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
July 30, 2020 NJ A 4250 Authorizes Remote Online Notarizations Bill Passed - House (53 - 20)
July 28, 2020 MA S 2844 Repeals Previous Restrictions on Students with Disabilities Attending Universities of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
July 22, 2020 MI HB 5911 Expands Access to Virtual Classes at Parental Request Due to Health Concerns Bill Passed - House (57 - 47)
July 22, 2020 MI HB 5913 Requires School Districts to Administer Math and Reading Exams During E-Learning Bill Passed - House (55 - 49)
July 22, 2020 MI HB 5913 Requires School Districts to Administer Math and Reading Exams During E-Learning Bill Passed - House (55 - 49)
July 22, 2020 MI HB 5912 Requires Districts to Have at Least 75 Percent Attendance to Avoid Prorated Funding Bill Passed - House (57 - 47)
July 22, 2020 MI HB 5911 Expands Access to Virtual Classes at Parental Request Due to Health Concerns Bill Passed - House (57 - 47)
July 22, 2020 MI HB 5910 Authorizes School Districts to Adopt Programs for E-Learning Days (56 - 48)
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 30, 2020 NH HB 1558 Amends School Disciplinary Policies to Address Behavioral Needs Concurrence Vote Passed - House (201 - 129)
June 29, 2020 CA SB 98 Establishes Distance Education Guidance and Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
June 29, 2020 NJ S 2273 Amends Teacher Health Benefits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
June 26, 2020 National H J Res 76 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to "Borrower Defense Institutional Accountability" Veto Override Failed - House (238 - 173)
June 26, 2020 NC SB 681 Requires Credit in the Arts in Order to Graduate Conference Report Adopted - House (87 - 21)
June 26, 2020 CA SB 98 Establishes Distance Education Guidance and Standards Bill Passed - House (57 - 17)
June 26, 2020 NC SB 681 Requires Credit in the Arts in Order to Graduate Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 9)
June 18, 2020 CA AB 1460 Requires Ethnic Studies Course Completion in State Universities Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
June 17, 2020 NC SB 818 Authorizes Bonuses for Public School Teachers During the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - House (84 - 35)
June 17, 2020 NC SB 818 Authorizes Bonuses for Public School Teachers During the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - House (84 - 35)
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 15, 2020 NC SB 818 Authorizes Bonuses for Public School Teachers During the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
June 13, 2020 CO SB 20-163 Amends the Definition for Nonmedical Exemptions for School Immunization Policies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 13)
June 13, 2020 IA SF 2310 Establishes Educational Instructional Requirements for Online Learning Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
June 11, 2020 OH HB 164 Authorizes Religious Expression in Public Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (90 - 3)
June 10, 2020 OH HB 164 Authorizes Religious Expression in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
June 10, 2020 PA SB 1125 Authorizes School Districts to Extend Time Needed to Pay Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
June 3, 2020 TN HB 1839 Prohibits Universities from Contracting with a Foreign Nation Bill Passed - House (80 - 10)
June 3, 2020 TN HB 1689 Prohibits Students From Participating in Sports That do Not Match Their Birth Sex Bill Passed - House (73 - 13)
May 29, 2020 VT H 959 Establishes an Education Property Tax for Fiscal Year 2021 Bill Passed - House (127 - 20)
May 27, 2020 MI HB 5217 Authorizes Compensation for College Athletes Bill Passed - House (94 - 13)
May 17, 2020 MN HF 4415 Expands Aid for COVID-19 Related School Closures Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 55)
May 13, 2020 OK HB 2741 Reduces Contributions to Teachers' Retirement System Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 12)
May 9, 2020 AL HB 187 Appropriates Funds for the Fiscal Year 2021 Education Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 1)
May 8, 2020 MO HB 2002 Appropriates Education Funding for Fiscal Year 2021 Conference Report Adopted - House (120 - 28)
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 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (92 - 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 19, 2020 TN HB 2818 Authorizes the State Board of Education to Establish Rules During COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
March 19, 2020 AZ HB 2902 Appropriates Funds Related to Education Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
March 19, 2020 AZ HB 2902 Appropriates Funds Related to Education Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
March 18, 2020 AK SB 74 Increases Minimum Internet Speed for K-12 Schools Bill Passed - House (32 - 3)
March 17, 2020 KS SB 142 Authorizes Waiver for School Hour Requirement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
March 17, 2020 MD HB 1300 Establishes the "Blueprint for Maryland's Future" Concurrence Vote Passed - House (96 - 38)
March 16, 2020 CA SB 117 Appropriates Funds to Public Schools Amid COVID-19 Emergency Shut-Down Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
March 16, 2020 ID H 500 Prohibits Transgender Female Students from Sports designated for Females Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
March 16, 2020 ID H 500 Prohibits Transgender Female Students from Sports designated for Females Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
March 16, 2020 KS SB 474 Authorizes Compensation for College Athletes Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 4)
Date No. Title Outcome
7/30 A 4250 Authorizes Remote Online Notarizations Bill Passed - House (53 - 20)
7/28 S 2844 Repeals Previous Restrictions on Students with Disabilities Attending Universities of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
7/22 HB 5911 Expands Access to Virtual Classes at Parental Request Due to Health Concerns Bill Passed - House (57 - 47)
7/22 HB 5913 Requires School Districts to Administer Math and Reading Exams During E-Learning Bill Passed - House (55 - 49)
7/22 HB 5913 Requires School Districts to Administer Math and Reading Exams During E-Learning Bill Passed - House (55 - 49)
7/22 HB 5912 Requires Districts to Have at Least 75 Percent Attendance to Avoid Prorated Funding Bill Passed - House (57 - 47)
7/22 HB 5911 Expands Access to Virtual Classes at Parental Request Due to Health Concerns Bill Passed - House (57 - 47)
7/22 HB 5910 Authorizes School Districts to Adopt Programs for E-Learning Days (56 - 48)
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)
6/30 HB 1558 Amends School Disciplinary Policies to Address Behavioral Needs Concurrence Vote Passed - House (201 - 129)
6/29 SB 98 Establishes Distance Education Guidance and Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
6/29 S 2273 Amends Teacher Health Benefits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
6/26 H J Res 76 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to "Borrower Defense Institutional Accountability" Veto Override Failed - House (238 - 173)
6/26 SB 681 Requires Credit in the Arts in Order to Graduate Conference Report Adopted - House (87 - 21)
6/26 SB 98 Establishes Distance Education Guidance and Standards Bill Passed - House (57 - 17)
6/26 SB 681 Requires Credit in the Arts in Order to Graduate Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 9)
6/18 AB 1460 Requires Ethnic Studies Course Completion in State Universities Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
6/17 SB 818 Authorizes Bonuses for Public School Teachers During the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - House (84 - 35)
6/17 SB 818 Authorizes Bonuses for Public School Teachers During the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - House (84 - 35)
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)
6/15 SB 818 Authorizes Bonuses for Public School Teachers During the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
6/13 SB 20-163 Amends the Definition for Nonmedical Exemptions for School Immunization Policies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 13)
6/13 SF 2310 Establishes Educational Instructional Requirements for Online Learning Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
6/11 HB 164 Authorizes Religious Expression in Public Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (90 - 3)
6/10 HB 164 Authorizes Religious Expression in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
6/10 SB 1125 Authorizes School Districts to Extend Time Needed to Pay Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
6/03 HB 1839 Prohibits Universities from Contracting with a Foreign Nation Bill Passed - House (80 - 10)
6/03 HB 1689 Prohibits Students From Participating in Sports That do Not Match Their Birth Sex Bill Passed - House (73 - 13)
5/29 H 959 Establishes an Education Property Tax for Fiscal Year 2021 Bill Passed - House (127 - 20)
5/27 HB 5217 Authorizes Compensation for College Athletes Bill Passed - House (94 - 13)
5/17 HF 4415 Expands Aid for COVID-19 Related School Closures Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 55)
5/13 HB 2741 Reduces Contributions to Teachers' Retirement System Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 12)
5/09 HB 187 Appropriates Funds for the Fiscal Year 2021 Education Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 1)
5/08 HB 2002 Appropriates Education Funding for Fiscal Year 2021 Conference Report Adopted - House (120 - 28)
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 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (92 - 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)
3/19 HB 2818 Authorizes the State Board of Education to Establish Rules During COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
3/19 HB 2902 Appropriates Funds Related to Education Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
3/19 HB 2902 Appropriates Funds Related to Education Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
3/18 SB 74 Increases Minimum Internet Speed for K-12 Schools Bill Passed - House (32 - 3)
3/17 SB 142 Authorizes Waiver for School Hour Requirement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
3/17 HB 1300 Establishes the "Blueprint for Maryland's Future" Concurrence Vote Passed - House (96 - 38)
3/16 SB 117 Appropriates Funds to Public Schools Amid COVID-19 Emergency Shut-Down Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
3/16 H 500 Prohibits Transgender Female Students from Sports designated for Females Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
3/16 H 500 Prohibits Transgender Female Students from Sports designated for Females Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
3/16 SB 474 Authorizes Compensation for College Athletes Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 4)

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