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.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
April 22, 2021 IN SB 414 Requires Universities to Survey Students About the Climate for Free Speech on Campus Conference Report Adopted - Senate (42 - 7)
April 22, 2021 WA HB 1365 Requires Development and Administration of a Technology Grant Program Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
April 22, 2021 AR SB 627 Prohibits Certain Teachings Regarding Race and Sex Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
April 22, 2021 TX SB 1385 Authorized College Athletes to be Paid for the Use of their Likeness Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 2)
April 21, 2021 TN HB 1233 Authorizes Refusal to Share Bathrooms and Locker Rooms with Transgender Persons Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
April 19, 2021 NC HB 243 Authorizes the University of North Carolina System to Cut Salaries and Layoff Employees Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
April 19, 2021 AR HB 1592 Prohibits Charter Schools from Engaging in Transactions with Entities that Provide Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
April 15, 2021 AL HB 391 Prohibits Transgender Athletes from Playing on Sports Teams that do not Match their Birth Sex Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
April 15, 2021 TX SB 29 Prohibits Transgender Student's from Playing on Sports Teams That do Not Match their Birth Sex Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
April 14, 2021 WI AB 241 Requires Governor to Allocate Federal Money to State Public Debt and Transportation Revenue Bonds Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
April 13, 2021 AL SB 94 Extends the Deadline for 3rd Graders to Reach Their Required Reading Level Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
April 12, 2021 ID S 1193 Appropriates $6 Million for Early Childhood Education Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
April 9, 2021 KS SB 55 Prohibits Transgender Student Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do Not Match their Birth Sex Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 11)
April 8, 2021 KS HB 2089 Restructures Firearm Safety Education Training Programs for School Districts Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
April 8, 2021 SC S 685 Authorizes College Athletes to be Paid for the Use of their Likeness Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 21)
April 8, 2021 FL SB 86 Establishes a Higher Education Scholarship for Students Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
April 7, 2021 FL HB 233 Requires Florida's Public Universities to Conduct Assessments on Intellectual Freedom Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
April 5, 2021 TN SB 1229 Requires Schools to Notify Parents When Teaching About Sexual or Gender Orientation Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
April 3, 2021 WA HB 1214 Establishes the Category of Safety and Security Staff for K-12 Schools Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
March 25, 2021 IN HB 1040 Requires Schools to Provide Parents with Information on EKGs, or Electrocardiograms Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13)
March 25, 2021 OR SB 554 Authorizes Local Governments and School Districts to Prohibit Guns on Capital and State Property Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 7)
March 17, 2021 ID S 1179 Appropriates Funds for the Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
March 16, 2021 KY HB 258 Requires Teachers to Pay More Toward Their Retirement and Work Longer Before They Can Earn Full Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
March 16, 2021 KY HB 563 Establishes a 25 Million Dollar Scholarship through Tax Credits for Private Schools Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
March 16, 2021 WI SB 39 Requires School Boards to Allow Students in Charter Schools to Participate in Extracurricular Activities Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
March 11, 2021 TN HB 16 Authorizes Teachers to Permanently Remove Students for Misbehavior Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
March 8, 2021 WA SB 5194 Requires Community and Technical Colleges Establish a Faculty Diversity Program Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
March 5, 2021 ID S 1046 Authorizes Teaching of an Alternative Curriculum for K-12 Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
March 4, 2021 SC H 3609 Increases Teacher Salaries Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 0)
March 3, 2021 AZ SB 1456 Requires Schools to Receive Parental Consent When Teaching Sex Education Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
March 2, 2021 MT SB 283 Specifies Response to Guns in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
March 1, 2021 NC SB 37 Requires in Person Learning for K-12 Schools Veto Override Failed - Senate (29 - 20)
March 1, 2021 National PN 78-5 Nomination of Miguel Cardona as Secretary of Education Nomination Confirmed - Senate (64 - 33)
March 1, 2021 WV HB 2012 Increases the Number of Public Charter Schools in the State from 3 to 10 Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
March 1, 2021 NC SB 116 Establishes the North Carolina Back to Work Act Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
March 1, 2021 NC SB 43 Establishes Churches With Schools Have the Right to Bear Arms Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
Feb. 27, 2021 VA HB 1909 Establishes Gun-Free Zones on School Board Property Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17)
Feb. 25, 2021 ID H 67 Prohibits Public Health Districts from Closing Schools or Programs Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
Feb. 25, 2021 ID H 68 Establishes Public Safety Guidelines for Institutions of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
Feb. 23, 2021 MT SB 99 Establishes Parameters for K-12 Sexual Education Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
Feb. 23, 2021 IN SB 69 Increases Penalties for School Bus Stop Arm Violations Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
Feb. 22, 2021 CA SB 132 Requires the University of California to Place all Construction Funds Into an Account With the State Controller Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
Feb. 22, 2021 CA SB 130 Appropriates Funds for Education Related Expenses Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
Feb. 19, 2021 NJ S 3033 Establishes the School & Small Business Energy Efficiency Stimulus Program Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
Feb. 18, 2021 MN SF 2 Rescinds the Governor's Ability to Close Schools During a Peacetime Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 27)
Feb. 16, 2021 ID S 1045 Expands the Advanced Opportunities Program to Nonpublic School Students Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
Feb. 15, 2021 AZ SB 1452 Expands Empowerment Scholarship Accounts for Public and Private Schools Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
Feb. 10, 2021 OK SB 239 Increases Regulatory Requirements for Groups Seeking to Launch Public Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
Feb. 9, 2021 NC SB 37 Requires in Person Learning for K-12 Schools Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 15)
Feb. 9, 2021 IA SF 269 Appropriates Funds for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
Feb. 3, 2021 ND SB 2308 Authorizes Public Schools to Display the 10 Commandments in Classrooms Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
Feb. 2, 2021 NY A 2574 Establishes the State University of New York as an Automatic Voter Registration Location Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
Feb. 2, 2021 IN SB 2 Amends the Definition of What Constitutes "Virtual Instruction" Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
Feb. 1, 2021 VA SB 1387 Expands Financial Aid for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Jan. 28, 2021 IA SF 160 Requires Schools Provide a 100 Percent In-Person Learning Option Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
Jan. 28, 2021 IA SF 160 Requires Schools Provide a 100 Percent In-Person Learning Option Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
Jan. 28, 2021 IA SF 159 Authorizes Publicly Funded School Voucher Credits for Students to Attend Private Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
Jan. 28, 2021 IA SF 159 Authorizes Publicly Funded School Voucher Credits for Students to Attend Private Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
Jan. 27, 2021 WA SB 5044 Requires Anti-Racism and Equity Training in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
Jan. 21, 2021 TN SB 7001 Rescinds Teacher Accountability Measures Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
Jan. 21, 2021 CA SB 86 Appropriates $6.5 Billion for In Person Learning Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 1)
Jan. 11, 2021 IL HB 2170 Amends Public School Curriculum to Emphasize Black and Minority Group Contributions Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 18)
Jan. 11, 2021 IL HB 2275 Repeals Section 4.5 of Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 16)
Jan. 9, 2021 KY HB 1 Authorizes Businesses, Organizations, and Schools to Remain Open if they are Following CDC Guidelines Regardless of Governor Mandate Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/22 SB 414 Requires Universities to Survey Students About the Climate for Free Speech on Campus Conference Report Adopted - Senate (42 - 7)
4/22 HB 1365 Requires Development and Administration of a Technology Grant Program Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
4/22 SB 627 Prohibits Certain Teachings Regarding Race and Sex Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
4/22 SB 1385 Authorized College Athletes to be Paid for the Use of their Likeness Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 2)
4/21 HB 1233 Authorizes Refusal to Share Bathrooms and Locker Rooms with Transgender Persons Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
4/19 HB 243 Authorizes the University of North Carolina System to Cut Salaries and Layoff Employees Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
4/19 HB 1592 Prohibits Charter Schools from Engaging in Transactions with Entities that Provide Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
4/15 HB 391 Prohibits Transgender Athletes from Playing on Sports Teams that do not Match their Birth Sex Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
4/15 SB 29 Prohibits Transgender Student's from Playing on Sports Teams That do Not Match their Birth Sex Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
4/14 AB 241 Requires Governor to Allocate Federal Money to State Public Debt and Transportation Revenue Bonds Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
4/13 SB 94 Extends the Deadline for 3rd Graders to Reach Their Required Reading Level Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
4/12 S 1193 Appropriates $6 Million for Early Childhood Education Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
4/09 SB 55 Prohibits Transgender Student Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do Not Match their Birth Sex Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 11)
4/08 HB 2089 Restructures Firearm Safety Education Training Programs for School Districts Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
4/08 S 685 Authorizes College Athletes to be Paid for the Use of their Likeness Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 21)
4/08 SB 86 Establishes a Higher Education Scholarship for Students Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
4/07 HB 233 Requires Florida's Public Universities to Conduct Assessments on Intellectual Freedom Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
4/05 SB 1229 Requires Schools to Notify Parents When Teaching About Sexual or Gender Orientation Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
4/03 HB 1214 Establishes the Category of Safety and Security Staff for K-12 Schools Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
3/25 HB 1040 Requires Schools to Provide Parents with Information on EKGs, or Electrocardiograms Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13)
3/25 SB 554 Authorizes Local Governments and School Districts to Prohibit Guns on Capital and State Property Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 7)
3/17 S 1179 Appropriates Funds for the Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
3/16 HB 258 Requires Teachers to Pay More Toward Their Retirement and Work Longer Before They Can Earn Full Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
3/16 HB 563 Establishes a 25 Million Dollar Scholarship through Tax Credits for Private Schools Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
3/16 SB 39 Requires School Boards to Allow Students in Charter Schools to Participate in Extracurricular Activities Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
3/11 HB 16 Authorizes Teachers to Permanently Remove Students for Misbehavior Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
3/08 SB 5194 Requires Community and Technical Colleges Establish a Faculty Diversity Program Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
3/05 S 1046 Authorizes Teaching of an Alternative Curriculum for K-12 Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
3/04 H 3609 Increases Teacher Salaries Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 0)
3/03 SB 1456 Requires Schools to Receive Parental Consent When Teaching Sex Education Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
3/02 SB 283 Specifies Response to Guns in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
3/01 SB 37 Requires in Person Learning for K-12 Schools Veto Override Failed - Senate (29 - 20)
3/01 PN 78-5 Nomination of Miguel Cardona as Secretary of Education Nomination Confirmed - Senate (64 - 33)
3/01 HB 2012 Increases the Number of Public Charter Schools in the State from 3 to 10 Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
3/01 SB 116 Establishes the North Carolina Back to Work Act Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
3/01 SB 43 Establishes Churches With Schools Have the Right to Bear Arms Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
2/27 HB 1909 Establishes Gun-Free Zones on School Board Property Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17)
2/25 H 67 Prohibits Public Health Districts from Closing Schools or Programs Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
2/25 H 68 Establishes Public Safety Guidelines for Institutions of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
2/23 SB 99 Establishes Parameters for K-12 Sexual Education Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
2/23 SB 69 Increases Penalties for School Bus Stop Arm Violations Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11)
2/22 SB 132 Requires the University of California to Place all Construction Funds Into an Account With the State Controller Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
2/22 SB 130 Appropriates Funds for Education Related Expenses Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
2/19 S 3033 Establishes the School & Small Business Energy Efficiency Stimulus Program Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
2/18 SF 2 Rescinds the Governor's Ability to Close Schools During a Peacetime Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 27)
2/16 S 1045 Expands the Advanced Opportunities Program to Nonpublic School Students Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
2/15 SB 1452 Expands Empowerment Scholarship Accounts for Public and Private Schools Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
2/10 SB 239 Increases Regulatory Requirements for Groups Seeking to Launch Public Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
2/09 SB 37 Requires in Person Learning for K-12 Schools Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 15)
2/09 SF 269 Appropriates Funds for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
2/03 SB 2308 Authorizes Public Schools to Display the 10 Commandments in Classrooms Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
2/02 A 2574 Establishes the State University of New York as an Automatic Voter Registration Location Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
2/02 SB 2 Amends the Definition of What Constitutes "Virtual Instruction" Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
2/01 SB 1387 Expands Financial Aid for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
1/28 SF 160 Requires Schools Provide a 100 Percent In-Person Learning Option Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
1/28 SF 160 Requires Schools Provide a 100 Percent In-Person Learning Option Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
1/28 SF 159 Authorizes Publicly Funded School Voucher Credits for Students to Attend Private Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
1/28 SF 159 Authorizes Publicly Funded School Voucher Credits for Students to Attend Private Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
1/27 SB 5044 Requires Anti-Racism and Equity Training in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
1/21 SB 7001 Rescinds Teacher Accountability Measures Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
1/21 SB 86 Appropriates $6.5 Billion for In Person Learning Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 1)
1/11 HB 2170 Amends Public School Curriculum to Emphasize Black and Minority Group Contributions Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 18)
1/11 HB 2275 Repeals Section 4.5 of Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 16)
1/09 HB 1 Authorizes Businesses, Organizations, and Schools to Remain Open if they are Following CDC Guidelines Regardless of Governor Mandate Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)

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