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
Feb. 16, 2022 AK SB 72 Amends Civics Curriculum and Assessment Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 1)
Feb. 16, 2022 AK SB 72 Amends Civics Curriculum and Assessment Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 1)
Feb. 16, 2022 AR HB 1031 Appropriates Funds to the Department of Education for the Educational Television Division Bill Passed - House (49 - 45)
Feb. 15, 2022 WI AB 495 Authorizes Licensed Carriage of Firearms on School Grounds Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
Feb. 15, 2022 SD HB 1012 Prohibits Teaching "Divisive" Topics at Public Universities Bill Passed - House (54 - 14)
Feb. 15, 2022 SD HB 1012 Prohibits Teaching "Divisive" Topics at Public Universities Bill Passed - House (54 - 14)
Feb. 15, 2022 AL SB 119 Expands the G.I. Dependent Scholarship Program Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
Feb. 15, 2022 AL SB 116 Authorizes the Children of Military Members to Enroll in Public School Prior to State Residency Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
Feb. 15, 2022 AZ HCR 2039 Repeals the School Spending Cap Mandate in the State Constitution Joint Resolution Passed - House (45 - 14)
Feb. 14, 2022 WV SB 509 Specifies Teachers' Paid Time Off Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
Feb. 14, 2022 CO SB 22-003 Expands Community College Nursing Programs Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
Feb. 14, 2022 WV SB 509 Specifies Teachers' Paid Time Off Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
Feb. 13, 2022 NM SB 140 Expands the State's Opportunity Scholarship Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
Feb. 10, 2022 FL SB 520 Exempts University President Applicants from Public Records Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
Feb. 10, 2022 OR SB 1521 Limits School Districts' Ability to Fire Superintendents Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 7)
Feb. 10, 2022 GA SB 458 Amends Description of Richmond County School Board Districts Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 22)
Feb. 10, 2022 GA SB 458 Amends Description of Richmond County School Board Districts Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 22)
Feb. 10, 2022 OR SB 1521 Limits School Districts' Ability to Fire Superintendents Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 7)
Feb. 9, 2022 VA SB 739 Prohibits Mask Mandates at Schools Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
Feb. 9, 2022 VA SB 656 Requires Schools Notify Parents of Sexually Explicit Instructional Content Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Feb. 9, 2022 VA SB 656 Requires Schools Notify Parents of Sexually Explicit Instructional Content Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Feb. 9, 2022 VA SB 739 Prohibits Mask Mandates at Schools Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
Feb. 5, 2022 NM SB 41 Amends the University Research Park and Economic Development Act Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
Feb. 3, 2022 NH HB 319 Requires College Students Pass the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Naturalization Test "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
Feb. 3, 2022 MS HB 1418 Establishes Second Amendment Preservation Act (83 - 35)
Feb. 2, 2022 GA SB 369 Requires Board of Education Member Elections Be Nonpartisan Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 21)
Feb. 2, 2022 KY HB 121 Requires School Boards Provide 15 Minutes for Public Comment During Meetings Bill Passed - House (66 - 24)
Feb. 2, 2022 VA HB 127 Prohibits Governor's School's from Using Race as a Factor in the Admissions Process Bill Passed - House (50 - 48)
Feb. 2, 2022 GA SB 369 Requires Board of Education Member Elections Be Nonpartisan Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 21)
Feb. 2, 2022 VA HB 4 Requires School Principals to Report Student Misdemeanors to Law Enforcement Bill Passed - House (59 - 40)
Feb. 2, 2022 VA HB 4 Requires School Principals to Report Student Misdemeanors to Law Enforcement Bill Passed - House (59 - 40)
Feb. 1, 2022 IN SB 17 Rescinds Legal Protections for Secondary Schools Against Disseminating Harmful Material to Minors Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
Feb. 1, 2022 IN SB 82 Requires Every High School Senior Fill Out a FAFSA Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
Feb. 1, 2022 IN SB 17 Rescinds Legal Protections for Secondary Schools Against Disseminating Harmful Material to Minors Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
Feb. 1, 2022 SD HB 1005 Requires Students to Use School Facilities for Gender Assigned at Birth Bill Passed - House (38 - 19)
Feb. 1, 2022 VA HB 203 Specifies Definition of Student Loan Servicing Bill Passed - House (52 - 47)
Jan. 27, 2022 IN HB 1072 Requires Distribution of Funds to Certain Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (52 - 39)
Jan. 27, 2022 IN HB 1041 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Bill Passed - House (66 - 30)
Jan. 26, 2022 SD SB 72 Prohibits School, Organizational, or Sports Hazing Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
Jan. 26, 2022 IN HB 1134 Prohibits Teaching Certain Concepts on Race, Gender, and Ethnicity Bill Passed - House (60 - 37)
Jan. 26, 2022 CA SB 70 Requires Mandatory Kindergarten Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
Jan. 25, 2022 WI AB 411 Amends Current Anti-Racism and Anti-Sexism Instructions and Training for Employees of School Districts Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
Jan. 25, 2022 IN HB 1122 Prohibits Sexually Oriented Businesses from Operating Near Child-Oriented Facilities Bill Passed - House (84 - 8)
Jan. 25, 2022 IN HB 1107 Amends Special Education Conflict Resolution Process Bill Passed - House (57 - 33)
Jan. 25, 2022 IN HB 1107 Amends Special Education Conflict Resolution Process Bill Passed - House (57 - 33)
Jan. 25, 2022 WI AB 831 Establishes "Pro-Cop" Advertising Campaign Bill Passed - House (59 - 33)
Jan. 24, 2022 UT HB 183 Amends In-Person Learning Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 16)
Jan. 21, 2022 MS SB 2113 Prohibits Teaching the Topic Known as "Critical Race Theory" Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
Jan. 20, 2022 UT HB 183 Amends In-Person Learning Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)
Jan. 19, 2022 KY SB 9 Establishes the Read to Succeed Act to Increase Child Literacy Rates Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
Jan. 12, 2022 MS HB 530 Increases Starting Teacher Salary by $6,000 Bill Passed - House (114 - 6)
Jan. 8, 2022 KY SB 1 Transfers School Governance Authority to Superintendents and Away from School-Based-Decision-Councils Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/16 SB 72 Amends Civics Curriculum and Assessment Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 1)
2/16 SB 72 Amends Civics Curriculum and Assessment Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 1)
2/16 HB 1031 Appropriates Funds to the Department of Education for the Educational Television Division Bill Passed - House (49 - 45)
2/15 AB 495 Authorizes Licensed Carriage of Firearms on School Grounds Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
2/15 HB 1012 Prohibits Teaching "Divisive" Topics at Public Universities Bill Passed - House (54 - 14)
2/15 HB 1012 Prohibits Teaching "Divisive" Topics at Public Universities Bill Passed - House (54 - 14)
2/15 SB 119 Expands the G.I. Dependent Scholarship Program Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
2/15 SB 116 Authorizes the Children of Military Members to Enroll in Public School Prior to State Residency Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
2/15 HCR 2039 Repeals the School Spending Cap Mandate in the State Constitution Joint Resolution Passed - House (45 - 14)
2/14 SB 509 Specifies Teachers' Paid Time Off Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
2/14 SB 22-003 Expands Community College Nursing Programs Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 0)
2/14 SB 509 Specifies Teachers' Paid Time Off Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
2/13 SB 140 Expands the State's Opportunity Scholarship Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
2/10 SB 520 Exempts University President Applicants from Public Records Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
2/10 SB 1521 Limits School Districts' Ability to Fire Superintendents Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 7)
2/10 SB 458 Amends Description of Richmond County School Board Districts Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 22)
2/10 SB 458 Amends Description of Richmond County School Board Districts Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 22)
2/10 SB 1521 Limits School Districts' Ability to Fire Superintendents Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 7)
2/09 SB 739 Prohibits Mask Mandates at Schools Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
2/09 SB 656 Requires Schools Notify Parents of Sexually Explicit Instructional Content Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
2/09 SB 656 Requires Schools Notify Parents of Sexually Explicit Instructional Content Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
2/09 SB 739 Prohibits Mask Mandates at Schools Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
2/05 SB 41 Amends the University Research Park and Economic Development Act Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
2/03 HB 319 Requires College Students Pass the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Naturalization Test "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
2/03 HB 1418 Establishes Second Amendment Preservation Act (83 - 35)
2/02 SB 369 Requires Board of Education Member Elections Be Nonpartisan Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 21)
2/02 HB 121 Requires School Boards Provide 15 Minutes for Public Comment During Meetings Bill Passed - House (66 - 24)
2/02 HB 127 Prohibits Governor's School's from Using Race as a Factor in the Admissions Process Bill Passed - House (50 - 48)
2/02 SB 369 Requires Board of Education Member Elections Be Nonpartisan Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 21)
2/02 HB 4 Requires School Principals to Report Student Misdemeanors to Law Enforcement Bill Passed - House (59 - 40)
2/02 HB 4 Requires School Principals to Report Student Misdemeanors to Law Enforcement Bill Passed - House (59 - 40)
2/01 SB 17 Rescinds Legal Protections for Secondary Schools Against Disseminating Harmful Material to Minors Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
2/01 SB 82 Requires Every High School Senior Fill Out a FAFSA Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
2/01 SB 17 Rescinds Legal Protections for Secondary Schools Against Disseminating Harmful Material to Minors Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
2/01 HB 1005 Requires Students to Use School Facilities for Gender Assigned at Birth Bill Passed - House (38 - 19)
2/01 HB 203 Specifies Definition of Student Loan Servicing Bill Passed - House (52 - 47)
1/27 HB 1072 Requires Distribution of Funds to Certain Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (52 - 39)
1/27 HB 1041 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Bill Passed - House (66 - 30)
1/26 SB 72 Prohibits School, Organizational, or Sports Hazing Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
1/26 HB 1134 Prohibits Teaching Certain Concepts on Race, Gender, and Ethnicity Bill Passed - House (60 - 37)
1/26 SB 70 Requires Mandatory Kindergarten Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
1/25 AB 411 Amends Current Anti-Racism and Anti-Sexism Instructions and Training for Employees of School Districts Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
1/25 HB 1122 Prohibits Sexually Oriented Businesses from Operating Near Child-Oriented Facilities Bill Passed - House (84 - 8)
1/25 HB 1107 Amends Special Education Conflict Resolution Process Bill Passed - House (57 - 33)
1/25 HB 1107 Amends Special Education Conflict Resolution Process Bill Passed - House (57 - 33)
1/25 AB 831 Establishes "Pro-Cop" Advertising Campaign Bill Passed - House (59 - 33)
1/24 HB 183 Amends In-Person Learning Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 16)
1/21 SB 2113 Prohibits Teaching the Topic Known as "Critical Race Theory" Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
1/20 HB 183 Amends In-Person Learning Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)
1/19 SB 9 Establishes the Read to Succeed Act to Increase Child Literacy Rates Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
1/12 HB 530 Increases Starting Teacher Salary by $6,000 Bill Passed - House (114 - 6)
1/08 SB 1 Transfers School Governance Authority to Superintendents and Away from School-Based-Decision-Councils Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)

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