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
May 14, 2021 TX HB 3889 Prohibits the State Education Agency from Requiring Fee Payment from Educational Disadvantaged Students if they Establish a Broadband Internet Access Plan for Public School Students Bill Passed - House (104 - 39)
May 13, 2021 DE SB 78 Requires Any School Board Member Charged with a Violent Felony to be Suspended Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 1)
May 11, 2021 WI AB 59 Expands the State Taxpayer Funded Private School Voucher Program to Families with Higher Incomes Bill Passed - House (60 - 36)
May 6, 2021 AL HB 246 Authorizes Public Schools to Teach Yoga Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
May 5, 2021 TN SB 623 Prohibits Teaching "Critical Race Theory" in K-12 Schools Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 7)
May 5, 2021 TN SB 623 Prohibits Teaching "Critical Race Theory" in K-12 Schools Conference Report Adopted - House (69 - 20)
May 5, 2021 NC HB 755 Prohibits K-3 Classroom Instruction of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Bill Passed - House (66 - 50)
May 4, 2021 ID S 1075 Authorizes School Districts to Offer a Summer Program Before Kids Start Kindergarten Bill Passed - House (39 - 25)
May 3, 2021 ID S 1046 Authorizes Teaching of an Alternative Curriculum for K-12 Schools Bill Passed - House (47 - 19)
April 30, 2021 VT S 100 Establishes Universal School Lunch Program Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 1)
April 29, 2021 ND HB 1013 Appropriates Funds for K-12 Education Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 6)
April 29, 2021 TN HB 1182 Prohibits Transgender Students from Using Bathroom Facilities that do Not Match their Birth Sex Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
April 29, 2021 NV AB 194 Amends School Suspension and Expulsion Provisions Bill Passed - House (36 - 6)
April 29, 2021 DE HB 198 Requires Schools to Provide Curricula on Black History Bill Passed - House (33 - 7)
April 28, 2021 IA HF 813 Establishes Plan to Create Charter Schools in the State Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
April 27, 2021 MO SB 323 Authorizes Public Schools to Teach Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
April 26, 2021 ID H 377 Prohibits Teaching the Topic Known as "Critical Race Theory" Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
April 22, 2021 IL HB 2789 Requires Public and Private Schools to Comply with Health Regulations Established by the Illinois Department of Public Health Bill Passed - House (70 - 42)
April 22, 2021 ID H 377 Prohibits Teaching the Topic Known as "Critical Race Theory" Bill Passed - House (57 - 12)
April 21, 2021 TN HB 1233 Authorizes Refusal to Share Bathrooms and Locker Rooms with Transgender Persons Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
April 21, 2021 AR HB 1761 Prohibits the Teaching of CRT in Schools Bill Passed - House (63 - 13)
April 19, 2021 AR HB 1592 Prohibits Charter Schools from Engaging in Transactions with Entities that Provide Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
April 19, 2021 TN HB 1233 Authorizes Refusal to Share Bathrooms and Locker Rooms with Transgender Persons Bill Passed - House (65 - 24)
April 15, 2021 AL HB 391 Prohibits Transgender Athletes from Playing on Sports Teams that do not Match their Birth Sex Concurrence Vote Passed - House (76 - 13)
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 15, 2021 NV AB 261 Expands School Curriculum to Tell a Broader Range of Children Stories Bill Passed - House (26 - 16)
April 14, 2021 TN SB 1229 Requires Schools to Notify Parents When Teaching About Sexual or Gender Orientation Bill Passed - House (64 - 23)
April 14, 2021 FL HB 1475 Prohibits Transgender Students from Playing on Sports Teams that do Not Match their Birth Sex Bill Passed - House (77 - 40)
April 13, 2021 NC HB 32 Expands the State's Private School Voucher Program Bill Passed - House (69 - 49)
April 13, 2021 AL SB 94 Extends the Deadline for 3rd Graders to Reach Their Required Reading Level Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
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 9, 2021 MT SB 99 Establishes Parameters for K-12 Sexual Education Bill Passed - House (65 - 31)
April 8, 2021 KS SB 55 Prohibits Transgender Student Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do Not Match their Birth Sex Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 43)
April 8, 2021 KS HB 2089 Restructures Firearm Safety Education Training Programs for School Districts Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 44)
April 8, 2021 KS HB 2089 Restructures Firearm Safety Education Training Programs for School Districts Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
April 8, 2021 NH CACR 3 Authorizes Public Funds to be Used for Private Religious Schools Amendment Rejected - House (197 - 175)
April 7, 2021 ID H 329 Requires Parental Consent for a Student to Participate in a School Club Bill Passed - House (52 - 18)
April 7, 2021 AR HB 1592 Prohibits Charter Schools from Engaging in Transactions with Entities that Provide Abortions Bill Passed - House (73 - 18)
April 6, 2021 ND SB 2304 Requires Schools Teach Indigenous History Bill Passed - House (72 - 21)
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 29, 2021 TN HB 1182 Prohibits Transgender Students from Using Bathroom Facilities that do Not Match their Birth Sex Bill Passed - House (62 - 25)
March 26, 2021 FL HB 259 Authorizes Individuals to Carry Concealed Weapons on Church Property Bill Passed - House (76 - 37)
March 24, 2021 IA HF 813 Establishes Plan to Create Charter Schools in the State Bill Passed - House (55 - 40)
March 23, 2021 WI SB 39 Requires School Boards to Allow Students in Charter Schools to Participate in Extracurricular Activities Bill Passed - House (58 - 35)
March 23, 2021 MN HF 1064 Appropriates Funds for After-School and Summer Learning Programs Bill Passed - House (69 - 63)
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 AL HB 246 Authorizes Public Schools to Teach Yoga Bill Passed - House (73 - 25)
March 5, 2021 ID S 1046 Authorizes Teaching of an Alternative Curriculum for K-12 Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/14 HB 3889 Prohibits the State Education Agency from Requiring Fee Payment from Educational Disadvantaged Students if they Establish a Broadband Internet Access Plan for Public School Students Bill Passed - House (104 - 39)
5/13 SB 78 Requires Any School Board Member Charged with a Violent Felony to be Suspended Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 1)
5/11 AB 59 Expands the State Taxpayer Funded Private School Voucher Program to Families with Higher Incomes Bill Passed - House (60 - 36)
5/06 HB 246 Authorizes Public Schools to Teach Yoga Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
5/05 SB 623 Prohibits Teaching "Critical Race Theory" in K-12 Schools Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 7)
5/05 SB 623 Prohibits Teaching "Critical Race Theory" in K-12 Schools Conference Report Adopted - House (69 - 20)
5/05 HB 755 Prohibits K-3 Classroom Instruction of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Bill Passed - House (66 - 50)
5/04 S 1075 Authorizes School Districts to Offer a Summer Program Before Kids Start Kindergarten Bill Passed - House (39 - 25)
5/03 S 1046 Authorizes Teaching of an Alternative Curriculum for K-12 Schools Bill Passed - House (47 - 19)
4/30 S 100 Establishes Universal School Lunch Program Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 1)
4/29 HB 1013 Appropriates Funds for K-12 Education Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 6)
4/29 HB 1182 Prohibits Transgender Students from Using Bathroom Facilities that do Not Match their Birth Sex Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
4/29 AB 194 Amends School Suspension and Expulsion Provisions Bill Passed - House (36 - 6)
4/29 HB 198 Requires Schools to Provide Curricula on Black History Bill Passed - House (33 - 7)
4/28 HF 813 Establishes Plan to Create Charter Schools in the State Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
4/27 SB 323 Authorizes Public Schools to Teach Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
4/26 H 377 Prohibits Teaching the Topic Known as "Critical Race Theory" Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
4/22 HB 2789 Requires Public and Private Schools to Comply with Health Regulations Established by the Illinois Department of Public Health Bill Passed - House (70 - 42)
4/22 H 377 Prohibits Teaching the Topic Known as "Critical Race Theory" Bill Passed - House (57 - 12)
4/21 HB 1233 Authorizes Refusal to Share Bathrooms and Locker Rooms with Transgender Persons Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
4/21 HB 1761 Prohibits the Teaching of CRT in Schools Bill Passed - House (63 - 13)
4/19 HB 1592 Prohibits Charter Schools from Engaging in Transactions with Entities that Provide Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
4/19 HB 1233 Authorizes Refusal to Share Bathrooms and Locker Rooms with Transgender Persons Bill Passed - House (65 - 24)
4/15 HB 391 Prohibits Transgender Athletes from Playing on Sports Teams that do not Match their Birth Sex Concurrence Vote Passed - House (76 - 13)
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)
4/15 AB 261 Expands School Curriculum to Tell a Broader Range of Children Stories Bill Passed - House (26 - 16)
4/14 SB 1229 Requires Schools to Notify Parents When Teaching About Sexual or Gender Orientation Bill Passed - House (64 - 23)
4/14 HB 1475 Prohibits Transgender Students from Playing on Sports Teams that do Not Match their Birth Sex Bill Passed - House (77 - 40)
4/13 HB 32 Expands the State's Private School Voucher Program Bill Passed - House (69 - 49)
4/13 SB 94 Extends the Deadline for 3rd Graders to Reach Their Required Reading Level Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
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)
4/09 SB 99 Establishes Parameters for K-12 Sexual Education Bill Passed - House (65 - 31)
4/08 SB 55 Prohibits Transgender Student Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do Not Match their Birth Sex Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 43)
4/08 HB 2089 Restructures Firearm Safety Education Training Programs for School Districts Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 44)
4/08 HB 2089 Restructures Firearm Safety Education Training Programs for School Districts Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
4/08 CACR 3 Authorizes Public Funds to be Used for Private Religious Schools Amendment Rejected - House (197 - 175)
4/07 H 329 Requires Parental Consent for a Student to Participate in a School Club Bill Passed - House (52 - 18)
4/07 HB 1592 Prohibits Charter Schools from Engaging in Transactions with Entities that Provide Abortions Bill Passed - House (73 - 18)
4/06 SB 2304 Requires Schools Teach Indigenous History Bill Passed - House (72 - 21)
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)
3/29 HB 1182 Prohibits Transgender Students from Using Bathroom Facilities that do Not Match their Birth Sex Bill Passed - House (62 - 25)
3/26 HB 259 Authorizes Individuals to Carry Concealed Weapons on Church Property Bill Passed - House (76 - 37)
3/24 HF 813 Establishes Plan to Create Charter Schools in the State Bill Passed - House (55 - 40)
3/23 SB 39 Requires School Boards to Allow Students in Charter Schools to Participate in Extracurricular Activities Bill Passed - House (58 - 35)
3/23 HF 1064 Appropriates Funds for After-School and Summer Learning Programs Bill Passed - House (69 - 63)
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 246 Authorizes Public Schools to Teach Yoga Bill Passed - House (73 - 25)
3/05 S 1046 Authorizes Teaching of an Alternative Curriculum for K-12 Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)

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