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
March 19, 2025 TX SB 18 Prohibits Funding Libraries in Texas that Support or Host Reading Hours with Drag Queens Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
March 19, 2025 TX SB 35 Reduces the Limit on Projects the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Can Work on During a Year Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
March 19, 2025 TX SB 17 Increases Sanctions Against Foreign Entities from Purchasing Land in Texas Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
March 19, 2025 TX SB 12 Authorizes Parents the Right to Prohibit Topics Regarding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Being Taught to Their Children Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
March 19, 2025 TX SB 15 Authorizes a Fee on Residential Lots in Certain Municipalities and Gives Clearance for Smaller Homes to be Built on Smaller Lots Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
March 19, 2025 TX SB 13 Establishes Sanctions Within All Public Schools to Regulate the Books Available to Students and Ban Books that are Deemed Inappropriate Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
March 19, 2025 TX SB 388 Requires 50% of New Energy Generating Capacity to be from a Dispatch Generator other than Battery Energy Storage Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
March 18, 2025 TX SB 11 Requires Schools to Provide Time for Students to Practice Prayer of Any Religion During School Hours Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
March 6, 2025 TX SB 703 Prohibits Individuals Convicted of Indecent Assault from Working as Licensed Massage Therapists Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
March 6, 2025 TX SB 72 Establishes New Regulations for Rental Cars Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
March 6, 2025 TX SB 21 Establishes the Texas Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
March 5, 2025 TX SB 5 Establishes the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (DPRIT) Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
Feb. 26, 2025 TX SB 26 Increases Funding for Teacher Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
Feb. 20, 2025 TX SJR 5 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment Authorizing the Denial of Bail Under Limited Circumstances Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
Feb. 19, 2025 TX SB 9 Amends Bail Programs and the Release of Defendants to Require Notification of Victims Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 2)
Feb. 19, 2025 TX SB 40 Amends Bail Bonds and Prohibits the Use of Public Tax Funds to Pay Bail Bonds Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
Feb. 13, 2025 TX SB 4 Increases State Homestead Exemption on School District Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
Feb. 5, 2025 TX SB 2 Establishes Education Savings Accounts or School Vouchers Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
Nov. 9, 2023 TX SB 3 Appropriates $1.5 Billion for the Construction of a Border Wall Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
Nov. 9, 2023 TX SB 4 Amends State Criminal Code to Establish Illegal Entry Across the Border as a Class B Misdemeanor Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
Oct. 12, 2023 TX SB 1 Establishes a School Choice Voucher Program Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
Oct. 12, 2023 TX SB 7 Prohibits Private Employers from Requiring the COVID-19 Vaccine Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
Oct. 12, 2023 TX SB 11 Establishes a New State Crime for Illegally Entering Texas from a Foreign Nation Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
Oct. 12, 2023 TX SB 4 Increases Criminal Penalties for Immigrant Smuggling or Operating a Stash House Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
May 24, 2023 TX HB 1287 Amends SNAP Vehicle Asset Tests to Modernize Reporting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
May 24, 2023 TX HB 5 Establishes Economic Incentives for Oil and Gas Companies Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
May 24, 2023 TX HB 7 Authorizes the Creation of State Border Police Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
May 22, 2023 TX HB 33 Establishes the State of Texas as a Sanctuary State for Oil and Gas Companies Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
May 17, 2023 TX SB 1860 Requires Legislative Approval for Cities to Amend Their Charters to Address Climate Change Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
May 16, 2023 TX HB 2127 Prohibits Cities From Passing any Heat-Related Ordinances Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
May 11, 2023 TX SB 833 Prohibits Insurance Companies from Charging Higher Rates Based on ESG Criteria Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
May 10, 2023 TX HB 591 Authorizes Tax Exemptions for Companies that Use Otherwise Wasted Gas Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
May 2, 2023 TX SB 258 Establishes a 1% State Energy Savings Goal by 2030 Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
April 27, 2023 TX SB 2209 Prohibits Civilian Oversight of Police Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
April 20, 2023 TX SB 2433 Establishes New Reporting Requirements for County Election Administrators Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
April 20, 2023 TX SB 2071 Establishes New Procedures for Automatic Recounts Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
April 20, 2023 TX SB 990 Repeals Automatic Voter Registration at Any Polling Place on Election Day Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
April 20, 2023 TX SB 1515 Requires Every School Classroom Display the 10 Commandments Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
April 19, 2023 TX SB 17 Repeals Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Trainings and Initiatives at State Universities Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
April 19, 2023 TX SB 220 Establishes a System of Election Marshals to Investigate Alleged Voting Violations Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
April 19, 2023 TX SB 1938 Authorizes the Secretary of State to Withhold Funds from a Registrar Who Fails to Perform Their Duties Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
April 18, 2023 TX SB 1750 Authorizes the Removal of the County Election Administrator Position Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
April 18, 2023 TX SB 1600 Requires Proof of Citizenship for Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
April 17, 2023 TX HB 1 Appropriates Funds for the Fiscal Year 2023-2025 State Budget Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
April 17, 2023 TX SB 260 Establishes Voter Removal Process for Individuals Who Have Not Voted in the Previous 25 Months Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
April 13, 2023 TX SB 1933 Increases Secretary of State Authority over Election Administration Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
April 12, 2023 TX SB 1070 Authorizes the State to Discontinue Participation in the Interstate Voter Registration Crosscheck Program Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
April 5, 2023 TX SB 1287 Requires the Texas Public Utility Commission (PUC) Establish a Cost Cap to Reduce Transmission Costs for Consumers Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
April 5, 2023 TX SB 2015 Establishes a 50% Dispatchable Energy Generation Goal for the ERCOT Grid Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
April 5, 2023 TX SB 6 Establishes the Texas Energy Insurance Program Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
March 29, 2023 TX SB 162 Prohibits Minors from Updating the Gender on Their Own Birth Certificate Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
March 29, 2023 TX SB 15 Requires Transgender Student Athletes Play Against Those of Their Biological Sex Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
March 14, 2023 TX SB 2 Classifies Illegal Voting as a Felony Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
Jan. 11, 2023 TX SR 2 Establishes Redistricting Rules of Procedure Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
Oct. 8, 2021 TX SB 6 Amends State Congressional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
Aug. 31, 2021 TX SB 6 Amends Cash Bail Laws For Individuals Accused of Violent Crimes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
Aug. 11, 2021 TX SB 1 Amends Various Early Voting Laws to Require Individual Signature Verification and Prohibit Drive-Thru and 24 Hour Voting Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
Aug. 11, 2021 TX SB 2 Prohibits Transgender Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do Not Match their Birth Gender Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
Aug. 11, 2021 TX SB 15 Appropriates Funds for Virtual Learning Until September 2023 Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
July 16, 2021 TX SB 3 Prohibits Teaching "Critical Race Theory" in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 4)
July 14, 2021 TX SB 2 Prohibits Transgender Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do Not Match their Birth Gender Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 3)
July 13, 2021 TX SB 1 Amends Various Early Voting Laws to Require Individual Signature Verification and Prohibit Drive-Thru and 24 Hour Voting Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 4)
May 29, 2021 TX SB 14 Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Employment Leave, Hiring Practices, and Scheduling Policies in Conflict with Federal or State Law Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 12)
May 28, 2021 TX SB 19 Prohibits Contracts with Companies That Discriminate Against Gun Industry Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
May 27, 2021 TX SB 1113 Authorizes the Secretary of State's Office to Withhold Funding from County Election Officials Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
May 27, 2021 TX HB 4545 Establishes Requirements for Accelerated Instruction for Students who Fail to Pass State Assessments Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
May 26, 2021 TX HB 2497 Requires Patriotic Texas History Materials be Distributed through the DMV Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
May 25, 2021 TX HB 2283 Limits How Funding is Used to Administer Elections in the State Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
May 25, 2021 TX HB 1280 Prohibits Abortion if Roe v Wade is Overturned by the Supreme Court Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
May 25, 2021 TX HB 3920 Authorizes Pregnant Women to Vote by Mail if Their Due Date is 3 Weeks Before or After the Election Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
May 24, 2021 TX HB 1927 Authorizes Permitless Handgun Carry to Adults 21 and Older Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 13)
May 24, 2021 TX HB 1900 Establishes Penalties for Municipalities that Reduce Police Funding Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 3)
May 24, 2021 TX HB 2622 Prohibits the Enforcement of New Federal Gun Laws Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
May 22, 2021 TX HB 547 Authorizes Homeschooled Students to Participate in University Interscholastic League Activities Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
May 22, 2021 TX HB 1128 Authorizes Certain Individuals to be Lawfully Present at a Polling Place on Election Day while a Judge Presides Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/19 SB 18 Prohibits Funding Libraries in Texas that Support or Host Reading Hours with Drag Queens Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
3/19 SB 35 Reduces the Limit on Projects the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Can Work on During a Year Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
3/19 SB 17 Increases Sanctions Against Foreign Entities from Purchasing Land in Texas Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
3/19 SB 12 Authorizes Parents the Right to Prohibit Topics Regarding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Being Taught to Their Children Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
3/19 SB 15 Authorizes a Fee on Residential Lots in Certain Municipalities and Gives Clearance for Smaller Homes to be Built on Smaller Lots Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
3/19 SB 13 Establishes Sanctions Within All Public Schools to Regulate the Books Available to Students and Ban Books that are Deemed Inappropriate Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
3/19 SB 388 Requires 50% of New Energy Generating Capacity to be from a Dispatch Generator other than Battery Energy Storage Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
3/18 SB 11 Requires Schools to Provide Time for Students to Practice Prayer of Any Religion During School Hours Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
3/06 SB 703 Prohibits Individuals Convicted of Indecent Assault from Working as Licensed Massage Therapists Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
3/06 SB 72 Establishes New Regulations for Rental Cars Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
3/06 SB 21 Establishes the Texas Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
3/05 SB 5 Establishes the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (DPRIT) Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
2/26 SB 26 Increases Funding for Teacher Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
2/20 SJR 5 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment Authorizing the Denial of Bail Under Limited Circumstances Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
2/19 SB 9 Amends Bail Programs and the Release of Defendants to Require Notification of Victims Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 2)
2/19 SB 40 Amends Bail Bonds and Prohibits the Use of Public Tax Funds to Pay Bail Bonds Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
2/13 SB 4 Increases State Homestead Exemption on School District Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
2/05 SB 2 Establishes Education Savings Accounts or School Vouchers Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
11/09 SB 3 Appropriates $1.5 Billion for the Construction of a Border Wall Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
11/09 SB 4 Amends State Criminal Code to Establish Illegal Entry Across the Border as a Class B Misdemeanor Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
10/12 SB 1 Establishes a School Choice Voucher Program Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
10/12 SB 7 Prohibits Private Employers from Requiring the COVID-19 Vaccine Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
10/12 SB 11 Establishes a New State Crime for Illegally Entering Texas from a Foreign Nation Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
10/12 SB 4 Increases Criminal Penalties for Immigrant Smuggling or Operating a Stash House Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
5/24 HB 1287 Amends SNAP Vehicle Asset Tests to Modernize Reporting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
5/24 HB 5 Establishes Economic Incentives for Oil and Gas Companies Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
5/24 HB 7 Authorizes the Creation of State Border Police Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
5/22 HB 33 Establishes the State of Texas as a Sanctuary State for Oil and Gas Companies Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
5/17 SB 1860 Requires Legislative Approval for Cities to Amend Their Charters to Address Climate Change Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
5/16 HB 2127 Prohibits Cities From Passing any Heat-Related Ordinances Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
5/11 SB 833 Prohibits Insurance Companies from Charging Higher Rates Based on ESG Criteria Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
5/10 HB 591 Authorizes Tax Exemptions for Companies that Use Otherwise Wasted Gas Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
5/02 SB 258 Establishes a 1% State Energy Savings Goal by 2030 Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
4/27 SB 2209 Prohibits Civilian Oversight of Police Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
4/20 SB 2433 Establishes New Reporting Requirements for County Election Administrators Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
4/20 SB 2071 Establishes New Procedures for Automatic Recounts Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
4/20 SB 990 Repeals Automatic Voter Registration at Any Polling Place on Election Day Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
4/20 SB 1515 Requires Every School Classroom Display the 10 Commandments Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
4/19 SB 17 Repeals Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Trainings and Initiatives at State Universities Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
4/19 SB 220 Establishes a System of Election Marshals to Investigate Alleged Voting Violations Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
4/19 SB 1938 Authorizes the Secretary of State to Withhold Funds from a Registrar Who Fails to Perform Their Duties Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
4/18 SB 1750 Authorizes the Removal of the County Election Administrator Position Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
4/18 SB 1600 Requires Proof of Citizenship for Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
4/17 HB 1 Appropriates Funds for the Fiscal Year 2023-2025 State Budget Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
4/17 SB 260 Establishes Voter Removal Process for Individuals Who Have Not Voted in the Previous 25 Months Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
4/13 SB 1933 Increases Secretary of State Authority over Election Administration Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
4/12 SB 1070 Authorizes the State to Discontinue Participation in the Interstate Voter Registration Crosscheck Program Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
4/05 SB 1287 Requires the Texas Public Utility Commission (PUC) Establish a Cost Cap to Reduce Transmission Costs for Consumers Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
4/05 SB 2015 Establishes a 50% Dispatchable Energy Generation Goal for the ERCOT Grid Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
4/05 SB 6 Establishes the Texas Energy Insurance Program Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
3/29 SB 162 Prohibits Minors from Updating the Gender on Their Own Birth Certificate Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
3/29 SB 15 Requires Transgender Student Athletes Play Against Those of Their Biological Sex Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
3/14 SB 2 Classifies Illegal Voting as a Felony Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
1/11 SR 2 Establishes Redistricting Rules of Procedure Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
10/08 SB 6 Amends State Congressional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
8/31 SB 6 Amends Cash Bail Laws For Individuals Accused of Violent Crimes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
8/11 SB 1 Amends Various Early Voting Laws to Require Individual Signature Verification and Prohibit Drive-Thru and 24 Hour Voting Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
8/11 SB 2 Prohibits Transgender Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do Not Match their Birth Gender Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
8/11 SB 15 Appropriates Funds for Virtual Learning Until September 2023 Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
7/16 SB 3 Prohibits Teaching "Critical Race Theory" in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 4)
7/14 SB 2 Prohibits Transgender Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do Not Match their Birth Gender Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 3)
7/13 SB 1 Amends Various Early Voting Laws to Require Individual Signature Verification and Prohibit Drive-Thru and 24 Hour Voting Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 4)
5/29 SB 14 Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Employment Leave, Hiring Practices, and Scheduling Policies in Conflict with Federal or State Law Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 12)
5/28 SB 19 Prohibits Contracts with Companies That Discriminate Against Gun Industry Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
5/27 SB 1113 Authorizes the Secretary of State's Office to Withhold Funding from County Election Officials Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
5/27 HB 4545 Establishes Requirements for Accelerated Instruction for Students who Fail to Pass State Assessments Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
5/26 HB 2497 Requires Patriotic Texas History Materials be Distributed through the DMV Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
5/25 HB 2283 Limits How Funding is Used to Administer Elections in the State Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
5/25 HB 1280 Prohibits Abortion if Roe v Wade is Overturned by the Supreme Court Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
5/25 HB 3920 Authorizes Pregnant Women to Vote by Mail if Their Due Date is 3 Weeks Before or After the Election Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
5/24 HB 1927 Authorizes Permitless Handgun Carry to Adults 21 and Older Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 13)
5/24 HB 1900 Establishes Penalties for Municipalities that Reduce Police Funding Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 3)
5/24 HB 2622 Prohibits the Enforcement of New Federal Gun Laws Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
5/22 HB 547 Authorizes Homeschooled Students to Participate in University Interscholastic League Activities Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
5/22 HB 1128 Authorizes Certain Individuals to be Lawfully Present at a Polling Place on Election Day while a Judge Presides Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)

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