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:
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.
Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|---|
March 14, 2018 | AR | HB 1008 | Expands Tuition Savings Plan | Bill Passed - House (62 - 16) |
March 3, 2018 | OR | SB 1563 | Authorizes Undocumented Students to Continue Receiving Financial Aid | Bill Passed - House (36 - 22) |
Feb. 27, 2018 | SD | HB 1199 | Prohibits Collective Bargaining at Public Universities | Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 18) |
Feb. 15, 2018 | AZ | HB 2172 | Authorizes Non-Lethal Weapons on College Campuses | Bill Passed - House (35 - 22) |
Feb. 13, 2018 | SD | HB 1199 | Prohibits Collective Bargaining at Public Universities | Bill Passed - House (37 - 28) |
June 21, 2017 | WI | AB 299 | Authorizes Free Speech on College Campuses | Bill Passed - House (61 - 36) |
May 31, 2017 | IL | SB 1351 | Establishes Laws Governing Student Loan Servicers | Bill Passed - House (63 - 48) |
May 10, 2017 | IL | SB 1351 | Establishes Laws Governing Student Loan Servicers | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15) |
April 27, 2017 | TX | SB 4 | Prohibits Sanctuary Cities | Bill Passed - House (94 - 53) |
April 9, 2017 | WV | HB 2018 | Reduces State Spending | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 37) |
April 4, 2017 | MN | HF 890 | Authorizes Education Funding | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 28) |
April 4, 2017 | TX | SB 576 | Establishes Reporting Standards for Sexual Assault on College Campuses | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 1) |
March 31, 2017 | ND | HB 1329 | Authorizes Free Speech at Public Universities | Bill Failed - Senate (7 - 37) |
March 31, 2017 | MN | HF 890 | Authorizes Education Funding | Bill Passed - House (75 - 54) |
March 30, 2017 | GA | HB 280 | Authorizes Concealed Carry on College Campuses | Bill Passed - House (96 - 70) |
March 6, 2017 | KY | SB 17 | Authorizes Expression of Religious or Political Viewpoints in Public Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3) |
Feb. 22, 2017 | GA | HB 37 | Prohibits State Funding for Sanctuary Campuses | Bill Passed - House (112 - 57) |
Feb. 6, 2017 | ND | HB 1329 | Prohibits Safe Spaces at Public Universities | Bill Passed - House (65 - 25) |
Jan. 31, 2017 | RI | HB 5098 | Exempts University Researchers from Public Records Requests | Bill Passed - House (59 - 8) |
May 26, 2016 | CA | SB 1146 | Amends Religious Exemption Requirements for Universities | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
May 19, 2016 | IL | HB 4167 | Appropriates Funds for Monetary Award Program Grants | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 15) |
May 17, 2016 | IL | HB 4167 | Appropriates Funds for Monetary Award Program Grants | Bill Passed - House (68 - 45) |
April 25, 2016 | MN | HF 2749 | Appropriates Funds for Education | Bill Passed - House (84 - 46) |
April 21, 2016 | TN | HB 2248 | Rescinds Funding for the University of Tennessee's Diversity Office | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 3) |
April 21, 2016 | TN | HB 2248 | Rescinds Funding for the University of Tennessee's Diversity Office | Conference Report Adopted - House (63 - 21) |
April 20, 2016 | TN | SB 2376 | Authorizes University of Tennessee Employees to Carry a Handgun on Campus | Bill Passed - House (69 - 24) |
April 20, 2016 | CT | SB 147 | Authorizes Students Qualifying for In-State Tuition to Receive Financial Assistance | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
April 19, 2016 | TN | SB 2376 | Authorizes University of Tennessee Employees to Carry a Handgun on Campus | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5) |
April 19, 2016 | IA | SF 2323 | Appropriates Funds for Higher Education | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23) |
April 18, 2016 | TN | HB 2248 | Rescinds Funding for the University of Tennessee's Diversity Office | Bill Passed - House (66 - 22) |
April 7, 2016 | MO | HB 2003 | Appropriates Funds to the Department of Higher Education | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8) |
April 7, 2016 | AK | SB 174 | Prohibits the University of Alaska from Regulating Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 5) |
March 31, 2016 | MD | SB 1052 | Establishes Consolidated University of Maryland | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 13) |
March 30, 2016 | MD | SB 1052 | Establishes Consolidated University of Maryland | Bill Passed - House (92 - 44) |
March 23, 2016 | KS | SB 469 | Amends Labor Union Procedures | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18) |
March 16, 2016 | KS | SB 175 | Prohibits Discrimination Against Religious Student Associations | Bill Passed - House (81 - 41) |
March 12, 2016 | MD | HB 1002 | Prohibits Firearms on College Campuses | Bill Passed - House (81 - 54) |
March 11, 2016 | GA | HB 859 | Authorizes Concealed Carry of Firearms at Institutions of Higher Education | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17) |
March 10, 2016 | MO | HB 2003 | Appropriates Funds to the Department of Higher Education | Bill Passed - House (108 - 46) |
March 8, 2016 | SD | SB 159 | Authorizes Education Tax Credit for Insurance Companies | Bill Passed - House (45 - 23) |
March 2, 2016 | IL | SB 2043 | Appropriates Funds for Higher Education | Veto Override Failed - House (69 - 48) |
March 2, 2016 | IL | SB 2043 | Appropriates Funds for Higher Education | Veto Override Passed - Senate (37 - 17) |
Feb. 29, 2016 | AZ | HB 2338 | Authorizes Concealed Carry near Schools | Bill Passed - House (35 - 24) |
Feb. 24, 2016 | SD | SB 159 | Authorizes Education Tax Credit for Insurance Companies | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
Feb. 22, 2016 | GA | HB 859 | Authorizes Concealed Carry at Postsecondary Education Institutions | Bill Passed - House (113 - 59) |
Feb. 22, 2016 | AZ | SB 1402 | Amends Tax Rate for Property Belonging to Institutions of Higher Education | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14) |
Jan. 28, 2016 | IL | SB 2043 | Appropriates Funds for Higher Education | Bill Passed - House (67 - 42) |
Sept. 1, 2015 | CA | SB 707 | Prohibits Concealed Firearms on School Grounds | Bill Passed - House (54 - 24) |
July 9, 2015 | IL | HB 3593 | Limits Community College Severance Packages | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 34) |
July 8, 2015 | WI | SB 21 | 2015-2017 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - House (52 - 46) |
July 7, 2015 | WI | SB 21 | 2015-2017 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15) |
July 3, 2015 | OR | SB 932 | Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
July 2, 2015 | OR | SB 932 | Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students | Bill Passed - House (34 - 25) |
June 25, 2015 | OR | SB 932 | Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11) |
June 23, 2015 | IL | HB 3593 | Limits Community College Severance Packages | Concurrence Vote Failed - House (51 - 44) |
June 23, 2015 | PA | HB 805 | Requires Schools to Use Teacher Performance Evaluations | Bill Passed - House (100 - 91) |
June 2, 2015 | LA | SB 48 | Amends the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students | Bill Passed - House (65 - 33) |
June 1, 2015 | CA | SB 707 | Prohibits Concealed Firearms on School Grounds | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
May 29, 2015 | CT | HB 6844 | Amends Eligibility Requirements for In-State Tuition | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13) |
May 27, 2015 | TX | SB 11 | Authorizes Concealed Carry of Firearms on College Campuses | Bill Passed - House (102 - 44) |
May 19, 2015 | CT | HB 6844 | Amends Eligibility Requirements for In-State Tuition | Bill Passed - House (78 - 70) |
April 29, 2015 | LA | SB 48 | Amends the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9) |
April 29, 2015 | MI | HB 4115 | 2015-2016 Education Budget | Bill Passed - House (60 - 50) |
April 22, 2015 | TN | SB 612 | Exempts Certain Students from Out-of-State Tuition | Bill Failed - House (49 - 47) |
April 16, 2015 | TN | SB 612 | Authorizes Certain Students to be Charged In-State Tuition | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
April 6, 2015 | NV | AB 148 | Authorizes Concealed Carry on College Campuses | Bill Passed - House (24 - 15) |
April 3, 2015 | NV | AB 111 | Increases College Credits Required for Millennium Scholarship | Bill Passed - House (31 - 10) |
March 19, 2015 | TX | SB 11 | Authorizes Concealed Carry of Firearms on College Campuses | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11) |
March 19, 2015 | MO | HB 104 | Prohibits Universities From Denying Benefits to a Religious Student Association | Bill Passed - House (117 - 38) |
March 19, 2015 | KS | SB 175 | Prohibits Universities from Denying Benefits to Religious Student Organizations | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8) |
March 19, 2015 | AL | SB 191 | Establishes the Board of Trustees of the Alabama Community College System | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5) |
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 11, 2015 | MO | HB 187 | Prohibits Undocumented Immigrants from Receiving Student Financial Aid | Bill Passed - House (111 - 41) |
March 9, 2015 | AR | SB 5 | Modifies Eligibility Requirements for the Academic Challenge Scholarship Program | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12) |
Feb. 23, 2015 | AZ | SB 1172 | Prohibits Schools from Releasing Student Information for Political Purposes | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
Feb. 5, 2015 | MT | SB 143 | Authorizes Firearms on College Campuses | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23) |
Feb. 5, 2015 | KY | SB 9 | Exempts Certain Construction Projects from Prevailing Wage Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12) |
Feb. 2, 2015 | WY | HB 114 | Authorizes Concealed Carry in Certain Public Buildings | Bill Passed - House (42 - 17) |
Jan. 20, 2015 | VA | SB 722 | Prohibits In-State Tuition for Students with Certain Temporary Visas | Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 20) |
Dec. 16, 2014 | MI | HB 6074 | Prohibits Student Athletes from Collective Bargaining | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
Dec. 9, 2014 | MI | HB 6074 | Prohibits Student Athletes from Collective Bargaining | Bill Passed - House (59 - 50) |
Nov. 13, 2014 | NJ | A 2811 | Prohibits Higher Education Institutions from Requiring Meal Plans for Students | Bill Passed - House (54 - 16) |
Oct. 16, 2014 | NJ | A 2814 | Requires Certain Graduation Rates from For-Profit Colleges | Bill Passed - House (47 - 14) |
Oct. 16, 2014 | NJ | A 2801 | Establishes Certain Credit Hour Requirements for Baccalaureate and Associate Degree Programs | Bill Passed - House (48 - 26) |
Oct. 16, 2014 | NJ | A 2807 | Prohibits Increase in Undergraduate Tuition | Bill Passed - House (48 - 21) |
Oct. 16, 2014 | NJ | A 2805 | Establishes a Higher Education Common Core Course Numbering System | Bill Passed - House (52 - 21) |
June 11, 2014 | National | S 2432 | Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 38) |
May 30, 2014 | IL | HB 105 | Authorizes Election Day Voter Registration | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 41) |
May 30, 2014 | IL | HB 105 | Authorizes Election Day Voter Registration | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 17) |
May 2, 2014 | FL | HB 851 | Authorizes In-State Tuition for Non-Citizen Individuals | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 32) |
May 1, 2014 | FL | HB 851 | Authorizes In-State Tuition for Non-Citizen Individuals | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
April 23, 2014 | IA | SF 2347 | 2014-2015 Higher Education Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 21) |
April 7, 2014 | TN | SB 2115 | Authorizes In-State Tuition for Certain Students | Bill Passed - House (63 - 27) |
April 2, 2014 | IL | SB 2202 | Prohibits Smoking on State-Funded University and Community College Campuses | Bill Passed - House (67 - 44) |
March 24, 2014 | TN | SB 2115 | Authorizes In-State Tuition for Certain Students | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
March 20, 2014 | FL | HB 851 | Authorizes In-State Tuition for Non-Citizen Individuals | Bill Passed - House (81 - 33) |
March 13, 2014 | TN | SJR 626 | Authorizes Individuals Paying School Fees to Determine Allocation of Fees to Student Organizations | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 6) |
March 6, 2014 | ID | S 1254 | Authorizes the Concealed Carry of Firearms on College or University Campuses | Bill Passed - House (50 - 19) |
Feb. 18, 2014 | WA | SB 6523 | Authorizes In-State Tuition for Non-Citizen Individuals | Bill Passed - House (75 - 22) |