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:
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.
Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|---|
April 17, 2009 | MN | Limit of 3 Percent on Tuition Increases | Amendment Rejected - Senate (32 - 33) | |
Feb. 20, 2007 | WY | 1SHB 97 | Hathaway Scholarship Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5) |
Feb. 23, 2006 | UT | 1SSB 97 | Student Organizations | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11) |
Feb. 19, 2007 | UT | 4SHB 236 | Student Clubs Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8) |
May 28, 2010 | NY | A 11310 | Education Law Amendments Concerning Charter Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 14) |
June 16, 2022 | NJ | A 1282 | Establishes Electric School Bus Program | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
March 31, 2019 | NY | A 2006 | Establishes an Education, Labor, Housing and Family Assistance Budget for FY 2019-2020 | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22) |
June 13, 2019 | NY | A 2371 | Prohibits Exemption from Vaccinations Based on Religious Beliefs | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 26) |
Feb. 2, 2021 | NY | A 2574 | Establishes the State University of New York as an Automatic Voter Registration Location | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 20) |
Sept. 26, 2011 | NJ | A 2806 | Conversion of Certain Private Schools to Charter Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
June 23, 2008 | NJ | A 2873 | School Construction Bonds | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18) |
April 9, 2017 | NY | A 3009 | Establishes State Fiscal Plan | (53 - 4) |
Dec. 15, 2008 | NJ | A 3373 | Amending NJ STARS/NJ STARS II Scholarship Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4) |
June 16, 2022 | NJ | A 3694 | Establishes the Purple Star Schools Program for Military Families | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0) |
June 29, 2022 | NJ | A 3733 | Authorizes Students in Higher Education to Earn Graduation Credits for Serving as a Poll Worker | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 2) |
July 1, 2018 | NJ | A 3765 | Authorizes School Employees with Safety Experience to be Appointed as a School Safety Specialist | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0) |
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) |
June 25, 2009 | NJ | A 4048 | 2009 Economic Package | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12) |
June 25, 2018 | NJ | A 4110 | Requires Seat Belts on School Buses | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0) |
June 25, 2009 | NJ | A4141 | Eliminating Non-Operating School Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
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) |
Jan. 7, 2008 | NJ | A 500 | Education Funding Reform | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13) |
June 25, 2018 | NJ | A 542 | Requires Schools Maintain a Supply of Opioid Antidotes | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0) |
Aug. 6, 2009 | NY | A 8903-A | Extending City Board Jurisdiction Over New York City Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 8) |
April 30, 2014 | NY | A 9206 | Authorizes Traffic Cameras on Long Island | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 11) |
June 21, 2010 | NY | A 9709 | Omnibus Appropriations | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29) |
May 13, 2008 | WI | AB 1 | Budget Repair Plan | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 16) |
March 25, 2008 | WI | AB 1 | Budget Repair Plan | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14) |
Sept. 8, 2021 | CA | AB 101 | Requires High School Students to Complete Ethnic Studies Courses to Graduate | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 3) |
Sept. 7, 2023 | CA | AB 1078 | Prohibits School Book Bans | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9) |
Sept. 22, 2009 | WI | AB 119 | Requiring Kindergarten for First Grade Enrollment | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15) |
July 3, 2013 | CA | AB 1266 | Amends Sex-Segregated School Programs and Activities | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
May 4, 2006 | CA | AB 127 | Kindergarten-University Public Education Bond Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8) |
July 14, 2011 | CA | AB 130 | Authorizes Student Financial Aid for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
May 30, 2011 | NV | AB 136 | Governing Credits for Offenders | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10) |
June 18, 2020 | CA | AB 1460 | Requires Ethnic Studies Course Completion in State Universities | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5) |
Sept. 9, 2019 | CA | AB 1505 | Establishes Public Oversight for Charter Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
Sept. 2, 2021 | CA | AB 1550 | Establishes New Rules Regarding Higher Education Labor Relations | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
April 7, 2015 | NV | AB 165 | Establishes the Nevada Educational Choice Scholarship Program | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9) |
Sept. 1, 2011 | CA | AB 165 | Prohibits Public Schools from Charging Fees for Educational Activities | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
Sept. 5, 2019 | CA | AB 197 | Requires Schools To Offer A Full-day Kindergarten Program | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9) |
Aug. 28, 2012 | CA | AB 2132 | Encourages State Universities to Include Public Service in Tenure Policy | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
April 14, 2021 | WI | AB 241 | Requires Governor to Allocate Federal Money to State Public Debt and Transportation Revenue Bonds | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 13) |
Aug. 5, 2008 | CA | AB 2567 | Creation of "Harvey Milk Day" | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13) |
May 21, 2021 | NV | AB 261 | Expands School Curriculum to Tell a Broader Range of Children Stories | Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9) |
Nov. 5, 2013 | WI | AB 297 | Amends Laws Concerning the Use of Race-Based Nicknames, Logos, Mascots, and Team Names | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16) |
June 28, 2023 | WI | AB 321 | Amends Statutes Relating to Reading Instruction and Parent Choice in Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7) |
Sept. 10, 2015 | CA | AB 329 | Requires Age Appropriate Comprehensive Sex Education | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14) |
Sept. 12, 2013 | CA | AB 375 | Amends Teacher Dismissal Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
Aug. 28, 2020 | CA | AB 376 | Establishes Protections for Student Loan Borrowers | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9) |
March 12, 2024 | WI | AB 377 | Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11) |
June 5, 2023 | NV | AB 400 | Authorizes Local Charter Schools and Appropriates Funding for Transportation Costs | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 1) |
June 5, 2023 | NV | AB 400 | Authorizes Local Charter Schools and Appropriates Funding for Transportation Costs | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 1) |
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) |
Aug. 19, 2014 | CA | AB 420 | Prohibits Student Suspensions for Certain Actions and Misconduct | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8) |
June 1, 2009 | NV | AB 458 | Establishing the K-12 Public Education Stabilization Account | Veto Override Failed - Senate (12 - 9) |
Jan. 28, 2010 | WI | AB 458 | Sex Education Curriculum Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15) |
Sept. 10, 2013 | CA | AB 484 | Amends State School Testing Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
Feb. 15, 2022 | WI | AB 495 | Authorizes Licensed Carriage of Firearms on School Grounds | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 12) |
Sept. 4, 2019 | CA | AB 500 | Requires Paid Maternity Leave for California Teachers | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2) |
May 10, 2011 | NV | AB 568 | 2011-2013 Education Appropriations | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10) |
June 9, 2021 | WI | AB 59 | Expands the State Taxpayer Funded Private School Voucher Program to Families with Higher Incomes | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 12) |
March 12, 2024 | WI | AB 610 | Requires Colleges Provide Waivers for Vaccination Requirements | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 10) |
Sept. 3, 2019 | CA | AB 624 | Requires Listing a Sexual Assault Hotline and Reproductive Health Care Telephone Numbers on Student Identification Cards | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11) |
Sept. 3, 2019 | CA | AB 624 | Requires Listing a Sexual Assault Hotline and Reproductive Health Care Telephone Numbers on Student Identification Cards | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11) |
Sept. 12, 2023 | CA | AB 659 | Requires All Students be Vaccinated against HPV | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6) |
Aug. 12, 2019 | CA | AB 711 | Authorizes High School Document Name Changes Regarding Gender Identity | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0) |
Sept. 5, 2017 | CA | AB 841 | Restricts Marketing of Unhealthy Foods in Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13) |
Aug. 11, 2008 | CA | AB 86 | Cyber-Bullying Enforcement | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
May 20, 2021 | NV | AB 88 | Requires Schools to Change Any Identifier that is "Racially Discriminatory" | Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 8) |
Feb. 22, 2022 | WI | AB 884 | Classifies Courses on U.S. Constitution as Diversity, Ethnic Studies | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
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) |
March 8, 2022 | WI | AB 963 | Specifies Rights of Parents | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 12) |
March 8, 2022 | WI | AB 963 | Specifies Rights of Parents | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 12) |
Sept. 10, 2019 | CA | AB 963 | Establishes a Student Civic and Voter Empowerment Program at Public Post-Secondary Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9) |
March 8, 2022 | WI | AB 966 | Establishes Milwaukee Public Schools Redistricting and Implementation Commission | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 12) |
March 8, 2022 | WI | AB 966 | Establishes Milwaukee Public Schools Redistricting and Implementation Commission | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 12) |
March 8, 2022 | WI | AB 995 | Amends School Mask Mandates and In-Person Learning Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11) |
Dec. 18, 2008 | CA | ABx1 4 | Reducing Education Appropriations | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8) |
July 24, 2009 | CA | ABX4 2 | Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Education Revisions | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6) |
March 12, 2024 | WI | AJR 109 | Prohibits Governments from Giving Preferential Treatment to Staff on the Basis of Race, Sex, or National Origin | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 10) |
April 6, 2006 | NE | AM 3142 | Redistricting of Omaha Public Schools | Amendment Adopted - Senate (33 - 6) |
March 6, 2008 | NH | Amdt 0891 to SB 530 | Fully Subsidized Kindergarten Construction Program | Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 12) |
May 26, 2010 | LA | Amdt 4002 | Requires Department of Education Employees Evaluation | Amendment Adopted - Senate (20 - 19) |
March 10, 2006 | CO | Amendment L.004 | Balanced Teaching Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 20) |
May 30, 2007 | SC | Amendment No. P-2B | State Scholarships for Private Schools | Amendment Tabled - Senate (29 - 15) |
Oct. 23, 2007 | WI | AS SB 40 | 2007-2009 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 15) |
June 6, 2012 | NH | CACR 12 | Legislative Authority of Education Requirements | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 6) |
April 12, 2007 | NH | CACR 18 | Adequate Education Funding | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 9) |
June 14, 2007 | NH | CACR 19 | Constitutional Amendment Regarding Education | Resolution Failed - Senate (14 - 10) |
Feb. 21, 2008 | NH | CACR 34 | Constitutional Amendment to Define an Adequate Education | Resolution Passed - Senate (19 - 5) |
May 1, 2006 | FL | CS for CS for CS for SJR 2170 | School Vouchers Constitutional Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (23 - 16) |
April 28, 2006 | FL | CS for SJR 1150 | 65 Percent Funding, Class Size, Classroom Instruction | Amendment Rejected - Senate (20 - 20) |
May 9, 2006 | TX | CSHB 2 | Property Tax Reduction | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
May 23, 2007 | TX | CSHB 3678 | Religious Expression at Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3) |
March 3, 2006 | AK | CSSB 112 | Rural Education Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 8) |
April 27, 2007 | FL | CS SB 1710 | State University Tuition Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
April 20, 2006 | AK | CSSB 235 | Public School Performance Incentive Program | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 7) |