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
Dec. 19, 2008 MI SB 861 Tuition Assistance for Students in High Poverty Areas Bill Passed - House (61 - 34)
Dec. 15, 2008 NJ A 3373 Amending NJ STARS/NJ STARS II Scholarship Eligibility Bill Passed - House (63 - 10)
Dec. 11, 2008 MI HB 4141 Expanding the Use of School Sinking Funds Bill Passed - House (71 - 28)
Dec. 4, 2008 MI HB 5765 Reducing Pupil Count for First Class School Districts Bill Passed - House (59 - 42)
Sept. 26, 2008 National HR 7060 Renewable Energy Credits and Other Business and Individual Credits Bill Passed - House (257 - 166)
Aug. 31, 2008 CA SB 1301 Extending Student Financial Aid Eligibility Bill Passed - House (46 - 29)
Aug. 13, 2008 CA AB 86 Cyber-Bullying Enforcement Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 22)
Aug. 7, 2008 CA AB 2567 Creation of "Harvey Milk Day" Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 27)
July 31, 2008 National HR 4137 Higher Education Act Amendments and Extensions Conference Report Adopted - House (380 - 49)
July 8, 2008 NC HB 2436 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 20)
July 4, 2008 PA HB 1067 Omnibus Education Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - House (191 - 11)
July 1, 2008 DE SB 300 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - House (33 - 7)
June 30, 2008 CA SB 823 Private Postsecondary Education Regulation Bill Failed - House (41 - 33)
June 23, 2008 CA SB 606 'No Child Left Behind' Implementation Bill Passed - House (54 - 24)
June 23, 2008 NJ A 2873 School Construction Bonds Bill Passed - House (42 - 36)
June 23, 2008 NJ S 1962 State Worker Retirement and Health Benefits Bill Passed - House (52 - 13)
June 11, 2008 LA SB 733 Supplemental Science Teaching Materials Bill Passed - House (94 - 3)
June 9, 2008 CA SB 606 'No Child Left Behind' Implementation Bill Failed - House (49 - 26)
June 9, 2008 LA HB 734 Tuition Increase Bill Bill Passed - House (84 - 18)
May 31, 2008 AL SB 51 2008-2009 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (98 - 4)
May 29, 2008 SC H 4400 Immigration Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - House (94 - 16)
May 28, 2008 WI AB 1 Education Line Item Veto Override Veto Override Failed - House (60 - 36)
May 28, 2008 WI AB 1 Education Line Item Veto Override Veto Override Failed - House (57 - 39)
May 22, 2008 IL HB 2310 Truancy, Information Sharing, and Fines Bill Passed - House (85 - 25)
May 19, 2008 CA AB 2567 Creation of "Harvey Milk Day" Bill Passed - House (45 - 28)
May 15, 2008 National HR 2642 Iraq Related Provisions such as a Troop Withdrawal, a Permanent Base Ban, and Limiting Interrogation Techniques Concurrence Vote Passed - House (256 - 166)
May 14, 2008 AZ HB 2557 Fine Arts and Physical Education in School Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 9)
May 14, 2008 NH CACR 34 Constitutional Amendment to Define an Adequate Education Resolution Failed - House (97 - 238)
May 14, 2008 LA HB 1347 Vouchers Bill Bill Passed - House (60 - 42)
May 14, 2008 WI AB 1 Budget Repair Plan Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 46)
May 13, 2008 MN HF 6 2008 Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 35)
May 12, 2008 OK HB 2633 Religious Expression at Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 28)
May 8, 2008 MN SF 3001 Modifying State Education Policies Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 49)
May 7, 2008 NH SB 539 Education Funding Amendments Bill Passed - House (184 - 141)
May 6, 2008 CO HB 1388 Increasing Education Funding Conference Report Adopted - House (58 - 5)
May 5, 2008 MO HB 2002 2008-2009 Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 62)
May 5, 2008 MO HB 2003 2008-2009 Department of Higher Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 63)
May 1, 2008 MN SF 2369 Background Checks for Coaches Conference Report Adopted - House (112 - 15)
May 1, 2008 National HR 5715 Student Loan Provision Changes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (388 - 21)
May 1, 2008 AL HB 787 State Employees in Public Office Bill Passed - House (57 - 36)
May 1, 2008 CO HB 1357 Changing student testing requirements Bill Passed - House (35 - 29)
April 29, 2008 LA HB 674 Anti-Bullying Bill Bill Failed - House (28 - 63)
April 28, 2008 MN Walker Amdt to SF 3001 Sex Education in Schools Amendment Adopted - House (79 - 53)
April 28, 2008 FL SB 2692 Teaching Evolution in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (71 - 43)
April 24, 2008 AZ HB 2711 State Control of Mismanaged Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 6)
April 24, 2008 MO HB 2059 Establishes the Professional Relationships Between Teachers and School Districts Act. Bill Passed - House (83 - 67)
April 23, 2008 MI HB 5221 Capital Outlay Project Bill Passed - House (59 - 45)
April 17, 2008 National HR 5715 Student Loan Provision Changes Bill Passed - House (383 - 27)
April 16, 2008 MO HB 1066 Teacher Certification Bill Passed - House (85 - 63)
April 15, 2008 MS SB 2149 Superintendent Removal Procedures Conference Report Adopted - House (100 - 18)
April 14, 2008 IA SF 2216 State-Mandated Curriculum for Schools Bill Passed - House (97 - 3)
April 10, 2008 CO HB 1375 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 23)
April 10, 2008 MN HF 3569 Workers' Lung Health Study Bill Passed - House (88 - 45)
April 9, 2008 AZ SB 1096 English Language Education Funding Bill Passed - House (37 - 23)
April 9, 2008 IA HF 2663 Statewide Sales Tax Increase for School Infrastructure Funding Bill Passed - House (59 - 41)
April 4, 2008 ME LD 1932 School Consolidation Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 47)
April 2, 2008 KY HB 406 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 21)
April 2, 2008 ME LD 1932 School Consolidation Conference Report Rejected - House (97 - 46)
April 1, 2008 CO SB 129 Restricting Beverage Sales at Schools Bill Passed - House (37 - 27)
April 1, 2008 MN SF 2369 Background Checks for Coaches Bill Passed - House (118 - 11)
April 1, 2008 AZ HB 2392 Opting Out of No Child Left Behind Act Bill Passed - House (46 - 11)
April 1, 2008 IL HB 4232 State Board of Education Selection Process Bill Passed - House (86 - 21)
March 31, 2008 ME LD 2289 2008-2009 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 55)
March 27, 2008 KS Rhoades Amnd. Repealing In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Amendment Rejected - House (51 - 70)
March 27, 2008 MO HB 2002 2008-2009 Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Budget Bill Passed - House (90 - 66)
March 27, 2008 MO HB 2003 2008-2009 Department of Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - House (90 - 66)
March 24, 2008 AZ HB 2713 Student's Religious Liberties Act Bill Passed - House (36 - 23)
March 20, 2008 MD SB 90 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - House (105 - 34)
March 20, 2008 KS HB 2936 Capital Improvements Funding Bill Passed - House (87 - 35)
March 20, 2008 KS HB 2947 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (71 - 51)
March 19, 2008 MS SB 2149 Election of School Board Members Bill Passed - House (106 - 14)
March 19, 2008 AZ HB 2230 College Textbook Information Disclosure Bill Passed - House (48 - 11)
March 19, 2008 IA HF 2645 Public Employee Collective Bargaining and Teacher Termination Policy Bill Passed - House (52 - 47)
March 12, 2008 OK HB 2628 Parental Consent for Sex Education Bill Failed - House (50 - 51)
March 12, 2008 KY HB 406 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (84 - 14)
March 12, 2008 AZ HB 2711 State Control of Mismanaged Schools Bill Passed - House (52 - 7)
March 12, 2008 WI AB 1 Budget Repair Plan Bill Passed - House (51 - 46)
March 11, 2008 CO SB 73 College Textbook Information Disclosure Bill Passed - House (60 - 4)
March 11, 2008 GA HB 1133 Tax Credits for Nonprofit Donations Bill Passed - House (92 - 73)
March 11, 2008 WI AB 482 Prohibiting Teacher Residency Requirements Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
March 6, 2008 MN HF 380 Capital Improvements Budget Bill Passed - House (99 - 34)
March 5, 2008 UT HB 15 Sexually Transmitted Disease Education Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 17)
March 5, 2008 GA SR 796 Property Tax Assessment Cap Resolution Failed - House (110 - 62)
March 5, 2008 WI AB 67 Business Education Tax Credit Bill Passed - House (55 - 40)
March 5, 2008 WI AB 151 Financial Aid Ineligibility for Drug Offenders Bill Passed - House (70 - 24)
March 4, 2008 KY HB 186 Dental Health Certificate Requirement for School Enrollment Bill Passed - House (91 - 4)
March 4, 2008 IL HB 4180 Allowing Teachers to Conduct a Silent Reflection Bill Passed - House (72 - 31)
March 3, 2008 UT AM 1 Mandating the Concealment of Firearms on Campus Amendment Adopted - House (41 - 29)
March 3, 2008 UT HB 473 Campus Gun Restrictions Bill Passed - House (60 - 11)
Feb. 29, 2008 KS HB 2870 Employment Incentive for Teachers Bill Failed - House (59 - 63)
Feb. 28, 2008 KS Ward Amnd. Teacher Scholarship Program Amendment Rejected - House (50 - 71)
Feb. 28, 2008 KS HB 2605 Changing School Finance Formula Bill Failed - House (62 - 63)
Feb. 28, 2008 UT SB 162 State Discretion Over Federal Education Programs Bill Passed - House (38 - 33)
Feb. 28, 2008 WI AB 870 Virtual Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
Feb. 27, 2008 KS McKinney Amnd. A to HB 2760 Per Student Public School Funding Amendment Rejected - House (50 - 70)
Feb. 27, 2008 CO HB 1001 Expanding Bioscience Research Funding Bill Passed - House (52 - 13)
Feb. 26, 2008 ID H 503 Scholarships for Drug-Free Students Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
Feb. 25, 2008 WV HB 4023 Linking Driving Privileges with Student Performance Bill Passed - House (80 - 15)
Feb. 21, 2008 VA HB 30 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (93 - 5)
Feb. 20, 2008 KY HB 396 HPV Vaccinations for Primary, Secondary and Preschool Students Bill Passed - House (56 - 37)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/19 SB 861 Tuition Assistance for Students in High Poverty Areas Bill Passed - House (61 - 34)
12/15 A 3373 Amending NJ STARS/NJ STARS II Scholarship Eligibility Bill Passed - House (63 - 10)
12/11 HB 4141 Expanding the Use of School Sinking Funds Bill Passed - House (71 - 28)
12/04 HB 5765 Reducing Pupil Count for First Class School Districts Bill Passed - House (59 - 42)
9/26 HR 7060 Renewable Energy Credits and Other Business and Individual Credits Bill Passed - House (257 - 166)
8/31 SB 1301 Extending Student Financial Aid Eligibility Bill Passed - House (46 - 29)
8/13 AB 86 Cyber-Bullying Enforcement Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 22)
8/07 AB 2567 Creation of "Harvey Milk Day" Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 27)
7/31 HR 4137 Higher Education Act Amendments and Extensions Conference Report Adopted - House (380 - 49)
7/08 HB 2436 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 20)
7/04 HB 1067 Omnibus Education Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - House (191 - 11)
7/01 SB 300 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - House (33 - 7)
6/30 SB 823 Private Postsecondary Education Regulation Bill Failed - House (41 - 33)
6/23 SB 606 'No Child Left Behind' Implementation Bill Passed - House (54 - 24)
6/23 A 2873 School Construction Bonds Bill Passed - House (42 - 36)
6/23 S 1962 State Worker Retirement and Health Benefits Bill Passed - House (52 - 13)
6/11 SB 733 Supplemental Science Teaching Materials Bill Passed - House (94 - 3)
6/09 SB 606 'No Child Left Behind' Implementation Bill Failed - House (49 - 26)
6/09 HB 734 Tuition Increase Bill Bill Passed - House (84 - 18)
5/31 SB 51 2008-2009 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (98 - 4)
5/29 H 4400 Immigration Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - House (94 - 16)
5/28 AB 1 Education Line Item Veto Override Veto Override Failed - House (60 - 36)
5/28 AB 1 Education Line Item Veto Override Veto Override Failed - House (57 - 39)
5/22 HB 2310 Truancy, Information Sharing, and Fines Bill Passed - House (85 - 25)
5/19 AB 2567 Creation of "Harvey Milk Day" Bill Passed - House (45 - 28)
5/15 HR 2642 Iraq Related Provisions such as a Troop Withdrawal, a Permanent Base Ban, and Limiting Interrogation Techniques Concurrence Vote Passed - House (256 - 166)
5/14 HB 2557 Fine Arts and Physical Education in School Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 9)
5/14 CACR 34 Constitutional Amendment to Define an Adequate Education Resolution Failed - House (97 - 238)
5/14 HB 1347 Vouchers Bill Bill Passed - House (60 - 42)
5/14 AB 1 Budget Repair Plan Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 46)
5/13 HF 6 2008 Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 35)
5/12 HB 2633 Religious Expression at Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 28)
5/08 SF 3001 Modifying State Education Policies Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 49)
5/07 SB 539 Education Funding Amendments Bill Passed - House (184 - 141)
5/06 HB 1388 Increasing Education Funding Conference Report Adopted - House (58 - 5)
5/05 HB 2002 2008-2009 Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 62)
5/05 HB 2003 2008-2009 Department of Higher Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 63)
5/01 SF 2369 Background Checks for Coaches Conference Report Adopted - House (112 - 15)
5/01 HR 5715 Student Loan Provision Changes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (388 - 21)
5/01 HB 787 State Employees in Public Office Bill Passed - House (57 - 36)
5/01 HB 1357 Changing student testing requirements Bill Passed - House (35 - 29)
4/29 HB 674 Anti-Bullying Bill Bill Failed - House (28 - 63)
4/28 Walker Amdt to SF 3001 Sex Education in Schools Amendment Adopted - House (79 - 53)
4/28 SB 2692 Teaching Evolution in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (71 - 43)
4/24 HB 2711 State Control of Mismanaged Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 6)
4/24 HB 2059 Establishes the Professional Relationships Between Teachers and School Districts Act. Bill Passed - House (83 - 67)
4/23 HB 5221 Capital Outlay Project Bill Passed - House (59 - 45)
4/17 HR 5715 Student Loan Provision Changes Bill Passed - House (383 - 27)
4/16 HB 1066 Teacher Certification Bill Passed - House (85 - 63)
4/15 SB 2149 Superintendent Removal Procedures Conference Report Adopted - House (100 - 18)
4/14 SF 2216 State-Mandated Curriculum for Schools Bill Passed - House (97 - 3)
4/10 HB 1375 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 23)
4/10 HF 3569 Workers' Lung Health Study Bill Passed - House (88 - 45)
4/09 SB 1096 English Language Education Funding Bill Passed - House (37 - 23)
4/09 HF 2663 Statewide Sales Tax Increase for School Infrastructure Funding Bill Passed - House (59 - 41)
4/04 LD 1932 School Consolidation Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 47)
4/02 HB 406 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 21)
4/02 LD 1932 School Consolidation Conference Report Rejected - House (97 - 46)
4/01 SB 129 Restricting Beverage Sales at Schools Bill Passed - House (37 - 27)
4/01 SF 2369 Background Checks for Coaches Bill Passed - House (118 - 11)
4/01 HB 2392 Opting Out of No Child Left Behind Act Bill Passed - House (46 - 11)
4/01 HB 4232 State Board of Education Selection Process Bill Passed - House (86 - 21)
3/31 LD 2289 2008-2009 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 55)
3/27 Rhoades Amnd. Repealing In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Amendment Rejected - House (51 - 70)
3/27 HB 2002 2008-2009 Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Budget Bill Passed - House (90 - 66)
3/27 HB 2003 2008-2009 Department of Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - House (90 - 66)
3/24 HB 2713 Student's Religious Liberties Act Bill Passed - House (36 - 23)
3/20 SB 90 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - House (105 - 34)
3/20 HB 2936 Capital Improvements Funding Bill Passed - House (87 - 35)
3/20 HB 2947 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (71 - 51)
3/19 SB 2149 Election of School Board Members Bill Passed - House (106 - 14)
3/19 HB 2230 College Textbook Information Disclosure Bill Passed - House (48 - 11)
3/19 HF 2645 Public Employee Collective Bargaining and Teacher Termination Policy Bill Passed - House (52 - 47)
3/12 HB 2628 Parental Consent for Sex Education Bill Failed - House (50 - 51)
3/12 HB 406 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (84 - 14)
3/12 HB 2711 State Control of Mismanaged Schools Bill Passed - House (52 - 7)
3/12 AB 1 Budget Repair Plan Bill Passed - House (51 - 46)
3/11 SB 73 College Textbook Information Disclosure Bill Passed - House (60 - 4)
3/11 HB 1133 Tax Credits for Nonprofit Donations Bill Passed - House (92 - 73)
3/11 AB 482 Prohibiting Teacher Residency Requirements Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
3/06 HF 380 Capital Improvements Budget Bill Passed - House (99 - 34)
3/05 HB 15 Sexually Transmitted Disease Education Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 17)
3/05 SR 796 Property Tax Assessment Cap Resolution Failed - House (110 - 62)
3/05 AB 67 Business Education Tax Credit Bill Passed - House (55 - 40)
3/05 AB 151 Financial Aid Ineligibility for Drug Offenders Bill Passed - House (70 - 24)
3/04 HB 186 Dental Health Certificate Requirement for School Enrollment Bill Passed - House (91 - 4)
3/04 HB 4180 Allowing Teachers to Conduct a Silent Reflection Bill Passed - House (72 - 31)
3/03 AM 1 Mandating the Concealment of Firearms on Campus Amendment Adopted - House (41 - 29)
3/03 HB 473 Campus Gun Restrictions Bill Passed - House (60 - 11)
2/29 HB 2870 Employment Incentive for Teachers Bill Failed - House (59 - 63)
2/28 Ward Amnd. Teacher Scholarship Program Amendment Rejected - House (50 - 71)
2/28 HB 2605 Changing School Finance Formula Bill Failed - House (62 - 63)
2/28 SB 162 State Discretion Over Federal Education Programs Bill Passed - House (38 - 33)
2/28 AB 870 Virtual Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
2/27 McKinney Amnd. A to HB 2760 Per Student Public School Funding Amendment Rejected - House (50 - 70)
2/27 HB 1001 Expanding Bioscience Research Funding Bill Passed - House (52 - 13)
2/26 H 503 Scholarships for Drug-Free Students Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
2/25 HB 4023 Linking Driving Privileges with Student Performance Bill Passed - House (80 - 15)
2/21 HB 30 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (93 - 5)
2/20 HB 396 HPV Vaccinations for Primary, Secondary and Preschool Students Bill Passed - House (56 - 37)

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