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
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)
March 13, 2020 FL SB 646 Authorizes Compensation for College Athletes Bill Passed - House (98 - 14)
March 12, 2020 UT HB 222 Expands School Breakfast Programs Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 17)
March 12, 2020 NH HB 1285 Prohibits Firearms on School Property "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (182 - 141)
March 12, 2020 NH HB 1251 Prohibits Transgender Students from Playing on a Female Sports Team "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (184 - 131)
March 12, 2020 ME LD 2077 Establishes a Legislative Review for Performance Evaluation and Professional Growth Bill Passed - House (91 - 47)
March 12, 2020 MS HB 1200 Prohibits "Free Speech Zones" on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (68 - 52)
March 12, 2020 ME LD 1894 Increases Purchases of Electric School Buses Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
March 11, 2020 IN HB 1065 Authorizes School Districts To Use Tax Dollars For Charter Schools Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 18)
March 11, 2020 IN HB 1065 Authorizes School Districts To Use Tax Dollars For Charter Schools Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 40)
March 11, 2020 NY S 5073 Establishes a School Voter Registration Access Program Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 18)
March 11, 2020 FL HB 1213 Requires Adding Ocoee Riots to School Curriculum Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
March 11, 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" Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 42)
March 11, 2020 NH HB 1500 Establishes a Student Loan Ombudsman and a Student Loan "Bill of Rights" Bill Passed - House (197 - 128)
March 10, 2020 FL SB 70 Establishes Alert Systems in Public Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
March 10, 2020 UT HB 99 Expands Enhanced Kindergarten Early Intervention Programs Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 23)
March 10, 2020 UT HB 246 Establishes Additional Psychiatry Positions at the University of Utah Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 10)
March 10, 2020 GA SB 386 Expands State-Funded Private School Scholarships for Students with Learning Disabilities Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 22)
March 10, 2020 AL HB 235 Repeals Ban on Yoga Classes in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (84 - 17)
March 9, 2020 WY HB 119 Establishes Medicaid Billing Process for School-Based Services Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 14)
March 9, 2020 WA SB 6561 Establishes a Student Loan Program for Undocumented Students Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 11)
March 9, 2020 WY HB 174 Amends Kindergarten Minimum Age Start Date Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
March 5, 2020 WA SB 6561 Establishes a Student Loan Program for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - House (82 - 15)
March 4, 2020 WA SB 5395 Establishes K-12 Sexual Health Education Programs in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (56 - 40)
March 4, 2020 WA SB 5395 Establishes K-12 Sexual Health Education Programs in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (56 - 40)
March 4, 2020 CO SB 20-123 Authorizes Compensation for College Athletes Bill Passed - House (55 - 9)
March 4, 2020 OK HB 2804 Requires Dyslexia Screening for All K-3rd Grade Students Not Reading at Grade Level Bill Passed - House (92 - 1)
March 4, 2020 OK HB 2804 Requires Dyslexia Screening for All K-3rd Grade Students Not Reading at Grade Level Bill Passed - House (92 - 1)
March 3, 2020 IN HB 1222 Reduces Number of Assistance Funding Requests Made by Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13)
March 3, 2020 SD SB 147 Prohibits Collective Bargaining by Certain University Employees Bill Passed - House (47 - 19)
March 3, 2020 VA HB 837 Establishes the "Dress Code Equity Act" Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
March 3, 2020 AZ HB 2706 Prohibits Transgender Female Students from Sports Designated for Females Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
March 3, 2020 AZ HB 2706 Prohibits Transgender Female Students from Sports Designated for Females Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
March 2, 2020 AZ SB 1059 Establishes a Ballot Referendum to Raise $900 Million Per Year for State K-12 Education Funding Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
Feb. 28, 2020 CO SB 20-163 Amends the Definition for Nonmedical Exemptions for School Immunization Policies Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
Feb. 27, 2020 AZ HB 2790 Authorizes Community Colleges Offer Four-Year Degree Programs Bill Passed - House (42 - 18)
Feb. 26, 2020 ID H 500 Prohibits Transgender Female Students from Sports designated for Females Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
Feb. 26, 2020 ID H 500 Prohibits Transgender Female Students from Sports designated for Females Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
Feb. 25, 2020 SD SB 147 Prohibits Collective Bargaining by Certain University Employees Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
Feb. 24, 2020 VA SB 935 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - House (56 - 44)
Feb. 24, 2020 SD HB 1175 Defines Dyslexia for Special Education and Other Related Services Bill Passed - House (58 - 10)
Feb. 24, 2020 SD HB 1175 Defines Dyslexia for Special Education and Other Related Services Bill Passed - House (58 - 10)
Feb. 21, 2020 SD HB 1081 Exempts from Regulations Certain Uses of Alcohol by Postsecondary Institutions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 12)
Feb. 20, 2020 VA SB 161 Requires Schools to Create Policies Transgender-Friendly Student Policies (58 - 40)
Feb. 20, 2020 VA SB 161 Requires Schools to Create Policies Transgender-Friendly Student Policies (58 - 40)
Feb. 20, 2020 NH HB 1454 Authorizes Credit for Alternative Learning and Work Programs "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (202 - 142)
Feb. 18, 2020 OK HB 1230 Increases Transparency on State-Funded Scholarships for Private Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 17)
Feb. 13, 2020 KY HB 37 Requires Visual and Performing Arts Courses be Taught in Elementary and Middle Schools Bill Passed - House (73 - 16)
Feb. 12, 2020 OK HB 2336 Authorizes Handguns on the Premises of Schools Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 7)
Feb. 12, 2020 WA SB 6262 Requires Schools to Incorporate Curriculum on Local Indian Tribes Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
Feb. 12, 2020 UT HB 99 Expands Enhanced Kindergarten Early Intervention Programs Bill Passed - House (48 - 21)
Date No. Title Outcome
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)
3/13 SB 646 Authorizes Compensation for College Athletes Bill Passed - House (98 - 14)
3/12 HB 222 Expands School Breakfast Programs Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 17)
3/12 HB 1285 Prohibits Firearms on School Property "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (182 - 141)
3/12 HB 1251 Prohibits Transgender Students from Playing on a Female Sports Team "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (184 - 131)
3/12 LD 2077 Establishes a Legislative Review for Performance Evaluation and Professional Growth Bill Passed - House (91 - 47)
3/12 HB 1200 Prohibits "Free Speech Zones" on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (68 - 52)
3/12 LD 1894 Increases Purchases of Electric School Buses Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
3/11 HB 1065 Authorizes School Districts To Use Tax Dollars For Charter Schools Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 18)
3/11 HB 1065 Authorizes School Districts To Use Tax Dollars For Charter Schools Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 40)
3/11 S 5073 Establishes a School Voter Registration Access Program Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 18)
3/11 HB 1213 Requires Adding Ocoee Riots to School Curriculum Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
3/11 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" Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 42)
3/11 HB 1500 Establishes a Student Loan Ombudsman and a Student Loan "Bill of Rights" Bill Passed - House (197 - 128)
3/10 SB 70 Establishes Alert Systems in Public Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
3/10 HB 99 Expands Enhanced Kindergarten Early Intervention Programs Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 23)
3/10 HB 246 Establishes Additional Psychiatry Positions at the University of Utah Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 10)
3/10 SB 386 Expands State-Funded Private School Scholarships for Students with Learning Disabilities Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 22)
3/10 HB 235 Repeals Ban on Yoga Classes in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (84 - 17)
3/09 HB 119 Establishes Medicaid Billing Process for School-Based Services Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 14)
3/09 SB 6561 Establishes a Student Loan Program for Undocumented Students Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 11)
3/09 HB 174 Amends Kindergarten Minimum Age Start Date Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
3/05 SB 6561 Establishes a Student Loan Program for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - House (82 - 15)
3/04 SB 5395 Establishes K-12 Sexual Health Education Programs in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (56 - 40)
3/04 SB 5395 Establishes K-12 Sexual Health Education Programs in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (56 - 40)
3/04 SB 20-123 Authorizes Compensation for College Athletes Bill Passed - House (55 - 9)
3/04 HB 2804 Requires Dyslexia Screening for All K-3rd Grade Students Not Reading at Grade Level Bill Passed - House (92 - 1)
3/04 HB 2804 Requires Dyslexia Screening for All K-3rd Grade Students Not Reading at Grade Level Bill Passed - House (92 - 1)
3/03 HB 1222 Reduces Number of Assistance Funding Requests Made by Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13)
3/03 SB 147 Prohibits Collective Bargaining by Certain University Employees Bill Passed - House (47 - 19)
3/03 HB 837 Establishes the "Dress Code Equity Act" Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
3/03 HB 2706 Prohibits Transgender Female Students from Sports Designated for Females Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
3/03 HB 2706 Prohibits Transgender Female Students from Sports Designated for Females Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
3/02 SB 1059 Establishes a Ballot Referendum to Raise $900 Million Per Year for State K-12 Education Funding Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
2/28 SB 20-163 Amends the Definition for Nonmedical Exemptions for School Immunization Policies Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
2/27 HB 2790 Authorizes Community Colleges Offer Four-Year Degree Programs Bill Passed - House (42 - 18)
2/26 H 500 Prohibits Transgender Female Students from Sports designated for Females Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
2/26 H 500 Prohibits Transgender Female Students from Sports designated for Females Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
2/25 SB 147 Prohibits Collective Bargaining by Certain University Employees Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
2/24 SB 935 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - House (56 - 44)
2/24 HB 1175 Defines Dyslexia for Special Education and Other Related Services Bill Passed - House (58 - 10)
2/24 HB 1175 Defines Dyslexia for Special Education and Other Related Services Bill Passed - House (58 - 10)
2/21 HB 1081 Exempts from Regulations Certain Uses of Alcohol by Postsecondary Institutions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 12)
2/20 SB 161 Requires Schools to Create Policies Transgender-Friendly Student Policies (58 - 40)
2/20 SB 161 Requires Schools to Create Policies Transgender-Friendly Student Policies (58 - 40)
2/20 HB 1454 Authorizes Credit for Alternative Learning and Work Programs "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (202 - 142)
2/18 HB 1230 Increases Transparency on State-Funded Scholarships for Private Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 17)
2/13 HB 37 Requires Visual and Performing Arts Courses be Taught in Elementary and Middle Schools Bill Passed - House (73 - 16)
2/12 HB 2336 Authorizes Handguns on the Premises of Schools Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 7)
2/12 SB 6262 Requires Schools to Incorporate Curriculum on Local Indian Tribes Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
2/12 HB 99 Expands Enhanced Kindergarten Early Intervention Programs Bill Passed - House (48 - 21)

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