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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sept. 26, 2011 | NJ | A 2806 | Conversion of Certain Private Schools to Charter Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
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) |
Sept. 1, 2011 | CA | AB 165 | Prohibits Public Schools from Charging Fees for Educational Activities | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
May 10, 2011 | NV | AB 568 | 2011-2013 Education Appropriations | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10) |
May 5, 2011 | VT | H 436 | Tax Law Amendments | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 10) |
May 28, 2011 | TX | HB 1 | 2011-2013 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 11) |
May 4, 2011 | TX | HB 1 | 2011-2013 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12) |
June 23, 2011 | DE | HB 100 | Background Checks for Contractors on School Premises | Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 5) |
April 12, 2011 | IN | HB 1002 | Charter School Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20) |
April 21, 2011 | IN | HB 1003 | School Vouchers | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22) |
Feb. 16, 2011 | AR | HB 1049 | Prohibit Cell Phone Use in School Zones | Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 9) |
March 11, 2011 | ND | HB 1263 | Athletic Nickname and Logo of the University of North Dakota | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 15) |
March 18, 2011 | NM | HB 172 | Prohibiting Corporal Punishment as School Discipline | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17) |
March 8, 2011 | UT | HB 183 | School District Leave Policies | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 7) |
March 1, 2011 | WY | HB 204 | Patriotism in the Classroom | Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 16) |
June 21, 2011 | OR | HB 2301 | Online Charter School Enrollment | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
April 13, 2011 | AZ | HB 2415 | Punishment Guidelines for Bullying in Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8) |
March 8, 2011 | GA | HB 326 | Amends the HOPE Scholarship Program | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 20) |
May 23, 2011 | TX | HB 359 | Corporal Punishment in Public Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 2) |
Nov. 3, 2011 | MI | HB 4005 | School Board Election Dates | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
May 26, 2011 | MI | HB 4325 | Education Appropriations for 2011-2013 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17) |
May 12, 2011 | MI | HB 4481 | Public School Employees' Pension and Tax Exemption | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 19) |
June 30, 2011 | MI | HB 4625 | Teacher Tenure Standards | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
June 30, 2011 | MI | HB 4628 | Amends Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Teachers | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18) |
May 24, 2011 | CT | HB 6390 | Access to Postsecondary Education | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
July 19, 2011 | MN | HF 26 | 2011-2013 Biennium Education Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 28) |
July 19, 2011 | MN | HF 4 | Higher Education Appropriations | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 30) |
Nov. 17, 2011 | National | HR 2112 | Appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, and the Food and Drug Administration | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (70 - 30) |
Feb. 24, 2011 | ID | S 1108 | Education Provisions and Teacher Entitlements | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
Feb. 24, 2011 | ID | S 1110 | Redistributing Public School Funds for Teachers | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
March 24, 2011 | ID | S 1181 | Post-Secondary Education Appropriations | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7) |
March 24, 2011 | ID | S 1184 | Technology in the Classroom | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
Oct. 11, 2011 | National | S 1660 | American Jobs Act of 2011 | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 49) |
Jan. 31, 2011 | NY | S 2707 | Funding State Mandated Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 20) |
March 30, 2011 | NY | S 2808 | Implementing the Education, Labor, and Family Assistance Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 13) |
Feb. 22, 2011 | IN | SB 1 | Evaluating and Licensing of Teachers | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20) |
June 3, 2011 | TX | SB 1 | 2011-2013 Biennium Education Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12) |
Oct. 26, 2011 | PA | SB 1 | Charter School Guidelines | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22) |
May 20, 2011 | TN | SB 113 | Teachers' Unions Negotiations | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 12) |
May 2, 2011 | TN | SB 113 | Teachers' Unions Negotiations | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14) |
June 1, 2011 | CT | SB 1152 | Funding for Construction at the University of Connecticut Health Center | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
April 18, 2011 | CO | SB 126 | In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
Nov. 2, 2011 | MI | SB 137 | Bullying Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
March 14, 2011 | AZ | SB 1467 | Concealed Weapons on College Campuses | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7) |
March 10, 2011 | TN | SB 1528 | Amends Requirements for Teacher Tenure | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
May 9, 2011 | TX | SB 1581 | Concealed Handguns on Campus | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11) |
March 17, 2011 | AZ | SB 1611 | Requires Verification of Citizenship for Certain Benefits | Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 19) |
March 17, 2011 | AZ | SB 1611 | Requires Verification of Citizenship for Certain Benefits | Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 19) |
April 1, 2011 | AZ | SB 1617 | K-12 Education Budget for 2011-2012 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
April 1, 2011 | AZ | SB 1618 | 2011-2012 Budget Reconciliation for Higher Education | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
April 11, 2011 | MD | SB 167 | In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 19) |
Sept. 1, 2011 | CA | SB 185 | Considering Race, Ethnicity and Gender in College Admissions | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
Nov. 10, 2011 | IL | SB 2147 | Paying Regional Superintendents | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 16) |
May 4, 2011 | IL | SB 2185 | Establishes the DREAM Fund Commission | Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 11) |
Nov. 2, 2011 | WI | SB 237 | Amending Sexual Education Guidelines | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15) |
Nov. 8, 2011 | ND | SB 2370 | Authorizes Changing the Nickname and Logo of the University of North Dakota | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 7) |
June 20, 2011 | OR | SB 250 | Authorizing School Districts To Withdraw From Education Service Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
March 27, 2011 | MS | SB 3100 | Issuance of State Bonds for Improvements in Higher Learning Institutions | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 10) |
Feb. 28, 2011 | NM | SB 319 | Eliminating Corporal Punishment | Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 18) |
April 28, 2011 | MT | SB 329 | Oil and Natural Gas Revenue for Schools | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 19) |
June 30, 2011 | PA | SB 330 | Amending The Taxpayer Relief Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 17) |
March 23, 2011 | MT | SB 403 | Revised K-12 School Funding | Bill Failed - Senate (25 - 25) |
March 16, 2011 | NM | SB 427 | Rating System for Public Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
Feb. 21, 2011 | OK | SB 435 | Modifying Board of Education Membership | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16) |
Oct. 25, 2011 | WI | SB 45 | Administration of Medications to Students | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15) |
April 14, 2011 | CA | SB 48 | Requires Teaching Gay History | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
April 21, 2011 | TN | SB 485 | Equal Opportunity Scholarship Act | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10) |
May 20, 2011 | TN | SB 49 | Prohibits Instruction of Non-Heterosexual Human Sexuality in Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10) |
April 6, 2011 | OR | SB 552 | Establishes the Governor as the Superintendent of Public Instruction | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7) |
April 19, 2011 | IN | SB 575 | Collective Bargaining for School Employees | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 19) |
Feb. 17, 2011 | IN | SB 575 | Collective Bargaining for School Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19) |
May 25, 2011 | LA | SB 6 | Teacher Retirement | Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 19) |
May 11, 2011 | PA | SB 612 | Guidelines for Teacher Suspension | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 12) |
Oct. 27, 2011 | MI | SB 619 | Cyber Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18) |
March 2, 2011 | UT | SB 65 | Statewide Online Education Program | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
March 1, 2011 | UT | SB 65 | Statewide Online Education Program | Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 10) |
March 17, 2011 | CA | SB 70 | Education Budget Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 17) |
March 10, 2011 | FL | SB 736 | Public School Evaluation Procedures | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
March 29, 2011 | OR | SB 742 | Resident Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
Feb. 24, 2011 | NC | SB 8 | Repeal on the Number of Charter Schools Allowed | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17) |
June 6, 2011 | TX | SB 8 | Management and Operation of Public Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12) |
Feb. 3, 2011 | VA | SB 831 | Amending the Virginia Fraud Against Taxpayers Act | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
June 20, 2011 | OR | SB 909 | Appropriates Education Funds | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
Oct. 20, 2011 | WI | SB 95 | Evaluating Teacher Performance Using Standardized Test Scores | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16) |
Feb. 2, 2011 | WY | SF 106 | School Finances | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13) |
Feb. 8, 2011 | WY | SF 140 | Kindergarten Attendance | Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 15) |
Feb. 16, 2011 | IA | SF 166 | Funding for Public Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24) |
March 15, 2011 | IA | SF 328 | Funding for Education and Employment Training | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24) |
March 3, 2011 | MN | SF 40 | Amends Licensing and Codes for Education | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (46 - 19) |
Feb. 3, 2011 | MN | SF 40 | Amends Licensing and Codes for Education | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 23) |
Feb. 8, 2011 | WY | SF 52 | Repealing Teacher Tenure | Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 18) |
Feb. 23, 2011 | UT | SJR 9 | Supervision of Public Education | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 6) |
Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|
9/26 | A 2806 | Conversion of Certain Private Schools to Charter Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
7/14 | AB 130 | Authorizes Student Financial Aid for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
5/30 | AB 136 | Governing Credits for Offenders | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10) |
9/01 | AB 165 | Prohibits Public Schools from Charging Fees for Educational Activities | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
5/10 | AB 568 | 2011-2013 Education Appropriations | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10) |
5/05 | H 436 | Tax Law Amendments | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 10) |
5/28 | HB 1 | 2011-2013 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 11) |
5/04 | HB 1 | 2011-2013 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12) |
6/23 | HB 100 | Background Checks for Contractors on School Premises | Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 5) |
4/12 | HB 1002 | Charter School Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20) |
4/21 | HB 1003 | School Vouchers | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22) |
2/16 | HB 1049 | Prohibit Cell Phone Use in School Zones | Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 9) |
3/11 | HB 1263 | Athletic Nickname and Logo of the University of North Dakota | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 15) |
3/18 | HB 172 | Prohibiting Corporal Punishment as School Discipline | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17) |
3/08 | HB 183 | School District Leave Policies | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 7) |
3/01 | HB 204 | Patriotism in the Classroom | Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 16) |
6/21 | HB 2301 | Online Charter School Enrollment | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
4/13 | HB 2415 | Punishment Guidelines for Bullying in Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8) |
3/08 | HB 326 | Amends the HOPE Scholarship Program | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 20) |
5/23 | HB 359 | Corporal Punishment in Public Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 2) |
11/03 | HB 4005 | School Board Election Dates | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
5/26 | HB 4325 | Education Appropriations for 2011-2013 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17) |
5/12 | HB 4481 | Public School Employees' Pension and Tax Exemption | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 19) |
6/30 | HB 4625 | Teacher Tenure Standards | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
6/30 | HB 4628 | Amends Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Teachers | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18) |
5/24 | HB 6390 | Access to Postsecondary Education | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
7/19 | HF 26 | 2011-2013 Biennium Education Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 28) |
7/19 | HF 4 | Higher Education Appropriations | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 30) |
11/17 | HR 2112 | Appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, and the Food and Drug Administration | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (70 - 30) |
2/24 | S 1108 | Education Provisions and Teacher Entitlements | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
2/24 | S 1110 | Redistributing Public School Funds for Teachers | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
3/24 | S 1181 | Post-Secondary Education Appropriations | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7) |
3/24 | S 1184 | Technology in the Classroom | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
10/11 | S 1660 | American Jobs Act of 2011 | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 49) |
1/31 | S 2707 | Funding State Mandated Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 20) |
3/30 | S 2808 | Implementing the Education, Labor, and Family Assistance Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 13) |
2/22 | SB 1 | Evaluating and Licensing of Teachers | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20) |
6/03 | SB 1 | 2011-2013 Biennium Education Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12) |
10/26 | SB 1 | Charter School Guidelines | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22) |
5/20 | SB 113 | Teachers' Unions Negotiations | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 12) |
5/02 | SB 113 | Teachers' Unions Negotiations | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14) |
6/01 | SB 1152 | Funding for Construction at the University of Connecticut Health Center | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
4/18 | SB 126 | In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
11/02 | SB 137 | Bullying Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
3/14 | SB 1467 | Concealed Weapons on College Campuses | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7) |
3/10 | SB 1528 | Amends Requirements for Teacher Tenure | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
5/09 | SB 1581 | Concealed Handguns on Campus | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11) |
3/17 | SB 1611 | Requires Verification of Citizenship for Certain Benefits | Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 19) |
3/17 | SB 1611 | Requires Verification of Citizenship for Certain Benefits | Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 19) |
4/01 | SB 1617 | K-12 Education Budget for 2011-2012 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
4/01 | SB 1618 | 2011-2012 Budget Reconciliation for Higher Education | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
4/11 | SB 167 | In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 19) |
9/01 | SB 185 | Considering Race, Ethnicity and Gender in College Admissions | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
11/10 | SB 2147 | Paying Regional Superintendents | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 16) |
5/04 | SB 2185 | Establishes the DREAM Fund Commission | Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 11) |
11/02 | SB 237 | Amending Sexual Education Guidelines | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15) |
11/08 | SB 2370 | Authorizes Changing the Nickname and Logo of the University of North Dakota | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 7) |
6/20 | SB 250 | Authorizing School Districts To Withdraw From Education Service Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
3/27 | SB 3100 | Issuance of State Bonds for Improvements in Higher Learning Institutions | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 10) |
2/28 | SB 319 | Eliminating Corporal Punishment | Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 18) |
4/28 | SB 329 | Oil and Natural Gas Revenue for Schools | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 19) |
6/30 | SB 330 | Amending The Taxpayer Relief Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 17) |
3/23 | SB 403 | Revised K-12 School Funding | Bill Failed - Senate (25 - 25) |
3/16 | SB 427 | Rating System for Public Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
2/21 | SB 435 | Modifying Board of Education Membership | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16) |
10/25 | SB 45 | Administration of Medications to Students | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15) |
4/14 | SB 48 | Requires Teaching Gay History | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
4/21 | SB 485 | Equal Opportunity Scholarship Act | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10) |
5/20 | SB 49 | Prohibits Instruction of Non-Heterosexual Human Sexuality in Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10) |
4/06 | SB 552 | Establishes the Governor as the Superintendent of Public Instruction | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7) |
4/19 | SB 575 | Collective Bargaining for School Employees | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 19) |
2/17 | SB 575 | Collective Bargaining for School Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19) |
5/25 | SB 6 | Teacher Retirement | Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 19) |
5/11 | SB 612 | Guidelines for Teacher Suspension | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 12) |
10/27 | SB 619 | Cyber Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18) |
3/02 | SB 65 | Statewide Online Education Program | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
3/01 | SB 65 | Statewide Online Education Program | Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 10) |
3/17 | SB 70 | Education Budget Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 17) |
3/10 | SB 736 | Public School Evaluation Procedures | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
3/29 | SB 742 | Resident Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
2/24 | SB 8 | Repeal on the Number of Charter Schools Allowed | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17) |
6/06 | SB 8 | Management and Operation of Public Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12) |
2/03 | SB 831 | Amending the Virginia Fraud Against Taxpayers Act | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
6/20 | SB 909 | Appropriates Education Funds | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
10/20 | SB 95 | Evaluating Teacher Performance Using Standardized Test Scores | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16) |
2/02 | SF 106 | School Finances | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13) |
2/08 | SF 140 | Kindergarten Attendance | Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 15) |
2/16 | SF 166 | Funding for Public Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24) |
3/15 | SF 328 | Funding for Education and Employment Training | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24) |
3/03 | SF 40 | Amends Licensing and Codes for Education | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (46 - 19) |
2/03 | SF 40 | Amends Licensing and Codes for Education | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 23) |
2/08 | SF 52 | Repealing Teacher Tenure | Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 18) |
2/23 | SJR 9 | Supervision of Public Education | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 6) |