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 11, 2021 MO HB 557 Increases Oversight Over Unlicensed Religious Boarding Schools Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
May 24, 2021 CO HB 21-1164 Authorizes School Districts to Raise their Mill-Levy Rates Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Nov. 12, 2021 ND HB 1508 Prohibits Teaching of Critical Race Theory Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
April 26, 2021 ID H 377 Prohibits Teaching the Topic Known as "Critical Race Theory" Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
April 26, 2021 ID H 377 Prohibits Teaching the Topic Known as "Critical Race Theory" Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
May 20, 2021 DE HB 198 Requires Schools to Provide Curricula on Black History Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
May 22, 2021 TX HB 3979 Prohibits the Teaching of "Critical Race Theory" in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
May 21, 2021 NV AB 261 Expands School Curriculum to Tell a Broader Range of Children Stories Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
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)
Feb. 2, 2021 NY A 2574 Establishes the State University of New York as an Automatic Voter Registration Location Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
Feb. 25, 2021 ID H 68 Establishes Public Safety Guidelines for Institutions of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
April 19, 2021 AR HB 1592 Prohibits Charter Schools from Engaging in Transactions with Entities that Provide Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
June 22, 2021 DE HB 92 Reduces School Board Terms from 5 to 4 years Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
April 3, 2021 WA HB 1214 Establishes the Category of Safety and Security Staff for K-12 Schools Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
April 28, 2021 IA HF 813 Establishes Plan to Create Charter Schools in the State Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
Sept. 8, 2021 CA SJR 1 Establishes Resolution Urging Student Debt Cancellation Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
June 29, 2021 RI H 5028 Requires Civics Education for Students in Grades 8-12 Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
June 29, 2021 RI H 5028 Requires Civics Education for Students in Grades 8-12 Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
May 20, 2021 OR HB 2542 Requires Oregon Public Colleges to Publicize Information on Student Fees Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 1)
June 30, 2021 AZ HB 2906 Prohibits the Teaching of Critical Race Theory Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
Jan. 11, 2021 IL HB 2275 Repeals Section 4.5 of Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 16)
April 7, 2021 FL HB 233 Requires Florida's Public Universities to Conduct Assessments on Intellectual Freedom Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Feb. 25, 2021 ID H 67 Prohibits Public Health Districts from Closing Schools or Programs Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
Sept. 1, 2021 MI HB 4063 Extends Work Permit Requirements to Children that are Homeschooled Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
Sept. 2, 2021 CA AB 1550 Establishes New Rules Regarding Higher Education Labor Relations Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
May 20, 2021 NV AB 88 Requires Schools to Change Any Identifier that is "Racially Discriminatory" Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 8)
June 9, 2021 ME LD 1640 Expands Protections for Campus Free Speech "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 11)
June 9, 2021 ME LD 1640 Expands Protections for Campus Free Speech "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 11)
May 4, 2021 NC SB 671 Authorizes the Use of Virtual Schooling in Case of Emergencies (29 - 20)
March 2, 2021 MT SB 283 Specifies Response to Guns in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
April 27, 2021 MO SB 323 Authorizes Public Schools to Teach Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
Jan. 21, 2021 TN SB 7001 Rescinds Teacher Accountability Measures Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
Jan. 21, 2021 CA SB 86 Appropriates $6.5 Billion for In Person Learning Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 1)
Jan. 27, 2021 WA SB 5044 Requires Anti-Racism and Equity Training in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
Jan. 28, 2021 IA SF 160 Requires Schools Provide a 100 Percent In-Person Learning Option Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
Jan. 28, 2021 IA SF 160 Requires Schools Provide a 100 Percent In-Person Learning Option Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
Jan. 28, 2021 IA SF 159 Authorizes Publicly Funded School Voucher Credits for Students to Attend Private Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
Jan. 28, 2021 IA SF 159 Authorizes Publicly Funded School Voucher Credits for Students to Attend Private Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
Feb. 1, 2021 VA SB 1387 Expands Financial Aid for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Feb. 2, 2021 IN SB 2 Amends the Definition of What Constitutes "Virtual Instruction" Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
Feb. 3, 2021 ND SB 2308 Authorizes Public Schools to Display the 10 Commandments in Classrooms Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
Feb. 9, 2021 NC SB 37 Requires in Person Learning for K-12 Schools Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 15)
Feb. 9, 2021 IA SF 269 Appropriates Funds for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
Feb. 10, 2021 OK SB 239 Increases Regulatory Requirements for Groups Seeking to Launch Public Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
Feb. 15, 2021 AZ SB 1452 Expands Empowerment Scholarship Accounts for Public and Private Schools Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
Feb. 16, 2021 ID S 1045 Expands the Advanced Opportunities Program to Nonpublic School Students Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
Feb. 18, 2021 MN SF 2 Rescinds the Governor's Ability to Close Schools During a Peacetime Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 27)
Feb. 19, 2021 NJ S 3033 Establishes the School & Small Business Energy Efficiency Stimulus Program Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
Feb. 22, 2021 CA SB 132 Requires the University of California to Place all Construction Funds Into an Account With the State Controller Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
Feb. 22, 2021 CA SB 130 Appropriates Funds for Education Related Expenses Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/11 HB 557 Increases Oversight Over Unlicensed Religious Boarding Schools Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
5/24 HB 21-1164 Authorizes School Districts to Raise their Mill-Levy Rates Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
11/12 HB 1508 Prohibits Teaching of Critical Race Theory Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
4/26 H 377 Prohibits Teaching the Topic Known as "Critical Race Theory" Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
4/26 H 377 Prohibits Teaching the Topic Known as "Critical Race Theory" Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
5/20 HB 198 Requires Schools to Provide Curricula on Black History Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
5/22 HB 3979 Prohibits the Teaching of "Critical Race Theory" in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
5/21 AB 261 Expands School Curriculum to Tell a Broader Range of Children Stories Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
4/29 HB 1182 Prohibits Transgender Students from Using Bathroom Facilities that do Not Match their Birth Sex Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
2/02 A 2574 Establishes the State University of New York as an Automatic Voter Registration Location Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20)
2/25 H 68 Establishes Public Safety Guidelines for Institutions of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
4/19 HB 1592 Prohibits Charter Schools from Engaging in Transactions with Entities that Provide Abortions Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
6/22 HB 92 Reduces School Board Terms from 5 to 4 years Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
4/03 HB 1214 Establishes the Category of Safety and Security Staff for K-12 Schools Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
4/28 HF 813 Establishes Plan to Create Charter Schools in the State Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
9/08 SJR 1 Establishes Resolution Urging Student Debt Cancellation Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
6/29 H 5028 Requires Civics Education for Students in Grades 8-12 Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
6/29 H 5028 Requires Civics Education for Students in Grades 8-12 Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
5/20 HB 2542 Requires Oregon Public Colleges to Publicize Information on Student Fees Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 1)
6/30 HB 2906 Prohibits the Teaching of Critical Race Theory Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
1/11 HB 2275 Repeals Section 4.5 of Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 16)
4/07 HB 233 Requires Florida's Public Universities to Conduct Assessments on Intellectual Freedom Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
2/25 H 67 Prohibits Public Health Districts from Closing Schools or Programs Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
9/01 HB 4063 Extends Work Permit Requirements to Children that are Homeschooled Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
9/02 AB 1550 Establishes New Rules Regarding Higher Education Labor Relations Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
5/20 AB 88 Requires Schools to Change Any Identifier that is "Racially Discriminatory" Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 8)
6/09 LD 1640 Expands Protections for Campus Free Speech "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 11)
6/09 LD 1640 Expands Protections for Campus Free Speech "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 11)
5/04 SB 671 Authorizes the Use of Virtual Schooling in Case of Emergencies (29 - 20)
3/02 SB 283 Specifies Response to Guns in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
4/27 SB 323 Authorizes Public Schools to Teach Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
1/21 SB 7001 Rescinds Teacher Accountability Measures Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
1/21 SB 86 Appropriates $6.5 Billion for In Person Learning Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 1)
1/27 SB 5044 Requires Anti-Racism and Equity Training in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
1/28 SF 160 Requires Schools Provide a 100 Percent In-Person Learning Option Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
1/28 SF 160 Requires Schools Provide a 100 Percent In-Person Learning Option Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
1/28 SF 159 Authorizes Publicly Funded School Voucher Credits for Students to Attend Private Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
1/28 SF 159 Authorizes Publicly Funded School Voucher Credits for Students to Attend Private Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
2/01 SB 1387 Expands Financial Aid for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
2/02 SB 2 Amends the Definition of What Constitutes "Virtual Instruction" Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
2/03 SB 2308 Authorizes Public Schools to Display the 10 Commandments in Classrooms Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
2/09 SB 37 Requires in Person Learning for K-12 Schools Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 15)
2/09 SF 269 Appropriates Funds for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
2/10 SB 239 Increases Regulatory Requirements for Groups Seeking to Launch Public Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
2/15 SB 1452 Expands Empowerment Scholarship Accounts for Public and Private Schools Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
2/16 S 1045 Expands the Advanced Opportunities Program to Nonpublic School Students Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
2/18 SF 2 Rescinds the Governor's Ability to Close Schools During a Peacetime Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 27)
2/19 S 3033 Establishes the School & Small Business Energy Efficiency Stimulus Program Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
2/22 SB 132 Requires the University of California to Place all Construction Funds Into an Account With the State Controller Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
2/22 SB 130 Appropriates Funds for Education Related Expenses Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)

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