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
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 ID S 1254 Authorizes the Concealed Carry of Firearms on College or University Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
March 13, 2014 NY S 2031A Amends the Board of Regents Appointment Process Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 19)
May 14, 2014 RI S 2059 Prohibits State Assessments for Graduation Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
June 26, 2014 NJ S 2264 Authorizes Additional Teacher Pension Benefits Bill Passed - House (42 - 34)
June 26, 2014 NJ S 2264 Authorizes Additional Teacher Pension Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
June 11, 2014 National S 2432 Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 38)
Feb. 12, 2014 MS S Amdt 2 Repeals August School Start Date Requirement Amendment Adopted - Senate (31 - 15)
Feb. 11, 2014 MS S Amdt 7 Prohibits Abortion Counseling in Pregnancy Prevention Programs Amendment Rejected - Senate (22 - 23)
Jan. 23, 2014 IN SB 113 Requires Cursive Writing to be Taught in School Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
Aug. 26, 2014 CA SB 1174 Repeals Prohibition on Bilingual Education Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
Aug. 25, 2014 CA SB 1174 Repeals Prohibition on Bilingual Education Bill Passed - House (53 - 26)
May 27, 2014 CA SB 1174 Repeals Prohibition on Bilingual Education Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
March 5, 2014 AZ SB 1310 Prohibits the Implementation of Common Core Standards Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 18)
May 27, 2014 IL SB 16 Amends Formula for School Funding Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 19)
Feb. 25, 2014 GA SB 167 Prohibits Common Core Curriculum Standards Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
Feb. 13, 2014 AL SB 18 Authorizes a School District to Educate on Traditional Winter Celebrations Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7)
April 10, 2014 TN SB 196 Establishes the Tennessee Choice and Opportunity Scholarship Program Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
June 3, 2014 DE SB 209 Amends Charter School Laws Bill Passed - House (24 - 13)
May 8, 2014 DE SB 209 Amends Charter School Laws Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
March 25, 2014 KY SB 211 Authorizes the Formation of Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
April 7, 2014 TN SB 2115 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Certain Students Bill Passed - House (63 - 27)
March 24, 2014 TN SB 2115 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Certain Students Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
April 5, 2014 KS SB 218 Establishes School Financing and Administrative Measures Conference Report Rejected - House (55 - 67)
April 2, 2014 IL SB 2202 Prohibits Smoking on State-Funded University and Community College Campuses Bill Passed - House (67 - 44)
Feb. 13, 2014 MS SB 2325 Establishes Individualized Education Funds for Certain Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
Feb. 26, 2014 VA SB 236 Authorizes Religious Expression in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (64 - 34)
Jan. 21, 2014 VA SB 236 Authorizes Religious Expression in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Feb. 11, 2014 MS SB 2563 Requires Universities to Develop a Plan of Action for Unplanned Pregnancies Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11)
Feb. 4, 2014 IN SB 264 Authorizes Annual Stipends for Certain Teachers Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
Feb. 4, 2014 VA SB 324 Extends Deadline for Implementation of a School Performance Grading System Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
Feb. 18, 2014 NM SB 347 Appropriates Funds to the Lottery Tuition Fund Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 11)
Feb. 18, 2014 NM SB 347 Appropriates Funds to the Lottery Tuition Fund Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 11)
May 15, 2014 MO SB 493 Amends School Transfer Laws Conference Report Adopted - House (89 - 66)
May 14, 2014 MO SB 493 Amends School Transfer Laws Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 3)
Feb. 18, 2014 WA SB 6523 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Non-Citizen Individuals Bill Passed - House (75 - 22)
Jan. 31, 2014 WA SB 6523 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Non-Citizen Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 10)
Sept. 10, 2014 MO SB 656 Authorizes School Employees to Carry Firearms on School Property Veto Override Passed - House (117 - 39)
Sept. 10, 2014 MO SB 656 Authorizes School Employees to Carry Firearms on School Property Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
May 16, 2014 MO SB 656 Authorizes School Employees to Carry Firearms on School Property Conference Report Adopted - House (111 - 28)
May 15, 2014 MO SB 656 Authorizes School Employees to Carry Firearms on School Property Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 8)
July 16, 2014 NC SB 812 Repeals Common Core Standards Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 34)
July 10, 2014 NC SB 812 Repeals Common Core Standards Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 12)
May 29, 2014 CA SB 837 Establishes the California Prekindergarten Program Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
May 2, 2014 FL SB 850 Establishes the Florida Personal Learning Scholarship Accounts Program Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 44)
May 2, 2014 FL SB 850 Establishes the Florida Personal Learning Scholarship Accounts Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
April 28, 2014 FL SB 864 Authorizes Local School Boards to Choose School Textbooks Bill Passed - House (84 - 33)
March 12, 2014 IN SB 91 Repeals Common Core Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 13)
Feb. 27, 2014 IN SB 91 Repeals Common Core Standards Bill Passed - House (67 - 26)
Feb. 4, 2014 IN SB 91 Repeals Common Core Standards Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 12)
Feb. 5, 2014 IA SF 2079 Increases School Funding Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
April 25, 2014 IA SF 2318 Amends School Harassment and Bullying Policies Bill Passed - House (68 - 27)
March 18, 2014 IA SF 2318 Amends School Harassment and Bullying Policies Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 19)
April 23, 2014 IA SF 2347 2014-2015 Higher Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 21)
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)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/06 S 1254 Authorizes the Concealed Carry of Firearms on College or University Campuses Bill Passed - House (50 - 19)
2/18 S 1254 Authorizes the Concealed Carry of Firearms on College or University Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
3/13 S 2031A Amends the Board of Regents Appointment Process Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 19)
5/14 S 2059 Prohibits State Assessments for Graduation Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
6/26 S 2264 Authorizes Additional Teacher Pension Benefits Bill Passed - House (42 - 34)
6/26 S 2264 Authorizes Additional Teacher Pension Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
6/11 S 2432 Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 38)
2/12 S Amdt 2 Repeals August School Start Date Requirement Amendment Adopted - Senate (31 - 15)
2/11 S Amdt 7 Prohibits Abortion Counseling in Pregnancy Prevention Programs Amendment Rejected - Senate (22 - 23)
1/23 SB 113 Requires Cursive Writing to be Taught in School Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
8/26 SB 1174 Repeals Prohibition on Bilingual Education Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
8/25 SB 1174 Repeals Prohibition on Bilingual Education Bill Passed - House (53 - 26)
5/27 SB 1174 Repeals Prohibition on Bilingual Education Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
3/05 SB 1310 Prohibits the Implementation of Common Core Standards Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 18)
5/27 SB 16 Amends Formula for School Funding Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 19)
2/25 SB 167 Prohibits Common Core Curriculum Standards Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 16)
2/13 SB 18 Authorizes a School District to Educate on Traditional Winter Celebrations Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7)
4/10 SB 196 Establishes the Tennessee Choice and Opportunity Scholarship Program Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
6/03 SB 209 Amends Charter School Laws Bill Passed - House (24 - 13)
5/08 SB 209 Amends Charter School Laws Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
3/25 SB 211 Authorizes the Formation of Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
4/07 SB 2115 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Certain Students Bill Passed - House (63 - 27)
3/24 SB 2115 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Certain Students Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
4/05 SB 218 Establishes School Financing and Administrative Measures Conference Report Rejected - House (55 - 67)
4/02 SB 2202 Prohibits Smoking on State-Funded University and Community College Campuses Bill Passed - House (67 - 44)
2/13 SB 2325 Establishes Individualized Education Funds for Certain Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
2/26 SB 236 Authorizes Religious Expression in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (64 - 34)
1/21 SB 236 Authorizes Religious Expression in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
2/11 SB 2563 Requires Universities to Develop a Plan of Action for Unplanned Pregnancies Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11)
2/04 SB 264 Authorizes Annual Stipends for Certain Teachers Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
2/04 SB 324 Extends Deadline for Implementation of a School Performance Grading System Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
2/18 SB 347 Appropriates Funds to the Lottery Tuition Fund Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 11)
2/18 SB 347 Appropriates Funds to the Lottery Tuition Fund Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 11)
5/15 SB 493 Amends School Transfer Laws Conference Report Adopted - House (89 - 66)
5/14 SB 493 Amends School Transfer Laws Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 3)
2/18 SB 6523 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Non-Citizen Individuals Bill Passed - House (75 - 22)
1/31 SB 6523 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Non-Citizen Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 10)
9/10 SB 656 Authorizes School Employees to Carry Firearms on School Property Veto Override Passed - House (117 - 39)
9/10 SB 656 Authorizes School Employees to Carry Firearms on School Property Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
5/16 SB 656 Authorizes School Employees to Carry Firearms on School Property Conference Report Adopted - House (111 - 28)
5/15 SB 656 Authorizes School Employees to Carry Firearms on School Property Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 8)
7/16 SB 812 Repeals Common Core Standards Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 34)
7/10 SB 812 Repeals Common Core Standards Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 12)
5/29 SB 837 Establishes the California Prekindergarten Program Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
5/02 SB 850 Establishes the Florida Personal Learning Scholarship Accounts Program Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 44)
5/02 SB 850 Establishes the Florida Personal Learning Scholarship Accounts Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
4/28 SB 864 Authorizes Local School Boards to Choose School Textbooks Bill Passed - House (84 - 33)
3/12 SB 91 Repeals Common Core Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 13)
2/27 SB 91 Repeals Common Core Standards Bill Passed - House (67 - 26)
2/04 SB 91 Repeals Common Core Standards Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 12)
2/05 SF 2079 Increases School Funding Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
4/25 SF 2318 Amends School Harassment and Bullying Policies Bill Passed - House (68 - 27)
3/18 SF 2318 Amends School Harassment and Bullying Policies Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 19)
4/23 SF 2347 2014-2015 Higher Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 21)
3/13 SJR 626 Authorizes Individuals Paying School Fees to Determine Allocation of Fees to Student Organizations Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 6)

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