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
Dec. 21, 2020 OR HB 4402 Establishes Liability Immunity from COVID-19 Related Lawsuits for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 4)
Dec. 18, 2020 MI HB 4223 Requires Dental Screenings for Children Attending Public School Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
Dec. 17, 2020 NJ A 4454 Requires School Districts to Include Instruction on Diversity and Inclusion as Part of New Education Standards Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
Nov. 18, 2020 PA SB 1216 Authorizes the Issuance of Temporary Teaching Certificates Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
Nov. 18, 2020 OH SB 89 Authorizes EdChoice Expansion in School Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 8)
Nov. 18, 2020 OH SB 317 Authorizes Teachers to Carry Firearms on School Grounds if Approved by the School Board Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
Oct. 12, 2020 LA SB 31 Prohibits the Use of Statewide Assessments to Evaluate Teacher Performance or Student Placement in the 2020-2021 School Year Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
Oct. 12, 2020 LA SB 31 Prohibits the Use of Statewide Assessments to Evaluate Teacher Performance or Student Placement in the 2020-2021 School Year Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
Sept. 23, 2020 MI SB 927 Authorizes an Increase in Funding for Education Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 1)
Sept. 23, 2020 MI SB 927 Authorizes an Increase in Funding for Education Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 1)
Sept. 9, 2020 PA HB 2787 Authorizes Individual School Districts to Make Decisions Surrounding Activities and COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
Sept. 2, 2020 NC HB 1105 Appropriates COVID Relief Checks to Parents Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 5)
Sept. 2, 2020 NC HB 1105 Appropriates COVID Relief Checks to Parents Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 5)
Aug. 31, 2020 CA SB 493 Requires State-Funded Colleges to Clarify Sexual Assault Allegation Procedures Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
Aug. 28, 2020 CA AB 376 Establishes Protections for Student Loan Borrowers Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
Aug. 27, 2020 NJ A 4006 Authorizes a Postponement of NJQSAC for Certain School Districts Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Aug. 27, 2020 NJ A 4006 Authorizes a Postponement of NJQSAC for Certain School Districts Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Aug. 26, 2020 ID H 6 Establishes Liability Protections for Businesses, Schools, and Cities during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
Aug. 24, 2020 CA AB 901 Limits a School District's Ability to Refer Students to Probation Officers Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
Aug. 24, 2020 CA AB 901 Limits a School District's Ability to Refer Students to Probation Officers Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
Aug. 15, 2020 MI HB 5913 Requires School Districts to Administer Math and Reading Exams During E-Learning Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Aug. 15, 2020 MI HB 5913 Requires School Districts to Administer Math and Reading Exams During E-Learning Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Aug. 13, 2020 NE LB 515 Authorizes Suspended or Expelled Students to Complete Their Coursework Out of School Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
Aug. 13, 2020 NE LB 1089 Requires Filling out a FAFSA Form to Graduate Highschool Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 12)
Aug. 10, 2020 MS HB 1806 Increases Funding to the Department of Education Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
Aug. 10, 2020 MS HB 1806 Increases Funding to the Department of Education Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
July 30, 2020 NJ S 971 Authorizes Compensation for College Athletes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
July 28, 2020 MA S 2844 Repeals Previous Restrictions on Students with Disabilities Attending Universities of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
July 21, 2020 NY S 6648 Requires Instruction Regarding Symbols of Hate for Grades 6-12 Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 1)
July 15, 2020 PA SB 1216 Authorizes the Issuance of Temporary Teaching Certificates Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
June 29, 2020 CA SB 98 Establishes Distance Education Guidance and Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
June 29, 2020 NJ S 2273 Amends Teacher Health Benefits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
June 26, 2020 NC SB 681 Requires Credit in the Arts in Order to Graduate Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 9)
June 18, 2020 CA AB 1460 Requires Ethnic Studies Course Completion in State Universities Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
June 16, 2020 NH HB 1454 Authorizes Credit for Alternative Learning and Work Programs "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (15 - 9)
June 15, 2020 NC SB 818 Authorizes Bonuses for Public School Teachers During the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
June 15, 2020 NC SB 818 Authorizes Bonuses for Public School Teachers During the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
June 13, 2020 CO SB 20-163 Amends the Definition for Nonmedical Exemptions for School Immunization Policies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 13)
June 13, 2020 IA SF 2310 Establishes Educational Instructional Requirements for Online Learning Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
June 10, 2020 OH HB 164 Authorizes Religious Expression in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
June 10, 2020 PA SB 1125 Authorizes School Districts to Extend Time Needed to Pay Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
May 13, 2020 OK HB 2741 Reduces Contributions to Teachers' Retirement System Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 12)
March 25, 2020 PA SB 751 Authorizes Financial Assistance for Schools Amid COVID-19-Related Shutdown Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
March 25, 2020 OH HB 197 Establishes Relief Provisions in Response to the COVID-19 Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 0)
March 24, 2020 AK HB 106 Extends School Bond Debt Reimbursement Moratorium for 5 years Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 6)
March 19, 2020 AZ HB 2902 Appropriates Funds Related to Education Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
March 19, 2020 TN HB 2818 Authorizes the State Board of Education to Establish Rules During COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
March 17, 2020 KS SB 142 Authorizes Waiver for School Hour Requirement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
March 16, 2020 CA SB 117 Appropriates Funds to Public Schools Amid COVID-19 Emergency Shut-Down Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
March 16, 2020 ID H 500 Prohibits Transgender Female Students from Sports designated for Females Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
March 16, 2020 ID H 500 Prohibits Transgender Female Students from Sports designated for Females Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
March 16, 2020 KS SB 474 Authorizes Compensation for College Athletes Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 4)
March 12, 2020 ME LD 1894 Increases Purchases of Electric School Buses Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
March 11, 2020 IN HB 1065 Authorizes School Districts To Use Tax Dollars For Charter Schools Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 18)
March 11, 2020 NY S 5073 Establishes a School Voter Registration Access Program Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 18)
March 11, 2020 FL HB 1213 Requires Adding Ocoee Riots to School Curriculum Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
March 11, 2020 National H J Res 76 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to "Borrower Defense Institutional Accountability" Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 42)
March 10, 2020 FL SB 70 Establishes Alert Systems in Public Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
March 10, 2020 GA SB 386 Expands State-Funded Private School Scholarships for Students with Learning Disabilities Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 22)
March 9, 2020 WA SB 6561 Establishes a Student Loan Program for Undocumented Students Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 11)
March 9, 2020 WY HB 174 Amends Kindergarten Minimum Age Start Date Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
March 3, 2020 IN HB 1222 Reduces Number of Assistance Funding Requests Made by Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13)
March 3, 2020 VA HB 837 Establishes the "Dress Code Equity Act" Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
March 2, 2020 AZ SB 1059 Establishes a Ballot Referendum to Raise $900 Million Per Year for State K-12 Education Funding Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
Feb. 28, 2020 CO SB 20-163 Amends the Definition for Nonmedical Exemptions for School Immunization Policies Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
Feb. 25, 2020 SD SB 147 Prohibits Collective Bargaining by Certain University Employees Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
Feb. 12, 2020 OK HB 2336 Authorizes Handguns on the Premises of Schools Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 7)
Feb. 12, 2020 WA SB 6262 Requires Schools to Incorporate Curriculum on Local Indian Tribes Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
Feb. 11, 2020 VA SB 935 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 11, 2020 WV SB 131 Establishes the Tim Tebow Act Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
Jan. 30, 2020 WA SB 6492 Amends the Business and Occupation Tax for Workforce Education Investment Funding Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
Jan. 28, 2020 OH HB 9 Authorizes Receiving a GED from a Higher Education Institution Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
Jan. 28, 2020 GA HB 444 Limits State Funding for Dual Enrollment Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 18)
Jan. 28, 2020 GA HB 444 Limits State Funding for Dual Enrollment Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 18)
Jan. 28, 2020 OH SB 40 Prohibits State Universities from Enacting Limitations on Campus Free Speech Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
Jan. 21, 2020 VA SB 161 Requires Schools to Create Policies Transgender-Friendly Student Policies Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
Jan. 21, 2020 VA SB 161 Requires Schools to Create Policies Transgender-Friendly Student Policies Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
Jan. 16, 2020 MA H 4218 Requires School Districts Offer Breakfast After Instruction Begins Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
Jan. 16, 2020 MA H 4218 Requires School Districts Offer Breakfast After Instruction Begins Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
Jan. 14, 2020 IN SB 69 Authorizes Firearms on School Grounds Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/21 HB 4402 Establishes Liability Immunity from COVID-19 Related Lawsuits for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 4)
12/18 HB 4223 Requires Dental Screenings for Children Attending Public School Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
12/17 A 4454 Requires School Districts to Include Instruction on Diversity and Inclusion as Part of New Education Standards Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
11/18 SB 1216 Authorizes the Issuance of Temporary Teaching Certificates Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
11/18 SB 89 Authorizes EdChoice Expansion in School Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 8)
11/18 SB 317 Authorizes Teachers to Carry Firearms on School Grounds if Approved by the School Board Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
10/12 SB 31 Prohibits the Use of Statewide Assessments to Evaluate Teacher Performance or Student Placement in the 2020-2021 School Year Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
10/12 SB 31 Prohibits the Use of Statewide Assessments to Evaluate Teacher Performance or Student Placement in the 2020-2021 School Year Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
9/23 SB 927 Authorizes an Increase in Funding for Education Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 1)
9/23 SB 927 Authorizes an Increase in Funding for Education Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 1)
9/09 HB 2787 Authorizes Individual School Districts to Make Decisions Surrounding Activities and COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
9/02 HB 1105 Appropriates COVID Relief Checks to Parents Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 5)
9/02 HB 1105 Appropriates COVID Relief Checks to Parents Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 5)
8/31 SB 493 Requires State-Funded Colleges to Clarify Sexual Assault Allegation Procedures Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
8/28 AB 376 Establishes Protections for Student Loan Borrowers Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
8/27 A 4006 Authorizes a Postponement of NJQSAC for Certain School Districts Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
8/27 A 4006 Authorizes a Postponement of NJQSAC for Certain School Districts Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
8/26 H 6 Establishes Liability Protections for Businesses, Schools, and Cities during COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
8/24 AB 901 Limits a School District's Ability to Refer Students to Probation Officers Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
8/24 AB 901 Limits a School District's Ability to Refer Students to Probation Officers Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
8/15 HB 5913 Requires School Districts to Administer Math and Reading Exams During E-Learning Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
8/15 HB 5913 Requires School Districts to Administer Math and Reading Exams During E-Learning Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
8/13 LB 515 Authorizes Suspended or Expelled Students to Complete Their Coursework Out of School Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
8/13 LB 1089 Requires Filling out a FAFSA Form to Graduate Highschool Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 12)
8/10 HB 1806 Increases Funding to the Department of Education Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
8/10 HB 1806 Increases Funding to the Department of Education Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
7/30 S 971 Authorizes Compensation for College Athletes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
7/28 S 2844 Repeals Previous Restrictions on Students with Disabilities Attending Universities of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
7/21 S 6648 Requires Instruction Regarding Symbols of Hate for Grades 6-12 Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 1)
7/15 SB 1216 Authorizes the Issuance of Temporary Teaching Certificates Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
6/29 SB 98 Establishes Distance Education Guidance and Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
6/29 S 2273 Amends Teacher Health Benefits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
6/26 SB 681 Requires Credit in the Arts in Order to Graduate Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 9)
6/18 AB 1460 Requires Ethnic Studies Course Completion in State Universities Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
6/16 HB 1454 Authorizes Credit for Alternative Learning and Work Programs "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (15 - 9)
6/15 SB 818 Authorizes Bonuses for Public School Teachers During the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
6/15 SB 818 Authorizes Bonuses for Public School Teachers During the COVID-19 Pandemic Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
6/13 SB 20-163 Amends the Definition for Nonmedical Exemptions for School Immunization Policies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 13)
6/13 SF 2310 Establishes Educational Instructional Requirements for Online Learning Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
6/10 HB 164 Authorizes Religious Expression in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
6/10 SB 1125 Authorizes School Districts to Extend Time Needed to Pay Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
5/13 HB 2741 Reduces Contributions to Teachers' Retirement System Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 12)
3/25 SB 751 Authorizes Financial Assistance for Schools Amid COVID-19-Related Shutdown Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
3/25 HB 197 Establishes Relief Provisions in Response to the COVID-19 Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 0)
3/24 HB 106 Extends School Bond Debt Reimbursement Moratorium for 5 years Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 6)
3/19 HB 2902 Appropriates Funds Related to Education Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
3/19 HB 2818 Authorizes the State Board of Education to Establish Rules During COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
3/17 SB 142 Authorizes Waiver for School Hour Requirement Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
3/16 SB 117 Appropriates Funds to Public Schools Amid COVID-19 Emergency Shut-Down Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
3/16 H 500 Prohibits Transgender Female Students from Sports designated for Females Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
3/16 H 500 Prohibits Transgender Female Students from Sports designated for Females Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
3/16 SB 474 Authorizes Compensation for College Athletes Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 4)
3/12 LD 1894 Increases Purchases of Electric School Buses Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
3/11 HB 1065 Authorizes School Districts To Use Tax Dollars For Charter Schools Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 18)
3/11 S 5073 Establishes a School Voter Registration Access Program Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 18)
3/11 HB 1213 Requires Adding Ocoee Riots to School Curriculum Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
3/11 H J Res 76 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to "Borrower Defense Institutional Accountability" Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 42)
3/10 SB 70 Establishes Alert Systems in Public Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
3/10 SB 386 Expands State-Funded Private School Scholarships for Students with Learning Disabilities Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 22)
3/09 SB 6561 Establishes a Student Loan Program for Undocumented Students Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 11)
3/09 HB 174 Amends Kindergarten Minimum Age Start Date Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
3/03 HB 1222 Reduces Number of Assistance Funding Requests Made by Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13)
3/03 HB 837 Establishes the "Dress Code Equity Act" Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
3/02 SB 1059 Establishes a Ballot Referendum to Raise $900 Million Per Year for State K-12 Education Funding Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
2/28 SB 20-163 Amends the Definition for Nonmedical Exemptions for School Immunization Policies Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
2/25 SB 147 Prohibits Collective Bargaining by Certain University Employees Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
2/12 HB 2336 Authorizes Handguns on the Premises of Schools Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 7)
2/12 SB 6262 Requires Schools to Incorporate Curriculum on Local Indian Tribes Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
2/11 SB 935 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/11 SB 131 Establishes the Tim Tebow Act Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
1/30 SB 6492 Amends the Business and Occupation Tax for Workforce Education Investment Funding Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
1/28 HB 9 Authorizes Receiving a GED from a Higher Education Institution Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
1/28 HB 444 Limits State Funding for Dual Enrollment Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 18)
1/28 HB 444 Limits State Funding for Dual Enrollment Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 18)
1/28 SB 40 Prohibits State Universities from Enacting Limitations on Campus Free Speech Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
1/21 SB 161 Requires Schools to Create Policies Transgender-Friendly Student Policies Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
1/21 SB 161 Requires Schools to Create Policies Transgender-Friendly Student Policies Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
1/16 H 4218 Requires School Districts Offer Breakfast After Instruction Begins Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
1/16 H 4218 Requires School Districts Offer Breakfast After Instruction Begins Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
1/14 SB 69 Authorizes Firearms on School Grounds Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)

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