Authorizes the Use of Waivers by Public School Districts Bill Passed - House (58 - 18)
3/12 HB 63 Prohibits Superintendents from Serving on Certain School Boards Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
3/12 SB 366 Authorizes Additional Compensations to Teachers Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
3/11 SR 80 Revises Advanced Placement Test in U.S. History Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 17)
3/11 HB 187 Prohibits Undocumented Immigrants from Receiving Student Financial Aid Bill Passed - House (111 - 41)
3/11 HB 187 Prohibits Undocumented Immigrants from Receiving Student Financial Aid Bill Passed - House (111 - 41)
3/11 SB 5748 Requires the Use of Test Scores in Teacher Evaluations Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
3/10 SB 2258 Authorizes Department of Education to Investigate Cheating Allegations Bill Passed - House (65 - 53)
3/10 SB 45 Authorizes Public Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
3/09 SB 5 Modifies Eligibility Requirements for the Academic Challenge Scholarship Program Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
3/09 HB 2246 Authorizes Parents to Opt-Out of Standardized Tests for Their Children Bill Passed - House (35 - 24)
3/05 SB 119 Exempts Schools from Paying Prevailing Wages Bill Passed - House (23 - 19)
3/05 HF 2 Amends Requirements for Teacher Layoffs Bill Passed - House (70 - 63)
3/05 SB 133 Establishes Opportunity School District Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 17)
3/05 SR 287 Authorizes Residents to Vote on New School District Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 15)
3/04 HB 530 Amends Charter School Laws Bill Passed - House (118 - 78)
3/03 HB 1242 Amends Requirements for the Creation of a New School District Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
3/03 SB 89 Requires School Safety Plans and Lockdown Drills Bill Failed - House (30 - 37)
3/02 SB 14 Authorizes Public Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
2/28 HB 2934 Repeals Common Core Standards Bill Passed - House (75 - 19)
2/27 SB 76 Prohibits Students from Using Restrooms Designated for the Opposite Sex Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
2/26 HB 144 Establishes a School Safety Tip Line Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
2/26 SB 12 Authorizes School Funding for 19-Year-Old Students Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
2/25 HB 23 Authorizes Adoption of Next Generation Science Standards Conference Report Adopted - House (43 - 12)
2/25 SB 56 Prohibits Exposing Minors to Harmful Materials Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
2/25 SB 2254 Amends School District Funding Calculations to Include Early Childhood Education Programs Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 31)
2/25 HB 42 Amends School Transfer Laws Bill Passed - House (114 - 43)
2/25 SB 2151 Appropriates Funds for Early Childhood Education Grants Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
2/24 HB 159 Repeals Statewide Writing Assessment Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
2/24 SB 189 Establishes Tax Credit Scholarship Program Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
2/24 SB 107 Authorizes New High School Districts Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
2/24 HB 1001 2015-2017 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (69 - 29)
2/23 HCR 2 Establishes Alaska School Choice Week Joint Resolution Passed - House (21 - 14)
2/23 SB 1172 Prohibits Schools from Releasing Student Information for Political Purposes Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
2/23 SB 1172 Prohibits Schools from Releasing Student Information for Political Purposes Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
2/19 HB 100 Amends Minimum Age for Kindergarten Enrollment Bill Passed - House (110 - 53)
2/17 HB 1626 Authorizes Home-Schooled Students to Participate in Public School Interscholastic Programs Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
2/16 SB 119 Exempts Schools from Paying Prevailing Wages Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9)
2/12 HB 23 Authorizes Consideration of Next Generation Science Standards Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
2/12 SB 77 Extends Parental Rights in Education and Health Care Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)

arrow_upward